Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

20:04 <•Kotono> Sleep comes. When Skaya awakens, it's to a steady, back and forth rocking of the world, stirring her awake.
20:06 <Skaya> Crap. Skaya takes a moment to center herself before checking her location. Is she in a random bunk? Perhaps a room? Sleeping on the top deck like a bum?
20:07 <•Kotono> Skaya opens her eyes. She's in a small room, several hammocks rigged up here. She's curled up in one, her gear and supplies nearby. In another Orange snoozes away, hood still up. In the last Sanda curls up, clinging a pillow to her tightly.
20:08 — Skaya makes her way over to Sanda, gently shaking her awake.
20:08 <•Kotono> Sanda hugs her pillow tighter. "Ten more minutes," she says in a groggy haze. "Mmmm....you're so warm to hold," she murmurs into her pillow.
20:11 <Skaya> "Who are you dreaming of?"
20:15 <•Kotono> "Ah!" Sanda fumbles, wobbling in her hammock before it spins around and leaves her an upside down, tangled mess. Her cheeks burn red as she blurts out, "None of your business!"
20:17 <Skaya> "Aww, I thought we had something," Skaya drawls out in a teasing tone of voice.
20:18 <•Kotono> Sanda's arms flail out at you ineffectively, which makes her hammock swing again, untangling her and going around again. "Aaaah!" Sanda cries before she ends up face down on the ground. She lies there and groans, "Good morning to you too," she complains out loud.
20:19 <Skaya> "Good morning," Skaya returns cheerfully. "We're back, as you can see."
20:25 <•Kotono> "We are," Orange says, not moving yet. "That happens, but that was quick."
20:25 <•Kotono> Getting up now, "And no sign of Devar or Anne."
20:27 <Skaya> "Yeah," Skaya agrees, getting the telepathy ring from her gear and putting it on. 'Hey, Devar, does this reach across planes?' she tries, even as she says out loud, "If it's this fast, maybe it really was a hasty choice. Would the crew be upset if we broke the curse, Orange?"
20:35 <•Kotono> OOC: Does the writeup mention if it does at all?
20:35 <Skaya> OOC: This ring of plain iron is paired with another ring (one you do not have). When worn, you know the general health of the other wearer and can communicate telepathically with them. This ring is further enchanted to give a +5 competence bonus to Craft (Poisonmaking) and Knowledge (Nature) checks, as well as the benefits of a nondetection spell (caster level 7th).
20:36 <•Kotono> No luck, or at least no answer, anyway.
20:37 <Skaya> "No response from telepathy for now, by the way. Maybe Devar is still asleep, so I'll keep trying once in a while."
21:03 <•Kotono> "Now what?" Sanda dusts herself off.
21:04 <Skaya> "You need to meditate a bit on magic before you can cast spells, right? So we'll give you some space and when you're ready to use a Sending, let us know!
21:04 <Skaya> "
21:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, what's the message you want ont he sending?
21:09 <Skaya> The message, carefully measured for space, is thus: 'We are all back on ship. Try to buy planar travel item in Bytopia and find way to Rina to regroup. Perhaps a ring?'
21:15 <Devar> Devar's reply comes promptly! 'Guess the ring doesn't work across planes. We are both fine. Will contact you if we have any issues.'
21:18 <Skaya> "So that's that," Skaya muses. "Orange, I suppose our adventure ends here? It'd be too dangerous to explore with just the three of us."
21:22 <•Kotono> "IT was a fun trip," Orange agrees, "Profitable, too!"
21:22 <Skaya> "Yep!"
21:22 <Skaya> OOC: We'll settle loot properly in posts
21:23 <Skaya> Turning towards Sanda, Skaya says, "How about we check out your job here on the ship? I can assist a bit."

19:07 <•Kotono> "Oh yes," Sanda says, then after a beat, "Ah." She suddenly blushes. "Skaya?"
19:08 <Skaya> "Yes?"
19:13 <•Kotono> "With everything that happened, I...um...wha twas my job again?" Sanda's voice sounds small as her cheeks burn bright red.
19:14 <Skaya> "I don't think we settled it, exactly, but we did discuss opening your store here," Skaya muses. "How about we go and ask the nice cat for more details?"
19:18 <•Kotono> Sanda clears her throat, "Let's go do that." The two of you hurry to that shop. It's open, but no sign of the cat. An elf woman, with honey blonde hair and wearing leathers and chain mail, sits. A natural beauty, aloof and stunning. She's crowned with antlers that rise out of her head, arching up high. Little lights dance around them, motes of blue, green and white. "Welcome, welcome," she
19:18 <•Kotono> calls, sounding bored. "Cat's away so the elf can play."
19:18 — Skaya perks up! "Is that how it goes?"
19:22 <•Kotono> A yawn, "It's what she pays me to say," Is the answer, "It's her money.'
19:22 <•Kotono> "Fascinating," Sanda admits, "Are you playing?"
19:23 <Skaya> "Oh, you're an employee of the store? I just thought that jobs were more assigned than just picked like that."
19:23 <•Kotono> Sanda gets a flat look back, all disdain, "You tell me, human." Another yawn follows. "The immediate rush for cold protection's past since the stock's in need of replenishment, so."
19:23 <•Kotono> "It's an easy way to earn some extra coin and an employee discount," Is the answer, "You won't believe how much I save that way."
19:25 <Skaya> "No, I believe you!" Skaya agrees. "Since it seems a slow day, do you mind telling us how one goes about getting a store here? And is it okay if there's some competition, or do people just sell different things or what? Wouldn't want to be rude."
19:27 <•Kotono> "You can open whatever you want, but there's a degree of cooperation or it turns into a free for all," The elf gives you a look over, "You like the antlers?" she asks archly.
19:28 <Skaya> "They're not bad."
19:32 <•Kotono> Arms crossed now, "Not bad?" A challenge right back.
19:35 <Skaya> "They give you an exotic and dignified look but I can't help but wonder whether they would be a pain in daily life. Like when trying to pick up something from further down a shelf or while being intimate," Skaya responds, not shying away from said challenge.
19:41 <•Kotono> "You have no idea," A long, gusty sigh, "They hit on door frames, can scrap a low ceiling or-" Skaya words get the elf to turn furiously red, "Ah! Ah ah ah ah! Lavicious woman! I've h-heard of humans like you, the ones that make half elves."
19:41 <•Kotono> Sanda starts to laugh, jamming her hand against her mouth.
19:41 — Skaya laughs herself. "You need to hear more, then. It'd be exceedingly hard for us two to make a half elf!"
19:45 <•Kotono> "I know what magic can do when people like you get their hands on it. Out out out!" She points back the way you came, sputtering, "Out!"
19:46 <•Kotono> Sanda gives into her laugher, but manages, "S-statistically speaking, I don't think-" she can't even finish it as the elf huffs and looks away.
19:46 <Skaya> "Until next time~" she says cheerfully, pulling Sanda away. "I'm Skaya! Pleasure to meet you~"
19:54 <•Kotono> "Ouuuuut!" A point as you flee, a loud cry. Sanda laughs and cackles, leaning against you. "Oh. I never thought-" she cries, but settles for more laughter.
19:55 <Skaya> "The day's off to a great start!" Skaya declares.
19:57 <•Kotono> "Isn't it just," Sanda agrees, "How about we get breakfast then find someone who can help us?"
19:57 <Skaya> "I'm with you on this one."
20:05 <•Kotono> Breakfast is busy. The galley is huge, plenty of space here. The smell of fish is strong, a motley assortment of people here eating. There's a long row of food available along with servers. A normal looking human ladles out a fish stew for Sanda, a man who looks middle aged and w ith nothing interesting about him at all. "New on board?" he asks.
20:06 <•Kotono> "Yes," Sanda says, "And some of that bread as well?"
20:06 <Skaya> "Oh yes. Just a couple days so far," Skaya responds.
20:14 <•Kotono> Food's passed over, "Enjoy the ship," he says, "Just watch out for-" Then a loud roar from behind. A huge humanoid, more bear than man, stands up, "Liar!" he bellows, pointing at a tiny, wispy little fairy. A pixie if Skaya's lore isn't wrong. "You lie!" A few people look up but not too many, no great sense of concern.
20:14 <•Kotono> "Something like that," The cook continues on.
20:14 <Skaya> "What, food fights? Brawls in the galley?"
20:16 <•Kotono> "Both," Is the wry answer, as the pixie looks bored and vanishes from sight. The bear-man roars and rages, but nothing more seems to come from it right away.
20:17 — Skaya calls up an Entropic Shield with a thought, before asking, "What's for dessert?"
20:19 <•Kotono> "For breakfast? Well, have yo uever had Ornberry Pie?" The chef asks, "Frosty as a winter morning, but the taste is good. The only problem is that it's not popular, because the only time we get the ingredients for it is when we're here."
20:19 <Skaya> "I'd be delighted to have some!"
20:19 <•Kotono> "I'll take some," Sanda offers as well.
20:20 <•Kotono> "Finally," Slices topped with fresh cream are placed on your plates as well. Frosty blueberry-like berries can be spied within.
20:20 <Skaya> "Thanks! For the advice and the food!"
20:20 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@126CF456.539A7C2E.42F8E3F1.IP)
20:26 <•Kotono> You get seats. There's  abustle of conversation, but as you sit. "Hi there," Smoothly a red skinned man slides up. He's dressed in colorful clothes - an orange shirt, green pants and candy cane striped belt, along with good boots. A blue bandana keeps his black hair back. "Lovely new blood on board," he greets. "I'm Raneck, storyteller and singer extrodinare."
20:27 <•Kotono> Sanda looks over to Skaya, "So that elf who was filling in, did you think she was cute?"
20:28 <Skaya> "Hey, Raneck. I'm Skaya and this is Sanda," she introduces them right back, before taking a spoonful of the fish stew. "It's not really a fair question," she responds after saving that first taste of stew, "but yes. The gap was amazing!"
20:28 <•Kotono> "Gap?" Sanda asks, a bare glance at Raneck.
20:29 <•Kotono> Raneck rolls at it, "A please to meet lovely ladies such as yourself. It's rare to see ones such as you come aboard."
20:30 <Skaya> "Between the stern demeanor and the blushing stutters," Skaya clarifies. At Raneck's words, she wonders out loud, "Is that really true? Then who comes over more often?"
20:32 <•Kotono> "Oh, all sorts, all sorts," Raneck flashes you a smile, "You saw that new one that looks like a giant, by chance? And of course, many are changed."
20:32 <•Kotono> Sanda busies herself with her food, and has a bite of the pie. She considers it and has another, focused on that.
20:33 <Skaya> "That's true! We were like this from the start, though." After consideration, Skaya decides to first finish the stew before touching the dessert. Even though it would end up in the same place....
20:35 <•Kotono> The stew's quite good, if a bit cold. Then again, local fish. "Myself, I didn't have skin like this until I got on board, but it's quite the splash. Even if I get mistaken for a tiefling far too often, but I'm not of that lot."
20:37 <Skaya> "Not that there's anything wrong with that."
20:41 <•Kotono> "Of course not," A moment to consider, "Well, a pleasure talking to you." He gets up and goes, and once he's gone, Sanda quietly exhales. "Well good."
20:42 <Skaya> "You like the silence?" Skaya voices, moving on to the pie, now.
20:43 <•Kotono> "More than him," Sanda sniffs, "I'm not in the mood for a suitor, and he looks like he's colorblind."
20:44 — Skaya snickers. "Yes, how could we forget about the one true love of your life."
20:46 <•Kotono> "I'd rather date you, Devar, Rina, Queen Elaine, Picke or Brachidos than a strutting peacock," Sanda retorts. "Or her."
20:47 <Skaya> "Brachidos is... no, just no," Skaya states, shaking her head with a grimace. "But I'm flattered that I'm first on your list!"
20:50 <•Kotono> "I'll just take the compliment," Sanda decides after a moment.
20:51 — Skaya decisively steals a bite from Sanda's pie.
20:55 <•Kotono> Sanda looks down and pushes her plate towards you, "I'll...just let you have my pie," she decides.
20:57 <Skaya> Sanda seems a bit off, but maybe it's because of that dream of hers. Deciding not to bother her too much, Skaya finishes both ornberry pies!
21:00 <•Kotono> By the time that's done, a familiar cat hops up onto your table. Her tail swishes before, "You got my part timer all worked up."
21:00 <Skaya> "Ah! Just the cat I wanted to see! Do you know that it's false advertisement?"
21:01 <•Kotono> "Hm?" A little tilt of her head, "Explain."
21:02 <Skaya> "The cat's away so the elf can play. But the elf didn't play! The elf just turned red and blamed me for creating all the half-elves in the universe! I'll have you know that's not true."
21:03 <•Kotono> "Universe?" A curious tilt of the head again, "What do you mean by that? Do you mean an entire plane?"
21:04 <Skaya> "I'll have you know I'm not responsible for a single half-elf," Skaya refocuses the cat, spreading her arms helplessly. "I wasn't even saying anything lewd, just what goes through her mind?"
21:07 <•Kotono> "That she desperately needs a love," A blunt dismissal, "This isn't the first time this has happened."
21:07 <•Kotono> "Not the firs ttime?" Sanda repeats, "You must be fond of her to put up with it."
21:07 <•Kotono> "She adds color," A lick of her paw, "And she's flexible with her hours."
21:08 <Skaya> "Now see, this is where I'd make a harmless joke but I can't tell if she'd be upset or pretend upset?"
21:09 <•Kotono> "She's upset, but it'll pass," The cat advises, "She's that sort of person."
21:10 <Skaya> "Ah well. So should I just stay away to not bother her? Because I'm not that sort of person. Or are you here to tell me to bug her to get her out of that shell?"
21:15 <•Kotono> "Don't pay her any mind," The cat advises, "Now then, what was your business there?"
21:16 <Skaya> "It was two-fold," Skaya responds, accepting that weird non-answer. "I wanted to check how quickly some things restock since we got brought back and our friends were left in Bytopia. And we wanted to ask for advice on whether Sanda could open a store of her own and how the process would go."
21:17 <•Kotono> "What items?" Is the next question.
21:18 <Skaya> Originally, Sanda was running a magic shop, if probably on the low end compared to what they'd seen here. But this is really a question to Sanda, who could've had evolving tastes.
21:19 <Skaya> Unless the cat means the stock? "If it's about what we were looking to purchase, then it would be a ring similar to the one I bought, just for planar travel. Something along those lines."
21:21 <•Kotono> "Prized and highly in demand, so likely not quickly," Is the answer, "But you might get lucky. Check back regularly. I believe you already asked about a scroll, but barring fortune, it probably won't happen until portcall."
21:23 <Skaya> "Right. Ah, and I actually wanted to ask. There've been people on the crew who have broken this curse thing, right?"
21:25 <•Kotono> "A few," Is the answer, "Do you have regrets?"
21:25 <•Kotono> Sanda watches, but adds, "Yes and no. I'm not married to Mellanics, but some of our group have things to do there, and at the least we should stay until next spring, or see that things are taken care of."
21:26 <Skaya> For her part, Skaya answers with, "Nah. But I do feel bad for ditching our friends off on another plane, especially after Anne protested but ended up following me to a random portal off plane. So I wanted to ask how this sort of thing was received. Was it a huge taboo?"
21:28 <•Kotono> "No, it happens. If you're strong enough to do it, more freedom to you." The cat licks her paw again, rubbing it along her face. "Few will complain."
21:29 <Skaya> "Glad to hear it." Skaya then bumps her shoulder against Sanda's. They really have a great chance to ask for advice about the store!
21:41 <•Kotono> "Oh, and I wanted to ask about opening my own store." Sanda continues.
21:41 <•Kotono> "What kind, what product and how fast?" Three questions come rapidfire.
21:41 <•Kotono> "Well," Sanda hesitates, "I sell a lot of herbal items as well as general goods, and I've occasionally dabbled in other fields. As fast as I can get the goods here and find a way to steadily restock."
21:46 <Skaya> "There's no serious overlap with others, is there?"
21:46 <•Kotono> "There's a few that sell herbs, but not as a focus," Is the answer, "Supply is a problem, and if you cna get around it, there's better markets."
21:47 <•Kotono> "That's fine with me," Sanda smiles a little, "That means I make my niche then."
21:50 <Skaya> "And once we have decent means of planar travel we could work on the supply side."
21:56 <•Kotono> "That means I need to improve further," Sanda agrees, "But I see a path forward now."
21:56 <•Kotono> "Then by all means," Is the cat's agreement, hopping down. "Good luck, provide something useful and you'll do well."
21:57 <Skaya> "Let's go and look for a suitable empty spot, then?" Skaya proposes.
22:00 <•Kotono> You go and look. You find several empty spaces that could be storefronts here, further down. The location's not perfect, but they're up for grabs. Quite large, nice and with space to work with. Even with extra rooms in the back for storage, no less.
22:01 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-B8D5816D.irccloud.com)
22:02 <Skaya> "How about this one?" Skaya offers, settling on the one with several rooms in the back. "We could convert one of these from storage to a laboratory, and another for living quarters in case you want to stay and work."
22:04 <•Kotono> "That will do fine," Sanda agrees, looking around the back. "We can share a room if you want, since I doubt you'll get better on a ship."
22:05 <Skaya> "You never know! But yes, if I'm just a regular sailor it's the hammock life in a crowded room for me."
22:08 <•Kotono> "Deal," Sanda agrees, "Besides, you'll make a good saleswoman."
22:10 <Skaya> "Would it be better if I put on some fake antlers?"
22:13 <•Kotono> Sanda considers thoughtfully before, "No, but it never hurts to, ahem, augment what you have." She crosses her arms under her bosom, "It's sad but true that the visual appeal of that draws in more customers. I've experiented with that and there is an uptick on purchases. Infuritating."
22:15 — Skaya taps her lips thoughtfully. "That makes sense. So long as it's not debasing we can try a bunch of approaches!"
22:20 <•Kotono> "Exactly," Sanda cracks a smile now as she looks about, "I like it. So much potential."
22:23 <Skaya> "I'll look into studying design, I think. Crafting golems is just not panning out beyond the theory. It's such an exclusive job for the rich and powerful!"
22:27 <•Kotono> "Who knows? Maybe you'll settle down here with a lovely girlfriend," Sanda smiles slightly, "And open your own store one day."
22:28 <Skaya> "She'll need to be very, very rich to afford me spending all that gold into making golems," Skaya responds with a grin. "Geez, I don't even know if golems have a market. Do they sell?"
22:35 <•Kotono> "Someone has to buy them," Sanda reasons,  "Someone very rich."
22:36 <Skaya> "I won't give up just yet, then."

19:03 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, so you have a shop space picked out. What's your next play here, Cor?
19:07 <Skaya> OOC: Let's gather supplies! What does Sanda want to stock up with?
19:10 <•Kotono> A good question. On asking her, "Well, ideally? Herbs of all kinds. General goods, useful dried food if there's a market but I'd have to investigate," She starts ticking off fingers, "Some small luxury goods if I can acquire them. Really anything on the side that I can sell without difficulty and not sit on my shelves unsold, and not be sold at a loss."
19:11 <Skaya> "You know, there's the horn," Skaya tells her quietly. "Since we were focused on food that would endure, we never did test it for herbs. Want to start with that?"
19:19 <•Kotono> A snap of her fingers, "That's a good idea. Let's try that, Skaya." OOC: Just to refresh, what all ddid you test with it?
19:20 <Skaya> OOC: https://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104572.msg1200815/topicseen.html#msg1200815
19:21 <Skaya> OOC: Salted fish, brined meat, dried fruits and grain, etc
19:21 <Skaya> OOC: We did get dried tea leaves so herbs might be okay
19:22 <•Kotono> You try. Basic herbs seem fine, so long as they're edible.
19:24 <Skaya> "So long as we keep prices very reasonable and it's not the main draw, we can round out your selections and present the stuff we come across as we explore as the real goods," Skaya muses. "Any requests, Sanda?"
19:30 <•Kotono> "That works," Sanda says after some thought, "That's fine, since they're pure profit. I can even sell them at what should be a loss and still make money."
19:30 <•Kotono> After a moment, "Green herbs. Anything that tastes good and livens food. Pepper, if it'll do it. Salt too."
19:31 <Skaya> "Exactly! We made an investment so it's fair that we earn from it, but there's no need to get greedy." At the requests, Skaya starts working  on summoning a sample of each. That would make it easier to tell if there is a need to calibrate the summons.
19:39 <•Kotono> This takes a little bit, but you hammer it out and get the herbs and spices you want.
19:39 <•Kotono> Once done Sanda nods, "That's a great start, even if it's only a start."
19:41 <Skaya> "Not much we can do until Devar and Anne return, huh?" Skaya sighs. "Even if there's a planar item for sale here later on, we'll probably not be able to afford it. And getting a scroll would be useless given we can be pulled back."
19:46 <•Kotono> Sanda sits back against the wall and matches that. "You know, if Anne hadn't gotten stubborn," she mutters.
19:46 <Skaya> "Yes, yes, your thoughts always return to her."
19:50 <•Kotono> "Seriously," Sanda retorts, "Statistically speaking, we'd be doing at least 50% better if we hadn't gotten split up."
19:52 <Skaya> "I miss her too," Skaya assures Sanda. "But she has a better chance of getting a planar travel item in a heaven than we do. Statistically speaking." She clears her throat. "The only question is whether we just wait and try to meet the different people on the ship in the meanwhile, occasionally checking in for a lucky magical find, or if we want to aggressively pursue some temporary companions like Orange to explore more now."
20:00 <•Kotono> "I want to explore more," SAnda says, "We can get rich while they're elsewhere. That seems like the logical choice for now."
20:01 <Skaya> "Let's go look for Orange again, then," Skaya proposes. "He'll probably know the locals and we've worked well together. A healer and a frontliner, so that there's five of us. Sound good?"
20:11 <•Kotono> "Sounds great," Sanda gets up as the two of you go to do that. You find Orange in the cafeteria. He's sitting by himself, picking over what looks to be a bowl of porridge. His attention is elsewhere, head resting on his hand. At least until you call out to him, which makes him look up, "Oh, there you two are," he says brightly, "I was just thinking of the next thing to do since right now,
20:11 <•Kotono> it's quiet shipside."
20:12 <Skaya> "Same! We got organized a bit, and then figured we might as well go out and look for good opportunities. Do you know some people who can round us out? If you're interested in teaming up again, that is."
20:22 <•Kotono> "I am," he says eagerly, clapping his hands together, "I can rustle a few people up. What are you looking for?"
20:23 <Skaya> "A frontliner and a healer would be ideal, but you've traveled with us. Do you think there's a better option?"
20:27 <•Kotono> A slow click of his tongue, "No, that sounds about right. Let me see who's around."
20:32 — Skaya nods, observing the cafeteria herself.
20:40 <•Kotono> It's a little less busy at the moment, but there's still faces. Several giant men and women crouch down by a table, a massive spread before them. They're laughing and jesting as they eat, good spirits. Three suits of armor without a helmet and no head sit at a table, and eat soup. The soup goes right down into their armor like that's normal. What looks to be a bearded dwarf listens to a
20:40 <•Kotono> pair of green scaled lizardpeople argue about swords versus axes.  A familiar, likely still annoyed elf sits by herself, eating primly and looking the opposite direction as the two of you.
20:43 <Skaya> Aww, that's adorable. So she clearly saw them and pretends otherwise. "I know it's silly to judge by appearances, but it doesn't seem like a healer is present," Skaya muses.
20:48 <•Kotono> Orange gets up, "I have a few who aren't here, just hold on." he promises, "I'll be back soon."
20:48 <•Kotono> Sanda sits back, "Skaya could use some time, anyway."
20:49 <Skaya> "That would be so rude-- wait, what exactly were you thinking about, Sanda?"
20:57 <•Kotono> "Go make up with that elf, or flirt some more," Sanda says easily, "She's your type, isn't she?"
20:58 <Skaya> "You're absolutely right, Sanda. Thanks! I love your outlook on things." It'd probably be a while till Orange returns, so Skaya stands up herself and makes her way over to the elf's table.
20:58 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@9B3B4987.E43ECEC5.F259B257.IP)
21:05 <•Kotono> The elf doesn't even react, seemingly in her own world.
21:07 <Skaya> "Hey again," Skaya says, sitting down opposite her. "My friend told me this would be a good chance to apologize, so here I am. Not everyone takes a joke the same way, right?"
21:10 <•Kotono> "You!" The elf turns, already blushing. "J-joke?!"
21:11 <Skaya> "Well yeah. I like to try and lighten the mood when I meet someone new. Usually it doesn't get people so flustered they rush me out." Skaya scratches the back of her head. "Actually, that's the first time? So a new experience, I guess."
21:13 <•Kotono> "Hmph," A glower back at you, "I thought you were..." she trails off at that, "You aren't?"
21:14 <Skaya> "I'm not what?" Skaya asks her back. "It really is quite open ended."
21:16 <•Kotono> "N-nevermind," she retorts, "Your apology is accepted."
21:17 <Skaya> And it's left unresolved! Still, sounds like it's a continuing issue with this elf. "Glad to hear it," she tells her. "So, I'm Skaya. What's your name?"

18:11 <Ko> "W-well," Stammering before anything else, "Wait, no one told you?" she says, "They didn't mention me, not even my boss?"
18:11 <Skaya> "Isn't it better to introduce oneself in person?" Skaya asks her, trying to sidestep that question.
18:20 <Ko> The elf slumps and sighs, "I would have thought..." she trails off, "No one did, seriously?"
18:21 <Skaya> She's pretty insightful in the strangest of times! "I didn't push too hard. Like I said, it's best to just do it in person. Don't you think so too?"
18:30 <Ko> "Still," With a soft moan, "I'm trying to be more popular and get more attention, but it's clearly not going well. I want to be a heroine, not a part time shopkeeper who no one ever parties with."
18:33 <Skaya> "What are your skills?" Skaya inquires, giving up on the name for now. "Sanda and I are teaming up with Orange to go out and explore for a bit. If you're a good fit, we could give it a try. It'll let you show your value to others, too." Assuming the party she means is an adventuring one. If this elf is just looking for dancing and a good time, there will be one more misunderstanding here.
18:37 <Ko> "Oh. I can do a little of everything," she explains readily, "A little magic, a little fighting, a little archery, a little healing. I've always been good at making it up as I go along." Then with a huff, "But no, focus on the blade or the bow, or on magic or on religion. Focus, focus, focus. Bah!" With a huff out, "I refuse. I can do some of everything, so I'll do some of everything."
18:38 — Skaya tilts her head. "I can do that too. How good's the magic you can use? What's the strongest spell you can pull off?"
18:40 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@7A143C09.7FA93623.F259B257.IP)
18:42 <Ko> "Third circle," she answers, "I can channel energy, too. You have to know how to fake it, but then you can make it work. It's not THAT hard."
18:43 <Skaya> "That works on the magical side. What's your preference for combat? Melee or ranged? Weapons or unarmed? Not what you can do, but what you lean towards if given the choice."
18:53 <Ko> "Long swords and longbows," she answers, "I prefer ranged, a good bow and arrow is a fine weapon."
18:54 <Skaya> "Works for me. Want to come over and say hi to Sanda?"
18:57 <Ko> "..." A nod after a moment and she gets up, coming over with you. "
18:57 <Ko> "..." A nod after a moment and she gets up, coming over with you. "Fine, then this is a chance after all."
18:59 <Skaya> "So it is!" Skaya agrees, making her way back. "Hey, Sanda. Turns out she's got a similar set of skills to mine and looking for adventure."
19:08 Ko → •Kotono (promoted to owner, opped)   
19:08 Channel mode set to -t by •Kotono
19:09 <•Kotono> Sanda looks up, "That works out well," she says, "HI, I'm Sanda. You are?"
19:09 <•Kotono> The elf looks morose as she sighs, "No one mentioned my name. No one?"
19:09 <•Kotono> "Why would they have? Statistically speaking, you don't seem to stand out that much," Sanda says, curiously.
19:10 <Skaya> "Do other people here actually know it?" Skaya is forced to ask. "You know, I did ask you point blank a few times and you didn't give it. Have you been introducing yourself to people here?"
19:13 <•Kotono> There's a very long pause at that before the elf buries her face in her hands.
19:14 <•Kotono> Sanda chuckles, "Most people aren't mind readers, sweetie."
19:14 <Skaya> "Am I the first person who actually asked?"
19:14 <•Kotono> Without raising her head from her hands, the elf nods slowly.
19:16 <•Kotono> "You'd thinkt he antlers would get more attention," Sanda reflects, "But maybe that's down to you."
19:17 <Skaya> "So. Skaya," she says, pointing at herself, before gesturing sideways, "and Sanda." She looks expectantly at the elf.
19:18 <•Kotono> "Liza." The name comes softly.
19:18 <•Kotono> "An elf named...Liza?" A curious hum from Sanda, "That's not the name I expected."
19:20 <Skaya> "It's a lovely name, though! Nice to meet you, Liza."
19:27 <•Kotono> A nod before she lowers her hands, "So the three of us, Orange and someone else?"
19:29 <Skaya> "Orange is looking for a dedicated healer and frontliner. So long as he gets at least one, we're good to go. If he gets both, it's all good. Might be a smaller cut, but a safer journey, and you'll get to meet more people."
19:33 <•Kotono> "That sounds like you calllled me," Orange raises his voice as he smoothly approaches. "I come bearing a friend." A tall, muscular man. Rippling, strong, imposing. Close to eight feet tall if not bigger, everything about him enough to cast a shadow over all three of you.
19:33 <Skaya> "What a coincidence! We brought a friend as well!"
19:33 <•Kotono> Sanda looks up and up and up and up to him. He has an unruly mane of black hair as she cranes her neck up. "Hi. You're our warrior
19:33 <•Kotono> ?"
19:35 <Skaya> "That seems statistically reasonable," Skaya says with a grin.
19:36 <•Kotono> A grunt, "No," A smooth voice, "I prefer not to fight directly. I'm Grenge of Chauntea and a healer. This is thanks to all of this," A wide wave of his arm. "I used to be under five feet tall and skinny as a rail."
19:36 <•Kotono> "Oh." Sanda says it flatly, "Are you sure? I'm pretty sure that by the odds you could lift both of us with one hand."
19:37 — Skaya laughs. "I'm Skaya, and these are Sanda and Liza. Liza and I will be your backup as needed, and we're glad to have you."
19:49 <•Kotono> Grenge reaches out and with one hand lifts Sanda up by the arm. She lets out a strangled squawk and dangles as she's lifted up. "Aaaaaaaah!" He lifts her up and down with ease.
19:49 <•Kotono> "You're right, I can," Grenge laughs, "Good to meet all of you!"
19:49 <•Kotono> "We already met," Liza points out.
19:50 <•Kotono> "Did we?" Grenge puts Sanda down, who slumps into her seat. "I'll take your word for it."
19:56 <Skaya> "She's the elf that comes out to play when the cat is away," Skaya helpfully explains.
19:57 <•Kotono> "Oh, her!" Grenge snaps his fingers, "The shop lady!"
19:58 <•Kotono> Liza slumps down anew, expression blank.
19:58 <•Kotono> "She makes a good shopkeeper," Orange says cheerfully, "So this should be enough."
19:59 <Skaya> "Professional interactions are just remembered differently from personal ones," Skaya says just as cheerfully, patting Liza's shoulder. "Let's go!"
20:02 <•Kotono> OOC: So are yo uplanning to just go out exploring again and see?
20:02 <Skaya> OOC: That's exactly right!
20:10 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:10 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=94 ]{94}
20:10 <•Kotono> roll 1d100 subtable
20:10 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 subtable --> [ 1d100=48 ]{48}
20:16 <•Kotono> You begin to fly out. The weather's like it was last time, nothing different there. Grenge flies without any difficulty, but Liza? She needs someone to carry her. That begs the question, who?
20:17 <Skaya> "Liza, Sanda. Who do you want to fly with?"
20:29 <•Kotono> "I'll fly with Orange, if he doens't mind," Sanda says right away.
20:30 <•Kotono> "I can handle it, or Grenge can." Orange's cheerful at that.
20:30 <•Kotono> Liza hms, "Well, I can-"
20:30 <•Kotono> "Why don't you fly with Skaya?" Sanda suggests, "She carried me last time, she's gooda t it."
20:31 <Skaya> Sanda's not being terrible subtle, but does it even matter? She's awesome either way! "I am pretty capable," Skaya agrees, extending a hand in offer.
20:32 <•Kotono> Liza takes it without complaint, this time at least.
20:33 <Skaya> Progress! And it helps that it's the truth, Skaya is likely the most capable flier on the team. You just have to think like a bird in the air....
20:39 <•Kotono> Bird thoughts fill Skaya's mind as LIza is light, if a little awkward thanks to her antlers. She settles in with a blush, "Don't let your hands wander," she murmurs.
20:40 <Skaya> "Did you have bad experiences flying with others before?" Skaya asks her as she takes off.
20:43 <•Kotono> "Yes," A clipped answer, "And another wanted to carry me by my antlers," She lets out a soft wail, "Can you imagine?"
20:44 <Skaya> "I really can't," Skaya admits with a sympathetic wince. "It sounds like cruelty for cruelty's sake. Isn't a princess carry more convenient for everyone? And it preserves dignity, unlike most other holds."
20:57 <•Kotono> That gets Liza to curl in tighter around you as the others fly a little ahead. "Exactly! You have surprisingly nice hands, too."
21:00 <Skaya> "Thanks!" Skaya doesn't neglect to look around for anything of interest, even though logically Orange would be the one more familiar with the terrain. "Have you been with the ship for long? My friends and I came just a few days ago."
21:03 <•Kotono> "A few months now," She answers, "Once I came aboard I knew I had my chance!"
21:04 <Skaya> "It's been fun for me, but since not all of my friends decided to sign up, there's been issues. Involuntary planar travel is a huge pain, as expected."
21:09 <•Kotono> "Why wouldn't the?" Liza asks, "It's the opportunity of a lifetime? Are they boring?"
21:10 — Skaya laughs. "Sanda would say one of them is! But it's really about an overabundance of caution and considerable obligations back home. I'm more of a drifter myself, but some people have built a life they find it hard to leave behind."
21:13 <•Kotono> "Hmph." A little noise, "They should go with you then and forget those stupid obligations. Obligations are a way of chaining you down."
21:14 <Skaya> "There's something to it, but wouldn't I become an obligation myself if I told them that? I don't want to force anyone."
21:18 <•Kotono> "I-" That seems to puzzle Liza, who goes silent for several moments. "THat is-" she tries again, "But...."
21:20 <Skaya> "Besides! They'll still be my friends even if they're not here with me. And if I ever need them, they'll come, and vice versa. That's actually why we're looking into getting a planar travel ring. Or cape, or boots, whichever works."
21:24 <•Kotono> "A cape wouldn't work for you," Liza says, voice critical, "A ring or boots would be better."
21:25 <Skaya> "Because of the wings? A shoulder capelet would still work, and look quite fashionable!"
21:31 <•Kotono> "Capelets are horrible," LIza strongly disagrees as Orange looks back, "Either do a cape or not at all."
21:31 <•Kotono> "Capelets are dashing," Orange disagrees, "Especially if they fit the uniform or outfit."
21:34 <Skaya> "Incidentally, a cape or a medallion of plane shift would be great for me. No need to change my outfit much to accommodate it."

19:07 <•Kotono> Liza curls in tighter against you, "Anything that's warm, preferably. LIke warm boots to keep your feet warm."
19:10 <Skaya> "I lucked out in that regard. Together with two more friends we just jumped into this huge planar bonfire and got better at keeping warm. Ah, it did take some healing but that's pretty obvious under the circumstances."
19:16 <•Kotono> "A huge planar bonfire and you survived that?" Orange says, voice choked.
19:17 <•Kotono> Grenge laughs loudly, "Ah yes, like a legend I read of a sentinel who jumped into lava to prove himself."
19:18 <Skaya> "The fire elementals were ascending through it. Got to tell you, it was incredibly painful! Prior to it, I kept thinking it was a mistake. After jumping in, I realized I was right."
19:24 <•Kotono> "Statistically speaking," Sanda begins, "The benefit outweighed the cost, because pain is temporary."
19:25 <•Kotono> That gets a deep laugh from your Chautean companion, "Exactly! Pain is momentary."
19:25 <Skaya> "Ah, my dearest Sanda, but there was a massive threat of death. How do you calculate that?"
19:31 <•Kotono> "Carefully," Sanda retorts.
19:32 <•Kotono> "Or you don't since you're dead," Orange says, cheerfully once more. "In that case you save time."
19:32 <Skaya> "In my defense, it wasn't like I jumped into a throng of shocker lizards. No, when the shocker lizards attacked, I lead a very coordinated retreat."
19:36 <•Kotono> Liza eeeeeps loudly, while Orange goes ramrod straight in the air. Grenge's good cheer dies, "Those things," he mutters, "Menaces to the last."
19:37 <Skaya> "The absolute worst," Skaya agrees. "They were a hive mind controlled by something more intelligent than usual. We're all lucky to be alive."
19:46 <•Kotono> "Burn it to the ground," Orange says right away.
19:46 <•Kotono> "Cull the herd," Grenge seconds.
19:46 <•Kotono> Liza eeeps even louder and hides her face against your chset.
19:46 <•Kotono> *chest
19:49 <Skaya> Liza is really lucky it's not Anne with her full plate. This way is clearly better! "I really cannot properly convey the feeling of being ambushed by those things using tactics, the terrain and emerging from within buildings-- seriously, there is not enough fire for it all."
19:56 <•Kotono> "LEt's focus on the horrors here instead," Orange says, "Onward!"
19:56 <Skaya> "Onwards!"
19:59 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@B09EC49A.824CEC3E.8C013F7F.IP)
19:59 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:59 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=66 ]{66}
19:59 <•Kotono> It's another twenty minutes before Grenge calls, "This way!" He begins to fly off to the side, "There's something over here."
20:00 — Skaya follows!
20:03 <•Kotono> The party follows. Ahead you find a chunk of ice floating in the water, maybe as large as a few city buildings together. All around it are bits of treasure - glittering coins, shining gemstones, well decorated weapons, pristine sets of armor, scrolls, books, corked bottles and more. It stis untouched and in excellent condition.
20:04 <Skaya> "Wow, so suspicious," Skaya mutters, taking it all in.
20:06 <•Kotono> "It's definitely a trap," Grenge agrees, "Orange."
20:07 <•Kotono> "Hold on, hold on," he waves it off, "I'll check."
20:07 <•Kotono> Liza stares, "So much treasure. That has to be worth a fortune!"
20:07 <•Kotono> "AT least," Sanda seconds, "Imagine how much we could buy with that."
20:07 <•Kotono> "Shush," Orange mutters, intent.
20:08 — Skaya wonders what the catch is. Are the items time-locked? She'd experienced such a fun environment before.
20:11 <•Kotono> "There's no magic. I don't believe it for a moment," Orange says as he stays still, "Which means it's cloaked from detection and not weakly."
20:13 <Skaya> "Do we poke the bear, or look for other opportunities?"
20:13 <•Kotono> "It's too good to pass up," Sanda says right away. "I want to try."
20:13 <•Kotono> "It's incredible," Liza seconds her, "It's real treasure!"
20:13 <•Kotono> "No," Orange disagrees, "It's bait is what it is."
20:14 <•Kotono> "Bait for fools," Grenge says, looking towards Skaya, "What do you think?"
20:15 <Skaya> "Someone put this bait to rob people. Possibly a dragon. They'd have other valuables unless we are the very first victims, but it'd be dangerous. So its really about whether you all want to risk your lives over this."
20:16 <•Kotono> "Of course not," Orange sniffs, "Bait is bait."
20:16 <•Kotono> "Never," Grenge seconds, "There's more fish in the ocean."
20:17 <•Kotono> "Go for it," Sanda urges, "Imagine the magical items down there."
20:17 <•Kotono> "It's so much," Liza agrees, "What's heroism without risks?"
20:19 <Skaya> "If I'm the tipping vote then let's try it," Skaya voices
20:20 <Skaya> "Let's try to disrupt the illusion first."
20:28 <•Kotono> "If it's an illusion," Orange says, "Can you dispel?"
20:30 <Skaya> "No, but I can throw things," Skaya responds, tossing a bronze coin at a very shiny suit of armor.
20:40 <•Kotono> Clunk! It hits hard but nothing happens.
20:40 <Skaya> Did it sound like metal on metal should?
20:41 <Skaya> OOC: Appraise 10 for 25 if needed
20:46 <•Kotono> It did, for what it's worth.
20:46 <Skaya> "You know," Skaya drawls out, "detection spells aren't one hundred percent accurate."
20:49 <•Kotono> "This sounds like bad logic," Orange retorts. "Pass Liza if you insist on taking the risk."
20:49 <•Kotono> Liza sniffles at that, "I'll go with her if she does, it's worth a chance."
20:50 <Skaya> "I guess we'll find out soon whether it's brilliance or foolishness," Skaya muses, casting defensive magic first.
20:50 <Skaya> OOC: False Life on self and Greater Magic Weapon on fists.
20:50 <Skaya> roll 1d10+8
20:50 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d10+8 --> [ 1d10=3 ]{11}
20:51 <Skaya> Then, Skaya flies down to pick her coin back!
20:55 <•Kotono> Skaya flies down with LIza in her arms, the two going down. You land to get your coin and then...! OOC: Ref save, -4 penalty. Liza's in your arms and not moving, so she'll ride or die on your save, so to speak.
20:57 <Skaya> roll 1d20+14-4+7 evasion, cunning insight
20:57 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+14-4+7 evasion, cunning insight --> [ 1d20=7 ]{24}
20:59 <•Kotono> roll 10d8 cold damage Skaya and Liza full owwwwww
20:59 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 10d8 cold damage Skaya and Liza full owwwwww --> [ 10d8=44 ]{44}
21:13 <•Kotono> Horrific, freezing cold explodes around the two of you. Liza lets out a shout as you're encased in thick ice. Liza is frozen entirely and you're frozen up to your neck, unable to move. You can hear Sanda let out a shout while Orange says, "Careful!" Below, you can hear loud rumbling.
21:15 — Skaya is not going to wait for that! She's entirely unaffected by cold, and so she wastes no time in calling upon her fiery inheritance! If she burns enough of the ice in her immediate surroundings, she can escape with Liza!
21:16 <Skaya> roll 5d4 burning hands SLA
21:16 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 5d4 burning hands SLA --> [ 5d4=15 ]{15}
21:16 <Skaya> OOC: If this frees me up, I'll take a move action
21:21 <•Kotono> OOC: Burning hands has to come out through the hands, remember, and you're holding Liza. You okay with possibly burning her?
21:22 <Skaya> OOC: It's a princess carry and I was reaching for my coin with one hand. Can't it come from that hand?
21:25 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, fair enough. More.
21:26 <•Kotono> Ice burns away around your hand. It burrows out a hole and weakens the ice over all. IT doesn't free you, but there's cracks in it now and it feels slightly less tight. OOC: You can use a move action to try and break out.
21:27 — Skaya tries to break out! She's actually very strong!
21:30 <•Kotono> OOC: STr check.
21:31 <Skaya> roll 1d20+4+7
21:31 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+4+7 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{17}
21:38 <•Kotono> CRACK! The ice shudders but does not break,b ut is even more cracked now. It's weakening, but you're out of time. Suddenly a massive shape bursts out of the water. A wyrm of glittering ice, a dragon emerged from near the island. Cries of panic come from above, but booming out, "Congratulations, insects. You've volunteered to pay a dragon tax."
21:38 <Skaya> "It really was a dragon!" Skaya exclaims.
21:39 <Skaya> OOC: Since the ice is broken around us, can Liza also act?
21:39 <Skaya> OOC: If she can help free us, I have a swift action!
21:41 <•Kotono> OOC: It shuddered but explicitly did not break.  Weakened but not broken, so she's still unable to act.
21:42 <Skaya> OOC: If I trigger Travel Devotion, do I get another chance to break free?
21:42 <•Kotono> OOC: I'd have to look it up. One sec.
21:47 <•Kotono> OOC: You can try, sure.
21:48 <Skaya> There is still one last card for her to play, and so Skaya calls on Shaundakul's power to extricate herself and Liza!
21:48 <Skaya> roll 1d20+4+7
21:48 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+4+7 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{22}
21:52 <•Kotono> CRACK! This time the ice shatters and frees the two of you, just as...OOC: What was your swift?
21:52 <Skaya> OOC: Alas, yes. But Liza can at least heal herself now!
21:53 <•Kotono> Liza channels healing into herself, as the dragon speaks...next time! OOC: Just about time, and I'll start a sticky situation with your group next time. I'm going to run Devar a few more lines to finish that particular conversation or get it to a better pausing point.

19:43 <•Kotono> The dragon rears back before, "Hello, small creatures," it greets, "Now do you want to do the intelligent thing or the stupid thing?"
19:44 <•Kotono> Grenge braces and readies himself, while Orange says, "That depends on what they are, of course."
19:45 <Skaya> "Why can't I take back the same bronze coin I dropped?" Skaya asks, flying up towards Sanda, Orange and Grenge. "Is this robbery?"
19:49 <•Kotono> The party gathers as the dragon regards all of you. "Robbery? No, as I said, it's a tax for those that come to where I sleep and try to help themselves. They tend to be strong enough to be worthwhile, and look at what I caught."
19:49 <•Kotono> Sanda headtilts at that, "Out int he middle of nowhere? Why?
19:49 <•Kotono> "
19:49 <•Kotono> Liza pipes up, "I wondered that, too."
19:50 <•Kotono> "Your business model is terrible," Sanda continues, "How many travelers come on this place, dragon?"
19:50 <Skaya> "No, before that. Let's establish the truth, here. Not only did we not try to touch your things, but you actually took my coin. How is this a tax?"
19:55 <•Kotono> "It's a tax on you," The dragon rumbles loudly, "And this works: You're here."
19:56 <•Kotono> "I'm not buying it," Sanda disagrees, "Logically speaking, this doesn't make sense. Not by itself."
19:57 <Skaya> "An actual dragon of your perceived age wouldn't be doing such a trashy thing," Skaya states in agreement with Sanda. "Are you even a dragon? Or do you just like to play with illusion?"
20:01 <•Kotono> Orange floats forward, "It's beneath a real dragon. You'd go take what you want, not sit in wait like a cheap bandit." A sniff fills the air, "You can do so much better if you're a real dragon."
20:02 <•Kotono> "Tiamat would be ashamed of this kobold hearted behavior," Sanda concludes at that, "It's beneath any real dragon."
20:02 <•Kotono> The dragon rears back and roars, "Cease this! I DEMAND YOU GIVE ME YOUR TREASURES!"
20:05 <Skaya> So none of what she's saying is getting through, except to possibly enrage this illusionist. What to do? Skaya can teleport away with everyone, but that'd put an early end to their adventuring....
20:05 <Skaya> "Hey, want to come with us?" she makes the offer, deciding to change tracks. "We're also looking for treasure, and you'll get an equal share. More, if your contribution blows everyone out of the water. After all, all this," she says, gesturing below at the ice, "isn't real except my one coin. So let's do something that benefits all of us?"
20:07 <•Kotono> There's a long, drawn out pause at that. The dragon stares you down, attention all on Skaya. Then, in a much more normal voice, "Come with you?"
20:09 <Skaya> "We're not ordinary people," Skaya says with a flex of her wings and a glance at Liza's antlers. "And we're quite capable to be traveling across this frozen wasteland comfortably. You'll fit right in. It benefits everyone involved. Opportunities will come!"
20:12 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me diplomacy here then, +2 bonus.
20:13 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16+2+8
20:13 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16+2+8 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{44}
20:16 <•Kotono> The dragon's entire posture droops. Its head sinks down to rest atop the water like a scolded dog, eyes closed. "You really didn't believe it? I thought I roared properly and everything."
20:16 <•Kotono> "As I said your business model was terrible," Sanda counters, "Why would we believe something that makes no sense?"
20:17 <Skaya> "To be fair, I wouldn't have given in even if I fully believed it," Skaya admits. "I mean, I can teleport away. Did you consider that?"
20:25 <•Kotono> A sigh, much more human sounding as the dragon vanishes. So does the treasure, excet for Skaya's single coin. The ice it sat on shifts, becoming a large mass of ice in a vaguely humanoid form. It's tall and looks up at all of you, as it stand son the ocean like its solid. "Flesh creatures are usually greedy, I thought. They see treasure and that means they'll give me their treasure."
20:25 <•Kotono> Orange slowly facepalms, "Ah, that does explain it."
20:26 <Skaya> "You can have my coin if that makes you happy...." Skaya shakes her head before putting on a bright smile. "So! Do you want to come with us and look for treasure? In a morally-acceptable way?"
20:38 <•Kotono> "That sounds like a lot of movement. Movement is for fleshy things," The elemental complains, "You all move so much and so fast."
20:38 <•Kotono> "We do," Grenge agrees pleasantly, "It's how we get treasure."
20:39 <Skaya> "Do you know where treasure is in the area?" Skaya asks, changing tracks yet again. "If the lead bears fruit we'll bring you your share."
20:42 <•Kotono> "I do know one place," he says, pointing in one direction, "That way, to the three eyed island. There's treasure there, but it's too..." A shudder, icy and miserable, "Not cold there."
20:42 <Skaya> "We can deal with a lack of cold, too. What kind of treasure is it? And what about defenses?"
20:49 <•Kotono> "There's something not cold there, big and not cold," The elemental answers, "Dangerous but it has shiny gold. Lots of shiny gold.:
20:50 <•Kotono> "Is it dangerous because it's not cold?" Liza asks, "Or because of something else?"
20:50 <•Kotono> "Not cold IS dangerous," The answer comes, as if it is obvious.
20:50 <Skaya> "We'll go and take a look, then!" Skaya says, and with a wave starts flying in the indicated direction.
20:53 <•Kotono> With that the party makes its escape. Once gone, "I thought it was a dragon," Liza admits, "At least at first."
20:53 <•Kotono> "It didn't make sense. No self respecting dragon is going to do something so profitless if it has any choice," Sanda immediately disagrees.
20:54 <Skaya> "My money was on a younger dragon," Skaya agrees. "A wyrmling, maybe? Anyway, are you all recovered from that sudden frost, or do you need more healing, Liza?"
20:58 <•Kotono> "No, no," Liza waves it off, a hint of red on the tips of her ears, "I'm not hurt now."
21:01 <Skaya> "Glad to hear it. And it was nice to have someone accompany me into danger like that. To be honest, my money was on the ice transporting me elsewhere through some hidden magical trap. Not needing to worry about facing that alone was nice."
21:08 <•Kotono> "It could have been worse," Sanda quickly butts in, "I'm glad you're alrgiht, Skaya."
21:09 <•Kotono> Liza's ears stay red as she mutters something into your chest.
21:09 <Skaya> "Thanks, Sanda. But we have to take risks to get ahead, right?"
21:12 <•Kotono> "So let's go take one," Orange cheers as you go along, "With more ofthat shiny gold at the end!"
21:13 — Skaya leads the way!
21:17 <•Kotono> Thus the party moves on and...
21:17 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:17 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=58 ]{58}
21:17 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:17 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=5 ]{5}

18:08 <Ko> The party flies along, so directed. The winds are stiff as you continue, a deep chill in the air. Unnatural chill only magic or supernatural blood wards off, as you fly well over an hour. That's when you all see something ahead. Some sort of shadowy landmass, hidden by the conditions. Large, too.
18:09 <Skaya> "How's everyone with regards to heat?" Skaya asks as they approach. "In case it becomes relevant."
18:11 <Ko> "I'll be fine," Orange says, "Grenge?"
18:11 <Ko> "No more durable than normal," Grenge rubs his chin, "Fire still burns me."
18:12 <Ko> Liza nuzzles tightly against you, "Better to not get touched in the first place."
18:13 <Skaya> "I should be okay with all but the most extreme temperatures," Skaya muses. "Alright! Let's get closer!"
18:18 <Ko> OOC: In that case, give me a quick Perception since it might matter here.
18:18 <Skaya> OOC: Taking 10 for 30
18:24 <Ko> As you get closer, you see it. It looks to be a green, verdant island amid the frozen seas. Trees and grass grow, all manner of plants. While not quite tropical, it's an oasis of greenery amid the endless winter. The waters immediately around it even soften, becoming deep blue and unfrozen.
18:24 <Ko> Sanda clears her throat, "Statistically speaking, the odds of this not being powerful magic is about nil."
18:25 <Ko> "It could be many things, but it's likely dangerous in some way or another," Orange sniffs.
18:26 <Skaya> "How do you want to approach this?"
18:31 <Ko> "One of us flies ahead and makes sure it isn't an illusion or a trap that instantly ensnares you," Grenge says, "Then a second person, this one warded with Protection from Evil, does the same. I've ran across lands enchanted to cloud minds before."
18:33 <Skaya> "The illusion master told us it's not, which... doesn't sound as legitimate as it probably is, huh?" Skaya muses, almost reaching out to scratch her head before reconsidering, given she's carrying Liza. "I can go again. Liza, want to stay behind this time?"
18:36 <Ko> "I'm fine going with you," A twitch of her ears, "I don't mind."
18:36 <Ko> "No, I think it's better you stay," Sanda pipes up quickly, "In case there's an obvious trap or enchantment."
18:37 <Ko> "I agree with Sanda," Grenge flies over, "Pass her off."
18:37 <Skaya> "That's fine too. Rescue me if I get mind-controlled or something?"
18:43 <Ko> Liza has a pout on her face, arms crossed as Grenge takes her. "I will," Orange promises, "You know how it is, another day another mind meddling enchantment."
18:45 <Skaya> "I'll have you know it's only happened the once for me!" Skaya says proudly, flying up to gain altitude before gliding towards the quasi-tropical island. A moment later, her trusty rope is unfurled after Skaya secures an old throwing knife to it as makeshift anchor while she holds onto the other end. If there are shenanigans, may the rope encounter them first.
18:46 <Ko> OOC: What are you doing, dropping the knife end of the rope down?
18:47 <Skaya> OOC: Holding one end of the rope and extending the other with the knife as anchor, and basically gliding down from above towards the island.
18:59 <Ko> Skaya thus descends down towards the island. It's quite large, plenty of space as she glides down. Greenery, warmth and pleasantness as she gets closer. Nothing happens, except a small family of squirrels watching you from a tree.
18:59 — Skaya waves at the squirrels as she descends. If the dagger doesn't sink into the ground, she'll try to stand on it herself!
19:06 <Ko> It's solid ground. Nothing fancy about it, but it supports your weight l ike the ground tends to do.
19:07 — Skaya packs the rope and throwing knife away before looking about.
19:07 <Skaya> roll 1d20+20 perception
19:07 <Skaya> OOC: No bot, so I'll take 10 for 30. Looking for anything interesting or dangerous.
19:09 <Ko> There's nothing interesting in the immediate vicinity. Further ahead you can see more island and denser foliage. It's not quite a forest, but there's certainly a lot of trees.
19:10 — Skaya takes off vertically! This time, she'll test if she can actually leave. If so, Skaya will hover just above the canopy and wave the others over.
19:21 <Ko> No problems there. You're able to take off without difficulty. The others come over at your wave, "Any problems?" Orange asks, "Or any dangerous creatures?"
19:22 <Skaya> "Just squirrels. Foliage is pretty dense, though."
19:29 <Ko> "Squirrels?" Liza perks up, "Dinner!"
19:29 <Ko> There's a beat before Sanda says, "Is that a homeland delicacy?"
19:29 <Ko> "Squirrel stew is great," Liza says energetically.
19:30 <Skaya> "Is there any magic here you can see, before that?" Skaya asks Sanda.
19:38 <Ko> Sanda checks, "None in the air or ambiance. Which is interesting and suggests a non magical source of heat."
19:39 <Ko> "Or at least one that doesn't envelope the entire island. A hot enough magical item could do it and not spread its magic all over," Orange speculates, "Ooooooh, that would be worth a ton of money, too!"
19:41 <Skaya> "I suppose if there's such an item left unattended and we take it away, the squirrels will freeze anyway-- right, let's go! I think we can try going on land here, there may not be much visible from the air."
19:54 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@7E5D90E6.BB552E26.9534F94D.IP)
19:57 <Ko> With that the party lands. It's nice enough here, no signs of imminent threat or magical enchantment. Grenge looks around, "The soil feels right and the air smells good, too."
20:00 <Skaya> "It's very normal, if you're not in the middle of a frozen wasteland."
20:10 <Ko> "If," Sanda agrees, "It's like a little slice of normality. Let's go find what makes it tick."
20:10 — Skaya leads the way once more!
20:18 <Ko> You head within. It's pleasant as you go in, but you soon come to something. What looks to be a large wood cabin. There's a tree stump nearby with an axe stuck into it, a pile of cut wood there as well. A pond, clear and free of any visible impurified, is also there.
20:18 <Ko> "Huh?" Sanda says, "Someone lives here?"
20:19 — Skaya approaches the cabin and knocks on the door!
20:28 <Ko> There's no response at all.
20:28 <Skaya> "Hello! Is anyone here?" Skaya calls out, rounding the cabin to try and glance inside through the windows.
20:34 <Ko> There's no answer to that. The windows are all shuttered and closed.
20:34 <Ko> Liza watches, "Maybe no one's here or it's abandoneD?"
20:35 <Ko> "Doubtful we're that lucky," Grenge says, "This feels like trouble somehow."
20:35 <Skaya> "Could be," Skaya agrees, moving over to the axe, now. She can at least appraise it and any rust on the blade to estimate how long it's been left out here.
20:35 <Skaya> OOC: I do have appraise at +15, which would make it 25 on taking 10
20:42 <Ko> Not long at all. The axe is well maintained and no sign of rust.
20:42 <Skaya> "This axe hadn't been here long, barring shenanigans," Skaya muses, looking for any tracks.
20:46 <Ko> Liza's already on that, looking around. As the two of you do...OOC: We'll just say she aids you for +2 on that. Perception.
20:47 <Skaya> roll 1d20+20
20:47 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+20 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{22}
20:47 <Skaya> OOC: For 24
20:53 <Ko> No sign of any tracks at all, either.
20:53 — Skaya returns to the cabin and decides to try and open the door! After checking for traps.
20:53 <Skaya> OOC: Perception 10 for 30, Disable Device 10 for 28
20:58 <Ko> The door's not locked or trapped. You open it up and find inside is...a small, plain cabin. Nothing special in here, just homemade furniture and basic things. Nope, nothing interesting at all. Well, if you don't count the rough stairway going down in the corner. That's rather unusual.
20:59 — Skaya heads for the stairs!
21:03 <Ko> The party heads for the stairs...next time!

18:08 <•Kotono> The stairs aren't remarkable, plain wood. They look splintery and rough. Liza glances at them, "Crude, be careful of splinters."
18:09 — Skaya descends carefully!
18:18 <•Kotono> Down, down and down further. IT's wood walled passages, crude but simple. A stairway going down. AFter a few dozen steps stone replaces wood. There's light from smokeless torches set in places, enough to see if not well.
18:20 — Skaya can see in darkness pretty well, so at least they won't get ambushed from the front! "Feels like this existed, and then the cabin was built over it," she muses as she keeps descending.
18:23 <•Kotono> "It might be," Orange considers, "Those wood stairs look newer, but it's hard to tell with stone versus wood."
18:24 <•Kotono> "It means," Sanda chips in as she follows, "Logically, whatever's here might not be strong as much as fortunate, or resistant to what's so dangeorus here."
18:25 <Skaya> Maybe it's a ship! Or some sort of device, and they're heading for the control interface! Only one way to find out!
18:30 <•Kotono> Down further. After several minutes of descending, you come to the bottom. Here sits a heavy metal door, big enough for a giant to walk through unbowed. Annoyingly, the handle for it is a dozen feet up, enough to be troublesome for people your height.
18:33 — Skaya can fly! And does so, but first checks the locking mechanism and the door itself for anything untowards.
18:33 <Skaya> OOC: With my Perception 10 for 30
18:34 <•Kotono> The door's not locked, near as you can tell. You fly about to check. Grenge meanwhile gives the door a curious tap with his knuckles, "Strong. Reinforced I'd wager, too."
18:35 <•Kotono> "At least," Orange says thoughtfully, then with cheer, "You know, this is where saner people turn back and realize what's behind this might be down here and away from others for a reason."
18:36 <Skaya> "Let's see just how hard it is-- oh come on!"Skaya turns in mid air to pout at Orange. "I get that everything's dangerous here, that's part of why I was sweeping for traps even now, but if we keep that mindset what will we actually explore?"
18:42 <•Kotono> "I never said we were sane to face danger like this," Orange says even more cheerfully. "Open the door already!"
18:42 <•Kotono> "Open it," Liza agrees, though gives Orange a dirty look.
18:42 <•Kotono> "If we all die, it's your fault," Sanda sniffs.
18:42 — Skaya gives it a good try!
18:47 <•Kotono> OOC: STr check.
18:47 <Skaya> OOC: bot please
18:48 <•Kotono> OOC: Oh right, let me fix that.
18:49 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@DE1BA679.BE252E4B.72F7FA92.IP)
18:50 <Skaya> roll 1d20+4+7
18:50 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+4+7 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{20}
18:51 <•Kotono> You pull, yank, use leverage and altogether throw it all into things. The door doesn't so much as budge, and from its weight, yo ucan tell it's going to need a lot of strength to open.
18:52 <Skaya> "Well, this is awkward," Skaya muses, tying a pair of ropes to the handle. "Let's all try to pull together, first?"
18:52 <Skaya> OOC: And since I did examine the door, I do presume it's pull and not push, here?
18:53 <•Kotono> OOC: yes.
18:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Yes, even.
18:53 <•Kotono> Grenge stretches, "Let's give it a good try. Lots of steady force."
18:54 <•Kotono> Sanda takes her place on the rope line, "A team effort?"
18:55 <Skaya> "Of course. On three! One, two--"
19:03 <•Kotono> "Three!" Yet before you even pull it, the door lurches ajar and then open.
19:03 <•Kotono> "Huh?" Sanda's voice is flat.
19:04 <Skaya> "Hello?" Skaya asks, peering inside.
19:04 <•Kotono> "I think we're noticed," Orange says, "Yoo hoo! Anyone home?"
19:04 <•Kotono> No answer, at least not to any of that.
19:05 <Skaya> "Is it actually magical? The door, I mean," Skaya voices, collecting her ropes.
19:07 <•Kotono> "Nope," Sanda answers flatly as you all prepare. Orange peeks in, "Ah! It's much warmer in there."
19:07 — Skaya steels herself and steps inside! But she keeps near Liza and Sanda in case they need to urgently teleport out.
19:13 <•Kotono> OOC: Any fire resistance, for my reference?
19:15 <Skaya> OOC: Fire Res 30
19:20 <•Kotono> Warmth. So warm. Unpleasantly warm. At least to a normal person, for Skaya it slides off. Ahead is an opening into a larger room, a hollowed out space. It rises up and up, Dozens of metal platforms, attached to chains and hanging from the ceiling, dangle here. Ancient, rusted metal tools also lie about. Below, a few hundred feet on a glance, is mostly a free fall into what looks to molten
19:20 <•Kotono> metal. Further down, several of the hanging platforms look to have what can only be called a smith's tools: Anvil, hammers, tongs, racks to cool on and even troughs of water. As all of you take this in, "This isn't what I expected. Is it some sort of metalworks?" Grenge sounds puzzled, rubbing his chin.
19:20 <•Kotono> "This feels like a fragment of something else that ended up here," Orange muses, "It's hardly the first time I've seen something along those lines."
19:21 <Skaya> "Is anyone here?" Skaya calls out in Ignan. "Thanks for opening the door, by the way."
19:28 <•Kotono> That gets a little crackle of noise, before from deep below? You hear something, but it's more distorted and echoey at this distance than anything.
19:30 <Skaya> "Are you inside the molten metal?" Skaya calls down. "Can you come out? It's really difficult to understand if you're saying anything."
19:39 <•Kotono> "Please!" Orange adds, "It would be very helpful."
19:39 <•Kotono> There's a burble down below, splashes of molten metal flying up. Not nearly high enough to be any danger, bu tit's notable. "Ah!" Liza steps back carefully.
19:39 <•Kotono> "Yes please, thank you," Orange encourages.
19:42 <Skaya> It looks encouraging so Skaya keeps silent for now and waits. She shouldn't rush their host, if indeed there is one here. In the meantime, she glances at the tools on the racks. Were they made for a humanoid, and if so, was it someone her own size? Are they made of metals that protect better from heat, or regular steal? Are they all rusted, or do some still seem to be in recent use?
19:50 <•Kotono> They look roughly humanoid made and sized. Based on her tool knowledge, they look to be made of sturdy metal. You aren't sure what, but it's not steel-ah! It begins to emerge. A massive form of molten metal rises up, roughly shaped like a humanoid. It reaches tall enough that it's massive eyes are level with the platform you're on, other metal platforms smoothly moving out of the way and
19:50 <•Kotono> to the sides. "Humanoids," It crackles and pops in Ignan. "Strange ones and..." A hiss, like a cat, "Water!" A horrible noise as its eyes focus on Sanda.
19:51 <Skaya> "It's just magic," Skaya says in Ignan to refocus his attention. "Thank you for taking the time to respond to us."
20:00 <•Kotono> That gets a low growl from the creature as Sanda huffs, hand on her hips. Meanwhile, Grenge massages his temple while Orange coughs. "You come with someone like her?"
20:03 <Skaya> "Sanda, could you please wait outside with Grenge?" Skaya requests. Out of sight, out of mind should work with most elementals.
20:08 <•Kotono> Grenge quickly escorts a pouting Sanda out. As if following your thoughts, "Out of sight and out of mind?"
20:09 <Skaya> OOC: Who asked that?
20:09 <•Kotono> OOC: Sorry.
20:09 <•Kotono> Grenge quickly escorts a pouting Sanda out. As if following your thoughts, "Out of sight and out of mind?" The creature of metal and heat questions.
20:09 <•Kotono> "Yes, actually," Orange says with quick cheer, "It seemed like a good idea."
20:09 <•Kotono> Liza carefully shrinks back, ready nonetheless.
20:10 <Skaya> "Yes, but also this is your home. Since we're guests, we should respect your wishes," Skaya adds to that. "And speaking of your home, are you aware of just what is around this place?"
20:11 <•Kotono> "Too much ice and water," The words are said like insults, "Horrible!"
20:11 <Skaya> "The whole plane is like that," Skaya affirms with a nod. "Just how did you end up here, if you don't mind the question?"
20:23 <•Kotono> "I was sent here to fight coldness," Is the answer, "Everything cold must be heated."
20:24 <•Kotono> "Okaaaay," Orange drags that out, "That makes sense, no one likes being cold. But why the forge set up?"
20:24 <Skaya> Skaya's eyes widen and she asks, "Really? That's amazing! You can affect an entire plane? How long does it take?"
20:24 <•Kotono> "No one can be happy under coldness except the enemy. Those with right minds will flock to this and need weapons to overthrow coldness." It answers, "I can affect...this space." A slow comment, "I can make weapons and armor."
20:25 <•Kotono> Then, with a rumble, "I have my first recruit."
20:26 <Skaya> Oh, so it's the long way. "Does this mean you're giving those who come fiery swords, essentially?"
20:36 <•Kotono> "If they vow to fight the cold, yes," Is the answer, "Hard, strong, hot swords."
20:36 <•Kotono> Orange giggles.
20:37 <•Kotono> Liza joins in after a moment, "I see, I see."
20:37 <•Kotono> "What's funny about that?" The creature rumbles back.
20:38 <•Kotono> Then a long moment before, "Oh. That." It says in a tone of disinterest.
20:38 <•Kotono> It sighs long before, "Swords that are on fire and made of strong metal." It corrects itself.
20:40 <Skaya> How childish! But it'd be even worse to scold her companions in front of others, wouldn't it? So Skaya keeps silent on that, changing the topic by asking, "What about forging other things? I know it's a tangent, but I've been looking for a reliable way to travel across planes for a while now. Can you make that?"
20:45 <•Kotono> "Magic items? I can make one to send you to Fire. I understand if you want to escape this place for Fire, anyone right thinking would," he explains.
20:45 <•Kotono> "It would be toastier," Orange muses.
20:49 — Skaya tilts her head as she considers it briefly, before eventually shaking it. "Thank you, but no. I'd have liked to use it to explore, which means seeing more than one plane. I'll probably escape this plane before long anyway."
20:49 <Skaya> What a refreshing experience it is, entirely unlike what she'd come to expect from elementals. Is this even one? "Ah, you mentioned that you got a recruit here already? Does he live in the house above?"
20:53 <•Kotono> "He does when he's here." Is the answer, "He goes off at times to fight cold." With a not eof pride in his voice, "It's a good step forward!"
20:57 <Skaya> "What vow did he make?" Skaya asks out of curiosity. "Is it something like needing to fight every creature of ice and water he comes across, for example?"
21:01 <•Kotono> "Yessss," Is thea nswer, "Fight the cold. Fight the water."
21:02 <Skaya> "I don't think I can commit to a crusade against this plane given I hope to leave it soon, but fighting something while I'm here is another thing entirely. Do you know if there's anything worth raiding nearby?"
21:05 <•Kotono> "Yes. Here." Two things come out from it, red hot but intact. The first is a metal map, the second is a large greataxe made entirely of metal. "That will show you the way, though you'll need to read Ignan. The second is a weapon suitable to punishing cold while you're there."
21:06 — Skaya accepts the map and takes a look. She indeed has been taught Ignan back in that labyrinth!
21:11 <•Kotono> It's a map centered around this island, which is named Firebase. To the north is a little dot labeled Ice Monster with a little, etched out drawing of a skull over it.
21:11 <•Kotono> Liza peers over your shoulder, curious and adding, "It's very pretty," she mentions, "It's good work."
21:13 — Skaya tries to see on the map where the illusion-loving ice elemental would be.
21:19 <•Kotono> To the southwest-ish, according to this map's compass.
21:20 <Skaya> "Ice Monster, huh?" Skaya muses. "Any particular kind?"

18:06 <•Kotono> "A big creature. Aberration." Is the growl, "Touched by ice. It needs to be stopped."
18:08 — Skaya glances between Liza and Orange. "What do you guys think?"
18:13 <•Kotono> As Grenge meanwhile gets the greataxe, "Well, there's worse things to do," Orange says agreeably, "And he's been pretty decent to us. No attempts to fry us, no hostility relaly."
18:14 <•Kotono> "If he's giving out weapons that freely, it could be profitable," she reasons, "And if that's some sort of monster rampaging, it would need to be stopped."
18:14 <Skaya> "Okay, then. Let's do it!"
18:21 <•Kotono> "Go then and crush them," The molten figure proclaims, "I will have another weapon for you if you succeed."
18:22 <•Kotono> Grenge hefts this one with a little grunt, "It's solid and feels strong. I've seen far worse axes."
18:22 <Skaya> "I suppose we'll see you soon enough, then!" Skaya tells the molten smith, and heads back towards the stairs.
18:31 <•Kotono> Once back up Sanda waits with an unhappy look, "Well?" she demands, "Was that rude-," The words that follow are in Aquan and sound most unpleasant.
18:33 <Skaya> "There is a big aberration of ice that we're going to hunt," Skaya tells her. "The reward is-- well, you won't like it, but maybe the ice monster has something you want?"
18:34 <•Kotono> "I'll take gold coins, platinum coins, treasure, magical items or spell lore," Sanda huffs out, "Back out into the storm them?"
18:35 <Skaya> "Back out into the storm," Skaya affirms.
18:35 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com)
18:35 <•Kotono> "Back out into the storm," Liza agrees, stepping forward to Skaya. Sanda does the same, staring her down. Liza blinks and then scowls at that, the two locked eyed.
18:36 <Skaya> "I can fly with both of you no problem since you're so light, but it probably wouldn't be very comfortable for you."
18:48 <•Kotono> "Shut up," Both Sanda and Liza say that in tandem as they keep glaring at each other. Grenge chuckles and steps back while Orange stage-whispers to you, "I'm not getting mixed up in that."
18:48 <•Kotono> "Fine," Liza snaps, crossing her arms and going away, "Carry me, Grenge." she stomps over to him with a sniff.
18:49 <•Kotono> "You're the boss," Grenge doesn't argue it in the least, perhaps wisely.
18:52 — Skaya scratches at her cheek as she offers her hand to Sanda. Is she a romance novel protagonist? How did that happen? No, maybe Sanda and Liza decided to mess with her for fun?
18:57 <•Kotono> Either way, you have an armful of Sanda. If that's a good thing or not is really up to you.
19:00 <Skaya> "In hindsight, it really wasn't the safest choice to keep you in the room with the molten metal while calling out for the molten metal person," Skaya muses as she takes to the air to follow the map properly. "While how it happened was offensive, it could've ended up an unprovoked attack on you. Sorry for not considering it."
19:05 <•Kotono> As you climb out and then take to the air, "I should have thought of it," Sanda admits after, "It really needs a bunch of cold, clean water dumped on it until it thinks better."
19:08 <Skaya> "I wonder if it's different for water and fire," Skaya muses. "I mean, I obviously think earth elementals are missing the best points of life, but I don't wish the death of a thousand cuts on them. And... on reflection, maybe I shouldn't think of an entire group of people as idiots. Huh."
19:11 <•Kotono> "Huh indeed," Orange titters to himself, "You two got a strong dose of elemental blood."
19:12 <•Kotono> "Well, fire elementals can stop being idiots when they douse themselves. Easy solution." Grumblign to herself, "Statistically speaking, it means they'll burn us less, and that's a win."
19:14 <Skaya> "So long as you're aware of it and don't mind it, that's fine," Skaya tells Sanda. If anything, Anne was much worse even before getting her Air lineage. "I need to visit Earth at some point to see if I can survive there. Something to do later~"
19:23 <•Kotono> "Later," Sanda agrees, as you fly onwards. OOC: More.
19:24 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:24 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=63 ]{63}
19:25 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:25 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=10 ]{10}
19:29 <•Kotono> Back into the storm. Your party flies for a little time, onwards and ahead. In good time  you come on a fairly small ice island,  with completely frozen over and entombed palm trees on it. Iced over sand is here, like a tropical island was dropped in here somehow.
19:30 <Skaya> "Wouldn't it be nice to be able to have one's enemies appear on the map?"
19:44 <•Kotono> "We need a map like that," Sanda agrees as meanwhile Grenge peers ahead.
19:44 <•Kotono> "Ho ho, but the green verdant dales of Chauntea, we do. I don't see anything, but we should land and look around." Grenge adds.
19:44 — Skaya comes up to Grenge, asking him as she hovers, "Do you suggest splitting up?"
19:46 <•Kotono> ""That sounds like  aterrible idea," Grenge says cheerfully, "But we would cover more ground that way."
19:46 <•Kotono> "We don't have to split up that far," Grenge counters, "Say within shouting distance?"
19:48 <Skaya> "Let's do that," Skaya agrees. "Orange, take the middle. Grenge will go, say, eleven o'clock? I'll go for one. If we get too far, let's just regroup."
20:01 <•Kotono> "Eleven o'clock?" Grenge asks curiously, "Point me in the direction you mean?"
20:03 <•Kotono> Orange meanwhile takes the middle, "Shout if there's any problems."
20:03 — Skaya gestures three ways from where they're hovering, to show a slight angle to the right and left. "Like with a sun dial? Ever used one? Ah, I bet gnomes have something with gears."
20:03 — Skaya nods at Orange, and then takes off once more while keeping her eyes open.
20:11 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, this feels like a very obvious time for a Perception check for you.
20:12 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 Sanda will try as well while she's here
20:12 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 Sanda will try as well while she's here --> [ 1d20=7 ]{7}
20:12 <Skaya> OOC: We're going with 10 for 30
20:22 <•Kotono> You look about sharply. You don't see anything as you search the island - really just a heap of rock and sand. However, near the center? You spy a burrow pit, half hidden by trees and snow.
20:24 <Skaya> "Think it's a burrower, this time?" Skaya asks Sanda as she points out the pit, even as she glides towards Orange and Grenge.
20:33 <•Kotono> "It might be," Sanda remarks, "At least it's not an ankheg."
20:33 <•Kotono> Orange and Grenge glide in that direction as you do, "I think we have something," Orange says eagerly.
20:35 <Skaya> "Everyone agrees burrowers are just the worst enemies, right?" Skaya voices as she tries to estimate the size of the pit.
20:42 <•Kotono> "Yep," Grenge says.
20:42 <•Kotono> "The worst," Orange immediately thirds.
20:42 <•Kotono> "Kill them with water," Sanda concurs.
20:42 <•Kotono> THe pit's maybe twenty feet around? Something like that.
20:43 <Skaya> "Orange, want to pretend to be bait this time? I figure a burrower might be tempted if you stepped down on the ground close to the pit."
20:47 <•Kotono> "Not in the slightest. Does anyone else want to be bait?" Orange looks about back and forth, hopefully.
20:47 <•Kotono> Liza shakes her head quickly, while Grenge joins her in that.
20:48 <•Kotono> "Well..." Sanda begins, "Maybe."
20:48 <•Kotono> Considering further, "Maybe if I set it up just right it'll go fine, of course."
20:49 <Skaya> "You can't fly away, though. Come on, Orange, it'll be fun!"
20:54 <•Kotono> Orange clears his throat and says something....next time!

18:06 <•Kotono> Orange clears his throat, "Then again, Sanda volunteering is, well..."
18:06 <•Kotono> "Is well what?" Sanda asks, suddenly a bit huffy.
18:06 <•Kotono> "Nothing!" Cheerfully waving it off, "What's a bit of baithood in the name of treasure?"
18:06 <Skaya> "Good man!"
18:12 <•Kotono> "Be ready in case this goes wrong," Orange descends down, "Which you know it probably will."
18:12 <•Kotono> "Statistically speaking, well...?" Sanda considers, "Good luck!"
18:14 <Skaya> OOC: I believe I have GMW and False Life precast, but if I'm wrong this is where I'll cast them!
18:15 <Skaya> "I'll be ready," Skaya assures Orange, before whispering to Sanda, "Remember, ranged spells. Don't try to jump down with an overhead strike."
18:18 <•Kotono> Sanda whispers back, "But one good staff hit could be decisive and more damaging."
18:19 <Skaya> "Just don't risk it with burrowers around."
18:25 <•Kotono> Meanwhile Orange lands. Nothing seems to happen as he calls, "There's something down here. Not the monster, but some treasure," he shouts, "He has it in little dig outs on the side. I see gold, jewels and goods!"
18:25 <•Kotono> Liza perks up at that, "Yes," A happy hiss.
18:25 <Skaya> "Do you see any magic?" Skaya calls down sceptically.
18:26 <•Kotono> "Not that sort, but there's a magic sword and some enchanted tablets," Orange retorts.
18:28 <Skaya> "Liza, Grenge, stay up for a bit to see better just in case?" Skaya requests as she descends with Sanda.
18:30 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@470F6AF.824CEC3E.8C013F7F.IP)
18:31 <•Kotono> "Good luck," Grenge offers as you descend with Sanda. As you begin to...OOC: PErception again.
18:32 <Skaya> roll 1d20+20+8
18:32 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+20+8 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{31}
18:39 <•Kotono> It's subtle, but you notice the ground starting to shift under Orange as you descend.
18:43 <Skaya> "Orange, dodge immediately!" Skaya calls out, gaining altitude once more.
18:48 <•Kotono> Orange flie sup, just in time. The ground beneath him expldoes upwards in shards of ice and dirt. Fortunately he's fast enough to avoid it thanks to your warning. There's a burrow hole below, but whatever caused it has already retreated, not even surfacing to do that.
18:48 <•Kotono> Grenge whistles, "So we're spotted. Smart enough fellow not to want an up front battle, too."
18:48 <•Kotono> Sanda readies her staff, "Then we have to bait it allt he way up."
18:49 <Skaya> "How about you fly down, grab a magic sword, and fly back up? Continue until whatever's down there gets annoyed!"
18:55 <•Kotono> "I like it, just hope it doesn't have magic or dragon's breath," Orange says cheerfully, "We'll see!"
18:55 <•Kotono> "Good luck," Liza calls from Grenge's arms.
18:56 — Skaya keeps an eye out!
18:57 <Skaya> OOC: Perception 10 for 30 here, and I'll descend a bit more to see better. Still say 60ft up.
19:12 <•Kotono> Orange descends down carefully. He goes and gets the sword safely enough, it looks like a long sword. However, that's not where you hear something. You hear something behind the party.
19:12 — Skaya looks behind!
19:21 <•Kotono> It's big, insectoid. Like an oversized mantis for the head, with pincers big enough to have a big, frozen rock in between them. It hurls it at the party, taking a cheap shot at you. Dodge! OOC: No penalty to AC or flatfooted potential thanks to Perception.
19:21 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12
19:21 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{31}
19:21 <•Kotono> OOC: AC?
19:22 <Skaya> OOC: 31
19:30 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 crit?
19:30 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 crit? --> [ 1d20=2 ]{14}
19:31 <•Kotono> roll 4d6+8 owwwies
19:31 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d6+8 owwwies --> [ 4d6=12 ]{20}
19:31 <•Kotono> WHAM! You're hit right in the upper ches tnad face by the rock. It's an explosion of pain, nose broken as you're knocked reeling back in the air. It's a lucky shot, almost perfect to strike you just so. As you roll with that pain everyone...OOC: Init here, the ow is real.
19:31 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 Sanda
19:31 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 Sanda --> [ 1d20=3 ]{3}
19:32 <Skaya> roll 1d20+13
19:32 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{14}
19:33 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Orange
19:33 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 Orange --> [ 1d20=14 ]{21}
19:34 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Liza
19:34 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 Liza --> [ 1d20=4 ]{10}
19:34 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Grenge
19:34 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 Grenge --> [ 1d20=17 ]{19}
19:34 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 ???
19:34 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 ??? --> [ 1d20=20 ]{24}
19:35 <•Kotono> Init is ???? (24) > Orange (21) > Grenge (19) > Liza (10) > Skaya (14) > Sanda (3)
19:40 <•Kotono> The insectoid creature grabs and hurls another rock at Skaya, right at her head a second time.
19:40 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+12 well it wont' roll a 19 again, right?
19:40 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+12 well it wont' roll a 19 again, right? --> [ 1d20=18 ]{30}
19:40 <•Kotono> OOC: Close though. Still 31?
19:41 <Skaya> "Mother--" Skaya exclaims, dodging despite all the blood getting in her eye.
19:41 <Skaya> OOC: Yes
19:45 <•Kotono> AH! It's the barest miss, only a desperate swoop down saving your head from a second rock. That aim is uncannily good, missing Skaya by almost nothing. Orange meanwhile is busy, taking treasure while the chances are good. Grenge flies over to you, "Lady Chauntea," he manages a free hand as Liza clings on around his neck, the other hand on his holy symbol, "Restore these wounds and bring
19:45 <•Kotono> life where only barren pain lasted before."
19:46 <•Kotono> roll 3d8+9 healing Skaya total HP after this?
19:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d8+9 healing Skaya total HP after this? --> [ 3d8=14 ]{23}
19:46 <Skaya> OOC: We're good
19:46 <Skaya> OOC: Also, I go before Liza, not that it matters here
19:47 <•Kotono> OOC: Oh wow, I  messed them up in init. I'll fix that, go ahead nd go.
19:47 <•Kotono> Init is ???? (24) > Orange (21) > Grenge (19) > Skaya (14) > Liza (10) > Sanda (3)
19:49 <Skaya> "This is just crazy," Skaya mutters, taking a closer look at their crafty opponent. Is it flying? Does it look like it can fly? Just how large is it? How far away is it?
19:51 <•Kotono> Doesn't look like it, at least from the mantis-like head you can see. It's big though, hints of a much bigger body below. It's about 80ft away. "This thing's strong," Liza says as she clings on for dear life to Grenge's neck.
19:52 <Skaya> "Got anything good for this range?" Skaya asks Sanda and Liza. If they do, she'll just do her best to stay on her guard.
19:52 <Skaya> OOC: Goal is to go total defense if we can shoot it
20:00 <•Kotono> "Yes," Both answer, almost on top of each other.
20:00 <Skaya> "Go for it, I'll try to distract it with my easily hittable head."
20:01 <•Kotono> Liza makes quick, arcane gestures. Familiar ones as she points, "Volley of the Forceful Fairy!" Magic missiles fly, three of them seeking the insectoid monster.
20:01 <•Kotono> roll 3d4+3
20:01 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d4+3 --> [ 3d4=6 ]{9}
20:05 <•Kotono> The missles hit home on the creature's head, getting a thrash but no noises of pain. Instead, Sanda points as well, "Mystra's wrath, fly clear."
20:05 <•Kotono> roll 4d4+4
20:05 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d4+4 --> [ 4d4=9 ]{13}
20:07 <•Kotono> Missiles plink and plunk the creature's head, making bloody gashes. It bleeds greenish blood and stains the ground around it before it retreats, back into the earth and rapidly away. Orange comes out, a long sword in one hand. "I helped myself to the good bits," he cries, "Everyone alright?" Grenge answers by flying up a good 30ft more, making some more distance from firing range. OOC: Go.
20:08 <Skaya> "Is there more down below?" Skaya asks Orange. "We can play bait some more."
20:16 <•Kotono> "It might be," Orange calls, "But I was more interested in the treasure than looking."
20:16 <Skaya> "Here, keep Sanda safe for a bit. I'll go down and see if I can draw it out again." And maybe punch it. She can't just leave without hitting it back, can she?
20:18 <•Kotono> Everyone reorganizes, no immediate counterattack coming. For now at least, you have a chance to set up. What's your plan exactly?
20:19 — Skaya descends down to the surface, and keeping just a foot away from it looks for anything valuable Orange didn't pick up. She'll surely be able to tell if the monster shows up again!
20:30 <•Kotono> There's several cubbies with gold, jewelry and some equipment. Weapons and armor, some bracers, a shield, that sort of thing. All sorts of loot stuffed in there.
20:30 <Skaya> Gold it is! Gold and jewelry. Skaya just starts placing as much as she can into her haversack while waiting for the inevitable attack!
20:32 <•Kotono> OOC: PErception then.
20:33 <Skaya> OOC: 10 for 30
20:40 <•Kotono> There's a rumbling right beneath your feet as you reach for the first of the treasure. That might be a problem.
20:42 — Skaya alters course sharply while dropping off a Flaming Sphere at the ground below!
20:42 <Skaya> roll 2d6 fire
20:42 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 2d6 fire --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
20:49 <•Kotono> OOC: Going backup then or to the sides?
20:49 <Skaya> OOC: Up
20:51 <•Kotono> Skaya flies up as there's a rush up - and a retreat back from your flaming sphere, the attack interrupted. No treasure gotten, but you defnitely interrupted it and scored some pain.
20:52 — Skaya moves the flaming sphere towards another cache of gold and jewelry and then dives into it!
21:00 <•Kotono> Thus Skaya moves the sphere down and dives down towards treasure. As she does...OOC: Give me a Dex check here.
21:01 <Skaya> roll 1d20+6+7
21:01 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+6+7 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{25}
21:04 <•Kotono> OOC: Good roll, that'll help you next time. Brains over Brawn is still excellent.
21:04 <Skaya> OOC: Correct!

18:06 <•Kotono> Skaya's fast enough to avoid anything as the sphere gets a rumble of earth to retreat back just in time and ensure she's safe. She has a chance to grab things if she wants, the sphere having done its job.
18:08 — Skaya grabs stuff! The most expensive-looking stuff!
18:08 <Skaya> OOC: Appraise 10 for 25 and Perception 10 for 30 if needed
18:09 <•Kotono> You grab some jewelry quickly, a double handful of gold and jewels. The sphere's still there as you work, are you going to keep going or retreat back?
18:09 — Skaya keeps grabbing things, relying on her reflexes and perceptions to leap aside when needed!
18:15 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me Perception then.
18:15 <Skaya> OOC: I already did! 10 for 30!
18:16 <•Kotono> OOC: So you did, I'm blind. Another Dex check then, +1 bonus.
18:16 <Skaya> roll 1d20+6+7+1
18:16 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+6+7+1 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{32}
18:20 <•Kotono> Skaya manages to grab some more gold and jewelry, before she takes off straight up. Justa s well, besides the side of the burrow pit explodes out, treasure going flying. Ah! She's safe at least, fast enough to avoid the attack altogether. "I think it's annoyed," Orange calls brightly, "Good work!"
18:21 <Skaya> "Shoot it again while it's out!"
18:23 <•Kotono> OOC: Let's go ahead and do init in that case.
18:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 Sanda
18:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 Sanda --> [ 1d20=11 ]{11}
18:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Orange
18:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+7 Orange --> [ 1d20=16 ]{23}
18:23 <Skaya> roll 1d20+13
18:23 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+13 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{31}
18:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Liza
18:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 Liza --> [ 1d20=20 ]{26}
18:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Grenge
18:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 Grenge --> [ 1d20=15 ]{17}
18:23 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 ???
18:23 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 ??? --> [ 1d20=6 ]{10}
18:24 <•Kotono> Init is Skaya (31) > Liza (26) > Orange (23) > Grenge (17) > Sanda (11) > ??? (10)
18:24 <•Kotono> OOC: Guess who opens?
18:25 — Skaya moves the flaming sphere to properly roast the insect while she points down and sends more fire down its angry gullet!
18:25 <Skaya> roll 2d6 fire
18:25 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 2d6 fire --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
18:25 <Skaya> roll 1d20+14 ranged touch
18:25 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+14 ranged touch --> [ 1d20=2 ]{16}
18:26 <Skaya> roll 1d6+5 fire if hit, Produce Flame
18:26 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d6+5 fire if hit, Produce Flame --> [ 1d6=1 ]{6}
18:29 <•Kotono> Two shots of fire hit, making burning contact with the insect creature. It recoils back as Liza is carried back, withdrawing a small stone and hurling it. It expands as its thrown, then breaks into fragments that pepper the creature's face.
18:29 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11
18:29 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{15}
18:33 <•Kotono> Unfortunately, none of the fragments have much effect, at least that you can see. Orange descends as well and snaps his fingers, before from above, a bolt of lightning crashes into the creature.
18:34 <•Kotono> roll 8d6
18:34 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 8d6 --> [ 8d6=30 ]{30}
18:34 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+10
18:34 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{14}
18:35 <•Kotono> The zap makes the creature convulse all over as Grenge flies, bringing Sanda into range. "Again," she chants as smoke rises up from the shocked creature, magic missiles flying again.
18:35 <•Kotono> roll 4d4+4
18:35 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d4+4 --> [ 4d4=12 ]{16}
18:46 <•Kotono> The missiles fly and hit the creature even more, breaking away flesh and bruising deep. It retreats back, trashing after blow after blow pummels it. It's back into the protection of the earth, at least for now. OOC: Skaya, go.
18:47 <Skaya> What else can Skaya do but rinse and repeat? She moves the flaming sphere to a new spot filled with treasure and descends into the fires to cheerfully loot some more!
18:51 <•Kotono> You loot away. This time there's no sign of the creature returning. At least what's left of it, as a wall got blown out and sent treasure everywhere. No noise of it, no sound. Are you safe? OOC: Free act for the moment.
18:53 <Skaya> "That's all we can get for now," Skaya muses, jumping hard on a stretch of land before taking off for the sky.
18:59 <•Kotono> The rest of the party follows, "We hurt it severely, I think," Orange calls, "I suspect it's gone back to lick its wounds."
19:00 <•Kotono> "I hope so," Sanda calls over the wind, "I don't like the odds if it doesn't, or if it has a mate that comes back to pickup where the other left off."
19:01 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com)
19:01 <Skaya> "How deep do you figure it went?" Skaya voices. Sanda could swim through the ground, so perhaps she'd be fine and able to escape if they all head into any leftover tunnels. Actually, did any of them remain without collapsing?
19:08 <•Kotono> "No idea. I don't see it anywhere, it might have fled rather than die," Orange suggests, "Especially if it's not very intelligent."
19:09 <Skaya> "It's certainly cunning to sneak from another angle and throw a rock at me," Skaya mutters.
19:10 <Skaya> OOC: Any tunnels remaining?
19:11 <•Kotono> Skaya looks and it seems the tunnels already made have fallen inward into hunks of frozen ground. "Cunning enough," Liza agrees, "Was that right in the face?"
19:11 <•Kotono> "It was right int he face," Grenge agrees, "I've seen far worse throws."
19:12 <Skaya> "It was an out of context attack," Skaya complains. "You just don't think to defend against this stuff." Shaking her head, she descends to the ground once more. "Do you think it's the abomination we're here for? Or just an opportunistic insect?"
19:20 <•Kotono> "It has a den here, so I'm guessing it is," Grenge says as you all descend down.
19:20 <•Kotono> "An annoyance is what it is, but it could also be a minion," Sanda points out, "Nothing but a disposable pest."
19:21 <Skaya> "I know it's a risk, and doubly so since it's injured and cornered, but we really should deal with it," Skaya says. "If all the riches here are from killing innocent travelers, then it's the right thing to do. If it's part of some cunning trap on its side, then it surely has more and asked for this fight."
19:29 <•Kotono> "Then we try to provoke it to come out," Liza reasons, "And if it doesn't?"
19:30 <Skaya> "That's the hard part," Skaya admits, checking to see whether her flaming sphere is able to slowly clear any debris down one of the collapsed tunnels.
19:44 <•Kotono> The debris thaw, but that turns them into dirt an dmud, which is still a clogging mess.
19:45 <Skaya> "Let's see if this drags it out," Skaya declares, deciding to try and dig through the mud.
19:46 <Skaya> OOC: I actually have an adventuring kit so let's go shovel! Also, I have enough architecture and engineering and other knowledges to make a mine shaft entrance that won't collapse on itself
19:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure, give me a quick roll against that, +1 circumstance bonus.
19:54 <Skaya> OOC: Taking 10, using Cunning Knowledge, result of 32
20:01 <•Kotono> You start to build. You can tell right away it won't be fast, it's not unstable ground but burrow holes are just a creature brute forcing it. On the other hand, it's a lot quicker than it would be digging it raw, since some of the hard work is done.
20:02 <Skaya> "It'll take some time," Skaya voices as she works. "Less if some of you help. Unless there's a better idea? Perhaps there actually is another non-collapsed entrance hidden somewhere here?"
20:08 <•Kotono> "I'll look around," Grenge offers, "The rest of you dig."
20:08 <•Kotono> Orange sighs, "The day I don't have the right spells for this."
20:08 <•Kotono> "It's a hard life sometimes," Sanda agrees, "But it'll bear out."
20:11 <Skaya> "Just follow my lead, I did this for a living once!" Skaya declares. "Fun times...."
20:21 <•Kotono> "Really?" Orange asks, "Do tell!"
20:21 <•Kotono> "You worked as a miner?" Sanda inquires, "That's hard work."
20:24 <Skaya> "You know how I keep on saying that I'm actually pretty strong, Sanda?" Skaya responds, before glancing over at Lisa and Orange. "We have a few other companions, and one of them's like me. His name's Devar. He has this cocky, intelligent lance that always talks him up in this hyper-masculine way, right? So it got to be a kind of a joke for me. Anyway, how could I get this but through good ancestry and some intense physical labor?
20:24 <Skaya> I'm not really a solider nor does that interest me, so I did a bunch of odd jobs that didn't require special skill while traveling. One of them was mining, before the shift manager noticed I could be better used designing the mine."
20:32 <•Kotono> "An intelligent weapon like that? Well, it is a lance," Orange chuckles to himself.
20:32 <Skaya> "I know, right?" Skaya grins at him.
20:36 <•Kotono> "Thank you," Sanda exhales heavily, "I know!"
20:37 <•Kotono> Liza sniffs, sounding utterl unamused.
20:37 <•Kotono> "How exactly doesit talk him up?" Grenge asks, sounding curious. "Like his strength?"
20:39 <Skaya> "The lance pretends he's in a world where Devar is surrounded by a harem, and variations on the theme. There's a lot of encouragement for certain actions that often gets ignored, too."
20:40 <•Kotono> Sanda sighs long at that, "It's so annoying."
20:41 <•Kotono> "Oh, something something Anne is Devar's woman. Something something Sanda can statistically help with that problem of yours, in the bedroom. Something something boobies." With open disgust Sanda continues, "At least it's not Devar's fault."
20:41 <•Kotono> With a not quite grimace, "
20:41 <•Kotono> With a not quite grimace, "Well, you can't choose your family or the personality of rare, powerful magical artifacts." Orange comisserates.
20:44 <Skaya> "I really feel I dodged something by not picking it up," Skaya mutters, shaking her head.
20:50 <•Kotono> "Then tell you what," Orange says grandly, "Should we find anything like that here, I'll bear the burden of dealing with it, not you."
20:53 <Skaya> "I'm actually always up for it. Really, aside from a certain compatibility to the terrain, Devar went for it because I already picked up a cursed item in that very same tower. Ah, they were such a nice pair of boots...."
21:03 <•Kotono> Thus you dig along as yo uchat, an answer coming...next time!

19:03 <•Kotono> "Boots are the hardest to lose," Orange agrees as you all work, and...OOC: Give me a second A&E check, +5 bonus this time. +2 additional bonus if you have more than 5 ranks of PErception.
19:04 <Skaya> OOC: I do, so that's taking 10 for 13+5+2+10=30
19:11 <•Kotono> You dig a bit. It's stable enough and you're not seeing and shakes or signs of anything moving. By all signs your dig is unopposed. A good sign, at least for now. Dig, dig, dig, dig, dig. Digging deeper and deeper, deeper! Ah! You clear away the last of some rubble and see an opening into some sort of larger chamber. From above but at an angle, so you can't see from here.
19:13 <Skaya> "So there was something here after all," Skaya muses, widening the entrance so that she'd be able to look better. She can see in the dark, after all!
19:17 <•Kotono> "Carefulnow," Grenge says, "It might be lying in wait." However, nothing comes to attack as you widen the opening. Soon enough you can peek down. It's a hollowed out chamber full of bones at the bottom. Your sharp eyes can spot bits of metal, glass and weapons lying about as well, along with random odds and ends. There's a few intact tunnels branching out from here.
19:18 <Skaya> "I'll go first," Skaya says, floating down without stepping on the floor of the chamber. Perhaps the monster is hiding near the ceiling, so she first makes sure the chamber is empty before checking for anything intact and interesting.
19:26 <•Kotono> You descend down. No sign of problems, just a safe trip down. The others follow. There's no scent of rot here, only old bones and left behind objects. Liza sniffs, "It's a lair, but not one used recently, I don't think. At least not for this purpose. It might have others."
19:26 <•Kotono> "You think so?" Sanda asks, "So what, this is its plate after a chicken dinner?"
19:29 <Skaya> "Could be," Skaya responds, checking out one of the tunnels from this chamber. Even burrowers don't have to always glide through the earth, so she checks the entrances to see if any were recently used.
19:33 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me both Perception and K:N here, if you have the latter.
19:34 <Skaya> OOC: Perception 10 for 30, K:N 10 for 26
19:40 <•Kotono> It's hard to tell, but you think the leftmost passage is most recently used.
19:41 <Skaya> "I'll try this one," Skaya voices, exploring the leftmost passage.
19:44 <•Kotono> It's straight ahead and wide enough to walk down, and sloped gently enough as well. No bones here asyou peer in, so how do you want to advance?
19:48 — Skaya leads the way, keeping an eye out for anything shady. There probably won't be arrow murder holes or human trap wires, but monsters have their own ways to ambush.
19:48 <Skaya> OOC: Perception 10 for 30 for this
19:55 <•Kotono> Nothing like that. The tunnel starts to dig downwards, to an intersection. Two paths, both forking off from one another. One starts to go further downwards, the other levels off. ACcording to Skaya's eyes, it probably took the leveled off path.
19:56 — Skaya follows it for now, making sure to make a map as she goes!
20:02 <•Kotono> The party's quiet and tense as you move on. Down adn down to -! Ahead, only a thin rime of ice blocking it from pouring in, is the liquid ice sea.
20:02 <•Kotono> Orange whistles, "Did it flee the entire island?"
20:04 <Skaya> "Wouldn't you have seen it from above while we were digging?" Skaya muses, before shaking her head and turning back to try the other path. "I suppose it could've dived below. Let's see if there's anything interesting left behind?"
20:12 <•Kotono> "Depends if it has any other tricks in its bag, and if it was deep below the waterline, I doubt we'd have seen it," Liza reasons, "If it has water breathing, then we never would have at all."
20:13 <•Kotono> Grenge strokes his cheek, "Do you mean that bone pit back there?"
20:13 <•Kotono> "Or ice breathing," Sanda counters, "I wonder if I could breathe that liquid ice?"
20:13 <Skaya> "There's that too, but there were a few more paths. We might as well check them out, it's not like we're on a clock here."
20:18 <•Kotono> "We aren't," Orange sniffs, "So long as everything holds. Still, it might come back, so don't put your guard down. I saw someone do that one time, and I hear the flying giant lizard found he was quite tasty."
20:19 <•Kotono> Grenge bows his head, "Poor fool went down like a grape."
20:19 <•Kotono> There's a pause before Sanda says, "...grape?"
20:20 <•Kotono> "It was a big lizard," Grenge says, quite seriously. "Chauntea guide him to ever summer."
20:20 <Skaya> "You usually chew those, don't you? Grapes."
20:20 <•Kotono> "It was a really big lizard," Orange says, with emphasis. "Which in retrospect, makes it surprising us all the more impressive."
20:20 <•Kotono> "Grape," Sanda concludes, sounding a little queasy.
20:22 <Skaya> "I agree we should stay alert. Even if that thing fled it may not have been alone." But Skaya still intends to explore the passages!
20:27 <•Kotono> You next go down the opposite fork. It descends down, down, down and down. It ends in another pit. No bones here, but instead sit several dozen, icy eggs the size of watermelons and the color of pea soup. They sit in piles of four or five, about ten to twelve piles of them that you see. No sign of any other passages into this chamber.
20:29 <Skaya> "Do we destroy them? Or take them back? Does someone back on the ship raise creepy burrower abominations?"
20:34 <•Kotono> "There's money in things like this," Orange muses, "But on the other hand it's a lot of work, and if it's something wicked, you've made more problems for someone else. So..." he waggles a hand back and forth.
20:35 <•Kotono> "I'd like to know more if they're intelligent or not," Sanda considers it, "I deeply dislike the idea if they're intelligent as we are. It travels too close to slavery."
20:36 <Skaya> "I don't want to leave monsters like that here, just the one was terrible and ate a lot of people going by the bones and treasure. So I suppose my vote is to destroy the eggs."
20:37 <•Kotono> "Sometimes we cull the herd." Grenge cracks his knuckles. "I agree."
20:38 <•Kotono> As you all talk? A soft crack is heard below.
20:40 <Skaya> "Dodge!" Skaya yells, dashing away and kicking one of the eggs towards the place she heard the cracking sounds starting....
20:45 <•Kotono> It looks to be one of the other eggs, in case that matters.
20:46 <Skaya> OOC: Actually it does, let me reline. It seemed like it came from the ground.
20:46 <Skaya> "What timing! They're hatching, so let's destroy them all now," Skaya says, going to do just that.
20:53 <•Kotono> You hurry to eggs as everyone splits open. That one cracks open and you see- WHAM! Sanda steps aside, smashing an aberration with her staff, then repeating for the next egg.The sound of breaking eggs fills the room.
20:54 <Skaya> How horrifying! Skaya can't help but shiver as she breaks the eggs to the last.
20:57 <•Kotono> It seems you were just in time. The eggs are broken. Not a one survives as....OOC: Perception, -2 penalty.
21:03 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
21:03 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{27}
21:03 <•Kotono> You can spy Orange sneakily slip a single egg into his clothes and out of sight.
21:05 <Skaya> "Orange, we're still splitting the reward for that one if you're going to sell it," Skaya says with a rigid smile.
21:11 <•Kotono> Orange sighs, "Ah well," he says, then cheerfully, "I was going to experiment on it, but it's hardly worth paying to do it." he casually tosses the egg to Skaya. "All yours."
21:11 <•Kotono> Liza sniffs before, "You-!"
21:11 <•Kotono> Grenge facepalms, "Do you remember what happened with that pendant?"
21:12 — Skaya smashes it before it hatches. "Let's look elsewhere?" she proposes. "There were those other paths from the main room."
21:12 <•Kotono> "Yes, but this isn't a pendant, so clearly I learned my lesson," Orange admits shamelessly, "Besides, it turns out it had an attraction curse on it."
21:14 <Skaya> "Those are terrible," Skaya concedes.
21:20 <•Kotono> "That they are," Orange says agreeably as you all go back. You return to the main room. Three more tunnels are here to explore, or the bone and remnants pit here if you prefer.
21:20 — Skaya picks another tunnel to explore for now.
21:22 <•Kotono> This tunnel leads to a second bone pit and a dead end (a short tunnel past it visibly goes nowhere, not fully dug out.) It's much the same as the first, at least on a look.
21:23 — Skaya digs around in the bone pit a bit after asking Sanda if there's any visible magic.
21:24 <•Kotono> "Not that I see," Sanda says after a quick chant, "But enough dirt or bone will block it." From there you dig and...OOC: How much do you intend to dig?
21:24 <Skaya> OOC: Just a bit. Let's say no more than half an hour?
21:26 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me a Perception check, +4 bonus. +6 more for everyone but Liza aiding you, who prefers to stand watch since you know.
21:27 <Skaya> OOC: Let's take 10! For 40.
21:35 <•Kotono> You dig. You find a handful of mostly intact weapons, some bits of armor, scattered coins, a single golden ring, a tiny loose blue gemstone. Pickings rather than real treasure - until near the end you hear Grenge call, "Got something! It's magical."
21:36 <Skaya> "Nice! The rest is okay, but magic is where the money is!" Skaya goes over to take a look.
21:40 <•Kotono> The others gather around as you see what Grenge has. It looks to be a heavy greathammer, made entirely of a dull gray metal. It's unrusted but lacks any luster and shine at all. The remnants of leather grip straps rot away from the handle. The hammer's head is engraved with various, strange writings.
21:41 <•Kotono> "That looks magic, especially if it's not rusted," Sanda rubs her hands together.
21:41 <•Kotono> "Some money here," Orange agrees right away.
21:41 <Skaya> "Only question is if it's cursed!" Skaya says cheerfully. "Who wants to do the honors?"
21:42 <•Kotono> Sanda reaches out and grabs it, a grunt as she needs both hands to heft it.
21:42 <•Kotono> "I'd rather not-oh, Sanda did it," Grenge says, stepping away from her.
21:43 — Skaya prepares to stop Sanda if she needs to, but doesn't step back from her.
21:51 <•Kotono> Sanda gives it a few swings, "The balance on it is unusual," she lectures, "But clearly it's well suited as a weapon, and it's more about adjustment."
21:51 <•Kotono> "So we get it appraised later," Orange suggests, "If it's even slightly enchanted it's some gold for all of us."
21:51 <Skaya> "Congratulations on not getting mind-controlled!" Skaya cheers. "Let's dig up the other bone pit and then see if there's anything else we overlooked?"
21:52 <Skaya> OOC: It'd be the same Perception 10 for 30 normally, for 40 with the previous bonuses
21:56 <•Kotono> You dig up the bone bit and find more...next time! OOC: Also loot post for the first one.

19:08 <Kotono> THis time there's no hidden treasure, only more of the same sort of pickings as the first pit. Not nothing, but hardly anything truly valuable.
19:08 ↔ Devar nipped out 
19:09 <Skaya> "Looks like it's a bust?" Skaya muses, looking around to check if there are still passages they haven't explored.
19:15 <Kotono> "Nothing but bits and pieces," Grenge concludes, as you see there are two more to explore if you wish.
19:15 <Kotono> "Not every hoard is worthwhile," Sanda says, "Statistically speaking, a large number are going to be below average."
19:16 <Skaya> "I do like to be definitive when I explore," Skaya voices while leading the way down one of the remaining paths. "I suppose there is an aspect of the sunk cost fallacy in this, but to me it's fun! How about you guys?"
19:19 <Kotono> "I ike treasure," Orange says simply.
19:19 <Kotono> "I like treasure," Sanda echos, "Who doesn't?"
19:19 <Kotono> "I'm more worried about another egg den," Liza counters, "Just in case."
19:21 <Skaya> "I suppose it's like that old parable about how if you want to slide down the mountain you have to get the sled up first," Skaya says cheerfully, before nodding at Liza. "And there's that, too. How about we use the fire axe on them this time?"
19:23 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-B8D5816D.irccloud.com)
19:26 <Kotono> Nods as you go along. This third passage leads, perhaps unsurprisingly, another dead end bone pit. Grenge wrinkles his nose, "Hungry, isn't it?"
19:26 — Skaya searches it too! To be thorough!
19:26 <Skaya> "I seriously can't believe a single creature did all this on its own. How long would it take?"
19:30 <Kotono> "I think those eggs indicate a mated pair at least. This might not be their only den, or they have extended trip outs to hunt," Grenge reckons, rubbing at his chin as you all get to work. OOC: SAme checks as before.
19:30 <Skaya> roll 1d20+30+8 let's go all out this time
19:30 <Skaya> OOC: With a bot!
19:36 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@3001A26.B2BBE05.527E3121.IP)
19:36 <Skaya> roll 1d20+30+8 let's go all out this time
19:36 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+30+8 let's go all out this time --> [ 1d20=2 ]{40}
19:37 <Kotono> It's the same results at first, but as you did? "Ah!" Orange lets out a cry, "I struck something!"
19:38 <Skaya> "Nice!" Skaya exclaims as she moves over to help uncover whatever it might be.
19:41 <Kotono> It's  a short jacket sized for a woman, stitched with golden thread and made of soft-looking sky blue cloth. It's clean despite everything and not dirty, dusty or damaged in the least. Orange looks down at it, "When I saw color, I assumed, but this isn't what I expected."
19:41 <Kotono> Sanda kneels before it, "Curious, it's of quality make and obviously magical."
19:41 <Skaya> "May I?" Skaya requests, reaching out for it. "I'm gonna try it on!"
19:44 <Kotono> "All yours," Orange says, "It would look terrible on me, anyway."
19:44 <Kotono> "It's cute," Liza says as you get to it, "I love that color."
19:44 — Skaya brushes any and all imaginary dust from the jacket before putting it on. If it's cursed, surely everyone will save her!
19:49 <Kotono> You put it on and...it's pretty. Really pretty and nice, all happy and...OOC: Will save. -4 penalty.
19:50 <Skaya> roll 1d20+10-4+7
19:50 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+10-4+7 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{26}
19:52 <Kotono> It's nice enough. Orange watches, "It's pretty. Any signs of magic or curses?"
19:53 <Kotono> "Look," Liza says, pointing. Slowly the dust, dirt and worse all falls away from Skaya. Her aches and pains fade away rapidly. OOC: Fast healing 1 for now, in case you have any HP damage.
19:55 <Skaya> "I think-- well, it's the feeling of being healed? I've been wounded enough to notice that, at least. And it looks fabulous!" Jessa responds after thinking it over. "Shall we finish the search here and explore the last tunnel?"
19:57 <Kotono> "Let's check the last," Sanda agrees, "Statistically speaking, it's going to be a waste of time, but still."
19:57 <Kotono> "I don't know, I think it looks good on Skaya so we've already done well," Liza comments back to Sanda, "But we could easily find more."
19:58 <Kotono> Sanda rolls her eyes, "The odds are seriously against it. I'm surprised we found two things."
19:59 <Skaya> "You never know! We would've missed this find if we'd quit after the last search," Jessa tells Sanda, before gritting her teeth and forcing herself to say, "I'll lead!"
20:05 ⇐ Kobot quit  ↔ •Kotono (promoted to owner, opped) nipped out 
20:07 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception for the last lseg.
20:08 <Skaya> OOC: 10 for 40 assuming previous bonuses
20:20 <•Kotono> Mostly just pickings here, you don't find anything interesting again.
20:21 <Skaya> "Guess we're done with this, then," Jessa muses. "What next? We didn't technically take the monster down, but it did run away and we destroyed all the eggs. Is that worth a fiery reward? What do you think, Liza?"
20:22 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@5CE9800F.8BEB79C4.D411084E.IP)
20:26 <•Kotono> "I think we should try, Skaya," Liza answers, coming over to you, "I think it'll be impressive." She smiles to you afterwards.
20:28 <Skaya> "Ah, it's Jessa. Jessa. Uh, so, I guess let's get back on the surface and see if maybe it came back. If not, we'll return to the fire smith and try to get a reward!"
20:28 ⇐ Kobot quit  ↔ Devar and •Kotono nipped out 
20:45 <Kotono> "Jessa?" Sanda tilts her head at that, "I'm sorry?"
20:45 <Kotono> "Oh dear," Orange sighs, "Jessa, could I see that jacket a minute?"
20:46 <Skaya> "It's okay," Jessa tells Sanda, before tilting her head. "It's a woman's jacket. I mean, Liza would look great in it, but you... I suppose it's fine if you want to...?"
20:53 ↔ Kotono nipped out 
21:01 <Kotono> "I just want to see it," Orange says pleasantly, as Liza looks worried and Grenge quietkly watches.
21:02 <Skaya> "Okay," Jessa agrees, shrugging the jacket off. "Besides, I haven't decided to purchase it out of our gains yet, I'm just testing it out. Everyone should get their chance to try it on! Don't worry, wear it proudly!"
21:10 <Kotono> Orange takes it, "I'm not going to wear it, but look at it instead. What's your name again, miss?"
21:10 <Skaya> "Skaya, of course. Did you already forget it, Orange? Ah, but thanks for calling me miss!"
21:15 <Kotono> "Interesting," Orange tucks the jacket away into his robes. "We'll have it examined once we're back safely. Let's remove ourselves from here and finish this matter up."
21:16 <Skaya> "It heals, though. If we're ever in a fight, it might be crucial," Skaya protests even as she leads the way back to the surface.
21:20 <Kotono> "We'll deal with that if we get there," Orange says as you all return back up. Nothing too fancy up here on a glance, at least. Just more endless, miserable cold.
21:21 <Skaya> "Back to the warm island, then," Skaya says, glancing between Sanda and Liza. Is this a rotation thing? Hopefully they're not going to fight this time.
21:22 <Kotono> They're already glaring at each other.
21:23 <Skaya> Why.
21:23 <Skaya> "Do you want to flip a coin...?"

19:05 <•Kotono> "Not now," Both Sanda and Liza snap, focused on each other.
19:06 <•Kotono> Ornage softly chuckles at this back and forth, while Grenge settles it. He scoops up Sanda, who lets out an undiginfied squawk as she's lifted up. "Let's get going, everyone."
19:12 — Skaya scoops up Liza in turn with a helpless smile.
19:18 <•Kotono> Liza smirks momentarily before she settles into your arms, "Let's go back." OOC: More.
19:18 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:18 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=52 ]{52}
19:19 <•Kotono> The trip back to the warm island is without incident. It's a bracing change to step back into the pleasant temperatures once more, as...OOC: Give me PErception, Skaya.
19:24 <Skaya> OOC: 10 for 30
19:35 <•Kotono> As you go? Hm? In the trees you swear you catch glimpses of little, icy things moving about.
19:37 <Skaya> "Hey, Liza, you see that? Over in the trees?"
19:38 <•Kotono> "I did," Liza murmurs, voice low. "Something very small and made of ice."
19:40 <Skaya> "Ice fairies, you think? But what would they be doing in a place like that?"
19:42 <•Kotono> "I don't know," Liza answers back, "But I know cold aligned fey are usually Unseelie,a nd that means trouble."
19:44 — Skaya adjusts her flight a bit to casually bring her to a better position to see the elusive maybe fairies.
19:48 <•Kotono> As the others fly on, you adjust. You get glimpses of them. They're not fairies you think, but rough, man-like tiny figures. No bigger than a man's thumb, a great many of them. Enough so that some of them blunder and be seen,r ather than hiding in time.
19:49 <Skaya> OOC: K:Nature 10 for 26, K:Planes 10 for 26
19:58 <•Kotono> They look like tiny elementites, microscopic elementals that can form large swarms. A single one is hardly much of a threat, but enough o them can be a problem.
20:02 <Skaya> "An elemental swarm, huh?" Skaya muses quietly. "Let's just keep flying and see if they follow us all the way."
20:10 <•Kotono> "Elementites? I've ran into Earth Elementites before. I thought they were gemstones," LIza mentions, "Until they all ran out of my bag with all my coins."
20:11 <Skaya> "They're all trouble just as much as fey, if in a different way," Skaya agrees. "Never actually seen them before but I've read plenty accounts."
20:12 <•Kotono> "I lost over two hundred gold and platinum coins over it," Liza's expression is openly annoyed. "They sunk right into the ground and I couldn't do anything about it."
20:14 — Skaya blanches. "That's so nasty! If these ones try to steal from us we have to use fire right away!"
20:21 <•Kotono> "The worst," LIza grumps as you reach the cabin. AT least the elementites don't seem to be doing anything but watching.
20:22 <Skaya> There's no need to look for further trouble. Skaya knocks on the door because the owner might be home this time, but if there's no answer after a bit she'll just let herself in.
20:26 <•Kotono> No answer right away. Still no one in there, the path deeper in unguarded. Orange passes by, "WEll, let's go see how the news goes over."
20:26 <Skaya> "Right! Ah, what did you think of the tiny ice elementals?"
20:26 <•Kotono> "Could be worse," Grenge agrees, "I'll stay up here with Sanda."
20:27 <•Kotono> "Annoyances." Orange comments, "Nothing more most likely, but make distance if they swarm up."
20:27 <•Kotono> Liza hmphs at that.
20:27 <Skaya> "You have to wonder what they'd be doing on an unpleasantly hot island, as they perceive it."
20:33 <•Kotono> "Spyinkg on the enemy," Orange says as the rest of you head down, "No, that's not sarcasm."
20:35 <Skaya> Yes, it's probably right. They'd be expendable. Just the value of any intelligence gathered would be suspect, wouldn't it?
20:39 <•Kotono> Down you go. Your questgiver awaits you, and he looks on, "Well?" It asks, demands really once youa rrive.
20:39 <Skaya> "We fought the abomination and wounded it pretty badly, but it escaped into the tunnels and then over to the sea," Skaya says with a sigh. "We did smash all the eggs just before they hatched, so there's that."
20:48 <•Kotono> That gets an approving crackle of fire and burning of stone, "Excellent." It agrees after a moment's thought, "You have done well tod o that."
20:49 <•Kotono> "I thought so myself," Orangea grees cheerfully, "Glad yo uapprove."
20:49 <Skaya> "Ah, and on our way back we spotted ice elementites sneaking around the island, here. Sounds like enemy scouts to me."
20:51 <•Kotono> "They dare?!" The heat her boils, "THen I will cleanse this island with glorious magma."
20:51 <•Kotono> Orange steps back, "Very good, but could you wait until we leave?"
20:58 <Skaya> "Yes, they'll probably be lured in further after they see us leave from here," Skaya agrees.
21:03 <•Kotono> "Good thinking," The creature agrees, as the depths burn and rumble. From it flies up an object - a long, thin staff of metal. It lands at your feet. "A gift. To help the water-thing up there be less watery."
21:04 <Skaya> "Thanks!" Skaya chirps, picking it up. Sanda will appreciate the sentiment, at least.
21:05 <•Kotono> "Then we'll be seeing ourselves out," Orange says quickly, and turns on his heelb efore hurrying out.
21:05 <•Kotono> Liza bows in his general direction and does the same, swiftly.
21:07 — Skaya does likewise with a curtsy.
21:10 <•Kotono> With that the group makes haste. Once back upstairs, "So in essence, time to go," Orange concludes, "No time to waste."
21:10 <•Kotono> Sanda's eyes widen, Grenge grabbing her as he adds, "Well, time to reap a harvest elsewhere then."
21:11 <Skaya> "No time to waste," Skaya agrees, picking up Liza. They can spend time on those games later. "Let's go, yes."
21:19 <•Kotono> A direct flight from the island. Just as well, because not long after you get away? A rumble and a wave of heat washes over all of you, even from a distance. "Yes yes, we're going, we're going," Orange shouts back, hurrying.
21:19 <•Kotono> Liza cranes her head back to see, "Oh. Yes, hurry!"
21:20 <Skaya> Laughing, Skaya picks up the pace. "This was such a strange adventure!"
21:29 <•Kotono> "Wasn't it? Well, time to try and find the ship," Orange says cheerfully, "We made out fairly well, I hope!"
21:29 <•Kotono> "I've had worse," Grenge seconds, "No trips to Ooze."
21:30 <Skaya> "What do you think we should do about the illusionist elemental? On the one hand, he pointed us to this island. On the other, we didn't really find treasure here but earned it all on another trip."
21:34 <•Kotono> "I say we leave him be," Sanda speaks up, "Statistically speaking, a win is a win, isn't it?"
21:35 <•Kotono> "Is it worth a fight with him, potentially?" Orange reasons, "That's the answer to your question."
21:35 <Skaya> "Why would we be fighting, though?"
21:35 <•Kotono> "Honestly, I'm mostly hungry," Grenge counters with, "I'll go with whichever."
21:36 <Skaya> "In that case, how about we get back to the ship, eat and have our findings appraised? And then we can see," Skaya proposes. "It's not like an ice elemental would want a fire axe to begin with."
21:42 <•Kotono> That gets general agreement,a s you go ship hunting and...
21:42 <•Kotono> roll1 d100
21:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled d100 --> [ 1d100=3 ]{3}
21:42 <•Kotono> Luck is with you. Not ten minutes into searching, you see a familiar ship cut through the storm, coming in your direction. Orange laughs, "The best timing!"
21:43 <•Kotono> Sanda huffs, "It is good," She agrees, "Warm food and cold gold, the best combination."
21:44 <Skaya> "We've earned a good rest," Skaya agrees. "Let's see if there's a new specialty to try!"
21:49 <•Kotono> With that, the party flies in and...OOC: It's a few minutes early, but this really is the perfect pause point. We'll pick up more there next time for you.

19:05 <•Kotono> The ship is bustling and busy. The deck is full of people as you fly on board. A few cheers go up as your group returns, waves and shouts.
19:05 — Skaya waves at everyone with a happy smile!
19:11 <•Kotono> Waves all around, Orange peppy and Grenge pleased. Liza walks along, "Not a bad work at all," she says once on the deck, "A small adventure but hopefully a profitable one."
19:11 <•Kotono> "I hope so," Orange says, "We still did welle nough."
19:12 <Skaya> "Let's identify our gains after a decent meal?" Skaya proposes.
19:16 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, so unwind and get some dientifying going on, then?
19:17 <Skaya> OOC: Yes, including the two fire-themed items that weren't posted
19:17 <Skaya> OOC: Also, if it's been a day since we can check if there's a planar travel item on sale now!
19:21 <•Kotono> OOC: Let me go do loo tthen.
19:21 <•Kotono> OOC: Paste the fire items in here for me to speed me up?
19:22 <Skaya> OOC: " Two things come out from it, red hot but intact. The first is a metal map, the second is a large greataxe made entirely of metal. "That will show you the way, though you'll need to read Ignan. The second is a weapon suitable to punishing cold while you're there."
19:23 <Skaya> OOC: "Good thinking," The creature agrees, as the depths burn and rumble. From it flies up an object - a long, thin staff of metal. It lands at your feet. "A gift. To help the water-thing up there be less watery."
19:38 <•Kotono> OOC: Post updated.
19:40 <Skaya> OOC: Got it. What about the greataxe? And also, is the steel quarterstaff the fire staff?
19:41 <•Kotono> OOC: Greataxe is above the staff. And yeah, that's it.
19:41 <Skaya> OOC: Oh! Thought it'd be more impressive. Got it, thanks! What about a planar item? Any chance of it?
19:42 <•Kotono> "...and my best guess is that the jacket imprinted with her, or maybe even has her soul in it somewhere. Who can say?" A certain feline lectures as Liza goes back to tending the desk. "It's powerful, but use it at your own risk."
19:42 <•Kotono> SAnda clears her throat, "I get that," She says politely, "But what about a planar item?"
19:43 — Skaya crosses her fingers hopefully!
19:43 <•Kotono> "Well, we're due to dock sooner than later," she says, "Once that happens your chances will improve. Get some rest, I heard we'll dock within half a day at most."
19:43 <•Kotono> Orange hums, "Then snice it was a team effort, what's to be done with the jacket?" he muses, "Do either of you ladies want it?"
19:44 <•Kotono> "We already have an Anne, unfortunately," Sanda reflects, "But it could still be highly useful. What do you think, Skaya?"
19:44 <•Kotono> Grenge shakes his head, "No interest in it myself. Chauntea knows I have enough problem.s"
19:45 <Skaya> "I actually do like it, but I just want to make sure. It can hold a soul with nefarious intentions and all that, but it's not actually evil? Not that kind of cursed, at least?"
19:46 <•Kotono> "Not that I can tell," With a feline gaze on you, "But it is resistant."
19:46 <•Kotono> "Then we take it and pay the rest of yo usomething for it?" Sanda suggests, "What's a fair price?"
19:47 <Skaya> "Let's pick the price of a jacket that provides such fast healing and divide by two?" Skaya proposes. "If it turns out to have amazing features I can pay more later, and if it's super cursed that's just my loss."
19:53 <•Kotono> As you talk, "Excuse me," A tall, gray haired man emerges. He wears black clothes and white gloves, as well as a white face mask. "I heard you asking about planar travel items? What are you in the market for?"
19:53 <•Kotono> A feline hiss, "Here we go, you scurvy little skag."
19:54 <•Kotono> "There's nothing wrong with just talking," The man retorts pleasantly enough, unbothered.
19:55 <•Kotono> Orange coughs, "Here we go is right, but still, not my circus," he steps back.
19:55 <•Kotono> Grenge smiles a little, "As for the jacket, say give up your shares in the staff and axe? That should be enough gold to cover it."
19:56 <•Kotono> "Statistically speaking, your timing is suspicious," Sanda seconds, "Don't you think so, Skaya?"
19:57 <Skaya> "I don't actually have a lot of prerequisites for one," Skaya responds, after a long glance at the cat and then Sanda. "One charge per day to take a group of 8 to any plane of choice, as per Plane Shift? It's fine if the targeting is not precise." Of course this is super shady, but she's curious as to this so-called skag's motives. Would it be a ring that sends you to Gehenna?
20:01 <•Kotono> "Please, Gehenna is miserable this time of year," The man retorts, "Before others say so crassly, I hear and see thoughts as clearly as you see the world around you. My motives are to make coin, but I have no patience for a shopkeep's life. With apologies to you, Miss Sanda."
20:01 <Skaya> OOC: That was actually my thoughts! Stop reading my thoughts!
20:02 <Skaya> "It's actually better than some of the alternatives," Skaya responds, thinking that very same thing.
20:04 <•Kotono> Sanda looks miffed but doesn't comment, as, "I can provide such a thing, though it will take me a few days to get it. In the meantime, I can provide a one way trip if you need to go somewhere off ship, complementary."
20:04 <•Kotono> "Free samples are a diabolical trick," Another feline hiss.
20:05 <•Kotono> "Actually, the numbers suggest they're a good strategy with a good product, or an addictive one," Sanda counters, "Which means...well, one out of two is diabolical." she concedes.
20:05 <Skaya> "Hey, wait a moment!" Skaya says cheerfully, taking off an onyx ring and putting another in its place. "What am I thinking now?"
20:05 <Skaya> OOC: Aglaine, which also conveys Nondetection at CL7
20:06 <Skaya> As for her thoughts, she wonders if he already knows where she wants to go.
20:07 <•Kotono> "That you're happy you put on a ring that shields your thoughts with magic, and that I usually don't press barriers like that," The man counters, "I see what I see and make no more apologies than a man makes for seeing what he sees, but I don't open closed doors to snoop."
20:07 <•Kotono> "Men seeing what they see is half the problem," Liza mutters darkly.
20:07 <Skaya> "That's not what I actually thought, though," Skaya says with a pout. "Come on, can you try? It's okay this one time."
20:07 <•Kotono> Sanda sniffs at that, "Well, I suppose that's fair. It suggests that you can press past them, though."
20:08 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 modifier hidden
20:08 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 modifier hidden --> [ 1d20=12 ]{12}
20:09 <•Kotono> OOC: What are you thinking?
20:09 — Skaya is thinking about strawberries and raspberries, and whether each is better fresh or as jam.
20:10 <•Kotono> After a few moments of thought, "I prefer jam," He answers in response, "Though fresh, in season berries are a special treat."
20:14 — Skaya gives him a thumbs up. "I think that an answer that avoids choosing by embracing every good option is great! Okay, so in broad terms, I'd be happy to take you up on your offer. However, since Sanda mentioned diabolical matters, I will insist on not committing to any purchases and clarify that targeting inaccuracy must still be within the target plane and not an innately-hostile destination."
20:14 <Skaya> She turns to the cat again, and says, "Since it is somewhat crass to solicit customers in another's store like that, I'll be sure to provide plenty of business to you as well as an apology, if you are amenable to that?"
20:15 <•Kotono> That gets a few less hisses, "I'll count ont hat," she says, going to groom herself fiercely.
20:16 <•Kotono> "A free sample, as you said? Very well," The man says agreeably, "Also, please call me Gray." He taps his head, "On the nose, but what is a man without a good theme?"
20:16 <•Kotono> "Complex? Interesting?" Liza fires idly.
20:17 <Skaya> "Ah, I'm sorry but I'm somewhat biased against shady wizards in masks," Skaya genuinely apologizes. "Still, that's that, and business is business! Sanda, can you please use a Sending to ask Devar where exactly he is and to give as much description as possible because we are going to be plane shifting over?"
20:18 <•Kotono> Sanda goes off to do that right away. In the meantime, "Until you return, then," Grenge waves and goes off, "Send me my money once it's done, kitty."
20:19 <•Kotono> "I am not a kitty," The shopkeep retorts sharply, fur bristling.
20:19 <Skaya> "Let's explore again together!" Skaya tells Grenge cheerfully.
20:20 <•Kotono> Soon enough Sanda returns, "They're at Rina's manor," She answers, "We've been there so we have an idea already."
20:21 <Skaya> "Huh. Well, that's convenient!" Skaya agrees. "Liza, want to take a trip with us? It's to a Prime, one of our friends became a noble there."
20:22 <•Kotono> Liza perks up as Sanda's smile becomes brittle, "I'd love that, Skaya." She comes over and joins you right away.
20:25 — Skaya turns to stare at the masked wizard, with only the thought of 'WHY' repeating loudly in her mind.
20:26 <•Kotono> "There are many questions not even I can answer," He says politely, "Shall we depart?"
20:26 <Skaya> "Yes, please."
20:26 <•Kotono> Sanda and Liza give each other a staredown in the meantime, "Tell me of this location," he instructions, "The more, the better."
20:29 <Skaya> "It's a Prime, first of all. There is the land-locked Kingdom of Laremy surrounded by Girm and Kellym to the west, Eis to the east, Welland to the north and the so-called Petty Kingdoms to the south. The ruler is a queen, and the religion of Tempus is strongest. The city of Mellanics is on the eastern border, a fortress city that recently prepared for a siege."
20:29 <Skaya> After this basic outlook, Skaya details Mellanics visually, focusing on just outside the city so they don't create a panic if the plane shift is very accurate.
20:30 <•Kotono> "I have enough," Gray proclaims, as the three of you are close. Sanda on one side, Liza on the other and Gray gestures. A cloak appears over his shoulders, dark and shadowy. With a swirl it enlarges and engulfts the three of you, then...
20:30 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:30 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=85 ]{85}
20:31 <•Kotono> Thunk! You appear a few feet off the ground, a jarring but safe landing. You're back amid summery warmth and sunshine, on the road towards Rina's manor. The three of you stand here, no sign of Gray.
20:32 <Skaya> "That's ridiculously direct," Skaya mutters. "And he's not even coming for the ride?"
20:33 <•Kotono> "He has a reputation, he's strong," Liza speaks up here, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. "Versatile, but comes and goes. He's away from the ship quite some time, so either he can freely travel or he can overcome the lure of the ship."
20:34 <•Kotono> "I suspect that cloak is a magical item that enables it," Sanda sniffs, "If he can travel with it freely, even a setback is only a minor annoyance."
20:35 <Skaya> "That's really why I want one, too, to make things more convenient for us," Skaya agrees. "Ah, but the ship shouldn't hold anyone outright connected to the hells, so I don't think it's quite as bad as you feared, Sanda."
20:39 <•Kotono> "Still," With a sniff, "Let's go and meet up already."
20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: Ready to move along then?
20:49 <Skaya> OOC: Yes