About that dance

[Ebiris]

[18:05] <@Kotono> With treasures loaded up, the party heads into the passage that leads into the earth. You find that moss grows about as you wander, giving the stone walls a green cast. You walk about 10 minutes, going slightly downhill before starting a slow and steady upward climb. It's then you come to a glimmering silver field, transparent but visible as your light shines on it. Past it is a large chamber
[18:05] <@Kotono> full of stalagmites and stalagtites.  Standing in the center of that room is a huge, unmoving golem of stone. Its back is to you, peering at the far end, where several passages are.
[18:07] <Gildas> Gildas looks across the room. "Hm. I wonder what else he might've set up down here..."
[18:07] <@Kotono> "Trouble and misery," Myann opines, walking up to the field. "Any idea what this field does? A barrier, perhaps?"
[18:07] <Feather> "I wonder if anything will happen if I poured the creepy purple water on something magical."
[18:08] <@John> "This doesn't look like the way we came down..." John says with growing confidence. "I don't remember any of this at all!"
[18:08] <@Kotono> That causes Myann to quickly take several steps back from the field.
[18:13] * Feather looks around awkwardly. "Didn't mean now...."
[18:13] <Gildas> "I don't think we'll get anywhere just wondering about it." He says with a frown. "We may as well just go forward and see what happens."
[18:14] * Feather decides to check with Detect Magic.
[18:14] * @John looks back the way they came just now. "We came out the back of the dungeon, right...?" he furrows his brow. "Where's the lake gone to? Did we get twisted around and end up in some other caves?"
[18:14] <@Kotono> OOC: Spellcraft, Feather.
[18:15] <Feather> "Nah, we're just checking another way out!"
[18:15] <Feather> roll 1d20+14
[18:15] <@Kotono> "Um," Myann says, "John, did you get mixed around? Remember how there was a passage connecting from...nevermind. We're still able to go back and go b ackt hrough the purple lake."
[18:15] * Hatbot --> "Feather rolls 1d20+14 and gets 30." [1d20=16]
[18:15] <@Kotono> This barrier prevents anyone from passing on either side. It's tied to the magic of the golem ahead - destroying it would destroy this field. It could also be dispelled with enough skill.
[18:16] <Feather> "Aww." Feather looks at it with disappointment. "It only opens from the other side. If you, uh, destroy that huge golem thingy."
[18:17] <Gildas> "If you'll give me some time, I may be able to remove it." He takes a breath. "Or at least shut it off for a long enough period for us to pass by."
[18:17] <@John> "Maybe come back another day?" John says, eyeing the huge golem dubiously.
[18:17] <Feather> "Go for it."
[18:19] <Gildas> OOC: I'll try and work out a Dispel Magic for the field itself.
[18:19] <@Kotono> Myann crosses her arms and watches, keeping her own council.
[18:19] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, make a dispel check then.
[18:19] <Gildas> roll 1d20+8
[18:19] * Hatbot --> "Gildas rolls 1d20+8 and gets 12." [1d20=4]
[18:22] <@Kotono> OOC: To be clear, you're casting dispel magic, right?
[18:22] <Gildas> OOC: Yes.
[18:31] <@Kotono> OOC: Scratch the DM stuff.
[18:31] <@Kotono> OOC: So what are y'[all gonna do now? Go back or try something else?
[18:31] <Feather> OOC: Is there anything else to try but swimming?
[18:31] <Feather> OOC: A refresher might help
[18:32] <@Kotono> OOC: Are you going back? I'll drop a line and some information if you are.
[18:33] <Feather> OOC: YEs
[18:34] <Gildas> OOC: As a reminder, no more water breathing from me.
[18:34] <@Kotono> The party heads back, going through the purple sea once more. Approaching the waterfall, you see something that gives you a headache. Water flows down the waterfall and up at the same time. It's like two images are pressed together, both fighting for dominance in your mind. Like this, it's painfully difficult to look at it for long. The reality is that the water flows down and up at the same
[18:34] <@Kotono> time, seemingly in defiance of all logic the party knows.
[18:34] <@Kotono> OOC: Noted.
[18:35] <Gildas> "I think it would be in our best interests to just try and go through that barrier. I just need some time to rest and prepare the spells necessary to try." He turns away from the water with a wince.
[18:36] <Feather> "Both spells?"
[18:36] <@John> "Maybe if we climb uo the rocks things'll be normal in the tunnel?" John says, squinting at the strange waterfall.
[18:36] <@Kotono> "I rather want to get home tomorrow, earlier the better. There's that dance," Myann speaks up, "They'll be let down if we miss it."
[18:38] <@John> "Yeah I was looking forward to it," John agrees.
[18:38] <Gildas> "Well, we could always try and simply overpower the barrier by attacking it. Magic is not an infinite thing." He says. "But if you all want to go back up we can try it... but... Just remember, you won't be able to breathe the water anymore."
[18:38] <@John> "What? Aww no. I don't think I can hold my breath that long," John slumps down despondently.
[18:39] <Feather> "Or we could wait till you can manage the spell to breathe water and stop water from being creepy? It's right next door to us, so if we leave real early-like, we'll make it before the dance!"
[18:39] <Gildas> He nods to Feather. "If you'd like, I'm happy to do that as well. Just remember you'll still have to climb back up there. ...Although maybe not, it might suspend you."
[18:43] <@Kotono> OOC: What's youpr lan now, y'all?
[18:43] <@Kotono> OOC: Wow, typo.
[18:44] <Feather> OOC: Gildas goes to sleep right now, wakes up at the earliest possible moment, lets us all breathe water. While Myann helps us climb up, he makes the water still. Then, we swim!
[18:46] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[18:49] <@Kotono> Dawn comes. Gildas prepares spells and the party rises, swimming out! You return to the green rock cavern and then up. As you swim up into the spring, you can see legs. A pair of people are in the spring, it looks like.
[18:51] * Feather gestures at the legs to the others, and then reaches up and pulls on them!
[18:53] <@Kotono> "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"  A voice, muffled by the water you're in, is heard. It sounds like Eltia, actually. Another scream follows it, but mixed together you can't figure out the other voice offhand.
[18:54] * Feather lets go of her and surfaces nonchalantly.
[18:56] * @John swims up to the surface as well, wiping the water out of his eyes and looking around.
[18:57] <@Kotono> Eltia jumps about 5 feet straight up, stumbling to the mushroom laden edge of the spring. The Missus is doing much the same, eyes wide with a moment of pure, undiluted panic. In Elven she says, "What is it?!" Around you is falling snow - looks like it's still winter, alright. Just a little, a dusting of snow over everything.
[18:59] <@John> "Just us," John says, "Feather pulled a little prank. Oooh, cold out, isn't it?" he looks about the snowy surroundings, wading over to the shore.
[18:59] <Gildas> Bear-Gildas swims up to the shore and climbs out of the lake, shaking himself off if no one else is nearby. After that he will shapeshift back with a long breath and turn to the lake and give a small wave to the Missus and to Eltia. "Apologies."
[18:59] <@Kotono> Myann rises and shakes her head, sending droplets of water about. She doesn't look bothered by the cold, "Sorry about that. But why are you in the spring when it's so cold? It's snowing out here!"
[19:01] <@Kotono> Eltia is wearing her undergarments, glowering as she quickly grabs her clothes and hurries behind a tree. The Missus is wearing a dark colored slip, sodden wet but providing her modesty. "You're back," she says with a hint of strain, sighing heavily. "I think I lost a decade of my life right there!"
[19:02] <@Kotono> "I just got in," Eltia calls from behind the tree, "I had a bad run in with poison plants."
[19:02] <Feather> "There's a lake!" Feather exclaims. "Below the lake that's below this lake!"
[19:02] * @John averts his eyes at their state of undress, blushing brightly. "Oh, sorry... didn't mean to look," he mutters.
[19:03] <@Kotono> It is notable that the Missus isn't shivering despite the wet coldness. "Lakes and more lakes beneath it?" she inquires curiously, "There's breakfast at the farm if you're hungry - mushroom surprise again."
[19:04] <Gildas> "We have a lot of things to look through anyway, so it would probably do us well to do it over a full stomach." He nods.
[19:05] <@John> "Starving!" John says. "I'll go get changed first," he says, quickly fleeing away to do just that.
[19:06] <Feather> "Yeah think I'll go too," Feather says, following after him.
[19:06] <@Kotono> "I'll just make my own," Myann says, "I need to get ready and look over those treasures too."
[19:08] <Gildas> "I'll try and sort out the magical with the non-magical. We'll have to have someone else give the magical ones another look. Maybe one of the Kobolds can?" He says.
[19:10] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, any plans before that dance thingy?
[19:11] <Feather> OOC: Not really
[19:12] <@Kotono> OOC: I'll sort out the big loot post this evening. For now, moving on.
[19:12] <Gildas> OOC: Nope
[19:14] <@Kotono> Evening comes. The snow has become a few inches, but fortunately it stopped past noon. The early evening is vibrant with reflected snowlight, giving everything a faint luminence. The tavern lies ahead, you notice Robert standing just outside...OOC: Go ahead and set each of yourselves up in case you dressed up or di danything for this. If not you can get fairly quickly to the point.
[19:15] * Feather is dressed much as he usually is, in sturdy and serviceable clothes, though for this he used the time earlier that day to clean his clothing properly and patch it where it needed patching.
[19:16] <@John> "'lo Robert," John says, walking up. He barely has two complete sets of clothes to his name, both meant far more for adventuring than partying. He did have those nice courtier's clothes for that time they needed to oust Baron Blackthorne, but they ended up ruined by a dunk in some acid a few weeks later and there was never any call to replace them. Thus he's dressed in simple wool and flannel tunic and breeches.
[19:17] <Gildas> Gildas did likewise as Feather, wearing his normal adventuring clothes, and cleaned up as he could possibly get them and mended to the best of his (magical) ability. He's currently on his way to the tavern, in no special hurry to get there.
[19:18] <@Kotono> Myann is dressed as normal, cleaned up and with her hair done up into a fancy bun. Several little strands of woven mushrooms hold it in place.
[19:19] <@Kotono> "Evening," Robert says, giving you a nod. He's dressed in his best clothes, tunic and hose in good condition. "Are you all ready for your entrance?"
[19:19] <Feather> "That any different from how we come in all the time?"
[19:21] <@John> "Oh, are we getting announced?" John asks excitedly. Last time they'd made up really fancy fake titles for everyone and it was great.
[19:23] <@Kotono> "I think a little something is in order," Robert says with a hint of a smile, "Hell, all of you are the talk of the town. Especially since you're usually off on some grand adventure."
[19:24] <Feather> "Adventure finds us," Feather says sagely. "Often have a hard time saying no to it." He grins at Robert. "So what do we do?"
[19:26] <Gildas> "Or attacks us." He adds as he walks up and into the conversation.
[19:26] <@Kotono> "Usually attacks us," Myann adds.
[19:27] <@Kotono> "
[19:27] <@Kotono> "Just follow me in," Robert says, going to the door.
[19:28] * Feather heads after him, whispering to Myann, "But not now, right? Right?"
[19:29] <@Kotono> "I hope so," Myann whispers back.
[19:30] * @John follows after Robert with an expectant smile.
[19:30] <@Kotono> Going in, the party finds the tavern transformed. Bright bits of cloth and paper hang, all the tables and chairs gone. From the back music comes - a fiddle, Eltia playing. It's a lively tune, upbeat as people dance to it. As you come in, Robert loudly clears his throat. "AHEEM! The heroes return triumphant once more!"
[19:31] <@Kotono> Hylath raises a mug and steps forward, "Our heroes return!" he calls, "The dragonslayers return!"
[19:31] <Gildas> Gildas steps in last with a small smile to everyone.
[19:32] <@John> "Hullo," John waves with a big smile on his stubbly face. He's trying to grow a beard so he'll look more mature.
[19:34] * Feather goes for the theatrical and raises a fist in triumph!
[19:35] <@Kotono> Myann waves more restrainedly, smiling nonetheless.
[19:36] <@Kotono> The dancing stops and Eltia's music pauses. But silence doesn't come - instead a big cheer echos in the tavern. "That's right!" Robert calls over the din, going to stand between Gildas and John. "And these two eligible bachelors are here!" He clasps both of them on the shoulder.
[19:36] <@Kotono> Myann glances over with a moment of surprise, before chuckling. "Here we go," she murmurs to Feather.
[19:37] * Feather snorts. "Ambush, nicely done."
[19:37] * @John blushes at having it put in the spotlight, his smile becoming more nervous. "Uh yeah, well. Haven't been here long, right...?" he says to excuse himself but it sounds more like a question.
[19:39] <Gildas> Color seems to drain from his face for a moment, the normally unflappable individual suddenly put on the spot. He clears his throat with nothing much else to say.
[19:41] <@Kotono> As another cheer goes, "So make sure these two get lots of dances," Robert declares, patting both shoulders before stepping forward, "Now get the music going again."
[19:42] * @John beelines for the bar to get a drink first and try to settle his nerves after that embarrassing introduction.
[19:44] <Feather> About to suggest that the music starts again, Feather begs off from Myann for a moment and makes his way over to Eltia.
[19:44] <Gildas> Gildas just looks for the least-packed part of the tavern to go stand in. Good luck with that one.
[19:53] <@Kotono> John gets a drink. As he gets it, "Hi there," A smiling girl comes up. She's a late teenager or so, human with blonde hair and dimples. She wears a nice brown dress, "You're John?"
[19:53] <@Kotono> Eltia's found checking the fiddle before starting again. "Yeah?" she asks as Feather approaches.
[19:53] <@Kotono> There's not much in the way of open space to be found, unfortunately. Through you see Em approaching, cutting through the crowds.
[19:55] <Gildas> He can do little but take a breath and nod to her as she comes up. "Good evening to you." He says with a smile.
[19:55] <Feather> "Thanks for helping with all this," Feather says, gesturing about. "Also, sorry about earlier. It's the crazy water below, going up and down at the same time. Messes with your mind." He retrieves one of the vials of purple water, wrapped up carefully in a handkerchief, and presents it to Eltia. "Figured I might offer you something along with the apology. I know it looks like creepy dirty water,
[19:55] <Feather> but it's actually pretty potent magically."
[19:56] <@John> "Yeah. Me friends call me Little 'cause I'm not," John says using his typical introductional gambit. "Though... I suppose they don't, not anymore," he admits after a moment, face falling. He'll just have to get used to that. "Anyway, you want me to get you a drink?"
[19:58] <@Kotono> "You alright?" Em asks quickly, "You looked like you saw a ghost."
[19:59] <@Kotono> Eltia takes the water, "Purple? Where'd you find it?"
[19:59] <@Kotono> "I'd like that," The girl smiles to John, "I'm Missy-Anne."
[20:01] <Feather> "The lake below the lake below the lake," Feather responds, as if it's obvious. "Ain't the first time I see it. Found it once before, when I fell down this huge hole while in the kobold tunnels. See, thing's pretty potent. You add it to glowing green rocks? Get a healing spring. Add it to something else that's magic, maybe get a boost. Maybe end up with brand new magic. Now, it's kinda like
[20:01] <Feather> poison if you say swim in it for an entire day, but this little? It's alright."
[20:02] <@John> "S'nice to meet you," John says, getting a wine for her if it's available or if not he'll defer to her preference. "Been here long? Arrived just before Winter meself but with all the running about fighting wyverns and skeletons I've barely had a chance to meet anyone."
[20:02] <Gildas> He smiles a bit. "I've never quite been good with being put on the spot like that." He says with a smile. "The idea of having a harem of women around..." He shakes his head. "I'm just a simple person, so that sort of thing... I suppose 'scares' is a good way to put it."

[Ebiris]

[18:01] <@Kotono> <Feather> "The lake below the lake below the lake," Feather responds, as if it's obvious. "Ain't the first time I see it. Found it once before, when I fell down this huge hole while in the kobold tunnels. See, thing's pretty potent. You add it to glowing green rocks? Get a healing spring. Add it to something else that's magic, maybe get a boost. Maybe end up with brand new magic. Now, it's kinda
[18:01] <@Kotono> like
[18:01] <@Kotono> <Feather> poison if you say swim in it for an entire day, but this little? It's alright."
[18:01] <@Kotono> "The source of that spring?" Eltia holds it up to lamplight, peering into the waters. "I wonder..."
[18:03] <Feather> "Yeah?"
[18:06] <@Kotono> "Just thinking," Eltia lowers the vial of water, "Does it weaken away from the source, like the healing water?"
[18:07] <Feather> "Dunno. Maybe not as much, since there's a lot more magic in it?"
[18:07] <@Kotono> Around you is the murmur of conversation. As you chat, Brutes comes by, "Hey Feather!" he slaps the human on his back, "Heard you had some good fighting again."
[18:08] <Feather> "S'what I do!"
[18:08] <@Kotono> "Degenerative magic," Eltia murmurs, eyes narrowing slightly.
[18:09] <@Kotono> "Speaking of fighting," Brutes leans in, lowering his voice, "Think you could get Myann to mix up the mushrooms some more?"
[18:10] <Feather> Women. Probably not happy whatever you do, so best not to argue. "Sure thing," he responds to Brutes, vastly preferring that topic. "Consider it done. We talking about color or shape or taste here?"
[18:14] <@Kotono> "All, but 'specially the taste," Brutes replies, "Never thought I'd get my fill of a food like this."
[18:14] <@Kotono> Eltia murmurs to herself, lost in it for a brief time. "Thanks," she suddenly speaks up, picking up her fiddle. "Next time I see my father, I'll talk to him about it."
[18:15] * Feather nods at Eltia with a smile, before asking, "So you two, what've you been up to lately?"
[18:19] <@Kotono> "Traveling," Eltia admits, "First time I've really traveled in the winter heavily." She pauses, about to start the music again. "I'm actually performing to help cover room and board here," she adds pointedly.
[18:20] <@Kotono> "Mushrooms, so many mushrooms," Brutes says, "There's not much to do right now, so I'm trying different ways of cooking them."
[18:21] * Feather laughs. "Sorry, sorry! Won't stand between a person and their job like that." He grins at Brutes, asking him, "Just the mushrooms, then?"
[18:26] <@Kotono> "We keep busy. Rashen knows a lot of dice and card games," he adds, before wincing, "He can cheat you out of gold like you wouldn't believe." The fiddle music resumes, spreading across the tavern.
[18:28] <Feather> "Oh, I'd believe it!" Feather shakes his head, before looking towards the bar. "How about we get something to drink, and then drink some more?"
[18:33] <@Kotono> "Sold," Brutes grins, starting to head over. You can see John and a pair of girls getting snacks as you approach, going off to do their own thing before you arrive. "So how's your missus?" Brutes asks with a hint of a smirk, "Going to make her a honest fairy?"
[18:35] * Feather grins at him again. "I'd need to be so drunk I don't remember my name to gossip about her," he tells Brutes, settling down at the bar.
[18:44] <@Kotono> "Hah," Grinning back and getting a tankard of ale, Brutes works on it as he replies, "You're a hell of a brave man, Feather." He lowers his voice, "Hell of a brave man."
[18:46] * Feather gets his own, making a brave effort at draining it dry. "Just doing what's right."
[18:48] <@Kotono> Good stuff and it goes down smooth. "You're taking a fairy as a wife, or lover or whatever. Hell, she's living with you," Brutes goes on, "It's like one of those bard tales, and she's not even cursing you for being impolite. It takes balls like a dragon to do what's right there."
[18:51] * Feather gets a refill after, and another tankard to carry with him. "What did I say about gossip? But nice seeing you again, man. I'll do my best about them mushrooms." Standing up, he seeks Myann out.
[18:57] <@Kotono> Feather sees her pass by Gildas and Em before going out. Looks like she's heading outside for something.
[18:58] * Feather heads for the door, hoping to cut her off before she leaves. But if not that, at least to follow after her.
[19:00] <@Kotono> She's just a little too fast - she's outside before you can stop her. Following her, you see her heading in the direction of the healing spring. As she goes she mutters loudly enough to carry, "Awful timing." she says in Elven.
[19:01] <Feather> "Hey, wait up!" Feather calls out after her.
[19:02] <@Kotono> Myann stops. Her face is red and sweaty when you catch up to her, "Feather?" she asks, voice sounding a little off. "Just going to the spring. Think something I ate disagreed with me."
[19:03] <Feather> "What a waste-- ah, what the hell, let's go?" Feather nods at the tankard he's been carrying. "Said sorry to Eltia and got you a drink. Guess it's good I didn't try any food myself?"
[19:06] <@Kotono> "I had a snack before that," Myann waves it off, "C'mon, let's get to the spring and back. This is supposed to be fun, not..." Myann groans and holds her stomach, starting to jog. Spring, feel better and fun."
[19:08] * Feather follows after her, looking to leave the tankards on the ground just off the shore and help Myann out.
[19:11] <@Kotono> A quick trip to the spring follows. A few handfuls of water cause Myann to sigh in relief. "I should be alright," she says, "My stomach's calming." She stands up after, "Thanks, but let's get back. Let's not ruin this with a bit of stomach sickness."
[19:12] * Feather offers Myann the ale and a hand to get back. "Sure thing, but we can take it slow too. No need to run back, is there?"
[19:21] <@Kotono> "No need to dally, either," Myann takes the hand. She looks normal again, the sweatiness passed. "There's nothing worse than getting sick for a big social event."
[19:23] <Feather> "Can think of plenty worse things!" Feather responds, working on his second tankard now. "Drink on, can't dance if you're all sober-like!"
[19:30] <@Kotono> Myann just grins back and finishes her tankard. "You think we were going to stay sober for this?"
[19:33] * Feather opens the door for her, intending to head in afterwards.
[19:36] <@Kotono> As Feather opens the door back in, Hylath comes out. He almost rusn into Feather, stopping at the last moment. "Oh!"
[19:36] <Feather> "Hey there!" Feather greets him, reaching out to steady Hylath. "Leaving that soon?"
[19:40] <@Kotono> "I was looking for you!" He's all smiles, waving a hand, "Feather, Feather, Feather!?
[19:40] <@Kotono> "
[19:40] <Feather> "And here I am!"

~

[18:01] <@Kotono> <John> "S'nice to meet you," John says, getting a wine for her if it's available or if not he'll defer to her preference. "Been here long? Arrived just before Winter meself but with all the running about fighting wyverns and skeletons I've barely had a chance to meet anyone."
[18:03] <@Kotono> Missy-Anne twirls a bit of blonde hair around her finger. Her hair is a cascade of curls, her dimples showing as she smiles. "Oh, Mom heard from Bessie, who heard from that elf all about what you're doing. That's so brave!"
[18:09] <@John> "Aww, it's just what an adventurer's gotta do, right? Grew up on a big farm just outside Benton, when this gnome stops by and asks if I wanna go adventuring with him and his friends, what else was I gonna say?" John says, hoping it sounds inspiring instead of meandering. "Where you from originally?"
[18:12] <@Kotono> "A farmstead up that way," Gesturing vaguely, "We came on down after all of you killed that winter dragon." She leans in with a smile, as another voice from behind interjects, "Hi! Little John, right?" Another girl's voice, amid the general buzz of conversation, though there's a pause in the music. Eltia's chattering with Feather, looks like.
[18:14] <@John> "Wasn't actually around for that," John admits, only having heard a few references and few details, the winter dragon seeming a sore spot with his new friends. "Oh, hullo," he looks over to see who's addressing him with his old nickname, a smile on his face.
[18:17] <@Kotono> This girl's just a touch older than Missy-Anne, a brunette that's lean and tall. Her hair's unusually short, barely reaching her neck. She smiles sweetly, "Oh, I finally get to meet you!" she gushes, "I'm Scarlet."
[18:18] <@Kotono> Missy-Anne's smile curves in just a bit, "Oh there you are, Scarlet! Your Mom's looking for you." She steps forward, standing at John's side.
[18:19] <@John> He had no idea he was so popular! "Sorry I haven't been around much. Was telling Missy-Anne how I'm always getting rushed off to fight or look at this and that. S'nice to meet you."
[18:24] <@Kotono> "It's fine," Scarlet waves it off, "It's so brave of you! A real hero in our town!" She smiles warmly, "Would you like to get a drink with me and tell me your heroic deeds?"
[18:25] <@Kotono> Missy-Anne quickly interjects after that, "How about we get some food, too," she adds, "The THREE of us." The last is with just a little edge of emphasis.
[18:26] * @John remembers a few times when Robert went to his innroom with two women... could such a thing really happen to him too? "Yeah, I'm hungry," he says with a happy nod.
[18:29] <@Kotono> OOC: Quick perception check.
[18:29] -eraniss.tx.us.lunarnet.org:@#evildunes- Kotono invited Serith into the channel.
[18:30] * Joins: Serith (~iron_drag@cpe-173-172-46-15.tx.res.rr.com)
[18:30] <@John> roll 1d20+14
[18:30] <Serith> John roll for Serith < 16 > [d20=2]
[18:31] <@Kotono> Getting some food is easy enough. It's all fingery things, nothing that requires utensils. A plate each can be held in one hand, drink in the other. The two girls shoot each other glances a few times, but John doesn't quite catch anything interesting out of it. Missy-Anne's voice is still sweet as you snack, "I heard," she steps closer, "That the group beat a walking army of zombies down
[18:31] <@Kotono> with their bare fists!"
[18:32] <@Kotono> "Well," Scarlet goes as if to toss her hair, which does nothing with such a short haircut. The flicker of a frown passes over her face before it goes, her voice leveling off. "I heard that you did that with your bare feet, since you were all carrying treasure away in your arms."
[18:34] <@John> "Naw," John shakes his head, leading them over to a table where they can sit and eat and drink and talk. "See, Feather's got a whole bunch of swords, like one for every occasion, so he never needs to punch anyone. And Gildas, he turns into a bear and then kinda bats them around with the back of his paws... never got that," he admits, momentarily distracted. "He's got some big claws and teeth, and it's not like he's trying to keep them alive or nothing. Me? I just use my staff unless I wanna distract someone by popping 'em in the nose. And Myann sticks to magic, mostly," he concludes.
[18:42] <@Kotono> "That's so modest of you," Scarlet says winsomely, taking a bit of carrot and popping it into her mouth. After swallowing, "I bet you knock them all silly with how big you are."
[18:43] <@Kotono> "Oh, I don't know," Missy-Anne comments, "I bet it's more fantastic than that."
[18:46] <@John> Seeing this as an invitation to boast, which always seemed to work well for the aptly named Humble Robert, John does just that! "Well when I get the jump on someone they sure don't like it. Dunno if you two were here when that wyvern attacked the town? Well we found the guy that did it in his castle underground, and everyone else was sneaking in these kobold-sized doors at the sides. 'Course I'm way too big to get in those, so I had to get in the front by meself..."
[18:51] <@Kotono> The two listen, ready to hear John tell his tale. OOC: Go ahead. When you're done, make a diplo check? You can sub in another check if it's related.
[18:54] <@John> "And so I said, 'And this one's for Splashuzu!', cracked him in the chin, and then punched right through his armour and his chest! He wasn't making no snide remarks after that," John concludes, leaning back with a satisfied air after reliving his tumultuous vengeance.
[18:54] <@John> roll 1d20 no social skills
[18:54] <Serith> John roll for Serith < 3 > [d20=3]
[18:58] <@Kotono> Missy-Anne's eyes are wide by that point, and she looks a bit pale. Scarlet is more relaxed, "You impaled him with your fist? I mean, you punched through his chest?"
[19:00] <@John> "Naw, with me staff," John shakes his head. "S'alot harder doing it with a blunt stick of wood than is with a dagger!"
[19:08] <@Kotono> That draws a low whistle from Scarlet. "That's impressive!"
[19:08] <@Kotono> Missy-anne just looks rather pale, really.
[19:11] <@John> "Uh, yeah..." John rubs the back of his head, even he's able to notice how distressed the story makes Missy-anne. "S'pretty violent I guess. Don't go telling that one to your little brothers and sisters," he chuckles weakly. "Here, I'll tell you a nicer story. Just yesterday we were all exploring down below the lake. You know there's two other underground lakes below it? Anyway, we went down there and we found this waterfall that's... well, a waterrise maybe? It goes up instead of down, anyway!"
[19:20] <@Kotono> "Can it actually do that?" Scarlet asks, a look of curiosity on her face.
[19:20] <@Kotono> "Of course it can," Missy-Anne shoots back, still pale. "It's magic!"
[19:21] <@John> "Yeah, I just didn't get it at all," John admits. "It's like the three lakes are constantly switching water between them going up and down without any care about gravity. S'pose it's magic water, but there must be something driving it that we haven't found yet."
[19:35] <@Kotono> "I bet it's worth seeing," Scarlet says, and then she stops to blush. It's rather demure as she looks down, pausing for a moment.
[19:37] <@John> "S'a great view, but you need to be able to hold your breath for a real long time to get down there," John says, not sure what she's blushing about. Taking a drink and noticing his jug is empty he asks, "Either of you two want a drink? I'm gonna get some."
[19:41] <@Kotono> Missy-Anne starts to smirk a bit as Scarlet blushes more and looks down, biting her lip. The former speaks up, "Just some water, please."
[19:43] <@John> "Back in a sec then," John says, going to get some mead for himself and water for Missy-Anne. Healing water!

~

[18:04] <@Kotono> <Gildas> He smiles a bit. "I've never quite been good with being put on the spot like that." He says with a smile. "The idea of having a harem of women around..." He shakes his head. "I'm just a simple person, so that sort of thing... I suppose 'scares' is a good way to put it."
[18:06] <@Kotono> "We don't bite," Em says with a twitch of her lips upward. "Really we don't."
[18:08] <Gildas> He can't help but smile a little more. "Can you truly say that? Remember who you're talking to and where I've been." He adds with a joking tone. "You never know."
[18:11] <@Kotono> Myann meanwhile lingers as Feather goes off, before going to mingle. At the same time Em cracks a smile, "Ma said there's strange things out there. Myann does too."
[18:13] <Gildas> "I had no idea when I came here that I would find as much as I have." He gestures towards the ground. "Even right below our feet. ...Tell me, do we impose on you and your family?" He looks around at the others in the tavern. "We sort of... just showed up one day and dragged chaos onto your home."
[18:23] <@Kotono> Em starts to walk away from the door, towards a corner and away from the bustle. "Ma seems happy about the spring and the company. Not sure about Pa."
[18:24] <Gildas> He steps after her. "I think we should try and stay here for a while... but..." He sighs. "It's a difficult situation. If we continue to bring problems here... or have to go off to solve problems... It just seems unfair to your family."
[18:29] <@Kotono> "Strange things happen," Em admits, "But it's been entertaining. There's so many more people here now!"
[18:31] <Gildas> His ears perk up at that word, but he just smiles. "I'm glad you're enjoying it." He nods.
[18:37] <@Kotono> "There's the strange things, too. Like finding a glitter-golden block just floating against a tree." Em goes on from that, "Or finding mushrooms here and there."
[18:38] <Gildas> He chuckles. "I think Myann spends some time practicing her craft away from the farm at times." He nods. "Perhaps I should do the same... I might learn something."
[18:46] <@Kotono> "It's strange..." Em murmurs, "But Ma says it's okay. It's sort of like a fairy tale sometimes, but other times it's just strange. But you think you can learn from it?"
[18:50] <Gildas> He rubs his chin and then nods. "Well... Druidism is a little different from most forms of magic. I think studying in the forest may help... I should improve my connection to this place, after all... I do live here!" He smiles.
[18:55] <@Kotono> "You do!" Em matches that smile. As the two of you chat, Myann wanders over. "Going outside a minute," she says tersely, barely breaking her stride. She looks a little sweaty, one can note.
[18:57] * Gildas blinks and looks over at Em as Myann passes. "...Do you think something happened?"
[18:59] <@Kotono> "I don't know," Em says after a moment, watching Feather following her. "Oh, I hope they aren't fighting."
[19:00] <Gildas> He shakes his head. "I doubt it. But I'm sure they can resolve whatever it is." He turns his attention back to her. "Do you have any desire to ever become an adventurer? Or are you happy to stay home?"
[19:09] <@Kotono> "An adventurer?" Em says slowly, "Hylath's talked about it. He's been practicing a lot," she mentions. "But it seems awfully dangerous."
[19:12] <Gildas> He nods. "I think it can be. It would be... hard, I think... to try and live your life with someone who's an adventurer if you yourself are not." He shakes his head. "Spending quiet days somewhere with someone works best with both people are always home." He smiles.
[19:21] <@Kotono> "Missing someone hurts," Em says, a little quieter. As you chat, Hylath comes over, "Oh," he says, "Did you see Sir Feather or Myann anywhere?" He's smiling a bit too much, a tankard in hand.
[19:28] <Gildas> He gestures to the door. "They went out that way a bit ago."
[19:28] <Gildas> He smiles and nods to Em and gently pats her shoulder. "I hope you never find yourself in a situation such as that." He looks back to Hylath. "She seemed in a hurry."
[19:35] <@Kotono> "Thanks," Hylath says, heading on out.
[19:35] <@Kotono> "Can you imagine how lonely it has to be?" Em agrees.
[19:36] <Gildas> He nods. "I think the fear... the apprehension of not knowing if they would come back would have to eat away at you after a while."
[19:36] <Gildas> He gestures at the others in the tavern. "So it isn't quite as simple as us being 'eligible bachelors,' when you think about it."
[19:46] <@Kotono> Em is silent at that, watching the party. Eltia's fiddling fills the air, along with the gentle buzz of conversation. Dancers go at it in the middle, the half-elf's silence lengthy before she replies. "You know, there's alot of reasons to go for one of you, anyway. It's marrying up, plus you might even get rich."
[19:47] <Gildas> He chuckles a bit. "I think life is to be lived the way you wish it to be lived... not how someone else wishes for it to be." He looks over to her. "Do you want to be married?"

[Ebiris]

[18:11] <@Kotono> Mead and water later, John returns. "So why don't you tell us some more about that view?" Missy-Anne says sweetly.
[18:14] <@John> "Right, well you come out at the top of this water...fall/rise thing. And it should be dark since it's a cave under the ground, but everything's just kinda glowing so you can see way off, and there's this huge lake of purple water down below, with little islands and crags all around it. They're all covered in shocker lizards, but they seemed more interested in sleeping rather than fighting, for a change. And at the far end there's this ancient dungeon or obstacle course or something made out of green stone right at the edge of the lake."
[18:19] <@Kotono> Scarlet still looks rather mortified, so it's Missy-Anne that speaks up, "Oh my!" A light little laught follows, "That's absolutely amazing! I'd love to see it with you, John."
[18:22] <@John> "Be nice..." John agrees, wondering what she'd look like in swimming clothes. "Maybe in the Summer when the water's warmer we can give it a go?" 'Course he'd still have to bug Gildas for some magic either way...
[18:27] <@Kotono> "I'd like that," Missy-Anne blushes and looks down, smiling despite it. "Promise we'll go?"
[18:30] <@John> "So long as nothing happens anyway, sure," John says readily. There's always the chance a giant skeleton could cut his head off before then. Or a cave-in blocks off the way. "How about you though, any nice places you've visited before?"
[18:35] <@Kotono> "It's a date," Missy-Anne says with a bigger blush, her smile growing along with it. "Well, there was a little cavern that I found as a child. It had some gold in the rocks there."
[18:35] <@Kotono> Scarlet looks up with a murderous glare at Missy-Anne, before slipping away as her face twists.
[18:38] * @John watches her go before shrugging and giving Missy-anne his attention once more. "Sounds pretty nice. I figure there must be tons of gold and stuff in the caves underneath us, the way the kobolds go on sometimes."
[18:43] <@Kotono> "Oh my!" She says that again as she steps ever so slightly closer, "Gold's so lovely to find, isn't it?" she adds with ab ad of her eyelashes, "I love it, don't you?"
[18:45] <@John> "Well that's part of why I became an adventurer, isn't it?" he says boldly, recalling Eric's pitch to an only slightly more impressionable and slightly younger John. "Heroism, riches, and women!" he repeats the gnome's compelling argument with gusto. That there's a woman right here suggests that last part is finally starting to pay off!
[19:09] <@Kotono> "Mmmm." Missy-Anne drawls without saying a word, "My, my, my. Riches are nice like that." Smiling warmly to him, "I'd like it a lot if you'd bring me something nice made of gold."
[19:13] <@John> "We usually do find good stuff like that when we're out and about. Just sell my share myself since it's not good for a man, but I'll try and hold onto something next time," he assures her, thinking nothing of her avariciousness.
[19:15] <@Kotono> "Thank you," This draws another blush as she looks up into John's eye, "I'd really like that."
[19:18] <@John> "S'alright," he says with a big smile, feeling quite optimistic. "In fact I think there was a gold bracelet or anklet thing that we found in that dungeon yesterday, how about I take that for my share for you? We still haven't sold any of it yet."
[19:27] <@Kotono> "I'd be honored," Missy-Anne smiles, "Maybe...aah...you could come over and give it to me over dinner?"
[19:29] <@John> Wait, does that mean he'd meet her parents? All of a sudden John feels a bit nervous at the prospect. "Uh, sure," he says, nodding and trying to get back on track. "Whereabouts do you live?"
[19:36] <@Kotono> "Down by the eastern end of the new houses. It has a new white fence around it, the only one in the area," Missy-Anne explains, showing dimples as another smile comes.
[19:40] <@John> "Right, right," John nods, wondering just how this will go... adventurers don't meet ladies parents! They're chased off by them, at least that's what John's observed from following his comrades' exploits in the past.  Well... just have to enjoy the night until then. Swigging down the rest of his mead he stands up and reaches for Missy-Anne's hand. "You want to dance now?"
[19:41] <@Kotono> "I'd love to," she says with a demure smile.
[19:45] <@John> Having at least done plenty of dances when he was younger, if with cousins and siblings (though some of those cousins were quite nice...) John hopes the styles here aren't too different from what he's used to and just tries to join in and go with the flow for now.
[19:49] <@Kotono> OOC: Have any ranks in perform(dance) or anything relevant?
[19:51] <@John> OOC: acrobatics, but I figure this is old-timey country dancing and not breakdancing
[19:53] <@Kotono> OOC: Indeed. Make a charisma check.
[19:54] <@John> roll 1d20
[19:54] <Kitty-Bot> John roll for Kitty-Bot < 4 > [d20=4]
[19:56] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+2 (she has a few ranks at least)
[19:56] <Kitty-Bot> Kotono roll for Kitty-Bot < 11 > [d20=9]
[19:57] <@Kotono> The two take to the floor. It's an old-time style dance, all fiddle and movement. John blunders through, not doing so good a job. Missy-Anne's passable, but she doesn't seem to mind. She just nudges you when you make mistakes, subtly encouraging you to go in the right directions.
[19:59] <@John> Grateful for her consideration, he just focuses on not stepping on her feet.
[20:04] <@Kotono> OOC: See #dunes, moving you in there when the next line pops.

~

[18:12] <@Kotono> "Of course I do," Em gives Gildas an odd look, "I don't want to become an old maid that's unloved."
[18:15] <Gildas> He laughs. Quietly, but it's a laugh. "You don't think you can be loved by others but not married? That is an interesting way of seeing it..." He smiles. "But if that is your dream, then you should pursue it."
[18:22] <@Kotono> Em puts her hands on her hips, a look of pique going, "That makes it sound like adultery! I'm not some scandalish shrew that will dare lie with another man without a ring!"
[18:24] <Gildas> He laughs again. "You and I have different definitions of love, it would appear. I did not mean to insult you." He nods again, looking apologetic. "Please, accept an apology. However, the point remains... if you wish to marry someone, you should do so. But it sounds like you may need to wait to find someone perfect for you... someone who will always be there -- at home."
[18:33] <@Kotono> "Mmm." Em agrees, sighing a bit, "That's true. Ma always says I'll make someone a good wife, someday." A little smile comes to her face, but pauses as Myann comes in.
[18:34] <@Kotono> "Gildas," she greets, "Feather and Hylath are outside dancing," she adds, "In case anyone comes looking for them."
[18:35] <Gildas> He smiles to her with a nod. "You will. In due time." He turns to Myann. "Dancing?" He blinks with a glance to the door. "...Ah, I think I understand. Are you feeling better?"
[18:38] <@Kotono> "Yeah, some spring water fixed my stomach. I think I got food poisoning and stopped it before it got out of hand." Myann goes to the bar and nabs a pair of drinks, coming back to pick right on up. With an amused smile she adds, "Wish me luck."
[18:39] <Gildas> "Hm, I wonder if anyone else will get ill...?" He blinks with a glance at the others in the room to see if any of them look anything besides drunk off their feet. He nods to Myann anyway though. "If you need me, I'll be here."
[18:49] <@Kotono> No one looks sick offhand. Well, there's one girl that's beating a retreat from John. Tall, brunette and with short hair. She looks somewhere between rage and tears. It's not quite sick, but it sure stands out.
[18:53] <Gildas> He raises an eyebrow of that and gestures in that direction discreetly. "What do you think happened there, Em?" He asks, trusting in her intuition.
[19:10] <@Kotono> "That?" Em glances over, "I was keeping half an eye on it. Poor dear lost out for John's attentions, it looks like." Said woman is heading for a door to the back, avoiding people as she goes.
[19:12] <Gildas> He nods. "Competition like that is never healthy."
[19:20] <@Kotono> This causes Em to sigh, "Damn it all," she mutters, "I need to go," she says, "Scarlet's going to take this real poorly. She mentioned that she thought John was cute before this and..."
[19:21] <Gildas> He looks over to her and nods. "I don't think John turned her down, if that makes you feel any better. Tell her not to give up."
[19:28] <@Kotono> "Wish me good fortune," Em says, hurrying away. Meanwhile Feather and Hylath pass, the former tipping his hat to Gildas as he heads to the bar and Myann.
[19:29] <Gildas> Gildas nods back to Feather and resumes standing in quiet solitude. Or as much quiet solitude as one can get at a party.
[19:32] <@Kotono> As Gildas sits back, his solitude momentarily intact, "Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock," A gentle, masculine voice whispers that into Gildas's ears. "The witching hour comes. The party shall be graced by royalty."
[19:33] <Gildas> He glances in the direction he heard the voice, desperately hoping that someone is going to be standing there, but knowing full well that isn't in the cards.
[19:39] <@Kotono> Only a faint glimmer of glowing, ghostly dust can be glimpsed. That fades after a moment. "Rejoice, for all of you have pleased him with valor and great entertainment. The witching hour comes with a great bounty."
[19:40] <Gildas> He murmurs, more to himself than the voice. "Prince Broadpyne, hm?"
[19:42] <Gildas> Assuming the voice says nothing else, he looks over at Feather and Myann and starts in their direction.
[19:42] <@Kotono> There's nothing more as Gildas heads over. OOC: I'll move you into #dunes shortly.

~

[18:07] <@Kotono> "Here you are!" Hylath agrees with great cheer, waving a tankard about. "I've been practicing what you told me about!"
[18:11] * Feather clasps his shoulder. "Good! Good to hear it! Now, let's go back inside!"
[18:15] <@Kotono> Hylath throws an arm over Feather's shoulder, "I'm getting better all the time," he brags, waving his mug about some more before downing it. "Song and sword, that's what they'll call me!"
[18:18] <Feather> "Then you gotta work on the legwork!" Feather cries, intending to teach Hylath the dance of his people.
[18:24] <@Kotono> Myann shakes her head with a slight smile, crossing her arms. She goes to lean against the side of the tavern, "Are you boys going to be at this awhile?"
[18:24] <@Kotono> "Legwork!" Hylath echos, stumbling a bit as he nods. "Like this?"
[18:27] <Feather> "Like this!" Feather steadies Hylath, and then lets go of the elf and shows him the proper way to honor a hero's life and death.
[18:28] <@Kotono> This draws a chuckle from Myann, who goes to go inside. "I'll be back in a few, I'm going to get a drink."
[18:28] <@Kotono> "Like this!" Hylath echos, mimicking in a drunken sort of way. "Was this the step that cut the Emperor in half?"
[18:29] <Feather> "No, no! This step here celebrates Porridge's heroic stand against the dragon!"
[18:36] <@Kotono> "Right," Hylath stumbles along, tossing his empty tankard aside. He makes a fair effort at mimicking, "What about the time against the fairies?"
[18:38] * Feather shows him a cautious retreat which is a stark difference to the earlier heavy stomp, but before Hylath knows it he gets ahead through an arching path.
[18:44] <@Kotono> Again Hylath mimicks, weaving and tumbling around. As they go, Myann returns with a pair of mugs. "Do either of you dancers want another drink?"
[18:45] <Feather> "Can't do it properly without that!" Feather exclaims, reaching for one of them.
[18:50] <@Kotono> Hylath grabs the other at the same time, leaving Myann drinkless. "...right," she says, "I'll be back again." she says, closing her hands. "You two keep on dancing."
[18:53] <Feather> "This-- this is the Emperor!" Feather demonstrates for Hylath, swaying to and fro while taking generous gulps of the ale.
[19:08] <@Kotono> "This is the Emperor!" Hylath echos, "Take this! Taste my cold steel!" He wobbles about, "Yaaaaaaah!"
[19:13] * Feather laughs, pointing at Hylath with his mug. "Good! Getting better! Now let's get inside and-- and show the girls your skills!"
[19:14] <@Kotono> "Yes!" Hylath laughs away, stumbling towards the door. "For victory1"
[19:15] * Feather holds the door open and then heads past it himself, looking to get properly drunk in Myann's company.
[19:21] <@Kotono> Thus the duo returns. Myann's already slipped to the bar, starting on a drink. Gildas is nearby, Em leaving his company and heading for a back door. John's offw ith a pretty little blonde girl, chatting away with her.
[19:24] * Feather tips his hat at Gildas and Em before making his way to the bar. He places his empty mug down while taking the seat by Myann, saying, "Couple more of these and we can dance all proper-like, I'm thinking."
[19:29] <@Kotono> Myann finishes her mug off and shakes her head, "Here I am, drinking like a man and listening to thousands of mushrooms. Hell of a life." She gestures for another tankard, "Then I dance!" This seems to strike her as funny, for guffaws follow.
[19:30] <Feather> "Could drink your share?" Feather offers, waving for a refill himself.
[19:35] <@Kotono> "I'm fine," Myann shrugs, "The mushrooms are just loud tonight. It happens."
[19:35] <@Kotono> Hylath settles on in and waves for another drink, "Oh, what dances do the two of you know?"
[19:36] <Feather> "Myann knows the mushroom dances."
[19:40] <@Kotono> "All of them," Myann adds, drinking her new one slower. "Mushrooms are good at wiggling."
[19:41] <Feather> "All of them!" Feather repeats cheerfully, downing his in a hurry and then pulling on Myann's arm. "Let's give this a try!"
[19:43] <@Kotono> "Let's," Myann laughs, standing up. As you do so, Gildas approaches.
[19:44] <Feather> "So it's all about the right wiggle together?" Feather asks, laughing himself as he demonstrates.
[19:45] <Gildas> He nods to the two of them. "I am sorry to interrupt the... ...wiggling, but... we may have an issue."
[19:45] <Feather> "Oh, no no no. Gildas, man, this is wiggling time! Party!"
[19:46] <Gildas> He shakes his head. "No, it's that kind of problem. The F. F. kind."
[19:48] <Gildas> He realizes inwardly using code on two people who have enjoyed the festivities thus far may not work out as well as he planned...
[19:49] * Feather blinks owlishly before shrugging. "You know, fuck it. There's time for one more dance, 'less there's a dragon outside. And there ain't! C'mon, Myann!"
[19:50] <@Kotono> "The F.F. kind?" Myann frowns, "The fucking freezing kind?" she taps her lips with a finger, "You know what, let's at least get that dance in. If those kind are making trouble, they can damned well wait. I'm going to have a dance with my man and I'm going to enjoy it."
[19:50] <@Kotono> "Eh?" Hylath frowns at the entire thing, "What's the F.F.?"
[19:51] * Feather puts it out of his mind, patting Hylath's shoulder again. "Why don't you show Gildas the new moves?" he suggests, and then pulls Myann subtly away.
[19:51] <Gildas> He sighs. "At least be entertaining about it, then."
[19:53] <@Kotono> "Eh?" Hylath repeats, looking completely confuzzled. As this happens...OOC: Got any ranks in perform(dance) or anything relevant, Feather?
[19:54] <Feather> OOC: Dancing is my middle name!
[19:54] <Gildas> He shakes his head at Hylath. "Don't worry too much about it."
[19:56] <@Kotono> OOC: Make a check on it then, Feather.
[19:56] * Joins: Hatbot (~Hatbot@72.183.113.233)
[19:56] <Feather> roll 1d20+11 let's dance!
[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Feather rolls 1d20+11 let's dance! and gets 15." [1d20=4]
[19:57] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+3 Myann
[19:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 Myann and gets 6." [1d20=3]
[20:04] <@Kotono> Feather goes to the dance floor. He's all smooth moves and graceful steps, whilst Myann shimmers and wiggles along. It's...odd. As much drunken as anything else, but she stumbles along with FEather's help. Nearby John and that blonde are dancing. On the group goes, Eltia playing her fiddle with all her might. When she at last finishes the song, the dance ends. At the same time, "Ashes, ashes...all
[20:04] <@Kotono> fall down!" A gentle, masculine voice sing-songs. All around the party people collapse - save for the heroes, Myann, Eltia, Hylath and Brutes. They fall down fast asleep.
[20:05] <Feather> "Fuck no!"
[20:05] <@Kotono> Eltia drops her fiddle, dropping back into a defensive posture as her eyes sweep around.
[20:05] <@Kotono> "The hell?" Brutes rumbles, walking over from his conversation - after all, his friends are asleep now.
[20:05] <Gildas> He lets out a breath. "The Fair Folk kind." He says.
[20:06] <@John> "Hey, Missy-anne!" John says in alarm, his hold on her from the dance keeping her upright and allowing him to give her a little shake to see if she wakes.
[20:06] <@Kotono> "Let those that sleep dance, and let the their dreams sing," The same voice intones, seeming to come from everywhere. A little shake doesn't stir Missy-Anne, unfortunately. She's fast asleep.
[20:07] <@Kotono> The back door opens. Myann whirls to it, adding one word, "Pixies." Heady giggles follow, unseen to the others.
[20:07] <@Kotono> Ten voices speak as one, "We are but the music for royalty. As it was said, let us bring dances to those that sleep and let their dreams sing."
[20:07] <Feather> "Hey! You, the-- voices, the invisible ones. Start being visible!"
[20:08] <@Kotono> Myann scowls, "Yes, turn visible," she commands, "I'll not have you insulting my friends."
[20:08] * @John gently sets her down before turning to react to the threat... wherever it is.
[20:08] <Gildas> "I believe the Prince should be here soon." He says with a look to Myann.
[20:09] <Gildas> There is a hint of caution in his voice, for whatever that's worth.
[20:10] <@Kotono> "As you wish, Lady of the Mushrooms," They chorus. They appear - a pixie of stone and vines, seemingly knotted together with ropes of vine and clumps of basalt. It carries a lute. A pixie of desert sand, no head in favor of a swirling sphere of wind atop its neck. It carries a horn. A pixie with the wings of an owl and a beak in place of a mouth, and yet with plant stems in place of legs. It
[20:10] <@Kotono> carries a flute. There are others, gliding by - strange sights enough to momentarily stun the party. Twisted things that fly to where Eltia was, setting up their instruments.
[20:11] <Feather> "That's... better." Feather nods to himself. "Now, what's this all here about?"
[20:11] <@Kotono> Eltia quickly steps aside and goes to stand with the rest of the party. "Prince?" she hisses to Gildas. "As in Fair Folk ROYALTY?"
[20:12] <@Kotono> The pixies begin to play. At this, the sleepers rise. They still sleep, yet they rise. Like this they begin to dance, moving while in the deepest slumber.
[20:12] <@John> These pixies are far less cute than their voices suggested!
[20:13] <Gildas> "Yes. I tried to warn you as quickly as I found out." He nods to Eltia. "I think... I don't know. They said something about the 'witching hour'."
[20:13] <@Kotono> "Prince," Myann echos, wincing. "Here we go."
[20:13] <Feather> "Yeah I don't got no magic to stop this," Feather tells Gildas with a shrug.
[20:14] <@Kotono> The dancers begin to sing. It is in Sylvan - singing of many things at once. It's hard to listen to anyone, a discordant song that yet has a strangely ensnaring sound to it."
[20:15] <Gildas> "Neither do I." He frowns. "A song of introduction, perhaps...?"
[20:20] <@Kotono> "Indeed," The voice is quiet and yet booming, the front door thrown open. He enters. It is a pine tree in the shape of a man, yet with no head. It's neck only continues into many hanging pine branches. Each branch ends by thickening into a neck with a head attached. Dozens of heads are there, each with crowns of flowers, dirt or sheer sunlight. The heads look about, each acting individually,
[20:20] <@Kotono> before focusing on the party. At the same time, the heads are silent, yet the gentle and masculine voice intones, "His Highness, Prince Broadpyne! Kneel in the presence of royalty!"
[20:22] * @John figures if he can control these sleeping people it's best not to upset him, so he drops into a kneel. Not exactly fit for court, but what can you do?
[20:23] <@Kotono> Eltia quickly follows suit, bowing her head as well.
[20:23] * Feather shifts to stand ahead of Myann and kneels, seeing no harm in it considering their situation.
[20:24] <@Kotono> "Eh?" Hylath lifts up his empty mug and peers into it, looking rather confused. He then looks up at the Prince and stares, "Wh-" He's cut off by Eltia reaching out and pulling him down.
[20:24] <@Kotono> Myann closes her eyes a moment before following suit.
[20:24] <Gildas> Gildas takes a breath, not wishing to do something to upset them, so he follows everyone else's example.
[20:24] <@Kotono> "Oh hell," Brutes mutters, going with the rest of the crowd and kneeling.
[20:27] <@Kotono> The heads speak. They speak as one powerful voice, "Know that we are pleased with you, Lady of the Mushrooms. Your entertainment has only been exceeded by your drive to grow more powerful and cultivate powerful friends. Your methods: Innovative! Your means: Murderous! Your results: Laudable! Your enemies: Crushed! Your power: Swelling! Then your allies: Growing! Your allies: Strengthening with
[20:27] <@Kotono> enviable speed!"
[20:29] <@John> "Thanks!" John says, figuring he's one of those strong allies.
[20:31] <@Kotono> Around you the sleepers dance, unperterbed by the coming of Prince Broadpyne. At this Myann pauses several moments, "I've done what I needed to do," is what she finally says.
[20:32] <Feather> "And will keep on doing that," Feather adds. "Why change what works?"
[20:34] <Gildas> "We have no desire to conquer or to fight those who do us no harm. But when darkness encroaches upon our lands, we can do little but to fight force with force." He adds to the others' words.
[20:34] <@Kotono> "The truth: Correct!" Prince Broadpyne agrees to Feather, "We come to ensure your court is established without difficulty. Have you yet obtained the power to transform your servants? We would wish to see what you create from these mortals you have invested much into."
[20:35] <@John> Wait, transform? This is starting to sound a bit dodgy all of a sudden...
[20:36] <Feather> "If it's the truth that there is no need to change what works, why do we need to change?" Feather asks in confusion.
[20:38] <@Kotono> "There's no need, as Feather said," Myann quickly appends, "I have not done it because there is no need. My results are laudable and all is going well."

[Ebiris]

[18:19] <@Kotono> The Prince's heads each turn about, like leaves tossed in the fall winds. "Your actions are maverick," he finally concludes, "But your success: Remarkable! Your mantles: Developing! Your entertainment: Incredible!" The prince sweeps a single branchy arm about, "Your court will be one to watch further."
[18:19] <Gildas> Wait, mantles? With an s? Gildas just stays where he is and keeps quiet.
[18:19] <Feather> Since they're not being pushed into anything terrible Feather just figures it's best to stay subservient and quiet and wait for him to go away.
[18:22] <@Kotono> "Yes, Your Highness," Myann murmurs, respectful and quiet.
[18:24] <@Kotono> "Then I say: Excellent!" Prince Broadpyne declares. "You there," he says, eyes now focusing on Feather, who kneels before Myann. "You and you as well," His gaze then sweeps to Gildas and John, "Take these." From his branches, three iron pine needles fall down, one drifting to each of the three.
[18:25] <Feather> "Yes, Your Highness?" Feather asks uncertainly, picking the one drifting by him up.
[18:25] <@John> "Thanks," John says, taking one. "What's it do?"
[18:25] <Gildas> Gildas takes his as well.
[18:26] <@Kotono> On touching it, the iron needles melt into your hands. It's like nothing was there, yet magic and knowledge race into your minds. OOC: Loot post.
[18:27] <@Kotono> "Protect the Lady of Mushrooms as proper retainers," He declares, snapping woody fingers. At this the music and dancers cease. The pixies bow deeply and hurry out the back. The sleepers merely stand about, as if awaiting.
[18:27] <Feather> "I'll protect her," Feather responds, waiting himself.
[18:29] <@John> "Sure, yeah," John says, getting up once the tree leaves. "Uh... what do we do about everyone here?" he asks, looking at Missy-Anne.
[18:29] <@Kotono> "We will be watching," The Prince says, before turning and going out. Once gone Eltia sags and sighs in relief. AT the same time, the dancing begins again. The party resumes, the others not even missing a beat as they awaken and dance.
[18:29] <Feather> "I'm buying you lot ten rounds of drinks," Feather says, rising to his feet and helping Myann.
[18:29] <@Kotono> "The hells was that about?" Brutes grunts, looking around in open confusion. "I need another drink."
[18:30] <@Kotono> "I need twenty," Eltia's visibly shaking as she gets up, stumbling to the bar. The dancers look a little confused at the party, Robert coming up, "Are all of you alright?"
[18:30] <@Kotono> Myann rises with help, "Yeah...let's have a drink," she agrees, sounding a bit shaken herself.
[18:31] <@John> "Yeah, want to stop for a drink?" John asks his dance partner, seeing the wisdom in what everyone else is doing.
[18:32] <@Kotono> Missy-Anne blink blinks, "Had enough for dancing? Well, I: wouldn't mind a drink," she smiles winsomely, "I'd like that."
[18:33] <@John> "We can get back to it after we're refreshed. Just had a weird visitor," John says, unsure how to explain it without her thinking him a loon.
[18:33] <Gildas> Gildas frowns. They never did mention what the witching hour was, but oh well.
[18:33] * Feather heads for the bar again, not wanting to ruin the party for everyone.
[18:36] <@Kotono> The party heads in the general direction of the bar. Drinks are had one and all, most everyone about. Myann downs hers in one gulp, "Would you like a mushroom?" she mutters, shaking her head. "At least that didn't go worse."
[18:37] <Gildas> Gildas just passes on the alcohol for himself and stays frowning.
[18:38] <@John> "So yeah," John begins, sipping his own drink. "This tree comes in and puts everyone to sleep except for a couple of us, goes on about Myann there's potential, then leaves and everyone wakes up like nothing happened," he tells Missy-Anne the short version. Hmm, there's something there. Tree. Leave? He'll have to think on it, but he's sure there's a witty expression waiting to be found.
[18:41] <@Kotono> "What?" Missy-Anne says flatly, staring at John through the entire tale. "I don't remember falling asleep or anything like that."
[18:43] <@John> "You did," John confirms. "Everyond did except for about six of us," he gestures over at his friends plus Brutes and Eltia. "There were these really ugly pixies and this tree with lots of heads."
[18:44] <@Kotono> Hylath nods, "It was the strangest thing! I had half a mind to give him the dance step that cut the Emperor in half, too!"
[18:45] * Feather finishes his drink, refills it and keeps going. If he can still stand unassisted, he isn't drunk enough.
[18:47] <@Kotono> Myann looks at another drink and puts it down instead of drinking. "You know..." she begins, "Do you remember when I mentioned making servants right after Johann's tower?"
[18:47] <Feather> "Nope."
[18:48] <@John> "Nope," John agrees.
[18:50] <@Kotono> "I've been wondering if I have another mantle, since some of the things that happen don't make sense with just a mushroom mantle," she goes on. Meanwhile Eltia watches keenly, putting her own drink down. "We'd just escaped and were in the Sidhe realm. It wouldn't have been hard to make a mushroom house and servants. I've been paying more attention lately to my magic. I'm just starting to see
[18:50] <@Kotono> signs of something besides mushrooms in the deeper depths."
[18:51] <Feather> "Okay."
[18:51] <Gildas> "Do you get a sense of what that might be?" He looks up and over to her.
[18:54] <@Kotono> "Nobility." Myann admits with a shrug, then goes for her drink. She guns it right down, tapping the mug against the bar for a refill. "I can't put it into so many words by myself, but so many things fall into place when I think about it like that. In particular, the behavior if the Sidhe makes more sense."
[18:55] <@Kotono> *of
[18:56] <Gildas> "Perhaps... hm. No, I think that makes sense..." He taps his finger on the bar idly. "An augment to an already existing mantle, in some ways..."
[18:56] <Feather> "What sort of magic does it even make?
[18:56] <Feather> "
[18:57] <@John> "Makes people obey?" John guesses.
[18:58] <@Kotono> "Creation, domination, control. Authority," Myann gets her refill and downs it, putting the mug aside. "John got it. All the traits of rulership - even making your own coinage. A twisted smile comes on her face as she puts her arms on the bar, resting her head on it. "Those stupid coins we've found, in a twisted sort of Sidhe sense."
[18:58] <@Kotono> "Coins?" Hylath asks, "You have a mint now?"
[18:59] <Feather> "Sounds like we could if we wanted to?"
[19:01] <@Kotono> "Shut up, Hylath," Myann grumbles, before sighing. "Why can't I just be a normal elf and wife? Some days I wish I was normal and could stay home keeping house and making babies for you. Damn all this Sidhe madness." She closes her eyes and sighs again. "Damn the fact that I can't drink while resting my head.
[19:03] <@John> "S'all pretty complicated," John says, not having anything better to contribute with.
[19:03] <Gildas> "I wonder if you could ever become that powerful you could do that on your own." He muses.
[19:05] <@Kotono> "Do what on my own?" Myann asks back, sitting back and going for another drink. "Go visit Lady Valisha for tea, snacks and the casual murder of boring mortals?"
[19:05] <@John> "Drink while resting your head."
[19:05] <Gildas> "No. Remove your own mantle." He shakes his head.
[19:06] <@John> "Oh, or that, sure."
[19:06] <@Kotono> "I wish," Myann says to John, "I wonder-" she stops at Gildas's words, "I wouldn't even know where to begin. I've thought about it, but the magic or ability to do it..." A shrug, "It's beyond me as of right now. Maybe one day."
[19:06] * Feather slumps on the counter, spilling his ale artfully so that most of it goes towards his mouth.
[19:07] <@Kotono> "Eh? Feather?" Myann looks to him, shaking his shoulder. "Is something wrong?"
[19:07] <Feather> "Resting. Drinking," he responds cheerfully, eyes closed.
[19:08] <@Kotono> "You know what? Rest, drinking." Myann mimics Feather, "Wake me up when the world make sense in a normal way again."
[19:08] <@Kotono> "You have..." Missy-Anne trails off, "Interesting friends, John." She sounds a little uncertain.
[19:08] <Feather> "Yeah sure you betcha."
[19:08] <Gildas> "Perhaps in your journey of discovery you can find a way to do that. You can make it your ultimate goal -- wouldn't that be so very entertaining?" The last words have a hint of sarcasm for once. He just smiles at the other two. "But perhaps we can worry about it another day."
[19:08] <@John> "They're usually not so depressed. I guess everyone reacts to drink different ways," John admits with a shrug.
[19:10] <@Kotono> OOC: Ready to skip along now, y'all?
[19:10] <Gildas> OOC: Sure.
[19:10] <Feather> OOC: It's the best way to deal with angst!
[19:10] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay, do y'all have any short term plans? Also yes, Feather.
[19:11] <@John> OOC: give my little gold-digger some of that metal she covets. Also have dinner.
[19:11] <Feather> OOC: Let's go say hi to our kobold cousins, they're awesome
[19:12] <@Kotono> OOC: Right. We'll start with kobolds in here since I figured you wanted to since loot hadn't been sorted.
[19:16] <@Kotono> The next day begins with hangovers and headaches. After those are sorted out, the party heads down to the kobold camp. It's full of bustling life as you come down. Dark blue crystals shed a dim light about, mounted on the walls. It provides a light that's still shadowy and soft on the eyes. The northern cave-in is slowly being excavated, more kobolds setting up in the cleared space. Shaman
[19:16] <@Kotono> Ten'ten'tal is there to greet you once you come down, "Friends," he opens with, "You look prosperous in shinies."
[19:16] <Feather> "Thanks! You too, with the crystals and the light and all the space. Looks very professinal!"
[19:17] <@John> "We're doing alright, yeah," John says with a nod.
[19:17] <Gildas> "It is good to see you again. I hope the kobolds I met a few days ago returned safely." He says with a smile.
[19:19] <@Kotono> "Oh, what kobolds?" The Shaman asks idly, "Oh, and here," he says, passing over a bag of coins, "Your routine payment is due." OOC: Loot.
[19:20] <Gildas> "I met them a few days ago... they were hiding under a treasure chest, throwing bombs at people. I don't know if they were part of your tribe or not." He says with a small shrug. "They ran away when I mentioned your name, though."
[19:20] <Feather> "How's business? Lacking anything?" Feather asks curiously. "Or any other strange rumors floating about?"
[19:23] <@Kotono> "Oh, those go-getters are still at it?" The Shaman asks, slamming the butt of his staff on the ground, "Speaking of trade," he says, "Rumor has it that the iron mines of the Steelhead clan had too many holy explosions and is down. I know that iron is trading at about 150% of its normal value. Raw precious metals are down to 50% right now, though it isn't impacting skillfully made jewelry and
[19:23] <@Kotono> decorations. The demand for salt's also much higher, it's selling for 200% of normal value."
[19:24] <Feather> "We'll take a look through our shiny stuff later to see if anything fits," Feather promises. "Speaking of holy explosions, any need for more of them somewhere nearby?"
[19:25] <@John> John's eyes glaze over somewhat, not understanding any of this.
[19:25] <Gildas> "Iron, hm..." He looks thoughtful. "Yes, have you had any more run-ins with the ants or the lizards?"
[19:28] <@Kotono> "Mmm, yes, yes," Nodding to Feather, "There's some new tunnels being dug the way we came. There's signs of the ants." he says solemnly. "A developed, big tribe of them."
[19:30] <Gildas> "Hm, I wonder if we could just convince them to stand down this time." He muses. "I mean... well, they might want revenge on the other queen... Or maybe they were enemies, and we'd be seen as allies to them."
[19:31] <Feather> "Let's not mention any of that."
[19:32] <Gildas> "We may not get a chance to. They might just try to kill us on the spot." He says. "But I suppose we'll see when we meet them."
[19:32] <Gildas> "If we're going to do so, anyway." He amends.
[19:34] <Feather> "What's the deal with this tribe, buddy?" Feather asks Ten'ten'tal. "Need some help there?"
[19:38] <@Kotono> "The Steelheads? Rumor has it that they used too many bombs in their mine - against lizards or ants, it sounds like. The entire iron mine collapsed."
[19:39] <Feather> "No, no. The ants?"
[19:42] <@Kotono> "Oh, the ants!" The Shaman remarks, "They're ants and making trouble. There's signs there may be mineral veins of value that way, too. Sooooo..."
[19:44] <Feather> "Ants are fucking horrible, and valuable mineral veins are valuable," Feather summarizes, glancing at the others. "What do you think?"
[19:45] <Gildas> "I see no reason not to at least go and investigate." He says with a nod.
[19:45] <@John> "Sure, I'm in," John shrugs.
[19:45] <@Kotono> "I could work off some stress," Myann agrees, "I'll go along."
[19:46] <@John> "Wait, we going today? 'Cause I've got dinner plans. Tomorrow's fine, though," John adds.
[19:47] <Feather> "Same arrangement as before?" Feather asks the shaman. "The deal and a couple holy bombs for the queen? Oh-- and not today. More like tomorrow, yeah?"
[19:49] <@Kotono> "We can do that," The Shaman says, "Elaborate what you think the dela is so we're on the same page."
[19:50] <Feather> "Thirteen percent, wasn't it? I think it was thirteen percent," Feather says, glancing at Gildas.
[19:51] <Gildas> He looks thoughtful and then nods. "I believe you are correct."
[19:52] <Gildas> "Of course, if these ants are stronger than the last..." He looks back to Feather. "It might warrant a higher number."
[19:54] <Feather> "Maybe, since we're such close friends, we could be taught to make the holy bombs? Or get two each month?"
[19:55] <@Kotono> Shaman Ten'ten'tal pauses at this, "Hmmm....hmmmm....I could go as high as 15 percent," he finally says, "Is that agreeable?"
[19:56] <Feather> "Nice round number. I like that."