Chasing Picke 019

[Corwin]

18:07 <•Kotono> Thus the Queen goes. Once she's out of earshot, "We have much to do, and more to mourn after," Anne declares, "No time to waste now."
18:07 <•Kotono> Sanda's quiet, taking it all in. No words come from her, but she manages a little nod.
18:07 <Skaya> "I can still manage more healing. Let's do what we can for now."
18:09 <Devar> "I've got plenty of wand charges for lesser vigor if needed." Devar says. "Let's do what we can and see if Her Majesty has a miracle yet to use."
18:11 <•Kotono> OOC: Who are you planning to try and heal here?
18:11 <Skaya> OOC: I'll try to gather groups of soldiers at our logistical line and heal them up
18:12 <Skaya> OOC: Basically, anyone still suffering there from the ambush and anyone brought back from the front lines
18:14 <Devar> OOC: Anyone in need of something immediate I'll use my lay on hands on, and I have the Rod of Bodily Restoration if there's somehow ability damage at play for anyone. If it's needed I'll use the lesser vigor wands we have too. Any servants / non-combatant types that may have been caught up in things
18:14 <Devar> .
18:15 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay. Any limits for how much of the wand you use?
18:15 <Devar> OOC: nah, we had two - one with 45 charges and one with 47 I think, if he burns through them all he will just buy more
18:19 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
18:19 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@938B6F65.DE90133E.E051626E.IP)
18:19 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
18:19 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=14 ]{14}
18:23 <•Kotono> The wounded. The burnt, the stabbed, the trampled, the smashed, the slashed. Injures of all kinds. Human after human after human. The occasional oddity - a few dwarves, a single elf, a strange man with the slitted eyes of a cat. There's so many injured, so much demand and need. It becomes a blood red blur as all of you work. Eventually the tide stops and Devar, Skaya and Anne sit near a tent.
18:23 <•Kotono> How long was it? The sun is still in the sky but it feels like ages passed.  Anne bows her head, eyes closed. All around soldiers are at work, as well as a large protective detail around the healers. But still - you saved lives. Stopped infection. Ensured fathers see families once more. Quietly, just to the two of you, "So much work," Anne murmurs tiredly. "But good work, worthy work."  OOC:
18:23 <•Kotono> All healing resources expended for daily uses. Devar, you used up your wnads as well.
18:25 <Devar> "Anyone we saved was worth it." Devar says. "I can only hope this is the last of it for some time."
18:26 <Devar> OOC: noted, will update loot when I can
18:35 <•Kotono> "I hope this brings peace. If not..." Anne murmurs something indistinct after, shaking her head.
18:35 <Skaya> "I'd settle for a lack of war for the foreseeable future."
18:36 <Devar> "All we can do is pray." Devar says.
18:39 <•Kotono> "One prayer's answered, at least," It's Rina who comes over, mud and blood stained. She has a limp and a bandage around her lower leg. "Eis is sending out negotiation feelers and begging the Fire Queen to accept it. I was there when Her Majesty heard the news. She likes the title, incidentally."
18:40 <•Kotono> Anne lets out a weak sigh, "Thank you, all above."
18:40 <Skaya> "Can it really be over, just like that?"
18:40 <•Kotono> "I suspect, without being told, that the miracle we'll get is everyone being told to stop," Anne comments, "Along with the message getting through."
18:41 <Devar> "I imagine devils being employed probably helped, somewhat."
18:42 <•Kotono> "Negotiations are a far thing from peace, according to Picke, and it wouldn't be the first time negotiations have been done in bad faith as a means to  stall after a crushing defeat." Rina rubs her face with her hand. "You know..." she trails off, "I thought we'd be the ones to employ something like that, but..." She keeps her voice very low.
18:43 — Skaya sighs. "At this point I think we just need to stay optimistic."
18:43 <•Kotono> "As do I," Anne agrees, "We've done our job and done it with all the skills we have."
18:46 <•Kotono> "For now," Rina says, "Hopefully we can get some food, some rest and see what happens."
18:48 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, ready to move along then?
18:48 <Skaya> OOC: Yes
18:49 <Devar> OOC: yep
18:52 <•Kotono> It's busy - bustle and tending to those still wounded. A long night passes, and the next day washes away blood with rain. A steady, rainy day that drenches the fields with newborn mud. The only upside is that all of you get a nice tent to stay out of the rain. Enough to sit around and keep busy waiting - that is, until Picke at last rejoins all of you. He takes a moment to drip before, "You
18:52 <•Kotono> want the news?" he asks.
18:52 <•Kotono> "Do we?" Sanda perks up, "What do you think the odds are that we don't?"
18:53 <Skaya> "We want the news," Skaya says, ignoring Sanda.
18:53 <Devar> Devar just nods.
18:56 <•Kotono> "Apparently, a furious half silver dragon couldn't finish off that dogai, too bad. So he took his frustrations up with Eis's high command. I'm not privy to what happened, but they're definitely looking for peace now. The exact details are going to be hammered out on both sides with diplomats over the coming days, but the eastern border's going to expand and give Watch some room. Between that,
18:56 <•Kotono> the Queen's display and the overall military situation, as well as what's coming, it's a win."
18:56 <Skaya> "Does it seem like there's an appetite to renegotiating the southern treaty?"
18:57 <•Kotono> "Peace is a win, period," Anne agrees, though looks on at that question.
18:57 <•Kotono> "Didn't come up. I doubt the Petty Kingdoms are interested to save Eis's bacon." Picke takes a seat, "Which means another war in the future, but hopefully a long time in the future."
18:59 <Skaya> "Got it," Skaya responds with a nod, before asking Picke, "How do things look for you? Merits overcome whatever issues the nobles had with you before?"
19:04 <•Kotono> "Frankly? There's a decent number less of them after yesterday. The Count was hardly the only one to die, though most died on the battlefield." Picke takes a moment ot let that settle, "Do you remember Melissine Northgate, the woman who escorted you to the capital? She was mustered in and lived, but she's in a bad way, and she's one of the lucky ones. The Queen won by spending knights like
19:04 <•Kotono> copper coins at a country fair."
19:06 <•Kotono> "Which means?" Rina presses nonetheless.
19:06 <Skaya> "Let's visit the people we've come across, at least, to help them recover properly," Skaya proposes.
19:07 <•Kotono> "Which means there's bigger problems than me, and a lot of the objectors are in the mists now," Picke retorts, "I think that's a good idea. Melissine's been evacuated to Laremy. Speaking of," he takes out a sealed letter, "Permission to travel as far as the capital for healing duties. The Queen's idea, in case evacuated nobles need your touch."
19:08 <Skaya> "Let's make use of this opportunity," Skaya says, taking the letter. Assuming their horses survived the ambush and treachery.
19:08 <Devar> Was that part of Her Majesty's plan this whole time? Devar frowns at his own suggestion. Either way he keeps it to himself and nods to Skaya.
19:08 <•Kotono> Then, taking out another, "The downside is that's written for Devar, Skaya and Anne, our true healers. The other three of us will be attending Her Majesty as requested."
19:10 <•Kotono> With a moment of light returning to her, "Then perhaps the three of us can fly?" Anne suggests, "A quicker and more enjoyable trip to the capital that way."
19:10 <Skaya> And there's no need to confirm if the horses made it. "We can do that," Skaya agrees.
19:14 <•Kotono> "Let's," Anne agrees. Despite the weather, despite everthing - flight is still flight. Soaring through the air, everything below distant. A short trip to the capital, to a private home deep in the capital city. Rich, opulent. Servants in blue and black escort you in. It's a noble's home, wealth and art on display, along with a gorgeous, sweeping stair up to a luxurous, carpeted grand hallway.
19:14 <•Kotono> It goes to many rooms, including a master bedroom. Here Melissine Northgate lays. A blanket covers her chest down, and her face is pale. Nonetheless she sits up, servants attending to her and taking away what looks to be the remnants of a meal. "You lived?" she asks, "Good. Good. Too many died yesterday. Too many."
19:15 <Skaya> "We heard you got gravely injured and wished to help," Skaya says as she comes over. "Fully sanctioned by Her Majesty, of course."
19:15 <•Kotono> "Anne of Moore, a healer of hurts," Anne bows slightly, "If it's in my power, I would tend to you."
19:16 <•Kotono> "They looked, you know. A good Tempusman, you see." A giggle. Airy, sad. "Yes, it's good that we lived, isn't it?"
19:16 <Devar> "Too many." Devar echoes. "If she has anything damaged regular healing can't fix, I have something to restore bodily health as needed."
19:16 <•Kotono> Anne comes over, "Fear now. Even if it's outside of my power now, I would like to one day wash away all the scars of war. May I?" she asks, looking to the blanket.
19:17 <•Kotono> *fear not
19:19 <•Kotono> "Too many, too many," Melissine repeats, as without resistance, Anne gently lowers the blanket. Her right leg is gone halfway above the knee. The other leg is intact at least, but most of her right is gone. Melissine closes her eyes and doesn't open them until she's looking out the window at the rain. "Honorable," she murmurs, "Won in the Queen's service in defeating Eis. Everyone back home
19:19 <•Kotono> will praise me."
19:21 <Devar> Devar murmurs to Skaya, "We can potentially buy scrolls for this like we did already. I leave that up to you."
19:21 <•Kotono> Without a word Anne pulls the blanket back up. After she says, "You were brave, and kept to your life even at this."
19:22 <Skaya> "You can recover from this and return to service," Skaya speaks after Anne. "But first, let's make sure you keep in high spirits and heal as much as possible normally."
19:22 <•Kotono> "A horse, you know. Trampled underfoot after I was dismounted." Melissine says, "It reminded me of tearing the drumstuck off a roast bird. The rip, that is."
19:23 <•Kotono> "Hm, service?" A look up at Skaya, "Without-without a leg?"
19:25 <Skaya> "It can be done, especially for a mounted warrior. Unless you're daunted by rehabilitation or genuinely wish to retire with full honors?"
19:26 <•Kotono> "Or, if you have the wealth and resoruces, magic can mean flight," Anne floats up as well, "There's options."
19:27 ↔ Devar nipped out 
19:28 <Devar> "There are always ways and means forward." Devar adds.
19:29 <•Kotono> After a few heavy moments, "I-" she hesitates a moment. "I don't want to, I want to walk," she says, voice small.
19:30 <Skaya> "I have a friend who used a golem-like leg to walk and never gave up hope. We've found powerful healing magic to return her limb to her now, however, so as long as you keep working and keep hope alive, it can definitely come true!"
19:31 <•Kotono> "You may have heard of the Half-Woman," Anne says, "Though she has no need for that title any longer. Things will get better."
19:32 <•Kotono> "I-please." A look, "I want to walk again, but magic like that isn't easy to find these days."
19:35 <Devar> Devar doesn't want to promise anything but he nods to Skaya.
19:43 <Skaya> "Be strong and be patient. It took us a while to help Miss Cerine. In the end, so long as you don't give up good things will definitely happen!"
19:47 <•Kotono> A nod at that, agreement. Once out of the room, "Another goal, then," Anne murmurs aloud, "And a need to get stronger to manage that magic myself, no doubt."
19:49 <Skaya> "We'll travel between the planes long before this sort of magic becomes available."
19:49 <Devar> "We may be able to buy them, but we'd have to ask." Devar says.
19:50 <Skaya> "And before we actually do that, let's see how the situation with the nobles and knights is," Skaya proposes.
19:51 <•Kotono> "Mmm, yes," Anne agrees at that, "Shall we return right away, or do you have business in the capital?"
19:51 <Devar> "Not me." He says.
19:53 <Skaya> OOC: Let's gather information about the wounded nobles and knights and the way the peasants/common people feel about them. Just so we know how things are and if there's more we can do to help later.
19:54 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure, give me diplo for GI. -2 circumstance penalty here.
19:54 <Skaya> OOC: I'll take 10 for 30 (and use inspiration here)
19:55 <Devar> OOC: Devar will aid for 28 fwiw
20:03 <•Kotono> The word is currently disorganized and rumor spreads wildly. It's generally held that Count Laremy is dead - that's not a secret - and that noble houses almost all lost people. Reports vary wildly, many contradicting each other. For example, some claim House Northgate was wiped otu to the last including Melissine. Others claim that the heroes of Welland died protecting the Queen, while others
20:03 <•Kotono> say that all of you are alive nad well. But in general the buzz is energetic - a victory is seen as a victory, after all.
20:04 <Skaya> Alas, rumors are useless. Time to return!
20:06 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:06 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=61 ]{61}
20:12 <•Kotono> The trip back is uneventful. You return and...OOC: Do you have any plans but letting events funfold further?
20:12 <Devar> OOC: nothing here at the moment
20:13 <Skaya> OOC: Let's be on guard for invisible assassin demons and saboteurs. Speaking of, let's find out what was the story behind the three saboteurs caught.
20:15 <•Kotono> "I can answer that," Rina explains when the idea comes up, "I had a little bit and I followed up. They weren't even supposed to be here, they snuck in and are 100% Eis saboteurs. They took advantage of the chaos of everything and struck, but couldn't get away. They're still being held if you want to talk to them."
20:16 <Skaya> "I can see how we could've managed to make an attack of such proportion, but how did they? Do you know? Are they actually mages?"
20:17 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-B8D5816D.irccloud.com)
20:17 <•Kotono> "That I don't know," Is what Rina admits, "Now that you mention it, I'm curious too."
20:18 <Skaya> "If you get a chance to find out, let us know!"
20:19 <•Kotono> "I can go find out now," Rina gets up, "Any of you want to come with?"
20:19 <•Kotono> Anne shakes her head. Sanda considers before, "If no one else does."
20:20 <Devar> Devar hums once. "Actually, I'd like to. Can you get Picke, too? I have a reason I'd like him to be there."
20:21 <Skaya> "I'll tag along, sure!"
20:25 <•Kotono> Done and done. Picke meets you halfway, in clean clothes and with none of the mud of the day on him. "You called?" he asks as you head towards the prisoner camp, tucked further behind the lines.
20:27 <Devar> "I have a theory I'm hoping isn't correct. But I'm going to prove it either way." He says.
20:31 <•Kotono> As you walk in the rain, "What's the theory?" Is the question you get back. "Something that might make trouble?"
20:32 <Devar> Quietly, Devar speaks. "That it was deliberately set up by someone who would gain a great deal of influence with the passing of that many nobles."
20:33 ↔ Devar nipped out 
20:37 <•Kotono> Picke nods slightly, "You all noticed that as well?"
20:38 <Devar> "I didn't want to consider it." Devar admits. "But it's been gnawing at me."
20:40 <Skaya> "How do you want to get them to talk about it?"
20:41 <Devar> "I'm just going to cast the magic to make them be honest." Devar says. "Their situation can only get better via speaking about it, or so I'd think."
20:42 <Skaya> "Okay, I'll help if there's a good spot for it."
20:42 <Devar> "It may take some intimidation." Devar agrees. "I appreciate the assist."
20:43 <•Kotono> "Then let's hope we're wrong," Picke says, as you go along and.OOOC: For my reference, Zone of truth?
20:44 <Devar> OOC: yes sir, CL10 for whatever it matters.
20:49 <•Kotono> You find them in three tents, each one guarded and the three separated. Up to yo uhow you want to approach this.
20:50 <Devar> "Let's just see if talking without magic gets us anywhere." Devar suggests. "If we need to use magic we'll bring them to the same place to ask again." He says.
20:54 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, I'm fading pretty good between stomach sick and meds, so let's finish this off and perhaps this entire war thing next time. Assuming nothing comes up to throw wrenches in the works, anyway.
20:54 <Devar> OOC: Roger dodger

[Corwin]

19:03 <•Kotono> OOC: Going to tal kto them one at a time or..?
19:04 <Devar> OOC: Let's start with that and go from there.
19:08 <•Kotono> One of them is tied up, chained up. He sits sullenly, eyes closed as the group enters. OOC: This is your rodeo, so go ahead and set up how you're going to manage this.
19:10 <Devar> "I'll cut straight to the heart of the matter." Devar says, plainly and without much emotion, "Who put you up to this? This wasn't some random act that you all chanced into."
19:14 <•Kotono> In a flat, dead voice, "I made my choice for Eis."
19:16 <Devar> "So you made your choice for those that summon literal devils?" Devar asks.
19:17 <•Kotono> The answer is a dead, defiant stare.
19:17 <•Kotono> Picke watches, looming but silent for now.
19:19 <Devar> Devar watches the individual for a moment, "Do you think Tempus will forgive you for that, or did you renounce your faith along with your actions?" He asks. OOC: I'm guessing they don't have any holy or otherwise symbols on them but Devar would look for one
19:23 <•Kotono> OOC: None that you're aware of or see.
19:23 <•Kotono> You get spat at for your comment. "Glory to Eis, down with Laremy's tyranny."
19:25 <Devar> OOC: Does a 21 on sense motive tell me this guy's at least seemingly being honest, or do I get any hints of there being more here?
19:28 <•Kotono> OOC: You don't get any feel of deception, just sullen anger and defiance.
19:30 <Devar> "What kind of tyranny is it you think Laremy is involved in?" Devar asks.
19:31 <Devar> "Because, again, summoning devils is pretty high on my list of reasons not to want to be involved with a kingdom."
19:32 <•Kotono> With a sour look, "You know what you did, you attacked us and you picked another war. Monsters, all of you."
19:36 <•Kotono> Picke snorts softly at that, but glances at Devar instead of commenting.
19:37 <Devar> "'Us,' huh? You already consider yourself part of a country like that?" He shakes his head. "You've made a mistake you likely won't understand until you pass on, I hope for your soul's sake it doesn't descend too deeply to join the devils."
19:37 <Devar> OOC: Unless Picke has something else to add we can try another one
19:40 <•Kotono> Picke doesn't. Once outside, "Use zealous patriots to do your dirty work," he comments, "I'd feel bad for him if not for the murdering he did."
19:41 <Devar> Devar nods. "I didn't want to use the spell yet, but we probably ought to with the next one and just get what we can out of them." He says. "Otherwise we'll keep getting stuck."
19:42 <Skaya> "You know, Devar," Skaya muses at this point. "They're probably genuinely from Eis? Here as infiltrators or spies?"
19:45 <Devar> "It's entirely possible that they are." Devar agrees. "I just feel like them being able to do what they did as quickly as they did and to have the targets they had would've required information that couldn't have been obtained easily. I guess it's possible that they are just really good spies, but.. Well, let's just ask some questions with the spell active, and it doesn't lead anywhere it
19:45 <Devar> doesn't lead anywhere."
19:49 <•Kotono> Thus the group heads to the second. This one is a little younger - 20, maybe. He's badly beaten, face swollen and bruised. He has some bandages slapped over a wound on his side and his shirtless. He's chained and lays ont he hard ground, listless.
19:51 <Devar> "I'm going to cast something." Devar says, again, trying to keep himself rather neutral. "It's going to be in your best interests to not resist it." Assuming the person can at least reply or gives him some sort of acknolwedgement, Devar will invoke zone of truth in the area.
19:54 <•Kotono> You get a wet cough as the spell is cast. If he tries to resist it, there's no sign of it. "Can't do...can't do a thing about it." He coughs up wetly, streaked with red.
19:55 <•Kotono> Picke looks down, "I'd say you need healing, but there's hardly a point now, is there?"
19:56 <•Kotono> "Not a one," The man admits, then focuses on Skaya. "Woman...these men...you..." he shakes his head slowly, "You know mercy, don't you?" he tries weakly.
19:59 <Devar> OOC: Devar would offer but he's tapped out I think? They're still in the same day as using all the other resources.
20:00 <•Kotono> OOC: Yes, and Picke's not a healer.
20:01 <Skaya> "It's a war," Skaya responds after giving the question a bit of thought. "I won't say it was wrong to attack the command tents, and I agreed with the decision to spare you guys long enough for you to stand trial. But at the same time, you are an enemy combatant that launched a sneak attack and you're not in danger of dying, so tell me, what form do you envision mercy to take in this context?"
20:01 <Skaya> OOC: Is he actually dying? Because then I can use my regular Heal skill. Which is +6 so I can take 10 for 16.
20:02 <•Kotono> OOC: Not dying, but that coughing up blood is a really bad sign. He might get there if not treated.
20:02 — Skaya does in fact makes certain the prisoner is stabilized.
20:02 <•Kotono> "Healing. If not freedom, a clean death," he offers, "Not as a spectacle in front of everyone."
20:03 <•Kotono> Skaya gets to work. That shuts him up for now, checking him. He'll need a lot of rest, but some bandaging and support should hopefully let his body heal itself. Assuming he lives long enough, anyway.
20:04 <Skaya> "Alright. I've made you more comfortable now and ensure that you will get healed later. Now, he's all yours, Devar."
20:05 <Devar> "How did you decide on your target of tents?" Devar asks.
20:05 <•Kotono> Picke nods to Skaya slightly. Once she comes back, "Thank you," he murmurs.
20:06 <Skaya> "It felt like the right thing to do," she quietly responds to Picke.
20:06 <•Kotono> A look. A long one before, "We were told the types of tents to target before we left Eis."
20:06 <Devar> "By whom?" Is the follow-up.
20:07 <•Kotono> "It was. Torture is pointless sadism," Picke keeps his voie down, "The actions of angry, grief stricken men."
20:08 <Skaya> "I agree, though in this case it probably came during the capture. It's hard to avoid a lynching during such a situation, and I'm glad there were enough good men there to stop it."
20:08 <•Kotono> "If it's all the same, I'd rather not say," he says, "He's safe in Eis anyway, you can't get to him. Besides, he was just another man. Not a noble or an officer."
20:09 <•Kotono> "I wouldn't have shed any tears if he'd hung," Picke admits, "Violent and brutal, but it would be justice delivered immediately. There's no doubt to their guilt with this many witnesses. It speaks well to the men who captured him, I've already made sure to make a formal mention of that. Good discipline."
20:11 <Devar> "Why did you agree to do this?"
20:16 <•Kotono> "Money," Is the answer, "Family's been in debt since my pa got in trouble with the dice." He lets out a long sigh at that, "No matter what, I got that debt paid off. Got to strike back against Laremy, too."
20:16 <•Kotono> Picke lets out a long sigh at that, "Kid, I hope your family appreciates it."
20:16 <•Kotono> "...me too." He admits at that, a cough afterwards.
20:18 <Skaya> Gamblers are a pretty trashy lot. Now out of debt, that father of his will probably go gamble again anticipating something conveniently saving him, and the house always wins in the end. Wouldn't refusing and staying there for his family been the right choice?
20:18 <Skaya> "How many of you came here from Eis?" Skaya decides to ask, changing the topic. "Did you slip past patrols, or bribed anyone along the way?"
20:20 <•Kotono> "Just the three of us. We slipped past," Is the answer, "A gap in the lines. Don't know the details, someone took money is the impression I got."
20:20 <•Kotono> "I want the location," Picke speaks up there, "The day, if you know it."
20:21 <•Kotono> "About a moon ago, maybe ten miles south," Is the answer, "Away from the camps but not he scouts and riders, and defensive patrols."
20:23 <Skaya> "How did you actually launch your attack?" Skaya decides to ask then, since she'd been curious about it. "Magic? Mundane fire? How did it spread so fast and kill so quickly?"
20:25 <•Kotono> "Magic stones. Don't know the details," he answers, "We were told to use them when the time was right. They broke apart into flames like oil tossed onto a campfire. Spread fast, too."
20:25 <Skaya> OOC: K:A 10 for 26, anything ring a bell?
20:26 <•Kotono> OOC: Could be alchemist's fire upgraded, could be fireballs in rock form, could be a bunch of things. The fast spreading suggests something nasty and possibly alchemical. You just need more info.
20:26 <•Kotono> "Some variant of alchemist's fire, possibly," Picke reasons at that, "Or outright magic. What did the stones look like?"
20:27 <Skaya> "Tell us everything about them," Skaya echoes Picke. While it could be a fireball in gem form in theory, the cost would be prohibitive given the volume of the attack.
20:27 <•Kotono> "Dull gray. About the size of an apple." The man doesn't argue or resist, giving up answers freely. "They were bright inside when they cracked. Like shiny stones. The ones with all the pretty crystals inside that are hollow."
20:28 <•Kotono> "A geode," Picke nods slightly at that, "I have an idea now. DId they smell like anything in particular, like oil?"
20:29 <•Kotono> A shake of his head at that, "Didn't notice anything."
20:29 <Skaya> "How many were you all given? And who provided them?"
20:30 <•Kotono> "Ten, the same person who told us what to do," The man answers.
20:31 <Skaya> "Wasn't he a Laremy local who escaped to Eis? And wasn't even a noble or anyone of note? How could he prepare something like this and remain an unknown?"
20:34 <•Kotono> "I don't know, ma'am, he had money," Is the only answer, as if it explains it all.
20:34 <Skaya> "Describe him, then."
20:36 <•Kotono> "Tall, red hair, blue eyes. He wore nice clothes," Is the answer, then a hesitation. "But-" A stop there. The party's gaze is enough to get him to keep going, though. "It was strange, he smelled like a woman."
20:37 <•Kotono> A blink at that, "Like perfume?" Picke asks back.
20:37 <•Kotono> "A little? Good." Is the answer, "Just I thought men don't smell like that."
20:37 <Devar> "Did they seem especially convincimg and charming?" Devar asks. "Like their words were especially honeyed?"
20:37 <•Kotono> "He spoke really well," He agrees, "He always knew just what to say."
20:38 <•Kotono> Picke's expression becomes pinched at that, and he mutters a few dark words.
20:38 <Skaya> "And it was a month ago?"
20:38 <•Kotono> "Abouts," Is the answer Skaya gets.
20:40 <Devar> "Were you told where the tents would be, or just what to look for?" Devar asks.
20:41 <•Kotono> "Just what to look for," Is the answer, "How to know them, how to choose right."
20:42 <Devar> "Is that normal?" Devar asks Picke. "I understand a tent for the Queen, but..."
20:48 <•Kotono> "It's not that hard to tell noble tents if you pay attention. Size is one clue, but the servants that come and go is a bigger one. You can't disguise that if you have half a brain." Picke admits. "Not without a lot of trickery."
20:49 <Devar> "This is a longshot, but they didn't say their name was Fritz, did they?" Devar asks the prisoner.
20:58 <•Kotono> You get a grunt and a shake of the head in return.
21:01 <Devar> "I don't think I have anything else to ask." Devar says. "We'd have to go into Eis to further investigate this, I think."
21:02 <•Kotono> "Thanks, kid," Picke says to him, "Good luck."
21:04 <•Kotono> With that done, the party heads out. Once out, "Did you get everything you needed, Devar?"
21:06 <Devar> "I just have more questions." Devar admits. "But I wasn't expecting them to simply blurt out the true heart of the matter. That being said, we have a much better idea of what happened and how it happened, so it helps us prepare against future problems."
21:07 <•Kotono> "There's a lot of hands manipulating events, including a fiend or two." Picke rubs his jaw slowly, "One thing I do that isn't well advertised is watch out for that within Laremy and Mellanics. It's rare, but if it happens it can do untold damage. That assassin devil was a big, concerning sign as well."
21:10 <Skaya> "It doesn't even have to be fiendish influence," Skaya agrees. "A lot of hands, yes. So what now?"
21:13 <•Kotono> "We pass all this up in case it isn't known and we wait," Picke says, "If peace comes, we can move then with our various problems. If people get stupid, then we have bigger concerns."
21:15 <Devar> Devar nods. "Makes sense to me. Sorry for dragging you all though this after everything else."
21:16 <•Kotono> With that, events move on and...
21:16 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:16 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@43E72A4.6A0BF371.94975340.IP)
21:16 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:16 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=5 ]{5}
21:16 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:16 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=8 ]{8}
21:19 <•Kotono> Duskfall. The heat of the day gives way to the cool of evening. Your tent is peaceful. The remnants of dinner are here, which Sanda picks at. Rina's dosing, sitting up and arms crossed as her head lulls forwards. Picke listens to Anne tell a story of your travels, "...and then from behind the wagon, Brachidos came out and lunged at Sanda..." It's amid this that a cheer erupts out. Not close,
21:19 <•Kotono> but the noise carries. It's enough to stop Anne's tale, as the sound of another and another is heard. Loud cheering, wild.
21:19 <•Kotono> Sanda looks over, "Is that...?"
21:19 <•Kotono> "Good news? Probably so," Picke rises up in one smooth motion, "Faster than I expected, so it's probably really good news."
21:19 <Skaya> "If that's not Laremy's victory everyone's gone crazy."
21:20 <•Kotono> As if to prove Skaya right, it's heard, "Everyone! Eis has folded! We won! We won!" More and more cheers are heard outside as Sanda lets out a deep, body shaking noise of pure relief.
21:21 <•Kotono> "Thank you, Moore," Anne sighs, clutching her holy symbol. "May I never see this level of massacre and bloodshed again."
21:22 <Devar> Devar adds a prayer to Eldath at that time, and then another for those of Hope's Landing as well.
21:23 <•Kotono> "Odds are we'll be talked to sooner or later, and probably sooner," Picke mentions, "I'm going to go and see when, if I can."
21:25 <Skaya> "Good luck!"
21:26 <•Kotono> To that cheers and relief come - and it's almost midnight when Picke returns. Your lack of need for sleep helps here, as he pokes in, "The answer to that is right now." Picke says, "All of us."
21:27 <Devar> Devar pushes himself to his feet. "Well, let's get to it then."
21:28 <•Kotono> Anne floats up without a word, while Sanda yawns and stretches before,  "At least the odds are in our favor, statistically speaking."
21:28 <Skaya> "Yes, now all we have to do is make sure no one goes hungry this winter."
21:37 <•Kotono> The camp is alive with celebration, soldiers drinking and merriment everywhere. The Queen is deep in the camp - a throne of wood for her, and on either side is a large bonfire. It illuminates her in bright light against the night, as she sits alone. However, the flames dance around her, often reaching out to torch her and yet not leave a single mark. You are escorted and announced to great
21:37 <•Kotono> cheers, the gathered nobles and commoners alike jubulant. Once the party has knelt, "Your group has proven your deeds in Welland were no small things or bard's lies, but the truth. Heroes, you have shown that you are wrothy champions."
21:39 — Skaya lowers her head at the praise.
21:39 <Devar> Devar does likewise.
21:40 <•Kotono> Sanda, Rina and Anne do the same, as does Picke. Once done she continues, "Picke, stand aside for a moment," she commands, and he rises and does that. Now with the focu son all of you, "As I said before, you have earned a reward. What say you to that?"
21:45 <Devar> "Peace is its own reward, Your Majesty." Devar says, head bowed. "But even so, I would never be so foolish as to turn away your kindness."
21:46 <Skaya> "My actions were not for any rewards, Your Majesty. I'm not so foolish as to refuse one, however," Skaya echoes Devar.
21:50 <•Kotono> "I would accept in the good graces it is given," Anne speaks up.
21:50 <•Kotono> "Your Majesty, I'm a shopkeeper," Sanda says plainly, "I take a leftover copper a customer chooses to tip me, let alone a reward."
21:50 <•Kotono> "I would not turn down a gift given in good faith," Rina responds as well.
21:51 <•Kotono> "Then ask of you: What do each of you desire as a reward?" The Queen then asks, "If it is in my power, I will consider it."
21:56 <Devar> To Skaya, via their rings, 'Should we ask for anything for Picke, or just wait to see how that turns out?'
21:59 <Skaya> 'We already asked about that before and bringing it up too much can backfire,' Skaya responds to Devar telepathically, before voicing, "Your Majesty, I've had opportunity to visit Lake Ahms before the war, or rather, the place where it used to be. Ahms and Bluehill weren't doing well as a result of its loss. May I ask whether someone has been placed in charge over that region to restore it to glory?"
22:01 <•Kotono> "Yes, though such matters have been difficult," The Queen concludes, "A dead lake leaves behind only thirst and death."
22:03 <Skaya> "Perhaps the tunnels leading below could be sealed with the help of friendly elementals. And once the basin is sealed once more, the lake could be slowly refilled. And given the refugees such a war unfortunately brings, so long as there are the means to feed them and work exists for them, the population will recover."
22:04 <•Kotono> "Then I will see to such," The Queen promises, "Funds and manpower will be devoted to this. Does this satisfy your request?"
22:08 <Skaya> There is a certain beauty in helping the land recover, and having more people living productive lives in the middle of the country rather than on the borders which could become a battlefield any day. "I'm very pleased that Laremy's heartland will get to recover and return to past glory, Your Majesty."
22:09 <•Kotono> "As will I be," The Queen says, "Devar, what say you?"
22:11 <Devar> "Your Majesty, this is a selfish request, but one I believe has merits to the betterment of those around. I've been collecting items that were made for Eldathians. My understanding is one was near the border between Eis and Laremy and I am hopeful it was recovered or found during the battle. If you or your adjutants heard of it being recovered, I would appreciate any information." He says,
22:11 <Devar> keeping his head bowed.
22:12 <•Kotono> "Tell me of it, and if it passes into Laremy's possession, it will be yours," Is the answer you get, after a moment's thought.
22:14 <Devar> Devar will offer up to she can see both the Clearwater Ring and Bracers and inspect them if she wants to. "I am not sure what form it takes, though if I were to guess I'd say a cloak." He says.

[Corwin]

19:03 <•Kotono> They are examined. "I will have them studied and command that the third piece be found," The Queen agrees to that.
19:04 <Devar> "Thank you, Your Majesty." Devar bows his head. There's more than three but he doesn't need to correct her on that!
19:05 <•Kotono> With that done, "Anne, what say you?" Anne is next and she bows deeply.
19:06 <•Kotono> "I wish for a royal charter for my orphanage, as well as royal support," Anne answers, "So that the unforunate will always be cared for, and that should I pass, they will still be provisioned for as well."
19:06 <•Kotono> *unfortunate
19:08 <•Kotono> "War consumes many and leaves behind the innocent," The Queen reflects, "Very well, you shall have that. Sanda, what of your own desires?"
19:09 <•Kotono> "I'm a humble merchant at heart, a shopkeeper. It's only fair that you collect taxes, but it is a burden. One I wish to be relieved of," Sanda concludes, "A simple advantage over my competitors."
19:11 <•Kotono> "A reasonable request. Done," The Queen concurs, and despite that smiles. "Even the simple of Laremy can rise to heroism when the time is right. Listen well, all who hear this. The people of Laremy are strong, and will not bow to the warmongering of Eis!" Cheers go up at that loud. After a moment, "Rina, you at last. Speak of what you desire."
19:12 <Skaya> Rina does have a mortal enemy and a trauma to overcome. And if she speaks carefully and doesn't insult the queen or challenge her power, she might just get it!
19:17 <•Kotono> Rina's silent for a few seconds, then a few more. She draws a deep breath before, "Your Majesty," she begins, "I ask for two things. First, I ask for land near Mellanics, as close as possible. A minor holding, however the title would work for that. A place to make home, a place for myself and those close to be to be safe. Secondly, the royal envoy Ber-"
19:19 <•Kotono> The Queen raises a hand, silence falling. "Before the battle, I ordered Bergen held for investigation. I have only heard some stories, but according to my source, you were held in a narrow room? A form of torture?"
19:19 <•Kotono> "Yes," Rina says plainly, eyes downcast now.
19:20 <•Kotono> "Then I give you a command: When you return to Mellanics, have that room destroyed." The Queen goes on, "I will charge the Earl of Mellanics to find you suitable land of your own. Your request is granted."  After that, her gaze on all of you, "Heroes, is there anything else?"
19:23 <•Kotono> Sanda shakes her head, as does Anne. Rina is quiet, before almost wryly murmuring, "No, your Majesty."
19:24 <Skaya> "You Majesty, I wish to ask for amnesty for the families of criminals," Skaya voices after a brief inner struggle. "Or, perhaps not an amnesty as such, but a consideration for the difficulties a woman might oppose the head of the family?"
19:27 <•Kotono> There's a pause before, "Explain," The Queen asks, "Do you have someone in mind?"
19:31 <Skaya> "As we were traveling towards the front lines, we happened to come across a stage for execution, Your Majesty," Skaya indeed explains, having gotten the time she needed to put her thoughts in proper order.
19:31 <Skaya> "The charge was aiding and abetting the enemy, by hiding away one of Eis's soldiers for a night. I truly agree that this is nothing short of treason in times of war, but at the same time, one realizes the simple fact that not everyone in a family has the same power to speak or make decisions. Children aside, even those of the younger generation or those already too old and feeble to have much weight... must they still share the fate of
19:31 <Skaya> the real criminal betraying the nation?"
19:34 <•Kotono> The Queen's silent as you s peak, in thought. "I understand your concern," the Queen decides at last, "I will have this matter investigated along with similar incidents, then."
19:36 <Skaya> "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Skaya responds brightly, swallowing the rest of her praise. This went well, so best stop while she's ahead.
19:39 <•Kotono> After a momenta nd nothing else, the Queen says, "Then go and enjoy the glow of victory," she commands all of you.
19:39 — Skaya bows deeper at the command, leaving once everyone has followed suit.
19:42 <•Kotono> Once you're away from that, "I didn't expect that," Sanda comments, "Well no, I expected everyone else's, but not yours, Rina."
19:43 <Devar> Devar does glance back - is Picke being addressed separately?
19:43 <Skaya> "I actually did, given our recent success," Skaya muses. "Good on you, Rina. And good on you, Sanda, the future archmage with a tax break."
19:43 <•Kotono> Picke is not - he's by the Queen, though, silent.
19:43 <•Kotono> "We made our choice," Rina admits, "We could've fled to Welland, could've chosen other paths, but here we are. With a minor title I have security far above that of a normal person, and hopefully make sure no one else will fall victim to him." She muses, "I guess I'm not catching up to Regis anytime soon, so I have to plan for the long term, too."
19:44 <•Kotono> Sanda chuckles, "I hate taxes, so why not? It was a statistically sound choice."
19:45 <Skaya> "I think it would end up being the most important one, really," Skaya agrees. "Either way, this might sound a tad abrupt but I'm leaving once Picke is out of danger. Back to Welland and then across the sea."
19:46 <Devar> Devar does look a bit surprised. "Is that a divine request, or something you just want to do?"
19:47 <Skaya> "It's where I would've headed if not for this war," Skaya responds, before lowering her voice. "And we really need to travel as much as possible before winter so that we know which places are the most at risk."
19:50 <•Kotono> "Mmm." Anne considers, "I would hope it would be better across the sea, but who can say?"
19:50 <Skaya> "If they have a surplus, we can establish a reverse. It doesn't all have to be bad!"
19:51 <•Kotono> "It's a mission of mercy," Anne decides, "Are you going to go alone?"
19:51 <•Kotono> Sanda hums a little, "You shouldn't, since you know the odds of things traveling alone."
19:51 <Devar> "There is somewhere I want to take the lecherous lance, but what you're talking about is more of a priority." Devar says. "Oh, yeah, at some point, you all ought to come underwater with me and collect your treasures. No rush, just a place you can get some decent amount of riches from if you want."
19:53 <Skaya> "How about we all go together underwater, then?" Skaya proposes. "By way of Mellanics, so Rina can redecorate first?"
19:53 <•Kotono> "...yes, I think I'd like that," Anne agrees.
19:54 <•Kotono> "It's fine with me, if I can get away," Rina says, "I'll see how much I need to do."
19:57 <Devar> "You can meet the proprietress of Storm's Spire. I think Sanda will like her." Devar says.
19:57 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay then, what's your general plans here so I can get things moving?
19:58 <Skaya> OOC: Wait to see what's up with Picke. Then how about inviting Melisanne to go to Mellanics with us? We have a wagon!
20:02 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, tha tworks. Anything to add to that, Devar?
20:03 <Devar> OOC: Nothing here, he'll just go with the flow
20:05 <•Kotono> It's later that night when Picke returns. He looks tired but gives each of you a look before, "Good choices," he says, "I liked all of them."
20:05 <Skaya> "I did as well," Skaya agrees with a laugh. "I originally wanted to offer my services for the recovery of the lake area, but this was even better."
20:08 <Devar> "Hopefully you've been given some sort of pardon." Devar says.
20:09 <•Kotono> "Yeah. I'll be staying in the capital for the foreseeable future, though. Ellaine's going to need me once-" He hesitates only a moment, "What she has going won't last past the war. She's not going to be in a good way for some time."
20:09 <Skaya> "Do you know what's going on for sure?" Skaya asks with interest. "I was better on angelic possession."
20:09 <Skaya> *betting
20:09 <•Kotono> "
20:10 <•Kotono> "Some entity from the plane of Fire, but I'm still not clear on it." Picke admits, "I don't think it's a celestial or a fiend. The Queen never had the strength of will to bear a celestial, and a fiend would've consumed her from the inside out."
20:12 <Devar> Devar nods. "Maybe an agent of the planar lord?" He does blink. "But...why would it do that at all? Maybe we don't need to know, but it seems a bit odd that something from there would do that, doesn't it?"
20:12 <Skaya> "It's cold, but with Count Laremy gone I don't know who could be a proper support for the queen and Laremy," Skaya voices. "Can you take his place? Since you're so close with the queen?"
20:16 <•Kotono> Picke sighs here, "That's exactly what I'm going to be doing for a good while. Milla will have to tend the shop while I support the Queen." Running a hand through his hair, "As for the entity's motivations, it's some sort of deal the royal family had, a secret Ellaine called on in our hour of need. Why it wasn't used in the civil war or why not, and what price it will cost her? AT the least,
20:16 <•Kotono> I expect her to be incapacitated for some time."
20:17 <•Kotono> "IT sounds like a foolish deal, or perhaps a weak ruler's self sacrifice for the sake of the country," Rina ponits out, "No one wanted to pay the price and lacked the altruism to do it before now."
20:17 <Skaya> "If you find out the details, let us know about them later. Perhaps we'll come across something that would help as we travel."
20:17 <•Kotono> "I'll keep you updated," Picke agrees, "I'll have the resources to get to get messages sent to you directly."
20:20 <Devar> "Is there any reason for us to worry about the dogai?" Devar asks. "It sounds like it's Eis' to deal with, but still."
20:22 <•Kotono> "Everyone should worry about fiends in our world, but no. No signs of it in Laremy, but on the other hand? That sort of thing is hard to find if it wants to hide." Picke says, "The only consolation is that there's a decent chance it was summoned, bound or otherwise compelled. It might be back where it belongs already."
20:22 <•Kotono> "I hope so, because if not?" Anne conclues grimly, "It must be rooted out and slain."
20:22 <Skaya> "In other words, yes, there is some concern. But if we were to leave for Eis to pursue it, we might just restart this war."
20:22 <Devar> Devar nods. "We'll just hope they deal with it."
20:23 <•Kotono> "Exactly," Picke agrees, "IT's out of our hands, but that half silver dragon seemed irate enough to hunt it," Picke mentions, a slight smile.
20:23 <Skaya> "Also true!"
20:25 <•Kotono> "So take care," Picke says, "Also, when you're free to go soon, will you need traveling money?"
20:25 <Skaya> "Need? Not as such. But refuse it?"
20:26 <•Kotono> Picke pulls out a large, tightly tied coin pouch. He unties it and opens it, and at the party's feet? A rain of gold and platinum coins pour out. He lets it go several seconds before sealing it shut deftly. "Call this the Queen's appreciation for your efforts, or more of it. Unoficially, you didn't get it from me."
20:27 <•Kotono> Anne eyes the pouch with intense, open curiosity, "What is that, a bag of holding?"
20:27 — Skaya perks up at Anne's question, asking, "Want to see what happens if I place it in my bag?"
20:27 <•Kotono> "Something like that," Picke answers with a thin smile, "And no, as it's a loaner."
20:28 <•Kotono> Sanda kneels and gathers up the coins, "This must be close to one thousand gold, if not more," She whistles lowly, "We can travel in luxury."
20:29 <Skaya> "And we shall!"
20:34 <•Kotono> From there, the next day comes. While there are negotiations still to be hashed out, one thing is clear - the war is over. Indeed, come the afternoon, hot and cloudy? Picke ducks in briefly. "As of now," he begins, "You're free to leave. I know you have more improtant things to do than wait as diplomats haggle over every last mile of land and coin."
20:34 <•Kotono> Anne looks up from her rest and floats up lazily, "Thank you, Picke. For everything."
20:34 <Skaya> "And best of luck, truly."
20:35 <Devar> "Don't get into any more trouble until we're back, okay?"
20:36 <•Kotono> Picke comes to all of you, a hand shake offered. As he does the rounds Rina leans in and gives him a hug, and Sanda smiles. "Odds are things go better for you if you listen to us instead of yourself," She teases.
20:37 <•Kotono> With smiles all around, "And things will go better for you if you keep on being heroes. Best of luxk to all ofyou, and I'll stay out of trouble."
20:41 <•Kotono> With that Picke departs and you're free - the war is over, at least for all of you. OOC: Heading back then? ARe you going to stop in the capital (o ranywhere else) and shop, and anything else I need to know about your travels?
20:43 <Devar> OOC: Nothing specific on my end.
20:44 <Skaya> OOC: I want to invite the knight girl, but that doesn't have to be IC. The stop in Mellanics is also for Rina's benefit and to tell Milla what's up, so let's do that.
20:45 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay. You mentioned wand shopping in thread too? Were you going to look as you went?
20:46 <Skaya> OOC: I figured we could do it underwater or later, since we just visited the market here a couple days ago
20:51 <•Kotono> OOC: Entirely fair. Okay, more.
20:51 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:51 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=2 ]{2}
20:51 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:51 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=50 ]{50}
20:51 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:51 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=16 ]{16}
20:55 <•Kotono> Picking up Melissine isn't too hard. She rides in the wagon, lap covered with blankets. She sleeps often, but seems coherent. Together. Rina spends a lot of time with her in quiet conversations, and Sanda some as well. It's a bright mid-late summer afternoon as you travel, horses setting a good pace. Devar and Skaya are outside of the wagon as Anne descends from above. In her arms is a goose.
20:55 <•Kotono> It is still and dead, and fresh. "My good fortune, I came on a perfect chance to capture a goose. We'll eat well tonight," she comments, "Alos, I saw something else interesting."
20:57 <Skaya> "More geese?"
20:57 <Devar> Devar was about to ask if she just ran into the goose or something, but nods to her. "Airborne geese?"
21:00 <•Kotono> Anne's look becomes mildly exasperated. "That goes without saying," she retorts, "But never mind that, our dinner aside." She lands and gently places the goose down next to Skaya. "No, I saw a small village. They were trading for food  with a merchant who has wagons full."
21:03 <Skaya> "Let's go and take a look! And maybe supplement the goose?"
21:05 <•Kotono> "There's one more thing, it wasn't local food," Anne goes on, "I recognized a little of it from Rockport, but it was more exotic. Tropical, if I don't miss my guess."
21:07 <Skaya> "Lead the way, then!"
21:19 <•Kotono> On you go. It's a small town - no more thna a hundred people, you imagine. a village in other words, one by a few brooks. Yet you see in the town center a celebration - people laugh and dance, at play. The scent of cooking food is heavy in the air, along with spices you don't immediately recognize. Sharp, pungent, powerful.
21:21 — Skaya looks for the merchant's wagon!
21:26 <•Kotono> You don't see a merchant wagon anywhere, at least as you look around. Anne does the same, "It was multiple wagons," Anne mentions, "But they're gone."
21:26 <Skaya> "So fast!" Skaya exclaims, before looking for the cooks at the public celebration.
21:27 <Devar> Devar will take to the air to see if he can spot them leaving at all!
21:30 <•Kotono> It's a few people cooking over open flame, whole roasts over them. Devar is joined by Anne as neither of them see any sign of wagons in any direction. Meanwhile, as Skaya lingers? A woman comes up, maybe twenty. She smiles widely, dirty but happy in peasant clothes. "Good day, good day! It's a celebration!"
21:31 <Skaya> "Good day!" Skaya returns. "I was just passing through and saw all the festivities! What's the occasion? Victory celebrations, new spices celebrations? Something else?"
21:31 <Devar> Devar frowns at Anne. "This is suspicious, right?"
21:36 <•Kotono> "Extremely," Anne comments, "But perhaps it's opportunism or benevolence." She shakes her head, "Or at least not malicious."
21:36 <•Kotono> "Oh, a trader came through and unloaded exotic food for good prices," The woman answers, "It all smells and tastes amazing!"
21:36 <Devar> "Do you think we're that lucky?" Devar asks her. "You can still detect poisons, right?"
21:38 <Skaya> "How much for, oh, six portions?" Skaya inquires, counting mentally. They'll need to have Sanda check for poison, but that's always a thing when encountering strange new food.
21:42 <•Kotono> "I can," Anne agrees, "I can even eat it safely if needs be."
21:42 <•Kotono> "You know, I once read a story of a man immune to poison, and he commented some were quite tasty," Anne mentions, thoughtfully.
21:43 <•Kotono> "A few copper coins," Is the cheerful answer, "Or contribute something!"
21:43 <Devar> "That reminds me," Devar says as he starts flying down, "I never really fully investigated some of the plants I recovered from that broken elemental space. There was one that made some very acidic fruits."
21:45 — Skaya dutifully pays! They can actually contribute some food, but better wait and see if this is safe before going there.
21:51 <•Kotono> The food is gotten. It smells great, if different. Very strong. Meanwhile Devar and Anne land to a few murmured gasps as Anne responds, "Acidic is dfiferent than poison, but yes."
21:52 — Skaya gratefully takes the food straight to Sanda! "This will either be delicious or interesting. Care to check which?"
21:57 <•Kotono> Sanda peeks out. Rina and Melissine are asleep, sitting next to each other. She yawns before, "Gladly," she says, "Oh, that's definitely-!" she perks up, nabbing meat on a stick and having a bite right away. She makes happy noises, juice running down her chin.
21:59 — Skaya tilts her head. "It's not like I wouldn't have done it myself, but would it physically hurt you to spend a few seconds to check for poison first?" she asks Sanda curiously.
21:59 <•Kotono> Sanda has another bite and another, then pauses after a swallow. "Poison?" she blinks, then licks her lips clean.
22:00 <Skaya> "It's mystery food, after all, and a disappearing merchant."
22:00 <Devar> "We're dealing with a rather strange situation." Devar explains. "We don't see the wagons at all."
22:01 <•Kotono> SAnda glances at Anne and has another bite. "We have an Anne here, anyway," she waves it off, "Statistically speaking, the odds of death or permanent harm are extremely low because of that."
22:01 <•Kotono> Anne pinches her nose and grimaces, before, "There's about half a dozen things wrong there, Sanda."
22:01 <Skaya> "Can you check, then?" Skaya asks Anne, taking a bite herself. "Since Sanda is missing that we might be able to take it, but not all the ordinary people here."
22:02 <•Kotono> "Don't care, eating nice, spicy meat," Sanda brushes it off, "I ahven't eaten this in years." It's earthy, warm and spicy. It's different, strong and potent. Anne signs and murmurs words, before, "No poison," she takes hers and has a bite. "Ah. It is good. Very spiced, though."
22:03 <Skaya> "Heavy on the spices can be nice, too. Let's wake Rina and Melissine as well while it's hot?"
22:04 <•Kotono> Sanda happily finishes hers off and hurries off to get more. Meanwhile Rina stirs with a yawn, "Smells good. What's happening? Did we pull over at some sort of festival?"
22:05 <Skaya> "We did," Skaya affirms, offering Rina the portion she'd gotten for her. "Mysterious spice salesman stopped by here."
22:05 <•Kotono> Melissine is slower, but rouses herself, "Chili. South spice too, as well as karmac. Where ever did yo ufind expensive spices - ah." she takes hers, "Strange. Very strange, but undeniably worthwhile."
22:06 <Skaya> "Oh? Expensive, are they? Is that mostly transport costs or also storage or rarity?"
22:08 <•Kotono> "Transport, they're from the far south," Melissine explains, "They hold well, but it's still a lot of distance."
22:09 <Skaya> "Once magic like teleport and plane shift come within reach, I was going to do the same thing! It's actually annoying to have someone do it before me," Skaya admits, though that doesn't stop her from eating while the food's hot and fresh.
22:11 <•Kotono> "Still, to see it cheaply suggests another motive," Sanda points out, "Statistically speaking, I'd take this to a large city and sell it to the rich at high prices."
22:11 <•Kotono> "How is that even statistical?" Rina asks in between bites.
22:11 <•Kotono> "It increases my statistic of how much money I've made," Sanda counters, "If I had some to sell, anyway."
22:12 <Skaya> "That really depends on whether other factors exist, like selling local products for a lot of money elsewhere," Skaya muses. "Or not over saturating the market. Or wanting to help people. Or interest in seeing places. Maybe even a random teleport!"
22:13 <Devar> "It's still a bit suspect." Devar agrees. "But maybe it really was just a teleporting merchant who likes to randomly do good deeds."
22:13 <Devar> "I... don't think it was that, but we can't worry about every infinite possibility."
22:14 <•Kotono> "Well then, let's enjoy and continue on?" Rina suggests, as...OOC: Do y'all wanna do anything else about this?
22:15 <Skaya> OOC: Just get a description of the merchant and his assistants if any
22:16 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure, I'll include that next time, and move y'all onto Mellanics/cover the trip there, and we can tie up the loose ends there.

[Corwin]

19:00 <•Kotono> The merchant is tall, with deeply tanned and weathered skin. He looked to be in his middle years. His assistants were similar. The merchant had pale blonde hair and smiles a lot - that sticks in people's minds in particular.
19:02 <•Kotono> OOC: Going to mov eon then?
19:02 <Skaya> OOC: Yep
19:04 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:04 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=70 ]{70}
19:05 <•Kotono> The days on the road pass. Mellanics is better when you return on a sunny day. The gates are open, the soldiers are lessened. By all appearances, the war is over. You made it back and at peace at last. Anne floats despite the looks it gets her, "What a trip," she murmurs, "And yet again we go off further."
19:05 <•Kotono> "More to do," Sanda sniffs as you pass through the gates, the streets full of people again and not sullen, desperate. "Heroics are hard work."
19:05 <Skaya> "I hope it was the last time I'll be forced to do something I didn't want to," Skaya muses.
19:06 <•Kotono> "Probably not," Rina comments as she walks along, basking in the sunlight. "So I have my things to get in order. What about the rest of you?
19:07 <Devar> "I don't have any particular plans, so I'll probably just help out around here as needed for now." Devar says. "And hope for some news on the last piece of the set I'm waiting on."
19:08 <Skaya> "I was thinking of going to see Milla," Skaya voices. "Who wants to come with?"
19:08 <•Kotono> "I will," Sanda takes Skaya's bait. "I'm sure Anne has to drop into her responsibilities."
19:09 <•Kotono> "Just so," Anne agrees, "Rina?"
19:09 — Skaya glances over at Devar as well.
19:09 <•Kotono> "I need to go visit the Earl and his minders," Rina says, "Don't feel obligated, I expect it to be piss boring."
19:09 <Devar> If Anne didn't ask for anyone to go with her, Devar won't volunteer himself. "Sure, we can see how Milla's doing."
19:10 <•Kotono> "Then," Anne smiles and takes off into the skies, flying away. Rina watches her go and shakes her head, "Then wish me luck. At least they'll feed me since I matter now." She comments, turning and going. "I'll catch up to all of you later."
19:12 <Skaya> "If they give you trouble, just leave and regroup with us. No worries!"
19:20 <•Kotono> With that Rina and Anne go off, and the party returns to the Heroic Guild. It's busy once more, people coming and going. A great bustling - that seems to freeze when eyes come on the party. "Look, that's Devar! Skaya! Sanda!" The entire guild's attention comes on all of you, stark and sudden.
19:20 <Skaya> "Hello! It... actually hasn't been a while!"
19:26 <•Kotono> That touches it off. The three of you are mobbed, surrounded, "Lady Skaya, I admired you even when you were a receptionist!" "The heroes are here! The heroes are here!" "Sir Devar, you're an inspiration!" "Marry me!" "Sanda, what are the odds you'll date me?"
19:28 <Skaya> There are all kinds of fans! "Dating has better odds than marriage, but increase exponentially if the one she's marrying knows Teleport," Skaya helpfully responds.
19:31 <Devar> Devar will do his best to keep anyone interested in him calmed down. "Lady Eldath appreciates you." He glances over at Skaya during all of this. "Statistically speaking, I'm sure Sanda's standards are quite high, and they'd also have to enjoy traveling to find new people to work with for the shop."
19:32 <•Kotono> Sanda sniffs and with a narrowed gaze, "My standards are...exacting." she continues.
19:33 <•Kotono> "Ahem!" Before more can come, a receptionist comes up. A new one, dressed up nicely, a pretty brunette. She smiles, all charm and sugar, "Excuse me, the acting Guild Master has a request for you to come see her if you arrive."
19:33 <Skaya> "And that's our cue!" Skaya blows kisses to everyone, all smiles. "Got to run once more~"
19:34 <•Kotono> That gets people to back off. Murmurs about Milla are constant, and more than a few shivers. But it gets all of you an escape, at least.  As you go back, "Right this way," You're taken straight back. "Will you require anything while you're here?"
19:35 <Skaya> "I'm good," Skaya responds, not wishing to speak for Devar and Sanda.
19:35 <Devar> "No, thank you." He says.
19:41 <•Kotono> Sanda shakes her head and soon enough, you meet Milla. She hasn't changed much, only looking wearier. She still greets all of you with, "I heard the Queen changed," she comments once the four of you are alone. "But I'm ahead of myself. Welcome back."
19:41 <Skaya> "We heard from your father she'll change back, so he needs to stay there for the foreseeable future," Skaya tells her. "In the meantime, you get us! It's good to stop by."
19:44 <•Kotono> "It's good to be home, even fo ra little bit," Sanda agrees.
19:45 <•Kotono> "Welcome back, so go ahead and report," Milla says, "I've gotten letters that explain some of it and a few magical messages, but I wouldn't mind hearing it from your mouths."
19:47 <Skaya> "No more war, it's treated as a victory, things are mostly stable. But Eis summoned at least one devil and a lot of good people were lost on the battlefield to a sneak attack. Add that to the fields that were burnt both here and Eis as part of the war and who knows how winter will turn out."
19:50 <•Kotono> "Poorly as it is," Milla reckons, "Going to do anything about it?" A blunt question, right to the three of you.
19:50 <Devar> "We can't promise Picke is going to keep himself out of trouble." Devar adds. "But I have a feeling you knew that."
19:50 <•Kotono> "Statistically speaking, there's no way we won't," Sanda agrees, "But the only question is how."
19:51 <•Kotono> "Of course he won't," Milla says with a hint of fondness, "But he's good at keeping himself afloat."
19:53 <Skaya> "Milla, this is why I'm here now," Skaya tells her directly. "We have a way to make a certain deposit, just in case. Food that should last till spring. But we need a warehouse only you would control, and you'll need to prepare trusted people who would occasionally use it to supplement the food going forward. Can we do that?"
19:56 <•Kotono> "Yeah," Milla answers, "I can do that. There was even a small rush with some people selling cheap because they anticipated a siege and sacking of Mellanics. We bought up some buildings for a silver for every gold coin it was worth."
19:56 <•Kotono> Sanda whistles, "I didn't think you got into those things?"
19:57 <•Kotono> "Dad's sharp, and if someone's going to run anyway," Milla explains, "Or is that desperate, let them. Better than opportunists and criminals who see an opportunity."
19:57 <Skaya> "Nicely done! Can we visit?"
19:58 <•Kotono> "Say the word," Milla agrees, "How big do you need?"
19:58 <Skaya> "Let's go with the biggest, but it needs to be dry, clean and secure."
20:00 <•Kotono> "Then I'll take you there, I need to stretch," Milla says, "I've gotten stuck with everything, and it's so much work!"
20:00 <•Kotono> Sanda murmurs, "Statistically speaking, I'd be surprised if you're sleeping."
20:02 <Devar> "I wonder if we could get the folks in Rockport to share the spells they used." Devar suggests. "They had that whole warehouse cooled all the time."
20:03 <•Kotono> "I've heard of that one," MIlla mentions as you go. "It's not impossible, just expensive." From there you go. It's a large stone warehouse. Lots and lots of space on the far northwestern edge of Mellanics. It takes up much more space than a usual warehouse. Some things are still about, mostly remnants of things and old barrels, and some old drape cloths. Things like that. It smells of the summer
20:03 <•Kotono> heat caged inside by the sun's relentless pressure.
20:04 <Skaya> "Probably too expensive when a cellar would do?" Skaya agrees, taking the warehouse in.
20:05 <Devar> "It'd be more important if we were going into summer, rather than winter." Devar says with a nod.
20:10 <Skaya> "Okay, now let's test things a bit," Skaya says. "Devar, can you give me the horn? I'll try to start with cheese."
20:11 <Devar> Devar will withdraw the Horn of Chauntea and offers it over to Skaya!
20:13 <•Kotono> OOC: Was a moment, sorry. Past eme the writeup of the horn real quick?
20:14 <Devar> OOC: This horn can produce up to one pound of food (including fluids such as water or milk) per round as a standard action. These foods are basic, unfinished foods rather than completed dishes. However, it can make certain foods that require effort and transformation, such as cheese.
20:15 <Devar> OOC:
20:15 <Devar> The horn has a few limitation. If the horn is wet, anything it produces is befouled and not suitable for consumption. Secondly, this horn has a curse. Only a creature who does not hunger can use the horn's magic.
20:22 <•Kotono> Skaya uses the horn. Surely enough, a steady flow of cheese comes from it. Various wedges and wheels come, along with softer, wetter cheeses that plop loudly onto the floor.
20:23 — Skaya can control the food that comes out to a degree, so she guides the horn towards the hardest and most durable cheeses. The softer ones can be taken now and eaten, but if she can focus properly the cheese she wants can last months without issues.
20:25 <•Kotono> Not too hard. The horn generally skews along those lines, though the exact varities vary. Some types you know, some look brand new. Sanda nabs a small wedge of a hard white cheese and has a little nibble, "Mmm, not bad," she comments. "Aged and sharp." She offers it up and Milla takes it and snaps off a chunk, then passes it around.
20:26 <•Kotono> "It's not bad. Northern cave cheese," Milla mentions, "The name explains it all, they store it to cool in caves. It's imported sometimes, but doesn't make it this far south often, since it has to come overseas."
20:26 <Skaya> "It's not perfect, since it'd generate waste while trying to make a supply depot. But well enough for government work," Skaya voices, pausing briefly to refocus. Cheese is essentially fermented milk, but fermented milk can be made into yoghurt instead, lasting just as long if stored properly. "Sanda, can you clean two barrels here with prestidigitation?" she asks. "We'll try a liquid, now."
20:27 <•Kotono> Sanda does so - and sure enough, it makes yogurt too. "Make sure to make some dried fruits to go with it. Yogurt's best when you stir something in," Sanda mentions, "Plain yogurt's boring."
20:28 — Skaya tilts her head, and tries for frozen yoghurt with some fruits and honey. Sugar and salt preserve foods for a long time as well!
20:29 <•Kotono> That doesn't work - you get plain yogurt instead. After a beat, "Well, then have it produce the fruit and we can mix it manually. To be honest, that's what I had in mind," Sanda offers.
20:29 <Devar> "I'm glad we have this." Devar says. "Someone unscrupulous would use it to sell food and just worry about profiting."
20:29 <Skaya> OOC: So I can't control temperature either? Okay
20:30 <•Kotono> OOC: Doesn't work, no.
20:30 <Skaya> "I'll just make some honey here and we'll have to have it mixed manually after," Skaya says, trying that. They can store it separately for now.
20:30 <•Kotono> "What a magical thing, even cursed," Milla marvels, "This thing's going to be the cause of a war one day, if it hasn't been already."
20:30 <•Kotono> Honey is produced just fine.
20:31 <Skaya> "You know what they say, Milla. Possessing a treasure while being too weak is a crime. Don't turn us all into criminals?"
20:31 <•Kotono> "It's cursed," Sanda mentions, "I like the odds that it's seen trouble and more trouble already. It's too valuable."
20:31 <Skaya> If sugar works, now it's salt. Skaya tries for a salted fish.
20:32 <•Kotono> Interestingly, plain, salted fish works.
20:32 <•Kotono> That Milla helps herself to a little of, sniffing it before a taste. "I've had better, but I've also had much worse."
20:33 <Skaya> "It will have a strong smell but will be both delicious and good for you," Skaya muses, next going for fermented cabbage. Vegetables are important and also rare at winter, so it'll be a boost of moral, too.
20:34 <•Kotono> More oddly, that doesn't work. You get plain, fresh cabbage instead. "I've heard of that, it's more of a thing in the southern lands," Milla mentions, "You're right, it smells strong."
20:35 <Skaya> "That one's strange," Skaya says with a frown, but that doesn't get her to stop experimenting. Next is smoked meat!
20:35 <•Kotono> "You know a lot about food," Sanda comments idly as Skaya experiments.
20:35 <Devar> "It is rather odd." Devar comments. "Maybe it's something about extreme temperatures?"
20:36 <Skaya> "Sanda dearest, a big reason for living for me is tasting all the delicious and strange foods I come across."
20:36 <•Kotono> "It could be, or it could depend on the wielder, or it's intentionally inconsistent," Milla speculates, "Have someone else try it too."
20:36 <•Kotono> "I meant Milla, considering her...tastes." A beat for that.
20:37 <Skaya> "Sure, but I have to try dried grains, dried fruits, salted meat and pickled vegetables first! In brine! Actually, let's also try eggs in brine!" Skaya says cheerfully.
20:37 <•Kotono> Meanwhile, smoked meat does not emerge - but yo udo get big cuts of fresh meat. Brined eggs do work, however.
20:37 <Devar> "Come on, Sanda, people can eat certain things and we all eat different things too." Devar says with a smile. "Don't be so reductive."
20:38 <Devar> "Now I'm starting to think there is a limit on it based on temperature." Devar says.
20:38 <Skaya> "Brine works!" Skaya tests it with meat as well for good measure, before focusing on merely dried grain and fruits.
20:38 <•Kotono> Milla smiles, but not kindly. "Devar's right, I think."
20:39 <Skaya> "That's weird, isn't it? You air dry things, it doesn't have to be in the sun or anything."
20:39 <•Kotono> Brined meat works. Dried fruits and grain also work. Some of those fruits promptly get nabbed by a pouting Sanda, who helps herself to a snack.
20:39 — Skaya nods to herself. "One last thing, sorry! Let me try making this...." And Skaya shamelessly tries to make a bit of jam and some dried tea leaves.
20:40 <•Kotono> Jam does not work. Dried tea leaves do, however.
20:41 <•Kotono> "It also doesn't like getting wet," Sanda points out suddenly, "Maybe that's why dried things work?"
20:41 <Skaya> "Right. So here's how it works," Skaya says, passing the horn over to Sanda next. "We can definitely have a healthy variety to sustain people all winter."
20:41 <•Kotono> "Yogurt's wet," Milla shoots down right away.
20:42 <Skaya> "Oh!" Skaya snatches the horn back and makes beer in one of the barrels!
20:42 <•Kotono> Beer, perhaps to the celebration of many in Mellanics, does work.
20:42 <Devar> "In theory, wine should work too, right?" Devar says.
20:43 <Skaya> "Maybe," Skaya says, returning the horn just as shamelessly to Sanda.
20:43 <•Kotono> Sanda takes it and stores it away. "Still, we have this taken care of. It'll take a bit of time to fill the warehouse up, but it's time well spent."
20:44 <Skaya> "So we can make meat, vegetables, drink, grain... really, everything necessary, plus some of the staples like cheese or jerky. And for what we can't make, we can create a lot of salt or brine and place the fresh meat inside it."
20:44 <•Kotono> "
20:44 <•Kotono> "
20:45 <•Kotono> "It's more than enough," Milla says, "The right cheeses can last from now through winter easily. A good store of salted and dried foods will go well with it. It won't be the best eating, but better than starvation."
20:46 — Skaya nods. "Ah, there's a technique I read about in a book once but never seen used at a scale. Covering food in fat is supposed to keep it safe longer, but clearly it'd take a lot of work and waste a lot of fat. Except with us, we don't have to waste it?"
20:47 <Devar> "Maybe, just in case, once we're done with this, someone ought to fill a bag of holding with more cheese and dried meat?" Devar suggests. "I'm sure nothing will happen to this building, but having a backup isn't a bad idea."
20:47 <Skaya> "Oh, speaking of, do you have any of the bigger bags of holding in reserve?" Skaya muses. "One we could borrow?"
20:50 <•Kotono> "I have one," Milla says, "OR can get one, anyway, and it'll do."
20:51 <Skaya> "It'd still be a crime to possess one, but hopefully nowhere in the area of this horn. And anyone strong who wants it could probably get it much easier, too."
20:52 — Skaya taps her lips. "Also, I think we should make scaffolding here. It'd let us use up more of the space while increasing safety. Last thing we want is someone buried under a mountain of cheese."
20:53 <•Kotono> A thought and a llittle nod, "Alright, anything else?" Milla asks, as...OOC: Okay, you two good to move along here now that all this has been hashed out?
20:53 <Devar> OOC: yar
20:53 <Skaya> OOC: Yes! I can design the plans but she can get someone to build it!
20:57 <•Kotono> That evening, the party catches up. "I'm going to need at least a week here, maybe more," Rina reports, "But setting up a steward isn't that hard." It's a simple evening meal shared, nothing fancy. Sanda's store is commandeered for it once it closes for the day.
20:57 <•Kotono> "I'll be fine," Anne reports, "There are others that can see to the immediate things there. IS all well there, Rina?"
20:57 <Skaya> "It's not like we're running away, so we can afford a week," Skaya agrees, looking at the others.
20:58 <•Kotono> "It's fine. Honestly, it's boring," Rina shakes her head, "Congratulations this, swear fealty to the Earl as a Baroness that. I thought it would be more exciting, but-" A small, slight shrug. "I suppose all the luster of those childhood stories are gone."
20:58 <Devar> "That gives time for me to see if there's been anything found on the last Clearwater piece, so that isn't a problem for me at all." Devar says.
20:58 <•Kotono> "We can afford a week," Sanda agrees, "Do any of you have things to do here? I plan to rest and check things over here while I have time."
20:59 <Skaya> "I plan to try the various foods I read about and see if imagination is enough to make them," Skaya muses. "Might pick up a bit of cooking skill while I'm at it!"
21:02 <Devar> "I don't have anything specific. I can go back to the capital and just get an update as to what's going on there and be back here in a week." Devar offers.
21:03 <•Kotono> "Sounds fun," Sanda offers, "You can make us dinner each night." There's agreement to that, as...OOC: Okay, I'm mostly using this as a chance to get todos for the week sorted. Rina's obviously busy, and Anne's on the busy side herself. Sanda a bit less so. So Devar's waiting on that piece of the Clearwater gear and wants to fly to and back, and Skaya's playing around with food? Anything else
21:03 <•Kotono> either of you want to add then?
21:04 <Devar> OOC: Nope, Devar and Skaya can keep in touch with their rings.
21:05 <Skaya> OOC: Sounds good. I'm free to help Anne, Sanda or Rina if they need it.
21:18 <•Kotono> OOC: Sounds good.
21:18 <•Kotono> OOC: More. Devar in here, Skaya in #evil.

[Corwin]

21:18 <•Kotono> ----
21:24 <•Kotono> Summer flight. Warmth envelopes Devar as he soars back towards Laremy. Far below he can see the ground, the countryside and the villages. The farms, the rivers, the lakes. Suddenly, the serenity of it is interrupted by a familiar mermaid's voice in your mind. 'Aaaah! Please be Nessara, please be Nessara, please be Nessara!' Nibelle's voice, alright.
21:26 <Devar> Nessara? Is that the name of the owner of the store down there? 'Uh, hello? Nibelle? This is Devar.' He responds in his mind. Can he respond? Is this a spell?? Well, he'll try anyway!
21:29 <•Kotono> 'Aaah! Oh no, Devar?! You were the water breathing human that-I didn't get Nessara,' Nibelle wails in your mind. 'I'm trying to make this magic monument work, but it's so hard.'
21:33 <Devar> 'Monument? Did something happen down there?'
21:35 <•Kotono> 'It's complicated, but I'm doing something for Spine and well...' Nibelle says, 'And now I need to get in touch with my companion for this, but I can't figure out how to choose a particular person with this. IT can send m thoughts to anyone, but it's hard to aim.'
21:36 <Devar> 'Take a deep breath and focus. It probably isn't working because you're panicking. Just think of them and calm your mind, like a... gentle current.'
21:38 <•Kotono> 'Like a little wave rather than a big storm's wrath,' Nibelle considers, 'I'll try that. Thank you, Devar!'
21:38 <Devar> Well, if it doesn't work he'll keep trying to help her. For now he'll keep going!
21:43 <•Kotono> After maybe five minutes? 'Ah! Spine, I'm trying to reach you, can you hear me?' It's Nibelle again.
21:43 <Devar> 'It's me again. What's going on? Did you get ahold of your partner earlier?'
21:45 <•Kotono> 'Ah! Devar again? Why? I wasn't thinking of you.' Annoyed confusion sounds in your mind. 'I did, calmness works better.'
21:48 <Devar> 'It may be that when you're upset, it just... hm, I don't think it picks randomly, but maybe it just picks based on some criteria? Maybe I'm the best person to help you.' He offers. 'With that in mind, take a moment and center yourself. Think of yourself as the current, the thing controlling all the water. You have no reason to get upset, you have no reason to think erratically, you can be at
21:48 <Devar> peace, because you are what controls the water.'
21:51 <•Kotono> 'I'll try that too. Thank you, Devar, I owe you,' Nibelle says in relief.
21:55 <Devar> 'I believe in you!' He sends to her. Still, a statue that can communicate at long distances? What is Spine doing down there?
21:55 <•Kotono> The answer to that comes...next time! (Or maybe not, but...)

[Corwin]

21:19 <•Kotono> ----
21:23 → Devar joined (~ryan.scud@729F9076.4788C8FF.6BC63F98.IP)
21:25 <•Kotono> One morning, Rina greets Skaya early, "So I've found it," she says, smiling widely, "Want to come see my new home?"
21:25 <Skaya> "Sure!"
21:28 <•Kotono> You're taken out of Mellanics. You ride out into the open lands just to the immediate east, well kept farmland. "The land immediately to the east is a small series of farms that serve Mellanics and that are good land, a barony now. They're damaged but in prime position to repair," Rina explains, "And Earl Mellanics isn't in a position to want to deal with it, or his aides aren't, and they'd
21:28 <•Kotono> rather keep someone with the Queen's favor on their good side."
21:30 <Skaya> "It looks nice," Skaya voices, taking it all in from a bit of a height before dropping down to the ground. "Thinking of staying here more permanently, once we're done with Devar's invitation?"
21:33 <•Kotono> "Yes and no." Rina says as you pass a devastated field, workers already doing what they can to salvage. "I need a safe, strong home to return to, but..." A stop her, "But I'm not putting down roots, I'm making a safe home to return to, with resources and security for when I need it."
21:34 <Skaya> "You know, if you have it built before it's winter, we can leave plenty of nice things in your cellar."
21:37 <•Kotono> "Built? It already is?" Rina smiles a little smugly, "There's country homes out here and I commandeered one that's intact but the family line died in the war. Well, I was bestowed on me by the Earl because it reverted to him when the family line ended."
21:38 <Skaya> "It really is funny that you're the one who became a noble after that mess," Skaya says with a grin. "I never really thought you wanted it."
21:40 <•Kotono> "Honestly, I don't. But I have to look at the long term. The very long term." Rina shakes her head, "One day I'm going to still be youthful, and everyone I grew up with will be old." As she walks, "I don't know if this will last this long, but it might. The others? Sanda's a merchant or a hero, both are naturally mobile. Anne's too focused on her mission to ask for this, and I doubt she'd
21:40 <•Kotono> want it. She'd probably think it interfers with her calling."
21:41 <Skaya> "So you figured you might as well have a useful support base?" Skaya slaps her forehead. "Ah, what a good idea! I should become a noble at an elven land!"
21:42 <•Kotono> "I'm also a minor noble, and have a reputation as a hero. A good steward and I can get away with a lot, as long as I help when things really matter. And if it's not worth it?" Rina smiles, a little sadly. "This is where I grew up, but now my horizons are so much bigger."
21:42 <Skaya> "They really are! And actually, why not have all of us become nobles in different lands? We might just be able to enforce a lasting peace this way."
21:45 <•Kotono> "I'd never want to be a queen. Not now. Queen Ellaine's going to die miserable, one way or another." Rina's expression turns a little sad, "And honestly, I wouldn't last. I'd bring justice to the corrupt, and either they'd kill me, or I'd succeed and make someone better queen."
21:45 <Skaya> "Why are you so pessimistic about the queen?"
21:47 <•Kotono> "I think the Qu-," Rina shakes her head. "Ellaine. She's a weak queen normally, but I think it's more that few are up to what that demands. Someone like Picke could, but he's exceptional, and I got the impression he's going to be doing a lot of that. I saw a few glimpses of all she has to deal with, and it has to crush a normal person."
21:49 — Skaya still has no idea why the queen is said to be so weak, except all the various rumors and innuendo. It's so hard when no one speaks clearly! But in the end, it's not her problem, is it?
21:49 <Skaya> "Don't allow yourself to be crushed, then. Even if it's boring, if you're overwhelmed by paperwork I'll lend a hand~"
21:53 <•Kotono> "You will," Rina agrees, and you head on off. Rina's new home is a large country manor. Quite spacious and luxurious, two stories and well reinforced. Not a fortress, but not entirely defenseless, either. It's surrounded by farmland and then ample grounds right around it, as well as an array of supporting buildings such as stables, a smithy and similar. A little ways away from it is a field
21:53 <•Kotono> stone tower, going up seven stories. Overall the grounds are mostly intact, as is the building, but there is some damage. Workers are already at work correcting that - a cracked wall here, a smashed window there.
21:54 <Skaya> "How's the interior? Any tiny rooms you need redecorated or expanded?"
21:55 <•Kotono> "I'll show you. Before you ask, there's a large cellar," Rina smiles at that, "Come on, I'll give you the grand tour!"
21:55 <Skaya> "Let's go~"
21:55 <•Kotono> Thus you go in and...find out more...next time!

[Corwin]

19:05 <Kotono> It's a big house. The upper floor is all bedrooms and guest rooms. Large and open, spacious. The master bedroom is even bigger, with a big, fancy bed still there. Downstairs is all the things of a manor home. From a sweeping entrance, to a large dining room, to several hunting or sitting rooms, to all the quieter rooms that servants work away in. There's a few smaller spare rooms, certainly.
19:05 <Kotono> The basement is one huge cellar dug out, cleared out and empty. It's not as big as that warehouse, but it's quite large and fully supported by good stone worked walls.
19:06 <Skaya> "We'll be sure to leave some supplies here," Skaya muses, before eyeing Rina. "Do I get a guest room all of my own at your place?"
19:07 <Kotono> "I set you and Sanda aside one of your own," Rina promises with a little smile.
19:07 <Skaya> "Just us two?"
19:08 <Kotono> "Anne and Devar too, of course," Rina says, a hand on her hip.
19:10 <Skaya> "In that case, you've really thought of everything." Skaya nods to herself. "Arranging all this is what's taking you this week, then?"
19:16 <Kotono> "Yeah. Even then, I'm relying on others to manage it when I'm gone," Rina admits, "It helps I don't really care about the finer details like decorations, so long as I don't hate them. Well no." Rina admits quieter, "I started to think how wonderful it was, but then I dreamed about how fire burns away the houses of the poor as readily as the houses of the rich. Fancy decorations aren't
19:16 <Kotono> important in other words."
19:16 <Skaya> "Really? I think it's fine to have pretty decorations, so long as you're not squeezing the tax money for them from your people."
19:20 <Kotono> "There's a difference between fine and important," Rina points out, "How many nobles lose sight of that, though? How many think that all this richness matters one whit compared to all the other people who live without it?"
19:22 <Skaya> "To play the devil's advocate a bit here, glamor does matter at times. It can bind a country together behind a king or queen, and it can inspire awe or terror as needed. A purely utilitarian design wouldn't necessarily be always better for the ruling class."
19:24 <Kotono> "Then let that have that, but I'm not that worried about it." Rina goes on, "And yes, you're right, there's more than enough space in this basement. Pack it good and tight."
19:25 <Devar> 'Skaya, thought I'd get your opinion on this.' Devar messages her via their rings. 'There's some sort of situation going on underwater - that place I told you about got discovered and there's some fights breaking out over it, and apparently plenty of wealth to be collected. I don't care so much about the wealth, but figured I'd see if you wanted to get a head start and investigate it before
19:25 <Devar> it got any worse.'
19:26 <Skaya> 'How soon can you get back if we do go quickly?'
19:27 <Devar> OOC: I'd think a few hours at worst, right? I more or less just left?
19:30 <Skaya> "Rina, Devar wants to go treasure hunting sooner than expected. Like right now, pretty much. How impossible is that for you?" Skaya asks her friend in the meantime.
19:30 <Kotono> OOC: About, yes.
19:30 <Kotono> "Completely," Rina makes a face, "But I won't miss going underwater that much, either."
19:30 <Kotono> OOC: Strike.
19:31 <Kotono> "Completely," Rina makes a face, "I'm stuck here at least a few more days at a minimum, but most likely the rest of the week like I said."
19:31 <Devar> 'A few hours, I'll come back now if you want to go.' He tells her.
19:32 <Skaya> 'You know what, sure. Rina can't come but I'll check in with Anne and Sanda in the meanwhile,' Skaya responds to Devar, saying out loud, "Got it."
19:36 <Kotono> "Let me know either way," Rina offers, but nods back after.
19:37 <Skaya> "We'll probably go but Devar really likes the Teleport spell, so it may not be for long."
19:41 <Kotono> AT that agreement and...OOC: #dunes.

[Corwin]

19:02 <Kotono> No immediate answer at least. But maybe two minutes later? 'Thank you, it worked! I really needed to calm down, this seems sensitive to my emotions.'
19:03 <Devar> 'So you can control it now?' Devar asks back. 'It seems like I can reply too, so it's quite a powerful item you've been sent to find.'
19:06 <Kotono> 'There's so many,' Nibelle returns, 'Oh! Wait, you wouldn't know. That ruin we chanced on was found by others, and they managed to bring out so many things. But then a fight broke out over it, and all sorts of wealth and treasure are everywhere now. It's touched off a frenzy.'
19:07 <Devar> 'We actually were going to come visit in a few days.' Devar sends back to her. 'If somehow you can keep the peace for a bit, we'd be happy to help. If it's urgent, I can see about getting us there sooner.'
19:11 <Kotono> 'Oh! There's so many opportunities right now,' Nibelle responds with, 'So keep that in mind.'
19:13 <Devar> 'Let me confer with a colleague - I'm not sure if I can communicate without you reaching out, so will you check back in about ten minutes?' Devar asks.
19:17 <Kotono> 'Oh, that's fine,' Nibelle offers, 'I have some time to pass while I wait.'
19:21 <Devar> Devar reaches out to Skaya - to inform her of the apparent situation going on down under water! He can turn around and come back to Mellanics easy enough anyway. He doesn't want to rush Rina or anything, but they can always get back via another teleport scroll!
19:23 <Kotono> OOC: Feel free to message her in the other room.
19:32 <Devar> With that, he starts to head back, going as fast as he can!
19:37 <Kotono> OOC: Okay, I'll get everyone together shortly.