The Dragon-Turtle Meet 15

[Corwin]

19:24 <•Kotono> The next morning you meet up with Logan. The party approaches as he and his Anne eat breakfast, the two quiet as they feed themselves. Bu ton your approach, "So you're here. Have you decided?" Is the question the party gets.
19:27 <Skaya> "We're in," Skaya responds. "Our two companions finished with their own business as well earlier than expected." She'll let Devar and Rina introduce themselves.
19:28 <Devar> "Devar of Eldath." He says, simply, with a polite nod.
19:29 <•Kotono> "Rina," Rina introduces herself, hanging back.
19:29 <•Kotono> "Today then?" The question back, short and to the point.
19:31 <Skaya> "We're ready to go."
19:32 <Devar> "I have some magic I can use before we go if there's anyone in your group that doesn't use more traditional armor." Devar offers with a nod to Skaya, since he knows she's one of those types. "It should last several hours so we can just use it before we go to engage it."
19:36 <•Kotono> There's only a nod back at that, "We'll see to all of that. Anything else to add?"
19:36 <•Kotono> "I can provide some support as ewll before the battle, but only just before it or during it," Anne states, "But it may give us an advantage yet."
19:37 <•Kotono> "Then we'll go," Is the brisk words, before Logan coughs. He clears his throat, "Pardon."
19:38 <•Kotono> There's a moment before Sanda says, "What are the odds that...?"
19:38 <•Kotono> "Enough for me to ask some questions. You aren't feeling ill or were around ill people, were you?" Anne steps forward.
19:39 <•Kotono> "I feel fine and no," A slight scowl, "A cough is nothing but a cough." Logan declares.
19:40 <Skaya> "Sorry, we did come from Dareslan," Skaya attempts to mediate. "You mentioned previously that your other companions were indisposed?"
19:41 <•Kotono> "Besides Fortier, who will meet up with us outside of town," Logan explains, clearing his throat once more, "Understandable."
19:41 <•Kotono> "Speak up if you begin to feel ill or cough again," Anne says, no room for argument in her tone. "The sooner a plague is contained, the better."
19:42 <Skaya> Either way, getting out of the city and out to sea would be good in this situation, so Skaya is content to see where this leads.
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=32 ]{32}
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=69 ]{69}
19:42 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+10
19:42 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{11}
19:47 <•Kotono> By the time you're out of the city? There's one problem? A few more coughs from Logan, and the beginning of sniffles. Anne's expression, both of them honestly, become pained. "And here I hope it's only a summer cold," Your Anne comments as you head to the city gates. "Logan?"
19:47 <•Kotono> "It does feel like a cold," he admits, "My sense of smell's off."
19:47 <Devar> "Anne, do you think you can determine for sure what it is, or is it too early to tell?" Devar asks.
19:48 <•Kotono> "It's probably too early, but give me five minutes for an examination somewhere private." Anne decides, "I no longer fear disease, so fear not spreading it to me."
19:48 <•Kotono> Sanda's jaw is clenched, while Rina simply says, "This time, we'll be ready."
19:48 <•Kotono> "I know an innkeep near here," Logan says, "We can borrow a room."
19:49 <Skaya> "Let's do that."
19:49 <Skaya> OOC: I can assist
19:57 <•Kotono> That's easy enough to do as the party makes a quick pit stop, before...
19:58 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+17 she'll roll her since a high end result might really help (+2 aided by Skaya)
19:58 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+17 she'll roll her since a high end result might really help (+2 aided by Skaya) --> [ 1d20=18 ]{35}
20:00 <•Kotono> Of all things, it's when Anne reaches up and gently feels at Logan's throat. She stops, pauses, and does it again. As he stands there, arms at his side and expression controlled. Anne lets out a few unkind words. "There's some inflammation, I think. It could be a sign of irritation, of a throat sickness or of a more generalized illness. You've coughed, but not enough to provoke that sort of
20:00 <•Kotono> inflammation yet. Is your throat sore?"
20:00 <•Kotono> "A little," Logan says, "It's getting dry."
20:01 <•Kotono> "I don't like it." Anne decides, lowering her hand. "We have a day, we wait a day and see. I'll cure it myself if you have anything serious. If plague is coming, that dragon turtle can go hang." Then, darker, "And I hope this isn't a repeat of the dual troubles Dareslan faced on that dreadful day."
20:02 <•Kotono> Logan goes up and massages his throat, then turns aside and coughs, clears his throat and is unpleasant. "And I dislike even more that it sounds like congestion is building in your chest." Anne concludes.
20:03 <Skaya> "We did discuss waiting a day before," Skaya muses. "Maybe we can examine your other companions?" she offers to Logan.
20:04 <•Kotono> "That's only wise now," Logan admits, "Fortier was fine when I saw him yesterday, and Anne seems fine as well."
20:04 <Devar> Devar nods to Skaya. "If they have similar symptoms, we might be able to track where it came from and get to the source, if it is the same sort of problem."
20:10 <•Kotono> "Then we spend today on that?" Anne suggests, "No risk, and if something is starting, we can send up the alert soonest."
20:10 <•Kotono> "And if it is, we know Brachidos is up to no good," Sanda remarks, "Which means..."
20:11 <•Kotono> "He might even still be here, or near," Rina says, "I hope. Ooooh, how much I hope."
20:12 <Skaya> "I would recommend to self-quarantine for now, just in case," Skaya tells Logan. "Would it be possible for Anne to bring us over to your other companions?"
20:14 <•Kotono> "Tell her to do it and she'll do it," Logan says, crossing his arms, "I'll stay here for now."
20:14 <•Kotono> In a murmur, more to herself but carrying, "AT least we're not at risk now," Rina murmurs.
20:15 <Skaya> "Thank you." Turning towards Anne, Skaya says, "Shall we?"
20:21 <•Kotono> The party heads out. The other Anne is waiting there, and looks up with silent concern, waiting for words.
20:23 <Skaya> "It seems like the start of something, and Logan decided to stay in the inn room for a day to see if it requires medical intervention," Skaya fills her in. "He said you could take us to see your other companions so that we could examine them as well."
20:27 <•Kotono> A shaky gasp, hand to her mouth. "O-of course. I-I'll show you the way."
20:27 <•Kotono> "Please do and hurry," Anne insists, "In case this is something serious."
20:30 <•Kotono> The party is taken out of town. Not far out of it, in the morning sunshine, sits a man. Twenties, strong and muscular. He wears heavy metal armor sans a helmet and sits near the road, drinking from a waterskin. H eseems completely relaxed, raising in toast as he spies the party coming. "Anne! Where's Logan?"
20:30 <•Kotono> "P-please listen to them, this is serious," The other Anne says quickly, "Please decide wisely."
20:35 <Skaya> "Fortier, right?" Skaya speaks. "My name's Skaya. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, even under such circumstances. We've been set to go and investigate that dragon together and were just headed to see you when Logan started coughing. Considering we came from Dareslan and the villain who was behind that plague was suspected of fleeing here, we wanted to exercise caution. Logan decided to isolate for a day at an inn, and we left to
20:35 <Skaya> see you and the others. I understand two of your companions are ill?"
20:36 <•Kotono> Fortier hops up in one implausible, fluid leap. He roll shis neck after, "Not ill, indisposed. Some personal business, they had to leave town for a few days," Is the answer, "Now that you mention it, I've felt tired all morning."
20:36 <•Kotono> "May I?" Anne steps in, going to check him.
20:37 <•Kotono> Rina grimaces more at those words, "Not what I wanted to hear."
20:37 <Skaya> "I'll help," Skaya volunteers once more.
20:39 <Devar> Devar rubs his chin. Personal business, or are they somehow in league with...? He shakes his head, there's no sense in worrying about that right now.
20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: Anne's taking 10 and gets a +4 bonus this time due to circumstances.
20:42 <•Kotono> Sure enough, when Anne checks his throat, "It's the same inflammation, I can fee it starting," Anne announces, grimly. "It's still possible on eof you got a cold and gave it to the other, but..."
20:43 <•Kotono> "The odds look less likely with what we know is going on," Sanda concludes.
20:43 <•Kotono> Fortier coughs and goes up to rub his throat after, "I heard some whispers that a madman was behind the plague in Dareslan."
20:44 <Devar> "Not entirely incorrect." Devar says. "But if we think we're dealing with the same thing, then we should probably retrace your steps for the last few days, especially anytime you and Logan were in the same place."
20:44 — Skaya did say as much just then! "Let's focus on where you've been," she agrees. "Also, Anne, did you stay out of some of them?"
20:49 <•Kotono> "Yesterday? We met up after he met you, walked through the markets and talked," Is the answer as Fortier rubs his throat some more. "We spent a half hour at that before we parted ways."
20:50 <•Kotono> "I went home to prepare for the evening," Anne answers, "Logan didn't see any point in repeating information to me, and the house needs to be kept."
20:50 <•Kotono> "Did yo udo anything unusual together? See anything odd?" Anne muses on that.
20:52 <•Kotono> "We wandered? Logan got an apple and one for me as well from a fruit seller," Fortier coughs lightly afterwards, "It was to have a conversation and stretch our legs. Otherwise...no, nothing I can think of. The guards caught a pickpocket, but we didn't linger to watch."
20:52 <Skaya> "What about previously? The last few days?"
20:53 <Devar> "If what we're seeing is in their throat, is it possible that it was the fruit seller?" Devar proposes.
20:56 <•Kotono> "The day before we didn't meet, I was dealing with a request by myself," Is the answer, "The day before that we spent most of the day together dealing with some things and training."
20:56 <•Kotono> "It could be," Anne says, "Or it could be a complete coincidence. Being around that many people could've simply lead to passing by someone already sick."
20:59 <Skaya> "How about we get you a room at the same inn as Logan?" Skaya proposes. "Tell us what you remember about the fruit seller and we can look into that. And if this is beyond a common cold, we have two people here who dealt with the plague in Dareslan. You'll be in good hands."
21:10 <•Kotono> "You're them?" A whistle, "Alright, you don't act the fool with plague," he agrees, "I'll do that."
21:11 <Skaya> "Glad to hear it!"
21:16 <•Kotono> "I'm not, but plague..." Fortier growls, "And I wanted to hunt a dragon today, too."
21:16 <•Kotono> "Me too," Sanda admits, "But some jerks don't respect that."
21:16 <Skaya> "It's disappointing but the dragon can wait a few days."
21:18 <Devar> Devar nods. "Yes, there's no reason to take any risks. We'll help get to the bottom of this."
21:20 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay then, what's your plan?
21:21 <Skaya> OOC: We get information about where the fruit seller was and how he and his stall looked, then ask around to find them
21:28 <•Kotono> OOC: Diplo for GI then, +1 circumstance bonus.
21:30 <Devar> OOC: Devar will take 10 for 28 and aid if needed or take point on it
21:31 <Skaya> OOC: I'll aid Devar instead, let's go with 30
21:35 <•Kotono> It takes a little asking around, but..."Jerry?" A question at that, a guardsman answering it. He wipes his brow with an old cloth, "He's not here today, but I see him selling fruit most days during the summer."
21:35 <Devar> "Does he live around here?" Devar asks.
21:36 <•Kotono> "On a farm outside of town, I think,"The guardsman answers, "Never been, but he is a farmer and he's talked about it. It's west of town." Is the answer, "He always talks about the big, red barn he has, and how proud of it he is."
21:36 <•Kotono> "Thank you, that's helpful," Anne murmurs, "Anything else?"
21:37 <Devar> "Thank you." Devar agrees. "Have you had any reports of anyone feeling ill today?"
21:37 <•Kotono> "Nothing unusual yet," Is the answer, "But ill people don't talk to the guards, they go home and sleep."
21:38 <Skaya> "Thanks!" Skaya tells the guard. "Hey, let's go pay Jerry a visit?"
21:38 <Devar> Devar nods to Skaya. "Thanks for your help."
21:45 <•Kotono> "And let's hope it's not bad," Rina agrees, as the party heads out. OOC: More.
21:45 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:45 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=38 ]{38}
21:46 <•Kotono> It's into the morning when you find the farm in question. A nice farm with fields and a big red barn. In the pens cows, pigs and other animals make noise as you approach, quite a lot of it. No one looks to be around.
21:47 <Skaya> What is she supposed to do, call out 'Hello Jerry!'? Skaya blinks, and calls out, "Hello, Jerry!"
21:54 <•Kotono> No response at all. No one seems to be around. "Jerry?" Rina calls, hands cupped over her mouth. Still nothing. Anne rises up and zips about before, "No one's working int he fields, either."
21:54 <•Kotono> Rina goes over to the animals, "They sound hungry," she mentions, "Their feed traughs are empty."
21:55 <•Kotono> "The odds of this are getting worse and worse by the moment," Sanda comments darkly.
21:55 <Skaya> "Let's look into this," Skaya decides. "Don't go anywhere alone. Anne, let's fly over to the house together and get in."
21:55 <Devar> "This doesn't bode well." Devar agrees. "I'll stay with Rina and Sanda then."
21:57 <Skaya> "Check on the animals? Maybe to see how long ago they've been fed?"
21:57 — Skaya flies around the house with Anne to peek into the windows!
21:58 <Devar> Devar nods and will go check on that - and he might as well look for their food while he's at it - no sense in leaving them hungry if he can find it easily.
22:00 <•Kotono> OOC: #evil, Devar.

[Corwin]

22:00 <•Kotono> Skaya and Anne check the windows and...OOC: Perception.
22:00 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
22:00 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{19}
22:01 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Anne might pop a big one
22:01 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 Anne might pop a big one --> [ 1d20=3 ]{9}
22:02 <•Kotono> Nothing looks too unusual from what you can see from the outside, at least.
22:02 — Skaya touches down by the front door and opens the lock.
22:03 <•Kotono> It's not locked. Inside you see the immediate entrance is silent, no sign of anyone. "Hello?" Anne calls, "If you're in here, please speak up!" Nothing.
22:05 <Skaya> "We're coming in!" Skaya calls out, opening the door and looking about. She has a basic idea of the home from flying around it, so there could only be so many rooms used as bedrooms.
22:13 <•Kotono> The kitchens, the dining room, the big family room with a fireplace? All empty. It's when you come to the big master bedroom that you find something. Lying on the wrong side of the bed to see from inside is a face down man and woman, dried blood around them. Neither moves in the slightest.
22:14 <Skaya> "Here we go, Anne. Let's see what got them, and how long it's been since."
22:17 <•Kotono> Anne nods briskly and...OOC: Heal checks again.
22:17 <Skaya> OOC: I'll stick to aiding here
22:18 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+17 (+2 aid) Heal Anne
22:18 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+17 (+2 aid) Heal Anne --> [ 1d20=13 ]{30}
22:20 <•Kotono> It's not hard to tell. A stab in the back each, sharp and decisive. "Accurate, too. Heart stabs, I doubt they were in a position to resist," Anne says clinically. "Mercy," she whispers, silent pleas for them, as both of you endure the smells of death. "What's worse, look." Pulling back the farmer's ruined shirt, you can see the stab wound has blackened flesh around it. "That's not normal. Magic
22:20 <•Kotono> or poison, no doubt."
22:20 <Skaya> "Any chance you still have the magic to talk to them?"
22:27 <•Kotono> "I do," Anne agrees, "I'm glad I prepared it again, in case we had another chance."
22:28 <Skaya> "Ask Jerry who killed him, why the fruits he sold are making people sick, and who came to him recently with a lucrative or strange proposal. Think that works?"
22:32 <•Kotono> "I think so," Anne agrees, "But first...I'd like to finish sweeping the hose." A hesitation. "I doubt there were only a husband and wife here, but a family. It's my duty to lay them to rest as well, should that have happened."
22:33 <Skaya> "You're right, let's finish the sweep first," Skaya agrees. "Ah, just how many questions can you manage? Because we could ask a follow-up to identify the poison or disease, ask about an antidote or about future plans."
22:33 <•Kotono> "Three, and it can only be cast on a corpse each week. However, the husband and wife are separate for the spell, and that may be fruitful if so," Anne confesses, as you continue to search.
22:33 <•Kotono> roll 1d2
22:33 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d2 --> [ 1d2=2 ]{2}
22:34 <•Kotono> By fortune, it's Anne who peeks into a room. She sighs heavily, "Skaya, would you find and fetch some clean linens? Bed sheets will do. Oh Moore..."
22:35 — Skaya hesitates before following Anne's request.
22:37 <•Kotono> It's done. "You don't have to," Anne murmurs once you give them to her. "I can do this part alone."
22:37 <Skaya> "They murdered the kids as well?"
22:38 <•Kotono> "It's a massacre," Anne whispers, "The only mercy is that they weren't young. Three, young adults."
22:39 <Skaya> "Let's finish our sweep."
22:39 <•Kotono> A simple nod at that. The only other mercy is that there's only a few more rooms, and no other bodies that you find.
22:41 <Skaya> "Let's get the others over and then we'll use the magic to question Jerry," Skaya proposes, opting to exit through a window to get a bird's eye view on the grounds.
22:41 <•Kotono> It's not too hard to find the others, and...OOC: #evil.

[Corwin]

22:01 <•Kotono> The animals are restless. They make noise, they swarm towards all of you. Rina shakes her head and goes, "They're hungry, they weren't fed at least today, possibly not since yesterday."
22:02 <•Kotono> "You think so?" Sanda asks, "That has to be a bad sign, don't farmers live and die on things like that?"
22:03 <•Kotono> "Yeah," Rina agrees, "I really don't like any of this now.'
22:03 <Devar> "They do." Devar agrees as he looks around to find food for them. OOC: Take 10 on Handle Animal for 27 to at least calm them down a bit within reason while he gets them some food.
22:11 <•Kotono> There's food in the barn - which has more cows and horses penned in, all making a lot of noise.
22:14 <Devar> "Will you two look around for anything out of the ordinary while I take care of the animals?" Devar asks. "If we assume the worst, I'm not sure how these animals are going to stay fed unless we can find someone in town to do it." He will go and distribute the food as best as he's able.
22:17 <•Kotono> "Got it," Rina agrees, Sanda doing the asme. The animals are eager for food, going righ tto it once you lay some out.
22:19 <Devar> Devar nods and will make sure all the animals get properly fed - maybe a little extra since who knows when they were fed last! He'll look around once that's done just in case.
22:27 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception then.
22:30 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 20 - you can't get me, Kobot!!!
22:33 <•Kotono> You search around - hm? Behind some hay in the back of the barn, you spy something. A single boot shod foot, sticking out just barely.
22:34 <Devar> "What the...?" Devar murmurs. "Rina, Sanda, over here." Devar calls out, going over to investigate.
22:36 <•Kotono> The two join you as you investigate. It's a man, maybe 30 to 40. A rough peasant sort, lying in a pool of his own blood. A single stab wound is in his back, as he lies face down. The blood's dried and he doesn't move at all.
22:37 <Devar> "I think we know what happened to Jerry, if this is him." Devar says with a frown.
22:40 <•Kotono> "If so," Sanda bows her head.
22:40 <•Kotono> Rina matches that a moment, before, "Just like he tried to stab you in the back, Sanda."
22:41 <•Kotono> An electric shudder goes through Sanda. "Not even the courage to face them, but to make their last moments nothing but fear."
22:41 <Devar> "Let's look around and see if we can find anyone else, then we can give them a proper burial." Devar says.
22:42 <•Kotono> "At least," Rina says as you all head out, just in time to meet up with Skaya and Anne. Anne looks pale. "We found them," she says, and nothing else.

[Corwin]

22:42 <•Kotono> "We found someone in there, too," Rina offers, "...bad?"
22:43 <•Kotono> "Five." Anne answers, "An atrocity."
22:43 <Skaya> "The family's been massacred. We're going to use Anne's magic to find out some key details."
22:44 <Devar> Devar frowns. "I wonder if 'Jerry' was really the one selling the apples, now."
22:44 <•Kotono> "Using people and then throwing them away. Again." Rina whispers.
22:44 <•Kotono> "An illusion or shape change? That would make a lot of sense," Sanda remarks.
22:45 <Skaya> "Would it? They haven't been dead for weeks. How far back would you put it, Anne?"
22:45 <•Kotono> "A day or two," Anne answers, "Recent."
22:45 <Skaya> "Could've happened after Jerry returned. Both work."
22:46 <Devar> Devar nods. "We'll know more after we ask." He says.
22:46 <Devar> "If you want, I can take care of the burial while you all ask?" He offers.
22:47 — Skaya sighs. "Might as well."
22:49 <Devar> Devar nods and will go to get started on that task, while making a silent prayer to Eldath to take care of them.
22:49 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+1 will save vs 19 I believe
22:49 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+1 will save vs 19 I believe --> [ 1d20=3 ]{4}
22:49 <•Kotono> OOC: What were your questions?
22:50 <Skaya> OOC: Ask Jerry who killed him, why the fruits he sold are making people sick, and who came to him recently with a lucrative or strange proposal. <-- in that order
22:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, we'll do that...next time!
22:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Since we're almost an hour over.

[Corwin]

19:08 <•Kotono> OOC: Still good on those questions?
19:08 <Skaya> OOC: Yes from me
19:08 <Devar> OOC: approved
19:12 <•Kotono> Thus the corpse is questioned. On Anne's first question, "The man in a mask," Is the answer. Anne nods grimly to that, unsurprised. On the second question, "The masked man's vials." to which Anne shakes her head. To the last, "The masked man came to us, and death followed."
19:13 <•Kotono> Once the questions are done, Anne gently lays the body back down. "Confirmation, at least."
19:13 <Skaya> "It's confirmation, which is good, yes," Skaya agrees with a frown. "Is that the last of those spells you have, Anne?"
19:19 <•Kotono> "Unfortunately so," Anne confirms, " Tomorrow I can question the others if you wish, if all of those spells are not taken by disease curing."
19:19 <•Kotono> "Entirely too possible," Sanda sniffs, "More importantly, word has to be spread. There will probably be another quarantine."
19:20 <Skaya> "Since we can't use a question to ask for where the vials are or if there's an antidote here, let's do the search ourselves."
19:21 <•Kotono> "I can search the house throughly with you," Rina offers, "It'll take time to do it right, let alone the rest of the grounds."
19:23 — Skaya taps her lips. "Right. In that case, how about you deal with the quarantine? Have people to stay at their homes. We can help the city organize food distribution for a few days as we determine how infectious this thing can be."
19:25 <•Kotono> OOC: Who do you mean there?
19:26 <Skaya> OOC: Rina offered to stay. Anne and Sanda talked about the quarantine. Devar can choose his preference!
19:27 <Devar> OOC: Devar's fine staying to help search, he's already burying anyway
19:27 <•Kotono> "I'll see to it," Anne agrees, "And perhaps as we're no longer subject to disease, an exemption from the quarantine. That may be wildly unrealistic, but perhaps we can manage that."
19:28 <•Kotono> "No chance unless the High Reeve is a fool," Sanda answers bluntly, "You don't undercut quarantines, or they're pointless."
19:29 <Skaya> "You have an excellent reason to return if we don't find anything, since there'd be more to question."
19:29 <•Kotono> "Probably so, but..." Anne lets it go as the two leave. Just as they slip out of sight you can hear Sanda let out a squawk of indignation, followed by Anne's testy response, "Oh shush, flight is far faster and every moment matters now."
19:30 <Skaya> "Anne keeps on sending really mixed signals about Sanda," Skaya can't stop herself muttering once the pair is gone.
19:31 <•Kotono> Rina almost smiles a moment, but gloom returns. She takes a breath, murmurs something to the corpses and says, "Let's get to work."  OOC: What's everyone's Perception checks?
19:31 <Devar> OOC: +10 for me
19:31 <•Kotono> OOC: Rina is +12.
19:31 <Skaya> OOC: +18 for me, I think I haven't used my 1/day knowledge boost for it so it'd be +24
19:32 <•Kotono> OOC: Are y'all taking 10/20 or rolling here?
19:32 <Skaya> OOC: I want to take 20, we're not in a rush so long as it's just a few hours
19:33 <•Kotono> OOC: In that case Rina will aid you for +2.
19:33 <•Kotono> OOC: Assuming Devar does the same, what's that put your total at?
19:34 <Skaya> OOC: Taking 20 we get 48
19:40 <•Kotono> It takes well over an hour to clear the house, but nothing awry is in there. It's when you check the grounds and finally the barn that you find something. Tucked away under some straw is a small dug out part by a wall, where a pair of metal vials sit, stoppered tight.
19:42 <Skaya> "Finally!" Skaya cheers, before carefully checking the vials for any lettering, identifying marks and, of course, for whether their seal holds tight. "Devar, can you check if there's magic here?"
19:43 <Devar> Devar does just that, casting Detect Magic! OOC: Spellcraft for 24.
19:44 <•Kotono> OOC: Do either of you have K:A? If so give me a check?
19:45 <Skaya> OOC: Bot?
19:50 <•Kotono> OOC: Oh. Sorry, was a moment.
19:50 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@7A2FBA85.E43ECEC5.F259B257.IP)
19:50 <Kobot> OOC: Right.
19:50 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16+6
19:50 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16+6 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{37}
19:51 <Devar> roll 1d20+14 might as well try
19:51 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+14 might as well try --> [ 1d20=11 ]{25}
19:52 <•Kotono> Thes eals look to be tight, but the metal vials have no marks on them. Both of you notice something, however. The vials are made of some sort of lead alloy. Notable because lead stops many spells like detect magic, a notable bit of magical trivia.
19:53 <Skaya> "No reason to make the vials out of lead all around unless you wanted to impede magical detection," Skaya notes.
19:54 <Devar> "Which leads to more questions - they were hidden here, which shows the intent, right?" Devar asks. "I thought originally that maybe this person was just an unlucky individual, but it sounds like they were involved moreso with Brachidos than I thought."
19:55 <Skaya> "Didn't you hear to his corpse explain Brachidos made him an offer and then he distributed infected vials knowingly?"
19:57 <•Kotono> "Or he got lied to and suckered into it," Rina says, "Either way, though, blood is on his hands."
19:58 <Devar> "I was doing the burials." He explains. "But I guess we can infer from that they were paid in some capacity. Either way, I'm not much of an alchemical expert so I'm not sure I can help identify these, but I can try if we want to open one."
19:58 <Skaya> "Well yes," Skaya concedes to Rina. "This quiet family man farmer was probably not a malicious mass murderer biding his time until he got a good offer, but he did get the offer and rather than do the right thing he chose to poison his fellow townspeople."
19:58 <•Kotono> "Some fatal flaw in him, or mind magic?" Rina reflects, "It doesn't really matter now for us, I suppose."
20:01 <Devar> "I'm also curious as to why bother to go through this." Devar asks. "Couldn't he just poison the water or something?"
20:01 <Skaya> "Alright, so to put us all on the same page," Skaya voices. "Devar, the corpse told us that Brachidos, presumably given his description, came to this man with an offer. That involved dosing his fruits in the contents of these vials, and he knew it would make people sick. Then, he and his wife and the rest of his family were murdered in their beds, in their sleep, it seems."
20:03 <•Kotono> Rina nods along with all of this, "I wish Anne was here," she murmurs, "Skaya, if someone did that willingly and poisoned an entire city, where do you think their souls would go after death?"
20:04 <Skaya> "Gehenna, Hades or Carceri?"
20:05 <•Kotono> "Not like where Regis would have gone," More a murmur than anything else, "I think about that at night, and-" A stop here, "What I'm saying is that Brachidos is collecting. Have someone do something horrible and make sure they die. Would that be something that benefited his patron? Anne's talked about these things before, but I'm no cleric or sage."
20:07 <Skaya> "That's... possible, but isn't that a really slow and inefficient way to go about things?" Skaya turns to Devar, saying, "Which is the exact opposite of your suggestion. Poisoning the well is the most obvious course and given everyone knows Brachidos is coming here with poison on his mind that's what would get watched the most. Too hard to do, too easy to catch and stop early."
20:08 <Devar> "That makes sense." Devar nods. "This just seems a really roundabout way to do it, but maybe I'm just missing something simple."
20:08 <Skaya> "If the local lord didn't put people to watch the town's wells quietly after your visit to him, he's probably incompetent."
20:09 <•Kotono> "I've had a lot of time to think about it," Rina admits, "So I'm guessing."
20:10 <•Kotono> Then, "If not he is a fool," Rina says in thought.
20:10 <Skaya> "I think you might be onto something," Skaya wants to clarify. "But the thing is, people rarely do something just for one reason. The souls thing is probably a side dish, a hobby he's amusing himself with while executing his real tasks. That's my take on it."
20:12 — Skaya also finally, belatedly answers Devar's previous question.
20:12 <Skaya> "I don't want to open the vial just yet to analyze it. While we're probably the most powerful travelers in these parts now, there may be talented locals we could bring on. And Anne would be invaluable in identifying disease and poisons, won't she? Plus there's Sanda and her esoteric knowledge. I think we should put one of the vials into the haversack for storage, do the same for the other if it doesn't explode horribly, and then
20:12 <Skaya> travel back to regroup."
20:13 <Devar> "Sure." He agrees. "There might be someone in town who's better equipped to help with this, like you said. As for the motives of the farmer... it's a piece of the puzzle, but I'm not sure us trying to figure it out helps us in our current situation."
20:14 <Skaya> "Let's pick up some of the fruits as well," Skaya proposes. "We can probably see if they've been dosed after taking a closer look."
20:14 <Skaya> OOC: Not like from the fields, but from the already picked fruit from the pantry or something
20:19 <•Kotono> "OOC: Sure. More then.
20:20 <•Kotono> By the time the party gets out and starts to travelb ack? Anne swoops in from above, carrying Sanda from above. Sanda looks displeased even once she's sat down and sniffs loudly, before, "How did it go?"
20:21 <•Kotono> "For our part," Anne dusts her hands off, "The High Reeve is aware and the city's being secured as we speak. It took us a lot of fast talking, but he let us fly up and rejoin you before the quarantine is begun. We won't get that again if we go back in."
20:21 <•Kotono> "That and the High Reeve is more interested in the finer things in like than ruling, but at least he's not an idiot," Is Sanda's addition to it.
20:22 <Skaya> "Did you explain that we hold immunity from disease due to our natures?"
20:22 <•Kotono> "He said he believes us, but he couldn't take the risk," Is the answer back, Anne's expression serious. "I understand his position with all the lives he has to tend to, at least."
20:23 <Skaya> "If we say we have a cure, will he still believe us but not take the risk of using it?" Skaya asks with an eyeroll. "At some point you really need to be flexible with these things. Ah well. We found vials! And some fruit that might be dosed. Want to look over them?"
20:26 <•Kotono> "Only in my armor and with the rest of you a good ways away." Anne says, "This armor is proof against poison. The rest of you are not." As her knuckles knock against her breastplate, "Just in case Brachidos has decided to be tricky, as he's already targeted us once. He knows we're after him."
20:27 <Skaya> "Yes, that's the other reason I wanted to wait. I was going to open it myself, though. You sure you want to volunteer for this?"
20:27 <Devar> "I may be able to get permission as a paladin of Eldath if we need it." Devar offers, as he takes the vials back out for Anne's investigation and then will move away as she requests.
20:28 <•Kotono> "At worst, I die, and I don't fear what waits for me after that," Anne answers with a softer smile, "I volunteer."
20:28 <Skaya> "I was going to make this joke about wearing your armor but sure thing. How far back do you want us?"
20:29 <•Kotono> "Outside the house, and I'll do it in a windowless room if there is one, with the door locked tight." Anne answers, "At worst, a house with vile poison in it could be put to the torch to protect others. But out here, in the air? Should it be something carried in the air, the winds would take it in every direction."
20:30 <•Kotono> Rina shakes her head, "Somehow you mixed deep caution and your new affinity for air," she comments, "Then again, I like the though tof burning down the house."
20:30 <Skaya> "Don't forget, you can and should Wind Wall it and get away if something goes wrong!"
20:31 <•Kotono> "My own thoughts," Anne agrees, hand out to take the vials.
20:33 <Devar> Devar will hand them over!
20:34 <•Kotono> Thus taken, Anne goes inside and...OOC: More.
20:35 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11
20:35 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=17 ]{28}
20:36 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+15 Heal relevant
20:37 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+15 Heal relevant --> [ 1d20=19 ]{34}
20:37 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+11 K:P
20:37 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 K:P --> [ 1d20=9 ]{20}
20:38 <•Kotono> About five minutes later Anne returns. "It's some sort of enchanted, diseased mold. I'm no poisonsmith or student of natural compounds, but I am a healer and I've heard of this. It's called heartmold and has some ties to the creatures known as yugoloths."
20:40 <Skaya> "Eww, the 'loths?"
20:40 <Devar> Devar grimaces as that explanation.
20:41 <Skaya> OOC: What knowledge would I need to learn more about the heartmold, how fast it kills and how to treat it?
20:41 <•Kotono> OOC: K:N is best, but Heal or a poison making related skill could also help.
20:42 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16+6 K:N, it's higher than my Heal
20:42 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16+6 K:N, it's higher than my Heal --> [ 1d20=8 ]{30}
20:42 <•Kotono> "I'm afraid so," Anne responds, "But what's insidious about it isn't that it sickens. It does and is often a serious or lethal disease, but the survivors have weakened hearts. Early deaths often follow as a result of this, and even at best general poor health remains."
20:43 <Devar> roll 1d20+10 Heal, may as well try
20:43 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+10 Heal, may as well try --> [ 1d20=18 ]{28}
20:43 <Skaya> "Wait, so is it a disease or a poison? Can something be both?"
20:45 <•Kotono> What Anne says is true. In particular it's a nasty, flu like sickness that can kill like the flu does. What's worse is that survivors usually suffer heart damage, poor health, shortness of breath and an array of symptoms that greatly hobble them throughout the rest of their life. Both of you recall it's a fairly recent development, a new bit of misery from down there. The only upside is
20:45 <•Kotono> that about 5 to 10% of people almost immediately shrug it off, suffer no damage and become immune to it afterwards.
20:45 <•Kotono> "It's a disease," Anne answers, "That's a complicated question that-"
20:45 <•Kotono> "Never mind that," Sanda cuts in there, "It's a disease so at least we're safe from it."
20:46 — Skaya rakes her brain for how it is transmitted. Air would be terrible, but knowing the specifics would be good. Also, early symptoms other than a sore throat would be a godsend.
20:50 <•Kotono> The main transmission vectors are contaminated body fluids or materials, as well as shared foods. (Also the original mold, as it goes without saying.) However, touch with an infected person can do it as well.
20:51 <Devar> "Do we think if we use magic to remove the disease, people will still suffer the after effects?" Devar asks. "Not that we really have the option to do otherwise..."
20:51 <Skaya> "Alright, so actual hygiene and isolation should work," Skaya voices. "I think that if we get to the sick early, there won't be exaggerated effects. So let's go back and help the town treat it properly."
20:53 <Devar> "What do you want to do about the others? The two from the group, Logan and the other one." Devar asks. "Weren't they outside of town?"
20:53 <•Kotono> "They got sent into town to rest, didn't they?" Rina asks.
20:54 <Skaya> "Well, Logan and the others insisted these two weren't sick but had personal business. Do you think they're involved?"
20:54 <Devar> "It does seem awfully suspicious." Devar says.
20:54 <•Kotono> Anne says, "Hopefully early treatment will minimize or stop any permanent effects," Anne says openly. Then, "Possibly, or it's an unrelated coincidence. The timing is fortunate."
20:55 ⇐ Iddy quit (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com) Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
20:55 <Skaya> "I suppose it's possible," Skaya tells Devar, "but our top priority should be to save lives. I think we are in a position to catch this really early. If we're aggressive about quarantine and treatment, we might save everyone this time!"
20:56 <Devar> Devar nods. "I'll follow your lead."
20:57 <Skaya> OOC: Is there anything aside from magic to cure it?
20:57 <Skaya> OOC: Also, is there anything to alleviate the symptoms or slow down the infection, again without magic?
20:58 <•Kotono> OOC: Not really, there's no antidote like poison. Any other questions or good to move along?
20:58 <Skaya> OOC: Let's move on
21:04 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com)
21:06 <•Kotono> As you approach Rockgale, you already see the gates are closed and guarded. A few soldiers are mustering outside of the walls, a frantic work in progress.
21:09 <Devar> "They work fast, at least." Devar comments with the others. "We could just fly over, but it's probably in our best interests to use the front door, whatever comes of that."
21:10 <Skaya> "Front door it is," Skaya says, touching down a hundred feet from the entrance and waving in greeting.
21:12 <•Kotono> The guards nod, and as you approach, "Rockgale has been quarantined," Is the call back, "Once you enter, yo uwon't be able to leave until the quarantine is over."
21:12 <•Kotono> "Here we go again," Sanda murmurs.
21:13 <Devar> "We aren't in the same position we were last time." Devar says. "And we're all together this time, unlike last time."
21:13 <Skaya> "We know, we raised the alarm," Skaya responds. "We've gotten crucial information about the disease and must see the High Reeve immediately."
21:17 <•Kotono> The gates are opened for you, just like that. No talk, simply a path forward.
21:18 <Skaya> "Avoid direct contact and sharing food and drink," Skaya cautions the guards as she heads inside. "It doesn't seem to travel by air, at least."
21:23 <•Kotono> Grateful nods at that as you see the streets are already being patrolled. Citizens are inside, the shops being closed, stalls emptied. You're taken to the High Reeve with all haste. He works outside, in an empty grassy lot with a canvas cover to provide shade for the area. Soldiers are running to and from, everyone bustling and at work. You're ushered over right away, "Do you have anything,"
21:23 <•Kotono> The large man asks right away.
21:24 <Skaya> "We found a couple of unused vials of the mold causing this disease in the conspirator's house and Anne here managed to identify it," Skaya opens with, dispensing with pleasantries.
21:26 <•Kotono> "Heartmold," Anne continues, "Contact, shared food and bodily fluids are how it spreads, generally. A serious problem in a city, but hopefully early notice will hobble the spread. Hopefully. :
21:26 <•Kotono> "Yes, yes, of course," A murmuring at that, "Anything else?"
21:27 <•Kotono> "Watch the wells, as well as monitor food. I strongly suggest firm measures to protect food integrity, but..." A trail off, "I know only so much can be done."
21:27 <Skaya> "It's not a hundred percent lethal, but there are health issues even if people recover on their own. That's why we feel that curing it early would be best. Since we are aware of two people who are infected and in the reasonably early stages, having a priest tend to them might also show us if there's more we're missing here."
21:28 <•Kotono> Meanwhile Sanda adds in, "It's possible Brachidos is in the city, or just left it. I'd like help investigating that as well."
21:28 <•Kotono> "Odds are, hm?" Rina murmurs to Sanda, who almost smiles at that.
21:30 <Skaya> "I'd like to propose a few more things," Skaya continues, since that didn't get a response. "We know who the accomplice was, so perhaps we could question others in that area to see who the other customers were. Or we could put out a notice of having the customers who purchased fruits from his stall reach out. Finally, we might look into other farmers who didn't show up in the last couple of days."
21:37 <•Kotono> "Of course, of course," Nodding along to all of those, "That all sounds reasonable and sensible." Quick agreement, eager.
21:37 <Skaya> "Which role would you like us to take in all this, Sir?"
21:38 <•Kotono> A moment of open hesitation, then another and another. It's Anne whos peaks up, "Would you like our suggestions?"
21:38 <•Kotono> "As the heroes of Dareslan I'd be honored," The High Reeve immediately answers, "Please!"
21:40 <Skaya> "I would be the one honored to contribute. Perhaps with a temporary leadership role with the guards Rina and I could devise the patrol schedules and watches?" Skaya proposes. "Anne could have the authority to likewise lead the local and traveling clerics under a single aegis to ease the logistics of healing and recovery. Sanda could then do the same for the more traditionally inclined mages." She pauses, glancing over at Devar.
21:41 <Devar> "I can do whatever." Devar says. "I don't have much healing capacity but I still have some."
21:42 <Skaya> "Perhaps reorganizing the food stores?"
21:43 <Devar> "That's fine, I might be able to find traces of magic there too." He agrees.
21:44 <Skaya> OOC: To confirm, did Anne see a magical signature when she opened the vials?

[Corwin]

19:05 <•Kotono> OOC: Yes.
19:06 <•Kotono> OOC: One sec, terrible timing, but go on with that for the mometn.
19:08 <Skaya> "How does that sound, Sir?" Skaya asks then. "If this proposal is acceptable, would you please prepare us the relevant documentation to ensure a smooth and efficient organization?"
19:09 <•Kotono> "It'll be done, of course," A few quick nods to that, his hands already at work writing.
19:09 <•Kotono> "Thank you," Sanda murmurs.
19:10 <•Kotono> Anne side eyes ther est of you at that, but stays quiet.
19:11 <Skaya> It's a good preliminary suggestion, Anne! And they can amend it later if need be! Skaya curtsies politely, and awaits the written orders. Once they have that, they can start getting to their tasks.
19:17 <•Kotono> The orders are handed over and...OOC: Plans, y'all?
19:17 <Skaya> "We'll start together," Skaya says once they've left. "Follow me to the guards headquarters. Once everyone has at least a couple to support them, we'll start splitting up."
19:21 <Devar> Devar nods. "Sounds like a plan to me."

[Corwin]

19:13 <•Kotono> The guards and various soldiers are in quite the organized tizzy, as you'd expect. The man in charge is a tall man, a scowling brute with a symbol on his breastplate - that of a roaring mountain cat, defiant. He looms over everyone even sitting, barking out orders in between signing off on various documents. He gives all of you a brisk look, "I hear this isn't your first time at a plague,"
19:13 <•Kotono> he snarks.
19:15 <Skaya> "To our regret, yes," Skaya confirms, giving him the signed orders from the High Reeve. "Plus we know a bit more about the mastermind behind it, at least enough to find who he worked with and what he used here. Let's discuss how to protect every single life here together in the best way?"
19:19 <•Kotono> Anne nods as well, "We have to do what we can."
19:20 <•Kotono> The orders are looked over, "So you're the one the coin stopped at," He says after reading, "Fine with me. What's your plan then?"
19:22 <Skaya> "First, we've got to get all the assets we'll need to either stop a bigger outbreak or cure the specific infections that spring up," Skaya responds. "Anne would need an escort doubling as local guides to visit the clerics, plus knowledge of any such visitors. Sanda would be the same but for the mages. I figure the city registers any proper mages that enter it? And if not the guards, at least the Guild might?"
19:24 <•Kotono> "I'll organize the manpower for that," A nod, "Yes. Wedon't account for every little hedge mage who can manage a few basic spells or tricks, but yes. The guild as well has their own registries that cover people who don't often come into the city."
19:26 <Skaya> "Great. The next step involves Rina and I," Skaya continues, nodding at her friend to identify her as she previously had for Anne and Sanda, "joining your people in patrolling the streets. I propose we disclose both the accomplice's name, location and appearance, and at the same time instruct people to isolate, avoid direct contact and hang a white improvised flag or ribbon on the door if someone in the household experiences
19:26 <Skaya> symptoms. The sooner we catch those who came in contact with the disease, the better we can stay ahead of this."
19:28 <•Kotono> "The more we can cut this off,t he better," Rina agrees to that.
19:28 <•Kotono> "Fine, you have the orders anyway," The man agrees to that, then looks to Devar. "What's his role in this, then?"
19:29 <Skaya> "Devar will be checking the granaries and food storage before making a tour of the wells and sewer access."
19:29 — Skaya frowns. "Depending on the amount of them and our personnel, we might want to have them guarded afterwards. In case of more accomplices lying in wait."
19:33 — Devar gives a polite nod.
19:34 <•Kotono> A few more things are sign, "Done," he agrees, "It'll be harder to do anything now unless the wells or the food sources are poisoned, you're right. In the event any of you catch any of them doing that, right now the priority is stopping them. Taking them alive is a secondary concern. Don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt when plague is on the line."
19:34 <•Kotono> Rina nods and smiles slightly.
19:35 <•Kotono> "Only a fool would try such a thing now if not acting with malice," Anne agrees, "But there are always fools."
19:35 <•Kotono> "Statistically speaking, there's good odds someone will panic and try something foolish like that," Sanda comments at that.
19:36 <Skaya> "One last thing I'd like your help with is to coordinate with the Guild," Skaya tells him. "We have all that manpower but it's a bit disorganized. We could sit down with them and work something out, but if you already have an idea as a local who could be an asset and who couldn't...."
19:36 <•Kotono> "Panic kills as surely as malice," The man grunts, "I already have someone over there dealing with it." Lowering his voice, "The High Reeve is a little..." he considers, "He's a peacetime leader, not a leader for crisis."
19:37 <•Kotono> "Which means you're working around him already?" Anne asks, plainly
19:37 <•Kotono> .
19:37 <•Kotono> "He's good at appointing people who know what they're doing," IS the retort, "While he smiles and politely tries not to bumble his way into a disaster."
19:38 <Skaya> "We noticed," Skaya agrees quietly. "Let's just do our best together. We have a really good chance here." As Anne speaks up, she blinks. "Ah, Anne, could you actually test something for me? The purify food and water cantrip clerics have, does it work to cleanse this mold?"
19:40 <•Kotono> "I can do better," Anne comments quietly, "My armor purifies any tainted food or water it touches. That should suffice. The cantrip...probably will." she decides after some thought. "Also, cantrips are for wizards. For the faithful,t hey're calld orisons."
19:40 <•Kotono> "Fascinating," Sanda drawls, "Though at least your armor's useful."
19:41 <Skaya> "I always thought that was a stupid name. Can't we call them all cantrips?" Skaya complains. "But seriously, you can't be everywhere at once. But that spell is easy to cast even for novices and wouldn't require us to give up other spells that could be used to cure people. If we make a habit of casting it daily on the large food stores we could probably rest more easily."
19:42 <•Kotono> "The main problem is that it only affects a certain amount of food or water at a time, and it's not on a scale ot purify a city's food or water supplies," Anne points out, "Even for a more experienced spellcaster. But it will certainly help."
19:43 <Skaya> "Let's confirm whether it works and then see how many people are available. We can always default to your armor if need be," Skaya muses. "Alright. Are we good to go, then?"
19:46 <•Kotono> Nods all around as...OOC: Okay, Skaya in here and Devar in #evil. More in a moment.
19:47 <Skaya> OOC: This is evil!
19:51 <•Kotono> OOC: Then Skaya in #dunes then. Snort.

[Corwin]

19:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay Devar. Do you have any relevant knowledges or skills for this, first of all?
19:54 <Devar> OOC: I've got K:Nature which I guess would cover this?
19:57 <•Kotono> OOC: Gimme a check.
19:58 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24. Not today, Kobot!!!!
20:02 <•Kotono> You begin at it, checking food sources and water. For water it's various large wells, already guarded with many soldiers. None of those looks bad, at least to what you can tell. The main food sources - for emergencies, anyway - are storage warehouses scattered across the city. These are crammed full of various food, both fresh and preserved as best they can.  But it's one near the docks
20:02 <•Kotono> that gets your attention. When you step in you have to stop an involuntary gasp of surprise. The air goes from summer's heat to autumn's chilled caress, a sudden shock to the system. One of the soldiers with you, an older man who stays near, "Old Tristan's Gift, if you're wondering."
20:04 <Devar> "It's definitely a bit of a surprise. Is that term someone who cast some magic to keep it cooler here, or the name of something specific?" He asks, going in to investigate regardless.
20:08 <•Kotono> "The entire warehouse is magic," The old guard explains, "Best duty to get in the summer."
20:08 <Devar> "That is convenient." Devar agrees. "But it also means you could hide some things here better due to the magic getting confused, so I'll probably have to take some extra time here."
20:13 <•Kotono> "Go on," Is the offer. What's your plan here, exactly? The warehouse is laid out so large clusters of similar foods are stored together, particularly fruit and vegetables so they last a little longer. Lots of big, dense piles.
20:16 <Devar> OOC: He'll first go around with detect magic - it shouldn't get blocked by anything in wood containers - this is both to find out if the magic in the warehouse actually does impede his ability to check anything else because it's permeated in the area or not. If it is he'll have to figure something out in terms of how to find out if any of the food is problematic, but we'll tackle that when
20:16 <Devar> we get there.
20:19 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me spellcraft first.
20:22 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24. Note to self, find a +5 booster for this someday
20:27 <•Kotono> There's definitely a strong aura over everything. It's not unamageable, but it makes it harder to focus. Just checking on what you wear makes that abundantly clear.
20:28 <Devar> As expected. He'll start with the food that's more recent, at the very least, as it's doubtful that anything with magic was put here a while back.
20:31 <•Kotono> OOC: Perception then, -2 circumstance penalty.
20:32 <Devar> roll 1d20+8
20:32 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{18}
20:32 <Devar> OOC: Okay, I see how it is
20:34 <•Kotono> Devar searches around. Nothing unusual catches his eye as he looks. It's a lot of ground and it's a good opportunity to cool off, but no sign of trouble here.
20:35 <Devar> "Is there any recent food you're aware of that hasn't been transferred in here yet, or is due to be?" He asks his companion.
20:37 <•Kotono> "No, that was alld one a bit before you got here." He poitns at the far wall, a collection of grains and fruits, "That's what came in."
20:40 <Devar> Devar will go over to give it a thorough magical as well as personal check - he knows they tried to hide magic in the vials earlier, so he'll look for any metal containers as well.
20:42 <•Kotono> Just as Devar does that? The ground shakes. A huge CRASHBOOM of tearing wood and explosive noise rattles the walls of the warehouse.
20:45 <Devar> "I should've known he'd do this again!" Devar shouts. "This will have to come later, come on, let's go see what happened!" He says as he rushes out.
20:49 <•Kotono> The guard stumbles and follows, "What was-" he tries, but the two of you hurry out. You rush amid chaos. Most of the soldiers at least don't run in terror...at first. For there are many ships in the docks, but one? One is shattered, sinking. A large trade vessel, a few bodies floating around its collapsing form and others swimming int he waters, trying to escape. For on wings of foamy sea
20:49 <•Kotono> water, a great green, dragon-like turtle glides above, just over the sails of the ships in harbor. It's huge, a dragon in flight as bits of wood fall from it sbody like splintery rain. The screams of sailors fleeing, of guards trying to rally - ita ll hits you at once as you take it in.
20:53 <Devar> "Go see to any injured." Devar says as he immediately takes to the air, trying to prioritize anyone in the water who looks like they're in trouble. OOC: He is, however, casting Luminous Armor on himself for no reason in particular.
20:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Clearly no reason.
20:53 <Devar> roll 1d2 str damage in 10 hours
20:53 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d2 str damage in 10 hours --> [ 1d2=2 ]{2}
20:53 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+16 PErception meanwhile
20:53 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+16 PErception meanwhile --> [ 1d20=6 ]{22}
20:57 <•Kotono> You take to the air and immediately go to render aid. Yet as you do? A roar. A roar so loud that soldiers break and flee almost immediately, as the dragon turtle slowly turns in the air. Its eyes burn with fury, great black pits. It stares you down even as it's about 400ft away, lumbering through the air in your direction. You seem to have gotten its attention.
21:01 <Devar> He's no longer immune to the fear brought on by dragons, but he knows how it works anyway. He starts to fly in that direction, shouting out. "Great dragon, why do you bring violence to this place?!" In Draconic, no less!
21:10 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, diplo check, -10 circumstance penalty.
21:11 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 17 in that case.
21:12 <•Kotono> Whatever the dragon heard, it isn't enough to stop it, as meanwhile Devar catches sight of Skaya swooping in and...OOC: Okay, for the sake of organization I'm going to call for init here.

[Corwin]

19:51 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, for patrolling, give me Perception.
19:51 <•Kotono> OOC: And Kobot's down, one moment.
19:52 <Skaya> OOC: I'll take 10 for 28, though if Rina assists that makes it a round 30.
19:52 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@F4CF2F6.B18DCB09.B227C4EE.IP)
19:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Works.
19:53 <Skaya> OOC: Also we're doing the quarantine thing of calling out instructions to people along the lines I mentioned previously. Warning about the farmer guy and asking people to come forward if they purchased his products, asking people to self-isolate and to identify if someone in the household has the listed symptoms, and listing the symptoms in question while reassuring them we're working on curing the ill.
19:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure.
19:57 <•Kotono> The streets are quieter, already the quarantine's order settling into effect. Soldiers work away as you patrol and shout out instructions. Immediately you can see the people are tense, nervous. You're looked on with a mix of hope and near panic, many people tense. It's not long into it until an innkeep calls, "Is it happening again, like in Dareslan?"
20:00 <Skaya> "Dareslan was hit with a magical plague, but this disease is quite mundane. It feels like a cold, and it can be cured by regular magic," Skaya responds, projecting her voice. "Follow our instructions and aside from some brief inconvenience the worst that will happen is a bit of lost revenue while we get everyone healthy. It doesn't travel by air, it doesn't infect people magically. Just avoid direct contact and watch for the symptoms."
20:05 <•Kotono> "In other words be careful and you have good chances of coming out of this fine," Rina adds, "Just listen and do what you're told." OOC: Diplo check here, +2 from Rina aiding but a -1 circumstance penalty.
20:06 <Skaya> "If you're not sure, ask us. We're happy to explain," Skaya adds to that. Making the already afraid people part of the solution instead of a captive audience should help them retain a measure of safety.
20:07 <Skaya> OOC: I'll take 10 and use inspiration, so that 10+14+6+2-1=31
20:15 <•Kotono> Your words seem to be enough - after long moments the innkeeper doesn't argue further, but instead nods and doesn't push it. Rina lets out a soft breath after, all warmth in the summer air, shimmering around her.
20:18 <Skaya> Her words have the benefit of being true. She's only concealing that both are suspected to be the result of the same person. But even the same villain can run plans of different lethality. Skaya supposes she'll know more after their first round of patrols. That's when people will start to identify as customers of that farmer, and they'd have more people for Anne to examine. And it'd also mean Anne would have a chance to try and cure
20:18 <Skaya> Logan and his friend. Even if she doesn't have the spells handy, some other priest here in town might and she'd have all of them under her charge.
20:19 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:19 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=61 ]{61}
20:20 <•Kotono> You walk a little more, doing your job well enough. As noon comes and passes, you have a choice - head back south towards the outer part of the city, or north towards the docks and the ocean.
20:22 <Skaya> "How does it feel, Rina?" Skaya asks, pausing in consideration. "We can either keep going, or split up now that we have a good rhythm. Then you'll be able to double back and cover the south while I head north."
20:28 <•Kotono> "I'm fine splitting up," Rina says, "I'd rather go away from the ocean than towards it, anyway." With a little smile, "Summer's so much better these days."
20:28 <•Kotono> Then that smile fades, a moment of relief admit the quiet streets. "Still," she looks north, "Be careful up there."
20:29 <Skaya> "Just don't burn anyone you're not supposed to," Skaya says with a grin. They should have enough guards for support even as they split up. "Same. Be careful, don't get cocky. A flare into the sky will get me rushing over."
20:31 <•Kotono> "Got it," Rina agrees, turning to go, "Dont' go falling in the ocean!"
20:32 — Skaya waves at her before heading towards the docks without delay.
20:36 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:36 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=39 ]{39}
20:37 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me another Perception check for this.
20:38 <Skaya> roll 1d20+18
20:38 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+18 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{33}
20:42 <•Kotono> You begin to wander a few streets away from the docks. The few people out listen well enough as you go, as suddenly-CRASHBOOM! From the docks you hear it, a sudden, jarring burst of noise and tearing wood.
20:43 <Skaya> "Let's go!" Skaya calls out, dashing down the streets. Rina would probably show up quickly as well, given she hadn't had a chance to really get far.
20:43 <Skaya> OOC: How many guards are with me and with her?
20:50 <•Kotono> OOC: Say a dozen, in case that matters for your immediate actions.
20:50 <Skaya> OOC: Not right now, just good to visualize
20:52 <•Kotono> Thus Skaya rushes. She soon reaches the docks and here...here she sees it. Soldiers are here, most holding their ground even as some flee screaming. For there are many ships in the docks, but one? One is shattered, sinking. A large trade vessel, a few bodies floating around its collapsing form and others swimming int he waters, trying to escape. For on wings of foamy sea water, a great green,
20:52 <•Kotono> dragon-like turtle glides above, just over the sails of the ships in harbor. It's huge, a dragon in flight as bits of wood fall from it sbody like splintery rain. The screams of sailors fleeing, of guards trying to rally - ita ll hits you at once as you take it in.
20:56 <Skaya> "Fucking really?!" Skaya can't help but exclaim. It really was time-sensitive after all! But she hates that her hunch was proven right in the worst way possible. She half-turns to the accompanying guards, ordering them, "Get civilians out to safety! I'll try to draw its attention." And then she flies up, conjuring up a magical torch that hovers above her hands.
20:57 <Skaya> OOC: Produce Flame
20:58 <•Kotono> Flying up, Skaya catches sigh of Devar about 250ft away. As you set up a torch, a roar. A loud, heavy roar from the dragon, one that sends more soldiers panicking. For the dragon turtle's attention is now drawn to another airborne hero: Devar.
20:59 <Skaya> That's great! It means Skaya can fly to within 120ft of the dragon turtle and test her magical might!
21:09 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, I'll be merging rooms briefly, so hold on one sec.

[Corwin]

21:13 <Devar> roll 1d20+3 where's my supreme initiative
21:13 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+3 where's my supreme initiative --> [ 1d20=9 ]{12}
21:13 <Skaya> roll 1d20+12
21:13 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{13}
21:15 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+4 dragon turtle
21:15 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 dragon turtle --> [ 1d20=5 ]{9}
21:15 <•Kotono> OOC: No one did good there, wow.
21:16 <•Kotono> Init is Skaya (13) > Devar (12) > Dragon Turtle (9)
21:16 <•Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and open, Skaya.
21:17 — Skaya closes to within 120ft and then takes careful aim at the dragon's watery wings! Could they be conjured with magic? Will her fire magic dispel them? Only one way to find out!
21:17 <Skaya> roll 1d20+6 SR
21:17 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+6 SR --> [ 1d20=1 ]{7}
21:17 <Skaya> roll 1d20+11 ranged touch if SR is not relevant here
21:17 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+11 ranged touch if SR is not relevant here --> [ 1d20=16 ]{27}
21:21 <•Kotono> OOC: What are you trying, produce flame and throwing fire?
21:21 <Skaya> OOC: Indeed!
21:22 <Skaya> roll 1d6+5 fire?
21:22 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d6+5 fire? --> [ 1d6=6 ]{11}
21:24 <•Kotono> The shot of fire hits the dragon's back. While Skaya isn't that lucky to dispel the wings unfortunately - it's a lot of water and it's only so much fire - a hiss of steam rises up sharply from the impact. As that happens...OOC: Devar, go.
21:27 <Devar> "We do not wish to harm you, but we will defend ourselves!" He shouts in Draconic. He flies up, within around 100 ft of the dragon turtle. "Why are you here, did someone attack or harm you, and you're seeking them?" He brandishes his holy symbol towards the creature, in hopes that it might at least believe that he's not lying. OOC: trying for a full-round of talkiness
21:31 <•Kotono> OOC: Diplo again, -9 circumstance this time.
21:33 <Devar> roll 1d20+8 I believe in you Kobot
21:33 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+8 I believe in you Kobot --> [ 1d20=14 ]{22}
21:41 <•Kotono> Another roar back - but a roar of pain. In a screamed shout of Draconic, you hear but a few words, "Kill...must kill...help!" Then the dragon barrels towards Devar, eyes black as midnight, and when it is merely 20ft away, rears back and spews burning steam all over him. OOC: REf, Devar.
21:43 <Devar> roll 1d20+18 evasion
21:43 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+18 evasion --> [ 1d20=15 ]{33}
21:52 <•Kotono> roll 1d4+3 recharge
21:52 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d4+3 recharge --> [ 1d4=3 ]{6}
21:53 <•Kotono> Devar drops low, near to the water. It's enough to avoid being boiled on the spot, a dodge just enough to evade. Barely. The air blurs with heat haze in the aftermath,a s....OOC: SKaya.
21:53 <Devar> "Skaya, did you hear that!?" Devar shouts. "I think Brachidos got to it somehow, we need to try and help it!"
21:55 <Skaya> How!? She's not a dragon therapist! "Either way we have to take this out of the city!" Skaya calls back. "Hey, come at me, you oversized turtle!" she then yells in Draconic, shooting the draconic beast again with fire and then dashing for the coast!
21:55 <Skaya> roll 1d20+11 ranged touch
21:55 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+11 ranged touch --> [ 1d20=10 ]{21}
21:55 <Skaya> roll 1d6+5 more fire
21:55 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d6+5 more fire --> [ 1d6=5 ]{10}
21:58 <•Kotono> More fire hits the dragon turtle's body. This time scorching its neck, getting its attention to finally turn to Skaya. If that's a good thing is yet to be seen, as...OOC: Go Devar.
22:00 <Devar> "How can we help you!? What is controlling you?!" Devar shouts. He flies up, trying to look around for anything out of the ordinary. Well, besides it being a dragon-sized turtle, anyway... OOC: Take 10 for 20 on Perception.
22:02 <Skaya> Devar's already taken a good look at the front of the flying turtle, so perhaps this would be a good chance for him to observe more of it?
22:04 <•Kotono> An answer to all that comes...next time!

[Corwin]

19:09 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+9
19:09 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{18}
19:10 <•Kotono> Devar doesn't see anything out of the ordinary, as the dragon turtle shudders and roars once more. No immediate response from it, only anger and pain as it whirls in the air. A long, slow, veering turn back towards the ocean. It's more a fall than a proper dive, but it plunges into the waters, rocking nearby ships violently.
19:11 <Devar> "Want me to swim after it?" Devar calls out to Skaya.
19:13 <Skaya> "Yes! Find out where it goes, we'll head after it properly after."
19:13 <Devar> Devar flies down after the dragon-turtle and into the water after it!
19:15 <•Kotono> OOC: Can you breathe water and can you swim or move freely in water?
19:15 <Devar> OOC: I can in fact do both of those things!
19:16 <Skaya> "Is anyone trapped and requires immediate assistance?" Skaya calls out as she hovers above the destruction. The guards that accompanied her should be helping, but there's only so many of them. "The attack on town was thwarted!"
19:16 <•Kotono> OOC: Swim or move freely? Mildly matters.
19:17 <Devar> OOC: Oh sorry, move freely
19:20 <•Kotono> Skaya looks down. Right now things are completely chaos - people fleeing, some holding. The ships are a mess. Some have jumped into the water from them, others fleeing onto the docks. Others have bows readied, though none fast enough to matter. Skaya can see some flail in the water or are below already, struggling in vain. Otherwise it's a panic on the docks, but nothing immediately pressing,
19:20 <•Kotono> no fires or anything.
19:20 <•Kotono> OOC: Dunes, Neph.

[Corwin]

19:24 — Skaya swoops down to pull people out of the water. That will have to take priority for now.
19:26 <•Kotono> It helps. You manage to save some people. Not all, but...there's only one of you. A few other help, strong swimmers diving in and helping, but it's too much. Some were already gone or went down too quickly, or...still, as the minutes pass, you save lives.
19:28 <Skaya> It's impossible to save everyone, but inspiring people is an entirely different things. "Gather all the wounded around me!" Skaya commands, and once that had been arranged she makes a decent facsimile of divine power to heal them.
19:28 <Skaya> roll 3d6 channel
19:28 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 3d6 channel --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
19:38 <•Kotono> That helps more. The injured are gathered amid the chaos, guards and sailors helping. The injured are healed, the wounded are restored. The broken ship sinks beneath the waves in the meantime, as cries and panic give way to dogged orders. Soldiers control the scene, ragged and tired.
19:39 <Skaya> Still no Rina? Skaya will give her more time as she dives underwater to try and see if there's anyone that could still be recovered. At worst, she'll make sure the families will have something to bury.
19:48 <•Kotono> OOC: Got a swims kill or freedom of movement?
19:50 <Skaya> OOC: I do have a swim skill and I can also ignore difficult terrain with the belt, I'm sure it'd help with all the crap in the water now
19:58 <•Kotono> OOC: That'll help. Give me a swim check anyway, just for my reference.
20:02 <Skaya> roll 1d20+15+6
20:02 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+15+6 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{28}
20:18 <•Kotono> You recover more. Those already gone, broken by water and force. Still, it's better than none.
20:19 — Skaya then attempts to discover what happened, questioning those people she'd cured. They had to have been close to the action, after all.
20:26 <•Kotono> It's mostly panic. "I saw it, I saw it," An old sailor says, "It ripped otu from the waves and tore the ship, flying on wings of water.  So fast, fast like a storm wind." Meanwhile Devar begins to make it back, emerging from the waters.

[Corwin]

19:21 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me a quick Perception check. +2 circumstance bonus.
19:21 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 22
19:25 <•Kotono> You can follow it. It's heading back out to the ocean at a high speed - it's big and it moves fast. Easy trail to follow, at least as lon gas you don't fall too behind and it stays clear enough to see. It's heading straight out to sea, anyway, and sinking down as it does.
19:26 <Devar> Devar will continue to follow it, if it ends up going to a cave or something specific he can at least note it. Also, wasn't one of those Clearwater pieces supposed to be out here...? He can't really look for it right now, but he makes a mental note for later.
19:37 <•Kotono> OOC: What's your movement speed here?
19:39 <Devar> OOC: Great question - it's 30ft base, so I am guessing 30ft since I'm not flying but have freedom of movement.
19:41 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay.
19:41 <•Kotono> Unfortunately, the dragon turtle moves fast in the water - you're rapidly falling behind.
19:43 <Devar> For the time being, he'll keep going even if he loses it - it looked like it was still going down, right? So he'll just keep going in that direction - if he doesn't see something specific after a few minutes he'll go up.
19:49 <•Kotono> OOC: PErception again then.
19:50 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 20 if no bonus
19:57 <•Kotono> It's no good. AS it gets darker away from the shore, it vanishes under the waves and into the gloom. There's simply not much to track as the currents fade and return to normal, but it's out well past the shoreline and still going down when you last saw it.
19:58 <Devar> That far down, huh? This will be a bit more complicated. He'll head back up towards the surface for now, unless something catches his eye somewhere.
20:20 <•Kotono> Thus Devar begins to return as...OOC: I'll merge you back in shortly.

[Corwin]

20:28 <Devar> "I lost it eventually, it's a lot faster than you'd expect." Devar says, flying over to Skaya. "But it was only going in one direction. I worry that without the ability to breathe in the water it'll be an issue, but we can probably pass the Ring around to help with that if you want to pursue it."
20:28 — Skaya nods at Devar, asking the sailor, "What was the ship's name and its cargo?"
20:30 <•Kotono> "The Lucky Mermaid and it carried tarkwood and spices," Is the answer, as a young man races up. "A-are you Skaya?" is the question, breathless.
20:31 <Skaya> "That's me," she responds, filing the ship's information in her mind.
20:36 <•Kotono> "Miss R-Rina asked for you. There's fire down south, by the gates," Is the answer, "A-arson."
20:37 <Skaya> "Good thing we split up," Skaya says. "Thanks for the notice. Devar, keep an eye out here? I'll fly over to help."
20:38 <Devar> "All these things happening at once can't be a coincidence." Devar says. "Sure, I hadn't completed the food inventory yet either, but I'll get back to that once this has calmed down."
20:39 — Skaya nods and then rises sharply into the air. A fire serious enough would be seen. If it's not, she'll touch down again and question that runner some more.
20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: #dunes, Skaya.

[Corwin]

20:46 <•Kotono> Skaya flies up. It's not hard to see as she heads south. Several buildings near the gates are burning, smoke rising from them. As you approach, you see Rina leap out of a second story window, flames licking harmlessly at her and a young man in her arms. She grimaces at the landing but makes it, a shudder through her. OOC: Taking 10 on Arobatics for 27,
20:46 <•Kotono> roll 1d6 still
20:46 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d6 still --> [ 1d6=2 ]{2}
20:46 •Kotono set the topic: Skaya: 67/67 Devar 77/78 Anne 76/77 Sanda 55/55 Rina 71/73
20:47 — Skaya is quite fast, perhaps the fastest person in this town! She swoops to the south to help with the rescue!
21:00 <•Kotono> Skaya swoops on in. A deft landing as she sees people have fled - but up there! A third story window, a woman cries, "Help!"
21:01 <Skaya> Fire resistance, don't fail me now! Skaya touches down on the windowsill and then pushes off the frame after grabbing hold of the woman.
21:10 <•Kotono> OOC: What's your fire res?
21:10 <Skaya> OOC: 30. I'm good!
21:13 <•Kotono> Grabbed. She clings to you, shaking as the flames do nothing to you. "T-there's more inside," she gasps out.
21:14 <Skaya> "Don't worry," Skaya assures her after setting the woman down on the ground. "Wait here and I'll patch all of you up in a bit." She then heads back in, except this time she'd try to bring the residents out two at a time.
21:17 <•Kotono> Deeper in the flames are intense, along with the smoke. Thick, foul smoke that your enhanced lungs help with. lying on the floor of a burning room are eight people, all young men and women. The walls are ablaze and it's spreading, fast.
21:21 — Skaya splashes all eight and their surroundings with water from one of the barrels kept in her haversack, before picking up two of them and heading swiftly outside. The water might reduce visibility but she already has a mental map of the area, and it should help them survive a bit longer. That's all she needs to get them out two at a time.
21:22 <•Kotono> The water quenches the flames for now, two down. Then four. As you retun for five and six, the flames are picking up. The ceiling is creaking down, the smoke deeply obscuring things by now.
21:23 <Skaya> She'll just have to risk it, now! With her wings pressing two people Skaya arranged over her shoulders, she grabs the last pair with her arms and dashes out! It's true there's no way she could fly this way, but she can make that sort of jump easily!
21:28 <•Kotono> OOC: I have to ask, what's your strength score?
21:28 <Skaya> OOC: It's 19, Skaya is very strong
21:33 <•Kotono> Skaya manages to lift three, but a fourth? It's too much, and even three is a mighty strain, reduced to going one step at a time. OOC: Max lift at 19 is 350 pounds, you can just barely manage three.
21:35 <Skaya> OOC: I want to drop a Wind Wall behind us to blow all five of us towards the window I entered through, can this make it work?
21:37 <•Kotono> OOC: Wind walls are vertical, not horizontal. It'll push you up, not ahead.
21:39 → Ko joined (~WinNT@BCCF5CF2.F2F44447.16485387.IP)
21:40 <Skaya> There's really little she can do, so Skaya activates her boots of speed and takes off with just two people. She'll be able to return all the faster, and then she'll deal with the flames and the falling roof!
21:41 ⇐ •Kotono quit (~WinNT@E5CEAA21.BB552E26.9534F94D.IP) Ping timeout: 180 seconds
21:42 ⇐ Kobot quit  •  Ko → •Kotono (promoted to owner, opped)   
21:43 <•Kotono> OOC: Movement speed under that?
21:44 <Skaya> OOC: 150ft
21:55 <•Kotono> OOC: That'll do, we'll resolve it...next time! Family.