#031: ???

[Merc]

[18:21] <Kotono> The night sky above shines down on the battlefield. Lich is defeated and the shadow-night vanquished! You stand about the battlefield, recovering from your injuries.  Morrie goes to check the stairs up and finds the stairway up has collapsed in Lich's final burst. OOC: Ball's in your court, y'all.
[18:22] * Kotono changes topic to 'Lehko 144/144 Morrie 144/144 Penelo 76/76 Mycol 104/104'

[18:22] <Lehko> "No way back, then?"
[18:23] <Penelo> "I believe the only way out is to go up, kupo." She says while peering upwards, not looking super confident at the thought of a climb.
[18:24] <Morrie> "It would seem so." He looks up and out. "Hm... I can try and make this more readily climbable... with him gone, I think my control over this earth should be stronger."
[18:24] <Lehko> "Go for it?"
[18:25] <Mycol> "It's worth a try."
[18:25] <Penelo> "Yes, yes, it is worth a shot."
[18:26] <Morrie> He places his hand on the wall and tries to at least pull out some ledges for them to use to climb up and out! Expanding the hole would be too dangerous, so this is the best alternative.
[18:29] <Kotono> The earth is unsettled, shaken. Morrie finds it easy to impose his will on it like this, several ledges appearing to his command!

[18:29] <Lehko> "Well... Onwards and upwards?"
[18:29] <Penelo> "Hurray!"
[18:29] * Lehko begins hefting himself up, Bjomolf hopping up the ledges behind him.
[18:30] * Mycol blows out a sigh
[18:30] <Mycol> "That's a good sign."
[18:30] * Penelo will check on Ebenezer to see if he is going to be capable of attempting such a climb.
[18:30] <Kotono> Ebenezer really looks rather dazed and out of it.
[18:30] <Kotono> OOC: Make athletics checks, everyone attempting to get out.
[18:31] <Penelo> "I need help getting Ebenezer out of here, kupo."
[18:31] <Morrie> roll 2d6+4 Santos Athletics
[18:31] * Hatbot --> "Morrie rolls 2d6+4 Santos Athletics and gets 11." [2d6=6, 1]
[18:31] <Mycol> 2d6
[18:31] * Hatbot --> "Mycol rolls 2d6 and gets 6." [2d6=4, 2]
[18:31] <Mycol> Yep.
[18:31] <Lehko> roll 2d6 Athletics
[18:31] * Hatbot --> "Lehko rolls 2d6 Athletics and gets 6." [2d6=5, 1]
[18:31] <Penelo> OOC: What stat goes for an ath check? For future reference.
[18:32] <Morrie> OOC: None, it's a skill
[18:32] <Penelo> ooc: ahh.

[18:33] <Morrie> "I can carry him out." He offers, leaning down to hoist Ebenezer up and hold onto him! The others would probably notice Morrie seems to be floating somehow, a little bit off the ground.
[18:34] <Penelo> "Thank you, kupo!"
[18:34] * Penelo is going to try climbing out, now.
[18:34] <Penelo> 2d6
[18:34] * Hatbot --> "Penelo rolls 2d6 and gets 6." [2d6=1, 5]

[18:36] <Kotono> With the ledges it's not that hard and the party slowly works their way out. In time you stand amid the mountains once more. It seems to be night, a natural night this time. You're in the hills near the mountains, and all is silent around you. It is then that Ramuh appears on Morrie's shoulder in a flourish of lightning. "Well done, all," he announces, "But our troubles are only beginning."
[18:37] * Lehko sighs.
[18:38] <Lehko> "I know. One thing at a time... Let's go get patched up and do some planning. What's the nearest town? We need to make sure Lich's influence is gone."
[18:38] <Penelo> "It called upon its friend, didn't it?" The moogle frowns a little. At least, you think it could be a frown.
[18:39] <Morrie> "'No rest for the wicked,' right?" He sighs. "Hm, from here... the closest would be..."
[18:39] <Kotono> "Serrendale," Ebenezer groans, stirring ever so slightly.
[18:39] <Lehko> "To Serrendale it is.."
[18:40] <Mycol> "We must tell the people of our victory, though I suspect they might already know again."
[18:41] <Kotono> "Indeed," Ramuh murmurs, "We'll talk later. Celebrate for now and confirm the victory to the kingdom."

[18:41] <Kotono> OOC: Going to head to Serrendale straight or rest first, y'all?
[18:41] <Lehko> OOC: I'd say rest for a night after making some distance.
[18:41] <Penelo> OOC: Resting sounds good.
[18:42] <Morrie> OOC: That's fine with me! (And Santos!)
[18:42] <Penelo> OOC: If anything Ebenezer could use a nap.
[18:42] <Kotono> OOC: Okay then. Using a tent or just camping out?
[18:43] <Lehko> OOC: Tents. We earned it.
[18:43] <Mycol> OOC: Plus it'd be nicer to Ebenezer to give him some damn shelter.
[18:45] <Kotono> OOC: Okay then. Post using the tent in loot. More.

[18:48] <Kotono> A night passes in deep slumber. With the tent there are no disturbances and the party sleeps in well past dawn. It's a bright, sunny and radiant day as you set out! You see that the swampiness is fading, new and vibrant natural underbrush growing in its wake...
[18:48] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 14." [1d100=14]
[18:49] * Lehko stretches, arching his back and cracking joints as he enjoys the sunlight..

[18:49] <Kotono> The rest of the trip back is mercifully without danger. It's late afternoon when you amble into sight of Serrendale. The capital city's gates are open, a festive air as the party approaches. The gate has the traditional gate guards, who announce as you come within earshot, "Good news! Today has been declared a holiday by King Grannot, to celebrate the return of the sun!"
[18:50] * Mycol emerges from sleep with his feather piercing gone, his cap now white and pulled backward, fanning out almost like a hood, all the jangly piercings are now in the back.
[18:52] * Morrie looks over at Ebenezer. "We should probably ask for an audience with His Majesty to explain the situation."
[18:52] <Kotono> "That would be wise," Ebenezer says, "If I recall, wasn't there some talk of that back in Galimond, after defeating the Dark Elf?"
[18:53] <Lehko> "Maybe. We've been busy."
[18:53] * Lehko scratches behind his ear.
[18:55] <Kotono> "Well go in," The guard waves, "It's a day of celebration! Go celebrate!"
[18:55] <Lehko> "Ale to be had? Food?"
[18:56] <Penelo> "If we have to wait to see the King, we should eat, yes. If we can get an audience right away, kupo, we can wait for after that."
[18:56] <Lehko> "... Fine, but I'm getting ale on the way."
[18:57] <Morrie> "They'd better give us a freakin' parade this time..." Santos mutters as he heads in.

[18:57] <Kotono> OOC: So what are y'all looking to do here?
[18:57] <Lehko> OOC: Ale then throne room.
[18:58] <Mycol> OOC: Idly observe humans, going with whoever seems to be mingling.
[18:58] <Morrie> OOC: Morrie is going to request an audience, he's not really the drinking type. So he can do that while the others do ale if they want.
[18:59] <Lehko> OOC: I mean for on the way to the throne room.
[18:59] <Penelo> OOC: Penelo won't say no to drinking, so if they're off to do that, ale won't hurt.
[18:59] <Penelo> OOC: Drunk Moogles. Hurrah.
[19:03] <Kotono> OOC: Okay then, do y'all wanna split up here?
[19:03] <Morrie> OOC: That's fine
[19:03] <Morrie> OOC: It isn't like we're going to get attacked or anything.
[19:03] <Penelo> OOC: Penelo will stick with Lehko, but yes sounds like a temporary split.
[19:05] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. #evildunes Morrie, the rest of you in here since drinking+mingling can be combined.

Morrie's chat

Spoiler: ShowHide

 [19:08] <Kotono> Heading to the castle is without incident. The streets are full of little celebrations, all the serious shops closed. There's several guards in front of the palace, a frowning guard there. In a bored voice, "Halt citizen," he announces, "What business do you have before the castle and throne of His Majesty?"
[19:10] <Morrie> He decides to just be up front and honest, despite any strange looks he might get in what he's going to say. So with that... "My name is Morrie. You will probably not believe the words I will tell you, but they are the truth: We are the ones who vanquished the Fiend of Earth, Lich, from this area. We wish to speak to His Majesty at his earliest convenience to discuss what our next steps
[19:10] <Morrie> should be."
[19:13] <Kotono> "Right." In the same dull tone he goes on, "His Majesty is not currently accepting audience requests today on account of the holiday. Please come bac-ooof!" One of the other guard elbows him and whispers into his ear, causing him to do a double take. "Wait, you said you're the ones who fixed this?"
[19:14] <Morrie> He nods. "That is correct."
[19:16] <Kotono> "You all by your lonesome?" Morrie gets a rather long look.
[19:17] <Morrie> "No. Myself and five others." He gestures behind him towards the alehouse. "They are currently enjoying the festivities."
[19:19] <Kotono> "Right. Come with me," he says, and to another guard, "Go get them. Mister Morrie, give him a description of your friends?"
[19:20] <Morrie> He will give the guard a brief but accurate description of the party containing: One human, One old human, One Mushboom, One Moogle and One Mithra.
[19:21] <Kotono> "Right." The one guard goes off while the other shakes his head, "Come with me."
[19:22] <Morrie> He will follow the other guard!
[19:29] <Kotono> You're taken inside of the castle. It's rather perfect inside, all businesslike with relatively minimal decoration. Once inside you're taken to a side office, where a middle aged, portly man scribbles away at a scroll. "Yes, yes," he says sourly, "What is it?" He doesn't even look up, as the guard nudges Morrie and steps away and out.
[19:31] <Morrie> "Um..." He glances at the guard, then clears his throat. "I am one of the individuals responsible for defeating the Fiend of Earth, Lich. We'd like to request an audience with His Majesty about the subject."
[19:31] <Kotono> The pen is put in his inkpot as he looks up, "Really now?" He sits back and wipes his ink-stained hands clean, "Prove it."
[19:32] <Morrie> "What evidence would be sufficient to prove this fact?" He asks, reaching for his item bag.
[19:32] <Kotono> "You tell me," He says, "You killed him, show me something that lends support to this."
[19:34] <Morrie> "Hm..." He shrugs, deciding that pulling out one of the Staves probably won't get him anywhere... "Very well. Ramuh, would you please offer your insight?"
[19:35] <Kotono> In a flash of lightning and peal of thunder Ramuh appears! He sits on Morrie's shoulder, "I am Ramuh, an esper. I can personally verify that Morrie and his friends defeated Lich themselves."
[19:38] <Kotono> "Guh!" The man startles and throws his hands over his ears. A wince crosses his face after the thunderbolt, lowering his hands to listen after. "...You make a good point." Rising, "I'm Rudolf Krim, Royal Keeper of the Seal." Introducing himself with a slight nod, "Are you the same Morrie from the group in Galimond?"
[19:39] <Morrie> "Yes, Sir Rudolf." He nods. "We thought it best to speak to His Majesty as soon as we arrived, to better ascertain our plan from here."
[19:40] <Kotono> ""Where are the rest of your allies?" He asks after, "The reports said a group of five, including yourself."
[19:41] <Morrie> He nods again. "They should be coming any moment now."

[19:07] <Kotono> Mingling and getting ale combine nicely. You slip into the nearest tavern, the party grabbing a table. The place is packed to the brim, a festive air as people eat, drink and make merry. A pretty human girl comes up, rather harried. She flashes you a quick smile, "What will you all have, sugars?"
[19:07] <Kotono> "A sugared drink. Money is no object," Ebenezer rests his head on his arms, sounding tired. "Mercy me, it's been a long several days."
[19:07] <Kotono> Around you is the typical buzz of chatter and alehouse ribaldry. Listening in is simple enough from here, as is going to look into more of it.
[19:09] <Penelo> "Something light to drink, if you do not mind, kupo." She will look around a bit, listening to a conversation if anything catches her.
[19:10] * Lehko grins at the pretty girl and flicks an ear.
[19:10] <Lehko> "I'll have ale. And what's best for eating today?"
[19:11] <Kotono> "Something sweet, something light, ale. Today's special is forest and planes: A beefsteak, a venison steak and a bunch of fried greens." Listing off, "What about you, s..." A stop as Mycol gets a look, a long blink.
[19:12] * Mycol wiggles.
[19:12] <Mycol> "Sweet for me, as well. And the Venison."
[19:13] * Lehko shivers slightly.
[19:13] <Penelo> "Do you have any kupo nuts?"
[19:13] <Lehko> "I'll have the venison and ale."

[19:15] <Kotono> "Y-yeah, think so," A distracted murmur to Penelo as she gets a glance, then back to Mycol, then to Penelo, then Lehko's ears. "Bleedin' hell," she mutters, "Yeah, your order will be along. Got it."
[19:15] <Kotono> Meanwhile you can hear the buzz of conversation, several snippits:
"...gil on it lasting longer, but it's a good b..."
"...reign of prosperity! Cheers to that!"
"...27 more, but still..."
"...the third company who did it, they looked strong when..."
"-vention if you ask me. Who else could save u-"

[19:16] * Lehko looks at the last two groups.
[19:16] <Lehko> "Sounds like the military is getting the credit?"
[19:17] <Kotono> Ebenezer groans again and keeps his head down.
[19:17] <Penelo> "That would be rather unfair." Her ears droop a bit.
[19:18] * Mycol shrugs.
[19:18] <Mycol> "They'll sing our praises soon enough again, if that's what you're after."
[19:19] <Mycol> "I'm -hungry- though. I'll show off always later."
[19:19] * Lehko grunts.
[19:19] <Lehko> "Not sure it is. It'll just make it easier for my wives to find me."

[19:21] <Kotono> Your food's quick - damned quick. The waitress comes back and places plates and drinks around, "Enjoy," she says, giving Mycol another few glances.
[19:21] * Lehko digs into the venison and ale.
[19:22] <Lehko> "So.. We need to see what we can learn here..."
[19:22] * Penelo will eat her meal with a smile.
[19:23] * Mycol stretches up and wiggles happily
[19:23] * Mycol then will lay into his Venison.
[19:25] <Penelo> "What do you suggest we do?"
[19:26] <Lehko> "Ask the innkeeper and waitresses about work and rumors."
[19:26] <Mycol> "I think she likes me!"
[19:27] <Lehko> ".... Yeah, let's go with that."
[19:28] <Kotono> The food's good. It's hot and fresh, doing a lot after so long on trail rations. It's nothing exceptional, but hunger helps a lot. Ebenezer just downs his drink in one long gulp, before going back to resting.
[19:29] * Penelo hops out of her seat with her bowl of nuts. "I will go see if the Innkeeper has any gossip or work!" and she will go to make her way through the crowd.
[19:30] * Lehko nods and waves a waitress over.

[19:30] <Kotono> As Penelo gets up, a guard approaches your table, "Excuse me," he says, "Are you all Morrie's friends?"
[19:30] <Lehko> "Uh... yeah?"
[19:30] * Penelo will stop! "Yes, we are, kupo."
[19:30] <Kotono> "You all need to come with me," The guard says, "This way."
[19:31] <Lehko> "And why's that?"
[19:31] <Mycol> "Is Morrie Alright?"
[19:32] <Kotono> "He's fine. You're wanted at the palace," The guard says, "You would be wise to consider this an invitation from His Majesty."
[19:32] * Lehko grunts and leaves money on the table for the meals and gets up.
[19:33] * Penelo ... is going to actually move the nuts out of the bowl into her hands, or pockets, since they're just TOO GOOD to give up right now, setting the empty bowl on the table.
[19:34] <Kotono> Ebenezer groans and rises, "Our work is never done lately," he observes, yawning after.
[19:34] * Lehko pauses and turns back, grabbing his ale, raising the mug to the guard.
[19:34] <Lehko> "Lead the way."
[19:34] * Mycol shrugs.
[19:36] <Kotono> OOC: I'll move y'all along in a second.

[19:43] <Kotono> From here, the party is escorted to the castle. In the grand, spartan halls you meet with a middle aged, portly fellow in expensive clothes. He is balding a little bit but otherwise resists the overt pull of time. With him is Morrie, "Are you the rest of this group?" he asks.
[19:43] <Mycol> "Sort of."
[19:43] * Lehko hangs the empty ale mug on the handle of one of his pistols.
[19:44] <Lehko> "Yeah. We're with Morrie."
[19:45] <Kotono> "Mycol," A short nod and look to the mushboom, "Correspondence from Galimond mentioned you. Also, I believe all of you have shop access permits waiting for you, but that's not important right now. Come with me."
[19:46] <Mycol> "Uh?"
[19:47] <Morrie> "They were probably impressed with your dancing." He remarks with a small smile as he follows the gentleman!
[19:47] * Lehko coughs at Morries comment, using it to hide a grin.
[19:48] <Mycol> "It's only natural."
[19:49] <Penelo> "You dance?"
[19:50] <Lehko> "Sure. He'll take you out later. You can make a date of it."
[19:50] * Lehko grins toothily.
[19:51] <Mycol> "Oh yeah. Though, I feel like I lost a step after that Lich fight. I feel... slower."
[19:52] <Mycol> OOC: I actually lost a point of Finesse and had to lower my Perform. :(

[19:54] <Kotono> "Ah yes," Sir Rudolf replies after a moment, leading you to a set of stairs going up. You go up several flights, coming to a door atop a tower. He knocks on the door thrice, "Your Majesty?" he calls, "We have the heroes that banished the unnatural night." After that he turns to them and mouths, 'Mind your manners!'
[19:54] * Lehko raises an eyebrow at the man.
[19:54] * Penelo looking at Rudolf with a look of confidence, like 'leave it to us we'll be fine! ... with a cheek puffed out, chewing on a nut.
[19:54] <Morrie> Santos makes a sound which might either be a scoff or something worse.
[19:55] * Penelo .. will swallow her food really quick.
[19:56] * Lehko moves his coat to cover the mug hanging off his gun a bit more.
[19:57] <Kotono> After a few moments there is a reply, muffled from being on the other side of the door, "Send them in," the voice calls.

[19:59] <Kotono> From there, the door in is opened! Inside is a tower library, little slit windows letting in light. His Majesty sits before one, looking out it. He is a plain man wearing simple white linen robes and a golden circlet. He's likely past 50, his hair having lost the battle against gray and now plunging into ongoing defeat against white.  He's rather skinny and unremarkable on a quick glance. Sir
[19:59] <Kotono> Rudolf enters, going to one knee. "May I present them, Your Majesty," he says.
[20:00] <Mycol> "Your Grace."
[20:00] * Mycol will stretch out and bow-wiggle
[20:01] <Morrie> Santos steps forward, offering a flourishing bow.
[20:01] * Lehko follows Rudolf's lead and goes to a knee.
[20:01] * Penelo will bow, almost tipping over.
[20:01] * Mycol whispers to the person next to him "It's Grace, right? I did that right?"
[20:01] <Lehko> "Your Majesty."
[20:01] <Kotono> Ebenezer bows and kneels, "Close enough. Your Majesty, usually," he whispers back to Mycol.
[20:02] <Morrie> Morrie realizes after everyone else to bow deeply as well.

[20:04] <Kotono> "You may rise," King Grannot raises a hand and slowly lowers it after. His voice is normal enough, his diction precise and well learned. "So we have you to thank for defeating this horrid calamity? We would greatly like to hear more about the case of this long night and how it was defeated."
[20:05] * Lehko stands and rests one hand on the grip of his un-mugged pistol, relaxing.
[20:06] <Morrie> "I will explain." Morrie states. "Essentially, to know about this situation, you must be made aware of all the parties involved. You first have the likes of Lich, who was a controller of the power of Earth. There are three others, which embody that of Fire, Wind and Water."

[20:08] <Morrie> "It seems that the Mysta Empire sealed them in their own ruins, but... well, I believe we are partly to blame for disturbing the balance in that regard. At any rate... they are not the only enemies. There are those that are referred to as the Lucavi, the Zodiac Demons... they are becoming active as well in this... I suppose war, may be as good a term as any. We had hoped to gather as much
[20:08] <Morrie> information in Serrendale as possible, now that we better understand the foes we are facing... we hope to get a step ahead of them."
[20:08] <Kotono> "Go on," His Majesty says after a moment, "Continue."
[20:11] <Morrie> "We have the names of the Fiends... the next, the one Lich cried out when he was defeated was Marilith. If she controls Fire, then we can expect that wherever her influence lies, there will be some sort of twisted and distorted heat... We hoped we might be able to get a lead on where she had been sealed and head in that direction."

[20:14] <Kotono> "We have heard nothing of fire or distortion heat. The only current abnormality is Malboros in the south," That is his answer, "But information has been traveling slower lately. With the retreat of this anomaly, more information may come."
[20:14] * Mycol shrinks up a little at the mention of Malboros.
[20:15] <Morrie> He nods. "I understand. We may have to do some legwork of our own here in Serrendale and simply look through older texts in that case." He looks at the others. "Unless you all... and 'they' have other suggestions?"
[20:15] <Lehko> "Well, I think Lich woke Marilith when we killed him. It may not have had enough time to really do anything yet."
[20:16] <Kotono> "I have done some research on these matters," Ebenezer speaks up, "By your leave, I can pass this knowledge onto the Crown."
[20:18] * Mycol breathes a little easier.

[20:18] <Kotono> "Yes. In the meantime," He looks to the party, "You are heroes. Suitable celebrations must be done."
[20:19] <Morrie> "Hah! I knew it!" Santos snaps his fingers.
[20:19] * Penelo almost jumps at Santos' sudden yell, looking over at him.
[20:21] <Morrie> Morrie nods to the King! "Of course. We should be in town for a few days as we decide on our next course of action."
[20:21] * Lehko nods at Morrie.
[20:22] <Kotono> "You'll be summoned back in several days," His Majesty says, "There are things we must do. Until we make an announcement, we ask that you keep your deeds from public knowledge."
[20:23] <Lehko> "So no parades."
[20:24] * Penelo deeply droops a little at that.
[20:24] <Morrie> Santos sags his shoulders too.
[20:25] <Morrie> "Of course. We'll do our own errands around town in the meantime."
[20:25] <Kotono> "A parade..." This is considered, "We think that is a good idea - once things are announced."
[20:25] <Morrie> Santos perks back up again.
[20:26] * Penelo also seems to cheer up a bit, hopping in place a little before remembering she's in the king's throne room. settles down.
[20:27] <Kotono> His Majesty smiles thinly, "Go forth, heroes. You have done this kingdom proud. There will be more for you in the coming days."
[20:28] * Morrie nods and bows slightly again. "Thank you. Let's go, then?" He looks at the others before exiting!
[20:28] * Mycol bows again.
[20:28] * Lehko bows.
[20:28] * Penelo will bow once more before almost flying out of the room... hovering every now and then with little hops.


[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: Okay then, 100000 gil question: What's on all your agendas now? I also note the new shops via permit have been posted.
[20:30] <Penelo> OOC: Checking out the shops and possibly changing out some armor options and getting potions and the like for the next adventure
[20:30] <Penelo> OOC: will be Penelo's goal
[20:30] <Morrie> OOC: Taking a Staff to the White Wizard doodlie bopper place.
[20:30] <Penelo> OOC: or agenda, rather
[20:30] <Lehko> OOC: White mages, paladin guild, Temple of Shiva inquiry, armor upgrade?
[20:34] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. Who else? Santos isn't here. Mycol, anything on your agenda here?
[20:35] <Mycol> Mmn.
[20:35] <Mycol> Debating.
[20:35] <Kotono> OOC: OOC tags. That aside, you have a sec since I'm gonna get up and get a drink.
[20:36] <Morrie> OOC: I think Santos would just... I dunno, he never posted anything, so.
[20:37] <Lehko> OOC: He kinda missed out, then.
[20:37] <Morrie> OOC: He'd probably be fine looking into esper stuff.
[20:38] <Mycol> OOC: I'mma look stuff up. I think I might have something synthed. If I can figure out what I want.
[20:38] <Mycol> OOC: Er... "Research" I mean. I'm going where people are researching.
[20:43] <Lehko> roll 2d6+5 Cooking: HP x10
[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Lehko rolls 2d6+5 Cooking: HP x10 and gets 12." [2d6=2, 5]
[20:43] <Lehko> roll 2d6+5 Cooking: MP x8
[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Lehko rolls 2d6+5 Cooking: MP x8 and gets 14." [2d6=4, 5]
[20:58] <Mycol> 2d6+5 Nature to better know my foes
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Mycol rolls 2d6+5 Nature to better know my foes and gets 9." [2d6=1, 3]
[20:58] <Morrie> roll 2d6+5 Upgrading Silver Armor from Tier 2 to Tier 4
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Morrie rolls 2d6+5 Upgrading Silver Armor from Tier 2 to Tier 4 and gets 16." [2d6=6, 5]
[21:00] <Lehko> roll 2d6+8 Tinkering: Tier 3 Accessory
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Lehko rolls 2d6+8 Tinkering: Tier 3 Accessory and gets 13." [2d6=4, 1]
[21:12] <Lehko> roll 2d6+8 Mercantile: Gillionaire - S&W Morpheus
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Lehko rolls 2d6+8 Mercantile: Gillionaire - S&W Morpheus and gets 11." [2d6=1, 2]


[21:12] <Kotono> The next day, the party heads to visit the Healer's Guild. The Healer's Guide is a big white building. It's shiny and well kept, surely buffed with a bit of magic to keep a bright shine. Within are various white mages and healers. People scurry about, looking for this and that...OOC: Go ahead. You can make various relevant checks, try and find someone or whatever. Ball's in yoru court how you
[21:12] <Kotono> handle this.
[21:13] <Morrie> Morrie will look around for someone who looks like they're in charge!
[21:14] * Lehko moves to inquire about help with his white magic and the local Paladin Guild and possible location of a Temple to Shiva.
[21:14] <Kotono> OOC: Have any training in inquiry, any of you? Anything social like that?
[21:15] <Lehko> OOC: Nope! Just Negotiation.
[21:15] <Morrie> OOC: Santos does.
[21:15] <Kotono> OOC: Feel free to have robo Santos do it
[21:15] <Kotono> .
[21:15] <Morrie> OOC: Okay!
[21:15] <Morrie> roll 2d6+4 SANTOS USED TALK
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Morrie rolls 2d6+4 SANTOS USED TALK and gets 10." [2d6=4, 2]

[21:16] <Kotono> Santos wanders off to a pretty female white mage. A few words and one slap later, he comes back nursing his cheek. "Down the left hall, upstairs, last office at the end."
[21:17] * Lehko raises an eyebrow at Santos.
[21:17] <Lehko> "Your mom would be proud."
[21:17] * Penelo giggles a bit, .. quietly, of course.
[21:17] <Morrie> Santos shrugs. "Your wives would be proud if someone paid attention to them."
[21:17] <Lehko> "They always were in the morning."

[21:18] <Morrie> roll 2d6+5 Imparting +3 PWR to Iron Robe
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Morrie rolls 2d6+5 Imparting +3 PWR to Iron Robe and gets 14." [2d6=6, 3]
[21:18] <Penelo> OOC: Steel robe!
[21:18] <Morrie> OOC: WHATEVER

[21:19] <Kotono> From there, a quick trip leads you to where you were directed. It's a humble looking door with a desk just to the side of it. Here another cute, blonde white wizard works. She's hooded and waiting, hands folded before her. A wooden staff rests against the desk. "Hello there!" She greets, all sunshine and rainbows. She seems to brighten the air, bringing summery joy. "My, what a diverse crew!"
[21:19] <Kotono> Giggles follow, "Even a mushboom and a moogle! Oh, double Ms! Are you two..." She pushes two fingers together, blushing.
[21:19] <Penelo> "I hope his wives are happy someone is going through so much trouble to keep them safe, kupo." The moogle will stop talking to look at the person and tilt her head, as if clueless on the implication.
[21:19] <Morrie> Santos immediately answers. "Yes, they are."
[21:20] <Mycol> "I'm not sure you understand your anatomy...."
[21:20] <Morrie> "Do you mind if I go first?" He looks at Lehko. "These Staves have been bothering me since we picked them up."
[21:21] * Lehko motions Morrie forward.
[21:21] * Penelo idly looks at her own stave. A thought crosses her mind to have it checked over as well. If Morrie is bothered about underling staves, surely their top brass head honcho's stave might have something to worry about.

[21:22] <Kotono> "Of course I understand anatomy, silly! Men have mushroom heads that the ladies like, and you have one!" Giggling and reaching out to rub Mycol's 'shroomtop, "Are you here to see the Guild Master?"
[21:22] <Morrie> Morrie withdraws one of the Staves of the Marsh from the bag and tentatively places it on the desk. "We... we discovered these items in the hands of fiendish monsters. They make us... feel very strange when we hold them. I had hoped that with the darkness lifting that they might have changed, but they're still the same. If possible, I'd like to get them purified. Is that something you or the
[21:22] <Morrie> Guild Master can help with?"
[21:22] * Mycol is nonplussed.
[21:23] * Penelo giggles again, not getting the implications.
[21:23] * Lehko nudges Morrie and taps his armor, meaning the cursed armor.
[21:24] <Kotono> "Uh huh," Nodding, the white mage gets up and knocks on the door. "Sir, there's adventurers here! They have cursed staves, like the ones...uh huh, uh huh, ooooh!" More giggles come, "So naughty!" A sing-song as she turns back around, "He'll see you in just a minute."
[21:24] <Morrie> Morrie just stares with a small nod.
[21:24] * Lehko grins at the girl.
[21:26] <Morrie> "I think I might need to be a White Wizard in my next life..." Santos remarks.
[21:26] <Lehko> "I'm half-way there."
[21:26] <Kotono> Once she's seated again, the girl leans forward with a coy smile, "So I heard there's these scary squid-faces carrying these staves around," she says, turning to Santos. "You shouldn't wait! The Guild Master was a Warrior for most of his adventuring career!"
[21:28] <Lehko> "I was an engineer until just recently. Santos, get to work, and you can be next!"
[21:28] <Kotono> "Come in!" A booming baritone calls, "Come in, come in!"
[21:28] <Mycol> "I'm channeling white magic, but I don't know if I want the attention."
[21:29] <Penelo> "Nice to meet you, kupo!" She waves friendly like to the white mage woman, before going to move into the other room.
[21:29] * Lehko moves to head to the other room with a jaunty wave to the white mage.

[21:29] <Kotono> Inside is an office. It's nice enough, but one hardly has a chance to look. Sitting on a big, expensive desk ahead is the Guild Master. He must be sixty based on his white hair and beard, but he hardly looks it! He's nine feet tall and pure muscle, muscles on his muscles! HE's also wearing nothing but a speedo, a huge steel staff resting besides him. "Greetings, I am Taley Half-Giant and the
[21:29] <Kotono> current Guild Master of the Healers."
[21:30] <Morrie> Santos regrets needing to leave, but walks in to the office and then promptly walks right back out again.
[21:30] * Lehko shudders.
[21:31] * Penelo ... stares, looking uuup.
[21:31] * Morrie carries the Staff into the office and crinkles his nose, moreso at the staff than anything else. "...It is good to meet you."
[21:31] * Lehko leans against the wall, buffing his new armor.
[21:32] <Kotono> As the others shudder, retreat and stare uuuup, only Morrie greets him. This gets a handshake that lifts Morrie off the ground, shaking his entire body! "Greetings! Very good to meet you! A very good day to meet you! A good day here, with sunshine and did I mention sunshine?"

[21:32] <Kotono> As Santos goes out, the white mage outside giggles, "Oh, does great grandfather scaaaaare you?" she mock-whispers.
[21:33] <Morrie> "You must have had to lighten everyone's spirits until very recently." He remarks, after straightening himself back up.
[21:33] <Morrie> "...That's one word for it." Santos quips, shaking his head a few times to hopefully clear the mental image more permanently out of his mind.
[21:33] <Kotono> "We do what we can," The absolute giant of a man agrees, "So we can what we do. You have one of those wizard staffs? I've seen a few already. What do you want to know about them?"
[21:34] <Morrie> "I'd like to know if there's any way to remove the taint from them." He says. "I don't think there will be anymore creatures of their ilk for a while..."
[21:35] <Kotono> "That's the strange part, quite strange if I say." Rubbing his bearded chin, "They aren't tainted that we can tell. The black mage's guild is taking a look at one now."
[21:36] <Morrie> He hadn't really considered that as an actual possibility! "...Well, I suppose in a sense, they were more of an extension of the monsters who used them... so maybe this is entirely natural for them..."
[21:37] <Penelo> "Interesting, kupo."

[21:38] <Kotono> "We spent awhile swapping ideas," Gesturing widely, "Our best theory is that they're made to work with senses or magic we don't have and those creatures do. Using one is like jamming a square peg into a round hole."
[21:38] <Mycol> "So only fiends can use them?"
[21:38] <Mycol> "Actually...."
[21:39] <Morrie> "I suppose that does make more sense... Unfortunate, I had hoped we could try and use these after all." He sighs.
[21:39] <Mycol> "Let me see it. I'm different from you flesh men. Even the Moon Bear is of flesh"
[21:39] <Penelo> "I can also take a look at one if you do not mind, kupo."
[21:40] <Kotono> "They can be used," The Guild Master says, "That they can, that they can be used. You can use a square peg in a round hole if you push hard enough, but it's not as good a fit."
[21:41] <Morrie> He offers the Staff to Mycol!
[21:41] <Morrie> "Hm, I suppose that's a good point too. If you think about it, if you sand down a square peg enough, it becomes round..."
[21:41] <Penelo> "Moon bear?"
[21:42] * Mycol picks it up and holds it.
[21:42] * Mycol wants to see what the others felt.
[21:42] <Kotono> Mycol feels odd. As if limbs he doesn't have are twitching, phantom pains around his face. His lips and mouth tremble.
[21:42] <Morrie> "I didn't know you were from the moon." He looks at Penelo with a smile.
[21:42] * Mycol puts the staff down.

[21:42] <Kotono> OOC: Do you have any ranks in anything arcane-ish?
[21:43] <Penelo> "I learn something new every day, kupo."
[21:43] <Mycol> "It's...... hmm."
[21:43] <Mycol> OOC: Nope!
[21:43] <Penelo> OOC: Penelo has Magic Lore
[21:43] <Kotono> OOC: Carry on.
[21:43] <Kotono> OOC: Just Mycol at the sec. I may ask you to roll if you pick up the staff.
[21:43] <Mycol> "It's probably a legend."
[21:43] <Penelo> OOC: She intends to since she hasn't picked one up before.

[21:43] * Penelo and will take the staff a moment after Mycol sets it down, since she's not experienced this either.
[21:43] <Morrie> "You mentioned the Black Mage's guild were also looking into it?" He asks, while the others try out the weird and creepy staff.
[21:44] <Kotono> "A  mushboom legend! That's a triple score!" The giant Guild Master proclaims, "A legend from legendary creatures! I had thought my great granddaughter made up mushbooms!"
[21:44] <Mycol> "We're real, although, I'm afraid anything she tells you about our heads is a scandalous lie."
[21:44] <Kotono> Penelo feels odd. Her face twitches, as if limbs are attached to it that she doesn't have. Pains lance through, phantasms of things that she has never had.  OOC: Make a lore(magic) check.

[21:44] <Penelo> roll 2d6+4 lore magic
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Penelo rolls 2d6+4 lore magic and gets 13." [2d6=5, 4]
[21:45] * Penelo makes a bit of a face. "This does not feel good, kupo."

[21:45] <Morrie> "Yeah, that's about the long and short of it. ... ...I didn't mean that as a pun." He sighs.
[21:45] <Kotono> "Oh dear, was she lying again?" A long sigh, "She gets it from her mother's side of the family. I told my grandson over and over again, don't marry a thief! Don't get involved in a thief guild! Don't marry the thief guild leader's daughter after beating him in a game of dice!"
[21:46] * Lehko raises an eyebrow and looks over at the female white mage.
[21:46] <Kotono> She waves. "Hiiii!"
[21:46] <Lehko> "You're much more interesting than you first appear."
[21:46] * Lehko grins and gives her a thumbs up.
[21:46] <Kotono> She holds up a familiar gil bag, "I also helped myself to some of your gil," she giggles, tossing it to Lehko. "It's all still there, silly, don't worry!"
[21:47] * Lehko catches it.
[21:47] <Lehko> "Want a job?"
[21:47] <Kotono> "See?" The Guild Master shakes his head, "It's such a bad influence on her."
[21:47] * Lehko grins at her again, showing off cat fangs.
[21:47] <Lehko> "We have a puppy!"
[21:47] <Kotono> "Welllll..." Trailing off and twirling a bit of her blonde hair, "I don't know. What sort of job?"
[21:47] * Lehko sends Bjomolf over to her.

[21:48] <Morrie> "Do you think it's possible that we might be able to get it to work for us if we wielded it long enough?" He looks at the Guild Master.
[21:48] <Kotono> "Young lady! No soliciting others for jobs! You still haven't finished your apprenticeship here!" The Guild Master calls. "It's not finished yet!"
[21:48] <Morrie> "Or do you think... we'd become more like it?" He shudders.
[21:48] * Penelo moves to set down the staff. "Kupo. It seem like staff would be more powerful if you were the monster originally holding it."
[21:48] <Penelo> OOC: I think I said that right.
[21:48] <Mycol> "I'm not sure I'd want to try."
[21:48] <Mycol> "It made me feel like I had... uh... extra stalks."
[21:48] <Kotono> After a moment the Guild Master just shrugs, "That I don't know, and that I can't tell you. No one's tried yet."
[21:49] <Morrie> "Hm. Well, considering no one wants to hold it, I suppose it's just best that we get rid of them." He admits. "It's probably safer to do that."

[21:49] <Penelo> "It felt like the staff was trying to make a link with me, kupo, but I lacked what it wanted to connect to." Wings twitch, causing her to suddenly fly into the air half a foot before settling back down. Random movement.
[21:49] <Lehko> "Why, Adventuring, of course! If you ever wanna welch on your apprenticeship for some *real* fun and profit, come find us. You'll have a Paladin vouching for you!"
[21:50] <Kotono> This gets a dismissive wave, "You always have to be on the lookout for better offers," The young white mage says, "It's like one of those rules Uncle  Feren talks about. How much profit?"
[21:50] <Kotono> "Might be, might be," The Guild Master says, "So are you going to destroy your staff or sell it?"
[21:51] <Morrie> "Do you want to try and master it?" He looks at Penelo. "I mean... if you think about it... it might become more like an extension of you eventually."
[21:51] * Morrie looks back over at the Guild Master. "I think we'd sell the ones we have. They might be useful to research."
[21:51] <Penelo> "I have a staff I am happy with, kupo. I do not want to wake up in the morning with tentacles on my face."
[21:51] <Lehko> "As much as you can get your hands on! As long as you don't hurt innocents, I don't care where you get it!"
[21:51] * Lehko continues grinning.
[21:52] <Lehko> "Plus, the puppy. Puppies are cool."
[21:52] * Penelo looks at Lehko a moment, before looking around for Santos, expecting a remark somewhere now.

[21:52] <Kotono> "Hmmmmmmm...." She considers as the Guild Master shoots her a death glare, "Great grandfather, I'm quitting!" she announces, "They have PUPPIES!"
[21:52] <Mycol> "I'd like to get it away from me. It might not be tainted, but they're not natural, either."
[21:52] * Lehko high-fives Santos.
[21:53] <Morrie> Santos high-fives back! Anything to get away from here...
[21:53] <Kotono> Slowly the Guild Master turns, "I'm sorry. This is important with the staffs, it's truly important and tied to those staffs, but I need to deal with this family business." Clearing his throat, "Now hold on just a moment, young lady! You hold on and wait!" Standing up and ducking to get out of the room, "You are NOT to go adventuring until you can cast Cura!"
[21:54] <Lehko> "I'm a Paladin. We can help each other with the white magic."
[21:54] <Kotono> Picking up her staff and waving, "I'll catch up with all of you!" she calls, "Bye great granddad! I'll send some gil back home so don't worry, silly! You'll still have a nice retirement house!"
[21:54] <Penelo> "There is nothing wrong with adventuring, kupo!"
[21:54] <Morrie> Morrie sighs and puts the Staff back into the bag for now, stepping out of the office and probably around the large man. "I think we have a large enough travelling party as it is..."
[21:55] <Mycol> "Is it considered normal for Flesh-cats to chase the Women of Flesh-men? Flesh-women?"
[21:55] * Mycol struggles with the language.
[21:55] <Morrie> "Nothing about this is normal, Mycol." He says, flatly.
[21:55] <Lehko> "I just need more fun people to hang out with."

[21:55] <Kotono> "Oh dragon dung," The Guild Master sighs, "Well, are you interested in selling those staves? We'll buy them if you are."
[21:56] <Penelo> "It would be safer to sell the staves here than to put them on the market if they are dangerous."
[21:56] <Morrie> "Yes, sir, that would be fine." He shakes his head. "I'm sorry to have caused any undue trouble."
[21:58] <Kotono> "Her name's Jessica." The Guild Master says, "Make sure she doesn't get hurt, and be sure she's safe and not hurt."
[21:58] <Kotono> OOC: Post selling the staves.
[21:58] <Penelo> "We'll make sure she is fine, kupo."
[21:58] <Lehko> "I think we'll need to keep everyone else safe from her, actually."
[22:00] <Mycol> "We'll need someone to keep Ebenezer's spirits up."
[22:00] * Mycol says this without any indication that he said something funny.
[22:00] <Morrie> "If anything occurs, please let us know. My name is Morrie... This is Santos, Lehko, Mycol and Penelo." He nods to him. "We're going to be in town for a while before we decide where to go next, so do not hesitate to contact us if you hear any news of anything amiss."
[22:01] * Lehko salutes the old man.
[22:01] <Kotono> "I will, and that I will," The Guild Master promises. OOC: Moving on and out of the horrifying visage now?
[22:01] <Lehko> OOC: Did I find answers for the Paladin guild and Shiva Temple?
[22:02] <Kotono> OOC: Not yet, but more on that in a sec.
[22:02] <Morrie> OOC: Yessir.

[22:02] <Kotono> As the party reaches back downstairs, they find Jessica waiting. "Hi there!" she calls, "I'm Jessica, nice to meet you. So how's this about getting rich?"
[22:03] <Penelo> "We go out adventuring to save the day and make money along the way." The moogle smiles.
[22:03] <Lehko> "Well, we go around find trouble and fight powerful evil. And then steal all their stuff!"
[22:04] <Penelo> "What he said."
[22:04] <Mycol> "Yeah, I was getting pretty wealthy."
[22:04] <Morrie> "We don't really steal anything..." He corrects Lehko. "We never have."
[22:04] <Kotono> "It's not stealing if you defeated them and they're evil!" Jessica waggles a finger, before giggling. "It's an honorable profession!"
[22:04] <Lehko> "Well... Okay, we don't exactly steal. It's spoils of war."
[22:05] <Kotono> "Right," Agreeing with that, "Well, shall we? Do you have any more business here?"
[22:05] <Morrie> "We're doing some errands right now, actually." He nods to Lehko to have him continue.
[22:07] <Lehko> "I've been looking for the Paladin Guild. And if there's a temple to Shiva?"
[22:08] <Kotono> "Paladin guild, paladin guild...oh, I know where that is. Temples, I think there's one to Shiva."
[22:08] <Lehko> "Great! Could you lead us there?"