#008: "I now pronounce you, mushroom and wolf."

[Merc]

[18:37] <Kotono> Thus the party resumes the next day. The streets are pleasant and the weather is sunny. The hustle-bustle of the city just feels friendly - if the looks of gratitude are to be noted, the people seem quite disposed towards you. As you head towards the armor shop, "Yoo hoo!" A voice calls, approaching. The woman Santos saved is approaching, carrying a picnic basket. "Dearie!"
[18:37] <Santos> "Hello, ma'am," Santos greets politely.
[18:38] * Lehko adjusts his new goggles, hoping they cover enough of his face inside the city..
[18:38] <Kotono> "I wanted to thank you," A blush as she smiles at Santos, smiling - even if the walking mushroom gets a blink-blink glance that's quickly banished. "I thought adventurers like yourselves don't get to eat well that often, so I made you some home cooking and something special too."
[18:39] <Morrie> "That was very kind of you, miss."
[18:40] * Lehko raises an eyebrow at this and leans over to whisper to Morrie, "Isn't that a Hume courting ritual?"
[18:40] <Santos> "It was," Santos agrees with Morrie. "While you didn't have to do that, I appreciate the gesture. Still, we would have saved anyone stuck in that castle."
[18:42] <Kotono> The lady is wearing a slightly revealing dress, showing off just a bit of cleavage. With a wink she reaches in, withdrawing a pink potion vial. "Here. I made it with love," she adds with a wink, putting it into Santos' hands. "Be careful out there, dearie." She holds those hands a moment and looks into his eyes, before letting go and walking away. OOC: Loot post.
[18:43] <Kotono> Ebenezer watches this but reserves comment, coughing lightly into his hand at all that.
[18:44] * Lehko looks at Santos.
[18:44] <Lehko> "Are you going to return to mate with that one? She seemed willing."
[18:45] <Morrie> "...The armor shop is this way. I saw something that I wanted to show the rest of you."
[18:45] <Santos> "I like less grey in the hair," Santos says with an unabashed shrug as he pockets the potion.
[18:46] * Lehko scratches at his ear, flicking the ear a few times.
[18:46] <Mycol> "Ah, a judgment based on coloration! This must be the flesh-men concept of 'Racism' I had been warned about."
[18:46] * Mycol dances weirdly.
[18:46] <Lehko> "Huh. I thought Humes were always in heat?"
[18:46] <Santos> "Funny, that's what I always heard about Viara," Santos replies back.
[18:47] <Morrie> "...How much did they teach you two about humanity?"
[18:47] <Lehko> "No, we cycle. It's a fast cycle, but still a cycle."
[18:47] * Mycol shrugs.
[18:48] <Lehko> "Ah.. well.. Males aren't taught as much about the other races normally."
[18:48] <Mycol> "We know very little. Think of me as an ambassador. Maybe our first"
[18:48] <Kotono> As the party talks the reach the armor shop. Twice in a Blue Moon is decorated with a sign with a blue full moon just outside of the door with a shield below it. A glass display window shows a few pieces of armor. Besides them is a hand painted sigh, "ASK ABOUT OUR KNIGHT ARMOR! BEST ARMOR IN GLACIERWIND! LOCAL SPECIALITY!"
[18:48] * Lehko glances around a bit nervously.
[18:50] <Kotono> "How fascinating," Ebenezer speaks up, "What have you learned so far, Mycol?" He also glances up, "Shall we?"
[18:50] * Santos knocks on the door and steps inside. "Hello! We're here about the sign outside?"
[18:51] <Santos> roll 2d6+4 inquiry
[18:51] <Kobot> Santos rolled 2d6+4 inquiry --> [ 2d6=6 ]{10}
[18:51] <Mycol> "Not enough. You're still very confusing."
[18:53] <Kotono> Within is a burly man. His hair is grayshot and balding, the remants of night-black hair. He's muscle battling against middle aged bulk, wearing a fire-scorched smock and with a pair of goggles atop his forehead. He has a neatly trimmed grayshot beard. He stands behind a low display case, leaning forward with his hands resting on it. "The Knight's Armor?" His voice is as rough as his body would suggest. "You've got good taste."
[18:54] <Morrie> "I know none of us wear such heavy armor right now, but I still wanted to make sure you all knew about this."
[18:57] <Kotono> "It's 12,000 gil," He continues, "But for that you get the best damned armor in the valley. No wolf could even scratch you with this. Imps? Pshaw! Float Eyes will bang on it uselessly instead of biting you. It even gives good protection against magic - better than a typical mage would have, I reckon. Just wearing it will toughen you right up. I know all of you, you're the heroes from that strange sky castle. Of course you'd be interested in this."
[18:58] <Lehko> "Yes, it looks very tough. I'd love to be able to wear that someday.."
[18:59] <Morrie> "I wasn't sure if you all wanted to try and work something out for it." He looks over at the others, to see if they even wanted to make that effort.
[19:00] <Santos> "Any chnace you could make something of that quality in leather?" Santos asks. "I'm planning on picking up some warrior training at some point, Hilda had some interesting moves, so I might still want that some day, but I admit I'm more partial to more down to earth colors than shiny armor."
[19:02] <Lehko> "I'm interested in something like that armor for when.. they... catch up with me. But that much is out of my price range."
[19:02] <Kotono> "Working something out, eh?" Rubbing his bearded chin, "That means you can't afford it." Grunting, "Never worked with leather like that. I could make leather in the shape of it, but normal leather wouldn't have the strength to make it effective. Now if you brought me a living Malboro, I could make leather out of that and it would be strong enough."
[19:03] <Santos> "Why living?" Santos asks looking rather curious.
[19:04] <Mycol> "Because there's no way to actually kill one."
[19:04] * Mycol is clearly not liking this line of discussion.
[19:04] * Santos blinks at that.
[19:05] <Lehko> "So.. You want us to bring a live monster here? Can you even contain it?"
[19:05] <Kotono> "Close enough," The shopkeep grunts, "They're right bastards to do in. One whiff of their breath and you're in worlds of trouble." He gives Mycol a long look, A mushroom? Dealt with them before, 'shroom?"
[19:07] <Mycol> "Eauuugh. Don't curse me."
[19:08] <Mycol> "The stories say they come and eat up bad little Mushbooms that don't do their chores"
[19:09] <Lehko> "Well.. Do we want to go after this? Ebenezer? You're the client."
[19:10] <Santos> "What kind of chores do your people do, Mycol?"
[19:10] <Kotono> "Hm?" Ebenezer turns to Mycol, "I say, do your tribes hold a superstition about Malboros, Mycol-ah yes, I see so." Snapping his fingers at that, "Ah! This is completely a side trip, you realize. A quest removed from our main motive. A side quest, if you will. It would be dangerous..." He admits, "Before that, we need to determine if we have any way of capturing a Malboro and bringing it back to civilization intact."
[19:10] <Santos> "Stick it in the bag?" Santos jokes.
[19:12] <Kotono> "I was thinking of constructing a wheeled cage of some sort," Ebenezer confessed, wavering a hand, "Aside from the difficulties of taking a wheeled vehicle into the fens, it would suffice. Lehko, you seem like a hands on sort for that."
[19:12] * Lehko scratches under his chin a bit.
[19:13] <Lehko> "Well.. With some metal that's able to stand up to its strength.. And something to keep its breath from getting to us.. I could build something, probably."
[19:15] <Kotono> "Excellent. Normally I would be against such a venture, but our last 'side quest' turned out to be fascinating. The discovery of that unopenable door tied to this mysterious 'Lich'? Perhaps fortune will again smile on us for this. But can we defeat a Malboro? I've heard they're fearsomely strong. Mycol, do you know any more about them?"
[19:20] <Mycol> "To be honest, I'm not sure I know that much more than you. Their breath can do horrible things to their prey. At the very least blinding it, or confusing it..... their tentacles are known for their strength. I've heard there are larger, scarier types, but it's hard to say how much of that is legend."
[19:21] <Mycol> "I know they're -tough-, and we shouldn't be cavalier on thinking we could easily defeat one."
[19:22] <Lehko> "Well.. Until I figure out some way of keeping the cage in a... bubble.. of some kind... I don't think we should after it. We still need to find strong enough metal to use for the cage, too... Maybe this task is something to keep in mind, but not go for right now?"
[19:22] <Santos> "Oh, I'm sure we'll get enough experience just fighting things out trying to find one, that we'll be able to if not easily defeat one, then at least defeat it without anybody dying."
[19:23] <Morrie> "Perhaps if we happen to find some of the material the Armor is made from we could return it here and have it crafted at a discount."
[19:24] <Mycol> "Living Marlboro?"
[19:24] <Morrie> "No, I mean the actual metal the original is made from."
[19:24] <Santos> "Oh, you mean the Knight's armor?"
[19:25] <Lehko> "Well, we need the Marlboro to make leather armor.. The only thing the metal would do for us is either be used for the cage, or kept to be made into armor once one of us can wear it."
[19:27] <Morrie> "It is simply an alternative."
[19:28] <Morrie> "It may be an easier task than trying to defeat a Marlboro."
[19:28] * Lehko shrugs.
[19:33] <Kotono> "It's no secret. I use the finest imported Varonn steel for it," The armorsmith adds finally. "But the metal's only part of it. Most of it's the skill."
[19:33] * Lehko nods.
[19:38] <Morrie> "Well, perhaps we should keep an eye out. We might find some."
[19:40] <Lehko> "Sounds good. Onward with Ebenezer's task, then?"

[19:41] <Kotono> From there the party crossed the grand bridge dividing the town. From there you head out and towards Galimond...(More)
[19:41] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:41] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=60 ]{60}
[19:41] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:41] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=100 ]{100}
[19:41] <Kotono> roll 1d100 congratulations, you landed on a sub-table
[19:41] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 congratulations, you landed on a sub-table --> [ 1d100=100 ]{100}
[19:41] <Santos> ooc: Did we land in a sub-sub-table?

[19:43] <Kotono> It's late in the afternoon as the party progresses on. As you proceed along the plain...OOC: Everyone make awareness checks.
[19:43] <Santos> roll 2d6+3
[19:43] <Kobot> Santos rolled 2d6+3 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{11}
[19:43] <Lehko> roll 2d6+5 Awareness
[19:43] <Kobot> Lehko rolled 2d6+5 Awareness --> [ 2d6=8 ]{13}
[19:43] <Mycol> 2d6
[19:43] <Morrie> roll 2d6+4
[19:43] <Kobot> Morrie rolled 2d6+4 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{9}
[19:44] <Mycol> Roll 2d6
[19:44] <Kobot> Mycol rolled 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[19:46] <Kotono> You happen to be fording a small stream. It's unremarkable as you cross...OOC: More in PM to someone.
[19:48] * Lehko perks his ears up as his eyes go wide and pupils large.
[19:48] <Lehko> "Hold up! I think.. I think I found something.."
[19:48] * Lehko glances around the stream..
[19:49] <Lehko> "Might be a trap though.."
[19:49] <Santos> "...why would anybody set a trap for us in the middle of nowhere?"
[19:49] * Lehko heads over to the object and inspects it as well as he can without actually touching it.. Well.. Poking it with the butt of his rifle.
[19:49] <Mycol> "Some animals set traps. Monsters."
[19:50] <Kotono> Lehko bends over the stream, peering down. OOC: Mercantile check.
[19:50] <Lehko> roll 2d6+4 Mercantile
[19:50] <Kobot> Lehko rolled 2d6+4 Mercantile --> [ 2d6=7 ]{11}
[19:51] <Kotono> "Eh?" Ebenezer pauses and glances back, "What did yo ufind?"
[19:52] * Lehko reaches in and grabs it..
[19:53] <Kotono> Lehko reaches down! He grabs a stone from the bottom of the bank. As he brings it up, it glistens golden in the sunlight. It's a large pebble but it's ferociously heavy in Lehko's hand.
[19:53] <Lehko> "I think I struck gold?"
[19:53] * Lehko peers at it closely, trying to determine if it's authentic or not.
[19:55] * Lehko grins toothily at the others.
[19:55] <Kotono> "Gold? Loose streambed gold?" Ebenezer really turns now, "Our fortune rallies!"
[19:55] <Lehko> "I think it's real. Five hundred to a thousand gil, at the least. If it's really pure.. More."
[19:56] * Lehko slogs over to the others and out of the river, offering it up for storage in the bag of holding.
[19:56] <Mycol> OOC: Can individual party members appraise, or just one person per object?
[19:56] <Kotono> OOC: If you have mercantile ranks, go for it.
[19:57] <Mycol> "May I have a look at that? I know a thing or two about stones."
[19:57] <Morrie> "I may be able to tell you if it is from the earth, but not what it is worth."
[19:57] <Mycol> roll 2d6+3
[19:57] <Kobot> Mycol rolled 2d6+3 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{10}
[19:57] <Mycol> OOC: Not better than his score anyhow.
[20:00] <Morrie> "May I see it?"
[20:00] <Mycol> "Hmm. It's real gold. No doubt about that"
[20:01] <Lehko> "Lets put it away. Things like that catch people's eyes."
[20:02] <Morrie> "I would like to confirm something before you do that. The last ... stone... we picked up did us no good."
[20:05] * Lehko offers it up.
[20:05] <Santos> "Technically, it didn't do anything to you or me, but I know what you mean."
[20:05] * Morrie will take it and close his eyes for a moment.
[20:06] <Morrie> "...This is not an ordinary stone."
[20:08] <Morrie> "I... cannot put it into words. However, I can tell you that there is... a spirit inside this. It reminds me of the forests... of the wolves. I feel like the land is telling us that we will face a challenge if we take this... but... I feel... I feel that we should step up to that challenge."
[20:11] <Mycol> "We must always be facing this challenge, then."
[20:12] <Lehko> "Wolves? Rrrrr.. Damn dogs. I say we take it. Even if we just unload it before this challenge happens, it'll be worth it."
[20:13] <Santos> "Sure, why not?" Santos says with a shrug.
[20:14] <Lehko> "Into the bag!"
[20:15] <Lehko> OOC: If nothing else is here, I say continue on.

[20:16] <Kotono> From there the party continues on. Evening falls...OOC: Anything I need to know about resting arrangements? Are y'all keeping a watch or anything like that?
[20:18] <Lehko> OOC: Honestly, just do it by name. Lehko, Morrie, Mycol, Santos.
[20:19] <Kotono> OOC: Okay then, that good for y'all?
[20:19] <Morrie> OOC: Yep, that's fine.
[20:19] <Kotono> OOC: Okay then.
[20:20] <Mycol> OOC: Aight.
[20:21] <Kotono> Night comes. Sleep - Lehko and Morrie's shifts pass without incident. As the little mushboom holds his shift and time passes - suddenly! The night plains are dark and silent until echoing howls cascade around you! Wolf howls from all over and all around!
[20:22] * Mycol loudly alarms with his Maracas and also yelling.
[20:23] * Lehko wakes up, rolling out of his sleeping bag reaching for his rifle.
[20:24] * Morrie stands up with a frown.
[20:24] <Morrie> "I had a feeling..."
[20:26] <Kotono> Amid the howling of wolves and the party awakening, a golden mist fills the area! Everything has a faintly gold-colored cast, soft focus and dreamlike. It's hard to really look at anything - everything is just there, just barely out of full focus. At the same time they approach from three different directions! Each one is a large wolf with fur the color of gold, coming towards the party!
[20:26] * Lehko raises his rifle, readying for butchering!
[20:29] <Mycol> OOC: Oh, I'm here again, if you were wondering.
[20:29] <Morrie> "So this is what It meant..."
[20:30] <Kotono> The wolves advance around the party - but do not advance. They stare at the party instead of coming any closer.
[20:31] <Morrie> "Where is the stone?"
[20:31] <Santos> "So...are they trying to figure out which of our throats to rip apart since the stone is hidden in the bag?" Santos guesses.
[20:32] <Morrie> "I suggest you take it out. If they go for it, we will defeat them."
[20:33] <Santos> "Yeah, no. I remember what happened to Janus when he made himself a target."
[20:34] <Kotono> Ebenezer rises slowly, "Ah yes, our record with stones is not good," he adds quickly.
[20:34] * Lehko pulls the nugget out slowly..
[20:34] <Kotono> All three gazes go right to Lehko.
[20:34] <Morrie> "If it becomes a problem, throw it to me."
[20:36] * Lehko looks back at the wolves, but keeps his rifle ready.
[20:37] <Kotono> The wolves begint o approach Lehko as he stares at them, despite having his rifle at the ready.
[20:37] <Lehko> "Well.. Is that hostile? I'm not sure."
[20:37] <Mycol> "
[20:37] <Morrie> OOC: Can I make a nature check to determine that?
[20:37] <Mycol> "Does anyone speak Dog?"
[20:41] <Morrie> "Allow me."
[20:41] <Kotono> OOC: Sure, go for it.
[20:41] <Morrie> roll 2d6+4 nature for doglike
[20:41] <Kobot> Morrie rolled 2d6+4 nature for doglike --> [ 2d6=8 ]{12}
[20:44] <Morrie> "They aren't here to attack you. I think they've been called by the stone."
[20:45] <Lehko> Uh, for what?
[20:47] <Santos> "Is it a bad idea or a good one to give them the stone?"
[20:48] <Morrie> "They seem to hold it with a great amount of respect."
[20:49] <Lehko> "O..kay.. What do they want us to do with it? Do they want us to give it to them or something?"
[20:50] <Morrie> "...I don't speak wolf, I have no idea."
[20:50] <Santos> "Dog, wolf, seemed to get enough across for you to figure some stuff out!"
[20:51] <Kotono> The wolves continue to stare at Lehko all the while.
[20:51] * Lehko licks his lips nervously.
[20:51] <Lehko> OOC: Can I make my own nature check?
[20:52] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[20:52] <Lehko> roll 2d6+4 Nature
[20:52] <Kobot> Lehko rolled 2d6+4 Nature --> [ 2d6=4 ]{8}
[20:52] <Mycol> 2d6+5
[20:52] <Mycol> roll 2d6+5
[20:52] <Kobot> Mycol rolled 2d6+5 --> [ 2d6=10 ]{15}
[20:53] * Lehko tries something crazy.
[20:53] <Lehko> "Umm.. Sit?"
[20:53] <Mycol> "They.... respect you. They seem to see you as their Pack Leader."
[20:56] <Lehko> "So.. Uh.. Wolves. Do we want them to stay here with us, or should I try to get them to go... Somewhere else?"
[20:57] <Kotono> The wolves approach to within touching range - and sit down. "Someone who protects and does not fight..." A clanging voice says, coming from a bit beyond the wolves. "Finally. You're the first in a long time to do so."
[20:57] * Lehko glances around.
[20:57] <Lehko> "So.. Uh.. What, exactly is it you want from me?"
[20:59] * Morrie makes a mental note to not give the Engineer the thing relating to nature next time.
[21:02] <Kotono> "I am Titan, the Earthshaker. The earth is shaking and the ground is unstable and I have awakened. It seems that soon I will be summoned." The voice answers back.
[21:04] <Lehko> "I... See? And you want our help with this?"
[21:05] <Mycol> "I think he's offering to help US"
[21:06] <Morrie> "He is."
[21:06] <Kotono> "Yes. I am willing to make a pact with one of you to be able to summon myself," The voice answers. "What say you?"
[21:07] * Lehko looks at the others.
[21:07] <Lehko> "Sounds good to me?"
[21:09] <Morrie> "Just one of us? Then we should decide carefully."
[21:10] <Santos> "I vote Mycol. He's got the musical instruments to summon pact creatures with," Santos says immediately. Not the best reason, but it's a reason that makes sense to him, dammit, so he's going to speak his mind!
[21:10] <Lehko> "Do you have a.. preference, Titan?"
[21:12] <Morrie> "Hm... Mycol very well comes from the earth itself. It would be a natural fit. That, or myself."
[21:14] <Kotono> "Anyone will do," He says, finally answering. "The Geomancer or the Mushboom would both be sufficient."
[21:15] * Lehko eyes the shroom.
[21:15] <Lehko> "I vote for Morrie."
[21:16] * Mycol is oddly quiet.
[21:16] <Kotono> "As long as I can study it, I'm fine," Ebenezer says, "Oh, a chance to study a creature like this!"
[21:19] * Lehko hands the gold piece to Morrie.
[21:26] <Santos> "Okay, if you two can't make a decision, you should sit on opposite sides of the wolves, and try to entice them to one of your sides with cute baby noises and bribes. Whomever is most successful, gets the ritual," Santos suggests, more for the amusing picture the idea presents than a serious suggestion.
[21:27] <Morrie> "I have no objections to Mycol."
[21:27] <Morrie> "Is the responsibility something you're willing to undertake?" He looks over at the Mushboom.
[21:28] <Mycol> "...I would treat him with the reverence he deserves."
[21:28] <Morrie> "Then I do not have anything further to add."
[21:30] * Santos looks a little disappointed that they won't even try to fight over it or something, but shrugs.
[21:31] <Kotono> "Well then, is it decided?" Titan rumbles.
[21:31] <Mycol> "Then this is what has always happened. Trying to fight it is to fight fate."
[21:31] <Mycol> "I Know You. This is familiar, yes?"
[21:35] <Kotono> "Things are cycling again in the earth, I can feel it. It's familiar to the last calamities. You understand cycles, don't you?"
[21:37] <Mycol> "Some. I have much to learn"
[21:38] <Kotono> "Then it was something that already happened," The voice agrees, a pentagram appearing on the ground beneath Mycol, "We are bound, Mycol?"
[21:39] <Mycol> "Yes. Now and Always."
[21:41] <Santos> "I now pronounce you, mushroom and wolf," Santos says grandly.
[21:42] <Kotono> The pentagram glows to life, the earth around it rising up! Stones spin around Mycol as the gold nugget bursts into gold dust! It flows around Mycol as power flows into him!
[21:42] <Kotono> OOC: Congratulations, you can now summon Titan! He is a rank 2 individual esper described on page 245. You gain the pact bonus of +4 RES from it. I'll walk you through more of the specifics tomorrow since it requires a bit of explaning.
[21:46] <Kotono> "Well," Ebenezer finally speaks up, "Do you feel any different? Your conversation reminds me of those black glass shards, if I daresay. Time mages, what a lot!"
[21:46] * Mycol shrugs. "I feel... ...sturdier?"
[21:47] <Morrie> "I wonder if Titan knows what Lich is..."
[21:49] * Lehko sighs and finally puts his rifle down.
[21:49] <Lehko> "Well. Excitement. I'm going back to bed."
[21:49] <Kotono> "As do I. Hm. Perhaps a chance to ask questions would not be amiss. But I understand that summoning is difficult and draining." Ebenezer adds, "Though yes, sleep. If we rest well, perhaps we can reach Galimond tomorrow."
[21:50] <Kotono> OOC: Are y'all ready to move along now?
[21:50] <Mycol> OOC: Aye

[21:52] <Kotono> The next dawns bright, the party continuing on!
[21:52] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:52] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=73 ]{73}
[21:52] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:52] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=74 ]{74}
[21:55] <Kotono By noon you reach the forests, heading within. It's cool and dim within. You pass by the occasional village without incident.
[21:57] <Morrie> "Ah, another forest."
[21:58] <Kotono> By noon you reach the forests, heading within. It's cool and dim within. You pass by the occasional village without incident. You don't quite reach Galimond this day, camping out quietly. This also passes without incident... (saving the line for next time)