[slingergame] Bert says, "Log on."

Quarion has arrived.

Vraklul arrives from the east.

Roger has arrived.

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Hello fantasy kids!"

[slingergame] DM says, "Unfortunately, we seem to be only Bastathree"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Aww."

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Did lps say he'd be late?"

[slingergame] DM says, "I think it's just assumed at this point :-)"

Rashawndra has arrived.

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "a ha!"

[slingergame] Rashawndra wave!

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Sorry for being late."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Only five minutes! It's cool."

[slingergame] DM says (to rush), "'tis okay and we weren't just joking about it"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Hee"

[slingergame] DM asks, "So, any lingering questions etc.?"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "None?"

[slingergame] DM asks, "Was everyone good for June 8/9th?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I think so"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "yeah"

[slingergame] Rashawndra exclaims, "Yup!"

[slingergame] DM says, "Without further ado..."

[slingergame] DM says, "If you recall, our heroes had just walked by an ominous totem, and then someone unseen shot Rush's horse and an elvish voice told you to turn back"

Vraklul asks (of Quarion), "Huh, strange. Did he say why?"

Rashawndra asks, "Sorry! We got a little turned around. Do you speak common?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Or was it a she?)"

Quarion says (to Vraklul), "Just 'Turn back or die'."

[slingergame] DM says, "A he"

Vraklul asks (of Quarion), "Maybe you could ask him where we can find M'arcy?"

Rashawndra exclaims, "Did you know your forest was on fire because of a fire elemental? We just vanquished it! The forest should start growing again!"

DM says, "Only Silence answers you."

Quarion says (to Voice), "(in elvish) We mean no harm; we're looking for M'Arce. And I'm no stranger to these woods. I was *born* there."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Hi! I Am Silence the elf."

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "What does she say?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(ba-dum tish)"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "Also, is my horse dead dead, or can I cast healing or something on it?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(or Spare the dying)"

Voice says, "(in Elvish, we'll assume Quarion translates) This is your last warning, Horntowner. Turn back to your city or die."

Vraklul exclaims, "Hey, great! He can tell us which way the city is!"

Quarion translates.

Shaborys asks, "Horntower?"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Spare the dying might work"

Quarion says (to shaborys), "I don't even know how he knows that."

Rashawndra says, "We're turing back! Lemme try to help my horse here..."

Rashawndra casts Spare the Dying on the horse.

Horse gets up and looks around, confused.

Rashawndra shhhs's the horse, pets its nose.

Rashawndra leads it back the way she came.

DM says, "You move away past the totem (I assume)."

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks (of DM), "They never answered any of our other questions?"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "The ones you asked in Common?"

[slingergame] DM says, "No"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "And that Quarion translated ;-)"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "But that's fine."

Vraklul shrugs. "If he's not going to be helpful, I guess there isn't much else we can do."

Rashawndra asks, "Well, 'back to the city' means that Horntown must be behind us? I guess?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Apparently language was not the issue"

Rashawndra squints at the sun, trying to get a new reading.

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Right."

Shaborys looks around, trying to spot signs of the elf.

Quarion says, "A start, at least."

[slingergame] DM says (to Shaborys), "Roll it"

Shaborys rolls 1 20-sided die: 10 | 10 + 6 = 16

[slingergame] DM says, "No trace"

Shaborys hmpfs quietly.

Shaborys follows Rush.

[slingergame] DM says (to rush), "Also roll it"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "Survival?"

Rashawndra rolls 1 20-sided die: 8 | 8 + 6 = 14

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Also, I am out-of-game confused about where the various landmarks are supposed to be (fire break, Horntown, area where M'Arcy travels)"

[slingergame] DM says, "Yes"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "So there's a good match between IC and OOC knowledge?"

[slingergame] DM says, "And it's weird, because you're usually excellent at remembering that stuff"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Hunh."

[slingergame] DM says, "but these magic forests have an annoying habit of being ... slightly ... off"

DM says, "Rush literally stumbles upon a path, leading southwest."

Vraklul enjoys a quiet smoke as they travel, trusting that Rush knows exactly where she's going.

Rashawndra says, "Oh, hey, here's a path."

DM says, "More of a deer pass (is that a word?) that also seems to be used by people."

Rashawndra swings back up on her horse.

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "We'll call her Nosey"

Rashawndra exclaims, "Unless anyone votes otherwise, I say we follow this!"

Shaborys nods.

Vraklul says, "Sure."

Quarion says, "I trust Rush."

Quarion exclaims, "Lead on!"

Rashawndra says (to Quarion), "That's nice, but do tell me if you see any landmarks you recognize. I'm going mostly be instinct here."

Rashawndra ambles down the path, watching for signs of M'arcy and/or other evil totems.

Quarion says, "I'll keep an eye out."

Rashawndra rolls 1 20-sided die: 4 | 4 + 3 = 7

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(perception)"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Do I roll for 'keeping an eye out'? Perception or Survival?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I want to see if I recognize landmarks."

DM says, "You follow the path for a good hour or so. it slowly becomes more of a broad, but still unkempt, dirt road. Finally, as you round a bend, a voice hails you from a tree branch above. You see an elf sitting there, his bow shouldered, while other elves sit in nearby trees, their bows in the hands but arrows not nocked."

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Horntown elves?"

Rashawndra reigns in her horse, and says 'hello!' in common.

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Yeah, you can tell by the accent."

Elf says, "(to Quarion) Well met, brother! Who are these outsiders you bring to Horntown?"

Vraklul waves.

Quarion says (to Elf), "These are trusted companions of mine. We've weathered many dangers together."

Elf looks at his companions, most of whom shrugged, disinterested. They all seem kind of ... worn-out, weary?

Rashawndra exclaims, "I'm Rashawndra!"

Elf says, "I am Balren, but I have not seen you around here. What is your name and where do you and your motley crew come from?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "Is this in common, or elvish?"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Elvish"

Rashawndra asks (of Quarion), "Maybe we can say it's complicated, and ask to speak to their leader?"

Quarion says (to Elf), "It's a long story, and a sad one at that."

Quarion says (to Elf), "I left Horntown as a child."

Balren says, "These forest has seen a lost of sad stories, brother. Most of them caused by accursed Bronzeleafers."

Quarion says (to Balren), "They played a part in my misfortune, it's true."

[slingergame] DM says, "These elves somehow ignore everyone but Q while still keeping an eye on everyone."

Vraklul is still just quietly smoking his pipe, placidly giving Quarion time to catch up with his long lost friends.

Balren says, "If you have come here to fight our common enemy, be welcome. Otherwise, the city of elk and tiger holds little for you."

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks (of Q), "Are you waiting for something?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I'm seriously thinking about how to answer him."

Hunter disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I could lie and say I seek revenge for my parents."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Or I could come up with a neutral response, but that's kind of delicate."

Hunter arrives at home.

[slingergame] DM says, "Feel free to discuss potential answers in the group"

[slingergame] DM says, "</teachervoice>"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "hehe"

Rashawndra, noticing Quarion struggling with what to say, mouths/whispers 'just say Thank You'.

Rashawndra has no idea what was actually said, but it seemed neutral, at least.

Quarion says (to Baldren), "(in elvish) Thank you for understanding. We probably won't stay long, but I needed to see Horntown again."

Balren says, "So be it. We will let you and your servants pass."

[slingergame] Shaborys says (to Balren), "Y'all are SO LUCKY I can't understand you."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "hehe"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "So we pass?"

Quarion leads the way.

Vraklul follows along, nodding and smiling to the elves as they pass.

[Crows-Nest] (from Quarion) Balren says, 'Wait! You need to answer three riddles first!'

DM says, "Indeed. You ride on under the watchful eyes of the the elves. The forest around you becomes more cultivated as you pass, you see little field, and small kennels and herds of sheep."

DM says, "On one field a lonely goat is staring at you intently."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "THE GOAT"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Why did it have to be the goat"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "If this were a videogame, I'd nuke that goat from orbit."

Quarion looks at the goat intensely.

DM says, "The city itself is surprisingly big, stretched over maybe a hundred of feet of forests, and is mostly low tree houses, while most of the commerce and interaction is happening on the ground. (...)"

DM says, "The whole city feels oddly cold, maybe distant? Not what you'd expect of elves. Nobody really looks up at your passing, or raises a hand in greeting."

Rashawndra asks (of Quarion), "So, find someone you trust, talk to them and get caught up?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Everyone roll Perceptrion"

Shaborys rolls 1 20-sided die: 3 | 3 + 6 = 9

Quarion rolls 1 20-sided die: 9 | 9 - 1 = 8

Rashawndra rolls 1 20-sided die: 10 | 10 + 3 = 13

[slingergame] DM says, "And find the typo in Perception"

Vraklul rolls 1 20-sided die: 6 | 6 + 0 = 6

[Crows-Nest] DM asks, "Now who puts a boulder trap in the middle of a forest?"

DM says, "Hey!" says a somewhat rough sounding voice in common."

Shaborys hmm?

(From DM) An elvish woman sits by the side of the road in a cheapy bit of leather elven clothing. She is tied (loosely) around the waist by a rope that leads to a nearby tree, where another elf in armor, clearly some sort of guard, stands, eyeing you suspicously.

(From DM) Woman = You're not from around here.

Vraklul points at Quarion. "He is!"

Shaborys . o O ( What was your first guess? )

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(also: common?)"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(wait, you said)"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(carry on)"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "(yes)"

Rashawndra exclaims, "Looks like you got yourself into trouble!"

The Guard begins to unfold his arms. "No talking, princess."

Vraklul asks (of Guard), "Why the rope?"

Rashawndra asks (of Guard), "Was that, like, a sarcastic 'princess' or a literal 'princess'?"

Woman says, "shrugs at the guard. "I was just telling my new friends here how lowly the city...""

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "grrr"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Clearly she has a bit of trouble with Common; she's barely coherent :D"

Guard says, "takes a step away from the tree. "Why are you so interested in the prisoner, outsiders? What are you planning?""

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "This is why I always used npc1 and npc2 when I was GMing."

[Crows-Nest] DM asks, "What do you mean?"

Rashawndra looks wide-eyed and innocent. "She just said hi, and then you called her 'princess'! It was just curious.

Shaborys asks, "So, miss, what are you in for?"

Vraklul says (to Guard), "Not planning anything yet. But it's not every day you see someone tied to a tree."

Vraklul says, "At least, not every day that *I* see someone tied to a tree. Maybe it's different around here."

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "There are 'npc1' and 'npc2' accounts that GMs can use, along with '@name me='"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "Then I'd have multiple windows."

Guard says, "I can't tell if you guys are really dumb or just playing at it. But you better move on, before I get a mind to arrest you."

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "Which itself could get a little confusing, I will admit."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "I'll just type a little slower."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "(As a counterpoint: I used to do that as well, and would continually mix up which one I was typing in at any point.)"

Shaborys puts her hands out, palms up, but maintains eyecontact with the prisoner. "We don't mean any harm. No harm in having a conversation, eh?"

Vraklul says, "Oh, I'm not playng at anything."

Rashawndra chides the guard, "There's a difference between 'dumb' and 'ignorant', but we're definitely the latter. But OK OK, we're moving."

Shaborys asks, "Is it miss? Or missus? Or princess?"

Shaborys (to the lady)

Woman says, "(to Shaborys) Oh, I can't tell you that, my friend here would get anxious. *shakes her unkempt hair, taps her nose, does weird foot movement* You better move on. You'"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra asks, "Can I use Persuasion to convince the guard we're harmless?"

Woman says, "You're friend there *points at Stabby* has the right idea."

[slingergame] Vraklul wonders if those movements mean something in thieves' cant.

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "You can try, but it's gonna be really tough"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks (of DM), "Did she point at Stabby, or me?"

[slingergame] DM says, "At Stabby"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "But... she was talking to Stabby?"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "Did I understand any of that? Or is it not enough?"

[slingergame] DM says (to rush), "Yes! It's weird, isn't it"

(From DM) You move on a bit and find a place near the village square.

Shaborys says, "All right, all right. We're moving along. She smilmes disarmingly at the guard."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "She was talking to Stabby, said 'your friend' and pointed to Stabby. OK."

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "I guess I always knew that Stabby was her own best friend."

Shaborys waits until we're waaaay out of earshot. Elves, right? Then she looks around for a house with obvious (or non-obvious) guards.

Vraklul asks (of Quarion), "So what was that all about?"

[slingergame] DM says (to Shaborys), "There is a house at the edge of the town that has one guard down by the ladder with two dogs, and one upstairs on the platformy thing."

Shaborys points. "There."

Shaborys says, "He's there."

Rashawndra asks, "He?"

Shaborys says, "The paladin."

Quarion says (to Quarion), "I have no idea."

Quarion says, "(uh, to Vrak)"

Rashawndra asks, "They captured him?"

Shaborys says, "Seems that way."

Rashawndra says, "Hunh."

Quarion asks (of Shaborys), "How did you find out so fast?"

Vraklul says, "I guess that's why Kougan hasn't seen him lately."

Shaborys just rolls her eyes and gestures back towards where the guard and lady were.

Rashawndra says, "Well, geez, you can't lock up paladins."

Vraklul says (to Rush), "But Shaborys says they did."

Rashawndra sighs dramatically. "I'm so lost. We need more information."

Rashawndra exclaims, "Maybe I'll go shopping!"

Vraklul asks, "So, hang on. *Why* is the paladin locked up?"

Shaborys what?!?

Quarion says, "Well, I guess this Forest has gone funny, like milk left out for too long."

Quarion says, "Damn cosmic evil."

Rashawndra says, "People tell you stuff when you're giving them money."

Shaborys says, "Oh, she didn't say. She also didn't say he was locked up. Just that he's in the house with the guards."

Quarion says, "Oh, ho."

Shaborys says, "But I'm assuming."

Shaborys says, "No unapproved expenditures."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "snrk"

Quarion says, "I'd second Shaborys on that one: we need to focus."

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "Maybe we can steal some more dogs."

Rashawndra smiles at Shaborys and bats her eyelashes. "Pleeeeaase can I go shopping?" Promise I won't spend more than the information is worth?

Rashawndra exclaims, "And you can go to a bar and get information there!"

Shaborys closes her eyes and sighs. Finnnnnnne. She hands over a small amount of gold.

[slingergame] DM says, "An elven city treetop city might be a bit short on bars"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "What about branches?"

[slingergame] DM asks, "You mean of franchises?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "haha"

Rashawndra exclaims, "Thank you, fair patron!" and kisses Shabory's hand.

Vraklul says, "I wonder if elves make good armor."

Shaborys blushes a little.

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Isn't she already red?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "You can't really tell, no."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Probably for the best."

[slingergame] DM says, "Her tails turns red, and the top of it goes *ping*"

Rashawndra says, "OK. We know nothing and we look weird as a group. I say we split up so we look less weird and threatening, and meet back here. And I want to get something nice for Myinn, since she died for me and all."

Rashawndra says (to Quarion), "But if you have a better idea, that's fine with me; it's your town."

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "Myinn is your horse?"

[slingergame] DM says, "So this city doesn't really have much in terms of shops or bars or inns - They mostly seem to trade wares. And a lot of them seem to be making either armor, weapons or arrows for some upcoming conflict."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Yeah."

Quarion says (to Rashawndra), "I feel like I'm basically a walking passport at this point. If we split, there's no knowing what trouble we'd all get into."

Shaborys looks at Vrak. Don't you need a new javelin?

Vraklul joins Rush on the shopping trip, so he can browse the armor and weapons.

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "Or did he recover it after the fire?"

[slingergame] DM says, "No it was burned"

Vraklul pats his pack.

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Also pretend there were quote marks around that."

Vraklul exclaims (at Shaborys), "Oh yeah!"

[slingergame] (from Vraklul) Shaborys asks, "Or did he 'recover' it after the 'fire'?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "haha"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "I have a terrible time properly RP'ing my -1 WIS :D"

[slingergame] DM says, "One problem I'm having is that I constantly imagine the elves from "the Dark Eye", which are very Tolkienesque, while I guess in D&D they are more regular guys with shops and stuff"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "I'll chat with the horse guy at the stables. Surely there's a stables."

[slingergame] Quarion says (to DM), "It's your world! After all, in regular D&D dragons walk into bars and buy themselves drinks."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Bastaforian elves can-- timing."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "And elves in the forest may be entirely different from elves in Wolfwater."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "It's essentially a totally different country, after all."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Indeed."

[slingergame] DM says, "So we'll say they have some basic trade stuff, like a marketplace where people sell stuff, but it's really more like friends trading with each other"

[slingergame] DM says, "But everyone having the same assumptions is so practial"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Also, this seems like it would actually be *closer* to what Vraklul is used to."

[slingergame] DM asks, "So, Vush go to the stables, what are Suarion doing?"

[slingergame] DM asks, "And who takes Bloodfang?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Me, of course."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "These new fan ships are weird."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Ah, you haven#t encountered Quastaforth"

[slingergame] Shaborys will quietly follow Quarion, but also wants to get a closer look at the guards and the house, so we know what we're up again, without being suspicious.

DM says, "So we'll start with Vush"

DM says, "There is indeed one elf at the marketplace, selling horses. These being elven wood horses are close to the ponies you once had in size and temperament."

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "We can be as detailed or as summarize-y as you like, here. Do you want an explicit conversation?"

DM says, "The woman at the stables seems kind of sad and lost in thought, and not many people stay to chat."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Since a split party is kind of boring for the other half, I think summarizing is good"

[slingergame] DM asks, "Unless someone objects?"

Rashawndra says, "Hi! You have some nice horses here."

[slingergame] DM says, "in that case : I'm the DM, that's why."

[slingergame] DM asks (of Vush), "what do you want to ask about?"

Rashawndra chats with the woman, talking with her about horses in general, and some horse equipment (better saddles, etc.) she might like to buy, and tries to draw out why she's sad, and what's been going on in town recently.

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I'm curious about the woman who's tied up."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "But I'm going to let Rush do most of the talking."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Also, if we can stop by a weapons/armor trader on the way back, I'm curious what they might be asking in exchange for a spare javelin or a set of half plate armor -- perhaps in the form of favors/side quests?)"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Here's a persuasion roll, for what it's worth:"

Rashawndra rolls 1 20-sided die: 2 | 2 + 8 = 10

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Man."

DM says (to Vush), "It's kind of hard to pinpoint why she's sad, and you get the feeling it's something bobody could address even when asked directly. But few people buy horses, and keeping them alive and fed seems painful somehow."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I sense perhaps a magical sadness."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Hmm, I think I'll add my Divine Favor to that:"

Rashawndra rolls 2 4-sided dice: 2 4 | 6

DM says, "And generally, the conflict with Bronzeleaf that has been mostly bad mouthing and skirmishes seems to amp up recently, and it seems like both cities are getting ready for an all out war."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(whoops, Favored by the Gods)"

[slingergame] DM says, "There has been no specific trigger for this ; Just tensions building over time."

Rashawndra steers the conversation towards paladins and princesses.

[slingergame] DM asks (of Vraklul), "Oh, you can use plate now because of fighter levels?"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion exclaims, "Soon he'll master the fork and spoon!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "No, but I could always use half plate."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Then he'll be able to use... napkin."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Since that's medium."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(oh, hmm, FbtG seems to be saving throws and attack rolls. Well, whatever. I chat with the woman, turning on the charm ;-)"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(But not full plate.)"

[slingergame] DM says, "Alas, an elven city is a good place for javelins, but plate is a bit to clunky to be gotten here."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "That's fair."

[slingergame] DM asks (of vrak), "Do you want to roll something for your questions?"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Sure! Persuasion?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "Did she say anything about the woman or about the paladin?"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Or is there something more appropriate?"

[slingergame] DM says (to Vraklul), "That works"

[slingergame] DM exclaims (at rush), "We're about to find out!"

Vraklul rolls 1 20-sided die: 19 | 19 + 0 = 19

[slingergame] DM says, "Vrak turns on the good old boy / hipster barbarian charm"

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Wait, good old boy is not a nice term, is it. Sorry!"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Man. The disparity between 'what you're supposed to be good at' and 'what you roll' is amazing in D&D."

Vraklul looks sympathetic. "I'm sorry to hear that -- it must be rough. Is that woman who's tied up by the entrance a part of this conflict?"

DM says (to vraklul), "Apparently that is Araynore, the princess of Bronzeleaf. She was a guest in Horntown when the conflict started many decades ago, and has been a prisoner ever since. (When I say prisoner, think lose house arrest)."

[slingergame] DM says, "I think advantage/and disadvantage is a also a super clunky way to handle difficulty"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "An actual princess. I wonder why she knows thieves cant?"

Vraklul asks, "Oh, huh. I guess being a princess is why they let her sit outside by the tree instead of being locked up inside?"

Vraklul says, "We passed another house on the way here with a guard outside -- I wonder who's locked up in there."

DM says, "That, and she is tied by a magical rope that won't let her escape."

DM says (to Vraklul), "They are stingy and suspicous when that topic comes up."

[slingergame] DM asks, "I think I'm using suspicious wrong, that should be "become suspicious", right?"

Vraklul says, "So the princess is a prisoner even though she didn't actually *do* anything? That doesn't seem fair. But I guess that's life."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I understood you."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Me too."

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Okay!"

DM says, "Okay... that leads us to Suarionfang"

[slingergame] DM asks, "What do you folks do?"

[slingergame] Shaborys looks at Quarion.

[slingergame] Quarion looks at Shaborys. 'I thought you had a plan.'

Bloodfang looks from one to the other.

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "This is now officially a buddy-cop movie."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "So like I said earlier, I want to get a better look at the guards and house. And otherwise do whatever Quarion wants."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Complete with dog."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Well, maybe investigate a bit, see if I find my old home, find out more about what happened that night."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Detective work, basically."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Sounds good"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Let's do that then."

DM says (to Quarion), "It takes some time, but you find the place where you used to live (which you barely remembered). A new family has moved in and it's now mostly storage for arrow shafts."

Quarion says, "How time flies... like an arrow."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "An idea, for later: the princess isn't allowed to talk. But Rush knows Detect Thoughts."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "If she can somehow let the princess know that without the guard finding out, that would give her a way to communicate to us secretly."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Oh, hey."

Quarion wonders if he can find the neighbours who left him in the forest and never came back.

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "We could also cast it here in the shop for when they got suspicious."

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "Should I?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Sure, if the DM is up for it."

DM says (to Quarion), "You can. We'll do the same summarization thing as before"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(He may decide that we've already left by this point.)"

Quarion says, "OK :-)"

[slingergame] DM says, "Sure, once we're done here."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Cool."

[slingergame] DM says, "(I'm assuming Q is typing and we're not both waiting for the other ...("

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "Oh no!"

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "I was waiting for you!"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I stated what I wanted to do. Not sure how to add any extra detail..."

[slingergame] DM asks, "So more details about the day you left?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Yes."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "That was the goal."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Sorry if I was unclear"

[slingergame] DM says, "No worries"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Is it happening again?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Us waiting for each other."

DM says, "so, apparently after the Lord and Lady had been slain by presumably your parents (which nobody here believes), the surving prince and his wife decided to wage a full blown war. It lasted for only 3 devastating days. But elves can be a s cruel as they are beautiful, and a lot of folks died since then. And due to this, they couldn't come back for you, and when they finally could, they thought you had disappeared."

Quarion says, "I understand."

DM says, "The general consensus seems to be that the prince murdered his parents as a pretense to get the throne and to start this conflict."

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks (of DM), "How is the captive princess related to this?"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Is she the sister of the prince?"

DM says, "She was youngest child of the Lord and Lady of Bronzeleaf and was in Horntown at the time"

DM says, "And while they have heard news of your father travelling the world, nobody heard from your mother, even though they supposedly went back to the city"

DM says, "Uh, even though "she" went back to the city"

Quarion says, "Strange."

[slingergame] DM asks, "Did I miss any of the stuff you were curious about?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Nope, that covers it."

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Except... how did they hear about her coming back?"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "*supposedly*?"

[slingergame] DM says, "I assumed you told them"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "ah okay"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "that covers it like a rug ;)"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "let shaborys and vush do their thing"

DM says (to stabby), "The house is one of the usual treehouses here. It's about 30 ft up in the air, with a single rope ladder leading up (the ladder is down)."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Hm."

DM says, "There is guard at the bottom, with two dogs on a leash, and one on the top platform outisde the acutal house."

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "They have bows and swords or something, I presume?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "That I can see ,anyway"

[slingergame] DM says, "Yeah."

[slingergame] DM says, "The guy above has a bow, the guy at the bottom some rapier-like elven sword."

Shaborys makes a quiet "hmm" sound.

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "All right."

DM says, "Back to Vush"

Rashawndra, as Vraklul is talking to the horse lady, slips around the corner and casts Detect Thoughts, then listens in.

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says (to Rush), "She's an elf, not a centaur."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(in particular, to the 'why is someone in the house under guard' bit)"

[slingergame] DM asks, "Her surface thoughts don't give you much more insight. Do you probe deeper ?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Enh."

[slingergame] DM says, "(Her thoughts are basically : "Why is this outsider asking about M'arce? That's suspicious""

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "All she's thinking is 'argh, don't bug me about that'?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(timing!)"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Well, confirmation that it's M'arce, at least. And not some other paladin."

[slingergame] Rashawndra instead slips out and wanders to within 30' of the M'Arce house and listens to guards and M'Arce's thoughts.

Rashawndra instead slips out and wanders to within 30' of the M'Arce house and listens to guards and M'Arce's thoughts.

Vraklul, after the horse lady discussion wraps up and Rush is nowhere to be seen, will wander off to go looking for that new javelin.

[slingergame] DM says (to rush), "If you do that, the guard is gonna see yoou loitering about, unless you use stealth"

[slingergame] DM says (to Vraklul), "You buy a neat looking elven javelin that curiously has the same stats as a normal one"

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "Excellent!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I shall set that one aside from the other three for special occasions."

[slingergame] DM says, "Also, I think Stabby is also gonna see you loitering about"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "Sure, I guess I'll try Stealth. Do I know what the target is?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "Or I'll see what I can get from walking by slowly, then try stealth to get more?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(to walk even more slowly, or find a place outside of the guard's range?)"

[slingergame] DM says, "You just need to roll Stealth and hope it's better than the guard's passive perception"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(also, I'll listen to guard's thoughts to see if he's watching me)"

[slingergame] DM says, "Or maybe get Stabby's help or something"

[slingergame] Rashawndra exclaims, "If I can get Stabby's help, I'll do that!"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "How may I be of service?"

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "THere is a guard and Rush wants to get within 30 feet!"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "yes,but I'm not sure how to help"

[slingergame] DM says, "Well. Maybe Rush has an idea :-)"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "It seems that creating a distraction would mean the guards would all be thinking about the distraction."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, ", as she's walking by the place, taps her head in a 'I'm reading people's thoughts' signal, then wiggles her fingers in a 'maybe help with a distraction?' signal."

Rashawndra then focuses on reading the guard's thoughts to see if it worked.

Rashawndra, as she's walking by the place, taps her head in a 'I'm reading people's thoughts' signal, then wiggles her fingers in a 'maybe help with a distraction?' signal.

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "ilac"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Meanwhile, Stealth:"

Rashawndra rolls 1 20-sided die: 1 | 1 + 2 = 3

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Snort"

Shaborys shouts out to the downstairs guard, "Hi there! I'm new and I'm lost. Can you help me?"

Shaborys smiles toothily.

DM exclaims, "Maybe you can help your friend there? Not sure what she's doing, but she better get out of here! Hey you, bluetail! Get lost!"

[slingergame] DM asks (of rush), "His thoughts are: I think she was trying to sneak up on me? Or maybe she is drunk?"

Shaborys frowns, "You think all tieflings know each other?"

Guard says, "Uh, of course not! But you are both strangers. And you must admit that's kinda suspicious!"

Shaborys hmms. "I suppose. Maybe."

Quarion offers to vouch for Shaborys' probity (if he's there. Normally he's there. Unless Shaborys was doing the staking-out in parallel to his investigations?)

Rashawndra continues by, keeping up the 'maybe she's drunk' motif, and switches to detecting thoughts of people nearby, so as to focus in on M'Arce.

[slingergame] DM says, "The guard above is now also looking down to see what's going on."

[slingergame] DM says, "Also, I'll just rule everyone is there to cause hijin- I mean help."

Shaborys looks at Quarion, who is in fact, there, since we stuck together.

Rashawndra keeps walking, though, and doesn't stop.

[slingergame] Quarion says, "hehe"

[slingergame] DM says (to rush), "M'arce is 30ft up so you would need to be standing directly below the treehouse to read his thoughts."

[slingergame] DM looks up probity.

[slingergame] Rashawndra doesn't try that at this point, then.

DM says, "The dogs start to growl and bark as Rush gets within 15 ft or so of the treehouse"

Shaborys says, "Oh, dogs! I love dogs."

Shaborys asks, "And dogs love me. Isn't that right, Bloodfang?"

Guard says, "(to Q&S) Listen, just leave and don't get any funny ideas."

[slingergame] Rashawndra veers away, sighs internally, and reads the guard's thoughts more to try to pick up anything of use before heading down the street.

Rashawndra:veers away, sighs internally, and reads the guard's thoughts more to try to pick up anything of use before heading down the street.

Bloodfang looks at Stabby as if she is the most wonderful person in the world to him.

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "man, ilac a lot today."

Vraklul hears the commotion, realizes that a random commotion in an otherwise quiet town is almost certainly his friends, and wanders over in that direction.

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "he he"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Good guess."

[slingergame] DM says, "(let's take a 5 min break, need to handle some stuff OOC really quick)"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Ok"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(OOC or IRL?)"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Are you suggesting that his RL might be IC?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Hee"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "In the meantime, what's the upshot here? The town doesn't think Q's guilty, so we don't have to hide that, and if he thinks he can prove his parents' innocence, the Bronzeleafs might stop the war? Can we ask the town's leadership if we can try this?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "That is actually a possibility."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Does anyone other than the neighbors even realize who he is?"

[slingergame] DM says, "I defeated the Laundrymonster"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "And we might be able to enlist the help of Princess?"

Vraklul exclaims (at Quarion), "There you guys are. What have you been up to? I got this great new javelin!"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "That too."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks (of DM), "I assume that doesn't include looting and folding its corpse?"

[slingergame] DM says, "No comment."

Quarion says (to Vraklul), "I've been investigating the circumstances of my own 'disappearance'."

(From DM) I assume you all move away from the house a bit and regroup.

[slingergame] Rashawndra says (to DM), "Yeah; anything of interest at all from the guard? Or just 'who are these weirdos?'"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "And I assume we all exchange information."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Indeed."

[slingergame] DM says, "Basically that and, "I hope these aren't some of his weird friends""

Vraklul asks, "So I guess we want to break the princess and the paladin free, and also want to have everyone in town not hate us?"

Vraklul says, "Tricky."

Rashawndra says, "So. The people here support Quarion, so we don't have to hide that. If we say we want to clear his parents' name and find the truth, especially if it implicates the prince, we could present that information to the Bronzeleafs via the princess, who might be able to sway them to support her instead."

[slingergame] DM says, "*tone of slight plot stirring* You got the impression that the princess was tied by some very magical rope that would make breaking her out *very* tricky."

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to DM), "I think I got that impression from the lady at the stables telling us that."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Unless you mean the 'very tricky' part at the end, but that sort of thing doesn't really bother Vraklul much.)"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Never tell him the odds: he never learned how to do probabilities anyway, so it won't make any difference.)"

Vraklul says (to Rush), "OK."

Quarion says, "That is sound thinking."

Vraklul asks, "How do we get information to the Bronzeleafs via the princess, when she's a prisoner here?"

Rashawndra says, "We have to get the Horntown leadership to agree, and then they'll free the princess."

Rashawndra says, "After we get the proof."

Rashawndra says, "Or we just go with no proof, and try to get the princess to help with a Bronzeleaf coup or something."

Rashawndra asks (of Q), "Who leads the city, anyway?"

DM says, "They have a council"

Quarion says, "We should probably talk to the council."

Rashawndra asks, "So, can Q apply to talk to the council?"

DM says, "It far less formal than that; There are usually some people from the council hanging around the council square"

Quarion says, "Let's go to the council square and spill the beans."

DM says, "(village square)"

Vraklul exclaims, "Sounds good!"

Shaborys says, "All right."

Rashawndra asks, "Sounds good! You want to talk?"

Rashawndra says, "Maybe I can support you by reading thoughts."

Quarion says, "That would be great."

DM says, "So you mosey to the village square."

DM says, "And normally, in any elven village, you'd except the council to be hanging around, talking to people, etc. Not here."

DM says, "There is a certain area in the middle of the square, surrounded by a small palisade and guards."

Quarion says, "Odd."

Rashawndra follows, 'Detect Thoughts' already running.

Vraklul asks (of Quarion), "This isn't what you were expecting?"

Quarion says (to Vraklul), "Not at all what I was expecting."

Vraklul points to the palisade. "Think that's where the council folks are?"

DM says (to rush), "The guards' thought are mainly concerned with how they feel towards the upcoming war. They *cherish* the thought to finally get ride of Bronzelead once and for all. Which is an decidedly un-elvish way of thinking (for these particular wood elves)"

[slingergame] DM says (to Quarion), "I hope none of these characterization clash with how you imagined your people"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "My mind was a blank slate re: Horntown elves"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "All is good."

Vraklul asks (of Quarion), "So, are you going to talk to them?"

Rashawndra quietly relays this information to the group.

Quarion says (to Vraklul), "I'll have to try."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Maybe we should do initiative just so people know when to say something ;-)"

[slingergame] DM says, "This problem surprisingly hasn't come up much before"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "I think Quarion isn't used to taking point."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says (to Quarion), "Go ahead and take point! We'll follow."

Vraklul says, "If the guards decide to freak out and attack you, I've got your back."

Quarion nods.

Shaborys ditto.

Quarion walks towards where the council is, and introduces himself.

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "There you go ;-)"

DM says, "Before you can go near the council, the guards stop you."

DM says, "Halt, Outsider! Nobody, especially no strangers, see the council on the eve of war."

Quarion says (to Guards), "I am Quarion Bobdy'lhan, son of Korfel and Quelenna, and I have business with the council regarding this war."

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra | https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/59e023b4-810b-4c52-a704-0d9e613cd0d5

DM says, "The guard takes a step back in surprise. "The Kingslayer's son""

(From DM) He looks at one of his colleagues on the wall. There is a short discussion in elvish with the inside.

Guard says, "You may pass, but your servants must wait."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "But who is who, I wonder"

Rashawndra shrugs. "Go on in..."

Vraklul says, "If you need any help, just yell."

Quarion says, "Thanks, my friends. I guess I have all the information I need, anyhow."

Quarion enters the council.

Rashawndra continues to 'listen in' from the waiting area.

DM says, "Inside the palisade, there is a simple wooden table, around which a bunch of elves are sat. The table is covered in a..."

[slingergame] DM says (to DM), "C'mon, you can do ot"

DM says, "... in a ..."

DM says, "map""

[slingergame] Quarion says, "hahahaha"

DM says, "of the area."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says (to DM), "I think you typoed something."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul asks, "Was it 'ramp', maybe?"

Rashawndra tries to see if she can figure out who the council members are from their thoughts. And, importantly, if anyone's being dishonest.

[slingergame] DM says (to Rashwandra), "This has been a long 60 seconds, in-game"

DM says, "The elves all look at Quarion. He is clearly interrupting."

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "I've cast it at least twice."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(except here)"

DM says, "An old elf with a pixie on his shoulder addresses him, "Yes, brother?""

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(and, whoops, I was thinking 10 minutes)"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Just trying to remember exactly what we should say"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Basically, if I've got it it right, it's 'war may not be inevitable! the cause behind the war is not what it seems! the Kingslayer didn't kill the king! we should at least try to figure out what happened and convince the Bronzeleafers'?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "They might *want* war. SO it might be better to frame it as 'here's something we can do to destabilize Bronzeleaf!' or somesuch."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "A kingdom that crumbles from within, that's gone forever, etc"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Given that the whole area seems to be under the effect of something that's been making people increasingly tense and irritable for the last several decades.)"

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Quarion), "Yeah -- if the real killers were Bronzeleafers, then..."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I'm going for that angle then."

Quarion says, "I apologize for interrupting. But on the eve of war, I think you need to know this: my father never killed the Lord of Bronzeleaf. And if we can prove that it was Bronzeleafers that did it... we can trigger civil war in Bronzeleaf itself."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Not necessarily the words of a wise elf, but then again Quarion's not that wise."

Elven_Leader says, "Oh, we should at least hear you out, then. What do you propose?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Um, now I need to come up with a plan to find proof. Infiltration? Magic? D'oh."

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "Princess!"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Infiltration, with help from the princess."

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Are we assuming that the whole thing was timed so that the princess would be trapped in Horntown?"

[slingergame] Roger says, "best use of Raise Dead zombie in lo these many years"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "That's an interesting question."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "But I was just thinking that you could propose we could convince the princess to help us in exchange for her freedom or somesuch."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "And as long as we kept the magic rope, the council could be assured she wouldn't just run off."

DM says (to Shaborys), "Still with us? ;-)"

Quarion says, "Well, to find proof that people in Bronzeleaf would accept, we'd need to infiltrate Bronzeleaf itself. I and my friends would lend our aid to this, of course."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Yup"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "I was thinking that they let us talk to the princess to get her help and get information from her about who would have the information about who actually killed her parents, we go get that, come back, then everyone gathers to confront the Bronzeleafs."

Quarion says, "We could also gain information from the princess currently imprisoned here in Horntown, which would help us do this."

Quarion says, "Based on that, I and my companions would attempt a dangerous mission to retrieve the necessary evidence."

Elven_Leader says, "How do you propose to infilitrate a city? You and everyone here is Horntowner, and they can identify them from a mile away, and they us. But maybe we could lead our own infiltration team."

(From DM) The elves start to discuss various plan.

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "You mean all elves don't look alike?"

Elven_Leader says, "The princess is our one bargaining chip, and won't be trifled with. That is out of the question.""

(From DM) Another elf, a rangery woman, says "Maybe that armored fool knows something. Let them talk to him."

[slingergame] DM says, "Unlike Tieflings, yes."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Hmpf"

Quarion says (to Elven_Leader), "Of course. Our plan doesn't require taking her anywhere out of Horntown."

Quarion asks (of Rangery), "Elf Armored fool?"

Elven_Leader says, "Tha paladin has been running around the forest for years. If anyone knows something, he does."

Quarion says (to Elven_Leader), "M'Arce? I was actually hoping to talk to him. My mentor said he would know useful things."

Elven_Leader says, "Fine, talk to him, if you think that will help. Meanwhile, we will talk about how to follow through with your plan about Bronzeleaf. Thank you, Quarion. We will not forget this."

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, ""The elves will remember this.""

Quarion says (to Elven_Leader), "Thank you for letting me talk."

Quarion says, "I'll let you get back to business."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "CUT TO: M'Arce"

Elven_Leader nods seriously. Pixie on his shoulder nods seriously.

(From DM) So you mosey over to the treehouse, where the guards somehow know to let you in.

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "All of us?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Sure"

Vraklul gestures to the ladder.

Vraklul says (to Quarion), "After you."

Quarion climbs!

DM says, "The inside of the treehouse is kind of gloomy. It has some food bowls and shelves, but the main feature is a huge bunch of blankets in one corner, from which comes some light and somehow unelvish snoring."

DM says, "The guard lets you all in and waits outside."

Vraklul clears his throat.

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Snoring is by definition unelvish ;)"

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "*Sleeping* is by definition unelvish!"

Vraklul clears his throat more loudly.

Quarion says, "Kougan says your helmet looks stupid."

Heap_of_blankets says, "says, "Uh, wha?" A half-orcish woman's head appears out of it."

Vraklul says, "Oh, hi."

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "!"

Orc says says, ""[long thing in orcish that makes Vrak blush]""

Orc says, "Pssst!"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "In hindsight, M'arce = Marcie"

Shaborys oh.

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul asks, "Is that blushing from it being particularly 'friendly', or particularly *unfriendly*?"

Orc : casts "Disguise self" ! She suddenly looks like an orc.

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "!"

[Crows-Nest] DM says (to vraklul), "Your mother would've washed you mouth with soap if you had used such language! (Even though sh was human, she had very strong arms.)"

Orc : casts "Disguise self" ! She suddenly looks like an elf.

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "Hee."

Vraklul asks, "Uh. Am I the only one confused right now?"

Quarion says, "I am also confused."

Shaborys um.

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul asks, "Also, are you using my dreams to write the plot now?"

M'arc(?) says, "Wait, who are you ?"

[Crows-Nest] DM asks, "What do you mean, now?"

Vraklul says, in Orcish, "Sorry, we were looking for an elven paladin called 'M'Arce Eltak'. Do you know him?"

Rashawndra says, "Hello! I'm Rashawndra. Are you M'Arce? Or are you disguising yourself to *look* like M'Arce? Or something else? We're here to help."

Shaborys waves politely.

M'arce(?) says, ""By the gods, keep it down. Yes, I'm disguising myself as M'arce so these Horntown iditos leave him alone. It was his idea. They raided our camp and I disguised myself as him so he could explore more."

Shaborys ooh.

Quarion says, "That explains everything. But is also pretty awkward for us."

Rashawndra says, "Oh, sorry. Cool."

Rashawndra asks, "What is he trying to do?"

Orc says, "Let me introduce myself. I'm Shoullak Heelrender."

Vraklul says, "I'm Vraklul Wellington. Nice to meet you."

Shoullak says, "(in whispered tones) M'arce has been trying to find out why the elves ar at each others throats for many years. It all seems to have to do with the stone circles you see throughout the forest, and some bog to the east of here."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Was the totem in a stone circle?"

Shoullak says, "(in whispered tones) M'arce went there to investigate. But he should've been here weeks ago to replace me again-"

[slingergame] DM says, "No, you rode past a stone circle, though, and it made Quarion sad for some reason."

Shoullak says, "(in whispered tones) I hate this elven food. No offense but it's horrible."

Quarion says, "(in whispered tones) I knew it! Dark forces are behind this. Forces from another plane of reality, I'll wager. And the circles... I felt something there, coming through the forest."

Quarion says (to Shoullak), "Well, it is made for elves, I guess."

Shoullak says, "(in whispered tones) Yes, I think so. They made M'arce and the others sad as well. I never felt anything there, even though we bards are very sensitive."

Vraklul rummages in his pack and gives Shoullak a pouch of orcish seasonings. "Here, this might help."

Shoullak says, "(in whispered, tearful tones) Oh, thank you, thank you! I wish I could give you something in return."

Vraklul says, "Any information that might help us overcome the evil in this place would be more than thanks enough."

Quarion says, "(whisper) Whatever dark magic is here, it probably targets elves specifically. Perhaps because of our strong connection to the magic of the Evergreen forest."

Quarion says, "(whisper) We will have to go find M'Arce, then."

Rashawndra asks (of Shoullak), "Do you know anything about who killed the Lord and Lady years ago to spark this war?"

Shoullak says, "(in whispered tones) Wait, I can. If you want to help here, go east and try to find M'arce. Just tell him : "No'ku kil zil'nok ha tar" and he will now that I send you."

Shoullack shakes her head. "I haven't been with M'arce's crew long."

Shoullak says, "(in whispered tones) But he knows a lot about this stuff."

Quarion says, "(whisper) No'ku kil zil'nok ha tar. Understood."

[slingergame] DM.vraklul It means "Blood and Thunder" and is a kind of honorful greeting among orcs.

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "It means 'no matter what they are doing' according to Google Translate ;-)"

[slingergame] DM says, "Who do we trust more, Google or Wowpedia"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I trust the DM."

[slingergame] DM says, "Aw"

[slingergame] (from Shaborys) DM says, "You die last."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(I'll take that point of Inspiration you promised now.)"

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Ha!"

Rashawndra asks (of Shoullak), "What's the deal with the princess? Can she be trusted? Do you know anything about her?"

Shoullak says, "(in whispered tones) says, "I don't know if trust is the right word. She certainly doesn't like the Horntowners much, after all they have imprisoned her for most of her life, even though they treat her nice enough. More than once over the years they've threatened to kill her to get Bronzeleaf to back down. But she is still very much embroiled in this war."

Shullak says, "(in whispered tones) It's an enemy of my enemy situation."

Rashawndra nods.

Shaborys nod nod.

Quarion nod nod nods.

Rashawndra says, "(quietly) Well, thank you so much! You're super brave to take M'Arce's place like this."

Vraklul says, "By the way, about M'Arce... you said to go 'east', but the last time we were trying to find our way in the woods, we got kinda lost."

Vraklul asks, "Do you have any tips for staying on track?"

Shaborys asks, "Maybe a compass we can borrow?"

Shoullack says, "(in whispered tones) No, you are super brave (and cute) for taking on this task."

Rashawndra blushes.

Vraklul says, "Oh. Um. Thank you."

Shoullack says, "(in whispered tones) I'm afraid the forest is just tricky for non-elves to navigate. The elven rangers go by the stone circles, but I'm not sure how that works."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "Oh, hah, I missed which thing she was replying to."

Shoullack says, "(in whispered tones) But if you keep generally due east, you should be fine. The forest has a way of letting you find the things you need."

Shoullack says, ""(in whispered tones) (to Rush) Also, can I buy a beer maybe when this is all over?""

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Rushack: the new fan ship."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Shoullack will betray her, and we will have the Rushack Redemption arc"

Rashawndra says, "Oh! Um. I'm sort of, um, but not really, yes. A drink would be nice. I think. I don't often, but, yes, beer. Right."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "So what are we going to tell the elves when we go back down?"

Shoullack says, "(in whispered tones) Great, looking forward to it."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "We have a lead we need to investigate, and we're heading into the forest. It won't take long."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "They're busy enough working out their plans anyway."

Rashawndra says, "okay i guess we should go we'll see you later um where's the door there's no door out of this place how did we get in wasn't there a door i thought there was a door"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "haha"

[slingergame] DM says, "yay"

Vraklul gently steers Rush toward the ladder.

DM asks, "So you get back down and tell the council about the new lead, and then move east?"

Quarion says, "Pretty much."

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "Yup!"

DM says, "So you leave the troubled city behind, and its preparation for war. You travel for some hours and rest in the forest."

Shaborys good riddance.

DM says, "And in the night, a strangely familiar dream:"

DM says, "In the forest the uincorn runs, strong and steady. It runs as it has run for ten thousand days or more. But something else runs in the forest. Black, doglike beasts sniff the air and the forest falls quiet. The unicorn runs, but it grows more tired still."

DM says, "TO BE CONTINUED"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Woo"

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Yay!"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "w00t."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Suspenseful."

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Now only Stabby needs a partner!"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Nah."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "I tweeted that she's aromantic and asexual, despite her first impression of trying too hard. It's canon."

[slingergame] DM says, "Yeah, I assumed she did the strong, silent loner thing. :-)"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Canon is canon."

[slingergame] DM says, "I'm not on twitter, so it's at most B-canon."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Also she's a little racist and it would have to be a tiefling."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Heh."

[slingergame] DM says, "heh"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "She loves y'all, but she wouldn't date a non-tiefling."

[slingergame] DM says, "I like how all the romance stuff was always improvised"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Perhaps there's a magic spell that can clone her."

[slingergame] DM says, "(in the campaign so far)"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I'm not sure if that would be the worst or best possible partner for her."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "oh my"

[slingergame] DM says (to Vraklul), "Nobody would give anyone any money and they would both starve"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(I guess it might partly depend on whether or not it also cloned her purse.)"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Ha"

[slingergame] DM says, "I think I've talked about this, that due to mental health stuff, it's often hard for me to do prep and get excited, but you guys always make it worth it. So thanks."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Aww."

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "Woohoo!"

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "We're better than therapy!"

[slingergame] Quarion offers moral support.

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Aww"

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to DM), "Also, thank you! We appreciate it."

[slingergame] DM says (to vraklul), "Alas, some problems can't be slain by even Orcbane."

[slingergame] DM says, "I felt this was a good session even though there wasn't much dice rolling and such."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Yeah"

[slingergame] genericgeekgirl says, "We learned much."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Indeed."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Yeah, it dragged a bit waiting for each other, but in the end it all worked out."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I blame Vush for splitting the party."

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Next time will be 4 hours of combat!"

[slingergame] DM says, "(probably not)"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "o no"

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "Finally, a worthy challenge!"

[slingergame] DM asks, "See you all in ... oh, three weeks?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Indeed."

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Unless CC (or other RPG franchise) returns in some form?"

DM asks, "Oh?"

[slingergame] DM says, "I'd be up for that."

[slingergame] DM says, "; As a player."

[slingergame] genericgeekgirl says, "I'll see if I feel like running something on the 25th, but I won't have much time to think about it until I get back from Seattle."

[slingergame] DM says, "Seattle? Sounds like Shadowrun"

[slingergame] Alex says (to DM), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that Seattle is a city."

[slingergame] genericgeekgirl says, "yeah, no."

[slingergame] DM says, "I wouldn't mind to be a player in D&D, but I�m open to other stuff."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "If someone wants to do a Department story, I would be happy to let them."

[slingergame] Quarion says (to ggg), "CC might have been a possibility next week, but if I remember correctly you're not there? Unless you're cool with CC starting temporarily Jacob-less."

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims (at Quarion), "CC and Bastafore have the same players!"

[slingergame] genericgeekgirl hand-waves uncertainly.

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "If we don't have enough for the one..."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "fair enough"

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "We need weird bird guy!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Definitely."

genericgeekgirl disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[slingergame] Quarion says, "So it seems like I might have to pick up the GM mantle again."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Probably FATE, since it's so lightweight."

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "Sounds good to me!"

[slingergame] DM says, "Yay"

[slingergame] DM asks, "What kind of setting did you have in mind (i.e. just come up with)?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I feel in the mood for superheroes."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Ooh."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "So either a Falcon City followup, or a different setting."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Light fun superheros, or dark angsty ones?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Whichever."

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "A mix!"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "That too is possible."

[slingergame] Rashawndra exclaims, "Light and angsty!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to DM), "Like Into the Spider-Verse."

[slingergame] DM says, "Some light fun ones, some serious ones"

[slingergame] DM says (to Vraklul), "We saw that yesterday, and it was exactly what I was thinking of"

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "I liked Spider-Verse!"

[slingergame] DM says, "I was thinking of a "girl and her robot" character"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Yay"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "I still need to see that."

[slingergame] Vraklul opens his big file of superheros character ideas.

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "I've heard a variety of good things about it."

[slingergame] DM says, "I would prefer light and fun, tbh"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "The idea of a character who wants to be dark and angsty but is stuck in a light and fun superhero universe sounds potentially amusing, though."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "How about this: a light and fun story about an already established superhero team who suddenly have to tackle a threat bigger than just ordinary crime."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Sounds good."

[slingergame] DM says, "Cool"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "This would be when?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Over the next three weeks, hypothetically."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Only two weeks."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Grandfather, the Cat Whisperer, Tesseract, The Omnivore, Gravity Guy, the Chocolatier..."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Two weeks, okay. So a two-parter, like Infinity War/Endgame. Damn, I'm filled with Marvel."

[slingergame] DM says, "I think my character is Nigerian and build her first robot from scrap"

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Quarion), "Can you handle a character who was a physics grad student, played by someone who was neither? :)"

[slingergame] Quarion says (to Vraklul), "I can :D"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Neither a grad nor a student, but who is controlled by physics."