Tenebrae - User contributions [en]

Silencing the Unloved King

2024-01-26T04:11:47Z

Seldan: Created page with "The mid evening, after moonrise, finds the Temple of the Dreaming Goddess quiet and chilly, the marble inside capturing the outside wind and cold in microcosm. Thanks to the magic that suffuses the place, it is not frozen, and it is less cold than the howling wind outside. Still the chill is real, and the Seers present wear cloaks and robes of white wool, and perhaps an extra layer or two as they sit in quiet contemplation, or talking quietly with others or the few Sunbl..."

The mid evening, after moonrise, finds the Temple of the Dreaming Goddess quiet and chilly, the marble inside capturing the outside wind and cold in microcosm. Thanks to the magic that suffuses the place, it is not frozen, and it is less cold than the howling wind outside. Still the chill is real, and the Seers present wear cloaks and robes of white wool, and perhaps an extra layer or two as they sit in quiet contemplation, or talking quietly with others or the few Sunblades present.

One alone here seems largely unaffected by the cold, bright hair uncovered by hood or cap as he sits cross-legged by the pool in his usual attire of shirt and trousers, and mage's robe atop. Here, in deference to the sanctity of the temple area, Seldan is devoid of weapons, and no armor is visible, his pose quiet and at rest as he awaits those who he asked to join him this evening.

Next to Seldan kneels a familiar form as well. Untouched by the cold as well, Telamon kneels on one of the tasseled prayer rugs, his eyes closed, expression contemplative. His own garb is... not ostentatious but it does bespeak Telamon's tendency to finery; a snowy-white silk blouse, long sleeved and ruffled at cuffs and collar, tucked into his black leather riding trousers. His boots have been traded for simple slippers here in the temple, and his platinum blond hair is brushed back, as the half-sil sorcerer meditates.

Finally, though, his eyes open, his gaze moving to the side as he nods slightly to Seldan, lips quirking up in a faint smile as he awaits the others.

Verna's cloak rustles in the harsh wind though less so after entering the temple grounds proper. Fortunately, the pink dress beneath is layered and wind-resistant enough to deal with the current conditions. It takes a moment to note Seldan, perhaps due to lack of armor and lack of his associates ostentatiousness; both are comparatively uncommon, much less in tandem. She then moves to approach the pair. "Good eve to you both."

Dirk's heavy booted footfalls can be heard as he enters the temple--largely because he takes a moment to stomp the snow off his feet. Like his dear friends, he too is without weaponry or armor. He's decked out in his heavy cable-knit sweater, cloak and mantle tossed over his shoulders, and scarf wound around his neck. He doffs his tricorne, holding it under his arm as he makes his way into the temple proper. "Och, hello, everyone!" he says quietly, so as not to disturb the other Elunites. "It's lovely tae see yee all."

Indeed, the attire between the two mages is not dissimilar, but the bright-haired one is definitely the less attentive dresser of the two. He does not look up in response to Telamon's look, not until first Verna and then Dirk - familiar voices both, and ones not heard in too long - greet the pair. He looks up, over at Telamon, and finally returns the smile with a very small one of his own. Having a companion in meditation where for so long he had meditated alone had been startling at first, but he's gotten used to it and has come to welcome it.

As the other two approach, he rises smoothly, legs pushing him up smoothly and easily from the cross-legged position to standing. "Her light upon your path," he greets the pair in low tones, bowing politely. "Too long has it been since I have set eyes on either of you. Come, let us find a better place for conversation."

He steps off of the prayer mat and takes it to a pile near one of the pillars, leaving it there easily, and waits for the others to follow before leading them through the back door of the Temple into the Temple courtyard, and through the halls, past a set of double doors where a Sunblade and a Silver Guard both bow them through the doors, into a massive library. He seems uninterested in the stacks here, instead leading them towards the back, a quieter section where fewer go. A few alcoves allow people to talk in ones and twos, but here, he selects a quiet wooden table at the back of the stacks. It is warmer here, and must, the scent of paper and leather overlaying the scent of cloth and marble and wood. It is here that he gestures them to before selecting his own chair and seating himself. "It is well to see all of you."

Telamon's starry eyes dance as he regards Verna and Dirk. "It's been too long, Dirk," he says with a smile. "And of course, my sister-in-law. I hope Auranar is well?" The sorcerer falls into step with them, behind Seldan as the knight leads them into the library.

"Sadly, no refreshments in the library. I'll be happy to take everyone out for drinks later, if you like." Telamon slides into a chair easily, looking on with that faint smile. "Considering what Sir Seldan might have to say, you may want a drink."

"Indeed, too long," Verna concurs as they move to more comfortable and appropriate surroundings. Some may ignore the stacks and shelves in the library, yet Verna is not some. Her gaze cannot help but drift across the tomes and sheaves, even if it cannot discern titles given the distance and time involved.

There are other matters of priority, afterall. She turns to Seldan for this, though reverses and shifts to Telmaon at his inquiry. A slender smile tugs are her lips. "She is well; as radiant and energetic as ever." Verna then pans to Seldan (again). "So your words shall inspire libations? In a manner encouraging of a toast, I trust, as opposed to stupor."

Dirk reaches out to give big, hearty Dwarf Hugs where appropriate. "Aye, that it has, laddie," he says to Telamon. "I hope Lana thrives. Give 'er me best, won't ye?" Verna similarly gets be-hugged with a warm smile. "An' do the same fer Auranar, eh?"

He's content to let Seldan lead them through the temple and into the backrooms. Once they reach their destination, he hops himself up atop one of the chairs. He wiggles a bit to get comfortable, setting his tricorne aside. He turns his attention back to Seldan. "So what's the action? What've ye got fer us? Must be a pretty big do if Telamon's buyin' drinks after."

All vestige of Seldan's smile vanishes at Telamon's mention, and he rests both fists on the old, polished wood that could use a little TLC, leaning forward. "Would that a toast were appropriate, Mourner." He draws in a long, deep breath. "Not idly have I left Reunion from this matter, for though they know of it - well, perhaps it were well, did I begin at the beginning."

"You are aware of the individual whom I have undertaken to stop, and some of the foul works he has committed. I know that the Archmage and the Mourner know of whom I speak. What of you, Master Dirk? He who holds the God's Hand?" The paladin's gaze goes towards the khazad now, expectantly.

Telamon steeples his fingers, the congenial expression on his face now turning to cool focus. "We speak in circles, as we do -not- wish to attract the fellow's attention. I suspect we annoyed him as is prior to this." He furrows his brow. "In truth, I worry that probing too much might draw his eye, even in ways that are... more circumspect than others."

He offers Dirk an encouraging look. "There's no shame in quailing a bit at this. In truth I am more than a little unnerved as well."

Dirk boggles a little bit, looking between his three friends. "Och, I've been out o' touch fer some time," he says. "I'm afraid I'm nae certain whom yer talkin' about. But they cannae be any worse than the likes o' Zalgiman Joaki, or Demontry Kol, or Dace Zinskas, or Marsward Seraquoix hisself." Pause. Blink. Blink blink. "They're -not-, are they?" he asks.

He reaches up to hook a finger in his collar and give it a worried tug as he fidgets in his seat. "But please, Master Seldan, tell us everything. What sort o' fiend are we dealin' with now?" He gives Telamon a glance and a quiet 'ulp!', tugging at his collar again. "Beards o' me fathers. Someone can unnerve -you-? Och, that does seem frightful, dunnit?" He looks back to Seldan, giving the archmage his undivided attention.

"The threat is - different in nature," Seldan explains, his own easiness settling into that steady, thoughtful sobriety he so often adopts when there is evil at hand. "From all I have been able to learn, he seeks to destabilize, or even end, magic itself. He wields great power, for we have found in his possession divinely crafted artifacts said to be the province of the gods alone, and although I have no proof, I believe that Animus may have been slain by his hand. Still, the thing I wish to speak of is his work but indirectly. More directly, it is a work of the Demon Wars that came to his hand, that he used to coerce another into slaughtering the followers of the Tempter. It is this dagger that I would destroy."

"A dagger, crafted by the hand of a mighty kyton of iron forged of souls, and used to kill until it took upon itself an evil life of its own, driving any who held it to kill, and kill, and kill again. It delights in torture and pain. Such a thing is not readily destroyed, but Mistress Aryia and I have identified a means of doing so. It is a celestial hammer, a thing of thunder, that may possess the power necessary to destroy this thing."

"To reach it, we must venture into the Desolation. Amid the battlegrounds of the Demon Wars it lies, entombed with the thing that it was shattered in destroying." The paladin's tone is now thoughtful - perhaps a little distant. "This thing is a horror that must never be brought back into the world, at any cost, for were it even to he heard, to be learned, it could destroy all Ea."

"Our foe is definitely more..." Telamon pauses to find the proper word. "Esoteric, than the past threats we've faced. We're dealing with someone who is somehow, staying one step ahead of a divine sanction. Worse, his ambitions... he strikes at both the Tempter, and at Ni'essa."

"And so, we are faced with a task not unlike eating an elephant. Where does one -start-? Well... one bite at a time. We deny him this filthy tool, and destroy it so that it cannot wreak havoc again." Tel scowls a bit. "Seldan's description of this... curse, is such that we will have to enter this tomb voluntarily and totally deafened. We don't dare let it out."

Dirk's eyes get wide. And keep getting wider, the more Seldan speaks. He sucks in a soft gasp, his jaw dropping. "Wait. Wait wait wait a bloody tick. I thought it was Taara what done Animus in. Are..." Blink blink. Boggle. "Are we goin' after ''Taara''?" He puts a hand to his heart, shaking his head with enough force to make his beard whip-whap side to side. "Blessed Lady, keep an' protect me," he mutters softly.

But as terrible as this foe might seem, the old snowbeard remains as doughty as ever. He gives himself a solid shake, sitting up taller in his seat. Telamon gets a hairy eyeball and a worried frown. "Deafened? Och, we'd be sittin' ducks if we cannae -hear- anything in there." He pulls a deep breath and lets it out. "Right. So... the Desolation. Nae exactly me favorite place tae be spendin' any time. But me thunderbelcher will still work there just fine."

He turns his attention back to Seldan. "Do we ''have'' this celestial hammer, then? Or do we know how tae get it?" He manages to keep his tone even, despite his growing apprehension. But dwarves are good with hammers. Hammers are safe.

Verna's smile from Telamon's earlier question faded to neutral and now further to a firm not-quite-scowl as Seldan expounds. "Yet another contest for the domain of mana," she notes quietly with inflection half inquiry, half statement. "And we must not hear it, either, in the course of our expedition."

She speaks up after noting Dirk's concern. "Fret not. We have faced lycanthropes, arch-fiends, manifestations of The Void itself, and other dire threats to city, nation, world, and even realm. A god-like being with the power to unravel all things would not be so difficult in comparison, would it?" Brows lift inquiringly at Dirk. "In fact, I am assured that none shall hear any screams of defeat."

"The celestial hammer is shattered and entombed, where this horror is held, for it was instrumental in this horror's destruction." Seldan's tone is very serious. "It is a song, a ballad, that infects the mind of any who hear it, causing them to dance to their death. None were immune, and thus must we wholly deafen ourselves, that we not fall victim to it, nor do we carry it or knowledge of it from that place."

Telamon reaches over to tap Dirk's wrist. "No. As Sir Seldan notes, it appears this fellow may have been the one who slew Animus -- not Taara." His lips quirk slightly. "While the Tempter has many sins, this is one we cannot lay at her feet. Ironically, our enemy has targeted -her- faithful as well."

"Even a broken hammer can be reforged and remade. Of course, getting it out of there will be difficult. Spellcasting will be tricky. Communication as well. But this song, well... I may like dancing, but I don't like dancing ''that'' much."

Dirk looks over to Verna with a sheepish hunch of his shoulders. "Aye, well... suppose it ''could'' always be worse." A pause. "Cannae rightly say ''how'', but I'm sure it ''could'' be. But... aye. We have tae deal wi' this. However we can."

He looks back to Seldan, giving his beard a thoughtful tug. "Och, that does sound dreadful, dunnit?" he says with a nod. "Well. I can get by wi'out spells just fine. And I ken the Handspeech. If any of you do as well, we can keep in contact that way."

He sits up straight, then, and snaps his fingers, looking back at Telamon. "Och! Tel, ye remember when we went after Dace's totem? Remember that magick that let us all ''think'' tae one another? Couldn't we do that again when we're in there? Might could be we cannae hear anything else, but at least we could hear each other. Mightn't that be helpful?"

"Regrettably, in this instance," Verna laments, "the foe of a foe yet remains a foe. In addition to the difficulties with spell use," a nod to Telamon before she looks to Dirk. "You are quite astute, as ever. That is a one means of communication that was proposed. It would be most helpful, indeed."

"Indeed, and I would not deny the use of such a spell. The hand speech I am learning, for this -" Seldan leans back a little, nodding to Telamon. "I would have us use and know both, do we encounter fields of anti-magic or other effects that suppress the communication. I, too, can work without magic," here, he seems a touch disappointed, but continues nonetheless. "We are not wholly without magic, but would be wise not to reply wholly upon it."

"For it is as the Archmage says, and more, that magic itself is becoming twisted. Particularly within the Desolation, within such battlefields - who can say what we shall find?"

Telamon sighs. "Such are the fruits of our enemy's labor. But yes; multiple solutions to the problem. A telepathic bond, the knowledge of handspeech, even something as simple as a writing slate and chalk. And it might be nothing lives in this tomb -- or, well, unlives." He pauses, and his face becomes wry. "You get the idea. We might get lucky. But I doubt it. We will have to try to prepare for as many possibilities as we can."

"It may be your thunderbelcher that carries the day, Dirk, if we are unable to properly cast spells." Tel makes a face. "That whole mess at the castle was infuriating. I think I may stock up on alchemical tools just in case."

Dirk's cheeks turn red as beets under his snowy white beard as Telamon says that victory might just come down to -him-. "Oh. Great Gilead's Ghost." He clears his throat, puffing up his burly chest and doing his level best to be brave. "Well... ye all know that I'm ready tae help, whenever an' however I might." He turns his attention to Seldan. "So when do we leave?" he asks. "It's a long way tae the Desolation, innit? Unless we're goin' tae magick ourselves there?"

A very quiet, very small chuckle escapes Seldan. "I am not wholly without use, with a blade in my hand," he remarks amusedly, blue eyes bright. "You need not think yourself alone, Master Stormgrip. Still are alchemical tools an excellent notion, and I shall carry them as well."

He pauses at the question of when to leave. "We should leave soon, and I would not trust to magick to see us safely there. I have researchers working to locate the tomb in question, and we shall depart when that is found."

Telamon looks at Seldan. "I considered plumbing the realm of dreams for information on the tomb, but... I suspect there's a danger there. Many things are lost and buried in Ni'essa's realm; and not all of them are good. It would be -extremely- inconvenient to accidentally unearth even a memory of the song in question." He exhales. "I intend to turn my gaze to other matters before we go. Once the tomb is located, I can bring us there unerringly."

Dirk listens to both his friends, nodding his head. "Well, I can keep us fed an' sheltered along the way, at the verra least," he says. "Once we -get- there... well. That's the trick, innit? If what ye say is true, an' magick becomes untrustworthy there, then we'll need some way o' stoppin' up our ears." He gives his beard a thoughtful tug. "Hrm... maybe summat like earmuffs, made from padded leather. That ''might'' muffle sound enough so that the curse dinnae get us." He glances between the two. "I expect there'll be some nasty beasties there too? There's ''always'' nasty beasties."

"I think that likely indeed," Seldan agrees, inclining his head to Telamon. "The cathedral of the Draco Solis in Bryn Myridorn should hold the knowledge we seek, if any do. That shall I pursue, and make ready to depart when we know."

"I know not if magic be untrustworthy there or nay, for I know not its exact location. Magic in much of the Desolation is - a strange thing, and we should be prepared for oddities. Magic is a great and powerful thing, but mundane means may at times foil the greatest of spells."

Telamon shakes his head at Dirk. "I was going to suggest we all be magically deafened. Not my preference, but I'd hate to lose any of our party if those earmuffs got knocked off." His lips quirk at Seldan. "That's the truth. Magic does have certain vulnerabilities, and some countermeasures are as simple as inconveniencing the caster." Tel idly traces a circle on the wooden table surface. "In any case, we cannot depend on magic. We'll have to make do with guile, stealth, strength of arms, and a dollop of luck." Grinning at Dirk. "Oh, for sure. These places ''always'' have beasties. I think it's actually a rule of nature, as sure as Daeus rising in the east."

Dirk can't help but rumble a low chuckle at Telamon, nodding his head in agreement. "True talk, laddie, true talk. Birds sing, rains fall, an' there's nasty beasties in the molderin' old ruins ye've been paid tae delve." He nods his head firmly, regaining a good bit of his steel. Verna was right--this isn't the old ranger's first rodeo. "Well, I doubt there's much I can do tae help wi' yer research. Unless there might be a tome or treatise here in Alex I could read?" He looks to Seldan for confirmation on that.

"Perhaps we should employ both methods," Seldan suggests, with a tilt of the head. "For do we not speak of mundane means foiling spells? Great works of magic may penetrate even an anti-magic field, and in truth are beasts the least of my worries, in this endeavor." A very small smile accompanies that observation. "Nay, I would have us employ both methods, in tandem. Stuff the ears with cloth, cover with the earmuffs, and magically deafen all. Such was the power of this song, that naught was written of it, and my ancestors had to be coaxed to speak of it. That they did so entrusts me with the protection of the secret, and it is upon my honor to see that the song escapes not."

He shakes his head slowly at Dirk, a negation. "Nay, not within these walls. In truth do I think that best, that such knowledge remain within - more responsible hands."

Telamon's eyebrows come together. "Typically, magically-induced deafness or blindness isn't subject to an anti-magic field. Then again, I've never heard of a song that would make you dance till you died, either. So doubling-up might not be a terrible idea."

He offers Dirk a smile. "Some things you don't -want- to know, Dirk. It's not out of distrust, but it is a necessity with something like this. We -definitely- don't want this getting out a year or a century down the road."

Dirk nods his head with a thoughtful frown. "It's a ''song'', ye says," he muses, giving his beard a tug. "So then the question becomes... who's ''singin''' it? Might we be able tae silence that song, so it ''cannae'' get out an' hurt anyone?" He hrrms, tug-tugging for a moment, then shakes his head again. "Well... I'll keep close tae Alex, so we can get on the move quickly." He hops to his feet, picking up his tricorne and setting it atop his head. "I'll go see 'bout findin' some lodgings. In the meanwhile, if there's aught I might do tae help us prepare fer the trip, give us a shout." He goes to clasp hands with Telamon and Seldan both, before he turns to head for the door. The night's growing dark, and there's miles yet to go for Ea's heroes.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2024-01-26T04:08:16Z

Seldan: /* January */

{{AboutLogs}}

'''[[Archived_Logs|For 2023 and earlier, see the Archives]]'''

==2024 Logs==
===January===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|January 1, 2024
|[[New Face in Town]]
|[[Kadlin]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[What is in a Name]]
|[[Khepri]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Triangulating Assumptions]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Eztli]], [[Dirk]]
|-
|
|[[Magic and Archmages]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Kadlin]], [[Mikilos]], [[Murder]]
|-
|January 2, 2024
|[[In Search of a Forge]]
|[[Kadlin]], [[Harshad]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Tales of Redemption and Grief]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 5, 2024
|[[Song and Holy Violence]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Aryia]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 8, 2024
|[[An Ask of Mental Fortitude]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Axochitl's Aid]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 9, 2024
|[[Snowballs in the Gardens]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Eztli]], [[Mikilos]], [[Ness]], [[Ous]]
|-
|January 10, 2024
|[[A Meeting In The Wintry Woods]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Kadlin]], [[Munch]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 11, 2024
|[[Shenanigans on Ice]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Eztli]], [[Irshya]], [[Slixvah]], [[Thurid]]
|-
|
|[[Raiders of the Lost Tomb, Part 2]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Fidget]], [[Slixvah]], [[Irshya]], [[Aimarra]], [[Carver]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 14, 2024
|[[Phantom Thieves - The Heist]]
|[[Crik]], [[Reithak]], [[Warrick]], [[Merith]], [[Thoth]], GM: [[Fidget]]
|-
|
|[[Testing Synonie]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 15, 2024
|[[Raiders of the Lost Tomb Part 3]]
|[[Aimarra]], [[Slixvah]], [[Irshya]], [[Carver]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]] ('''DM:''' Telamon)
|-
|
|[[Chronolark - Part 1]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Aznara]], [[Reithak]], [[Tlanexhuani]], ('''DM:''' Whirlpool)
|-
|January 18, 2024
|[[Workouts and Distractions]]
|[[Choler]], [[Thurid]], [[Eztli]], [[Slixvah]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 19, 2024
|[[World Peace and Hunky Boys]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Dolan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 21, 2024
|[[Quarry Quarrel, Part 1]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Crik]], [[Khepri]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|January 25, 2024
|[[Silencing the Unloved King]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Dirk]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|}

[[Category:Logs]]

Seldan

2023-12-31T23:39:24Z

Seldan:

{{CPHEADER-START}}
Seldan Padaryn
{{CPHEADER-END}}

<center>''Walk the dark path, sleep with angels, call the past for help''<br />
''Touch me with your love and reveal to me my true name''</center>

{| width="325px" class="infobox" align="left"
| colspan="3" | [[Image:Seldan01.png|300px]]
|-
| class="left" | '''Race:'''
| Human
|-
| class="left" | '''Ancestry:'''
| Eldanar
|-
| class="left" | '''Apparent Age:'''
| Young adult, likely early to mid 20's.
|-
| class="left" | '''Occupation:'''
| Adventurer and crusader.
|-
| class="left" | '''Class:'''
| Paladin/Sorcerer
|-
| class="left" | '''Organizations:'''
| Temple of Eluna
|-
| class="left" | '''Aspect:'''
| Ancestor-Touched
|-
|}

{{CPSUBHEAD-START}}Description{{CPSUBHEAD-END}}

There is something about him, if one is human.

It is not easy to pin down exactly what, though. He is not the biggest man, despite a warrior's physique, just shy of six feet tall with a frame more closely resembling that of a gymnast than that of a brawler. Fair as a spring day, with hair equally balanced between ginger and blonde that is grown out of a military cut to fall in his eyes if not disciplined. Ice-blue eyes with blonde lashes hold wisdom and kindness, set into features that are even, straight, and strong. But - in certain lights, and at certain times, humans might almost see in this Eldanar man a glimpse of what a warrior of the Millennium Kingdom might once have looked like.

The warrior theme is carried again in the full platemail that he wears, its finish not a bright polish so much as a shimmer that recalls moonlight when under bright light, and quiescence in shadow. Over the platemail hangs an open, sleeveless robe of midnight-blue with moon-silvery edging and celestial symbols and creatures picked out in silver thread adorning it, and a steel pendant bearing the symbol of a crescent and sphere. A set of gold bracers, depicting celestial symbols that match the symbols on the robe, encircle his wrists.

He wears multiple belts, one of ornate silver links, another a beaten leather affair with attachments for weapons. A longsword hangs from this, from a sheath on his left hip with an ornately-carved pommel and a guard designed in an ancient style, and a much newer-looking heavy mace on his right hip. A belt pouch completes the contents of the leather belt, and a sturdy cloak over all in midnight blue bears the crescent-and-sphere of Eluna picked out in a mosaic of thousands of tiny silver crystals on the back. A simple, unadorned cloak pin holds it in place. Over his back, the top of an elkhorn, wood, and steel longbow is visible, along with a quiver of arrows made of red leather and trimmed in white fur.

{{CPSUBHEAD-START}}What Is Known About Him{{CPSUBHEAD-END}}

An experienced member of the Explorer's Guild and a loyal and stout senior Silver Guard.

* He is from Bryn Myridorn, and for many years until recent weeks has had no contact with his family. He does not explain, as a rule.
* He takes great interest in his family histories, and that has morphed over time into an interest in world history as well.
* Usually the best place to ask after him is Eluna's Temple, and it is there that messages for him may be left. He responds promptly to urgent matters.
* None know where he makes his home. It is known that he moved out of his home in the University District of Alexandria some three years ago, but while he is seen about the city from time to time, it is suspected that he makes his home somewhere outside Alexandria's wards.

{{CPSUBHEAD-START}}Combat Style and Capabilities{{CPSUBHEAD-END}}

Seldan is a paladin/sorcerer multiclass. His spells are a collection of abjurations, utility spells, and where needed, destructive magic. He is chary in the use of the last, and it is these spells he uses the least, but he is no slouch where magical destruction is called for. A capable and strong warrior, he may lack the skill to face the very strongest enemies toe-to-toe, and will fall back to the spells where his strength of arms will not suffice.

He is mindful of when lethal force is and is not appropriate. He will not use lethal force on non-evil creatures unless it is used on him, his allies, or an innocent first, but if he deems lethal force called for, he will not hesitate.

Being a follower of Eluna, he does not take kindly to use of magic for irresponsible or evil ends, and will target evil magic users first. He'll also attempt to stop and to chide PC's throwing magic around because they can, especially if it is destructive magic. Expect him to consider all angles and hear all sides, and learn all that he can, before taking action on a thing, and he is likely to counsel others to do the same.

{{CPSUBHEAD-START}}Roleplay Hooks{{CPSUBHEAD-END}}

* ''New Experiences:'' Give him something new to try. He is open to new experiences and will try anything that is not hurtful to another, believing that knowledge is to be had in new experiences.
* ''Magic Man:'' Seldan takes a great interest and joy in magic itself. His magic is of the intuitive sort and in its working he takes a boyish glee, but he will listen to theory.
* ''Reunion:'' Seldan's ancestral weapon is a colorful set of personalities. More on Reunion below.
* ''Current Events:'' Although he is a busy man, he will at the very least extend a healing or helping hand to his fellow adventurers, where he can. His primary occupation at the moment is the matter of the Shards of Animus, and he will offer his aid to anyone seeking one or wishing to discuss the matter, although he has not himself yet espoused an opinion on the matter.

{{CPSUBHEAD-START}}Reunion{{CPSUBHEAD-END}}

Seldan's ancestral weapon is a set of personalities, from his father's family's ancient past. Some 500 years old, the outmoded style of the blade has been modified somewhat by his enchanting of and modifications to it. Dealing with Reunion is a bit like [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_WSRkY25A8 the ancestors scene from Mulan], in that it is comprised of a number of unique personalities that argue with one another at times, at other times agree, and at times all gang up on Seldan. They can be fractious, and Seldan with his unyielding will has a firm hand on them, but will at times listen to them as well.

The personalities one might see and hear at times in RP are:

* ''Kanian:'' A grumpy, dirty, crotchety old man. Usually the first to speak, the most likely to take umbrage, but takes a fierce glee in bloodshed, particularly when it's demons whose blood is being shed.
* ''Fallia:'' A kindly, wise old woman with a nasal-sounding voice. She is the brains of the operation, and most often, the voice of reason.
* ''Alaistair:'' A new male voice, rich, deep, and resonant. He and Kanian are close contemporaries and may well have been relatives. He seems to be the one all the other voices obey, in the rare occasions when he commands.
* ''Tisa:'' A younger woman with a contralto voice. Her comments mark her an experienced and practical warrior.
* ''Golain:'' A middle-aged male voice with a definite khazadi sound to it. He seems to have spent time living in the Sky Curtain, in life, but also seems to be a smith.
* ''Zee:'' Seldom appears, but a lighter, young man's voice. Subservient to the others.

{{Badge}}
{{Badge-Icon|Equipment01.jpg}}
{{Badge-Content}}
{{Badge-Title|(RPP) Ancestral Weapon}}
{{Badge-Entry|Weapon Name}}Reunion
{{Badge-Entry|Alignment}}NG
{{Badge-Entry|Purpose}}Demonbane
{{Badge-Entry|History}}There is a legend within the Padaryn family, that an ancient blade, now passed down as a wall ornament, will awaken for the right person. Gifted to Seldan by his mother when he took ill, in recognition of his interest in ancestral matters, it exploded to life in spectacular fashion, with unfortunate consequences, but in the months since, he has mastered it, learned more of it, and enchanted it to be worthy of the noble lineage from which it springs. That it occasionally is the source of his headaches is another matter entirely, and its name sprung from a moment of exasperation.
{{Badge-Entry|Abilities}} (abilities in italics are future abilities) +4/Guidance - at will/Int:10 Wis:12 Cha:12/Magic: Cleric/Protection from Evil 3xDay

{{Badge-End}}

{{CPSUBHEAD-START}}His Views of Others{{CPSUBHEAD-END}}

''This section is evolving. If you are not included, I probably haven't gotten there yet. Bear with me!``

'''Allies'''
* Griva Brassbringer: That you do not drive us to any particular action tells me of your patience and your wisdom. Let us learn what we may of these Shards, and in the meantime, secure them from those who would misuse them.

'''Friends'''
* Malik: The path of the adventurer is not for you, and you will never understand mine. It is mine to shield you from it, and if that means we must be apart, then so be it.
* [[Acedia]]: At times a nuisance, but a true companion, steadfast and strong. May all the gods bless you for your help and your joy, and grant that one day you will stop chewing on me.
* [[Zeke]]: My blood-brother and kin, who has stood by me when all others forsook me. You are deserving of all the happy years that remain to you, and I shall see to it that you get them.
* [[Cuemoni]]: My kin deserves to be happy, and you offer him that. For that alone do you have my blessing, and what you have offered me is much more.
* [[Ravenstongue]]: Lady Lupecyll-Atlon has sharp eyes. Few have cared to ask, but what lies behind apparent kindness?
* [[Telamon]]: A steadfast, wise, and ethical mage, who occasionally talks too much. Such can I accept, in the name of steadfast allies.
* [[Verna]]: You have stood by me through much. You have not always made the wisest decisions, but your intentions are good, and you are deserving of all happiness - and quiet.

'''Others'''
* [[Aya]]: Good luck, wherever you journey. I shall not forget your deeds, and will be well pleased, do we never meet again.
* Lady Akorinil Belvade: I will never not oppose you, and yet is the problem you presented to me real. I shall see it through.
* Mikilos: Not to be trusted, in word or in deed. Your loyalties lie not with Alexandria, nor with the Light.
* Merek: Truly is Her patience and wisdom far greater than mine. How She has not yet turned Her face from you is a mystery to me.

{{CPFOOTER}}

[[Category:Characters|Seldan]]
[[Category:Pages with broken file links|Seldan]]
[[Category:Player|Seldan]]

Raiders of the Lost Tomb Part 1

2023-12-30T04:10:03Z

Seldan: Created page with "Tashraan, Veyshan The noise is what hits newcomers the hardest. The whole city seems to be shouting at itself, pleas, curses, offers, counter-offers, it's a wall of sound. Even with a dozen mercenaries from the Tashraan Archaeological Society escorting you, keeping people at bay, it's still an almost stifling, claustrophobic sensation. Once you're inside the thick walls of the Society proper, the noise level drops to something approaching sane quantities, letting you a..."

Tashraan, Veyshan

The noise is what hits newcomers the hardest. The whole city seems to be shouting at itself, pleas, curses, offers, counter-offers, it's a wall of sound. Even with a dozen mercenaries from the Tashraan Archaeological Society escorting you, keeping people at bay, it's still an almost stifling, claustrophobic sensation.

Once you're inside the thick walls of the Society proper, the noise level drops to something approaching sane quantities, letting you actually get a word in. High Inquisitive Salah is a large man, more portly than muscular, but his eyes are sharp and intelligent as he welcomes you into the parlor set aside for discussion. Waving aside any talk of business just yet, he plies you with snacks and cool drinks first, away from the Veyshanti heat. Only once he's assured you're comfortable does he get down to the matter at hand. "On behalf of the Society, I welcome you to Veyshan," he says in his deep voice, removing his conical hat to rub his head absently before replacing it. "Are you aware of the nature of this contract?"

One among those present seems perfectly comfortable. Brown as a berry beneath loose, light-colored clothing that covers braided brown hair and the rest of her leather gear, a similar loose cloth covering the lower half of her face, Aimarra stands, looking around her at the group of people sh's fallen in with. _Alexandrians. I thought I'd gotten away from this._ "I am not, High Inquisitive. Perhaps you'd be so good as to explain."

The loose, light-colored clothing covers everything except the bow across her back and the sword at her hip.

Carver almost gets into a shouting match, and would have been lost if not for the professional hand of their escorts. Not used to the bustle and the press of bodies that is a Veyshan marketplace, by the seventh bump without so much as a by the way, she's ready to throw hands and snatch hair. Still, thankfully, the guards corral her alongside the others and into the interview.

She sits with a sour expression, and for once, without all her furs and leather she's much reduced in size but the strength of her arms show through with corded muscles. That twitch when she crosses her arms and pouts until refreshments arrive. "Shoo," The ranger garbles around a biscuit. "Stealin' from dead rich men."

Honestly, being mostly rust red and white lends some aid in this environment. And it's clear as day that the egalrin among the party flitted about the harking stalls before getting back with the group and settled with the others. A cool drink in one hand, and a snack in the other with a crumb being fed to the tiny bird on their shoulder, Slixvah grins with a closed eye smile.

"Thank ya fo' tha' warm welcome!" she chirps back, the swaths of white Veshanti silk swaying from her robes and shawls, brass and gold plated bangles and charms littered all about her. Her beak clacks behind a shear veil. "Sort of familiar wit' it, but li' th' other say, love ta hear the details!"

Irshya has been quiet since the first few waves of stifling heat roiled over the group. She hides in her hooded robes, limping along using her trident as a walking staff. She keeps well within the small cordon of protection offered by the guards.

The cool drink is eagerly downed, the little face peering up at the High Inquisitive to ask for more. At Salah's question, the Goblin clears her throat. "Something's been found, and you'd like it ... mapped out?"

Fidget doesn't mind the bustle and the noise, it reminds her of home, especially the cursing!

Enjoying the snacks as the Inquisitive opens discussion, she speaks around a mouthful, "You want us to loot a tomb, bring back shiny things, pretty much? You expecting danger? Some of the former owners less than restful?" she says, knocking back a glass of whatever drink was offered, she nods with approval, "Tasty!" and leans forward to grab another.

Carver's hand lands on the same treat at the same time as Fidget's. Uh oh.

Aelwyn was grinning. The winter of Alexandria alone would have been enough to drive him towards anything resembling warmth. Yet, to be in Tashraan - the ruddy sith-makar was grinning, as he was near dancing on the sands of his place of beginning, occasionally pausing to yell into the crowd. "And a sheep skin to boot!" He sibilantly calls out, rumbling in amusement soon afterwards. "It is nice to step free on these streets." He tells the others; voice probably lost in the cacophony.

The sounds and jostling; feel of people alive. And Aelwyn was holding on really tight to his glaive, keeping too curious people aside.

The exposed and darkened scales of his body were barely hidden under the armor and the loincloth he was wearing, shimmering from the heat. He too drowns the drink quickly though - the sun gets all. "This one is of the nature, but this one is not aware of what we are truly signing." He rumbles with a flicker of tongue. "What are the specific details what is required of us?"

Salah nods and grins. "A refresher is a good thing." He clears his throat. "You are here to excavate and secure the newly discovered tomb of the Gray King, Ahlatos. He was called such as he was not just a king, but also a priest in the service of Vardama. After his passing, his burial place was hidden, as later rulers were... discomfited by the example he set." Salah's lips quirk in a sardonic smile. "For Ahlatos was not a particularly -likeable- man, but he was honest to a fault and unfailingly just. A stickler for the rule of law and practically incorruptible, even by modern standards. He probably wasn't much fun at parties but he was respected by the commons and the nobility -- well, some of them."

While Salah is talking, Aimarra has secured for herself a cup of water and a snack, pulling down her face covering to reveal half-sil features that are just as brown as the rest of her. She pointedly ignores the byplay going on around her to consider the task being set. "I'd be surprised to find undead in the tomb of a Mourner. The Basalt Queen doesn't look kindly on that. But - you say secure. Are you thinking raiders, or something else?"

Slixvah is warmed to see Aelwyn so relaxed back in his homelands. Honestly, she'd been beyond curious about the place. Perhaps after this, she could flit around the place to see what the local culture is like.

An amused glance is shot towards the little conundrum at the snack table before she looks up to Salah. "Ahh. I see, I see. A fair but dull man. Mmm. I bet that tomb is beyond consecrated if theys a priest of Vardama," she points out, giving a nod towards the half-sil of the group in agreement. "Eyy, good point."

"It sounds like the good King was ahead of his time.", the Goblin says softly. "Did they wish to desecrate his tomb, and loot it of all it's burial goods? Or simply wish to remove a monument to his existence?" She rubs at a cheek, and eyes the others a moment, before glancing back to Salah. "Have you sent others in, and they have not returned? Are there any clues as to what sort of .. hijinks await us within? Traps? Eternal guardians, or wargolems? Ancient curses?"

Her hand landing on the biscuit at the same time as Carver's, Fidget makes eye contact with him and slowly backs her hand away, as if considering letting him have it, then she snatches it quick as she can and shoves the entire thing into her mouth and then gives a toothy grin at him in victory. She may not be entirely paying attention to the explanation being given by their employer.

Aelwyn tilts his hip and twists his head back, clicking his tongue. "Excavate? Does this mean actual digging out the tomb?" Another tilt of his head and he leans his glaive down. "And one hopes the contract comes with an expiration date?" A wide grin on his face. It was a pretty macabre grin.

"Tch, one for rule and law. No wonder the rest of the royalty were disquieted." He rumbles in amusement, before his attention falls onto the snack fight going on between Fidget and Carver. Quietly, he sneaks his hand around to steal a biscuit too.

Carver's stare is calm, composed. A true killer's stare, ready to fight and die over this cookie. When Fidget seems to withdraw in surrender, her gap-toothed front teeth are flashed in a broad smile. Her self-satisfaction is quickly flipped to surprise that filters through the sift of realization, quickly finding sterling nuggets of outrage. "That was mine!" Her grabby hands at Fidget are too late, for the goblin's cheeks are already stuffed like a green chipmunk's with sweet betrayal. She, too, is not an active participant in the planning stage it looks like.

Salah settles back in his chair. "As a Mourner, to use the modern vernacular, Ahlatos would not have tolerated undead guardians. However, he would have seen no problem in guarding his tomb with traps, constructs, curses, or bound and summoned creatures." He furrows his brow. "Many past tombs were built using slave labor; Ahlatos's tomb was built by men freed under his rule, and those who died during the work were laid to rest in places of honor in said tomb. It is not impossible that they might rise up spontaneously, though I would hope their place in the tomb would prevent that."

He tilts his head at Aelwyn's question. "We don't think there's been any blockages -- it seems the landslide that revealed it was confined to the surface and not indicative of a more serious issue. But if you run into problems, let us know. We'll be setting up a base camp outside."

Aimarra shoots a withering look at Carver and Fidget, and takes a sip from her cup of water. "Let's hope you're right. So, just about anything but." She nods to herself, and pulls again from her water, with clear intent to finish it. "No maps would have been made, so we'll need to bring chalk and similar tools for navigation, and rope and grappling hooks. Traps are likely. Well, I suppose I haven't any other questions," she turns to Slixvah and Irshya. "Even in the desert, it will be cool underground. We'll want to bring sources of light."

Slixvah giggles at the snack antics, the veil swaying as she shakes her head at them before keeping her attention at the task at hand. "Mmm. Traps, constructs, and curses, oh my!" The eglarin rubs her neck. "Mojo a lil' whacked for thi' biz, but I think I can swing it-" She stops, then smiles brightly. "I /knew/ takin' up map-makin' would come in handy some day!"

She thumps a fist into a hand after finishing off her refreshments. "Wit' those tools, I think we can cook up somethin' ta get it figured out!" An eye closes in a crinkling smile at Aimarra. "I can make some light! An' I got a fancy lil' torch tha' can gimmie some light too! I think we got this."

"Ain' got no mo' questions, Salah! Appreciate ya reachin' out!" she chirps warmly.

"Hmm. What do you call a spirit who returns for what they see as a righteous task, to serve their ancient King willingly after death, unbidden? Would Vardama allow such a thing? I know she would tear into those who practice necromancy in the form of raising undead, but how would she look upon those who wish to serve, to protect an incorruptible ruler's resting place?" Irshya taps at her chin. "I am interested in investigating the tomb based on that question alone."

The Goblin nods to Aimarra, and she glances at their host. "Is there somewhere we may go to purchase such supplies? I believe that's the only question I have at this point." A glance to the group. "I'm willing to put up coin for such purchases."

Laughing through her biscuit at Carver's fury, Fidget gets a bit stuck in her throat and she coughs for a bit, flailing until she can slam another glass of sweet chilled beverage, and she gives a last cough before breathing a sigh of relief, "Worth it" she says to Carver, behind the others having their serious important discussion. "Constructs can be fun" Fidget chimes in, "To tinker with, or to explode."

"... hm." Aelwyn clicks his tongue out. None of his (implied) questions were actually answered! Flicking his tail about, he leans further back and takes a bite off his biscuit. "There is a rate for every day of work specified outside the Guild contract." He warns the man with a point of his finger. "And no selling our labor." Have to be clear about the details.

There's a little dumb look on his face as he looks at Slixvah. "Ribbon knows how to paint maps?" A crunch on his cookie. "An odd activity for her." Then his gaze tilts towards Irshya, twisting his lips. "This one knew there was something dragging Sharkie out of the pool." A sharp grin on his face.

Towards Aimarra, the not-so-ruddy sith-makar bows his head and taps the set of ropes wrapped around his waist. "Always carry a kit for climbing, Stranger." Flash of his teeth.

Carver does not see the signs of annoyance from her coworkers. Largely, because she is trying to imagine a goblinsplosion approximately Fidget-Shaped. If she had the means, a crudely flamboyant green doll would be hexed and stabbed by now.

Salah claps his hands, deliberately not paying attention to the shenaigans involving goblins, biscuits, and grumpy rangers. "Splendid. Splendid. Ah, one last thing..."

"It has been decreed by the Vardamen hierarchy here that the Gray King should be borne from his tomb and enthroned in the necropolis established a century ago. Hence the Society's involvement, as the grave goods and artifacts will need to be catalogued before being placed on display in one of our museums." Salah offers a wry grin. "So I'm afraid you can't take any souvenirs, but rest assured between the church and the Society, you'll be well compensated for your troubles."

"I would ask that you minimize any damage to the tomb, as once it is secured there will be a veritable horde of scholars to examine it. Defend yourself, by all means, but do not indulge in excessive property damage. Try to make note of anything you are forced to destroy, as it might be meaningful down the road."

"Understood. I wouldn't want to take anything out of a tomb anyway, the gods alone know what might follow me home if I did." Aimarra sounds mildly disgusted. "We can get our supplies in the markets here in the city. Nothing unusual. Make sure we've got plenty of clean water, we aren't likely to find much down there." She finishes off the cup of water, and sets the cup aside. "I'll certainly do my best not to destroy anything I don't have to."

Slixvah shoots Aelwyn a look back. "What, Flutter? I do like ta travel 'round a lot. Is it reall' tha' big a surprise I like ta do some cartography here an' there?"

The clap gets her attention back on Salah. A laugh escapes her as she waves her hands about. "Oh no no no, ain' takin' nothin' from a tomb ta a high priest of Vardama, tha's jus' /askin'/ fo' trouble!" she assuages with Aimarra. "But yuh, I'll keep tha' in mind! No promises tho', 'cause, gonna be honest, it'd be a heck of a hard one ta keep!"

She pats Irshya on the shoulder. "Thanks fo' tha', hon! I probably will get some rope too. We all set? Couple snackies fo' th' tomb?"

That earns a frown from the Goblin. "You're going to place the King's grave goods on display? Offerings to the Gods?" It is apparent that this does not sit will with Irshya at all.

"I had no intention of taking anything from the tomb for myself. I am compensated by the Guild, and yourself. And smart people don't do things to anger slumbering ancient Kings, especially one who were incorruptible, and a favored of Vardama."

She lets out a lengthy sigh, "But if you accept the possible trouble it may bring, I leave it on your head to soothe the dead King's spirit, should it arise and come looking to deliver justice to thieves."

A grin spreads across Irshya's expression, "Of course, hon, we've got to work as a team, and it's the least I can do to help out with provisions." Aelwyn gets a snort from the short woman. "Pff, I am curious about such things, you landlubbers have such interesting rituals."

Fidget tries to appease the firey, snack-aggrieved woman by levitating several biscuits off the table and floating them towards Carver's head. It's not the most graceful, so one of them bounces off Carver's nose on the way to the floor, while the others float in orbit around Carver's head. She hears Irshya's comment about angering dead Kings, and definitely wasn't wondering what she could acquire from a king's tomb, he must've had lots of shiny things, and it's not like he needs them now. "How's the ghost going to know that we're stealing his stuff on behalf of someone else? Seems a little like we'd probably be the first targets for revenge, then maybe he'd come after museum people next."

Aelwyn bows his head towards Salah, signifying he understood the conditions. "Proper compensation for the proper work." His attention then slips towards Slixvah. "Ribbon does travel around a lot," He grins, with a playful flick of his tail. "From innocent heart to innocent heart. This one was just not aware she drew maps as well."

There's a low rumble as he leans over to take one last gulp of the water. "Tch, if Sharkie did not have such sharp teeth, this one would be afraid the markets would devour her." There's a tilt from his head. "Be careful from whom one buys from." He adjusts his belongings about him, before he stops. "Shall we, then?"

Society Base Camp, Veyshan

The trip into the deserts north of the Golden Coast is uneventful -- unsurprising, as you go as part of a column of Society researchers and hired guards, along with even a couple priests of Vardama. The faith here in Veyshan tends to be different from how it's practiced in Alexandros, with the priests dressed in earth-colored robes and wearing bronze circlets emblazoned with the scales on their brow.

Soon enough, you come to a cliff face, some vast spasm of stone rising up before you. A small camp sits in front of it, with several guards looking toward the column of men and camels attentively. You are expected, it seems. Beyond the small camp, the stone has crumbled away from a section of the natural wall to reveal a pair of massive double doors, incised with the traditional pictographic language of Old Veyshan.

Rashid bin-Byoden mops his face with a cloth, the hard-bitten, tough looking Veyshanti trail leader regarding the tomb with suspicion. "And here we are," he grunts. "Well, at least nothing bad's happened so far. You... er, do what you need to." He clearly hasn't spent much time around adventurers.

Once outside of Tashraan, Aimarra had nearly entirely shrouded herself in those light-colored, lightweight veils that shield her from the worst of the brutal desert sun. She seemed to be comfortable traveling in the desert, noting waymarks and the direction of the sun. When they arrive, she turns and faces the trail leader, touching fingers to head, lips, and heart in that order. "Hopefully most of us will return." A sour look is cast behind her, and then she turns to study the doors, to see how they might open. It is unlikely to be anything so obvious as a welcome mat and a door handle.

Slixvah curiously peers about the priests as they arrive, her retying down a bright white shawl that an errant wind knocked asside. "Bah, we'll be fine," she chirps at Aimarra after watching the little gesture giving to the trail leader. "Got a smart crew, ain' got no doubt 'bout it. Jus' a lil' luck and a lotta skill and we be fiiiine~!"

She looks up to Rashid. "Thanks! We'll do wha' we do, gettin' in! Mi' wanna stand back a bit," she smiles, waving hello to the men and camels as she adjusts some rope thrown about her shoudlers.

An errant breeze wafts by Carver as one of Slix's wings brushes against her.

Irshya's teeth are indeed sharp, and seems at home haggling. Can't run a business without it, in a port city. Supplies are secured, and the Goblin is quite pleased. While she once more hides under her robes, the crunches on something the whole journey there.

She eyes Aimarra curiously at the gesture of respect the Half-Sil makes, and the Goblin follows suit with a deep bow, and a soft "Thank you."

She can only stare up and up at the large doors, and lets out a sigh. "Hello doorness my old friend, I've come to knock on you again." The Current begins to look around the edges (as far as she can reach) slowly and carefully. "We're looking at one of two things... either these things were never meant to be opened ever again, or they're weighted in such a way as to be openable at a touch... unless locked or jammed somehow. Probably the former."

There was lot to be enjoyed along the trip for Aelwyn - and during the quiet, a wineskin. When they arrive, Aelwyn bows his head towards Rashid, before he flashes his teeth at Aimarra. "Tch, most of us? This one always wondered from where these deserts such optimism was from." He flickers his tongue. "Try not to get the Alexandrians agitated."

Tilting his head at Irshya, the draconian then looks at the double doors, then back towards the short goblin. "Does one think we will be covered in poison darts if one nudges at the door?"

Carver made sure that her steed would be well taken care of, prior to joining the others on the march. Like others, she wears light breathable layers to keep the sun off. She leand back to inspect the great barrier, thinking toward lessons of the past. What would one do, if one sought entrance to such a place in its prime.

GAME: Carver rolls Knowledge/religion: (10)+3: 13
GAME: Aimarra rolls perception: (3)+14: 17
GAME: Slixvah rolls alertness: aliased to perception+2: (2)+15+2: 19
GAME: Fidget rolls knowledge/religion: (15)+10: 25
GAME: Slixvah rolls knowledge/religion: (3)+6: 9
GAME: Fidget rolls linguistics: (15)+11: 26
GAME: Fidget casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16
GAME: Irshya rolls knowledge/religion: (13)+9: 22
GAME: Aelwyn rolls perception: (19)+1: 20
GAME: Irshya rolls perception: (18)+13: 31

The doors are large, elaborate, with inlaid pictographic tiles. Tiles that depict various stages in the life of mortals, starting with birth, proceeding through life, and then finally death, burial, and judgement before the Harpist. Irshya and Fidget realize, after some hesitant touching, that the tiles can be slid around -- while there's no magic to the doors, the puzzle is like an intricate locking mechanism.

Wearing her primary attire, it seems like Fidget should be melting in the heat, but she seems fine. She does ask, as they walk, "What do you mean 'most of us', Aimara', let's hope all of us come back."

When they arrive at the door, she's quick to cast her Detect Magic spell, to scan for anything interesting that might be enchanting it, while looking for anything else of note on it that would indicate how it opens, and whether it's likely to be trapped.

"Ooh, a puzzle!" she adds as she figures out the door.

Irshya is entranced by the door, working out at roughly the same point that the door is actually a puzzle.

"So if we slide these around in the right order, it should unlock. Ooor drop us into a deadly pit trap or fill us full of poison darts!" The blue Goblin gestures to the taller people. "I think that one with the person in their prime is the first one to move. Would one of you slide it... to the left?" She glances at Fidget a moment, as if looking for confirmation."

Not having followed the puzzle, Aimarra raises an eyebrow. "Huh." Not being a tall individual, she looks around, and shuts her mouth.

Slixvah makes a clicking sounds in the back of her throat. "Oooh, puzzles!" she smiles as Fidget points it out. "Love me some puzzles!"

With her hands on her hips, the brass and gold bangles clink softly as she cranes her head back a bit to take it all in. "Mmmm.... mmm. Yeah, I ain't a Mourner. Mo' a Ceiwen gal. Buuuuuut- I agree. Sure! Aelwyn darlin', you got some big sticks, gimmie one I'll scooch it! Lets see if th' poison darts gone stale!"

She's either not taking this seriously or is masking nerves with joy.

Aelwyn had no idea what he was looking at. Except the pictures were kind of nice? Then the others start talking, and it takes him a moment to figure out what kind of puzzle they were actually talking about.

"Big sticks in their prime?" Aelwyn flashes a grin to Slixvah, swaying the glaive off down his shoulders. "Now why such a sweet tongue, when one need only ask?" He flickers his tongue - restricts the urge to flex his bicep - and steps up to the door. "... though one should keep the sweet tongue." Hand slides down to his hip, tail swaying back and forth playfully.

In case the tile in question is too high, he'd use his glaive to slide it. But only if he really, really, reeeally must.

Carver is the last to realize that this is a puzzle and the first to surrender to it. Either cowardice or prudence. As others gather around to discuss this first barrier, she instead turns and observes the guides that led them here. Her squint could be blinding sun, or paranoia.

It takes about fifteen or twenty minutes, a couple of false starts, and a brief argument over who should stand on Aelwyn's shoulders. But the tiles, one by one, are slid around, slotting into place. When the last tile -- a pictogram of a man walking into what is an abstract depiction of paradise -- is nudged into position, there's a rumbling sound from the doors. Of ancient mechanisms stirring to life, as the locking bars withdraw. Slowly, the doors swing inward, releasing dry, dead air, the hall beyond dark and lightless. No footprint on the dusty floor, no torch to drive back the gloom.

The workers are all very impressed, ooh-ing and aah-ing at the clearly wise and clever adventurers, while the two priests immediately finish setting up a portable altar and shrine near the steps up to the doors and begin performing prayers -- presumably to propitiate the soul of the Gray King and his servants.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-12-30T04:09:38Z

Seldan: /* December */

{{AboutLogs}}

'''[[Archived_Logs|For 2022 and earlier, see the Archives]]'''

==2023 Logs==
===January===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|January 1, 2023
|[[Visiting the Folks (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Laugh at Mistakes]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Everybody's Weird]]
|[[Schara]], [[Slixvah]], [[Patch]]
|-
|January 2, 2023
|[[Black Roses and Green Eyes]]
|[[Verna]]
|-
|January 2, 2023
|[[Build It Up]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Killer Kitten]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[The Abominable Tela-Snowman]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Something Borrowed]]
|[[Aya]], [[Dolan]], [[Fizzy]], [[Munch]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Brothers and Worries]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Patch]]
|-
|January 3, 2023
|[[Hunter's Introduction]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[First Coustomer Promotion]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]]
|-
|
|[[Mother Dearest]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Patch]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 4, 2023
|[[Brother my Brother]]
|[[Andelena]]
|-
|
|[[Impromptu Interview]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Patch]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Lheo]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[Tales of Tests]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[On The Edge Of Knowing]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Patch]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Planned Walk]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]]
|-
|January 5, 2023
|[[Bond of the Mind]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 6, 2023
|[[Workshop of Horrors]]
|[[Harshad]], [[Lucius]], [[Schara]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Yaretzi]]
|-
|
|[[Verdict is Vengeance]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Nemori]], [[Mac-Big]]
|-
|January 7, 2023
|[[Everything Noodle]]
|[[Pirkko]], [[Warrick]], [[Lheo]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[Calling for Communion]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Gather in the Light]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Carver]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Garak]], [[Halani]], [[Mikilos]], [[Patch]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 8, 2023
|[[The Way Forward]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Patch]], [[Verna]], [[Kaj]]
|-
|
|[[Taken in the Night]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Halani]], [[Lyme]]
|-
|
|[[Tea for Three]]
|[[Patch]], [[Slixvah]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[No More Hiding]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 9, 2023
|[[The Rescuers]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[The Rescuers 2]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dirk]], [[Patch]], [[Telamon]], [[Serene]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Dungeon in Dran (Part 4)]]
|[[Delilah]], [[Donna]]
|-
|
|[[An Introduction to Demon Summoning]]
|[[Lucius]],[[Schara]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[For Want of a Name]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Venom]]
|-
|January 10, 2023
|[[Getting Takeout]]
|[[Irshya]], [[Pirkko]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Dark Day]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Patch]], [[Serene]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 11, 2023
|[[Waiting Room]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Return of the Fish]]
|[[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Make the Decision]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 12, 2023
|[[A Plot Is Formed]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Awkward Aid]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 13, 2023
|[[Life Without Light]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[That One Talk]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Taniths and Totems]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Hospital Chat]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|January 14, 2023
|[[Can I Have That Back?]]
|[[Verna]], [[Zeke]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Ticked Off]]
|[[Eztli]], [[Nemori]], [[Razen]], [[Sora]]
|-
|
|[[Takeout Delivery]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Pirkko]]
|-
|
|[[Nobody's Home]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Magic and 'Magic']]
|[[Inesse]], [[Fizzy]], [[Lucius]]
|-
|January 15, 2023
|[[Less Awkward Aid]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Instruments of Destruction]]
|[[Patch]], [[Pelka]], [[Skielstregar]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 16, 2023
|[[Payment for Services Rendered]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Dungeon in Dran (Part 5)]]
|[[Delilah]], [[Donna]], [[Lyme]]
|-
|
|[[We Are Hunting]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[How Many Ways to Cook Fish]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 17, 2023
|[[Dreaming Again]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Lean On Me]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Fears and Forests]]
|[[Lucius]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[Facing Down the Nightmares]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 18, 2023
|[[Death in Dreamland]]
|[[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Air Freight]]
|[[Inesse]], [[Telamon]]. [[Lucius]], [[Braith]], [[Fizzy]]
|-
|
|[[Meaning of Green]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 19, 2023
|[[Wedding Details]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Weight of the World]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|January 20, 2023
|[[Dead Man Walking]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Dropping in for a Bite]]
|[[Verna]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|
|[[Ask Me No Questions]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Fancy Feast]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 21, 2023
|[[Chains that Bite]]
|[[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Laughing at Last]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Memory Lane]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 22, 2023
|[[Days Like This]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Troublesome Lexicon]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|January 23, 2023
|[[With A Flail Like This]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Razen]]
|-
|
|[[We Will Go]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Malik in the House]]
|[[Malik]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Of Glass and Leather]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Patch]]
|-
|January 24, 2023
|[[Together Then]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Dream March]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Cabin in the Woods]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 25, 2023
|[[Dresses for success]]
|[[Schara]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Reunion in the Gardens]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Quiet Quest]]
|[[Malik]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|January 26, 2023
|[[Do You Remember The Day]]
|[[Kira]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Dreaming of a Call]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Into Your Care]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Alabaster Assembly]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Lucius]], [[Patch]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 27, 2023
|[[Telamon Pays A Visit]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 28, 2023
|[[A Nice Normal Chit Chat]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[A Not So Normal Chat]]
|[[Patch]], [[Malik]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[A Night Market Chat]]
|[[Lucius]], [[Niklas]]
|-
|
|[[Differences of Culture]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Inesse]], [[Schara]], [[Kira]]
|-
|January 29, 2023
|[[Possessive Update]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Guidance Ad-Dress-ed]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Andelena]]
|-
|
|[[In Union]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|January 30, 2023
|[[Red Tide]]
|[[Daniel]], [[Fizzy]], [[Lucius]], [[Magpie]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Boots Were Made for Dreaming]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[After Boots]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 31, 2023
|[[Garden of the Future]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Stolen Honeycakes]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Taxing Studies]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|}
===February ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|February 1, 2023
|[[Karen and a Lunch Break]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]]
|-
|
|[[Changing Names]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Weapon Made Manifest]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[A New Addition to the Family]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|February 2, 2023
|[[Proud And Tired Few]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|February 3, 2023
|[[The Vagrant Tower]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Crick]], [[Magpie]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Free Drinks and Flirtations]]
|[[Malik]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Sloan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Dressed for Success]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Schara]], [[Kira]]
|-
|February 4, 2023
|[[In the Service of the Chalice]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|February 5, 2023
|[[Green Demon]]
|[[Carver]], [[Crik]], [[Fizzy]], [[Harshad]], [[Lucius]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Memory to Memory]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Magpie]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|February 6, 2023
|[[Squid-ward]]
|[[Carver]], [[Nessa]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|
|[[Flashback]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Magpie]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Guaranteed Protection]]
|[[Aya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Schara]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Sunbeams]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|February 7, 2023
|[[Pinned for Greatness]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[A Secret Fitting]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[On the Move]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 8, 2023
|[[Icy Mistake]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Kira]]
|-
|
|[[Good Dreams Are Made Of This]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|
|[[Trouble for Swans]]
|[[Aurala]], [[Garak]], [[Rhar]], [[Seyardu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|February 9, 2023
|[[Gifts for New Family]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[A Little Something Extra]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Divine Responsibility]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Schara]]
|-
|February 10, 2023
|[[The Vagrant Tower (Part 2)]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Carver]], [[Crick]], [[Magpie]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[First Blood]]
|[[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[Cold Weather & Hot Cider]]
|[[Kira]], [[Patch]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|February 11, 2023
|[[Fools, Children, and Messages]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Forgotten Answers]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[You, Me, and the Knight]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Mystery for Swans]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Eztli]], [[Patch]], [[Razen]], [[Rocky]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|February 12, 2023
|[[Preliminary Siege]]
|[[Culix]], [[Khepri]], [[Schara]], [[Aelwyn]], DM: [[Aryia]]
|-
|
|[[Herbs for Swans]]
|[[Harshad]], [[Lucius]], [[Crik]], [[Magpie]], [[Lheo]]
|-
|
|[[I Dream of Seldan]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|February 13, 2023
|[[Snowed In]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Violence and Tea]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[And Really Good Eggs]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Sloan]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Get Kraken]]
|[[Alba]], [[Kaj]], [[Kira]]
|-
|
|[[Feadril's Staff]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Obsession]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|February 14, 2023
|[[Swords to Plows]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Kira]]
|-
|
|[[Fear the Nothing I have Become]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Congratulations Are in Order]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 15, 2023
|[[Vanquish the Vast]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Overworking During Sick Days]]
|[[Schara]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|February 16, 2023
|[[Did Not Mean To Make Friends]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Lillianath]]
|-
|
|[[Two Brothers And A Bard]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|
|[[Arm-rest]]
|[[Schara]],[[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[A Talk Cut Short]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 17, 2023
|[[Stewing On Assumptions]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Kira]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Brother in His Light]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|February 18, 2023
|[[Kraken Kibble Korrection]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Kira]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[Cloaks and Figurines]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Sloan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Surprises All Around]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Celebration]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Aryia]], [[Auranar]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Eztli]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 19, 2023
|[[Scuffle & Stew]]
|[[Crik]], [[Iskandar]], [[Kaj]], [[Kira]], [[Murder]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Out Of Whole Cloth]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 20, 2023
|[[Hugs for Kol]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Kira]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[The Last Sunset]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[A Fernwood Chance Encounter]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|February 21, 2023
|[[Meetings and Greetings]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Aya]], [[Ous]]
|-
|
|[[Wounded but will Heal]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Not a Cult Again]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Warrick]], [[Zerthos]]; DM: Telamon
|-
|
|[[What Victory Brings]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Foggy Business]]
|[[Crik]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Murder]], [[Kaj]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 22, 2023
|[[Offerings for a Pure Soul]]
|[[Schara]], [[Slixvah]], [[Verna]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Unusual Reunions]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[To Steal Friendship]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Magpie]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Briefing: Animus the Ressurectionists and the Shards]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Aryia]], [[Carver]], [[Cesran]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Mikilos]], [[Ous]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|February 23, 2023
|[[Reunion to Remember]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Fire and Food]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Harkashan]], [[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|February 24, 2023
|[[Respects]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Breakfast of Champions?]]
|[[Murder]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[I Will Be the Danger]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Sharks and Sharps]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[The Vagrant Tower (Part 3)]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Badu]], [[Crik]], [[Magpie]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Shoulder of Giants]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[Blue Scale Blues]]
|[[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Too Many Wrongs]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|February 25, 2023
|[[Working for the Man]]
|[[Crik]], [[Dirk]], [[Iskandar]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Alexandria Acclimation 101]]
|[[Harkashan]],[[Seyardu]]
|-
|
|[[Three Friends and One Small Cat]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Hall Pass]]
|[[Schara]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Hunters and Crafters]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Murder]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|February 26, 2023
|[[Sunshine, At Last]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Verna]], [[Jacob]]
|-
|
|[[Much Ado About Pothy]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|February 27, 2023
|[[Soaking Up Sun]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Seeking Maksur]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[To Bring More Than a Message]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Once Called Home]]
|[[Zeke]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[New Player In Town]]
|[[Badu]], [[Harshad]], [[Schara]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|February 28, 2023
|[[Over Loaves of Bread]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Curse of the Amber Thorn]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Crossbow Training Crossing]]
|[[Schara]], [[Tlanexhuani]],[[Warrick]]
|-
|}
===March===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|March 1, 2023
|[[Enemy Encampment]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Jacob]], [[Ous]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 2, 2023
|[[Just a little Talk]]
|[[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Bridge Banter]]
|[[Culix]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Another Fae Blessing]]
|[[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Those Who Walk With Death]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Sloan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Trying Not to Drown]]
|[[Schara]], [[Warrick]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 3, 2023
|[[Mother My Mother]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Tending Kin]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[The Vagrant Tower (Part 4)]]
|[[Crik]], [[Jacob]], [[Magpie]], [[Simony]], [[Sloan]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[The People We Need]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|March 4, 2023
|[[Recovery and Rest]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Traveling Companions]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Leaving Mictlan]]
|[[Geir]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Briefing: Who's Dominion Is It Anyways]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Iskandar]], [[Jacob]], [[Malik]], [[Mikilos]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[More Days With You]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Spring Is Here]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Irshya]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 5, 2023
|[[Shadows and Gobbers]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Irshya]], [[Culix]]
|-
|
|[[All in the Family]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Ragey Misunderstanding]]
|[[Murder]]. [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[A Sewer Taste]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ous]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|March 6, 2023
|[[Crimson Wolf]]
|[[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Death Experiences and Friends]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Enemy Encampment (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Jacob]], [[Ous]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 7, 2023
|[[Farmer In Need]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Two Rage or Not to Rage]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[The Price Paid for Knowledge]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[A Story in TarRaCe]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Jacob]], [[Schara]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|March 8, 2023
|[[Lick of Flame]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Stubborn Shade]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Rest and Relaxation]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[Compellation of the Eternal]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Magpie]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Replacement Coils]]
|[[Schara]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|March 9, 2023
|[[Serving in TarRaCe]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Irshya]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[All Continue]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Stealing Albus]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|
|[[The Rain Is Clearing]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[To Catch A Shark]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Of Travels And Lost Friends]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[A Lesson in Dreaming]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|March 10, 2023
|[[Kin Filled Gardens]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Geir]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Worth its Weight in Words]]
|[[Geir]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[If You Can See Me]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Forest's Renewal]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Cloying Shadows]]
|[[Culix]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|March 11, 2023
|[[One Windy Day]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Book of Three]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Jacob]], [[Mikilos]], [[Ous]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Briefing: On the Felwood]]
|[[Iskander]], [[Lucius]], [[Munch]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|March 12, 2023
|[[Magpie Faces The Music]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[A Run in with Old 'Friends']]
|[[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Scrolls, Spells, and Plans]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Catchup Over Pie]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|March 13, 2023
|[[Fishing for Sharks]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Rooftop Training]]
|[[Culix]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[A Library Encounter]]
|[[Lucius]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[The Familiar Questions]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|March 14, 2023
|[[A Magical Demonstration]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Warrick]], [[Magpie]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 15, 2023
|[[Blunted Order]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Ous]], [[Verna]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Do as the Softskins Do]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Cuemoni]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Un'eth]]
|-
|
|[[Observations at the Observatory]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 16, 2023
|[[Comparing Bloodlines]]
|[[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Sharing a Meal]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Strong Arms]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Schara]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|March 17, 2023
|[[The Vagrant Tower Returns]]
|[[Crik]], [[Pelka]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Sloan]], [[Ulthan]], DM: [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Coil Swap]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Honor the Blade]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[If the Shoe Fits]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 18, 2023
|[[Arcane Bonds]]
|[[Cassia]], [[Zelany]]
|-
|
|[[Albus Answers]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|
|[[New Fiance]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Mikilos]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|-
|
|[[Circling the Fel]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Ous]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|March 19, 2023
|[[Healing of the Mind]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[With Fiends Like These...]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
||[[Bandit? No, just Murder!]]
|[[Culix]], [[Murder]]
|-
|March 20, 2023
|[[Sketched Angel]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Simony]], [[Crik]]
|-
|
|[[Under the Mountain]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Jacob]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 21, 2023
|[[Practice in the Colosseum]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Lucius]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
||[[Small Crafts]]
|[[Tlanexhuani]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[The Chills a Devil Leaves]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 22, 2023
|[[Spell Eater]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[A Visitor Or Two]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Vices and Herbs]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Snare for the Wolf]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Skipping Stones]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Wedding Traditions]]
|[[Dolan]],[[Ous]],[[Simony]]
|-
|March 23, 2023
|[[The Lost Book]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 24, 2023
|[[Language Exchange]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Custom Fittings]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[A Castle for His Queen]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 24, 2023
|[[The Words In Between]]
|[[Sabina]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|March 25, 2023
|[[Checking In]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Cluix]], [[Lheo]], [[Schara]], [[Theo]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|
|[[The Yellow-Throated Raven]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[An Odd Gem]]
|[[Fizzy]], [[Lucius]], [[Sedev]], [[Simony]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|March 26, 2023
|[[Midnight Snack]]
|[[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Huian]], [[Warrick]], [[Khepri]], [[Sedev]], [[Jacob]], DM: [[Landslide]]
|-
|March 27, 2023
|[[One Person to the World]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Bloodbroth and Packages]]
|[[Un'eth]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[A Brisk Brawl]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Kaj]]
|-
|
|[[Wolf Cries to The Moon]]
|[[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[In The Fairy Circle]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[V And The Mountain]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Simony]], [[Ous]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Magpie]], [[Dirk]]
|-
|March 28, 2023
|[[No Pain No Gain]]
|[[Telamon]]
|-
|March 29, 2023
|[[A Friend in Need]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[My Starborn King]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Silmeria]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Raven Army]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ous]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|March 30, 2023
|[[Inside Your Head]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Never Safe]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[The Lost Book Part 2]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Shared Trauma]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Dolan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Meaning of Strength]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[A Reading of the Crimson Pen]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Jacob]], [[Murder]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|March 31, 2023
|[[The Dawn Before the Night]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[A Curse Defied]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Tag Team Hunt]]
|[[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|}
===April===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|April 1, 2023
|[[Plans are Born]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Checking In (Part 2)]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Cluix]], [[Lheo]], [[Schara]], [[Theo]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|
|[[Half-Sil, Whole Conviction]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|April 2, 2023
|[[Artistic Rendering]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Memories and Horses]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[The Burdens Between Us]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Heroes and Merctalk]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[What is in a Red Book Anyhow]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Checking in on Grandfather]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|April 3, 2023
|[[Lunch Rush]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Irshya]], [[Slixvah]], [[Ous]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[The Lost Book Part 3]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Silence And The Fog]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[A Sword for a Mother]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|April 4, 2023
|[[Birds of a Feather]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Visions of Hell]]
|[[Aya]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[New Friends]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Huian]], [[Simony]]
|-
|April 5, 2023
|[[Three is Company]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|
|[[Seat and Royalty]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[Palisade in the Mists]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[The Mourner's Chill]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Visions of Hell (Part 2)]]
|[[Aya]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|April 6, 2023
|[[Welcome Home]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Ale at the Fernwood]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Aya]], [[Murder]], [[Lucius]]
|-
|
|[[A Bet is a Bet]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[A Curse Denied]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Shambling Jungle]]
|[[Hilde]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Jacob]], [[Tlanexhauni]], [[Huian]], [[Leirune|Rune]], DM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Reunion of the Heart]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Going Home]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[A Reading of the Crimson Pen Part 2]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Murder]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|April 7, 2023
|[[We, Not I]]
|[[Aya]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|
|[[Study Knights Assemble!]]
|[[Verna]], [[Magpie]], [[Dolan]], [[Andelena]]
|-
|
|[[Language Learning]]
|[[Schara]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Blood, Pain and Undeath]]
|[[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[The Man to Help]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|April 8, 2023
|[[Where The Monsters Are]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Aya]], [[Daechir]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Follow-up Investigation]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[The Sword and the Scrolls]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Huian]]
|-
|
|[[A Gathering at the Arcanist's]]
|[[Crik]], [[Garak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Reclamation]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|April 9, 2023
|[[Pastries and Stolen Faces]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Dirk]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], [[Aya]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|April 10, 2023
|[[Relations and Toast]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Verna]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[The Lost Book Epilogue]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Opal-Mancy]]
|[[Arion]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Ous]]
|-
|April 11, 2023
|[[Diving into Backstory]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Huian]]
|-
|
|[[Of Axes and Family]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Friends not Food]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|April 12, 2023
|[[Count to Ten]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Silver King]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Would-be Thieves and Sales Pitches]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]], [[Schara]], [[Alaryn]]
|-
|
|[[A Prepared Poet]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|April 13, 2023
|[[Against Protocol]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Simony]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Commune-al Support]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|April 14, 2023
|[[A Monk Meeting]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[The Found Book]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Strike It Down]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Dirk]], [[Lysa]], [[Pelka]], [[Murder]], '''DM:''' Whirlpool
|-
|April 15, 2023
|[[A Lesson in Tracking]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Jacob]], [[Critias]]
|-
|April 16, 2023
|[[Nowhere Is Safe]]
|[[Aya]], [[Carver]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Meeting at the Residence]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Disguises and Guises]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|April 17, 2023
|[[Threads of Lore and Stories]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Mending, Healing, And Sharing Words]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Dryad Dilemma]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], [[Arion]], [[Ous]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Happy Pictures]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[To The Devil's End]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Critias]], [[Dolan]], [[Jacob]], [[Magpie]], [[Simony]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Akorinil's Safehouse]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Schara]]
|-
|April 18, 2023
|[[Axe over Dagger]]
|[[Ous]], [[Warrick]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Go Away]]
|[[Aya]], [[Daechir]]
|-
|
|[[Auranar's Vengeance]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[What Does Not Die]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Jacob]], [[Ous]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|April 19, 2023
|[[Evening Discussions]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Fire in the Gardens]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Pink Hair and Green Dogs]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Ous]], [[Verna]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Comfort from a Friend]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[In the Wolf's Wake]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Blades and Strawberries|Blades, Fire and Strawberries]]
|[[Lucius]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[A dog, beer and an apology]]
|[[Lysa]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]]
|-
|April 20, 2023
|[[A Parle on Strange Happenings]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Jacob]], [[Ous]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Reaching Daed]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Daechir]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[The Lord's Ears]]
|[[Alba]], [[Rhar]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seyardu]] '''DM:'''[[Telamon]]
|-
|April 21, 2023
|[[Punchy McPunch Camp]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Simony]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Glaive Insights]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Breathless in the Market District]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Asphodel]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Carver]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Demons, Cultists and Werewolves, Oh MY]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[To Dream in Black and White]]
|[[Aya]], [[Telamon]], [[Seldan]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|April 22, 2023
|[[A Spire in the Night (Group 2)]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Lucius]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Visten]]
|-
|
|[[A Spire in the Night (Group 1)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Huian]], [[Ulthan]], [[Asphodel]], [[Aelmeh]]
|-
|April 23, 2023
|[[Plans for a Demon's Ending Over Wine]]
|[[Aya]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Cave Lurkers]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Khepri]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Regarding the Father of Time]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]]
|-
|April 24, 2023
|[[Meditative Threads]]
|[[Aya]], [[Aryia]], [[Sloan]], [[Huian]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Two rogues and a Tour]]
|[[Crik]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Play the Cards]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Lysa]]
|-
|April 25, 2023
|[[A Brief Stroll]]
|[[Critias]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|April 26, 2023
|[[The Fighting Pit]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Schara]], [[Aelmeh]], [[Jacob]], [[Asphodel]], [[Huian]], '''DM:''' [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Play the Cards (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Lysa]]
|-
|April 27, 2023
|[[Ale and Mimics]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[Fishing in the Rain]]
|[[Irshya]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Market Daze]]
|[[Alaryn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Asphodel]], [[Ous]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Post-Fiend Checkup]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Lysa]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[A Stony Countenance]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Lysa]], [[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|April 28, 2023
|[[Theory and Application]]
|[[Verna]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Reaching Out]]
|[[Aya]], [[Daechir]]
|-
|
|[[Lady Who?]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Iskandar]], [[Slixvah]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Red Pothy and Totem Talk]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ous]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|April 29, 2023
|[[Weapons and Inventions]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Alaryn]]
|-
|
|[[Demons and Fey talk]]
|[[Critias]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Aspire to Nothing (Group 2)]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Fidget]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|
|[[Night Sky]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Daechir]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|April 30, 2023
|[[Face Things Together]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[From smiths to demons]]
|[[Huian]], [[Mikilos]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[The Rook and His Revelations]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Gobbos in the Water]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|
|[[Visiting the Blacksmith]]
|[[Huian]], [[Mikilos]], [[Simony]]
|-
|}

===May===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|May 1, 2023
|[[An Observational Conversation]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Catching Up, Part 1]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[A new Drinker]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Shambling Jungle II]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Choler]], [[Schara]], [[Asphodel]], [[Huian]], '''DM:''' [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Trail to Charn]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Lunch Interrupted]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|May 2, 2023
|[[No Gilded Cages]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Landscape or Portrait]]
|[[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Crik]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Made Maid]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Carver]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[(Not So) Helpful Pixies]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[In Defense]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Carver]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Magpie]], [[Seyardu]]
|-
|May 3, 2023
|[[A Drink Between Friends]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Becoming a Rider]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Lucius]]
|-
|
|[[Quiet Daeusites]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Three Things Bothering Rune]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Jacob]]
|-
|May 4, 2023
|[[The Circle Underneath]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[His Dark Crown]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Night Monsters]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Alaryn]], [[Eztli]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]], DM: [[Riptide]]
|-
|May 5, 2023
|[[Clash of Polearms]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Separation of Memories]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Reithak]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[Catching Up Carrough]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[I Am Glitter, I Am Gloam]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Telamon]], [[Mikilos]], [[Fidget]], [[Slixvah]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Undercity News]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Mead and Magic Swords]]
|[[Aelmeh, Huian]]
|-
|May 6, 2023
|[[Don't Poke the Silver One]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[Early Bird Gets the Rumor]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[A Few Questions More]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Searching for a Key]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Reithak]], [[Aelmeh]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Jacob]], [[Huian]]
|-
|May 7, 2023
|[[Much Ado About Misha]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Save the Flame]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 8, 2023
|[[Scuttlebutt Says]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Sloan]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Request for Songs of Sorrow]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Alaryn]], [[Aragos]]
|-
|
|[[Aftermath of the Flame's Rescue]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Shambling Jungle III]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Asphodel]], [[Huian]], [[Geir]], '''DM:''' [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Sidetracked Into Help]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Silmeria]]
|-
|
|[[Trail to Charn (Part 2)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 9, 2023
|[[Distracted Training Session]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Simony]], [[Verna]],
|-
|
|[[Buried Hindsight]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Eluna's Spire, Wolves, and More]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[Sojourn in Selentia]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[After the Sojourn]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|May 10, 2023
|[[Things Go Bump in the Forest]]
|[[Simony]], [[Vrenskas]]
|-
|
|[[Sewer Circle]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Magpie]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Basin Assumptions]]
|[[Reithak]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Fire Against the Rain]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 11, 2023
|[[Search for a Perch]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[She of the Pale Face]]
|[[Auranar]]
|-
|
|[[Echoes]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Lunch Buddies]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|May 12, 2023
|[[There You Are]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Blade of the Heart]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Dream With Me]]
|[[Critias]], [[Harkashan]], [[Lysa]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Double Goblins, Double Trouble]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|May 13, 2023
|[[Dreams Become Reality]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Amulets and Bird Toys]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Alaryn]]
|-
|
|[[A Home Away from Home]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Lurking in the Shadows]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Simony]], [[Verna]]
|-
|May 14, 2023
|[[Healing and Plans]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Zeke]], [[Dolan]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[The Telmentarian Celebration]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Mikilos]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Seyardu]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Baths and Dreams]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Cats and Mithral Swords]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|May 15, 2023
|[[Go Ahead And Throw Your Stones]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Aragos]], [[Theadosia]]
|-
|
|[[In the Wake of the Celebration]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Nature of Faith]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[A Brisk Sale]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Dirk]], [[Huian]]
|-
|May 16, 2023
|[[Much Ado About Am'shere]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[All Fired Up]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Harpists Halls]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[In Her Shadow]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Monsters in the Forest]]
|[[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Signed, Sealed, Certified]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Theadosia]]
|-
|May 17, 2023
|[[Return from Grandfathers]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[A Question of Fate]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Shambling Jungle IV - Welcome to the Jungle]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Schara]], [[Geir]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 18, 2023
|[[Dragonrider of the Sands]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Unexpected Results]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Mikilos]], '''DM''': [[Riptide]] (Briefly)
|-
|
|[[No Plan Survives A Meeting]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Little Bit of Time]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Seldan]], [[Schara]], '''GM''': [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[Some Things Are More Important Than Demons]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|May 19, 2023
|[[Heat Stones and Castes]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Schara]], [[Geir]]
|-
|
|[[Major Manor Mishap]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Slixvah]], [[Alaryn]], [[Aelwyn]], '''DM''': [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Land of the Midnight Sun]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[One Happy Blacksmith]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|May 20, 2023
|[[Felwood Spire: A Fell Mood Part 1]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Ulthan]], [[Reithak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|May 21, 2023
|[[Shambling Jungle V - Warriors]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Geir]], [[Huian]], [[Schara]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Cuemoni]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[A Thirty-Five Foot Pastry]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Proposal Unproposed]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|May 22, 2023
|[[Something in the Woods]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Reithak]], [[Theadosia]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|
|[[Trail to Charn (Part 3)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 23, 2023
|[[Meeting with Micha]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Talk of Open Skies]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 24, 2023
|[[A Drapes Faux-Pas]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Nightmare then Massage]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Discussion with Dace]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 25, 2023
|[[An Elder's Wisdom]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], '''DM''': [[Riptide]] as Miquitlani
|-
|
|[[A Trip to Myrddion]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Schara]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|May 26th, 2023
|[[Fashion Monk]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Aryia]], [[Cesran]]
|-
|
|[[A Brighter Mood Victory]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Of Names and Snatchlings]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Geir]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 27, 2023
|[[Mitigating Marsward's Machinations]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Framework for Success]]
|[[Geir]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Felwood Spire: A Fell Mood (Part 2)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Ulthan]], [[Reithak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|May 28, 2023
|[[They Hunger]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rocky]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|May 29, 2023
|[[Wakedays for War Golems]]
|[[Gramarye]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Necromancer News]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Melted Brass]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Return the Blade]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Any portico in a storm]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Irshya]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|May 30, 2023
|[[Pretty Damned Thieves]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Rhar]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 31, 2023
|[[Of Glowing Glitter and Lit Sticks]]
|[[Alaryn]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|}

===June===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|June 1, 2023
|[[Major Manor Mishap II]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Slixvah]], [[Alaryn]], [[Aelwyn]], '''DM''': [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[On Scrolls, Brothers, and Gifts]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 2, 2023
|[[Evacuate! The Village]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Lysa]], [[Murder]], [[Rocky]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[The Strength To Affect The World]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Simony]]
|-
|June 4, 2023
|[[The Challenge of Fort Lancing]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Miril]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Our Time]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Speaking with Sebas]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Colosseum Workouts]]
|[[Murder]], [[Reithak]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Ravendar]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|June 6, 2023
|[[Honey Harvest]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[The Drink's the Thing]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Irshya]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|June 7, 2023
|[[By the Tornmawr Bank]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[The Man with the Firefly Eyes]]
|[[Reithak]], [[SImony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 8, 2023
|[[Where'd They Go?]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|June 9, 2023
|[[Threads and Shadows]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], '''DM''': [[Riptide]] (Briefly)
|-
|
|[[The Challenge of Fort Lancing Part 2]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Miril]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Rings and Dark Intel]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Mikilos]]
|-
|June 10, 2023
|[[Shambling Jungle VI - Finale]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Gier]], [[Fidget]], [[Schara]], [[Burai]], [[Aelwyn]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Echo of Eclavdran]]
|[[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 11, 2023
|[[In the Wake of Two Echoes]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Theft of a Trusted Servant]]
|[[Alba]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Rhar]], '''DM''': Telamon
|-
|
|[[A Musical Interlude]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Fidget]], [[Harkashan]], [[Reithak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Seldan]], '''DM''': Whirlpool
|-
|June 12, 2023
|[[Love and Loss]]
|[[Geir]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Stymied Vacation]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Two Birds and a Story]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Residents of the Jungle]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Murder]], [[Slixvah]], '''DM''': [[Riptide]]
|-
|
|[[A Withering Cackle]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Huian]], [[Karasu]], [[Ravendar]] (GM) [[Carver]]
|-
|
|[[Theft of a Trusted Servant, Part 2]]
|[[Alba]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Rhar]], '''DM''': Telamon
|-
|June 13, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood I - Spoken Curse]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Geir]], [[Schara]], [[Auranar]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|
|[[When You Wish]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 14, 2023
|[[Nothing But A Stain]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Study Buddies: Fundraising!]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Magpie]], [[Telamon]], [[Simony]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 15, 2023
|[[Senyelistli means Family]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Geir]], [[Schara]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Fidget]] GM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Painting Prospects]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Simony]]
|-
|June 16, 2023
|[[Duel at Wuja Docar]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Geir]]
|-
|
|[[The Challenge of Fort Lancing Part 3]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Miril]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 18, 2023
|[[Flying Gossip Demons]]
|[[Murder]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Dusty Chalice]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Warrick]] as Cynthia
|-
|
|[[Sunny Tea Time]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Dolan]], [[Andelena]]
|-
|June 19, 2023
|[[Fancy and Bloody Coffin]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Murder]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Bigger on the Inside]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]], Cynthia (spoofed by [[Warrick]])
|-
|June 20, 2023
|[[Aza Answers]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Of Felwood and Demons]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Seldan]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[No Need to Choose]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|June 22, 2023
|[[Mission for Friendship]]
|[[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 2]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Catching Up on Chidea]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 23, 2023
|[[Steel and Hair Dye]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[The Challenge of Fort Lancing Part 4]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Miril]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 24, 2023
|[[Hunting The Spire - Part 1]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Lucy]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[And I Still Need To Get Dressed]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Donnelly Wedding Bash]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Mikilos]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Tendrils of the Felwood, Part 1]]
|[[Crik]], [[Fidget]], [[Reithak]], [[Ous]], DM:[[Whirlpool]]
|-
|June 25, 2023
|[[Mortal Enough]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Forge and Spices]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Mikilos]], [[Schara]], [[Telamon]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Twenty Billion Questions]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Looking for A Silverguard]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Little Help?]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|June 26, 2023
|[[Mending Promises]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[The Cult of Piercing Light]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Garak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Skielstregar]], '''DM''': Telamon
|-
|June 27, 2023
|[[The Runaway Cart]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Crik]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Art and Juice]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Starfall]]
|[[Telamon]] vignette
|-
|
|[[Jal'goroth's Prison]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|June 29, 2023
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 3]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Nest Migration Notice]]
|[[Slixvah]] Vignette
|-
|June 30, 2023
|[[Stopping By]]
|[[Vaera]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[In Vino Praeposterus]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[In Rest]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Myrrish Children Stick Together]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|}

===July===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|July 2, 2023
|[[To the Downfall of Fiends]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Enemy of my Enemy]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 3, 2023
|[[Wisdom Without Age]]
|[[Simony]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Minds of Pretenders]]
|[[Khepri]], [[Lavinia]], [[Lheo]], [[Reithak]], [[Theo]]
|-
|July 4, 2023
|[[600lb Baby]]
|[[Carver]], [[Reithak]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 5, 2023
|[[Black Whole Moon]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|July 6, 2023
|[[Goblin Trouble at the Library]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Post-Lunar Healing]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Death and Frescos]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 7, 2023
|[[Belts and Resurrections]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Mikilos]]
|-
|
|[[Kinly Meetings]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Hunting the Spire (Part 2)]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Fidget]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[The New Home]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 8, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood II - Sorrowful Emptiness]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Schara]], [[Carver]], [[Fidget]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[A Soul's Request]]
|[[Aya]], [[Zeke]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[We're the hands of the Gods]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 9, 2023
|[[Rebirth and Rejuvination]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Towering Tea Time]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|July 10, 2023
|[[Warfare Without Pontification]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[To a Job Well Done]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|July 11, 2023
|[[Portside Underground]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Simony]], DM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Our Venerable House]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Little Man for Little Pixie]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 12, 2023
|[[A Cure For Hunger]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[A touch of Fashion and Fire]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Simony]]
|-
|July 13, 2023
|[[Hunger and Healing]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 4]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Snowcones and Pigments]]
|[[Ravenstongue|Cor'lana]], [[SImony]], [[Telamon]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|July 14th, 2023
|[[Mictlan Makari Meeting]]
|[[Seyardu]], [[Leirune|Rune]]. [[Rocky]], [[Un'eth]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Counsel Sought Is Not Guaranteed]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|July 15th, 2023
|[[Black Dog Bite]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|July 16th, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood III - Prion Prison (Part 1)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Schara]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Vision of a Padaryn Past]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 17th, 2023
|[[Following the Golden Thread]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Slixvah]] '''DM''': [[Riptide]]
|-
|July 18th, 2023
|[[Speaking with Daneira]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Date With a View]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|July 20, 2023
|[[Eggs-pedition]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Elisabeth]], [[Carver]], [[Schara]], [[Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
| July 21, 2023
|[[Vagrant Tower - Spectral Labyrinth]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Eztli]], [[Elisabeth]] '''DM''': [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Investigation of Ivyhold]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 23, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood III - Prion Prison (Part 2)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Schara]], [[Elisabeth du Leoncorte|Elisabeth]] '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 5]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[This Wretched Heat]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 24, 2023
|[[Tletepetl]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Ravenstongue]] '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Lunch and a Message]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Elisabeth du Leoncorte|Elisabeth]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|July 25, 2023
|[[Weather and Family]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Complicated Solutions and Sandwiches]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Need for Resistance]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|
|[[Gale's Inquiry]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Hard Lesson Learned]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|July 27, 2023
|[[Where To Belong]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Seyardu]]
|-
|
|[[Into the Woods]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Acedia]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Family and Fae]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|July 28, 2023
|[[Gorilla Grilling]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Irshya]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|
|[[Gale's Inquiry (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 6]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|July 29, 20231
|[[Dwarf Fortress: Deeper Delve Part 2]]
|[[Carver]],[[Rocky]],[[Reithak]],[[Harkashan]], '''DM''': [[Subduction]]
|-
|July 30, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood III - Prion Prison (Part 3)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Schara]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|July 31, 2023
|[[Protector of the Heart]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Gale's Inquiry (Part 3)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Confidence is Key]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|}

=== August ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|August 1, 2023
|[[Portside Underground Part 2]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], GM [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Ogre-watch]]
|[[Carver]], [[Glasha]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|August 3, 2023
|[[Sunken Treasure and Guests on the Wing]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|August 4, 2023
|[[Nest Migrations]]
|[[Carver]], [[Reithak]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 6, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood III - Prion Prison (Part 4)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Schara]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Faces on a Fresco]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 7]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 7, 2023
|[[Tell two more]]
|[[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Werewolf Relocation Project]]
|[[Carver]], [[Dirk]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 8, 2023
|[[Party Soup]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Aprons and Winds]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[A Fresco Nearing Completion]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Prodigious Mask]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Eztil]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Silmeria]]
|-
|August 9, 2023
|[[After-mask]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Contrary Mari, Part 1]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Seyardu]], [[Silmeria]]. DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 10, 2023
|[[Birdy Beer Run]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[To Bear Fruit]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Fiend Like Me]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Harkashan]], [[Lokir]], [[Sabina]], [[Shin]]
|-
|
|[[Hypothetically Speaking]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 11, 2023
|[[Brightest of Days]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Culix]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Hungry Like Something Else]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Andelena]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], '''DM:''' [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Bloody Murder]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Rocky]], [[Eztli]], '''DM:''' [[Subduction]]
|-
|August 12, 2023
|[[Three Men, One Cave]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|August 13, 2023
|[[Genie Bride for Fiendish Eyes]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Apple Pie Apology]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Family Portrait]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 8]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 14, 2023
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|August 15, 2023
|[[Tranquility is a Farce]]
|[[Simony]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|August 16, 2023
|[[The Dark Remains Dark]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Forgotten Blood IV: Bloodflower]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Carver]], [[Gramarye]], [[Lokir]], [[Reithak]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Contrary Mari, Part 2]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Seyardu]], [[Silmeria]]. DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 17, 2023
|[[Mandatory Sewer Level]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramayre]], [[Lokir]], [[Warrick]], [[Xasany]] DM: [[Fidget]]
|-
|August 18, 2023
|[[Daeusite Coat of Arms]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Boiled Over]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|August 19, 2023
|[[Forge and Family Work]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[A Special Meaning]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[DF: Tavern Tales]]
|[[Crik]], [[Fidget]], [[Jacob]], [[Lokir]], [[Reithak]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|August 20, 2023
|[[Alchemy and Healing]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Things on Her Mind]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Home for Father]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[Exploding Crossbows]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|
|[[Smol Toast to Study Buddies]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|August 21, 2023
|[[Pincered Gelhorn]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Culix]], [[Simony]], [[Kaj]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 2)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|August 22, 2023
|[[Summer Scramble - Part A]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Rune]], [[Eztli]], [[Magpie]], [[Jacob]], [[Lokir]]
|-
|
|[[Summer Scramble - Part B]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Murder]], [[Rhar]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|August 23, 2023
|[[Red and Black Checkers]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Door to Nowhere]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Temperance's Concern]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Spirits of Wind and Wave]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|August 24, 2023
|[[River Monster]]
|[[Culix]], [[Ezli]], [[Murder]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Pork and Spices]]
|[[Murder]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 25, 2023
|[[Vagrant Tower: Savage Garden]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Slixvah]], '''DM''': [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Bairn Be None]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|August 26, 2023
|[[Whip that Ribbon]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Fae and Arpeggios]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 27, 2023
|[[Compliments and Rotgut]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Only Title That Matters]]
|[[Slixvah]] (as Jiranu), [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 9]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 28, 2023
|[[High Priestess Aki]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Crik]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 3)]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Scars And Tattoos]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Of Songs and Healers]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Irshya]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|August 29, 2023
|[[Helps the Medicine Go Down]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[Tears of Hope]]
|[[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Feels like Light]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[A Man Of Many Talents]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Ten Brass Rings]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 30, 2023
|[[Salmon Gildays]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Songs and Strange Boxes]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Door to Nowhere (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 31, 2023
|[[Three Pitchers Down]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|
|[[A braid, meditation and cards]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Simony]]
|-
|}

=== September ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|September 1, 2023
|[[Living in a Story]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|September 2, 2023
|[[Iluiyotl iuixochimeh]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Cuemoni]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Seyardu]], [[Sjach]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Seers Folly]]
|[[Mikilos]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[TarRaCe gets a Glow Up]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Simony]]
|-
|September 4, 2023
|[[Message of the Moon]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Critias]]
|-
|September 5, 2023
|[[Meet and Griva]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Seldan]], [[Fidget]], [[Schara]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|September 6, 2023
|[[Friend of Taara]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|September 7, 2023
|[[Painted Glass]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Cuemoni]]
|-
|
|[[The View From Up Here]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Flat Fuss Keresday]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|September 8, 2023
|[[A Comely Seeming]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Contrary Mari, Part 3]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Seyardu]], [[Silmeria]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 9, 2023
|[[A Comely Seeming, Pt2]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Aelywn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|September 10, 2023
|[[Tomato Or Potato]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Simony]], [[Ravenstongue]] (as Grandfather)
|-
|September 11, 2023
|[[Scrolling Thunder]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|September 12, 2023
|[[Bird Is The Word]]
|[[Carver]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 13, 2023
|[[You Saw What?]]
|[[Crik]], [[Fidget]], [[Lheo]], [[Zerthos]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 14, 2023
|[[Warped Flame - I]]
|[[Rune]], [[Vaera]], DM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[A Historical Shrine]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 15, 2023
|[[Contrary Mari, Part 4]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Seyardu]], [[Silmeria]]. DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 17, 2023
|[[Cursed Ink Consultation]]
|[[Culix]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Hasty Lessons]]
|[[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 18, 2023
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 4)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|September 19, 2023
|[[Dolan's Cat]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[In the Birbhouse]]
|[[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|September 20, 2023
|[[Wreath and Flames]]
|[[Culix]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|September 21, 2023
|[[Deceive the Deceiver]]
|[[Telamon]]
|-
|September 22, 2023
|[[Investigating Journalism]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Critias]], [[Culix]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], DM: [[Eztli]]
|-
|
|[[Bleeding Heart]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Eztli]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], DM: [[Dirk]]
|-
|September 23, 2023
|[[A Comely Seeming, Part 3]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], DM: [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Sitting with Seldan]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|September 24, 2023
|[[Heavy Artillery Heartthrob]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 25, 2023
|[[Werewolf Baby?]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line, Part 5]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|September 26, 2023
|[[Broken Bird]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Eztli]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Culix]]
|-
|
|[[A Resurrectionist's Visit, Part 1]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Fidget]], [[Ous]], [[Victor]]
|-
|September 27, 2023
|[[Patch Job]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Eztli]], [[Aryia]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|September 28, 2023
|[[As Coyote Laughs]]
|[[Lheo]]
|-
|September 29, 2023
|[[Dwarf Fortress: Deep Dig]]
|[[Crik]], [[Hilde]], [[Thoth]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Chasing the Lost Star]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Coyote Aftermath]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|September 30, 2023
|[[Bird Repair]]
|[[Schara]], [[Thoth]]
|-
|
|[[The Sweetest Song]]
|[[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Iskandar]], [[Dolan]], [[Skielstregar]], DM: [[Riptide]]
|-
|}

=== October ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|October 1, 2023
|[[Warped Flame - II]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Thurid]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Vaera]], DM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Return to the Mountain]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 2, 2023
|[[Paper Faces on Parade]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Critias]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Clearing Gunk]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[All is not Fine]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 6)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 3, 2023
|[[Sharpening Cold Iron]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]], [[Vaera]]
|-
|
|[[Meet and Leaf]]
|[[Tawyse]], [[Vrenskas]], [[Eirik]]
|-
|
|[[A Ressurrrectionist's Visit, Part 2]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Thoth]], [[Reithak]], [[Eirik]] - GM [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[Asking Aryia]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Benny-ficiary]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Thoth]], [[Zelany]], [[Zerthos]]; GM: Telamon
|-
|October 5, 2023
|[[Coin of Destiny]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Dirk]], [[Warrick]] as Cynthia, [[Reithak]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[The Third Spire Part 6]]
|[[Eztli]], [[Sabina]]
|-
|
|[[What's Troubling Lheo]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|October 6, 2023
|[[A Talk About Zero]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[A Test For Zero]]
|[[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|
|[[Spirit of the Season]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|October 7, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood V - Beneath The Stone]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Crik]], [[Reithak]], DM:[[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Consulting Critias]]
|[[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[A Break for Mamaw]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]], [[Simony]]
|-
|October 8, 2023
|[[Warped Flame III]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Vaera]], [[Thurid]], [[Simony]], [[Fidget]], DM:[[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Blood from Stone]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 9, 2023
|[[Boiling Flowers]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Thoth]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 7)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 10, 2023
|[[Spilt Tea]]
|[[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[A Resurrectionists Visit, Part 3]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Thoth]], [[Victor]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|October 11, 2023
|[[Snakes and Birds]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Thoth]], [[Eirik]], [[Irshya]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|October 11, 2023
|[[Rhapsody in Blue]]
|[[Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Slixvah]], GM: [[Riptide]]
|-
|October 12, 2023
|[[Trouble in New Nikston]]
|[[Hilde]], [[Theo]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zero]], GM: [[Thoth]]
|-
|
|[[Two atypical Goblins]]
|[[Culix]], [[Irshya]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Eirik]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[The Night's Kiss]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 13, 2023
|[[Rock-it Crossbow]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Crik]]
|-
|
|[[A Haven For Goodly Folk]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Spirit of the Season - II]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Eztli]], [[Rune]], [[Harkashan]], GM: Subduction
|-
|October 14, 2023
|[[Our Future]]
|[[Aya]], [[Daechir]]
|-
|
|[[Master Donnelly Advises]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[Secrets of the Dancing Dragon]]
|[[Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|October 15, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood V - Warped Dance Part 1]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Schara]], GM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Blood from Stone (Part 2)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 16, 2023
|[[Friends Against Mister Creepy]]
|[[Irshya]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[A Rivaling Answer]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 8)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 17, 2023
|[[Voices of the Past]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Market Watch]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Critias]], [[Reithak]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[A Resurrectionists Visit, Part 4]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Thoth]], [[Victor]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[Well-Welcomed Anniversary]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 18, 2023
|[[Reintroductions]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Gramarye]], [[Pelka]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Thoth]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Memory of Thee]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Thoth]], GM: [[Aftershock]]
|-
|
|[[A Potato Pancake Breakfast]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 19, 2023
|[[Crimson Feather Flock Together]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[After The Heist]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Arming Against the Corpse-Eater]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|October 20, 2023
|[[New Place, New Armory]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Cold Storage]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Pumpkin Day Parade]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Crik]], [[Reithak]], [[Ulthan]], DM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|
|[[Girls' Night In]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], [[Simony]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|October 21, 2023
|[[Seen Through Anothers Eyes]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Two of a Kind]]
|[[Fidget]], GM: [[Aftershock]]
|-
|
|[[Meeting Honored Kin]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 22, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood V - Warped Dance]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Rune]], [[Aelywn]], [[Schara]], GM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Feathers to Dye For]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reitah]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 9)]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 23, 2023
|[[Common Enemy]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Rune]]
|-
|
|[[A Resurrectionists Visit, Part 5]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Thoth]], [[Reithak]], [[???]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[Walking On Air]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 24, 2023
|[[Forgotten Puzzle Piece]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Verna]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|October 25, 2023
|[[Little Bird Surgery Service]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Simony]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Talent Scouting]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Thoth]], [[Aya]]
|-
|October 26, 2023
|[[Last Call at Port]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 27, 2023
|[[Stern Talking]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Gifts and Confessions]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|October 28, 2023
|[[Crimson Circus]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Aya]], [[Dolan]], [[Eztli]], [[Harkshan]], [[Murder]], [[Rune]]
|-
|October 29, 2023
|[[Cursed Memory]]
|[[Crik]], [[Irshya]], [[Mikilos]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 10)]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 30, 2023
|[[Smol Engines and Big Mysteries]]
|[[Crik]], [[Irshya]], [[Thoth]], [[Slixvah]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Daeus's Work for Dolan]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[A Fistful of Potions]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Warrick]], [[Thoth]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 31, 2023
|[[Piece of Peace]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|October 31, 2023
|[[Aerophobia And Alcoholism]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Gramarye]], DM: [[Aftershock]]
|-
|
|[[A Sleepover Without Names]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Don't Dance Til You Drop]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|}

=== November ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|November 1, 2023
|[[Familial Debt]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]], [[Murder]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[The Unknown Path]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[The Dragon's Gift]]
|[[Telamon]]
|-
|November 3, 2023
|[[Vagrant Tower: Dimensional Orrery]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Rhar]], [[Seyardu]], DM:[[Thurid]]
|-
|
|[[The Unknown Path (Part 2)]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|November 4, 2023
|[[Death from Above]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Eztli]], [[Rhar]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|November 5, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood Finale - The Mountain]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Cuemoni]], [[Rune]], [[Schara]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Verna]], DM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 11)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|November 6, 2023
|[[Of Vacations and Turncoats]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Imane]], [[Simony]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Dolan]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Star Witness]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|November 7, 2023
|[[Baked goods and new faces]]
|[[Liliana]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[The Sunblade]]
|[[Skielstregar]], DM: [[Thoth]]
|-
|
|[[Ravener]]
|[[Verna]], [[Ulthan]], [[Aelwyn]], DM: [[Thoth]]
|-
|
|[[Deific Motivations]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|
|[[Post Surgery Birds]]
|[[Reithak]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|November 8, 2023
|[[North South and West]]
|[[Verna]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Auranar]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Fresh Berries and the Nature of Things]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Flight of the Dragon]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|November 9, 2023
|[[Jailhouse Visit]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Thoth]]
|-
|
|[[And None Returned]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Banana Bread, Always in Season]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Closure, Cuddles, and Diplomacy]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|November 10, 2023
|[[When Family Calls]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[A life for a life]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Eztli]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[An Arm for Justice]]
|[[Schara]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|November 11, 2023
|[[Call for Corona]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Schara]]
|-
|November 12, 2023
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 12)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|November 13, 2023
|[[Matters of the Soul]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Phantom Thieves - Calling Card]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Warrick]], [[Carver]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Fidget]]
|-
|November 14, 2023
|[[Vetting Threats]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Verna]]
|-
|November 15, 2023
|[[Song of Sorrow]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Gramarye]], [[Carver]], DM: [[Aftershock]]
|-
|
|[[Imprudent Imposter]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Reithak]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|November 16, 2023
|[[Evergreen Pilgrim]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Carver]], [[Gramarye]], [[Thoth]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|November 17, 2023
|[[Staves, Spheres, and How to Break Them]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Murder, Robbery and Coffee]]
|[[Crik]], [[Warrick]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[Raging Buck]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Murder]]
|-
|November 19, 2023
|[[Over Hot Cocoa and Tea]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|November 21, 2023
|[[Take a Number]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Crik]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Gob and Gab]]
|[[Murder]], [[Vrenskas]]
|-
|November 22, 2023
|[[No Fun In The Woods]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Eztli]], [[Magpie]], [[Victor]], [[Thoth]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|November 24, 2023
|[[A Home and Hearth for Makari]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|November 25, 2023
|[[Village in Yellow]]
|[[Carver]], [[Reithak]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|November 26, 2023
|[[Walk in the Shadows]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Crik]], [[Khepri]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Xasany]], GM: [[Riptide]]
|-
|November 27, 2023
|[[Family Matters]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[To Gaze Into Infinity]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|November 28, 2023
|[[Thanks for the Patronage]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Xasany]], [[Victor]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Seedy Underbelly]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Thoth]], [[Crik]], [[Tlanexhuani]], GM: [[Eztli]]
|-
|November 29, 2023
|[[Yaonemitl Arrives]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[No Fun In The Woods Part 2]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Eztli]], [[Magpie]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Victor]], GM:[[Whirlpool]]
|-
|November 30, 2023
|[[Petty Trinkets and Garden Caves]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Crik]]
|-
|
|[[Not Tonight]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|}

=== December ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|December 1, 2023
|[[Heat of the Moment]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Simony]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Aya]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Gone Fishing]]
|[[Carver]], [[Warrick]], [[Zelany]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|December 2, 2023
|[[Fare Well]]
|[[Aya]],[[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[In the Place Beyond the Jungles]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|December 3, 2023
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 13)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|December 5, 2023
|[[Seedy Underbelly Part 2]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Thoth]], [[Crik]], [[Tlanexhuani]], GM: [[Eztli]]
|-
|December 6, 2023
|[[How to Help a Friend in Need]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Bales and Tales]]
|[[Aya]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|December 7, 2023
|[[An Epilogue for Ivyhold Manor]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|December 8, 2023
|[[Sympathy for the Devil]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|December 10, 2023
|[[Yule Sale]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Merith]], [[Eztli]], [[Mikilos]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|December 11, 2023
|[[Return To The Mythwood Part 4]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Reithak]], [[Tlanexhuani]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|December 12, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood Finale - The Cavern]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Seyardu]], [[Skielstregar]], DM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Plans For A Tasting]]
|[[Irshya]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|December 13, 2023
|[[One Dirty Bird]]
|[[Irshya]], [[Reithak]], [[Slixvah]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Walking Away from Sarcophagi]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|December 14, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood Finale - Ravener]]
|[[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|December 15, 2023
|[[Stolen Peacock]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|December 16, 2023
|[[Snow Way To Relax]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|December 18, 2023
|[[Dramatic Aftermath]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Preparing to take the Rook]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Taking the Rook]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Preparations and Silliness]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Irshya]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|December 19, 2023
|[[Maiden's Insight]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Crik]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|
|[[Who Let The Dogs Out]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|
|[[Sweet Memory]]
|[[Rune]], [[Thoth]]
|-
|December 20, 2023
|[[The Crucible]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Thoth]]
|-
|
|[[A Cavalier Attitude]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|December 21, 2023
|[[Padaryn a Padaryn]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Good Dog In Need Of Home]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Zelany]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|December 22, 2023
|[[An Effort At Peace]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[An Autograph and Some Direction]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|December 23, 2023
|[[Snow Crash]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Crik]], [[Gramarye]], [[Merith]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|December 24, 2023
|[[A Brighter Yule Season]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]], Ariana Atlon (Tel's mom)
|-
|December 25, 2023
|[[A Legend of Murder and Suffering]]
|[[Seldan]] ('''DM''': Whirlpool)
|-
|December 26, 2023
|[[The Present Past]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|December 27, 2023
|[[Removing a Thorn]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Plenty Of Fun In The Woods]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Thoth]], DM:[[Whirlpool]]
|-
|December 29, 2023
|[[Raiders of the Lost Tomb Part 1]]
|[[Aimarra]], [[Slixvah]], [[Irshya]], [[Carver]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]] ('''DM:''' Telamon)
|-
|}

A Legend of Murder and Suffering

2023-12-26T03:03:01Z

Seldan: Created page with " GAME: Seldan casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 16 DC: 23 And so Seldan has come to the vault of Eluna once again to contemplate a dagger in a secured room, under the watchful eye of some of Eluna's other champions. It's not that they don't trust him, they plainly do, but one can never be too careful when dealing with evils like this. They're unpredicable. The knife is unchanged since the last time Seldan saw it. Notably, Seldan has left all weapons and ar..."

GAME: Seldan casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 16 DC: 23

And so Seldan has come to the vault of Eluna once again to contemplate a dagger in a secured room, under the watchful eye of some of Eluna's other champions. It's not that they don't trust him, they plainly do, but one can never be too careful when dealing with evils like this. They're unpredicable. The knife is unchanged since the last time Seldan saw it.

Notably, Seldan has left all weapons and armor outside the vault, making no attempt to bring anything of the sort inside this place. He has kept his clothing simple, shirt, trousers, and magical defenses only. The guard is gratefully accepted, and before he even begins, he with swift sigils under Eluna's holy aegis lays down a circle of protection that encompasses both him and the dagger, and shields him from the evil within the weapon.

Or so he hopes. One never knows entirely with such as this.

Once his preparations are laid, he settles down cross-legged on the floor within the confines of the circle, without attempt to soften it, and unrolls the scroll, reading through it carefully. The casting, when he begins, becomes almost a form of meditation, a chant that at its completion sets him into a half-trancelike state, one that leaves him vaguely aware of his surroundings, but far from attentive to them. Indeed, it is as if half of his mind is elsewhere.

GAME: Seldan rolls 1d4: (4): 4
''(The spell requires 40 minutes to cast.)''

The blade remains visibly plain before Seldan. Time passes and then he ... slips. Like travelling weightleslly down through the earth, down to a realm of fire and embers, of smoke and screaming souls fed into a a great furnance by demonic workmen, smeling them down. What Seldan sees is not literal truth, of course, but the legend itself spilling out before him, as the stuff of molten souls is poured and shaped. Where molten iron and steel are made, there too is pig iron, and what is gathered together by a shadowed figure is a kind of spiritual pig iron. He pours the pig-iron ingots into the mold of a blade, shaping, hammering. His forge, anvil, and hammer are too wrought from black iron, and as he hammers, it is not merely the blade that begins to take shape, but it's wielder: unknown until the beginnings of his legend. That's what this is.

Forcing himself into stillness, to be an observer of what he knew full well was likely to be a stomach-turning experience. To witness the legend of a blade forged by a demon, and its wielder, could not reasonably be expected to be a pleasant experience. Still, anything he can glean about that blade, its wielder, how it was formed and shaped, might give him a clue as to how to destroy it. And so, he forces himself into impassive, stone-like stillness, forcing himself to be only an observer.

Stomach-turning is perhaps mild.

...but the blade made from the cast off bits of souls that weren't otherwise fit to be used is complete. It's wielder is still a shadow, but coming more and more into focus. First, there is a sound. a discordant jingling that accompanies his motions. It is certainly the opposite of harmony. Like a sound that calls one to listen deeper for a hidden message that is ever elusive.

The scene shifts, now, a war fought between demons and devils. Raiding parties in the abyss as devils seek to claim, capture and twist their demonic counterparts and bring them in line with Maugrim's ever-narrow vision and ever-expanding ambition. FLickers, there, of the shadow, taking what he wants, jumping from point to point. His legend is truly being born, now, first amongst his own kind. The way he mutilates demonic flesh, tortures them, twists them.

Ah, the the source of the harmony is his chains, wrapped around his person. Seldan knew he was a chain-devil of some kind, but he's clearly one with an interest in music, be it the way his chains sound, or the screams he draws from his victims. ALl music to his ears, clearly.

That it is demons, having their own abhorrent tactics turned upon them, makes watching this not one whit easier. Seldan's fists clench, pushing firmly against the stone of the vault to keep them still, keep him from moving, remind him that he is still only an observer. ''Keep watching,'' he reminds himself firmly. ''Find the clues you seek.''

In time, the devil's power grows and he becomes more esteemed, more confident. His name echoes on the lips of his followers: KINTRILAX.

That's a clue, right there, and a helpful one indeed. In time, he loses interest in his knife. Though it was his first, he becomes esteemed not just for his slaying and torturing, but for his ability to build: greater weapons, great works of devilish 'art', great spires of suffering erected in the name of suffering and art, a monument to the pain and suffering he seeks ever greater vistas of.

Such fame does not come without a price.

Called forth during the Demon Wars from his own time in the distant past, he is shattered by the blade of a Celestial, whose burning gaze takes only grim satisfaction in the chance to slay him. He is able to survive the thunderous attack of a servant of the Gods but loses his blade hand in the process.

... and his blade. The celestial, somehow familiar to Seldan, turns back to the fight, disappearing into its own legend, it's role in the story played.

The devil too fades into the background. There is only the blade now.

The celestial's grim satisfaction echoes in Seldan's mind, and in his own thoughts, but again, it is a fleeting thing. Fists now driven into the stone to support him, he continues to watch, to observe. ''Kintrilax.'' That in itself is helpful. Now, how did this blade come to be where he found it? His mind searches for the hands that held it along the way. ''Was the Griever among its holders? How did it come to be freed from the Charnethi vault?''

The blade is picked up, scavanged from a battlefield in the desperate days of the post demon wars world.

...from there, it is used to murder. And murder again. And murder again. The blade has developed a twisted sentience of its own from the shattered remnants of the souls comprising it. With each death, it's hunger for more grows until it begins overpowering the minds of those who take it and use it to deliver suffering without measure, a twisted reflection of the artistic deisgns of its once master. An echo.

... in time, it becomes known. Attempts are made to destroy it in the east by those who would consider themselves heroes, but to destroy it, they learn, would require either shattering it on the anvil from which it was once forged, or to its inverse, a celestial forge where a hammer comprised of divine light could be brought to bear on it, releasing the tormented soul fragments into the ether.

...such things were beyond them, and ultimately, it escapes their grasp to continue its own rampage ...

... in time, it is located by those who simply turn it over to a government they trust:

... the Dominion. It is locked away in a vault except for when the proper price is paid and blood is called for. It becomes weapon of assassination, understanding between those a clandestine operation in Charn and the blade is established. The service lets it do its business, and then sees it returned to the deepest of Charnish vaults, a mere whisper added to its legend again and again and again with a century of blood. Wars. The Crown Wars. And then ... silence. It's use it not seen. A great blind spot in its legend. Locked away for some reason.

... until it is called once again by a man, faceless and featureless in the legend, who to it.

"NO MORE LIES"

Again, Seldan is left at once disgusted and thoughtful at the information revealed. He is silent through the entire vision, fists driven into the stone next to him. His mind's eye is drenched in blood and suffering, and it is unlikely that he will sleep much tonight. Still, there is more information still to be had. ''A hammer of divine light?'' A thing to be researched, to be sure. Perhaps a petition to the right entity, does he but learn who might possess such a thing -

And then the last. ''No more lies.'' That has to be the Griever. But, try as he might, his face is hidden - but how? Still does the paladin not question it - his face is, after all, equally hidden. But - his motivations? What does he seek? Questions that this blade cannot answer, of course. He knows that well, but that does not mean that such questions are on his mind.

Who is this man, then, that steals a deity's artifacts, to slay a god and seek to frame another for the deed? Why so many, and why those? What means he to do?

Clearly, he wishes no legend for himself. The magic recoils from him, in that sense. He is not someone of myth and legend: these things are but as lies to him.

There will be truth.

He takes the blade, then, and unchains it once more, setting it into the world to hunt the followers of Taara.

End them. End the little lying Goddess' minions.

That the magic recoils from him, himself, says much to Seldan. ''A man who will suffer none but his truth to exist. A tyrant.''

There is much more to be learned here, but possibly not from the blade. Unless -

He turns his thoughts and attention to a hammer of divine light. ''Who or what among the celestials might possess the means to destroy this blade?'' he thinks to himself.

There is an image: that angel. The familiar one.

... how familiar? Hard to say. But it is. For some reason.

Unsure even why any particular angel would be familiar to him, Seldan is silent, pondering the image shown. Without a name, to attempt such a spell on that being would likely take weeks, and yet - clearly, there is some connection there. ''To me, perhaps?'' Even the thought seems arrogant to him.

In the end, though - even a name might give him a place to begin. ''Who is this mighty angel, who took Kintrilax's hand?''

The spell doesn't know -- it's name isn't associated with the legend of the blade.

... just that a 'mighty being of divine power slashed the hand of the demon off'.

Still, there are yet ways to find the answer he seeks.

That is unsurprising, and so Seldan, with a sigh, releases the spell, taking his time in returning out of the trance-like state. He looks up, and releases his fists from where he'd driven them into the stone to steady himself. At once disturbed and thoughtful, he gets to his feet and backs away from the weapon, still breathing deeply to steady himself.

When he has come back to himself, he continues to wear that at once disturbed and soberly thoughtful demeanor. "The ward follows me, not the dagger," he warns the others. "None should touch it. It is forged of tormented souls, and has taken on a sentience of its own, one that delights in murder and suffering. I must seek more knowledge, but it is possible to destroy it, and that do I mean to do. Until then guard it well."

GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/history: (4)+17: 21

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-12-26T03:00:40Z

Seldan: /* December */

Gifts and Confessions

2023-10-28T02:32:56Z

Seldan: Created page with "Temple District, Midday The overcast skies of the past few days have finally broken, fair skies scattering the sun across the Temple square. Though, the biting wind continues its gale in bursts, fall in full swing as clergymen and citizens are wrapped up in full to ward against it. A scarred mul'neissa woman in a green buckle jacket scratches her head at the central fountain, a new sign having been erected nearby denoting 'Do not climb the fountain. Fine: 2sp.' She shr..."

Temple District, Midday

The overcast skies of the past few days have finally broken, fair skies scattering the sun across the Temple square. Though, the biting wind continues its gale in bursts, fall in full swing as clergymen and citizens are wrapped up in full to ward against it.

A scarred mul'neissa woman in a green buckle jacket scratches her head at the central fountain, a new sign having been erected nearby denoting 'Do not climb the fountain. Fine: 2sp.' She shrugs, hefting a brown sack over her shoulder as she makes a wide berth around it to lazily amble in the direction of the Dreamer's temple.

Not everyone seems concerned about the gusty fall breeze or the crisp chill in the air. Yes, Seldan wears a cloak over his shoulders over the usual shirt and trousers, and open-front robe, but the lightweight linen of shirt and trousers and the open front of the cloak says that the chill does not, in particular, worry him. Reunion is strapped at his hip, but there's no sign of kit nor armor.

He does not seem to be in any particular hurry, either, trotting smoothly past the guards at the doors and down the temple's marble front stairs, enacting a similar mosey in the general direction of the fountain and plaza proper. The sign at the fountain gets a steady look and a raised eyebrow, and he's just about to start towards it.

Aryia's lazy gait continues before it shifts to a proper heading, her attention having swept from the sign to a person of interest. She approaches from an angle, giving a two-toned whistle of greeting and announcement.

She shifts the bag to the other shoulder to free up a hand and wave hello. "Good morning-" she looks up, shakes her head, "-day. How are you feeling? I'm surprised you're not cold dressed like that," she inquires with a tilt of the head.

A member of the Watch strolls out with another sign and a mallet nearby, setting up another sign across from the fountain. <Handspeech/Tongues>

The whistle most certainly gets Seldan's attention, and his lips curve into a very small smile when he realizes, first who it is, and second, that the whistle was intended for him, for he doesn't appear to have noticed her at first. With a last glance at the sign, he changes his course to approach, and bow politely in the Myrrish style. "Her light upon your path, Mistress Aryia," he greets once he is within range to be a touch quieter. "The cold does not trouble me, and has not for some time," he explains obliquely. "I am quite improved, and have learned enough of late to have a thought that I would wish to share with you, and with others, but perhaps it is that here is not the place. How may I be of service to you?"

Aryia drops the bag on the ground in front of her after untying it to free both her hands up. She inclines her head, perhaps a ghost of a bow in return, but such customs tend to fly over her head. "And Hers upon yours, Seldan," she motions back. "You and Telamon both, it's getting freezing and you both just carry on." It's supplied in jest with a snort.

A brow raises. "I am curious of what you've learned, but we can table it for another time." A beat. "The only service I need is to make sure this fits you."

She kneels to rummage around in the bag. "How's the hand?" she inquires, glancing up as little flashes of black cloth appear from the bag as she's pulling it free. <Handspeech>

Surprise sends both of Seldan's ginger eyebrows heading for his hairline, and the signs are - for the moment - wholly forgotten. He will have to ask some questions later on that topic, but for the moment, whatever Aryia has has quite plainly caught him off guard.

"Soon, I think, should we speak, all of us who ventured to the castle. I shall send word soon." The question about the hand, though, distracts him. "It is well," he answers, unconsciously and experimentally flexing the fingers of his right hand. "I-" He looks down at it, and pushes up the sleeve to show what appears to be a white, long-healed scar that wraps all the way around his forearm, just above where the end of a gauntlet would sit. It's quite visible, but he stares at it a moment, pushes the sleeve down, and returns his interest to the bag at Aryia's feet. "You have aught that you would ensure fits me?"

Said sign gets hammered into place. The Watchman wiping sweat from their face. "... this job just keeps getting weirder..." they mutter, walking back to their post.

Aryia bobs her head once, eyeing the encircling scar with a curiosity. Subconsciously running a thumb over her own long healed scar that runs jagged across her throat. "Good. Weird as fuck, but good."

She makes a quiet whistle that equates to 'mhmm' as she pulls out several things from the bag. All of it is made in a pitch black cloth, though the threading has flicks of silver, cobalt, and gold. Akin to staring up at the cloudless night sky and seeing speckles smattered across it.

The seamstress holds out a robe, a pair of gloves, and several of what appears to be rags. "I have no fucking clue what's going on with you bleeding sparkly black shit, but I figured you'd need something that could at least match it so it won't be stained to shit," she gestures with a free hand.

This is Aryia's weird way of caring. <Handspeech/Speech>

The sight of it, and the explanation, sends all other thoughts from Seldan's mind, and he closes his eyes, lowering his head in what could almost be shame. Certainly embarrassment. A deep, slow breath or two, and he pushes it aside, resuming the usual steady gaze. "Then truly do I owe you an explanation, for the thought is most kind, and indeed shall I make good use of such a gift. It does not, if such concerned you, appear to be inimical in its nature," he offers carefully, reaching to take the offerings, examining the cloth thoughtfully. "Well-selected, and well-made."

Aryia tilts her head to the side at the embarrassment. Confusion easily readable on her visage. But! Compliments rendered easily stroke the seamstress's ego, her puffing up with pride. She grins. "Glad you like it."

She rolls up the empty bag, stuffing it into her belt haphazardly. "That answers one question, if I have to be worried about it or not. But explain if you so wish. I probably owe you one too." She rubs her forearms, imagining the massive blade being locked chained to them once more. <Handspeech>

"Nay. It shows no reaction to anyone save me." Seldan continues to make a close study of the clothing, but at length looks up, following the flashing hand-signals only with the aid of magic's augmentation. "It has begun but of late only. How this came to be, I fear is a tale long in the telling, but if its origins are as I believe them to be, the original magical effect was created for a wizard's tower, and was intended to clean and repair that tower. The effect was - subverted - and turned against the people of Alexandria, causing a magical illness."

Suddenly, the clothing in his hand is very interesting. "Those who suffered the worst of it - those who were hit with strong magical effects while ill - some suffered permanent effects. These effects, mostly, were negated and cleansed by the one who subverted the effect, when she was awoken." An odd word choice, that, but he does not elaborate.

"I have not the proof, to know for certain its origin, but this do I know - that the effect seems to heal me. Repair me, even going so far as to mend this." His eyes go to the forearm he'd bared, then down.

Aryia tilts her head the other way, long ears giving the occasional flick from a heady wind as she listens. The gloves are long, to the forearm, perhaps to cover up anything remiss. The robe moderately thick to stave off chill, and the cleaning cloths, well. Simple and singular in purpose. At least they can stand up to being shorn a few times and repaired magically if need be.

Her brows furrow. "Is... this that magic plague that you're talking about? Because I heard that messed a lot of things up," she inquires. A singular brow quirks at the word choice, but she doesn't yank that thread just yet.

Except for that last bit. "That sounds really fucking useful," she signs with a light smile, approval in a way that only Aryia bluntly could. Speaking of blunt, "Are you ashamed of it?" <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Even so." Seldan's admission is very, very careful, and he lays each item out, to study them, then lays the gloves and cloths over one cloaked shoulder to fold the robe as best he can. "Your gift is most kind, Mistress Aryia, and well done of you. You have my thanks for the unexpected generosity." Once the robe is folded, he lays the cloths, and then the gloves, atop them, for one neat stack.

He does not answer the final question, though, leaving it to hang. Only a slump of shoulders acknowledges it at all. Instead, he goes on, "I would ask the same question of you, though. Are you well? I would not excessively pry, but the sword-" He trails off. "I expect you are unused to weapons, and have no need for such."

Aryia's visage relaxes as she watches the care being taken with the clothes she's sewn. She inclines her head. "You're welcome. I... admit I am shit at being personable." Clearly. "But I figured you needed a pick-me-up." She smiles.

Which turns into a squint at the lack of an answer. Which speaks for itself. "Speak with someone about it, at the very least. I know silent suffering." She shifts a bit. Her throat bobs.

"I'm okay." The pugilist peels back her sleeves, faint scarred imprints of those chains having made a home with all the others. "Most of my scars came not from adventuring. But of from underground fighting rings. I... really don't like holding sharp things. Or things to kill at all, for that matter. When that being locked that sword- shit. Felt like I was in a pit all over again."

Her gaze drifted off some time during her recounting. But she shakes her head, present once more. "Didn't get in the way of freeing the little golden wonder, and that's what I can be glad for." <Handspeech/Tongues>

This time, Seldan's gaze as he listens is intent, sober, and thoughtful, giving the words all of the consideration he would give to anything. Slowly, he inclines his head in what is akin to a nod. "No, and indeed it did not. She is well, and I have spoken to her since. Glad I am that you are the same, and I would have you fear not for me. Those there are who know the whole of it." The very smallest of smile appears, small, but appreciative nonetheless. "A difficult experience for us all, it seems, you no less than anyone. We should speak more on this, and soon, but I fear I am tasked with an errand, and must depart. Where shall I find you?"

Aryia lets out a sigh of relief that Tanith is well and hale. "Thank fuck, I was worried." She just shakes her head and silently chuckles, reaching forth and up to clap his shoulder. "Good. And it was rough for all. I still need to check on the Cor'lana and Telamon. Regardless- I agree. We should speak more.."

She takes a half step back. "Go to the Colosseum and ask for the new coach during the day. A smirk. "See you then." <Handspeech/Tongues>

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-10-28T02:32:06Z

Seldan: /* October */

{{AboutLogs}}

'''[[Archived_Logs|For 2022 and earlier, see the Archives]]'''

==2023 Logs==
===January===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|January 1, 2023
|[[Visiting the Folks (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Laugh at Mistakes]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Everybody's Weird]]
|[[Schara]], [[Slixvah]], [[Patch]]
|-
|January 2, 2023
|[[Black Roses and Green Eyes]]
|[[Verna]]
|-
|January 2, 2023
|[[Build It Up]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Killer Kitten]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[The Abominable Tela-Snowman]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Something Borrowed]]
|[[Aya]], [[Dolan]], [[Fizzy]], [[Munch]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Brothers and Worries]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Patch]]
|-
|January 3, 2023
|[[Hunter's Introduction]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[First Coustomer Promotion]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]]
|-
|
|[[Mother Dearest]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Patch]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 4, 2023
|[[Brother my Brother]]
|[[Andelena]]
|-
|
|[[Impromptu Interview]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Patch]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Lheo]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[Tales of Tests]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[On The Edge Of Knowing]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Patch]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Planned Walk]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]]
|-
|January 5, 2023
|[[Bond of the Mind]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 6, 2023
|[[Workshop of Horrors]]
|[[Harshad]], [[Lucius]], [[Schara]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Yaretzi]]
|-
|
|[[Verdict is Vengeance]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Nemori]], [[Mac-Big]]
|-
|January 7, 2023
|[[Everything Noodle]]
|[[Pirkko]], [[Warrick]], [[Lheo]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[Calling for Communion]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Gather in the Light]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Carver]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Garak]], [[Halani]], [[Mikilos]], [[Patch]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 8, 2023
|[[The Way Forward]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Patch]], [[Verna]], [[Kaj]]
|-
|
|[[Taken in the Night]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Halani]], [[Lyme]]
|-
|
|[[Tea for Three]]
|[[Patch]], [[Slixvah]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[No More Hiding]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 9, 2023
|[[The Rescuers]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[The Rescuers 2]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dirk]], [[Patch]], [[Telamon]], [[Serene]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Dungeon in Dran (Part 4)]]
|[[Delilah]], [[Donna]]
|-
|
|[[An Introduction to Demon Summoning]]
|[[Lucius]],[[Schara]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[For Want of a Name]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Venom]]
|-
|January 10, 2023
|[[Getting Takeout]]
|[[Irshya]], [[Pirkko]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Dark Day]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Patch]], [[Serene]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 11, 2023
|[[Waiting Room]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Return of the Fish]]
|[[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Make the Decision]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 12, 2023
|[[A Plot Is Formed]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Awkward Aid]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 13, 2023
|[[Life Without Light]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[That One Talk]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Taniths and Totems]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Hospital Chat]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|January 14, 2023
|[[Can I Have That Back?]]
|[[Verna]], [[Zeke]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Ticked Off]]
|[[Eztli]], [[Nemori]], [[Razen]], [[Sora]]
|-
|
|[[Takeout Delivery]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Pirkko]]
|-
|
|[[Nobody's Home]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Magic and 'Magic']]
|[[Inesse]], [[Fizzy]], [[Lucius]]
|-
|January 15, 2023
|[[Less Awkward Aid]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Instruments of Destruction]]
|[[Patch]], [[Pelka]], [[Skielstregar]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 16, 2023
|[[Payment for Services Rendered]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Dungeon in Dran (Part 5)]]
|[[Delilah]], [[Donna]], [[Lyme]]
|-
|
|[[We Are Hunting]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[How Many Ways to Cook Fish]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 17, 2023
|[[Dreaming Again]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Lean On Me]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Fears and Forests]]
|[[Lucius]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[Facing Down the Nightmares]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 18, 2023
|[[Death in Dreamland]]
|[[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Air Freight]]
|[[Inesse]], [[Telamon]]. [[Lucius]], [[Braith]], [[Fizzy]]
|-
|
|[[Meaning of Green]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 19, 2023
|[[Wedding Details]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Weight of the World]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|January 20, 2023
|[[Dead Man Walking]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Dropping in for a Bite]]
|[[Verna]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|
|[[Ask Me No Questions]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Fancy Feast]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 21, 2023
|[[Chains that Bite]]
|[[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Laughing at Last]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Memory Lane]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 22, 2023
|[[Days Like This]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Troublesome Lexicon]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|January 23, 2023
|[[With A Flail Like This]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Razen]]
|-
|
|[[We Will Go]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Malik in the House]]
|[[Malik]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Of Glass and Leather]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Patch]]
|-
|January 24, 2023
|[[Together Then]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Dream March]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Cabin in the Woods]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Verna]]
|-
|January 25, 2023
|[[Dresses for success]]
|[[Schara]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Reunion in the Gardens]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Quiet Quest]]
|[[Malik]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|January 26, 2023
|[[Do You Remember The Day]]
|[[Kira]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Dreaming of a Call]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Into Your Care]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Alabaster Assembly]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Lucius]], [[Patch]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|January 27, 2023
|[[Telamon Pays A Visit]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 28, 2023
|[[A Nice Normal Chit Chat]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[A Not So Normal Chat]]
|[[Patch]], [[Malik]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[A Night Market Chat]]
|[[Lucius]], [[Niklas]]
|-
|
|[[Differences of Culture]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Inesse]], [[Schara]], [[Kira]]
|-
|January 29, 2023
|[[Possessive Update]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Guidance Ad-Dress-ed]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Andelena]]
|-
|
|[[In Union]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|January 30, 2023
|[[Red Tide]]
|[[Daniel]], [[Fizzy]], [[Lucius]], [[Magpie]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Boots Were Made for Dreaming]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[After Boots]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|January 31, 2023
|[[Garden of the Future]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Stolen Honeycakes]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Taxing Studies]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|}
===February ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|February 1, 2023
|[[Karen and a Lunch Break]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]]
|-
|
|[[Changing Names]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Weapon Made Manifest]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[A New Addition to the Family]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|February 2, 2023
|[[Proud And Tired Few]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|February 3, 2023
|[[The Vagrant Tower]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Crick]], [[Magpie]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Free Drinks and Flirtations]]
|[[Malik]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Sloan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Dressed for Success]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Schara]], [[Kira]]
|-
|February 4, 2023
|[[In the Service of the Chalice]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|February 5, 2023
|[[Green Demon]]
|[[Carver]], [[Crik]], [[Fizzy]], [[Harshad]], [[Lucius]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Memory to Memory]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Magpie]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|February 6, 2023
|[[Squid-ward]]
|[[Carver]], [[Nessa]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|
|[[Flashback]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Magpie]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Guaranteed Protection]]
|[[Aya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Schara]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Sunbeams]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|February 7, 2023
|[[Pinned for Greatness]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[A Secret Fitting]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[On the Move]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 8, 2023
|[[Icy Mistake]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Kira]]
|-
|
|[[Good Dreams Are Made Of This]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|
|[[Trouble for Swans]]
|[[Aurala]], [[Garak]], [[Rhar]], [[Seyardu]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|February 9, 2023
|[[Gifts for New Family]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[A Little Something Extra]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Divine Responsibility]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Schara]]
|-
|February 10, 2023
|[[The Vagrant Tower (Part 2)]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Carver]], [[Crick]], [[Magpie]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[First Blood]]
|[[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[Cold Weather & Hot Cider]]
|[[Kira]], [[Patch]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|February 11, 2023
|[[Fools, Children, and Messages]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Forgotten Answers]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[You, Me, and the Knight]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Mystery for Swans]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Eztli]], [[Patch]], [[Razen]], [[Rocky]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|February 12, 2023
|[[Preliminary Siege]]
|[[Culix]], [[Khepri]], [[Schara]], [[Aelwyn]], DM: [[Aryia]]
|-
|
|[[Herbs for Swans]]
|[[Harshad]], [[Lucius]], [[Crik]], [[Magpie]], [[Lheo]]
|-
|
|[[I Dream of Seldan]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|February 13, 2023
|[[Snowed In]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Violence and Tea]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[And Really Good Eggs]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Sloan]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Get Kraken]]
|[[Alba]], [[Kaj]], [[Kira]]
|-
|
|[[Feadril's Staff]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Obsession]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|February 14, 2023
|[[Swords to Plows]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Kira]]
|-
|
|[[Fear the Nothing I have Become]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Congratulations Are in Order]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 15, 2023
|[[Vanquish the Vast]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Overworking During Sick Days]]
|[[Schara]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|February 16, 2023
|[[Did Not Mean To Make Friends]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Lillianath]]
|-
|
|[[Two Brothers And A Bard]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|
|[[Arm-rest]]
|[[Schara]],[[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[A Talk Cut Short]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 17, 2023
|[[Stewing On Assumptions]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Kira]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Brother in His Light]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|February 18, 2023
|[[Kraken Kibble Korrection]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Kira]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[Cloaks and Figurines]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Sloan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Surprises All Around]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Celebration]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Aryia]], [[Auranar]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Eztli]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 19, 2023
|[[Scuffle & Stew]]
|[[Crik]], [[Iskandar]], [[Kaj]], [[Kira]], [[Murder]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Out Of Whole Cloth]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 20, 2023
|[[Hugs for Kol]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Kira]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[The Last Sunset]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[A Fernwood Chance Encounter]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|February 21, 2023
|[[Meetings and Greetings]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Aya]], [[Ous]]
|-
|
|[[Wounded but will Heal]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Not a Cult Again]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Warrick]], [[Zerthos]]; DM: Telamon
|-
|
|[[What Victory Brings]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Foggy Business]]
|[[Crik]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Murder]], [[Kaj]], [[Verna]]
|-
|February 22, 2023
|[[Offerings for a Pure Soul]]
|[[Schara]], [[Slixvah]], [[Verna]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Unusual Reunions]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[To Steal Friendship]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Magpie]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Briefing: Animus the Ressurectionists and the Shards]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Aryia]], [[Carver]], [[Cesran]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Mikilos]], [[Ous]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|February 23, 2023
|[[Reunion to Remember]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Fire and Food]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Harkashan]], [[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|February 24, 2023
|[[Respects]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Breakfast of Champions?]]
|[[Murder]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[I Will Be the Danger]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Sharks and Sharps]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[The Vagrant Tower (Part 3)]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Badu]], [[Crik]], [[Magpie]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Shoulder of Giants]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[Blue Scale Blues]]
|[[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Too Many Wrongs]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|February 25, 2023
|[[Working for the Man]]
|[[Crik]], [[Dirk]], [[Iskandar]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Alexandria Acclimation 101]]
|[[Harkashan]],[[Seyardu]]
|-
|
|[[Three Friends and One Small Cat]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Hall Pass]]
|[[Schara]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Hunters and Crafters]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Murder]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|February 26, 2023
|[[Sunshine, At Last]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Verna]], [[Jacob]]
|-
|
|[[Much Ado About Pothy]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|February 27, 2023
|[[Soaking Up Sun]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Seeking Maksur]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[To Bring More Than a Message]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Once Called Home]]
|[[Zeke]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[New Player In Town]]
|[[Badu]], [[Harshad]], [[Schara]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|February 28, 2023
|[[Over Loaves of Bread]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Curse of the Amber Thorn]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Crossbow Training Crossing]]
|[[Schara]], [[Tlanexhuani]],[[Warrick]]
|-
|}
===March===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|March 1, 2023
|[[Enemy Encampment]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Jacob]], [[Ous]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 2, 2023
|[[Just a little Talk]]
|[[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Bridge Banter]]
|[[Culix]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Another Fae Blessing]]
|[[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Those Who Walk With Death]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Sloan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Trying Not to Drown]]
|[[Schara]], [[Warrick]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 3, 2023
|[[Mother My Mother]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Tending Kin]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[The Vagrant Tower (Part 4)]]
|[[Crik]], [[Jacob]], [[Magpie]], [[Simony]], [[Sloan]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[The People We Need]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|March 4, 2023
|[[Recovery and Rest]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Traveling Companions]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Leaving Mictlan]]
|[[Geir]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Briefing: Who's Dominion Is It Anyways]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Iskandar]], [[Jacob]], [[Malik]], [[Mikilos]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[More Days With You]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Spring Is Here]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Irshya]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 5, 2023
|[[Shadows and Gobbers]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Irshya]], [[Culix]]
|-
|
|[[All in the Family]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Ragey Misunderstanding]]
|[[Murder]]. [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[A Sewer Taste]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ous]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|March 6, 2023
|[[Crimson Wolf]]
|[[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Death Experiences and Friends]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Enemy Encampment (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Jacob]], [[Ous]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 7, 2023
|[[Farmer In Need]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Two Rage or Not to Rage]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[The Price Paid for Knowledge]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[A Story in TarRaCe]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Jacob]], [[Schara]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|March 8, 2023
|[[Lick of Flame]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Stubborn Shade]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Rest and Relaxation]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[Compellation of the Eternal]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Magpie]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Replacement Coils]]
|[[Schara]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|March 9, 2023
|[[Serving in TarRaCe]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Irshya]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[All Continue]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Stealing Albus]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|
|[[The Rain Is Clearing]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[To Catch A Shark]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Of Travels And Lost Friends]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[A Lesson in Dreaming]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|March 10, 2023
|[[Kin Filled Gardens]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Geir]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Worth its Weight in Words]]
|[[Geir]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[If You Can See Me]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Forest's Renewal]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Cloying Shadows]]
|[[Culix]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|March 11, 2023
|[[One Windy Day]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Book of Three]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Jacob]], [[Mikilos]], [[Ous]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Briefing: On the Felwood]]
|[[Iskander]], [[Lucius]], [[Munch]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|March 12, 2023
|[[Magpie Faces The Music]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[A Run in with Old 'Friends']]
|[[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Scrolls, Spells, and Plans]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Catchup Over Pie]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|March 13, 2023
|[[Fishing for Sharks]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Rooftop Training]]
|[[Culix]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[A Library Encounter]]
|[[Lucius]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[The Familiar Questions]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|March 14, 2023
|[[A Magical Demonstration]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Warrick]], [[Magpie]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 15, 2023
|[[Blunted Order]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Ous]], [[Verna]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Do as the Softskins Do]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Cuemoni]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Un'eth]]
|-
|
|[[Observations at the Observatory]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 16, 2023
|[[Comparing Bloodlines]]
|[[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Sharing a Meal]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Strong Arms]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Schara]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|March 17, 2023
|[[The Vagrant Tower Returns]]
|[[Crik]], [[Pelka]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Sloan]], [[Ulthan]], DM: [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Coil Swap]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Honor the Blade]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[If the Shoe Fits]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 18, 2023
|[[Arcane Bonds]]
|[[Cassia]], [[Zelany]]
|-
|
|[[Albus Answers]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|
|[[New Fiance]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Mikilos]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|-
|
|[[Circling the Fel]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Ous]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|March 19, 2023
|[[Healing of the Mind]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[With Fiends Like These...]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
||[[Bandit? No, just Murder!]]
|[[Culix]], [[Murder]]
|-
|March 20, 2023
|[[Sketched Angel]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Simony]], [[Crik]]
|-
|
|[[Under the Mountain]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Jacob]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 21, 2023
|[[Practice in the Colosseum]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Lucius]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
||[[Small Crafts]]
|[[Tlanexhuani]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[The Chills a Devil Leaves]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|March 22, 2023
|[[Spell Eater]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[A Visitor Or Two]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Vices and Herbs]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Snare for the Wolf]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Skipping Stones]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Wedding Traditions]]
|[[Dolan]],[[Ous]],[[Simony]]
|-
|March 23, 2023
|[[The Lost Book]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 24, 2023
|[[Language Exchange]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Custom Fittings]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[A Castle for His Queen]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|March 24, 2023
|[[The Words In Between]]
|[[Sabina]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|March 25, 2023
|[[Checking In]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Cluix]], [[Lheo]], [[Schara]], [[Theo]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|
|[[The Yellow-Throated Raven]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[An Odd Gem]]
|[[Fizzy]], [[Lucius]], [[Sedev]], [[Simony]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|March 26, 2023
|[[Midnight Snack]]
|[[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Huian]], [[Warrick]], [[Khepri]], [[Sedev]], [[Jacob]], DM: [[Landslide]]
|-
|March 27, 2023
|[[One Person to the World]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Bloodbroth and Packages]]
|[[Un'eth]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[A Brisk Brawl]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Kaj]]
|-
|
|[[Wolf Cries to The Moon]]
|[[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[In The Fairy Circle]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[V And The Mountain]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Simony]], [[Ous]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Magpie]], [[Dirk]]
|-
|March 28, 2023
|[[No Pain No Gain]]
|[[Telamon]]
|-
|March 29, 2023
|[[A Friend in Need]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[My Starborn King]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Silmeria]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Raven Army]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ous]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|March 30, 2023
|[[Inside Your Head]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Never Safe]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[The Lost Book Part 2]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Shared Trauma]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Dolan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Meaning of Strength]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[A Reading of the Crimson Pen]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Jacob]], [[Murder]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|March 31, 2023
|[[The Dawn Before the Night]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[A Curse Defied]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Tag Team Hunt]]
|[[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|}
===April===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|April 1, 2023
|[[Plans are Born]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Checking In (Part 2)]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Cluix]], [[Lheo]], [[Schara]], [[Theo]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|
|[[Half-Sil, Whole Conviction]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|April 2, 2023
|[[Artistic Rendering]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Memories and Horses]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[The Burdens Between Us]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Heroes and Merctalk]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[What is in a Red Book Anyhow]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Checking in on Grandfather]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|April 3, 2023
|[[Lunch Rush]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Irshya]], [[Slixvah]], [[Ous]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[The Lost Book Part 3]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Silence And The Fog]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[A Sword for a Mother]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|April 4, 2023
|[[Birds of a Feather]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Visions of Hell]]
|[[Aya]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[New Friends]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Huian]], [[Simony]]
|-
|April 5, 2023
|[[Three is Company]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|
|[[Seat and Royalty]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[Palisade in the Mists]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[The Mourner's Chill]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Visions of Hell (Part 2)]]
|[[Aya]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|April 6, 2023
|[[Welcome Home]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Ale at the Fernwood]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Aya]], [[Murder]], [[Lucius]]
|-
|
|[[A Bet is a Bet]]
|[[Jacob]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[A Curse Denied]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Shambling Jungle]]
|[[Hilde]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Jacob]], [[Tlanexhauni]], [[Huian]], [[Leirune|Rune]], DM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Reunion of the Heart]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Going Home]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[A Reading of the Crimson Pen Part 2]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Murder]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|April 7, 2023
|[[We, Not I]]
|[[Aya]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|
|[[Study Knights Assemble!]]
|[[Verna]], [[Magpie]], [[Dolan]], [[Andelena]]
|-
|
|[[Language Learning]]
|[[Schara]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Blood, Pain and Undeath]]
|[[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[The Man to Help]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|April 8, 2023
|[[Where The Monsters Are]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Aya]], [[Daechir]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Follow-up Investigation]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[The Sword and the Scrolls]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Huian]]
|-
|
|[[A Gathering at the Arcanist's]]
|[[Crik]], [[Garak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Reclamation]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|April 9, 2023
|[[Pastries and Stolen Faces]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Dirk]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], [[Aya]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|April 10, 2023
|[[Relations and Toast]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Verna]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[The Lost Book Epilogue]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Opal-Mancy]]
|[[Arion]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Jacob]], [[Lucius]], [[Ous]]
|-
|April 11, 2023
|[[Diving into Backstory]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Huian]]
|-
|
|[[Of Axes and Family]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Friends not Food]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|April 12, 2023
|[[Count to Ten]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Silver King]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Would-be Thieves and Sales Pitches]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]], [[Schara]], [[Alaryn]]
|-
|
|[[A Prepared Poet]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|April 13, 2023
|[[Against Protocol]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Simony]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Commune-al Support]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|April 14, 2023
|[[A Monk Meeting]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[The Found Book]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Strike It Down]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Dirk]], [[Lysa]], [[Pelka]], [[Murder]], '''DM:''' Whirlpool
|-
|April 15, 2023
|[[A Lesson in Tracking]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Jacob]], [[Critias]]
|-
|April 16, 2023
|[[Nowhere Is Safe]]
|[[Aya]], [[Carver]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Meeting at the Residence]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Disguises and Guises]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|April 17, 2023
|[[Threads of Lore and Stories]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Mending, Healing, And Sharing Words]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Dryad Dilemma]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]], [[Arion]], [[Ous]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Happy Pictures]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[To The Devil's End]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Critias]], [[Dolan]], [[Jacob]], [[Magpie]], [[Simony]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Akorinil's Safehouse]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Schara]]
|-
|April 18, 2023
|[[Axe over Dagger]]
|[[Ous]], [[Warrick]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Go Away]]
|[[Aya]], [[Daechir]]
|-
|
|[[Auranar's Vengeance]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[What Does Not Die]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Jacob]], [[Ous]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|April 19, 2023
|[[Evening Discussions]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Fire in the Gardens]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Pink Hair and Green Dogs]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Ous]], [[Verna]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Comfort from a Friend]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[In the Wolf's Wake]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Blades and Strawberries|Blades, Fire and Strawberries]]
|[[Lucius]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[A dog, beer and an apology]]
|[[Lysa]], [[Ous]], [[Simony]]
|-
|April 20, 2023
|[[A Parle on Strange Happenings]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Jacob]], [[Ous]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Reaching Daed]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Daechir]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[The Lord's Ears]]
|[[Alba]], [[Rhar]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seyardu]] '''DM:'''[[Telamon]]
|-
|April 21, 2023
|[[Punchy McPunch Camp]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Simony]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Glaive Insights]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Breathless in the Market District]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Asphodel]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Carver]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Demons, Cultists and Werewolves, Oh MY]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[To Dream in Black and White]]
|[[Aya]], [[Telamon]], [[Seldan]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|April 22, 2023
|[[A Spire in the Night (Group 2)]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Lucius]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Visten]]
|-
|
|[[A Spire in the Night (Group 1)]]
|[[Carver]], [[Huian]], [[Ulthan]], [[Asphodel]], [[Aelmeh]]
|-
|April 23, 2023
|[[Plans for a Demon's Ending Over Wine]]
|[[Aya]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Cave Lurkers]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Khepri]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Regarding the Father of Time]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]]
|-
|April 24, 2023
|[[Meditative Threads]]
|[[Aya]], [[Aryia]], [[Sloan]], [[Huian]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Two rogues and a Tour]]
|[[Crik]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Play the Cards]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Lysa]]
|-
|April 25, 2023
|[[A Brief Stroll]]
|[[Critias]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|April 26, 2023
|[[The Fighting Pit]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Schara]], [[Aelmeh]], [[Jacob]], [[Asphodel]], [[Huian]], '''DM:''' [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Play the Cards (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Lysa]]
|-
|April 27, 2023
|[[Ale and Mimics]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[Fishing in the Rain]]
|[[Irshya]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Market Daze]]
|[[Alaryn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Asphodel]], [[Ous]], [[Sloan]]
|-
|
|[[Post-Fiend Checkup]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Lysa]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[A Stony Countenance]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Lysa]], [[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|April 28, 2023
|[[Theory and Application]]
|[[Verna]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Reaching Out]]
|[[Aya]], [[Daechir]]
|-
|
|[[Lady Who?]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Iskandar]], [[Slixvah]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Red Pothy and Totem Talk]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ous]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|April 29, 2023
|[[Weapons and Inventions]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Alaryn]]
|-
|
|[[Demons and Fey talk]]
|[[Critias]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Aspire to Nothing (Group 2)]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Fidget]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|
|[[Night Sky]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Daechir]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|April 30, 2023
|[[Face Things Together]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[From smiths to demons]]
|[[Huian]], [[Mikilos]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[The Rook and His Revelations]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Gobbos in the Water]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|
|[[Visiting the Blacksmith]]
|[[Huian]], [[Mikilos]], [[Simony]]
|-
|}

===May===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|May 1, 2023
|[[An Observational Conversation]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Catching Up, Part 1]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[A new Drinker]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Shambling Jungle II]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Choler]], [[Schara]], [[Asphodel]], [[Huian]], '''DM:''' [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Trail to Charn]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Lunch Interrupted]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|May 2, 2023
|[[No Gilded Cages]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Landscape or Portrait]]
|[[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Crik]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Made Maid]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Carver]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[(Not So) Helpful Pixies]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[In Defense]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Carver]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Magpie]], [[Seyardu]]
|-
|May 3, 2023
|[[A Drink Between Friends]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Becoming a Rider]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Lucius]]
|-
|
|[[Quiet Daeusites]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Three Things Bothering Rune]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Jacob]]
|-
|May 4, 2023
|[[The Circle Underneath]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[His Dark Crown]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Night Monsters]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Alaryn]], [[Eztli]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Murder]], [[Skielstregar]], DM: [[Riptide]]
|-
|May 5, 2023
|[[Clash of Polearms]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Separation of Memories]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Reithak]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[Catching Up Carrough]]
|[[Asphodel]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[I Am Glitter, I Am Gloam]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Telamon]], [[Mikilos]], [[Fidget]], [[Slixvah]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Undercity News]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Mead and Magic Swords]]
|[[Aelmeh, Huian]]
|-
|May 6, 2023
|[[Don't Poke the Silver One]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[Early Bird Gets the Rumor]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[A Few Questions More]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Searching for a Key]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Reithak]], [[Aelmeh]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Jacob]], [[Huian]]
|-
|May 7, 2023
|[[Much Ado About Misha]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Save the Flame]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 8, 2023
|[[Scuttlebutt Says]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Sloan]], [[Asphodel]]
|-
|
|[[Request for Songs of Sorrow]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Alaryn]], [[Aragos]]
|-
|
|[[Aftermath of the Flame's Rescue]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Shambling Jungle III]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Asphodel]], [[Huian]], [[Geir]], '''DM:''' [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Sidetracked Into Help]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Silmeria]]
|-
|
|[[Trail to Charn (Part 2)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 9, 2023
|[[Distracted Training Session]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Simony]], [[Verna]],
|-
|
|[[Buried Hindsight]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Eluna's Spire, Wolves, and More]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[Sojourn in Selentia]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[After the Sojourn]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|May 10, 2023
|[[Things Go Bump in the Forest]]
|[[Simony]], [[Vrenskas]]
|-
|
|[[Sewer Circle]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Magpie]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Basin Assumptions]]
|[[Reithak]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Fire Against the Rain]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 11, 2023
|[[Search for a Perch]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[She of the Pale Face]]
|[[Auranar]]
|-
|
|[[Echoes]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Lunch Buddies]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|May 12, 2023
|[[There You Are]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Blade of the Heart]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Dream With Me]]
|[[Critias]], [[Harkashan]], [[Lysa]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Double Goblins, Double Trouble]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|May 13, 2023
|[[Dreams Become Reality]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Amulets and Bird Toys]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Alaryn]]
|-
|
|[[A Home Away from Home]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Lurking in the Shadows]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Simony]], [[Verna]]
|-
|May 14, 2023
|[[Healing and Plans]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Zeke]], [[Dolan]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[The Telmentarian Celebration]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Mikilos]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Seyardu]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Baths and Dreams]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Cats and Mithral Swords]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|May 15, 2023
|[[Go Ahead And Throw Your Stones]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Aragos]], [[Theadosia]]
|-
|
|[[In the Wake of the Celebration]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Nature of Faith]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[A Brisk Sale]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Dirk]], [[Huian]]
|-
|May 16, 2023
|[[Much Ado About Am'shere]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[All Fired Up]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Harpists Halls]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[In Her Shadow]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Monsters in the Forest]]
|[[Ous]], [[Simony]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Signed, Sealed, Certified]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Theadosia]]
|-
|May 17, 2023
|[[Return from Grandfathers]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[A Question of Fate]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Shambling Jungle IV - Welcome to the Jungle]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Schara]], [[Geir]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 18, 2023
|[[Dragonrider of the Sands]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Unexpected Results]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Mikilos]], '''DM''': [[Riptide]] (Briefly)
|-
|
|[[No Plan Survives A Meeting]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Little Bit of Time]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Seldan]], [[Schara]], '''GM''': [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[Some Things Are More Important Than Demons]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|May 19, 2023
|[[Heat Stones and Castes]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Schara]], [[Geir]]
|-
|
|[[Major Manor Mishap]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Slixvah]], [[Alaryn]], [[Aelwyn]], '''DM''': [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Land of the Midnight Sun]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[One Happy Blacksmith]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|May 20, 2023
|[[Felwood Spire: A Fell Mood Part 1]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Ulthan]], [[Reithak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|May 21, 2023
|[[Shambling Jungle V - Warriors]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Geir]], [[Huian]], [[Schara]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Cuemoni]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[A Thirty-Five Foot Pastry]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Proposal Unproposed]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|May 22, 2023
|[[Something in the Woods]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Reithak]], [[Theadosia]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|
|[[Trail to Charn (Part 3)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 23, 2023
|[[Meeting with Micha]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Talk of Open Skies]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 24, 2023
|[[A Drapes Faux-Pas]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Nightmare then Massage]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Discussion with Dace]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 25, 2023
|[[An Elder's Wisdom]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], '''DM''': [[Riptide]] as Miquitlani
|-
|
|[[A Trip to Myrddion]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Schara]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|May 26th, 2023
|[[Fashion Monk]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Aryia]], [[Cesran]]
|-
|
|[[A Brighter Mood Victory]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Of Names and Snatchlings]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Geir]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|May 27, 2023
|[[Mitigating Marsward's Machinations]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Framework for Success]]
|[[Geir]], [[Harkashan]], [[Huian]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Felwood Spire: A Fell Mood (Part 2)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Ulthan]], [[Reithak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|May 28, 2023
|[[They Hunger]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rocky]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|May 29, 2023
|[[Wakedays for War Golems]]
|[[Gramarye]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Necromancer News]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Melted Brass]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Return the Blade]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Any portico in a storm]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Irshya]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|May 30, 2023
|[[Pretty Damned Thieves]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Rhar]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|May 31, 2023
|[[Of Glowing Glitter and Lit Sticks]]
|[[Alaryn]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|}

===June===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|June 1, 2023
|[[Major Manor Mishap II]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Slixvah]], [[Alaryn]], [[Aelwyn]], '''DM''': [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[On Scrolls, Brothers, and Gifts]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 2, 2023
|[[Evacuate! The Village]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Lysa]], [[Murder]], [[Rocky]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[The Strength To Affect The World]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Simony]]
|-
|June 4, 2023
|[[The Challenge of Fort Lancing]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Miril]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Our Time]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Speaking with Sebas]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Colosseum Workouts]]
|[[Murder]], [[Reithak]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Ravendar]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|June 6, 2023
|[[Honey Harvest]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Murder]]
|-
|
|[[The Drink's the Thing]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Irshya]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|June 7, 2023
|[[By the Tornmawr Bank]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[The Man with the Firefly Eyes]]
|[[Reithak]], [[SImony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 8, 2023
|[[Where'd They Go?]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|June 9, 2023
|[[Threads and Shadows]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], '''DM''': [[Riptide]] (Briefly)
|-
|
|[[The Challenge of Fort Lancing Part 2]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Miril]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Rings and Dark Intel]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Mikilos]]
|-
|June 10, 2023
|[[Shambling Jungle VI - Finale]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Gier]], [[Fidget]], [[Schara]], [[Burai]], [[Aelwyn]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Echo of Eclavdran]]
|[[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 11, 2023
|[[In the Wake of Two Echoes]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Theft of a Trusted Servant]]
|[[Alba]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Rhar]], '''DM''': Telamon
|-
|
|[[A Musical Interlude]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Fidget]], [[Harkashan]], [[Reithak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Seldan]], '''DM''': Whirlpool
|-
|June 12, 2023
|[[Love and Loss]]
|[[Geir]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Stymied Vacation]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Two Birds and a Story]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Residents of the Jungle]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Murder]], [[Slixvah]], '''DM''': [[Riptide]]
|-
|
|[[A Withering Cackle]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Huian]], [[Karasu]], [[Ravendar]] (GM) [[Carver]]
|-
|
|[[Theft of a Trusted Servant, Part 2]]
|[[Alba]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Rhar]], '''DM''': Telamon
|-
|June 13, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood I - Spoken Curse]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Geir]], [[Schara]], [[Auranar]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|
|[[When You Wish]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 14, 2023
|[[Nothing But A Stain]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Study Buddies: Fundraising!]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Magpie]], [[Telamon]], [[Simony]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 15, 2023
|[[Senyelistli means Family]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Geir]], [[Schara]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Fidget]] GM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Painting Prospects]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Simony]]
|-
|June 16, 2023
|[[Duel at Wuja Docar]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Geir]]
|-
|
|[[The Challenge of Fort Lancing Part 3]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Miril]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 18, 2023
|[[Flying Gossip Demons]]
|[[Murder]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Dusty Chalice]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Warrick]] as Cynthia
|-
|
|[[Sunny Tea Time]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Dolan]], [[Andelena]]
|-
|June 19, 2023
|[[Fancy and Bloody Coffin]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Murder]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Bigger on the Inside]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]], Cynthia (spoofed by [[Warrick]])
|-
|June 20, 2023
|[[Aza Answers]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Of Felwood and Demons]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Seldan]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[No Need to Choose]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|June 22, 2023
|[[Mission for Friendship]]
|[[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 2]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Catching Up on Chidea]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|June 23, 2023
|[[Steel and Hair Dye]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[The Challenge of Fort Lancing Part 4]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Miril]], [[Schara]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|June 24, 2023
|[[Hunting The Spire - Part 1]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Lucy]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[And I Still Need To Get Dressed]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Donnelly Wedding Bash]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Mikilos]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Tendrils of the Felwood, Part 1]]
|[[Crik]], [[Fidget]], [[Reithak]], [[Ous]], DM:[[Whirlpool]]
|-
|June 25, 2023
|[[Mortal Enough]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Forge and Spices]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Mikilos]], [[Schara]], [[Telamon]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Twenty Billion Questions]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Looking for A Silverguard]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Little Help?]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|June 26, 2023
|[[Mending Promises]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[The Cult of Piercing Light]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Garak]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Skielstregar]], '''DM''': Telamon
|-
|June 27, 2023
|[[The Runaway Cart]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Crik]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Art and Juice]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Starfall]]
|[[Telamon]] vignette
|-
|
|[[Jal'goroth's Prison]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Magpie]]
|-
|June 29, 2023
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 3]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Nest Migration Notice]]
|[[Slixvah]] Vignette
|-
|June 30, 2023
|[[Stopping By]]
|[[Vaera]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[In Vino Praeposterus]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[In Rest]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Myrrish Children Stick Together]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|}

===July===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|July 2, 2023
|[[To the Downfall of Fiends]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Enemy of my Enemy]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 3, 2023
|[[Wisdom Without Age]]
|[[Simony]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Minds of Pretenders]]
|[[Khepri]], [[Lavinia]], [[Lheo]], [[Reithak]], [[Theo]]
|-
|July 4, 2023
|[[600lb Baby]]
|[[Carver]], [[Reithak]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 5, 2023
|[[Black Whole Moon]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|July 6, 2023
|[[Goblin Trouble at the Library]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Post-Lunar Healing]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Death and Frescos]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 7, 2023
|[[Belts and Resurrections]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Mikilos]]
|-
|
|[[Kinly Meetings]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Hunting the Spire (Part 2)]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Fidget]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[The New Home]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 8, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood II - Sorrowful Emptiness]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Schara]], [[Carver]], [[Fidget]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[A Soul's Request]]
|[[Aya]], [[Zeke]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[We're the hands of the Gods]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 9, 2023
|[[Rebirth and Rejuvination]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Auranar]], [[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Towering Tea Time]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|July 10, 2023
|[[Warfare Without Pontification]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[To a Job Well Done]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|July 11, 2023
|[[Portside Underground]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Simony]], DM: [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Our Venerable House]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Little Man for Little Pixie]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 12, 2023
|[[A Cure For Hunger]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[A touch of Fashion and Fire]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Simony]]
|-
|July 13, 2023
|[[Hunger and Healing]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 4]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Snowcones and Pigments]]
|[[Ravenstongue|Cor'lana]], [[SImony]], [[Telamon]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|July 14th, 2023
|[[Mictlan Makari Meeting]]
|[[Seyardu]], [[Leirune|Rune]]. [[Rocky]], [[Un'eth]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Counsel Sought Is Not Guaranteed]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Verna]]
|-
|July 15th, 2023
|[[Black Dog Bite]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|July 16th, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood III - Prion Prison (Part 1)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Schara]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Vision of a Padaryn Past]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 17th, 2023
|[[Following the Golden Thread]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Slixvah]] '''DM''': [[Riptide]]
|-
|July 18th, 2023
|[[Speaking with Daneira]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Date With a View]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|July 20, 2023
|[[Eggs-pedition]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Telamon]], [[Elisabeth]], [[Carver]], [[Schara]], [[Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
| July 21, 2023
|[[Vagrant Tower - Spectral Labyrinth]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Eztli]], [[Elisabeth]] '''DM''': [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Investigation of Ivyhold]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 23, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood III - Prion Prison (Part 2)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Schara]], [[Elisabeth du Leoncorte|Elisabeth]] '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 5]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[This Wretched Heat]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|July 24, 2023
|[[Tletepetl]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Ravenstongue]] '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Lunch and a Message]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Elisabeth du Leoncorte|Elisabeth]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|July 25, 2023
|[[Weather and Family]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Complicated Solutions and Sandwiches]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Need for Resistance]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|
|[[Gale's Inquiry]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[A Hard Lesson Learned]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|July 27, 2023
|[[Where To Belong]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Seyardu]]
|-
|
|[[Into the Woods]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Acedia]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Family and Fae]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|July 28, 2023
|[[Gorilla Grilling]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Irshya]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|
|[[Gale's Inquiry (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 6]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|July 29, 20231
|[[Dwarf Fortress: Deeper Delve Part 2]]
|[[Carver]],[[Rocky]],[[Reithak]],[[Harkashan]], '''DM''': [[Subduction]]
|-
|July 30, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood III - Prion Prison (Part 3)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Schara]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|July 31, 2023
|[[Protector of the Heart]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Gale's Inquiry (Part 3)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Confidence is Key]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|}

=== August ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|August 1, 2023
|[[Portside Underground Part 2]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], GM [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Ogre-watch]]
|[[Carver]], [[Glasha]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|August 3, 2023
|[[Sunken Treasure and Guests on the Wing]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|August 4, 2023
|[[Nest Migrations]]
|[[Carver]], [[Reithak]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 6, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood III - Prion Prison (Part 4)]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Skielstregar]], [[Schara]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Faces on a Fresco]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 7]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 7, 2023
|[[Tell two more]]
|[[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Werewolf Relocation Project]]
|[[Carver]], [[Dirk]], [[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 8, 2023
|[[Party Soup]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Aprons and Winds]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[A Fresco Nearing Completion]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Prodigious Mask]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Eztil]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Silmeria]]
|-
|August 9, 2023
|[[After-mask]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Contrary Mari, Part 1]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Seyardu]], [[Silmeria]]. DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 10, 2023
|[[Birdy Beer Run]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[To Bear Fruit]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Dolan]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Fiend Like Me]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Harkashan]], [[Lokir]], [[Sabina]], [[Shin]]
|-
|
|[[Hypothetically Speaking]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 11, 2023
|[[Brightest of Days]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Culix]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Hungry Like Something Else]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Andelena]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], '''DM:''' [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Bloody Murder]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Rocky]], [[Eztli]], '''DM:''' [[Subduction]]
|-
|August 12, 2023
|[[Three Men, One Cave]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|August 13, 2023
|[[Genie Bride for Fiendish Eyes]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Apple Pie Apology]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[Family Portrait]]
|[[Simony]], [[Warrick]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 8]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 14, 2023
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|August 15, 2023
|[[Tranquility is a Farce]]
|[[Simony]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|August 16, 2023
|[[The Dark Remains Dark]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Forgotten Blood IV: Bloodflower]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Carver]], [[Gramarye]], [[Lokir]], [[Reithak]], '''DM''': [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Contrary Mari, Part 2]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Seyardu]], [[Silmeria]]. DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 17, 2023
|[[Mandatory Sewer Level]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramayre]], [[Lokir]], [[Warrick]], [[Xasany]] DM: [[Fidget]]
|-
|August 18, 2023
|[[Daeusite Coat of Arms]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Skielstregar]]
|-
|
|[[Boiled Over]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|August 19, 2023
|[[Forge and Family Work]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[A Special Meaning]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[DF: Tavern Tales]]
|[[Crik]], [[Fidget]], [[Jacob]], [[Lokir]], [[Reithak]], [[Ulthan]]
|-
|August 20, 2023
|[[Alchemy and Healing]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Things on Her Mind]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Home for Father]]
|[[Aragos]], [[Gramarye]], [[Xasany]]
|-
|
|[[Exploding Crossbows]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|
|[[Smol Toast to Study Buddies]]
|[[Magpie]], [[Simony]]
|-
|August 21, 2023
|[[Pincered Gelhorn]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Culix]], [[Simony]], [[Kaj]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 2)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|August 22, 2023
|[[Summer Scramble - Part A]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Rune]], [[Eztli]], [[Magpie]], [[Jacob]], [[Lokir]]
|-
|
|[[Summer Scramble - Part B]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Murder]], [[Rhar]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|August 23, 2023
|[[Red and Black Checkers]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Door to Nowhere]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Temperance's Concern]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Spirits of Wind and Wave]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|August 24, 2023
|[[River Monster]]
|[[Culix]], [[Ezli]], [[Murder]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Pork and Spices]]
|[[Murder]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 25, 2023
|[[Vagrant Tower: Savage Garden]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Andelena]], [[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Slixvah]], '''DM''': [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Bairn Be None]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|August 26, 2023
|[[Whip that Ribbon]]
|[[Kaj]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Fae and Arpeggios]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 27, 2023
|[[Compliments and Rotgut]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[The Only Title That Matters]]
|[[Slixvah]] (as Jiranu), [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Where'd They Go? Part 9]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Aryia]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 28, 2023
|[[High Priestess Aki]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Aryia]], [[Aya]], [[Crik]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Schara]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 3)]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Scars And Tattoos]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Of Songs and Healers]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Irshya]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|August 29, 2023
|[[Helps the Medicine Go Down]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|
|[[Tears of Hope]]
|[[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Feels like Light]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[A Man Of Many Talents]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Ten Brass Rings]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|August 30, 2023
|[[Salmon Gildays]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Songs and Strange Boxes]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Door to Nowhere (Part 2)]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|August 31, 2023
|[[Three Pitchers Down]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|
|[[A braid, meditation and cards]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Simony]]
|-
|}

=== September ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|September 1, 2023
|[[Living in a Story]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|September 2, 2023
|[[Iluiyotl iuixochimeh]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Cuemoni]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Seyardu]], [[Sjach]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Seers Folly]]
|[[Mikilos]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|
|[[TarRaCe gets a Glow Up]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Simony]]
|-
|September 4, 2023
|[[Message of the Moon]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Critias]]
|-
|September 5, 2023
|[[Meet and Griva]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Seldan]], [[Fidget]], [[Schara]], DM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|September 6, 2023
|[[Friend of Taara]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|September 7, 2023
|[[Painted Glass]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Cuemoni]]
|-
|
|[[The View From Up Here]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Flat Fuss Keresday]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Eztli]]
|-
|September 8, 2023
|[[A Comely Seeming]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Contrary Mari, Part 3]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Seyardu]], [[Silmeria]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 9, 2023
|[[A Comely Seeming, Pt2]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Aelywn]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|September 10, 2023
|[[Tomato Or Potato]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Simony]], [[Ravenstongue]] (as Grandfather)
|-
|September 11, 2023
|[[Scrolling Thunder]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|September 12, 2023
|[[Bird Is The Word]]
|[[Carver]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 13, 2023
|[[You Saw What?]]
|[[Crik]], [[Fidget]], [[Lheo]], [[Zerthos]], DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 14, 2023
|[[Warped Flame - I]]
|[[Rune]], [[Vaera]], DM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[A Historical Shrine]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 15, 2023
|[[Contrary Mari, Part 4]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Dolan]], [[Seyardu]], [[Silmeria]]. DM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 17, 2023
|[[Cursed Ink Consultation]]
|[[Culix]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Hasty Lessons]]
|[[Carver]], [[Eztli]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 18, 2023
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 4)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|September 19, 2023
|[[Dolan's Cat]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[In the Birbhouse]]
|[[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|September 20, 2023
|[[Wreath and Flames]]
|[[Culix]], [[Aryia]]
|-
|September 21, 2023
|[[Deceive the Deceiver]]
|[[Telamon]]
|-
|September 22, 2023
|[[Investigating Journalism]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Critias]], [[Culix]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], DM: [[Eztli]]
|-
|
|[[Bleeding Heart]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Eztli]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], DM: [[Dirk]]
|-
|September 23, 2023
|[[A Comely Seeming, Part 3]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Aelwyn]], DM: [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Sitting with Seldan]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|September 24, 2023
|[[Heavy Artillery Heartthrob]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|September 25, 2023
|[[Werewolf Baby?]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line, Part 5]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|September 26, 2023
|[[Broken Bird]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Eztli]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Culix]]
|-
|
|[[A Resurrectionist's Visit, Part 1]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Fidget]], [[Ous]], [[Victor]]
|-
|September 27, 2023
|[[Patch Job]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Eztli]], [[Aryia]], [[Irshya]]
|-
|September 28, 2023
|[[As Coyote Laughs]]
|[[Lheo]]
|-
|September 29, 2023
|[[Dwarf Fortress: Deep Dig]]
|[[Crik]], [[Hilde]], [[Thoth]], [[Warrick]], DM: [[Subduction]]
|-
|
|[[Chasing the Lost Star]]
|[[Acedia]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Coyote Aftermath]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|September 30, 2023
|[[Bird Repair]]
|[[Schara]], [[Thoth]]
|-
|
|[[The Sweetest Song]]
|[[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Iskandar]], [[Dolan]], [[Skielstregar]], DM: [[Riptide]]
|-
|}

=== October ===
{{TableMain}}
{{T02}}
|Date
|Log
|People
|-
|October 1, 2023
|[[Warped Flame - II]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Thurid]], [[Fidget]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Vaera]], DM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Return to the Mountain]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 2, 2023
|[[Paper Faces on Parade]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Critias]], [[Harkashan]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|
|[[Clearing Gunk]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Schara]]
|-
|
|[[All is not Fine]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 6)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 3, 2023
|[[Sharpening Cold Iron]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]], [[Vaera]]
|-
|
|[[Meet and Leaf]]
|[[Tawyse]], [[Vrenskas]], [[Eirik]]
|-
|
|[[A Ressurrrectionist's Visit, Part 2]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Thoth]], [[Reithak]], [[Eirik]] - GM [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[Asking Aryia]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[Benny-ficiary]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Thoth]], [[Zelany]], [[Zerthos]]; GM: Telamon
|-
|October 5, 2023
|[[Coin of Destiny]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Dirk]], [[Warrick]] as Cynthia, [[Reithak]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[The Third Spire Part 6]]
|[[Eztli]], [[Sabina]]
|-
|
|[[What's Troubling Lheo]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|October 6, 2023
|[[A Talk About Zero]]
|[[Lheo]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[A Test For Zero]]
|[[Theo]], [[Zerthos]]
|-
|
|[[Spirit of the Season]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Eztli]], [[Harkashan]], [[Rune]]
|-
|October 7, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood V - Beneath The Stone]]
|[[Aelmeh]], [[Crik]], [[Reithak]], DM:[[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Consulting Critias]]
|[[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]]
|-
|
|[[A Break for Mamaw]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Telamon]], [[Simony]]
|-
|October 8, 2023
|[[Warped Flame III]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Vaera]], [[Thurid]], [[Simony]], [[Fidget]], DM:[[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Blood from Stone]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Critias]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 9, 2023
|[[Boiling Flowers]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Thoth]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 7)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 10, 2023
|[[Spilt Tea]]
|[[Simony]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[A Resurrectionists Visit, Part 3]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Thoth]], [[Victor]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|October 11, 2023
|[[Snakes and Birds]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Thoth]], [[Eirik]], [[Irshya]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|October 11, 2023
|[[Rhapsody in Blue]]
|[[Rune]], [[Harkashan]], [[Telamon]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Slixvah]], GM: [[Riptide]]
|-
|October 12, 2023
|[[Trouble in New Nikston]]
|[[Hilde]], [[Theo]], [[Tlanexhuani]], [[Zero]], GM: [[Thoth]]
|-
|
|[[Two atypical Goblins]]
|[[Culix]], [[Irshya]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Eirik]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[The Night's Kiss]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 13, 2023
|[[Rock-it Crossbow]]
|[[Warrick]], [[Crik]]
|-
|
|[[A Haven For Goodly Folk]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Spirit of the Season - II]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Eztli]], [[Rune]], [[Harkashan]], GM: Subduction
|-
|October 14, 2023
|[[Our Future]]
|[[Aya]], [[Daechir]]
|-
|
|[[Master Donnelly Advises]]
|[[Dolan]], [[Theo]]
|-
|
|[[Secrets of the Dancing Dragon]]
|[[Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Harkashan]]
|-
|October 15, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood V - Warped Dance Part 1]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Schara]], GM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Blood from Stone (Part 2)]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Ravenstongue]], [[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 16, 2023
|[[Friends Against Mister Creepy]]
|[[Irshya]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Aelwyn]], [[Slixvah]]
|-
|
|[[A Rivaling Answer]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Aya]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 8)]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 17, 2023
|[[Voices of the Past]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Market Watch]]
|[[Aelwyn]], [[Critias]], [[Reithak]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[A Resurrectionists Visit, Part 4]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Thoth]], [[Victor]], [[Reithak]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[Well-Welcomed Anniversary]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 18, 2023
|[[Reintroductions]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Gramarye]], [[Pelka]], [[Leirune|Rune]], [[Thoth]], [[Tlanexhuani]]
|-
|
|[[Memory of Thee]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Thoth]], GM: [[Aftershock]]
|-
|
|[[A Potato Pancake Breakfast]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 19, 2023
|[[Crimson Feather Flock Together]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[After The Heist]]
|[[Seldan]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|
|[[Arming Against the Corpse-Eater]]
|[[Ravenstongue]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|October 20, 2023
|[[New Place, New Armory]]
|[[Andelena]], [[Dolan]]
|-
|
|[[Cold Storage]]
|[[Harkashan]], [[Schara]], [[Verna]]
|-
|
|[[Pumpkin Day Parade]]
|[[Thoth]], [[Crik]], [[Reithak]], [[Ulthan]], DM: [[Thurid]]
|-
|
|[[Girls' Night In]]
|[[Leirune|Rune]], [[Slixvah]], [[Simony]], [[Fidget]]
|-
|October 21, 2023
|[[Seen Through Anothers Eyes]]
|[[Dirk]], [[Telamon]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|
|[[Two of a Kind]]
|[[Fidget]], GM: [[Aftershock]]
|-
|
|[[Meeting Honored Kin]]
|[[Cuemoni]], [[Seldan]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 22, 2023
|[[Forgotten Blood V - Warped Dance]]
|[[Fidget]],[[Rune]],[[Aelywn]],[[Schara]], GM: [[Harkashan]]
|-
|
|[[Feathers to Dye For]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Reitah]], [[Simony]]
|-
|
|[[Seat of Our Noble Line (Part 9)]]
|[[Telamon]], [[Seldan]], [[Verna]], [[Zeke]]
|-
|October 23, 2023
|[[Common Enemy]]
|[[Auranar]], [[Rune]]
|-
|
|[[A Resurrectionists Visit, Part 5]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Thoth]], [[Reithak]], [[???]], GM: [[Whirlpool]]
|-
|
|[[Walking On Air]]
|[[Simony]], [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 24, 2023
|[[Forgotten Puzzle Piece]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Verna]], [[Leirune|Rune]]
|-
|October 25, 2023
|[[Little Bird Surgery Service]]
|[[Slixvah]], [[Simony]], [[Reithak]]
|-
|
|[[Talent Scouting]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Thoth]], [[Aya]]
|-
|October 26, 2023
|[[Last Call at Port]]
|[[Fidget]], [[Rune]], [[Simony]], [[Tlanexhuani]], GM: [[Telamon]]
|-
|October 27, 2023
|[[Stern Talking]]
|[[Skielstregar]], [[Aelwyn]]
|-
|
|[[Gifts and Confessions]]
|[[Aryia]], [[Seldan]]
|-
|}

[[Category:Logs]]

Eggs-pedition

2023-08-05T21:15:16Z

Seldan:

''Alexandros wilderness, midday''

A rarely used road, one of many that connect Alexandros with the Myrrish Kingdoms, cuts a path through the trees here in northern Alexandros. The weather is hot, but there's enough shade to push back the worst of the blazing sun overhead. Birds are chirping softly, and a squirrel peers out from a tree branch.

Suddenly, there's a faint chill in the air, and a crackle of energy. On the road, the air seems to twist in on itself, before suddenly expanding into a glowing, opalescent sphere of light that hums for a moment, before fading from sight -- leaving behind a number of people.

Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon stands in the middle of the group, dressed in a light ruffled silk shirt over leather riding trousers and black boots. A broad brimmed hat with a large violet feather stuck in the brim sits on his head, and he looks around, nodding to the others. "Alright, this is the place... everyone all right? Nobody with a queasy stomach or anything?"

Carver is now dry-heaving, one hand pressed against a tree, the other holding her hair back. She was told to be ready for just these kind of landhopping magical shenanigans, but warned of and experiencing are too very different thing. Past tense, confident and assured.

Present tense: Blaaaaaaaaaaaargh

Burp. "I hate portals and wizards."

Elisabeth du Leoncorte, Sunguard of Daeus, left Alexandria a good few years ago to return home to help her old friend mentor to prepare the temple there for his retirement as the leader of that religious community. Now, she's returning to the city where she'd cound adventure aplenty. Though travelling alone, she seems unhurried and comfortable with the journey... then, one night, she saw a bright light in the sky: a falling star.

The impact was easily heard and felt, seemling not far from Elisabeth's campsite... and curiosity, the bane and strength of all who call themselves 'adventurer', struck her to the core. Come morning, she started travelling to where the star seemed to have fallen -- unaware that others were also making their way to that place.

GAME: Harkashan rolls Fortitude: (5)+10: 15

All roads lead to Alexandros. Just recently, Harkashan had returned with Rune thanks to the might of a particularly small butterfly - which had left him a bit disoriented on timezones and the lot. Teleportlag is not something enough people talk about.

"You come here often?" He asks Telamon, looking aside. Last he recalls, most of these teleport spells require people to have been places before. "A place good for stargazing, perhaps?" Harkashan croons, as he stumbles just a bit. Stomach goes gurgle for just a moment, then settles again.

Sith-makar have strong stomachs.

Over time, Rune has become more accustomed to the strange sensation that comes with being suddenly pulled across vast distances to somewhere else entirely. Though it does have her shift her feet just slightly upon arrival, as if she were bracing for a hard landing that never comes. "At least we're not teleporting into a mass of werewolves, so I'd say doing pretty good on that count." Rune replies, her lip quirking.

Glancing over at Carver, she distinctly looks away again, lest their stomach troubles become her own.

Then, she raises a brow towards Harkashan and his turn of phrase. Sometimes, Makari and their use of the common tongue is amusing, "You know... 'You come here often' is usually a pick up line, right?" She asks the lava-scaled one, nudging him on the arm. "I mean, I know Telamon is hot, but save the flirting for later." She teases.

Dolan drops his hand from Telamon's shoulder almost as soon as the spell completes, staggering as he reorients to his new location to get a good look around. "Yeah," he answers Telamon after a moment, turning himself around to get a full view of the area through both his natural and artificial eyes. An easy grin blooms across his face at the place in which he finds himself. "I could get used to a place like this."

Dressed in a breastplate and with both the longsword at his hip and the greatsword over his back, leather cuff tightly bound to his left shoulder beneath the breastplate, sheepskin jacket traded for a simple oiled leather one in a similar cut, and fully geared for battle, he looks around at the others. "How close did we get, d'you think?"

Schara was relatively fine as teleportation came and went, perhaps a bit unsteady on her feet for a few moments, but it was still difficult to determine when someone was covered almost entirely in bronze armor. "I am alright, it was not that bad." The artificer answers after a moment. "But Carver does not look alright, she may need help. I do not have time to brew any ginger tea, but I would suggest finding an unmoving point on the ground to focus on."

The artificer then takes a moment to make sense of her surroundings. "Ah, right, I think? I thought that was strange it was used in books so often. In terms of temperature I do not imagine he would be above average, but given context and limited knowledge, you are probably right, even if such things are subjective."

Telamon shakes his head at Harkashan. "Honestly? Never been here. I only saw it in a dream." He furrows his brow, turning in a circle. "Spread out a bit. The impact site shouldn't be too far away... something hitting from that far out probably left a mark." He runs his hand through his pale hair, looking up at the tree canopy. "If we have too much trouble, I'll take flight and look for breaks in the trees."

Tel grins at Dolan, nodding. "Yeah, there are worse places to visit, all things considered." Noting Carver's distress, he fishes in his haversack and pulls out a bottle. "Need some soothe syrup?"

GAME: Rune rolls survival: (9)+10: 19
GAME: Elisabeth rolls survival: (19)+8: 27
GAME: Carver rolls survival: (11)+11: 22
GAME: Harkashan rolls Survival+2: (11)+6+2: 19
GAME: Dolan rolls survival: (6)+10: 16
GAME: Telamon rolls survival: (10)+1: 11
GAME: Schara rolls survival: (11)+1: 12

For his part, Telamon is a bit distracted, pausing at an oak tree and tapping it with a knuckle as if he expects something to happen. So he doesn't see what everyone else notices -- a trail of broken tree limbs that proceed in a line, a wedge of destruction dealt to the forest that will eventually fade, but in the meantime, is as obvious as an arrow.

There's the faint scent of smoke as well -- as if something had burned out here.

"I believe you will find that I am hotter." Harkashan answers Rune with a playful look on his face, as some of the red on his body radiates for a moment. A little flare of a red glow, a wave of heat from the lava-like Sith-makar.

"Hrrm... in a dream you say?" He then asks of Telamon.

Dreams have gotten brought up more and more lately.

"Alright." He rumbles, and begins to just wander off in a random directly, looking around for something that might stand out. The Am'shere people are not unused to falling stars.

Luckily, smoke and broken trees are pretty easy to find, so the Sith-makar approaches quietly. Figuring Telamon would have obviously seen this too.

Carver takes the bottle, wiping at her mouth with the back of an arm. She sniffs at its contents, and then sips from its content, finally taking in their surroundings. The trail is fairly obvious, enough that she does not call it out. A correct assessment, as she watches Harkashan instead take that initiative.

She does sling her cloak back, freeing her draw arm.

"At least your dreams take you to relatively pleasant places." Rune seems glad of that fact sa she looks around the forested expanse, checking for signs of the whatever had fallen from the sky. "If you were anyone else, I'd be surprised that it wasn't just a dream." Telamon really does have a thing with celestial forces, it seems.

Instead, she gives a smirk towards Harkashan, "Go away. It's too warm out for that." Sure, having a lizard that radiates heat is great in the winter, but right now, Rune may just be wishing Skielstregar was here.

Falling back, Rune ends up walking near Carver, if only to make sure that she has a bit of back-up incase there is any sort of trouble. Since it seems obvious which way they are supposed to be going, it's just a matter of falling into step and heading that direction as a group.

Elisabeth finds her way into the area and, being as they're being so conversational, can't help but hear the group coming. Being as she doesn't know who they are, but also keeping in mind that she's never been the stealthy sort, she stands near a tree with her shield in plain view, so that the heraldry of Daeus is easily seen, and, hidden behind it, her hand at the hilt of her sheathed sword.

"Who goes there?", she calls out, opting to go ahead and draw attention to herself being as the group really doens't seem to look like bandits or cultists.

"Don't bother, Tel," Dolan counters amusedly, reaching up to rub gently at his left shoulder beneath the brace and simply staring at the swath of smoking destruction wrought by the fallen meteorite. "I don't s'pose you could miss that if you tried. Look. It carved us a path and damned near destroyed the forest. Dirk'd have a screaming fit." His voice is unexpectedly deep and full of humor. "This way, Tel."

He starts off in the direction towards the rock, looking back to see if the others are following, but at the call, stops short. "Oi. We've got company." He raises his voice to answer Elisabeth's call. "Just travelers. We on someone's land?"

"I guess that a vision in a dream would be close enough to be able to focus on, that is true." The artificer offers before following the others who seemed much more capable of following a trail. It seemed easy enough to follow at least, but she did stop on being hailed, not wishing to pass by and continue on. "Oh, hello miss, My name is Schara, or are we not supposed to be giving our names like they did? I am sorry if that is the case, but it should be alright, they look like they're wearing armor that is decorated with iconography of Daeus, unless they're impersonating a priest, or are a bad priest, they're probably alright?

Telamon blinks, looking around, then realizes where Dolan is pointing. "Oh. Sorry, I thought... well, I'll save it for another time." He moves along with the group, before suddenly they're challenged by Elisabeth. "I don't -think- we're on any landholder's territory," he remarks to Dolan. "Still..."

He shifts along until he's clearly visible, and sweeps off his hat, bowing to Elisabeth. "Good day, miss! I am called Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon! My friends and I are seeking a fallen star that landed in that vicinity." He points toward where the path of damaged trees goes. "I do hope we're not trespassing. May we know your name?"

"No", is the reply of the armored woman bearing Daeusite livery. "So far as I'm aware, it's unclaimed land -- I'm travelling, myself, bound for Alexandria. Are you also tracking the staff that fell from the sky?", she goes on, making it clear why she happens to also be in the area... and coming from the opposite direction.

When Schara speaks up, followed by Telamon, the woman gives a little down-nod of her head and replies, "I am Elisabeth du Leoncorte, Sunguard", and reveals her sword hand as she pulls it from behind her shield, empty -- her sword remains sheathed, as the strangers seem to be non-aggressive.

Carver is not surprised that she hears a voice, anyone nearby would be curious about this and look to investigate. She pretty much understands the whole adventuring as a lifestyle, including seeking out falling stars. She tucks the vial into her belt in case she needs it later, giving Rune a nod in greeting. As Telamon greets the anonymous armored acolyte, she draws an arrow from her quiver. It's not outright a threat, but her coal-ringed eyes narrow.

"No harm in being ready, righ'?" She asks the leathery rogue next to her, as if she was an out and out beacon of ethics in all things. Like a Paladin in even tighter pants.

When Elizabeth steps out, Harkashan slows a bit, while motioning at the destroyed trek of trees for Telamon's sake.

"Good day to you, Warrior of the Platinum Dragon. I am Deathsinger Harkashan." The Sith-makar rumbles to her in rather well-spoken Trade-speak, touching his chest on his introduction. The strange lava-like patterns of his scales strangely warping within the light. The unusual armor clearly showing him as not being from around here.

"A staff from the skies, you say?"

With the stranger arriving in their midsts, Rune tilts her head before lifting a hand in greeting, "Leirune Theran, but you can call me Rune." She rarely goes by her full name, it seems. Where some others offer titles or roles, the half-sil is silent on that measure.

"We just came from Alexandria. Assuming the good Sir Lupecyll-Atlon has the magic left at the end of this escapade, you can probably hitch a ride back with us. Otherwise... traveling as a group is always safer in the wilds." Rune lifts one shoulder.

Her hands had not even gone for weapons, likely not picking Elisabeth out as a threat, especially against a group as large as theirs.

"Yes. I saw it fall as I camped, just last night", Elisabeth indicates. "I came to where I thought it'd fallen... and I've apparently come to the right place. Shall we sate all our combined curiosity, together?", she suggests. "...and if there is magic transport being offered to make my journey shorter, I'll gladly accept", she adds, starting out of the treeline in which she'd been standing, towards the group.

"Dolan Donnelly." Dolan doesn't immediately say more of himself, merely levels an intent _stare_ at the woman that would unnerve many. He retreats to the back of the group, then, letting Telamon and the others do the talking, and assumes something of a guard pose near the back of the group, folding his arms across his chest.

"Oh, so we are giving our names! That's good, unless you are because I did, in which case, I guess it's too late for me to say you don't need to. But I think it should be alright." Schara sighs. "Oh! But there we go, alright, I guess it's good to meet you, and I think Telamon planned on teleporting back, at least I hope he does, but it would be alright to walk back if that's necessary."

"Well then, I consider this a sign of good fortune!" Telamon seems utterly at ease, his dark eyes glimmering with distant starlight. "After all, I can't see why Highest Eli would not put you in our path if not as a sign of approval as well as a stroke of good luck for you in turn. I will be happy to bring you directly to Alexandria, once we've secured the falling star."

As the group follows the trail of destruction left, Tel continues, "You see, strictly speaking this was -- is -- not a star. It is..." He pauses, looking for a good word. "A vessel, for a good friend who sent it across an incalculable distance, intent on aiding the good people of Ea."

The group soon comes to where the star impacted. The forest has been, sadly, damaged by the falling star -- but this is no damage dealt by some monster, but simply an unfortunate event, no different than a lightning strike. At the center of the crater is a shattered rocky shell, bits of strange, pockmarked stone scattered around in geometric forms. And resting undamaged within the shards is a sphere, two feet across, with the green-blue hue of the sea and an odd oily sheen to it.

Elisabeth stands on the edge of the crater. "If your friend sent it, do you know what it is?", she questions of Telamon. She crouches, then, as if to get a better look at the sphere.

"Whyfor am I not surprised an archmagus has friends within the heavens themselves, capable of throwing down gifts from the skies?" Harkashan muses as Telamon gives his explanation, approaching the 'wreckage' of the gift, slowing down on approach.

"What's the name of this friend of yours?" The Sith-makar inquires curiously.

"Kind of figured it was more than just your usual sky debris falling to Ea." Rune replies, following the path of the destruction along side the others. "Though... if it's meant to be a gift from the skies, your friend must be remarkably powerful."

Crouching to examine some of the damage, Rune peers at a bit of pockmarked stone, looking at it a bit closer before turning back to tilt her head quizzically at the mage. "Also, leave it to those who are that powerful to not just send something by courier like normal people."

The sight of the orb, however, has her backing up a step. Magic is something that Rune doesn't have any deep understanding of, and this is likely something well beyond normal magics. "So... besides being very pretty, what is it?"

"It's a Flart." Carver says very proudly.

"What archma... oh." Telamon actually looks embarrassed. "I'm... still getting used to that idea. I mean, intellectually I know I probably do qualify as one, but... is it weird that I don't feel like that? And honestly, I prefer the title 'husband' over 'archmage' any day."

Tel approaches the sphere, still talking. "In any case, it was sent by a creature, a flumph, known as the Watcher in the Stars. I've known him for years, though we could only speak through dreams. And this vessel is an egg -- containing one hundred forty-four baby flumphs." He looks at the others. "It's always important to fight the darkness wherever it appears. And the Watcher's solution is to... send us some of his kind, to fight alongside us."

Gently, Telamon places his hand on the egg. Under the surface, something stirs ever so slightly. "We'll need to transport it to the Alexandrian docks -- it has to be cast into the sea, so they can mature there."

"Oh, yes, he does know what it is, did he not explain it to you before arriving here?" Schara asks as she looks to the others. "I guess it's nice you all agreed to help him without knowing what it was. I don't want to say something potentially wrong again though, so I'll let Telamon answer this time."

A notion which lasted all of half a minute as Schara turns to Carver. "Flumph, not flart."

"Oh," Carver says, sounding distinctly less proud.

"A what?" Lifting her eyebrows, it becomes obvious that Rune has no idea what the creatures in question are. "Why would you need one hundred forty-four baby anythings? And why are we making babies fight things?" You can imagine that her mental image is very much not anywhere close to reality. It probably runs something along the lines of an infant arena where toddlers fight werewolves.

Still, even though her understanding limited, there is a curiosity there as she watches the interaction as Telamon touches the egg.

"I've never heard of a... flumph... before", Elisabeth admits, rising to her full height, though she's actually quite small, even for a human woman, just *barely* reaching five feet in height, and that probably just because of the thick soles of the boots on her feet. "Are you certain they're a gift, and not a threat?", she asks, then lifts a hand, "I'm not trying to speak ill of your friend, but are *you* certain?"

"I fear I am not ready to call you my husband yet, Telamon. You will have to excuse me." Harkashan is quick to quip back to Telamon with a little twinkle in his eyes. "So I fear archmage will have to do for now, my friend."

He then looks at the vessel and rumbles, "... Flumph you say?" A pause. "A most unusual name. But very well. I shall guard this egg until we can get it to the docks then." Harkashan remarks, and grabs his buckler.

In the background, Dolan listens to the explanation, eyes, and indeed his whole head, still roving the entirely of the area in the search for trouble. He doesn't comment on the entire affair, but it seems that Telamon had planned this, and so he appears to take it in good grace. Harkashan's quip draws a cheeky grin and a call from him. "He's already got all the wife he can handle, Harkashan."

Tel takes a deep breath at the protests. "Some blows are not swung in a moment. Sometimes they are calculated across years -- millennia even. That's where the egg comes in. The flumphs will mature, and become a bulwark against the manipulations of evil creatures, particularly the aboleths."

At Elisabeth's question, he looks her in the eyes, his starry gaze unflinching. "I am. The Watcher may see the world differently, but he is a good person. He would not send his children to us without cause." His expression softens. "There are vast, terrible evils in the world. And so the world can always use more heroes -- even if they come from a distant star."

He can't help but chuckle at Hark and Dolan. "You two are terrible," Tel grins. "I ought to make you walk back. But since I won't do that, let's gather around, so we can bounce to Alexandria proper."

Carver moves over to the egg, studying it as the others continue to converse. There isn't any overwhelming feelings. Of hope, or fear, or anything that compels her more than curiosity. The thing exists now. Outside of its natural habitat. Given a chance at new life. The official story that they are guardians is a pretty one.

"Seems kinda sad though, donnit?" The raccoon-eyed ranger looks to the others, "Like, sure, you got all your brothers or sisters in the egg, but you're still not from here. You'll always be outta place. You'll always be a lil' weird. Or, a lot weird. I still don't know what a flumph even looks like."

She rubs the egg, maybe for good luck, unless stopped. "Welcome, little fellas."

She goes to join the others for another rousing game of hold your stomach's contents, please.

"Oh, yes, it is a lot of flumphs, from what I have heard. But how are we going to move it? You said it weighs several hundred pounds and we haven't brought a cart, is there a floating disc for it?" The artificer wonders. "Oh! I guess if we're just teleporting back, I don't want it to drop to the ground, after all when teleported, I know it isn't precise."

Elisabeth nods her head, saying, "Well, then... Archmage Telamon", clearly having caught his name and title from the conversation had by his companions, "I will trust you to ensure that it works out so."

Harkashan just quietly nods at Dolan. There's more in his mind. More amusing thoughts. But he does not voice them this time.

Instead, he motions for Telamon. "Please, if you would."

"I think I'm going to have to go look up what these creatures are when we get back to Alexandria." Thankfully, someone probably has more information, or a picture or something to fill in the blanks for Rune. "It makes sense to play the long game, though. Actions now to protect future generations."

As the group begins to gather, Rune steps in next to Harkashan, giving a sympathetic look to Carver, "It helps me a little if I close my eyes. Less sensory input."

Telamon smiles. "I know the floating disk spell. Once we return, I'll cast that, then carry it down to the docks." He looks sympathetically at Carver. "My thoughts exactly. And the Watcher, and his... brethren, sent those children here. Because they thought we could use a hand." He pauses. "Well, figuratively speaking. Flumphs don't have hands."

He nods to Rune, as the group gathers around the egg. "A man plants a tree, so that his grandson might sit beneath its branches. Same principle." Tel laughs softly. "It makes my head spin to try to imagine the calculation involved, the will to do this. I am glad I only have to deal with the challenges here on Ea."

Elizabeth steps up closer to group, apparently not a complete stranger to teleportation spells.

"Need me to lift that thing, Tel?" Dolan takes a step forward, his arms dropping, the left one held close to his body. "Ain't rightly sure I can lift it, but-" Seeing the others move close, he does the same.

"Okay, if everything is in place, I guess there's not much reason to stay around here if that is the case." Schara muses as they step closer to the group. "Well, I'm glad things have gone alright, but we shouldn't wait around for things to not go right. I'm ready if everyone else is."

Telamon shakes his head at Dolan. "Dolan, if you mess up your shoulder again, Zeke and Andie will have my hide. I should be able to roll it onto the disk, and if I can't, well..." He tilts his head. "Shouldn't be too hard to get help to do so." His eyes glint happily. "Alright, since we're all here..."

He puts one hand on the egg, and gestures for the others to grab him, or each other. "Anungal kaskal, nu siten, ula'ulla." The chant falls from his lips, and the swirling multicolored sphere wraps around all of them, and the egg as well. There's the sensation of moving, even though what direction and how fast are strangely muted. Then it stops, and the shimmering sphere dissolves... leaving the group, and the egg, standing in a familiar meadow not far from one of the watchtowers just outside Alexandria.

"Well!" Tel says with a grin. "That was less unpleasant than I had planned for. Sunguard Elisabeth, it was a pleasure to meet you. If you wish to see the end of this strange little journey you're welcome to come with us."

Elisabeth nods to Telamon. "I'd be glad to see this egg place where it must go", she says, looking past the watchtowers and into the city itself. "I'm appreciative, too, of you taking more than half the time off my journey here", she adds.

Another teleportation, another ripple towards the other side of Alexandria. With the limitations of the wards on Alexandria, just outside. "So we head to the docks, and then... just dump the egg in the ocean?" Harkashan looks to confirm with Telamon. "And they'll be fine from predators that roam there? Flumph babies must be rather powerful."

Carver listened to Rune this time, and closed her eyes, no longer interested in watching the world break itself and then reform anew in another place. She leans her head back, hands on her slim hips.

"I really hate wizards and portals."

Despite her earlier words to Carver, Rune is just a moment late on closing her eyes before the color barrage takes over her senses and she finds herself back on solid ground, clutching onto Harkashan's arm and blinking with her pupils wide.

"And that is why I keep my eyes closed." The rogue raises a hand and rubs at one eye. So, when Carver expresses that same emotion a second time, she offers a commiserating chuckle. "Better than walking, though." Kinda.

Releasing the Death-singer's arm, she looks towards the city, "I'll come along as far as the water. That way I can warn the fishermen to avoid that area just so they don't cause any trouble to the little ones."

Again they teleport, and Schara tilts her head once. "I do not understand. You and Carver are two of the most physically coordinated people that I know, why would you both struggle with this?" The artificer wonders aloud. "Perhaps I am simply used to nausea that it is not a concern from this, but I hope you feel better at least."

"We should all work together to get it on to the disc, since Telamon estimated it around six hundred pounds, I believe. It would throw out anyone's back trying to do that on their own."

Dolan lets out a long, heavy sigh at Telamon's response, one that persists through the teleport and into the return, which he staggers only a little on, and finds himself in the familiar field. "Damn it. Tel's right, though. I'll just have to put my other shoulder into it." He straightens, and drops his hands, and stares at the large egg. "Does it need to lift up to get it on the disk?"

He looks over at Carver, a sympathetic grin tugging at the mobile half of his features. "Teleportation took a lot of getting used to," he agrees. "It really is a lot faster, though."

Telamon incants, "Emegar maltum," once they've arrived, and a floating disk forms next to him. It takes a little effort, but the group is able to wrestle the egg onto the disk, which seems entirely unfazed by the egg's weight. "Probably a good idea, Rune," he admits. "I... really have no idea how this will work. The Watcher was pretty clear it would be all right once the egg was in the water -- I guess the baby flumphs have more... intelligence than newborn people? I mean, a little brains does go a long way if you're having to deal with hungry wildlife."

Once everyone is settled, the procession moves towards Alexandria proper, the city gates open and admitting people on business. Telamon is known, of course, and it's also well known magicians deal in strange things, so seeing the archmage carrying a strange blue-green sphere along isn't drawing much attention. "Agreed," he replies to Dolan. "I admit I don't have a problem with it, but there's a reason I carry soothe syrup with me if I bring friends along."

Harkashan thinks for a moment, on the warnings of the Guild's people. Warnings of magicians bringing things into the city unwanted. Summoning Demons. That kind of thing. Bringing over a hundred creatures into the harbor of Alexandria, where they might deal with the fish population has Harkashan just a bit concerned. "What do they eat?" Harkashan asks. "I am a bit concerned how this may affect fishing nearby. We may want to make sure we explain the situation to the Guild after this. Because otherwise, there's no doubt going to be quests to figure out the 'strange lights in the water' or something like that." He warns.

"Not sure I could pinpoint the answer for you, Schara. I think for me, at least, it's a lack of experience." Rune answers, then starts to tick off on her fingers the number of times that she's been a participant in one of these teleportation spells. She doesn't even get off of one hand. "And all of those have been in the past few months."

Between Telamon's statements and Harkashan's concerns, Rune lightly toys with one of her earrings and adds, "If they're smart enough, it will be relatively easy to avoid the fisherman. By the same logic, they'd also be smart enough not to cluster in one area and completely take over the resources there." She raises her shoulders slightly, "Then again, I'm no expert on sea life."

Schara is able to activate their armor, causing several joints to shift and reinforce themselves, just long enough to heave the egg onto the dis. Followed by further heaving as the armor is switched off, quieting the whirring and reconfiguring various joints yet again. "Well, I guess that would make sense. I think Telamon should trust that the person who contacted them knew what they were doing. At least I hope they do, and perhaps they can be spoken to later to make sure things will work out. Assuming they don't head for areas they can not be reached, but I also do not know how long it takes flumphs to mature to the point of being capable of conversation."

"He's got a point," Dolan opines, even as he studies the floating disk and its lip. "We're going to have to go up and over to move this, but - does it have to be the Alexandrian harbor? Or could it go a little further out?" He seems torn between the two topics, studying the egg, but clearly listening to the others.

Tel pauses, considering. His hand resting on the egg. "I don't know. But..." At Dolan's suggestion, he nods. "It might be better to take it further out from the harbor, at least into the bay." He looks at the others. "At least then they won't have to worry about getting caught in fishing nets close by the shore."

Telamon's expression is thoughtful, then suddenly he makes for one of the fishing boats that's pulled up at the docks. "I knew feeding Tanith all those times would come in handy," he remarks a bit obliquely, as he approaches the ship's captain, and begins talking fast -- evidently working on convincing the fellow to let Tel charter the fishing boat for a few hours.

"When you decided to start this life, ya know, the whole adventurin' thing?" Carver asks the others as they watch Telamon try to fast talk a good rate for a chartered ship. "That you would be worryin' local ecology from an invasive STAR creature? Not me." She rubs at her eye. "I bet they eat algae."

The Alexandrian docks on a sunny days. Boats and ships going in and out. It's -mostly- pretty mundane stuff -- the calls of sailors and dockworkers, the creak of rope and wood, the scent of the sea and fish and tar.

A small group of adventurers stands at one of the docks, accompanied by a floating disk, on which is balanced a large, greenish-blue sphere of some indeterminate origin. Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon stands at the front with his disk, haggling with one of the fishing boat captains to borrow his ship and services for a few hours. The sailors are watching a little suspiciously, but nobody's getting ornery yet -- thankfully.

Carver says, “i can be home in a min”

"I.... made.... it!", she pa"

One member of the group is jogging to catch up. Rune had stopped briefly to speak to the local sailors and fishmermen to let them know to hold boats away from this part of the docks for the time being. Of course, this request is probably part of why the sailors are watching with those suspicious eyes.

"We should be clear for a bit." She informs, huffing a little to catch her breath before leaning forward, taking another look at the sphere as if trying to see the creatures beneath the surface of the 'egg'. She is certainly curious, and witnessing this is certainly a story to tell.

The sound of running feet doesn't stand out at first among the DIN of the dockyards. But those standing by waiting for Telamon to buy a bigger boat may pick out the click-clack of wooden sandals on the wooden docks. A bald-headed, albino Goblin in copper and blue robes comes to a sliding stop, aided in part by Tel's leg, which she bounces of and ends up on her behind.

"I.... made.... it!", she says between pants and wheezes.

Schara, a small but heavily bronze armored figure was part of the small group that was around the floating disc and it's cargo, where the artificer was taking a look off of the docks. "I don't have too much to spare for boat rentals, I am sorry." They note. "It would be good to get some fishing done, but I shouldn't be attracting any predators closer to where we drop it off so I should do that another time as it has been a long time since I had any fish."

"Oh, hello Simony, you said you would help so it's good that you are here, are you alright?" They wonder while offering a hand up. "What happened to your hair?"

Carver has taken a seat, perched on a crate with arms wrapped around her lanky legs. She's mostly observing the actions of the others, hardly predisposed to charming the pants(or boats) off sailors. Might as well take a moment to collect herself, the fresh sea breeze and the less fresh odor of fish instilling Alexandrian charm to the locale. Frizzing her hair with all this salt too.

Telamon has always been of the firm opinion that a little diplomacy -- and some judicious lining of pockets -- will take you a lot further than you might expect. He pauses, though, as Simony bounces off his leg, looking startled at... "Simony!" Fortunately, Schara's there to help the goblin priestess up. "Careful now. I swear, you should buy something that lets you fly, at least you'll be less winded when you have to sprint places."

He places a hand on Simony's shoulder gently, before turning back to the boat captain. "So yes: just us, plus this, out to the bay and back. Shouldn't take more than a couple hours, tops." He reaches into his haversack, and jingles a coinpurse. "Besides, captain, you -did- say I could charter you any time after I bought that entire hold full of fish."

The captain is a craggy faced fellow with gray hair and a handlebar mustache that'd impress even a dwarf. "Hmph. Of course you'd remember that, milord." He sighs. "Alright..." He steps to the side. "All of ye get aboard, mind the crew and don't touch -anything- unless we ask ye."

The Gobbo reaches up to take Schara's hand. "Thanks Schara! Uhm it all fell out or burned in that fireball. No harm done here!" She hugs at their hand briefly before looking to Telamon, and laughing. "You want more Goblins flying around? Does that not frighten you? But I suppose the feeling is better than televomit or dimension vomit." Simony quickly straightens her robes. She wave then to Rune and Porter. "Hello!"

"I think the idea of anyone flying around is a bit frightening. Except maybe for the Egalrin. I guess it's pretty normal for them." Rune replies, her lip quirkling slightly. She raises a hand to Simony. She isn't exactly good at running, either so the rogue is still catching her breath.

At the invitation to board, Rune offers a nod to the captain. Never underestimate Telamon's ability to bargain. "You know, I can't think of the last time I've traveled by boat."

The prospect of not being able to touch things does get a slight scrunch of the nose.

"It would not be a bad idea to make travel easier, yes. I see, I did not realize goblin hair takes so long to grow back. I hope it will be alright, though." Schara answers after a moment. "Not as normal as you might think, a lot of them can't fly. Something about their physiology and long lifespans, I guess? I don't think I've ever been on a boat, so I don't really know what to expect."

The artificer turns to the boat, and Schara stops, and tilts her head. "Are we allowed to touch the deck? I can't fly or anything, so I'll need to be in contact with it, I guess."

Carver wrinkles her nose at the Captain, but not at his orders as it must have first seen. Instead, her eyes latch on the mustache. The huge furry catepillar that yon climbed upon thy upper lip, the improbable thing equal parts fascinating and disgusting. It takes her an extra minute to realize they're on the move.

She gives a shake of her head, dropping to her feet and following the others up the gangplank. Shouldering the bow as she goes, she pauses only briefly to rub Simony's bald head for luck.

Telamon gives Schara a look. "Are you serious? They just don't want people messing with the ropes or gear if they don't know what they're used for." The half-sil just rolls his eyes. "Come on, let's get moving." He grins as Carver rubs Simony's bald head, as he steps aboard with his cargo.

Once people are aboard, and the crew starts making ready, Telamon turns to Rune. "Flying's actually a lot of fun, -but- half the trick is getting there, since the gods didn't issue most of us with wings. Still, if nothing else it beats dealing with foot traffic." He taps his chin. "However, if you fly around the city, expect the watch to ask to get your name at some point. They like to keep track of people who're in that habit."

Simony squeaks at the rub to her head, laughing as she swats playfully at the hand. "Hey now, don't use up all the luck!" She eyes Schara and tries very hard to quiet her laugh as Telamon admonishes the armored one. The Gobbo saunters on behind Rune, looking around the ship with interest. "Aye aye, Captain!", she says with a jaunty salute.

"I don't know that it's something I'll ever experience, but I'll wave from the ground to all you magic folks." Rune waggles her fingers in Telamon's direction.

"I don't know that it's something I'll ever experience, but I'll wave from the ground to all you magic folks." Rune waggles her fingers in Telamon's direction.

Eventually, she settles on a spot along one side of the ship so that she can get a view of the docks as the ship leaves port. Of course, while they wait, she is fidgeting with her mother's locket. The rogue never does seem to sit perfectly still. At least, not anywhere that there aren't threats around. "How far out do we need to go? I thought most normal hatchlings preferred the shorelines."

"Yes I am serious, why would I not be?" The artificer answers. But the others seem to be going on without concern, so Schara joins them. "I have never been on a ship, they seem agitated and I don't know where we are allowed to stand or be if things are a concern. But that's okay, I can always lock up my armor and go wherever in that case."

"You could ask shaman Harkashan to carry you if he had a magic scroll, or have him use one on you, maybe? I don't think it's outside of the realm of possibility if it was something you wanted to do, miss Rune."

"Why would you even want to?" Carver asks, "Good pair of boots to the earth good enough, innit? Maybe a fast horse. Done fine by almost everyone. Speakin' of boots to earth, I hope we isn't stayin' here long?" She can handle the rocking of the ship, shifting her weight as they go, but it's a particular motion that she doesn't necessarily agree with. Thankfully she still has that sweet syrup to soothe her belly.

She leans out toward the fresh spray of the ocean, squinting as she looks out. "How far out do you think we needs going?"

The ship is stout and well maintained, and the captain and crew well-seasoned. Soon enough, the craft is cutting through the waves, sailing away from the harbor. Telamon confers with the captain, and passes him a pouch of coins, before returning to the group as Carver asks the big question.

"About an hour or so into the Inmost Sea. Not really that far -- just far enough out that the egg doesn't interfere with harbor activity." His hair blows around his head, as he looks out to sea. "We'll be back well before evening meal." He shakes his head in amusement. "You know, when I first came to Alexandria, I really did not think I would find myself in this sort of situation."

The Goblin, after some initial wobbling around in circles trying to figure out the concept of 'sea legs', she finds great distraction in the waves splashing away from the bow. Her laughter lasts a while.

Eventually she finds Telamon's side again, casting him a look that says the most terrifying thing a Goblin can say: I'M BORED

"How is the uh pea pod doing? It's not six hundred pounds is it? Did they speak to you? Any words from their Grandfather?"

"Actually, I'd probably ask him to use it on Aelwyn first." Rune uses one hand to lightly catch the breeze off the water, making a flying motion across her palm. "I imagine it would be a life's dream for him." She doesn't elaborate on that, perhaps knowing that his dreams are his own to share. "Boats don't bother me, but I tend to agree with Carver. I'd rather keep my feet on solid ground."

With a glance over to Schara, the half-elf offers a soft smile, "Just don't fall overboard in your armor. I imagine that would be a quick trip to becoming a permanent fixture on the sea bottom."

With the boat underway, Rune's hair is blown a bit back from her face, but she seems to enjoy the feeling. "I mean... I didn't exactly expect to end up here when my father sent me to your doorstep, either." The messenger smirks. "Sometimes you just follow the path fate has laid out for you."

Dolan has been quiet as they begin their journey out into the harbor, letting the others do the talking. Per Telamon's instructions, he was of only minimal assistance to the effort of hauling the egg onto the floating disk, and seems to be content for the moment to enjoy wind and waves and watch the harbor. The wind off the water sure doesn't hurt, either, and he lets it ruffle his shaggy mane, a hand on the rail to steady himself until he is used to the motion.

Now, though, he speaks up. "What sort of situation?"

Telamon rests a hand on the egg absently. "Nothing, but... I can sense -something-. Like... anticipation? Hope? It's come a long way, after all, and the journey's nearly done." He smiles at Simony. "And before you ask, I asked the Watcher how long and how far, and he said the number wouldn't mean anything to me. So I guess 'a long, long time, from a place far, far away' will have to do."

At Dolan's question, he sweeps out his other arm. "All of this. I led my donkey into Alexandria -- after getting lost on the way -- but I never expected my life to take the turns it has. I don't regret any of it, but I never would've predicted I'd be riding on a boat with friends to drop an giant, star-traveling egg into the ocean."

Carver shrugs, "Yeah, well, I though' I'd have starved to death in the shadows of the peaks of Khazad, so I would call this 'makin it'." She fusses with her knife, turning it over and over in the palm of her hands. "It's not even close enough to the weirdest job I done took, jus' like the one that I maybe learned to stop askin' questions about."

She reaches up, touching her own frayed hair, considering Simony for a long moment.

Then she gathers up all the burnt and crispy ends into a thick handful and...

Saws through it, tossing it all out to the sea.

The Gobbo slides about the deck with each bob of the ship. She nods to Telamon, "You've mentioned before. I've ... tried guestimating. Fun to ponder such things, you know? Erm. May I touch it? When I get back...?"

Simony slides past Porter. "You might have a good point about the earth boot thing!", she gets out as she skids by. She gasps at the act of random hair cutting. "Why?"

The bored look from Simony followed by the knifeplay of Carver both echo some of her own expressions at times, and it draws a smile from Rune as she lets out a soft breath of a laugh. A laugh that seems to be harder to contain when the Goblin starts sliding with the movement of the ship.

However, the strange moment of Carver cutting her own hair is met with a tilt of her head, "Everything alright?"

Then, turning eyes towards Dolan and Telamon, she watches the pair with a bit of quiet wonder. Rune knew the sort of suffering Dolan has faced, and it wasn't that long ago that she saw Telamon drop dead. It seems heartening to see them both in far better states. "Maybe you just need a more active imagination, my friend."

"Well, I guess Aelwyn would like that, but I don't think it would be the same." Schara answers to Rune. "I can't say I know Aelwyn the best, but I think he told me one time. I like being on the ground, but flying would have some fascinating insights and things to consider."

"I guess you weren't, but it shouldn't be surprising given circumstances and knowing a flumph from so far away? That is difficult to determine. I will be fine, I don't plan on falling in, and even if I did, I could tread water for a while since I know how to swim, but I would probably be dead before the boat could get back around regardless. And without armor it wouldn't be much better."

"I guess personally I did not expect things happening here, but none of that is important or relevant."

"Know what you mean," Dolan replies to Telamon, looking out to sea. "Been a damned wild ride. Think it's almost over, though." He turns his entire body to face Rune, grinning easily. "No need for an active imagination. Ea itself's got all the excitement I need. Can't make half of this shit up."

"A chair was eatin' my hair." Carver says in explanation, as she fluffs out her much shorter 'do. "Now it can't." It's 'a' logic.

She tucks her knife back into the belt, and then goes to unstring her bow. Nothing about this trip suggests to her that she needs to be ready, so might as well do some maintenance on her equipment.

"There's always another adventure to be had, Dolan. It might not be something as dramatic as what we're used to, but it'll be one with its own rewards." Telamon's eyes twinkle gently, as he pats Simony on the shoulder, helping catch her as she slides past. "Almost time." Indeed, the waves have slid past, and Alexandria is almost out of sight save as a tiny smudge on the horizon.

Tel can't help but wince a little at Carver cutting away some of her damaged hair. "You know, I do know people who can help you with that sort of thing. It wouldn't even cost that much." He shakes his head, ruefully. "Ah well. Hair grows back -- eventually."

"You are right there, Dolan! How are you and Andelena doing? It's been a little while." Simony grins as Telamon pulls

"You are right there, Dolan! Ea makes fools of us all on a regular basis. We should be humble. Something in me says where is the fun in that? How are you and Andelena doing? It's been a little while." Simony grins as Telamon pulls her from her path. "Thanks Telamon. And none of us imagined we'd be here at all, with uh 'excitement' for the taking."

"But we're doing the right thing, yes? We're alive. Lives have been saved. Evil things have been beaten and destroyed. Now we get to see something rare happen. Amazing!" She hops once, raising her arms, and then dangles from Telamon's arms.

"The mimic, right?" Rune asks, raising a brow to Carver. "Just one of the many things I dislike about the Felwood." She runs a hand through her own hair, not wearing it particularly long, herself.

Then, back to Schara, Rune nods, "Aelwyn's a bit of an enigma at the best of times, but... I know he enjoys the open sky. There's more to it than that, but... I'm not entirely certain I have the specifics right." Sometimes the fire-dancing Makari is a little hard to understand.

Then, resting her arms again on the side of the ship, the rogue adds, "True enough. Sometimes I wish it was a little less exciting, even if only for a couple of days."

"Me and Andie had our share before we ever got to Alexandria. True that it didn't involve demons or werewolves, usually. Didn't think I'd find myself in Alexandria, though." Dolan turns his attention back towards the speck of Alexandria in the distance, but only for a minute, then back to the mighty view of the sea that surrounds them. "I'm a lucky man, honestly. Let's hope that good luck continues. "Got a beautiful lady, and good friends, and my life, and I can still swing a sword. Damn lot of men can't say all that. The Knight's blessed me."

"Oh, was that because short hair is safer? That would make sense. I thought that she was cutting it because of the burning, to stop and damaged ends from causing further damage." Schara considers after a moment. "I guess since my hair is always covered up it doesn't matter, but I like keeping it long, it is an unecessary habit I suppose, and actively causes issues accommodating for it, but I still like it."

"Aelwyn is a fascinating individual and a good friend. A bit hard to understand at times, but I care about him and that makes me want to understand them better." Schara answers Rune. "I think we are doing a good thing hear, it is nice when what is and isn't good is clearer like right now."

"In my experience... which, granted, seems both 'not much' and 'more than even I had expected' at the same time... we make our own luck. Yes, sometimes you have to gamble -- but I'm not the sort to let fate choose the result. Not without me trying to stack the deck in my favor, anyways." Telamon's grin is wry, but cheerful. "Still, can't argue with the results. If you'd told me two years ago I'd be married to a gorgeous woman, be accounted an archmage... I'd have suggested it was time to stop drinking."

Gently, he nudges Simony towards the egg, where it sits on the floating disk. "Here's your chance, Simony. You won't hurt it -- gods, it survived flying through the stars, I wonder what -could- hurt it."

"Really??"

Simony's eyes widen , and a few tears of joy leak out as she turns to view the egg. A long hesitation follows before she places a gentle hand on the egg's surface. No comments about warmth or texture, no drawing commences.

"Mighty Navos, if you might lend this body a small portion of your might. May it please you, these gentle creatures are babes in the wilderness. Please protect them from any who intend them harm beyond basic predatory instinct."

"Little ones, I feel that you can hear me, and may soon understand me. Be free, learn all that you can. This work can be dark and mean. But in your darkest of hours, look for those who walk in the light. They will move mountains, slay evil, and rescue you. I will not live very long, not compared to your lifespans. But my wish is to meet with you once more."

GAME: Simony casts Bless. Caster Level: 7 DC: 14

The way Schara speaks of Aelwyn draws that warmth back into Rune's expression as she nods her head, "Me too." There is a fond affection for the fire-dancer, "I need to catch up with him while we're back in Alexandria."

Her ear twitches then, turning back towards Simony at that sound of excitement from the Goblin. Though the prayer has her quieting, giving proper respect to the moment.

Dolan's about to comment, but seeing that Simony's been handed the blessing, he simply stands and watches, respectfully letting her do as she will and waiting until all is done before moving to assist with any moving that may be required.

Carver doesn't really get the blessing, but is attune enough with the gravitas of the moment that she doesn't pipe in with any irreverent quotes. Instead, she observes quietly, coal-ringed eyes narrowing.

"Yes, that is a good idea, I should, as well. It has been some time, and I have a promise to set him on fire that I have not fulfilled, yet." Schara agrees, with a glance out over to the egg that it seemed to be time to deal with. The artificer hesitates for a moment, and sighs, leaning against a wall on the boat, before correcting the request to not touch anything shortly after.

"I hope this helps Kira, it's another small step, but it's not impossible." The artificer states quietly, and mostly to herself. <celestial>

Telamon smiles down at Simony, patting her shoulder, his eyes full of warmth. He nods to Dolan, "I think if I move the disk out past the gangplank..." Tel nods to where the crew is extending one, "... the disk will vanish, and drop the egg into the water."

Once Simony's blessing is complete, Telamon begins to 'walk' the disk out onto the plank, and then it floats along the narrow length of wood. The force-disk bobs lightly with the waves, until it reaches the end of the plank -- and then vanishes.

The egg, of course, drops into the ocean with a splash, but it doesn't exactly -sink-. It bobs up and down a bit, and then suddenly everyone can see that the egg is unraveling, dissolving! And releasing a horde of small, strange creatures -- like large squid, with elongated bodies and many tentacles, about the size of a man's arm. They swirl around each other, schooling in a way much more like fish than squid. And then their bodies point upwards, tiny black eyes peering up at the people on the ship.

And wordlessly, they begin to sing. It's a strange, ethereal song, without words, an alien hymn that's nevertheless loaded with compassion and happiness. They sing for several minutes, before the school of baby flumphs suddenly dives beneath the waves, to begin their own journey of adventure and discovery.

Leaving the heroes to sail home to Alexandria.

[[Category:Logs]]

Eggs-pedition

2023-08-05T21:14:46Z

Seldan: Created page with "` ``Alexandros wilderness, midday`` A rarely used road, one of many that connect Alexandros with the Myrrish Kingdoms, cuts a path through the trees here in northern Alexandros. The weather is hot, but there's enough shade to push back the worst of the blazing sun overhead. Birds are chirping softly, and a squirrel peers out from a tree branch. Suddenly, there's a faint chill in the air, and a crackle of energy. On the road, the air seems to twist in on itself, before..."

`
``Alexandros wilderness, midday``

A rarely used road, one of many that connect Alexandros with the Myrrish Kingdoms, cuts a path through the trees here in northern Alexandros. The weather is hot, but there's enough shade to push back the worst of the blazing sun overhead. Birds are chirping softly, and a squirrel peers out from a tree branch.

Suddenly, there's a faint chill in the air, and a crackle of energy. On the road, the air seems to twist in on itself, before suddenly expanding into a glowing, opalescent sphere of light that hums for a moment, before fading from sight -- leaving behind a number of people.

Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon stands in the middle of the group, dressed in a light ruffled silk shirt over leather riding trousers and black boots. A broad brimmed hat with a large violet feather stuck in the brim sits on his head, and he looks around, nodding to the others. "Alright, this is the place... everyone all right? Nobody with a queasy stomach or anything?"

Carver is now dry-heaving, one hand pressed against a tree, the other holding her hair back. She was told to be ready for just these kind of landhopping magical shenanigans, but warned of and experiencing are too very different thing. Past tense, confident and assured.

Present tense: Blaaaaaaaaaaaargh

Burp. "I hate portals and wizards."

Elisabeth du Leoncorte, Sunguard of Daeus, left Alexandria a good few years ago to return home to help her old friend mentor to prepare the temple there for his retirement as the leader of that religious community. Now, she's returning to the city where she'd cound adventure aplenty. Though travelling alone, she seems unhurried and comfortable with the journey... then, one night, she saw a bright light in the sky: a falling star.

The impact was easily heard and felt, seemling not far from Elisabeth's campsite... and curiosity, the bane and strength of all who call themselves 'adventurer', struck her to the core. Come morning, she started travelling to where the star seemed to have fallen -- unaware that others were also making their way to that place.

GAME: Harkashan rolls Fortitude: (5)+10: 15

All roads lead to Alexandros. Just recently, Harkashan had returned with Rune thanks to the might of a particularly small butterfly - which had left him a bit disoriented on timezones and the lot. Teleportlag is not something enough people talk about.

"You come here often?" He asks Telamon, looking aside. Last he recalls, most of these teleport spells require people to have been places before. "A place good for stargazing, perhaps?" Harkashan croons, as he stumbles just a bit. Stomach goes gurgle for just a moment, then settles again.

Sith-makar have strong stomachs.

Over time, Rune has become more accustomed to the strange sensation that comes with being suddenly pulled across vast distances to somewhere else entirely. Though it does have her shift her feet just slightly upon arrival, as if she were bracing for a hard landing that never comes. "At least we're not teleporting into a mass of werewolves, so I'd say doing pretty good on that count." Rune replies, her lip quirking.

Glancing over at Carver, she distinctly looks away again, lest their stomach troubles become her own.

Then, she raises a brow towards Harkashan and his turn of phrase. Sometimes, Makari and their use of the common tongue is amusing, "You know... 'You come here often' is usually a pick up line, right?" She asks the lava-scaled one, nudging him on the arm. "I mean, I know Telamon is hot, but save the flirting for later." She teases.

Dolan drops his hand from Telamon's shoulder almost as soon as the spell completes, staggering as he reorients to his new location to get a good look around. "Yeah," he answers Telamon after a moment, turning himself around to get a full view of the area through both his natural and artificial eyes. An easy grin blooms across his face at the place in which he finds himself. "I could get used to a place like this."

Dressed in a breastplate and with both the longsword at his hip and the greatsword over his back, leather cuff tightly bound to his left shoulder beneath the breastplate, sheepskin jacket traded for a simple oiled leather one in a similar cut, and fully geared for battle, he looks around at the others. "How close did we get, d'you think?"

Schara was relatively fine as teleportation came and went, perhaps a bit unsteady on her feet for a few moments, but it was still difficult to determine when someone was covered almost entirely in bronze armor. "I am alright, it was not that bad." The artificer answers after a moment. "But Carver does not look alright, she may need help. I do not have time to brew any ginger tea, but I would suggest finding an unmoving point on the ground to focus on."

The artificer then takes a moment to make sense of her surroundings. "Ah, right, I think? I thought that was strange it was used in books so often. In terms of temperature I do not imagine he would be above average, but given context and limited knowledge, you are probably right, even if such things are subjective."

Telamon shakes his head at Harkashan. "Honestly? Never been here. I only saw it in a dream." He furrows his brow, turning in a circle. "Spread out a bit. The impact site shouldn't be too far away... something hitting from that far out probably left a mark." He runs his hand through his pale hair, looking up at the tree canopy. "If we have too much trouble, I'll take flight and look for breaks in the trees."

Tel grins at Dolan, nodding. "Yeah, there are worse places to visit, all things considered." Noting Carver's distress, he fishes in his haversack and pulls out a bottle. "Need some soothe syrup?"

GAME: Rune rolls survival: (9)+10: 19
GAME: Elisabeth rolls survival: (19)+8: 27
GAME: Carver rolls survival: (11)+11: 22
GAME: Harkashan rolls Survival+2: (11)+6+2: 19
GAME: Dolan rolls survival: (6)+10: 16
GAME: Telamon rolls survival: (10)+1: 11
GAME: Schara rolls survival: (11)+1: 12

For his part, Telamon is a bit distracted, pausing at an oak tree and tapping it with a knuckle as if he expects something to happen. So he doesn't see what everyone else notices -- a trail of broken tree limbs that proceed in a line, a wedge of destruction dealt to the forest that will eventually fade, but in the meantime, is as obvious as an arrow.

There's the faint scent of smoke as well -- as if something had burned out here.

"I believe you will find that I am hotter." Harkashan answers Rune with a playful look on his face, as some of the red on his body radiates for a moment. A little flare of a red glow, a wave of heat from the lava-like Sith-makar.

"Hrrm... in a dream you say?" He then asks of Telamon.

Dreams have gotten brought up more and more lately.

"Alright." He rumbles, and begins to just wander off in a random directly, looking around for something that might stand out. The Am'shere people are not unused to falling stars.

Luckily, smoke and broken trees are pretty easy to find, so the Sith-makar approaches quietly. Figuring Telamon would have obviously seen this too.

Carver takes the bottle, wiping at her mouth with the back of an arm. She sniffs at its contents, and then sips from its content, finally taking in their surroundings. The trail is fairly obvious, enough that she does not call it out. A correct assessment, as she watches Harkashan instead take that initiative.

She does sling her cloak back, freeing her draw arm.

"At least your dreams take you to relatively pleasant places." Rune seems glad of that fact sa she looks around the forested expanse, checking for signs of the whatever had fallen from the sky. "If you were anyone else, I'd be surprised that it wasn't just a dream." Telamon really does have a thing with celestial forces, it seems.

Instead, she gives a smirk towards Harkashan, "Go away. It's too warm out for that." Sure, having a lizard that radiates heat is great in the winter, but right now, Rune may just be wishing Skielstregar was here.

Falling back, Rune ends up walking near Carver, if only to make sure that she has a bit of back-up incase there is any sort of trouble. Since it seems obvious which way they are supposed to be going, it's just a matter of falling into step and heading that direction as a group.

Elisabeth finds her way into the area and, being as they're being so conversational, can't help but hear the group coming. Being as she doesn't know who they are, but also keeping in mind that she's never been the stealthy sort, she stands near a tree with her shield in plain view, so that the heraldry of Daeus is easily seen, and, hidden behind it, her hand at the hilt of her sheathed sword.

"Who goes there?", she calls out, opting to go ahead and draw attention to herself being as the group really doens't seem to look like bandits or cultists.

"Don't bother, Tel," Dolan counters amusedly, reaching up to rub gently at his left shoulder beneath the brace and simply staring at the swath of smoking destruction wrought by the fallen meteorite. "I don't s'pose you could miss that if you tried. Look. It carved us a path and damned near destroyed the forest. Dirk'd have a screaming fit." His voice is unexpectedly deep and full of humor. "This way, Tel."

He starts off in the direction towards the rock, looking back to see if the others are following, but at the call, stops short. "Oi. We've got company." He raises his voice to answer Elisabeth's call. "Just travelers. We on someone's land?"

"I guess that a vision in a dream would be close enough to be able to focus on, that is true." The artificer offers before following the others who seemed much more capable of following a trail. It seemed easy enough to follow at least, but she did stop on being hailed, not wishing to pass by and continue on. "Oh, hello miss, My name is Schara, or are we not supposed to be giving our names like they did? I am sorry if that is the case, but it should be alright, they look like they're wearing armor that is decorated with iconography of Daeus, unless they're impersonating a priest, or are a bad priest, they're probably alright?

Telamon blinks, looking around, then realizes where Dolan is pointing. "Oh. Sorry, I thought... well, I'll save it for another time." He moves along with the group, before suddenly they're challenged by Elisabeth. "I don't -think- we're on any landholder's territory," he remarks to Dolan. "Still..."

He shifts along until he's clearly visible, and sweeps off his hat, bowing to Elisabeth. "Good day, miss! I am called Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon! My friends and I are seeking a fallen star that landed in that vicinity." He points toward where the path of damaged trees goes. "I do hope we're not trespassing. May we know your name?"

"No", is the reply of the armored woman bearing Daeusite livery. "So far as I'm aware, it's unclaimed land -- I'm travelling, myself, bound for Alexandria. Are you also tracking the staff that fell from the sky?", she goes on, making it clear why she happens to also be in the area... and coming from the opposite direction.

When Schara speaks up, followed by Telamon, the woman gives a little down-nod of her head and replies, "I am Elisabeth du Leoncorte, Sunguard", and reveals her sword hand as she pulls it from behind her shield, empty -- her sword remains sheathed, as the strangers seem to be non-aggressive.

Carver is not surprised that she hears a voice, anyone nearby would be curious about this and look to investigate. She pretty much understands the whole adventuring as a lifestyle, including seeking out falling stars. She tucks the vial into her belt in case she needs it later, giving Rune a nod in greeting. As Telamon greets the anonymous armored acolyte, she draws an arrow from her quiver. It's not outright a threat, but her coal-ringed eyes narrow.

"No harm in being ready, righ'?" She asks the leathery rogue next to her, as if she was an out and out beacon of ethics in all things. Like a Paladin in even tighter pants.

When Elizabeth steps out, Harkashan slows a bit, while motioning at the destroyed trek of trees for Telamon's sake.

"Good day to you, Warrior of the Platinum Dragon. I am Deathsinger Harkashan." The Sith-makar rumbles to her in rather well-spoken Trade-speak, touching his chest on his introduction. The strange lava-like patterns of his scales strangely warping within the light. The unusual armor clearly showing him as not being from around here.

"A staff from the skies, you say?"

With the stranger arriving in their midsts, Rune tilts her head before lifting a hand in greeting, "Leirune Theran, but you can call me Rune." She rarely goes by her full name, it seems. Where some others offer titles or roles, the half-sil is silent on that measure.

"We just came from Alexandria. Assuming the good Sir Lupecyll-Atlon has the magic left at the end of this escapade, you can probably hitch a ride back with us. Otherwise... traveling as a group is always safer in the wilds." Rune lifts one shoulder.

Her hands had not even gone for weapons, likely not picking Elisabeth out as a threat, especially against a group as large as theirs.

"Yes. I saw it fall as I camped, just last night", Elisabeth indicates. "I came to where I thought it'd fallen... and I've apparently come to the right place. Shall we sate all our combined curiosity, together?", she suggests. "...and if there is magic transport being offered to make my journey shorter, I'll gladly accept", she adds, starting out of the treeline in which she'd been standing, towards the group.

"Dolan Donnelly." Dolan doesn't immediately say more of himself, merely levels an intent _stare_ at the woman that would unnerve many. He retreats to the back of the group, then, letting Telamon and the others do the talking, and assumes something of a guard pose near the back of the group, folding his arms across his chest.

"Oh, so we are giving our names! That's good, unless you are because I did, in which case, I guess it's too late for me to say you don't need to. But I think it should be alright." Schara sighs. "Oh! But there we go, alright, I guess it's good to meet you, and I think Telamon planned on teleporting back, at least I hope he does, but it would be alright to walk back if that's necessary."

"Well then, I consider this a sign of good fortune!" Telamon seems utterly at ease, his dark eyes glimmering with distant starlight. "After all, I can't see why Highest Eli would not put you in our path if not as a sign of approval as well as a stroke of good luck for you in turn. I will be happy to bring you directly to Alexandria, once we've secured the falling star."

As the group follows the trail of destruction left, Tel continues, "You see, strictly speaking this was -- is -- not a star. It is..." He pauses, looking for a good word. "A vessel, for a good friend who sent it across an incalculable distance, intent on aiding the good people of Ea."

The group soon comes to where the star impacted. The forest has been, sadly, damaged by the falling star -- but this is no damage dealt by some monster, but simply an unfortunate event, no different than a lightning strike. At the center of the crater is a shattered rocky shell, bits of strange, pockmarked stone scattered around in geometric forms. And resting undamaged within the shards is a sphere, two feet across, with the green-blue hue of the sea and an odd oily sheen to it.

Elisabeth stands on the edge of the crater. "If your friend sent it, do you know what it is?", she questions of Telamon. She crouches, then, as if to get a better look at the sphere.

"Whyfor am I not surprised an archmagus has friends within the heavens themselves, capable of throwing down gifts from the skies?" Harkashan muses as Telamon gives his explanation, approaching the 'wreckage' of the gift, slowing down on approach.

"What's the name of this friend of yours?" The Sith-makar inquires curiously.

"Kind of figured it was more than just your usual sky debris falling to Ea." Rune replies, following the path of the destruction along side the others. "Though... if it's meant to be a gift from the skies, your friend must be remarkably powerful."

Crouching to examine some of the damage, Rune peers at a bit of pockmarked stone, looking at it a bit closer before turning back to tilt her head quizzically at the mage. "Also, leave it to those who are that powerful to not just send something by courier like normal people."

The sight of the orb, however, has her backing up a step. Magic is something that Rune doesn't have any deep understanding of, and this is likely something well beyond normal magics. "So... besides being very pretty, what is it?"

"It's a Flart." Carver says very proudly.

"What archma... oh." Telamon actually looks embarrassed. "I'm... still getting used to that idea. I mean, intellectually I know I probably do qualify as one, but... is it weird that I don't feel like that? And honestly, I prefer the title 'husband' over 'archmage' any day."

Tel approaches the sphere, still talking. "In any case, it was sent by a creature, a flumph, known as the Watcher in the Stars. I've known him for years, though we could only speak through dreams. And this vessel is an egg -- containing one hundred forty-four baby flumphs." He looks at the others. "It's always important to fight the darkness wherever it appears. And the Watcher's solution is to... send us some of his kind, to fight alongside us."

Gently, Telamon places his hand on the egg. Under the surface, something stirs ever so slightly. "We'll need to transport it to the Alexandrian docks -- it has to be cast into the sea, so they can mature there."

"Oh, yes, he does know what it is, did he not explain it to you before arriving here?" Schara asks as she looks to the others. "I guess it's nice you all agreed to help him without knowing what it was. I don't want to say something potentially wrong again though, so I'll let Telamon answer this time."

A notion which lasted all of half a minute as Schara turns to Carver. "Flumph, not flart."

"Oh," Carver says, sounding distinctly less proud.

"A what?" Lifting her eyebrows, it becomes obvious that Rune has no idea what the creatures in question are. "Why would you need one hundred forty-four baby anythings? And why are we making babies fight things?" You can imagine that her mental image is very much not anywhere close to reality. It probably runs something along the lines of an infant arena where toddlers fight werewolves.

Still, even though her understanding limited, there is a curiosity there as she watches the interaction as Telamon touches the egg.

"I've never heard of a... flumph... before", Elisabeth admits, rising to her full height, though she's actually quite small, even for a human woman, just *barely* reaching five feet in height, and that probably just because of the thick soles of the boots on her feet. "Are you certain they're a gift, and not a threat?", she asks, then lifts a hand, "I'm not trying to speak ill of your friend, but are *you* certain?"

"I fear I am not ready to call you my husband yet, Telamon. You will have to excuse me." Harkashan is quick to quip back to Telamon with a little twinkle in his eyes. "So I fear archmage will have to do for now, my friend."

He then looks at the vessel and rumbles, "... Flumph you say?" A pause. "A most unusual name. But very well. I shall guard this egg until we can get it to the docks then." Harkashan remarks, and grabs his buckler.

In the background, Dolan listens to the explanation, eyes, and indeed his whole head, still roving the entirely of the area in the search for trouble. He doesn't comment on the entire affair, but it seems that Telamon had planned this, and so he appears to take it in good grace. Harkashan's quip draws a cheeky grin and a call from him. "He's already got all the wife he can handle, Harkashan."

Tel takes a deep breath at the protests. "Some blows are not swung in a moment. Sometimes they are calculated across years -- millennia even. That's where the egg comes in. The flumphs will mature, and become a bulwark against the manipulations of evil creatures, particularly the aboleths."

At Elisabeth's question, he looks her in the eyes, his starry gaze unflinching. "I am. The Watcher may see the world differently, but he is a good person. He would not send his children to us without cause." His expression softens. "There are vast, terrible evils in the world. And so the world can always use more heroes -- even if they come from a distant star."

He can't help but chuckle at Hark and Dolan. "You two are terrible," Tel grins. "I ought to make you walk back. But since I won't do that, let's gather around, so we can bounce to Alexandria proper."

Carver moves over to the egg, studying it as the others continue to converse. There isn't any overwhelming feelings. Of hope, or fear, or anything that compels her more than curiosity. The thing exists now. Outside of its natural habitat. Given a chance at new life. The official story that they are guardians is a pretty one.

"Seems kinda sad though, donnit?" The raccoon-eyed ranger looks to the others, "Like, sure, you got all your brothers or sisters in the egg, but you're still not from here. You'll always be outta place. You'll always be a lil' weird. Or, a lot weird. I still don't know what a flumph even looks like."

She rubs the egg, maybe for good luck, unless stopped. "Welcome, little fellas."

She goes to join the others for another rousing game of hold your stomach's contents, please.

"Oh, yes, it is a lot of flumphs, from what I have heard. But how are we going to move it? You said it weighs several hundred pounds and we haven't brought a cart, is there a floating disc for it?" The artificer wonders. "Oh! I guess if we're just teleporting back, I don't want it to drop to the ground, after all when teleported, I know it isn't precise."

Elisabeth nods her head, saying, "Well, then... Archmage Telamon", clearly having caught his name and title from the conversation had by his companions, "I will trust you to ensure that it works out so."

Harkashan just quietly nods at Dolan. There's more in his mind. More amusing thoughts. But he does not voice them this time.

Instead, he motions for Telamon. "Please, if you would."

"I think I'm going to have to go look up what these creatures are when we get back to Alexandria." Thankfully, someone probably has more information, or a picture or something to fill in the blanks for Rune. "It makes sense to play the long game, though. Actions now to protect future generations."

As the group begins to gather, Rune steps in next to Harkashan, giving a sympathetic look to Carver, "It helps me a little if I close my eyes. Less sensory input."

Telamon smiles. "I know the floating disk spell. Once we return, I'll cast that, then carry it down to the docks." He looks sympathetically at Carver. "My thoughts exactly. And the Watcher, and his... brethren, sent those children here. Because they thought we could use a hand." He pauses. "Well, figuratively speaking. Flumphs don't have hands."

He nods to Rune, as the group gathers around the egg. "A man plants a tree, so that his grandson might sit beneath its branches. Same principle." Tel laughs softly. "It makes my head spin to try to imagine the calculation involved, the will to do this. I am glad I only have to deal with the challenges here on Ea."

Elizabeth steps up closer to group, apparently not a complete stranger to teleportation spells.

"Need me to lift that thing, Tel?" Dolan takes a step forward, his arms dropping, the left one held close to his body. "Ain't rightly sure I can lift it, but-" Seeing the others move close, he does the same.

"Okay, if everything is in place, I guess there's not much reason to stay around here if that is the case." Schara muses as they step closer to the group. "Well, I'm glad things have gone alright, but we shouldn't wait around for things to not go right. I'm ready if everyone else is."

Telamon shakes his head at Dolan. "Dolan, if you mess up your shoulder again, Zeke and Andie will have my hide. I should be able to roll it onto the disk, and if I can't, well..." He tilts his head. "Shouldn't be too hard to get help to do so." His eyes glint happily. "Alright, since we're all here..."

He puts one hand on the egg, and gestures for the others to grab him, or each other. "Anungal kaskal, nu siten, ula'ulla." The chant falls from his lips, and the swirling multicolored sphere wraps around all of them, and the egg as well. There's the sensation of moving, even though what direction and how fast are strangely muted. Then it stops, and the shimmering sphere dissolves... leaving the group, and the egg, standing in a familiar meadow not far from one of the watchtowers just outside Alexandria.

"Well!" Tel says with a grin. "That was less unpleasant than I had planned for. Sunguard Elisabeth, it was a pleasure to meet you. If you wish to see the end of this strange little journey you're welcome to come with us."

Elisabeth nods to Telamon. "I'd be glad to see this egg place where it must go", she says, looking past the watchtowers and into the city itself. "I'm appreciative, too, of you taking more than half the time off my journey here", she adds.

Another teleportation, another ripple towards the other side of Alexandria. With the limitations of the wards on Alexandria, just outside. "So we head to the docks, and then... just dump the egg in the ocean?" Harkashan looks to confirm with Telamon. "And they'll be fine from predators that roam there? Flumph babies must be rather powerful."

Carver listened to Rune this time, and closed her eyes, no longer interested in watching the world break itself and then reform anew in another place. She leans her head back, hands on her slim hips.

"I really hate wizards and portals."

Despite her earlier words to Carver, Rune is just a moment late on closing her eyes before the color barrage takes over her senses and she finds herself back on solid ground, clutching onto Harkashan's arm and blinking with her pupils wide.

"And that is why I keep my eyes closed." The rogue raises a hand and rubs at one eye. So, when Carver expresses that same emotion a second time, she offers a commiserating chuckle. "Better than walking, though." Kinda.

Releasing the Death-singer's arm, she looks towards the city, "I'll come along as far as the water. That way I can warn the fishermen to avoid that area just so they don't cause any trouble to the little ones."

Again they teleport, and Schara tilts her head once. "I do not understand. You and Carver are two of the most physically coordinated people that I know, why would you both struggle with this?" The artificer wonders aloud. "Perhaps I am simply used to nausea that it is not a concern from this, but I hope you feel better at least."

"We should all work together to get it on to the disc, since Telamon estimated it around six hundred pounds, I believe. It would throw out anyone's back trying to do that on their own."

Dolan lets out a long, heavy sigh at Telamon's response, one that persists through the teleport and into the return, which he staggers only a little on, and finds himself in the familiar field. "Damn it. Tel's right, though. I'll just have to put my other shoulder into it." He straightens, and drops his hands, and stares at the large egg. "Does it need to lift up to get it on the disk?"

He looks over at Carver, a sympathetic grin tugging at the mobile half of his features. "Teleportation took a lot of getting used to," he agrees. "It really is a lot faster, though."

Telamon incants, "Emegar maltum," once they've arrived, and a floating disk forms next to him. It takes a little effort, but the group is able to wrestle the egg onto the disk, which seems entirely unfazed by the egg's weight. "Probably a good idea, Rune," he admits. "I... really have no idea how this will work. The Watcher was pretty clear it would be all right once the egg was in the water -- I guess the baby flumphs have more... intelligence than newborn people? I mean, a little brains does go a long way if you're having to deal with hungry wildlife."

Once everyone is settled, the procession moves towards Alexandria proper, the city gates open and admitting people on business. Telamon is known, of course, and it's also well known magicians deal in strange things, so seeing the archmage carrying a strange blue-green sphere along isn't drawing much attention. "Agreed," he replies to Dolan. "I admit I don't have a problem with it, but there's a reason I carry soothe syrup with me if I bring friends along."

Harkashan thinks for a moment, on the warnings of the Guild's people. Warnings of magicians bringing things into the city unwanted. Summoning Demons. That kind of thing. Bringing over a hundred creatures into the harbor of Alexandria, where they might deal with the fish population has Harkashan just a bit concerned. "What do they eat?" Harkashan asks. "I am a bit concerned how this may affect fishing nearby. We may want to make sure we explain the situation to the Guild after this. Because otherwise, there's no doubt going to be quests to figure out the 'strange lights in the water' or something like that." He warns.

"Not sure I could pinpoint the answer for you, Schara. I think for me, at least, it's a lack of experience." Rune answers, then starts to tick off on her fingers the number of times that she's been a participant in one of these teleportation spells. She doesn't even get off of one hand. "And all of those have been in the past few months."

Between Telamon's statements and Harkashan's concerns, Rune lightly toys with one of her earrings and adds, "If they're smart enough, it will be relatively easy to avoid the fisherman. By the same logic, they'd also be smart enough not to cluster in one area and completely take over the resources there." She raises her shoulders slightly, "Then again, I'm no expert on sea life."

Schara is able to activate their armor, causing several joints to shift and reinforce themselves, just long enough to heave the egg onto the dis. Followed by further heaving as the armor is switched off, quieting the whirring and reconfiguring various joints yet again. "Well, I guess that would make sense. I think Telamon should trust that the person who contacted them knew what they were doing. At least I hope they do, and perhaps they can be spoken to later to make sure things will work out. Assuming they don't head for areas they can not be reached, but I also do not know how long it takes flumphs to mature to the point of being capable of conversation."

"He's got a point," Dolan opines, even as he studies the floating disk and its lip. "We're going to have to go up and over to move this, but - does it have to be the Alexandrian harbor? Or could it go a little further out?" He seems torn between the two topics, studying the egg, but clearly listening to the others.

Tel pauses, considering. His hand resting on the egg. "I don't know. But..." At Dolan's suggestion, he nods. "It might be better to take it further out from the harbor, at least into the bay." He looks at the others. "At least then they won't have to worry about getting caught in fishing nets close by the shore."

Telamon's expression is thoughtful, then suddenly he makes for one of the fishing boats that's pulled up at the docks. "I knew feeding Tanith all those times would come in handy," he remarks a bit obliquely, as he approaches the ship's captain, and begins talking fast -- evidently working on convincing the fellow to let Tel charter the fishing boat for a few hours.

"When you decided to start this life, ya know, the whole adventurin' thing?" Carver asks the others as they watch Telamon try to fast talk a good rate for a chartered ship. "That you would be worryin' local ecology from an invasive STAR creature? Not me." She rubs at her eye. "I bet they eat algae."

The Alexandrian docks on a sunny days. Boats and ships going in and out. It's -mostly- pretty mundane stuff -- the calls of sailors and dockworkers, the creak of rope and wood, the scent of the sea and fish and tar.

A small group of adventurers stands at one of the docks, accompanied by a floating disk, on which is balanced a large, greenish-blue sphere of some indeterminate origin. Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon stands at the front with his disk, haggling with one of the fishing boat captains to borrow his ship and services for a few hours. The sailors are watching a little suspiciously, but nobody's getting ornery yet -- thankfully.

Carver says, “i can be home in a min”

"I.... made.... it!", she pa"

One member of the group is jogging to catch up. Rune had stopped briefly to speak to the local sailors and fishmermen to let them know to hold boats away from this part of the docks for the time being. Of course, this request is probably part of why the sailors are watching with those suspicious eyes.

"We should be clear for a bit." She informs, huffing a little to catch her breath before leaning forward, taking another look at the sphere as if trying to see the creatures beneath the surface of the 'egg'. She is certainly curious, and witnessing this is certainly a story to tell.

The sound of running feet doesn't stand out at first among the DIN of the dockyards. But those standing by waiting for Telamon to buy a bigger boat may pick out the click-clack of wooden sandals on the wooden docks. A bald-headed, albino Goblin in copper and blue robes comes to a sliding stop, aided in part by Tel's leg, which she bounces of and ends up on her behind.

"I.... made.... it!", she says between pants and wheezes.

Schara, a small but heavily bronze armored figure was part of the small group that was around the floating disc and it's cargo, where the artificer was taking a look off of the docks. "I don't have too much to spare for boat rentals, I am sorry." They note. "It would be good to get some fishing done, but I shouldn't be attracting any predators closer to where we drop it off so I should do that another time as it has been a long time since I had any fish."

"Oh, hello Simony, you said you would help so it's good that you are here, are you alright?" They wonder while offering a hand up. "What happened to your hair?"

Carver has taken a seat, perched on a crate with arms wrapped around her lanky legs. She's mostly observing the actions of the others, hardly predisposed to charming the pants(or boats) off sailors. Might as well take a moment to collect herself, the fresh sea breeze and the less fresh odor of fish instilling Alexandrian charm to the locale. Frizzing her hair with all this salt too.

Telamon has always been of the firm opinion that a little diplomacy -- and some judicious lining of pockets -- will take you a lot further than you might expect. He pauses, though, as Simony bounces off his leg, looking startled at... "Simony!" Fortunately, Schara's there to help the goblin priestess up. "Careful now. I swear, you should buy something that lets you fly, at least you'll be less winded when you have to sprint places."

He places a hand on Simony's shoulder gently, before turning back to the boat captain. "So yes: just us, plus this, out to the bay and back. Shouldn't take more than a couple hours, tops." He reaches into his haversack, and jingles a coinpurse. "Besides, captain, you -did- say I could charter you any time after I bought that entire hold full of fish."

The captain is a craggy faced fellow with gray hair and a handlebar mustache that'd impress even a dwarf. "Hmph. Of course you'd remember that, milord." He sighs. "Alright..." He steps to the side. "All of ye get aboard, mind the crew and don't touch -anything- unless we ask ye."

The Gobbo reaches up to take Schara's hand. "Thanks Schara! Uhm it all fell out or burned in that fireball. No harm done here!" She hugs at their hand briefly before looking to Telamon, and laughing. "You want more Goblins flying around? Does that not frighten you? But I suppose the feeling is better than televomit or dimension vomit." Simony quickly straightens her robes. She wave then to Rune and Porter. "Hello!"

"I think the idea of anyone flying around is a bit frightening. Except maybe for the Egalrin. I guess it's pretty normal for them." Rune replies, her lip quirkling slightly. She raises a hand to Simony. She isn't exactly good at running, either so the rogue is still catching her breath.

At the invitation to board, Rune offers a nod to the captain. Never underestimate Telamon's ability to bargain. "You know, I can't think of the last time I've traveled by boat."

The prospect of not being able to touch things does get a slight scrunch of the nose.

"It would not be a bad idea to make travel easier, yes. I see, I did not realize goblin hair takes so long to grow back. I hope it will be alright, though." Schara answers after a moment. "Not as normal as you might think, a lot of them can't fly. Something about their physiology and long lifespans, I guess? I don't think I've ever been on a boat, so I don't really know what to expect."

The artificer turns to the boat, and Schara stops, and tilts her head. "Are we allowed to touch the deck? I can't fly or anything, so I'll need to be in contact with it, I guess."

Carver wrinkles her nose at the Captain, but not at his orders as it must have first seen. Instead, her eyes latch on the mustache. The huge furry catepillar that yon climbed upon thy upper lip, the improbable thing equal parts fascinating and disgusting. It takes her an extra minute to realize they're on the move.

She gives a shake of her head, dropping to her feet and following the others up the gangplank. Shouldering the bow as she goes, she pauses only briefly to rub Simony's bald head for luck.

Telamon gives Schara a look. "Are you serious? They just don't want people messing with the ropes or gear if they don't know what they're used for." The half-sil just rolls his eyes. "Come on, let's get moving." He grins as Carver rubs Simony's bald head, as he steps aboard with his cargo.

Once people are aboard, and the crew starts making ready, Telamon turns to Rune. "Flying's actually a lot of fun, -but- half the trick is getting there, since the gods didn't issue most of us with wings. Still, if nothing else it beats dealing with foot traffic." He taps his chin. "However, if you fly around the city, expect the watch to ask to get your name at some point. They like to keep track of people who're in that habit."

Simony squeaks at the rub to her head, laughing as she swats playfully at the hand. "Hey now, don't use up all the luck!" She eyes Schara and tries very hard to quiet her laugh as Telamon admonishes the armored one. The Gobbo saunters on behind Rune, looking around the ship with interest. "Aye aye, Captain!", she says with a jaunty salute.

"I don't know that it's something I'll ever experience, but I'll wave from the ground to all you magic folks." Rune waggles her fingers in Telamon's direction.

"I don't know that it's something I'll ever experience, but I'll wave from the ground to all you magic folks." Rune waggles her fingers in Telamon's direction.

Eventually, she settles on a spot along one side of the ship so that she can get a view of the docks as the ship leaves port. Of course, while they wait, she is fidgeting with her mother's locket. The rogue never does seem to sit perfectly still. At least, not anywhere that there aren't threats around. "How far out do we need to go? I thought most normal hatchlings preferred the shorelines."

"Yes I am serious, why would I not be?" The artificer answers. But the others seem to be going on without concern, so Schara joins them. "I have never been on a ship, they seem agitated and I don't know where we are allowed to stand or be if things are a concern. But that's okay, I can always lock up my armor and go wherever in that case."

"You could ask shaman Harkashan to carry you if he had a magic scroll, or have him use one on you, maybe? I don't think it's outside of the realm of possibility if it was something you wanted to do, miss Rune."

"Why would you even want to?" Carver asks, "Good pair of boots to the earth good enough, innit? Maybe a fast horse. Done fine by almost everyone. Speakin' of boots to earth, I hope we isn't stayin' here long?" She can handle the rocking of the ship, shifting her weight as they go, but it's a particular motion that she doesn't necessarily agree with. Thankfully she still has that sweet syrup to soothe her belly.

She leans out toward the fresh spray of the ocean, squinting as she looks out. "How far out do you think we needs going?"

The ship is stout and well maintained, and the captain and crew well-seasoned. Soon enough, the craft is cutting through the waves, sailing away from the harbor. Telamon confers with the captain, and passes him a pouch of coins, before returning to the group as Carver asks the big question.

"About an hour or so into the Inmost Sea. Not really that far -- just far enough out that the egg doesn't interfere with harbor activity." His hair blows around his head, as he looks out to sea. "We'll be back well before evening meal." He shakes his head in amusement. "You know, when I first came to Alexandria, I really did not think I would find myself in this sort of situation."

The Goblin, after some initial wobbling around in circles trying to figure out the concept of 'sea legs', she finds great distraction in the waves splashing away from the bow. Her laughter lasts a while.

Eventually she finds Telamon's side again, casting him a look that says the most terrifying thing a Goblin can say: I'M BORED

"How is the uh pea pod doing? It's not six hundred pounds is it? Did they speak to you? Any words from their Grandfather?"

"Actually, I'd probably ask him to use it on Aelwyn first." Rune uses one hand to lightly catch the breeze off the water, making a flying motion across her palm. "I imagine it would be a life's dream for him." She doesn't elaborate on that, perhaps knowing that his dreams are his own to share. "Boats don't bother me, but I tend to agree with Carver. I'd rather keep my feet on solid ground."

With a glance over to Schara, the half-elf offers a soft smile, "Just don't fall overboard in your armor. I imagine that would be a quick trip to becoming a permanent fixture on the sea bottom."

With the boat underway, Rune's hair is blown a bit back from her face, but she seems to enjoy the feeling. "I mean... I didn't exactly expect to end up here when my father sent me to your doorstep, either." The messenger smirks. "Sometimes you just follow the path fate has laid out for you."

Dolan has been quiet as they begin their journey out into the harbor, letting the others do the talking. Per Telamon's instructions, he was of only minimal assistance to the effort of hauling the egg onto the floating disk, and seems to be content for the moment to enjoy wind and waves and watch the harbor. The wind off the water sure doesn't hurt, either, and he lets it ruffle his shaggy mane, a hand on the rail to steady himself until he is used to the motion.

Now, though, he speaks up. "What sort of situation?"

Telamon rests a hand on the egg absently. "Nothing, but... I can sense -something-. Like... anticipation? Hope? It's come a long way, after all, and the journey's nearly done." He smiles at Simony. "And before you ask, I asked the Watcher how long and how far, and he said the number wouldn't mean anything to me. So I guess 'a long, long time, from a place far, far away' will have to do."

At Dolan's question, he sweeps out his other arm. "All of this. I led my donkey into Alexandria -- after getting lost on the way -- but I never expected my life to take the turns it has. I don't regret any of it, but I never would've predicted I'd be riding on a boat with friends to drop an giant, star-traveling egg into the ocean."

Carver shrugs, "Yeah, well, I though' I'd have starved to death in the shadows of the peaks of Khazad, so I would call this 'makin it'." She fusses with her knife, turning it over and over in the palm of her hands. "It's not even close enough to the weirdest job I done took, jus' like the one that I maybe learned to stop askin' questions about."

She reaches up, touching her own frayed hair, considering Simony for a long moment.

Then she gathers up all the burnt and crispy ends into a thick handful and...

Saws through it, tossing it all out to the sea.

The Gobbo slides about the deck with each bob of the ship. She nods to Telamon, "You've mentioned before. I've ... tried guestimating. Fun to ponder such things, you know? Erm. May I touch it? When I get back...?"

Simony slides past Porter. "You might have a good point about the earth boot thing!", she gets out as she skids by. She gasps at the act of random hair cutting. "Why?"

The bored look from Simony followed by the knifeplay of Carver both echo some of her own expressions at times, and it draws a smile from Rune as she lets out a soft breath of a laugh. A laugh that seems to be harder to contain when the Goblin starts sliding with the movement of the ship.

However, the strange moment of Carver cutting her own hair is met with a tilt of her head, "Everything alright?"

Then, turning eyes towards Dolan and Telamon, she watches the pair with a bit of quiet wonder. Rune knew the sort of suffering Dolan has faced, and it wasn't that long ago that she saw Telamon drop dead. It seems heartening to see them both in far better states. "Maybe you just need a more active imagination, my friend."

"Well, I guess Aelwyn would like that, but I don't think it would be the same." Schara answers to Rune. "I can't say I know Aelwyn the best, but I think he told me one time. I like being on the ground, but flying would have some fascinating insights and things to consider."

"I guess you weren't, but it shouldn't be surprising given circumstances and knowing a flumph from so far away? That is difficult to determine. I will be fine, I don't plan on falling in, and even if I did, I could tread water for a while since I know how to swim, but I would probably be dead before the boat could get back around regardless. And without armor it wouldn't be much better."

"I guess personally I did not expect things happening here, but none of that is important or relevant."

"Know what you mean," Dolan replies to Telamon, looking out to sea. "Been a damned wild ride. Think it's almost over, though." He turns his entire body to face Rune, grinning easily. "No need for an active imagination. Ea itself's got all the excitement I need. Can't make half of this shit up."

"A chair was eatin' my hair." Carver says in explanation, as she fluffs out her much shorter 'do. "Now it can't." It's 'a' logic.

She tucks her knife back into the belt, and then goes to unstring her bow. Nothing about this trip suggests to her that she needs to be ready, so might as well do some maintenance on her equipment.

"There's always another adventure to be had, Dolan. It might not be something as dramatic as what we're used to, but it'll be one with its own rewards." Telamon's eyes twinkle gently, as he pats Simony on the shoulder, helping catch her as she slides past. "Almost time." Indeed, the waves have slid past, and Alexandria is almost out of sight save as a tiny smudge on the horizon.

Tel can't help but wince a little at Carver cutting away some of her damaged hair. "You know, I do know people who can help you with that sort of thing. It wouldn't even cost that much." He shakes his head, ruefully. "Ah well. Hair grows back -- eventually."

"You are right there, Dolan! How are you and Andelena doing? It's been a little while." Simony grins as Telamon pulls

"You are right there, Dolan! Ea makes fools of us all on a regular basis. We should be humble. Something in me says where is the fun in that? How are you and Andelena doing? It's been a little while." Simony grins as Telamon pulls her from her path. "Thanks Telamon. And none of us imagined we'd be here at all, with uh 'excitement' for the taking."

"But we're doing the right thing, yes? We're alive. Lives have been saved. Evil things have been beaten and destroyed. Now we get to see something rare happen. Amazing!" She hops once, raising her arms, and then dangles from Telamon's arms.

"The mimic, right?" Rune asks, raising a brow to Carver. "Just one of the many things I dislike about the Felwood." She runs a hand through her own hair, not wearing it particularly long, herself.

Then, back to Schara, Rune nods, "Aelwyn's a bit of an enigma at the best of times, but... I know he enjoys the open sky. There's more to it than that, but... I'm not entirely certain I have the specifics right." Sometimes the fire-dancing Makari is a little hard to understand.

Then, resting her arms again on the side of the ship, the rogue adds, "True enough. Sometimes I wish it was a little less exciting, even if only for a couple of days."

"Me and Andie had our share before we ever got to Alexandria. True that it didn't involve demons or werewolves, usually. Didn't think I'd find myself in Alexandria, though." Dolan turns his attention back towards the speck of Alexandria in the distance, but only for a minute, then back to the mighty view of the sea that surrounds them. "I'm a lucky man, honestly. Let's hope that good luck continues. "Got a beautiful lady, and good friends, and my life, and I can still swing a sword. Damn lot of men can't say all that. The Knight's blessed me."

"Oh, was that because short hair is safer? That would make sense. I thought that she was cutting it because of the burning, to stop and damaged ends from causing further damage." Schara considers after a moment. "I guess since my hair is always covered up it doesn't matter, but I like keeping it long, it is an unecessary habit I suppose, and actively causes issues accommodating for it, but I still like it."

"Aelwyn is a fascinating individual and a good friend. A bit hard to understand at times, but I care about him and that makes me want to understand them better." Schara answers Rune. "I think we are doing a good thing hear, it is nice when what is and isn't good is clearer like right now."

"In my experience... which, granted, seems both 'not much' and 'more than even I had expected' at the same time... we make our own luck. Yes, sometimes you have to gamble -- but I'm not the sort to let fate choose the result. Not without me trying to stack the deck in my favor, anyways." Telamon's grin is wry, but cheerful. "Still, can't argue with the results. If you'd told me two years ago I'd be married to a gorgeous woman, be accounted an archmage... I'd have suggested it was time to stop drinking."

Gently, he nudges Simony towards the egg, where it sits on the floating disk. "Here's your chance, Simony. You won't hurt it -- gods, it survived flying through the stars, I wonder what -could- hurt it."

"Really??"

Simony's eyes widen , and a few tears of joy leak out as she turns to view the egg. A long hesitation follows before she places a gentle hand on the egg's surface. No comments about warmth or texture, no drawing commences.

"Mighty Navos, if you might lend this body a small portion of your might. May it please you, these gentle creatures are babes in the wilderness. Please protect them from any who intend them harm beyond basic predatory instinct."

"Little ones, I feel that you can hear me, and may soon understand me. Be free, learn all that you can. This work can be dark and mean. But in your darkest of hours, look for those who walk in the light. They will move mountains, slay evil, and rescue you. I will not live very long, not compared to your lifespans. But my wish is to meet with you once more."

GAME: Simony casts Bless. Caster Level: 7 DC: 14

The way Schara speaks of Aelwyn draws that warmth back into Rune's expression as she nods her head, "Me too." There is a fond affection for the fire-dancer, "I need to catch up with him while we're back in Alexandria."

Her ear twitches then, turning back towards Simony at that sound of excitement from the Goblin. Though the prayer has her quieting, giving proper respect to the moment.

Dolan's about to comment, but seeing that Simony's been handed the blessing, he simply stands and watches, respectfully letting her do as she will and waiting until all is done before moving to assist with any moving that may be required.

Carver doesn't really get the blessing, but is attune enough with the gravitas of the moment that she doesn't pipe in with any irreverent quotes. Instead, she observes quietly, coal-ringed eyes narrowing.

"Yes, that is a good idea, I should, as well. It has been some time, and I have a promise to set him on fire that I have not fulfilled, yet." Schara agrees, with a glance out over to the egg that it seemed to be time to deal with. The artificer hesitates for a moment, and sighs, leaning against a wall on the boat, before correcting the request to not touch anything shortly after.

"I hope this helps Kira, it's another small step, but it's not impossible." The artificer states quietly, and mostly to herself. <celestial>

Telamon smiles down at Simony, patting her shoulder, his eyes full of warmth. He nods to Dolan, "I think if I move the disk out past the gangplank..." Tel nods to where the crew is extending one, "... the disk will vanish, and drop the egg into the water."

Once Simony's blessing is complete, Telamon begins to 'walk' the disk out onto the plank, and then it floats along the narrow length of wood. The force-disk bobs lightly with the waves, until it reaches the end of the plank -- and then vanishes.

The egg, of course, drops into the ocean with a splash, but it doesn't exactly -sink-. It bobs up and down a bit, and then suddenly everyone can see that the egg is unraveling, dissolving! And releasing a horde of small, strange creatures -- like large squid, with elongated bodies and many tentacles, about the size of a man's arm. They swirl around each other, schooling in a way much more like fish than squid. And then their bodies point upwards, tiny black eyes peering up at the people on the ship.

And wordlessly, they begin to sing. It's a strange, ethereal song, without words, an alien hymn that's nevertheless loaded with compassion and happiness. They sing for several minutes, before the school of baby flumphs suddenly dives beneath the waves, to begin their own journey of adventure and discovery.

Leaving the heroes to sail home to Alexandria.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-08-05T21:14:21Z

Seldan: /* July */

Counsel Sought Is Not Guaranteed

2023-07-15T19:32:44Z

Seldan:

Another hazy, hot, bright summer day in Alexandria finds Seldan, clad in a simple white shirt over the very, very lightest of armored links, and light linen trousers with low boots, Reunion at his hip, knocking at the door of a house he knows, but to which he ventures only at need. A quiet rap on the door, standing on the shaded portico, sweat beading on the fair skin.

Due to the heat, and possibly some relaxation of worries or restrictions, windows are open about The Residence. All is relatively quiet within, so the rap upon the door is clear. A few moments later, the door is answered and partly opened.

"Seldan," Verna greets, attired in the favored sundress consisting of blue flowers upon a rather bright yellow. "A mild surprise, yet a pleasure. Please," she gestures as she opens the door fully, "come in."

When the door opens, and Verna greets, Seldan bows politely. "Her light upon your path, Mourner. I had hoped that you might be home." He steps inside, looking around him with a thoughtful and sober gaze, and closing the door behind him, following Verna as she leads. "Not lightly or without regret do I trouble you, but I find myself with - a puzzle, and some difficulty. I had hoped for your counsel at the least, and have you the leisure, your assistance."

Verna steps further into the lounge before gesturing invitingly to a chair. She does not yet sit, herself, perhaps holding marginal expectation that he would accept the invitation. "I am familiar enough to know you do not seek advice nor aid quickly nor frivolously, Seldan. More so as you do not so often require such. You need not hold guilt nor regret to ask anything of me. What puzzles you?"

Seldan seats himself politely on the offered chair, drawing from his sleeve what appears to be a composite roll of parchment. This entire roll he proffers to Verna for her study, his gaze grave and serious.

Unrolling the scroll reveals a letter, and what appears to be a map of - possibly a manor? The letter reads:

''My dearest Seldan,''

''I am so pleased to have a letter from you here upon my desk. Far too long has it been since I have had one like it; but the blame is not yours and more the fact of one troublesome man whose knee has finally caught up to the weight of his bluster. Please do not over-worry about my poor health; it is simply evidence that my age has finally caught up with my wit and that my bones are beginning to show for it.''

''I have enclosed a map of Ivyhold Manor produced by a cartographer that was part of the team I commissioned to search the place. I'm afraid it is in a rather rural part of our Kingdom, far from my comfortable seat here in Bryn Myridorn, and certainly further than I am able to travel given the healer's orders. ''

''The fact that the key responded so sharply to your possession sits wrongly with me, Seldan. None of the commissioned team that found the key and searched the exterior of the house was of our family, so the fact that the key housed a spirit that was dangerous to the family was an unfortunate but inevitable oversight. It seems to me that there are two explanations: the key was haunted to ward off our family from the house as a protective measure, or as a malicious surprise for the next Padaryn to approach the house. Perhaps there is truth in both. Whatever the case, it proves my suspicion about the house is correct: there is something dark lurking in that house. And if we are to learn anything about the history of our family, it will be because of your efforts in ridding the place of its evil.''

''The family has been warned, save for your father, who, even with his bad knee, might be brash enough to go riding out to Ivyhold to sort the place out all by himself. Be assured that none of the family will seek the place out and interrupt you with your work, my dearest Seldan.''

''Yours always,''
''Grandmother''

Accompanying the letter is a very thorough map. It appears Ivyhold Manor is actually a rather large estate in the country, three stories tall and quite wide. Perhaps it was once used as a house for several generations and/or branches of the Padaryn family.

"It seems that this once belonged to the family, but has lain abandoned for some two hundred years," the paladin explains soberly. "A team sent to search it found a key, but when I grasped the key, it manifested a guardian that attacked me. It is in my mind that something dark lies within, for not idly would the family have abandoned such a place, and it seems that whatever has hold of it would not see its former owners return. I - Zeke shall accompany me, but I would take a few that I trust most. I cannot rule out the possibility that the dead lie not easily in that place, and thus did I think of you."

Verna focuses upon the parchment, specifically the letter, her eyes moving briskly yet precisely as she reads: a task with which she holds extensive experience. She yet listens as he speaks, as well. She considers all of this, and completes her reading, before rolling the scroll to offer it to him.

"It could well involve bound spirits of the deceased, or those from other realms. Of most important, however, is that it affects you and your family. I would earnestly offer any advice and aid I may, to include a venture with you to the manor. One should never be driven from one's own home, even in an indirect manner."

"I would most gratefully welcome your counsel, your aid, and your company. It may yet be a few days, ere we depart, but I would have it be soon. Is that too soon?" Seldan takes the parchment and rerolls it, then slips the leather binding back over it and slides it back into his sleeve, then sighs. "That is, perhaps, the less troubling matter of the two." His eyes are lowered, remaining on the floor, and only after a long minute do they lift to seek out hers. "The other is one that I would have you keep close, for it is - not one that I well understand. It does not seem wholly inimical, and yet is - disturbing." _I don't like it at all,_ his tone says. "Perhaps it is best, do I show you."

"When the guardian bit me, it took part of my hand off," he murmurs. "An injury most dire, and yet -"

From his side, a nasally old woman pipes up. "Seldan - what have you been hiding from us?" Remonstrance, with a little concern layered on top of it, fills her tone.

Verna nods lightly and then shakes her head in the negative in response to his initial comment and inquiry. "I accept the urgency. I shall be prepared. I-" Then the remainder of his explanation is parsed.

She blinks, then her eyes widen, and then they promptly lower to seek his limbs. "Seldan, you should not ignore any grievous injuries. Such are ''not'' a mark of zeal, or-" Verna pauses once more, this time with intention. An inhale. Her eyes lift back towards him. "Yes, it is best that you show me. I shall reserve evaluation until all the information is presented."

As it happens, Seldan's hands appear to be quite fine, with only what appears to be a long-healed scar across the joint of his thumb. "Peace, Reunion," he tells the voice steadily. "From all I can tell, it is not a thing of evil, and yet - yes, you should know. It may be that the truth shall for once and all silence those of you nagging me to sire children." A very small smile, a smirk, really, spreads across the even features as he draws a sidearm dagger from the opposite side of his weapon belt. "A magical effect seems to manifest when I am injured," he explains. "I would learn more of its - nature and origin. It may be that the guardian left this behind, or-"

He trails off, and holding the hand over his lap, effortlessly slashes a deep gash in his opposite hand. What wells up, though, is not just blood, or even mostly blood. Mingled with the crimson is a glittery black ooze-like substance that, were it not glittery, bears a disturbing resemblance to the ooze that caused the plague.

"Fear not," he says tightly, in the way that speaks of a good deal of discomfort. "It is not the plague, for I am not ill, and can cast magic freely without consequence."

From Verna's recoiling expression upon sight of the ooze, that may well be her immediate presumption. After his explanation, and a moment to observe the effect, her countenance relaxes. "Intriguing. Perhaps The Moon holds you to Her service and does not deem you yet exempt... or perhaps The Healer favors you... or The Harpist informs unequivocally that your time for judgement is not yet at hand."

Her eyes return to his. "I cannot explain that, nor its true source with certainty, yet it seems a great boon at this moment and I am pleased that you are well and whole." She then glances to Reunion. "I presume it is your ancestors who seek you to procreate, despite the biological complications in that endeavor." A brow arches. "Perhaps Malik and yourself would prefer to adopt a kitten or puppy?"

Seldan continues to hold his hand, in such a way that the Mourner can see, and even as the ooze spreads, the blood lessens. It is not wholly horrifying to look at - in its way, beautiful, really. At Seldan's side, Reunion erupts in a "What on earth is that?" There's a lot of chatter from his hip, concerned, indignant, warning, offended, but he ignores all of it, watching intently. Even as he does so, the wound - closes, in a matter of less than a minute, sealing itself off as if it had never been and leaving only the glittery black substance and the remnants of blood behind. Some of the first, even, begins to absorb back into the fair skin, even as he stares at it.

After a minute more, when no further change is evident, he swiftly casts a cantrip and cleans blade, skin, and everything else around him, and shows Verna the hand he'd sliced open. There is no evidence of it.

Verna tilts her head at full sight of the hand after it is cleaned by the cantrip. "A boon, indeed, unusual as it appears. Were it some manner of curse, there are innumerable alternatives far worse than such." She then nods lightly and succinctly. It is a mystery, indeed, yet not one that is urgent at this moment. Nor even hers to solve, most likely.

"Even so, and yet -" Seldan's eyes lower. "What I revealed to none is that the plague had permanent effects upon me, in ways that needed a _wish_ to unmake." He stares down at his hand, flexes it experimentally and a little gingerly, then sheathes the dagger back on its hip. "Malik or nay, even did I wed a woman, I do not wish to potentially sully my family line with magic unknown, be it curse or blessing. Thus is it best, do I not sire children at all." This candid admission is spoken with a quiet sigh. "Father's brother and his children carry the line most nobly. That shall have to suffice the Padaryn family."

Silence from Seldan's hip is an ominous thing. "I -"

He draws in another breath. "Do you think it not a matter for concern, then I shall take your wisdom into account. For the last thing, it was in my mind to possibly seek Lord Lupecyll-Atlon's aid, and perhaps that of the Lady as well, and yet is he - unfamiliar with such. Can be he trusted, do you think?"

Verna listens quietly to this and now takes a seat upon her own chair facing Seldan. Words are considered; his and her own to come. "That" a gesture to his hand, "does not appear an immediate threat. That is not to claim it is benign nor unimportant. I would lend whatever discovery or insight I might glean on that matter, and I wholly expect that Telamon and Cor'lana would offer the same. The manor, however, I would presume is the more urgent of the two?" There is some question to that as she seeks confirmation.

"As to your family line, that is a decision solely upon yourself, Seldan. It is your choice above all others', certainly. As well, I would do you great favor to not offer any advice on relationship, family, children or similar. Otherwise, I expect to lead you to disaster."

"It is. No counsel is required upon the matter of the family line, for the decision is made, and upon that point shall I not be moved." There's some protest from the blade at Seldan's hip, but he tells it, "Enough. I have good reason, and you shall live with it."

He then looks back up, his expression grave. "The manor is the greater matter. I would but have you be aware, that ou be not without warning should I be caught unawares by it."

"Indeed," Verna concurs, presumably on both or all matters. "I shall stand prepared for the venture and your candor on recent discoveries is appreciated."

"Very well, and for that do I have your thanks. Weighty matters aside, it has been some time since last we spoke." With business concluded, Seldan turns his topics to lighter things, inquires after family, but does not stay overly long, apologizing for consuming too much of Verna's valuable time.

[[Category:Logs]]

Counsel Sought Is Not Guaranteed

2023-07-15T19:31:52Z

Seldan: Created page with "Another hazy, hot, bright summer day in Alexandria finds Seldan, clad in a simple white shirt over the very, very lightest of armored links, and light linen trousers with low boots, Reunion at his hip, knocking at the door of a house he knows, but to which he ventures only at need. A quiet rap on the door, standing on the shaded portico, sweat beading on the fair skin. Due to the heat, and possibly some relaxation of worries or restrictions, windows are open about The R..."

Another hazy, hot, bright summer day in Alexandria finds Seldan, clad in a simple white shirt over the very, very lightest of armored links, and light linen trousers with low boots, Reunion at his hip, knocking at the door of a house he knows, but to which he ventures only at need. A quiet rap on the door, standing on the shaded portico, sweat beading on the fair skin.

Due to the heat, and possibly some relaxation of worries or restrictions, windows are open about The Residence. All is relatively quiet within, so the rap upon the door is clear. A few moments later, the door is answered and partly opened.

"Seldan," Verna greets, attired in the favored sundress consisting of blue flowers upon a rather bright yellow. "A mild surprise, yet a pleasure. Please," she gestures as she opens the door fully, "come in."

When the door opens, and Verna greets, Seldan bows politely. "Her light upon your path, Mourner. I had hoped that you might be home." He steps inside, looking around him with a thoughtful and sober gaze, and closing the door behind him, following Verna as she leads. "Not lightly or without regret do I trouble you, but I find myself with - a puzzle, and some difficulty. I had hoped for your counsel at the least, and have you the leisure, your assistance."

Verna steps further into the lounge before gesturing invitingly to a chair. She does not yet sit, herself, perhaps holding marginal expectation that he would accept the invitation. "I am familiar enough to know you do not seek advice nor aid quickly nor frivolously, Seldan. More so as you do not so often require such. You need not hold guilt nor regret to ask anything of me. What puzzles you?"

Seldan seats himself politely on the offered chair, drawing from his sleeve what appears to be a composite roll of parchment. This entire roll he proffers to Verna for her study, his gaze grave and serious.

Unrolling the scroll reveals a letter, and what appears to be a map of - possibly a manor? The letter reads:

My dearest Seldan,

I am so pleased to have a letter from you here upon my desk. Far too long has it been since I have had one like it; but the blame is not yours and more the fact of one troublesome man whose knee has finally caught up to the weight of his bluster. Please do not over-worry about my poor health; it is simply evidence that my age has finally caught up with my wit and that my bones are beginning to show for it.

I have enclosed a map of Ivyhold Manor produced by a cartographer that was part of the team I commissioned to search the place. I'm afraid it is in a rather rural part of our Kingdom, far from my comfortable seat here in Bryn Myridorn, and certainly further than I am able to travel given the healer's orders.

The fact that the key responded so sharply to your possession sits wrongly with me, Seldan. None of the commissioned team that found the key and searched the exterior of the house was of our family, so the fact that the key housed a spirit that was dangerous to the family was an unfortunate but inevitable oversight. It seems to me that there are two explanations: the key was haunted to ward off our family from the house as a protective measure, or as a malicious surprise for the next Padaryn to approach the house. Perhaps there is truth in both. Whatever the case, it proves my suspicion about the house is correct: there is something dark lurking in that house. And if we are to learn anything about the history of our family, it will be because of your efforts in ridding the place of its evil.

The family has been warned, save for your father, who, even with his bad knee, might be brash enough to go riding out to Ivyhold to sort the place out all by himself. Be assured that none of the family will seek the place out and interrupt you with your work, my dearest Seldan.

Yours always,

Grandmother

Accompanying the letter is a very thorough map. It appears Ivyhold Manor is actually a rather large estate in the country, three stories tall and quite wide. Perhaps it was once used as a house for several generations and/or branches of the Padaryn family.

"It seems that this once belonged to the family, but has lain abandoned for some two hundred years," the paladin explains soberly. "A team sent to search it found a key, but when I grasped the key, it manifested a guardian that attacked me. It is in my mind that something dark lies within, for not idly would the family have abandoned such a place, and it seems that whatever has hold of it would not see its former owners return. I - Zeke shall accompany me, but I would take a few that I trust most. I cannot rule out the possibility that the dead lie not easily in that place, and thus did I think of you."

Verna focuses upon the parchment, specifically the letter, her eyes moving briskly yet precisely as she reads: a task with which she holds extensive experience. She yet listens as he speaks, as well. She considers all of this, and completes her reading, before rolling the scroll to offer it to him.

"It could well involve bound spirits of the deceased, or those from other realms. Of most important, however, is that it affects you and your family. I would earnestly offer any advice and aid I may, to include a venture with you to the manor. One should never be driven from one's own home, even in an indirect manner."

"I would most gratefully welcome your counsel, your aid, and your company. It may yet be a few days, ere we depart, but I would have it be soon. Is that too soon?" Seldan takes the parchment and rerolls it, then slips the leather binding back over it and slides it back into his sleeve, then sighs. "That is, perhaps, the less troubling matter of the two." His eyes are lowered, remaining on the floor, and only after a long minute do they lift to seek out hers. "The other is one that I would have you keep close, for it is - not one that I well understand. It does not seem wholly inimical, and yet is - disturbing." _I don't like it at all,_ his tone says. "Perhaps it is best, do I show you."

"When the guardian bit me, it took part of my hand off," he murmurs. "An injury most dire, and yet -"

From his side, a nasally old woman pipes up. "Seldan - what have you been hiding from us?" Remonstrance, with a little concern layered on top of it, fills her tone.

Verna nods lightly and then shakes her head in the negative in response to his initial comment and inquiry. "I accept the urgency. I shall be prepared. I-" Then the remainder of his explanation is parsed.

She blinks, then her eyes widen, and then they promptly lower to seek his limbs. "Seldan, you should not ignore any grievous injuries. Such are ''not'' a mark of zeal, or-" Verna pauses once more, this time with intention. An inhale. Her eyes lift back towards him. "Yes, it is best that you show me. I shall reserve evaluation until all the information is presented."

As it happens, Seldan's hands appear to be quite fine, with only what appears to be a long-healed scar across the joint of his thumb. "Peace, Reunion," he tells the voice steadily. "From all I can tell, it is not a thing of evil, and yet - yes, you should know. It may be that the truth shall for once and all silence those of you nagging me to sire children." A very small smile, a smirk, really, spreads across the even features as he draws a sidearm dagger from the opposite side of his weapon belt. "A magical effect seems to manifest when I am injured," he explains. "I would learn more of its - nature and origin. It may be that the guardian left this behind, or-"

He trails off, and holding the hand over his lap, effortlessly slashes a deep gash in his opposite hand. What wells up, though, is not just blood, or even mostly blood. Mingled with the crimson is a glittery black ooze-like substance that, were it not glittery, bears a disturbing resemblance to the ooze that caused the plague.

"Fear not," he says tightly, in the way that speaks of a good deal of discomfort. "It is not the plague, for I am not ill, and can cast magic freely without consequence."

From Verna's recoiling expression upon sight of the ooze, that may well be her immediate presumption. After his explanation, and a moment to observe the effect, her countenance relaxes. "Intriguing. Perhaps The Moon holds you to Her service and does not deem you yet exempt... or perhaps The Healer favors you... or The Harpist informs unequivocally that your time for judgement is not yet at hand."

Her eyes return to his. "I cannot explain that, nor its true source with certainty, yet it seems a great boon at this moment and I am pleased that you are well and whole." She then glances to Reunion. "I presume it is your ancestors who seek you to procreate, despite the biological complications in that endeavor." A brow arches. "Perhaps Malik and yourself would prefer to adopt a kitten or puppy?"

Seldan continues to hold his hand, in such a way that the Mourner can see, and even as the ooze spreads, the blood lessens. It is not wholly horrifying to look at - in its way, beautiful, really. At Seldan's side, Reunion erupts in a "What on earth is that?" There's a lot of chatter from his hip, concerned, indignant, warning, offended, but he ignores all of it, watching intently. Even as he does so, the wound - closes, in a matter of less than a minute, sealing itself off as if it had never been and leaving only the glittery black substance and the remnants of blood behind. Some of the first, even, begins to absorb back into the fair skin, even as he stares at it.

After a minute more, when no further change is evident, he swiftly casts a cantrip and cleans blade, skin, and everything else around him, and shows Verna the hand he'd sliced open. There is no evidence of it.

Verna tilts her head at full sight of the hand after it is cleaned by the cantrip. "A boon, indeed, unusual as it appears. Were it some manner of curse, there are innumerable alternatives far worse than such." She then nods lightly and succinctly. It is a mystery, indeed, yet not one that is urgent at this moment. Nor even hers to solve, most likely.

"Even so, and yet -" Seldan's eyes lower. "What I revealed to none is that the plague had permanent effects upon me, in ways that needed a _wish_ to unmake." He stares down at his hand, flexes it experimentally and a little gingerly, then sheathes the dagger back on its hip. "Malik or nay, even did I wed a woman, I do not wish to potentially sully my family line with magic unknown, be it curse or blessing. Thus is it best, do I not sire children at all." This candid admission is spoken with a quiet sigh. "Father's brother and his children carry the line most nobly. That shall have to suffice the Padaryn family."

Silence from Seldan's hip is an ominous thing. "I -"

He draws in another breath. "Do you think it not a matter for concern, then I shall take your wisdom into account. For the last thing, it was in my mind to possibly seek Lord Lupecyll-Atlon's aid, and perhaps that of the Lady as well, and yet is he - unfamiliar with such. Can be he trusted, do you think?"

Verna listens quietly to this and now takes a seat upon her own chair facing Seldan. Words are considered; his and her own to come. "That" a gesture to his hand, "does not appear an immediate threat. That is not to claim it is benign nor unimportant. I would lend whatever discovery or insight I might glean on that matter, and I wholly expect that Telamon and Cor'lana would offer the same. The manor, however, I would presume is the more urgent of the two?" There is some question to that as she seeks confirmation.

"As to your family line, that is a decision solely upon yourself, Seldan. It is your choice above all others', certainly. As well, I would do you great favor to not offer any advice on relationship, family, children or similar. Otherwise, I expect to lead you to disaster."

"It is. No counsel is required upon the matter of the family line, for the decision is made, and upon that point shall I not be moved." There's some protest from the blade at Seldan's hip, but he tells it, "Enough. I have good reason, and you shall live with it."

He then looks back up, his expression grave. "The manor is the greater matter. I would but have you be aware, that ou be not without warning should I be caught unawares by it."

"Indeed," Verna concurs, presumably on both or all matters. "I shall stand prepared for the venture and your candor on recent discoveries is appreciated."

"Very well, and for that do I have your thanks. Weighty matters aside, it has been some time since last we spoke." With business concluded, Seldan turns his topics to lighter things, inquires after family, but does not stay overly long, apologizing for consuming too much of Verna's valuable time.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-07-15T19:31:25Z

Seldan: /* July */

A Soul's Request

2023-07-09T00:01:28Z

Seldan: Created page with "Aya has been a far more frequent visitor (even nigh-resident) of the Temple District in recent months, though doing so sequestered more often than not might make that fact unknown to many. This day, however, she is outside of any temple structures and amidst the hot, hazy, and bright afternoon sun. Well, she would be... if she and her bench were not wrapped in a bubble of shade. It is not dark enough to utterly obscure her sight nor sight of her, but does make the immedi..."

Aya has been a far more frequent visitor (even nigh-resident) of the Temple District in recent months, though doing so sequestered more often than not might make that fact unknown to many. This day, however, she is outside of any temple structures and amidst the hot, hazy, and bright afternoon sun. Well, she would be... if she and her bench were not wrapped in a bubble of shade. It is not dark enough to utterly obscure her sight nor sight of her, but does make the immediate vicinity more cool as she quietly watches the passersby of the plaza, contemplates, or some combination thereof.

Normally, summer afternoons are the time when Seldan is nowhere to be seen in Alexandria, having better - read, cooler - places to be. Still, today, it can't be helped. Dressed in hunting leathers rather than his typical armor, a bow and his haversack over his back, he makes his way through the Temple square, his attention on his much taller sith-makar companion at his side. "I was able to break the spells upon it," he is explaining. "To do so is risky, and never would I do so outside of a circle, for these - gems - contain an essence that, when released, seeks to poison the mind of one nearby. I had cast protections, and thus did it find no purchase, but I know not whether it is no more, or nay," he explains.

Zeke listens intently, and like Seldan he is outside his normal white clerical vestments. Instead he wears a sleeveless shirt of black and blue, and a pair of short-legged pants that accommodate his needs. He carries a pack on his back, and nods as Seldan talks. "Protectionsss are wissse. Iss it posssible that the.... esssssenssce iss sssome-thing that returnsss to where it came when cassst out?"

While some may be attired in different garb from the norm, and Aya cannot fault any for this given the day, some are yet conspicuous amongst the typical pedestrians. As one example, there are only so many tall blue Makari about the city. Aya notes the scales first, which then draws her focus to Zeke and his vicinity. This, in turn, brings Seldan to her notice. She rises from her seat and makes her way towards the pair, her radius of personal shade moving along with her. Her steps are firm, but not in great haste (especially for her), and she makes effort to approach from within their perceived field of vision even if it is not the most direct path.

"That may be so. When dispelled, it attempted me, broke upon my wards, and vanished," Seldan answers, but stops short as the figure of shade in the middle of bright sunlight approaches. "Zeke, a moment - what is that?" Pale blue eyes stare in the direction of the approaching Aya, until she is close enough to be identified. "That is - mistress Aya? An interesting trick," he muses.

He jerks his head in her direction, slowing as he approaches. "An interesting magic," he offers by way of greeting.

Zeke finds himself noticing the moving shade as well, blinking at the moving shadow and tensing from head to toe until it becomes clear that this is in fact Aya. He doesn't relax much upon seeing her within the darkness. "Peasssce on your nessst Aya." He offers just the same.

"It is not so potent of one," Aya... downplays(?) the effect, "but useful all the same. The blazing sun and I tend to disagree." She dips her head to Zeke. "No offense intended to The Sun, Himself, of course, and peace on your nest, Zeke." She comes to a stop near enough for conversation, though just short of imposing any shade upon them. "You are welcome to partake of the respite from the heat if either of you wish."

Aya now turns her attention back to Seldan, though there is a mild pause before she speaks. "I apologize for the interruption. I know that many ask much of you, Seldan, or expect such without asking. Still..." another pause "I would seek a favor of you, or your advice at least, if I might?" A brow arches mildly with the inquiry.

"I see." Seldan hesitates, casts a glance at Zeke, but remains outside the bubble of shadow in the end, despite the sweat that beads on his brow and dampens his hair. "I can but serve as best I may, Mistress Aya," he acknowledges cautiously. "How might I aid you?" With another glance at Zeke, he assumes a parade-rest stance and appears to wait for more information.

Zeke doesn't hesitate to defer the option of joining Aya in the shade. "Thisss one enjoysss the Dragonfather'sss light." He responds, it's not really a judgmental statement, but one might be forgiven for thinking it one. His eyes flicker to Seldan and he lets out a soft sigh, but seems to restrain himself from saying anything at the moment.

The sphere of dimness around Aya suddenly begins to shrink until it vanishes within to leave herself once more bathed in the sunlight; dismissed with a thought or perhaps having reached the limit of its existence. In either case, it does allow her to step nearer the two for ease of conversation at polite, even discreet, volume.

"The matter is of magic," she offers for general context. "You are the most competent wielder that I know, and one of the very few whom I trust. I..."

She pauses and frowns lightly. "I am unaccustomed to requesting aid." One final pause before she explains. "I have need of someone with the power to complete a powerful summoning, should the need arise. I can prepare all the is required in advance, but I would be unable to enact it, myself." Her last words seem to provoke a familier uneven twist to one corner of her lips.

The request - specifically the word _summoning_ - brings Seldan up short with an intake of breath. He straightens to his full height, his expression fading into quiet sobriety. "What would you have me summon?" he asks, the words falling from his lips one by one like glass.

If Seldan's demeanor could be considered 'cool' Zeke's was perhaps the polar opposite. His eyes flash with the fire of someone who's holding their temper by careful regin. "Aya." He says sternly. "Think carefully on what you are assssking thisss onessss' kin to do."

Aya seems mostly unsurprised by the reaction to that particular word, though her lips purse at the intensity of it. She lifts a hand, palm forward in a gesture of apology, placation, and/or pause. "It is the most apt term, but not as you might..."

Her words trail of a moment and her lifted hand lifts further. It rubs across her brow, and not only to remove the beads of perspiration from the recently renewed kiss of the sun. She exhales a breath before answering simply and directly, "Me. I would be the one you would call back to this world, Seldan... if you chose to."

Surprised, Seldan blinks, caught entirely off guard by the odd nature of the request. "The gift of calling souls back from the Halls is not mine, mistress. I am not unwilling, but I would hear your tale." He continues to wait, in that curiously alert pose, although some of the brittleness drains from it to leave it merely a cautious, waiting thing.

Indeed, calling a soul back from death was more Zeke's purview than Seldan's. Still, he doesn't interrupt the conversation with his curiosity nor the worried-irritation that is slowly leaking out of him.

Aya lowers her hand as the level of ire lowers, perhaps her own included. She exhales a breath, this time more in easing than exasperation. "Yes, the business of souls would be a matter for Zeke," she nods to him acknowledging this, "and for the temples, were mine not... unusual." She is neither mage nor priest, leaving that as the most descriptive term to come to mind. She now offers more of the requested tale.

"After my soul was removed from my body, retrieved and punched back into me by my sister, I was still not ... whole." Another word she isn't entirely certain of, judging by her tone. "After Seyardu implored a servant of the light to mend me, I was warned that I, still, was not complete. If I were to fall, my soul could never be returned again. I thought it was while the fiend that replaced me, -became- me still lived. When it was destroyed, I learned that I was mistake."

She looks between the two of them as she speaks. "I cannot be restored as others might. My soul cannot be returned by the gifts of the gods, even if I wished it. When I was certain of this, I first believed that I must simply accept it... but now I think I've discovered an alternative."

Seldan listens intently, not a muscle moving in his stance, his regard full of that same sober assessment and quiet contemplation. "I see. Eclavdran ruined your soul, but with the aid of others, you have managed to return it - in perhaps a different form." The words come slowly, consideringly. "What is this alternative?"

Zeke blinks at this news and tilts his head. Like Seldan he's curious, and with good reason. Souls are a thing that are important, and the disposition of one did not easily change. Aya's unique situation was... well, unique. "Would you like thisss one to leave?" He asks, realizing suddenly that this conversation might be something she wants private. "Thisss one can allow you two ssssome privacy."

Aya focuses upon Zeke at his inquiry, "I would not keep you if you must be elsewhere, but I would not ask you to leave, Zeke. You would know more of souls than I, perhaps more than either of us. I am not mage nor priestess: all that I know of this is theory, conjecture, a feeling. I would welcome your insight. Besides," she gestures to Seldan, "you are his kin. He often seeks your counsel, or you his, no? So you might learn all, regardless."

Now to Seldan's question. "I must believe my soul would go -somewhere-." The alternative is rather horrifying. "If it is barred from The Halls, it must go elsewhere? Perhaps this is why it cannot be called from The Halls?" Her layperson's logic continues. "If that is true, then I could use the same tactic that our enemies used for so long to torment us. Should I be destroyed, here, I could simply be called back as they are." A pause before she admits, "That is my hope."

This all takes Seldan several moments to digest, and he blinks slowly, the heat of the day beading on his brow. "It is well with me, kin, for I would have your counsel in the matter of souls. This is - an unusual situation."

He maintains the same posture, his gaze steady on Aya, and he does not look over at Zeke. "It is in my mind that those who have aided you have - reconstructed your soul, in a manner of speaking, and thus its nature is - not one that may be restored by divine means." The words are carefully chosen.

His eyes lower to the cobblestones at their feet. "And thus is an arcane means needful, to return you, as you are now, to your body." The lids close as the true gravity of the request, and why he was entrusted with it, becomes clear. "You are certain of this?"

Zeke rubs his chin as he listens to the explanation. "It might be wisssse, to be sssure. If you are not." He replies slowly and with some care. "Unlesss you are?"

Aya attempts to keep her response simple, but her expression falls given the answer and nature of the topic. "No, I am not sure. It is a theory. A hope. It is one that I hope never need to be used, and I haven't been in any haste to test it..."

Another moment of silence passes. Finally, Seldan looks up. "I shall research the magic involved, and inform you whether I can do as you ask. If I can, I shall make the attempt. No more can I promise. I would understand its nature, and see if I may learn more of what has become of your soul."

"Asssking the ssssource might be wisssse." Zeke replies lightly, a trace of amusement in his tone now. "Thissss one can commune with thossse that ssserve the deitiesss, and assss sssuch could perhapsss gather ssssuch anssswersss for you." He looks at Aya. "One hasss the right to know the disssposssition of their sssoul."

Aya blinks and looks between them both. "I intended to ask only if you would be willing to enact the spell, if it might work. I... thank you." Her head dips to them both. "I am grateful for anything either of you could learn... even if it is that it can't be done." She is well out of her league in this, and its her soul.

"Zeke, as always, offers wise counsel," Seldan answers, with a very small smile. "We have only just returned from a hunting trip, and I would lay down our burdens ere we seek the counsel of the Draco Solis' servants, but this would I do, at the very least. Zeke will need to prepare, and so will I, but that will not be long."

"While we do so, Mistress Aya," he goes on, seriously. "You will need to have in your mind the questions that you wish to ask, and it may be best that you set them to parchment and ink, ere we begin. The servant will answer yes or no, and occasionally may not know the information that you desire. If you wish, I shall ask the questions, and you will hear the answers."

Zeke bows his head to Aya. "Thisss one isss glad to be of assistance. It isss asss Ssseldan sssayss however. Thisss isss a thing that requiresss sssome sssmall time to do. Thisss one hasss enacted the sspell more than onsce, and agreesss with Sseldan'sss sssuggessstionsss."

"Of course," Aya offers in a tone that is very much understanding and grateful as opposed to more... well, traditionally Aya. Perhaps unexpected alterations of a soul are not necessarily negative in there entirety? "At your conveniences. If you need find or send for me, I can be found at the Fernwood, or the healer's building of Eluna's temple." She begins to turn, but pauses. "Again, my thanks to you both. Neither of you have any obligation to aid me, and perhaps cause to not wish to. Peace on your nests." The last is offered in farewell as she turns to step away. It seems far less inappropriate than wishing the light of sun or moon upon them. Especially as her conjured shade appears anew once she has moved away.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-07-09T00:00:02Z

Seldan: /* July */

Felwood Spire: A Fell Mood Part 1

2023-05-21T18:09:44Z

Seldan: Created page with "The Felwood Camp is continuing to evolve. It's wooden pallisades have been expanded and strengthened, additiional structures added, and guards posts now well established. It is also where this meeting is taking place, as you prepare for your own efforts. There are experts here, such as they are, should you have any questions for them. The Guild is keeping a close eye on the efforts in and out. Harkashan isn't too used to be in a position such as this. Taking the lead..."

The Felwood Camp is continuing to evolve. It's wooden pallisades have been expanded and strengthened, additiional structures added, and guards posts now well established.

It is also where this meeting is taking place, as you prepare for your own efforts. There are experts here, such as they are, should you have any questions for them. The Guild is keeping a close eye on the efforts in and out.

Harkashan isn't too used to be in a position such as this. Taking the lead on an operation like this, off of a hunch, it's a bit nerve-wracking. Yet, he tries to keep his posture best he can, and eases his breathing. There are experts around, people who have done this far more often than himself, whom he can rely on.

The Child of Flame has gathered those present around a flame. For such is where he finds himself most at ease. Motioning his hands as he speaks.

"So we have uncovered over a series of explorations into the Felwood, that there exists a Spire amidst its evil and cursed woods." He begins, starting with a summary of what they have learned so far. "The Spire existed before the woods came here, and was once dedicated to Eluna. Garnering her power every full moon. The Temple had multiple outlying structures that were in aid to this Spire. And each time we get close, strange things happen. Monsters appear out of nowhere. Mimic tables with exact numbers of place-settings appear."

He takes a pause. "From what we understand, something - presumably the evil of the woods themselves - has corrupted the Spire." He looks to Fidget. "And we learned that it has a Displacement effect on it, similar to a displacer-beast. Each time we try to approach it, it moves, making it really difficult to get closer to it. Let alone enter it. Something that, reportedly, can only be done during a full moon."

He turns his gaze back to the group as a whole. "This displacement however, is limited to an area. A rough circle around a central point. The edges at which we've found some of these 'supporting temple structures'." He presses his weapon into the sands and draws a circle, a dot at the center.

"At least, we have so far found one. Due to the way the forest messes with the senses, it can be hard to get a proper picture of this all." He wants to make sure it's clear that there is still quite a bit of missing information.

He looks to Ravenstongue then. "My goal here is to go in there, and remove the deep Curse that lays over this forest from one, if not more, of those temple structures. Some of these Curses take a very 'physical' presence. Dark vines trying to swallow up people. But the hope is that, by removing the curse of the buildings tied to the Spire to Eluna, the Spire itself will stop being able to displace itself, and we will be able to enter the Spire and attack the corruption at its root." He looks to Seldan as he brings up this last part.

One of the figures amid the gathering is remarkably pale, and remarkably clean given the trip out this far. Seldan is fair as a spring day, his helm set aside atop the brown leather knapsack, only a elkhorn and steel bow in evidence, paired with a quiver of arrows. His armor is well-made and well-cared for, but ordinary-looking. The only unusual thing he wears is a blue-and-silver open-front sleeveless robe over the armor, clasped in the front. The reason for his presence, given Harkashan's words, is clear enough, for the crescent and sphere around his neck denote him as tied to Eluna.

"The idea is sound, the effort worthwhile. I may be able to attempt the removal of a curse, and may be able to anchor the building for the purpose." The voice is light, the words holding a Myrrish lilt to them. "Such shall I attempt, do you wish it."

Cor'lana 'Ravenstongue' Lupecyll-Atlon--for the moniker is just one of her many epithets--is here, dressed in her adventuring robes of violet and black, her violet cloak, and her silver circlet, wearing a contemplative expression. "Seldan, I will gladly help you," she says, "unless you would prefer for me to stand in defense of you should the woods try to do their best to rise up against you in the attempt, as they did in the previous time that I was here."

Pothy, the white raven, adorns her shoulder, and somehow one gets the sense from his blue eyes that he's not exactly happy about being here, either. He makes small, grumpy raven noises, but he's quickly silenced with a handful of dried berries from Cor'lana's hand.

A rather large egalrin was sat down near the fire, hunched over slightly as they worked on a few things, oiling a rapier that was in their lap, while a crossbow was also partly disassembled beside them. Working, but not oblivious to the goings on. "I'm going to be honest, I don't think the answer is as simple as go in and kill off every bit of corruption. Not only the idea of that a nigh insurmountable, but not impossible task, just one of the creatures created, or corrupted, I'm not sure which, managed to crack the majority of my ribcage." They pipe up. "So whatever the plan is, I think Hark there has a sound idea. Whatever is causing the corruption or curse or whatever it is, we really should have brought back samples of that beast but I wasn't thinking too straight then, anyways." She continues, waving that thought away. "We need to clear out whatever is causing this phenomenon at the source, or sources, however that might come about."

Rune sits on the outskirts of the fire's reach, only a bit of the light showing on her features as she listens to Harkashan given the summary of how they found themselves all gathered today. Much of it seems well known to her, enough so that her mind seems to wander, looking at the way that the flames cause the shadows to flicker.

"If there's something physical to fight, you know I'll lend my skills where I can. If it's magic..." Rune looks to various members of the gathered group, nodding to mages, clerics, sorcerers and other individuals gifted in such artes. "I'll leave that to those far better prepared."

Her eyes shift to Seldan. There is an anxious twitch of her fingers against a locket at her throat, "I, for one, would like to know if any connection to the Sky-singer remains in that place. If so, what we can do to return it to its former state."

Back to the camp to regroup, some might say to lick their wounds. Aelmeh is more optimistic about it, though the Spire has begun living her dreams.

Its mystery occupies many of her waking hours; when the Moon is shining, she spends time communing with it in the evening. So much of the magic Aelmeh practices now, the wizard learned at the Temple dedicated to Eluna, and it hurts her to the core of her being to see a temple dedicated to the Goddess twisted to strange uses. She has come to believe it might be the source of evil infecting Felwood.

Nodding at the Paladin, she grasps the silver crescent on the chain around her neck and stands to speak.

"I hope that I can aid you Seldan to heal the Forest of this evil."

A tall and broad Dranei, clad in an armour that has been definitely patched after some rather dramatic damage, stands on the side, leaning on the haft of his massive war-flail. "Brother Makari, you need me, you have me and my Bear-breaker to ward your back. Or whoever will work on this dread curse."

Aelwyn is standing in the crowd, wrapped up in his leather cloak. His glaive, ornately decroated with red ribbons and golden vines, looked worn. Tired. Spent. Not its owner though. He looked as if he were full of fire.

"And what if we remove the curse of the woods - what then?" The Dragoon asks, eyes turning to look around, especially towards Seldan. "What if it is not a curse at all, but something to contain something far more vile, leaking its corruption to these rotten woods?" His tongue seemed to drip with ire.

"Why remove the curse at all, why not get rid of it all?"

"The corrupted vine creature didn't seem to like fire. So let's keep adding more fire." Fidget proposes, "Fire on the vines, fire on the spire - the spire itself stone, right? It'll be fine - maybe some fire for the felwood? As far as I know there's nothing in it that's not evil and murdery." The colourful goblin sits higher up on a barrel, swinging her heels absently against the wood.

Harkashan slowly nods his head as Seldan speaks up. "I would, yes. But I would also like a chance to try my hand at at least one of these attempts to remove a curse - so I can feel what kind of cursed power lays behind all of this." He remarks to Seldan.

"I am glad you've come to aid us, Seldan." He then adds, appreciatively.

"But we will have to make our ways from the camp to those locations first again. We have a method to do so - walking a spiral pattern towards the Spire's displacing movement. But it does take a while." He then takes out a piece of lavarock.

"But I did leave some of my Lavarocks behind at the site we found, and on the way there. So I may be able to at least get us a direct path with a Locate spell."

He then nods his head at the Egalrin as they speak of samples. "I did not think of it either. And I am fairly certain that Rune has washed that stuff off of her blade by now." After which he thanks Ulthan. "And the only way we can lay fire on the Spire, is by actually getting there first. One thing at a time."

Turning to Aelwyn, he smiles and notes; "If it was as easy as removing the Curse from all of the Woods by just destroying the woods, I think it would be done by now." Is what he offers in reply, looking to some of the Camp Specialists who might know more on that topic. "This is the only thing I could think of, that might give us a chance at getting at the Spire, in the hope that it helps us deal with this matter."

Seldan meets Aelwyn's gaze with a sober and steady one of his own, an even thing that betrays little of his true thoughts. "The evil that lies within this place far outlives all living memory, Warrior. It will not be so easily unraveled, and yet by unraveling one thread, may we be led to the next piece. Therefore would I counsel you to patience, and bid you face but one foe at a time."

The barest ghost of a smile accompanies this, and he turns to Cor'lana. "It is in my mind that it is I who shall defend you, do we find ourselves so beset," he offers gently.

To Harkashan, he then nods. "As you will it. I am here to lend you my aid, and I presume not to more."

He turns last to Aelmeh, surveying her quietly, and then inclining his head politely. "You have the advantage of me, my lady. I shall offer all that I may."

Cor'lana smiles fondly at Seldan, nodding to his words. "Perhaps we shall defend each other, then," she says. "It would only be the correct thing to do for a friend if one finds themselves fighting by their side. May Ni'essa and Vaire see us both to victory and safety again on this day."

She looks to Harkashan. "Let us be off then," she says. "When all are prepared and ready. Speaking of which--"

A protective murmur comes out of mouth and rolls down her lips, accompanied by the flicker of magic that adorns her form and then fades away. Pothy shakes his feathers in response. "We owe it to the Sky-singer to see such a place purged of the evil that has claimed it," she says more broadly to those who are assembled. "I will not tolerate much in the way of _leaving it be_ as a result. Shall we?"

GAME: Ravenstongue casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 14 DC: 18

Ulthan straightens up and raises his flail onto his shoulder, the free hand going over the rest of his gear with fluidity born of repetition, only broken as he touches the two vials hanging on his bandolier.

Good idea, Harkashan!" The egalrin responds enthusiastically. "At the very least, if we know where it is, it gives us a place to start, even if I'm not too keen on heading back there. But, I doubt anyone would be, and well, needs to be done, right?"

"Lets well, let's leave wholesale destruction and forest fires as a last resort, alright? I admire the enthusiasm, but you aren't gonna solve much if Alexandria burns down in an attempt to get rid of a spooky forest nearby." They add with a slightly exasperated sigh. "Seems like we have some other methods to try first for the time being, anyways."

The half-elven woman, Aelmeh, dips her head solemnly to Seldan, the palm of her hand covering the crescent at her neck which glows in the firelight.

"You give good counsel, sir. The web of magic woven around the Spire will not be easily undone. Yet, we must believe in ourselves."

Looking at each of their group, her gaze lingering on each Ravenstongue, she gives each of them an encouraging nod. "We have the strength to do this deed."

Magic flares briefly as she casts a protective spell.

GAME: Aelmeh casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15

"Mmm." There is a soft sound as Rune's weapons are mentioned, offering a shake of her head, "I keep my blades clean, I'm afraid. And visits to the Felwood have usually meant a full wash of my gear at the TarRaCe afterwards." She spends as little time as possible covered in monster goo.

"I do have to agree with Reithak on that. We don't know that a fire would do any good, or if we'd just make things worse in the long run. Better to have more understanding before we resort to anything drastic." Though, by her expression, Rune is not a fan of the Felwood, not by a long shot.

With some seemingly ready to depart, Rune pushes herself to her feet. "Ready to move out." Pulling her hood up, the half-sil seems hard to see in that instant, other than a faint bit of the firelight on her face.

Aelwyn looks towards Seldan, and he bows his head. "As Gemstone states, and Raven desires." The Dragoon suffices to say - but it was obvious from his eyes that he still carried doubts. "This one's blade shall not carry disagreements to the field."

Though Fidget makes him rumble in amusement, agreement sparkling on his eyes. "Tch, a fire at the least, would make this journey far more healthy."

The Draconian then picks up his bundle of javelins off the ground and slides the leather belt holding them over his shoulder. There's a moment of contemplation in his eyes, as he looks in the way of the Felwood - but it is dispelled with a flick of his tail, and he straightens out with a low, amused rumble. "Let us, then." A flash of his teeth. "At the very least, this one made sure the baths are warm in the TarRaCe."

"Oh, we're going now? I thought you all would spend way more time talking about stuff before we got to the interesting part." Fidget says and launches herself off the barrel and onto her feet.

To Aelwyn she adds, "I'm sure there will be fire, don't worry. There's always at least a little."

Ulthan , walking just apst the little explosion of colour when she mentions 'there is always fire', snorts loudly. These little ones remind him so of all his mischievous nieces and nephews back home.

GAME: Rune rolls survival: (16)+6: 22

GAME: Reithak rolls survival: (18)+2: 20

GAME: Aelmeh rolls survival: (10)+2: 12

<OOC> Harkashan says, "I will spend 2 RPP to get a +5 to Survival (Intuitive Skill)"

GAME: Harkashan rolls Survival+2+5: (18)+5+2+5: 30

<OOC> Harkashan says, "+4 for a total of 34"

GAME: Fidget rolls survival: (5)+0: 5

"Then let's go indeed." Harkashan agrees, motioning forward, intent to lead the group as he did last time in regards to tracking the way there. "Jacob isn't here this time, but Rune - can you help flank me alongside Aelmeh?" He bids.

He then closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, trying to focus on the path he'd taken before. Drawing back on those skills from so many years ago when he actively lived in the jungles of Am'shere... and starts to press forward.

Along the way, noting that; "When you travel with a Child of the Flame, there will always be fire." To Fidget and Aelwyn both.

Seldan says nothing as the group arranges itself, and the barest ghost of a smile plays around his lips. From his knapsack, he draws an ornate-looking longsword attached to a weapon belt, which immediately begins to complain in the voice of a crotchety old man. "Damn it, Seldan, I HATE when you shove us in there!"

"Did I trust you to hold your peace when needful, Kanian, I would not do so," Seldan counters, fastening the buckles and slipping the bow over his back.

He then assumes whatever role in the party is asked of him without comment, continuing to argue with the blade.

"We're going now? Guess we're going now. Well, alright then." The large egalrin answers, wiping down their blade and stowing it and quickly restringing their crossbow to hoist over their back and follow along with the others. "Keep as little bare skin as possible." The inquisitor warns once they are back on the trail. "Some of these plants have nasty venoms, and I'd rather avoid anyone getting harmed by them. I don't even know what some of the other plants might do, but better safe than sorry, you know?"

The last time that they had found this particular location, Rune had leaned heavily on Harkashan and Jacob's skills, since she was still learning quite a bit about navigation. The Felwood is not the best of places to learn, either. "I'll give it my best shot." She agrees, falling into step near Harkashan.

"Just so everyone is aware, be watchful of thorns once we get closer to any areas with thicker underbrush." Rune warns, "The thorns have something in them that causes intense hallucinations. So you'll want to avoid getting pricked by them." Clearly, their group had run into these on their previous explorations.

Rune stays a few steps behind Harkshan, using her eyes and ears as her guides, trying to spot familiar locations she can point out to the Makari cleric.

Aelmeh, shrugs the light crossbow that had laid by her side onto her shoulder and joins the procession out of the camp. A few steps behind Fidget, she murmurs her agreement to Harkashan. "Fire has its place. I am glad for the Child of the Flame in our midst. May he lead us well."

The argument behind her between sword and master, causes her to smile. She glances back once then concentrates on the trail.

"A good warning, Rune."

"Be nice to Seldan, Kanian," Cor'lana responds to the voice that comes from Seldan's longsword as though it's perfectly ordinary. "And if you can't be nice to him, could you do it for me?"

She bats her eyelashes at the blade like she expects it to respond to this rather flirtatious method of convincing. Meanwhile, Pothy says. "Not that kind of sword," he murmurs in the voice of a very exhausted-sounding man. Presumably overheard from somewhere in the Theatre District.

In the meantime, Cor'lana looks to Rune's warning. "Hallucinations? Pothy got drunk off of berries he ate here one time. I'll take the hallucinations." Either way, she travels somewhere in the center, keeping a watchful eye on what lurks within the Felwood.

"Don't light this one on fire too early, Lava." Aelwyn rumbles in amusement, tail flicking behind him. "This one does not burn out easily." He walks along with the rest of the party, somewhere near the front - but definitely behind the big hitters.

The warning about the thorns makes the ruddy sith-makar lose the spring on his step, and he turns his head to look Cor'lana. "Raven," He calls out. "This one can assure her, she'd rather not." He then returns his eye to the front again. There's a definite unease on his step. "... one pricked is not here with us, after all." The Dragoon would rather not be there either - but he needed to see the very end.

"Yeah, so remember if you see anything strange and terrifying, it might just be your hallucinations and you can ignore it. Or it could be one of the several real, strange and terrifying things in the forest that's trying to eat you, and you should not ignore it." Very helpful advice from Fidget disposed, she peers at the talking sword. "Is that an extraplanar bag? If you regularly kept me in a featureless void for long periods of time, I'd be a bit mad too. Or, completely mad, probably."

Ulthan rumbles up from behind. "Maybe the sword was in detention..."

... into the Felwood.

By now, some of you are truly familiar with this place. The seeming absence of animal life, the canopy that almost blots out the sun, the constant, odd quiet that leaves you hearing only the clank of your own armor, the sound of your own thudding heartbeats and the crunching underfoot of dead branches and leaves as you carve your path.

Try as you might, the path you're taking does not look familiar, even as you know you're headed in the right direction. The glimpses of the spire between the trees, a tall and slender thing, that has become visible in the light of the moon makes it clear that you're on the right path ...

... but it does not FEEL like the right path, even as you know it's accurate. The trails are different. The trees are different. Even the thorny brambles you cleave your way around feel different.

"It's further... this way." It's clear that, after a few hours of traveling while constantly having to focus is taking a toll on Harkashan. Constantly mentally having to look at the moon, not letting the trees confuse him. "Traveling the Felwood is a troublesome situation. What are you seeing, Lady Cor'lana?" He then asks. "Each time we travel, that paths seem more winding, more treacherous. We recognize naught." He explains to her. "Is it part of the curse?" He asks, as he motions one particular direction to keep going that way. "We're still a ways out."

"It is as the Dranei says," Seldan replies mildly, inclining his head backwards towards Ulthan. "Kanian is vocal in his preferences, and not always does Reunion swiftly find consensus. It can, at times, draw unwanted attention."

It's at that moment that the crotchety old man answers Cor'lana. "Well, for you, I'd do a lot to see this corset I've heard so much about." The tone is entreating.

"KANIAN!" A nasally old woman's voice fairly explodes from the sword at his hip. "Lady Lupecyll-Atlon is a married woman. You keep your prick to yourself." This occasions a burst of surprised laughter from several other voices, and a younger, deeper female voice responds. "Why Fallia, were you two married in life?"

"No!" the nasally female voice bursts out, to a richer, deeper old man's voice. "If I'm not mistaken, they're about four generations separated. Fallia is older than all of us, Tisa."

Seldan lets out a long breath, the sigh of the long-suffering, and turns to Fidget. "It is, indeed, one such. As I have said, it is as Ulthan said. It is, at times, needful, much though we all dislike it."

Somewhere in the path, the armored man has conjured a light spell, a blue-gold-silver mote that has attached itself to the end of the bow on his back, bobbing along in the darkness of the paths of the Felwood. He keeps his eyes on the spire ahead, bending his gaze to it and ignoring now the sword at his hip, which now seems to be carrying on a conversation about who's older.

GAME: Seldan casts Light. Caster Level: 16 DC: 18

Cor'lana looks like she already regrets her feytouched whim to flirt with the sword when Harkashan asks the question, her violet eyes regarding the Deathsinger with an expression that practically says, _Please end me._ "Right now? A path that is doing its damndest to try and lose us," she says. "And a man stuck in a sword who believes he's lost his chance at seeing my underpinnings but never realized he didn't have the chance to begin with."

"You brought this onto yourself," Pothy remarks in the voice of Cor'lana's husband, which just makes the exasperated expression on Cor'lana's face all the deeper.

"I would not be surprised if it is part of the curse. Cursed woods want to lead us into directions where will be beset by demons and by particularly dark members of my Grandfather's people, although I hear tell that demons are far more likely the primary concern," she elaborates to Harkashan. "If _I_ was casting a curse to lure my enemies away from the spire of Ni'essa that I had corrupted, I would do just that."

Ulthan muses, from the back, "You know, I wonder if there is something in this curse to make us distract each other, like our associates esteemed ancestors being stirred right now?"

The fell magic that gives the Wood they walk through its name is at work. Time and time again, Aelmeh's hand drifts to Eluna's crescent Moon on its chain, reassurance against the pervading wrongness in the still air. She follows Harkashan's trail, catching occasional disorienting glimpses of the Spire through gaps in the trees. If only her magic could fix it in place.

"I'm glad stealth is not an issue on this quest," she comments at the sound of voices behind her, amusement evident in her voice. "Family can be such a trial. It is family, isn't it?" she asks, glancing back along the trail, glad at the distraction from her thoughts.

For Rune, so much of her way of navigating is based on sensory input. In the dim forest, everything looks different from what she remembers from past visits. Enough so that the half-sil spends a moment looking at the trees around them, wondering, perhaps, if they had gotten off-course somehow.

"It's why we started taking this circular approach. It takes longer, but it makes the chances of getting hopelessly lost a bit less." Rune seems to add to Harkashan's comment about the shifting nature of the Felwood. "I just wish there was something I recognized. I navigate by sight more than anything else."

Her ear twitches, hearing the strange arguing that seems to come from Seldan's weapons. Thankfully, this isn't the first time she's seen such things, but it does get a slight curious head-tilt and a quirk of her lips.

Reithak came prepared this time, at least somewhat, as the large egalrin takes a machete to the plants that stand in her way to avoid taking any chances. Still, it's a lot of work, and the journey isn't exactly a short one. "It's doing its best to keep us off track, but I doubt it will be enough." The egalrin shrugs. "We found it once and we'll find it again, just a matter of time."

And yet, the only landmark is the spire ...

... and it too never seems to be in exactly the same spot when you look. It's there! No, it's there!

They weren't kidding about the 'displacement' effect. It's ... bothersome, and nearly throws you off course more than once.

Finally, the brambles are thickening enough that now you're having to edge carefully through them, cutting away others and shielding yourself from the toxic venom that you dealt with before, in some cases. Nobody wants to hallucinate right now.

-- and then, finally, after what feels like forever, you can see it. A thickly vine-covered building. Less so, now that the beast that was attached to it was slain by some adventurous hands earlier, but still thickly covered. Entirely unnatural, really, but you can make out the signs of elven construction just barely beneath the vines.

You're in the right place.

Aelwyn was not too bothered about the fact that everything looked alien - he has been here many times before, and he knew the forest had nothing but ill-will and worse in store for them. He just keeps his hand firm around his glaive, as he pushes any thorny looking vegetation aside _very carefully_.

Then Seldan - and the whole family - speaks, and the Dragoon tilts his head with his teeth flashing. "And this one thought he was persecuted. Very smooth, Gemstone." His teeth make a bit of playful snap in the air.

At the topic of getting lost though, he rumbles. "This one supposes if one were to bring a compass, it would simply turn in endless circles." He clicks his teeth. "Lavastone and the skies seem to be most reliable, Twin." And then his teeth spread wider. "Perhaps focus on his luminance? This one is."

When they finally arrive though, Aelwyn slowly comes to a still. "Tch, looks like Fashion was right." He looks towards the Egalrin, flicking his tail. He takes in a deep breath. "And what shall our next steps?"

GAME: Harkashan rolls Perception: (9)+5: 14

Ulthan brings up the rear of the small troupe, surprisingly unexhausted despite the long trek and the need to keep wtach for surprises that could, quite literally, come from the thin air. But coming to stop, he doesn't relax, instead keeping a sweeping ovewatch of where they came from, and what is around them, not paying much attention to the structure right now.

As with the last time, Fidget seems to be trepidatiously enjoying her journey through the forest, looking at the things they pass and scanning for anything particularly unusual and interesting. She also keeps glancing over at the weird sword - "So...how many people are trapped in there, then? Seems like kind of a lot going on in there."

GAME: Fidget casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14

Harkashan lets out a long sigh of relief when they finally seem to encounter the vine-covered building. His shoulders lower, and a long rumbling sound escapes from him. "There it is. Didn't think I'd ever be glad to see a cursed extension of the Sky-singer's temple." He remarks, as he points forward and begins to slowly move forward.

"The vines, if they are covered by the same substance as the last, are living, so do be careful." He remarks, though it's not as thickly covered as last time. "Seems the damage we did was to an extent lasting though. That is at least good to see." He notes...

But then stops.

Looking around.

"I do not see my Lavastones." He warns. "They should be here."

GAME: Seldan casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 16 DC: 18

"Even so," Seldan replies to Aelmeh. "My ancestors indeed. Half a dozen have answered me," he notes to Fidget, "but it is in my mind that there are more." He falls silent, then, but somewhere near the end of the journey, as avoiding the toxic brambles gets more perilous and more concentration is needed, Seldan finally tells Reunion firmly, "_Enough._" The discussion is brief, but welcome silence falls after a few moments and what feels like a stare-off.

When they finally arrive at the vine-covered spire, he lets out a slow breath, the vestiges of ancient sildanyari architecture before him. He raises a gauntleted hand and traces a sigil before him, a blue-gold-silver film appearing before his eyes. He surveys it intently for several long, silent seconds, nearly half a minute.

City girl that Aelmeh is, she would be lost without the forest craft of the others. Their abilities have kept her safe from the poison thorns, the strange insects. And suddenly they arrive, the Wizard feels the magic before the vine-covered outbuilding is in sight and stops dead in her tracks, casting for its source.

GAME: Aelmeh casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14

GAME: Fidget rolls knowledge/arcana: (9)+10: 19

GAME: Fidget rolls knowledge/arcana: (6)+10: 16

At Harkashan's mention that the stones are gone, Cor'lana looks somewhere between perturbed and displeased. Her violet eyes narrow as she looks around to see if she, herself, can't spot them, and when she comes up empty, she says, "Let me try something."

She lifts up her hands and recites an incantation, her hands motioning with the soft murmuring of her words, which results in her eyes glowing softly as she regards the environment again.

"Reveal yourself to me," she murmurs.

GAME: Ravenstongue casts True Seeing. Caster Level: 14 DC: 22

As the group seems to come to that familiar place, Rune draws her weapons forth from their holster on her back, looking around with a wary expression.

"We fought against the plant creature that was wrapped around that building." Her sword points in the right direction, a bit of moonlight glinting off the onyx stones. "But we heard more approaching. It's why we had to withdraw." It's a warning that there may very well still be danger here. The previous group had not eliminated all of the monsters in the area.

For the moment, she seems to simply focus on keeping an eye on the surrounding area, watching for shifting shadows and listening for sounds of movement that don't come from the group.

GAME: Rune rolls perception: (5)+16: 21

Harkashan seems... a bit sad almost at the discovery that his Lavastones are gone. Did they arrive at a different location perhaps? There's a few people present here right now who understands why he cares to get his Lavastones back, and why he'd chosen specifically those to leave behind - so this place could be found again.

He nods at Ravenstongue, a bit hopeful when she offers that she'll try something. Waiting, looking to Seldan. "If the coast is clear, lava stones or no lava stones, we start working on the buildings and remove their curse." He notes, before noting: "I remember you said you did not know much of the temple in this area. But does seeing this refresh any memories? Looked into anything while at the temple?"

"That's what I'm here for, little Flame. To stay positive and keep moving forward." The large egalrin laughs. "Secret is if you're vague enough on your success, you'll still be correct when it does actually happen, you know?"

"Well, seems the land is being messed with, too. I don't know if that creature vanished or if it was dragged away, hard to tell." The inquisitor shrugs. "I'd like to get to the bottom of what is happening, but I think we should make use of the relative calm we've got now before it becomes relative chaos, and get as much done as we can."

GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/religion: (13)+15: 28

<OOC> Harkashan aiding Seldan - as per pose.

GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/Religion: (9)+7: 16

GAME: Aelmeh rolls knowledge/religion: (8)+8: 16

GAME: Seldan rolls knowledge/arcana: (7)+18: 25

Aelwyn takes a javelin off his back, holding it in one hand whilst holding the glaive in the other. He turns to look towards Reithak. "This one will assure Fashion, there is nothing little about this one." Except that he was pretty runty. He twists his lips and grunts out. "Tch, the feathers do sing like Ribbon, don't they?"

Aelwyn looks over Rune as she explains their previous encounter. "Mimics, vines, creatures; undoubtedly, far worse wait the further we move in." There's a low rumble. "Perhaps next time, it will come smiling." He moves onto observing the area as well; remaining on guard in case something unexpected happens.

Ulthan keeps tracking. "The patrol I was on was beset by a big, spooky ant. It had something eldritch to it, no ants I know, no matter how big, explode like that... Although the swarm of larvae was pretty standard for anything that big." His eyes never stop as he keeps scanning for disturbances.

Fidget's examination of Seldan is most interesting, he's like a constellation of bright auras, each of them interesting in turn, and she'd probably have spent a long while trying to figure each of them out, but she was supposed to be also watching out for anything unusual around them and that certain was unusual - "There's no ambient mana directly around the tower. That's odd. Perhaps something else is absorbing it? I hope it's not an anti-magic field, I've never seen one before but they sound awful."

Seldan allows all the discussion to swirl around him, studying the spire intently. "The spire is separate from the Felwood curse," he murmurs, after a good half-minute of staring. The magic is - separate. The spire act. I cannot yet determine what, precisely, it does, and yet is its energy distinct." Only then does he turns his head towards Fidget. "Even so. I see it as well. Does the spire - draw from its surroundings, and feed another point?"

Cor'lana's violet eyes, glowing with her magic, goes wide as she looks up at the spire. "Oh. Oh, something is _wrong_ here," she mutters. "Something is very wrong indeed. No wonder you're confused, Harkashan."

She sighs deeply for a moment before she elaborates: "Seldan, it's--I see not one spire, but six spires--surrounding a taller spire than the others. It seems to me that they are coming in and out of reality."

GAME: Harkashan casts Locate Object. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17

Aelmeh's previous speculations were for naught, it seems if the evil is separate from the Wood. She listens to the others as they read the magics at work in the Spire. Then, the Wizard's mouth drops open when she hears Cor'lana say not one but six spires. "They are likely in multi dimensions," she says half to herself.

"A separate energy?" Harkashan rumbles, "Curious." Followed by Ravenstongue further informing him of what is going on...

Six Spires, and a Greater Spire. "So my Lavarocks are not here because, this is the location of another building that just... looks the same?" He shakes his head. "I do not understand." After all, he is not that kind of learned.

He then looks at the 'cursed' vine covered place. A hand forward...

And a shift of his fingers, a closing of his eyes, then open again. "My lavarocks are inside. Someone or something brought them in." He remarks. "So, we are in the right place."

"I'm going to start making preparations to remove the curse here to see what happens. We can tackle the Six and One Spires after that."

GAME: Harkashan casts Owl's Wisdom. Caster Level: 6 DC: 16

GAME: Harkashan casts Prayer. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17

Aelwyn looks around at the party. "If this is not the same place, then who killed the vine beast? Was it a Guild assignment?" The Dragoon wonders, but then Harkashan confirms they are in fact, in the right place. Probably.

"Tch, magic." The draconian rumbles, flicking his tail. He was not a particular fan, it seemed. At least when it didn't involve fire. He clicks his tongue as he continues to stand in watch.

Rune's blue eyes look over to Aelwyn, giving a nod as he takes a place on the outer watch with her. It leaves the more magically inclined members of the party somewhat protected as they go about trying to determine what, exactly, is going on here.

"You know... sometimes it feels like you're speaking an entirely different language from everyone else, just by being non-magical." She comments to the ruddy-scaled Makari.

However, the one thing that Rune does seem to pick up on is the idea that there are multiple towers. This causes her to look over her shoulder towards the group, and then to the singular spire that she can see through the trees from time to time.

Ulthan doesn't pay much attention to the boffins waxing philosophical behind him, just keeping the perimeter going. The 'different spires' comment raises a thought, which he voices. "So, reverse of the chatterbox sword, basically? That's multiple people in same spot, but this is single tower in multiple spots?"

"It's hard to tell, since there's no blood and feathers where I got smacked around, but I'm fairly certain this is the right place." The Egalrin shrugs to Aelwyn. She stops, gestures one hand to the dragoon, and one hand to the cleric. "I know, you're a real big guy in a lot of ways Aelwyn, but, there's a large lava lad right over there." She chuckles.

"Or, not the same tower, possibly? Maybe I'm off on such an assumption. Planar mechanics aren't really my realm of expertise."

GAME: Reithak rolls knowledge/the planes: (8)+6: 14

GAME: Aelmeh rolls knowledge/the planes: (3)+8: 11

Aelwyn turns to look towards Rune, flashing his teeth at her and spreading his arms. "Tch, here we are Twin, magical and all they can concentrate is on a pile of rocks that may or may not exist." He rumbles in amusement.

The ruddy sith-makar flicks his head at Reithak though, giving a dismissive grunt. "Just because someone is large doesn't mean they are a large, Fashion. She should know that." He cants his hip to the other side, tail swaying over his behind.

"I'll leave the spires to you. Maybe this will have an effect on your efforts, Seldan." Harkashan remarks, as he approaches the building itself and spreads his fingers out towards the roots. After all, he has to touch the area itself.

"Just keep a keen eye everyone." He rumbles, before planting his clawed fingers against the building and taking in a deep breath...

And he begins to sing a draconic sort of mantra to the Death-singer, seeking to purify this place. Deep droning growls and clicks coming from his muzzle as he sings what almost sounds like a dirge of sorts.

GAME: Harkashan casts Remove Curse. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17

GAME: Harkashan rolls 6: (9)+6: 15

"My lady," Seldan begins, ignoring the other commentary around him, seeming to stare intently at the mix of spires. "Deathsinger. The attempt at cursebreaking will have no effect, does the spire not remain in this reality. I would - anchor it, do you show me where the great spire lies."

Cor'lana nods to Seldan's words. "I'll follow you on that," she responds, before pointing to the tallest of the spires where she can see it. "That is the tallest of the spires. We strike together, then."

She works her magic quickly, then, a quickened incantation to help her spell strike true, and then she works the binding magics of her own anchoring spell, a thing that looks in her hands like the sickly green of lashing ribbons. It launches out at the tower to bind it to reality.

In time with Cor'lana's spell, Seldan draws his own sigils in turn, a brighter and more emerald green. With a word of power, the sigils flare into life before him, and he jabs his hand through the mated glows, the green streaking out in a ribbon of light parallel to the diminutive feytouched woman, seeking to lash the spire to this reality.

GAME: Ravenstongue casts True Strike/Quicken. Caster Level: 14 DC: 22

GAME: Ravenstongue casts Dimensional Anchor. Caster Level: 14 DC: 21

GAME: Seldan casts Dimensional Anchor. Caster Level: 16 DC: 22

<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Rolling to hit with Dimensional Anchor."

GAME: Ravenstongue rolls ranged+20: (14)+9+20: 43

GAME: Seldan rolls ranged+1: (4)+19+1: 24

The curse of the Felwood is a powerful thing indeed. A long standing, potent piece of power, embedded in the earth itself, surrounding and enveloping the land, encompassing it in its own palpable darkness.

... and then Harkashan casts his magic and for a moment, that pervading, forboding sense of unease that's been prevalent here since you arrived shatters, unburdening your spirits as the land itself disgorges darkness. Shadows fly up trees, unravelling away from you as the oppression of the Felwood lifts.

...and then intensifies above you. Still, this is aided by something else: there, the structure is sloughing the vines and weeds and twisted brambles that choke it, as if they too were a manifestation of the curse, revealing a singular elven structure beneath it, it's gilded surface tarnished by time but still visible. There is a pregnant pause before the structure begins to become a light as the full moon peeks through the trees above you, casting its silver rays upon its tarnished, mirrored surface, as if it was designed to reflect, capture the moonlight. In the distance, you can briefly see a flare of light where one should not be.

This is followed by the attempts to anchor the closest spire, and indeed, these efforts seem to have worked, as there is a great, shattering, grinding sound of trees erupting from the earth and a hideous howl from deep within the land, a sound of anguish and rage. Now, a spire is present properly, locked in place, and its point is blazing with a silvery Elunan light.

Harkashan lets go of a breath that was held for far too long, as the Curse withdraws. A long panting growl, followed by him stepping back. Feeling that unease that has dissipated around him. Looking around, seeing the shadows shift away. The oppression leaving...

Only to intensify above him. So, naturally, he looks up. Trying to find out the source of this intensified curse, before he's distracted by the glint of silver. The moon coming to shine through, flashing its ray upon a distance flare of light. "The real Tower?" He asks, peering at the light itself?

"Six towers. Do you think there's six of these outlying positions that need to have their curse removed?" He didn't prepare enough for <that> many removals of curse. His bond to the Deathsinger is not yet great enough for such feats.

But then a startled stumble back, as the grinding trees erupt, and the Spire ends up locked in place, blazing with Elunan light. "Hah! Nice work, Cor'lana. Seldan!" He croons. "I'll be just a moment. I gotta get my Lavastones back." He motions towards Rune and the others for help while the mages deal with the Spire and nailing it in place.

Ulthan slowly untenses his shoulders after the oppressive feeling of the Curse is lifted, only to snap back into wariness when it condenses above. Staying alert, he returns to his scan and cover of the magicians.

Aelwyn feels the relief fall over him. He visibly loosens - which was quite the feat, since he usually was very relaxed like the little sinuous draconian he was. Yet he breathes in deep, steeling himself, as he does not trust his instincts as much.

"Not only different language, but space." The Dragoon rumbles at Rune, before he takes his glaive and javelin to follow Harkashan. "Is Lava certain that this is wise?" The smallest of sith-makar has to ask, as he carefully looks around, making sure nothing dark creeps around the edges of the light.

In Fidget's mind, Seldan and Cor'Lana have got this, so it's time to go explore the tower, so she pads along with Harkashan and any others who're going ahead to explore. "All the work and struggle to get here aside, doesn't anyone else think that there's gonna be a whole bunch of scary monsters in there?" Not that she's *not* going to take this opportunity to go explore something like the tower here.

Clueing in on Reithak and Aelwyn's conversation, Rune can't help but comment, "You know, this isn't Makari-measuring contest, right?"

That is when things start to happen. Rune's ear twitches to the sounds of spells being cast. It's hard to stay on watch when there's quite so much going on. The subtle shift of that 'feeling' in the area, followed by the rumblings of the ground as it seems to react to whatever is being done to secure the spire.

"What the..."

Turning, Rune stares at the structure, and at Harkashan just bolda s you might heading towards it to look for his lava stones. "Um... I'm with Aelwyn here. Is this a good idea?" Even so, she'll approach a bit closer, seeming wary about everything that had just happened.

"Why not? Nothing wrong with some meticulous minimum, maximum, mystical and martial makari measuring." The large egalrin chuckles. "But I get'cha, it's not the time with more pressing things like-"

Whatever was about to be said was cut off by the spire being wrenched out of reality and into place here. She blinks.

"I don't think any of this is wise to be perfectly frank, whoever that is, but I can do a pretty good impression of them. But it's a good idea on the whole to nip this problem before it gets worse. So, what's the plan? Explore in here, or go looking for the spire in another spot?"

"The light is reflected in the central spire, but not at the tip--it lit up _inside_ of the spire." Cor'lana says softly. "And this spire that Seldan and I have locked into place--the light within it only lit up when we did so."

She takes a moment to breathe. "The anchor spells will only hold for a short amount of time," she says. "If we are to enter, then we do so quickly. But I am curious about the relation between the lights in these spires."

As always when beholding the magic of Eluna, a level of awe and reverence settles in on Seldan's fair features as the spire settles into reality. He's aware of the curse above, though, and looks up as it condenses above them, then back to the spire itself. "The restoration begins," he breathes, watching Harkashan walk towards the tower with a boyish grin creeping across the even features. "Perhaps we shall understand more, do we venture inside, and yet-" He pauses, the grin fading, and raises his voice. "Do not be caught in the spire when the anchor expires, lest you be caught in its trap! It is in my mind that there is more to come, ere we are finished. Move cautiously. I will cast it again, do we need."

Aelwyn turns around and flashes his teeth at the rest behind him. "This one feels it is _always_ a good time for measuring Kin." He wriggles his tongue out. "One wears scales not only for show."

Turning around to continue walking behind Harkashan, Aelwyn stops for a moment. "Tch, why it is always the same thing in these woods...?" He rumbles, lowering his glaive from his shoulders.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-05-21T17:55:02Z

Seldan: /* May */

Some Things Are More Important Than Demons

2023-05-20T20:47:33Z

Seldan: Created page with "The Residence, afternoon Sometimes it's like herding cats, trying to get together. Especially when you're not trying to organize a party, but instead trying to save the world, defeat the villains, that sort of thing. Still, if you can't multi-task a little bit as an adventurer you probably need to rethink your profession, and Telamon is no exception. Currently, Tel is seated on the couch, studying a manuscript with a furrowed brow. His expression is thoughtful, his dre..."

The Residence, afternoon

Sometimes it's like herding cats, trying to get together. Especially when you're not trying to organize a party, but instead trying to save the world, defeat the villains, that sort of thing. Still, if you can't multi-task a little bit as an adventurer you probably need to rethink your profession, and Telamon is no exception.

Currently, Tel is seated on the couch, studying a manuscript with a furrowed brow. His expression is thoughtful, his dress casual -- light cotton tunic and slacks, with slippers. Hunter, the kitten, has discovered that while Telamon is a slender man, he is also a clever and comfortable one, and so he is curled up in Tel's lap dozing and purring happily. Tel pauses, looking down at the small furry fellow there. "You," he says with mock severity, "sound like a horribly mistuned goblin mechanism. I cannot believe you are sleeping."

There's a rap on the front door, the footsteps leading up to it fairly slow, heavy, and deliberate, and the rap itself fairly quiet.

Telamon glances up, then down at the kitten again. He starts to move, only for the kitten to meow at him. "Oh all right," Tel says with a grin. Casually, he scoops up the kitten on one hand, carrying him easily as he walks to the door to open it.

"Dolan!" The fact that Telamon is (a) dressed down a bit, and (b) carrying a kitten is hopefully not going to confuse the other man too much. "Come in, come in. Verna will be down in a bit, there's some news... well, it's not bad, but it IS interesting."

As it happens, Dolan brightens on seeing Telamon so dressed-down, _and_ carrying Hunter. That means that Verna found them, and for that, the inquisitor is well-pleased indeed. Still, lines on the mobile half of his face suggest that today is not the best of all possible days. "Brightest of days, Tel." The mobile half of his face quirks up into a half a smile at wee sleepy Hunter, and he's got a wrapped, slim longsword in his hand, one that Telamon has not seen since the room in the secure part of the Temple, with quillons and pommel of burnished steel and a black leather-wrapped hilt. His shoulders and hood are damp, rain droplets glistening off of the cloak on his shoulders.

"News? Let's hear it."

Continuing the trend in more casual dress, Verna descends the stairs in a house-shift and barefoot. Her hair is damp suggesting either recent time in the rain, the bath, or a combination thereof. "Telamon, is all we-"The sounds of activity in the lounge are then explained as she notes, "Dolan. Good eve and welcome." Her lips then upturn in a brief smile(?) before relaxing to a more firm neutral. "We have news of import I wished to share with you, so the timing of your visit is most fortuitous."

Once Dolan is inside, Telamon shuts the door while his fuzzy cargo paws at his tunic. Carefully, he helps Hunter perch on his shoulder, where the kitten looks around with sleepy eyes but firmly clings to his perch. At Verna's arrival, he smiles, before nodding to Dolan. "You'd best sit down. This is a heck of a tale."

Once the trio are ensconced in the parlor, with Hunter resuming his spot in Tel's lap and being petted, Telamon nods to Dolan's wrapped sword. "Good. You still have it." His eyes flick to Verna. "You do the honors. It was your communing with the Harpist, after all."

Dolan is not slow to come inside and lay the damp cloak aside, laying the sword down by a chair as close to the fire as he can get and slouching casually into it. He, too, is not overly formally dressed, but the sheepskin jacket and leather brace he so often wears are very much in place. "Thanks. Sounds like shit happened," he offers. "So let's hear it. Should I write this down?"

"I was but a conduit," Verna counters to Telamon. "All was Cor'lana's keen wit for the most important inquiries and The Harpist's wisdom for the answers." She then looks to Dolan. "I can provide you a copy of the information. Cor'lana was also wise enough to scribe the record."

"Succinctly," Verna begins as she takes a seat on a chair, "the lycanthrope camp is within The Vast, co-located with the portal. Thus, we now know where we need strike, though this may imply greater defenses. The lycanthropes yet control The Red Maw which is also present in that vicinity. Contrary to what we suspected, the device empowering the portal is NOT one of the totems. This device is in joint custody of Dace Zinskas and Marsward Seraquoix. The two also appear to be at odds with one another, which may work greatly in our favor."

Telamon hands Dolan the manuscript he was perusing, without hesitation. "Lana really was thinking fast on her feet." He grins. "If my father heard of this, he would most certainly ask if she'd be interested in a diplomatic post. But yes -- Zinskas and Seraquoix are at odds, and with them all concentrated like that..." His smile is a hard curve.

"There's more, though. Zinskas is making overtures to Lana -- my guess is that he wants to see how much she hates Seraquoix and how he might benefit. But read the bit about dream-items."

From Dolan's expression, the news of Seraquoix and Zinskas being at odds comes as no surprise to him, nor does the camp and portal being concentrated in the Vast. Of more interest is the mention of a device in their joint custody, and he sits up a little straighter at that. "That might explain a dream I had," he mutters. "Zinskas is making overtures to Lana, though? She'd best watch herself. That one's up to no good."

He leans forward, reaching out with his right hand to take the communing manuscript, scanning through it with furrowed brows.

Verna nods. "I advised caution as well, yet Cor'lana also thought to ask of Zinskas' intentions. He does not intend her harm. If he could be convinced to provide information on the artifact, or to relinquish it..." She does not complete the sentence, yet her tone is hopeful. "She can be quite .. persuasive. Even so, their location is known, so we can act. That is not to claim such will be simple: we must remove the artifact to close the portal, and the portal must be closed before The Red Maw can be banished. All of which The Red Maw and the lycanthropes will wish to prevent."

Telamon scratches behind Hunter's ears gently. "Don't worry -- I have no intention of letting Lana face Zinskas alone. Even in a dream-meeting." His dark eyes glitter. "I wonder if he's feeling a bit anxious after last time we met. He almost died, after all."

"So the task is 'simple' -- for definitions of such. We need to close the portal. That means securing or destroying the device. Cut the Red Maw off, it'll be weakened. Then we banish it -- again, not simple, or easy, but our chances are better if it's softened up a bit. Once that's done..."

Meanwhile, Dolan is perusing the manuscript, scanning in silence. "Shit. These dream-items might be able to banish the Red Maw? Shit, that was _worth it," he breathes quietly. "You never did tell me what you were able to learn about these things, only that you wanted to look at the blade, and then that shithead Seraquoix laid waste to your house."

He looks up, then. "You know what that device looks like at all, or what it is?"

Verna shakes her head. "I do not, unfortunately. That could be a key point for Cor'lana and her meeting?" She looks to Telamon pointedly with the inquiry before turning back to Dolan with a nod. "The utility of the dream-weapons could be significant. We will need any and all advantage; even with it weakened, I do not relish the battle with the beast."

Another glance to Telamon and back, between the men. "What think you both of plan and timing? I believe we should act as soon as able."

"I want to at least see what Zinskas has to say. I doubt he's ready to turn his coat -- if he does I will be positively shocked -- but he may drop something useful without realizing it during the meeting." Telamon steeples his fingers. "Once that's done -- one way or another -- we need to hit the portal, and the camp, with everything we have. So far everything we've done has been playing catch-up; time to start actually dealing with the problem."

Tel rubs his chin, regarding Dolan. "I'd like to do a couple tests -- divinations on it. Legend lore, detect magic, that sort of thing. But I do know this much, Dolan: that staff I drew out of the dreaming? Seraquoix used it to try and bash holy hells out of my house, and he made a huge mess -- but the staff never broke, never -bent-. I find that very interesting indeed."

"That's pretty damned interesting, yeah. There's three totems that we still need to find. Zinskas has one, Seraquoix has one, and Jal'goroth has got the last one. Supposedly Eluna's asking people to go after the last of the totems, and close down this summoning circle in the sewers. That'll be a damned bit of work, if it's as big as you say it is. I was planning on focusing on getting to Jal'goroth, and talking to Magpie." Dolan's becoming a bit more animated as the warmth of the hearth-fire begins to sink in. "As for the sword, yeah, sure. Do what you need. I'm no mage, but I'm pretty damned sure that something that's conjured by the power of a divinely-made artifact isn't going to be your garden-variety weapon, yeah?"

Verna's lingering hint of smile finally fades at mention of the circle in the sewers. "I may be able to provide further insight into the summoning circle, as one of a few with intimate knowledge of its original function and activation. Once the portal and related are no longer a threat. It is best to focus upon and complete one task at a time." To Telamon, she adds, "If you wish any aid in regards to the study of the items, consider it granted."

Telamon nods to Verna. "I'm not turning down any help. I know the legend lore spell I tried with my staff... fizzled. It didn't just return a kind of 'blank slate' like you'd get with an ordinary object; it sputtered out. But magical detection, and spells cast on the staff, suggested it -was- in fact magical." He snorts. "A mystery, indeed. And one I can't afford to get sucked into because we're all busy and there's things to do."

"And I think you're right, Verna. Too easy to get sidetracked. Let's stomp out the portal first, then turn our attention to this summoning circle masquerading as a sewer system. Although," his mouth turns down in a grimace, "we'll also have to deal with its guardian at some point."

"Guardian?" This, at least, is news to Dolan, and he tilts his head. "I've got a guess to what that key looks like, but that's something I didn't get a chance to tell anyone about. Dealing with some other shit right now." He waves a hand dismissively. "What's this guardian? Something we should know about the sewers?"

Verna nods to Telamon's discoveries concerning the staff; even the lack of desired results is informative. She then looks to Dolan, inhales a long breath, holds it a moment, then exhales it before her respiration returns to normal. "The circle was originally created by the fae queen Salina, The Endless Winter, to bind the Archfiend Eclavdran to her bidding. The vampire Kol Demontry was also in her service at one time, I believe. Time was not a barrier, nor liner, to her or some of her servants; the circle was built into the very sewers as they were constructed in Alexandria's distant past. With it, he could arrive in the city undetected, and possibly his many minions as well. Yet he was also bound by it and to it. I once attempted to make use of this bond to entrap him, though we only succeeded in delaying him."

"From what I was told, there is some semblance of him that now, or still, dwells in the sewers. A simulacrum, or some other construct with his likeness... and perhaps some fraction of his power. I have yet to encounter it, but I would gladly see it destroyed as with the original."

"It's there." Telamon's voice is like hammered iron. "We found it. Seldan, Lana and I, along with others -- Magpie, and the clerics Simony and Harkashan -- went down to explore the sewers and find the circle. I didn't realize the sewers -themselves- were the circle, which... complicates deactivating it. But the presence of... Sir Seldan called it an echo, of an archfiend, well... it was very tense for a bit. It really didn't like me blocking it off with walls of force, so we opted to leave once Sir Seldan had gotten a good read on it."

Tel looks down at his lap, where the kitten has happily rolled onto his back for bellyrubs. "Scared the shit out of Simony too. She was rattled pretty badly by it."

"You think he knows about what Verna said?" Dolan looks between the two. Somewhere in this, he's sat up, and leans forward intently. "You think this archfiend could use it again, or who else might be using it?" The questions are rapid-fire, intense, and intent. "We need to deal with this circle. I knew it was there, but not that it's the whole fucking sewers. I can try to find out how it's constructed, but Seb's finally coming around," he goes on. "Reckon best if I leave the circle to you and go after this cult, and probably Jal'goroth's totem."

"The Archfiend was destroyed utterly," Verna notes with some certainty... though that firmness fades shortly with an exhaled sigh, "yet his influence lingered. It seems it yet lingers. No more should fear his name or deeds in the present and there should be no legacy of suffering."

She forces off the melancholy of the moment. "It is my hope that it is only a shadow of a threat in his name, but will receive full and undiluted attention in short order." Verna nods to Dolan. "The totem and Jal'goroth remain a priority second only to the portal and the other totems."

Telamon offers Verna a sympathetic look. "Sir Seldan was absolutely certain what's down there is not the true fiend, but just... a shadow of what he was. Going through the motions. He sensed no evil from it, not truly. No better than a golem, I suppose." He tilts his head. "I suppose it's not -impossible- this echo might be able to do more than that, but I'd be surprised."

He looks wryly at Dolan. "When I realized the sheer -scope- of the problem it set me back on my heels. How do you disable something like that without wrecking the city infrastructure?"

"Damn good question," Dolan mutters, leaning back into his chair. "You'd know better'n I, but I can try to find something in the libraries," he offers. "If you'll have a look at the sword, I'll come back for it in a day or two, if that's all right? If it can banish the Red Maw, I'd like to keep it handy."

"I am confident that we can discover the means to disable it without requiring its complete destruction," Verna notes. "Even a small disruption to such a diagram can render it impotent." She then rises from her seat.

"One matter at a time, however. On that note, I must excuse myself and retire to bed. For the first eve in a month it is not empty, and I would spend every spare moment, waking or not, with my wife. I trust you both would understand. Good eve." With that, she turns to make her way to the stairs to ascend them.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-05-20T20:47:06Z

Seldan: /* May */

There You Are

2023-05-12T21:25:01Z

Seldan: Created page with "It's been several days, and leaving messages at Temples and Guilds wasn't getting Dolan anywhere at all with finding Verna. Frustration is beginning to set in, and thus it's with a determined step that he *thump-thump-thump*'s up the stairs to the portico of Verna and Auranar's home. "She's got to come home eventually," he mutters to himself, making no attempt to conceal his presence. "Let's see if she's home now." A very firm *knock-knock-knock* on the door follows...."

It's been several days, and leaving messages at Temples and Guilds wasn't getting Dolan anywhere at all with finding Verna. Frustration is beginning to set in, and thus it's with a determined step that he *thump-thump-thump*'s up the stairs to the portico of Verna and Auranar's home. "She's got to come home eventually," he mutters to himself, making no attempt to conceal his presence. "Let's see if she's home now."

A very firm *knock-knock-knock* on the door follows.

That Verna recently reduced her obligations at both temple and Society also commensurately reduced her time spent at both. This has left her with a sudden increase in unallocated time, and intentionally so. Circumstances, however, also removed much of her intended use for said time, leaving her home alone more often than not. Just possibly not during prior visits

Now, however, the door is opened in relatively short order, if not fully. Verna is dressed, as it were, in a house robe. "Good ..." a pause to look past him to the skies " morning, Dolan. How might I aid you today?"

Dolan lets out a long breath when the door opens, of what can only be relief. "_Finally,_" is the first thing he said. "I've been trying to track you down for several days now, Verna. There's - been some updates on the werewolf situation." He wears the usual brace on his shoulder and a light, closed-front vest over a collared shirt with rolled-up sleeves, atop trousers that are linen instead of leather in deference to the weather. No weapons are in evidence, and he seems relaxed and in good spirits enough, if focused.

Verna's expression firms at the news and the attempts to presumably exchange such. The door opens further as she steps back with it. "Please, come in. I regret that you were unable to locate me until now." She waits for his entry before closing the door and securing it behind him. "What occurred?"

Dolan enters as bid, and walks with firm stride over towards the seating area. "Tel and Lana got an in on what that sewer-sucking bastard Seraquoix has been up to. Zalgiman was just one of his puppets. When Zalgiman was killed. he got another, a young man name of Micha," he begins, seating himself without prompting on the nearest seating surface and turning his entire face towards Verna. "We were able to chase Seraquoix out of the Soldier's Defense, where he was holding his lover hostage against Micha's good behavior. When Micha found out that we had N'thain safe and sound, and that Tel wasn't the demon Seraquoix was painting him as, he turned on Seraquoix and told Tel and Lana everything."

"The Blue Moon brewery is where all of these people that Zalgiman was stealing were going. They're all werewolves, every damned last one of them, except for the ones that are were-something else. Micha's a weretiger, for example. It's being funded by Charneth nobles, and most recently, by a Selentian noble." His stare goes blackly furious. "To be specific, Andie's birth mother. Turns out these Charneth nobles are controlling demons, and peddling them out for services in return for funding. Andie's mother is using this to control her children to further her aims. We got Seb out of her clutches - Seb was possessed."

He settles back, and lets out a long breath. "Micha's turning pissed off Seraquoix pretty good. He broke into Tel and Lana's house and wrecked it. Pothy and the pixies got out, but - the place is a mess. They're - in the Temple of Eluna."

Verna blinks at this news. Thrice; once at each significant point. "The Blue Moon and Micha... that explains a great many things. I am pleased to hear that Andelean's brother is safe." The remainder also draw forth a scowl. "I fully expect that my former house is among those Charneth... and I had no knowledge of an attack upon Lana and Telamon!"

A hand lifts to pinch at the bridge of her nose. "I will seek them out in short order to offer aid. They are welcome here, always, as well."

"They'll be glad to hear that, I'm sure. Andie and I would put 'em up, but honestly, we haven't got the space, and I think Lana would be scandalized, plus the cats would chase Pothy." With his news out, Dolan lets out a breath of relief. "They're planning on replacing their stuff. Most of it's broken, but if magic can fix some stuff they can't replace, I'm sure they'd appreciate it."

For the first time, one of his crooked quirks of a smile emerges. "They're okay, although I get the impression Pothy's a wreck. He won't even come to me. If you can help 'em out, I'd be grateful, too."

Verna nods. "Of course. They are family. I will aid them all they need and I am able. Items can always be replaced, at the least. Individuals, far less so. Even Apotheosis."

She turns from him to pace somewhat to and fro across the lounge. Perturbed. "Is there any thought this Seraquoix would strike again, or where he might be?" Unlike Verna, and possibly other cats, Hunter is currently neither perturbed nor chasing. He currently recharges himself (or has been carried to Vardama's Halls?) upon the couch via a ray of sunlight through the window.

Hunter being a card-carrying member of the Sunbeam Appreciation Society comes as no surprise to Dolan, who casts a quick glance at the sleeping creature, then turns his attention back to Verna. "Hard to say. We need to talk to Seb when he recovers, see if we can get enough to have Andie's mother arrested for consorting with demons. I'm still working on Jal'goroth, too. "He might strike again, but I doubt he will unless we do something first. We should ask Tel and Lana about that."

"I hoped the worries of demons were silenced a year ago," Verna exhales a sigh. She does manage to halt her pacing, at least, and seats herself on the couch away from dangerous sunbeams. "Instead, much happens of which I do not know until afterwards."

She folds her hands before her, though they are not entirely still. "How might I aid you further in this? I find myself with comparatively copious amounts of available time as of late, and it is clear I have not used such constructively."

"Mostly I was hoping you could help out Tel and Lana," Dolan answers honestly, his harlequin gaze open. "But - were you able to find out anything about the portal?"

Verna shakes her head lightly. "Not yet, though I am in the process of doing so. In our last meeting, you made me painfully aware of how minimal and speculative our information on the portal is."

"Yeah. Can I help?" Dolan again has his full attention on Verna, leaning back against the chair with one arm on the armrest. "I mean, if one of the totems is holding it open, maybe the other totems know something about it?"

"Indeed. I have a similar thought. As well, were it a totem chaining Caracoroth that holds it open, could not one, or more, possibly close it? If it is but one, I possess more myself and we hold far more again as a group," Verna notes. "As I have expended all literary research available, which was minimal, at best, I seek The Harpist's insight into such matters. She did not craft a chain of Her own, but Her knowledge would yet be undeniable."

"Good idea. I can ask the Knight's servitors, too, if you like. He did create one." Dolan nods at once to that notion, as if it is no surprise. "That and, if it's here on Ea, maybe it's in the Dream, too. Maybe we can close it more easily in the Dream."

Verna considers that last. "It might be more easily closed from the other realm, yet the portal leads to Nightmare. I am quite loathe to attempt to venture there to close the portal. I have had more than my fill of nightmares and dreamscapes."

She gestures to him inclusively. "Please, do whatever you believe is of aid. I only seek to may myself more productive and useful on the matter, and it appears I am already rather lacking at present."

Dolan sits forward, watching Verna with a small sigh. "I know you miss Auranar, but you aren't alone, yeah?" The open, harlequin gaze is entreating. "We're here for you too. I know Tel and Lana will say the same. Me and Andie, too, we're still your friends. No disappearing on us, yeah? It took me the better part of a seven day to find you."

Verna blinks at that revelation, and her frown is weighted by more than just the reminded of Auranar's absence. "Yes, I miss her. I am quite surprised that we did not coincide until now, and yet it could also be considered appropriate to the current series of unpleasant coincidences of timing. Now that I have fewer duties, I seem to accomplish less outside of them."

A brow lifts at the mention of disappearance. "I hold no intent to venture on my own to The Vast, nor elsewhere, if that is the concern.

"Yeah, it's true that I had my own share of absence, I'd left you a few messages and then gone to Selentia," Dolan admits. "Just - don't be a stranger. That's all I'm saying, Verna. Don't be a stranger. We still want your company and need your help."

"I will not," Verna assures, "and you shall certainly have my aid. I wish this all resolved as much, if not moreso, than others. A pleasant existence free of fiends, lycanthropes, threats to all existence, and so forth is very much desired."

She glances down at herself. "To that end, I should dress myself more appropriately for the day, lest Hunter sway me into joining him in his rather..." a glance to the nearly not-kitten "lackadaisical use of time."

"I'll wait here, or outside if you'd prefer. We should go find Tel and Lana, if you're so inclined." Dolan makes as if to get up from the chair, an inquiry in the words.

Verna rises and nods. "Yes, I would see them promptly. If you intend the same, there is no reason we cannot seek them together." She then gestures with a hand in a staying gesture.

"You are welcome to wait here. I will not be disrobing in the lounge, if there is a concern for propriety." To that end, she moves for the stairs, adding, "As well, I am rather certain I lack several traits along your preferences..." She heads upstairs with a trailing, "A strong use of vernacular vulgarity chief among them, of course."

Dolan's belly laughter follows Verna up the stairs, but he, notably does not. Indeed, he seems quite content to await her in his place, the better to find Telamon and Cor'lana when Verna is suitably dressed for an out-of-doors sojourn.

Recent Logs

2023-05-12T21:24:46Z

Seldan: /* May */

Sidetracked Into Help

2023-05-09T16:24:24Z

Seldan: Created page with "The climb to the Temple of Vardama, to be quite honest, sucks sometimes. After his conversation with Telamon and Cor'lana, Dolan had set out at once on his appointed task, but his search had taken him up the winding mountain road to the Temple of Vardama. Armored and armed with longsword and crossbow over his back, a quiver of bolts at his hip, he finally reaches the basalt stone outer reaches of the Temple. He doesn't see anyone, on a cursory glance around, and thus ta..."

The climb to the Temple of Vardama, to be quite honest, sucks sometimes. After his conversation with Telamon and Cor'lana, Dolan had set out at once on his appointed task, but his search had taken him up the winding mountain road to the Temple of Vardama. Armored and armed with longsword and crossbow over his back, a quiver of bolts at his hip, he finally reaches the basalt stone outer reaches of the Temple.

He doesn't see anyone, on a cursory glance around, and thus takes a moment, leaning against a rock just outside the gates and rubbing gingerly with his right hand the opposite shoulder and the muscles around it. His lone flesh and blood eye closes as he basks in the moment of repose.

Just inside the antechamber, one can hear the rhythmic whisper of bristle on stone. Dressed in a simple, charcoal-colored cassock, a tanned, ash-blond woman emerges, sweeping the great open doorway to the Temple of Death.

...Also she appears to be singing, very quietly. And sometimes, skipping a bit in time with the broom. Such a display of light-heartedness seems very much at odds with the typical Vardaman, to say nothing the the purpose of the Temple itself.

It's the singing that first prompts Dolan to open his flesh-and-blood eye, and look over, his hand unconsciously dropping to his side. ''That's different,'' his brain notes, and he straightens up, peering around to see the source of the sound. A couple of steps closer, and he looks the woman up and down, curiously, his whole head moving with the motion. The face he presents is entirely harlequin - half mobile with chocolate brown eyes, the other half a mask of acid scars surrounding three deep furrows, and a topaz gem set in a steel-and-bronze ring amod the furrows, a thing wholly expressionless.

"Brightest of days," he offers finally, with a quirk of a lopsided grin. "Didn't expect to find someone happy here."

"o/~ I ast about ghosts 'n spirits! I ast 'im if he ever got spooked! I ast 'im if he ever got haunted by souls, but he reckons that he buries them too~!"

How is it that a song about a man whose entire *job* is burying bodies can be so... peppy?

At the greeting, she spins on the toes of one well-worn boot, and lifts a hand in greeting. "Brightest of days!" she echoes, leaning on the staff of the broom, then looking to the sky. "Or near enough to make it a good one, all the same."

Looking back down, the woman flashes a gentle, bright smile to the Daeusite. "Even we who serve death can find joy in our calling," she chuckles. "And sometimes, even the grieving need to know that there can still be a sun behind the clouds, don't you think?"

"Never thought of it that way," Dolan replies, canting his head to study the woman with great interest. "It's damned true, though. There is always one. That fact has kept me sane a couple of times." He doesn't explain, instead brightening that quirk of a grin. "I guess some days you'd have to find joy in the little things, yeah? All that sorrow can eat at a man. Or a woman," he adds quickly. "Most Vardamen I've met wouldn't be caught dead ''smiling.'' They think it ruins their image, I s'pose."

The chocolate-brown eye is bright with interest as he regards the woman. "I get the impression you do this a lot."

"I've found it somewhat necessary, yes. But it does make an onerous task all the easier," the woman allows. Leaning the broom against her shoulder, she approaches, extending a black-gloved hand. "Silmeria Longmire, Speaker for the Dead. It's truly a pleasure to meet you, ser...?"

Dimpling, the blond tilts her head to one side as she awaits her answer.

"Corona Dolan Donnelly." Dolan immediately straightens and reaches to take the offered hand, shaking firmly with the grip of a swordsman. "Likewise, Silmeria. I'll bet it does make it easier. It's the little things that make putting up with all the -" He stops short, and abruptly looks embarrassed. "All the nonsense that Alexandria throws at us worth it. This city is one crazy place, I'll tell you."

When the formalities are over, he allows her hand to drop first. "Speaker for the Dead. Dunno as I've heard that title." The statement is left to hang open, inviting her to explain.

"Oh, I can't but agree with you there," Silmeria chuckles, gesturing toward the Temple. "But that was a long climb; how about some tea and cookies while you sit? Our archives aren't perhaps the most riveting reading, but the stacks themselves are quite pretty. And plenty of places to get out of the open, if you prefer. Come..."

Leading the Corona inside, the Temple is as grand, and grim, and full of chanted dirges from who knows where... And also just as many harried-looking young acolytes as in any other major Temple. One of these is flagged down, and Silmeria murmurs. "Have the pantry send Silmeria's tea service to the stacks, if you please? And you can have a cookie for yourself, if you like."

The acolyte is off with the speed of a young person promised a treat, and Silmeria chuckles in his wake, gesturing for Dolan to follow her down the maze-like corridors and hallways, hewn from the living white-speckled black rock.. "The Speakers, yes... I imagine every Temple has its orders and sects, specializing in one facet or another of your god's belief, yes? The Speakers for the Dead are... pretty much that, exactly. For whatever individual reason, we all believe that there is no more sacred means of service, than to ensure the dead rest quietly. No unfinished business, no loneliness or desperation, nothing that might generate the barest wisp of shade or revenant. Ordinarily, it's a small task, but... It's one we perform with our whole heart."

"Yeah." The harried rush of acolytes is nothing new to Dolan, and he unhesitatingly trails her inside. "Tea and cookies would be welcome, that's really nice of you." His errand for the moment forgotten, he trails the friendly speaker through the maze of corridors. "I've only been here a few times," he remarks, looking keenly around him. It is perhaps a curious quirk that he turns his whole head to look at things.

When Silmeria explains the purpose of the Speakers, he shakes his head. "That ain't a small task, Silmeria, and it ain't a joke. Don't sell yourself short. It's entirely too easy for something to not go to the Halls like it's supposed to." The lopsided grin he wears has faded. "And all nine Hells can break loose when something powerful doesn't go when it's supposed to." Something in his tone speaks from experience. "How do you stop it, though? Make sure it dies in peace?"

"Precisely," Silmeria says, grinning. "And when I call it a small task, I don't mean 'worthless.' Simply, oh... like sweeping a floor. If you do it properly, it's difficult to notice, but if you let it lie, all *sorts* of horrible things can move in."

Finally, she comes to a set of double-doors, than opens onto a grand library space; with elegantly-carved columns supporting a ceiling at least three stories above the floor. What of the stonework isn't carved in decorative patterns -- for whatever reason, tomato plants and skulls are among the recurring motifs -- is polished to a mirror shine, and gleaming under the faintly blue-white mage lights. Tucked out of the way among the stacks on the ground floor, a reading nook has been furnished with a tablecloth, a silver tea set, and a plate piled *high* with glazed cookies.

Cookies in the shape of skulls and bones, no less.

"As to the how... that's most of it, yes. Six days out of every seven, I'm usually running about the city. Executing wills, sitting deathwatch, that sort of thing. We may all die alone, in the end... But I find it does the greatest good, to hold their hand as they take the final step."

Dolan is only half-listening, looking around as he is at the incongruity of tomato plants and skulls as a motif for a Vardamen library. What a strange place, but - interesting. Life amid death.

When they reach the table, though, his expression changes yet again. He is nothing if not a lover of sweets, and so the sight of the pile of cookies is a welcome one. His eager look, though fades when he sees what the cookies are. He pulls with one hand the crossbow from his back, and the weapon belt from his waist, setting them down clear of the table. Interestingly, he does almost all of the work with his right hand, using the left only to guide and to steady. "Huh. I s'pose it's true what Papa says," he muses thoughtfully. "At days' end, we're all made of bones. Unless you're a worm. You make these yourself, or does the Temple serve this?"

From the look on the Speaker's face, she had been ''waiting'' to see Dolan's reaction to the cookies, and at the first she struggles to hold in her laughter. "There's a baker, down on Pollock Lane. I sat with his wife when she passed, and made sure her relations got exactly what she felt they deserved. He tithes these to the Temple, every week, in her honor. She had a wicked sense of humor in life, too."

Settling at the seat across from the Corona, she begins to pour the tea; wine-colored, fragrant and soothing, the steam curls up to fill the senses, and invites one to settle, relax, and be at peace. "I noticed you looking at the tomatoes," she says after a moment. "If I had to guess, I'd say the artisan that carved those was Cerenzan. Did you know that for the longest time in Myrddion, tomatoes were considered poison? It turns out they're sort of the 'white sheep' of the family of plants that produces nightshade, and it was believed to be just as deadly. So... May I ask, Corona, what brought you to our Temple in the first place? Most don't make the climb unless they have need... Which was probably among the reasons for the climb in the first place, really."

"S'posing she did," Dolan seats himself, having divested, and takes a cookie shaped like a bone, examining it up and down. "Mama used to say ''you are what you eat''. Literally true," he chuckles, taking a bite out of one of the cookies, eyes widening in delight. "These are quite good," he says around a mouthful, leaning cautiously into the back of the chair. "Anyway - I was actually looking for Mourner Verna. She's a friend of mine, and I've got some news for her. She wasn't home, and the news won't keep." He sets the cookie remains down next to the teacup. "Thanks for the reminder." He's gone serious again. "Yeah, it makes sense. I don't come up this far unless I have to, though it's good for me."

At the name of Mourner Verna, Silmeria perks up, eyes widening a bit behind her spectacles. Then, she seems to play back the statement, and leans back in her chair with a quiet sigh. "...Ah. A ''message.'' Okay, that's... well, the last time I had to go looking for her... well. I would be *delighted* to pass it along, Corona, if it's not too sensitive. And believe me, making the walk gets *much* easier with practice."

For herself, she takes up an iced-sugar skull cookie, and delicately bites a chunk out of the top of the head. "Also, if you'd indulge me? I'd love to hear more about your order, Dolan, and how you came to serve in the first place."

"Oh, you know Verna? I s'pose you would, a lot of people do." Dolan takes a careful sip of the tea, inquiring at first and them with more appreciation. "It's - a bit sensitive?" He cradles the teacup in both hands, then sets it against the joint of his left shoulder, letting the warmth sit there. "Depends on how much you know about the werewolf pack that's been trying to infiltrate the city. We got one of them to spill on what they're up to."

At the question of his order, he quirks one of those self-deprecating grins again. "We do a lot of things," he explains. "The Coronae are about keeping corruption out of the ranks of the faithful. Fiends and other creatures would love nothing better than to subvert the church that keeps pulling their tails. Me - I focus on demons, devils, and their cults. Finding them and rooting them out. I got involved with the werewolf stuff, yeah, but - come to find out they're being driven by the schemes of a demon."

"I was here, when the Temple was attacked," Silmeria says, turning her teacup in her hands. "I was one of the interrogators, for the one we'd captured-- the one we'd almost managed to save, the poor man. And... I was the one who brought Mourner Verna back, when she was kidnapped. Specifically... it was my bullet that pierced her heart." This last, she admits with the face of one who still feels badly about it, no matter how speedy the resurrection. "...So while I wouldn't say I'm *deeply* involved, I definitely have a stake in seeing them put down."

As Dolan explains his order's business, the Speaker smiles, nodding in understanding. "As the corona comes out when darkness obscures the sun, yes. Quite poetic, and informative if one thinks about it. So... It's not simply the Nightmare's minions doing as they do, but better? That's... ..... ...Hm." Her brow furrows, as she brings her tea to her lips in thought. "...I can't actually say if that's better or worse. Probably worse."

"It's worse." There's no doubt in Dolan's words, but he's mostly intent. "Ah, so you've tangled with these bastards before. Wait - I think I remember that, and you. It's been a while, because I was there when she was resurrected after that." He narrows his flesh-and-blood eye at her, in the way of one trying to place a face. "Sorry, Silmeria, a lot of shit's happened since then." He sets down the teacup and picks up the remains of his cookie, finishing it off avidly. "So, we got someone to spill on the werewolves' leader and what they want, and who's funding them. Problem is, it's a fiend funding 'em, because they want to seize what the werewolves have summoned - specifically, an aspect of the Nightmare. Plus, their minions are harassing both my family and my intended's family, and my intended's mother is consorting with 'em."

"Merciful Lady," Silmeria says, tilting her head. "You really ''do'' burn bright when the darkness comes, don't you?" The plate of cookies is nudged ever-so-subtly toward Dolan, a silent invitation to eat his fill. "And no apologies necessary -- I forgot your name too, after all, a mistake I don't believe either of us will be like to repeat." This last, said with a small smile. "So. That... seems convoluted and insane enough a plan to have truly ''dire'' consequences should it succeed. And I *have* learned a few tricks for standing against fiends, so... I hope you'll call on me, should you have need of a field-sweeper?"

"Imagine a fiend powerful enough to command both demons and devils, with control of an aspect of the Nightmare, a wolf the size of a mountain. Yeah, I'd say the consequences are damned dire." Dolan seems quite inclined to eat his fill, but now regards the woman before him with great interest. "We'll need all the help we can get, once we flush these -" Again, he stops, looking embarrassed. "Sorry, my mouth gets ahead of me sometimes. Once we flush these fiends out of hiding. I've got a friend working on that, and I'm about to go after some of their funding. It's -" He lets out a sigh. "I'll be sure to let you know, yeah?"

At the apology, the Speaker chuckles. "Corona Dolan, I've dated a bard who was literally a sailor, I can assure you there's nothing you could say that I've not heard before, and louder."

Her smile fades a bit, as she considers the goal of this scheme. "...Dire indeed, yes. Well, ''do'' feel free to consider me a friend in arms. And occasional supplier of tea and cookies, I'm *always* happy to see a friend more than once."

Falling silent for a bit, Silmeria pauses to consider something. "...I know what I'm about to ask is deeply personal... But I am curious; why the service? Why Daeus, specifically?"

Dolan fairly lights up with affection as he speaks. "You should hear Andie." It's quite obvious that the man is smitten, just from those few words and the crook of a smile. "Her mouth'll take paint off a barn wall, but usually whatever she's cursing at deserves it." He reaches out for another cookie, and takes a bite out of the head of a sugar skull, chewing - probably to give himself time to think.

"Well, I was the second kid," he explains to start with. "I wasn't going to inherit the farm. That was Joffrey, and he's well suited to it. I can kill anything, especially if it's green and in the ground." That crook of a smile turns self-deprecating, but the mobile half of his face is frank and open, holding nothing back. "So I wanted to do something else. I went to school in Myrddion for a while - that's where I met Andie, and where I got started with a Corona's training. I really wanted to help the little guy, yeah? There's a lot of assholes out there. So that's what we did."

He sighs, and the hand holding the cookie drops into his lap, his gaze taking on the look of the thousand yard stare. "It's ... Andie and I got separated for a bit. I got caught sniffing around a demon cult and I was trying to lead them away from her, yeah?" He swallows hard. "Anyway. I damn near got sacrificed. Only reason I'm on this side of the grass is that a group of adventurers found me and broke in during the ceremony. The demon took out this." He gestures to where his right eye is replaced by that topaz gem in a ring, and stops, shuddering.

"I understand," Silmeria says, and there's just... something in the crushing sincerity of her voice, that lends the weight of certainty to her words. She *does* understand, and it's likely she's heard dozens of similar stories. But her smile stays, and she seems to know well enough to give Dolan time to find his way back from the past without pushing.

"I imagine that you joined the Explorers to give a bit of that back, and more forward? A good adventurer, so often, has changed lives for the better, just by being who they are."

"Yeah. Something like that." It takes Dolan a minute to pull himself out. It does. "I wanted to give that back. Help someone else. I didn't want to see anyone else suffer at the hands of a creature like that. That was where I found out that this shit plays for keeps, and there are bigger, badder things out there. If I can help stop even some of it-" It's clear the man is struggling now, but he draws in a deep breath, and exhales hard. "Shit. I'm sorry. Don't mean to dump on you. Anyway, yeah, that's about it. I do what I can to see that these fuckers ruin as few lives as possible."

"Corona Dolan," Silmeria says, her voice gentle and encouraging -- not unlike a big sister helping a younger brother up from a fall -- "You never need to apologize for being hurt like that, not to me. Not to a friend. Especially not one who's had to have these kinds of conversations with the families of people who weren't as tenacious as you, for all that they tried."

Sitting back, she pours Dolan a fresh cup of tea, then one for herself, and considers. "Your Andie, is she in the service as well? Or, a different Order?"

Silence is all that comes from the other side of the table for a moment, whole Dolan takes, and chews on, another bite of the sugar skull. He sets it down, then, and takes the tea in both hands, taking a deep sniff of it. This, somehow, seems to help steady him. "Thanks." It's heartfelt. "A lot of people don't handle that so well. I - can get lost, sometimes. I try not to. It scares people as ain't know me so well." He leaves it at that, for the moment.

"Andie's a Sunguard," he accepts the change in topic readily. "She's - learned a lot, I think. So've I. We're to be wed in the summer."

"*Congratulations,*" is the answer across the table, the Speaker clearly delighted to hear that. "Truly, and I hope yours is a long and happy life together."

Setting her cup down, she clasps her hands on the tabletop. "I suppose I should at least be fair, if only so you're not forced to do all the talking," she says with a quiet chuckle. "It was out of gratitude, that I entered the service. I was young, when we lost my mother to plague. My father -- bless him, truly -- was a fair hand with clockwork and gunsmithery, but not... particularly suited to life without her. The Vardaman priest who visited tried his best to help... oh, how he tried. And it helped *me,* but, not Father. For six years, he withdrew from the world, until it was simply too much effort for him to beat his heart. And certainly, I could have taken over his shop, but... I needed to do ''more.'' You know, that feeling where the logical just isn't *enough?* And the Mourner, oh, he was such a dear friend to me over the years. So, I tithed the shop to Vardama, took my vows, and started my training. I don't think I've set foot in Isobar since I was an acolyte myself, now I think about it."

"I have no doubt it will be. Thanks." Dolan's still lit up like a noble's party with sheer affection and joy as he speaks of Andelena.

That joy fades, though, as he listens to Silmeria's story. "It's about giving back, ain't it?" he asks, gentle in his turn, picking up his own cookie again. "Giving back to the people, to the deities who made a difference in your life. I'm sorry to hear about your parents, but - yeah. Doing what's logical ain't always enough. Sometimes, you've got to do what's right."

"And giving forward, so more people can know the kindness that changed your very being," Silmeria says, nodding slowly. "You get stronger, so you can protect the people like you were. Or, avenge them. Because nobody deserves to hurt like we did." The Speaker's voice is serene, her face still gentle and kind, but there's steel in her voice.

"That's why I joined the Speakers for the Dead. Because there are plenty of martial orders among the sworn of Vardama, but the Speakers? We trade in promises, to secure peace. And there is no other faithful alive that I know of, that will go to the lengths we do to fulfill our promises. Because the dead *must* reast peacefully."

"Because nobody deserves what these creatures do to the innocent," Dolan adds, nodding, some of Silmeria's steel reflected in his own voice. "You seek peace for the dead. I seek justice for the living. Pretty similar, in some ways, you ask me. Trading in promises. Setting things right. Not just taking out the bastards causing it, but making people's lives a little better along the way."

"Hear hear," Silmeria says, raising her teacup in salute. "To making lives better. And our own, if there's time." This last, said with a chuckle intended to wring any sourness away from the words. "Speaking of, have you set a date? Or, are plans simply proceeding?"

Dolan sets down the cookie, picks up and raises his teacup in salute in response, his grin crooked. "There's time, Silmeria. You make time for what's important, yeah?" He takes a long pull of his tea, then sets the cup down again. "Andie's having trouble with the celestial parts of the rites," he explains. "We think sometime in Aestry, when it stops raining so much. I'm still recovering from - things that happened." There's a topic, from the sudden heaviness in his tone. "We wanted to wait until she got the language right, and I was as healed as I'm going to get. I think we're about there."

It's different, from this side. The look that Silmeria gives to Dolan, an obvious echo of Dolan examining a plaintiff's testimony and soaking in all the little, unsaid things.

How similar, their training must have been.

"...Dolan," she says after a few beats. "I want to make you an offer. You don't have to answer now, and in fact you don't even have to answer at all. But... Think about it, is all. Part of my job, as I said, is grief-counseling. That's given me no few skills, for helping people in pain. So... if you need to talk to someone about what you're going through, and you don't want to burden the people you care about? Come here, and there'll be tea, cookies, and someone who understands, and *knows.*"

Startled, Dolan blinks. It's weird to watch only one eye blink in what is obviously not intended as a wink. It's an automatic reflex, sure, but he takes a moment to process that. His lips twitch in an attempt at a smile that falls flat. "Lot of people think they're ready for that, and they ain't," he answers in a low, serious tone, after surveying her for a minute or more in silence. "You ever dealt with someone who's been tortured?" he asks finally.

"I have," Silmeria says, her voice just above a whisper. "I have held the hands of torture victims too far gone to save, Dolan, and heard their stories. And everyone -- *everyone* -- who passes into my care, leaves this world my friend."

Six days a week, all over the city, sitting deathwatch. Spending time with the dying, knowing when she leaves a house, she'll have lost a friend.

And this is the measure of her gratitute to the Lady of Death.

Dolan's quiet gaze stays on Silmeria, for a long moment. "I ain't quite that bad. It was pretty close, but I had a damn good healer. I'm - mostly okay. I can still fight. Guess that's what's important, yeah?" His lips twitch, just a little. "You've got a rough job, Silmeria. Don't envy you. I'm sure you've got quite a lot of stories."

"I do," the blond agrees, bobbing her head. "But I do it for love. Love of Her, and love of the people so terrified to meet Her. But that's not what's important; what's important is, you're healed enough to keep seeking a life with your Andie. You have something to fight *for,* and something to *survive* the fight for."

"Yeah. The question right now is how long I'm going to be able to fight." The words slip out, despite Dolan's best efforts. "We're still figuring that out. I'm sure as sunrise going to fight as long as I can." He's set down both tea and cookies, and unconsciously rubs at the muscles of his left arm, below the breastplate and just below the shoulder joint. "Some days are better than others."

"Better to be old than not," Silmeria points out, gently. "But I have a feeling you'll be able to fight as long as you need to. As long as you ask *Him* to help you. And that when youre done, He'll be glad to see you teach the next generation of Corona."

"Oh, He does, Silmeria. He does. Every damned day. He gives me what I need to help other people, too. Guess you could say I've taken up helping other people in my shoes, yeah? Too damned many of 'em. Because this is the kind of shit demons - and vampires - and other evil creatures - do to people. A lot of people don't get it, where these people are after a demon or a devil or something evil gets through with them. Even if they're physically healed. That's the easy part. There's some stuff as ain't go away so easy."

"Some things never truly go away," the blond says, nodding slowly. "Sometimes we can't heal someone completely. But we can teach them how to keep the pain from swallowing them, until it's scarred over and recedes enough to just... be part of the noise of being alive."

That one is a tough one. "Yeah. I - can use it, though. Sometimes it helps me shake it off. Focus. Push away the ghosts. Because it's here, and I'm here, and the ghosts aren't. I know that sounds weird." Dolan reaches for the rest of his cookie again, and finishes it off almost savagely.

At this, Silmeria lifts a shoulder. "If it's weird but it works," she says, tipping her teacup at him, "then it's not weird."

"S'pose I ought to ask," Dolan says after a moment, crunching the last of the cookie and taking a sip from his tea. "If I'm going to call on you for help tackling these werewolves, and the fiends when they show up. What's your fighting style, if you have to fight? You work more with spells or weapons?"

"Bit of both," Silmeria says after a moment's thought. "Most of my magics are tactical, rather than war-magery. But I've done some cross-training with the Mourners, and... well, if your fiends like to call in hordes of fodder from the Hells, that's where I *know* I'll always be useful."

Dolan listens, cataloguing the information. "Tactical magic is damned useful," he agrees. "War magery does a lot of collateral damage, from what I've seen. You ever faced a foe you can't see? V likes to use shadow demons. We might be fighting blind. I'm used to it, I had Master Zein train me to fight totally blind. Sure you guessed, but without the gem, I'm blind on my right. In an anti-magic field, it won't work."

"I don't ''like'' to," Silmeria admits, "waving guns about in the dark is a good way to lose a friend. I've not had the training for a proper blind-fight, but, if it's too dangerous to go on the attack, I can find other ways to be useful. If naught else, anything that'll try to take advantage of the dark will find me... less than helpless. Another trick I've learned; I don't just have to call down Her light to empower *myself.*"

"Banishing darkness is useful, if you can do that." Dolan eyes the plate of cookies, dunking this one in his tea and leaving it there. "So's anything that gives us an advantage. Not everything they've got is a shadow, though. Prepare for silver, and for both demons and devils. Cold iron works against demons but not devils, and it ain't always easy to tell which if you haven't studied. Aligning your weapon works either way. You say you wield firearms?" Now that's interesting. "Got a friend who does the same."

"I consider it something of an act of worship," Silmeria admits, cheeks flushing. "Perhaps one day if you ask, I'll give you the speech, but I promise it makes sense. Anyway, yes. Pistol and shield, because it's just *silly* not to have the spare protection if you can have it. Silver I have, aligning weapons is fairly simple, and Mori, well. He enforces his own innate order on things he shoots. Just, if I talk to my gun, don't be surprised if it talks back."

Rather than surprise or confusion, Dolan merely throws his head back. "Oh no. Yours talks too? Andie's longsword is like that. It's like having two mothers-in-law. One's a crazy, demon-loving bitch, and the other is a sword." Still chuckling, he retrieves his cookie from the tea and bites down into the softened cookie. "Mmmmph," he says around it, swallows the bite, and nods down at the cookie. "That's good."

"So, I'm a swordsman," he explains. "It's part of my training, it's His weapon. I prefer the greatsword for a lot of things, unless it's about His justice, or my shoulder won't stay put enough for me to wield it. I won't carry it if it won't hold, yeah?"

"I've always been convinced that a good backup is worth more than a month's training with your favorite," Silmeria says, nodding sharply. "I keep meaning to find a better version of my Lady's preferred blade, but the one I still have to this day will suffice. But... yes, my gun talks. I'm still not sure *why,* because he certainly doesn't use my father's voice. But, he does speak, and he's ''very'' interesting in ensuring my Lady's will be done."

"I haven't any idea, either," Dolan shrugs expressively, popping the rest of the cookie in his mouth and following it with tea. "These are excellent, but I'd better stop, or I'll go to seed," he observes with a bark of a laugh. "I just know that some weapons do. I'm no mage, and I couldn't tell you why. It argue with you like Andie's does with her?"

"I imagine it would, should I be forced to choose between shooting a lich in the face and saving a life. But, our purposes have been in alignment for long enough that I consider him a friend. Also it's very helpful for investigations, when your companion has perfect recall when asked." Silmeria chuckles. "The acolytes'll be pleased to hear that too, Dolan; they'll benefit from your willpower."

"They're also children. I ate anything I wanted as an acolyte," Dolan points out, grinning in a way that even touches, tugs at, the acid scars on the right side of his face. "Perfect recall. You don't have to take notes. That's damned useful." He finishes the tea, and sets the cup down. "It's been a pleasure talking to you, Silmeria, and-" He hesitates. " I won't forget what you said." That's serious. "If I need to talk, I'll keep that in mind. I talk to Zeke, but the lizards think so differently, they don't always get it, yeah?"

"It truly has been a pleasure to meet you, Dolan. I'll let Mourner Verna know you need to speak with her, should I see her first." Slipping out of her chair, she extends a hand. "Whether you need to talk or no, you'll always be welcome, even if you just want tea and a chat."

Dolan similarly rises from his chair, and takes the hand, shaking it. "That goes for you too. If it ever gets to be too much. If you just need someone who's not in the Harpist's service to vent at, look me up, yeah? I've got two working ears and a working brain. Everybody needs to talk sometimes. I'll try to find her, but if you see her first, tell her I'm looking for her?"

Once the shake is complete, he re-arms and slings the crossbow back over his back.

"Should I have the need, I'll be sure to seek you out," Silmeria says, bobbing her head. "Or don't be surprised if I make a social call on my way back from my rounds! If I'm to be honest, that's when I'm most likely to want to talk to a living friend anyway, so..." Shrugging, the Speaker watches Dolan re-arm with all the amusement of someone who doesn't have to do the same, *just this moment.*

"You're always welcome," Dolan answers easily, finishing the last buckle. "Be pleased to have you, although I won't have cookies quite like those." Once done, he straightens up. "I'm afraid I'll need your guidance to get out," he starts, glancing at the pile of cookies one last time but turning away.

"Right this way," Silmeria says, and leads the Corona through the warren of Vardama's temple, humming an upbeat tune when idle chatter takes its breather.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-05-09T16:17:48Z

Seldan: /* May */

Undercity News

2023-05-07T17:04:11Z

Seldan: Created page with "On a gorgeous day, the Temple is as busy as one might expect. Many Sunblades and Sunguards can be seen, some on guard duty, others training in small formations, others spreading the word of Daeus, yet others off duty, enjoying the simple pleasures of company, good food and relaxation. Among all this activity are adherents, penitents and those of other temples. The Navosian runs into the Temple, the sound of her sandals slapping against her feet and the ground announcin..."

On a gorgeous day, the Temple is as busy as one might expect. Many Sunblades and Sunguards can be seen, some on guard duty, others training in small formations, others spreading the word of Daeus, yet others off duty, enjoying the simple pleasures of company, good food and relaxation.

Among all this activity are adherents, penitents and those of other temples.

The Navosian runs into the Temple, the sound of her sandals slapping against her feet and the ground announcing her presence. Simony pauses, staring at the Temple's magnificence, and the grand amount of activity and people here. "Such a contrast to the Monastery.", she says softly to no one in particular. Stepping over to a slightly bored-looking Sunblade, she asks a question. He squints, thinking, and then points in a direction. So it begins. She finds herself in a building that seems to be dedicated to administration. "Bleh. Paperwork. The unfun kind.", the Goblin mutters. "Excuse me, would you know where I might find Dolan? He is er... an inquisitor, I believe? About yea tall? Yes, I do believe that's him, with the artifice eye." Then the sounds of her footsteps echoing on the floor.

"Oh, Corona Dolan? He should be around here somewhere. He might be with the healers, though. Oh, no, there he is." A snort of laughter from the young lady that is the last one Simony finds, as she looks over to the grass in the main courtyard, where the man in question is flopped out in the grass, staring up at the domed sky above with both flesh and artifice eyes. "Lazy bum that he is." That is said with a laugh.

The Goblin grins as the young lady laughs. "I am sure he's actually just recharging his holy powers in Daeus' light." Her grin grows more broad. "Thank you very much, you are most kind. Have a good day!" With her expression bright, she kicks out of her sandals as soon as she reaches the grass. Simony walks up to the man in the grass, stopping as few steps away to clear her throat. "It certainly is the perfect day for feeling the grass on your neck, and the warm sun on your face, isn't it, Corona Dolan?"

The head turns first, and then Dolan sits up, fairly quickly but not with a start. His grin is sheepish as he eyes Simony with interest. "Every day's the perfect day to do that, Simony, as long as there is sun," he counters, folding himself into a cross-legged position to look up at her. "Brightest of days, Simony. What is going on?"

The Goblin moves to settle down in front of him, mirroring his cross-legged position. "It is a small request from Magpie, mostly. Also some news. Magpie would have come herself, but she is deeply ensconced in study with that book." Her voice lowers, and she looks about. "I am a little uncomfortable talking about it given how things have been playing out.

"Magpie requests that if you find our friends responsible for summoning Jay-Gee, and find the circle, please sketch it out on paper as carefully as possible before destroying it."

Dolan's flesh-and-blood eye narrows at that request, his stare intent. "I'll do it, but she say why, at all? What's she need that for?"

The Goblin lets out a breath. "She did. Let me give you the news first, and then, why she needs it."

"I have been attempting to ascertain what Jay-Gee's powers may be. I've also been trying to sniff out the activities of the cultists. I went to a few libraries first, then spoke with Telamon, whom directed me to Verna... and the Archmage Mithralla." There's a tenseness in her expression when she mentions Mikilos' name.

"The Archmage had nothing new on Ice Demons... but dropped a fireball into my lap. Apparently, and I quote, 'There exists a CITY-sized summoning circle beneath the city.'" Simony pauses a moment. "I was gobsmacked, because that's news to me. Apparently it was broken, made inactive after someone... I wonder who... summoned a balor with it."

"Okay, so, it was made inactive... but the Archmage was not done. It is so large, so powerful, and the sewer system and underground caverns so labyrinthine, that it entirely possible that even broken, parts of the circle could still be active, and usable to... summon, even with the city's ward in place."

"There _what_?" All trace of laziness is gone, and Dolan simply _stares_ at Simony. "No wonder the fucking ward was put up in the first place! How in all the flaming Hells there are did that possibly get there?" Unconsciously, he raises his voice, causing a few people to look over at him. "I assume you told Tel his? Simony, I ain't no magician. He's gonna know far more'n I do, but if that's true, then the city needs to know. Like, now."

Simony holds up her hands. "I know, I know, please lower your voice. We still have to take into consideration that even Mighty Daeus' house could be infiltrated." She pinches the bridge of her nose and exhales. "I did go back to Telamon and informed him. If you must know, he also... what is it called.. ah, he also shat his pants. He was supposed to have arranged to meet the Paladin named Seldan. I've not heard back... I wanted to go but..." The Goblin shrugs. "Things happen the way they happen. Anyways.. we have an advantage so, we gotta work quickly. What you're doing is important, so, get out there and find the circle. Magpie is going to study with the book more, and plan an expedition into the sewers. We have to know.. I have come to believe, and I've shared this also, that the Sewers are how the cults.. yes, more than one, are getting into the city unnoticed. And if the circle is useful to them, well, all the more reason to be down there."

Another noisy, and lengthy, exhale from Simony is had before she continues. "While I agree that it may be useful, I am of two minds... Magpie is going to reverse engineer the circle to use it against them. When I suggested such to Telamon before going to Magpie, he looked horrified and asked me if I really wanted to see him turned inside out and explode. I take it from his hyperbole that this idea is incredibly dangerous. Which I suspected. Magpie is bound and determined to do this... I think she also intends to go alone, because she believes no one is .. silly enough to help her. I refuse flat out to let her do this unassisted."

Real alarm floods both sides of Dolan's harlequin features at that. Not even the scarred mess that is the right side of his face is wholly unaffected, although the golden gem-eye remains entirely expressionless, eerily enough. "I don't know whether the actual act is dangerous." He's at least lowered his voice, and the alarm is tinged with sheepishness. "I'll trust Tel on that one, though I've got no idea why a paladin would know shit about summoning circles. I'll tell you this, though."

He fixes Simony with that stare. "Laying traps for demons and devils? You'd better be fucking _careful_, because those creatures are _masters_ of turning the game inside out on you. Outsmarting one is damned difficult. You might be able to outsmart the cult, but don't ever count on laying a trap for a demon, because they might just be laying one for you."

"I don't disagree, mind," he goes on. "It'd definitely be good to go down there and find some evidence of whether or not someone is pulling shit down there, because if they are, the city sure as sunrise needs to know."

"I have no illusions how that might turn out", the Goblin says, regarding outsmarting Demons. "The bunch of us might be able to achieve such a feat, but I know I am ill equipped for such. It is why I am doing fetch and carry, and running messages. Aside from running around, trying to find information." She rubs at her face, "Seldan is one of Eluna's, so perhaps he is more magically inclined and endowed than what you'd expect from one of Daeus' Paladins? I don't know the man, however, Mikilos Mithralla said Seldan had been part of dealing with it somehow. He wasn't actually sure... however you slice it, it is better to talk to the people named... just to be sure."

"As for the city, I believe you, just how do we do that so that the city is aware, and the cultists are not?"

Dolan scratches at his hairline, considering the problem. "It ain't as if I've got a direct line to the Council. I can look for a way, but I ain't nobody important. Might be one or two people I can talk to." His lips purse, while he thinks. "I'll trust Tel's judgment when it comes to magic. All my magic is just the Knight acting on my behalf. Otherwise, I'm just a farm kid with a sword. It's definitely a good thing to find out, though. Yeah, I'll try to get those drawings for her if we find 'em. Might take a bit, we've got innocent hostages to get to safety before we do any of that shit."

Simony squints at Dolan, blinking a few times. "Pfff. I think you sell yourself short. You are not some farm kid with a sword." She chuckles and nods. "Okay, do what you need to do. Be careful, and good luck, okay? I'll let Magpie know I put the bug in your ear, and see if she has some ideas about informing those who need informing."

She hops up then, and offers Dolan a bow from the hips."

Dolan's relaxation has entirely vacated the building, and he hops to his feet as well, heedless of the grass stains on the back of his shirt. "Yeah. I'll ask Tel about it, too, see if he's found Sir Seldan yet. Thanks for the heads-up." He scratches again at his hairline. "Shit. A city-wide summoning circle."

"Yeah. Mindblowing.", she says softly. "Well, be well Dolan. Be careful. And I'll see you again soon, okay?"

“Yeah. Brightest of days to you, Simony." Dolan stretches himself out carefully. "S'pose I'd better get busy, too." Once he is done stretching, he turns away, in the direction of the deeper part of the temple. His steps have a good bit more zip to them, now, the languor of a sunny day banished by dark news.”

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-05-07T17:03:56Z

Seldan: /* May */

Strike It Down

2023-04-15T22:37:16Z

Seldan:

The Felwood Camp is becoming a bustling hive of activity. The palisades are slowly becoming proper walls, the structures being made more and more permanent as opposed to mere tents and canvas tarps. Elves of the Mythwood and irregular Alexandrian adventurers are present, as are official soldiers from Alexandros proper.

All in all, the idea of doing 'something' about the Felwood is becoming a more palpable reality.

Recently, a group of adventurers was dispatched into the Felwood, where they claimed they saw a spire in the distance by report. This was confirmed by others, but the spire has been made unapproachable by hostile vegetation, a thing that actually exists.

Worse, ''something'' followed the second group back and has been stalking the patrols sent out, causing a massive disruption and their withdrawal until a group can deal with it.

Guess where you come in?

Captain Eldraz is a veteran soldier of Alexandros, one eyed and cantankerous, but also efficient with his job.

"You have access to anything you need. Once you're beyond the palisades, you'll draw its attention eventually. We think it might be another one of those opal-powered beasts, so .. we can't say for sure what it is, beyond likely something to do with the hostile trees near that sighted-spire. Might be some kind of corrupted elementals again."

The word ''demonic'' had certainly gotten Dolan's attention. The fee for it had also gotten his attention. After a brief discussion with Andelena, he'd made the decision to sign up.

They could, after all, use the money.

That puts him here, looking around the walls that are replacing the palisade he'd spent most of a day setting down with his own hands - it seems like a lifetime ago. This place has changed in that time, and he stares around him appreciatively - at least, until the soldier shows up.

He turns his regard towards his fellow one-eyed man, watching him intently. "How many of those have there been?" he asks.

The access Murder needed was food, it seems, as she gnaws on something of the meat jerky kind the whole time the Captain is speaking. Her feet sway back and forth casually.

"So, th'priority seems t'be the beast stalking yer patrols." She pauses while Dolan speaks, and gestures to him while chewing, his is a good question.

So if we kill the beast or beasts, are we to attempt to clear the hostile vegetation? Just want t'know what we're being paid t'do, exactly."

Eyes narrowing as she looks towards the gates, Lysa hooks her thumbs into her belt. She has her sword on her back angled for a right hand draw, and worn over the other shoulder is the handle for her large heavy flail. After all, a blade is not the best to use for all enemies. She unhooks her thumbs and reaches for her helmet, lifting it up over her head to draw it down and affix it into place.

"I am having the ability to absorb damage for another if that is becoming necessary."

But that done, she turns and rolls her neck, warming up a bit for what is to come. "I am being happy being bait if that is becoming needed." she adds.

Pelka begins to reach into compartments on his belt and bandolier. Eventually he withdraws two devices that he affixes to his chest and forearm respectively, where they emit a glow and a faint hum. "I'll go with you! he offers in a slightly shrill voice. "I can get us away in a hurry if we need."

GAME: Pelka casts Magic Vestment. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16
GAME: Pelka casts Greater Magic Weapon. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17

"A few of them now," replies Eldraz to Dolan's question. "Enough that we know it means something. A wizard investigated it and found out it contained fel essence used to imbue other creatures with demonic powers in some way. It wasn't a good thing, that's for sure. He got possessed by the energy himself when he tried to destroy it. So any more opals like that, we bring 'em back and hand 'em over for safe keeping until a better way to dispose of them can be found."

"So, we'll send you along the same path the others were sent. We're hoping, prepasred, you'll be able to lure out whatever this is and deal with it. How can we help?"

Dolan considers that, scratching at his jawline, although his demeanor is locked right now in a razor focus. "I understand. Does this thing leave tracks that can be followed, and what do they look like? I've faced one of these gem things before, yeah? If it works on a demon, it'll work on those things. If we know what the tracks look like, we can get an idea of what we're dealing with and maybe where to find it."

"Possibly," answers Captain Eldraz.

"But we haven't been able to discern them on account of it coming to *us*. Not really giving us a chacne to try to track *it*."

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "We haven't found them on the limited work we've been able to do while it's out there."

Murder swallows down a painfully large piece of jerky, and nods to Dolan's suggestion. "A good plan to start with... oh, hmm." She looks to Dolan and the others. "I too will offer myself up as bait. I have a few tricks up my sleeves which should keep me safe enough for now."

Glancing over to Murder, Lysa bobs her head in the affirmative. "If you are to be being bait with me, then please be being allowing me to be being augmenting your durability."

She pops her neck once and adds, "The spell is being known as Shield Other."

Dirk listens to the briefing with a dour scowl. He's busily loading cold iron rounds into his thunderbelcher, his beard bristling around the stem of his pipe that he holds clamped in his mouth. His petite owl Lulu sits atop his shoulder, her golden-eyed gaze riveted on the captain as he delivers the briefing. "Plant... -demons-," he grunts around a billow of pipe smoke. "Well. I know how tae handle summat like -that-." He racks the slide of his weapon with a satisfying CHK-CHAK. Dolan is given a firm nod. "If it leaves tracks, I can track it," he says. "I'm gettin' good at huntin' the hell-fuckers. An' the Felwood might be a cursed forest--but it's -still- a forest. That makes it -my- stompin' grounds. Isn't that right, Lulu?" The little owl on his shoulder puffs up her feathers and gives a fierce little "Hoo-oo!"

Dolan turns his full gaze towards Dirk, grinning easily. "I believe it, Dirk. Got the feeling tracking it very far won't be necessary. We go out there and it'll find us, from the sound of it," he observes. Lysa and Murder get a different look from him. "I know that spell. Make sure you give her the focus ring for it before we go."

He turns then back to Eldraz, nodding. "I think that's about all I have. A sense for evil should show it quick enough, but that's limited range."

"That seems to be the case," Eldraz says, scratching above his good eye.

"It's bottled us up but good. Fortunately, it doesn't seem to be expanding its reach beyond the Felwood. Just *in* the trees."

Turning her eyes towards Dolan, Lysa lifts a single brow. "It is not being the first time that I have been being casting this. But I am being thanking you for the reminder." she adds.

That said, she unclips one of the two rings attached to her left hand. That ring is held out towards Murder. And then the casting begins.

GAME: Lysa casts Shield Other. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16

The Goblin nods to Lysa, "I know the personal version of the spell, I have a few scrolls of it, however, it is severely limited in time. So I'll take your casting since it will probably last longer." She nods to Dolan, accepting the ring from Lysa. "Please remind me to return it," she says softly.

Murder stretches then, and quickly jerks her head left and right, the vertebrae in her neck popping loudly.

Pelka casts a dubious look at the nearest trees. "I never did like these woods," he admits. Then he glances around the others. "So who's going to be bait and who's the trap?" He hesitates. "That's the expression, right? Well never mind, we all get the idea."

"I and Murder will both be being bait and trap." says Lysa as she turns and starts walking towards the gates, "Please be being staying near me." she says to Murder. "Very near. Or the spell will be being ending early."

She reaches up and slides her four and a half foot sword from its scabbard, hefting it and giving it a twirl to prep her wrist.

Dolan watches the motion of the bastard sword and Lysa's movements with it, then turns his back on her. "I've got nothing else. Let's go find this thing."

Dirk takes ahold of his pipe, knocking the ashes from the bowl and tucking it into his hip satchel. He lifts his thunderbelcher and hefts it over his shoulder with a firm nod. "Aye, let's to it." Lulu ruffles her feathers and hoots, earning her a glance from her master. "No, I ''don't'' think a salad made o' demon plant would be tasty. Since when do ''you'' eat salad anyway?"

Murder pulls a smaller version of Lysa's weapon, though ancient, and bearing years of use and abuse. Its blade is still keen, lovingly cared for by the Goblin. "Understood. Stay close to you."

She looks to the others. "I must warn you that I use fire. I will try to be spare with it in this forest, it doesn't work well on demons, but it may prove helpful with the annoying vegetation.

GAME: Lysa rolls perception: (3)+9: 12
GAME: Dolan rolls perception+3: (19)+16+3: 38
GAME: Dirk rolls perception+2: (14)+16+2: 32
GAME: Murder rolls perception: (9)+16: 25
GAME: Pelka rolls perception: (6)+20: 26
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (18)+17: 35
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+13: (6)+13: 19

It doesn't take long.

They weren't kidding when they said that basically any trip to the Felwood at this point attracted whatever it was attention. Dolan and Dirk are the only two to see it coming, this sudden lunge of a tree branch towards Dirk, aiming to spike or spear him. He's only able to avoid it with the narrowest of turns of his body. The tree then uproots itself and takes a ... step on its root towards him.

Yes, the tree itself is alive.

And attacking.

"It's the tree!" is all Dolan can get out before the tree's lashing out with a branch, catching Dirk entirely too quickly. Working on an assumption, he whirls on it, is longsword rasping from its sheath. "Tricksy little shit, aren't ya. Well, light of the Holy knight be your bane, demon-cursed thing!"

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (6)+11: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (4)+17: 21
GAME: Pelka rolls 10: (7)+10: 17

Dirk yelps as the demon tree lashes out at him. "HEEK!" He swings his thunderbelcher like a club as he does his best to skitter away from it. "GAH! LEAVE OFF, YE SHITBIRD SHRUB!"

GAME: Murder rolls reflexes: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Dirk rolls Reflex: (10)+11: 21

Pelka unclips his wrench from his forearm as the tree reveals itself. He flaps his wings rapidly and lifts into the air. He tries to swig the wrench but the trees branches lash out at him at the same time and his blow turns instead into an inadvertent parry. "It's not in the trees...it IS the trees!" he squawks.

GAME: Pelka rolls reflex: (18)+11: 29
GAME: Pelka rolls fly: (14)+12: 26
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12: (12)+12: 24
GAME: Dolan rolls reflex: (20)+5: 25 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+13: (7)+13: 20
GAME: Dolan casts Flames of the Faithful. Caster Level: 8 DC: 15

You know, the tree looks more gnarled, blackened, and twisted with every second. You can observe as that blackness courses through it as it runs towards you, over you, thrashing with its branches and striking you as it goes over, maximizing its range. Staying JUST close enough for it to attack you, but JUST far enough that it's a little harder for you to do the same.

You hear two groaning creaks, as two other trees nearby begin to stir.

GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (1)+14+1+-3+2: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (5)+14+1+-3+2: 19
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2-5: (8)+14+1+-3+2+-5: 17
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (8)+1+6+2+(5): 22
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (6)+1+6+2+(11): 26
GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/The Planes+2: (7)+3+2: 12

Dolan fairly throws himself to the ground and rolls aside as the tree tramples over him, branches scraping, but he rolls to his feet and flexes his shoulder carefully. ''It held!'' Relieved and grinning, Dolan reaches for the stylized platinum dragon around his neck. "Let's see how you like the Knight's holy flame." He murmurs a prayer, and white-hot fire ripples down the blade in his hand. "The Knight judges your sorry demonic ass, and I am the instrument of his justice. Get over here."

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (17)+17: 34
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+(: (8)+(: 8
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (11)+9: 20
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+4: (1)+12+4: 17 (EPIC FAIL)

Dirk grinds his teeth against the pain of his injury as he swings up his thunderbelcher. "Want a piece o' -me-, ye sheepfuckin' twig? HAVE SOME O' THIS!" he roars. Beautiful gold filigree in the shape of curling ivies flares with light along the stock of his weapon, and glowing dwarven runes sweep down the barrel. The muzzle-flash strobes like brilliant sunlight, and two blessed bullets slam into the evil arboreal's bark. BOOM! BOOM! "I got -plenty- o' these, ye shit!" he snarls. He racks the slide, ejecting two still faintly-glowing shells that hiss and smoke as they pop out of the chamber.

GAME: Murder casts Fireball. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16
GAME: Murder rolls 10d6: (29): 29
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16

Okay. Bracing herself, Lysa switches to a half-sword grip as the tree surges over her. She gets bowled over however, knocking her aim off. And then even as the creature rams into her and pushes past, she turns to charge towards it. Her armor is being battered, and her helmet's faceplate crashes into her nose even as she lifts the sword and brings it down.... catching it in the branch of a -normal- tree that just so happens to be right there. Her eyes flicker up and she growls, "Seriously?" She asks the universe.

GAME: Pelka rolls 10: (9)+10: 19

The Goblin pulls herself up out of the suspiciously foot-shaped hole she finds herself in, and scuttles away on her hands and knees. Feeling safer a short distance from the tree, she stands. She growls in Gobbo-talk, her fingers moving in an intricate pattern. Gesturing above the tree's... head?, a small glowing bead sips out from her fingertip. The bead reaches a spot above the demon-tree, and explodes, expanding into an impressive fireball.

Sadly, the tree does not seem as impressively damaged by the flames. "Okay... demon creature confirmed!"

GAME: Pelka rolls 1d6+4+3d6: (1)+4+(12): 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+9: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+4: (4)+12+4: 20

Pelka flaps his wings franticly to avoid the evil tree's charge - partially. He leaves a few drops of blood and perhaps feathers behind, but evades the worst of it. Pelka reattaches his wrench on its holder on his lower arm. No sooner are his taloned hands free than his large clunky deathray is filling them. He flies higher now, levels the weapon and sends an electric

Seeing Pelka flying up, the creature clearly does not like that. It raises a rock with its root, casually throwing it into its branches where it leans back swaying like a great wind has taken hold of it and then hurls the boulder it just scooped up right at Pelka, who is narrowly able to get out of the way only with the aid of their defensive magics.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (9)+17: 26
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (5)+9: 14
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+2: (19)+13+2: 34 (THREAT)
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+2: (11)+13+2: 26
GAME: Dolan rolls 1d8+4+2+1d8+4+2+2d6+1d6+1d10: (8)+4+2+(1)+4+2+(7)+(4)+(2): 34
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (18)+14+1+-3+2: 32
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2-5: (16)+14+1+-3+2+-5: 25
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (8)+1+6+2+(11): 28
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (7)+1+6+2+(7): 23
GAME: Lysa rolls 4d6: (20): 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (10)+17: 27
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (4)+9: 13
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+6: (17)+12+6: 35
GAME: Lysa rolls 2d10+22: (7)+22: 29

Predictably, the evil treant pays Dolan no mind. Very well, he will simply be required to get its attention. He charges in, a branch lashing painfully across his midsection. That'll leave a bruise later, but it barely disrupts his forward momentum as he ''slams'', blade-first, into the tree. The white flames on the blade ''explode'' in a rush as he makes contact, leaving a deep, burnt gash in the trunk that drips - something nasty. Definitely not sap. Wouldn't want to put that on one's pancakes.

Dirk sets a foot back, firming up his stance as he scowls down the sights of his thunderbelcher. "There's a lad, keep it distracted," he growls softly as Dolan goes in to engage. As the demonic arboreal's attention is diverted, he pulls back on the trigger once more. CHK-BOOM! BOOM! Two more blessed bullets slam into the thing, blasting out faintly glowing craters in the demon-tree's bark. "YARRRGH! BACK TAE HELL WI' YE!" he bellows.

Okay, this is getting old. Lysa's sword clatters against the tree bark once more as the creature moves away. Golden light begins pouring from her eyes, flowing down over her body to restore her health to a degree even as she surges forward. She gets struck once more, and then lifts her sword to bat away one branch, swings to bat another away. This leaves the trunk open. And so she grunts with the effort it takes as she rips her sword's glowing blade into the trunk of the creature... holy power clashing with the fiendish power of the being.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (4)+13: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (12)+13: 25
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (8)+9: 17
GAME: Pelka rolls fly: (10)+12: 22

The Gobbo glances around, trying to find a means to hurt the beast, if fire is going to be ... less effective. Seeing Lysa taking a solid thump, Murder pulls out a potion from a pouch on her belt. Muttering a keyword, a see-through hand appears, taking up the potion to deliver it into Lysa's waiting hands.

GAME: Pelka rolls 8+4: (18)+8+4: 30
GAME: Pelka casts Haste. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (10)+13: 23
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (18)+13: 31

Pelka is swatted by a clump of branches nearly as large as Pelka himself. He is knocked backwards. Then he spreads his wings and manages to turn the movement into a swooping dive towards the rest of the party. He throws a small sundial-shaped contraption to the ground in the middle of the party. Light flashes and suddenly the Alexandrians are moving a little faster than before. Including Pelka as he beats his wings furiously and rises back to his earlier altitude.

Apparently, this thing can give life to other trees, and it has. Two of them, now animated are moving in on Pelka and Dirk from behind. Pelka is nearly swatted from the sky by the great branches of the twisted felwood trees, but Dirk is able to get out of the way just barely.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (6)+9: 15

Still backing into the trees, the creature puts some space, just a step, between itself and Dolan and then bears its branches against him in wicked smashing crashes that spear and wound.

It's ... looking less than happy, the blackening of its trunk accelerating.

GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2: (1)+13+1+2: 17 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2-5: (2)+13+1+2+-5: 13
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2: (4)+13+1+2: 20
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2: (17)+13+1+2: 33
GAME: Dolan rolls 1d8+4+1+2+2d6+1d6: (4)+4+1+2+(6)+(3): 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (17)+13: 30
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (10)+9: 19
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (6)+14+1+-3+2: 20
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (13)+14+1+-3+2: 27
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2-5: (2)+14+1+-3+2+-5: 11
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (4)+1+6+2+(7): 20
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (10)+1+6+2+(9): 28
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (8)+1+6+2+(9): 26

''That'' disrupted Dolan's rhythm, for sure. Now bleeding freely in several places - and with wood splinters in them - he scowls and takes the blade in both hands. "Holy Knight, heal the instrument of Your judgment, and give him strength to fight on," he says, then applies the blade - vigorously. Unfortunately, his body is having none of that, and only the final blow lands, almost by sheer luck.

It still hurts.

GAME: Lysa rolls 4d6: (17): 17
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+7: (3)+12+7: 22
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+7: (19)+12+7: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+7: (7)+12+7: 26
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+2: (3)+12+2: 17

Dirk grins up at Pelka as accelerating magicks take ahold of him. "Thanks, laddie!" he calls. Moving with preternatural swiftness, he swings up his thunderbelcher. It's then that Lulu twists her head around and flutters her wings in a panic. "Hoo! Hoo hoo!" she hoots, before drawing herself up tall and skinny. She narrows her eyes and hisses at the animated tree that steps up behind Dirk. But he's deep in the zone. CHK-BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! He fires off three more rapid-fire rounds, shearing great gouges out of the demonic tree. "HAH! HOW'S THAT TASTE, YE ROTTIN' HYAAAAGH!" His taunt is cut short by a massive beam swinging out and cracking into his back, sending him staggering forward and down onto one knee. He grits his teeth against the pain, clapping a hand to the small of his back as he glares over his shoulder. "Ohh I'm makin' -matchsticks- out o' -you-!" he snarls furiously.

GAME: Lysa rolls 3d10+66: (25)+66: 91

Things are getting desperate, and Lysa is hurt. The potion is handed to her, but she grimaces. "I am being thanking you, but... no time for that." She rolls her neck and feels time seem to slow down. She knows this feeling.. and a smile comes over her face as she whips into motion. Forward strike, back strike, and then a wind up fore that last one.. kaboom.

The trees is struck with a thunderous crack, it's enough to send it toppling forward like ... like a fallingh tree, really.

As everyone scatters out of the way, the other two trees stop t heir advance.

... the tree erupts in black flame. That's not normal. You can see something at its core, though -- something generating it.

... an opal. You could almost reach in and get it ... if you want the evidence...

GAME: Murder rolls will: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Murder rolls will: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Murder rolls reflex: (2)+7: 9

Pelka stops flapping his wings and instead spreads them to catch the air. He glides down. His skill at flying - and landing - has grown over the years until its instinct, and he's able to devote most of his attention to the demonic tree as he touches down gently. "I see something inside! It's an opal!"

GAME: Murder rolls reflex: (13)+7: 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 10d6: (36): 36

The Goblin impulsively reaches in for the Gem as it starts to be extruded and consumed by fire. There's a burst of black flames that engulf the Goblin, and for a brief moment she screams. The scream is cut off suddenly, replaced by laughter. A dull red glow burns in her eyes, the laughter rising to a crescendo. "YOU WILL ALL BURN!" Turning, she blasts the already dead demon-tree, scorching it to a withered lump, evil coal burning in an evil flame.

Then she turns towards Dirk. "YOU ARE NEXT!"

GAME: Dolan casts Cast Out. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16

Dirk slowly gets to his feet, grunting as he puts weight on his poor injured back. The old snowbeard is just not having the best of days. "Hurrk! Ow! Piss up my -arse-, that hurts!" he grunts. He looks up and around at his comrades. "Everyone all right?" But then there's Murder going for the opal. His eyes get wide. "Lassie -wait-!" He takes a step forward and immediately regrets it. His back seizes up, making him stagger. "HGGNKK!" For a moment, he's frozen, just long enough for the gobbo to grab that cursed opal. Then she makes that hateful pronouncement. His face turns white as his beard. Even Lulu seems disturbed by it. She turns her narrow-eyed gaze on the gobber and hisses, click-clacking her beak. "Piss up my ''arse''," the old dwarf whimpers.

"Damn it, I should have told you not to touch it with your bare hands." Dropping his blade with weary fingers to the forest floor, Dolan strides over towards the goblin without hesitation, reaching for the dragon pendant he wears without hesitation. "Holy Knight, let me be the instrument of Your compassion as well as your justice, and drive this evil creature from her!"

The last part of the spell is said in a shout, and the free hand shoots out towards Murder's forehead. There's a flash of bright white-gold light that sends Murder sprawling back into the undergrowth of the forest floor.

He's left staring down at her, waiting to see if it worked.

GAME: Dolan rolls 2d8+8: (9)+8: 17

GAME: Dolan rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24

Pelka's beak falls open. He clicks it shut. Then he raises his deathray halfway to firing position. Uneasily. Hesitantly. "She - she - she...touch it? That's what happens when you /touch/ them?" He can't quite keep the shrill frok his voice.

At first, Lysa was starting to reach for the opal. She paused as she reached into her pouch for a cloth to grab it with. But that pause let Murder get to it first. She blinks a bit, taken aback by the Gobbo's reaction. Then she reaches for a dagger and advances, fully intending to disarm the gobbo of the stone, but not touching it herself.

The Goblin lays still, smoke and steaming rising from her. For several long moments, nothing. Without much warning, she suddenly sits up, coughing.
"Owfuckgodsdamnitwhatthefuckwasthat?!", she says, quickly and loudly. Giving her head a shake, she peers at Dolan. "T.thanks! That fucking hurt!"

"I am being having a handy haversack if anyone thinks it may be being safe to be being putting it in there." Lysa suggests as she steps back, not wanting to look like she was about to stab Murder

"Sorry," Dolan offers down to Murder with a sheepish grin. In that moment, the inquisitor is gone, replaced with a slightly ''aw shucks'' man. "That one hurts, and I can't help it, but it kicks a possessing presence out of you," he explains. "Don't touch the opal with your bare hands. Wrap it in something. That's what we did with the first one we found. Now, are you okay? I have some healing."

As Lysa approaches, he whirls, and puts himself between Murder and the Sunblade. "Easy. That was just a possession, Sunblade. I've driven it out."

Nodding her head, Lysa remarks, "My plan was to be being prying the sphere from her hand. The dagger was to be being preventing my hand from touching it. Now, can we be being storing or transporting it within a haversack?"

Dirk rubs his lower back, still wincing in pain. "I want nae part o' that filthy thing," he grunts. "Those stones are evil." Lulu peers at the stone and click-clicks her beak. "Hoo!" she hoots, hopping from foot to foot on Dirk's shoulder. "Aye, you said it, lassie," he says in agreement. He nods to Dolan. "Aye, wrap it in summat. Dinnae let it touch yer bare skin."

Murder offers up her hand, to show it is scorched black and slightly withered by the fiery assault of the gem. "No, you needn't apologize. That was my mistake, and my fault. You were only doing what you needed to do. Hey, it hurt, but we're all still alive, so I say we count ourselves lucky. Normally fire doesn't get to me... not any more anyways."

The Gobbo stands up on shaky legs that threaten to give out. "I would accept healing, please, I wish to be able to walk back to camp."

Pelka edges his way around Murder, Dolan and Lysa. He gives them a wide berth and turning slightly as he passes so that he's never quite got his back to Murder. He only comes to a stop when he's next to the remains of the tree. Inspecting, but careful not to touch.

[[Category:Logs]]

Strike It Down

2023-04-15T22:36:17Z

Seldan:

The Felwood Camp is becoming a bustling hive of activity. The palisades are slowly becoming proper walls, the structures being made more and more permanent as opposed to mere tents and canvas tarps. Elves of the Mythwood and irregular Alexandrian adventurers are present, as are official soldiers from Alexandros proper.

All in all, the idea of doing 'something' about the Felwood is becoming a more palpable reality.

Recently, a group of adventurers was dispatched into the Felwood, where they claimed they saw a spire in the distance by report. This was confirmed by others, but the spire has been made unapproachable by hostile vegetation, a thing that actually exists.

Worse, ''something'' followed the second group back and has been stalking the patrols sent out, causing a massive disruption and their withdrawal until a group can deal with it.

Guess where you come in?

Captain Eldraz is a veteran soldier of Alexandros, one eyed and cantankerous, but also efficient with his job.

"You have access to anything you need. Once you're beyond the palisades, you'll draw its attention eventually. We think it might be another one of those opal-powered beasts, so .. we can't say for sure what it is, beyond likely something to do with the hostile trees near that sighted-spire. Might be some kind of corrupted elementals again."

The word ''demonic'' had certainly gotten Dolan's attention. The fee for it had also gotten his attention. After a brief discussion with Andelena, he'd made the decision to sign up.

They could, after all, use the money.

That puts him here, looking around the walls that are replacing the palisade he'd spent most of a day setting down with his own hands - it seems like a lifetime ago. This place has changed in that time, and he stares around him appreciatively - at least, until the soldier shows up.

He turns his regard towards his fellow one-eyed man, watching him intently. "How many of those have there been?" he asks.

The access Murder needed was food, it seems, as she gnaws on something of the meat jerky kind the whole time the Captain is speaking. Her feet sway back and forth casually.

"So, th'priority seems t'be the beast stalking yer patrols." She pauses while Dolan speaks, and gestures to him while chewing, his is a good question.

So if we kill the beast or beasts, are we to attempt to clear the hostile vegetation? Just want t'know what we're being paid t'do, exactly."

Eyes narrowing as she looks towards the gates, Lysa hooks her thumbs into her belt. She has her sword on her back angled for a right hand draw, and worn over the other shoulder is the handle for her large heavy flail. After all, a blade is not the best to use for all enemies. She unhooks her thumbs and reaches for her helmet, lifting it up over her head to draw it down and affix it into place.

"I am having the ability to absorb damage for another if that is becoming necessary."

But that done, she turns and rolls her neck, warming up a bit for what is to come. "I am being happy being bait if that is becoming needed." she adds.

Pelka begins to reach into compartments on his belt and bandolier. Eventually he withdraws two devices that he affixes to his chest and forearm respectively, where they emit a glow and a faint hum. "I'll go with you! he offers in a slightly shrill voice. "I can get us away in a hurry if we need."

GAME: Pelka casts Magic Vestment. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16

GAME: Pelka casts Greater Magic Weapon. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17

"A few of them now," replies Eldraz to Dolan's question. "Enough that we know it means something. A wizard investigated it and found out it contained fel essence used to imbue other creatures with demonic powers in some way. It wasn't a good thing, that's for sure. He got possessed by the energy himself when he tried to destroy it. So any more opals like that, we bring 'em back and hand 'em over for safe keeping until a better way to dispose of them can be found."

"So, we'll send you along the same path the others were sent. We're hoping, prepasred, you'll be able to lure out whatever this is and deal with it. How can we help?"

Dolan considers that, scratching at his jawline, although his demeanor is locked right now in a razor focus. "I understand. Does this thing leave tracks that can be followed, and what do they look like? I've faced one of these gem things before, yeah? If it works on a demon, it'll work on those things. If we know what the tracks look like, we can get an idea of what we're dealing with and maybe where to find it."

"Possibly," answers Captain Eldraz.

"But we haven't been able to discern them on account of it coming to *us*. Not really giving us a chacne to try to track *it*."

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "We haven't found them on the limited work we've been able to do while it's out there."

Murder swallows down a painfully large piece of jerky, and nods to Dolan's suggestion. "A good plan to start with... oh, hmm." She looks to Dolan and the others. "I too will offer myself up as bait. I have a few tricks up my sleeves which should keep me safe enough for now."

Glancing over to Murder, Lysa bobs her head in the affirmative. "If you are to be being bait with me, then please be being allowing me to be being augmenting your durability."

She pops her neck once and adds, "The spell is being known as Shield Other."

Dirk listens to the briefing with a dour scowl. He's busily loading cold iron rounds into his thunderbelcher, his beard bristling around the stem of his pipe that he holds clamped in his mouth. His petite owl Lulu sits atop his shoulder, her golden-eyed gaze riveted on the captain as he delivers the briefing. "Plant... -demons-," he grunts around a billow of pipe smoke. "Well. I know how tae handle summat like -that-." He racks the slide of his weapon with a satisfying CHK-CHAK. Dolan is given a firm nod. "If it leaves tracks, I can track it," he says. "I'm gettin' good at huntin' the hell-fuckers. An' the Felwood might be a cursed forest--but it's -still- a forest. That makes it -my- stompin' grounds. Isn't that right, Lulu?" The little owl on his shoulder puffs up her feathers and gives a fierce little "Hoo-oo!"

Dolan turns his full gaze towards Dirk, grinning easily. "I believe it, Dirk. Got the feeling tracking it very far won't be necessary. We go out there and it'll find us, from the sound of it," he observes. Lysa and Murder get a different look from him. "I know that spell. Make sure you give her the focus ring for it before we go."

He turns then back to Eldraz, nodding. "I think that's about all I have. A sense for evil should show it quick enough, but that's limited range."

"That seems to be the case," Eldraz says, scratching above his good eye.

"It's bottled us up but good. Fortunately, it doesn't seem to be expanding its reach beyond the Felwood. Just *in* the trees."

Turning her eyes towards Dolan, Lysa lifts a single brow. "It is not being the first time that I have been being casting this. But I am being thanking you for the reminder." she adds.

That said, she unclips one of the two rings attached to her left hand. That ring is held out towards Murder. And then the casting begins.

GAME: Lysa casts Shield Other. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16

The Goblin nods to Lysa, "I know the personal version of the spell, I have a few scrolls of it, however, it is severely limited in time. So I'll take your casting since it will probably last longer." She nods to Dolan, accepting the ring from Lysa. "Please remind me to return it," she says softly.

Murder stretches then, and quickly jerks her head left and right, the vertebrae in her neck popping loudly.

Pelka casts a dubious look at the nearest trees. "I never did like these woods," he admits. Then he glances around the others. "So who's going to be bait and who's the trap?" He hesitates. "That's the expression, right? Well never mind, we all get the idea."

"I and Murder will both be being bait and trap." says Lysa as she turns and starts walking towards the gates, "Please be being staying near me." she says to Murder. "Very near. Or the spell will be being ending early."

She reaches up and slides her four and a half foot sword from its scabbard, hefting it and giving it a twirl to prep her wrist.

Dolan watches the motion of the bastard sword and Lysa's movements with it, then turns his back on her. "I've got nothing else. Let's go find this thing."

Dirk takes ahold of his pipe, knocking the ashes from the bowl and tucking it into his hip satchel. He lifts his thunderbelcher and hefts it over his shoulder with a firm nod. "Aye, let's to it." Lulu ruffles her feathers and hoots, earning her a glance from her master. "No, I ''don't'' think a salad made o' demon plant would be tasty. Since when do ''you'' eat salad anyway?"

Murder pulls a smaller version of Lysa's weapon, though ancient, and bearing years of use and abuse. Its blade is still keen, lovingly cared for by the Goblin. "Understood. Stay close to you."

She looks to the others. "I must warn you that I use fire. I will try to be spare with it in this forest, it doesn't work well on demons, but it may prove helpful with the annoying vegetation.

GAME: Lysa rolls perception: (3)+9: 12
GAME: Dolan rolls perception+3: (19)+16+3: 38
GAME: Dirk rolls perception+2: (14)+16+2: 32
GAME: Murder rolls perception: (9)+16: 25
GAME: Pelka rolls perception: (6)+20: 26
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (18)+17: 35
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+13: (6)+13: 19

It doesn't take long.

They weren't kidding when they said that basically any trip to the Felwood at this point attracted whatever it was attention. Dolan and Dirk are the only two to see it coming, this sudden lunge of a tree branch towards Dirk, aiming to spike or spear him. He's only able to avoid it with the narrowest of turns of his body. The tree then uproots itself and takes a ... step on its root towards him.

Yes, the tree itself is alive.

And attacking.

"It's the tree!" is all Dolan can get out before the tree's lashing out with a branch, catching Dirk entirely too quickly. Working on an assumption, he whirls on it, is longsword rasping from its sheath. "Tricksy little shit, aren't ya. Well, light of the Holy knight be your bane, demon-cursed thing!"

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (6)+11: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (4)+17: 21
GAME: Pelka rolls 10: (7)+10: 17

Dirk yelps as the demon tree lashes out at him. "HEEK!" He swings his thunderbelcher like a club as he does his best to skitter away from it. "GAH! LEAVE OFF, YE SHITBIRD SHRUB!"

GAME: Murder rolls reflexes: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Dirk rolls Reflex: (10)+11: 21

Pelka unclips his wrench from his forearm as the tree reveals itself. He flaps his wings rapidly and lifts into the air. He tries to swig the wrench but the trees branches lash out at him at the same time and his blow turns instead into an inadvertent parry. "It's not in the trees...it IS the trees!" he squawks.

GAME: Pelka rolls reflex: (18)+11: 29
GAME: Pelka rolls fly: (14)+12: 26
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12: (12)+12: 24
GAME: Dolan rolls reflex: (20)+5: 25 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+13: (7)+13: 20
GAME: Dolan casts Flames of the Faithful. Caster Level: 8 DC: 15

You know, the tree looks more gnarled, blackened, and twisted with every second. You can observe as that blackness courses through it as it runs towards you, over you, thrashing with its branches and striking you as it goes over, maximizing its range. Staying JUST close enough for it to attack you, but JUST far enough that it's a little harder for you to do the same.

You hear two groaning creaks, as two other trees nearby begin to stir.

GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (1)+14+1+-3+2: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (5)+14+1+-3+2: 19
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2-5: (8)+14+1+-3+2+-5: 17
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (8)+1+6+2+(5): 22
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (6)+1+6+2+(11): 26
GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/The Planes+2: (7)+3+2: 12

Dolan fairly throws himself to the ground and rolls aside as the tree tramples over him, branches scraping, but he rolls to his feet and flexes his shoulder carefully. ''It held!'' Relieved and grinning, Dolan reaches for the stylized platinum dragon around his neck. "Let's see how you like the Knight's holy flame." He murmurs a prayer, and white-hot fire ripples down the blade in his hand. "The Knight judges your sorry demonic ass, and I am the instrument of his justice. Get over here."

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (17)+17: 34
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+(: (8)+(: 8
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (11)+9: 20
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+4: (1)+12+4: 17 (EPIC FAIL)

Dirk grinds his teeth against the pain of his injury as he swings up his thunderbelcher. "Want a piece o' -me-, ye sheepfuckin' twig? HAVE SOME O' THIS!" he roars. Beautiful gold filigree in the shape of curling ivies flares with light along the stock of his weapon, and glowing dwarven runes sweep down the barrel. The muzzle-flash strobes like brilliant sunlight, and two blessed bullets slam into the evil arboreal's bark. BOOM! BOOM! "I got -plenty- o' these, ye shit!" he snarls. He racks the slide, ejecting two still faintly-glowing shells that hiss and smoke as they pop out of the chamber.

GAME: Murder casts Fireball. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16
GAME: Murder rolls 10d6: (29): 29
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16

Okay. Bracing herself, Lysa switches to a half-sword grip as the tree surges over her. She gets bowled over however, knocking her aim off. And then even as the creature rams into her and pushes past, she turns to charge towards it. Her armor is being battered, and her helmet's faceplate crashes into her nose even as she lifts the sword and brings it down.... catching it in the branch of a -normal- tree that just so happens to be right there. Her eyes flicker up and she growls, "Seriously?" She asks the universe.

GAME: Pelka rolls 10: (9)+10: 19

The Goblin pulls herself up out of the suspiciously foot-shaped hole she finds herself in, and scuttles away on her hands and knees. Feeling safer a short distance from the tree, she stands. She growls in Gobbo-talk, her fingers moving in an intricate pattern. Gesturing above the tree's... head?, a small glowing bead sips out from her fingertip. The bead reaches a spot above the demon-tree, and explodes, expanding into an impressive fireball.

Sadly, the tree does not seem as impressively damaged by the flames. "Okay... demon creature confirmed!"

GAME: Pelka rolls 1d6+4+3d6: (1)+4+(12): 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+9: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+4: (4)+12+4: 20

Pelka flaps his wings franticly to avoid the evil tree's charge - partially. He leaves a few drops of blood and perhaps feathers behind, but evades the worst of it. Pelka reattaches his wrench on its holder on his lower arm. No sooner are his taloned hands free than his large clunky deathray is filling them. He flies higher now, levels the weapon and sends an electric

Seeing Pelka flying up, the creature clearly does not like that. It raises a rock with its root, casually throwing it into its branches where it leans back swaying like a great wind has taken hold of it and then hurls the boulder it just scooped up right at Pelka, who is narrowly able to get out of the way only with the aid of their defensive magics.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (9)+17: 26
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (5)+9: 14
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+2: (19)+13+2: 34 (THREAT)
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+2: (11)+13+2: 26
GAME: Dolan rolls 1d8+4+2+1d8+4+2+2d6+1d6+1d10: (8)+4+2+(1)+4+2+(7)+(4)+(2): 34
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (18)+14+1+-3+2: 32
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2-5: (16)+14+1+-3+2+-5: 25
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (8)+1+6+2+(11): 28
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (7)+1+6+2+(7): 23
GAME: Lysa rolls 4d6: (20): 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (10)+17: 27
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (4)+9: 13
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+6: (17)+12+6: 35
GAME: Lysa rolls 2d10+22: (7)+22: 29

Predictably, the evil treant pays Dolan no mind. Very well, he will simply be required to get its attention. He charges in, a branch lashing painfully across his midsection. That'll leave a bruise later, but it barely disrupts his forward momentum as he ''slams'', blade-first, into the tree. The white flames on the blade ''explode'' in a rush as he makes contact, leaving a deep, burnt gash in the trunk that drips - something nasty. Definitely not sap. Wouldn't want to put that on one's pancakes.

Dirk sets a foot back, firming up his stance as he scowls down the sights of his thunderbelcher. "There's a lad, keep it distracted," he growls softly as Dolan goes in to engage. As the demonic arboreal's attention is diverted, he pulls back on the trigger once more. CHK-BOOM! BOOM! Two more blessed bullets slam into the thing, blasting out faintly glowing craters in the demon-tree's bark. "YARRRGH! BACK TAE HELL WI' YE!" he bellows.

Okay, this is getting old. Lysa's sword clatters against the tree bark once more as the creature moves away. Golden light begins pouring from her eyes, flowing down over her body to restore her health to a degree even as she surges forward. She gets struck once more, and then lifts her sword to bat away one branch, swings to bat another away. This leaves the trunk open. And so she grunts with the effort it takes as she rips her sword's glowing blade into the trunk of the creature... holy power clashing with the fiendish power of the being.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (4)+13: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (12)+13: 25
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (8)+9: 17
GAME: Pelka rolls fly: (10)+12: 22

The Gobbo glances around, trying to find a means to hurt the beast, if fire is going to be ... less effective. Seeing Lysa taking a solid thump, Murder pulls out a potion from a pouch on her belt. Muttering a keyword, a see-through hand appears, taking up the potion to deliver it into Lysa's waiting hands.

GAME: Pelka rolls 8+4: (18)+8+4: 30
GAME: Pelka casts Haste. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (10)+13: 23
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (18)+13: 31

Pelka is swatted by a clump of branches nearly as large as Pelka himself. He is knocked backwards. Then he spreads his wings and manages to turn the movement into a swooping dive towards the rest of the party. He throws a small sundial-shaped contraption to the ground in the middle of the party. Light flashes and suddenly the Alexandrians are moving a little faster than before. Including Pelka as he beats his wings furiously and rises back to his earlier altitude.

Apparently, this thing can give life to other trees, and it has. Two of them, now animated are moving in on Pelka and Dirk from behind. Pelka is nearly swatted from the sky by the great branches of the twisted felwood trees, but Dirk is able to get out of the way just barely.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (6)+9: 15

Still backing into the trees, the creature puts some space, just a step, between itself and Dolan and then bears its branches against him in wicked smashing crashes that spear and wound.

It's ... looking less than happy, the blackening of its trunk accelerating.

GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2: (1)+13+1+2: 17 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2-5: (2)+13+1+2+-5: 13
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2: (4)+13+1+2: 20
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2: (17)+13+1+2: 33
GAME: Dolan rolls 1d8+4+1+2+2d6+1d6: (4)+4+1+2+(6)+(3): 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (17)+13: 30
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (10)+9: 19
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (6)+14+1+-3+2: 20
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (13)+14+1+-3+2: 27
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2-5: (2)+14+1+-3+2+-5: 11
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (4)+1+6+2+(7): 20
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (10)+1+6+2+(9): 28
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (8)+1+6+2+(9): 26

''That'' disrupted Dolan's rhythm, for sure. Now bleeding freely in several places - and with wood splinters in them - he scowls and takes the blade in both hands. "Holy Knight, heal the instrument of Your judgment, and give him strength to fight on," he says, then applies the blade - vigorously. Unfortunately, his body is having none of that, and only the final blow lands, almost by sheer luck.

It still hurts.

GAME: Lysa rolls 4d6: (17): 17
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+7: (3)+12+7: 22
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+7: (19)+12+7: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+7: (7)+12+7: 26
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+2: (3)+12+2: 17

Dirk grins up at Pelka as accelerating magicks take ahold of him. "Thanks, laddie!" he calls. Moving with preternatural swiftness, he swings up his thunderbelcher. It's then that Lulu twists her head around and flutters her wings in a panic. "Hoo! Hoo hoo!" she hoots, before drawing herself up tall and skinny. She narrows her eyes and hisses at the animated tree that steps up behind Dirk. But he's deep in the zone. CHK-BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! He fires off three more rapid-fire rounds, shearing great gouges out of the demonic tree. "HAH! HOW'S THAT TASTE, YE ROTTIN' HYAAAAGH!" His taunt is cut short by a massive beam swinging out and cracking into his back, sending him staggering forward and down onto one knee. He grits his teeth against the pain, clapping a hand to the small of his back as he glares over his shoulder. "Ohh I'm makin' -matchsticks- out o' -you-!" he snarls furiously.

GAME: Lysa rolls 3d10+66: (25)+66: 91

Things are getting desperate, and Lysa is hurt. The potion is handed to her, but she grimaces. "I am being thanking you, but... no time for that." She rolls her neck and feels time seem to slow down. She knows this feeling.. and a smile comes over her face as she whips into motion. Forward strike, back strike, and then a wind up fore that last one.. kaboom.

The trees is struck with a thunderous crack, it's enough to send it toppling forward like ... like a fallingh tree, really.

As everyone scatters out of the way, the other two trees stop t heir advance.

... the tree erupts in black flame. That's not normal. You can see something at its core, though -- something generating it.

... an opal. You could almost reach in and get it ... if you want the evidence...

GAME: Murder rolls will: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Murder rolls will: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Murder rolls reflex: (2)+7: 9

Pelka stops flapping his wings and instead spreads them to catch the air. He glides down. His skill at flying - and landing - has grown over the years until its instinct, and he's able to devote most of his attention to the demonic tree as he touches down gently. "I see something inside! It's an opal!"

GAME: Murder rolls reflex: (13)+7: 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 10d6: (36): 36

The Goblin impulsively reaches in for the Gem as it starts to be extruded and consumed by fire. There's a burst of black flames that engulf the Goblin, and for a brief moment she screams. The scream is cut off suddenly, replaced by laughter. A dull red glow burns in her eyes, the laughter rising to a crescendo. "YOU WILL ALL BURN!" Turning, she blasts the already dead demon-tree, scorching it to a withered lump, evil coal burning in an evil flame.

Then she turns towards Dirk. "YOU ARE NEXT!"

GAME: Dolan casts Cast Out. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16

Dirk slowly gets to his feet, grunting as he puts weight on his poor injured back. The old snowbeard is just not having the best of days. "Hurrk! Ow! Piss up my -arse-, that hurts!" he grunts. He looks up and around at his comrades. "Everyone all right?" But then there's Murder going for the opal. His eyes get wide. "Lassie -wait-!" He takes a step forward and immediately regrets it. His back seizes up, making him stagger. "HGGNKK!" For a moment, he's frozen, just long enough for the gobbo to grab that cursed opal. Then she makes that hateful pronouncement. His face turns white as his beard. Even Lulu seems disturbed by it. She turns her narrow-eyed gaze on the gobber and hisses, click-clacking her beak. "Piss up my ''arse''," the old dwarf whimpers.

"Damn it, I should have told you not to touch it with your bare hands." Dropping his blade with weary fingers to the forest floor, Dolan strides over towards the goblin without hesitation, reaching for the dragon pendant he wears without hesitation. "Holy Knight, let me be the instrument of Your compassion as well as your justice, and drive this evil creature from her!"

The last part of the spell is said in a shout, and the free hand shoots out towards Murder's forehead. There's a flash of bright white-gold light that sends Murder sprawling back into the undergrowth of the forest floor.

He's left staring down at her, waiting to see if it worked.

GAME: Dolan rolls 2d8+8: (9)+8: 17
GAME: Dolan rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24

Pelka's beak falls open. He clicks it shut. Then he raises his deathray halfway to firing position. Uneasily. Hesitantly. "She - she - she...touch it? That's what happens when you /touch/ them?" He can't quite keep the shrill frok his voice.

At first, Lysa was starting to reach for the opal. She paused as she reached into her pouch for a cloth to grab it with. But that pause let Murder get to it first. She blinks a bit, taken aback by the Gobbo's reaction. Then she reaches for a dagger and advances, fully intending to disarm the gobbo of the stone, but not touching it herself.

The Goblin lays still, smoke and steaming rising from her. For several long moments, nothing. Without much warning, she suddenly sits up, coughing.
"Owfuckgodsdamnitwhatthefuckwasthat?!", she says, quickly and loudly. Giving her head a shake, she peers at Dolan. "T.thanks! That fucking hurt!"

"I am being having a handy haversack if anyone thinks it may be being safe to be being putting it in there." Lysa suggests as she steps back, not wanting to look like she was about to stab Murder

"Sorry," Dolan offers down to Murder with a sheepish grin. In that moment, the inquisitor is gone, replaced with a slightly ''aw shucks'' man. "That one hurts, and I can't help it, but it kicks a possessing presence out of you," he explains. "Don't touch the opal with your bare hands. Wrap it in something. That's what we did with the first one we found. Now, are you okay? I have some healing."

As Lysa approaches, he whirls, and puts himself between Murder and the Sunblade. "Easy. That was just a possession, Sunblade. I've driven it out."

Nodding her head, Lysa remarks, "My plan was to be being prying the sphere from her hand. The dagger was to be being preventing my hand from touching it. Now, can we be being storing or transporting it within a haversack?"

Dirk rubs his lower back, still wincing in pain. "I want nae part o' that filthy thing," he grunts. "Those stones are evil." Lulu peers at the stone and click-clicks her beak. "Hoo!" she hoots, hopping from foot to foot on Dirk's shoulder. "Aye, you said it, lassie," he says in agreement. He nods to Dolan. "Aye, wrap it in summat. Dinnae let it touch yer bare skin."

Murder offers up her hand, to show it is scorched black and slightly withered by the fiery assault of the gem. "No, you needn't apologize. That was my mistake, and my fault. You were only doing what you needed to do. Hey, it hurt, but we're all still alive, so I say we count ourselves lucky. Normally fire doesn't get to me... not any more anyways."

The Gobbo stands up on shaky legs that threaten to give out. "I would accept healing, please, I wish to be able to walk back to camp."

Pelka edges his way around Murder, Dolan and Lysa. He gives them a wide berth and turning slightly as he passes so that he's never quite got his back to Murder. He only comes to a stop when he's next to the remains of the tree. Inspecting, but careful not to touch.

[[Category:Logs]]

Strike It Down

2023-04-15T22:35:34Z

Seldan: Created page with "The Felwood Camp is becoming a bustling hive of activity. The palisades are slowly becoming proper walls, the structures being made more and more permanent as opposed to mere tents and canvas tarps. Elves of the Mythwood and irregular Alexandrian adventurers are present, as are official soldiers from Alexandros proper. All in all, the idea of doing 'something' about the Felwood is becoming a more palpable reality. Recently, a group of adventurers was dispatched into..."

The Felwood Camp is becoming a bustling hive of activity. The palisades are slowly becoming proper walls, the structures being made more and more permanent as opposed to mere tents and canvas tarps. Elves of the Mythwood and irregular Alexandrian adventurers are present, as are official soldiers from Alexandros proper.

All in all, the idea of doing 'something' about the Felwood is becoming a more palpable reality.

Recently, a group of adventurers was dispatched into the Felwood, where they claimed they saw a spire in the distance by report. This was confirmed by others, but the spire has been made unapproachable by hostile vegetation, a thing that actually exists.

Worse, ''something'' followed the second group back and has been stalking the patrols sent out, causing a massive disruption and their withdrawal until a group can deal with it.

Guess where you come in?

Captain Eldraz is a veteran soldier of Alexandros, one eyed and cantankerous, but also efficient with his job.

"You have access to anything you need. Once you're beyond the palisades, you'll draw its attention eventually. We think it might be another one of those opal-powered beasts, so .. we can't say for sure what it is, beyond likely something to do with the hostile trees near that sighted-spire. Might be some kind of corrupted elementals again."

The word ''demonic'' had certainly gotten Dolan's attention. The fee for it had also gotten his attention. After a brief discussion with Andelena, he'd made the decision to sign up.

They could, after all, use the money.

That puts him here, looking around the walls that are replacing the palisade he'd spent most of a day setting down with his own hands - it seems like a lifetime ago. This place has changed in that time, and he stares around him appreciatively - at least, until the soldier shows up.

He turns his regard towards his fellow one-eyed man, watching him intently. "How many of those have there been?" he asks.

The access Murder needed was food, it seems, as she gnaws on something of the meat jerky kind the whole time the Captain is speaking. Her feet sway back and forth casually.

"So, th'priority seems t'be the beast stalking yer patrols." She pauses while Dolan speaks, and gestures to him while chewing, his is a good question.

So if we kill the beast or beasts, are we to attempt to clear the hostile vegetation? Just want t'know what we're being paid t'do, exactly."

Eyes narrowing as she looks towards the gates, Lysa hooks her thumbs into her belt. She has her sword on her back angled for a right hand draw, and worn over the other shoulder is the handle for her large heavy flail. After all, a blade is not the best to use for all enemies. She unhooks her thumbs and reaches for her helmet, lifting it up over her head to draw it down and affix it into place.

"I am having the ability to absorb damage for another if that is becoming necessary."

But that done, she turns and rolls her neck, warming up a bit for what is to come. "I am being happy being bait if that is becoming needed." she adds.

Pelka begins to reach into compartments on his belt and bandolier. Eventually he withdraws two devices that he affixes to his chest and forearm respectively, where they emit a glow and a faint hum. "I'll go with you! he offers in a slightly shrill voice. "I can get us away in a hurry if we need."

GAME: Pelka casts Magic Vestment. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16
GAME: Pelka casts Greater Magic Weapon. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17

"A few of them now," replies Eldraz to Dolan's question. "Enough that we know it means something. A wizard investigated it and found out it contained fel essence used to imbue other creatures with demonic powers in some way. It wasn't a good thing, that's for sure. He got possessed by the energy himself when he tried to destroy it. So any more opals like that, we bring 'em back and hand 'em over for safe keeping until a better way to dispose of them can be found."

"So, we'll send you along the same path the others were sent. We're hoping, prepasred, you'll be able to lure out whatever this is and deal with it. How can we help?"

Dolan considers that, scratching at his jawline, although his demeanor is locked right now in a razor focus. "I understand. Does this thing leave tracks that can be followed, and what do they look like? I've faced one of these gem things before, yeah? If it works on a demon, it'll work on those things. If we know what the tracks look like, we can get an idea of what we're dealing with and maybe where to find it."

"Possibly," answers Captain Eldraz.

"But we haven't been able to discern them on account of it coming to *us*. Not really giving us a chacne to try to track *it*."

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "We haven't found them on the limited work we've been able to do while it's out there."

Murder swallows down a painfully large piece of jerky, and nods to Dolan's suggestion. "A good plan to start with... oh, hmm." She looks to Dolan and the others. "I too will offer myself up as bait. I have a few tricks up my sleeves which should keep me safe enough for now."

Glancing over to Murder, Lysa bobs her head in the affirmative. "If you are to be being bait with me, then please be being allowing me to be being augmenting your durability."

She pops her neck once and adds, "The spell is being known as Shield Other."

Dirk listens to the briefing with a dour scowl. He's busily loading cold iron rounds into his thunderbelcher, his beard bristling around the stem of his pipe that he holds clamped in his mouth. His petite owl Lulu sits atop his shoulder, her golden-eyed gaze riveted on the captain as he delivers the briefing. "Plant... -demons-," he grunts around a billow of pipe smoke. "Well. I know how tae handle summat like -that-." He racks the slide of his weapon with a satisfying CHK-CHAK. Dolan is given a firm nod. "If it leaves tracks, I can track it," he says. "I'm gettin' good at huntin' the hell-fuckers. An' the Felwood might be a cursed forest--but it's -still- a forest. That makes it -my- stompin' grounds. Isn't that right, Lulu?" The little owl on his shoulder puffs up her feathers and gives a fierce little "Hoo-oo!"

Dolan turns his full gaze towards Dirk, grinning easily. "I believe it, Dirk. Got the feeling tracking it very far won't be necessary. We go out there and it'll find us, from the sound of it," he observes. Lysa and Murder get a different look from him. "I know that spell. Make sure you give her the focus ring for it before we go."

He turns then back to Eldraz, nodding. "I think that's about all I have. A sense for evil should show it quick enough, but that's limited range."

"That seems to be the case," Eldraz says, scratching above his good eye.

"It's bottled us up but good. Fortunately, it doesn't seem to be expanding its reach beyond the Felwood. Just *in* the trees."

Turning her eyes towards Dolan, Lysa lifts a single brow. "It is not being the first time that I have been being casting this. But I am being thanking you for the reminder." she adds.

That said, she unclips one of the two rings attached to her left hand. That ring is held out towards Murder. And then the casting begins.

GAME: Lysa casts Shield Other. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16

The Goblin nods to Lysa, "I know the personal version of the spell, I have a few scrolls of it, however, it is severely limited in time. So I'll take your casting since it will probably last longer." She nods to Dolan, accepting the ring from Lysa. "Please remind me to return it," she says softly.

Murder stretches then, and quickly jerks her head left and right, the vertebrae in her neck popping loudly.

Pelka casts a dubious look at the nearest trees. "I never did like these woods," he admits. Then he glances around the others. "So who's going to be bait and who's the trap?" He hesitates. "That's the expression, right? Well never mind, we all get the idea."

"I and Murder will both be being bait and trap." says Lysa as she turns and starts walking towards the gates, "Please be being staying near me." she says to Murder. "Very near. Or the spell will be being ending early."

She reaches up and slides her four and a half foot sword from its scabbard, hefting it and giving it a twirl to prep her wrist.

Dolan watches the motion of the bastard sword and Lysa's movements with it, then turns his back on her. "I've got nothing else. Let's go find this thing."

Dirk takes ahold of his pipe, knocking the ashes from the bowl and tucking it into his hip satchel. He lifts his thunderbelcher and hefts it over his shoulder with a firm nod. "Aye, let's to it." Lulu ruffles her feathers and hoots, earning her a glance from her master. "No, I ''don't'' think a salad made o' demon plant would be tasty. Since when do ''you'' eat salad anyway?"

Murder pulls a smaller version of Lysa's weapon, though ancient, and bearing years of use and abuse. Its blade is still keen, lovingly cared for by the Goblin. "Understood. Stay close to you."

She looks to the others. "I must warn you that I use fire. I will try to be spare with it in this forest, it doesn't work well on demons, but it may prove helpful with the annoying vegetation.

GAME: Lysa rolls perception: (3)+9: 12
GAME: Dolan rolls perception+3: (19)+16+3: 38
GAME: Dirk rolls perception+2: (14)+16+2: 32
GAME: Murder rolls perception: (9)+16: 25
GAME: Pelka rolls perception: (6)+20: 26
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (18)+17: 35
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+13: (6)+13: 19

It doesn't take long.

They weren't kidding when they said that basically any trip to the Felwood at this point attracted whatever it was attention. Dolan and Dirk are the only two to see it coming, this sudden lunge of a tree branch towards Dirk, aiming to spike or spear him. He's only able to avoid it with the narrowest of turns of his body. The tree then uproots itself and takes a ... step on its root towards him.

Yes, the tree itself is alive.

And attacking.

"It's the tree!" is all Dolan can get out before the tree's lashing out with a branch, catching Dirk entirely too quickly. Working on an assumption, he whirls on it, is longsword rasping from its sheath. "Tricksy little shit, aren't ya. Well, light of the Holy knight be your bane, demon-cursed thing!"

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+11: (6)+11: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (4)+17: 21
GAME: Pelka rolls 10: (7)+10: 17

Dirk yelps as the demon tree lashes out at him. "HEEK!" He swings his thunderbelcher like a club as he does his best to skitter away from it. "GAH! LEAVE OFF, YE SHITBIRD SHRUB!"

GAME: Murder rolls reflexes: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Dirk rolls Reflex: (10)+11: 21

Pelka unclips his wrench from his forearm as the tree reveals itself. He flaps his wings rapidly and lifts into the air. He tries to swig the wrench but the trees branches lash out at him at the same time and his blow turns instead into an inadvertent parry. "It's not in the trees...it IS the trees!" he squawks.

GAME: Pelka rolls reflex: (18)+11: 29
GAME: Pelka rolls fly: (14)+12: 26
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12: (12)+12: 24
GAME: Dolan rolls reflex: (20)+5: 25 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+13: (7)+13: 20
GAME: Dolan casts Flames of the Faithful. Caster Level: 8 DC: 15

You know, the tree looks more gnarled, blackened, and twisted with every second. You can observe as that blackness courses through it as it runs towards you, over you, thrashing with its branches and striking you as it goes over, maximizing its range. Staying JUST close enough for it to attack you, but JUST far enough that it's a little harder for you to do the same.

You hear two groaning creaks, as two other trees nearby begin to stir.

GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (1)+14+1+-3+2: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (5)+14+1+-3+2: 19
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2-5: (8)+14+1+-3+2+-5: 17
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (8)+1+6+2+(5): 22
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (6)+1+6+2+(11): 26
GAME: Dirk rolls Knowledge/The Planes+2: (7)+3+2: 12

Dolan fairly throws himself to the ground and rolls aside as the tree tramples over him, branches scraping, but he rolls to his feet and flexes his shoulder carefully. ''It held!'' Relieved and grinning, Dolan reaches for the stylized platinum dragon around his neck. "Let's see how you like the Knight's holy flame." He murmurs a prayer, and white-hot fire ripples down the blade in his hand. "The Knight judges your sorry demonic ass, and I am the instrument of his justice. Get over here."

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (17)+17: 34
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+(: (8)+(: 8
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (11)+9: 20
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+4: (1)+12+4: 17 (EPIC FAIL)

Dirk grinds his teeth against the pain of his injury as he swings up his thunderbelcher. "Want a piece o' -me-, ye sheepfuckin' twig? HAVE SOME O' THIS!" he roars. Beautiful gold filigree in the shape of curling ivies flares with light along the stock of his weapon, and glowing dwarven runes sweep down the barrel. The muzzle-flash strobes like brilliant sunlight, and two blessed bullets slam into the evil arboreal's bark. BOOM! BOOM! "I got -plenty- o' these, ye shit!" he snarls. He racks the slide, ejecting two still faintly-glowing shells that hiss and smoke as they pop out of the chamber.

GAME: Murder casts Fireball. Caster Level: 10 DC: 16
GAME: Murder rolls 10d6: (29): 29
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16

Okay. Bracing herself, Lysa switches to a half-sword grip as the tree surges over her. She gets bowled over however, knocking her aim off. And then even as the creature rams into her and pushes past, she turns to charge towards it. Her armor is being battered, and her helmet's faceplate crashes into her nose even as she lifts the sword and brings it down.... catching it in the branch of a -normal- tree that just so happens to be right there. Her eyes flicker up and she growls, "Seriously?" She asks the universe.

GAME: Pelka rolls 10: (9)+10: 19

The Goblin pulls herself up out of the suspiciously foot-shaped hole she finds herself in, and scuttles away on her hands and knees. Feeling safer a short distance from the tree, she stands. She growls in Gobbo-talk, her fingers moving in an intricate pattern. Gesturing above the tree's... head?, a small glowing bead sips out from her fingertip. The bead reaches a spot above the demon-tree, and explodes, expanding into an impressive fireball.

Sadly, the tree does not seem as impressively damaged by the flames. "Okay... demon creature confirmed!"

GAME: Pelka rolls 1d6+4+3d6: (1)+4+(12): 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+9: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+4: (4)+12+4: 20

Pelka flaps his wings franticly to avoid the evil tree's charge - partially. He leaves a few drops of blood and perhaps feathers behind, but evades the worst of it. Pelka reattaches his wrench on its holder on his lower arm. No sooner are his taloned hands free than his large clunky deathray is filling them. He flies higher now, levels the weapon and sends an electric

Seeing Pelka flying up, the creature clearly does not like that. It raises a rock with its root, casually throwing it into its branches where it leans back swaying like a great wind has taken hold of it and then hurls the boulder it just scooped up right at Pelka, who is narrowly able to get out of the way only with the aid of their defensive magics.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (9)+17: 26
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (5)+9: 14
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+2: (19)+13+2: 34 (THREAT)
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+2: (11)+13+2: 26
GAME: Dolan rolls 1d8+4+2+1d8+4+2+2d6+1d6+1d10: (8)+4+2+(1)+4+2+(7)+(4)+(2): 34
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (18)+14+1+-3+2: 32
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2-5: (16)+14+1+-3+2+-5: 25
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (8)+1+6+2+(11): 28
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (7)+1+6+2+(7): 23
GAME: Lysa rolls 4d6: (20): 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+17: (10)+17: 27
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (4)+9: 13
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+6: (17)+12+6: 35
GAME: Lysa rolls 2d10+22: (7)+22: 29

Predictably, the evil treant pays Dolan no mind. Very well, he will simply be required to get its attention. He charges in, a branch lashing painfully across his midsection. That'll leave a bruise later, but it barely disrupts his forward momentum as he ''slams'', blade-first, into the tree. The white flames on the blade ''explode'' in a rush as he makes contact, leaving a deep, burnt gash in the trunk that drips - something nasty. Definitely not sap. Wouldn't want to put that on one's pancakes.

Dirk sets a foot back, firming up his stance as he scowls down the sights of his thunderbelcher. "There's a lad, keep it distracted," he growls softly as Dolan goes in to engage. As the demonic arboreal's attention is diverted, he pulls back on the trigger once more. CHK-BOOM! BOOM! Two more blessed bullets slam into the thing, blasting out faintly glowing craters in the demon-tree's bark. "YARRRGH! BACK TAE HELL WI' YE!" he bellows.

Okay, this is getting old. Lysa's sword clatters against the tree bark once more as the creature moves away. Golden light begins pouring from her eyes, flowing down over her body to restore her health to a degree even as she surges forward. She gets struck once more, and then lifts her sword to bat away one branch, swings to bat another away. This leaves the trunk open. And so she grunts with the effort it takes as she rips her sword's glowing blade into the trunk of the creature... holy power clashing with the fiendish power of the being.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (4)+13: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (12)+13: 25
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (8)+9: 17
GAME: Pelka rolls fly: (10)+12: 22

The Gobbo glances around, trying to find a means to hurt the beast, if fire is going to be ... less effective. Seeing Lysa taking a solid thump, Murder pulls out a potion from a pouch on her belt. Muttering a keyword, a see-through hand appears, taking up the potion to deliver it into Lysa's waiting hands.

GAME: Pelka rolls 8+4: (18)+8+4: 30
GAME: Pelka casts Haste. Caster Level: 8 DC: 17
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (10)+13: 23
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (18)+13: 31

Pelka is swatted by a clump of branches nearly as large as Pelka himself. He is knocked backwards. Then he spreads his wings and manages to turn the movement into a swooping dive towards the rest of the party. He throws a small sundial-shaped contraption to the ground in the middle of the party. Light flashes and suddenly the Alexandrians are moving a little faster than before. Including Pelka as he beats his wings furiously and rises back to his earlier altitude.

Apparently, this thing can give life to other trees, and it has. Two of them, now animated are moving in on Pelka and Dirk from behind. Pelka is nearly swatted from the sky by the great branches of the twisted felwood trees, but Dirk is able to get out of the way just barely.

GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (6)+9: 15

Still backing into the trees, the creature puts some space, just a step, between itself and Dolan and then bears its branches against him in wicked smashing crashes that spear and wound.

It's ... looking less than happy, the blackening of its trunk accelerating.

GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2: (1)+13+1+2: 17 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2-5: (2)+13+1+2+-5: 13
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2: (4)+13+1+2: 20
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon4+1+2: (17)+13+1+2: 33
GAME: Dolan rolls 1d8+4+1+2+2d6+1d6: (4)+4+1+2+(6)+(3): 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d20+13: (17)+13: 30
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 2d6+9: (10)+9: 19
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (6)+14+1+-3+2: 20
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2: (13)+14+1+-3+2: 27
GAME: Dirk rolls Shoot+2-5: aliased to Ranged+1-3+2-5: (2)+14+1+-3+2+-5: 11
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (4)+1+6+2+(7): 20
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (10)+1+6+2+(9): 28
GAME: Dirk rolls dmg+2+2d6: aliased to 1d12+1+6+2+2d6: (8)+1+6+2+(9): 26

''That'' disrupted Dolan's rhythm, for sure. Now bleeding freely in several places - and with wood splinters in them - he scowls and takes the blade in both hands. "Holy Knight, heal the instrument of Your judgment, and give him strength to fight on," he says, then applies the blade - vigorously. Unfortunately, his body is having none of that, and only the final blow lands, almost by sheer luck.

It still hurts.

GAME: Lysa rolls 4d6: (17): 17
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+7: (3)+12+7: 22
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+7: (19)+12+7: 38 (THREAT)
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+7: (7)+12+7: 26
GAME: Lysa rolls weapon12+2: (3)+12+2: 17

Dirk grins up at Pelka as accelerating magicks take ahold of him. "Thanks, laddie!" he calls. Moving with preternatural swiftness, he swings up his thunderbelcher. It's then that Lulu twists her head around and flutters her wings in a panic. "Hoo! Hoo hoo!" she hoots, before drawing herself up tall and skinny. She narrows her eyes and hisses at the animated tree that steps up behind Dirk. But he's deep in the zone. CHK-BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! He fires off three more rapid-fire rounds, shearing great gouges out of the demonic tree. "HAH! HOW'S THAT TASTE, YE ROTTIN' HYAAAAGH!" His taunt is cut short by a massive beam swinging out and cracking into his back, sending him staggering forward and down onto one knee. He grits his teeth against the pain, clapping a hand to the small of his back as he glares over his shoulder. "Ohh I'm makin' -matchsticks- out o' -you-!" he snarls furiously.

GAME: Lysa rolls 3d10+66: (25)+66: 91

Things are getting desperate, and Lysa is hurt. The potion is handed to her, but she grimaces. "I am being thanking you, but... no time for that." She rolls her neck and feels time seem to slow down. She knows this feeling.. and a smile comes over her face as she whips into motion. Forward strike, back strike, and then a wind up fore that last one.. kaboom.

The trees is struck with a thunderous crack, it's enough to send it toppling forward like ... like a fallingh tree, really.

As everyone scatters out of the way, the other two trees stop t heir advance.

... the tree erupts in black flame. That's not normal. You can see something at its core, though -- something generating it.

... an opal. You could almost reach in and get it ... if you want the evidence...

GAME: Murder rolls will: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Murder rolls will: (9)+4: 13
GAME: Murder rolls reflex: (2)+7: 9

Pelka stops flapping his wings and instead spreads them to catch the air. He glides down. His skill at flying - and landing - has grown over the years until its instinct, and he's able to devote most of his attention to the demonic tree as he touches down gently. "I see something inside! It's an opal!"

GAME: Murder rolls reflex: (13)+7: 20
GAME: Whirlpool rolls 10d6: (36): 36

The Goblin impulsively reaches in for the Gem as it starts to be extruded and consumed by fire. There's a burst of black flames that engulf the Goblin, and for a brief moment she screams. The scream is cut off suddenly, replaced by laughter. A dull red glow burns in her eyes, the laughter rising to a crescendo. "YOU WILL ALL BURN!" Turning, she blasts the already dead demon-tree, scorching it to a withered lump, evil coal burning in an evil flame.

Then she turns towards Dirk. "YOU ARE NEXT!"

GAME: Dolan casts Cast Out. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16

Dirk slowly gets to his feet, grunting as he puts weight on his poor injured back. The old snowbeard is just not having the best of days. "Hurrk! Ow! Piss up my -arse-, that hurts!" he grunts. He looks up and around at his comrades. "Everyone all right?" But then there's Murder going for the opal. His eyes get wide. "Lassie -wait-!" He takes a step forward and immediately regrets it. His back seizes up, making him stagger. "HGGNKK!" For a moment, he's frozen, just long enough for the gobbo to grab that cursed opal. Then she makes that hateful pronouncement. His face turns white as his beard. Even Lulu seems disturbed by it. She turns her narrow-eyed gaze on the gobber and hisses, click-clacking her beak. "Piss up my ''arse''," the old dwarf whimpers.

"Damn it, I should have told you not to touch it with your bare hands." Dropping his blade with weary fingers to the forest floor, Dolan strides over towards the goblin without hesitation, reaching for the dragon pendant he wears without hesitation. "Holy Knight, let me be the instrument of Your compassion as well as your justice, and drive this evil creature from her!"

The last part of the spell is said in a shout, and the free hand shoots out towards Murder's forehead. There's a flash of bright white-gold light that sends Murder sprawling back into the undergrowth of the forest floor.

He's left staring down at her, waiting to see if it worked.

GAME: Dolan rolls 2d8+8: (9)+8: 17
GAME: Dolan rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24

Pelka's beak falls open. He clicks it shut. Then he raises his deathray halfway to firing position. Uneasily. Hesitantly. "She - she - she...touch it? That's what happens when you /touch/ them?" He can't quite keep the shrill frok his voice.

At first, Lysa was starting to reach for the opal. She paused as she reached into her pouch for a cloth to grab it with. But that pause let Murder get to it first. She blinks a bit, taken aback by the Gobbo's reaction. Then she reaches for a dagger and advances, fully intending to disarm the gobbo of the stone, but not touching it herself.

The Goblin lays still, smoke and steaming rising from her. For several long moments, nothing. Without much warning, she suddenly sits up, coughing.
"Owfuckgodsdamnitwhatthefuckwasthat?!", she says, quickly and loudly. Giving her head a shake, she peers at Dolan. "T.thanks! That fucking hurt!"

"I am being having a handy haversack if anyone thinks it may be being safe to be being putting it in there." Lysa suggests as she steps back, not wanting to look like she was about to stab Murder

"Sorry," Dolan offers down to Murder with a sheepish grin. In that moment, the inquisitor is gone, replaced with a slightly ''aw shucks'' man. "That one hurts, and I can't help it, but it kicks a possessing presence out of you," he explains. "Don't touch the opal with your bare hands. Wrap it in something. That's what we did with the first one we found. Now, are you okay? I have some healing."

As Lysa approaches, he whirls, and puts himself between Murder and the Sunblade. "Easy. That was just a possession, Sunblade. I've driven it out."

Nodding her head, Lysa remarks, "My plan was to be being prying the sphere from her hand. The dagger was to be being preventing my hand from touching it. Now, can we be being storing or transporting it within a haversack?"

Dirk rubs his lower back, still wincing in pain. "I want nae part o' that filthy thing," he grunts. "Those stones are evil." Lulu peers at the stone and click-clicks her beak. "Hoo!" she hoots, hopping from foot to foot on Dirk's shoulder. "Aye, you said it, lassie," he says in agreement. He nods to Dolan. "Aye, wrap it in summat. Dinnae let it touch yer bare skin."

Murder offers up her hand, to show it is scorched black and slightly withered by the fiery assault of the gem. "No, you needn't apologize. That was my mistake, and my fault. You were only doing what you needed to do. Hey, it hurt, but we're all still alive, so I say we count ourselves lucky. Normally fire doesn't get to me... not any more anyways."

The Gobbo stands up on shaky legs that threaten to give out. "I would accept healing, please, I wish to be able to walk back to camp."

Pelka edges his way around Murder, Dolan and Lysa. He gives them a wide berth and turning slightly as he passes so that he's never quite got his back to Murder. He only comes to a stop when he's next to the remains of the tree. Inspecting, but careful not to touch.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-04-15T22:35:18Z

Seldan: /* April */

Study Knights Assemble!

2023-04-08T03:10:41Z

Seldan: Created page with "The library of the Society For Progressive Arcanists is often abuzz with quiet activity. There are tests to study for, practicums to panic for, exams to *not* study for, and socializing to conceal. For a place dedicated to quiet and academia, it's amazing how *busy* it is, moment to moment. At one of the study desks at the ground floor, Magpie is cheerfully doing her job; researching boring books in the service of someone else's stupid ide, and at least trying to have s..."

The library of the Society For Progressive Arcanists is often abuzz with quiet activity. There are tests to study for, practicums to panic for, exams to *not* study for, and socializing to conceal. For a place dedicated to quiet and academia, it's amazing how *busy* it is, moment to moment.

At one of the study desks at the ground floor, Magpie is cheerfully doing her job; researching boring books in the service of someone else's stupid ide, and at least trying to have some measure of fun with it. Currently, that fun totals up to a small fortress of books stacked artfully around the edge of the desc -- with machicolations, no less! -- to defend an open notebook and a mug of tea.

Also keeping her spirits up, the song she sings under her breath, as she bops back and forth in the chair.

Halfway!

Between the black and grey,

Is no place

For a life to waste away!

I'll take

The world with all its stakes~!

It doesn't take Dolan long to get pointed in that direction, and the chuckle he responds with is laced with a hearty helping of relief. "It's as well," he explains to the woman accompanying him as he makes for the study hall. "Her quarters make ours look like an unplowed field, baby. I'm not sure we'd all _fit_."

He is fully dressed for adventuring, weapons and all, a light crossbow over his back, over the sheepskin jacket and cloaks.

"That's a fucking terrifying thought," Andelena says with a laugh. The redhead woman is wearing her armor and is sporting a new scar that drags across her cheek, the gash lifting a little with her smile. "That's for the best."

She's similarly armed and armored as her Redeemer counterpart, dressed in mithral armor and with a familiar longsword sheathed on her sword belt. Andelena keeps a hand on the hilt of her sword all the while, like she's expecting anything or anyone to come behind a stack of books and go for her throat, but she's easy-going enough in expression for the moment.

Today!

So many moons away, I safely say~!

We stand as one

A bond beyond the vastways

(Until the last grave!)

First it's the 'SSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!' from somewhere nearby, that reminds Magpie she's supposed to be studying, not singing (poorly, at that). As she looks around guiltily to apologize to an actual face rather than a disembodied shush, she spots Dolan and Andelena coming in like loaded minecarts... And the gnome blinks, doubletaking at the scar tracking down the priestess' cheek.

Any friendly greeting is quashed, upon these contextual clues, and when they reach her, Magpie's greeting is a small, worried "...What *happened?!"

"Jal'goroth, or one of his minions, happened, Magpie." Dolan wastes no words, and skips his usual friendly greeting. Guilt is written plainly in every line of him. "Andie's one of the lucky ones. She sent him back, but we're going to have to take this sack of manure out. Think you can do some digging and see if you can help us find out how?" He reaches back with one hand, towards Andie, as if offering it for her to take.

"Asshole wore the face of my baby brother," Andelena growls. She takes Dolan's hand, squeezing it gently. "It was personal before. But now? It's way fucking past personal. And way too many people died in that Temple."

She sighs. "Sorry to just drop this on you like a stack of bricks, Magpie, but we really do need your help."

'One of Jal'goroth's minions' 'died in that Temple.'

For a moment, Magpie's face seems blank, eyes tracking from Dolan to Andelena as each speaks in turn. Then she turns back to her work, carefully selecting books from the fortress -- and in the process, creating a few murder holes -- which as a stack just get *dropped* on the empty desk next to her, followed by a few moments of scribbling on fresh sheets of notepaper.

tI QUIT

Says the top sheet, followed by a laundry list of notes to be given to the next adjunct, so they can hit the ground running. These are stacked on top of the selected books, then Magpie picks up her tea mug, draining it dry in one long swallow.

"Okay," she says, voice as flat as her face. "I'm gonna go reserve us a study room. Is anyone else coming by, so I know who to point our way?"

"I left Verna a message, but she's pretty busy," Dolan answers, squeezing the hand in return and watching Magpie's scrawl with a raised eyebrow and what remains of the other one. "I hope she can make the time to come by. You're - well, I wasn't thinking you to quit your job for this, but - thank you." He sounds just a little hesitant. "Best to keep this pretty quiet."

"Quiet is pretty much the name of the game, and I fucking hate to admit that because neither Bry nor I are any good at being quiet," Andelena admits. That'd normally be a joke delivered with a grin, but it's only a slight smirk at the moment.

She looks to Dolan. "And honestly, babe, if I was pushing books around for wizards and something like _this_ landed in my lap? I'd do exactly what Magpie's doing now. Thank you, honestly." The gratitude is genuine.

Still expressionless, Magpie looks up at Dolan, then Andie, and lifts a shoulder. "Don't have time anymore," she says simply. "Maybe when we're done I'll complain about it, but... I got tenure last week. I can do whatever I want. Fuck it. I'll be right back."

After dropping that little tidbit like a gobber stinkbomb in the middle of the library, she toddles off to the front desk.

Some of the effect of Dolan being left blinking in shock is lost in the fact that he possesses only one eye to blink. He turns to face Andelena, without letting go of her hand, and looks up at her. "I think we came to the right person," he tells her seriously, then turns his head to look towards the front desk, clearly surprised and more than a little impressed by the little gnome's sudden vehemence.

"We sure did," Andelena replies to Dolan. She's surprised, sure, but more than anything, there's that cheeky grin on her face. "I can appreciate someone who tells something to fuck off when the cards are down. Here's hoping she doesn't get into too much shit with her higher-ups."

It's not long before the gnome totters back to her desk, and waves the pair over. What follows is merely a couple minutes worth of walking past shelves, to a hallway studded with doors to rooms, all without knobs. Instead, Magpie pulls out a gold-chased amethyst crystal, taps it against the silver plate where a doorknob ought be, and waves the Daeusites in.

This being an arcane academy, *of course* the room beyond is bigger than the density of the doors would suggest; instead, the room is about twenty feet on a side, with a long table and a dozen chairs dominating most of it. Far more room than one would need, unless one intends to be cross-referencing a lot of books.

"Silence wards on the doorframe," Magpie says, blank and somewhat distracted. "Need a crystal because students kept throwing parties, and bags of holding are a lot more secure than a lockbox. Same principle. Okay. They know where to send Verna if she comes by. All right. Gimme a sec. Adrenalin's taking up a lot of brainspace. Tell me what happened while I sort myself out."

"It's Andie's story to tell, really." Dolan, who had tailed after Magpie, carrying that serious expression with him as he goes. "I was off taking care of something else with Tel and Lana." He has not let go of Andelena's hand, but does so now, wandering aimlessly in search of a table. "I wasn't there when it happened," he adds guiltily.

"You were doing the Knight's work, Bry," Andelena says gently to Dolan, squeezing his hand again. She looks at him with nothing but tender affection in her steel-gray eyes, a look that some people might think she was incapable of if they'd never seen her around Dolan. "That was important, too."

She looks to Magpie and the eyes resume their usual piercing gaze. "We were informed via letter that there's a demon after _me_, thanks to my bitch of a mother deciding to just raise the stakes altogether in her consorting with demons. My baby brother, Seb, was the one who sent the letter--he's the only member of my family I can even remotely tolerate, although he's always been a little bit of a pushover since he was one of my mother's two 'beloved boys'. Seb came into the Temple right as Dolan was getting ready to leave to help Telamon and his wife, so... I said I'd talk to Seb and we'd be okay."

Andelena sighs. "Yeah. We weren't fucking okay. It was a demon wearing Seb's face. It tried to attack me--pretty sure its aim was to drag me away and kill everything else in its path, but I was not going to just sit there and be taken. Wasn't gonna inflict that pain onto Bry if I could help it. We fought--and it took _lives_." Her voice is pained as she adds, "Several Sunguards I know fell alongside me. I finally ended it when I put my sword through its fucking chest, and it went back to the Hells where it fucking belongs."

Her steel-grey eyes are sharp like swords as she looks at Magpie. "But it's not gonna stay there. Hence why we need answers on weaknesses for Jal'goroth, because if that's the demon who was wearing my baby brother's face? I'm gonna need to figure out how to make it dead for good."

"...I need to write Dad," Magpie murmurs, eyes closed as Andalena tells her story. But she doesn't follow up on that, instead taking slow, measured breaths, ears twitching as the priestess' narrative takes its surprise turns. When the tales winds down, the gnome wipes her hands roughly down her face, tosses her headpiece onto the table, and runs her fingers through honey-colored hair. "Okay. Sorry about that. Crisis mode makes it hard to think past 'what could happen and how to stop it.' All right. I don't know. I don't *have* the information, but I know where to *start.*" Opening her eyes, she looks between the Daeusites, lips stretching in a slow grin. "And I know *who* to start with. I've forgotten a lot of names though, there've been a lot lately. How's Auranar doing, and do we know anone besides Simony, that goblin girl, that has much facility with books? Verna's a good start, I hope she finds us."

Rocking back in her chair, she considers an option. "Well, I know *one* way to kill a demon absolutely stone dead. Problem is, soneone already tried it before, a little, and now we have the ward."

"I'm not sure what Auranar's current status is," Andelena says. "Bry knows her better than I do. I know Telamon's into books, and I think his wife's a spellcaster? I've never managed to meet her."

She looks curiously at Magpie. And then she squints. "Please don't tell me someone tried to summon a fucking demon."

"I haven't seen Auranar in several days," Dolan admits, following Magpie over towards the chosen table. He pulls out a chair for Andelena, then takes the one next to it, eyes never leaving the gnome. "I didn't think you'd have it off the top of your head, Magpie. If we need more people to help you research, just say so."

"Lots," Magpie says to Dolan. "Telamon. Maybe Cor'lana. Okay. That's a good start. Lots of libraries. The more the better." Digging through her pockets, Magpie tosses a fresh notebook and pressure-sealed vial of ink onto the tabletop, then extracts a metal pen, and begins scribbling.

"And yeah, Andie. I can't believe you didn't hear about it, it's the whole reason this city ward project happened in the first place. Couple wizards with more power than sense tried to shortcut to the end of a problem, and ended up summoning a Duke of Hell just outside of town."

Skritch skritch skritch skritch. "But that's what comes to mind; pull Jal'goroth here, slap the ol' planar shackle magics on him, then stab him until the twitching stops. Gotta say, that *feels* good. Anyway. Just telling you right now, I'm gonna *need* both of you to trust me. There's stuff Dolan can't know about, so if I clam up, *don't push.* Please. It'll be better for all of us."

"I'd heard _something_ had happened," Andelena says, "but I didn't know the whole story til now. I only arrived in Alexandria for the first time last year--and that was to find this guy here." She points to Dolan with a little smile.

She looks hesitant when Magpie pulls the old 'hey gal, just trust me' card from the deck--but, well. They did seek her out for a reason. "Okay," she says. "I trust you. Not gonna push. We came looking for you specifically and we're not gonna walk away now."

"I'm not mixing up with summoning anything," Dolan states flatly, not even looking at Andelena now. "I'm not going to push you, Magpie, but I've got to walk some lines to get this done. That's one I won't cross, and that's why. People do stupid shit, and it ends badly for everyone."

He goes quiet at the story Magpie tells, though. "I'd heard it was people from the Guild consorting with demons. I hadn't heard anything like that, though. How did they stop something like that once they got it here?" The very idea sends a chill down his spine.

"And I get it, Dolan. That's why I *don't* plan on being stupid. I don't know how it ended, but, I know it did end with a *lot* of hacked-off faculty and a lot of pulled grants up here on the hill," Magpie says, shrugging. "I know what I'm like, and I know how easy it is to screw up something that screw-uppable. But I got resources and an advisor who has a personal, existential stake in seeing those resources aren't used stupidly. And I like the guy, so I'm gonna do right by him."

Scrubbing her hands over her face again, Magpie blows out a long, gusty sigh. "Also, going back a bit... Dolan, y'know why I barely batted an eye when you told us all about *another* stupid book that was screwing people up, here?"

Andelena, a little slow on the uptake compared to her Redeemer, finally realizes that Magpie's referring to summoning Jal'goroth, and... she takes a moment to breathe. A little squeeze of Dolan's hand.

The mention of the book gets her focus back, however. "I kind of figured you had weird-ass books all over the place. Something like that?" she asks.

"No, I don't, but I expect you're about to tell me." Dolan's features suddenly split into a cheeky grin that softens the words, and he settles down. He still hasn't let go of Andelena's hand, and now squeezes it again, as if he doesn't want to let go of her. "Must have made some pretty powerful people pretty angry."

Magpie stabs a finger at Andelena. "She's got it; because weird stuff happens *daily* around here, mostly because if you carry the wrong one, you might flip gravity or some nonsense." Throwing her hands over her head, she waves them about a bit for emphasis. "Wizards! The only thing you can depend on is you can't depend on *anything* unless you've got three layers of rules and a shell of policy! But your Temple's a place of peace, and justice, and when something goes wrong there, it goes *so wrong,* because it's *not supposed to happen.*"

The wild look leaves her eyes, and she stares, penetratingly, at the Inquisitor. "So don't blame yourself for something that *isn't your fault.*"

Verna has arrived.

"It's not that." Dolan puts his other elbow on the table and rests his face in his hand, carefully. "I told Andie I'd be there for her, that she wouldn't have to face something like that without me, and the minute I leave her, that's when it hits." He lets out a breath, still staring at the table. "I'm luckier than I ever knew. I can only offer thanks to the Knight that she's all right, yeah? So I've had it with these little shits. They're threatening my family, they're threatening my love, they're threatening the city, and they're threatening me. Enough. I'll see them destroyed and their master thwarted."

The brief knock upon the study room door is provided for notification rather than request for permission, as it is followed shortly thereafter by the door unlocking. Verna subsequently enters, ensconced in her Mourner robes though the cloak was previously shed within the library outside. "My duties kept me longer than anticipated," she offers as she closes the door behind her.

"Yeah. *Nobody* hurts my friends," Magpie agrees, staring levelly at Dolan. "*Nobody.* Not even my friends. Keep that in mind, Dolan... and make sure you're angry at the right people. You're not one of them, and that's all I'll say on the subject."

Which is a good thing, because as Verna enters the study room, Magpie decides now is a *fantastic* time to talk about literally anything else. Her face splits in a wide grin, and she motions Verna to a chair. "Hey there! C'mon in, sit down, I'm getting a new job! I'll be officially consulting with the Temple of Daeus as a research assistant. I gave myself the job because, hey, what else is tenure good for? I got tenure by the way! Sit down, things are screwed."

Andelena puts her hand gently on Dolan's lap, squeezing his leg close to the knee as a comforting gesture. "We'll get this bastard together," she tells him, gently.

But she can't say much more since Verna's walking in. "Hey Mourner," she says, offering a wave of her hand. "Screwed is one fuckin' way to put it." Considering the new scar that Andelena's sporting on her cheek--she probably knows from first-hand account how screwed things are.

Dolan looks up and over at Andelena, quirking a half-smile and a soft snort at the reassurances, the chiding, and the squeeze on his knee. "Brightest of days, Verna. Yeah, shit's pretty screwed," he agrees, looking up at the others. "It's okay, Magpie. It's not the first time, but it sure as sunrise will be the last." Again, over to Andelena, then back to Verna. He's got this way of turning his whole head to look at someone. "Jal'goroth, or one of his minions, hit the Temple wearing the face of her baby brother. I've got Tel and Lana seeing if they can locate the real Seb. Baby, that reminds me, do you have anything of his? Maybe the letter he sent? Or better yet, something else? Find out if he really sent that."

The shift from the quiet of the library to the Magpie of the study room is abrupt and stark. Verna takes a moment to process this. She then nods to the gobber. "I am pleased that you obtained a position and tenure rapidly and are enthused about such." Magpie's last adjective leads into Andelena's and Verna's head and eyes turn to follow. "I presume from context and tone that the vernacular is not reference to some manner of fornication, despite allegations in the past of absue involving the study rooms..."

"Ah," she nods anew at Dolan's more detailed explanation. "This particular group of fiends, especially Jal'goroth, has demonstrated a widespread interest in a number of individuals. I am pleased that you are well, Andelena, and offer every hope that your brother is, as well."

She looks between them all, expression and tone remaining flat and neutral. "I presume there is a plan of action, or the intent to organize such?"

"I'm assembling the Study Buddies," Magpie says, much more decisively and seriously than the title could ever hope to attain. "Jal'goroth's gone too far, and he needs to be put down. You and your wife are two of the best arcane minds I know. *Definitely* the best I can trust. We need to get as many as we can trust on this; the more libraries we can dig through, the better our chances are uncovering a weakness, or a way to end him that isn't the Ceslos Fallacy."

Andelena's eyes flicker with something when Verna offers her hope for her brother. She looks down at the table for a moment. "Gods. I hope so. Seb..."

She's lost in her thoughts for a moment, then she shakes her head and looks back up at the group. "I have that letter he sent still," she says, answering Dolan's question. "It's his handwriting. If a demon could mimic his handwriting then we're all kinds of fucked."

At once, Dolan reaches over to lay a hand on Andelena's armored knee beneath the table, shifting his leg to be closer to hers. "We'll find him. The letter will help. As soon as we get home-" He trails that off, but leaves the contact where it is, instead studying the other two. "The only way I know of to truly destroy a fiend is to follow it to its own plane and destroy it there. Lana says she's got something that can do it here, but I don't know how much I want to trust to that. I'd rather know about all of our options."

"There shall be no Study Buddies, Magpie," Verna informs her, though her eyes are not upon her. Instead, they flick to Dolan and Andelena... rather, their points of contact. "-My wife-," the term is more emphasized, "is currently in Quelynos. There, she is safe, and not the hindrance or distraction she claimed to be. There, she receives the attentions and affections she could not receive elsewhere. There, she acquires training and wisdom otherwise unavailable." She turns back to regard Magpie. "She shall be absent for some time, to her. For those of us here in Ea, such may be the passage of months, or decades."

After a pause for breath, she nods to Dolan. "Should a fiend be summoned, destroying its form only returns its essence to its own realm. It must be destroyed where it was formed, in most cases. This means we must locate Jal'goroth's stronghold, or that of its master, most likely. Then we must venture there to destroy one or both of them, utterly. What do you suggest to locate him? Scrying magic may prove useful, yet I expect would be warded against in any base of operations."

Andelena raises a brow to Verna's declaration regarding Auranar. "Huh," she says. She looks like she has questions about why, exactly, Auranar is in Quelynos--but that's prying. Prying which will get them no closer to the matter of the moment, which is Jal'goroth.

She looks contemplative regarding the matter of scrying. A contemplation that carries with her as she falls into silence.

And Verna gets a mulish look from Magpie. "The Study Buddies will *never* die, Verna. Even if Auranar can't help, there's a *lot* of people we can tap to do research! You, Telamon, Cor'Lana, Simony, all those people looking through all those libraries! *You* know that the best way to learn something obscure is to just scoop up as many books as possible!"

Waving her arms above her head, Magpie nearly lifts off her seat with the force of her exhortations. "So yeah. There's not much off the top of my head, but there's always *something* that can poke through their shells. We can go after V, but we *need* to take Jal'goroth off the table first, right?"

Dolan, too, looks up, his hand staying where it is on the silent Andelena's knee. "Yeah?" The lone brown eye blinks, confusion clearly written on the mobile side of his features. "I - hope she's safe." He leaves it at that, as Verna's closed tone makes it clear that the matter is none of his business, and demons and devils are the priority here.

"I was hoping Albus' book might tell us more," he answers to the question of how to locate the being. "Start there. I'll search the parts you copied out before, and see if relevant information is held there. It sounds to me, though, Verna, as if you may not be prepared to help."

Her moment of excessive description or exposition aside, Verna reverted to the topic and hand and appears to remain there. "Yes, there are many who can aid us, and some or all may well be necessary," she admits to Magpie before looking to Dolan as he offers a possible course of action. Initially, she nods in agreement with his line of thought. Until the last portion, where the motion halts abruptly. "I am as prepared and willing to aid as ever, Dolan. While I have not studied the tome in question to the degree of others, I hold some experience with tomes, magic, and fiends. I wish the matter resolved as rapidly and efficiently as possible. How might I assist?"

"Well we need a way to trace *back* to Jal'goroth," Magpie muses. "What links a demon to their minions? How do they get new orders? What's the stupid *money* really for?"

Looking to Dolan, Magpie nods. "I can do that too. Albus is a worrier, but we're pretty good friends, I can try to pick his brain too. But like... Verna, does your Temple have any lore? I know demons aren't really their wheelhouse, but, necromancy demons are a thing, right? I think I need to host a get-together. Just, all of us figuring out where best we can look."

Something inside Dolan that had pent-up at something in the Mourner's tone relaxes when she professes willingness to assist. "Good. You had me worried for a minute. Can you help Magpie?" he asks simply. "I can't touch that Albus book, and I think it's your best bet. I've got the copy, and I'll study that and the other resources I've got access to. It might be good for me to spend some time in the libraries for a little while, too." A long exhale accompanies that. "It'll keep me out of trouble."

Verna nods to each. "I am well, Dolan. You need not be concerned." Her tone remains as it has: neutral and flat. All is fine and well. "I shall study the book with Magpie's guidance." She pauses after, in a moment of consideration. "In addition, we may be able to learn more of its minions, the connection between, as well as the intent of the funds. Once likely source of funds, and possibly minions, is known to me. It could lead back to the fiend."

"Okay, then," Magpie says, clapping her hands. "I'll rent a venue and supply the snacks, so we can all get caught up and get ideas on where to look. And get ahold of everyone we need. ...And Dolan, I'm'a need to find a scribe with you guys so we can draw up a consultancy contract. I gotta be doing *a* job, even if it's not *my old* job. And, Verna?"

The gnome turns to the Vardaman, smiling gently. "I get it. I'm gonna miss her too. But if she's doing this cause she wants to, then I'm gonna cheer her on. Because it's what she wants, y'know?"

"Sounds good." Dolan's affirming, decisive nod to Magpie, and a squeeze on the silent Andelena's knee, makes a plan of the suggested arrangements. "I'll do some digging ahead of time and go through the Jal'goroth entries, bring those notes with me."

The switch back to Verna gets his attention, though, and something crystallizes in his brain. _Oh._ He scratches at his hairline. "Yeah. Sorry. I'll miss her too, but maybe it's not just about what she wants. Maybe it's about what she needs. There's a lot happening, and maybe the time away will help. We're still your friends, though."

"I can recommend an accomplished scribe with contractual experience," Verna offers, with more intended. Such is not voiced, however, at the unexpected shift to the prior topic not thwarting one or more fiends. She turns from them both, to face towards the door, followed a moment later with a long exhale. "Yes, it is what she wishes, and likely what she requires. I do not begrudge her any of that. Yet, yes, her absence is quite apparent."

She straightens, then. "I shall join you to study the book at your leisure, Magpie. Until then, I will learn what I may of other aspects to the fiends' interests and ties. If you would excuse me." Already facing the door, she then steps to it to exit the room.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-04-08T03:10:21Z

Seldan: /* April */

Recent Logs

2023-04-08T03:10:00Z

Seldan: /* April */

The Words In Between

2023-03-25T19:59:34Z

Seldan: Created page with "The response from Seldan had been prompt, within a few days, asking Sabina to meet him outside Eluna's temple at noon on Ceriday. That time approaches now, and the paladin-sorcerer awaits his contact beneath the sheltering roof of the austere entrance to the Temple, peering out at the rain that patters on the cobblestones and marble stairs just outside. Guards stand nearby, watchful of the Temple's entrance, but they seem to pay him no mind for the moment. He has chose..."

The response from Seldan had been prompt, within a few days, asking Sabina to meet him outside Eluna's temple at noon on Ceriday. That time approaches now, and the paladin-sorcerer awaits his contact beneath the sheltering roof of the austere entrance to the Temple, peering out at the rain that patters on the cobblestones and marble stairs just outside. Guards stand nearby, watchful of the Temple's entrance, but they seem to pay him no mind for the moment.

He has chosen a simpler outfit than the full war kit today, a sleeveless calf-length robe in blue and silver adorned with embroidery of celestial beings over a neutral shirt and black trousers, the crescent and sphere of Eluna hanging prominently beneath the clasp t hat holds the robe in place. The weather calls for a concession in footwear, sturdy and waterproof adventurer's boots instead of the low shoes he favors when the weather is better.

Spotting Sabina has never been much of a problem for most people. If the peacock that rides on her shoulder most times is present then it's colorful plumage is often eye catching. And the woman herself is known to dress in feathers that match or compliment those of the bird.

Today is no different from the normal. Lord Emp rides her shoulder atop her cloak of black and red feathers. Her dress made of blue-green silk that matches her familiar.

Carried in one arm are a stack of books that are, unfortunately, all too familiar, their covers giving them away as crimson pen stories.

The only things missing are the mask she used to wear and her smile as she nears the temple of Eluna and raises a hand to greet the paladin.

Ah ha. The signal Seldan was looking for - the mighty peacock. He flips his hood up over bright hair, and steps out into the rain, inclining his head. "Sabina - Her light upon your path. It has been some time," he offers as he approaches more closely. "And to you as well, Lord Emp."

Then his eyes fall on the stack of books, and his eyes lower. "Ah. How might I be of service?" His eyes lift again, but there is a touch of impassivity present - discomfort, perhaps?

"Tarien's smile brighten your path, Seldan." , Sabina replies and finds a brief smile to give to the hero. She notes the look and the reaction and nods. "Not your favorite things in the world. I remember. But they have clues that were left behind for use to find. And I think I have found them. I just can't make sense of what I've found." She adjusts her shoulders and pets Emp who responds to the paladin with a spreading of wings and brief cry. She takes that momen to look around and note who may or may not be watching them.

"I remember we were not speaking of certain things out where others might hear. Has that changed? If so I'll speak to you here. If not then perhaps we should move elsewhere."

"Elsewhere, I think." Seldan indicates the lightly falling rain, and gestures that she should follow him into the Temple. "The Temple library shall suffice us."

She falls in step with him, letting him guide her through the temple of his faith. While walking she finds the silence somewhat uncomfortable and begins to chat in a quiet tone.

"You've remained busy with things if stories are true. The hard road as always. How are you fairing? You and your love both."

"I am well enough," Seldan answers with a small sigh as he leads her through the austere marble halls, through a quiet courtyard, and through a pair of guarded double doors, into an expansive marble library, its pillars carved with the words of dreams and prophecies. "I am less busy with the affairs of this city than once I was, although a few tasks remain to me. The matter of the missing lady is one of them. When they are done, it is in my mind to depart Alexandria for good."

At length, he leads them into the back of the library, where a few alcoves with benches and tables provide privacy for talk or research, and keep the sound enclosed. It is to one of these that Seldan leads them both, gesturing that Sabina should set the books down on the table.

Bina nods. "Myself as well. Leaving that is. The road still calls to me."

She sets the books down and then sits on a bench across from Seldan. her hands going up and gently removing Emp from her shoulder and setting him on the table to one side. The movement getting a complaint from the bird and Bina gives him a small 'shush'.

"I've been reading these books.. Well all the crimson pens I can find, for the last few months. Myself and others. I can tell you there are a good many things we both tried and looked for in our searches. Magic. Secret pages. Notes scrawled in the margines or the like. We searched for stories that sounded familiar. Characters that might represent those of us in the know that might be looking for her. Anything we could think of." She sighs and grimaces. "I'm almost sad to say I've become something of a subject mater expert when it comes to these things, now." She pokes at one of the books.

A small smile steals across Seldan's even features. "Fitting it is, that one of the Bard King's own should become a scholar of such matters," he observes, the tone entirely deadpan, and removes his twin cloaks, laying them aside on another bench nearby so that he might move to take one of the benches across from the bird. "Have you found aught, at all?" The tones remain even, thoughtful, polite, but a focus lies there beneath it. He is interested.

Sabina nods slowly and picks up the book that lays on top of the stack and opens it to a marked page. She's about to speak when she looks around again and leans in. "Ah.. I'll try to be as polite as I can but.. the subject matter in the books is what it is." She give him a brief grin and a shrug and then starts in earnest.

"As I said we looked for all the obvious things and some of the not so obvious things. We even went os far as to check for scents. None of that panned out as we thought it might. And, to be honest, I'd had about given up when I noted something ..well it seemed just like bad writing at first. A proclivity to use words over and over again in the same story. But then it hit me I was looking at the forest and not the trees."

She turns the book around so that it faces Seldan and points out some words. 'her heaving bosom' and then a short distance later on the page 'his manly shaft'. Then on the next page she points out those two phrases two more times in the same order. "I'm pretty sure there's a code in there between the 'start phrase' and the 'end phrase'. But I haven't been able to make out what it is. And it's not just in that book but a few others. And not just those phrases are used."

As expected, Seldan manages to read through perhaps half a page as it is pointed out to him, before he flushes, his eyes lowering. It takes a few moments, before the sense of what Sabina is saying eventually reaches him, and he is able to draw away from the smut and focus on the pertinent passage. "Perhaps one ought to copy the words that lie between the start and end phrases onto another parchment, and determine whether aught is to be made of the words between?" he hazards, coughing politely. "Perhaps seek all such phrases within the book, copy them onto separate lines, and consider them as a group?"

"I had thought of that. Tried it and ..still couldn't make heads or tails of it if it is a direct message as that. I think there is a code. Perhaps only certain words. Or the words just after or before. I've.. exhausted my patience, to be honest. It's time to hand this over to others with fresh eyes and minds. I keep finding myself looping thoughts and coming back to things I've already tried or thought of." The stating of which doesn't seem to make her very happy. "I even checked for magic after I found these and tarted circling my thoughts. Thinking it might be a curse or something. I found nothing."

"I am grateful for your work, Sabina," Seldan replies soberly, considering all relevant books. "I believe that I shall be able to assist, for I do far less than I once did. Have you the scrolls to which you copied?"

Bina shakes her head. "I did not. After months of trying I really think a completely fresh look by fresh people would be better then trying or looking at what I've already done. The lady we're looking for is.. wily. In thoughts and deed both. If you truly want them I can get them to you. This stack here is where I've found the repeating patterns. Only five out of the seventy or so I've read through..repeatedly." She rolls eyes and smirks. "Expert indeed."

Slowly, Seldan's eyes close, and he lets out a long, slow breath, a sigh that might exhale one's soul through one's nose. "I see. Very well. Indeed might a fresh look be of value, and Mal enjoys reading these far more than I do. I shall enlist his aid. These are all in which the pattern was found?" He turns his attention again to the open page, scanning it with a finger, then withdraws the finger and flushes again.

The priestess smiles briefly at Seldan's discomfort and then sighs herself, reaching over to pat the hand he uses to scan once. "Don't do it yourself. Or at least not by yourself. You, specifically, have a hard time with the words themselves. Part of me wants to say she did it just because she thought you would." She withdraws the hand and gives him another smile. "If you find her or see her before I do. Tell her I owe her a spanking, hmm? So much trouble when there are easier ways to pass on secret messages."

"I had intended to enlist Mal, for his commentary, at the least, shall be fine entertainment, in the meantime." A low, quiet chuckle from Seldan, and he accepts the pat with good grace, then closes the book. "I shall see what I might manage. I am grateful for your work thus far, Sabina. You say, then, that it is your intent to depart the city?"

Sabina grimaces almost sadly. "I think so. I have friends whom I will miss. Whom I have missed and returned to see. But I find there is a sadness I can't dispel while I'm here. Something I never thought I would ever be affected by. A disappointment that eats at the simple joys of the day to day."

She shrugs and then gives the paladin a somewhat forced smile.

"That do I well understand," Seldan nods soberly, moving to pile the books, one by one, into a neat stack. "Many ill memories lurk in this place, and few good ones. Yet do I honor my duty, and there are things here that I yet must do. Most are done. This task only remains to me, I think, and then shall I, too, take Mal and Zeke, and seek other roads. I wish you well on your journey, wherever it may take you."

Bina does smile then, something more true. "And know that Tarien will be watching closely as you travel. He has a love of heroes after all." She smile dims just a little. "Thank you for your works, Seldan. May you find your happiness where ever you may go."

She stands up and picks up Emp under one arm which gets her pecked. "Oh, settle down you." She tells the bird. A bright wave and farewell smile and she heads out the way she was brought in.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-03-25T19:58:35Z

Seldan: /* March */

Magpie Faces The Music

2023-03-12T23:33:17Z

Seldan:

A bright Eliday finds sunshine beaming warm down, onto rain-soaked streets that are quickly drying where Daeus' blessing touches them. The fountain is chock-full and flowing cheerily, and amid the bustle, Dolan is standing near one of the benches by the fountain, while the other man, dressed in artisan's leathers, examines a leg that is split and cracked by winter's ice.

"See how that's coming apart? That's not a flaw in the wood that does that. Water got in here, because whoever crafted this didn't fit the join correctly, the fool. We'll have to take this completely apart and replace the whole side, yes, all of these are sloppily done."

With a little more grumbling, the artisan sets to work. "Here, think you can take this apart? Put your foot right _there_, just _so_, and I'll knock it loose." Dolan does so, placing a booted foot where indicated, and with a deft couple of taps of a mallet, the entire side of the bench in question crumples to the cobblestones. "Good," the artisan nods his approval. "Now I've got my instructions, you're not to pick that whole lot up, are you? Shame, normally I'd have my apprentices do all the hauling, but from the look of you, you're no stranger to all of that. I'll have that hauled back to the Temple, and we'll do this right."

Taking full advantage of the season's fickle weather, Verna descends the mountain road into the temple square. Cloak is worn as a precaution, yet hood is doffed to enjoy the clear day. As she approaches the central fountain, the artisan's audible critiques draw her attention to them, the bench and Dolan. One of the three may have been her goal, as she adjusts her path to intercept. Once near enough, and in a pause in the artisan's comments, she offers greetings, "Brightest of days to you.".

The bright sunlight seems to be at least appreciated by most, the albino is happy to be able to enjoy the warmth, but not the brightness itself. Her hood is pulled up and over her head and face.

She stands nearby, notebook and pencil in hand, sketching the fountain and the activity around it. A frown slowly crosses her face as one of the benches is dismantled, and the pencil practically dances over the paper in an attempt to capture Dolan and the artisan at work.

A breeze ruffles the Goblin's hood, and she squints, fussing with a pocket in her robes, freeing a small pince-nes to stick to her nose.

The doors of the temple of Eluna swing open, releasing a priest of said temple as well as one of its newer adherents. Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon and the priest both have slightly dour expressions, but there's no sign of animosity as the half-elf turns to shake hands with the priest, who claps Telamon on the shoulder in friendly reply.

Once the farewells are done, Tel walks out into the plaza, his eyes sweeping... catching sight of Verna and Dolan. His expression lightens, and he walks over towards them, his step becoming a bit more sprightly and cheerful, especially with the spring sun pouring down on him.

It's not often that Magpie's errands take her through the Temple District -- less so, in the days following an incident at the Temple of Eluna, though that *certainly is not at all the reason why* -- But when one has one of the better style of meat-and-gravy pocket pies from the Lower Markets to concentrate on, one often goes onto autopilot while eating.

Licking the last crumbs of gravy-soaked bread from her fingers, she looks up... and her face loses a shadoe or two of color, upon noticing just *where* she is at the moment. The motley-clad gnome lets out a short, nervous laugh, and promptly starts trying to put anyone and anything between her and that particular Temple that she can. Passersby, architecture, a bench that--

'''WHACK'''

--has just collapsed.

Stopping dead in her tracks, she slowly looks up, and up, and up, and grins unsteadily at the golden-eyed Inquisitor. "Aheheheh.... Hiiiiii, Dolaaaan."

"What are you doing?!" The artisan is fairly apoplectic, and opens his mouth to scream at the gnome. "Can't you see we're working here! Shoo! Go on! Get out of here!" He starts reaching to shoo Magpie off, while Dolan is distracted with Verna's greeting and Telamon's approach.

"Brightest of days, Verna-" He stops short. "Magpie, what are you doing? Here, Master Bergzin, she's a friend. I'll handle her, and come back to the Temple to help you, yeah?" He offers his right hand to pull Magpie to her feet. "We'll be wanting a cart for this much."

In deference to the bright sun, Dolan has eschewed the cloaks in favor of just the sleeveless sheepskin jacket he has taken to favoring, with the leather cuff over his left shoulder atop a amber-trimmed, unbleached shirt. "Come over this way, let's let Master Bergzin work. Brightest of days to you, too, Tel." He backs up several places, notably trying to pull the sudden crowd away from the crumbling and collapsed bench.

Verna starts at Berzgin's sudden outburst, only now aware of Magpie's arrival. She delays an acknowledgement of her and Telamon in favor of also stepping back from the bench and disgruntled artisan's. "Good day to you both...?" she offers with light inquiry at the end.

Simony's sketching slows significantly upon Magpie's arrival, red eyes following the colourful woman as she wanders through the square. The sudden change from distracted snacking to attempted nonchalance causes an eyebrow raise, quickly turning into a double eyebrow raise. A thumb flips the pages of the notebook, and rapid sketching begins anew. "Feigned Innocence.", she murmurs to herself, the Priestess of Navos begins approaching those around the dismantled bench.

As the group begins to drift away from the bench, leaving the artisan to grump and grumble by himself, the Gobbo's path veers away to follow. "Magpie.", she says, conversationally, as Simony draws closer.

Telamon actually recoils a step as Magpie... well, has a little mishap. "Ah... brightest of days, Dolan." He smiles at Verna, inclining his head to her before glancing at Bergzin before shifting his gaze back to Dolan and sundry again. "No shortage of carts here in the city." He eyes the disassembled bench. "And no shortage of smaller tasks, either."

Tel sighs, raking a hand through his platinum hair. He's dressed in a light-woven white linen tunic, simple brown trousers, and leather walking-shoes for city cobbles. "How's the shoulder, Dolan? Improving, I hope?"

The first major upside to being one of the literal smallfolk, is that one doesn't need *that* much help getting to one's feet. "Thanks," Magpie sighs, brushing off her robes and trying not to cringe away from the irate artisan. Then she looks away, to the growing crowd, and--

Oh no the worst possible thing that can happen to Magpie, has happened.

'''She is becoming a public spectacle.'''

"Y-yeah, let's... just like... be somewhere else..."

"Bah! Shoo! Yes, all of you! Get away!" The man makes shooing motions, to Dolan included. "I'll expect you back at the Temple in two hours. It'll take me that long to clean up this mess. Shame you can't help, it'd be good for you."

"Yes, I'll be there as soon as I can, Master Bergzin. I think I know what this is all about, and I need to deal with this." He takes another two steps back, turning himself so that the entire group is in view, and after an appraising look at Simony, fixes Magpie with the Redeemer's _stare_ that the scarred right half of his features in no way makes _less_ intimidating. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the reason why Auranar was under the weather yesterday, would it?"

Verna's countenance and eyes all pan to Magpie at Dolan's inquiry. She does not glare, per se, and simply regards her, one brow lifting inquisitively. "Indeed, I am rather curious of events, myself." She may or may not have received the abridged version.

The Gobbo peers back at Dolan, adjusting her pince-nes slightly. Her gaze flicks from Dolan, to Verna and then Telamon.

"Magpie.", she says again, with just a little more insistence. The pencil begins its dance once more, scratching across a fresh sheet of notepaper.

Telamon is perfectly all right to help move away with the group, smiling at Dolan. "Oh? Sorry, I was down at the temple, they asked me to look over something. Someone was trying to hawk 'anti-werewolf charms'," his face turns slightly sour at the words. "And the clerics had some hard words for him. Nothing outright malevolent, just a scam."

But then Dolan mentions Auranar being 'under the weather' and Magpie having some connection, and the starry-eyed sorcerer turns to -look- at Magpie. "You don't say," he says in a deceptively calm tone. "I'd be quite curious to know about something that had made my sister-by-adoption ill."

Oh, now it's *worse* than a public spectacle.

'''All of Magpie's friends are apparently upset at her.'''

And while she allows herself to be led away, she's gone from nervous to actively cringing, looking from person to person to person to person in a state of... well if it's not outright panic, the two are on nodding terms in a hallway.

After probably far longer than one would expect to find her voice, and with tears in her eyes, she stutters; "W-would i-it help... i-if I said it w-was werewolves...?"

Dolan isn't wholly immune to tears, and although he still wears a frown that can't help but be intimidating, he's not completely closed. After all, werewolves in the Temple of Eluna isn't exactly news to him. "I see. Auranar wasn't exactly forthcoming, either. Let's have the whole story, then. From the top, and no lies, please. I'll only eat you if you lie to me." He crosses his arms across his chest, a little carefully, but a glint of humor twinkles in the lone brown eye.

Verna's lips purse at Magpie's obvious fretting, though the expression is not directed at Magpie in the most true sense. "You extricated her and delivered her to prompt care, Magpie. She is well because of your actions, for which I am ever grateful." Her eyes hsift briefly to Telamon as she states that assurance before they return to Magpie. "I would simply learn what transpired. If lycanthropes were involved, it is relevant beyond my personal interests and to our current efforts."

Simony's eyes widen slightly at the mention of werewolves, her gaze going to Magpie, and then to the others as they all seem to place Magpie into the hotseat. Looking to Magpie once more, her mouth opens slightly, and then closes with a little click of teeth. A thumb flips the notebook page, and once more the pencil goes to work, the Goblin eyeing people at length while she gets their likenesses down to paper.

Telamon lets Magpie snivel a bit, before his expression relaxes into something a lot less intimidating than that blank-faced stare. "What Dolan said." He heaves a sigh. "Damnable werewolves. Wait, here..." He fishes in his haversack, before removing a flask and offering to her. "First chilled tea of the season," he says with a smile. "Oh, and also..." He deftly draws a handkerchief from a cunning pocket in his sleeve, handing it to Magpie as well.

Tel's eyes flick to Verna, and he nods. "Sometimes all you can do is clean up the mess. I assume Auranar is recovered, or near to it?"

"Thanks," Magpie mumbles, taking the handkerchief and trying to not soil it too badly -- while cleaning the misery from her face, so, an impossible task destined only to end in more tears -- and compose herself. Looking around at the assembled again, she catches Simony's eye, and nods her closer. May as well make a *complete* protective ring.

Pausing a moment to regulate her breathing, she presses a sleeve against a reddened eye, takes in a deep breath, and begins.

"So a few days back, with that book? Figuring out the trick with the pages was guesswork, and before I even *began to think* about trying anything again, I needed to talk with the guy who created it. Who was also stuck in his own book, at the Elunan Temple, remember? So Auranar and I went to pay him a visit, bribe him with reading a new Crimson Pen series about just these two *adorably* wholesome and lovestruck sorcerers, it's just the best hot-cocoa reading time I've ever ever had-- wait. Right. Not important. Moving on."

The flask is taken, gulped at a bit, and returned.

"So while we were talking to Albus and he was trying his hardest not to tell us anything because he was worried it was a demon plot, this paladin walks in, says he has to test Albus for going evil. Which I mean, I get, but... Guy was a week shy of his last shave, and his *armor didn't fit.* And I mean--"

An almost accusatory finger stabs up at Telamon. "Seriously do *your working buddies* EVER look scruffy and ill-kempt? I've never seen it! I'd think it was a mortal sin *not* to at least have fabulous hair!"

"...Anyway he poisoned Auranar with Blood Leaf and tried to take her hostage, and I let Albus use me as a conduit for his magic, and then ran away with both of them. So, y'know... If I look nervous, it's because I stole a restricted artifact from a Temple and got one of my best friends really badly hurt meanwhile."

"Wait. You are telling me that someone claiming to be a paladin of Eluna used _poison_? If they're anything like the Sunblades at all, there's no way. But then, these furry bastards are above _nothing_, and that's not the first one I've seen pretend to be something they're not." Dolan's hand has migrated to his chin, his arms half-folded as he listens intently. "So. You got the book away from the werewolf, is what you _really_ did. Yeah, that lot are after Kinkade's works, and-"

Suddenly, he snaps his fingers. "I need to talk to Kinkade. One of V's shadow demons took over a golem watching the library in the Arcanist's Guild and started trapping people in a book. I want to know what he knows about The Book of Three, but that will keep a tick or three. Auranar's fine, Magpie, and it sounds like it's because of you. So - those little shits are still in the Temple."

Verna's lips upgrade to frown, that only deepends when Dolan mentions the Arcanist Guild. "This is one more target we must keep from them, then. They are within the temples. They are within the guild. We dare not presume that any known location is secure, in that case. I trust that you have secured the tome to the best of your ability, Magpie." It is statement, not inquiry, and she intentionally does not ask of details.

Instead, she looks to Dolan, Telamon, and back to Dolan. "I sought to inform you that we will be prepared for that venture shortly. It may be even more urgent than you believed. As well, we may wish to travel in force."

Finally having Magpie's attention for the briefest of moments, Simony attempts to get a word in, before resigning herself to listening to the story, and to sketching the participants of this interesting affair. A talking book, werewolves, and an evil Paladin. Oh my.

"I wonder if the monastery can be completely sealed... from the inside?", the Goblin mutters, now jotting down notes next to the people in her sketch. Feigned Innocence. Grumpy Uncle with the EYES.

"Magpie."

Telamon turns his eyes momentarily to Simony, fixing the albino goblin with a stare, before shifting his gaze back to Magpie. As she lays out her tale, Tel heaves a sigh, and says something remarkably rude in oruch.

"No, they don't, Dolan." Telamon says, as Magpie returns the flask. "The Silverguard patterned their code of conduct off the Sunblades. Using poison -- especially Blood Leaf -- would be anathema." His lips quirk. "And to add to that, Silverguard try to represent themselves well, as a reflection of Ni'essa. Unshaven and ill-fitting armor? Maybe if you had -literally- just come back from a crusade. But not in a routine temple visit."

He scowls, though it's clearly not directed at anyone. "They just keep slinking in. And it's starting to get tiresome. Although that explains why the temple was a little tense today..."

"And it was, like, *empty* when we came in," Magpie says, knuckling a spot between her eyebrows. "But I showed *that* goober. On our way out I found the grease-pencil stylus I use to make notes on things that shouldn't be used for note-taking, and wrote a big fate FAKE on his forehead. Hoping he got locked up *real* quick with that on his face."

The gnome allows herself a moment of spiteful triumph, before nodding to Dolan. "Yeah that shouldn't be a problem! Just go to the library wing at Arcanist's, and tell the front desk you need to talk to me. Make it sound Temple Investigation-y, that ought to be enough for hem to give up my room number."

Pausing, she blinks, remembering a use of her name much closer to the ground than she's used to, and wide eyes turn to Simony. "Hm?"

"_Starting_, Tel?" Dolan pinches the bridge of his nose wearily. "I'm long past sick of it. That reminds me, though, Tel, I meant to ask you," he turns his entire face towards Verna. "I talked to Lana a little - we need to go back to Quelynos. You remember that mountain we saw at the lake? It looks just like Tanith when you look at it magically, which means it's got something to do with something those furry bastards probably want. I don't know shit about that Realm, though, not beyond reading. Lana said she'd be willing to come. She talk to you at all?"

He ignores the exchange, for the moment, between Magpie and Simony, beyond a, "Yeah, I'll do that, thanks, Magpie," and turns back to Telamon and Verna. "I had a feeling it might be important, Verna. Let's get out of here as soon as we can."

Verna is not ignorant of Simony, noting, "If the monastery can be secured, and is not already infiltrated, it could become a bastion, if necessary." She returns promptly to the topic Quelynos, however. "Your expertise on the realm, and Cor'lana's would be most welcome," she assures Telamon. "Your magical talents, as well. As a matter of prudence, I do not wish to be the sole means of ingress and egress and take steps to ensure this. Our first group venture to Quelynos yet weighs upon me."

Simony stares right back at Telamon, before turning away to look to Magpie. "Hello. Could... could you tell me where you got that pie from?", she wonders, her voice lowering the longer she speaks. "Hopefully before something else happens?"

A loud gurgle is heard.

"Also. If you want assistance in looking for information regarding..." She gestures with a hand. "Whatever is going on here, I'm willing to help with research or clerical duties."

Telamon snorts. "Figure of speech, Dolan. In any case..." He tilts his head, looking at Dolan, and his eyebrows rise. "Ah. No, she didn't initially but she let me know now. Yes, if you plan to go to Quelynos you're going to need a guide. And possibly someone to talk you through some of the environs." His eyes twinkle merrily. "So we'll have to tackle getting back there."

The half-sil reaches up to rub his chin. Glancing at Simony, he grins at Magpie. "Might as well. But in the meantime, I suspect Verna, Dolan, and I have a trip to plan." He pauses, considering. "We might task Andelena with keeping an eye on things here. I know she's... uncomfortable with the fey."

"The-- Oh! Right! Oh wow okay, go to the Lower Markets, ask for Padraic, he'll be a half-orc with a cooking-cart setup. He does sweets too, but the pork-and-apple pies always sell out first."

Clearly, Magpie must handle her information-granting by order of personal priority, and that means *never pass up a chance* to sell Padraic's pies for him. "And yeah, definitely the more book nerds the better. *Something's* gotta get done while the bigjobs're off saving the pick-your-preferred-land-grant-size," she chuckles, hoisting a thumb over her shoulder in the general direction of everyone surrounding her.

"I won't repeat what she said when I mentioned the idea." This time, the latent humor in Dolan's lone brown eye bursts into full bloom, along with a warm, cheeky, affectionate grin with a softness that only appears when the topic is the Sunguard. "Your mother would have thrown her into the street for language like that." When Verna mentions a bastion for Simony as well, he finally looks down at her, as if seeing her for the first time, and raises a skeptical eyebrow.

"I'll try to get Andie to feed both her cats and Hunter while we're gone. We need to figure out supplies, Auranar says it's dangerous to live off the land in Quelynos, and I'm limited in how much I can carry."

"I am reasonably confident that we shall not starve, Dolan," Verna assures him. The cross-topic of food brings her attention to the (only slightly) smaller pair of Magpie and Simony. "Information, or the lack thereof, is an ever-pressing disadvantage; any research or insight that could be provided would be most welcome." After a slight pause, she adds, "Perhaps some of those meat pies would be, as well."

Returning focus to Dolan and Telamon, she advises, "The scrolls I am scribing for the trip will require another few days. This should provide time enough for the other logistical concerns, I expect? I will not risk the rest of you becoming stranded should I happen to become ... indisposed."

The Gobbo grins at Telamon briefly, before turning to eye Magpie. Simony takes the time to write down the Gnome's instructions, her stomach protesting once more as she does so. She blinks at Magpie, "Book .. nerds?" Her head tilts ever so slightly. "Are you a book nerd, or a bigtype? Off to save the shire, county, duchy kingdom?" She blinks again, and looks to Verna. "What, exactly, would I be securing the monastery from, out of very idly curiosity? Actual werewolves?"

Dolan's skeptical glance has Simony shrugging her shoulders. "I haven't run screaming yet, and I suspect that will be in short supply in near future, judging from the uhm.." Simony gestures to the group in general. "Doom and gloom feeling you're putting out." Looking to Verna again, the Gobbo huffs and nods. "Fine, I'll bring extra meat pies back with me. And if you care to give me a few starting suggestions, I can start grinding the libraries and the monastery."

Telamon furrows his brow thoughtfully at Dolan. "Probably wise on all counts. We really -can't- depend on living off the land there -- it's not poisonous, just... you might wind up addicted to it and not be able to -taste- anything else. Which wouldn't be good." He spreads his hands. "We'll work it out. It's not the worst place to go by far, and there -are- friendly faces there. You have to watch your step, but what -else- is new?"

At Simony's inquiry, he turns his gaze on the goblin again, a fathomless stare. Then he says with a faint smile. "Oh yes. Werewolves in the service of the Red Maw, so not just werewolves, but -religious fanatic- werewolves. No pressure, hm?" He chuckles grimly. "My advice? Bring friends. Bring silver. And don't miss if it comes to a fight."

"Worse," Magpie says to Simony's question as to what they're up against, nodding at Telamon. "*Culty* werewolves, like he says. It's like roaches, you do everything you can to get them out, but sooner or later you have to spray *again.* Only with, y'know, more face eating."

Trying to grin to add to the humor -- because face-eating cultists who also turn into facer-eatinger rage monsters is funny, right? -- Magpie pats Simony's shoulder. "As for *what* to research? Well... Soon as Dolan and I talk about this book at the Arcanist's, I think we're gonna be close to having a target. Moment I'm done, I'll get back to you, and you can join Team Nerd! No what they're planning is like *miles* beyond what I'm anywhere near prepared for, I've just got books and reports and myths and stuff to chase down. I'll introduce you to Auranar, it'll be fun! Also; there'll be snacks."

_Huh_. Dolan blinks his lone flesh-and-blood eye at Telamon at the mention of becoming addicted to the food. That's a danger that he quite clearly hadn't considered. "Good to know, but yeah, that's everywhere. You have to watch your step on Ea, too, no news there." He shrugs expansively, seeming to relax some at the reassurances.

"Who's this?" he asks keenly of the group in general, turning his stare again on Simony. At least it's accompanied by a cheeky grin, even if it holds something serious underneath it. "Someone I ought to know? Dolan Donnelly," he offers to the albino goblin. "I may look mean, but I don't bite, unless it's my woman, and then only if she wants me to." If anything, the grin broadens and takes on a wicked note. "So what did you want to talk about about the book, Magpie? May as well make sure Tel and Verna know, too."

"Religious, fanatical werewolves. I would posit that you are messing with me, somehow." Simony reaches up a hand to pull back her hood, that hand then running through her uneven hair. "But I suppose if I take that at face value... How do you check? I can see the issue for temples, you have all manner of adherents and pilgrims coming and going all day. But how do you know?" Her expression falls a little. "You're waiting for them to show themselves, aren't you?"

The albino eyes Magpie's hand on her shoulder, and carefully the Gobbo reaches up to take Magpie's hand... and shakes it carefully. "Nice work with those imps, by the way. Please, come and find me at the Navos monastery. Go up the mountain road, and keep going north, past ol' Deathlady's place, til you find it." She makes as if to leave, until Dolan's voice stops her. Simony offers the man a bow. "I am Simony, priestess of Navos." Her mouth opens and closes with a click, not quite sure what to make of his take on biting. "I only bite if I'm cornered or mad. I don't get permission."

Telamon raises his eyebrows at Simony, looking her up and down. "Navos. Hm. Interesting." He does offer her a welcoming smile, though. "This is indeed the deep end of the pond. But since you ask... silver. Silver coins for those seeking entry, and silver blades for those who want to force the issue." He winces. "It's easier than it looks, though."

As it seems Simony is about to leave, Tel turns back to Dolan and Verna. "The talk about the book, with this fellow Kinkade's voice from it, reminds me of stories -- a couple close to home. I wonder... I need to talk to Lana about it first though. She might have some insights."

"Tell Padraic I said hi~!" Magpie says, waving hard enough to lift her onto her tiptoes. "And try the rabbit! *I think he cooks wine in the gravy!*"

Looking to Dolan, Magpie loses a bit of her good cheer, some of the nervousness coming back. "Well uh... Not... so much to discuss, more like... introduce?"

Dolan fixes that one-eye-and-one-gem stare on Simony at her introduction, wearing an expression that suggests that several possible responses to her pronouncement came to mind. "I'll be sure not to corner you, then," he finally decides on, with a warm and amused grin. "Brightest of days." With Simony clearly preparing to leave, he turns his attention instead to the others, his eyebrow and blasted eyebrow ridge ascending in interest. "Introduce? Sounds interesting. Maybe we can learn a little more. The list of things that I want to pay V back for is growing by the gods-be-damned day."

"A good idea. Considering my height compared to yours." Simony nods at the suggestion from Magpie, and the albino writes something down in her notebook as she strides off in search of Padraic and his meat pies."

"...Wait," Magpie says after a moment. "...You met Albus already, didn't you?" The gnome smacks a hand against her forehead, then hisses in pain. Apparently, she forgot the full range of her head-piece, for a moment, and a bright red welt starts to form under the amethyst pendant over her brow.

"Ow, hssssss... Um. Anyway. Yeah I figure this book you were talking about, you may as well go to the source? And he's hanging out in my personal... well not a *library,* but, collection... Um. Right. So yeah."

A sympathetic wince crosses Dolan's face when Magpie smacks herself, followed by an offered hand. "Careful. Don't hurt yourself. Yeah, I was with you when we first met him, remember? Anyway, yeah, this last book - I'd like to ask him about it, and about why V or her minions might be after him. He fits somewhere in this, and I don't know where yet. I'll come by some night before we leave for Quelynos, and see what we can find out."

[[Category:Logs]]

Magpie Faces The Music

2023-03-12T23:31:06Z

Seldan: Created page with "A bright Eliday finds sunshine beaming warm down, onto rain-soaked streets that are quickly drying where Daeus' blessing touches them. The fountain is chock-full and flowing cheerily, and amid the bustle, Dolan is standing near one of the benches by the fountain, while the other man, dressed in artisan's leathers, examines a leg that is split and cracked by winter's ice. "See how that's coming apart? That's not a flaw in the wood that does that. Water got in here, beca..."

A bright Eliday finds sunshine beaming warm down, onto rain-soaked streets that are quickly drying where Daeus' blessing touches them. The fountain is chock-full and flowing cheerily, and amid the bustle, Dolan is standing near one of the benches by the fountain, while the other man, dressed in artisan's leathers, examines a leg that is split and cracked by winter's ice.

"See how that's coming apart? That's not a flaw in the wood that does that. Water got in here, because whoever crafted this didn't fit the join correctly, the fool. We'll have to take this completely apart and replace the whole side, yes, all of these are sloppily done."

With a little more grumbling, the artisan sets to work. "Here, think you can take this apart? Put your foot right _there_, just _so_, and I'll knock it loose." Dolan does so, placing a booted foot where indicated, and with a deft couple of taps of a mallet, the entire side of the bench in question crumples to the cobblestones. "Good," the artisan nods his approval. "Now I've got my instructions, you're not to pick that whole lot up, are you? Shame, normally I'd have my apprentices do all the hauling, but from the look of you, you're no stranger to all of that. I'll have that hauled back to the Temple, and we'll do this right."

Taking full advantage of the season's fickle weather, Verna descends the mountain road into the temple square. Cloak is worn as a precaution, yet hood is doffed to enjoy the clear day. As she approaches the central fountain, the artisan's audible critiques draw her attention to them, the bench and Dolan. One of the three may have been her goal, as she adjusts her path to intercept. Once near enough, and in a pause in the artisan's comments, she offers greetings, "Brightest of days to you.".

The bright sunlight seems to be at least appreciated by most, the albino is happy to be able to enjoy the warmth, but not the brightness itself. Her hood is pulled up and over her head and face.

She stands nearby, notebook and pencil in hand, sketching the fountain and the activity around it. A frown slowly crosses her face as one of the benches is dismantled, and the pencil practically dances over the paper in an attempt to capture Dolan and the artisan at work.

A breeze ruffles the Goblin's hood, and she squints, fussing with a pocket in her robes, freeing a small pince-nes to stick to her nose.

The doors of the temple of Eluna swing open, releasing a priest of said temple as well as one of its newer adherents. Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon and the priest both have slightly dour expressions, but there's no sign of animosity as the half-elf turns to shake hands with the priest, who claps Telamon on the shoulder in friendly reply.

Once the farewells are done, Tel walks out into the plaza, his eyes sweeping... catching sight of Verna and Dolan. His expression lightens, and he walks over towards them, his step becoming a bit more sprightly and cheerful, especially with the spring sun pouring down on him.

It's not often that Magpie's errands take her through the Temple District -- less so, in the days following an incident at the Temple of Eluna, though that *certainly is not at all the reason why* -- But when one has one of the better style of meat-and-gravy pocket pies from the Lower Markets to concentrate on, one often goes onto autopilot while eating.

Licking the last crumbs of gravy-soaked bread from her fingers, she looks up... and her face loses a shadoe or two of color, upon noticing just *where* she is at the moment. The motley-clad gnome lets out a short, nervous laugh, and promptly starts trying to put anyone and anything between her and that particular Temple that she can. Passersby, architecture, a bench that--

*WHACK*

--has just collapsed.

Stopping dead in her tracks, she slowly looks up, and up, and up, and grins unsteadily at the golden-eyed Inquisitor. "Aheheheh.... Hiiiiii, Dolaaaan."

"What are you doing?!" The artisan is fairly apoplectic, and opens his mouth to scream at the gnome. "Can't you see we're working here! Shoo! Go on! Get out of here!" He starts reaching to shoo Magpie off, while Dolan is distracted with Verna's greeting and Telamon's approach.

"Brightest of days, Verna-" He stops short. "Magpie, what are you doing? Here, Master Bergzin, she's a friend. I'll handle her, and come back to the Temple to help you, yeah?" He offers his right hand to pull Magpie to her feet. "We'll be wanting a cart for this much."

In deference to the bright sun, Dolan has eschewed the cloaks in favor of just the sleeveless sheepskin jacket he has taken to favoring, with the leather cuff over his left shoulder atop a amber-trimmed, unbleached shirt. "Come over this way, let's let Master Bergzin work. Brightest of days to you, too, Tel." He backs up several places, notably trying to pull the sudden crowd away from the crumbling and collapsed bench.

Verna starts at Berzgin's sudden outburst, only now aware of Magpie's arrival. She delays an acknowledgement of her and Telamon in favor of also stepping back from the bench and disgruntled artisan's. "Good day to you both...?" she offers with light inquiry at the end.

Simony's sketching slows significantly upon Magpie's arrival, red eyes following the colourful woman as she wanders through the square. The sudden change from distracted snacking to attempted nonchalance causes an eyebrow raise, quickly turning into a double eyebrow raise. A thumb flips the pages of the notebook, and rapid sketching begins anew. "Feigned Innocence.", she murmurs to herself, the Priestess of Navos begins approaching those around the dismantled bench.

As the group begins to drift away from the bench, leaving the artisan to grump and grumble by himself, the Gobbo's path veers away to follow. "Magpie.", she says, conversationally, as Simony draws closer.

Telamon actually recoils a step as Magpie... well, has a little mishap. "Ah... brightest of days, Dolan." He smiles at Verna, inclining his head to her before glancing at Bergzin before shifting his gaze back to Dolan and sundry again. "No shortage of carts here in the city." He eyes the disassembled bench. "And no shortage of smaller tasks, either."

Tel sighs, raking a hand through his platinum hair. He's dressed in a light-woven white linen tunic, simple brown trousers, and leather walking-shoes for city cobbles. "How's the shoulder, Dolan? Improving, I hope?"

The first major upside to being one of the literal smallfolk, is that one doesn't need *that* much help getting to one's feet. "Thanks," Magpie sighs, brushing off her robes and trying not to cringe away from the irate artisan. Then she looks away, to the growing crowd, and--

Oh no the worst possible thing that can happen to Magpie, has happened.

*She is becoming a public spectacle.*

"Y-yeah, let's... just like... be somewhere else..."

GAME: Dolan rolls sense motive: (10)+18: 28

GAME: Simony rolls 1d2: (1): 1

"Bah! Shoo! Yes, all of you! Get away!" The man makes shooing motions, to Dolan included. "I'll expect you back at the Temple in two hours. It'll take me that long to clean up this mess. Shame you can't help, it'd be good for you."

"Yes, I'll be there as soon as I can, Master Bergzin. I think I know what this is all about, and I need to deal with this." He takes another two steps back, turning himself so that the entire group is in view, and after an appraising look at Simony, fixes Magpie with the Redeemer's _stare_ that the scarred right half of his features in no way makes _less_ intimidating. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the reason why Auranar was under the weather yesterday, would it?"

Verna's countenance and eyes all pan to Magpie at Dolan's inquiry. She does not glare, per se, and simply regards her, one brow lifting inquisitively. "Indeed, I am rather curious of events, myself." She may or may not have received the abridged version.

The Gobbo peers back at Dolan, adjusting her pince-nes slightly. Her gaze flicks from Dolan, to Verna and then Telamon.

"Magpie.", she says again, with just a little more insistence. The pencil begins its dance once more, scratching across a fresh sheet of notepaper.

Telamon is perfectly all right to help move away with the group, smiling at Dolan. "Oh? Sorry, I was down at the temple, they asked me to look over something. Someone was trying to hawk 'anti-werewolf charms'," his face turns slightly sour at the words. "And the clerics had some hard words for him. Nothing outright malevolent, just a scam."

But then Dolan mentions Auranar being 'under the weather' and Magpie having some connection, and the starry-eyed sorcerer turns to -look- at Magpie. "You don't say," he says in a deceptively calm tone. "I'd be quite curious to know about something that had made my sister-by-adoption ill."

Oh, now it's *worse* than a public spectacle.

*All of Magpie's friends are apparently upset at her.*

And while she allows herself to be led away, she's gone from nervous to actively cringing, looking from person to person to person to person in a state of... well if it's not outright panic, the two are on nodding terms in a hallway.

After probably far longer than one would expect to find her voice, and with tears in her eyes, she stutters; "W-would i-it help... i-if I said it w-was werewolves...?"

Dolan isn't wholly immune to tears, and although he still wears a frown that can't help but be intimidating, he's not completely closed. After all, werewolves in the Temple of Eluna isn't exactly news to him. "I see. Auranar wasn't exactly forthcoming, either. Let's have the whole story, then. From the top, and no lies, please. I'll only eat you if you lie to me." He crosses his arms across his chest, a little carefully, but a glint of humor twinkles in the lone brown eye.

Verna's lips purse at Magpie's obvious fretting, though the expression is not directed at Magpie in the most true sense. "You extricated her and delivered her to prompt care, Magpie. She is well because of your actions, for which I am ever grateful." Her eyes hsift briefly to Telamon as she states that assurance before they return to Magpie. "I would simply learn what transpired. If lycanthropes were involved, it is relevant beyond my personal interests and to our current efforts."

Simony's eyes widen slightly at the mention of werewolves, her gaze going to Magpie, and then to the others as they all seem to place Magpie into the hotseat. Looking to Magpie once more, her mouth opens slightly, and then closes with a little click of teeth. A thumb flips the notebook page, and once more the pencil goes to work, the Goblin eyeing people at length while she gets their likenesses down to paper.

Telamon lets Magpie snivel a bit, before his expression relaxes into something a lot less intimidating than that blank-faced stare. "What Dolan said." He heaves a sigh. "Damnable werewolves. Wait, here..." He fishes in his haversack, before removing a flask and offering to her. "First chilled tea of the season," he says with a smile. "Oh, and also..." He deftly draws a handkerchief from a cunning pocket in his sleeve, handing it to Magpie as well.

Tel's eyes flick to Verna, and he nods. "Sometimes all you can do is clean up the mess. I assume Auranar is recovered, or near to it?"

"Thanks," Magpie mumbles, taking the handkerchief and trying to not soil it too badly -- while cleaning the misery from her face, so, an impossible task destined only to end in more tears -- and compose herself. Looking around at the assembled again, she catches Simony's eye, and nods her closer. May as well make a *complete* protective ring.

Pausing a moment to regulate her breathing, she presses a sleeve against a reddened eye, takes in a deep breath, and begins.

"So a few days back, with that book? Figuring out the trick with the pages was guesswork, and before I even *began to think* about trying anything again, I needed to talk with the guy who created it. Who was also stuck in his own book, at the Elunan Temple, remember? So Auranar and I went to pay him a visit, bribe him with reading a new Crimson Pen series about just these two *adorably* wholesome and lovestruck sorcerers, it's just the best hot-cocoa reading time I've ever ever had-- wait. Right. Not important. Moving on."

The flask is taken, gulped at a bit, and returned.

"So while we were talking to Albus and he was trying his hardest not to tell us anything because he was worried it was a demon plot, this paladin walks in, says he has to test Albus for going evil. Which I mean, I get, but... Guy was a week shy of his last shave, and his *armor didn't fit.* And I mean--"

An almost accusatory finger stabs up at Telamon. "Seriously do *your working buddies* EVER look scruffy and ill-kempt? I've never seen it! I'd think it was a mortal sin *not* to at least have fabulous hair!"

"...Anyway he poisoned Auranar with Blood Leaf and tried to take her hostage, and I let Albus use me as a conduit for his magic, and then ran away with both of them. So, y'know... If I look nervous, it's because I stole a restricted artifact from a Temple and got one of my best friends really badly hurt meanwhile."

"Wait. You are telling me that someone claiming to be a paladin of Eluna used _poison_? If they're anything like the Sunblades at all, there's no way. But then, these furry bastards are above _nothing_, and that's not the first one I've seen pretend to be something they're not." Dolan's hand has migrated to his chin, his arms half-folded as he listens intently. "So. You got the book away from the werewolf, is what you _really_ did. Yeah, that lot are after Kinkade's works, and-"

Suddenly, he snaps his fingers. "I need to talk to Kinkade. One of V's shadow demons took over a golem watching the library in the Arcanist's Guild and started trapping people in a book. I want to know what he knows about The Book of Three, but that will keep a tick or three. Auranar's fine, Magpie, and it sounds like it's because of you. So - those little shits are still in the Temple."

Verna's lips upgrade to frown, that only deepends when Dolan mentions the Arcanist Guild. "This is one more target we must keep from them, then. They are within the temples. They are within the guild. We dare not presume that any known location is secure, in that case. I trust that you have secured the tome to the best of your ability, Magpie." It is statement, not inquiry, and she intentionally does not ask of details.

Instead, she looks to Dolan, Telamon, and back to Dolan. "I sought to inform you that we will be prepared for that venture shortly. It may be even more urgent than you believed. As well, we may wish to travel in force."

Finally having Magpie's attention for the briefest of moments, Simony attempts to get a word in, before resigning herself to listening to the story, and to sketching the participants of this interesting affair. A talking book, werewolves, and an evil Paladin. Oh my.

"I wonder if the monastery can be completely sealed... from the inside?", the Goblin mutters, now jotting down notes next to the people in her sketch. Feigned Innocence. Grumpy Uncle with the EYES.

"Magpie."

Telamon turns his eyes momentarily to Simony, fixing the albino goblin with a stare, before shifting his gaze back to Magpie. As she lays out her tale, Tel heaves a sigh, and says something remarkably rude in oruch.

"No, they don't, Dolan." Telamon says, as Magpie returns the flask. "The Silverguard patterned their code of conduct off the Sunblades. Using poison -- especially Blood Leaf -- would be anathema." His lips quirk. "And to add to that, Silverguard try to represent themselves well, as a reflection of Ni'essa. Unshaven and ill-fitting armor? Maybe if you had -literally- just come back from a crusade. But not in a routine temple visit."

He scowls, though it's clearly not directed at anyone. "They just keep slinking in. And it's starting to get tiresome. Although that explains why the temple was a little tense today..."

"And it was, like, *empty* when we came in," Magpie says, knuckling a spot between her eyebrows. "But I showed *that* goober. On our way out I found the grease-pencil stylus I use to make notes on things that shouldn't be used for note-taking, and wrote a big fate FAKE on his forehead. Hoping he got locked up *real* quick with that on his face."

The gnome allows herself a moment of spiteful triumph, before nodding to Dolan. "Yeah that shouldn't be a problem! Just go to the library wing at Arcanist's, and tell the front desk you need to talk to me. Make it sound Temple Investigation-y, that ought to be enough for hem to give up my room number."

Pausing, she blinks, remembering a use of her name much closer to the ground than she's used to, and wide eyes turn to Simony. "Hm?"

"_Starting_, Tel?" Dolan pinches the bridge of his nose wearily. "I'm long past sick of it. That reminds me, though, Tel, I meant to ask you," he turns his entire face towards Verna. "I talked to Lana a little - we need to go back to Quelynos. You remember that mountain we saw at the lake? It looks just like Tanith when you look at it magically, which means it's got something to do with something those furry bastards probably want. I don't know shit about that Realm, though, not beyond reading. Lana said she'd be willing to come. She talk to you at all?"

He ignores the exchange, for the moment, between Magpie and Simony, beyond a, "Yeah, I'll do that, thanks, Magpie," and turns back to Telamon and Verna. "I had a feeling it might be important, Verna. Let's get out of here as soon as we can."

Verna is not ignorant of Simony, noting, "If the monastery can be secured, and is not already infiltrated, it could become a bastion, if necessary." She returns promptly to the topic Quelynos, however. "Your expertise on the realm, and Cor'lana's would be most welcome," she assures Telamon. "Your magical talents, as well. As a matter of prudence, I do not wish to be the sole means of ingress and egress and take steps to ensure this. Our first group venture to Quelynos yet weighs upon me."

Simony stares right back at Telamon, before turning away to look to Magpie. "Hello. Could... could you tell me where you got that pie from?", she wonders, her voice lowering the longer she speaks. "Hopefully before something else happens?"

A loud gurgle is heard.

"Also. If you want assistance in looking for information regarding..." She gestures with a hand. "Whatever is going on here, I'm willing to help with research or clerical duties."

Telamon snorts. "Figure of speech, Dolan. In any case..." He tilts his head, looking at Dolan, and his eyebrows rise. "Ah. No, she didn't initially but she let me know now. Yes, if you plan to go to Quelynos you're going to need a guide. And possibly someone to talk you through some of the environs." His eyes twinkle merrily. "So we'll have to tackle getting back there."

The half-sil reaches up to rub his chin. Glancing at Simony, he grins at Magpie. "Might as well. But in the meantime, I suspect Verna, Dolan, and I have a trip to plan." He pauses, considering. "We might task Andelena with keeping an eye on things here. I know she's... uncomfortable with the fey."

"The-- Oh! Right! Oh wow okay, go to the Lower Markets, ask for Padraic, he'll be a half-orc with a cooking-cart setup. He does sweets too, but the pork-and-apple pies always sell out first."

Clearly, Magpie must handle her information-granting by order of personal priority, and that means *never pass up a chance* to sell Padraic's pies for him. "And yeah, definitely the more book nerds the better. *Something's* gotta get done while the bigjobs're off saving the pick-your-preferred-land-grant-size," she chuckles, hoisting a thumb over her shoulder in the general direction of everyone surrounding her.

"I won't repeat what she said when I mentioned the idea." This time, the latent humor in Dolan's lone brown eye bursts into full bloom, along with a warm, cheeky, affectionate grin with a softness that only appears when the topic is the Sunguard. "Your mother would have thrown her into the street for language like that." When Verna mentions a bastion for Simony as well, he finally looks down at her, as if seeing her for the first time, and raises a skeptical eyebrow.

"I'll try to get Andie to feed both her cats and Hunter while we're gone. We need to figure out supplies, Auranar says it's dangerous to live off the land in Quelynos, and I'm limited in how much I can carry."

"I am reasonably confident that we shall not starve, Dolan," Verna assures him. The cross-topic of food brings her attention to the (only slightly) smaller pair of Magpie and Simony. "Information, or the lack thereof, is an ever-pressing disadvantage; any research or insight that could be provided would be most welcome." After a slight pause, she adds, "Perhaps some of those meat pies would be, as well."

Returning focus to Dolan and Telamon, she advises, "The scrolls I am scribing for the trip will require another few days. This should provide time enough for the other logistical concerns, I expect? I will not risk the rest of you becoming stranded should I happen to become ... indisposed."

The Gobbo grins at Telamon briefly, before turning to eye Magpie. Simony takes the time to write down the Gnome's instructions, her stomach protesting once more as she does so. She blinks at Magpie, "Book .. nerds?" Her head tilts ever so slightly. "Are you a book nerd, or a bigtype? Off to save the shire, county, duchy kingdom?" She blinks again, and looks to Verna. "What, exactly, would I be securing the monastery from, out of very idly curiosity? Actual werewolves?"

Dolan's skeptical glance has Simony shrugging her shoulders. "I haven't run screaming yet, and I suspect that will be in short supply in near future, judging from the uhm.." Simony gestures to the group in general. "Doom and gloom feeling you're putting out." Looking to Verna again, the Gobbo huffs and nods. "Fine, I'll bring extra meat pies back with me. And if you care to give me a few starting suggestions, I can start grinding the libraries and the monastery."

Telamon furrows his brow thoughtfully at Dolan. "Probably wise on all counts. We really -can't- depend on living off the land there -- it's not poisonous, just... you might wind up addicted to it and not be able to -taste- anything else. Which wouldn't be good." He spreads his hands. "We'll work it out. It's not the worst place to go by far, and there -are- friendly faces there. You have to watch your step, but what -else- is new?"

At Simony's inquiry, he turns his gaze on the goblin again, a fathomless stare. Then he says with a faint smile. "Oh yes. Werewolves in the service of the Red Maw, so not just werewolves, but -religious fanatic- werewolves. No pressure, hm?" He chuckles grimly. "My advice? Bring friends. Bring silver. And don't miss if it comes to a fight."

"Worse," Magpie says to Simony's question as to what they're up against, nodding at Telamon. "*Culty* werewolves, like he says. It's like roaches, you do everything you can to get them out, but sooner or later you have to spray *again.* Only with, y'know, more face eating."

Trying to grin to add to the humor -- because face-eating cultists who also turn into facer-eatinger rage monsters is funny, right? -- Magpie pats Simony's shoulder. "As for *what* to research? Well... Soon as Dolan and I talk about this book at the Arcanist's, I think we're gonna be close to having a target. Moment I'm done, I'll get back to you, and you can join Team Nerd! No what they're planning is like *miles* beyond what I'm anywhere near prepared for, I've just got books and reports and myths and stuff to chase down. I'll introduce you to Auranar, it'll be fun! Also; there'll be snacks."

_Huh_. Dolan blinks his lone flesh-and-blood eye at Telamon at the mention of becoming addicted to the food. That's a danger that he quite clearly hadn't considered. "Good to know, but yeah, that's everywhere. You have to watch your step on Ea, too, no news there." He shrugs expansively, seeming to relax some at the reassurances.

"Who's this?" he asks keenly of the group in general, turning his stare again on Simony. At least it's accompanied by a cheeky grin, even if it holds something serious underneath it. "Someone I ought to know? Dolan Donnelly," he offers to the albino goblin. "I may look mean, but I don't bite, unless it's my woman, and then only if she wants me to." If anything, the grin broadens and takes on a wicked note. "So what did you want to talk about about the book, Magpie? May as well make sure Tel and Verna know, too."

"Religious, fanatical werewolves. I would posit that you are messing with me, somehow." Simony reaches up a hand to pull back her hood, that hand then running through her uneven hair. "But I suppose if I take that at face value... How do you check? I can see the issue for temples, you have all manner of adherents and pilgrims coming and going all day. But how do you know?" Her expression falls a little. "You're waiting for them to show themselves, aren't you?"

The albino eyes Magpie's hand on her shoulder, and carefully the Gobbo reaches up to take Magpie's hand... and shakes it carefully. "Nice work with those imps, by the way. Please, come and find me at the Navos monastery. Go up the mountain road, and keep going north, past ol' Deathlady's place, til you find it." She makes as if to leave, until Dolan's voice stops her. Simony offers the man a bow. "I am Simony, priestess of Navos." Her mouth opens and closes with a click, not quite sure what to make of his take on biting. "I only bite if I'm cornered or mad. I don't get permission."

Telamon raises his eyebrows at Simony, looking her up and down. "Navos. Hm. Interesting." He does offer her a welcoming smile, though. "This is indeed the deep end of the pond. But since you ask... silver. Silver coins for those seeking entry, and silver blades for those who want to force the issue." He winces. "It's easier than it looks, though."

As it seems Simony is about to leave, Tel turns back to Dolan and Verna. "The talk about the book, with this fellow Kinkade's voice from it, reminds me of stories -- a couple close to home. I wonder... I need to talk to Lana about it first though. She might have some insights."

"Tell Padraic I said hi~!" Magpie says, waving hard enough to lift her onto her tiptoes. "And try the rabbit! *I think he cooks wine in the gravy!*"

Looking to Dolan, Magpie loses a bit of her good cheer, some of the nervousness coming back. "Well uh... Not... so much to discuss, more like... introduce?"

Dolan fixes that one-eye-and-one-gem stare on Simony at her introduction, wearing an expression that suggests that several possible responses to her pronouncement came to mind. "I'll be sure not to corner you, then," he finally decides on, with a warm and amused grin. "Brightest of days." With Simony clearly preparing to leave, he turns his attention instead to the others, his eyebrow and blasted eyebrow ridge ascending in interest. "Introduce? Sounds interesting. Maybe we can learn a little more. The list of things that I want to pay V back for is growing by the gods-be-damned day."

"A good idea. Considering my height compared to yours." Simony nods at the suggestion from Magpie, and the albino writes something down in her notebook as she strides off in search of Padraic and his meat pies."

"...Wait," Magpie says after a moment. "...You met Albus already, didn't you?" The gnome smacks a hand against her forehead, then hisses in pain. Apparently, she forgot the full range of her head-piece, for a moment, and a bright red welt starts to form under the amethyst pendant over her brow.

"Ow, hssssss... Um. Anyway. Yeah I figure this book you were talking about, you may as well go to the source? And he's hanging out in my personal... well not a *library,* but, collection... Um. Right. So yeah."

A sympathetic wince crosses Dolan's face when Magpie smacks herself, followed by an offered hand. "Careful. Don't hurt yourself. Yeah, I was with you when we first met him, remember? Anyway, yeah, this last book - I'd like to ask him about it, and about why V or her minions might be after him. He fits somewhere in this, and I don't know where yet. I'll come by some night before we leave for Quelynos, and see what we can find out."

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-03-12T23:29:46Z

Seldan: /* March */

A Forest's Renewal

2023-03-11T05:49:01Z

Seldan: Created page with "Finally, the first nice day in a while, and the Fernwood Pub, like most other pubs in the city, is on the quiet side tonight as far too many people who were far too cooped up all winter take their evening leisure outside. That is not to say that it is deserted - far from it - but, at least there are empty tables. There are also tables for several people occupied by just one, in Dolan's case, a round table meant to seat three or four that he occupies. One of the chairs ho..."

Finally, the first nice day in a while, and the Fernwood Pub, like most other pubs in the city, is on the quiet side tonight as far too many people who were far too cooped up all winter take their evening leisure outside. That is not to say that it is deserted - far from it - but, at least there are empty tables. There are also tables for several people occupied by just one, in Dolan's case, a round table meant to seat three or four that he occupies. One of the chairs holds his twin cloaks, and his pack, the first on top of the second. A half-empty plate of goose, deboned and stuffed with some sort of sage and apples, sits in front of him, along with a half-empty mug of ale. The mug gets much more attention than the plate, and he's sitting with his feet up on the adjacent chair, reading some sort of scroll, his lips moving as he reads.

It is indeed a fine evening. The weather is still chilly in the evening, but the snow is by now mostly a memory now. The rains are now decidedly of the springtime variety, promising the renewal of the green time of the year. The rumbling thunder overhead is no longer ominous, and the patter of drops on the window carries the fresh scent of petrichor on the wind. A perfect evening to stay indoors with a good meal and good friends.

At least, that's Dirk's thought as he pushes open the door to the Fernwood and lumbers inside. He takes a moment to unclasp his cloak and hang it up on a peg by the door, before doffing his tricorne and giving himself a shake. "Och, I thought that rain would -never- let up!" he booms with a cheerful laugh, setting his hat back atop his head. His expression is a cheery one, and it brightens when he spies his friend. "Dolan, me good lad!" He turns his steps over in that direction, reaching up to give the younger man a hearty clasp on the shoulder. "How be, my friend? Eatin' alone tonight? Gave yer minders an' mother hens the slip, did ye?" He wags his finger, but his grin is broad and his mirth infectuous. "Well, mind some company? I'll freshen yer ale fer ye."

Dolan's head snaps up as Dirk approaches, and he takes the slap on the shoulder in good part, the mobile half of his face creasing with good-natured cheer. "Brightest of days, Dirk, good to see you. Andie's asleep, and she's the only one who fusses at me when I'm not in the Temple." He rolls up the sheaf of scrolls in his hands, and tucks it easily into the haversack next to him. "I'll take that refresh of ale in exchange for the company. For a while there I thought I'd never be alone for half a mark again. Damned nice feeling, some days. What brings you all the way to the city?"

Dirk pulls out a chair and plumps his hefty rump down into it, wiggling a bit to get comfortable. "I was hopin' tae look in on Ous, an' see how he's recoverin'," he says. "Figured since I was in town tae sell a load o' pelts, I should poke me head in. But then I realized I wasnae sure -which- temple he'd gotten off to. So I thought I'd stop by fer a pint an' see who all was about." He lifts a hand to signal one of the servers, ordering two fresh mugs of ale. "How about you, laddie? How're you holdin' up? I was a wee bit worried 'bout ye after our last outing."

"Oh, him? He's up and about, thankfully. He's got the nightmares, though." Dolan picks up his mug, examines the contents, and takes a pull from it, letting out a sigh afterwards. "I told him what to do to make it stop. He seemed dubious. Here's hoping he'll take my word for it, I'll check in on him in a day or two and see how he did with it." His lips purse together, pensively. "I do hope he listens. I remember what happened to the last one who didn't."

Up close, he looks tired, dark circles under his eyes, but otherwise unhurt. "I'm getting along," he answers, after a minute to consider the question. "Being in that cave sent me back pretty badly, and no sense in trying to soften that. It has to be jarring when something catches me wrong, but I can't let it eat me, yeah? I've got a job to do, a cause to serve, friends and family to help, and furry bastards to stop. Sorry about that."

Dirk takes up his mug, lifting it towards Dolan. "Yer health," he says, before tipping back a lengthy swallow. He wipes his mouth off on the back of his fist, listening carefully. The apology has the old snowbeard wincing, and he shakes his he shaggy head. "Laddie, ye've got nothin' tae be sorry for. Aye, we've all of us got a duty. We're all needed tae hold back the night. But... even -I- cannae shoulder the load on me own. An' -my- shoulders are almost twice as wide as yers!" He manages a bit of a smile, but his expression remains mostly serious. "'course, so's me arse an' me waistline, but... we're all in this together, laddie. None of us was meant tae walk alone. Ye've got Andie, ye've got me, ye've got Telamon an' Cor'lana, and Zeke, an' the Blessed Lady only knows who else." He leans forward, regarding Dolan earnestly from behind those shaggy white brows of his. "If ye feel yeself startin' tae fall... then fall intae one of us. Let us catch ye, so we can set ye back up on yer feet again. I think even Daeus would agree--ye've given enough already."

"Oh, don't you worry, Dirk. I'm not doing it alone." Dolan's quirk of a smile for the crack about Dirk's circumference is half-hearted, though. "Some days are better than others, and some things - it's hard to explain, yeah?" He stares down into his mug. "Look. Telamon doesn't get it. He means well, yeah? But - he's never walked the dark road, if you follow me?" Siiiiip. "I think he thinks I'm not fit to fight, and I don't want him thinking that, because it isn't true. Yeah, I'm still limited. The healers are telling me my shoulder won't ever be right." The smile by now is completely gone. "I might be able to get it to where I can pick up the greatsword. I'm sure as sunrise going to try. I am trying. And I can use a longsword just fine."

A silence falls, into which Dolan continues to stare into his mug.

Dirk's expression fills with a quiet sorrow, and he shakes his head with a quiet sigh. "Gods... yer still so young yet," he says softly, swirling the beer in his mug. "So young tae have been hurt so deeply." He tips back the dregs, gulping them down and muffing a belch behind his fist. He lifts the empty over his head to signal to the server that he'd like another. He looks back to his friend, digging into his hip satchel for his pipe and tobacco pouch. "I cannae begin tae imagine what yer goin' through, Dolan. I would've taken it all on meself if I could have done. All's I can do is be yer friend, an' let ye lean on me when ye need tae lean." He works on filling his pipe, his gaze peering at Dolan's injured shoulder. "Och, surely someone can do -somethin'- fer ye. Some sort o' spell or rite or Kulthian widget tae get ye back up tae form." His brows furrow as he tamps the bowl and tucks the bit in his mouth. "Well... if there's some sort o' quest tae be done so we can get yer shoulder workin' proper again, then I'll take it. Gilead an' Dana witness me," he says with a firm nod of his head.

Some of the smile returns, a quirk of a thing, to the mobile half of Dolan's features, genuine gratitude mingling with it, and he, too, holds up his mug for a refill. "Thank you, Dirk. I'm not done yet, not by a thousand rows of barley. You're a friend good and true, and I won't forget it. Just remember, this ain't my first time tangling with the Dark." He taps his temple next to his artificial eye meaningfully, then sighs. "I keep telling myself I've still got His blade, no matter what happens, and there ain't nothing wrong with my wits. I worked damn hard to master the greatsword, though. Hate to throw that all away if I can't manage it." The mug out of his hand, he ends up staring at the table. "My own choice, though. I knew what I was getting into, Dirk. I knew what he wanted. I was willing to risk it, if it got us in there. It worked, too, and I learned enough to ask the right questions to know how to take the monster down for good. He's gone, forever." Still, the dark and pensive look on his face suggests hard thoughts. "I used him, but - maybe I paid him back by bringing him a little peace." A shudder ripples through him.

Dirk fishes in his pocket for a match and strikes it off the edge of the table. He lifts the flame to pull it into his pipe, whiskers twitching and flame leaping as he puffs a hearty glow alight. He regards his friend with deep, heartfelt sympathy as he snaps out the match, puffing a billow of sweet cherry pipe smoke into the air. "A sword's just a tool," he says. "What matters is the hand that wields it. It's the hand that does the work, right? So long as the hand is true, then it dinnae matter what tool it holds. It'll still do good work." His smile warms as his fresh mug is brought to him, and he takes ahold of his pipe so he can lift it towards Dolan. "Here's fer good work. May it enrich our hearts an' strengthen our souls," he says, before tipping back a long swallow. He sets his mug aside and leans forward a bit, regarding Dolan earnestly. "I meant it, though. If there's some sort o' way we can help yer shoulder recover, then we'll find it. This should be pease porridge compared tae some o' the shit we've had tae put up with so far, nay?"

"To good work, and good friends." Dolan nods and pays the server, then lifts his own freshly-filled mug in response as she wanders away. He takes a good, long swallow, then remarks, "You're a good man, Dirk Stormgrip." He tilts his head, pondering the words, then. "They tried magic," he says simply. "Zeke says that there's only so much the magic can do. The brace helps, though. I'll know when a storm's a-blowing in for the rest of my life, that's for sure." A quiet laugh, and a look at the leather cuff that encases the sore shoulder. "Nothing wrong with my wits, though, and I daresay I learned a thing or two that I can use. Just don't go thinking I can't fight. Dunno if there's anything to be done about the shoulder. They think if I can strengthen it enough, it'll hold."

He abruptly switches tacks, then, and takes a drink of his ale, then sets the mug aside. "Speaking of quests, I meant to ask you, since you are here. How do you feel about going back to Quelynos?"

Dirk settles back in his seat, a warm smile creasing his sun-baked features that makes his eyes twinkle with kindly mirth. "I can only do my best," he says in answer to Dolan's compliment. "If I can leave the world better than when I found it, then I've done right by me mum an' dad, by Gilead, an' the Blessed Lady." He draws a steady pull from his pipe, puffing a couple lazy smoke rings as he gives himself a lazy stretch. "Well, where magic cannae help, maybe science can," he says. "Though gods know I'm about the last one who'd know anything 'bout that sort o' thing. Still, I've seen some o' the magitek limbs folks have. They're quite clever. But aye, keep workin' on it. Keep yer strength up. You tallfolk are nearly as tough as khazad, in yer way. Suppose that's why our peoples have always gotten along so well."

The switch in topics has the old snowbeard blinking owlishly. "Back tae Quelynos...?" He puffs thoughtfully for a moment, his brows furrowing in contemplation. "Well, I suppose I wouldnae mind it," he says. "Although it was -damned- odd, wasn't it? Spendin' all those days an' nights there, then gettin' back tae Alex only three hours after we left. Ergh." He shivers a little. "At least we dinnae wind up goin' -back- in time. Knowin' my luck, I'd come out the other end a wee little beardling again." He looks back to Dolan, headtilting curiously. "What's the action, then? I cannae imagine it's just tae take high tea wi' the faerie court."

Dolan shakes his head, immediately and forcefully. "No, Dirk. I'm not replacing it with artifice. I've got enough trouble with _this_." He taps the right side of his face at the corner of his cheekbone near the golden-colored eye. His lips quirk in a smile to suggest no hard feelings for the refusal, and widens at the image of Dirk as a khazad kid. "I can't picture you as a beardling, so probably for the best. No, you remember the mountain in the distance where we were? When I asked the Knight to show me magic, before the eye went wild, I noticed that Tanith, and that mountain, looked completely the same magically. Same signature. Came to find out that Tanith is a divine servant of Eluna. That tells me that that mountain is probably tied to Eluna as well. If that's true, we should find out what's there, because those furry little bastards have more on their minds than howling at the moon. They've been after anything related to Her. Remember Phyrelia?"

Dirk nods his head. "Fair enough, laddie," he says. "It was only a thought. You know yer road best. I'm just here tae walk it wi' ye." He tips back another swallow of his beer, letting his memories wander back to that dream-like time he spent in the faerie realm. Hearing that Tanith is actually a servant of the moon goddess has the old ranger's eyes widening a bit. "Wee Tanith? A herald of Eluna? Are ye tuggin' my beard?" he asks incredulously. He boggles a bit, then shakes his head with an amused chortle. "Och, that explains -so- bloody much. I still remember goin' sea-divin' lookin' fer fish for 'er tae chow down on. Hah!" He drains his mug, setting the empty aside. The name, however, is unfamiliar. "Phyrelia... Phyrelia... I -think- I might've heard the name mentioned once, but... I dinnae thing I ever met 'er. Who is she?"

"Not a bit of it, Dirk, it's far too fine for pulling." Dolan's lone brown eye brightens with laughter at Dirk's reaction. "We found her after those furry little shits took a piece out of the moon on the lunar eclipse. She's probably part of Eluna too, and they were after her. If that mountain's tied to Eluna, and I'm just about sure it is, I want to find out more about it. Are you up for it?"

He leans back in his chair, taking a long pull of his ale, then setting it down again. "Whether you decide to or not, just know you're the damned finest friend a man could ask for."

Dirk puffs at his pipe, shaking his head with a rumble of laughter. "D'aww. Makes me feel twenty foot tall tae hear ye say that, laddie," he says. "An' o' course I'll go wi' ye. Eluna's good chums wi' the Green Word, after all. I'm happy tae help, however I can. An' if it's a mountain, well, ye'll be wantin' a dwarf wi' ye, I'll warrant!" He puffs up his burly chest with a broad grin. "Just say when an' where, lad. I'll be there wi' bells on."

Dolan's smile broadens at the acceptance, until it has bloomed into his usual cheeky grin, bringing a level of joy back to his features that hasn't often been seen since he was rescued. "I always want a dwarf at my back, Dirk. I don't know about the bells, though. Armor's loud enough, yeah?"

The server drops by again, peering at drink levels, and bustles away once she has assessed drink needs. The inquisitor doesn't need anything at the moment, and he shakes his head at her, then turns back to Dirk, some of that smile fading. "Mostly I'm okay," he admits, his features falling. "There's a few things that just kind of take me back, yeah?" He opens his mouth to say something else, and - shudders, gripping the edge of the table hard enough to hurt, eyes gone glassy.

Dirk chuckles softly at that. "True talk, laddie, true talk," he says. "Suppose me mythril armor will do well enough." He waves off the server with a smile. "Thanks, lass, I'm good fer now." He turns back to Dolan. As his friend starts to fade out, a look of quiet worry fills the old dwarf's features. He leans over and rests his hand over Dolan's forearm. "Dolan. -Dolan-," he says, giving him a gentle shake. "Look at me, laddie. We're right here. We're havin' a few pints, right? Yer nae -there-. He's gone, right? He cannae hurt ye anymore. You an' Andie locked the door on 'im." He gives another shake. "C'mon, Dolan, come back to me," he urges softly.

Oddly enough, it's the shake that brings Dolan out of it, and he gasps, sucking in a breath and looking around him wildly. Oh. Right. Fernwood. Pints. Ale. Yeah, ale is good. He reaches for the mug, splashes just a little on his face, wipes it away, breathing hard. "_Damn it,_" he gasps, still clutching at the edge of the table. "It's not just him, Dirk. That ain't the first time I've been in chains." Something is still haunted behind the lone brown eye, and he sets the mug aside, still smelling faintly of ale and burying his face in his hands. "I've got to get a grip on myself."

Dirk has a heart the size of the mountains that birthed him and the woods that shelter him. He sets his pipe aside and hops to his feet, stumping over to put an arm around Dolan's shoulders. "Shh, easy now, laddie, easy," he rumbles soothingly. "I know there's nothin' I can say or do that can take away the pain o' what happened to ye. But I'm here. I'll always be here. An' so will Andie." He gives his friend a pat on the shoulder, smiling warmly at him. "It's a rare thing, the two of ye have. I had love like that once. An' although she's gone... part of us will live forever. Because I believe that love is immortal. It can do so much more than move mountains. On the First Day, it birthed suns. It gave shape to our world. It made the good, solid earth an' the green growin' things. An' it brought us all together." He gives Dolan another pat on the shoulder. "Everything is goin' tae be all right, laddie. I cannae tell ye where our road will lead us. But I do know this. Tomorrow, the sun will rise. The rains will pass. We will be blessed wi' another beautiful day."

The burly arm around his shoulders can feel the tension in Dolan's shoulders at his touch, and he doesn't answer right away. Whether Dirk's words help is hard to tell, but he breathes more deeply as time goes on. There's a relief in finding help, real help, from an unlooked-for source. "I just have to take it one day a time, Dirk. I told you, some days are better than others." He doesn't shake the arm away, and eventually drops the arms onto the table, taking his hands away from his face to reveal eyes pricked with tears. He lets out a hard breath. "I can't worry about the road ahead, Dirk. I've got to take it one day at a time."

Dirk's smile never falters. He simply nods his head. "That's all anyone can do, lad," he says. "The past we cannot change. The future we cannot know. But today is ours. An' we can do anything we set our hearts to." He gives Dolan one last solid squeeze (but not -too- solid, he's mindful of his friend's injuries), before turning him loose. "Even if the forest should burn, it'll grow back new an' clean. Fresher an' stronger than it ever was afore. So stand up proud on the days that ye can, lad. Ye've earned yeself a bit o' pride." He goes to sit himself back down, picking his pipe back up. He's still keeping an eye on Dolan, but he's not hovering. He figures his friend has had plenty of that these days past.

There's just something about that stolid, cheery stance, and something about the simple wisdom in those words, that strikes Dolan to the core, leaving him to think in silence as Dirk sits back down and returns to his pipe. "Might take a little time, but yeah. Even if the crops burn, they come back next season. Cut a forest away and it grows back. Guess we're kind of the same, yeah?" Finally, his hands on the table relax, and although the elbows remain, he stares at the table a little longer, he breathes a little more deeply.

"Pride isn't going to help us kick those furry bastards' asses," he chuckles despite himself. "We got one. We got damn close to having a second. We need to take out Zinskas. We ran out of time."

Dirk lifts his pipe, puffing steadily to rekindle the embers in the bowl. "Mmh," he says, nodding his head as he puffs a fresh billow of smoke. "An' here I thought Zalgiman was a bad egg. This Zinskas chuff makes wee Zalgie seem like a schoolyard bully, don't he?" He harrumphs, picking up his mug and draining the dregs from it. "Well. We got one over on -him- though. Snatched the totem right out from under 'is beady wee little eyes. Wonder how he explained -that- one tae Caracoroth?" He can't help but grin. "Oh, tae be a fly on -that- wall, eh?"

A chuckle at the image escapes Dolan despite himself. "He is the only one of the bunch who's actually loyal to the Maw. Take him out and the whole damned thing collapses." He keeps his voice low, letting the chatter of the room cover the words, and drains his own mug. His nose and cheeks are beginning to color, suggesting that he's had a few already before Dirk got there. "I'd pay to be a fly on that wall, for sure. Deal with his buddies, too."

Dirk nods his head, grinning around his pipe. "He's got his comin', laddie. Don't you fret. Now that we're learnin' how tae use the totems, his days are numbered. An' Caracoroth can just sit in Time Out fer a good while longer." He looks over his shoulder and lifts his mug, signalling for a refill. "So when are we headed back out tae Quelynos?" he asks. "We goin' tae get Cor'lana tae come with? She might be handy tae have along. She knows the fae like nobody's business." He grunts a bit, wrinkling his nose. "An' since I -know- that's where we're goin', I can make sure an' leave me cold iron shot home this time. Last thing anyone needs is a pissed off faerie on their arse. I'm lucky I dinnae wind up wi' a purple beard, or flowers sproutin' out me ears!"

"Or a purple beard sprouting out of your ears," Dolan counters with a heartier laugh. "Yeah, Lana said she'd come. Andie can't stand the fae or anything to do with them, so she said she'd stay home and feed the kittens while I'm gone. I suppose Tel will too. Haven't asked Verna, but Magpie might be up for it. Get her away from that book. There's worse things than a purple beard sprouting out of your ears."

Dirk laughs deeply at that. "Och, wouldn't -that- be shocking! I'd look like one o' those wee little treasure-troll dolls they sell it the market!" he says. "Just stick a gemstone in me belly-button an' I'd be all set! Hah!" He tips back another swallow of beer. "Och, what sort o' book is Magpie readin' that's worse than purple beard-ears?" he wonders, boggling a bit at Dolan. This is news to him.

Again, the refill comes around, and this time, Dolan pushes his mug to the server for a refill, laughing heartily himself, but the laughter fades. "Damn thing's got a spell on it," he explains. "It's a conduit to the lower planes. Information, how to summon, all of that. For a lot of shit. Shit I can't touch. I swore oaths not to touch that shit. She shouldn't either, but -" He sighs, heavily. "All I can do is keep tabs on her."

Dirk's eyes get wide at that. "Wait a tick. -Magpie-? Dealin' wi' the Dark Powers? Beards o' me fathers, how did -that- happen? She lose a bet or what?" He frowns a bit, chomping the bit of his pipe as he harrumphs. "Nae good'll come o' -that- sort o' bullshit, mark me." He takes his pipe from his mouth and points at Dolan with the stem. "That's wise. Keep clear o' that. Ye've got plenty tae deal with. Let me handle Magpie. Maybe she'll pay some heed tae a fellow shortstack."

"Next time a gnome's got any gods-be-damned sense'll be the first, Dirk." Dolan hands coin over to the server, and directs her to fill Dirk's mug as well, paying for both. "Don't I just know it. I fucking _know_ better, and I don't need no oaths to tell me just how fucking dangerous fiends are." He shakes his head. "Problem is, it might have what we need to find V."

Dirk nods his thanks to the server as his mug gets refilled, then turns his attention back to Dolan. "Nothin' doin', laddie. That's how they get ye," he says. "They dangle what ye want most desperately in front o' yer nose. All the better if they can make it summat ye feel like ye cannae live without. An' then... they put their filthy claws in ye, an' yer lost." He shakes his head, picking up his mug and tipping back a lengthy gulp. "Hell. Ye need someone found? I'm yer dwarf. I can track anyone, anywhere." He pauses. "Well. Not -anywhere- anywhere. But close enough, I'll warrant."

"Yeah. You're dead on." The ranger is right, and Dolan damn well knows it. "I can find it in other ways. I'd gotten a start when all this shit happens." The drink is loosening Dolan's tongue, and he seems to be swearing a bit more. "V's a bit different, they're both demon and devil? I bet I have other ways. Wonder what their interest here is." Clearly, he doesn't wonder too hard. "Yeah. If you can keep tabs on her. Find out what she's up to. Tell me if I gotta stop her."

Dirk nods his head, reaching out to give Dolan's shoulder a squeeze. "We'll get through this, laddie, don't you fret," he says. "We have to." He leans in close, his tone becoming low and grave. "It's our -destiny-." He holds the expression for a moment before dissolving into rumbling laughter. "Hah! Och! That was -brilliant-!" He hefts his mug once again. "I'm a bloody prophet, I am! Hee hee hee!"

The hours will pass, and many more mugs of brew will be emptied. By the time the night is over, Dirk sports a rosy red flush to his large dwarven nose and plump cheeks. He'll bid Dolan a fond farewell and totter his way out into the night. Fortunately, his pony Thistle is still quite sober, and will have little trouble getting his master home. The night may be dark and full of terrors. But as long as there are heroes willing to do good work, then surely tomorrow must come. And perhaps it really will be a beautiful day. Tomorrow cannot be known. But it can always be hoped for.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-03-11T05:47:59Z

Seldan: /* March */

To Catch A Shark

2023-03-10T03:15:57Z

Seldan: Created page with "Shining Chalice meetinghouse, afternoon Rain patters down from the cloudy skies over Alexandria, the last cool fingers of winter on the city as the weather shifts inexorably to spring. Chilly and windy, but the snow is gone and the temperatures continue to steadily rise out of the icy depths. In a well-apportioned townhouse near the border between the university and noble districts, one of the brightest stars in the Shining Chalice is sipping tea as he works his way th..."

Shining Chalice meetinghouse, afternoon

Rain patters down from the cloudy skies over Alexandria, the last cool fingers of winter on the city as the weather shifts inexorably to spring. Chilly and windy, but the snow is gone and the temperatures continue to steadily rise out of the icy depths.

In a well-apportioned townhouse near the border between the university and noble districts, one of the brightest stars in the Shining Chalice is sipping tea as he works his way through the monthly paperwork. Telamon picks up the next missive, examining it, and nods before signing off on the signature line. Picking up a stamp, he presses a seal in at the bottom, before setting it aside to cool. "Sloan may be a good butler, but we should've hired an accountant," he grumbles to himself. At least the surroundings are warm and friendly, with the fireplace stoked and the mage-lights glowing softly.

There's a rap on the door, followed closely by an opening. The figure that steps through looks like nothing so much as a drowned rat, for having clearly been out in the rain for some time despite sturdy travelers' cloak over his usual outfit. Collar-length brown hair is more than a little damp at the edges and front of the roots, and the shirt beneath the sheepskin jacket is damp and cold, as if the water had _just_ started seeping in. The boots are fairly well soaked, and he smells of damp leather and rain.

The frown he wears, though, is more telling. Dolan is _not_ a happy bunny, tension written in his mouth and remaining eye, left arm in its leather cuff held close against him. The gaze is still sharp, though, focused, present, and determined.

One he's stepped through the door, he looks around him, keenly, but one thing is clear - something isn't right.

The sorcerer glances up, his brows coming together in confusion as he rises from his seat at the office desk. Stepping out, Telamon blinks. "Dolan! What're you doing here -- well, enough questions. Come in, come in..."

Tel has his flaws, but he's a gracious host. A warm towel is offered, and then Dolan is escorted into the parlor and seated next to the fire. Swiftly, Telamon returns with two mugs and a kettle, pouring some hot tea. "You look like you swam here, my friend." Studying the man's face, he takes a seat as well. "And there's something on your mind."

Dolan gratefully accepts, laying cloak and boots aside to dry by the fire and using the towel to handle the rest of the dampness. "Brightest of days, Telamon," he replies, a smile creeping onto his face despite himself. "Glad I found you. I've got a problem. Perhaps you're minded to chase a loan shark with me?" He takes the tea in both hands, letting the warmth of the fire wash over him and carefully flexing the left shoulder in its cuff. Just a little.

Once he has settled, he sets the teacup on the edge of the hearth and fishes in the pack that had been beneath his twin cloaks. It does not take him long to produce a letter, which he hands to Telamon to read.

The letter reads -

Brydion,

It has been a long while since I wrote to you, but mother and father tell me you've been very busy. Seems they've had their fair share of troubles too. They mentioned to me something about demons at the farm? It all seems so extraordinary. We are just simple folks after all. What could demons want with us? It seems to be settling down now though. But you are probably wondering why I am writing you. It's about the farm. Turns out that thanks to the weights coming in and the demons that mother and father had to take out a loan on the farm. Enough money that they had to ask me and our other brother for some money to help pay it off.

Normally I would not write you for just that, but it seems that the person that they got the loan from is not your usual individual, and the loan they took out was more sizable than they originally indicated. Brydon, they sent people out to threaten mother and father. It does not sit well with me, and if I know you at all it will not sit well with you either. The fellow who owns the loan is called Mortin, and he is based out of Alexandria. Just in case you feel like looking him up and breaking a knee for me.

Sincerely yours,

Joffrey

Telamon raises an eyebrow. "A loan shark? How on Ea did you get involved with one of those?" His starry eyes watch the way Dolan handles his arm, but he says nothing. Instead, he takes the letter, and begins to read silently. His brows come together as he works his way through it, his expression darkening a bit. "Hmph." He lowers the letter, looking at Dolan.

"Well, this will be interesting. Most loans are handled by reputable bankers. There's -rules- about 'sharking' or 'tusk-thieving'." He glances back at the letter. "The debt may have been bought up by someone, though, with ... fewer scruples. It's not unheard of. But..." His eyes meet Dolan's. "You don't think this is just bad luck or happenstance, do you?"

"Not in a thousand years, Tel." Dolan's reply doesn't hesitate. "The demons they're talking about were sent by V. It's the same demons that went after the totems, the shadows, yeah? They were threatening my parents and the farm when I got there. Bet me it's either Zinskas or Seraquoix, and the money they're extorting is funding this war of theirs." His words are clipped, crisp, and hold zero doubt, and he picks up his teacup again, cradling it between his chilled hands and using it to warm them. "I haven't forgotten about the bullshit Andie's mother put me and them through, either, and that's not resolved yet."

Telamon grins tightly. "Same here. Happenstance and serendipity can be a thing, but this seems convenient. And we know those bastards are playing the money game too." He takes a sip from his teacup. "Interesting. Do we know anything about this 'Mortin' fellow? The name doesn't ring any bells."

He considers. "If we knock over this Mortin fellow, get our hands on his books, we could do a lot of good for people caught up by him as well as kick Zinskas and Seraquoix right in the tackle."

"I like the way you think, Tel. Maybe it'll lead us to anyone backing them, as well." Between a warm fire, tea, and the suggestion, Dolan's mood is improving already. "I haven't heard the name, but asking around a little should net me something. I can find out. if it _is_ a puppet of Zinskas and Seraquoix, chances are he's a furball, too, and probably not by choice. Get him to the Temple of Eluna, and he just might sing for us."

"From prior experience, we'll want to strip him to his smalls," Telamon warns. "I was present at an interrogation of one of those werewolves, and someone, or something, tried to compel the poor bastard to kill himself. With a tincture of silver and wolfsbane." He winces. "It was a near thing."

"I wonder who else he's squeezing? No offense, Dolan, but I can't buy that he's -just- bothering your parents. I bet he's bought up these debts to funnel money, strongarmed from people nominally productive but in a tight spot." Tel shrugs. "Ah well. We'll find up when we turn him upside down and shake him like a dirty rug."

"None taken, Tel. You're right of course, and the reminder makes it all the sweeter." Dolan takes another sip of tea, hesitates with the cup in one hand, then holds it in both. "Both who else they're shaking down, and who else is backing them. Let's learn as much as we can. Some rope might be good, too, just in case we have to tie one of these bastards up."

Telamon snorts. "Rope? Oh no. I think we can afford a set of nice heavy shackles. Even a werewolf might be inconvenienced if he's shackled hand and foot with iron chains." He taps his fingertips against his teacup, before reaching over and refilling Dolan's, then his own. "And with spring here... you've got my mind moving in certain ways. Some way to help your parents -- and other farmers -- get their footing back."

The suggestion that Telamon makes is enough for Dolan to suck in a breath. He holds out the tea to be refilled, absently, but sets the cup back on the hearth for a minute, instead rubbing none-too-gently at the shoulder in its leather cuff. He seems to be struggling in some way, clawing for words, but finally manages, "Yeah. Farmers, and other people. All those people kidnapped. Taken. Changed. Let's find the people responsible." He sounds - choked, but after another minute, picks up his teacup, breathing deeply from it, inhaling the aroma. "Put a sword in these bastards."

Telamon smiles. It's a funny little smile -- understanding, but there's something in his eyes, mischievous. Almost... fey. Oh dear, Lana really is rubbing off on him. "Absolutely. First step is definitely tracking 'Mortin' down. Let's put some feelers out, spend a little silver. Nobody really likes a loan shark; I'm pretty sure someone doesn't like him enough to talk to us."

Dolan takes another long, slow pull of his tea, thinking about Telamon's words, eyeing the man thoughtfully. "Lana's rubbing off on you, my friend. Or is it Grandfather? Never mind. I'll work the lower circles, if you'll work the upper ones. A man like that makes enemies. Let's see what we can find. Keep it quiet, for now?"

Telamon nods firmly. "Let's not cause him to rabbit just yet. Even if fleeing would take these people out from under his thumb, we need to roll him -and- his friends in town up." He rubs his chin, and his eyes sparkle. "Probably my wife. But don't worry. First we catch Mortin. I'll pass word to that fellow who looked into Zalgiman's finances. Maybe he can turn over some stones as well."

"Done. I hadn't thought of this when I first read the letter, but you've got the right of this. It's not just about one - it's about all of the people that are being strongarmed," Dolan murmurs thoughtfully into his teacup. "Let's go get ourselves a loan shark - without the chains. No need to torture people." A shudder ripples through him.

Telamon winces. "I'm sorry, Dolan. I should've thought of that first. Rope it is." He takes a sip of his tea, and changes tacks. "Did you get the chance to brief those two fellows -- Jacob, and -- Ous? -- about the totems? We need all the help we can muster, but... neither is particularly well known or well experienced from what I've heard."

"I haven't seen then since. I'll brief them and make sure Ous attunes that one. He might not know." Dolan seems quite mollified by the apology, and sets aside the teacup. "What did you make of those two, and of the sith-makar Verna brought with him?" He turns the talk then to other things, allowing tea and fire and good company to assuage his worries, at least for the moment. Eventually he'll need to go back out in the rain, but he's in no hurry.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-03-10T03:15:29Z

Seldan: /* March */

Recent Logs

2023-03-10T03:15:10Z

Seldan: /* March */

Once Called Home

2023-02-28T05:02:49Z

Seldan:

The sun is setting in the west, and the wind outside is strengthening and growing colder, vermilion clouds scudding across the sky between patches of paling blue. The chill is still present inside the Temple of Eluna, but its usual peace and quiet is broken by what appears to be a relatively small conference of two or three white-cloaked figures, deep in conversation with a single armored figure on the steps that lead down to the clear pool before the altar. The conversation is peaceful and low in tone, out of respect for those meditating or conversing with other Seers on other topics nearby.

One of the people in this huddled conversation is the High Seeress herself Aki. She nods to the other priests gathered and looks at the armored individual. "Be at peace Silverguard. We support you in your endeavors."

Zeke, sighs and looking quite weary looks around the temple. It doesn't take him long to spot the group of priests and the armored one in their midst. Curiosity draws him closer, but not close enough to over-hear. It's not his place to intervene in such goings-on.

The armored figure, bright-haired, his armor toned down, but with all of his usual trappings in place, seems - absolutely stunned, although not in a bad way. His eyes lower, and he stares at the steps and down into the pool below, as if they might offer him the words to say. Nothing is forthcoming, not for a long time. "I-" he starts, then shakes his head. His back is to the door, and to Zeke, but the sith-makar will for once have no trouble reading confusion and disbelief. "You break with Llyranost in this?"

Aki nods once firmly, her eyes holding just the faintest edge of steel. "We do not condone slavery of any kind. Did you think yourself alone Silverguard? You should have more faith in those who serve our Goddess at your side." Yet her voice is gentle, holding no venom or harshness what-so-ever.

Zeke's eyes meet Seldan and he nods his head low to the other man. There's confusion in his green eyes to match Seldan's. He's far enough away that he can only catch the barest edge of what's being said, but Seldan's confusion is enough to warrant his own.

Seldan glances back at Zeke, and he quickly turns his eyes away, back to Aki and the others, then lowering them to the floor. It is quite obvious to anyone who can hear the conversation that that is precisely what Seldan had thought, for he meets no eyes, but the set of shoulders tells all - a thing unusual for the usually poised and reserved Silverguard. "Many here hail from Llyranost," is all he says in his hesitant response.

"Those who serve Eluna know loyalty to Her first, and nation second Silverguard. Those that do not are welcome to return to the lives they knew before Her grace." Aki says even more firmly. "So says our Goddess, and so says I; for who are we to question Her?"

Zeke waits patiently for Seldan, eyes roaming over the gathering.

Knowing full well that it is exactly as the High Priestess says, Seldan has no more words, and simply remains, staring into the pool below, entirely lost for words. Can he really trust the Temple? This is the answer he sought, and yet a whisper tells him not to trust, that he needs to protect himself, that there is another agenda here. So his mind whispers things that his heart knows full well are wrong. If what The High Seeress says is true - and he has no reason to doubt her - then he has been wrong this whole time.

The Seeress moves forward, touching Seldan on the shoulder. "I might not be able to see your face Seldan, but the Goddess tells me that your heart has grown hard. That you trust less and less with each passing day. Know that some stand at your side truly. Without expectation or judgement. Even as your kin does. She bids me remind you this."

Those words to Seldan are a dire warning indeed, and he draws a deep breath, then exhales it. Somehow, in that moment, he takes on the mien of a little boy being admonished, although not with the tension that might come with a true scolding. What is there to say to that? Reflexively, the paladin considers multiple responses, and in the end says none of them, instead nodding. "Your message is understood, High Seeress. I shall mend my ways, and seek such allies as I may." It is a reserved and careful response, of one accustomed to being admonished or lectured.

She smiles faintly as though amused at Seldan, and then draws him into a quick embrace. "She bids me give you that as well. For it seems you get few enough of them. We wish you the best in these trying times Silverguard." She moves backwards, motioning for the others to follow her. They disperse, leaving Seldan alone.

Once the priests have dispersed, Zeke heads toward his kin, watching them leave with surprise on his features. "What wasss that kin?" He asks curiously. "If you would ssshare wordsss..."

The embrace serves only to confuse Seldan further, and he looks after the group, sinking slowly down to sit not far from the pool's edge. He absently crosses his legs in a meditative pose, but before he can settle in, Zeke speaks up, and he looks up, pushing again that unruly lock of hair from his face and back across his hairline. "I - peace upon your nest, Zeke." He turns his gaze back towards the crystal-clear pool with its stars, careful not to disturb it. "Allies un-looked for and unexpected," he answers. "I am not so unwelcome here as I thought myself. Am I truly so wary of others that I know not my allies when I see them?" He is careful not to use the word _friend_.

"Peasssce on your nessst kin." Zeke says warmly, looking down at Seldan with gentle eyes. His tail flicks behind him, back and forth slowly. "You have learned the lessson of looking for enemiess well Sseldan. Perhapsss... too well? It isss hard to ssay. It hasss kept you alive to be wary, sssso it isss no wrong or bad thing."

"Enemies, and false friends," Seldan replies quietly, eyes still on the pool, his tones low. "For both of those have I had in no short supply. Do I look into the face of an ally, or a friend, and see an enemy? Do I expect to be used? To be turned upon? To be chided and admonished as a child, when I am not who someone would have me be?" He rests both hands in his lap now.

"Do you?" Asks Zeke gently, lowering himself so that he is sitting on his haunches. It is not a position that he takes often, but he hates to loom over his kin if he can avoid it. "Thisss one would not blame you if it were ssso."

"It is in my mind that it is so," Seldan admits, eyes lowered, not quite looking at Zeke, and not really concerned with his kin's position, looming or not. "Many claim to care, and yet do they care mostly for their own concerns. There are those who have been otherwise, but-" _Not many,_ is left to hang unspoken. "Perhaps the greatest concern is whether I lose my way, in being wary of such." _That is most likely what the High Seeress was getting at,_ he decides.

"Lossse your way in what way?" Asks Zeke curiously, wondering what his kin means by that.

"That I stray from the Dreamer's path and forget the way of mercy. Grow hard and uncaring." Seldan explains, resting arms now on knees, his gaze remaining on the pool. "That she mentions it bids me be wary, and that shall I do."

Zeke offers his claws to his kin. A gesture that Seldan has offered to him a hundred times. One which he has offered back in trying times such as this one. "You will not lossse your way Ssseldan. Your heart isss not hard, merely shielded. Protected. Thisss one ssseesss your kindness in every day. Thisss one thinksss that ssshe meansss to reasssure you. That you are not alone. That you need not shield ssso tightly."

Surprised and touched by the gesture, Seldan reaches out, carefully, to take the scaled claws, resting callused hands gently on them, his eyes still lowered. They tremble just a little, but steady after a moment. "Whether that is so remains to be seen," he murmurs. "Alexandria would have me travel openly within the city. They assure me that teleportation and scrying are not possible within the walls, and that they shall trace me, do I vanish. It is so that one more visible is more readily determined missing, but to what benefit of the Council is it to aid me?"

He turns his head slightly aside. "Nay. It is not in my mind that their intentions are for my benefit. They wish to use me to posture against Llyranost. To brew, perhaps, a quarrel. Why else would they ally with the Mythwood? And yet -" Here, he sighs heavily, a sharp exhalation of breath. "Let us, then, put this support to the test," he murmurs. "For I have had my fill of hiding, and of running. Let them come for me, if they will. Let them take me, if they can. I shall leave in the care of the Temple funds enough to raise me, if that be the will of the Harpist and of the Dreamer. For I fear not the judgment of the Dreamer. High Seeress Aki is not wrong, that holding a soul against its will is anathema to Her teachings. Perhaps it is they who ought ware her judgment."

Zeke is entirely satisfied to sit there and hold Seldan's hands. Offer him grounding and let him talk. He nods seriously to the other man's words. There's pride in his eyes as he views his kin. "Thissss one thinkssss, that you are very brave Ssseldan. Thisss one isss proud to call you kin."

It is clear, from the uncertain and halting nature of the words at times, that Seldan is unused to being granted the freedom to speak his mind, or the space to do so without judgment or admonishment. "There is more that I shall do, that I shall not speak of here. Perhaps they will grant me the use of a cell, within the Temple, as they have done before. I shall see to that, on the morrow, but evensong shall be sung soon, and perhaps may I assuage their worries, do I sing here." For all his face, he quite clearly wants to sing here, as he has not done so in over a full turn of the seasons.

Zeke wags his tail. "You ssshould go Ssseldan. You belong here. You dessserve to be here." He leans forward and tilts his head slightly to bump the other man with his forehead. It's a gesture of affection usually reserved for close family, and he's very careful of his horns, but Seldan seems to need this. Deserve this. "Thisss one will go home. Thisss one will ssspeak to you sssoon."

As the two talk, other white-cloaked figures are beginning to drift in, by ones and twos, as the sun prepares to make its exit for the day. He lowers his head to accept the bump, surprised by the gesture, but he finally looks up, and something of the lost and confused expression has resolved itself, replaced with a very small, but genuine smile. "As you will. If you return, you should do so now, that there be light enough to see you safely home. I shall return in good time."

With that, he gets to his feet, without leaning too heavily on Zeke's claws, and waits to see his kin out the door before turning back to the place he once called home.

[[Category:Logs]]

Once Called Home

2023-02-28T05:02:34Z

Seldan: Created page with "The sun is setting in the west, and the wind outside is strengthening and growing colder, vermilion clouds scudding across the sky between patches of paling blue. The chill is still present inside the Temple of Eluna, but its usual peace and quiet is broken by what appears to be a relatively small conference of two or three white-cloaked figures, deep in conversation with a single armored figure on the steps that lead down to the clear pool before the altar. The conversa..."

The sun is setting in the west, and the wind outside is strengthening and growing colder, vermilion clouds scudding across the sky between patches of paling blue. The chill is still present inside the Temple of Eluna, but its usual peace and quiet is broken by what appears to be a relatively small conference of two or three white-cloaked figures, deep in conversation with a single armored figure on the steps that lead down to the clear pool before the altar. The conversation is peaceful and low in tone, out of respect for those meditating or conversing with other Seers on other topics nearby.

Seldan has arrived.

Dolan has left.

One of the people in this huddled conversation is the High Seeress herself Aki. She nods to the other priests gathered and looks at the armored individual. "Be at peace Silverguard. We support you in your endeavors."

Zeke, sighs and looking quite weary looks around the temple. It doesn't take him long to spot the group of priests and the armored one in their midst. Curiosity draws him closer, but not close enough to over-hear. It's not his place to intervene in such goings-on.

The armored figure, bright-haired, his armor toned down, but with all of his usual trappings in place, seems - absolutely stunned, although not in a bad way. His eyes lower, and he stares at the steps and down into the pool below, as if they might offer him the words to say. Nothing is forthcoming, not for a long time. "I-" he starts, then shakes his head. His back is to the door, and to Zeke, but the sith-makar will for once have no trouble reading confusion and disbelief. "You break with Llyranost in this?"

Aki nods once firmly, her eyes holding just the faintest edge of steel. "We do not condone slavery of any kind. Did you think yourself alone Silverguard? You should have more faith in those who serve our Goddess at your side." Yet her voice is gentle, holding no venom or harshness what-so-ever.

Zeke's eyes meet Seldan and he nods his head low to the other man. There's confusion in his green eyes to match Seldan's. He's far enough away that he can only catch the barest edge of what's being said, but Seldan's confusion is enough to warrant his own.

Seldan glances back at Zeke, and he quickly turns his eyes away, back to Aki and the others, then lowering them to the floor. It is quite obvious to anyone who can hear the conversation that that is precisely what Seldan had thought, for he meets no eyes, but the set of shoulders tells all - a thing unusual for the usually poised and reserved Silverguard. "Many here hail from Llyranost," is all he says in his hesitant response.

"Those who serve Eluna know loyalty to Her first, and nation second Silverguard. Those that do not are welcome to return to the lives they knew before Her grace." Aki says even more firmly. "So says our Goddess, and so says I; for who are we to question Her?"

Zeke waits patiently for Seldan, eyes roaming over the gathering.

Knowing full well that it is exactly as the High Priestess says, Seldan has no more words, and simply remains, staring into the pool below, entirely lost for words. Can he really trust the Temple? This is the answer he sought, and yet a whisper tells him not to trust, that he needs to protect himself, that there is another agenda here. So his mind whispers things that his heart knows full well are wrong. If what The High Seeress says is true - and he has no reason to doubt her - then he has been wrong this whole time.

The Seeress moves forward, touching Seldan on the shoulder. "I might not be able to see your face Seldan, but the Goddess tells me that your heart has grown hard. That you trust less and less with each passing day. Know that some stand at your side truly. Without expectation or judgement. Even as your kin does. She bids me remind you this."

Those words to Seldan are a dire warning indeed, and he draws a deep breath, then exhales it. Somehow, in that moment, he takes on the mien of a little boy being admonished, although not with the tension that might come with a true scolding. What is there to say to that? Reflexively, the paladin considers multiple responses, and in the end says none of them, instead nodding. "Your message is understood, High Seeress. I shall mend my ways, and seek such allies as I may." It is a reserved and careful response, of one accustomed to being admonished or lectured.

She smiles faintly as though amused at Seldan, and then draws him into a quick embrace. "She bids me give you that as well. For it seems you get few enough of them. We wish you the best in these trying times Silverguard." She moves backwards, motioning for the others to follow her. They disperse, leaving Seldan alone.

Once the priests have dispersed, Zeke heads toward his kin, watching them leave with surprise on his features. "What wasss that kin?" He asks curiously. "If you would ssshare wordsss..."

The embrace serves only to confuse Seldan further, and he looks after the group, sinking slowly down to sit not far from the pool's edge. He absently crosses his legs in a meditative pose, but before he can settle in, Zeke speaks up, and he looks up, pushing again that unruly lock of hair from his face and back across his hairline. "I - peace upon your nest, Zeke." He turns his gaze back towards the crystal-clear pool with its stars, careful not to disturb it. "Allies un-looked for and unexpected," he answers. "I am not so unwelcome here as I thought myself. Am I truly so wary of others that I know not my allies when I see them?" He is careful not to use the word _friend_.

"Peasssce on your nessst kin." Zeke says warmly, looking down at Seldan with gentle eyes. His tail flicks behind him, back and forth slowly. "You have learned the lessson of looking for enemiess well Sseldan. Perhapsss... too well? It isss hard to ssay. It hasss kept you alive to be wary, sssso it isss no wrong or bad thing."

"Enemies, and false friends," Seldan replies quietly, eyes still on the pool, his tones low. "For both of those have I had in no short supply. Do I look into the face of an ally, or a friend, and see an enemy? Do I expect to be used? To be turned upon? To be chided and admonished as a child, when I am not who someone would have me be?" He rests both hands in his lap now.

"Do you?" Asks Zeke gently, lowering himself so that he is sitting on his haunches. It is not a position that he takes often, but he hates to loom over his kin if he can avoid it. "Thisss one would not blame you if it were ssso."

"It is in my mind that it is so," Seldan admits, eyes lowered, not quite looking at Zeke, and not really concerned with his kin's position, looming or not. "Many claim to care, and yet do they care mostly for their own concerns. There are those who have been otherwise, but-" _Not many,_ is left to hang unspoken. "Perhaps the greatest concern is whether I lose my way, in being wary of such." _That is most likely what the High Seeress was getting at,_ he decides.

"Lossse your way in what way?" Asks Zeke curiously, wondering what his kin means by that.

"That I stray from the Dreamer's path and forget the way of mercy. Grow hard and uncaring." Seldan explains, resting arms now on knees, his gaze remaining on the pool. "That she mentions it bids me be wary, and that shall I do."

Zeke offers his claws to his kin. A gesture that Seldan has offered to him a hundred times. One which he has offered back in trying times such as this one. "You will not lossse your way Ssseldan. Your heart isss not hard, merely shielded. Protected. Thisss one ssseesss your kindness in every day. Thisss one thinksss that ssshe meansss to reasssure you. That you are not alone. That you need not shield ssso tightly."

Surprised and touched by the gesture, Seldan reaches out, carefully, to take the scaled claws, resting callused hands gently on them, his eyes still lowered. They tremble just a little, but steady after a moment. "Whether that is so remains to be seen," he murmurs. "Alexandria would have me travel openly within the city. They assure me that teleportation and scrying are not possible within the walls, and that they shall trace me, do I vanish. It is so that one more visible is more readily determined missing, but to what benefit of the Council is it to aid me?"

He turns his head slightly aside. "Nay. It is not in my mind that their intentions are for my benefit. They wish to use me to posture against Llyranost. To brew, perhaps, a quarrel. Why else would they ally with the Mythwood? And yet -" Here, he sighs heavily, a sharp exhalation of breath. "Let us, then, put this support to the test," he murmurs. "For I have had my fill of hiding, and of running. Let them come for me, if they will. Let them take me, if they can. I shall leave in the care of the Temple funds enough to raise me, if that be the will of the Harpist and of the Dreamer. For I fear not the judgment of the Dreamer. High Seeress Aki is not wrong, that holding a soul against its will is anathema to Her teachings. Perhaps it is they who ought ware her judgment."

Zeke is entirely satisfied to sit there and hold Seldan's hands. Offer him grounding and let him talk. He nods seriously to the other man's words. There's pride in his eyes as he views his kin. "Thissss one thinkssss, that you are very brave Ssseldan. Thisss one isss proud to call you kin."

It is clear, from the uncertain and halting nature of the words at times, that Seldan is unused to being granted the freedom to speak his mind, or the space to do so without judgment or admonishment. "There is more that I shall do, that I shall not speak of here. Perhaps they will grant me the use of a cell, within the Temple, as they have done before. I shall see to that, on the morrow, but evensong shall be sung soon, and perhaps may I assuage their worries, do I sing here." For all his face, he quite clearly wants to sing here, as he has not done so in over a full turn of the seasons.

Zeke wags his tail. "You ssshould go Ssseldan. You belong here. You dessserve to be here." He leans forward and tilts his head slightly to bump the other man with his forehead. It's a gesture of affection usually reserved for close family, and he's very careful of his horns, but Seldan seems to need this. Deserve this. "Thisss one will go home. Thisss one will ssspeak to you sssoon."

As the two talk, other white-cloaked figures are beginning to drift in, by ones and twos, as the sun prepares to make its exit for the day. He lowers his head to accept the bump, surprised by the gesture, but he finally looks up, and something of the lost and confused expression has resolved itself, replaced with a very small, but genuine smile. "As you will. If you return, you should do so now, that there be light enough to see you safely home. I shall return in good time."

With that, he gets to his feet, without leaning too heavily on Zeke's claws, and waits to see his kin out the door before turning back to the place he once called home.

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-02-28T05:02:14Z

Seldan: /* February */

Sunshine, At Last

2023-02-27T02:06:37Z

Seldan: Created page with "At last, some remotely decent weather blesses Alexandria with calm, brilliant sunshine and no wind off the mountains to cut through one's clothing, and its people are taking full advantage. The Tornmawr sparkles in the sun, its swift flow wide now as it runs southbound towards the Inner Sea, the blue waters deceptively inviting. Nobody swims, though - it's far too cold for that. Most are content to picnic on the sun-dried rocks or simply to stroll the paths and enjoy a b..."

At last, some remotely decent weather blesses Alexandria with calm, brilliant sunshine and no wind off the mountains to cut through one's clothing, and its people are taking full advantage. The Tornmawr sparkles in the sun, its swift flow wide now as it runs southbound towards the Inner Sea, the blue waters deceptively inviting. Nobody swims, though - it's far too cold for that. Most are content to picnic on the sun-dried rocks or simply to stroll the paths and enjoy a brief respite from winter weather.

Among these is a man parked on one of the park benches in full sun, the ice mostly dried off of it, a large, plain-covered book in his lap. He is mostly wrapped in a sturdy traveler's cloak of a nondescript ashen-gray, but bulges beneath it suggest far more layers than that beneath, and while the left side of his face bears a relaxed, focus look, the right side bears very little expression at all, for the right side is a mass of furrowed, twisted, and melted flesh, a golden gem glinting in the sunlight from the center of a steel-and-bronze rings with arcane runes engraved into it where his right eye should be.

That the weather is, for once and for the moment, conducive to unhurried travel outdoors is made use of while such opportunity exists. As well, that the path along the river is pleasant, yet not so much so as to pull vast crowds, makes it a peaceful place for such activities. So it is that Verna... strolls. Her hood is doffed, either to signify a more casual present status or to absorb more of the sun's warmth. Gloved hands are clasped before her and, while she is aware enough of her immediate path, her thoughts and focus are likely elsewhere.

It's been a moment since there's been remotely decent weather during Jacob's time in Alexandria. The brilliant sunshine and lack of biting wind makes Jacob feel as though he were back in the Great Plains astride a mighty horse - for always shall the lands of the Phurai Dae call him home. Perhaps one day he will join the Horse Lords once more. Though as he walks through the park, he's wearing a cloak that falls to the ground, covering shades of red, gold, and grey and a bit of armor that rests over his torso and waist. His shield is strapped to his back and he lets his sun-kissed skin meet the warm embrace of the sun, long black hair coming down to his shoulders.

A stroll always did one well.

"Oh, hello there." He tells Verna, recognizing her as a smile comes to his face. "I trust you are well?" Though his gaze falls upon Dolan then. "Greetings and good morning."

Dolan's head lifts at once at the speaker so close, and his remaining flesh-and-blood eye blinks against the sunlight. At once, he sets a marker in the book on his lap, and closes it to reveal a title of "A Compilation of the Eternal". This he picks up and tucks into the small knapsack at his left ankle, a thing small enough that a book that size should not fit, but he seems to have no trouble doing so, and regards the newcomer thoughtfully. "Brightest of days," he offers, firmly closing up the knapsack and moving over to make room for others to sit. "I know I'd remember you if we'd met before," he adds with a sudden grin that spreads over the mobile half of his face and tugs at the scarred half. Dolan Donnelly."

The greeting draws Verna from her thoughts, head, eyes, and focus turning to Jacob. "Ah, good day to you. I am well enough." The man is recognized as recently familiar. "I trust you are, as well?"

It is only now, between both men's words, that she is fully aware of Dolan's presence. Her path alters slightly to bring her nearer the bench. "Good day to you, as well, Dolan. It is pleasing to see you under The Sun's light, and moreso for yourself to enjoy such, I presume?"

"You too, I would remember." Jacob says to Dolan, the man's appearance too distinctive and unmistakable. Hd stretches his hand towards the man with a smile on his face. "Jacob Ben-Hassid. A pleasure to meet you, Dolan." he happily introduces himself before his attention is drawn to Verna. "I am well, Serriel's blessings always provide good enough reason to see the good on even hard days." He chuckles. He looks at Dolan's book. "Studying the nature of the supernatural?"

"Yeah, that's no lie, for certain sure," Dolan replies to Verna, grinning up at her, although he makes no move to stand when he sees her. "The weather's been damned awful lately. His holy light is a blessing, and a welcome one. Brightest of days to you as well."

"Well met, Jacob." One arm snakes out from under the cloak to be offered as a handshake or armclasp, revealing a sheepskin-lined jacket or duster over a long-sleeved, woolen short with a high collar beneath. "And have been for a while," he assents, something of his grin going ragged around the edges. "Know your enemy and all that." The words are flippant, but the tone is not, and there is a sobriety hidden beneath it.

He turns, then, to Verna again. "Meant to ask you, when are we going back to the encampment" This is likely to be our last chance, if it's even still there. We'd better make good, yeah?"

"Promptly," Verna answers Dolan. "Plans were discussed and made. I am prepared, and others who would accompany also make their preparations, to my knowledge. The opportunity, and urgency, are not ignored." She falls quiet to consider further comment, perhaps, and shifts the topic slightly.

"I would make you aware that a potential fiend in the city was identified operating out of the docks. I suspect it is one of the wish-granters, but cannot be certain. Regardless of purpose, it cannot be permitted to remain. It may not be as urgent as the encampment, yet should be addressed."

Verna gestures a gloved hand to Jacob. "He was also present for the discover, as was Dirk and others, yet I wished to make you directly aware, given the possible nature."

Whatever that was all about, Verna's answer seems to mollify Dolan, because he just nods. "I'm going with you." The assertion is firm. "I'll go blind if I have to. I want to see for myself what's out there."

The news Verna offers, though, sends the lone remaining eyebrow streaking for his hairline, the other eyebrow ridge with its last remnants of hair following suit. "Yeah? Another wish demon on the docks?" He scowls, not a nice expression on the already twisted features. "By the Light, I'm going to track down whoever is calling these damned things and kick their asses so hard they'll need to pull on their shoes using their eyebrows."

Jacob nods softly to Verna. "That I was. Yet, considering the nature of it, it's an issue that should be solved as quickly as we can manage." He smirks a bit. "Though, I would like to come along on that quest, should it be decided to be pursued." As a Cleric, he has no desire whatsoever to allow a fiend - especially one who causes harm to the populace - to continue. All the same, he looks at Dolan and shakes his had firmly.

"Then we are of like minds." Regarding the supernatural. "Though I suspect our motives may yet differ." Though he tilts his head. "Encampment?" He turns to look at Dolan. "Could be a wish demon. Could be a demon who preys and feeds on the mind. and that....is quite an image."

Verna simply nods to Dolan. No rebuttal is offered at his insistence, though she does note, "We have viewed the camp, itself. We need not return to it via the cave." following that, she informs, "We will be swift and unnoticed. There are other caves at the perimeter, and proof that their clergy, leadership, reside within. I strongly expect what we seek lies within one or more of these." She turns to Jacob and considers he and his question before nodding. "Yes, an encampment."

"Make no mistake, Jacob. We'll pursue it, all right. There are both kinds around, plus the shadow demons." Dolan's lips, both sides set into a thin line that quirks at the commentary on his choice of expression. Verna's information gets a mute nods that suggests that he is unsurprised by the information. "Good enough. Yeah, that encampment is quite a story, and I've got a feeling it's related to these fiends, but I don't yet know how."

The matter of the demons, however, has his greater focus, and he returns to that, dropping his hand and tucking it back inside the cloak in the way of one who is cold despite bright sunshine. He leans back into the bench, looping his right arm over the back of the bench, and turns his head so that he can see both of them. "Don't know," he remarks casually of the motives question. "What's yours?"

"Shadow demons as well. I'm beginning to think they are planning a sudden takeover." Jacob remarks with a bit of a chuckle. Oh, if he only knew the darkness that was at play. Eitehr that, or he's just amused and distraught. But he has his attention on Dolan for a moment, nodding. "I understand. If you would have me counted among your number, I would join you in investigating this encampment. I assume combat is expected, or are you simply observing and reporting?"

He turns his eyes towards Verna. "I see. Clergy? Perhaps this can be solved diplomatically?"

"No," Verna responds to Jacob, first, frowning. "My apologies that I hesitate to share explicit details in open air, yet I can state with some certainty that diplomacy is not an option. As well, our intent is clandestine action as we may well be outnumbered one-hundred to one."

Her frown deepens further. "The frequency and number of fiends involved in, interested in, or otherwise active in the vicinity of this city can be rather maddening. Your assistance in that matter would be most welcome. Any one of us can only divide our attention and time so far."

The look that Dolan favors Jacob with includes a small smile, and someone might as well have written the words ''oh if you only knew'' across his face. "Verna's right," he admits. "On all counts. We can definitely use help with the fiends. I've crossed a few of them, but it might be better if someone else handles that for a while. They're dangerous, don't get me wrong, but when it comes to fiends, that battle's won or lost before you ever draw your sword, and it's all about how much you know and how prepared you are. You're a whole lot more likely to win if you've done the legwork before you call one out."

"Good." Jacob remarks. "As much as I adore the act of diplomacy, I fear that there can be no negotiating with fiends and darker creatures of similar ilk." Jacob tells Verna then, but he seems to smile when she happily accepts his assistance. "Then I am happy to help you however way you see fit for me to handle." He looks then towards Dolan. "Then I best return my eyes to my holy books and prepare certan divine magicks. Even so, I serve Serriel's work in beating back these shadows." He nods softly. "Besides, more brains put together is better than fewer."

"We, and the city in general," Verna expands to encourage Jacob, "welcome aid in many ways, many varieties, in whatever form such can be provided. There is no shortage of needs. In my experience, this city bears, to quote the vernacular... never a dull moment. It is always best to be prepared and mindful."

Dolan reaches one arm beneath the cloak to rub at the opposite shoulder, or at least press on it? It is hard to tell what, precisely, he is doing. "Like she said. Everything isn't awful, but it's smart to be ready for anything. The problem is that just getting rid of the fiends isn't doing us any good. Someone's summoning them, and whoever they are, they're outside the walls. The city's warded, you can't summon or teleport inside the city gates. So these demons are being summoned outside the gates and walking in looking like normal humans."

"Prepared and mindfull I shall be." Jacob remarks to Verna with a happy smile on his face. "Besides, if there were a dull moment, would any of us be in this city?" he grins in a cheeky fashion, clearly a joke, before he turns to look at Dolan. "Have you tried capturing a fiend and giving them to a wizard? I believe they hold magecraft enough to tear the thoughts from their mind to know who summoned them."

"Indeed. Their source must be located and removed," Verna concurs with all of their statements... or nearly so. Her brows lift with Jacob's suggestion to Dolan, then her eyes shift to Dolan and back to Jacob. "It is not an easy matter to capture a fiend, but should it be wished..." Her eyes return to Dolan, "I can recommend those who should hold the appropriate magical ability and might be daring and/or foolish enough to try. I much prefer that my thoughts and those of a fiend remain separated as they are at present."

"You're thinking about that wizard friend of Patch's, aren't you, Verna." Dolan doesn't seem to recall the name of this wizard. "Fiends are damned good at lying. They've been doing it for thousands of years. I wouldn't want to touch a demon's thoughts either, but maybe someone will. I wouldn't want to see them get loose, let alone twist the wizard, and they'd sure as sunrise try. It's how they operate."

His idea went about as well as expected with the other two. Jacob clears his throat. "Yes, that becomes a problem. But I doubt a demon - unless it was in the final throes of its life - would willingly give up that kind of information. It's just an idea. Not a good one, by the sounds of it. Perhaps we could simply trick a fiend and play it's own game against it?"

Verna lifts a hand, palm out, to Jacob in a staying motion. "The intent of the idea is sound, and the idea, itself, is not entirely infeasible. It is better to have inspiration and ideas, even if some are not ideal, than none at all. Should you have any further ideas, I welcome them."

To Dolan, she assures,"I shall keep you informed and included when we act on the encampment, and all else. For now, I must excuse myself. The respite from my duties ends and I must return to them."

"Just be careful," Dolan warns, as a cloud moves over the sun and dims it. "I should also go back to the Temple and find Andie, but just keep in mind that fiends have had thousands of years to perfect their games. Trying to beat one at it is damned risky. Same with deals. I'm not going to touch it." He hefts the haversack and sets it over his shoulder, standing to let the cloak fall around him.

Jacob seems to look at Verna long and hard for a moment. His eyes briefly widen, before they soften and warm. "Thank you, Verna." He mentions then, a chuckle touching his features. "I'm full of ideas and delighted to share them." Though as they both start to begin to wander and state their exits, Jacob nods softly to the pair of them. "Not a worry. And don't worry, Dolan. I'm always careful."

''Usually''.

He smiles at the pair of them and he lifts his hood over his head. "Until we meet again. Stay safe...and beware the night."

[[Category:Logs]]

Recent Logs

2023-02-27T02:04:02Z

Seldan: /* February */

The Hunter And the Hunted

2022-05-28T17:04:32Z

Seldan:

The evening has drawn on, and evensong is done. Having attended to his business here in Alexandria, Seldan finds himself running behind, and he strides now quickly for the northern gate, his gate near an all-out run. Knowing full well that he has likely missed the closing of the gate, he nonetheless makes haste in full if toned-down armor and armament. He does not seem to mind this time, but it does mean that he is far from silent.

That Seldan has returned isn't exactly a secret, of course, though he might notice that some people seem to just have a hard time noticing him. It's perhaps an after effect of carrying the Veil, or their favor. r

Soon, a figure is on its way towards him, however. Maybe they've been looking for him. Human, dressed nicely. He's clearly someone on official business, and given the wary looks around he's taking, uncomfortable and anxious.

"Sir Seldan," he offers, "I'm glad you've returned safely to us."

Seldan slows to a stop, a sheen on his forehead by the light of the manalamps indicating a run that is not short. Seeing the human figure, well-dressed, instantly has his attention, and he promptly and politely bows low. "Her light upon your path, my lord, but it is in my mind that you have the advantage of me. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" He stands straight and tall, a touch pillar-like, but his gaze level, sober, and open. And polite. Very polite.

"I am Lokas Tempy, humble servant of Lady Rawyn Telenil and representative of the Council and humble agent of the Guild."

He clears his throat, gently, "You've been difficult to find, perhaps more difficult than you realize. The Llyranessi are here and on the active search for you, even if they're not entirely sure who they're looking for. So far, we've been able to stall them considerably, but we need to know ourselves what's happened. There's been quite the political firestorm since the fall of the Veil."

_Ah._ Something in Seldan's shoulders relaxes, and that pillar-like look melts away as he bows again. "My time is yours, and I shall share as much as I know as is safe to speak of, Master Tempy, but it is in my mind that here is not the place for a conversation of such a nature. Can you recommend a better?" He pauses a moment and speaks a word in the sibilant sildanyari tongue, and his armor melts away beneath the robe into a simple shirt and trousers, with the same weapon belt and robe atop it.

"Yes, we'll go someplace quieter," he remarks, smiling.

"Wherever you're comfortable, truly. A man such as yourself has been through no end of traps by answering a stranger's behest. Lead the way." He gestures abroad.

"The Council has been playing a delaying game with the diplomatic delegation, but they're actively hunting for you. We need to know how we can back you. Tell us what you need."

"Very well." Seldan looks around gardens that are by now nearly deserted, and finally settles for a small alcove, away from the statues and the manalamps, a quiet corner of the garden. Perhaps less secluded than one might initially expect, but there is something to be said for traps from strangers.

Once he has settled on the bench, he begins. "I know not how this shall be spun, but the truth is that the Veil did not fall. The Veil of Llyranost is an intelligent being, and she chose to abandon Llyranost. Yes, I took her, at her behest, for to imprison an intelligent being, be they flesh or spirit, to serve one's own agenda is evil in the extreme."

He gestures that the official should sit as well. "She hid me, and that is why I was so difficult to find. Llyranost is in a pickle of its own making, Master Tempy. I have heard it described as spoilt children throwing a tantrum over the loss of a favorite blanket, and that image is not far from the truth."

"...oh boy," is the response from Lokas, shoulders slumping. This got a lot more complicated, it sounds like.

"...while any number of adventurers can be irresponsible or cavalier with doing what they 'think is right', we did not believe that this was one of those cases, no. Our efforts to help stabilize the area bought us some time, but the elves are ... displeased, to put it mildly, and they're howling for you and your allies to be placed in custody. We've declined. We have no interest in doing what they want. What this means, however, is that there's no clean or easy solution."

"No, there is not," Seldan agrees simply. "I did not expect that they would be pleased, but consider you this. You are aware of the warlord in Charn, are you not?" He does not bother to name the Griever, and holds up a hand. "It is well that he not be named, for he holds an artifact that allows him to see the truth of all that he looks at. My purpose is to stop him. With such an artifact in hand, subterfuge has no effect upon him, and he is both ruthless and evil in purging his ranks of any whose loyalty is false."

A deep breath, and he continues. "His intent is believed to be to conquer the world entire, and it may be that in abandoning Llyranost, she has given it a fighting chance. The Veil herself is formed of Eluna's will and Animus' spirit, and she is dying. She will not hold forever. Do they continue to hide behind her, until the world entire is conquered, and the spirit passes away, what chance to they then stand?"

"We've heard troubling omens from Charn, yes. So how do we help?"

That's his next question, of course. "The timing of the wights coming over the mountains couldn't be worse," he groans, putting a hand over his face.

Telamon has left.

Seldan's gaze remains sober, level, and serious. "Remind Llyranost that seeking revenge, or justice as they may choose to term it, will avail them naught," he answers simply. "For the Veil desired to leave them. She will not return as readily as they believe. Instead, they must now face the truth that is, that both Dragonier and Charn move, and do they focus on such pettiness as myself," here, there is a very small smile, "they will not survive. Instead, bid them stand with the peoples of Aeryth in facing the twin threats. The warlord is mine, and I shall aid you against the wights as I may."

"...they won't like hearing that," he remarks with a wry tone, "but it's the least we can do."

He rubs his face. "What did you do with the Veil? I get he sense it's not coming back, but..."

"As far as I can tell, Master Tempy, I am her vessel." It is interesting that Seldan continues to refer to the Veil, not as an _it_, but as a _her_. "She protects many souls right now, and I know not if she hears me, but-" His features suddenly take a far-off look.

_Can you hear me?_ he asks, inside his own mind, directed at her. _How shall I explain?_

There is no answer. Seems she's distracted -- but one can sense that he's still under their protection to some extent. Still, no answer... yet.

"I seer, this is ... hm."

He rubs his face. A lot. It's a lot.

Presently, Seldan shakes his head, and returns to the present, but does not seem displeased. "She does not answer, but she is yet there. I believe her to be distracted. I do not wish to waste your time, Master Tempy, and yet some of my tale may help you to mollify the llyranesi, or at the least, shame them into, at worst, merely returning whence they came, and at best, aiding you."

"I think we're well beyond 'mollification'," remarks Lokas Tempy with a sigh. "The Council will want to see you at some point. Just remember: we do have your back here. It's the least we can do. We'll keep running interference and slow things down as much as we can, but know that they are here and they ''are'' hunting you."

"I am at the Council's disposal, and I am grateful for the warning, and for the support," Seldan's eyes lower, and close, and he lets out a long breath. "I shall walk quietly, and remain here as little as I may. With that said - there is a thing that I would have the Council be aware of. One of the Guildmembers has a doppelganger within the city walls. This doppelganger is a demon servant of the destroyed Eclavdran. She stalks several people, and is not lightly to be trifled with. I can slay her here, but I would know how she got here at all. It may well be that Eclavdran yet has a cult of followers within the city walls."

He shakes his head quickly. "I cannot aid them, or stop her, if I am discovered, nor can I stop the Griever. I shall be wary, and scarce, but I would have a way that you might leave me a sign when the Council summons me."

"With t he wards, an impressive feat. I'm not familiar with the case, but I can look into it and see what's already known to us, and go from there."

He nods. Seldan asked, he'll try to help.

"Few are, and I myself learned of it less than a week past." Seldan, in turn, scrubs at his own face wearily. "You have my thanks, Master Tempy. In truth had I thought myself of little consequence and fewer in friends. I ask your, and the Council's, forgiveness for creating a difficult situation."

"...you did what you had to do," remarks Lorkas after a moments thought. "I think we're good here, for the moment. We'll have more questions. You may get a chance to confront the Delegation." He extends his hand over to him to shake.

Seldan reaches to take the hand, pauses a moment, and smiles apologetically as he pulls a gauntlet off and sets it aside before shaking the hand firmly. Although the rest of the apparent attire remains intact, the gauntlet is clear for what it is - a finely crafted thing of magic. "I shall be at your disposal, and if it is in the best interests of Alexandria that I be offered that opportunity, then I shall accept. For now, Her light upon your path."

[[Category:Logs]]