A Handful of Dust Session 4

[08:06.46] <DM> So we begin.
[08:06.49] * Luckymoose is now known as Repriever
[08:07.30] <DM> Light slants through the lecture hall, illuminating lazily-drifting motes as a small circle of students sit in a tiered room which could accommodate two hundred. The object of their attention stands before them.
[08:07.54] <DM> “A particle does not exist until it is observed,” comes the educated voice, cutting through the silence. “This fundamental realization lies at heart of existence.” Scratches, quills taking notes. “And from this realization comes a second realization. That, if by observing, we create, then we are all, in our ways, tiny gods.”
[08:08.18] <DM>  The man looks up, piercing grey eyes surveying each of his students individually, before continuing to pace, idly brushing jet-black hair back behind a widow's peak.
[08:08.50] <DM> “And from this second realization comes the first fallacy. That by being, in effect, tiny gods, the Enlightened are in fact, actual gods.” His eyes seem to meet yours this time, sitting in the front row as you are, holding your gaze for a while.
[08:09.19] <DM> And then he laughs, curtly. "A dangerous fallacy indeed."
[08:09.33] <DM> There is something distracting you from your professor's lecture, though. A repetitive, leathery, flap, flap, flap, and a harsh, gurgling, laugh. You blink, looking around for whatever annoying student is causing the disruption…and then suddenly your reverie ends.
[08:09.51] <DM> Shala, you are sitting on a log next to an old man skinning a lizard.
[08:10.55] <DM> Above you, the pterodactyl holding your one-time comrade Kathsiss slowly lifts up into the air, beating wings holding position before he kicks it forward into a whooshing flight that blows wind in your faces as he exits the camp and out above the treeline.
[08:11.58] <DM> All five of you are in the camp. What do you do?
[08:12.18] * Kir sorts through equipment
[08:12.21] * Aag-Ka-Kuna pokes at the fire
[08:12.22] <+Melchior> "Well. Further onwards, I s'pose."
[08:12.30] <+Kir> "What about archers on high cliffs?"
[08:12.52] * Shala sniffs around
[08:13.14] <+Melchior> "These are bandits. They're not out for blood, it's gold they want."
[08:13.27] * Repriever skewers a hunk of lizardfolk leg on a stick.
[08:13.30] <+Melchior> "They'll run when they see we aren't easy fishing."
[08:13.33] * Kir nods
[08:13.46] <DM> Let's see if you find anything.
[08:13.55] <+Kir> "In morning we travel by land. Better concealment this way."
[08:14.01] <DM> Aag, you still have one of the obsidian shards that the enemy Oracles flung at you.
[08:14.08] * Aag-Ka-Kuna is flippingg an obsidian shard in one hand
[08:14.25] <DM> And there are plenty more of them still in Kir's body, most of which were expelled by your healing spell
[08:14.54] <DM> Shala, you find Kharvalathian coinage equivalent to 135 GP, and various crystals and trinkets probably looted from innocent frogfolk.
[08:15.09] * Shala does little finger tricks with the coins
[08:15.12] <DM> The ruby-red crystals bear the imprint of the Dragon.
[08:15.26] * Aag-Ka-Kuna picks up the obsidian, but the flicker of red draws his attention
[08:15.29] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "can I see that?"
[08:15.42] * Repriever sparks the campfire and roasts lizard, while sewing flayed scale with root twine.
[08:16.01] <+Shala> "Mmm? This?"
[08:16.06] * Shala hands it over
[08:16.09] <+Shala> "Go ahead"
[08:16.10] <DM> The roasting flesh of the formerly alive and sentient being with hopes, dreams, and a family fills the camp with a hearty aroma.
[08:16.11] * Aag-Ka-Kuna looks through it
[08:16.44] * Repriever ties a knot and glances Melchior over for the fifth time, sizing her up.
[08:17.19] * Melchior is quiet, thinking.
[08:18.05] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "These coins... Frozen flame."
[08:18.42] <+Shala> [arcana roll]
[08:18.47] <+Shala> ?roll 1d20+8
[08:18.47] <%tBot> Shala: 15 ([7] +8)
[08:18.55] * Repriever stands, holding the scraped remains of a feeling being in his hand, and walks with it to Melchior, proffering it with a grunt.
[08:18.56] <+Shala> "Oh yes, I noticed!"
[08:18.59] <+Repriever> "Try it."
[08:19.08] * Kir looks for some scrap of lizardman armor
[08:19.16] <+Repriever> [I don't know what the AC of it would be, but better than none, for sure]
[08:19.29] <+Kir> [not why I'm looking for it :p]
[08:19.31] <+Repriever> [should be the equivalent of a cuirass]
[08:19.34] * Melchior shakes for a moment, eyes refocusing.
[08:19.44] <+Repriever> [not you, kir]
[08:20.07] * Aag-Ka-Kuna walks to the fire's side, holding obsidian in one hand and a ruby coin in the other, and stares into the flames
[08:20.08] * Melchior inspects the lizardskin cuirass.
[08:20.14] <+Melchior> "Just a mite dire..."
[08:20.24] <DM> Black scale, Melchior.
[08:20.34] <DM> People might mistake you for one of the bad guys wearing this!
[08:20.37] <DM> Heh.
[08:20.42] <+Repriever> "Mite dire is a hell of a world away from mite dead."
[08:20.56] <DM> +2 AC, for the time being.
[08:21.05] <DM> Feel free to look for better armor later on.
[08:21.26] <+Melchior> "Agreed. It'll do, thanks by."
[08:21.30] <DM> +3 if you decide to bleach a skull and use it as a helmet!
[08:21.37] <DM> Cause that's just cool.
[08:21.58] <+Melchior> [are lizard skulls large enough to work as helmets? I'd think that skull helmets are not the most effective]
[08:22.03] * Repriever leaves her to her reverie, and wanders down to the water's edge to rinse himself of death stains.
[08:23.09] * Shala steals a glance at Melchoir here and there
[08:23.22] <DM> [These lizards had pretty wide, flat skulls. It might work if you find something for straps]
[08:23.31] <DM> [It'll take some crafting though]
[08:23.57] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> [Lizard skin scraps?]
[08:23.59] * Kir tests an obsidian arrowhead against lizard armor
[08:24.49] <DM> The obsidian edge is sharp enough to pierce, Kir.
[08:25.19] * Kir is a little surprised and puts the head away
[08:25.44] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> ?roll 1d20+6
[08:25.44] <%tBot> Aag-Ka-Kuna: 20 ([14] +6)
[08:26.08] <DM> Aag seems to blink staring at the shard cast by the horned lizards.
[08:28.32] <DM> As if something clicks.
[08:29.07] <DM> The flaps of the departing Kathsiss quickly fade into the distance, and soon there is only the sound of the wind in the trees and a gentle tide lapping at the shore.
[08:29.18] <DM> And the endless, deep silence of the wilderness.
[08:30.27] <+Shala> [melchoir is sitting around the fire right?]
[08:30.39] <+Melchior> [standing, but nearby, yes]
[08:30.56] <+Kir> [is there any roast lizard left?]
[08:31.05] <DM> [Yes, there's plenty left]
[08:31.12] <DM> [Repriever roasted an entire leg, it's huge]
[08:31.32] * Kir goes for some of that
[08:31.38] <+Shala> "Melchoir, how is it you do what you do?"
[08:31.58] * Melchior shakes a bit and blinks.
[08:32.00] <+Melchior> "Hmm?"
[08:32.15] <+Melchior> "What are you meaning by that?"
[08:32.21] <+Shala> "I've been thinking on it, and there is nothing on it anywhere in the tower"
[08:32.28] <+Shala> "I've not come across it in my own practicing"
[08:32.35] <+Shala> "It's...something unlike I've ever seen"
[08:32.39] <+Shala> "Can you teach me?"
[08:32.42] <+Melchior> "My magic?"
[08:33.01] <+Melchior> "I... I'd wager I could, my old folks taught me."
[08:33.02] <+Shala> "Yes! You teleport, but not in any traditional way!"
[08:33.07] <+Melchior> "Oh."
[08:33.08] <+Melchior> "That."
[08:33.30] <+Melchior> "That, I don't believe can be taught."
[08:33.45] <+Shala> "Mmm? A shame...well, I would still like to know all you can teach me"
[08:33.46] <+Melchior> "Or maybe it can, if you do what I did."
[08:33.58] <+Shala> "Oh?"
[08:34.08] <+Melchior> "But I'm not sure that I proper remember what I did in the first place to start all of this."
[08:34.15] <DM> It was an accident.
[08:34.28] <DM> That much, but little else, you recall.
[08:35.01] <+Melchior> "Falling in and out of place... that's not something I can rightly control."
[08:35.09] <+Melchior> "But what I do with these..."
[08:35.14] * Melchior gestures to her implements.
[08:35.16] <+Melchior> "I could teach that."
[08:35.27] <+Shala> "Whatever will get me closer"
[08:35.31] * Shala smiles brightly
[08:35.33] <+Melchior> "Closer to?"
[08:35.46] * Shala ignores the inquiry
[08:35.58] <+Shala> "Another night of course, this place is a bit...well, it smells"
[08:36.13] <+Shala> "And my bottom itches"
[08:36.25] <DM> Shala, -1 CHA
[08:36.25] <+Melchior> "That's why walking's better than boating."
[08:36.27] <DM> Just kidding
[08:36.27] <DM> :p
[08:36.45] <+Shala> [i dont have much CHA to spare D: ]
[08:37.11] <+Kir> "In morning, no boat."
[08:37.13] <+Melchior> "But by all means love, ask me when we set camp tonight, I'll share what I can."
[08:37.14] <DM> [That's ok, maybe your boobs will grow a bit more D:]
[08:37.22] <DM> [At least, that's what you tell yourself...]
[08:37.23] <+Kir> "We walk, exposed in lake."
[08:37.39] <+Kir> "In forest we can hide, yes?"
[08:38.18] <+Shala> "We can hardly hide from anything, everyone seems to know we're coming and our enemies know before they do"
[08:38.18] <+Melchior> "Moving is our hiding, but yes."
[08:38.20] * Shala sighs
[08:38.49] <+Kir> "Also no cover in lake"
[08:38.54] <+Kir> "No hiding from arrows"
[08:42.04] * Repriever returns, cleaned, shambling with old man noises, to the fireside, where he picks at the lizard leg.
[08:42.05] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "The lake is no good, no."
[08:42.07] <+Melchior> "Well, we're only helping them by staying here. Old duck, how'll we proceed?"
[08:42.17] <DM> It seems the Ssethkar warriors had only their claws for weapons.
[08:42.28] <DM> But wickedly sharp talons, at that, and long ones.
[08:42.34] <+Repriever> "Duck?"
[08:42.48] <+Melchior> "Repriever."
[08:43.36] <+Repriever> "Do ducks reprieve, too?"
[08:43.41] * Repriever chews on some leg meat.
[08:43.59] * Repriever sighs.
[08:44.01] <+Melchior> "Nothing to do with ducks as far as I know, just a figure of speech is all."
[08:44.23] <+Melchior> "Term of endearment p'raps?"
[08:44.31] <+Repriever> "We proceed to our graves." He gesticulates with some sentient roasted meats. "A mile that way, maybe a hundred."
[08:44.49] <+Melchior> "Anyways, we had best get moving, or our graves will be a touch closer."
[08:45.04] <DM> If anyone is lacking in a tent, they're also welcome to loot the ones these Ssethkar had.
[08:45.06] <+Kir> [what time is it?]
[08:45.08] <+Repriever> "I'll bury everyone, in the end."
[08:45.11] <DM> There's also plenty of dry firewood.
[08:45.15] <DM> It's approximately...
[08:45.20] <DM> Noonish. Or slightly after.
[08:45.32] <DM> You left the amethyst geode perhaps five hours ago.
[08:45.49] <DM> Also, are any of you still wounded?
[08:46.01] <DM> I think possibly Aag, not sure if his heal healed him all the way.
[08:46.13] * Repriever has but a flesh wound.
[08:46.20] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> [I'm mildly, but only mildly, injured]
[08:46.28] <+Kir> [I healed all the way from Aag]
[08:46.45] <DM> Both Aag and Repriever will find that their divine powers heal them of their minor wounds after a night's sleep.
[08:46.53] <DM> Assuming they can make it that long without fighting.
[08:47.17] <+Repriever> [I could heal myself now, but I ain't no wimp]
[08:47.21] <+Kir> "We cover more ground now or we stay here?"
[08:47.27] <+Repriever> [OOC glare at ork]
[08:47.41] <+Melchior> "If we stay here, we might be hosting some more company soon."
[08:48.04] * Aag-Ka-Kuna will follow in the direction people go
[08:48.13] <+Repriever> "Lizards are craven at best, Melchior."
[08:48.23] * Shala giggles
[08:48.55] * Repriever takes his sweet time eating.
[08:49.01] <+Melchior> "It's not them I'm thinking of."
[08:49.12] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "Conjurers."
[08:49.50] <+Repriever> "Let them come. Either here or there. They'll catch us eventually."
[08:49.50] <DM> There are no sounds from the sky today, but perhaps they will come.
[08:49.59] <+Shala> "Mmm, scared Aag?"
[08:50.09] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "It makes no difference."
[08:50.23] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "But you might want to not be found by them again."
[08:51.13] <+Melchior> "Is there anyone here who thinks it's a good idea to stay at this camp?"
[08:51.16] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "We can wait and kill more of them here, if you like?"
[08:51.19] * Melchior looks around the group.
[08:51.24] <DM> The Zeruvai and Floth were mere flunkies. It would be a catastrophe to face a powerful Conjurer, such as an Athtar, unrestrained.
[08:51.25] * Kir shakes his head vigorously
[08:51.37] * Shala shrugs frustratedly
[08:51.42] <+Shala> "I'm no pathfinder!"
[08:51.48] <+Shala> "This is your expertise"
[08:51.57] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "What is our goal?
[08:51.58] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "
[08:51.58] <+Repriever> "It is none of yours."
[08:52.01] * Repriever corrects.
[08:52.29] <+Shala> "Well, except for you old warrior. You've seen a hundred heroes come and go, fail and die, correct?"
[08:52.35] <+Shala> "So should we stay or go?"
[08:52.45] <+Kir> "I can travel!"
[08:52.52] * Melchior seems quite ready to get moving.
[08:53.03] <+Shala> "Well, that decides it then"
[08:53.07] <+Shala> "Kir can travel"
[08:53.10] <+Repriever> "We will go, when you've eaten."
[08:53.10] * Shala starts walking
[08:53.29] <DM> Shala, make a will save.
[08:53.44] <+Shala> ?roll 1d20+2
[08:53.44] <%tBot> Shala: 22 ([20] +2)
[08:54.04] <DM> The sight of people recently burning to death in front of you is nothing you weren't prepared for in your training. But your hands are still shaking slightly from the battle.
[08:54.19] * Shala feels a little bit rise up in her throat
[08:54.37] <DM> Repriever seems aware of the effects of battle shock, if none of you are, yet.
[08:55.02] <DM> The bloody corpse of the skinned blackskin Messhk lie in an oozing pile next to the fire.
[08:55.09] <DM> Does anyone want to loot a tent?
[08:55.22] * Shala doesnt want to soil her clothes again
[08:55.24] * Kir readies to move out
[08:55.25] <+Repriever> "A tower of wizards and a girl escapes, bumbling, naked, with a key of immense prophetic importance."
[08:55.48] <+Shala> "Ohh, you can do the chronicling when this is all over too!"
[08:55.51] * Melchior takes a last look around the site.
[08:55.52] * Shala says as she walks farther
[08:55.56] <+Repriever> "Stumbles across a relic, just so, then a girl out of time and a stranger from a far land."
[08:55.59] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+6
[08:55.59] <%tBot> Melchior: 26 ([20] +6)
[08:56.08] <DM> Oooh, PCMW melchior.
[08:56.28] <+Repriever> "Into the arms of a seer who tells pretty lies."
[08:56.37] * Aag-Ka-Kuna looks for more obsidian
[08:56.48] <+Repriever> "And a boat with an afflicted demonspawn."
[08:57.12] <+Repriever> "Yet you tell me you know your goals."
[08:57.18] <+Melchior> "Oi."
[08:57.20] * Repriever chews on a bit bite.
[08:57.22] <+Repriever> [big]
[08:57.30] <+Melchior> "Turned earth. Fetch your eyes, all."
[08:57.33] <DM> You find a few more shards, but not much.
[08:57.35] * Melchior points.
[08:57.51] <DM> There's a lump of freshly dug up earth on the ground, yes.
[08:57.59] * Repriever is indifferent.
[08:58.11] * Shala skipping around
[08:58.15] <+Shala> is*
[08:58.18] <DM> Looks like something was buried by the bandits.
[08:58.33] * Repriever mumbles about kids never listening.
[08:58.33] * Melchior goes over to the area, fetches some tools from her saddlebags, and starts an excavation.
[08:58.51] <+Repriever> "Let me guess!"
[08:58.59] <+Melchior> Barg, who has seen this behaviour all too often before, bemusedly walks over to watch.
[08:58.59] <+Repriever> "Something we need to save the world?"
[08:59.08] <DM> Melchior, you find....
[08:59.10] * Repriever slurps down some water.
[08:59.36] <DM> A small chest made of a dark wood.
[08:59.40] <+Melchior> "Drinks on me next time we're in civilization."
[08:59.44] <DM> And it is bound, interestingly, in bronze.
[09:00.01] <DM> It is locked, but over the lock is a symbol.
[09:00.11] <DM> That seems familiar.
[09:00.18] <DM> There is no key.
[09:00.34] <+Melchior> [should I make a knowledge religion, history or arcana for it?]
[09:00.42] <+Melchior> [history, probably]
[09:00.44] <DM> Knowledge history.
[09:00.48] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+9
[09:00.48] <%tBot> Melchior: 16 ([7] +9)
[09:01.10] <+Melchior> "Uff, I should know this one."
[09:02.03] * Repriever lies back on his sack to digest a murdered being.
[09:02.08] <+Melchior> "The Calcissi Seal."
[09:02.21] <+Kir> "Calcissi?"
[09:02.26] <+Melchior> "Seafolk."
[09:02.35] <+Melchior> "Ruled by Queens."
[09:02.36] <+Kir> "Seafolk?"
[09:02.43] * Repriever begins shaking his head, eyes shut.
[09:02.50] * Shala is just barely dragging herself back to the camp
[09:03.24] <DM> The seal is two crossed spears rolled up in a scroll.
[09:03.32] * Aag-Ka-Kuna walks over to shala and puts a hand on her shoulder
[09:03.53] <DM> The famous symbol of the warrior-poet Calcis, deified as a goddess by her people.
[09:03.59] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "How are you, once-conjurer?"
[09:04.02] <+Repriever> "And they were, all of them, deceived."
[09:04.11] <+Melchior> "Shala, d'you imagine that key of yours might have some ability to open things when needed?"
[09:04.17] <+Shala> "Fine, though herding you lot is like herding a cats"
[09:04.20] <+Shala> "Hmm?"
[09:04.27] <+Shala> "Oh...my magical key???"
[09:04.34] * Shala takes it out and flashes it around
[09:04.37] <+Shala> "Maybe?"
[09:04.41] <+Melchior> "It countered a fire when needed, maybe it'll open a box too. Mundane use I know."
[09:04.55] * Shala walks over
[09:05.01] <+Shala> "Maybe give it an incantation first"
[09:05.04] * Shala giggles
[09:05.04] <+Melchior> "I still need to take a solid gander at that thing later, it's got some wickedly strong power behind it."
[09:05.15] * Kir looks in one of his pockets
[09:05.16] <+Repriever> "Of course it does."
[09:05.22] * Repriever says from his resting place by the fire.
[09:05.27] * Shala looks over
[09:05.33] <+Shala> "Let me guess, you've seen it before?"
[09:05.34] * Kir looks to the chest
[09:05.39] <+Melchior> "Anyways, I'd smash this if tweren't such a nice chest."
[09:05.45] <+Kir> "Lock on box, yes?"
[09:05.50] <+Melchior> "Aye."
[09:05.53] <+Repriever> "Maybe. I'm old."
[09:05.53] <+Kir> "Let me help"
[09:06.00] * Melchior holds out the chest to Kir."
[09:06.01] * Repriever makes a fussing groan.
[09:06.09] <+Kir> "No, put on ground?"
[09:06.26] <+Melchior> "If you're going to burn it, I can just smash it with my flail."
[09:06.27] * Kir takes out the sphere of metal Mitsaq had given to him"
[09:06.36] <+Melchior> "Well, that's really more Aag's thing."
[09:06.48] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "I can burn it, if you like."
[09:06.51] * Kir puts the sphere next to the lock, and presses the two together
[09:07.07] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "But I'm not sure that's the best idea"
[09:07.10] <+Shala> "Wait! You havnt even used the key yet!"
[09:07.13] * Melchior barks a single laugh.
[09:07.17] <DM> The sphere melts into liquid and slurps its way into the keyhole, the forming a handle.
[09:07.22] <DM> the end*
[09:07.29] <+Melchior> "Ooh. That's mighty handy."
[09:07.33] * Kir turns the handle
[09:07.33] * Melchior turns the handle.
[09:07.40] <+Kir> [NO MINE :P]
[09:07.41] <+Melchior> [ME! NO, ME!]
[09:07.44] * Shala turns the handle
[09:07.45] <+Melchior> [jinx]
[09:08.03] <+Kir> [D:]
[09:08.10] <+Melchior> [Kir]
[09:08.12] <DM> ALL of your hands simultaneously grab one another and twist the newly-made key, in an over-eager effort to see what lies within.
[09:08.22] <DM> ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69AyYUJUBTg，
[09:08.39] <DM> The lid of the bronze-bound wood opens....and you see....
[09:08.43] <DM> Nothing.
[09:08.59] <DM> The chest is lined with soft blue velvet, but there is no object inside.
[09:09.09] <+Repriever> "Tricksy, isn't she?"
[09:09.10] * Melchior taps the inside of the chest and feels around in it for any hidden chambers.
[09:09.14] * Repriever says from his advantage.
[09:09.18] <DM> Melchior, roll a reflex save.
[09:09.25] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20
[09:09.25] <%tBot> Melchior: 1 [1]
[09:09.28] <DM> Ohhhhhhh.
[09:09.30] <+Melchior> [kek]
[09:09.30] <DM> shit.
[09:09.47] <DM> Melchior, you reach into the chest, and open up a DEEP cut on your finger
[09:09.53] <DM> Taking 1 damage.
[09:09.54] * Shala gasps
[09:10.04] <+Melchior> "Fuck!"
[09:10.10] <DM> The blood wells up and slides down the mid-air, coating an invisible blade.
[09:10.16] * Repriever actually laughs at Melchior.
[09:10.22] <+Melchior> "I got blood on my box."
[09:10.26] * Melchior laughs.
[09:10.34] <DM> Outlining the shape of a dagger.
[09:10.51] <+Melchior> "Well, that solves that mystery."
[09:11.09] * Melchior reaches in with her other hand, very delicately, to try and pull out the invisible blade.
[09:11.19] <+Shala> "Are you ok?" says through muffling hands
[09:11.43] <+Kir> "Wait!"
[09:11.54] * Kir reaches for the living metal in the keyhole
[09:12.08] * Repriever is sprawled many feet away, digesting his meal.
[09:12.09] <DM> Kir, you remove the key-shaped metal, and it melts back into a sphere.
[09:12.16] <DM> Just as it was before.
[09:12.31] <+Melchior> "Quite fine, I'll just get this wrapped up. Might want to get it stitched later, that's one of my better digits."
[09:12.41] * Kir puts the sphere down on top of the dagger
[09:12.50] <+Kir> [the invisible one]
[09:13.02] * Melchior pulls her hand away and lets the Sphere of Kir do its work.
[09:13.49] <DM> The sphere melts again, and it turns into a sheen of mercury, coating the dagger and outlining it in silvery liquid metal.
[09:14.05] * Kir plucks the dagger from the box
[09:14.16] <+Kir> "Interesting blade"
[09:14.24] * Kir turns it in the air a few times
[09:14.34] <DM> It has a wickedly, sharp, serrated edge, and the liquid metal outlines the runes that are forged into it. It may have many special properties.
[09:14.43] <DM> Certainly it is a masterwork weapon.
[09:14.47] <+Melchior> "Anointed with the blood of the clumsy, no less."
[09:15.02] <+Kir> "What do symbols mean?"
[09:15.04] <+Shala> "Why was it in the groun?"
[09:15.06] <+Shala> d
[09:15.23] <+Kir> "Maybe they bury so they can show to superior?"
[09:15.40] <+Melchior> "An invisible blade can be brought into places where one means to appear unarmed."
[09:15.42] <+Shala> "Show they're superior to who?"
[09:15.57] <+Kir> "Superior, like superior officer."
[09:15.59] <+Kir> "Lord"
[09:16.03] <DM> [+10 RP'ing XP, Shala]
[09:16.03] <+Shala> "Well it was still in a box!"
[09:16.03] <+Kir> "Commander?"
[09:25.34] * Shala remains perplexed on all fronts
[09:25.34]  <+Kir> "Melchior, you know what symbols mean?"
[09:25.34] <+Melchior> "Lots of folks bury goods of value, to keep them hidden."
[09:25.34] <+Kir> "But recent buried!"
[09:25.34] * Melchior takes a look at the quicksilver-exposed glyphs.
[09:25.34] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+9
[09:25.34] <%tBot> Melchior: 20 ([11] +9)
[09:25.34] <+Melchior> [linguistics]
[09:25.35] <+Kir> "They find chest, then bury. Maybe not even open!"
[09:25.35] <+Melchior> [19:19] * Melchior carefully inspects the forged runes.
[09:27.34] <DM> Most of you are now packed and ready to leave, although Repriever takes his time eating.
[09:27.45] <DM> The wind blows gently through the camp, causing the pines to creak and sway.
[09:27.55] * Aag-Ka-Kuna peeks over mel's shoulder, but the distant tribal upbringing wasn't conducive towards literacy
[09:28.13] <DM> Just lines and dots, Aag.
[09:28.32] <+Melchior> [phone]
[09:28.38] <+Kir> "Runes have meaning?"
[09:28.44] <DM> Once Mel is done reading the language inscribed on the invisible blade, the metal flows back into a sphere at Kir's touch.
[09:28.47] <+Shala> "Absolutely!"
[09:28.55] <+Shala> "Runes have *languages*"
[09:29.12] <DM> No longer liquid, it goes quiet and dull.
[09:29.23] <DM> As it was when Mitsaq gave it to you.
[09:30.11] <+Shala> "My goodness what do they teach you all out here"
[09:30.33] <DM> Does anyone wish to do anything else before you leave?
[09:30.48] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "How to survive."
[09:31.00] <DM> [Sick burn, +5 XP]
[09:31.03] <+Shala> [nope]
[09:31.20] <+Repriever> "Well, you've done a very poor job of it."
[09:31.35] * Shala giggles
[09:31.42] <DM> The flame-headed oracle is much less twisted than the day you met him. He still seems haunted, but perhaps...less so.
[09:31.45] * Kir pokes through camp for extra arrows
[09:32.05] <DM> You found 6 in total, Kir. And a bundle of...15 shafts with no heads.
[09:32.26] <DM> Make your own arrow kit, ready to go.
[09:32.37] <+Kir> [6 after the ones from the water?]
[09:32.37] <+Shala> "Ohhh archer, let me have some of those!"
[09:32.39] <DM> You also find a little bit of string.
[09:32.42] * Shala has no crossbow bolts
[09:32.45] <DM> [No, you found 6 in the water.]
[09:32.53] <+Kir> [ok]
[09:33.00] <+Kir> "Here!"
[09:33.10] * Shala excitedly puts them in her pack
[09:33.11] <DM> Shala, you'll need to find something to tip these buddies.
[09:33.12] * Kir gives Shala 10 shafts
[09:33.17] <DM> Maybe at the next settlement.
[09:33.26] <DM> Or maybe you could tip them with...
[09:33.30] <DM> Something you already haaaaaaaveeee???
[09:33.35] <DM> Dun dun dun.
[09:33.45] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "Use bone"
[09:33.51] <+Shala> [the rice!]
[09:33.54] <+Melchior> [phonecall done]
[09:33.55] <+Kir> [can I set the metal arrowhead Mel enchanted in one of the shafts I kept?'
[09:34.00] <+Kir> ]
[09:34.10] <DM> [Sure, you can take 20 on that while walking]
[09:34.29] <+Melchior> "Hmm. The blade says 'death to death'. It's also Calcissi. Enchanted blade."
[09:34.43] <+Kir> "Words are metaphor?"
[09:34.43] * Melchior inspects it more closely.
[09:35.06] <+Melchior> "Maybe."
[09:35.31] <+Shala> "Death to death? Sounds like necromancer talk"
[09:35.42] <+Melchior> "It strikes as if it were made of cold iron. Might be quite useful if the conjurers send anyone after us."
[09:35.58] * Kir nods and returns to putting an enchanted point on one of his new shafts
[09:36.01] <+Melchior> "Not necromancy that, abjuration, know it as clear as the back of my hand."
[09:36.06] * Melchior double checks the back of her hand.
[09:36.24] * Shala gags
[09:36.52] <+Melchior> "Opposed school?"
[09:37.18] <+Shala> "Very much so"
[09:37.19] <+Kir> "Conjuration like conjure... Abjuration like abjure?"
[09:37.22] <DM> The Abjurers who visited the Tower were always stuffy, talking about duty and chains of obligation and a solemn responsibility to fight evil.
[09:37.29] * Repriever gathers his things, silent, and begins to walk.
[09:37.46] <+Melchior> "Abjurers are protectors... leastaways in theory."
[09:38.03] <+Melchior> "The magic is protective, their behaviour doesn't have to be."
[09:38.23] <+Shala> "Protection means you've already lost!"
[09:38.24] <+Repriever> [I left the uneaten leg bits for them to find, so they know]
[09:38.32] * Shala repeats her memorized line
[09:38.58] * Kir tightens the last straps on his pack
[09:39.08] <DM> Barg is saddled and ready to go, and the rest of you line up. In what order do you march?
[09:39.12] <+Kir> "We go now! Need to make more progress today!"
[09:39.26] <+Repriever> [I'm in the front, as I walked ahead]
[09:39.38] <+Repriever> [though slow, so they can easily catch up]
[09:39.47] * Kir runs to catch up with Repriever
[09:40.00] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> [Do we need to be inline? can't we just sort of wander?]
[09:40.21] <DM> Repriever stalks through the forest, sheathed blade clanking at his side. Kir behind, fiddling with an arrowhead. Then Melchior and Barg, Shala, and Aag somewhat wanderingly behind.
[09:41.09] * Kir glances up and around frequently, looking for enemies as well as hiding spots
[09:41.46] * Kir moves in a start/stop rhythm, falling behind Repriever, then jogging to retake his place
[09:41.47] <+Melchior> "Ahah!"
[09:42.10] <+Melchior> "Figured out the thing about the inscription. It's the activation words."
[09:42.29] <+Kir> "Activation words?"
[09:42.34] * Repriever says something in celestial.
[09:42.35] <+Melchior> "Aye."
[09:42.35] <DM> Some of the roots here are huge, tall enough to form a loop for you folks to walk under.
[09:42.37] <+Kir> "What happens when dagger activates?"
[09:43.04] <+Melchior> "It purges the living dead."
[09:43.25] * Kir nods
[09:43.41] <+Kir> "They have these in this land?"
[09:43.45] <+Melchior> "Or maybe it's a positive energy channel. Let's see."
[09:43.50] <+Kir> "Back home, some deep tunnels...."
[09:44.16] * Melchior holds out the blade, focusing on the item and directing her focus into the wound on her finger.
[09:44.20] * Kir looks for any sort of rise or bluff that might overlook the lakeside or the surrounding area
[09:44.40] * Shala walks absentmindedly, ignoring the abjuration bla bla
[09:44.42] * Repriever doesn't stop to gallavant with daggers.
[09:44.45] <+Melchior> "Death to death."
[09:44.47] <+Kir> "When you finish, give dagger to me"
[09:44.49] <DM> Kir, here and there the ground slopes upwards, but it seems that the hills are scattered randomly.
[09:44.54] * Aag-Ka-Kuna walks, following
[09:44.57] <+Repriever> [gallivant]
[09:45.09] <+Kir> [I just want somewhere to scope out area and the lakeshore]
[09:45.12] <DM> Melchior, nothing happens at this time.
[09:45.39] <+Melchior> "Not healing then. Just smiting the undead."
[09:45.40] <DM> Oh sure Kir, you find a nearby hill.
[09:45.50] * Kir takes the dagger and ties a piece of twine around the hilt end
[09:45.54] * Melchior passes the blade to Kir, and starts to wrap her bloody finger in cloth.
[09:46.27] * Kir runs to the top of the hill and sees what he can see, along the coast, towards the mountains, and in the air
[09:46.30] <+Kir> perception
[09:46.34] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+8
[09:46.34] <%tBot> Kir: 21 ([13] +8)
[09:46.52] <DM> Kir, you wander away from the group a bit, tracking their position, and you eventually come to a rise.
[09:47.32] <DM> But the area is heavily forested, and even at the top of a hill, you are able to see the sea in the distance, but not east, south, or west, without climbing a tree.
[09:48.13] <DM> On the sea, however, you do spot a few distant specks with your telescope.
[09:48.18] <DM> Watercraft, perhaps.
[09:48.30] <+Kir> which direction are they travelling?
[09:48.47] <+Kir> and which direction are they to us now?
[09:50.39] <DM> The sea is north, you are heading roughly west, a mile or two inland from the coast, and they are travelling east, probably back towards the camp you just wrecked.
[09:50.55] <+Kir> ok, cool
[09:51.02] * Kir dashes back to the party
[09:51.05] * Melchior briefly laughs, as if in sudden realization.
[09:51.07] <DM> Looks like going overland was a good decision!
[09:51.19] * Kir also returns the dagger to Melchior, in case that hadn't already been done
[09:51.21] <+Melchior> "Ha ha ha ha... ahh..."
[09:51.38] <+Melchior> "Kir, this dagger, I just realized it. It was confusing me, and then I figured it out."
[09:51.50] * Repriever sings a husky, hushed song in celestial to himself as he walks.
[09:51.52] <+Kir> "How?"
[09:52.06] <+Melchior> "Classic abjurers. G'wan them."
[09:52.32] <+Melchior> "I was wondering, it was just bathed in defensive energies, I was trying to figure out what sort of spell it could have, then it hit me."
[09:52.58] <DM> Singing in Celestial, even with a cracked voice, is almost like listening to a choir, like ghostly voices from beyond are joining the chant.
[09:52.58] <+Melchior> "Classic abjurers. Anyways. They took their 'defensive' spell and wrapped it around a cold iron blade."
[09:53.09] <+Melchior> "So now it 'protects' the blade, from the things it's stabbing."
[09:53.33] <+Kir> "So blade never corrupts?"
[09:54.07] <DM> The Calcissi are intelligent craftswomen. Though they personally have much personal distaste for mages proper, they have been known to make use of powerful magic.
[09:54.12] <+Melchior> "It's a masterful right piece of work, it might rust though. Cold Iron can be a bother to maintain."
[09:55.03] <DM> Shala, roll perception.
[09:55.09] <+Shala> ?roll 1d20
[09:55.09] <%tBot> Shala: 15 [15]
[09:55.32] * Kir nods
[09:55.34] <DM> You stumble over a bush, and it dislodges a badger, who growls and then runs away.
[09:55.41] <DM> A few meeping kits follow her.
[09:55.47] <+Shala> "Eeek! Oh..."
[09:55.52] <+Melchior> "So the magic really ought to just shield you from the attacks of the dead. But they've taken something that looks like a protective spell, and reshaped it into an offensive one."
[09:56.21] <+Melchior> "Pity Shala seemed so put-off by it, I think it would be a useful lesson for the girl."
[09:56.52] * Shala is watching the badgers scurry into the forest
[09:56.55] <+Kir> "How defense, offense?"
[09:57.07] <DM> The little ones look like baby puff balls, barely the size of your fist, Shala.
[09:57.15] <DM> And now they're gone.
[09:57.22] <+Kir> "How offense with defense spell, I mean?"
[09:57.45] <+Melchior> "Like getting smacked in the face with a shield."
[09:57.57] <+Shala> "Awwwwwww"
[09:58.06] * Kir nods
[09:58.18] <+Kir> "Interesting."
[09:58.38] <+Kir> "You know - little magic in Gora Mir"
[09:58.45] <+Kir> "To me very strange"
[09:59.00] <DM> The Gora Miri relied instead on their fading machines.
[09:59.08] * Melchior switches to Gora Miri when speaking to Kir.
[09:59.41] <+Melchior> "Well, you still had plenty of interesting things to find there. In some lands magic's much more common, other places seem to find it rare."
[10:00.03] <DM> Kir, roll perception.
[10:00.12] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+7
[10:00.12] <%tBot> Kir: 25 ([18] +7)
[10:00.28] <DM> Kir, something is approaching from ahead in the forest. You hear the ringing of a bell.
[10:00.36] * Repriever takes a break on a root, making a seat of it.
[10:00.47] * Aag-Ka-Kuna almost walks past the group
[10:00.51] * Kir grabs Mel's shoulder and whispers to her
[10:00.58] <+Kir> "Wait! You hear bells?"
[10:01.07] <DM> The leaves crinkle gently next to Repriever, and settle.
[10:01.10] * Kir nods in the direction the sound came from
[10:01.27] <+Shala> "Hmm?"
[10:01.31] <DM> The tinkling is now very audible.
[10:01.40] * Shala shrugs
[10:01.45] <+Shala> "Do frogmen use bells?"
[10:01.48] * Kir motions to whoever can see him to SHUT THE HELL UP
[10:01.54] <DM> Kir, roll a reflex save.
[10:02.05] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+6
[10:02.05] <%tBot> Kir: 22 ([16] +6)
[10:02.08] <+Melchior> [I'll knowledge religion bells.]
[10:02.12] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+9
[10:02.12] <%tBot> Melchior: 15 ([6] +9)
[10:02.15] * Repriever doesn't need telling. He's too exhausted by eternity to make much fuss.
[10:02.35] <DM> Kir, a bunch of small geckos burst into view, scrambling across the ground.
[10:02.46] <DM> They rustle their way up to you and you dodge them narrowly.
[10:02.47] * Repriever sits as unconcerned as a turkey.
[10:03.13] <DM> The swarm of maybe fifteen of them, pups of the giant geckos, are followed by a frogman riding a big one.
[10:03.33] <DM> He carries a bunch of water skins and has a hat covering his eyes, and carries a staff with a bell on it.
[10:03.39] <DM> Gecko herder, clearly.
[10:03.54] * Kir relaxes
[10:03.57] <+Kir> "Hello!"
[10:03.59] <DM> The momma gecko tromps tiredly, tail shaking.
[10:04.08] * You are now known as Gecko_Herder
[10:04.20] <Gecko_Herder> "Rk rm ri ykm"
[10:04.23] <+Shala> "Ah! So it WAS frogs!"
[10:04.45] * Repriever yawns loudly.
[10:04.53] * Gecko_Herder looks down vaguely at Kir and directs the large gecko around him, following the baby swarm.
[10:05.12] <+Kir> "Krkesh?"
[10:05.23] * Gecko_Herder looks back at you and points in the direction you're going.
[10:05.33] * Kir nods
[10:05.43] <Gecko_Herder> "Erym erym."
[10:05.53] * Gecko_Herder rides on into the underbrush.
[10:05.59] * You are now known as DM
[10:06.13] * Shala looks expectantly at Kir
[10:06.15] <+Shala> "Well?"
[10:06.20] <+Shala> "What did it say?"
[10:06.26] * Kir shrugs
[10:06.33] <DM> Does anyone here speak frog?
[10:06.40] <+Kir> "But city we want, that way"
[10:06.51] * Kir points in the direction we've been travelling
[10:06.52] <DM> Well, no matter.
[10:07.11] <+Repriever> Frog doesn't come out of my mouth, it goes in it.
[10:07.16] * Melchior can understand it with comprehend languages.
[10:08.11] * Kir doesn't even understand common sometimes!
[10:08.15] <DM> Pretty soon, the trees thin out, giving way to marshy plain. The distance smells of wood smoke.
[10:08.20] <+Shala> "A city? Like the one we visited earlier?"
[10:08.48] <+Kir> "I think"
[10:08.56] <+Repriever> "Gatherings of the damned. No cities this far north."
[10:09.43] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 4: The Mud City of Krkesh
[10:10.00] * Kir tries to pick a path across whatever high ground there may be
[10:10.01] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 4: The Mud City of Krkesh -  ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D3uniQo0GA&feature=youtu.be&t=3m48s，
[10:10.05] <+Melchior> "I can never tell how seriously to take you when you say things like that."
[10:10.33] * Shala lowers her voice
[10:10.40] <+Shala> "With the seriousness of a thousand moons"
[10:10.42] <DM> The marshes seem to be planted, or perhaps not, it's difficult to say, with various marshy crops inimical to human tongues.
[10:10.52] <DM> [lol]
[10:11.38] <DM> There is a path visible, great stones sunk into the ground, some askew.
[10:12.05] <+Repriever> "Have you ever stopped to wonder how much of your life is a lie?"
[10:12.09] <DM> Here and there there is a rise of high ground, with an occasional redneedle pine.
[10:12.14] <+Melchior> "Hah!"
[10:12.22] <+Melchior> "Quite often, quite often."
[10:12.28] <+Shala> "Yes! Quite a bit! It's why I'm here"
[10:12.29] <+Melchior> "But you get over it."
[10:12.34] <+Repriever> "Then you should know better."
[10:13.10] <DM> A distance away, it seems enough dirt was moved to build a berm, and on that berm, the walls loom, loomingly.
[10:13.20] * Melchior is unclear to whom that comment was addressed, but doesn't worry too much about it.
[10:13.40] <+Repriever> [both of you :p]
[10:14.04] <DM> Kir, you spot various frogs out across the marshes, looking mostly like they're farming weeds, though some seem to be gathering crawfish traps.
[10:14.14] <DM> They spot your strange looking group, but react little.
[10:14.30] <DM> Do you choose to proceed towards the distant walls?
[10:14.49] * Aag-Ka-Kuna plays with a tiny flame in his hand, letting it dance over the fingres
[10:14.53] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> fingers*
[10:14.54] <+Kir> "Mel, many frogs outside of this area?"
[10:15.16] <+Melchior> "Hmm?"
[10:15.17] * Shala proceeds with confidence
[10:15.29] <+Melchior> "Plenty who live outside of here, to my knowledge."
[10:15.42] * Repriever gives the ground a long, somber stare.
[10:15.43] <+Melchior> "I'd be more concerned about what's here right now."
[10:15.52] <+Kir> "But to south from mountains?"
[10:15.54] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "And what's here?"
[10:16.26] <+Shala> "Frogs, they'll help us cross. That's all I need to know!"
[10:16.29] <+Kir> "Here? Krkesh"
[10:16.40] <+Melchior> "Couldn't say for sure Kir, I spend more time digging through the remains of old civilizations than seeing who lives in the new ones."
[10:16.56] * Kir nods
[10:17.04] <+Kir> "We go to city now?"
[10:17.29] <DM> As you draw closer, it seems that the walled city of Krkesh is a once-great mud metropolis fallen on harder times. At least half of the great round towers that surrounded the city have fallen, a tumbled mass of mud bricks with an empty gaping holes where once stood domes.
[10:17.48] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "This city is old, isn't it?"
[10:17.51] * Shala wonders if this was always a frog settlement
[10:18.27] <DM> Before the Quench of the Titans was formed, this was once a pleasant, temperate coastal region.
[10:18.33] <DM> Things were different, long ago.
[10:18.58] <DM> On the side of the city you approach there is a large gap that might have once been a gate, but is now more of a gaping hole.
[10:19.11] <DM> The mud-brick is decorated in fading, ancient geometric patterns, repeating waves and syntagma.
[10:19.11] * Repriever scoops at soil with his hand.
[10:19.20] * Repriever feeling it out, texture and smell.
[10:19.34] <DM> Wet and loamy.
[10:20.24] * Repriever brushes it off his hands.
[10:20.32] * Repriever talks to himself.
[10:20.36] <DM> The gate-hole has no ceiling to pass under, but a few hunched figures sit in the shadows.
[10:22.19] <DM> A few squat towers are visible beyond the walls, lights burning in few as the sun begins to set.
[10:22.37] <DM> On one, a windmill blows.
[10:22.42] <+Melchior> "Well, let's see what we have for lodgings here."
[10:23.16] * Repriever waits alone at the outer wall, watching the sun set.
[10:23.35] <DM> A thin voice greets Repriever from the shadows under the gate.
[10:23.45] <DM> "Magic charms? Three rubies for one."
[10:23.55] <+Repriever> "I am a magic charm."
[10:24.04] <DM> "And such a charmer, too."
[10:24.12] * You are now known as Hooded_Figure
[10:24.14] * Melchior has a quick look at the magic charms.
[10:24.24] <+Shala> "No thanks"
[10:24.26] <+Melchior> [anything of use? just junk? just art?]
[10:24.28] * Hooded_Figure sticks out a hand, holding a collection of tiny vole-skulls.
[10:24.47] <Hooded_Figure> "A wonderful addition to any compendium of magic."
[10:25.29] * Kir moves on to whatever else there is to be seen
[10:25.30] * Hooded_Figure is wearing lizard-skin gloves.
[10:25.40] * Melchior nods and moves on.
[10:25.40] <Hooded_Figure> Kir passes the encounter by and enters the city.
[10:25.52] <Hooded_Figure> As does Melchior and Shala.
[10:26.11] <Hooded_Figure> "Magic charms, wandering Warden?"
[10:26.30] * Repriever leans against the wall and ignores that.
[10:26.47] * Aag-Ka-Kuna ignores the figure
[10:26.50] <Hooded_Figure> "Two rubies for one and you'll count yourself a lucky...man."
[10:27.07] * You are now known as DM
[10:27.16] <DM> The rest of you, as you enter the city, see the following sights:
[10:27.44] <DM> Reflecting the need of the frog-people to not venture far from water, canals have been dug throughout the city. Though there is a quarter for land bound visitors near the gates, most of the frog-homes are only accessible via swimming through entrances in the canals below the water line. Wet blankets are hung over the doorways, to keep moisture in, and little gutters keep repeatedly drip moisture down onto them.
[10:28.39] <+Shala> "Eugh"
[10:29.00] * Shala accidentally steps in some grody canal water
[10:29.20] <+Melchior> "Well, your warm and dry is their damp and muggy."
[10:29.26] <DM> In the entrance, there is a square in cobblestone, however. Before one of the canals lies a statue, a heroic relief of dragons slaying evil paladins. On the left there seems to be a large mud-brick hostel.
[10:30.13] * Aag-Ka-Kuna pauses to look at the mural
[10:30.15] * Melchior anticipates eyerolling from Repriever.
[10:30.53] * Shala finds the mural amusing
[10:31.12] * Aag-Ka-Kuna leans into it
[10:31.12] <+Shala> "Do frogs take inspiration from the dragons?"
[10:32.21] <DM> Roll Knowledge: History
[10:32.22] * Aag-Ka-Kuna reaches out and traces the edge of the dragon's flame
[10:32.40] <DM> Or nobility, anyone who's curious
[10:32.43] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+9
[10:32.43] <%tBot> Melchior: 14 ([5] +9)
[10:35.03] <DM> Right, so.
[10:35.38] <DM> The frogs aren't particularly partisan in the matter, but this region is ruled distantly by the Ssethkar, and Krkesh is the largest remaining city in the region.
[10:35.57] <DM> This seems to be a piece of art handed down from the overlords for public display.
[10:38.08] <+Melchior> "Not much Shala."
[10:38.22] <+Shala> "Oh. Hm."
[10:38.25] * Shala goes inside
[10:38.28] <+Shala> [ :p ]
[10:38.39] <+Shala> [the hostel]
[10:39.03] <DM> Inside the mud-brick hostel, a few torches burn and gutter, and the reed floors crackle under your feet. There's a barkeep doing his barkeeping with a long line of nondescript clay mugs behind him.
[10:39.24] <DM> He takes one look at you from his heavy-lidded eyes behind folds of brown frogskin.
[10:39.34] <DM> "You'll be wanting the rooms upstairs. Should go up directly."
[10:39.41] <DM> "Door's open."
[10:39.44] <+Shala> "Thanks!"
[10:39.50] * Shala looks at the group and smiles
[10:39.52] <DM> "Don't dawdle."
[10:39.59] <+Melchior> "How much is it for the night?"
[10:40.50] <DM> "Oh, it's no charge for the five of you."
[10:40.58] <DM> "I hope Yrm is alive."
[10:41.17] <DM> The barkeep looks to both sides.
[10:41.24] <DM> "You really should go up. The donkey will be saddled."
[10:41.38] * Melchior nods and goes up.
[10:42.00] * Shala follows
[10:42.24] * Kir pops in after having examined the moisturizing pipes
[10:42.37] * Repriever enters the hostel.
[10:43.02] * Repriever sits right at the bar and gestures for water.
[10:43.19] <DM> The barkeep clunks a big mug down on the bar.
[10:43.27] * Aag-Ka-Kuna is still outside, facinated by the statue
[10:43.30] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> mural*
[10:43.40] <+Repriever> [I passed by that, briefly, inspected it]
[10:43.47] <+Repriever> [didn't speak with you though]
[10:43.56] <DM> Aag, it's a beautiful relief. Clearly the Kharvalathians are skilled craftspeople.
[10:44.17] <+Repriever> [you would've noticed Repriever definitely not rolling his eyes]
[10:44.19] <DM> A door closes across the square, and the few people going about their business rapidly recede into their homes. You stand alone in the gathering dusk.
[10:44.53] <DM> "Getting late." says the barkeep, and his eyes flick up.
[10:45.03] * Aag-Ka-Kuna turns away, finally
[10:45.05] <+Repriever> "I'm waiting."
[10:45.05] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> scurrying inside
[10:45.16] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> there's a feeling of... ominous dread
[10:45.35] <DM> A chair scrapes across the room, and a Ssethkar leaves the bar, slamming a ruby-red coin down onto the table next to Repriever. He has yellow-green skin like Kathsiss.
[10:45.45] <DM> Onto the bar*
[10:45.58] <DM> About ten seconds later, two frogs look at each other, and leave the door after him.
[10:46.17] <DM> The barkeep fills the mug with water and gives it to Repriever.
[10:46.36] <+Repriever> "Lovely night."
[10:46.50] <DM> "Great for sleeping."
[10:46.56] * Melchior gets a bed and lies down, contemplating.
[10:47.01] <+Repriever> "So you keep saying."
[10:47.11] <DM> "I'm closing up here. Your friends are upstairs."
[10:47.13] * Repriever drinks torturously slow.
[10:47.31] <DM> "We'll be seeing you in the morning, I expect."
[10:47.33] * Kir hurries to bed
[10:47.56] <DM> The room that is prepared for you is a big common room, with five beds arranged around a central fire, with blankets and pillows in the southern style.
[10:48.02] <+Repriever> "Don't linger cause of me."
[10:48.11] <DM> The fire is a kiln and the chimney goes up through the center of the room.
[10:48.33] * Shala fell asleep AGES ago
[10:48.48] <DM> The bartender, a strong looking brownskinned toad, begins to snuff the torches.
[10:49.00] * Melchior is lying down, staring with unfocused eyes into the distance.
[10:49.06] * Repriever sits in the dark, sipping water.
[10:49.17] * Aag-Ka-Kuna watches the flames in the hearth slowly die
[10:49.29] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> falling asleep with the lulling of the flame
[10:49.54] <DM> The smoke from one of the guttered torches swirls and puffs as if blown from a breeze, but nobody sees this in the darkness.
[10:50.22] <DM> So, Melchior, Kir, Shala, and Aag.
[10:50.35] <DM> Roll perception.
[10:50.39] <+Shala> ?roll 1d20
[10:50.39] <%tBot> Shala: 18 [18]
[10:50.53] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+6
[10:50.53] <%tBot> Melchior: 16 ([10] +6)
[10:51.06] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+7
[10:51.07] <%tBot> Kir: 19 ([12] +7)
[10:51.10] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> ?roll 1d20
[10:51.10] <%tBot> Aag-Ka-Kuna: 14 [14]
[10:51.55] <DM> Hmm...
[10:52.08] <DM> Aag, you are slowly drifting to sleep, but as you do
[10:52.35] <DM> One of the logs in the hearth seems to twist, and change, and grow little feet, and step out of the fire, and as it does, a voice emanates from it
[10:52.45] <DM> "Are you suuuure you don't want to buy any charms?"
[10:53.00] * You are now known as Hooded_Figure
[10:53.06] <Hooded_Figure> "They're a wonderful bargain."
[10:53.47] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "charmssssss?"
[10:53.54] <Hooded_Figure> The log gradually transforms back into the same small, slender figure from before, about four feet tall, with a feminine voice.
[10:54.14] * Hooded_Figure looks around, left, right
[10:54.24] * Melchior looks over.
[10:54.33] * Aag-Ka-Kuna reaches forward
[10:54.41] * Hooded_Figure brings her hood down.
[10:54.56] <+Melchior> "Hullo. I've heard it's a mite rude coming in unannounced like this."
[10:55.00] * Hooded_Figure drops her cloak to the ground.
[10:55.06] <Hooded_Figure> "Yes, it is, but your friend invited me in."
[10:55.12] <Hooded_Figure> "The ollldddd one."
[10:55.17] <Hooded_Figure> "Almost as old as me."
[10:55.27] <Hooded_Figure> "I am Ayla."
[10:55.29] * You are now known as Ayla
[10:55.48] <Ayla> Like all elves, she is about four feet tall, with pale-green skin and black eyes without whites. She wears a thin leather jerkin and trousers that leave little to the imagination, though her breasts are mostly flat. Her mossy hair is tied up with an X-shaped cross, little sticks from which hang tiny dangling gems of varied colors. And a little black rat sits on her shoulder.
[10:56.19] * Melchior looks over to Repriever, then back at Ayla.
[10:56.29] <Ayla> [Repriever's still downstairs]
[10:56.30] <+Repriever> [I'm downstairs at the bar :p]
[10:56.32] <+Shala> [wait, are we all awake?]
[10:56.42] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> [Wait, I was still downstairs too]
[10:56.42] <Ayla> No, you and Kir are sleeping
[10:56.44] <+Melchior> [I was thinking, not sleeping, you are asleep]
[10:57.00] <Ayla> [Aag, I assumed that since you said you were staring at the fire, you went upstairs]
[10:57.10] <Ayla> [Since there was no fire downstairs]
[10:57.16] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> [I assumed that, like most inns, there was a hearth in the main room]
[10:57.23] <+Melchior> [yeah I assumed Aag was in the room with us]
[10:57.26] <Ayla> [It's a frog inn, and they don't take to fires]
[10:57.30] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> [but, sure, I
[10:57.37] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> 'll be upstairs staring at the hearth]
[10:57.45] <Ayla> [Cool]
[10:57.49] <Ayla> "The dead red bear probably sent you here because he knew *I* was here."
[10:57.59] <Ayla> "Stupid."
[10:58.05] <Ayla> "But I am helpful."
[10:58.14] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "How so?"
[10:58.32] <Ayla> "You're having another go at the Five, aren't you?"
[10:58.37] <Ayla> "Not the way I would do it, but..."
[10:58.47] <Ayla> "If it doesn't work once, maybe you just kick it again."
[10:58.49] * Ayla giggles.
[10:59.36] <Ayla> "I'm an elf, from the southern forests, and your kind would call me...a witch. I have the Sight...like...you."
[10:59.44] * Ayla points a finger at Melchior.
[10:59.50] <Ayla> "You're going to be funny."
[10:59.58] <+Melchior> "Mmm. I can imagine so."
[11:00.00] <Ayla> "Or, already were. Eugh."
[11:00.18] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "A witch. Better that than on of the tower's spawn."
[11:00.19] <Ayla> "You need to stop that, it's messing you up."
[11:00.27] * Ayla laughs.
[11:00.30] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "But still a foul thing."
[11:00.37] <Ayla> "Ohhhh, well, thank you."
[11:00.42] <Ayla> "I haven't bathed in a while."
[11:00.50] * Ayla rubs a strand of mossy hair.
[11:00.54] <+Melchior> "Sealing myself in a magic circle might help, but it might be a bit dull."
[11:01.15] <Ayla> "That's how they contained you."
[11:01.33] <Ayla> "When you slept..."
[11:01.36] * Ayla looks distant.
[11:01.38] <+Melchior> "At any rate I never quite got the whole thing about recreating the works of the five. Their time to work is finished, unless there's some elabourate plan to rewrite history or recreate creation. Odder things have happened."
[11:01.51] * Melchior trails off and listens more closely to Ayla.
[11:01.59] * Aag-Ka-Kuna has no idea what's being talked about
[11:02.11] <Ayla> "You got sucked into Mitsy's plan."
[11:02.17] <Ayla> "Well, it isn't bad. But..."
[11:02.22] <Ayla> "You don't really know what it MEANS."
[11:02.32] <Ayla> "Except for the old bucket of bones, and he doesn't seem happy about it."
[11:02.54] <+Melchior> "Not too happy about anything, but that's his prerogative."
[11:02.58] <+Melchior> "So how does he know you?"
[11:03.17] <Ayla> "The Shaman?"
[11:03.26] <+Melchior> "The Repriever."
[11:03.45] <+Melchior> "Unless you refer to another friend."
[11:03.54] <Ayla> "I doubt he does. But...I know *of* him."
[11:04.16] <Ayla> "He seems to be the only one who knows how badly this can all go."
[11:04.35] <+Melchior> "He's been there before, and will again."
[11:04.57] <Ayla> "The world can die. Everything can die. People can get greedy and stupid, and even if you WIN, you've already signed on the dotted line for a terrible sacrifice."
[11:05.16] <Ayla> "This is a ritual, not some...stupid adventure."
[11:05.22] <Ayla> "But, anyhow, you'll figure it all out."
[11:05.28] <Ayla> "I'm just here to tell your fortune."
[11:05.32] <+Melchior> "Suitably vague."
[11:05.36] * Ayla smiles, slightly too wide to be human.
[11:05.46] <Ayla> "Well if I told it all to you, you'd probably back out."
[11:05.56] <Ayla> "Didn't the rustbucket try to?"
[11:06.03] <Ayla> "Where is he, by the way?"
[11:06.09] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> ""I'm pretty sure I, for one, had the choice made for me long ago."
[11:06.20] * Ayla sighs
[11:06.22] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "whatever this choice you speak of is."
[11:06.34] <Ayla> "You always have a choice, flamechild"
[11:06.35] <+Melchior> "Downstairs, probably picking a fight with a ssethkar."
[11:06.49] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "She would disagree."
[11:07.02] <Ayla> "She isn't the only partner in the dance."
[11:07.16] <Ayla> "Perhaps she can dance to your tune."
[11:07.30] <Ayla> "Don't you know how to LEAD?"
[11:07.35] * Ayla giggles
[11:07.48] <Ayla> "...can I wake them up?"
[11:07.54] <Ayla> "I reeeeally want to."
[11:07.56] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "It's quiet, now, though."
[11:08.01] <+Melchior> "By all means."
[11:08.22] * Ayla giggles, jumps up on Shala's bed, and brings her alien-looking face really close to Shala's
[11:08.24] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "And if you knew her at all, you wouldn't think that she can be led."
[11:08.30] * Aag-Ka-Kuna says into the fire
[11:08.35] * Aag-Ka-Kuna whispers, rather
[11:08.37] * Ayla whispers "I....am here...to eat your soulllll...." into Shala's ears
[11:09.37] * Shala wakes up
[11:09.45] * Shala flails around
[11:09.51] <+Shala> "ASSASSINS AGAIN!"
[11:09.55] * Ayla giggles and jumps off the bed.
[11:10.05] * Ayla walks over to Kir's bed and shoves him out of it.
[11:10.07] <+Melchior> "She claims to be a friend."
[11:10.11] * Repriever enters the room, languid.
[11:10.20] * Repriever is still sipping that water.
[11:10.28] * Shala breaths in heavily
[11:10.29] <Ayla> Ayla wiggles her fingers at Repriever, her charms dangling in the firelight
[11:10.34] <+Shala> "What in the? A friend of who?"
[11:10.39] <+Melchior> "Our rodent skull merchant is here."
[11:10.46] <Ayla> "Everyone deals with immortality with a different type of insanity."
[11:10.49] <+Melchior> "Mitsaq, among others."
[11:10.57] <Ayla> "I wouldn't call Mitsy a FRIEND, more of a..."
[11:11.02] <Ayla> "Eh."
[11:11.16] * Kir crumples on the floor
[11:11.18] <+Shala> "Ugh, more personalities I dont know but who know me somehow"
[11:11.21] <+Kir> "Uhhhhhh....."
[11:11.22] <Ayla> "Misguided, god complex, good tea though."
[11:11.24] * Repriever finds a place to sit down and does so with the most old, groaning noises ever.
[11:11.39] * Kir looks up
[11:11.43] <+Shala> "What is your role, elf"
[11:11.45] <+Kir> "Whaaa....?"
[11:11.58] <Ayla> "Anyhow, when you walk in the spirit world, everyone eventually knows each other..."
[11:12.01] <Ayla> "There aren't that many of us."
[11:12.11] <+Repriever> "Not anymore."
[11:12.34] <Ayla> "Well, I could feel HIM coming, and I wanted to see what was going on."
[11:12.52] <Ayla> "And I like the cut of his jib, so I'm going to tell your fortune."
[11:12.55] <Ayla> "For a priceeeee."
[11:13.01] <Ayla> "Oooooooohhhhh."
[11:13.06] * Ayla wiggles her fingers ominously.
[11:13.08] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "I could do with a second opinion."
[11:13.21] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "Someone's already carved my future for me, but... "
[11:13.25] <Ayla> "Less of a fortune and more of a...vague series of impressions"
[11:13.30] <Ayla> "Fueled by mushrooms"
[11:13.36] <+Kir> "Who is?"
[11:13.41] * Kir is looking at Ayla
[11:13.46] <Ayla> "The cost is five hundred imperial coins."
[11:13.48] <Ayla> "No refunds."
[11:14.12] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "I'll do it in exchange of the flame's future for you."
[11:14.21] * Repriever waves it off.
[11:14.22] <+Melchior> "That's more than the price of everything I've ever owned."
[11:14.24] <Ayla> "Ew! No, that's...listen, that's not how this works."
[11:14.24] <+Kir> "Who this?"
[11:14.28] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "Why not?"
[11:14.31] <+Repriever> "They don't have to pay you."
[11:14.34] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "I'm new to this fortune telling thing."
[11:14.40] <+Melchior> "Why don't you sell us some vole skulls that aren't enchanted instead?"
[11:14.40] <Ayla> "Me? I'm Ayla the Elf, or Ayla the Witch, and I sell...uh..."
[11:14.45] <+Repriever> "I'll pay for them, if they want cheap tricks."
[11:14.45] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "You want me to pay you, I'll pay you with the equal thing."
[11:14.47] <Ayla> "Yeah, those."
[11:14.55] <Ayla> "Woah, okay, woah, hold it, fine."
[11:14.59] <Ayla> "Four hundred."
[11:15.13] <+Kir> "Pay what why?"
[11:15.15] <+Repriever> "A thousand?"
[11:15.18] <+Repriever> "Why not?"
[11:15.30] * Ayla narrows her eyes at Ayla.
[11:15.37] <+Repriever> [lol]
[11:15.38] <Ayla> "Did he just say...?"
[11:15.40] <Ayla> "Yes."
[11:15.44] <Ayla> "He did."
[11:15.50] <Ayla> "YOU HAVE A DEAL."
[11:15.55] <+Shala> "What?"
[11:16.13] <Ayla> "Okay, let me put this simply, because it seems you're all in various states of confusion."
[11:16.21] <+Kir> "Why she here?"
[11:16.30] <+Kir> "Why YOU here?"
[11:16.38] <Ayla> "I am an elf, I am very old, and I have dwelled in this forest as a secret presence for some time."
[11:16.56] <Ayla> "I felt you approaching and I wished to be your GUIDE. Perhaps Mitsaq spoke of a GUIDE, and that GUIDE is me."
[11:16.59] <Ayla> "Ish."
[11:17.22] <+Kir> "Yes."
[11:17.30] <+Kir> "But why you all wake me?"
[11:17.30] <Ayla> "Are we all on the same page now?"
[11:17.38] <+Kir> "Why you all here NOW?"
[11:17.45] <Ayla> "I'm not like a...walk you through the hills and forests guide, I'm more of a..."
[11:17.47] * Repriever asks Ayla something in hushed celestial.
[11:17.51] <Ayla> "Spirit guide."
[11:18.18] <+Shala> "So you give us wise advice in fuzzy language? But we already have old rusty for that."
[11:18.27] * Ayla gesticulates angrily and replies in louder celestial.
[11:18.38] * Repriever almost grins.
[11:19.14] <Ayla> "And spirit guiding needs to happen tonight, ALSO, if you had bumbled around this town for more than a few hours, well..."
[11:19.36] <Ayla> "The situation here isn't exactly good."
[11:19.55] <+Repriever> "Like I said."
[11:19.56] <Ayla> "Don't you notice a little, uh, tension?"
[11:19.59] <Ayla> "Of the RACIAL flavor?"
[11:20.04] <+Repriever> "Gatherings of the damned."
[11:20.18] * Ayla looks at Repriever
[11:20.23] <Ayla> "This guy."
[11:20.33] * Repriever sighs and looks at Melchior and Shala.
[11:20.40] * Melchior loks at Repriever.
[11:20.41] <+Repriever> "One day you'll be gone and wish you'd listened to me."
[11:20.57] <+Shala> "Racial tension? But why?"
[11:21.07] <Ayla> "Well, let's see, where do I start."
[11:21.31] <Ayla> "Mitsy started a war to fulfill his whole god complex plan, right?"
[11:21.54] <Ayla> "So mages and dragons are fighting, and the frogs are caught in the middle, and they just want OUT."
[11:22.29] <Ayla> "But the lizards consider the frogs their property, see? Like by law. So they don't want them to go."
[11:22.34] <Ayla> "Taxes. And all that shit."
[11:22.55] <Ayla> "Weren't some of the others supposed to tell you this? Like that beetle guy?"
[11:22.58] <+Shala> "Sea law"
[11:22.59] <Ayla> "He was in the know."
[11:23.12] <Ayla> "Love that guy."
[11:23.17] <Ayla> "He's a beetle!"
[11:23.18] <+Melchior> "Very personable."
[11:23.32] <+Melchior> "Sad for his family though, I get the impression he doesn't get to talk much these days."
[11:23.37] <Ayla> "We're all very well organized around the sea, but once you get over the Khalkis, listen, you're on your OWN."
[11:23.50] <Ayla> "And it's...kinda...crazy over there. Also."
[11:24.01] <Ayla> "We can only help you so far."
[11:24.17] <+Shala> "Why? Don't you want me to succeed?"
[11:24.33] <Ayla> "Oh I'm sure you'll just get a gold star, look at you, so cuuutteee."
[11:24.40] * Ayla jumps up to Shala and pinches her cheeks
[11:24.57] <Ayla> "So."
[11:25.04] <Ayla> "Are you all ready to begin..."
[11:25.07] <Ayla> "THE RITUAL?"
[11:25.12] <+Kir> "Ritual?"
[11:25.36] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "No."
[11:25.38] <Ayla> "Basically you eat these mushrooms which open your mind, and I summon some spirits to show us the future, or what may be the future."
[11:26.20] <Ayla> It's sort of complicated and...magey.
[11:26.23] <Ayla> " "*
[11:26.24] * Aag-Ka-Kuna is warry, but extends a hand anyway
[11:26.38] <+Melchior> "And what's your goal in all of this?"
[11:26.41] * Kir waits for more metaphorical penguins to jump
[11:27.15] <Ayla> "I didn't agree with Mitsaq's methods, but I do think that the world is a fallen and sad place, full of dead people and dead memories."
[11:27.42] <+Repriever> "And whose fault is that?"
[11:27.48] <Ayla> "Not fucking mine!"
[11:27.54] <+Repriever> "Nor mine."
[11:28.00] * Repriever takes some drugs, man.
[11:28.01] <+Shala> "The wizards. Give me a mushroom."
[11:28.13] <Ayla> "Exactly, fuck those...fuckin'...wizards."
[11:28.13] * Aag-Ka-Kuna takes one marijuanas
[11:28.22] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> and injects it
[11:28.30] * Ayla hands one of the purple mushrooms to everyone
[11:28.31] * Melchior accepts the offered fungus.
[11:28.38] <Ayla> "Okay...now...chew....and...swallow."
[11:28.45] * You are now known as DM
[11:28.50] <DM> Everyone please roll a...
[11:28.54] <DM> Use Magic Device check.
[11:28.58] <+Repriever> [ ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1LGBg9ysd4， ]
[11:29.14] <+Repriever> [that's a trained skill]
[11:29.19] <DM> [Oh, it's trained, baby]
[11:29.34] <DM> [Roll as if you're trained in it with one skill rank]
[11:29.54] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> ?roll 1d20+5
[11:29.55] <%tBot> Aag-Ka-Kuna: 23 ([18] +5)
[11:30.07] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+3
[11:30.07] <%tBot> Repriever: 14 ([11] +3)
[11:30.22] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+6
[11:30.22] <%tBot> Melchior: 10 ([4] +6)
[11:30.27] * You are now known as Ayla
[11:30.31] <+Shala> ?roll 1d20+3
[11:30.31] <%tBot> Shala: 7 ([4] +3)
[11:30.35] <+Shala> [jeeez]
[11:30.40] * Ayla picks up one of the vole skulls and spits on it, covering it in purple mushroom spit.
[11:30.48] * Aag-Ka-Kuna ;s pupils dilate
[11:30.54] * Ayla chants, repeatedly, in Celestial
[11:31.03] * Repriever winks.
[11:31.08] * Aag-Ka-Kuna joins in in ignean
[11:31.21] <Ayla> The skull of the vole begins to shake and rattle, and then a ghostly, spectral spirit forms around the skull.
[11:31.22] * Aag-Ka-Kuna joins in with something completly different in sound and melody and tone
[11:31.45] * Ayla nods to Aag as they do a magical jam session together.
[11:32.03] * Ayla pets the ghost-vole and speaks to it, whispering into its ear
[11:32.10] <Ayla> And then the vole explodes, and my god, it's full of stars.
[11:32.16] * Kir takes that shit after everyone else has
[11:32.30] <Ayla> Kir, you manage to see everyone twitching and rolling on the floor before your mind goes too.
[11:32.35] <+Repriever> [ ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wRq68Dmcn0， ]
[11:32.36] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20+7
[11:32.36] <%tBot> Kir: 19 ([12] +7)
[11:32.39] <Ayla> Okay.
[11:32.48] <Ayla> Shala...
[11:33.20] <Ayla> Your mind flashes through a series of strange impressions, but you get virtually nothing from this episode. Tomorrow morning you will wake up violently sick and convinced that tonight was a terrible mistake.
[11:33.40] <Ayla> Everyone else...gonna get some weird shit, man.
[11:33.43] * Shala will never take shrooms again
[11:33.56] <Ayla> Stick to potato vodka.
[11:38.54] *** Server disconnected on warrensofthought.com
[11:39.02] * You have joined #nesdnd
[11:39.02] Topic: A Handful of Dust Session 4: The Mud City of Krkesh -  ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D3uniQo0GA&feature=youtu.be&t=3m48s，
[11:39.02] Channel Topic Set by: DM!Sartas@66-90-165-217.dyn.grandenetworks.net on 4:10 AM 12/6/2015
[11:39.02] Channel modes for #nesdnd are :+nt
[11:39.02] Channel Created on: 3:24 AM 12/6/2015
[11:39.14] <+Repriever> [gg]
[11:39.27] * You are now known as DM
[11:39.38] <DM> [Lol, it's fine.]
[11:39.52] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> {these shrooms SOOO trippy, dm got lost up his own ass}
[11:42.08] <DM> Ayla starts to speak, in a low monotone voice.
[11:42.28] * Ayla (Sartas@66-90-165-217.dyn.grandenetworks.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[11:42.34] <+Shala> [lol]
[11:42.38] <DM> "Tomorrow, a train of refugees will assemble in the main square, frogmen fleeing the war."
[11:43.28] <DM> "They are fleeing...to a secret haven within the mountains...a waystation on your journey...."
[11:44.17] <DM> "A Child will come, to stop them."
[11:44.39] <DM> "He will not see you here. The spies have been murdered."
[11:44.42] <+Kir> "Child?"
[11:45.10] <DM> "A Child of Kharvalath...a Velcirath...a lesser dragon..."
[11:45.26] <DM> "Bureaucrat, a little sorcerer...they think this a small matter."
[11:45.37] <DM> "Killing refugees to set an example to the rest..."
[11:45.42] * Repriever seems completely chill with this news.
[11:46.09] <DM> "Two forks, I see. Do nothing, the Child kills the refugees, and you leave unhindered, but unguided."
[11:46.25] <DM> "Set a trap for the Velcirath, fight him, and..."
[11:46.33] <DM> "You live or you die, but you go with friends."
[11:46.49] <DM> "Those...are the paths...which I see...."
[11:46.56] * DM passes the fuck out and drools on her pile of skulls.
[11:47.02] <DM> Ayla*
[11:47.26] <DM> Everyone else except Shala who is toast, roll a fortitude save.
[11:47.29] * Repriever sits and waits for the high to fade like the memories of his friends.
[11:47.40] <DM> Oh, and Repriever. He's got too much Endurance for this.
[11:47.40] <+Repriever> ?roll 1d20+7
[11:47.40] <%tBot> Repriever: 24 ([17] +7)
[11:47.43] <+Kir> ?roll 1d20
[11:47.43] <%tBot> Kir: 1 [1]
[11:47.45] <DM> Well, he passes anyhow.
[11:47.46] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> ?roll 1d20
[11:47.46] <%tBot> Aag-Ka-Kuna: 19 [19]
[11:47.49] <+Kir> [FUCKING AGAIN]
[11:47.52] <DM> Lol.
[11:47.59] <+Kir> {hahahha]
[11:48.08] <DM> Kir, you have a vision of a spectral arrow. It's stuck in your chest.
[11:48.08] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+4
[11:48.08] <%tBot> Melchior: 19 ([15] +4)
[11:48.13] <+Kir> I don't think I've rolled anything but 1's on fort saves this entire campaign
[11:48.16] <DM> If you can just pull it out, so many amazing things will happen.
[11:48.25] <DM> Everyone will finally see you for the crack shot and important guide that you are.
[11:48.42] <DM> Maybe Shala will even look at you differently, eh?
[11:49.03] <DM> You rip out the spectral arrow and then vomit all over yourself and pass out on your face.
[11:49.10] <DM> In a pool of your own vomit.
[11:49.59] <DM> Repriever, Aag, and Mel flicker through a series of exceptionally vivid past memories and falls gently to sleep.
[11:50.36] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> [I'm falling asleep IRL]
[11:50.42] <DM> By the time you wake up, Ayla will have noped the fuck out of there.
[11:51.39] <DM> [Well Aag, we're going to go another 15 minutes and then stop]
[11:51.52] <+Shala> [great, i have a raging headache :p ]
[11:52.42] <DM> None of you are in much condition to wake, but the frog bartender knows what's up. He comes up stairs and shakes Repriever's shoulder. Then Mel's.
[11:52.49] <DM> It is an hour before dawn.
[11:52.53] <DM> Still dark outside.
[11:53.12] * Repriever is fine.
[11:53.16] <DM> He pours a bucket of water over Shala and Kir's heads.
[11:53.24] * Kir wakes slowly
[11:53.25] * Repriever goes downstairs and sits at the bar.
[11:53.29] * Melchior gets up.
[11:53.30] <DM> Clearly some kids don't know how to handle their mushrooms.
[11:53.31] <+Melchior> "Yoy."
[11:53.44] * Shala throws up again
[11:53.47] * Kir softly grumbles about his cloak or something
[11:53.58] <+Shala> "AWFUL"
[11:54.04] <+Kir> "Refugees
[11:54.05] <+Kir> "
[11:54.06] * Melchior goves over and pours some more water on Shala to clean the vomit out of her hair.
[11:54.07] <+Shala> "Where is that waif, I will string her neck!"
[11:54.08] <+Kir> "What we do?"
[11:54.17] * Shala throws up inbetween clauses
[11:54.21] <+Kir> "FOOD"
[11:54.27] <+Kir> "What we do?"
[11:54.29] <DM> Shala, you were just conned by a bitch-ass elf.
[11:54.36] * Kir is unsteady on his feet getting up
[11:54.41] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "We know where we are headed, now."
[11:55.02] <+Melchior> "This is why I stay out of cities."
[11:55.06] <+Kir> "Yes. But refugees."
[11:55.06] <DM> Melchior tends to Shala, like a good friend.
[11:55.09] <+Melchior> "But now that we know this, it's responsibility."
[11:55.11] <+Kir> "And dragon man"
[11:55.16] <+Kir> "What we do"
[11:55.20] <DM> The bartender regards this all impassively.
[11:55.32] <DM> "They'll be forming up to leave just after dawn."
[11:55.43] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "This is only one group of refugees, and one day. We stop today, tomorrow will be another group, and the day after another again."
[11:56.13] <+Melchior> "They will know of their danger after this first day."
[11:56.30] <+Melchior> "I couldn't live with myself knowing that I could have helped to stop this."
[11:57.16] <DM> "Stop what, exactly?"
[11:57.22] <DM> Says the bartender.
[11:57.34] <+Kir> "Dragon man comes"
[11:57.44] <+Kir> "To kill refugees"
[11:57.48] <+Melchior> "A massive vision of murder and death."
[11:57.50] <+Kir> "Set example"
[11:57.56] <DM> "Figure that's why Yrm sent you us, eh?"
[11:58.01] <DM> "Your call though."
[11:58.12] <+Kir> "Elf lady said, Dragonman from Kharvalat come to kill refugees"
[11:58.22] <DM> "But I did have that lizard taken care of for you last night."
[11:58.30] <DM> "One good turn deserves another."
[11:58.49] * DM wipes his face with a wet rag and waddles out of the room.
[11:58.50] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "Then we must help where we can."
[11:58.55] <+Kir> "We could kill dragon man?"
[11:59.04] <+Melchior> "Taken care of?"
[11:59.04] <+Kir> 'You think?"
[11:59.05] * Repriever waits at the bar for the bartender.
[11:59.09] <+Melchior> "What happened that I missed?"
[11:59.12] <+Melchior> "Assasins again?"
[11:59.30] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> "Dragons are dangerous, Kir."
[11:59.31] <+Melchior> [*sp]
[11:59.32] <DM> The bartender waddles back downstairs.
[11:59.48] <DM> "What can I get you?"
[11:59.55] <DM> [to Repriever]
[12:00.19] <+Repriever> "I owe a witch a thousand talents and a dragon lord a battle to the death, but let's start with breakfast."
[12:00.21] <+Kir> "Yes, but so are ambushes"
[12:00.36] <DM> "Hmm. You like gecko eggs?"
[12:00.40] <DM> "Cause we got gecko eggs."
[12:00.51] <+Repriever> "No."
[12:00.55] * Repriever gestures for them anyway.
[12:01.13] * DM cracks some giant gecko eggs into a pan and starts frying for the whole group.
[12:01.28] <DM> [Also, for reference for use next week: ＋https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tm4jMlFvEoTcUxuozIg4DB5hzqYJjj6PdIidBpThLFY/edit#gid=0&vpid=A1， ]
[12:01.44] <+Repriever> [denied]
[12:01.46] <DM> [I had hoped to do the fight tonight, but thomas is falling asleep]
[12:01.49] <DM> [Oh one sec]
[12:02.11] <DM> [fixed]
[12:02.13] <+Aag-Ka-Kuna> [thankee]
[12:02.57] <+Repriever> "It's not wrong."
[12:03.01] * Repriever says to the bartender.
[12:03.08] <+Repriever> "The mural."
[12:03.08] <DM> "Hm?"
[12:03.24] <DM> "Don't care much for art myself."
[12:03.24] <+Repriever> "That artist's just an asshole."
[12:03.50] <DM> The bartender nods and serves you up a plate of gecko eggs.
[12:04.10] * DM fills a jug of water and gives it to Repriever.
[12:04.28] <DM> [Well not me, literally, but the bartender]
[12:04.47] * Repriever drinks in big gulps.
[12:04.47] <+Kir> [that's what YOU think]
[12:05.19] * DM eventually waddles upstairs with the large pan of gecko eggs and some spoons for the rest of the slow-risers, along with a jug of water.
[12:05.59] <DM> The bartender creaks open the door, seeing Aag and Kir talking softly and Mel tending to a hung over Shala, and clonks the eggs down.
[12:06.07] <DM> "Food and drink."
[12:06.24] * Shala feels like she'll never do either ever again
[12:06.34] <DM> He leaves it on a table for you all and goes back downstairs.
[12:06.48] <+Kir> "Thank you!"
[12:07.21] * Melchior has some eggs and water.
[12:07.38] * Aag-Ka-Kuna eats with gusto
[12:07.49] * Repriever says to the bartender.
[12:08.00] * Kir does the same as Aag
[12:08.01] <+Repriever> "When they come, how many of theirs hide in this town?"
[12:08.39] <DM> "It'll just be one of their lords. Dragons think frog are geckos to be herded."
[12:08.52] <DM> "As for the lizards, let me worry about them."
[12:09.15] <DM> The bartender wipes the bar with a rag again
[12:09.17] <DM> It's a very shiny bar.
[12:09.42] * Repriever clenches his fist on the bartop between bites of egg.
[12:09.48] * Kir comes downstairs
[12:09.54] <DM> "If you need roofs, I can give them to you. I saw this one has a bow."
[12:10.07] <+Repriever> "We'll deal with this lord."
[12:10.14] <+Repriever> "Same as the last one, and the next."
[12:10.17] <+Kir> "Buildings better, maybe?"
[12:10.24] <+Kir> "More hiding spots."
[12:10.37] <+Kir> "Also, dragon man have.... dragon?"
[12:11.09] <+Melchior> "Dragonkin, not a dragon, if I understood."
[12:11.24] <+Kir> "So like man. On foot."
[12:11.36] <+Repriever> "Not weak."
[12:11.58] <+Kir> "Yes, but no dragon to ride on."
[12:12.05] <+Repriever> "But not too clever either."
[12:12.55] <+Repriever> "Ssethkar are the spawn of an imperfect thing. There are always maker's marks."
[12:13.03] <DM> "The Child who rules only flies in to take his tribute and distribute...justice."
[12:13.38] <DM> "He's on his way now."
[12:13.46] <+Repriever> "Good."
[12:14.01] <+Kir> "If we kill little dragon.. town will be all right?"
[12:14.10] <+Melchior> "There may be retributions."
[12:14.13] * Repriever hums through a bite of egg.
[12:14.20] <+Melchior> "But at least people will be forewarned now."
[12:14.31] <+Repriever> "Every dead lizard makes the world a little brighter."
[12:15.02] <DM> "Most everyone will get out of this damned city after tomorrow. They can try to tax a husk."
[12:15.24] <DM> "Place was beautiful, once. But maybe we can make something new, somewhere else."
[12:15.39] <DM> The bartender grunts and goes back to his work.
[12:16.12] <+Repriever> "Melchior."
[12:16.28] <+Melchior> "Aye."
[12:16.28] * Aag-Ka-Kuna (IceChat77@c-73-204-192-192.hsd1.fl.comcast.net) has left #nesdnd ()
[12:16.37] * Aag-Ka-Kuna (IceChat77@c-73-204-192-192.hsd1.fl.comcast.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[12:16.45] <+Repriever> "Before it's time, I have some reading to do."
[12:16.49] * Melchior nods.
[12:17.24] <+Kir> "Bartender, you say something about roofs?"
[12:17.38] * Melchior shrugs off her cloak and shirt.
[12:17.54] * Repriever preps to read while eating eggs.
[12:18.00] <DM> "Yeah. Look around, pick a spot. Rooves 're flat."
[12:18.01] * Repriever can multitask.
[12:18.25] <DM> "Refugees'll form up in the main square."
[12:18.25] * Repriever makes sure no one else can see what is marked there.
[12:19.53] <Aag-Ka-Kuna> {i'm legit falling asleep. talk to ya'll tomorrow}
[12:20.02] <Aag-Ka-Kuna> goodnight
[12:20.07] * Repriever thumbs one of his lines on Melchior's back with a cold thumb.
[12:20.29] <DM> [Take care!]
[12:20.35] <+Repriever> "Well, shit."
[12:21.43] * Repriever huffs incredulously.
[12:22.00] <+Melchior> "So which is it?"
[12:22.02] * Repriever pats Melchior on the shoulder in signal to cover up again.
[12:22.07] <+Melchior> "I suppose I'd best not know."
[12:22.15] * Melchior puts her shirt back on, covering the writing.
[12:22.44] <+Repriever> "I..."
[12:22.55] <+Repriever> "After. We'll talk about it."
[12:23.11] <+Melchior> "Sure."
[12:23.15] <+Melchior> "Fancy stopping a massacre?"
[12:23.43] <+Repriever> "Stopping? I intend to create one."
[12:24.07] <+Melchior> "Fine. Fancy stopping the death of the refugees right here, today?"
[12:24.11] <DM> You hear the opening and shutting of windows, and the crying, well, croaking, of small frog children as the wagons with pools of water for the travelers to bathe in are painstakingly hauled out and assembled in the square.
[12:24.24] * Repriever chews a big mouthful of egg in answer.
[12:24.28] <DM> Dawn is close.
[12:24.47] <DM> Shala, any thoughts this morning, or are you still too fucked up to think?
[12:25.03] <+Shala> [not particularly :p ]
[12:25.10] * Repriever gets real quiet over them eggs.
[12:25.38] * Kir begins to gather fighting gear
[12:25.45] <DM> Kir, the bartender goes out to the square to show you the main sniping vantage points.
[12:27.04] * Kir decides on the roof of the building facing the square on the bottom right
[12:27.14] <+Kir> [highlighted]
[12:27.42] * Kir returns to the bar briefly
[12:27.52] <+Kir> "We do something with dagger?"
[12:28.00] <+Kir> "Repriever, you want?"
[12:28.12] <+Kir> "Mel, you have many weapons already"
[12:28.41] <+Melchior> "I've got a flail, and armour: not as solid as I'm used to, but it'll do."
[12:28.47] <DM> Kir, you feel a small trembling from your pocket.
[12:29.06] * Kir takes the liquid metal out
[12:29.11] <+Repriever> "Don't die."
[12:29.21] <DM> As you look at it, it trembles...shudders...and then snaps into the shape...
[12:29.27] <DM> Of an arrowhead.
[12:29.50] * Kir puts it on a shaft as best he can
[12:29.55] <+Melchior> "I have no intentions of dying today, or any time in the foreseeable future."
[12:30.04] <+Melchior> "Will you be able to get that back if you fire it?"
[12:30.17] <+Kir> "I think it will find own way back"
[12:30.31] <+Kir> "Mitsaq said it has not become alive in long long time"
[12:30.35] <+Repriever> "Kallos always did."
[12:30.39] <+Repriever> "I wouldn't worry about it."
[12:30.54] * Repriever finishes his food and water.
[12:31.11] <+Repriever> "Now."
[12:31.13] <DM> Shala eventually grumbles her way down the stairs, totally unaware that a battle is about to take place.
[12:31.14] * Repriever stands.
[12:31.19] * Melchior puts on her armour.
[12:31.19] <DM> I mean, it's not like anyone told her.
[12:31.26] <DM> She didn't hear any of that shit.
[12:31.27] <+Repriever> "Let's go prove a point to a dead man."
[12:31.30] <+Shala> "Bleehhhh"
[12:31.35] <+Kir> "Shala, where you go for fighting?"
[12:31.37] <+Melchior> "Ready your magic, Shala."
[12:31.40] <+Shala> "What"
[12:31.43] * Shala wipes her mouth
[12:31.46] <+Shala> "What?"
[12:31.55] <+Shala> "All of that elf crap...was real?"
[12:31.59] <+Kir> "We go to stop massacre"
[12:32.01] <+Kir> "Now"
[12:32.02] * Shala holds her head
[12:32.03] <+Kir> "Yes"
[12:32.10] <+Shala> "FUCK"
[12:32.14] <DM> Shala's had better hair days.
[12:32.17] <+Melchior> "An important vision was revealed to us. We can leave and allow a massacre, or prevent it now."
[12:32.24] * Repriever is out the door at the break of dawn.
[12:32.25] <+Melchior> "I prefer the latter."
[12:32.29] * Shala rummages through her stuff and heads outside
[12:32.37] * Kir sprints to his position
[12:32.59] <DM> As you go outside, you find that the column of refugees has formed up for departure.
[12:33.12] * Kir nocks the living metal arrow once on the roof, then sits and waits
[12:33.13] * Repriever shouts after Kir.
[12:33.19] <+Repriever> "You know what they say about Kallos?"
[12:33.27] <+Kir> "No?"
[12:33.32] <+Repriever> "He's fucking dead."
[12:33.50] * Repriever nods.
[12:34.01] <+Kir> "I love you too, old man"
[12:34.07] * Kir shouts in reply
[12:35.08] <DM> Do you all decide to stand in the main square, except for Kir?
[12:35.32] <+Melchior> I'll stand at the edge of the square.
[12:35.32] <+Repriever> [yes]
[12:35.38] * Repriever right near the mural.
[12:35.40] <+Shala> [yes]
[12:36.08] * Repriever leans cooly against the mural of dragons and paladins. ;)
[12:36.20] <DM> The sun begins to rise.
[12:36.33] <DM> [End session.]