[18:08] <@Xorned> Fall comes to Balmuria early this year. By summer's traditional end cool breezes have banishes the height of warmth, the first hint of the leaves turning yellow, red and gold decorating the trees. It is under this weather that Whimsical Sweets joins together once more. Janson, Josa, Silver and Sylvie are joined by Whirric, Yuria and Orval. As all gather Josa stands, dressed in cotton candy pink
[18:08] <@Xorned> robes and wearing a tall, conical cap that looks like a peak of whipped cream. Clapping his hands together once, "Ah outstanding, outstanding, outstanding! A glorious morning to all of you!"
[18:10] <@Janson> "I see... I see you put your earnings to good use," Janson manages, staring at Josa's hat no matter how much he tries not to.
[18:10] * Orval leans toward the veterans. "He always dresses like this?"
[18:11] <@Xorned> Sylvie whispers back, "Just smile and pay attention. Josa is....Josa."
[18:11] <@Whurric> ooc: Whurric*
[18:12] <@Xorned> "Oh this? I've had it for awhile," he says, "It's too warm to wear in the summer, you see. A gift from the blessed soul who taught me the first lessons of the confectionary arts!"
[18:12] <@Whurric> "You telling me somewhere out in the world is another person dressed in the same fashion style?" Whurric asks with shock.
[18:13] <Orval> "It's probably an elf." Orval nods.
[18:13] <@Xorned> "Indeed," Josa says, "To both counts. But it hardly matters! First of all, everyone has met, yeah?"
[18:13] <@Janson> "I guess when you make candy that good you can take some liberties," Janson assumes with a shrug. "But yeah, we've all met and we're ready to get to work!" he enthuses.
[18:13] <@Xorned> Yuria watches, seemingly unable to come up with much of anything to say.
[18:15] <@Xorned> "Outstanding and superb!" Josa claps his hands again, "First of all, a review of how we deal with our income. We recently changed our scheme - equal shares for all now. Is everyone clear on how this works?"
[18:16] * Orval shrugs.
[18:16] <@Janson> "Whenever any of us does a job, whatever earnings from the person who hired us and loot found along the job gets divided between everyone here," Janson states. "We're all partners in this."
[18:16] <@Whurric> "And the candy?" Whurric asks. He had asked for a discount on alcoholic candies during dinner after all!
[18:19] <@Xorned> "You're welcome to sample freely," Josa says, "I see no harm in that at all. Any other questions about this?
[18:20] <Orval> "I've nothing to add." Orval shakes his head.
[18:22] <@Xorned> "Second of all! For those of you unaware, there's a supply closet over there," Gesturing at it, "Feel free to take supplies from it whenever you need them. Second of all! I'm pleased to announce two new candies developed to aid you, electric taffy and cherry bombs!"
[18:22] <@Whurric> "How do we pick jobs up?" Whurric asks. "And do you get a lot, or a trickle of 'em from time to time?"
[18:23] <@Janson> "It used to come in spurts of a few at a time, but we've been out of business for over a month so I dunno how things'll pick up," Janson explains to the more muscular dwarf. "So what do the two new candies do specifically?" he then asks the fat half-elf.
[18:24] <@Xorned> "There is a job postings board that is regularly updated. Today there's two specific tasks I'll be talking to you about," Josa says, "So worry little about that. Second of all, electric taffy grants you temporary resistance to electricty and allows some of that current to manifest through your weapons. Cherry Bombs are advanced alchemist's fire, improved with pure candymancy! They function much
[18:24] <@Xorned> like fireball spells now."
[18:24] <Orval> "So it's candy you can't eat?" Orval looks confused.
[18:25] <@Whurric> "Maybe you eat the bomb and then belch a fireball?" Whurric ponders.
[18:25] <@Xorned> "Indeed. Cherry Bombs are best not consumed," Josa says, "You throw cherry bombs."
[18:25] <@Janson> "Aww... I bet Simmer would've loved to eat them," Janson smiles wistfully.
[18:25] <@Xorned> "Yeah," Sylvie matches Janson's smile, "Remind me that when we meet her againt o bring some."
[18:26] <@Xorned> "So like, you don't eat the cherries and you chew on the taffy?" Yuria speaks up, "Okaaaay."
[18:27] <@Janson> "Just don't keep them in the same pocket and you'll be fine," Janson advises sagely.
[18:28] <@Xorned> "Moving on!" Clapping his hands together once more, "The tasks! The first one comes from Blythe, a mage in the employ of the Inferno beneath Balmuria. He needs help organizing and dealing with an old magical laboratory he's come into possession of. To the second...ah yes. Janson and Sylvie, I believe you two have studied the Codex that is now in posession of the Crimson Guard? The second task
[18:28] <@Xorned> is to mount a study of it, for I am interested in it in the least, and if useful, may benefit the rest of us as well.
[18:28] <@Xorned> "
[18:28] <@Whurric> "They won't explode if you get slammed into a wall?" Whurric asks.
[18:29] <@Xorned> "No," Josa confirms, "The magic is such tthat they're activated by the act of throwing them."
[18:30] <@Xorned> "Really?" Yuria cocks her head to the side, "I mean, the last time I ate a cherry he really liked it. It's weird you throw cherries instead here."
[18:30] <@Janson> "The Codex seems to have diminishing returns - The first time it was full of incredible secrets, but it just became gibberish the next time Sylvie and I read it," Janson points out. "I'll have a go at the magical laboratory job."
[18:30] <@Xorned> "Likewise," Sylvie agrees, "I'll go with Janson."
[18:31] * Orval perks up at the two jobs. "Magical laboratories? Codexes? Why didn't you say it would be so interesting here?" he pokes Whurric in the side.
[18:33] <@Whurric> "Not my idea of interesting, so not what I usually do when I leave home!" Whurric snorts.
[18:33] <@Xorned> "Um, like, I'll go with whichever. Neither of those are really my strong suit," Yuria says, "Nothing with cutting people up or turning invisible?"
[18:33] <@Whurric> "Aye! I'm with the lass, that sounds more up my alley!"
[18:34] <@Janson> "You can always go on a shocker lizard hunt if you just want to kill things," Janson suggests helpfully. "Good bounties for those."
[18:35] <Orval> "Then ye might want to check the laboratory. I'll have a look at the book." Orval says.
[18:36] <@Xorned> "Mmm, more money is always good..." Josa considers, before nodding, "Very well, yout wo go find all the shocker lizards you can and bring them back. Make sure to take some taffy then, too."
[18:37] <@Whurric> "Ugh...well, lizards are sure to be more exciting at least..." Whurric mutters.
[18:37] * Orval frowns.
[18:38] <Orval> "If you're going lizard hunting, I'm going with you. The last thing I need is to tell out mother you were brought low by vermin."
[18:40] <@Whurric> "So little faith in Josa's candies, brother?" Whurric jokes, teasing his brother as he jerks his thumb to point over at their boss.
[18:41] * Orval gives his brother a Look.
[18:42] * @Whurric just grins at his brother's look.
[18:42] <@Janson> "Y'know, I only really suggested that just as something to do, but we ought to be prioritising actual job requests," Janson chimes in. "It'd probably be better if you three just endured some reading and you can hope for a violent job afterwards."
[18:43] <Orval> "I agree wholeheartedly!" Orval nods. "The codex sounds very fascinating!"
[18:44] <@Whurric> "I can put up with the reading. I did it enough back home," Whurric admits. "Still not gonna be very helpful there though, s'the thing..."
[18:45] <@Xorned> "I have to agree with that," Josa says after reflection, "While it is true neither of you may be gifted as such, half of us going on a snipe hunt over shocker lizards is not in our best interests. Indeed, let us focus on what we have first before we engage in episodes of lizard extermination."
[18:45] <@Xorned> "Like, I'll go to the laboratory then," Yuria speaks up, "Sorry, books are boring!"
[18:45] <@Xorned> Sylvie twitches, face firmly in her palm as she side glares at Yuria.
[18:46] <Orval> "The laboratory will likely be full of books, lass."
[18:46] <@Whurric> "Remember not to drink anything, lass! I did that once and blew up like a giant blue berry!" Whurric warns.
[18:46] * @Janson gently pats Sylvie's back. "You can help us clean the laboratory, that's fine, Yuria."
[18:46] <@Xorned> "It'll, like, have potions and something cool!" Yuria insists, "Right?"
[18:46] <@Janson> "It's a laboratory not a library," Janson agrees.
[18:47] <Orval> "That's what you get for drinking things I'm working on! I'm not good at potions yet!"
[18:48] <@Whurric> "It smelled like a brewery, and I was bored enough to want to get drunk!" Whurric defends his decision to have drunk the concoction that one time.
[18:49] <Orval> "Then you should have had some of the BER from the VAT!"
[18:49] <Orval> OOC: BEER
[18:49] <@Whurric> "That didn't smell near as strong as that bubbly thing!"
[18:51] <@Xorned> Arguments go on as the three demihumans head towards the Crimson Guard garrison. As you approach the front entrnace, two guards dressed in crimson before it, "I warn you," Josa says, "There is disorientation on entering, and the insides are highly bewitched as defenses."
[18:51] <Orval> "You should have the sense not to drink something that bubbles and smokes and is green!"
[18:53] <@Whurric> Whurric opens his mouth to counter, and pauses, then looks at Orval with confusion. "Wait, green? I was talking about the -orange- thing. I didn't drink any green stuff of yours!"
[18:54] <Orval> "I've never made anything orange." Orval scoffs. "You must be colorblind."
[18:55] <@Xorned> Josa raises his hand, "Please, would you two cease your intercine blood arguments for the moment?"
[18:55] <Orval> "What was that, Josa? Oh, we're here?" Orval says, looking around.
[18:56] <@Whurric> "...intercine?" Whurric asks Josa.
[18:56] <@Xorned> "Indeed we are," Josa says, "Did you here what I said about the interior of this fortress?"
[18:57] <Orval> "Bewitched insides? What does that mean?"
[18:59] <@Xorned> "Crossing over the threshhold is dizzing, and travel inside is indistinct." Josa says solemnly, "You will want to close youre eyes as you step over the threshold."
[19:04] <@Whurric> "How do we get around if we've got our eyes closed then? S'got to be a way to not fall to the defenses, right?" Whurric asks.
[19:04] <@Xorned> "You can open them once inside," Josa says, shaking his head again, "The first step is the worstof it."
[19:06] <@Whurric> "...That just sounds silly. Y'mean to tell me the defense is broken just by closing your eyes on the first step?" Whurric asks with a frown, clearly feeling like he's misunderstanding something. "S'not much of a defense then!"
[19:08] <@Xorned> This causes Josa to facepalm, "I bid you, just follow my instructions on the faith of my good words then!"
[19:10] <@Whurric> "Well alright, then, but it still sounds silly t'me, I say!" Whurric snorts as he makes sure to do what Josa recommended.
[19:12] <Orval> "It's magic, brother." Orval nods.
[19:18] <@Xorned> The doors are opened to you as you head inside! There's a strange moment as you step across the threshold, eyes closed. A feeling of free falling, a momentary sensation that ceases as you only begin to feel it. You are within a well lit hallway, each step seeming out of focus, out of line. It's like you're walking and gliding at once, heading along with Josa.
[19:20] <Orval> "Alright, that was odd. Where's this book?" Orval asks.
[19:22] <@Xorned> "This way," Josa instructs! You walk through halls with great paintings about, of people you don't know. It passes in a faintly dull blur, until at last ou pass into a room. It's a sun dretched room. The Codex you is suspended up by chains, elevated chairs around it. "Ah, outstanding!" Josa says, "Come! From what I understand it takes some time for each reading of it - would either of you like
[19:22] <@Xorned> to try first?"
[19:26] <Orval> "I'll go first." Orval says, stepping up to the book and climbing into one of the chairs.
[19:26] <@Xorned> OOC: Make an int check? Looking at your sheet you qualify for a +7 bonus to it.
[19:27] <Orval> roll 1d20+7
[19:27] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+7 and gets 10." [1d20=3]
[19:27] <Orval> OOC: Oh wow. Or is that 4+7 total?
[19:29] <@Xorned> OOC: Yes, so +4 more for a total of 14.
[19:30] <Orval> OOC: K
[19:30] <@Xorned> The entire thing is like reading a book of puzzled meanings. Languages shift and meanings meander into themselves! Yet Orval is certain great knowledge lies within! He reads and reads and reads, losing track ofe verything else! Hints of great understanding are all over, but he can't quite pin any of them down! He chases further, reaching out! He comes closer and closer, yet in the end...(More)
[19:30] <@Xorned> roll 2d4 int and wis damage.
[19:30] * Hatbot --> "Xorned rolls 2d4 int and wis damage. and gets 2." [2d4=1, 1]
[19:31] <@Xorned> In the end it is just too much! Orval recoils, mind in disarray and senses overwhelmed! His vision is glazed over as at last he looks up from the tome, head churning like an out of control machine!
[19:32] * Orval stumbles out of the chair, shaking his head. "This book is devious!"
[19:34] <@Xorned> Josa is there, supporting Orval, "How was it? You were transfixed for hours and hours of reading! Did you gain any enlightenment"
[19:34] <@Xorned> Josa is there, supporting Orval, "How was it? You were transfixed for hours and hours of reading! Did you gain any enlightenment?"
[19:35] <Orval> "...all I gained is a headache. The book seems full of puzzles to twist the mind and dull the senses. If the knowledge is within, it is elusive and clever."
[19:35] <@Xorned> Indeed, Orval's head throbs and he feels a great fatigue enveloping him. "Doubtless, for you read for what must have been seven or eight hours," Josay confesses. "A tragedy that you did not wrest knowledge from it."
[19:38] <Orval> "I will be happy to give it another try after a good night's rest, I think. Perhaps I should start more slowly next time. I have a habit of throwing myself into things. Yes, that sounds right." Orval nods.
[19:38] <Orval> "Unless there are other plans for this book?"
[19:38] <@Xorned> "As you desire," Josa says, "I believe I shall try it and then we shall adjourn for rest?" Shaking his hands, "There are no plans for it. We have access as a courtesy from the Crimson Guard, for we defeated Senaril."
[19:39] <Orval> "Ah good, I believe I wish to dedicate the time to this book that it deserves."
[19:39] <@Xorned> With that, Josa gets on a seat and begins to read!
[19:40] <@Xorned> roll 1d20+11
[19:40] * Hatbot --> "Xorned rolls 1d20+11 and gets 22." [1d20=11]
[19:40] <@Xorned> roll 1d13
[19:40] * Hatbot --> "Xorned rolls 1d13 and gets 6." [1d13=6]
[19:42] <@Xorned> Hours pass as Josa reads! He seems spellbound as Orval rests and dozes, his headache persistant. Whurric keeps himself busy as he watches, until at last Josa recoils, "That's it! That's the solution!"
[19:42] * Orval starts out of his nap. "What? Who?"
[19:44] <@Xorned> "The solutions to the art of arcana!" Josa says, "The hidden knowledges of pentagrams and eldritch phrases!"
[19:45] * Orval stands quickly. "Well don't hold out on me man, what is it!?"
[19:45] * @Whurric yawns, not sure what exactly he was supposed to do, but glad that this seems to have panned out, if at least for Josa. Maybe he should have gone to the laboratory too.
[19:46] <@Xorned> "It's..." Josa starts to explain but no words come, "It answers questions about the arcane and knowledge, while raising more at the same time. The solution is a step forward." He pauses again, "It's difficult to explain, but it's as if I have progressed further on the road of understanding arcana."
[19:47] <@Whurric> "Am I supposed to give it a shot as well?" Whurric asks, a bit disappointed that Josa can't explain better what he found.
[19:47] <@Xorned> "If you desire, though I propose we rest for the day and return on the morrow," Josa says, "Is that agreeable to all?
[19:48] <@Whurric> "Sure, why not?"
[19:48] * Orval looks distraught, wringing his hands.
[19:48] <Orval> Sighing, Orval says, "Yes, you're right. I can likely not read well with this head of mine as it is."
[19:49] <@Xorned> A nod, "Let us reconvene here tomorrow." OOC: Good with skipping ahead/resting up a night and returning? If so, are you going to use magic to restore the ability damage, Orval?
[19:49] <Orval> OOC: Full bedrest should fix it all anyway, so naw.
[19:54] <Orval> OOC: Changing that to LEsser Restoration cast to restore the 1 missing int/wis
[19:59] <@Xorned> OOC: Okay.
[19:59] <@Xorned> The next day you return to the book. Josa regards it, "Ah Whurric, did you wish to attempt it first?" He asks.
[20:00] <@Whurric> "Aye, at least I'll have something to do for all the hours we're here, that way!" the dwarf says as he goes up to the book.
[20:02] <@Xorned> OOC: Int check. You qualify for a +3 bonus to your int check, for a total of +4.
[20:02] <@Whurric> roll d20+4
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+4 and gets 20." [d20=16]
[20:04] <@Xorned> It is a delusion of words, constantly shifting between languages and meanings! Whurric finds himself drawing on all the knowledge and skills he knows, chasing down great secrets! On and on and on and on he goes, pursuing it with all haste! Ideas float around as he runs after them, time whirrling by! Then...(PM, more.)
[20:06] <@Xorned> Local events, news, history, tales. All whirl into Whurric's mind, until at last he jerks away from the book! It's been about 8 hours to Orval and Josa, passing the time in arcane discussion before at last the other dwarf emerges from the book!
[20:08] * Orval looks up from his discussion with Josa. "Well brother? Anything new and exciting?"
[20:08] <@Xorned> "Well?" Josa asks, "How have your studies of this book gone?"
[20:08] <@Whurric> "Well, huh. Interesting book, I guess. I learned more about this city than I figured I'd ever care to know!" Whurric says. "Mighta been easier to just go to a bookstore and buy a book though, I think?"
[20:08] <@Whurric> "But hey, at least I know I'll never be gettin' lost now!"
[20:09] <@Whurric> "That's pretty useful, y'know?"
[20:09] <@Xorned> "Ah, outstanding!" Josa says "Knowledge is always useful."
[20:10] <Orval> "Hmm, so it's not only arcane knowledge, but mundane as well?" Orval strokes the central plait in his beard.
[20:11] <@Xorned> "Knowledge of all types, perhaps. Fascinating," Josa says, and giving Orval a sidelong look, "You wished to read again?"
[20:12] <Orval> "Indeed." Orval nods, standing and heading up to the book. "Perhaps I will have more luck with a clear head and the knowledge of what I am getting into."
[20:15] <@Whurric> "So while he's reading, want to play some trivia games about Balmuria?" Whurric jokes with Josa. "Bet I can win!"
[20:15] <@Xorned> "Certainly!" Josa says, as...OOC: Int check, same modifier as before. So +11 total modifier. Go for it, Orval! Don't 1!
[20:16] <Orval> roll 1d20+11
[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+11 and gets 31." [1d20=20]
[20:18] <@Xorned> Orval studies and studies! This time it seems to speak of knowledgeof great battles past as he reads! From long ago wars to recent skirmishes he sees it all, chasing great founts of information! As he does...(More, PM.)
[20:21] <@Xorned> When at last his mind draws away, Orval is filled to the brim with understanding of the art of war. How to strike, how to aim, how to do everythinginvolved. He feels as if his understanding of battle has grown!
[20:23] <Orval> "Oof. That part is one you should study, brother. I feel as though I could split an apple at thirty paces with a throwing axe." Orval says.
[20:26] <@Whurric> "Already know how t'do that!" Whurric says cheerfully. "Great party trick!"
[20:26] <@Xorned> "Truly so," Josa says, "Fair knowledge has been gained, no?"
[20:26] <Orval> "This should be part of a weekly regimen...provided there are no missteps." Orval grins ruefully.
[20:29] <@Xorned> "Let us ponder that for now and depart," Josa says, "We can return in time, for the book is likely going nowhere."
[20:30] <@Whurric> "If we do, I'm not one to be coming here with someone else. It's pretty boring to just sit here while the other person reads..." Whurric notes.
[20:31] * Orval nods.
[20:33] <@Xorned> "Indeed," Josa says, "'tis a burden."
[12:29] <Kotono> With grace, care and effort Orval makes the magic summoning circle! Rare herbs burn in the braziers that surround it, chalk diagrams of the powers of Celestia drawn. Seven concentric circles, each one detailing parts of the Holy Mountain. With the last words enjoining the ceremony, a writhing portal twists open! In a flash of heavenly light it appears. It is like a floating orb of light, golden.
[12:29] <Kotono> It flies about the room once at a good speed, before settling in front of Orval. It's voice comes from within the orb, despite no visible mouth, "Master? Are you the one that summoned me?"
[12:31] <Yuthirin> "Indeed I am. I am Orval Bofjyr." Orval bows to the orb.
[12:34] <Kotono> "Hello Master!" It's voice is child-like, "I'm glad to meet you! My superior told me I'd be spending time in the Mortal Coil. I'm Araciel! What are my duties?"
[18:39] <Orval> "I've been given a quest by Dumathoin, the Keeper of Secrets Under the Mountain. I'd like it if you would accompany me. I believe there will be much adventure, and many opportunities to do good. I understand that the group my brother and I are currently working with recently put down a worshiper of Shar." Orval says.
[18:40] <@Kotono> "Oh! Heroics and good deeds? It sounds like fun!" Arachiel says, "I'll do my best!"
[18:48] <Orval> "Good! Onward then, my companion! Let us do deeds the likes of which songs will be sung, and epics written! With you at my side, we cannot fail!" Orval cheers.