The shovelling will continue until morale improves

[Dracos]

Nov 17 19:27:21 <Kotono>   Thus the wounded party limps back to Stratusburg. Rest and good tidings restore the wounds of flesh, health coming as days pass and bodies mend. Adail helps, speeding the process along with his magic. Soon enough, all of you meet together, mended and intact in the inn's common room. OOC: Ball's in your courst to talk or go do whatever.
Nov 17 19:28:36 <Mari>   "So," Mari starts, "if we're going back to that portal, I'd suggest not sitting around playing symphonies until the monsters find us?"
Nov 17 19:29:46 <Kamvakua>   "That would be wise.  If one shows up again, perhaps we shall retreat sooner," He nodded, glad to be back on his feet.
Nov 17 19:29:54 <Nikkolai>   "How do you know it wasn't your obnoxious knocking that attracted that foul thing? Or even Adail's digging?"
Nov 17 19:30:22 <Nikkolai>   "In any case, the music was quite beautiful. Not quite worth dying for, I suppose."
Nov 17 19:30:23 <Kamvakua>   "If we go back and find it again, we will know," Kamvakua indicated matter of factly.
Nov 17 19:30:29 <Knight>   "Tell me again what the theoretical, ah, payoff is to this expedition," notes Knight, looking rather perplexed. "The lethal danger brings an uncertain reward, I feel."
Nov 17 19:32:11 <Mari>   "You've got these relatives of yours all over the place, right? Maybe there's one there," Mari suggests vaguely. "Oh, and *I've* got this mysterious piece of jewelry that a mysterious stranger mysteriously gave to me, if anyone cares about me at all."
Nov 17 19:32:45 <Kamvakua>   "You would rather go somewhere else?" Kamvakua eyed the Knight curiously.  "While it is dangerous, danger can be found in any direction."
Nov 17 19:34:16 <Knight>   "To a greater or lesser degree," points out Knight. "A single beast was able to lay your group low. In such restricted confines, I'm not sure my coming along would dramatically increase our odds."
Nov 17 19:34:42 <Knight>   "Therefore, despite the eventual necessity of travelling to the plane of earth, it would seem, ah, unwise to take the same route just now."
Nov 17 19:35:10 <Nikkolai>   "I'd say that it was purely bad luck on our part. With you there to keep us safe, I'm sure we can destroy one annoyingly lucky monster."
Nov 17 19:37:18 <Mari>   "Hey, is there somewhere else you'd like to go? Look, it doesn't hurt any to pop in the portal long enough for your...relative-sense or whatever the hell it is to kick in, right? I mean, you knew instantly when we got to this plane that someone was waiting for you."
Nov 17 19:37:53 *   Nikkolai gestures vaguely in Mari's direction. "What she said. If we're to reunite your family, we must leave no stone unturned."
Nov 17 19:38:05 <Knight>   "Do you have any idea quite what it was?" asks Knight, producing a sheaf of parchment and a quill. "And, ah, well, yes, I would know instantly. Be that as it may, I'd feel better if we could devise some means of defeating such a beast beforehand."
Nov 17 19:39:18 *   Mari sighs. "Well, in my experience, the best way to deal with anything hostile is to not let it know that you're even there."
Nov 17 19:41:17 <Mari>   roll 1d20+9 K:P XORN knowledge (rolling anyway because Dune seems idlish right now; he can ignore this if needed)
Nov 17 19:41:17 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+9 K:P XORN knowledge (rolling anyway because Dune seems idlish right now; he can ignore this if needed) and gets 15." [1d20=6]
Nov 17 19:42:22 <Knight>   "If it doesn't require any particular talent to avoid doing so with this creature, then I suppose it would not be a problem," acknowledges Knight. "Perhaps you intruded upon it's home; maybe there are other routes we could take from the portal."
Nov 17 19:46:15 <Kamvakua>   "It was a Xorn," Kamvakua had recognized it from his time in the planes.  "A particularly large and fearsome one it seemed.  They swim through the rock with ease, so can be hard to see coming.  They usually don't have a taste for flesh though."
Nov 17 19:47:51 <Mari>   "I guess someone did something to piss him off." Mari casts eyes on Nikkolai before moving on. "I guess we just move as quickly as possible and don't make unnecessary noise. Usually a good plan."
Nov 17 19:49:32 *   Nikkolai shrugs at Mari's implication. "Perhaps. I would like to return to hear more music, if nothing else."
Nov 17 19:50:16 <Kamvakua>   "If we go back, let us not play around when in such a small chamber," Kamvakua insisted.  "Control of the battlefield is an important part of combat."
Nov 17 19:50:22 <Mari>   "No music! When you're exploring the wilderness, you don't stop to give concerts for bare walls."
Nov 17 19:51:16 <Nikkolai>   "When we reach a safe haven, perhaps?" Nikkolai is almost childishly hopeful.
Nov 17 19:52:01 <Knight>   "I can only presume there's a reason such an interesting place would not have more frequent visitors, and thus I'd contend that is so owing to the threat of the local beastiaries," replies Knight, standing up and starting to stretch out kinks in her arms. "Kamvakua is right; until it can be shown otherwise, we must treat the expedition as though we were scouts in hostile territory."
Nov 17 19:52:28 <Mari>   "Yes, when we reach a city, maybe. But don't expect me to help you if it turns out the locals like to stone street performers."
Nov 17 19:53:39 <Nikkolai>   "Your concern is touching, Mari." Nikkolai responds drily. "Constant vigilance is the best way to keep oneself alive, I suppose."
Nov 17 19:54:09 *   Mari nods in agreement. "Right. There'll be time for distractions when everything's not trying to kill us. So...shall we move on?"
Nov 17 20:04:53 <Kotono>   Thus the party returns to the portal to Earth! Nothing groundshaking has happened here since last time - the way into the this Elemental Reality is unchanged, much like the slow moving soil and earth itself.
Nov 17 20:05:37 *   Kamvakua leads through this time, waving the others in only after checking to make sure  there isn't a xorn still waiting for them, a lit torch in hand.
Nov 17 20:05:57 <Knight>   "You'd think they'd have someone around here watching this place," remarks Knight, stepping in after Kamvakua.
Nov 17 20:06:37 <Mari>   "Depends on how common business is between the two sides," Mari says. "Not worth the cost if merchants don't use this portal."
Nov 17 20:07:48 <Knight>   "It's a natural chokepoint and the only boundary of crossing from one realm to the next. Some ambitious warlord could move an army through here, and nobody would know," replies Knight.
Nov 17 20:08:35 <Mari>   "Sure they could, but what would they conquer? Air elementals would hate it here and earth elementals would hate it being airborne."
Nov 17 20:08:54 <Kamvakua>   "I agree," Kamvakua nodded, having thought the same thing through the first time.  "You think it'd still be valuable to keep the portal so near a city secure."
Nov 17 20:09:04 *   Nikkolai looks about the floor for the hole that Adail had dug. "I wonder if that passageway actually led somewhere."
Nov 17 20:09:06 <Kotono>   Thus the party heads into Earth! The crystal cavern flashes read, all the light about crimson with hints of orange. An angry, thick tune plays from the crystals, echoing about.
Nov 17 20:09:35 *   Nikkolai looks about in alarm. "Put out that torch!"
Nov 17 20:09:39 <Mari>   "...Leeet's put that torch out, at least while the crystals are around? I don't want a repeat of last time."
Nov 17 20:09:41 *   Kamvakua puts out the torch.
Nov 17 20:09:54 <Kamvakua>   "Nikkolai, can you summon your lights?"
Nov 17 20:10:00 <Kotono>   Darkness envelopes the party, the music going silent! It's very dark in here. Dark, dark, dark, dark. Unlight.
Nov 17 20:10:28 <Nikkolai>   Nikkolai is very nervous. "Right away. Keep an eye out."
Nov 17 20:10:30 <Knight>   "What is the point on putting out the torch and summoning different lights?" mutters Knight, reaching out to put a hand on Kamvakua's back. "Everyone hold hands, or some such."
Nov 17 20:10:59 *   Nikkolai murmurs and snaps his fingers, summoning forth four globes of soft, blue light.
Nov 17 20:11:07 <Mari>   "Red and green light are bad news. Makes the crystals, I dunno...upset, or something."
Nov 17 20:11:44 <Kotono>   The crystals glow blue as softer, beautiful music plays! You can see once more! The hole Adail dug is half filled in, smooth earth spilling ove rsmooth earth and reducing it's diameter by about half.
Nov 17 20:12:03 <Kotono>   Adail scurries over, taking off his gloves. "Shall I?"
Nov 17 20:12:09 *   Mari examines the tunnel Adail was working on last time. The sooner they find a way to a less crystal-filled region, the better. "Go right ahead."
Nov 17 20:12:17 <Nikkolai>   "I wonder if the crystals are sentient...or if it is merely an ingrained reaction to different visible wavelengths."
Nov 17 20:12:19 *   Knight looks a little unhappy, and proceeds to blinks at Adail's request. "Uh, why?"
Nov 17 20:12:36 <Mari>   "Do you see another way out of here, Knight?"
Nov 17 20:12:53 <Knight>   "I can't see much at all!"
Nov 17 20:13:37 <Kamvakua>   "Dig if you can...let's hope we can get to a larger passageway soon," Kamvakua encouraged adail.
Nov 17 20:13:38 <Nikkolai>   "By all means, light a torch. Then we'll all die a horrible, gruesome death."
Nov 17 20:14:02 <Mari>   "Well, we looked around last time. This little opening Adail started is the only way out I see. Hopefully leads to a larger passageway."
Nov 17 20:15:25 <Kotono>   "I can dig, but help is appreciated," Adail says, twitching his whiskers.
Nov 17 20:18:07 <Knight>   "Well. Digging, in the earth plane. I should've thought of that," notes Knight. "Let's go back and buy some shovels. And a pickaxe, while we're at it. Perhaps we should see about hiring a miner to come with us... except there wouldn't be any of them in Stratusberg, would there."
Nov 17 20:18:13 <Kamvakua>   "I think I saw a place with shovels in the marketplace.  I will hurry back," Kamvakua headed off quickly.
Nov 17 20:18:24 <Knight>   She frowns. "Perhaps there aren't any shovels, either. No, we should go together."
Nov 17 20:18:36 <Knight>   "Splitting up around here seems dangerous," she adds, heading off after Kamvakua.
Nov 17 20:18:44 <Mari>   "We don't leave anyone here when there are Nikkolai-eating monsters about. Let's just all go and come back."
Nov 17 20:18:58 *   Nikkolai agrees with Knight. "Purchasing shovels is something we should have thought of earlier, yes. Let's be quick about it, then.
Nov 17 20:20:32 *   Kamvakua returns with shovels, for all, and extra.
Nov 17 20:20:39 <Kotono>   Thus the party and goes to buy shovels! Each one costs 2 GP, pickaxes 5 GP - apparently shovels are rare in Air. Who have thought? OOC: Go ahead and post how many you buy in the loot topic, one of you.
Nov 17 20:21:32 <Nikkolai>   I'll pitch in and take one. Knight, I'll repay you!
Nov 17 20:22:01 <Knight>   OOC: I have like no money
Nov 17 20:22:34 <Kotono>   Thus the party returns with shovels, ready to dig! OOC: Set up your lightning solution and we'll move on?
Nov 17 20:22:44 <Kamvakua>   OOC: You may want to thank the person actually buying it.  Whatever :)
Nov 17 20:23:20 <Nikkolai>   OOC: That was meant to have OOC tags. Didn't know who was buying.
Nov 17 20:23:22 <Kamvakua>   "Some light Nikkolai?"  Kamvakua lends his strong limbs to the task of digging alongside adail, shoveling the areas as Adail loosened the hard parts around.
Nov 17 20:24:43 <Nikkolai>   "Very well. I say we have a nice, soothing song to help keep our spirits up as we dig." Nikkolai is really just searching for any excuse to play with the music some more.
Nov 17 20:25:06 *   Nikkolai summons four globes; two being jade, one being purple, the other being blue.
Nov 17 20:25:06 <Kamvakua>   "No," Kamvakua delivered the short sermon of death to the idea.
Nov 17 20:25:41 *   Mari also pitches in with the digging; much as she dislikes manual labor, the quicker they find their way into another cave, the better. "Dammit, Nikkolai, if you start screwing around again then I'm going to wait outside that portal and make sure you don't come out of it again after the monsters show up."
Nov 17 20:25:48 <Knight>   "Perhaps we could harvest the crystals," remarks Knight, speculatively. "The portal isn't far, and they may be worth something to collectors.. although I would guess that someone would have done it already, if so."
Nov 17 20:26:05 <Kotono>   The music is mixed, but generally quite pleasant as the digging begins! The party gets a solid start, startin ga tunnel before Nikkolai's lights run out a minute later. OOC: You do remember the duration on your lights is 1 minute, hm? <_<
Nov 17 20:26:23 <Mari>   OOC: Yeah, magic light isn't going to keep us running for long.
Nov 17 20:26:26 <Nikkolai>   "I'd dearly love to take some with me." Nikkolai eyes the crystal with longing.
Nov 17 20:27:10 <Knight>   OOC: But if we get a decent hole done in time, we could set up a torch in the pit and it wouldn't set off alarms.
Nov 17 20:27:16 <Knight>   OOC: Admittedly that's a task of hours.
Nov 17 20:27:26 <Kotono>   OOC: Certainly, but not in a mere minute, yeah.
Nov 17 20:27:40 <Nikkolai>   Is it possible to dig in the dark, with Adail guiding us?
Nov 17 20:27:43 <Kamvakua>   OOC: This is true
Nov 17 20:27:48 <Kamvakua>   OOC: Adail can't see in the dark
Nov 17 20:27:57 <Kotono>   OOC: Do any of you have darkvision or th elike?
Nov 17 20:28:02 <Mari>   OOC: I was going to suggest what Nik just said, or try candles and hope they're dim enough to not cause trouble with the crystals.
Nov 17 20:28:17 <Kamvakua>   OOC: No
Nov 17 20:30:58 <Kotono>   roll 1d100
Nov 17 20:30:59 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 59." [1d100=59]
Nov 17 20:33:03 <Kotono>   OOC: Are yo ugoing to try candles, by the wya, Mari?
Nov 17 20:33:19 <Knight>   "I can sense my family," murmurs Knight, leaning idly on her shovel. "They're straight down, though. It must be some distance... which implies a great deal of digging to be done," she adds, a bit miffed.
Nov 17 20:33:34 <Mari>   OOC: I don't have any. If you don't mind retconning the purchasing so that we can just say I bought some, then yes, I have some. >.>
Nov 17 20:33:45 <Kotono>   OOC: That's fine at this point, since really, let's just move. <_<
Nov 17 20:33:50 *   Nikkolai shrugs. "Less talk, more digging."
Nov 17 20:34:19 <Knight>   "How far is it to the other side?"
Nov 17 20:34:19 <Kotono>   roll 1d100
Nov 17 20:34:20 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 41." [1d100=41]
Nov 17 20:35:12 *   Mari digs out a candle from her pack and lights it. "Right, this might make things easier for us. Should light up just the area we're digging...If anyone hears *anything* coming from those crystals, we douse it."
Nov 17 20:35:16 <Kamvakua>   "Adail, how much further?" Kamvakua continueed digging.
Nov 17 20:35:43 <Kotono>   "A ways!" Adail calls as you dig and dig and dig. It takes some time - abou twenty minutes, before Adail pokes back up, "Here's the bottom! It's a passage!"
Nov 17 20:36:42 <Kamvakua>   "Good on your paws, Adail.  It would've taken far longer without your lead," He helped dig enough through to get down to the passage himself.
Nov 17 20:37:13 <Kotono>   "It's a bit of a fall - have some rope ready!" Adail calls back as he digs.
Nov 17 20:37:45 *   Nikkolai uncoils his rope, readying it for whatever he may need it for.
Nov 17 20:38:13 <Mari>   "And hopefully we won't have to dig all the way there, Knight," Mari adds. "There are settlements here and there, even on this plane. Maybe someone could guide us some of the way, or point us towards an easier path." OOC: Candlelight not triggering anything from the crystals, I guess?
Nov 17 20:38:50 <Kotono>   Thus the party climbs down a rope, a ten foot drop from ceiling to floor. Here, the walls and floor are solid brown stone, lumpy and hard. A passage extends in both directions, like a roughly carved hallway in the Earth. You can't see much in either direction by candlelight. OOC: No, you were down enough and it was faint enough to be okay.
Nov 17 20:39:17 <Kamvakua>   "I'm going to light a torch so we can see farther, be prepared just in case," Kamvakua warned.
Nov 17 20:39:43 *   Kamvakua he moved a bit away from the entrance with the crystals, making sure the light wouldn't easily flow into that chamber as he relit the torch from earlier.
Nov 17 20:39:51 <Mari>   "We'll all mourn your passing if you get eaten."
Nov 17 20:40:07 *   Nikkolai is visibly disappointed to be leaving the crystals.
Nov 17 20:40:14 <Nikkolai>   "I wonder if the locals harvest it..."
Nov 17 20:40:49 <Knight>   "I'll do so as well," replies Knight, pulling out a torch of her own. "I doubt it. It's a sealed chasm; who could get to it, aside from the xorns?"
Nov 17 20:41:02 <Kotono>   Both passages stretch ahead, twisting and turning. To one direction one can note a square of gray and white-ashy stone embedded into the tunnel. It stands out rather starkly.
Nov 17 20:42:35 *   Mari moves to investigate the stone place. It's probably too much to hope for that it's some kind of marker or sign.
Nov 17 20:42:39 <Mari>   *plate
Nov 17 20:43:49 <Kotono>   There are engraved writings in the stone plate, polished and quite legible...maybe. OOC: What languages do you speak/read?
Nov 17 20:43:52 <Kamvakua>   "Let's head that way," Kamvakua followed Mari toward the square.
Nov 17 20:44:22 *   Nikkolai shrugs, carelessly looking over his shoulder at the other end of the passageway. "Whatever works, I suppose."
Nov 17 20:44:50 <Mari>   OOC: Common, Celestial, Abyssal, Auran, Draconic.
Nov 17 20:45:06 *   Knight is willing to take the lead, torch in hand!
Nov 17 20:45:40 <Kotono>   But Mari can't read the writings.
Nov 17 20:46:14 *   Nikkolai peers over Mari's shoulder. "Can't make heads or tails of it?"
Nov 17 20:46:23 <Kotono>   OOC: What languages do you speak/read if you're looking, Nikkolai?
Nov 17 20:46:33 *   Kamvakua looks as well.
Nov 17 20:46:37 <Mari>   "Anybody know moon runes?" Mari wonders, losing interest. "This isn't any language I know." OOC: Though...could I recognize it as the same alphabet as is on the bit of jewerly I got?
Nov 17 20:47:18 <Kamvakua>   OOC: Common, Gol-Kaa, Dwarven, Terran, Celestial, Elven for kamvakua
Nov 17 20:48:33 <Kotono>   OOC: Same one, and Kam can read it.
Nov 17 20:50:40 <Kamvakua>   "This is a dangerous part of the plane," Kamvakua frowned, translating for the others.  "It says that 'Ahead lies the domain of the Dao! Trespassers be warned!'  Are you familiar with the Dao?" He wondered to the others first.
Nov 17 20:51:08 <Mari>   roll 1d20+9 K:P I dunno, am I?
Nov 17 20:51:09 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+9 K:P I dunno, am I? and gets 13." [1d20=4]
Nov 17 20:51:34 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+8 It would be nice
Nov 17 20:51:35 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+8 It would be nice and gets 12." [1d20=4]
Nov 17 20:51:54 <Mari>   "Genies, I think. I dunno, really."
Nov 17 20:52:30 <Kotono>   roll 1d20+7 Adail
Nov 17 20:52:30 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Adail and gets 10." [1d20=3]
Nov 17 20:52:40 *   Nikkolai nods in vague agreement. "I could have sworn that there was something else...but it's been so long since I read of them."
Nov 17 20:53:22 <Knight>   "We need to go down, not this way," notes Knight, shrugging. "I've no reason to disturb territorial sorts at present."
Nov 17 20:54:07 <Nikkolai>   "In any case, that means that the *other* way seems safest at the moment." Nikkolai turns around and gestures grandly down the opposite way. "Shall we?"
Nov 17 20:54:31 *   Knight starts to lead off in the other direction.
Nov 17 20:54:51 *   Nikkolai ambles along behind her.
Nov 17 20:54:56 <Mari>   "We may as well take a look at the direction that doesn't blatantly advertise hostility to strangers, yes." Mari follows Knight.
Nov 17 20:55:04 <Kotono>   Thus the party walks for a time, traveling in Earth! (More)
Nov 17 20:55:07 <Kotono>   roll 1d100
Nov 17 20:55:07 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 29." [1d100=29]
Nov 17 20:55:08 <Kamvakua>   "This is true, they are genies," Kamvakua walked along. "But often fiercely territorial and cruel to those who wander in their domains.'
Nov 17 20:55:47 <Mari>   "All the more reason to avoid them, Kam."
Nov 17 20:56:56 <Kotono>   About an hour of walking passes. You go along the narrow corridor - it grows less lumpy and smoother, slowly narrowing. It's only about ten feet wide at the end of the hour, but opens wider. Ahead is a wide open chamber - about one hundred feet from side to side and about three hundred ahead. In the center of the room, about 150 away, a sharp peak rises up 50 feet. Winding behind it 100 feet are rising paths, looping around to lead up to the c
Nov 17 20:56:59 <Kotono>   Winding behind it 100 feet are rising paths, looping around to lead up to the clifftop. The stones here glitter, quartz crystals in the walls here and there.(More)
Nov 17 20:57:02 <Kamvakua>   "There are truthfully not many friend races that you will find on this plane.  Dwarves would be the closest.  Deep Gnomes sometimes," He mentioned.  "But the Dao often tend to build tunnels to confuse and daze travelers, leaving them lost and exhausted.  If we are near a Dao settlement, it is possible we are already in such a place.
Nov 17 20:59:12 <Kamvakua>   OOC: Flip me and ko's lines :)
Nov 17 20:59:40 <Kotono>   From atop the cliff you hear a merry, jovial voice. "A fine, fine, fine day to all of you from Earth!" A large, plump man with stony, ungiving features nonetheless smiles, as if splitting granite to do so. He waves from atop his lofty cliff, wearing a bright purple silk sash around his heavy gut, wearing brown clothes otherwise. "Ah, I see, truly you wish to avoid the local Dao so you came this way?"
Nov 17 20:59:42 <Kotono>   "Ah, I see, truly you wish to avoid the local Dao so you came this way?"
Nov 17 21:00:19 <Kotono>   His voice echos about in the chamber, repeating itself over and over in dimming cadences.
Nov 17 21:00:33 *   Nikkolai nods in greeting. "That we did, good sir. Could you, perchance, tell us your name and where we are?"
Nov 17 21:00:36 *   Kamvakua waves back.  "Indeed, they wish their peace, and we are happy to give it to them," Kamvakua called back.
Nov 17 21:01:07 <Mari>   "We figured you didn't want visitors on account of the sign posted warning against trespassers," Mari calls up. "Just being polite by not bothering the locals."
Nov 17 21:01:27 <Kotono>   "Right along this road is Hardsoil...but I have to tell you this is a toll road! We maintain these caverns from closing up into solid Earth, so anyone that comes has to contribute to pass. A 50 gold toll per head, in particular!"
Nov 17 21:03:54 <Kamvakua>   "What is Hardsoil?  We have recently traveled from the plane of Air and are getting our bearings," He called back, not particularly swayed by the price.
Nov 17 21:03:58 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 SM is this bullshit?
Nov 17 21:03:59 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 SM is this bullshit? and gets 17." [1d20=7]
Nov 17 21:05:05 *   Mari just looks at her companions and shrugs. It's a steep fee, but she doesn't want to start trouble with the locals in a plane as dangerous as this one.
Nov 17 21:05:29 <Kotono>   "Oh, it's a quaint little town!" Slapping his belly, "You'll love it there! The elementals aren't totally stony and all sorts of old hands at the planar travels live there!"
Nov 17 21:06:41 <Kamvakua>   "Does this cover the roads leaving Hardsoil as well?  I don't mind a fair payment for such services, though if we run into this often, we'll have reason to doubt the goodwill of such." He wondered of the toll, reaching for his bag of gold.
Nov 17 21:07:11 <Knight>   "Do you have, ah, some proof of your work?" asks Knight, dubiously.
Nov 17 21:07:12 <Kotono>   "Oh yes, certainly!" With a bobbing nod of this head, "There are several roads from Hardsoil and you can take any you please!"
Nov 17 21:07:54 <Kotono>   "Ah, is my face not enough?" Thrusting a massive, heavy chin out, "Such a lady is not well suited to criminal suspicions and worry! Surely for a lady of skill and refinement, this is a trifiling toll to pay, no?"
Nov 17 21:08:49 <Kamvakua>   "Do you have proof of payment?  I assume others watch the other roads," He gathered out the gold, holding it as evidence of his own fair bargaining.  "Does everyone have enough?"
Nov 17 21:08:49 <Mari>   "So," Mari starts, tentatively reaching for her coinpurse, "I guess you're a representative of Hardsoil? And, if we happened to inquire with the local leaders to verify this--if we wanted to, say compliment you on your work or something--they'd know who you are?"
Nov 17 21:09:21 *   Mari just nods to Kam.
Nov 17 21:09:27 <Knight>   "No, I don't have much money at present," notes Knight, with a shrug.
Nov 17 21:09:28 *   Nikkolai replies in a mild manner, "What of those of us who cannot afford to pay the toll? Would you be willing to compromise on the price? Or perhaps even consider taking a service as payment?"
Nov 17 21:09:59 <Kotono>   "I'll write you a writ of payment...and I'm sorry, but the price is not negotiable." With a polite smile as he hollers over, "Not my choice to make!"
Nov 17 21:11:12 *   Kamvakua glances at the party with a bit of a sigh. "How can you travel without being prepared for some costs upon the road?"
Nov 17 21:11:32 <Kamvakua>   "Who doesn't have enough?" He wondered, handing the man his 50 gp.
Nov 17 21:11:37 <Mari>   "Writ's good enough, I guess," Mari says skeptically. "I can cover you, Knight," she adds.
Nov 17 21:11:43 <Knight>   "I've travelled some distance, and never been charged such a toll," replies Knight, bluntly.
Nov 17 21:12:19 <Nikkolai>   "Your pardon, but not all tolls are legal or even fair." Gives a polite nod to the man in the distance. "Even this illustrious gentleman can't begrudge us our wariness."
Nov 17 21:12:34 *   Knight gives Mari a nod. "My thanks. I'm getting rather alarmed at the debt I'm accruing," she mutters.
Nov 17 21:13:08 <Mari>   "Well, I don't think they have toll roads in Limbo, Knight, on account of there not being roads." She hands the creature 100 gold for herself and Knight.
Nov 17 21:14:08 <Kotono>   OOC: The creature is 50 feet up and quite a way away atop that cliff. You'd have to do some walking.
Nov 17 21:14:38 <Mari>   OOC: In that case, let us walk forward!
Nov 17 21:14:53 <Kamvakua>   "Can you come down here?  It's hardly effective to toss coins at you from up there," He walked closer to the cliff along the path.
Nov 17 21:15:10 <Knight>   "Which way to Hardsoil?" asks Knight, glancing around at the voluminous cavern's many exits.
Nov 17 21:15:26 <Mari>   "Well, I don't think they have toll roads in Limbo, Knight, on account of there not being roads." She digs out 100 gold for herself and Knight. OOC: correction to last line.
Nov 17 21:16:10 <Kotono>   "I suppose," The granite faced man slowly meanders on down, walking slower and slower. He comes down and around, eventually reaching the party. "Now then, payment?" he asks, coming closer.
Nov 17 21:17:49 *   Nikkolai shrugs. "So long as we get what we paid for." Nikkolai carefully counts out 50 gold and hands it over.
Nov 17 21:18:06 <Kotono>   "Thank you," Nodding to Nikkolai, "You can pass. Anyone else?"
Nov 17 21:18:36 *   Mari hands over 100 gold. "For myself and our knightly companion. We were going to get receipts, I believe?"
Nov 17 21:19:11 *   Nikkolai nods his head at Mari. "What she said. I'd like a receipt as well, since you agreed to it."
Nov 17 21:19:55 <Kotono>   "That's three total. Once I get the last two payments?" Looking to Adail and then Kamvakua, "If you would?"
Nov 17 21:20:01 *   Kamvakua pays him, eying him with Detect Evil as he does so.  "A writ of passage," He paid.
Nov 17 21:21:03 <Kotono>   The man takes out parchment, handing one to each party member. "Here you are! Go up those walkways, the passage is in the back."
Nov 17 21:22:28 *   Mari just nods and procees up the ramp as directed--keeping an eye out for any traps or trickery, of course. It'd be a funny old world if she went around trusting everyone she emt.
Nov 17 21:22:39 <Kotono>   OOC: Make a spot check, Mari?
Nov 17 21:23:03 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 preemptive fuck you Hatbot
Nov 17 21:23:03 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 preemptive fuck you Hatbot and gets 13." [1d20=3]
Nov 17 21:23:04 *   Kamvakua nods, heading along.
Nov 17 21:23:17 *   Kamvakua listens for any trouble approaching.
Nov 17 21:23:31 <Kotono>   OOC: Listen check, Kam.
Nov 17 21:23:40 <Nikkolai>   "My thanks. A quick question, if I may. Are the singing crystals able to be harvested? I've seen that when exposed to different colors of light, they produce beautiful music. I'd very much like to purchase some from the locals or get it myself."
Nov 17 21:23:58 *   Nikkolai pauses before following the party, querying the man.
Nov 17 21:24:11 <Kotono>   "Oh yes, one can get items crafted of it - it's a bit expensive, though," He nods along, "Go to Grumman's Crystallum."
Nov 17 21:24:38 *   Nikkolai takes note of the name. "I'll remember that. Take care."
Nov 17 21:24:55 *   Nikkolai turns and follows the party, generally keeping his eyes open for trouble.
Nov 17 21:25:13 <Kotono>   OOC: You can spot as well if you care to, Nikko.
Nov 17 21:26:05 <Nikkolai>   OOC: One sec. I still haven't gotten the appropriate modifier memorized.
Nov 17 21:26:33 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20 Spot
Nov 17 21:26:33 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20 Spot and gets 11." [1d20=11]
Nov 17 21:26:51 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+8
Nov 17 21:26:53 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+8 and gets 10." [1d20=2]
Nov 17 21:26:56 <Kotono>   As you walk up, Mari and Nikkolai doesn't see anything amiss nor does Kamvakua hear anything awry. A passage is indeed tucked behind and up, leading onward if one cares to take it.
Nov 17 21:27:27 *   Nikkolai starts up the passage, taking point.
Nov 17 21:27:41 *   Mari follows, always glad to let someone else take the lead.
Nov 17 21:28:23 *   Knight finds herself behind Mari, and isn't too unhappy at the prospect of someone else taking the front.
Nov 17 21:28:45 <Kotono>   The party walks for about twenty minutes. As they do...ugh...! Suddenly, all becomes heavier! It's harder to walk, as if the air itself was pressing down on you! Knight's armor weighs a ton!  But ahead, you can see lights, another open cavern. The walls are lined with luminous fungus, glowing white-green.
Nov 17 21:32:04 <Mari>   "Ah, natural light! Sort of." Mari presses forward despite the sudden sluggishness to get a better look at this cavern. Where there's light, maybe there's civilization?
Nov 17 21:32:20 *   Kamvakua walks along, adjusting to the weight of his armor by simply stepping a bit harder as he walked.  
Nov 17 21:32:43 *   Merc is now known as Merc-zzz
Nov 17 21:33:04 *   Knight rapidly ends up at the back of the line, and is visible struggling with the terrible weight pressing down on her shoulders. "Guts, and courage," she mumbles, taking long, deliberate steps.
Nov 17 21:33:11 *   Nikkolai is not particularly bothered by the weight and presses onward, studying the fungus curiously, taking a bit off the walls to inspect it as he walks.
Nov 17 21:33:40 <Kotono>   Ahead you find a cavern! A small lake off ot one side, full of dark waters. Buildings of stone are about, often decorated with glowing crystal. A faint hum fills the cavern, as if a dozen crystals are singing far-away. As you step forward, it comes out of the wall! It's as big as a titan, nothing but solid earth with arms and a face! In a toneless, deep rumbling of Common, "PAsses."
Nov 17 21:34:08 <Kotono>   OOC: You can make an K:O on the fungi, Nikko.
Nov 17 21:34:51 <Nikkolai>   OOC: No ranks.
Nov 17 21:34:56 <Kotono>   OOC: Er, planes.
Nov 17 21:35:10 *   Mari hands over the slip of paper she got. "Ah, we got these from the toll collector."
Nov 17 21:35:20 *   Kamvakua holds up the write he received earlier.
Nov 17 21:35:27 <Kotono>   It takes one look at the sheet of paper, before handing it back, passing into the wall and leaving the way ahead open.
Nov 17 21:35:27 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+8 K:P for curiosity
Nov 17 21:35:28 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+8 K:P for curiosity  and gets 17." [1d20=9]
Nov 17 21:35:44 *   Nikkolai distractedly hands over his writ as well.
Nov 17 21:36:48 *   Mari heads forward into the town, obviously glad to be in an environment where she doesn't have to worry about sudden and horrible death happen as soon as the lights go out.
Nov 17 21:36:50 <Nikkolai>   "Interesting. Edible mushrooms that also serve as light source. Supposedly, the Dao often feed it to their slaves."
Nov 17 21:37:16 <Mari>   "Slaves, eh? This already sounds like a great plane to live on."
Nov 17 21:37:30 *   Knight stumbles after Mari, looking aimlessly about for a place where she can dump her wagonload of gear and stretch herself out.
Nov 17 21:38:02 *   Nikkolai strides alongside Mari. "Slavery is a pestilence that sadly, hasn't yet been stamped out. I knew there was something about the Dao that I was forgetting."
Nov 17 21:38:07 *   Nikkolai scowls.
Nov 17 21:38:38 <Kotono>   Opening up, there's a bit of space before the buildings start. You can see earth elementals walking down the streets, as well as a few humans, several dwarves, a winged angel followed by seven little lantern-like balls of light and a single six eyed being with a head like a rectangle, everyone giving it a wide berth.
Nov 17 21:39:20 <Mari>   roll 1d20+9 for my low single-digit number
Nov 17 21:39:21 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+9 for my low single-digit number and gets 10." [1d20=1]
Nov 17 21:39:39 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+8 K:p Rectanglehead, what art thou?
Nov 17 21:39:39 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+8 K:p Rectanglehead, what art thou? and gets 21." [1d20=13]
Nov 17 21:40:21 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+5
Nov 17 21:40:22 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+5 and gets 16." [1d20=11]
Nov 17 21:41:04 *   Mari has to crack a smile at the train of celestials. It's like a duck with a batch of little ducklings trailing after it. she has no idea what that multi-eyed creature is and some curiosity to know, but if the locals are staying away then she will too.
Nov 17 21:41:20 <Kamvakua>   "Well, that was far less trouble than last time.  Here we can see about orienting ourselves, and seeing what kind of expedition it may take to find your kinsman, Knight," Kamvakua smiled at their fortune.
Nov 17 21:42:08 <Mari>   "Yeah, we--" Mari turns to look at Knight and pauses. "Uh, lodging first would be best, I guess? Before your spine breaks in half?"
Nov 17 21:42:29 *   Nikkolai looks around for obvious signs of an inn, tired, though not nearly in as bad a shape as Knight is.
Nov 17 21:42:59 <Knight>   "This is no burden!" declares Knight, reaching for her skin of water and fumbling with the cap. "I'm simply hungry, so an inn would be appropriate."
Nov 17 21:43:19 <Kamvakua>   "Do you need help?" Kamvakua shrugged at the smaller woman, not seeming as bothered by the change in gravity.
Nov 17 21:44:07 <Knight>   "No, I can afford it!"
Nov 17 21:44:39 <Mari>   "Nooo, I think he meant, 'Do you need help walking more than five feet?'"
Nov 17 21:45:41 <Knight>   "I can afford that, too!"
Nov 17 21:46:50 *   Nikkolai has quit (ChatZilla 0.9.85 [Firefox 3.5.5/20091102152451])
Nov 17 21:47:32 <Kamvakua>   "Alright," He smiled, leading away to the nearest decent looking inn-like rock structure or house.
Nov 17 21:47:59 <Kotono>   Finding lodgings is simple enough - fortunately for poor Knight. You come to a rocky dome, split into dozens of tiny pie shaped rooms around a middle. Here a florid faced man with tiny horns atop his head gestures yo uin, hair salt and pepper. "1 gold for a room for 2 per night," he says, "Meals included."
Nov 17 21:49:13 <Knight>   "We'll take two!" declares Knight, bracing herself against a nearby table. "Which ones?"
Nov 17 21:50:00 <Kotono>   He points at two wedge-rooms to the north. "Enjoy...my, you look tired," Peering at Knight, "A lady like you shouldn't be wearing that here and carrying all of that."
Nov 17 21:50:12 *   Kamvakua pulled out the gold, paying the man for a night.  "She's stubborn," He explained.
Nov 17 21:50:43 <Mari>   "Sounds good to me," Mari says. "Girls in one room, guys in another, I figure."
Nov 17 21:50:45 <Kamvakua>   "We're fresh into Hardsoil, is there anything around you recommend...or a good place to get oriented about this plane?" He wondered, a simple question.
Nov 17 21:50:49 <Knight>   "Compared to the loss of my comrades, this is nothing!" replies Knight, charging towards the distant room and slamming the door behind her.
Nov 17 21:51:33 <Kamvakua>   "...and a bit high strung today," He smirked at the sight.
Nov 17 21:52:09 <Mari>   "Mm. Someone dislikes looking weak in front of others," Mari observes. "I'll have to remember this."
Nov 17 21:55:34 <Kotono>   "Women get like that on occasion. Human women about once a month," With his own smirk back at Kamvakua, "Depends.What are you in town for?"
Nov 17 21:57:43 <Kamvakua>   "Traveling through mainly...You were looking for a jeweler, right?" He leaned back, glancing at Mari.  "But mainly, interested in seeing what wonders are around here," The traveling warrior replied.
Nov 17 21:59:47 <Mari>   "Yeah, something like that. And our heavier companion has someplace in particular she needs to get, but she'll have to tell you more herself."
Nov 17 22:01:12 <Kotono>   "What sort of jeweler? This is Earth: There are more jewelers and metalsmiths than grains of sand on the beaches of Celestia!"
Nov 17 22:01:41 <Mari>   "Abraham was the name, I believe. Grendir Abraham."
Nov 17 22:02:40 *   Mari displays the bracelet she was given by way of demonstration. "I gather he made this, so maybe he's known for working with silver."
Nov 17 22:03:12 *   Knight emerges from her room, dressed in a neat shirt and trousers that wouldn't be quite out of place at a meeting of businessmen; it is spartan and austere, but quite sharp. Her coppery hair, however, is a bit frayed and ragged, in bad need of a comb and cut.
Nov 17 22:03:39 <Kotono>   "Oooh, nice taste." Looking the bracelet over, "He's pretty good, has a name for himself. He's not in Hardsoil - you'll need to travel a long ways to find him."
Nov 17 22:04:25 <Mari>   "I can't say I'm shocked. How long a trip are we talking about here? What general direction?"
Nov 17 22:06:05 <Kotono>   "Well, you have to follow the Dimblock road for a few weeks, stop at Gandtock, head along to Shineshale, pass through a Doa toll area and then..." He thinks, "I think that'll get yout o him. He's in the free town past that."
Nov 17 22:07:12 <Knight>   "Where are we going?" asks Knight, sidling up to Mari.
Nov 17 22:07:22 *   Kamvakua eyes Knight and without actually referencing her, "Any work around the town?" He wondered innocently.
Nov 17 22:08:29 <Kotono>   Now the man's eyes narrows, "So you're looking for work, eh? Go check out Granny Tam's shop. Tell them red xorns sent you."
Nov 17 22:08:30 *   Mari makes note of these directions, then turns an apologetic look on Knight. "Everywhere, sounds like. You do know how much of a mess you look right now, don't you?"
Nov 17 22:09:07 <Knight>   "This is my best outfit," replies Knight, sounding a little piqued. "What's wrong with it?"
Nov 17 22:10:27 <Mari>   "It's perfectly utilitarian adventuring gear. There's nothing wrong with it." Mari picks at a lock of Knight's hair and waggles it for demonstration. "This is the problem. when's the last time you had a good bath?"
Nov 17 22:11:27 <Kotono>   "A while," Sniffing the air, "If I may say so, lady."
Nov 17 22:11:57 <Mari>   "There, see?"
Nov 17 22:12:22 <Knight>   "Before we came here, and that should tell you enough," replies Knight. "What do you expect, after tramping about these tunnels in armour? I sweat, like anyone else!"
Nov 17 22:13:18 *   Kamvakua nods, "Thanks for the advice," He left a silver on the counter, turning to the others.  "Any hot springs around?" He wondered listening to the two women tease each other.
Nov 17 22:13:43 <Mari>   "Does that mean you're going to smell like this as long as we're on this plane? ...Yeah, Kam's got the right idea."
Nov 17 22:15:01 <Knight>   "You aren't prizes yourselves, you know," mutters Knight.
Nov 17 22:15:22 <Kamvakua>   "A little time cleaning up won't hurt any of us," He smirked, not at all disturbed by the young human.
Nov 17 22:16:01 <Kotono>   "There's a bathhouse that can heat water from Lake Boulder." With a shrug, "5 silver for a heated bath, 1 gold for that and soap."
Nov 17 22:16:44 <Knight>   "Not that I would be against some relaxation," adds Knight, a little hastily. "Which way?"
Nov 17 22:17:12 <Kotono>   "It's the big building with blue quartz walls nea rthe lake," With a jerk of this thumb, "Can't miss it if you're looking for it."
Nov 17 22:17:18 <Mari>   "That's not so bad," Mari says. "I'll even pay for you if needed."
Nov 17 22:17:23 <Kotono>   "In fact," Wrinkling his nose, "I can get someone to guide you there right onw."
Nov 17 22:18:37 <Knight>   "I can afford that much! Look, I'll ask if I need money from now on," replies Knight, turning and heading for the door.
Nov 17 22:19:24 *   Mari follows Knight out into the street, looking rather pleased with herself.
Nov 17 22:19:28 <Kamvakua>   "Thanks for the directions," He waved the man off.  "I think we can make it there if you point us the right way," Kamvakua headed along with them
Nov 17 22:22:18 <Kotono>   Bathing goes without incident, the party now far less offensive to each other and the world around them! OOC: Ball's in your court.
Nov 17 22:23:39 *   Kamvakua leads them after a good cleaning toward Granny Tam's shop, wandering in and taking a look around.
Nov 17 22:24:01 <Mari>   "There we go. Much better, eh Knight? Now men might actually look out you without having to wonder which species you are."
Nov 17 22:26:16 <Kamvakua>   "She's a human, isn't she...mostly?" Kamvakua replied to Mari's question. "Isn't that obvious under the armor?"
Nov 17 22:26:55 <Kotono>   You find Granny Tam's shop without too much trouble. It's a narrow little place, sharp slaps of smooth volcanic rock in rows. Kamvakua has to slide in, the walls slippery enough to make it easy. Inside all sorts of crystalline shapes hang from the ceiling, the walls with deep cubbyhole insets, filled with crystalline charms and carvings inside. From somewhere in the back, unseen, "Weeelcoommmeee..." An ancient voice croaks.
Nov 17 22:27:00 <Kotono>   From somewhere in the back, unseen, "Weeelcoommmeee..." An ancient voice croaks.
Nov 17 22:27:38 <Knight>   "I suppose I'm human," replies Knight, before looking up with a start. "We are? Hello? Is that Ms. Tam?"
Nov 17 22:28:11 <Kotono>   "That's GRANNY to you!" The voice becomes sharper, yet still a croak.
Nov 17 22:29:30 *   Mari strolls in and takes a look around the shop. "I can't shake the feeling that this is one of those shops you buy something mysterious and magical at one day only to find the shop gone the next day."
Nov 17 22:29:57 <Kotono>   At Mari's words, a crystalline pendant rises up into the air, floating! It swirls around her neck, wrapping into place!
Nov 17 22:31:01 <Kamvakua>   "Hey now...What's with this?" Kamvakua was a bit surprised at the pendant.  "We came at the Red Xorns call," He eyed into the strange darkness in the back.
Nov 17 22:31:11 <Mari>   "What--" Mari grabs at the pendant out of sheer reflex. People are supposed to pick out their own jewelry, not the other way around!
Nov 17 22:32:25 <Kotono>   The pendant is on tight to Mari, green crystal cool against her skin and unrelenting in it's hug! Back and back the shop goes, farther than Kamvakua can see. "The Red Xorn sent you, eh? So you want to work for Grany?"
Nov 17 22:32:49 <Kamvakua>   "Maybe...Depends on the work," Kamvakua detected evil, looking toward the voice.
Nov 17 22:33:17 <Kotono>   Kamvakua doesn't detect any evil. The voice is coming from somewher ein the back...hard to pinpoint...OOC: Make listne?
Nov 17 22:33:28 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+8
Nov 17 22:33:28 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+8 and gets 9." [1d20=1]
Nov 17 22:33:38 <Knight>   "Is that what we want to do?" mumbles Knight, walking next to Mari.
Nov 17 22:33:43 <Knight>   roll 1d20+1
Nov 17 22:33:44 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+1 and gets 9." [1d20=8]
Nov 17 22:33:56 <Kotono>   Meanwhile, the others can notice that Mari's hair is turning a vibrant green, glowing lightly.
Nov 17 22:34:09 <Kotono>   Neither of the two can quite pin down the voice.
Nov 17 22:34:34 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 if I can listen while being...whatevered...by this thing
Nov 17 22:34:35 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 if I can listen while being...whatevered...by this thing and gets 17." [1d20=7]
Nov 17 22:35:05 <Mari>   "Just so you know," Mari calls out, "I'm not paying for this thing! If your merchandise likes me too much, it's your own fault!"
Nov 17 22:35:36 <Kotono>   "It ain't hard work...Granny will see what you're made of! There's some uppity Dao back th eother way with no sense of respect for anyone but themselves!" A cackle follows that, "You can keep it, glowhair! Granny likes that nickname! From now on, you're named Glowhair! Green Glowhair, missy!"
Nov 17 22:36:15 <Knight>   "Well, at least we won't need a torch?"
Nov 17 22:38:28 <Kamvakua>   "The planes are a mysterious place," Kamvakua smiled.  "You want us to take the city of Dao...That seems a bit much!  Even for us...or did you have a specific one in mind?"
Nov 17 22:39:00 <Kotono>   "Of cours enot! If you could take that city you wouldn't be barking up my tree! I want you to go free a couple of slaves and bring them to Hardsoil! Just any couple will do, give the Dao a good bloody nose!"
Nov 17 22:39:55 <Mari>   "No I'm not! I--" Mari becomes aware of a new light source, and shakes her head until her hair hangs in front of her eyes. "Huh. This could be a good look for me...But if it's *permanent*, then I'm coming back here and doing something unspeakably graphic to you...wherever you are...whatever you are."
Nov 17 22:40:27 <Kotono>   "Hehehehheheheheheeee!" Cackling now, "If you like it so much, want another?" she calls back, "Be a good missy and I'll take it off when you get back!"
Nov 17 22:40:50 <Knight>   "I think anything you do with that hair will be unspeakably graphic," remarks Knight, before glancing back at the voice. "How will you compensate us?"
Nov 17 22:40:51 <Kamvakua>   "Well, a chained spirit is no good to anyone," He nodded.  "I have no problem with the request..."
Nov 17 22:41:13 <Mari>   "Wait, you have other colors?" Mari wonders, this apparently a more pressing issue than pay.
Nov 17 22:42:41 <Kotono>   "So you're a picky little missy, eh? Fine!" With that, the necklace falls off! But this time another one flies out to take it's place, this one a bright, eyesearing yellow with bands of cotton candy pink! Mari's hair glows just like that, while a bracelet flies out and attaches to her wrist! Abruptly, her skin color changes to black, her ears lengthening, "How about that bodywork, missy! You look like a fine drow now!"
Nov 17 22:42:49 <Kotono>   "How about that bodywork, missy! You look like a fine drow now!"
Nov 17 22:43:56 <Mari>   "You WRETCH. I'm going to strangle you with your own innards! Where are you?"
Nov 17 22:44:18 *   Knight reaches out to grab the tip of Mari's ears.
Nov 17 22:44:43 <Kamvakua>   "Mari~"  Kamvakua caught her shoulder, trying to calm her down.  "Granny Tam, could you please not tease Mari so?"  He asked stonily.
Nov 17 22:45:07 <Knight>   "I think these are real, you know!"
Nov 17 22:45:10 <Kotono>   Mari finds the tip of her ear VERY sensitive! That hurts!
Nov 17 22:45:13 *   Mari smacks Knight's hand away. "Eyes only, dammit! No, scratch that, don't look, either."
Nov 17 22:45:55 <Kotono>   "Anyway, go do that and I'll make it worth your while. Money, jewelry or magic, any of the three works."
Nov 17 22:47:15 <Knight>   "I think we can trust her," whispers Knight. "She sounds like a legitimate dealer."
Nov 17 22:47:57 <Kamvakua>   "Are you alright, Mari?" He wondered, stepping back a bit himself as he looked over the newfound drow.
Nov 17 22:48:36 <Mari>   "Do I LOOK alright?"
Nov 17 22:49:08 <Knight>   "Dreadful, dreadful, the men won't even know what species you are," replies Knight, looking awfully smug.
Nov 17 22:50:33 <Kotono>   "It suits you fine, missy! Now get going!" With a cackling laugh, "The Dao await!"
Nov 17 22:50:59 <Mari>   "They'll know EXACTLY what species I LOOK LIKE, though! I--argh!" Mari just stomps out into the street. If the other two have more negotiating to do, they do it without her.
Nov 17 22:51:05 <Kamvakua>   "Different, for sure..."  Kamvakua said, not having much taste for drow, though in truth Mari did not look all that different.
Nov 17 22:51:17 <Knight>   "It's alright, Mari! You'll still need to beat them off with a stick!"
Nov 17 22:51:47 <Mari>   "That's no comfort if they're trying to kill me!" Mari calls back as she exits.
Nov 17 22:54:24 <Kamvakua>   "Don't worry, we're traveling companions...I won't let you come to harm," He said simply.