Chasing Pegasus and other Stratusberg tales

[Dracos]

Oct 06 19:10:26 <Kotono>   Thus the party continues on. A few puffs of breeze pass by them as they walk, going along and along and around a bend. You come to a small square room, a path straight ahead leading past it. However, a perfectly suspended globe of water floats in the room, perhaps 5 feet across.
Oct 06 19:11:04 <Knight>   Knight moves towards the water, reaching out to lightly touch it with a gauntleted hand.
Oct 06 19:11:27 *   Nikkolai stays behind, content to let others take the brunt of traps, if there are any.
Oct 06 19:11:54 <Kotono>   The water warbles and wurbles in the air! It shakes like a bowlful of jelly, vibrating without spilling a single drop.
Oct 06 19:12:10 <Nikkolai>   "Interesting."
Oct 06 19:12:26 <Knight>   "Is it? Should I collect some?" asks Knight, reaching for a waterskin.
Oct 06 19:12:48 <Nikkolai>   "Why not? Gelatinous water might come in handy."
Oct 06 19:12:51 *   Nikkolai shrugs.
Oct 06 19:12:59 *   Adail stands back in case of massive splashage.
Oct 06 19:13:15 <Knight>   "I can't really imagine how, but it's certainly odd," acknowledges Knight, attempting to jam some of the mixture into an empty container.
Oct 06 19:13:22 *   Eva looks around the room to see if anything explaining the strange globe of water is visible on the walls or floors.
Oct 06 19:13:51 *   Mari drifts forward. "Hey, let me try!" She hits the globe, somewhat harder than Knight had done, just to see what happens. (After Knight's done messing with it, of course.)
Oct 06 19:14:24 <Kotono>   The water is jammed into the container, filling it easily enough. After that, Mari hits the water! The water shakes harder, but nothing overt happens.
Oct 06 19:15:20 <Nikkolai>   "I wonder if one can swim in it..." Nikkolai walks up to the globe of water and attempts to stick his hand inside.
Oct 06 19:15:59 <Knight>   "It's not really big enough for swimming. I'm taller than it," comments Knight, who admittedly is taller than many things she encounters.
Oct 06 19:16:42 <Kotono>   Nikkolai sticks his hand inside. It's wet.
Oct 06 19:17:29 <Nikkolai>   "..." Nikkolai takes his hand back out after searching the inside for anything interesting.
Oct 06 19:17:38 *   Knight puts the skin away, and proceeds to head to the opposite end of the room.
Oct 06 19:17:57 <Kotono>   Nothing of note is withdrawn. The globe of water continues to float there.
Oct 06 19:18:33 <Nikkolai>   "Bah. Interesting, but useless." Nikkolai follows Knight.
Oct 06 19:18:34 <Eva>   "Maybe it's just a globe of water...  Sometimes decoration can be exotic like that."
Oct 06 19:19:17 *   Adail shrugs, having nothing to add about the water, and floats on after Knight.
Oct 06 19:20:22 <Kotono>   Thus you continue along. You come to a downward slope for a little bit, then a straight narrow pit, descending straight down. It's wide enough to fly down if you wish. Just past it is a door made of wind with a handle of solid gusts swirling in the same set pattern.
Oct 06 19:20:56 <Nikkolai>   "Downwards? Or forwards?"
Oct 06 19:21:08 <Mari>   "Depends. Which way is the wind blowing?"
Oct 06 19:21:09 *   Nikkolai doesn't particularly care either way.
Oct 06 19:21:32 <Adail>   "The door certainly looks interesting."
Oct 06 19:21:35 <Kotono>   The wind is blowing ahead, slamming into the door.
Oct 06 19:21:35 <Knight>   "Going down doesn't feel like a comfort," replies Knight, swooping over the pit and reaching for the door.
Oct 06 19:21:53 <Kotono>   The door sits in front of night. It looks like a door, as doors tend to. It can be presumably opened!
Oct 06 19:21:57 <Nikkolai>   "Fair enough. My immortal soul is in enough danger as it is."
Oct 06 19:22:07 <Mari>   "Forward it is," Mari agrees, floating after Knight.
Oct 06 19:22:08 *   Nikkolai follows Knight.
Oct 06 19:22:36 <Knight>   Knight attempts to open the door. "But if you die, won't it simply travel to an appropriate place of rest? It doesn't seem such a horrible fate for most," she comments.
Oct 06 19:22:59 <Mari>   "That depends on where the 'appropriate place' is."
Oct 06 19:23:15 <Kotono>   The door opens! Ahead of you lies the Plane of Air. It stretches out into infinity with it's clear, glowing skies.
Oct 06 19:23:34 *   Adail nods, "Indeed. Most who would travel to the lower realms upon death would prefer not to."
Oct 06 19:23:36 <Nikkolai>   "...didn't we just come from here?"
Oct 06 19:23:38 *   Eva floats behind them.  "This place has hardly seemed much to speak about danger...  confusion, definitely..but not danger.  hmm, It seems we found an exit..  Downward it is then?"
Oct 06 19:23:44 *   Nikkolai peers out the door.
Oct 06 19:23:52 <Knight>   "Yes, I think you'd call this an 'exit'," replies Knight, doing likewise.
Oct 06 19:23:55 <Mari>   "Yes, Nik. that's the point of a maze. You go in, you come out."
Oct 06 19:24:24 <Nikkolai>   "I was hoping for a more convenient exit." Nikkolai frowns in irritation. "Something closer to the city."
Oct 06 19:24:37 <Mari>   "Egads, we'll have to FLY some more."
Oct 06 19:25:03 *   Nikkolai brightens at the prospect. "Yes, there's that, isn't there?"
Oct 06 19:25:22 <Knight>   "I'm not sure all this flying is good for me. Will we be able to walk properly again afterwards? Since we aren't using our legs, I can only wonder if they won't suffer for it..."
Oct 06 19:26:05 <Nikkolai>   "Who cares? It's *flying*!" Nikkolai has an almost boyish grin on his face.
Oct 06 19:26:23 *   Mari looks around at the others. "I've had a diverting enough afternoon, anyway. Back to town now?"
Oct 06 19:26:27 *   Adail shrugs, "it might take a bit to get our land legs back, but I doubt it will cause any real harm."
Oct 06 19:27:05 <Eva>   Eva frowned slightly but shrugged. "I suppose so.  It was fun enough.  And you won't lose anything unless you spend years and years here, Knight.  A few weeks won't hurt much."
Oct 06 19:27:45 <Nikkolai>   Without another moment, Nikkolai takes a flying leap out the door! "Yahoo!"
Oct 06 19:27:51 *   Eva floats out with the others.  'Back to town it is..."
Oct 06 19:28:24 *   Nikkolai turns a few somersaults in the air, enjoying free flight once more.
Oct 06 19:28:28 <Kotono>   Thus the party flies back to town. After getting bearings this is simplistic enough. Stratusberg is lively as you left it, the party returning without incident
Oct 06 19:28:32 *   Mari flies out with the others, circling through an elaborate series of loops just because she can.
Oct 06 19:30:36 *   Nikkolai thoughtfully hefts the three books in his posession. "I'm quite curious as to what these books contain. I think I shall try to hunt down a translator and see what I can find out.
Oct 06 19:31:05 <Mari>   "Oh, what'd you get? Let me see."
Oct 06 19:31:17 <Knight>   "I saw a winged horse earlier, departing the city," remarks Knight. "Although they're rather superfluous appendages about here, such a beast would surely be a boon on other planes."
Oct 06 19:31:59 *   Nikkolai takes out the three books, handing them over to Mari. "One of them seems to be a book on wind magic. I randomly selected two more to bring back with me. The maze was most kind."
Oct 06 19:32:50 <Mari>   "It was? We just had a statue attack us." Mari takes the books and flips through each of them in turn, checking to see if it's any language she might know. Or if they have any neat pictures.
Oct 06 19:32:59 <Eva>   "They're called Pegasi, or Pegasus for just one.  Truly beautiful animals, though I've never thought to buy one," Eva replied to Knight.
Oct 06 19:34:05 <Nikkolai>   "Knowledge is power. Ask for it, and it shall be given."
Oct 06 19:34:32 <Mari>   "I'm afraid I forgot to ask the statue while it was trying to cut my head off."
Oct 06 19:34:41 <Kotono>   Mari can see the books are in Auran. The first is Treatise of the Four Winds, a book about magic. The second is the Arcanium Wyndia, a study of wings and flight. The last is Sandalphon's Analysis of Cross-Temporal wind streams. Whatever THAT one means.
Oct 06 19:35:58 <Adail>   "An aggressive statue? We ran into a very talkative gnome," Adail offers, "related the origin of the maze for us."
Oct 06 19:36:26 <Knight>   "Ah, pegasus. Pegasi. Wouldn't they be such a magnificient mount? Flight is a decisive advantage in any contest, granting one party unmatched mobility and allowing them to dictate the terms of battle," replies Knight, starting to sound excited. "Surrender would be necessary for most enemies, and even archers have a limited range."
Oct 06 19:36:31 <Nikkolai>   "Well?" Nikkolai asks a mite impatiently.
Oct 06 19:36:39 <Mari>   "Oh hey, I can read this." She smiles. "I don't have any use for it, but I can read it! One of them's a book on magic, right up your alley. You've got another on wings and flying...I have no idea what this last one is about. I mean, it's called 'Sandalphon's Analysis of Cross-Temporal Wind Streams, but I have NO idea what it's about."
Oct 06 19:37:55 <Eva>   "It varies on the plane, but it is true, flight is a dangerous thing to face in battle.  But even the most powerful winged warrior can be disarmed by things gentle and sublte.  but that is neither here nor now.  Perhaps you'll be able to find a stable of them here."
Oct 06 19:38:55 *   Adail shakes his head, "That last one sounds more then a bit complicated. Winds that cross through time?"
Oct 06 19:40:02 <Mari>   "I don't know. I could try studying it, since Nik here can't?"
Oct 06 19:41:00 *   Eva looks around as they travel through the city talking, seeing if she spots anywhere that may be good to get that strange amulet they collected identified.
Oct 06 19:41:18 <Nikkolai>   "Oh? How interesting. Yes, very interesting. It's unfortunate that I don't know this language." Nikkolai holds out his hands for the books. "Perhaps you can teach me?"
Oct 06 19:41:53 <Kotono>   Eva can find a small building of sorts, statues of robe wearing wizards around it. It looks like that sort of place.
Oct 06 19:42:07 *   Mari returns the books. "The real question is, can you learn?"
Oct 06 19:42:33 *   Adail floats over to Knight, "If you're going to look for a pegasus, perhaps I should come with you? I can speak to nearly any living creature, so if you'd like to ask your prospective mount any questions, I can translate."
Oct 06 19:42:35 <Eva>   "I'll be right back," Eva headed over breaking her talk with Knight, brushing a hand through her blonde hair as she entered the building and looking around first to see if there was an attendant here.
Oct 06 19:42:47 *   Nikkolai places the books safely in their resting place. "There is nothing I can't learn if I put my mind to it."
Oct 06 19:45:19 <Mari>   "Oh yeah? We'll see about that, I guess."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OOC: Mari and Nikkolai split

Oct 06 19:48:39 <Kotono>   Thus Mari and Nikkolai skip off to go learning! As the afternoon passes, it's a bit of a surprise to see Nikkolai learning at a fearsome pace.
Oct 06 19:50:37 <Mari>   Which is a little unfortunate. Mari rather enjoyed knowing something Nikkolai didn't. Oh well, maybe he'll cause fewer problems once he's less ignorant. She's not exactly a natural teacher, but conveying the basics of the language comes easily enough to her for some reason.
Oct 06 19:50:37 *   Taishyr has quit (Ping timeout)
Oct 06 19:51:08 <Nikkolai>   "You are a fair enough teacher, girl." Nikkolai is both impressed at her teaching abilities and proud of his own intelligence.
Oct 06 19:51:33 <Kotono>   Nikkolai is finding the strange letters to start to make sense. If he can start to read the books maybe he can get the grist of them.
Oct 06 19:52:04 *   Nikkolai flips open Sandalphon's Book. Perhaps he can make sense of the writing?
Oct 06 19:52:17 <Mari>   "And you are an adequate student," Mari says, with mock magnanimity. "Of course, it's not like I've known many."
Oct 06 19:53:23 <Kotono>   OOC: Make a K:A Check, Nikkolai?
Oct 06 19:54:02 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+13 K:A
Oct 06 19:54:04 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+13 K:A and gets 22." [1d20=9]
Oct 06 19:56:54 <Kotono>   It's deep, difficult magical theory. Nikkolai can grasp some of it - it's not about now wind streams, which is a bad translation of a difficult term that doesn't really exist in Auran, but time streams and time winds. Study could draw out secrets of magic to it, but it would take a deep investment of time and skill.
Oct 06 19:57:35 <Nikkolai>   "Oh...oh...oh...." Nikkolai murmurs under his breath.
Oct 06 19:58:08 <Nikkolai>   "Mari, this book contains priceless knowledge indeed."
Oct 06 19:58:16 <Mari>   "Is that confusion I hear, or should I  shuffle out of the room before your head explodes?"
Oct 06 20:00:06 <Nikkolai>   "I can't grasp all of this, but it seems this book is talking of time streams and "time winds". Perhaps if I study it further, it will teach me how to manipulate time itself!"
Oct 06 20:00:59 <Mari>   "Hey, that's great. Make sure I'm on a different plane when you try?"
Oct 06 20:01:44 *   Nikkolai ignores Mari's jibe, picking up the book on wind magic and giving it a once over.
Oct 06 20:02:35 <Kotono>   The book on wind magic looks to be a study of wind spells such as wall of wind, gust of wind, and that manner of thing. It's a deep analysis of them.  Interesting and useful if you want to learn wind spells like that.
Oct 06 20:03:15 *   Nikkolai sets aside that books and picks up the last one, which seems to be a bit generic compared to the other two.
Oct 06 20:04:41 <Kotono>   The last one looks to be an analysis of wings, from birds' wings to the wings of humanoids, to the wings of pit fiends and angels. Interesting but not particularly magical.
Oct 06 20:05:40 <Nikkolai>   "The last one is useless. We can sell it or donate it, if you like." Nikkolai tosses the book to Mari.
Oct 06 20:06:19 *   Mari catches it. "Oh yeah? What makes you think it's useless?"
Oct 06 20:07:08 <Nikkolai>   "It's a study on the nature of flight and wings. It contains different diagrams of wings from different species."
Oct 06 20:07:34 *   Nikkolai shrugs.
Oct 06 20:07:37 <Mari>   "Sounds more useful to me than shutting down the cosmos."
Oct 06 20:08:37 *   Nikkolai glances up at Mari from Sandalphon's Book. A strange light glimmers in his eyes. "Why learn something if it isn't useful?
Oct 06 20:09:23 <Mari>   "That how you look at other people, too?"
Oct 06 20:11:12 <Nikkolai>   "Everyone have their uses, Mari. Even friends."
Oct 06 20:11:26 *   Nikkolai closes the books and puts them in his backpack.
Oct 06 20:13:00 *   Mari gives Nik a distant look. "Is that right."
Oct 06 20:13:57 <Nikkolai>   "Answer me this: given the choice between a party of weaklings who would get you killed and companions who can take care of themselves and each other, which would you choose?
Oct 06 20:14:31 <Mari>   "I'd probably stay home if none of them were any fun."
Oct 06 20:18:29 <Nikkolai>   "Yet here we stand. I like you Mari, I really do. But remember that we've all only known each other for a few days, at the most." Nikkolai leans in the doorway. "I can call all of you friend...but can I trust you all? We have a wandering warrior who can't or won't divulge her own name. The bard thinks it's the height of amusement to conceal her true identity. Yourself and the mouse have given me no cause to worry. And then, you have me, the fearless sorce
Oct 06 20:18:42 *   Nikkolai smiles thinly.
Oct 06 20:19:15 <Nikkolai>   "Until you have proven that you're worthy of trust, you're only companions whom I'd share a fire and tale with. Not much more."
Oct 06 20:19:45 <Nikkolai>   "The bard thinks it's the height of amusement to conceal her true identity. Yourself and the mouse have given me no cause to worry. And then, you have me, the fearless sorceror who defied a lich and lived to tell the tale."
Oct 06 20:22:15 <Mari>   "Rejoice when the lich is dead. Deader, I mean. Fear's more useful than you might expect, in my experience." She shrugs, visibly unimpressed. "As for Knight, I think she just hasn't got a name. I'll have to fix that somehow."
Oct 06 20:23:58 <Nikkolai>   "She won't catch up with me. She can't." Nikkolai isn't quite sure who he's trying to convince; himself or Mari.
Oct 06 20:25:36 <Mari>   "Mm-hm," Mari says with a nod, and that supportive but detached front you'd put on for someone who's desperately trying to convince you that he's the King of Bouganville.
Oct 06 20:27:35 <Nikkolai>   "In any case, my thanks for your tutelage. Perhaps my studies won't be quite so slow now." Nikkolai brushes aside the momentary awkwardness.
Oct 06 20:29:04 <Mari>   "Yeah, well, don't be afraid to ask people when you need help with something. Because I doubt this was the first time and it sure won't be the last. That's not a slight, that's just the universe being what it is."
Oct 06 20:32:03 <Nikkolai>   "There is always much to learn. I'm humble enough to know that I'm not capable of learning it all by myself."
Oct 06 20:32:16 *   Nikkolai nods his thanks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OOC: Eva, Adail, Knight split off

Oct 06 19:49:22 <Kotono>   OOC: You two are going to go Pegasus hunting, yeah? Going to ask/look around and try to find someone selling them?
Oct 06 19:49:32 <Knight>   OOC: Yes
Oct 06 19:49:52 <Kotono>   OOC: One of you go ahead and make a gather info check then?
Oct 06 19:50:05 <Kotono>   OOC: Whichever of you with the best modifier, I imagine.
Oct 06 19:50:37 <Adail>   OOC: She does. Can I aid another, though?
Oct 06 19:50:38 <Eva>   OOC: I will
Oct 06 19:50:40 <Kotono>   OOC: Certainly.
Oct 06 19:50:50 <Eva>   OOC: You both can :3
Oct 06 19:50:55 <Adail>   roll 1d20+1 gather info aid
Oct 06 19:50:59 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+1 gather info aid and gets 20." [1d20=19]
Oct 06 19:51:01 <Knight>   roll 1d20+3 gather info aid
Oct 06 19:51:03 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+3 gather info aid and gets 17." [1d20=14]
Oct 06 19:51:12 <Eva>   roll 1d20+19
Oct 06 19:51:18 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Eva rolls 1d20+19 and gets 28." [1d20=9]
Oct 06 19:51:24 *   Adail helps Eva ask around with his epic translation skills.
Oct 06 19:51:58 *   Eva comes out of the wizard's building and helps Knight and Adail hunt around town for the best of stables to buy beautiful pegasi.
Oct 06 19:52:57 <Kotono>   After a few hours, you come face to face with a man. Man is aloose term -  he is genderless, wearing only a shifting gown of white silk that flows in the wind. His eyes are closed and blindfolded, sitting against the side of a building. "You seek a pegasus?" He asks, "To buy one? For you rown use?"
Oct 06 19:54:09 <Knight>   "Are they avaliable for purchase? I saw one this morning on entering the city, the likes of which I've never before witnessed- I was entranced," replies Knight. "There are few steeds a knight could desire more."
Oct 06 19:58:14 <Kotono>   "It may be, if you have the wealth to have one broken for you," He replies, "But you may find this a difficult task. Go to Arsan's on the other side of Stratusberg. He can help you."
Oct 06 19:59:54 <Eva>   "A pleasure.  May we know the name of the one who gracefully shone a light upon our way?" Eva wondered of the strange man.
Oct 06 20:01:04 *   Adail smiles, "This may be where I can help you, lady Knight. Pegasai are intelligent creatures, fully as intelligent as most men and not simple beings like normal horsed. Rather then breaking one to service, would it not be better to ask for one's aid in your journey as a partner?"
Oct 06 20:01:21 <Adail>   *normal horses
Oct 06 20:03:08 <Kotono>   "Drei." He sits, "Good fortune on you ahead, then."
Oct 06 20:04:07 <Eva>   "And good fortune to you," The young noblewoman curtsied, turning about. "Let us be off, friends," She lead their way toward Arsan's place, gossiping here and there as they traveled to hear rumors about the town.
Oct 06 20:04:25 <Knight>   "I know little of the beasts," replies Knight, glancing down at Adail. "But it would certainly be preferable to have a willing steed. Trust is the most important thing, though, and it does not come easily with intelligent beings," remarks Knight, starting to follow Eva.
Oct 06 20:05:44 <Kotono>   The house of Arsan is a large, pillared building near the edge of town. It has stone doors leading inside, ajar. A smell like fresh hay leaks out from the crack in the doors.
Oct 06 20:06:47 *   Knight steps towards the door and knocks on the front a few times.
Oct 06 20:07:05 <Kotono>   The door goes a little more ajar at the knocking. From inside, "You may enter," the wind howls.
Oct 06 20:07:37 *   Eva brushes her nose a bit, waving the smell away as she opened the door up, walking carefully in her booted feet as she took in the large building.
Oct 06 20:07:43 <Knight>   "Greetings," calls Knight, as she steps inside.
Oct 06 20:08:34 *   Adail skitters in alongside Knight.
Oct 06 20:08:48 <Kotono>   Inside are smooth stone walls, well polished and reflective. Floating in the air near the door is a great mass of wind with a vaguely humaonid face. It's as tall as this building minus just a few feet. "You have come," It's voice speaks with the moving wind, "What is your desire here?"
Oct 06 20:10:01 <Knight>   "I seek a winged steed that will serve as a companion, in battle and out," responds Knight.
Oct 06 20:10:51 <Kotono>   "Such will not be a trifling matter. Do you have money enough for it?"
Oct 06 20:12:13 <Eva>   "An arrangement can surely be reached," Eva smiled demurely. "Tell us of your expected expense, and we will see suitable compensation."
Oct 06 20:12:15 <Knight>   "What fee do you ask?"
Oct 06 20:13:12 <Kotono>   "
Oct 06 20:13:51 <Kotono>   "1,000 cirrus to train it, 3,000 cirrus for the pegasus and 250 cirrus for the saddle," The figure answers, "So a minimum of 4,250 cirrus."
Oct 06 20:16:04 <Eva>   "A high fee indeed, and before we discuss, is there perhaps any trade of services that may be made toward such an arrangement?"  Eva tsked, that was quite the high fee.
Oct 06 20:16:58 *   Adail looks up at Knight, "Surely with my aid you can handle the training yourself, yes?"
Oct 06 20:16:59 <Kotono>   "What services can you offer me?" The elemental replies.
Oct 06 20:17:48 <Knight>   "I'm not entirely unfamiliar when it comes to working with animals and steeds," replies Knight, after a moment. "If you have other work here, I could serve as an apprentice for some time." (More)
Oct 06 20:18:41 <Knight>   "It would also be possible for me to pay part of your fee now, and the rest once the rearing of the pegasus is complete."
Oct 06 20:19:54 <Kotono>   "If you can train it yourself, then I will waive that part of the fee. If you serve me for a month, I will remove another 500 cirrus," It offers, "To 2750 cirrus."
Oct 06 20:23:21 *   Adail waits to see what Knight thinks of this before adding any of his own thoughts.
Oct 06 20:23:48 <Knight>   Knight gives Eva and Adail a brief glance. "I find these terms acceptable, but they will confine me to the city for some time," she notes. "I've heard there's an arena in town, and I'm confident in my ability to raise the rest of the fee there."
Oct 06 20:24:58 <Kotono>   "So be it." The pegasus dealer whirls in the air, "Return after you rest and secure lodgings within Stratusberg if you have not already. We will begin then."
Oct 06 20:25:16 *   Adail nods, then speaks up, "I am also willing to help the lady Knight with her service, if I may ascertain that neither you nor your dealings here are of Evil nature, sir. As a musteval, my ability to translate for the animals you deal with would surely be of some worth."
Oct 06 20:25:44 <Kotono>   "You may. I care naught for the workings of those cosmic forces." The elemental replies.
Oct 06 20:25:55 <Eva>   "A bold route...  Alright, good luck, Knight.  I'll let the others know...  we may still be around," She smiled and nodded, never quite sure of that herself.
Oct 06 20:26:52 *   Eva steps out, heading back toward the inn.
Oct 06 20:27:02 *   Adail takes the elemental at his word and proceeds to poke around with Detect Evil for a bit.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: Party Reunite to discuss plans

Oct 06 20:36:56 <Kotono>   Later in the day, the party regathers in the inn. A meal is had, everyone eating and resting after the day's labors...
Oct 06 20:38:29 <Mari>   "So, it turns out Nikkolai's planning to learn how to stop time," Mari says for the sake of conversation. "What do we think of this brilliant plan?"
Oct 06 20:39:23 <Knight>   "It would certainly be a potent ability," remarks Knight. "I suppose there's nothing magic cannot do."
Oct 06 20:39:54 <Mari>   "That's what scares me."
Oct 06 20:39:55 <Eva>   "Nikkolai, please don't experiment in the same quarter of town as me if you would," Eva said as gently as she could, never a huge fan of experimental magic.
Oct 06 20:40:24 <Knight>   "Don't you find it exciting, though?"
Oct 06 20:40:39 <Nikkolai>   "The diagrams are aiding my comprehension enormously. I expect to me able to perfect the motions in a fair amount of time."
Oct 06 20:40:59 <Mari>   "As long as we're talking about trained professionals, sure. Otherwise, it's exciting as long as I'm a long ways away."
Oct 06 20:42:05 <Nikkolai>   "Despite how much I hated my teacher, she taught me well." Nikkolai remarks dryly. "What portions of my education she neglected, I'm striving to fill."
Oct 06 20:42:51 <Mari>   "Have you scheduled the lessons on tact-based spellcasting yet?"
Oct 06 20:43:00 <Knight>   "I want to see the fruits of this. There's an appeal in this kind of risk. One won't know if they've seized ultimate power or an inescapable fate until they try, right?"
Oct 06 20:43:26 <Eva>   "That is my thought of things..." Eva nodded to Mari.  "More importantly, Knight is going to be here a while, working off an arrangement she made," Eva leaned back in her chair, sipping delicately at her drink.  "So if we stay here, it'll be plenty of time before we can move on.  But I think that will be fine for me as there's much to see here."
Oct 06 20:43:50 <Nikkolai>   "I fail to see how tact will impact whether or not my spells are successul."
Oct 06 20:44:21 *   Nikkolai nods in agreement with Knight. "As I've oft said, and will say, knowledge is power. You can't obtain power without some risk."
Oct 06 20:44:42 <Mari>   "What kind of arrangement?" Mari asks, ignoring Nik for now.
Oct 06 20:45:26 <Knight>   "I'm working with a rearer of pegasi," explains Knight. "It's my intent to gain such a steed for myself."
Oct 06 20:46:00 <Eva>   "They're beautiful animals, but they cost an arm, a leg, and a bag full of gold," Eva tsked.
Oct 06 20:46:13 <Mari>   "Wow, how about that. Hey, Nikkolai, maybe that TOTALLY USELESS book on wings and flying might have something useful to say about pegasi?"
Oct 06 20:46:25 <Knight>   "Of course, as we were just saying, it takes a risk to gain anything. In this case, serving as an apprentice isn't enough- gold is also required. To gain gold, I must fight in the arena." She takes a deep, shuddering breath. "I just hope the arms and legs that this costs don't belong to me."
Oct 06 20:47:04 *   Nikkolai shrugs. "It could be useful if our friend Knight wishes to use it. Mayhap there could be something in there on pegasi.
Oct 06 20:47:24 <Knight>   "You have a book on such topics? It would be helpful indeed, I've never reared a beast with wings before," she adds, with a brief nod. "It will help me keep my focus on my true goal, as well."
Oct 06 20:47:50 <Nikkolai>   "Can you read Auran, Knight? If so, I'll gladly give the book to you."
Oct 06 20:48:27 <Knight>   "No..."
Oct 06 20:49:03 <Mari>   "Well, that's alright. Nik can sorta read it and I can definitely read it. We can read you to sleep when you come home bruised and battered every day."
Oct 06 20:49:28 *   Adail nods, "I was considering taking a go at the Arena myself as well. If your own earnings come a bit short I may be able to lend a paw."
Oct 06 20:50:21 <Eva>   "The arena is ...not particularly my area," Eva smiled.  "I'll instead take the inns, a musical act or two.  Mmm, Mari, you seem of lithe build...would you happen to know how to dance?"
Oct 06 20:50:43 <Nikkolai>   "What's that, Sir Mouse? You intend to fight in the arena?" Nikkolai feigns astonishment, smiling.
Oct 06 20:51:18 <Knight>   "I don't want to take your winnings from you. Anything you gain from risking your life would belong to you," replies Knight, shaking her head. "I already owe you for helping me rear the steed."
Oct 06 20:51:18 <Mari>   "Uh, not exactly. I'm good at moving when people are trying to stab me? I guess it might look like dancing without the swords around."
Oct 06 20:52:32 *   Adail shakes his head, "Think nothing of it. I care very little for material things beyond what equipment I need to do battle with. My own interest in the arena is purely for testing my skill, not for any wealth I may win."
Oct 06 20:54:32 *   Adail also eyes Nikkolai, "More then one feind and monster has underestimated me for my size and swiftly regretted it. What I may lack in strength compared to most I more then make up for with speed and skill."
Oct 06 20:54:45 <Eva>   "Money cannot buy you everything.  It brings not discipline, nor strength of arm.  It does not harden the spirit or give hope to the downtrodden.  But it may open doors and pay ones way when needed.  Whether you care for material things or not, it'd not hurt to take whatever you manage to earn.  You never know when the copper you have will be the copper you need."
Oct 06 20:55:10 <Knight>   "Wealth is power. I don't care for trifles, but money can do many things that fighting cannot," replies Knight. "Eva has the right of it."
Oct 06 20:56:41 *   Adail laughs, "I certainly don't leave good coin behind where I find it. But if I see a worthy cause to use it for, I generally will. You quest to find your family, which is by the measure of my people and any other decent folk I can imagine, a worthy cause."
Oct 06 20:56:58 <Nikkolai>   "I meant no offense, Sir Mouse. I've seen you prove your worth a hundred times over in battle already."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OOC: Nikkolai Split to study

Oct 06 21:06:12 <Nikkolai>   OOC: Hmm. I'd really like to get ahold of some thieves or beggars. They're usually the first to hear about such things. Don't suppose there's a conveniently placed guild hall or summat?
Oct 06 21:06:48 <Kotono>   OOC: Make a gather information check. If you lack ranks in it, you just mak ea charisma check.
Oct 06 21:07:36 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+16 Gather Information
Oct 06 21:07:41 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+16 Gather Information and gets 17." [1d20=1]
Oct 06 21:10:19 <Kotono>   Luck isn't really with Nikkolai in any sense of it. He blunders around a day or two, not getting anywhere. After a few days, hef inds himself talking to a man floating/sitting outside of a building. He is genderless, wearing a wavy white silk gown of sorts. He is blindfolded. "You seek?" he asks.
Oct 06 21:11:59 <Nikkolai>   "I seek knowledge." Nikkolai subtly layers his voice with respect, for even though the old man is blind, Nikkolai knows he's far from stupid
Oct 06 21:12:33 <Kotono>   "Knowledge is everywhere for the seeker of knowledge." The answer is a quiet one, "What knowledge is your driving interest?"
Oct 06 21:14:11 <Nikkolai>   "Can you tell me of the Lady of the Green Kirtle? She wears another face now, but her name is still the same. If you have heard of her, I ask that you share such information with me."
Oct 06 21:14:32 <Kotono>   roll 1d20+21
Oct 06 21:14:57 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 and gets 34." [1d20=13]
Oct 06 21:16:54 <Kotono>   "I have. A name better forgotten." He answers, "A folly to seek her."
Oct 06 21:18:25 <Nikkolai>   "I do not seek her, good sir. I know good and well what folly it would be to seek her out. I simply wish to know if she is any wiser to my location and if that which I've hidden is still safe. My life depends on it."
Oct 06 21:18:38 *   Merc (~k@c-98-196-68-69.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
Oct 06 21:20:56 <Kotono>   "This is a peaceful place. When one disturbs it, such as a over-righteous deva, it is known to all. As long as the serenity of Stratusberg remains, so does it's safety." He answers, "That is what I believe."
Oct 06 21:22:54 <Nikkolai>   "I see. You've heard nothing? Nothing at all? I'm not yet strong enough to face her should she catch me, and so, I run." Nikkolai doesn't like admitting any kind of weakness.
Oct 06 21:24:54 <Kotono>   "I have heard nothing but the serenity of Stratusberg." He looks up, unseen eyes perhaps blindly peering at the skies, "Watch the wind and the currents, for disaster is portended in them."
Oct 06 21:27:43 *   Nikkolai bows. "I thank you for your wisdom. I have but two more questions, then I shall trouble you no longer. My first question is in regards to the Deva that troubles the entrance to the Astral Plane; how can we soothe her rage and make her cease this foolishness?
Oct 06 21:32:37 <Kotono>   "She's screamed of her family. She projects the answer."
Oct 06 21:34:54 <Nikkolai>   "Family is important, I suppose. I wouldn't know." Nikkolai frowns. "As promised, my last question: where may I find more dealers in knowledge? Those who linger in shadow and deal in secrets. I have need of their services."
Oct 06 21:37:04 <Kotono>   "Such can be done, for a small service in return," The blindfolded man says pleasantly.
Oct 06 21:38:53 <Nikkolai>   "To obtain, something of equal value must be given. Equivalent exchange, eh? Very well. Because you were so kind as to offer me knowledge for free, I'll gladly do what I can to have more of it."
Oct 06 21:40:52 <Kotono>   "Show me something close to your heart," He asks, "Hold it up to my eyes, as if I could see."
Oct 06 21:41:14 *   Nikkolai is mystified.
Oct 06 21:41:25 <Kotono>   The blindfolded man stays sitting, silent for now.
Oct 06 21:44:43 <Nikkolai>   Suddenly struck with inspiration, Nikkolai kneels down in front of the old man, at eye level with him. He quietly unbuttons his shirt, exposing his chest to the man's view. A necklace of what appears to be silver thorns is bare to the air. "It is near to my heart...but I do not hold it dear. It is an unbreakable reminder of what once was and what could easily be again."
Oct 06 21:46:03 <Kotono>   "There is a golden skinned aasimar in town, a woman. Find her." The man answers, lowering his head. "I have heard her speak before, she is wise and well knowledged."
Oct 06 21:47:41 *   Nikkolai rises to his feet. "My thanks. If you would but point me in the right direction?"
Oct 06 21:48:18 <Kotono>   "She drifts through down like a leaf in the wind. Do the same and you will find her, as surely as breezes cross."
Oct 06 21:50:00 *   Nikkolai nods, forgetting for a moment that the man can't see. He steps out into the street and shrugging his shoulders, decides to follow the wind as he did the maze. What's the worst that could happen?
Oct 06 21:51:49 <Kotono>   Thus Nikkolai wanders for a time, around and around. Eventually, he comes into a tavern full of people of all types. In one table, he can notice a golden skinned woman...and Eva and Mari, chatting away and drinking with her.
Oct 06 21:52:52 <Nikkolai>   "...of course my new "friends" are in the middle of all this." Nikkolai mutters, no true annoyance to his tone.
Oct 06 21:53:14 *   Nikkolai approaches them, sitting down without another word next to the golden skinned woman.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OOC: Eva, Mari, and eventually Nikkolai

Oct 06 20:58:49 <Kotono>   ---
Oct 06 20:59:10 <Kotono>   OOC: First off, a few questions. Do you have any ranks in anything like perform or the like, Mari?
Oct 06 21:00:07 <Mari>   OOC: Uh, no, not exactly. Unless the likes of balance/sleight of hand can be construed to be relevant.
Oct 06 21:01:05 <Eva>   OOC: Sleight of hand can sometimes be used.  How about Mari is just rolling it as Aiding me? :)
Oct 06 21:01:52 *   Nikkolai (~shivandes@76.177.147.50) has joined #evildunes
Oct 06 21:04:04 <Kotono>   OOC: That's fine. Go ahead and roll?
Oct 06 21:04:19 *   Laggy has quit ()
Oct 06 21:04:58 <Eva>   roll 1d20+17
Oct 06 21:04:59 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Eva rolls 1d20+17 and gets 18." [1d20=1]
Oct 06 21:05:23 <Mari>   OOC: What am I rolling? Perform: something?
Oct 06 21:05:41 <Mari>   roll 1d20+1 if so, no ranks in anything but at least my CHA doesn't suck
Oct 06 21:05:43 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+1 if so, no ranks in anything but at least my CHA doesn't suck and gets 18." [1d20=17]
Oct 06 21:06:24 <Kotono>   OOCL: Perform, yeah. Whichever is fine.
Oct 06 21:07:41 <Kotono>   OOC: You two earn 10 GP, by the by, before anything else.
Oct 06 21:08:03 <Mari>   OOC: duly noted, will edit it in now.
Oct 06 21:08:42 <Kotono>   Thus, a performance is on! Over a few days Eva and Mari begin to ply the trade, working away diligently.  After a few days they get decent crowds, people watching and cheering amid the endless skyscape. A few even linger, travelers of all stripes enjoying the show...
Oct 06 21:13:00 *   Eva smiles and waves, dressed as a minstrel with a bright blue blouse and colorful sleeves, slowly helping Mari get the hang of keeping a crowd's attention and their freely given gold.  She doesn't stay in any one place long, heading slowly around the city, trading song and performance for their rooms as well as she listened to the local gossip and curiously nosed around for what happened to all the other performers in town.
Oct 06 21:14:07 <Kotono>   OOC: Go ahead and make a GI check, then, +2 modifier?
Oct 06 21:14:39 <Eva>   roll 1d20+17
Oct 06 21:14:58 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Eva rolls 1d20+17 and gets 24." [1d20=7]
Oct 06 21:15:07 <Mari>   OOC: I assume this is still Eva rolling, me aiding.
Oct 06 21:15:07 <Mari>   roll 1d20+3 no ranks in GI >.>
Oct 06 21:15:08 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+3 no ranks in GI >.> and gets 6." [1d20=3]
Oct 06 21:15:58 <Kotono>   After one such session, you chat with a golden skinned woman, laughing along with you. She wears a traveler's leathers and a cloak, swirling in the wind. "A beautiful performance," she smiles to you, "But you were asking about those troupes that got ran off?"
Oct 06 21:18:15 <Eva>   "It is a strange thing to find such an airy city without a song on its lips, a story in its heart," she smiled, cheerfully sitting at a wooden table aside from Mari, a glass of wine in her hand, slowly having been sipped at.  "I am glad to have returned such for a little while to this corner.  I have heard some rumors that they were chased away, but nothing particular."
Oct 06 21:19:33 <Kotono>   "I got an earful about it," Rubbing the back of her head, "An astral deva named Star came through here in a big huff. She was looking for her family or some such and was very...aggressive. Not like other celestials I've met. She was on the warpath."
Oct 06 21:22:06 <Eva>   "Did she stay here long?" Eva thought back a bit to the strange spring she'd sipped in the silver cage.  It seemed shockingly familiar really as a thought.  "Why did she think the actors had anything to do with her family?"
Oct 06 21:23:29 <Kotono>   "See, one of the mwas like me - an aasimar, celestial blooded. From what I gathered, part of it was because of a misunderstanding about whatever she meant about family." With a shrug, "She seemed hell-bent on it."
Oct 06 21:25:04 <Eva>   "She attacked an aasimar too?  Did no one restrain her for perhaps...being Addled in the head?"  Eva sipped a bit at her wine.  Not being able to tell the difference between friend and foe certainly didn't speak well for her state of mind.
Oct 06 21:26:23 <Kotono>   With a shrug, "Who's going to get in the way of an Astral Deva? It's not too healthy." With a little shrug, "Last I heard, she was going off to a color pool nearby."
Oct 06 21:27:05 <Mari>   "Are there a lot of those in the area?" Mari asks.
Oct 06 21:29:53 <Eva>   "True enough, if I saw one coming my way on the warpath, I'd be making my peace with the gods and seeing my life flash before my eyes," Eva returned with a smile.
Oct 06 21:32:14 <Kotono>   "Color pools or Astral Devas?"
Oct 06 21:34:12 <Mari>   "Color pools," Mari clarifies. "If there were more devas in town, I probably wouldn't be."
Oct 06 21:36:23 <Kotono>   "Most devas are worthy when they are not in battle," The aasimar before you smiles, "One taught me how to sing and another was the kindest soul Iv'e ever met. But in battle...
Oct 06 21:36:23 <Kotono>   "
Oct 06 21:37:11 <Mari>   "Well, I'd hope most are smarter about picking their battles than this Star sounds like she was."
Oct 06 21:39:11 <Eva>   "Now, now...  stark generalizations come too easily," Eva waved it off.  "Do you know when she started it all?"
Oct 06 21:39:21 <Kotono>   "Most are. She was a strange one." With a little shrug of her shoulders, "It was...about a week or more ago now?"
Oct 06 21:40:38 <Mari>   "I don't suppose she took a stroll through the Silver Cage while she was here?" Mari wonders.
Oct 06 21:42:23 <Kotono>   "She did, I think. She went everywhere," With a thought, "Why all the interest?"
Oct 06 21:43:38 <Mari>   "Well, she left...call it an echo of herself, and we found it. Or it found us, I guess."
Oct 06 21:45:08 <Kotono>   "Strange, but I've heard of stranger withoutsiders. They're made of beliefs, not flesh." Taking a slug of her own drink, "What happened?"
Oct 06 21:46:34 <Eva>   "It was quite the strange experience.  My interest is really more professional," Eva stroked her wineglass with a finger.  "while we play under different halls with different melodies, it's said when one harps, one never harps alone.  When you're on the road, it pays to watch each others backs.  Ah, that was truly an experience...  For a moment, all around me were truly wicked, and they'd sought to take my family away, my only kin!"
Oct 06 21:47:25 <Mari>   "There was a fountain in the maze. Drinking from it...sort of put is into the deva's mind. For a short time, mercifully."
Oct 06 21:47:33 <Mari>   OOC: is = us
Oct 06 21:47:50 <Kotono>   "What's with her family then," Biting down on her lip as she drinks again, "That's a lot of commotion for siblings."
Oct 06 21:47:52 <Kotono>   OOC: Gah.
Oct 06 21:48:01 <Kotono>   "What's with her family then," Biting down on her lip as she drinks again, "That's a lot of commotion for siblings. Outsiders usually don't have families like that unless it's halfbreeds."
Oct 06 21:49:32 <Mari>   "We don't know that much," Mari says with a shake of her head. "It was more about attitudes than memories. She seemed to think half this city was working against her, for one."
Oct 06 21:50:34 <Kotono>   "Odd one." The woman drinks again, "I'm going to steer clear of her. She sounds disturbed, and a disturbed AStral Deva isn't something I want to deal with."
Oct 06 21:52:31 <Mari>   "Oh, I agree. Part of the reason we're curious about what happened to her is so we know where *not* to go."
Oct 06 21:53:47 <Kotono>   As the party talks and drinks, Nikkolai wanders in, going to sit down next to the golden skinned woman. She looks to him, "Do I know you, or are you a friend of theirs?"
Oct 06 21:54:40 <Mari>   "I'll bet he just came to proposition you."
Oct 06 21:54:45 *   Nikkolai gives a short nod to Eva and Mari. "The blindfolded man directed me to you, in return for a small payment. He said you'd have what I seek."
Oct 06 21:55:11 *   Nikkolai shoots a small glare at Mari.
Oct 06 21:55:19 <Eva>   "Hmm?  A sudden entrance, Nikkolai...and very sudden proposition," Eva frowned a little bit at such a straightforward request.
Oct 06 21:55:47 <Kotono>   "Huh?" Blinking heavily at that, "That's...blindfolded..." she blinks again, "Oh, the weird guy who's been sitting against buildings lately. What's he talking about me for?"
Oct 06 21:56:09 *   Mari has to laugh. Nikkolai's expression is its own reward.
Oct 06 21:57:30 *   Nikkolai shrugs, ignoring Mari. "I asked for information brokers, those who dealt in secrets. He acted as if he knew you fairly well."
Oct 06 21:58:07 *   Nikkolai raises a delicate eyebrow at the golden skinned woman. "Is this not the truth?"
Oct 06 21:59:56 <Kotono>   The woman blushes, "For the love of Bytopia," she facepalms hard enough to leave an impact on her forehead, "Tact, is it known to you? Discretion? Politeness?"
Oct 06 22:00:36 *   Eva leans back in her chair, sipping at her wine, her eyebrow twitching at her companion's directness.  "Nikkolai, we were having quite the pleasant chat a moment ago.  business is best done at business tables."
Oct 06 22:01:03 *   Nikkolai looks puzzled. "Would you have preferred it if I said hello first?"
Oct 06 22:01:20 <Mari>   "It isn't known to him, at all," Mari says. "Believe me, we've tried to teach him."
Oct 06 22:01:41 <Kotono>   Draining down her drink and then facepalming again, "Tell me, did yer mother like to lock you in the closet instead of letting you play with the other children?"
Oct 06 22:02:03 <Nikkolai>   "Yes." Nikkolain answers truthfully.
Oct 06 22:03:47 <Eva>   "Yes, hello would be a good start," Eva smiled, her mask on cleanly as she hid her irritation.  Was that really such a strange notion to this boy?
Oct 06 22:04:57 <Kotono>   Thump goes the woman's head as she falls forward, head slamming into the table. "By the black beard of St Cuthbert..." She sighs deeply, "You are daft. The celestials crafted the flesh but left the wisdom lying in the grass. Your head drifts in the Silver Sea while your body  muddles along. You. Are. RETARDED." That last part is a groan alto itself. "If I were an information broker, do you think perhaps that I would rely on not advertising
Oct 06 22:05:02 <Kotono>   "If I were an information broker, do you think perhaps that I would rely on not advertising this fact around to random people? If I was, would anyone tell me anything if they knew I might sell it?"
Oct 06 22:06:45 <Nikkolai>   "Your pardon, my lady. I am...not truly familiar with how the game is played. My education in such things is severely lacking." Me bows his head, managing to look slightly sheepish. "But I ask, is it not better if one is straighford in what one is selling or buying?"
Oct 06 22:06:52 *   Mari is too busy laughing to help Nikkolai any, by this point. Granted, she at least has the decency to keep it quiet and cover her mouth.
Oct 06 22:07:55 <Nikkolai>   OOC: That's *straightforward. Sorry.
Oct 06 22:10:15 <Kotono>   "I think I need the sweet embrace of intoxicating fortification to continue this conversation," she says, looking with weary exasperation at Nikkolai, "Would you oblige?"
Oct 06 22:10:30 <Eva>   "You are indeed something else, Nikkolai," Eva took a glance around, seeing how much the crowd was paying attention to this little fiasco.
Oct 06 22:10:47 <Kotono>   A few people are eyeing the entire thing, mostly people close to your own table and a few waiters.
Oct 06 22:10:58 <Mari>   "He'll buy a round for all of us, right Nikki?"
Oct 06 22:12:01 *   Nikkolai assesses the situation, attempting to be less...retarded. "Of course. It's the least I can do for interrupting your conversation."
Oct 06 22:12:08 *   Nikkolai signals a waitress.
Oct 06 22:12:10 <Eva>   "He's generous that way... but I'll have mine after my next round," She winked, deciding instead it'd be better to keep the eyes and ears off the table while Nikkolai was fumbling around, heading up to take the stage once more and pulling their attention toward her with a skillful strumming of her guitar.
Oct 06 22:12:55 <Kotono>   The waitress comes by, looking them over, "Three cirrus," she says to Nikkolai, "I overheard."
Oct 06 22:13:58 *   Nikkolai winces slightly. He says softly, "I'll have whatever tea you have, iced. And these two will give you their own orders."
Oct 06 22:14:18 <Kotono>   "The strongest thing you have," The woman orders.
Oct 06 22:14:19 *   Nikkolai hands the girl a sunset, winking slyly.
Oct 06 22:15:30 <Mari>   "I don't plan on waking up before noon tomorrow. I'm sure you've got something to arrange that, right? Just surprise me."
Oct 06 22:15:42 <Kotono>   The coin is taken and drinks come back quickly enough after.
Oct 06 22:16:10 <Kotono>   Slamming most of her straonge black drink down and shivering, "R-right..." th egold skinned woman squints at Nikkolai, "So what is it you want?"
Oct 06 22:18:49 *   Nikkolai chooses his words more carefully this time, attempting to play the game. "I want what every man wants. To learn. To seek knowledge. A man I spoke to today suggested that you could point me in the right direction."
Oct 06 22:19:20 *   Nikkolai is careful to speak in a soft, conversational voice.
Oct 06 22:19:45 *   Mari snorts. "That doesn't sound like most of the men I've known," she says under her breath.
Oct 06 22:19:51 <Kotono>   "Y'know is that your way to try and hit on me, but be 'subtle' about it," she whispers back, "I know what every man wants!" With a long, long look to Nikkolai, "Tell me I'm mistaken in your meaning here."
Oct 06 22:21:51 <Eva>   "I'd like to introduce you all to a little tune I picked up down in the Plane of Earth many years ago.  A little tale that never changes, but always goes along"  she began to strum along, singing slowly.  o/~ How does it feel, How does it feel, to be on your own, with no direction home, like a complete unknown, Like a rolling stone...o/~
Oct 06 22:24:08 <Kotono>   OOC: Goahead and make a perform check, I suppose.
Oct 06 22:24:22 <Eva>   roll 1d20+17 distract from Nikkolai's faux pas~
Oct 06 22:24:23 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Eva rolls 1d20+17 distract from Nikkolai's faux pas~ and gets 18." [1d20=1]
Oct 06 22:24:25 *   Nikkolai looks lost for a moment before the woman's meaning dawns on him. "I'm quite sure I tossed knowledge and learning in there somewhere." Nikkolai responds dryly, slightly irritated. "Does every man you've every spoken to truly only desire your...companionship? I assure you, not all man behave in that manner."
Oct 06 22:25:41 <Kotono>   "That's a nice song..." It holds the woman's attention for only a moment, "Riiight. Fine then. Be specific. WHAT information do you want?"
Oct 06 22:25:55 *   Mari kicks Nik in the shin under the table. "Go for it, stupid!" she whispers.
Oct 06 22:26:31 <Kotono>   Some of the inn folk listen to Eva's song, about a third of them gotten. She hits a few notes wrong which doesn't help.
Oct 06 22:26:53 *   Laggy (~Laggy@adsl-68-126-203-26.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net) has joined #evildunes
Oct 06 22:26:53 *   ChanServ gives channel operator status to Laggy
Oct 06 22:27:45 *   Taishyr (~ferixstad@141.218.224.195) has joined #evildunes
Oct 06 22:27:45 *   ChanServ gives channel operator status to Taishyr
Oct 06 22:29:16 <Nikkolai>   "Fine." Seemingly unmoved by the kick, he turns to the woman. "This should be a very simple question. No doubt that my friends have already pumped you for information. Where is this deva's supposedly missing family? The simplest solution to our problem is to unite her with them and the portal is open once again to travellers and trade."
Oct 06 22:30:19 <Kotono>   "Gee, you're asking about her too?" With a look bac to Eva, "What's with all the interest? Anyway, I don't really know. She just kept wanting to find her family. I don't know - do you know any angels or someone who's missing a sibling or a sister or a mother? Anyone looking for a family at all?"
Oct 06 22:31:07 <Mari>   "Something like that," Mari chimes in. "How does that help any if it's a completely different family?"
Oct 06 22:32:03 <Nikkolai>   "Why Mari, great minds think alike, it seems." Nikkolai is wearing a devious grin, the woman and drink forgotten for the moment.
Oct 06 22:32:28 <Mari>   "Not from where I'm sitting, they don't."
Oct 06 22:33:26 <Nikkolai>   "I have the perfect idea for how we're going to get past that deva without even throwing a punch, so to speak."
Oct 06 22:35:41 <Kotono>   "Well, is that it?" The woman asks.
Oct 06 22:36:33 <Mari>   "I don't know what his master plan is, but we do know someone in a similar situation. Lost family, wandering the planes in search of them, yada yada yada."
Oct 06 22:36:35 <Nikkolai>   "Our fair Knight is searching for her family as well. In the deva's delusional state, I shouldn't think it would be too hard to convince her that we've found a sibling."
Oct 06 22:38:02 *   Mari takes a deep draught of...whatever that drink she got is. Hopefully something strong. "Nik, before we cook up some insane plan to to go grift another celestial, can we just listen to what this woman has to say first?"
Oct 06 22:38:02 <Nikkolai>   "When we've convinced her to leave peacefully, or otherwise, we can claim a reward from the local leadership. Surely the local merchants are getting desperate..."
Oct 06 22:39:14 *   Nikkolai waves his hand. "By all means. I find it hard to believe that she'd know more than what we already know, but she's welcome to tell her tale."
Oct 06 22:39:45 <Nikkolai>   "Another drink, my lady?" Nikkolai asks politely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OOC: Adail, Knight, and eventually Eva

Oct 06 20:58:42 <Kotono>   After resting, Knight and Adail return to the elemental. It looks to them as they enter, "Are you ready to begin?"
Oct 06 21:00:28 *   Adail nods, "Certainly."
Oct 06 21:00:41 <Knight>   "I'm prepared," replies Knight, who has eschewed wearing her armour today in favour of more rugged, woolen clothes.
Oct 06 21:03:06 <Kotono>   You are taken to teh back. Stables of hay sit here, each one sealed with a wooden door. There are six of them, four of them filled. The elemental stays back at this, letting the two go.
Oct 06 21:03:19 <Knight>   "
Oct 06 21:03:49 <Knight>   "These each hold a pegasus, correct? Which one would be the youngest?" asks Knight, glancing back at the elemental.
Oct 06 21:04:21 <Kotono>   He points to the third door.
Oct 06 21:05:35 *   Knight walks over to the door and opens it, taking a moment to glance at Nikkolai. "As I said, I'm not knowledgable about the differences of raising an intelligent steed versus a younger one... but in this case, it wouldn't be too different to training a soldier, would it?"
Oct 06 21:07:17 <Kotono>   Inside a small horse sits. It's pure white, winged and looking up at Knight with gold eyes.
Oct 06 21:08:09 *   Adail nods, "That sounds about right. Admittedly, I'm rather inexperienced in training anything but myself."
Oct 06 21:08:44 *   Adail greets the pegasus, "Hello there. Can you understand what she says or will I need to be translating both ways?"
Oct 06 21:08:48 <Knight>   "Can it understand what I'm saying?" asks Knight, walking into stable and kneeling down in front of the horse.
Oct 06 21:11:14 <Kotono>   "I can understand," The pegasus replies, voice deep and melodic. "You are the first two-legged to known a proper tongue for speaking."
Oct 06 21:12:31 *   Adail laughs, "That's because I'm a Guardinal. My people can speak to any living creature."
Oct 06 21:13:23 <Kotono>   "A fine name for a creature." The horse then looks to Knight, yet is not understood by her, "What do the two of you want?"
Oct 06 21:13:59 <Adail>   Turning to Knight, he nods, "He can understand you just fine."
Oct 06 21:14:35 <Adail>   "And he would like to know why we are here."
Oct 06 21:17:08 <Knight>   "Ah, very good. I saw one of your kind flying through the air just days ago," replies Knight, spreading her arms. "I thought to myself that I had never seen such a magnificent creature, and desired to seek one out at once as a companion and steed."
Oct 06 21:17:38 <Kotono>   Whinning(Which Adail hears as laughing), "You think you can tame me, two legged?"
Oct 06 21:19:01 <Adail>   Adail twitches his whiskers in amusement, and translates.
Oct 06 21:19:33 <Adail>   OOC: Just assuming Adail translates pretty much verbatem for the pegasus okay?
Oct 06 21:19:56 <Kotono>   OOC: Sure.
Oct 06 21:21:15 *   Merc is now known as Merc-zzz
Oct 06 21:22:36 <Knight>   "Tame? You think I want a draft horse? No, pegasus, I want a wild and fearless mount," replies Knight, leaning in with a grin. "I knew you'd be arrogant, but believe you me, I'll push you harder than you thought possible. Whether you can keep up or not will decide whether you leave this stable."
Oct 06 21:25:37 <Kotono>   "Ah, an arrogant one!" With another whinny, "You couldn't stay on me if someone tied you onto my back! You'll fall into exhaustion before I'm even lathered!"
Oct 06 21:26:16 *   Adail is getting quite amused by the exchange, but continues to translate faithfully.
Oct 06 21:29:22 <Knight>   "Wilder steeds than you have thought the same," replies Knight. "They weren't locked in a stable, either. I'll bet you couldn't throw a child off! Being pretty isn't the same as being strong, as you'll soon discover." She snaps her fingers. "Bring the saddle, if you would," she calls behind her.
Oct 06 21:31:54 <Kotono>   A saddle is so produces without incident. With another snort, "Try then, try your hardest."
Oct 06 21:33:57 <Knight>   "Hmph. No protests? You're already quite used to this, I see," remarks Knight, buckling on the saddle and stirrups. "Maybe this is a mistake. Maybe I should've sought a truly wild beast," she adds, jumping onto the creature's back after a moment. "Do your worst, creature!"
Oct 06 21:34:28 <Kotono>   The mount immediately bucks Knight forward! OOC: Ride check.
Oct 06 21:34:39 <Knight>   roll 1d20+16
Oct 06 21:34:48 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+16 and gets 36." [1d20=20]
Oct 06 21:35:27 <Kotono>   Knight is tossed around on the saddle, bouncing up and down like crazy! Somehow she holds on, nearly flying off several times but resisting!
Oct 06 21:36:58 <Knight>   "That's all you've got?" crows Knight. "I'm not even using my hands! Are you pegasus or a mule?"
Oct 06 21:37:26 <Kotono>   "Oh you..." It snaps, suddenly going completely berserk, charging right at the wall and stopping at the last moment! OOC: ride check.
Oct 06 21:37:38 <Knight>   roll 1d20+14
Oct 06 21:37:38 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+14 and gets 27." [1d20=13]
Oct 06 21:37:49 <Kotono>   roll 1d6
Oct 06 21:37:53 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and gets 6." [1d6=6]
Oct 06 21:38:22 <Kotono>   This time Knight isn't able to stay on, going head firs tinto the wall! WHAM! Stars and pain fill Knight's head as she floats in the air, implanted into the stone!
Oct 06 21:38:37 <Kotono>   OOC: Six points of owwies. May I recommend you do this in somewhere that doesn't have, y'know, walls close by.
Oct 06 21:39:09 <Knight>   OOC: Right, right
Oct 06 21:43:41 <Knight>   Knight presses herself against the wall and flips about to hover just beside the pegasus. "Finally got your blood really up, did I? Actually got some bite to you, do you? Good. You're not just some stablehand's pet, are you?"
Oct 06 21:46:36 <Kotono>   "Damn right!" The pegasus stares at Knight, "That's just the tip of the wind!"
Oct 06 21:47:35 <Knight>   "So how the hell did you end up here?" demands Knight, reaching for the stable door. "Should I let you out? Will you bolt, or will you stay?"
Oct 06 21:48:39 <Kotono>   "I was born here." The pegasus answers, "What about you? How'd you get here?"
Oct 06 21:51:30 <Knight>   "I'm searching for my family. They're scattered far and wide in every corner of the planes, in places a normal man cannot go and where a normal steed will not suffice. Stratusberg is just one stop along my path." She stretches her arms. "Anything you can imagine is out there, waiting to be found. I wonder, do you want for anything?"
Oct 06 21:53:06 <Kotono>   "I want for excitement," The pegasus retorts, "Only one recently has excited me, yet she was erratic and grew bored of us quickly. Will you do the same, for she spoke of family as well."
Oct 06 21:54:28 *   Adail narrows his eyes, "Was this one perhaps an Astral Deva?"
Oct 06 21:55:03 <Kotono>   "I believe it was called that," The pegasus answers.
Oct 06 21:55:22 <Knight>   "Oh, you'll get plenty of that where I'm going," replies Knight. "Don't think I'll lose the need for you or leave you behind. I seek a companion, not a tool."
Oct 06 21:57:09 *   Adail shakes his head, "It's all coming back to that Deva."
Oct 06 21:58:56 <Kotono>   "Then try," The pegasus snorts, "Let's see how long you last, two-legged!"
Oct 06 21:59:45 <Knight>   "Throw me as often as you like, but you'll tire before I do. That I guarantee," responds Knight, kicking open the stable door and swinging back onto the saddle of the unruly beast.
Oct 06 22:00:21 <Kotono>   OOC: I'm going to call for a handle animal check here, Knight.
Oct 06 22:00:49 <Knight>   OOC: Can I get an aid another or something for ADail helping me out with the talking?
Oct 06 22:01:06 <Kotono>   OOC: Sure.
Oct 06 22:01:14 <Knight>   roll 1d20+16
Oct 06 22:01:17 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+16 and gets 32." [1d20=16]
Oct 06 22:02:57 <Kotono>   OOC: Adail, if you wanna aid, go for it.
Oct 06 22:03:34 <Knight>   OOC: wis check, wrt to handle animal
Oct 06 22:03:42 <Knight>   OOC: I assumedi t succeeded, btw, but if it fails subtract 2
Oct 06 22:04:20 <Adail>   roll 1d20+5 aid
Oct 06 22:04:20 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+5 aid and gets 9." [1d20=4]
Oct 06 22:04:52 <Knight>   OOC: 30, then
Oct 06 22:06:25 <Kotono>   It's a long few days as Knight gets a measure of the pegasus. It's fiery and energetic, the two tossing around back and forth. Each 'night' Knight goes home bruised and sore all over, her muscles over used. Yet each day seems to synch them together a little better...On one such beginning, saddle put on, "What is your name?" The pegasus asks, "You have one, don't you?"
Oct 06 22:07:38 <Knight>   "Knight," replies Knight. "I don't have names as others do, it seems," she adds, with a shrug. "You?"
Oct 06 22:09:27 <Kotono>   "Bellerophon," It replies afte ra moment, "What of you, Guardinal?"
Oct 06 22:11:52 <Adail>   "I am Adail Levif, warrior Musteval and wandering do-gooder." Adail introduces himself with a flourishing bow.
Oct 06 22:13:45 <Kotono>   "Hmph, let's see if you can keep up now. I was just playing the last few days," Bellerophon declares, "This time you'll break for sure, Knight!"
Oct 06 22:16:03 <Knight>   "There's nothing you can do to me that could stop me," retorts Knight. "I've rode through the battlefields of Ysgard and stormed the fury of Limbo! Can you do worse than them? Can you?" she bets, jumping on the saddle for yet another angry workout.
Oct 06 22:16:23 <Kotono>   OOC: Make another handle animal check?
Oct 06 22:16:37 <Knight>   OOC: Gimme another aid, bucko
Oct 06 22:16:41 <Knight>   OOC: Er, Adail
Oct 06 22:16:47 <Knight>   OOC: Sorry, it felt like a cowboyish thing to say.
Oct 06 22:17:23 <Adail>   roll 1d20+5 aid with less fail this time
Oct 06 22:17:29 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+5 aid with less fail this time and gets 13." [1d20=8]
Oct 06 22:17:29 <Knight>   roll 1d20+16
Oct 06 22:17:29 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+16 and gets 20." [1d20=4]
Oct 06 22:18:19 <Kotono>   Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. A few more days pass. One evening Knight lies in bed, hurting all over. No progress...she feels like she hit a wall these last few days. A figurative and not a literal one, unlike the first time she met the pegasus.
Oct 06 22:23:04 <Knight>   It's obvious another approach is needed, she realises, after a moment. The relationship is one of competition, and while the rivalry has a certain element of friendship, it's just not what's really needed to break the beast in, and she says as much to Adail over breakfast.
Oct 06 22:23:47 <Knight>   "It's a starting point. But it needs to understand how brave it really is. And I need to know how it will really react under pressure," she states, shovelling down some stew.
Oct 06 22:24:33 *   Adail nods, "You need to make sure that's real courage and not hot headed bravado."
Oct 06 22:25:34 <Knight>   "Everyone's a coward in their first fight," clarifies Knight. "Everyone will feel that sting of fear. The question is... can they overcome it? When you know you can, that brings real confidence. If you can't, it means you need to train your mind."
Oct 06 22:27:45 *   Taishyr (~ferixstad@141.218.224.195) has joined #dunes
Oct 06 22:27:45 *   ChanServ gives channel operator status to Taishyr
Oct 06 22:28:29 *   Adail laughs, "I assume you have a plan?"
Oct 06 22:30:18 <Knight>   "I have an idea, though it's a bit rich to call it a plan," she responds. "I'm leaving the fine details to Eva. Today's session should be interesting," she adds, reaching for her lance. "Through it, Bellerophon will know himself."
Oct 06 22:31:41 <Adail>   "Am I going to get any clues as to what this idea is, or shall I be as surprised by it as him?"
Oct 06 22:33:39 <Knight>   "He thinks he's strong. I'm gonna see how he reacts to a strong adversary," replies Knight. "And with her magic, Eva will provide one." She pauses for a moment. "She has some ability with illusions, you see."
Oct 06 22:35:51 *   Adail nods, "Not a bad idea at all, actually."
Oct 06 22:37:36 <Knight>   "Want to help? The ruse would be complete if the foe was demonstrated as a threat."
Oct 06 22:38:47 <Eva>   Speaking of the wily bard, she stepped out of her room, dressed in what almost seemed to be black platemail, 'his' hair quite short and dark as he scribed over a piece of paper, as if in deep thought working out the act, "Oh, good, you're here.  We're on for later today, yes?"  He joined the table.
Oct 06 22:39:40 *   Adail sighs, "I assume you'll want me to take a fall to the illusion, then?"
Oct 06 22:40:40 <Knight>   "I don't want to insult you," replies Knight, after a moment. "Although that was part of my intent. I think Bellerophon likes you more than me, in a way. After all, you understand him. It'd really get his blood up." She nods at Eva a moment later. "We are- oh, but keep your plan a secret from me," she adds.
Oct 06 22:40:40 <Adail>   "That may not be the best of ideas, if that is your plan. Acting isn't my forte, and that would require Bellerophon to take me seriously as a combatant in the first place."
Oct 06 22:41:10 <Knight>   "Ah, well, that is fine. As long as something imposing threatens us, that is enough."
Oct 06 22:41:15 <Adail>   "Most creatures, you see, do not. At least not until they have fought either against or beside me."
Oct 06 22:41:53 <Eva>   "Hmm? Oh you want to join in, Adail?" Eva smiled, clearly in his element.  "And that's fine, just as long as you remember not to stab too realistically," Eva smirked across the table at Knight.  "I think I could find a way to work you in."
Oct 06 22:43:34 *   Adail shakes his head, "I'll leave this one to the two of you, actually."
Oct 06 22:44:07 <Knight>   "Very well. I'll let Arsan know the plan," she comments, and stands up. "I'll see you down there in a few hours, then."
Oct 06 22:45:39 <Eva>   "Aww, you'll never draw out your latent talents on the stage, my dear musteval, if you always keep to the curtains!"  Eva put down his script, working over it with a pen, detailing out a stormy performance.  "Actually, there is something you could do for me, Adail, if you would."
Oct 06 22:46:30 <Adail>   "Oh?"
Oct 06 22:47:21 <Eva>   "Ah, yes," She handed over a few gold coins, "Could you let the local authority over that area know that we'll be doing a short performance and not to be disturbed by it?"
Oct 06 22:47:43 <Eva>   "It's better to let them know ahead of time, if you are staying in town."
Oct 06 22:48:27 <Adail>   "Good idea, that. I'll see to it, then."