Drow, Orcs, and Pigtails...oh my!

[Dracos]

OOC: Sekrit Agent...Adaaaail.

Dec 01 19:29:23 <Kotono>   Adail creeps back to the slave pens! He reaches the fungus farm once more, the dao there seemingly distracted, yelling at a slave. "Lazy, damn you!" he scouts, "Don't you dare be slacking!"
Dec 01 19:32:26 *   Adail sneaks over to the spot he used before and quietly slips back through the hole.
Dec 01 19:36:23 <Kotono>   Adail is able to sneak back through and into the corridor ahead without inciden.t Ahead the jail-cell style door awaits.
Dec 01 19:37:02 <Adail>   OOC: Jail cell style? I don't suppose this includes bars that might be far enough apart for a tiny mouse-man to slip through?
Dec 01 19:38:18 *   Nikkolai (~chatzilla@173-105-143-23.pools.spcsdns.net) has joined #evildunes
Dec 01 19:38:45 <Kotono>   OOC: You could. You might need to wiggle a bit but you easily could.
Dec 01 19:40:12 *   Adail sets to the task of wiggling through the bars.
Dec 01 19:40:26 <Adail>   OOC: untrained EA check? And do I get any pluses to that for being Tiny?
Dec 01 19:41:21 <Kotono>   OOC: Go ahead. It's scaled to you being tiny(A larger creature would have a much harder DC.)
Dec 01 19:42:04 <Adail>   roll 1d20+8
Dec 01 19:42:05 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+8  and gets 14." [1d20=6]
Dec 01 19:43:29 <Kotono>   With some wiggling, Adail is able to get through!
Dec 01 19:45:02 *   Adail continues on his way, searching out where any slaves might be living while keeping hidden as best he can.
Dec 01 19:45:37 <Adail>   roll 1d20+23 hide again I assume
Dec 01 19:45:38 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+23 hide again I assume and gets 29." [1d20=6]
Dec 01 19:45:46 <Adail>   roll 1d20+15 MS again I assume
Dec 01 19:45:47 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+15 MS again I assume and gets 31." [1d20=16]
Dec 01 19:46:15 <Kotono>   Ahead you down another slope, deeper into Earth. Then you reach it. A vast chasm in the ground, depressed pits. Each pit is filled with anywhere from 3 to 10 humanoids, dirty and foul. Ropes hang far above, attached to small wooden slats well above the pits. The pits are about twenty feet deep, smooth and polished hard rock. The smell of offal is strong here, making Adail quesy.
Dec 01 19:47:36 *   Adail tries to get a good view of just how many slaves there are in here...
Dec 01 19:48:26 <Kotono>   A casual estimate would put it between 100 and 200. Ballpark. Assuming all are alive, that is.
Dec 01 19:49:30 *   Adail then looks around for any Dao that may be watching over the area, carefully scanning with his ability to see the invisible. He wants to make sure he isn't overheard before he goes and talks to any slaves.
Dec 01 19:50:01 <Kotono>   There's no Dao about that Adail sees. Far on the other side of the pit, back on higher ground, there are a few doors, though.
Dec 01 19:50:35 *   Adail skitters over to listen at those doors before trying anything.
Dec 01 19:51:04 <Kotono>   OOC: Make listen.
Dec 01 19:51:21 <Adail>   roll 1d20+14
Dec 01 19:51:22 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+14 and gets 29." [1d20=15]
Dec 01 19:51:45 <Kotono>   Adail can hear the distant sounds of stone breaking and metal on stone, he thinks.
Dec 01 19:52:56 <Adail>   He nods as he recognizes the sounds of what he assumes is mining. Nobody on the other side of those doors will hear anything he does on this side, that's for sure.
Dec 01 19:53:11 <Kotono>   As Adail does this, he can hear faraway footsteps behind him.
Dec 01 19:53:32 *   Adail finds a place to hide and waits to observe whoever is walking towards him.
Dec 01 19:53:40 <Kotono>   OOC: Rol lhide.
Dec 01 19:53:51 <Adail>   roll 1d20+23
Dec 01 19:53:51 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+23 and gets 35." [1d20=12]
Dec 01 19:54:16 <Kotono>   Ahead, you can spot your friends and Feyiz! They're just at the entrance, looking about.
Dec 01 19:56:29 *   Adail slips closer to make sure he can hear them, but doesn't reveal himself yet.
Dec 01 19:56:39 <Adail>   roll 1d20+15 MS can the hide check stand?
Dec 01 19:56:39 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+15 MS can the hide check stand? and gets 16." [1d20=1]

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

OOC: The Drow and her Slaves.

Dec 01 19:27:41 <Kamvakua>   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dec 01 19:29:51 <Kotono>   OOC: Go ahead and free act for the moment, no visible threads. Combat's over.
Dec 01 19:29:55 *   Kamvakua scans around the room real quickly detecting evil.
Dec 01 19:31:05 <Kotono>   The surviving Dao shrinks back, "You've managed ot make a complete mess of this, and for what?"
Dec 01 19:31:29 *   Nikkolai (~chatzilla@173-105-143-23.pools.spcsdns.net) has joined #dunes
Dec 01 19:31:29 *   Mari turns to Feyiz, blades still at the ready, making it very obvious that his cooperation is not negotiable from here on out. "That depends. What else have you got in these cells?"
Dec 01 19:32:33 *   Kamvakua turns, still rather large as he glared down upon the Dao.  "You made your deal, you will abide by it," He said simply, his words as solid as the rock they stood on.
Dec 01 19:33:56 <Kotono>   "W-we use those for holding more interesting slaves...there's a few elementals from the court of the Elemental Evil of Earth right now, mostly."
Dec 01 19:34:29 <Kamvakua>   "Does others know of your devil?" Kamvakua eyed him.
Dec 01 19:35:15 <Mari>   roll 1d20+9 K:P what the heck?
Dec 01 19:35:15 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+9 K:P what the heck? and gets 15." [1d20=6]
Dec 01 19:35:49 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+5 we do this many times :)
Dec 01 19:35:50 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+5 we do this many times :) and gets 6." [1d20=1]
Dec 01 19:36:21 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+8 Man, that sounds like we want to stay faaaaaar away from there
Dec 01 19:36:21 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+8 Man, that sounds like we want to stay faaaaaar away from there and gets 19." [1d20=11]
Dec 01 19:37:07 <Mari>   "...Right, what else have you got?"
Dec 01 19:37:45 <Nikkolai>   "Hmm. I'm not sure I want to tangle with the likes of that." Nikkolai drawls idly.
Dec 01 19:38:10 <Kamvakua>   "Humans.  25 of them at least.  Where are your personal holding pens for such?"  Kamvakua had his pike pointed at him, clearly in little mood at the moment for delays.
Dec 01 19:38:42 <Mari>   "We may not have a choice if it comes down to us having to fight through all those guards upstairs. That is, unless Mr. Feyiz can offer us another way out of here."
Dec 01 19:39:25 <Kotono>   "T-this way," Gesturing, "I-I'll take you to the slave pens."
Dec 01 19:39:54 <Kamvakua>   "If I have to slay another Dao, Feyiz will be that dao," He drew back a spear, stating simply.  "Hopefully no more blood needs to be spilled."  He relaxed, reducing back in size as he hid the exhaustion from such effort.
Dec 01 19:40:19 <Nikkolai>   "Let the Dao go first. I don't think I'd want him at my back." Nikkolai is uneasy about being in front.
Dec 01 19:40:19 <Mari>   "Lead the way," Mari says, gesturing with a sword and smiling. "We'll be right behind you."
Dec 01 19:42:41 <Kotono>   Thus the Dao leads you out! He leads you back into the corridor and to the main entrance, heading straight ahead now. You come into a vast cavern, full of fungus. A few human slaves work here, picking. A Dao stands over there, turning as the party enters. His eyes narrow, but says nothing.
Dec 01 19:43:23 <Nikkolai>   "No sudden moves, Feiyz. Wouldn't want Mari here to get sword happy, now would we?" Nikkolai whispers quietly.
Dec 01 19:44:16 <Kotono>   "I wouldn't," He hisses back to Nikkolai, Feyiz makin ga curt nod to the other Dao. He stares daggers at the party, but does not a thing as you pass by. A locked door is ahead here, "Hold on, I need to open it."
Dec 01 19:44:58 <Mari>   "We also don't want your friend running off to tell the others as soon as we're out of sight," Mari suggests quietly.
Dec 01 19:47:28 <Nikkolai>   "Feiyz knows the stakes. If there's even a *hint* of betrayal on his part or that of his comrades, we'll gut him like a fish." Nikkolai grins amusedly. 
Dec 01 19:47:52 <Kotono>   "He won't," Feyiz snaps, unlocking the door. Ahead is another door set in, a jail cell style door. He goes to unlock that one as well, letting it swing open. "You're making a h-huge mistake here. You don't want to make enemies of the Dao!"
Dec 01 19:48:40 <Kamvakua>   "Calm," Kamvakua did not see the need to antagonize their unwitting partner.  "Enemies...do you really want to admit such loss?  Would that not be an embarassing loss of face?  Why not simply sell us them as an honest businessman."
Dec 01 19:48:40 <Nikkolai>   "Perhaps not. But I do take a great interest in making enemies of slavers, dao. Keep your mouth shut and do your job."
Dec 01 19:48:59 *   Nikkolai looks on coldly at the Dao.
Dec 01 19:50:40 <Mari>   "At a substantial discount," Mari adds. "I'm thinking something like us paying zero gold."
Dec 01 19:50:55 <Kotono>   The Dao's face is drawn, eyes flaring as he walks through the door. "This way."
Dec 01 19:51:37 *   Mari continues to follow, watching carefully for any signs of treachery.
Dec 01 19:51:40 *   Nikkolai nods in mocking politeness to the Dao. "Such a fine guide you are, sir. Lead the way."
Dec 01 19:52:00 *   Nikkolai follows behind the Dao, watching him like a hawk.
Dec 01 19:52:21 <Kotono>   You are lead ahead. The stench of human waste assails you! Ahead lies...A vast chasm in the ground, depressed pits. Each pit is filled with anywhere from 3 to 10 humanoids, dirty and foul. Ropes hang far above, attached to small wooden slats well above the pits. The pits are about twenty feet deep, smooth and polished hard rock. The smell of offal is strong here.
Dec 01 19:53:37 *   Kamvakua eyes the way behind them, detecting evil.
Dec 01 19:54:30 *   Nikkolai looks upon the sight with disgust and contempt. But he keeps his silence, more interested in getting the slaves freed and getting out than outright gutting the Dao.
Dec 01 19:55:02 <Kotono>   "You want them?" The dao gestures to the sides, where some various levers are. "Those control the slats above. They're the only way out."
Dec 01 19:56:48 *   Mari looks around. "Seems like a good start. Let's see about getting these people out of those pits? You operate the levers, please. You know which is which. And I trust you know what happens to you if any of them sounds an alarm."
Dec 01 19:56:49 *   Nikkolai walks over to inspect the levers. "All of these levers control the slats?"
Dec 01 19:57:47 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 spot (who could it be?!)
Dec 01 19:57:47 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 spot (who could it be?!) and gets 23." [1d20=13]
Dec 01 19:58:05 *   Nikkolai stands aside at Mari's pointed suggestion. "You heard the lady."
Dec 01 19:58:29 <Kotono>   roll 1d20+14 (not counting range+distractions)
Dec 01 19:58:30 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 (not counting range+distractions) and gets 20." [1d20=6]
Dec 01 19:58:51 *   Kamvakua stays on his guard, focusing on keeping a lookout inbetween watching Feyiz.
Dec 01 20:00:36 <Kotono>   Thus the party gets to lowering the slats! At this the pits seem to awaken, dazed looks as the lsats lower! Slowly people come up, starin gat Feyiz and the party.
Dec 01 20:01:59 <Nikkolai>   Nikkolai speaks relatively gently, for once. "Have no fear. My companions and I are here to free you. No more are you slaves. Keep quiet and alert, and you'll be free in no time at all."
Dec 01 20:02:04 <Mari>   "I think someone else should explain the situation to these people," Mari says to Nik and Kam, slipping behind the giant and gesturing surreptitiously to the creature she'd just spotted.
Dec 01 20:02:55 *   Kamvakua blinks, glancing over briefly in the direction Mari pointed.
Dec 01 20:03:50 <Kamvakua>   OOC: Remove action, still playing lookout
Dec 01 20:04:23 <Kotono>   Thus slaves are brought up! More and more, the slats slowly bringing men and women and children to freedom! They are filthy, scrawny and downcast, only sneaking glances at the party.
Dec 01 20:04:43 *   Adail realizes Mari has seen him and winces for a moment at himself before slipping over, using the noise of the slaves moving about to cover his own steps.
Dec 01 20:05:17 *   Nikkolai frowns, noticing the wretched state of the slaves. He eyes the Dao coldly, his fingers twitching.
Dec 01 20:07:07 <Nikkolai>   "Friends!" Nikkolai addresses the gathering slaves. "You are no longer slaves! Hold your heads up high! We will free you from the Dao or die trying."
Dec 01 20:07:36 *   Nikkolai gestures to his companions. "We shall keep you safe to the best of our ability. Stay close to us and we'll get you out of here."
Dec 01 20:07:43 *   Mari kneels down to talk to Adail. "Slight change of plans, Adail. Our guide here knows what we're on about and we're going to have to step carefully to escape without any more trouble. He cooperates from fear of punishment only."
Dec 01 20:08:30 <Kotono>   The slaves stare at Nikkolai. A woman begins to cry, sobbing into her hands. Another man stares, "You mean...please...it's not a dream? This nightmare..." He hacks violently, wiping his lips, "It's over?"
Dec 01 20:09:31 *   Nikkolai nods. "I promise you, it's over. One way or another, you'll be freemen and freewomen very soon."
Dec 01 20:09:34 *   Adail sighs, whispers back in very very soft Auran(a launguage I assume is good for whispering in), "Shall I remain hidden as a surprise if things go badly from here?"
Dec 01 20:11:14 <Mari>   "It can't hurt. Anything they don't know about could work in our favor. Hitch a ride in my pack if you want? Oh, and full disclosure...there's a devil about somewhere, though she seems as upset with the dao as with us."
Dec 01 20:11:56 *   Adail shakes his head to decline the offer, and slinks back into a shadow to follow the group but keep as hidden as he can.
Dec 01 20:17:42 <Kotono>   "Take us out of this nightmare!" Another man pleads, "Please!"
Dec 01 20:18:04 <Kamvakua>   "Are they ready?" Kamvakua wondered, looking over the dirty humans and taking count to see how many.  "Keep your voices low.  We're still in danger.  We will see you all out of here.  But Heads down."
Dec 01 20:18:38 <Kotono>   Thirty have come up now. Feyiz looks at you, "Go on, get out of here," he snaps, "Get out of here and never come back."
Dec 01 20:18:59 <Kamvakua>   "See us to the exit," Kamvakua insisted.  "We will leave there."
Dec 01 20:19:35 <Mari>   "Yes," Mari says sweetly. "We're in a business relationship, after all. You should see us to the exit, parting on good terms in front of everyone."
Dec 01 20:20:34 <Kotono>   The dao takes the lead, staring at Mari without expression now. He begins to walk ahead.
Dec 01 20:20:57 *   Kamvakua stays within stabbing distance  of the Dao at all times.
Dec 01 20:21:28 <Nikkolai>   "Remember, Dao. If you betray us, I shall do my damndest to cleanse this...hole with fire." Nikkolai drops to the back of the group, making sure all the freed slaves can keep up.
Dec 01 20:21:55 *   Adail waits to take up a hidden place at the very tail end of the procession, in case of any surprises from behind.
Dec 01 20:22:08 *   Mari follows with the noble bearing of a proud drow warrior, her retinue of slaves trailing behind her.
Dec 01 20:22:53 <Kotono>   OOC: Make another intimidate check, Nikkolai? +4 bonus from you guys all working him over.
Dec 01 20:23:42 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+22+4 By God, I'll rip out your tongue and make you eat it if you betray us!
Dec 01 20:23:43 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+22+4 By God, I'll rip out your tongue and make you eat it if you betray us! and gets 43." [1d20=17]
Dec 01 20:25:39 <Kotono>   The trip out is uneventful. Feyiz plays nice, or so it seems. He leads you past the other slaves and the single Dao, back to the entrance. He leads you past the guards without a comment, past the final band out. He stands here, "Go," he says in a single word.
Dec 01 20:26:19 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 sense motive, he better be as cowed as he sounds!
Dec 01 20:26:19 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 sense motive, he better be as cowed as he sounds! and gets 26." [1d20=16]
Dec 01 20:26:35 *   Nikkolai stands aside, making sure every slave walks out unmolested. "Pray that we do not meet again, Feiyz. I have a feeling it will not be as amiable as this one."
Dec 01 20:26:51 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+10 also eying him for signs of a trap
Dec 01 20:26:52 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+10 also eying him for signs of a trap and gets 27." [1d20=17]
Dec 01 20:27:27 *   Kamvakua gestures the slaves ahead. "Mistress," He solemnly nodded to Mari, heading down the path.
Dec 01 20:27:38 *   Kamvakua scans ahead with a detect evil.
Dec 01 20:28:23 <Kotono>   Thus the slaves hurry out! Feyiz merely glares at Nikkolai, not saying a word.
Dec 01 20:28:31 *   Mari leaves, satisfied that Feyiz has nothing untoward planned (for today, at least) and glad to be rid of this place.
Dec 01 20:29:39 <Nikkolai>   "Farewell, slaver. May you wallow in the pits of the misery of your own demise." Nikkolai follows behind the group, keeping a wary eye on the Dao as they leave.
Dec 01 20:29:45 *   Adail continues to stay hidden as he follows.
Dec 01 20:30:03 <Kotono>   Thus the troupe heads out! As you begin the wakl back, a few of th slaves look to you. "Are we...are we really?"
Dec 01 20:30:18 *   Nikkolai nods gently and smiles. "Oh yes. You are free."
Dec 01 20:31:48 <Kamvakua>   "Let's save our cheering until we're back in town," Kamvakua gave them a smile though.  Probably not as reassuring as intended.  "You are really free though."
Dec 01 20:32:59 *   Ko-MrNToristooscaryforme (~kokokoko@68.99.109.25) has joined #dunes
Dec 01 20:33:09 *   Kotono has quit (Ping timeout)
Dec 01 20:33:23 *   Ko-MrNToristooscaryforme is now known as Kotono
Dec 01 20:33:27 *   ChanServ sets mode +a #dunes Kotono
Dec 01 20:33:27 *   ChanServ gives channel operator status to Kotono
Dec 01 20:37:21 <Kotono>   "Truly..." A few cry as you walk on, but most hurry. Most run as fast as they are able - not fast to you at all, really - hurrying ahead! The distances fly by as you hurry along, reaching near the settlement. The tollkeeper waits, as well as several men and women. Barrels of what smells to be food are here, as well as piles of clean clothes. The fat, stony man waddles over, "We've prepared some food and clothes for you," he gestures, "Welcome! Your toll in ha
Dec 01 20:37:25 <Kotono>   "We've prepared some food and clothes for you," he gestures, "Welcome! Your toll in has been paid for."
Dec 01 20:38:17 <Nikkolai>   "Ah, excellent. For once, I'm glad to see a tollman." Nikkolai is strangely upbeat and showing it.
Dec 01 20:38:38 *   Kamvakua nods.  "Well planned...I'm sorry for any trouble with the Dao," Kamvakua noted to the tollman.
Dec 01 20:39:06 <Mari>   "Hey, that's convenient," Mari says. "By who?" She's examining the tollkeeper and the humans with him very closely. No heist is over until you're safely out of town.
Dec 01 20:39:20 <Mari>   roll 1d20+6 this is the time for it to fail
Dec 01 20:39:21 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+6 this is the time for it to fail and gets 13." [1d20=7]
Dec 01 20:39:28 *   Adail finally emerges from the shadows.
Dec 01 20:39:41 *   Adail then drops his disguise as simply a very large rat, and dusts his hands off.
Dec 01 20:39:41 <Kotono>   "Granny Tam," The fat man gestures, as the slaves set on the food with a desperate hunger. "You all can head back in, too."
Dec 01 20:39:54 *   Kamvakua nods, heading into town.
Dec 01 20:40:09 <Adail>   "Well, not as many as I would have liked to free. But at least some good has been done here today."
Dec 01 20:40:29 <Nikkolai>   "You speak true, Adail. If only we could have saved more..."
Dec 01 20:40:46 *   Nikkolai shakes his head and heads into town, to Granny Tam's place.
Dec 01 20:42:24 <Kamvakua>   "A man who carries a mountain upon his back is soon crushed by his own ambition," Kamvakua mused.
Dec 01 20:43:34 *   Mari nods in satisfaction at the tollman's answer and follows her frie--er, servants, yes...--into town. "Oh, cease your prattling," she suddenly spits at Nik. "It's impressive enough an accomplishment for one of your status."
Dec 01 20:44:29 *   Nikkolai eyes Mari with amusement. "You know, despite how fetching you look, I think I liked you back when you weren't permanently entertaining your monthly visitor."
Dec 01 20:45:35 *   Adail eyes Nikkolai and takes a few well measured steps away from him.
Dec 01 20:46:12 <Mari>   "How *dare* you speak to me that way? You'll CRAWL back to town and thank me for sparing the lash this time. On your knees, now!"
Dec 01 20:48:07 *   Kamvakua eyes Mari a bit, not sure whether the strange magic that was cast on her was having...ill effects, or whether she was just giving Nikkolai his just due.
Dec 01 20:48:23 *   Adail then raises an eyebrow and clears his throat, "Mari? Though his words are surely worthy of a slap or three, I think that's going a bit far. Let's go see our employer about removing this condition, hmm?"
Dec 01 20:48:43 *   Nikkolai laughs in a slightly boyish manner. "Come now, fetching drow, catch me if you can!"
Dec 01 20:49:09 *   Nikkolai trots out of Mari's reach, intent on reaching the safety of Granny Tam's before Mari obliterates him.
Dec 01 20:49:27 *   Adail shakes his head, "Or he could take it as flirting. That works too, i suppose. Don't hurt him too badly please."
Dec 01 20:49:36 *   Mari looks confused for a moment and shakes her head. "...Right, I think I'm back now...And you know what? You STILL need a thrashing." Mari pursues Nik to the shop.
Dec 01 20:50:28 <Kotono>   With Nikkolai and Mari running along the vanguard, the party reaches Granny Tam's shop! The door is open, the party heading inside! "Come in, come in!" You can hear Granny Tam's voice, ancient and weathered. "I heard you succeeded!"
Dec 01 20:51:15 <Kamvakua>   "It was requested, it had meaning, and so it was done," Kamvakua replied in affirmation.
Dec 01 20:51:22 <Nikkolai>   "So we did. News travels fast around here."
Dec 01 20:51:34 *   Nikkolai grins. "I can't say that I didn't enjoy it, either."
Dec 01 20:52:28 <Mari>   "Yeah, it's a great day for freedom. Specifically MINE. This is where I get my old ears back."
Dec 01 20:54:12 <Kamvakua>   "And ideally the rest of you," Kamvakua smirked.
Dec 01 20:54:44 <Kotono>   "I don't know," Granny Tam laughs, "You could make a fine drow! In fact, you could become an inspiration for all drow-kind, to cast aside the shadow of evil! A good drow...who would think?" The woman cackles, "What do you say, Mari?"
Dec 01 20:54:50 *   Adail chuckles and moves over to Nikkolai, "So I feel compelled to ask, Nikkolai. What feeling so drives your joy in this act? The freeing of the oppressed or the thwarting of the oppresors?"
Dec 01 20:55:55 *   Nikkolai grins at Adail. "If I may say, sir mouse, it is both. I despise slavers with every ounce of my being. I never dreamed that I could strike so large a blow to slavery."
Dec 01 20:56:03 <Mari>   "I think it might be fun to be someone else once in a while just as long as I could choose when and where. The 'where' being 'far away from the boy.'"
Dec 01 20:56:55 <Kotono>   "Ah, yer sweet on him?" With another cackle, the jewelry flies off Mari! In an instant, she is back to normal, "Well, I'm a woman of my word, Missy! What do you all want? Money? Jewelry? Magic?"
Dec 01 20:57:35 <Nikkolai>   "There is one thing that I would like, if at all possible..." Nikkolai hesitantly asks.
Dec 01 20:58:20 <Kamvakua>   "What sort of magic or magical items are you offering in fair pay?" Kamvakua replied.
Dec 01 20:58:23 <Kotono>   "Well, tell Granny!" The voice bids, "What do you want?"
Dec 01 20:58:28 <Nikkolai>   "Would it be possible to obtain a ring or a necklace of the singing stone? I do so love the music that it plays..."
Dec 01 20:58:36 <Mari>   "No, I just can't abide letting him think he's got good reason to make jibes at my expense. Besides, I'm not sure how 'good' a drow I could be when your little enchantment liked to try and play with my mind."
Dec 01 20:58:56 *   Adail nods, "A good deed motivated by hatred is still a good deed...but it is also still an act of hate. But as long as the good done for the unfortunate still rests in your mind as important, then all is still well."
Dec 01 21:01:43 <Kotono>   "A little thing?" To this, something comes flying! A necklace of light-shining rock flies out, wrapping around Nikkolai's neck! It emits a very soft, fine tune of music as light plasy off of it.
Dec 01 21:02:47 *   Nikkolai grins in amusement. "My thanks. Music is one of my dearest treasures."
Dec 01 21:02:51 <Mari>   "Anyway...money's boring, but it might be we need a fair deal of it to get around on Earth if every town has a toll like this one. It's not what I *want*, exactly, but someone here should be responsible."
Dec 01 21:03:40 <Kotono>   A rain of coins falls around Mari, plinking off her! They all fall at her feet, leaping up and into her pockets! "Will that do, Missy?"
Dec 01 21:04:14 <Mari>   "I can honestly say this is the friendliest money I've ever met. It'll do."
Dec 01 21:04:22 <Kotono>   "What about the rest of you?" The old voice asks, "All ofyou worked on this, eh?"
Dec 01 21:04:48 <Adail>   "I'm sure it will be as quick to leap out of your pockets as into them, Mari."
Dec 01 21:06:01 <Kamvakua>   "I hear divine clerics can empower their allies to rise in size and strength...have you anything like such, Granny Tam?" Kamvakua wondered.
Dec 01 21:06:40 *   Mari frowns. "Hey, I'm perfectly responsible with my money. You don't see me running around the planes slathered in jewels, do you? Damn right you don't."
Dec 01 21:06:43 *   Adail then shakes his head, "As a Guardinal, I cannot bring myself to ask reward for this. As Mari's role has the most risk and my own was...honestly rather pointless, let her claim my share instead."
Dec 01 21:07:05 <Kotono>   "That's what ye want?" With that, a scroll lands in Kamvakua's hands! IT's neatly wrapped and sealed with blue wax. A moment later, more coins rain down around Mari, joining their kin her pockets!
Dec 01 21:07:12 *   Adail grins at Mari, "And now you can ask for something that you wish instead of just being responsible."
Dec 01 21:07:58 *   Adail blinks. "Ah. Or that, I suppose."
Dec 01 21:08:53 <Adail>   Knight then nods sharply, "Coin will suffice."
Dec 01 21:09:09 <Mari>   "Well, I'm not going to complain about more money. I wouldn't have minded having something pretty--but *unusually* pretty, you know? Something that would only look right on Mari Farrunner. Oh well."
Dec 01 21:09:48 <Kotono>   Coins fly around Knight and into her bag! Granny Tam laughs, "If you want that, come back a little later looking for more work! You proved yourselves, after all!"
Dec 01 21:10:50 <Kamvakua>   "Alright,"  Kamvakua nodded.
Dec 01 21:11:31 *   Mari nods. "Might be we will. Right now, something to eat and a good rest sounds like the thing to me."
Dec 01 21:11:38 <Nikkolai>   "I believe I shall do just that."
Dec 01 21:14:08 *   Kamvakua nods and leads back to the inn.
Dec 01 21:14:13 *   Adail nods, "I think I'll have a look around while you all rest, myself. Just to see the town."
Dec 01 21:14:20 *   Kamvakua waves to the innkeeper as they return.
Dec 01 21:14:30 <Kotono>   OC: So what's everyone doing? Resting besides Adail seeing the town?
Dec 01 21:14:42 <Nikkolai>   "I think I'll join you, Adail. I'd like to get this necklace looked at, out of curiosity."
Dec 01 21:15:08 <Mari>   OOC: If it means I would otherwise be waiting on people if I didn't join them, I guess I'll join them!
Dec 01 21:15:45 <Kamvakua>   OOC: I figured we'd rest and then explore the next day.
Dec 01 21:15:52 <Kamvakua>   OOC I'm kind of dragged along as well
Dec 01 21:15:57 <Kotono>   OOC: Whichever works, honestly.
Dec 01 21:16:16 <Adail>   OOC: I'm not intending to RP out his wandering around. He just doesn't sleep, so.
Dec 01 21:17:44 <Kamvakua>   OOC: Sleep then
Dec 01 21:18:30 <Kotono>   A night of sleep passes well and without incident. The next morning dawns, the party meeting together...OOC: Ball's in your court for whatever you want to go do or chat or what have you.
Dec 01 21:19:02 *   Nikkolai is munching on a piece of rather hard toast in a thoughtful manner.
Dec 01 21:19:18 <Nikkolai>   "I think I'd be interested in doing more work for Granny Tam. How about the rest of you?"
Dec 01 21:20:01 <Mari>   "We could check in with her. I'd also suggest asking around to see if there's work for caravan guards. If we're going to travel through this plane, that would make it easier for us."
Dec 01 21:20:07 <Kamvakua>   "I wouldn't mind...  we could certainly earn more traveling money.  And that includes you Adail, money is useful from time to time to avoid needless conflict."
Dec 01 21:20:49 <Mari>   "And hey, it wouldn't hurt to catch up on town gossip and find out whether or not there's a dao army seeking our heads already."
Dec 01 21:21:14 <Nikkolai>   "Not a bad idea, Mari. Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't raid us during the night."
Dec 01 21:21:36 <Adail>   "So long as I am travelling with the group, money will be at hand. If I find myself on my own again, I have little need for it."
Dec 01 21:22:18 *   Adail smiles at Kam, "It's not as if I told her to simply keep my share. Mari was given it."
Dec 01 21:24:35 *   Kamvakua shakes his head and smiles. "Perhaps little friend.  It never hurts to be prepared."
Dec 01 21:25:56 <Mari>   "That's right. So if you need a loan, Nik, you know who to go to. Just don't ask about the interest rates." She looks contemplative for a moment. "You know, that was fun, yesterday. I've never stolen people before."
Dec 01 21:26:18 <Nikkolai>   "Maybe she'll have us steal some more?"
Dec 01 21:26:39 *   Nikkolai looks energized at the prospect.
Dec 01 21:26:57 <Kamvakua>   "If she did, I would turn around.  Raiding the dao repeatedly is less brave and more foolhardy."
Dec 01 21:27:25 <Adail>   "Most likely not. The Dao will be on guard now, and will likely warn any allies they may have in the area of liberators being in residence."
Dec 01 21:27:36 <Mari>   "Hopefully not from the same people. I'm not going near any more dao...Hey, Nik? Are you alright? You look...excited...about helping people. Coming down with some exotic Earth-flu?"
Dec 01 21:29:21 *   Kamvakua clears a small plate while they talk, surprisingly not a huge eater despite his size.  "May today's path continue long," He solemnly finished his meal with.
Dec 01 21:30:18 *   Nikkolai grins a mite savagely. "There is nothing quite like being able to strike back at the ghosts of one's childhood when one is strong enough to do so. If I could have, no slaver would have left that den of scum and villainy alive."
Dec 01 21:31:04 <Kamvakua>   "Not every Dao is a slaver, though their kind is well known for such."
Dec 01 21:31:18 <Mari>   "Hey, if you want to go back and roast the rest of them over the fires of your righteous indignation, no one's stopping you."
Dec 01 21:32:42 <Nikkolai>   "I'm not foolhardy despite what some may believe. I've no intention of going in there alone, where I'll surely be killed. Oh, I might take down a few with me, but to live is to fight another day."
Dec 01 21:32:46 <Adail>   "I'd heard somewhere that indignation went best with lightning, actually." Adail randomly muses as he nibbles some hard toast himself.
Dec 01 21:33:20 <Mari>   Mari's train of thought is thoroughly derailed. "Huh?"
Dec 01 21:34:00 <Adail>   "A mage I met in Celestia once said that. Very strange man."
Dec 01 21:34:26 *   Adail shrugs, "Don't mind me, I was thinking about my days at the monestary anyway, so that sprang to mind."
Dec 01 21:34:30 <Nikkolai>   "He was in the habit of eating emotions, eh?" Nikkolai raised an eyebrows.
Dec 01 21:34:39 <Mari>   "Yeah, I'd guess so. Maybe he served a thunder god or something." Mari can only shrug.
Dec 01 21:34:56 <Mari>   "Monastery, huh?"
Dec 01 21:35:00 <Kamvakua>   "I've always found lightning adds a particular...touch," He patted his war-pike.  "But we are chattering away the day.  Let us see when a caravan might be leaving, and also check with granny tam.  We can plan around the caravan schedule."
Dec 01 21:35:39 *   Adail nods, "I trained in a monestary in Celestia, to learn the ways of the archons and how they melded Order with Good."
Dec 01 21:36:14 <Adail>   "One I learned all I could from them, I went to the Court of Stars to see how the Eladrin walked the roads of Chaos with Good as well."
Dec 01 21:36:49 <Mari>   "Never had anything you'd call formal training, myself. I just sort of picked things up on the fly...And yeah, Kam, let's get moving."
Dec 01 21:37:33 <Nikkolai>   "I've no objections. I'll head along to Granny Tam's, if others wish to check on caravans."
Dec 01 21:38:11 *   Adail looks back to Knight, "You should go with whoever is checking on caravans, as we'd want to take one that leads where you're going."
Dec 01 21:39:40 <Kamvakua>   "Come along, Nikkolai.  No reason to go alone, we'll be there soon together," Kamvakua lead toward the caravans himself.
Dec 01 21:43:17 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay, one of you roll GI for the caravans, whichever is highest.
Dec 01 21:43:23 <Kotono>   OOC: Gather information.
Dec 01 21:45:26 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+16 Go, Go, CHA Tankman!
Dec 01 21:45:26 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+16 Go, Go, CHA Tankman! and gets 36." [1d20=20]
Dec 01 21:47:37 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+2 aid :P
Dec 01 21:47:38 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+2 aid :P and gets 8." [1d20=6]
Dec 01 21:47:53 <Mari>   roll 1d20+1 eh sure maybe we can make it FORTY
Dec 01 21:47:53 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+1 eh sure maybe we can make it FORTY and gets 3." [1d20=2]
Dec 01 21:49:30 <Adail>   roll 1d20+1 anyway, what the hell
Dec 01 21:49:30 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d20+1 anyway, what the hell and gets 3." [1d20=2]
Dec 01 21:53:17 <Kotono>   While the rest of the party chases shiny lights and cute women, Nikkolai gets shit done! He finds out there are two caravans in town - both use this as a terminal point, heading backa way from the Dao here. One of them is in town for a week before leaving, one is in town for two weeks before leaving. Both are more than interested in bodyguards; price on the first group is 20 GP/day and price on the second is 16 GP/day.
Dec 01 21:53:20 <Kotono>   group is 20 GP/day and price on the second is 16 GP/day.
Dec 01 21:59:15 <Kamvakua>   "Good work, Nikkolai.  Let's plan to spend a week here then, and then join the first caravan," He wondered to the others.
Dec 01 21:59:45 <Nikkolai>   "I've no objection to that." Nikkolai shrugs.
Dec 01 22:00:07 <Adail>   "Be sure to let them know that we do have our own destinations as well, so if they start to branch too far away from where we're headed we'll have to part ways."
Dec 01 22:00:42 <Mari>   "Well, we've got our pick when it comes to getting out of here. As long as at least one of them's going the right direction, I don't much care about the difference in pay. I guess we just need to find some way to spend our time over the next week--oh, and Adail's right, it'd be good to know how long our path and theirs would be the same."
Dec 01 22:02:37 *   Kamvakua nods, walking back toward Granny Tam's as they talked.  "Do not worry overmuch about the destination.  Journey well, and you will arrive where you are meant to go."
Dec 01 22:03:27 <Kotono>   Granny Tam's is as you left it. Inside you hear her voice, "Oh, you came right back! Eager little children!"
Dec 01 22:03:34 <Mari>   "Yeah, well, that assumes we actually *are* meant to go someplace in particular." Mari just shrugs, following Kam back to the shop.
Dec 01 22:03:41 <Adail>   "A decent sentiment when you aren't looking for something specific, but I'm afraid it doesn't work that well when you are. Especially not on an infinite plane."
Dec 01 22:04:27 <Mari>   "Yep, we're back Granny. What are you going to turn is into today?" Mari preemptively takes shelter behind Nikkolai, just in case.
Dec 01 22:04:36 <Kamvakua>   "A journey is not about a destination," He smiled. "But the horizon."
Dec 01 22:05:02 <Nikkolai>   "It seems that we can't keep away, Granny Tam." Nikkolai smiles charmingly. "Have you any work for us?"
Dec 01 22:05:19 <Kotono>   "Oh work...work or play, work or play..." You hear a dim flip of metal in the distance!
Dec 01 22:05:21 <Kotono>   roll 1d2
Dec 01 22:05:22 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d2 and gets 2." [1d2=2]
Dec 01 22:05:22 *   Nikkolai looks over his shoulder at Mari, raising an eyebrow.
Dec 01 22:05:46 <Kotono>   "Play!" Granny Tam cackles, "Mari, try and dodge THIS!" Abruptly, a silver bracelet flies out and goes right for Mari's wrist!
Dec 01 22:05:59 <Mari>   "You're my barricade. Don't go anywher--OH SHIT."
Dec 01 22:06:06 <Kotono>   OOC: Make a reflex save, Mari.
Dec 01 22:06:16 <Mari>   roll 1d20+12
Dec 01 22:06:17 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+12 and gets 19." [1d20=7]
Dec 01 22:06:58 *   Adail shakes his head, "One does not find the northern mountains by travelling east, to quote one of my teachers."
Dec 01 22:06:59 <Kamvakua>   "I think she likes you," Kamvakua resisted a snicker.
Dec 01 22:09:21 <Kotono>   But Mari is a hair too slow! The bracelet settles onto her wrist! In a moment, Mari is different! Her features are lupine, a beard on her face! She has tiny red eyes and green skin! Her hair is long and unkempt! "Granny Tam thinks you'll make a fine orc, Missy! Don't worry, your squeeze suggested it!"
Dec 01 22:10:13 *   Nikkolai fails to hide a snigger or two. "My, what a fair orc we have in our midst."
Dec 01 22:10:58 <Kamvakua>   "I think Nikkolai would like to play as well," Kamvakua suggested straight faced.
Dec 01 22:11:34 <Kotono>   "Oh well, that's good sense!" Granny Tam laughs, as a gold bracelet flies out at Nikkolai! OOC: Nikkolai, you can make ref if you like.
Dec 01 22:12:27 <Mari>   "I--whuh--" Mari spends a moment feeling at her new face. "I...I AM ENRAGED BEYOND THE CAPACITY FOR RATIONAL THOUGHT. And you're not helping ANYTHING, you worthless toad!" Mari takes a halfhearted swing at Nikkolai as she yells.
Dec 01 22:14:39 *   Adail sighs, "The appearance changing is all well and good, but these trinkets of yours seem to alter mental states as well, which I have to object to being so casually flung at my freinds."
Dec 01 22:15:43 <Kotono>   In an instant, the bracelet is on Nikkolai's wrist! There is now a little girl with bright red hair standing there, complete with pig-tails. "Don't worry, little celestial. Granny TAm won't do that again, Missy proved herself! But that's enough playing, you're here fo rwork?"
Dec 01 22:16:08 <Adail>   "Ah, so this isn't orcish rage, just Mari being mad?"
Dec 01 22:16:13 <Mari>   "Why do we keep coming here? Someone remind me why I agreed to this?" Mari laments. "...though that almost makes it worth it."
Dec 01 22:17:26 <Mari>   "And Adail's right, the last one of these I had stuck on me made several attempts to alter my way of thinking. I hope you enjoy playing with dolls, Nikki."
Dec 01 22:17:30 <Kamvakua>   "I believe that was why," Kamvakua nodded, "But yes, we are here for honest work, Granny Tam.  It seems you are a worthwhile employer."
Dec 01 22:17:42 *   Nikkolai blinks a few times. He...no, *she* runs her fingers over her face in growing horror. "What in the seven--" His hands wander farther out to his pig tails and now he's well and truly thunderstruck.
Dec 01 22:18:42 <Nikkolai>   After a few moments, he grins and pulls back the collar of his cloak, peering down underneath his clothing.
Dec 01 22:18:49 <Kotono>   "I have a friend who needs help," Granny Tam goe son, her voice suddenlyall business. "It's a dangerous trip, too." She doesn't sound so old now, much sharper in tone. "Not as hot as Fire, but close."
Dec 01 22:19:08 *   Mari laughs a deep chortle fueled by schadenfreude.
Dec 01 22:19:22 <Adail>   "And we add being turned female to the list of things that turn Nik into a little boy again."
Dec 01 22:20:03 <Mari>   "Isn't that a book by now? Anyway..." Mari sobers up enough to listen to Granny. "We're not talking one of the hells here, are we?"
Dec 01 22:20:29 <Nikkolai>   "...now that's disappointing. Flat as a washboard." Nikki sighs in a higher pitched voice, somehow taking his transformation in stride. "I'm all ears, Granny. I assume the completion of this task means restoration of our old forms?"
Dec 01 22:20:32 <Kamvakua>   "Tell us more, if you can," Kamvakua was listening.
Dec 01 22:20:49 *   Adail nods, "Fire is sadly one of the only things I'm not naturally resistant to, but I'm fairly tolerant of heat anyway."
Dec 01 22:21:05 *   Mari rolls her eyes. "Please, Nikki. You think I'd give you something to play with?"
Dec 01 22:22:03 *   Nikkolai snorts. "I'll have plenty of opportunity to do just that when next we stop. I've been feeling a strange draft twixt my legs..."
Dec 01 22:22:49 <Kotono>   "The Para-Elemental Plane of Magma," Granny Tam's voice is so much stronger now, "There's a hidden vortex within two day's travel of Hardsoil. It will lead you into a relatively safe part of Magma. Some enterprising efreeti and baatezu have a city of sorts there. I have a friend who is...obligated to stay there. I need you to bring him something."
Dec 01 22:22:50 <Mari>   "Right, this is where you stop talking."
Dec 01 22:23:33 *   Adail winces, "Baatezu. Weeeell, they'd not take kindly to seeing me, I'm sure. Fortunately, not being seen is one of my best skills."
Dec 01 22:23:45 <Mari>   "How safe is relatively?"
Dec 01 22:24:31 <Kotono>   "Exactly. Most of all, you should not provoke the efreet and you MUST NOT provoke the baatezu." Going on now, "For your safety and mine. Devils never, ever forget a slight or a grudge. You won't die of heat exhaustion as long as you bring water, salt and supplies."
Dec 01 22:24:42 *   Nikkolai shrugs. "No one pays attention to a child, much less a girl. I should be alright for the most part. Mari here should fit right in." Nikki turns serious. "What's the package?"
Dec 01 22:25:16 <Adail>   "I can protect three of us from heat with the Endure Elements spell, but I will have no healing. We won't be pikcing any fights though, so that should be alright."
Dec 01 22:25:58 <Kotono>   Flying from around a corner, a small, unassuming cloth satchel presents itself to Kamvakua. "Don't open it under any circumstances. Do not fight - run if you must, but don't fight them! Even if you win, it will be a cursed victory. Take this to Yol'la of Blackcinder Street."
Dec 01 22:26:26 *   Kamvakua nods and takes it, pocketing it.  "Understood."
Dec 01 22:26:34 <Mari>   "Is there anything else you can tell us? Does the portal lead right into the city itself?"
Dec 01 22:29:24 <Kotono>   "It leads to about  half a day's journey to the city." So answering, "Follow the road it's near, there's a sign there to lead you along. Keep as low a profile as you can. This part of Magma is safer than usual - it's called the Scorched Wastes. The air is breathable and you can avoid the magma flows. BUt if yo ugo off course, you might find poison gases or realise you've fallen into magma...for the two seconds you have before your flesh burns to ash."
Dec 01 22:29:29 <Kotono>   .for the two seconds you have before your flesh burns to ash."
Dec 01 22:30:10 <Mari>   "Immolation bad. Got it."
Dec 01 22:30:42 <Adail>   "Is it safe to place that satchel within an extradimensional bag such as my haversack?"
Dec 01 22:31:14 <Kotono>   "It's safe," Granny Tam bids. "I'll reward you well if you succeed, children."
Dec 01 22:31:18 <Nikkolai>   "I'm beginning to think that the safest place for a little girl is with her granny." Nikki remarked dryly. Such sarcasm coming from a young child must have seemed odd...
Dec 01 22:32:34 *   Adail opens up his haversack, "Go ahead and put it in here then, Kam? Worst comes to worst, I can stealth my way around."
Dec 01 22:34:49 *   Kamvakua puts it in there and nods. "That may not be the worst idea, really.  I'm not exactly a stealthy sort myself."