Book One: Chapter Two: "Urgent Secrets"

Malazek wrote:

Swifthand wrote:Everyone add 328 gold.

Good idea. Everyone do that.

Swifthand wrote:I ... flicking two gold coins into the pool for luck.

Make a wish! (But no promises that it will come true).

Swifthand wrote:

Malazek wrote:

Swifthand wrote:I ... flicking two gold coins into the pool for luck.

Make a wish! (But no promises that it will come true).

O.O.C. - lol...

Flicking the first coin in, Davin thinks back to the beautiful maid Kalee, and wishes that he wasn't so tongue-tied around women.

Considering that for a moment, he flicks a second coin in the fountain... just in case...

-Swift

macksgarageusa wrote:Straegis sees Davin miss with the first arrow from the enormous bow, he laughs as he says "Ha, you couldn't hit water if you fell out of a boat with that thing! I think you'll be needing a little more practice before you are accurate with that one, eh?" After the second arrow hits the tree Straegis mumbles under his breath again, "Elves...hmph!"

The Witch-King wrote:The fisherman says nothing, simply takes the magnificently crafted trident and leaves the old one in it's place.

Malazek wrote:So, that's everything but the Cagoule and the Boots.
What's up with those?

The Witch-King wrote:

Malazek wrote:So, that's everything but the Cagoule and the Boots.
What's up with those?

Dunno', but hoodies and boots aren't my style. Anyone?

magicspellz12 wrote:"Vanng can have the boots. They were crafted by his brothers. The waterproof cloak, lets just keep it until we need it."

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Come on, one of you must have a neck slot free, doesn't it give a +1 bonus to all the defenses except AC (I can't be bothered to check. But I bet it does)

Malazek wrote:

MagicSpellz12 wrote:Come on, one of you must have a neck slot free, doesn't it give a +1 bonus to all the defenses except AC (I can't be bothered to check. But I bet it does)

Actually, it's not a Neck Slot Item; it's considered Cloth ARMOR. It gives a +2 to AC in addition to allowing the wearer to use a Martial Exploit from another class! But that's cool. If nobody wants it, maybe it'll come in handy later. If not, then perhaps someone can do something else with it (break it down for it's residuum, sell it, whatever).

Malazek wrote:When you get back to the wagon, Vangg mumbles something about shiftless greenskins and Juugug's feet; and then happily takes the boots and his share of the gold.

From there, the wagon rolls on, determinedly heading south. Along the way, it begins to storm. Lighting and thunder riot overhead, and the harsh downpour slashes at you with biting cold. Within seconds you are drenched.

I need Endurance checks from everyone.

The Witch-King wrote:Endurance: 1d20=14+9=23

Bowing to the fickle nature of the gods, Mordax drapes the raincoat over his shoulders, muttering "I left my bearskin at hame."

OOC: Mal, you're really a pisser . . .

Swifthand wrote:

The Witch-King wrote:Endurance: 1d20=14+9=23

Bowing to the fickle nature of the gods, Mordax drapes the raincoat over his shoulders, muttering "I left my bearskin at hame."

OOC: Mal, you're really a pisser . . .

O.O.C. - lol...game, set, match to the DM!

Endurance check = 22

I pull the hood up on my Eladrin Cloak, peering though the downpour, trying to follow a safe path.

The people in covered section are probably laughing at us folks getting drenched...

-Swift

Malazek wrote:

Swifthand wrote:The people in covered section are probably laughing at us folks getting drenched...

Oh yeah, it's covered now. So, I guess only the people on the teamster's bench are WET ... but everyone is cold.

The Witch-King wrote:Bowing to the fickle nature of the gods, Mordax drapes the raincoat over his shoulders, muttering "I left my bearskin at hame."
OOC: Mal, you're really a pisser . . .

OOC: Wahaha. I thought Mordax wanted to bear the brunt of the weather? I figured I'd let him show-off a bit. Hehe.
Actually, tho, I decided it would rain even before you didn't take the cagoule (and indeed before you even left Brackwater).

The Witch-King wrote:

Swifthand wrote:

The Witch-King wrote:Endurance: 1d20=14+9=23

Bowing to the fickle nature of the gods, Mordax drapes the raincoat over his shoulders, muttering "I left my bearskin at hame."

OOC: Mal, you're really a pisser . . .

O.O.C. - lol...game, set, match to the DM!

Precisely.

The Witch-King wrote:

Swifthand wrote:

The Witch-King wrote:Endurance: 1d20=14+9=23

Bowing to the fickle nature of the gods, Mordax drapes the raincoat over his shoulders, muttering "I left my bearskin at hame."

OOC: Mal, you're really a pisser . . .

O.O.C. - lol...game, set, match to the DM!

Precisely.

Malazek wrote:To move things along ...

Vangg's Endurance Roll is 17.
Verity's Endurance Roll is 11.
Straegis's Endurance roll is 28.

The Witch-King wrote:Seeing Verity shivering in the cold, Mordax offers his coat to the horseman.

Malazek wrote:(Hehe).
The holy warrior accepts it graciously, and uses it only as a blanket (because he can't wear it over his armor).

magicspellz12 wrote:Alex begins the journey attempting to stay dry, swirling the water over his head with motions of his hands, collecting a disc of fluid not unlike the floating disc, yet unfrozen and of natural clarity. His arms soon tire however, and he resigns himself to walking in the rain.

It isn't bad however, the magic of water tingles against his skin.

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Prest.
Endurance: 7

Malazek wrote:By nightfall, the wagon is approaching into the Village of the Dragon. The rain continues to beat down upon the canvas cover. Verity and Alex have caught a chill; their noses running.

The wagon rolls into the middle of the village. Mykondalar and Wyrana approach the wagon, led my a tall slender man with spiky gray hair, and wearing in a bluish-silver robe.

"Alex?" the man asks, as he approaches.

magicspellz12 wrote:Alex's mouth drops open. "Viktor?"

Malazek wrote:"Yes! Mistress Jenna sent me from the Capital. Actually, she sent me to look for you nearly two weeks ago; but I only just arrived. Yesterday, she contacted me again after your messenger arrived, and told me to look for this village. So, here I am. At first, I didn't expect much, but Mykondalar has duly impressed me.

I'll need your help to prepare for Mistress Jenna's arrival."

magicspellz12 wrote:"Master Jenna is coming here?!" Alex launches himself off the wagon, and runs to hug his fellow waterbender. Him and Viktor were never really close, but here, so many miles away from home, he could have been the most trusted friend in all the world.

It felt peculiar to see him, his clothing, everything, in the swamp, and Alex wondered how he looked walking around dressed in clothes fashionable only to the water worshipping magicians of Imil. Finally releasing Viktor, Alex takes a step back.

"I can't belive it. This is all so much more than I had expected. But, there is a problem. However, before I must explain all that let me introduce everyone."

Alex greets the lizardman, Mykondalar and his friend, presuming Mykondalar has activated the ritual to allow for communication.

"Mykondalar, I have kept my side of the bargain and told everyone I have met of your peaceful message, and I have brought you an entire cow so that you may feast upon it's tasty beef, once more as thanks for your hospitality, and answering my questions. May we all move inside and get dry so we can discuss things more comfotably?"

Alex hopes that the lizardmen will see to their cow, and watches as Davin takes care of the horses before joining the rest of the group inside a hut. Alex and Viktor quickly dry the sopping wet group, although Alex's nose is still a little runny. The group are familiar with the proceedings, as the waterbenders pull a ghostly waterman from the clothes of the wet, and then channel the water away, leaving the clothes oddly dry.

"Let me introduce everyone. This is Vanng and Verity, Priest and Swordsman of the Raven Queen respectively. Davin, an elven woodsman, Straegis II, Eladrin Warrior. Mordax, our most newly aquainted warrior, a fisherman of Brackwater and the Malbog. Our 'group' perhaps also includes Kardan, a mighty spear fighter, but he is busy at the moment, which is what I must talk to you about. Oh, how I am glad we decided to come through the Malbog."

Alex looks around, and sigh's, "Mykondalar and Viktor, I know you can be trusted so you must know that my new friends and I are in a spot of trouble. Let me try and cut the long story short.
Streagis has upon his person a scroll of great importance that must be delivered to the Human armies, or at least as far as we can tell, that is it's designed target. After leaving Mykondalar after making the initial discoveries we returned to Brackwater but discovered Eladrin spies who attacked us, they were the Maer.
We left rather hastily and plan to go to the Imperial City to deliver the scroll. I did, however, wish to come back here to see if my message had been recieved by Master Jenna and if she sent an Animal messenger in return, it would find me here. It is lucky you managed to make it to the Dragon Tribe so quickly or our paths would not have crossed.
So now I ask of you, what do you need me for? I am bound by honour, duty and friendship to follow this band of people I have come to call my comrades and companions to the Imperial City. Each one has helped to both ensure my survival, and has aided in every discovery I have been able to make about our ancient bloodlines. If it were not for Vanng I would have never returned to the Malbog after my initial examination, but I happened upon him and we all began signed up to work for a hag- I, obivously needing the money to get back home and report my lack of discovery or success at the time.
Thus is my problem. I am bound by ties to both follow this group of adventurers and aid Straegis in removing the mark upon his head. But at the same time, my bottom rank as a scholar of Imil makes you, and of course Master Jenna, my superior, and those bonds transcend those that I share with this company, so I ask; what is it you require of me?"

Alex's ice blue eyes shine across the fire, he sips water, attempting to hide his trembling hands. Stuck between ecstasy of meeting Viktor, of hopefully meeting Master Jenna his beloved teacher again, of unlocking the secrets to rid Imil of it's magic sapping plague, but at the same time, what will Viktor require? Will he require Alex to return to Imil to present his discoveries, will he simply wish for him to construct a portal for Master Jenna? Will he require him to stay at the Dragon Tribe while she is here as a bodyguard, or escort of some sort, or simply to relay his findings? Will he be forced to leave his friends in a search for Lexis, or yet another trawl through the Bog in a hope for answers?

Alex takes a deep breath, and waits.

Halcyon wrote:"ACHOO!" Well bet baster Viktor. Ahem.

Swifthand wrote:I enter the hut having finished tending the horses and pull my hood off my head just as Alex introduces me. Now somewhat used to his Aquamancy, I ignore the water sillouette that lifts from my clothes as I join the others around the fire in the center of the hut.

I nod to Mykondalar and then to Viktor in greeting and listen intently to Alex. When he is finished, I speak up, turning to Viktor.

"This Master Jenna plans to travel to Garkondrak? Alex told us that Imil is many leagues to the north - even if she left immediately, it will be days or weeks before she arrives." I turn to Alex, a helpless look on my face. "I am sorry, but I am sure that we don't have that kind of time."

O.O.C. - Mal, I want to begin a regiment tonight of training the new riding horses to be battle hardened, so they won't spook next time we get into trouble. I will also dry them off, check their shoes, feed, water and talk to Kradag about a shelter that we can keep them in over night out of the rain.

Nature check for horse training and care = 29

If someone aids me, I can get that above 30. If no party members volunteer, I will ask Kradag.

-Swift

Malazek wrote:OOC: For some reason, I thought Halcyon was out of town this week ... but I see him online now (and then remembered I saw him earlier, too ... Halcyon, didn't you tell me you'd be out of town?). I guess I posted for you for no reason, eh?