Taleslinger's D&D Game, Session 43

[Unsetting the zoned flag.]

[slingergame] Bert says, "Log on."

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "yeah I can wait around a bit I guess"

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "solo parent day again so I got nothing going on"

Quarion has arrived.

[Crows-Nest] Taleslinger says, "I guess I should get dressed for the occasion"

DM says, "Hello, fantasy kids"

Quarion says, "Hello, fantasy adult"

DM says, "I'm glad you all could make it on time, and we don't tease each other about being late anyway"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says (to Tale), "You still have another five minutes before you're as late as you usually are."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Hee."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Well call that LST (Lucian Standard Time)"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "That's the LaST time you use that joke."

DM pokes Shaborys.

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I got distracted by a webcomic"

[slingergame] (from Quarion) Roger says, 'As one does.'

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Wht? I've been here"

[slingergame] Alex says (to Shaborys), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that wht is down."

[Crows-Nest] DM exclaims (at Shaborys), "Just checking!"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXE8LdXzeHM

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says (to Rush), "Great, now you've got him off watching the video instead."

DM says, "So, last time you defeated the last defense of the hags and returned the people of the forest of pain to their humanoid forms. Among them was Quarion's mum."

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "Curses, foiled again."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Did we take a short rest after waking people up?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(And if not, should we?)"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "No :( :( :("

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "We should"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "did the rules for short rests change?"

DM says, "And now you hava 30-50 people in different states of mind. Some seem pretty lucid, others are rolled up on the ground crying, some stumble around disbelieving, some shout in anger to be turned back, but only a very few are catonic, like Quarion's mum, and only one seems to be dead."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Poor marc."

Vraklul starts a fire, then does what he can to turn the rest of their rations into a hot meal for several dozen people who haven't eaten in days, months or possibly even years.

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys neither eats nor loots the dead one.

[slingergame] DM asks, "Not yet. Did you all see Vraklul's idea for changing the way rests work?"

Rashawndra makes sure Quarion is OK, then goes around helping other people, and getting the more lucid among them to join in helping.

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "That short rests are 8 hours and long rests are a full day? I'm not really into that, but whatever."

[slingergame] DM asks (of Shaborys), "Why not?"

[Crows-Nest] Roger asks, "what levels did y'all get to these days?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "We're all gonna die!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Hee."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Because we won't rest."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul exclaims, "Seven!"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Let's talk about it afterwards, but I have like one thing that resets after a short rest."

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Rush), "There are hit dice."

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Okay, let's get on with it!"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says (to Vrak), "But that's not what I run out of."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Speaking of hit dice, assuming this meal does count as a short rest:"

Vraklul rolls 3 10-sided dice: 9 9 5 | 23 + 3 = 26

Vraklul rolls 1 10-sided die: 7 | 7 + 2 = 9

Shaborys rolls 1 8-sided die: 3 | 3 + 2 = 5

[slingergame] DM says, "it does."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Back to full health!)"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Close enough."

Quarion rolls 3 6-sided dice: 4 6 4 | 14 + 2 = 16

Quarion exclaims, "Back to full health!"

M'Arce solemnly walks over to the one dead guy and gently props him up. "[elvish curse]. Guys, get over here."

Vraklul does so.

Shaborys follows.

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Oh no, marc's corpse is actually plot relevant"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "ilac"

[Crows-Nest] (from Vraklul) Quarion says, "I meant to say that in character."

Vraklul asks (of M'Arce), "What is it?"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "snrk"

[slingergame] DM says, "I'm still amused that the random elven name generator gave me "M'arce""

DM says, "This is Inialos, the king of Bronzeleaf."

Shaborys oh. F*ck.

Rashawndra rolls 3 6-sided dice: 3 2 4 | 9 + 6 = 15

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Is that the one Quarion's dad was supposed to have killed?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "yup"

M'arce says, "The very king who is right now planning to wage war on Horntown."

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "wait, what?"

Rashawndra rolls 1 6-sided die: 6 | 6 + 2 = 8

[slingergame] DM says, "The son of that king."

[slingergame] DM says, "The one who is ruling *now*"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "so he just recently got treed?"

[slingergame] DM says (to Quarion), "You were thinking of the wrong plot twist"

Rashawndra rolls 1 6-sided die: 5 | 5 + 2 = 7

Vraklul asks, "So if he's here, does that mean that someone is pretending to be him?"

M'Arce says, "I fear so."

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "too bad you don't have a cleric to cast Speak With Dead"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Also, in elvish guys is unabmbigiously gender-neutral"

Vraklul asks, "And if we can unmask the imposter, maybe we can stop their plans for war?"

M'Arce says, "That sounds like a plan."

M'Arce says, "We need to get there quick. But I can't leave these people alone."

Vraklul says, "If you can take care of these people, we can take the body to Bronzeleaf."

Shaborys asks, "Will they believe us?"

Rashawndra says, "Maybe we can take one or two of the more lucid ones to tell their story."

M'Arce says, "I don't know. Now that the dark spells has been taken from the forest, maybe they will listen to reason?"

Vraklul says (to Rush), "Good idea."

Vraklul calls out, "Is there anyone here from Bronzeleaf nobility? Or a government official? Or anything like that?"

(From DM) One elven womans slowly comes forward. She is wearing a bronzeleaf warrior's armor. She looks a bit shaken, but there is a certain toughness about here.

Naexi says, "I'm Naexi Trueshot, a ranger from Bronzeleaf. I will speak for you."

Vraklul exclaims, "Great!"

Vraklul says, "Thank you."

Rashawndra says (to Naexi), "Thank you, Naexi."

Vraklul prepares the body for travel, so it can be respectfully carried.

shakes her head. She hugs Vrak very closely and says, "No, We will forever have to be thankful to you."

M'Arce says, "(to Quarion) And what of your mother? Shall we leave her here?"

M'Arce says, "(to Quarion) I will watch closely over her."

Quarion says (to M'Arce), "If she's safer here, then so be it."

Quarion says (to M'Arce), "I doubt Bronzeleaf will be a hospitable place for her."

M'Arce says, "Good luck, my friends."

Quarion says, "Thank you."

Naexi says, "It looks like there is no time to waste. Follow me!"

Rashawndra follows!

Shaborys does so.

Quarion is swift on his feet!

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "So Bloodfang is with us. Where are my horses? :D"

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims (at Shaborys), "But we just ate!"

DM says, "The swamp might be difficult terrain, but luckily you have a ranger now."

[slingergame] DM asks, "ISTR you left them near the circle where you went in?"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "Which is a different circle than the one here?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Yeah"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Drat. Ok."

[slingergame] Shaborys grumbles about lost gold :D

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Can we assume we told M'Arce about them before we left, so that at least the people who aren't fit to walk can use them when he brings everyone home?"

DM says, "It takes you about half an hour to get near the elven cities again. (Goes much faster in a straight line.)"

[slingergame] DM says, "Sounds good."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Ok"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Sure, they can bring their corpses home HE HE HE"

Vraklul asks, "Remind me, which one goes to Bronzeleaf, again?"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Oh Mary, go and call the corpses home, across the sands of Dee"

Naexi says, "This one, oh shoot."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Oh yeah, Not-M'Arce is still being held captive in Horntown as far as we know, isn't she?"

(From DM) From the foliage around you appear what looks like a Horntown war party. Elves in hardened wooden armor, armed with bows and swords.

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Shoullak, yeah."

Shaborys asks, "Oh. Uh. Quarion?"

Quarion says, "I'm here."

Naexi slowly steps back. "I'll leet Quarion handle that."

Rashawndra whispers to Quarion to ask them when they last saw their king.

Leader says, "Ah, it's you. And you brought us our first Bronzeleaf prisoner of this war."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Oh, wait, Horntown, never mind."

Quarion says (to Leader), "Actually, we lifted the curse on the Forest and freed a number of individuals who had been transformed into trees."

Quarion asks (of Leader), "One of them was unfortunately dead, and turned out to be... the King of Bronzeleaf himself?"

Quarion asks (of Leader), "Which has, shall we say, disturbing implications concerning *who* exactly is leading the Bronzeleaf forces?"

Leader says, "The king of Bronzeleaf? But the king has declared war on us just a few hours ago."

Quarion exclaims (at Leader), "Well, we have his body right here. So whoever declared war on you... is a fake!"

Quarion says, "Such magic is unfortunately quite trivial for those in the know."

Leader says, ""[elvish curse]. Okay, this seems dire." He looks around, at his people, then seems to realize he is supposed to make the decisions here. "Very well. How can we assist you?""

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "another tragic case of foreign interference"

Vraklul asks, "Do you have any authority to negotiate a peace, if we can get the Bronzeleaf leaders to see reason?"

Leader says, "I don't, but I have sway with the Horntown council. I can maybe convince them to hold out on attacking Bronzeleaf for a while.""

Vraklul exclaims, "That would be good!"

Vraklul says, "And there are people in the forest who need help."

Vraklul asks, "If you're returning to town, maybe you can arrange a group to bring them some blankets and horses and things?"

Leader says, "Of course. Consider it down. You [to Naexi) take the old path by the elm that sings of water, and you should get to the King's Hall without running into any patrols.""

Naexi nods.

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Which might have interesting consequences if they run into M'Arce while still holding Not-M^H^H^H^H^H Shoullak prisoner.)"

Rashawndra says (to Leader), "Thank you for understanding. You give us hope that maybe others will see the truth, too."

DM says, "One half of the patrol disappear swampwards, while the other half moves back to Horntown."

Vraklul says, "Alright, this is looking promising so far."

Vraklul says, "I think lifting the curse has helped people to think better."

Naexi leads you down a secret path through the forest. Over old trees, under older trees, crawling through a short tunnel, wading through a claustrophobically small creek between sheer rockwalls.

Rashawndra brushes her fingers along the walls of the tunnel thoughtfully.

DM says, "The creek ends at a small waterfall, above a small elven village. The village is made of small, sturdy wooden huts. It looks almost deserted. There is one bigger hut in the middle of the village that is guarded by two elves in heavy armor."

Vraklul asks (of Naexi), "Is that big one where they think the king is?"

Naexi whispers, "Now that we are here, how do you want to do this?"

Naexi nods.

Vraklul asks, "Hmm. What would happen if we just walked in there and announced ourselves and what's going on?"

Shaborys says, "I would not like to end up in chains, or worse."

Vraklul says, "I guess whoever is pretending to be the king is going to try to stop us, yeah."

Quarion says, "Hmmm."

Vraklul asks (of Naexi), "What if you went up and quietly got people you trust to come out here one by one, so we could show them and explain everything individually?"

Vraklul says, "If we got most of the guards to trust us instead of them, then they could help us arrest the fake king."

Naexi says, "Hm, that sounds like an interesting plan, but I fear we would need to locate a people in the midst of what shapes up to be a war."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Sorry, was on the phone."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks (of DM), "Were you.... *phoning it in*?"

Vraklul says, "I dunno, then I'm back to just walking up and explaining everything."

Vraklul asks, "Does anyone else have any other ideas?"

Rashawndra says, "Yeah, it looks like everyone's gone already, fighting."

Rashawndra says, "We could track them down, but we should almost certainly start here."

Quarion exclaims, "In that case, let's strike while the iron is hot!"

Naexi says, ""Let's get down there.""

Vraklul exclaims, "OK!"

DM says, "You climb down to the village with no problem and ..."

Rashawndra asks (of Naexi), "Do you recognize any of them? We can start with them?"

[slingergame] DM asks, "Walk up to the hall ? Sneak?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Unless someone tells Vrak to sneak, he's not sneaking."

Shaborys might linger behind, in case y'all need someone to bust you out.

Rashawndra asks (of Naexi), "Someone you knew as kids, that would know something only the two of you know?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Some degree of waving and smiling might even take place."

DM says, "So you walk up to the guards and you can feel them tensing up. "Halt!" And they ready their spears."

Rashawndra exclaims, "Hi!"

Rashawndra stops approaching and just talks.

Vraklul halts, but still waves and smiles.

(From DM) Naexi pushes past you. �Arular� she says with a smile, �Arular, it's me. Let these people through.� The one guard drops his spear, all conflicts and duty forgotten, and looks at Naexi. �It's you�. She takes his hand and leads him away. �Yes.� She smiles. �It's me.�

[Crows-Nest] DM says (to font), "Grr"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "Mmm, smart quotes."

(From DM) The other guard says, "Okay, what is going on here?"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "More like dumb quotes."

Vraklul exclaims (at Guard), "We've stopped the darkness in the forest!"

Quarion exclaims, "The curse is lifted!"

Guard says, "The what? What are you talking about?"

Rashawndra says (to guard2), "We managed to lift a curse from the forest. And, um, your king is not who you think it is."

Vraklul says, "There were a lot of people, like Naexi, who were taken captive by the curse."

Rashawndra says, "But a lot of people like Naexi were captured, and we've managed to free them."

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra exclaims, "Timing!"

Guard says, "Is this some sort of trick? First you distract Arular, and now you try to tell me tall tales?"

Rashawndra exclaims, "Nope!"

Rashawndra grins.

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra asks, "Persuasion?"

Vraklul says, "I'm sorry, but Inialos was one of them."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul asks, "Or show him the body?"

Vraklul says, "And unlike Naexi, he... was not so fortunate."

Rashawndra says, "We think he was the first to be taken."

[Crows-Nest] DM asks, "Both viable options?"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "I don't know where I lingered behind, but I'd like to think I can hear some of it, or at least make out the general mood?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Sure"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Did we leave the body in the woods?"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra exclaims, "I do both!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(With Shaborys?)"

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul exclaims, "Good plan!"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Oh. I assumed not."

[slingergame] DM says, "No? At least I don't think so"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "I assumed that we had him with us."

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

Rashawndra rolls 1 20-sided die: 11 | 11 + 8 = 19

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "I forget how the D&D rules for assisting work."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "But, uh, I guess Rush probably doesn't need them."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Yeah"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "(I think it gives you advantage?)"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion takes out the body of a giant anthropomorphic chicken out of a coffin, then goes, 'Darn, wrong game.'

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "Oh my."

[Setting the zoned flag.]

Vraklul says, "That's what we were hoping to find out."

Vraklul says, "Whoever it is, they apparently *really* wanted a war against Horntown for some reason."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "The guard is a wizard? Mind. blown."

[Crows-Nest] DM exclaims, "Multiclass!"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Also, Rush missed an opportunity to counterspell."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul exclaims, "This is D&D. Even *barbarians* can cast spells!"

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says (to Quarion), "Ha ha ha."

[Crows-Nest] DM exclaims (at Quarion), "Yay!"

Guard grabs his spear tightly and slowly moves up the stairs to the hall. (Followed by you.) "Let's see what's going on here ..."

(From DM) He throws open the double doors!

Shaborys sneaks closer to the building in the meantime, staying clear of sight by anyone inside.

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "And now a word from our sponsor, Skillshare"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "haha"

[slingergame] Vraklul checks to make sure that Quarion does have Dispel Magic.

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "I do!"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "and the short rest gave me enough insane majyyks to cast it"

DM says, "The king's hall looks horrible. There once were two wooden thrones thrones. On them sit two corpses, covered in mushrooms. The whole room, once clearn, is incredibly dirty. It's covered in grime, dried blood and all kind of mess. Fleshy bits lie around, some weird wodden idols, things that even looks remotably valuable. But there is nobody alive here."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Oh my god."

Rashawndra says, "Um."

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "the usual airbnb deal"

Vraklul whispers (to the Guard), "Is this what it usually looks like...?"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Fleshy Bits (TM)"

(From DM) The guard slowly moves in, and looks around "What has happened here?" Then he notices one of the corpses is grabbing a note in its hand and picks up. He slowly reads aloud "See you soon, idiots". He hands it to Vrak. "Must be for you."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Have we ever seen Astaforth's handwriting before?"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "shamelessly stolen joke (tm)"

Vraklul asks (of Party), "Astaforth?"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlA35y0bGQc"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says (to Vrak), "WHY DID YOU SAY THAT NAME"

[slingergame] DM says, "The handwriting looks scratchy and weird."

[slingergame] DM says, "It's unpleasent just to read it."

Quarion says, "The impostor has fled."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Does this all look freshly done?"

[slingergame] DM says, "It looks like someone has lived here for a while."

Vraklul looks at the two corpses on the throne.

Rashawndra asks (of Quarion), "You have detect magic, right? Anything left here that's magical?"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "But like, do the fleshy bits look like they were recently chopped off of someone, or like they've been here rotting for a while, or like they've already rotted and mummified long ago?"

Quarion waves his detect magic wand!

[slingergame] DM says, "Some the former, some the latter."

Quarion exclaims, "Wand of magic detection: activate!"

Quarion prods thrones, corpses and idols.

[slingergame] DM says (to Quarion), "You detect two magic items here. Some sort of jar, and after you move a heap of headless birds away with your foot, some sort of parchment, covered in that same scratchy writing. A spell scrooll."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "A scroll is a scroll covered in drool."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Er. Bah."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Snrk"

Rashawndra asks (of guards), "We have to recall the war parties. How can we do that, quickly?"

Rashawndra asks, "Would they believe you? Us? Either?"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks (of DM), "Are they Necromantic spells/jars?"

(From DM) The guard is still looking at the corpses in disbelief. This is king Gaeleath, for whose murder Quarion's parents were hunted years ago.

Vraklul asks, "..Guard Has anyone -- other than the imposter king -- been in here in the last thirty years?"

Rashawndra asks, "Wait, that's *Gaeleath*?"

[slingergame] DM says, "The scrool is from the schoool of divinatioon"

Vraklul asks, "Did no one give him a funeral? A burial?"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "No clue as to what spell it is, unless I attempt to study it?"

Guard says, "His son said the royal family had taken care of that. And I have been in this room countless times, and I never saw anything like this."

Quarion says, "An enchantment, clearly, and one which was dispelled by our removal of certain dark forces."

Rashawndra shakes her head.

Rashawndra exclaims, "OK, we *have* to recall the war parties!"

Vraklul says, "I guess that should be enough proof for anyone that something rotten was going on here."

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "No, Vrak. RottING."

Vraklul says, "Yeah. You and Horntown are probably going to want to team up after this."

[slingergame] DM says, "Hm, let me check if it's on the Wizard spell list."

Rashawndra screws up her face. "Eww, Vrak, not a good joke."

[slingergame] DM says, "There it is. It is the spell scroll of contact other plane (p.226 in the PHB)"

Vraklul says, "If the person that I *think* was behind this was, we're going to need all the allies we can get to stop him."

[slingergame] DM says, "And the jar is definetely necromantic."

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "I can't believe it's not Explosive Runes"

[slingergame] DM says, "And Hag magic, but you can't tell more."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "'This is flight 425 out of Minneapolis, what's your heading?'"

Quarion says, "Okay, everyone, it's clear that whoever was impersonating the king was communing with the Hags and indulging in necromancy."

Quarion says, "Why'd it have to be *necromancy*."

Quarion says, "I hate necromancers."

Naexi storms in. "If we're gonna do something, we're gotta do it now. They are gathering down by the river."

Vraklul gives Naexi a moment to take it all in.

DM says (to Shaborys), "Also, you notice that sparkly stuff in all this mess."

Quarion take the jar and prepares to smash it! Necromancy be gone!

Vraklul asks (of Quarion), "Shouldn't we find out what it was first?"

Quarion pauses in mid-smash.

Vraklul asks (of Guard, Naexi), "Is there anything here that would be quick and easy proof that we can show to the war parties?"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, ""That sparkly stuff"?"

Naexi says, "Well, um, the three corpses might do it."

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Shaborys), "The DM is reminding you that there's treasure."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "I thought it might be a reference to somethign we'd seen before :)"

[slingergame] DM says (to Shaborys), "You figure that there's a few hundred GP worth of gems in this miss."

Vraklul asks, "Would it be appropriate to carry them all out there?"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "Is it appropriate to loot in front of the guard??"

[slingergame] DM says, "*,mess"

[slingergame] DM says, "Yes, you have seen gems before"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "It's appropriate to ask, maybe."

[slingergame] Shaborys will wait until y'all leave the room.

Rashawndra exclaims (at Naexi), "Let's go!"

Rashawndra asks (of guards), "Can one or both of you come with us?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "'Hey, there seem to be some nice things here, should I help clean them off? Do you still want them, or should I take hem away for you?'"

Naexi says, "Appropriate be damned! *grabs the queen* We need to stop a war!"

Vraklul exclaims, "OK!"

Rashawndra shrugs, helps, leaves.

[slingergame] (from Quarion) Queen's head rolls off.

Vraklul picks up Inialos again.

Vraklul asks (of Guard, Quarion), "Can you take the king?"

Quarion says, "I'm keeping the jar. It may prove crucial in destroying our enemy."

(From DM) So, carrying your rather gruseome burdens, you make your way down to the river, where (on this side) Bronzeleaf's army is dug in bows, and fire arrows at he ready, while from the other side Horntown canoes slowly make their way across the river.

Vraklul goes after Rush and Naexi.

Shaborys slips in once the building is empty to look more closely at glittering things.

Vraklul exclaims (at Soldiers), "Hold up, guys!"

[slingergame] DM says (to Shaborys), "You manage to scrounge together 600 gps worth of gems (covered in some gross stuff)"

Vraklul says, "We've got some big news."

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys licks it off

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "bleeagh"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "Ew ew ha ha"

DM says, "The leader of Bronzetown is a silver haired general, who looks at you quzically. "What is the meaning of this, boy?""

Shaborys hurries to catch up.

Vraklul says (to DM), "The king never ordered this war. You've been tricked. Both sides have been tricked."

Rashawndra exclaims, "Your king was an imposter!"

(From DM) His lieutnant says, "Sir, they are almost within reach!"

Vraklul lays down Inialos, his face uncovered.

Vraklul says, "This is your king. He's been dead now for thirty years."

Rashawndra exclaims, "All the people that have been disappearing over the last years have been found again! Like Naexi!"

General says, "What? Is this some sort of last minute Horntown treachery. I mean you -"*looks at Quarion* "you are the kingslayer's son.""

Quarion says (to General), "My father was no murderer."

(From DM) The first Horntown arrow fly across the river and get stuck in the Bronzeleaf barricades.

Shaborys says, "Hey! Stop that."

General says, "(to Quarion) And why should I believe you?"

Vraklul goes up to the boats, his hands waving in the air. "HOLD UP! THE WAR IS OFF! WE NEED TO TALK THIS OUT!"

Rashawndra pops her head over the barricade. "Hey! Cut that out! Give us a few minutes, geez!"

DM says (to V&R), "Arrows whistle past you."

[Crows-Nest] (from Quarion) Old Rush says, 'I used to be an adventurer like you, until I got an arrow to the head.'

Vraklul exclaims, "I SAID, STOP!"

Vraklul wades out toward the boats.

DM says, "The general is still looking at Quarion."

Shaborys says, "I will fuck*ng kill anyone who continues to fire. I mean it."

Shaborys makes a scary face.

DM says (to Vraklul), "People in the boats take aim at you."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Hmm. What does an elven flag of parlay look like?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to DM), "Oh, good."

(From DM) His lieutnant says, "IGNITE ARROWS!"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "Can we get a diplomacy check or something?"

Vraklul ignores the arrows. He does not draw his weapons. He has both hands in the air, empty.

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "I was trying to intimidate."

Quarion says (to General), "Agents of the fey corrupted this forest and tricked you all."

Vraklul says (to Boatsmen), "THIS. IS. A. PARLAY."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Would an intimidation roll be appropriate here?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "I was waiting to be told to roll one."

Rashawndra follows Vrak.

General says, "(to Quarion) Agents of the Fey?"

[slingergame] DM exclaims (at Vraklul), "& Shaborys Sure!"

Shaborys rolls 1 20-sided die: 8 | 8 + 4 = 12

Rashawndra assists Vrak.

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

Quarion says (to General), "Minions of the Hags, yes"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Well."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "(which gives you advantage)"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Oh, good."

Vraklul rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15 + 3 = 18

[slingergame] Quarion says, "This is going to be a fun conversation."

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims (at Rush), "Thank you!"

[slingergame] Rashawndra exclaims, "Yay!"

Vraklul and Rush are wading out there, intentionally unarmed, making no aggressive actons, and completely ignoring the arrows being fired at them. Surely that must give someone pause.

DM says (to Vraklul), "The boat you were moving toward sort of moves away in half-circle, but nobody lowers their bow."

(From DM) His lieutnant says, "Sir?"

Vraklul exclaims, "This war has been being waged under false pretenses!"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Is that the Bronzeleaf lieutenant, or...?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "Persuasion from me? With Vrak's help?"

General says, "The general looks at the corpses. He looks at Quarion. he looks at the corpses. He looks at Vrak and Rush out in the surf."

DM exclaims, "BRONZELEAF! STAND DOWN!"

Rashawndra says (to Boat_guy), "The Bronzeleaf king is dead. Has been dead for 30 years. The king that started the war was an illusion, which was only just now dispelled."

Rashawndra says, "Hear that? That's them stopping."

(From DM) People look at him in disbelief, but lower the bows and put out their arrows.

DM says, "The Bronzeleaf boats turn with one last look and move back to their side of the river."

Vraklul says, "Phew."

Vraklul says, "OK, we need to figure out who the leaders are at this point, and get them together."

Rashawndra keeps looking intently at the Horntown boat people.

[slingergame] Vraklul asks (of DM), "Was that Bronzeleaf or Horntown?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Right, "Horntown" boats turn back"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Oh! OK, good."

Rashawndra sighs, and relaxes.

Quarion says, "So close to failure."

Rashawndra says (to Vrak), "Let's go talk to them."

Vraklul asks (of Rush), "Which ones?"

Rashawndra dives in the river and swims across.

Vraklul says, "Ah, I see."

Rashawndra exclaims, "Horntown!"

Vraklul follows!

[slingergame] DM asks, "Does everyone go?"

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "Ues!"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "I was thinking we'd split up, so we have people to explain on both sides?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Yes, even"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Oh"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "But either way."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "It's not like I explained things before swimming away ;-)"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Yeah, what Rush said. In which case, I'd stay with Quarion. But it makes sense for him to talk to his people, probably."

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Rush), "We've got Naexi and the guard on the other side."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "That's true"

Shaborys follows the others then

[slingergame] DM says, "So, you make your way over to Horntown."

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "So, Naexi/guards/Shaborys on one side, Vrak/me/Quarion on the other?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "I just said I follow!"

[slingergame] DM says, "Everyone in Horntown"

Quarion says, "Time to return to Horntown."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Timing! Sorry."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I'm imagining that while Vraklul and Rush are swimming across the river, Shaborys and Quarion pass them in a boat they borrowed from the Bronzeleafers."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "hehe"

DM says, "You swim across the river, and arrive along with the boats. Things are still tense here, but people seem to be mostly confused."

Vraklul says, "Hi. Thanks for stopping."

DM says, "Next to the Bronzleaf general (a woman you saw in the council), is the still chained princess of bronzeleaf. (Araynore)"

Vraklul says, "So, short version of the story: crazy evil curse on the forest. Inialos has been dead for 30 years. An *imposter* killed the old king of Bronzeleaf and has been waging war on you."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Horntown general you mean"

Councilwoman says, "What is the meaning of this?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Oops"

Vraklul says, "They're your real enemy, not Bronzeleaf."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I understand. Elves all look alike."

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "We left all the bodies on the other side, right?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "No that we're in a big group of them, I'm not even sure which one is Quarion."

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Shaborys), "Right."

Councilwoman says, "And I assume all the proof for that is conviently on the other si-" "They are sending a boat! A single boat!""

Rashawndra says, "The main proof is that they stopped attacking you."

Vraklul says, "Yeah. I assume that boat is here to talk about peace."

Councilwoman says, "Very well, we will hear you out."

Rashawndra says, "But there are also many villagers from both sides who were recently freed from the forest. We found a patrol, and some of them are probably bringing them back now."

Vraklul asks (of Araynore), "You're probably the leader of Bronzeleaf, now. If we can prove that everything I said is true, will you agree to end this war on your side?"

The councilwoman steps down to the boat, which lands with an almost silent thud. The whole river seems to be quiet. Out of the boat jumps the Bronzeleaf general. he is unarmed. He silently points at the body in the boat.

= Araynore , her hands still bound, looks at her father's corpse. She looks at Vrak, her eyes blind with tears, and nods silently.

(From DM) She looks around at the Councilwoman, and says, through clenched teeth, "For thirty years, I was you prisoner. But ..." *deep breath* "let us stand here, now, as friends."

DM says, "And they silently hug, there on the river's edge."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "Stockholm syndrome, anyone?"

Rashawndra starts cheering!

Vraklul finally relaxes.

Quarion says, "This is the stuff of which peace is made of."

Shaborys will cheer, maybe, when the princess is unbound.

DM says, "A few hours later, the people from the swamp arrive and are taken care of."

DM says, "And with them is a familiar face. Someone you haven't seen in a long, long time."

[Crows-Nest] Jota says (to Olly), "If you're lookging for context, you'll probably want all of #crows, #slinger, and especially #dtt."

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "I dont' think you can join #dtt and see stuff; it's only in recap."

[Crows-Nest] (from Vraklul) DM says, "It's the mayor of Crownsford."

Horst exclaims, "Hello, my friends!"

Shaborys whoa.

Quarion says, "What the --"

Vraklul exclaims, "Hey! Good to see you, man!"

Quarion asks, "How did you get here?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Do I know Horst? I forget."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "I believe you've met"

[slingergame] DM says, "Kinda"

[slingergame] Horst says, "I think so"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "He came to our party at the house"

[slingergame] DM says, "You were dead together"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "That, too"

Horst says, "I was deep in meditation and prayer when I received a divine vision that I should attend this location"

Horst says, "I see now that my worst fears have been averted, no doubt thanks to you"

Quarion says, "Indeed they have been."

Vraklul says, "You missed out on a lot."

Horst says, "Perhaps, but I hear your exploits in every tavern from here to the coast"

[slingergame] DM says, "Luckily, Vrak kept this transcript of all their adventures"

Quarion asks (of Horst), "I guess all is well in Wolfwater?"

Horst says, "Well enough, though talk of war keeps everyone on edge."

Vraklul asks, "A new war? Or the same old wars?"

Horst asks, "Does war ever change?"

Vraklul says, "Maybe."

Horst says, "Still, one less war, thanks to you."

Vraklul tells Horst about what they learned about Astaforth and the undead dragon and the war across the planes.

Horst says, "Sounds like quite the amazing tale has been slung."

Quarion says, "What an odd turn of phrase."

Horst says, "Well... there is one thing. Surely you all recall Old Man Burton? He's still casts a long shadow on Wolfwater."

Vraklul says, "Oh yeah, that guy."

Vraklul asks, "Is he still ticked off about Bloodfang switching sides?"

Horst says, "The burgermeisters do what they can, but they're somewhat outmatched."

Horst says, "A man might forgive you for killing his family, but not for stealing his dog."

Quarion says, "That literally makes no sense, but whatever."

Horst says, "It doesn't help that he's rumoured to have hoarded a staggering amount of gold from his various illegal schemes."

[slingergame] (from Vraklul) Shaborys asks, "What are we waiting for?"

Vraklul says, "On the one hand, I think dealing with Astaforth and his army is a more serious priority."

Vraklul says, "But on the other hand, that's going to take an army. Or several of them."

Vraklul says, "So in the meantime, I guess we can go deal with Burton and get him out of our hair once and for all."

[slingergame] DM says, "Let me know when you're done."

Rashawndra says, "I want to talk to that dragon before we go."

Rashawndra asks, "The voidwalker's mom? Probably?"

Rashawndra says, "Oh, and, um."

Vraklul says, "Oh! Yeah. Good thought."

Rashawndra says, "I, uh, guess I have a date."

DM says, "So, the elves have some stuff to work through, but they invite you to stay a few days, especially as they plan to hold a large feast."

Quarion says, "Elven feasts are the best."

Shaborys perks up. Food?

[slingergame] DM asks, "Which would also be a good date night?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Unless there is something else we will jump to ... the Feast"

[slingergame] Horst exclaims, "I'm all done!"

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "Feast!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Between now and feast:"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Would Quarion have studied the jar?"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "And possibly been able to learn anything about its nature?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(E.g., which lich it's a phylactery for?)"

[slingergame] DM says, "Yes! It simply requires attunement."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "What *is* it?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I'm morbidly curious"

[slingergame] DM says, "it is a device the hags used to trap good memories of people they imprisoned for some evil purpose, most probably to deepen their suffering, Releasing them might help the Awoken. (As they come to be called)"

[slingergame] DM says, "So it might be a good idea to ........................ smash it"

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "Oho!"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Ceremonially, at the feast, with all the Awoken attending?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Nothing about all you found implies that it was ever anyone but the hags here"

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "Sounds like a plan!"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks (of DM), "Not even the note?"

[slingergame] Horst says, "sounds like aboleth-tech"

DM says, "The elves hold the feast on the river's edge, where they nearly went to war. They have decorated the trees with magic lights, and there are a lot of small tables with food. Quarion's mother sits in a chair, covered by a blanket. her mind has not returned, but she seems content."

DM says, "Mostly people stand around in small groups and talk."

DM says, "Or swim in the river."

Quarion bring his mother something to eat.

DM says, "Or sit on branches and throw pine cones at passer-bys."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Now, JAR SMASH"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "(Preceded by academic explanation, of course)"

DM says, "The Awoken have gathered and look at you expectantly."

Quarion says, "I hope that this will give you some extra solace."

Quarion destroys jar, accompanied by pyrotechnic display.

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Where's a bard when you need one"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Dad? Daaad"

[Crows-Nest] Alex says (to Quarion), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that Dad is hah a few over."

(From DM) Quarion smashes the jar, and a multitude of multicolored orbs fly out and connect with some of the Awoken.

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I still think that Guard who cast the spell on Inialos earlier was secretly a Bard."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "A Bard Guard."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "heh"

DM says, "Some time later, as Quarion sits by his mother's side, she looks at him."

Quarion asks, "Mother?"

Quarion asks, "I'm back. Are... are you back too?"

Quelenna says, "I just remembered something beautiful. When I was running away, when those monster caught me and turned me into a tree, I was thinking of my son. That at least my son is safe. You know my son, Quarion? He wants to be a great wizard one day."

[slingergame] Horst says, "AWWWWwwwww"

Quarion says, "And he did become a wizard."

Quelenna says, "He did? Do you know him?"

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "And he still wants to be a great one..."

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "I wasn't gonna say it"

Quarion says, "I *am* him."

[Crows-Nest] Horst asks, "he has a girlfriend now too! I think?"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Better to be a wizard with a girlfriend than a great wizard without one"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Or is it the other way around? Who knows"

Quelenna blinks, but she doesn't seem to comprehend you. "If you see my son, will you give him these?" And she puts two small gems in your hand. One red, one blue. "I think he will have use for them."

(From DM) And then she dozes off.

Quarion says, "Sleep well."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "With a girlfriend, he stands a chance of eventually becoming both a great wizard *and* great grandfather some day."

Quarion looks at the gems in his hand.

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "gonna be a woke red-gemmer, are you"

DM goes east.

[slingergame] DM says, "These are elemental gems (one emerald - water, the other a yellow diamond- earth. See page in ther phb"

DM arrives from the east.

[slingergame] DM says, "page 167"

[slingergame] Rashawndra asks, "So, not red and blue after all?"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "PHB or DMG?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Oooo I can summon a water and an earth elemental"

[slingergame] DM says, "Hm? Oh right, DMG"

[slingergame] Horst says, "that early start is killing him"

[slingergame] DM says, "No, I'm always this bad at it"

DM asks (of Shaborys), "Where do you spend the party?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "It's a one-time thing, though, since you have to break the gem"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "Elves aren't, like, all vegetarians ,right?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Nope"

Shaborys stuffs herself full of meat and fish.

[slingergame] Vraklul asks (of Quarion), "Isn't red fire?"

Shaborys probably gambles over some dice, but it's inconsequential.

[slingergame] DM says, "Not sure why I said red and blue. Red and blue is now non-canon"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Ah, OK."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Must have been a trick of the light."

DM says (to Shaborys), "At some point, as you move between the food and gambling table, Naexi stops you. She is carrying a bundle under her arm."

Shaborys asks, "Hi?"

Naexi says, ""Hi. I wanted to thank you again for saving me ... and everyone." She shoves the bundle at you, places a potion on top and quicky moves off."

Shaborys mumbles something like "no problem, uh, thanks?" as Naexi walks off.

Shaborys looks at the potion and gives it a swirl. Then she peeks inside the bundle.

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "It's a baby elf?"

[slingergame] DM says, "It's 10 arrows of human slaying � (p.152 DMG), and a potion of Diminution (p.187)"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Eh, close enough."

Shaborys whispers, "neato."

DM asks (of Vraklul), "And where are you hanging out?"

Vraklul has a big plate of food in one hand, and he's been wandering all around, mindling and chatting while eating. (This is his third plate so far.)

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "This curse is some sort of Wish for morning wood gone wrong"

DM says (to Vraklul), "Someone's pulling on your pants leg. "Hey! Hey!""

DM says, "(it's a gnomish voice)"

Vraklul looks down. "Hey? Oh, hi!"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "It's... Gnome AnnN"

DM says, "Thanks for saving us all, dude! Right on"

Vraklul exclaims, "You're welcome! I'm just glad we were in the right place at the right time!"

DM exclaims, "He holds up a small pouch to you. "Take this! I think these will be useful. And where did you get those lentin-meatballs? Those look delicious!"

Vraklul says, "Thanks! Check out the third table, the one with the green tablecloth."

DM exclaims, "Thanks!"

Vraklul says, "And grab some of the brown bread, too -- they make a great sandwich together."

Vraklul finishes his lentin meatball sub before peeking in the pouch.

[slingergame] DM says (to Vraklul), "In the pouch you find a) a potion of growth (p.187) and one of invulnerability (p. )"

[slingergame] DM says, "188"

Vraklul says, "Neat."

[Crows-Nest] DM says (to NUMLOCK), "Grrr"

DM asks (of rush), "And where are you hanging out?"

Rashawndra is playing her electric dulcimer off to the side, entertaining some of the kids.

Familiar voice says, "Hey, are you stealing my job?"

Rashawndra's song falters. "Oh! Um. I'm sorry?"

Shoullack sits beside you. "Nah, I'm just teasing."

Rashawndra asks, "Oh. OK. Uh, do you want to join in?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(AFK.)"

Shoullak says, ""Sure." She pulls out a set of small drums and you jam for a while."

Rashawndra starts to relax again slightly as they play.

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "We all get material goods, and rush finally finds love :D"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "And yet all gifts are temporary..."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Back.)"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "... even love?"

DM says (to rush), "Some time later, the kids disperse. Apparently there is an orc who claims he can carry 20 of them, and a scary tiefling lady? Shoullack leads you down to the river, a bit apart from the other people."

Shoullack says, "Apparently, the Awoken collected gifts for all of you, and they came up with this for you. Not sure what it is."

DM says, "She hands you two pots and a paintbrush."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "Well, I don't know if I can carry twenty of them *and* a scary tiefling lady..."

Rashawndra says, "Oh! Wow. Uh, thank you. And them. Thank them for me. And you."

[Crows-Nest] DM exclaims, "You are in the midst of finding out!"

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "The hardest part will be convincing Shaborys to take part in the experiment."

Rashawndra examines the pots/paintbrush.

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys is still reeling from being called scary.

Shoullak says, "I will."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says (to Shaborys), "You fall in the 'fun scary' category, like Halloween."

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "yay"

[slingergame] DM says (to rush), "2 pots of Nolzur's Marvelous Pigments"

[slingergame] DM says, "p. 183"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion sings, 'This is Shaborys, this is Shaborys, shaborys, shaborys, shaborys...'

[slingergame] DM says, "With all these gifts I tried to chose something that would give me the biggest headache later on :D"

Rashawndra says, "Wow, these are cool."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "So you're trying to take over our job?"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Yeah, this is a perfect Rush 'who knows how she will use it' gift ;-)"

[slingergame] DM says (to vraklul), "I just wanted to make it easier :-)"

[slingergame] Shaborys can't wait to slaughter some humans ;)

DM exclaims, "So, later that night. Stabby, Vrak and Quarion are sitting together on some tables. Many folks have gone to sleep, but some of the elves are hanging out with you, sharing stories, listening to yours. Bloodfang is tired from chasing kids all night and sleeps at Quarion's feet. Suddenly, there is some commotion coming from one of the huts!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "As someone who's half human, I feel I should take offense at that."

[slingergame] Quarion asks (of Vraklul), "So, would those arrows only half-kill you?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "They would only work if she hits me on the left side."

DM says, "Some strange apparition appears. It looks like Rashawndra, but for some reason her head is covered in a small globe of darkness."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Also, we must be pretty drunk if we're already sitting on tables."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion exclaims, "Oh no, alternate timeline Rush!"

Shaborys looks suspiciously between the apparition and her glass.

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "You, maybe. Vrak will sit on tables when completely sober."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Haha"

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says (to Quarion), "I'm hoping for temporally displaced mother."

Vraklul says, "Huh."

Vraklul says, "Hellow."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Stop! Mothertime."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(-w)"

[slingergame] Quarion says (to Vraklul), "oh, I thought you were RPing drunknenss"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "*drunkensee"

Rashawndra asks, "Vrak? Is that you? Where are you?"

[slingergame] DM says, "I was gonna ask how drunk Vrak is ... timing"

Vraklul asks, "Wait, Rush? I'm here! What's that on your head?"

Quarion asks, "What is happening?"

Rashawndra stumbles over to the group.

Vraklul tries to steady her.

Shaborys asks, "How much have you had to drink, Rush?"

Rashawndra says, "I... I just..."

Rashawndra breaks down in quiet tears.

Shaborys says, "oh."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul asks, "Oh, wait, I get it. Globes of darkness are like lampshades for magic users, right?"

Shaborys oh no.

Rashawndra asks, "I don't know why; I don't know what happend; everything is messed up and Shoullak hates me and I feel weird and I don't know how to turn off this darkness and why... just why?"

Rashawndra says, "Why am I the way I am and why are things so hard."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "So, when you said an 'apparition appears', do you mean that she blipped into existence from nowhere, or walked up? And does she appear solid, or like some kind of floaty image?"

Vraklul hugs Rush. "It's OK. Come and sit with us. You can tell us all about it."

Shoullack appears in the doorway of the hut, buttoning her vest. "Well, they never caused that reaction!"

[slingergame] DM says, "It was a poetic way of saying she came out of the doorway."

Rashawndra's cloud of darkness nods, and she sits down, hiccuping.

Vraklul asks (of Shoullack), "What happened?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Oh, OK."

Shoullack says, "I think it's best when Rush tells it in her way."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I guess it turns out Vrak *was* intoxicated after all, since it took him a while to realize that."

Rashawndra says, "It *started* fine. I... I think. I mean, Shoullack invited me to the tavern, and I changed and met her there, and she said I looked pretty, and I said she looked nice too..."

Rashawndra says, "Then.. Then she orders me a beer and I sort of stammer that I don't really like that beer, and she gets all excited and says 'oh, well, you just haven't found the right type yet!' and goes on and on about hops and musk or something and orders me like three different beers and they're all terrible but she looks so hopeful I say something noncomittal about the least terrible one and she perks up and has this long conversation with the bartender and he brings out five more! So then I have to try them all and both of them are looking at me expectantly..."

Rashawndra doesn't seem to realize that Shoullack is standing there.

Rashawndra says, "So I don't want this to go on all night, so I pick the one that didn't make me actively want to puke, and she cheers and everyone cheers and then other people are buying me rounds of whatever-it-is, and my stomach isn't happy with me and my head isn't happy with me and my eyes aren't happy with me, but Shoullak is smiling and I'm trying desperately to keep smiling and we end up in a booth in the back, and I'm trying to ask her about her adventures so I don't have to remember my own..."

Shoullak mutters, "Might have overdone it with the beer"

Rashawndra says, "And the bar is getting warm and she takes off her cloak and sits back next to me and her bare arms are there and flexing as she's happily gesturing, and they're hypnotic and the room is swirling and her arms are the only solid thing in the world with these huge curvy biceps, and I'm about to fall over so I have to lean my head against her arm to keep myself steady and... and..."

Rashawndra hiccups again, and swallows hard.

Rashawndra says, "And I close my eyes to try to steady myself, and I open them in time to see her face RIGHT THERE and her lips are on my lips and I don't want to breathe because my breath stinks and she has a tiny scar on her left cheek and I don't know what to do or how this works and I try to say wait but I can't and then she... she..."

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "I wasn't expecting this"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "Did she throw up on her??"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Me neither"

Rashawndra whispers, "She bit me," and sniffles.

Rashawndra says, "And because *somehow* in there I had apparantly turned on my frost armor of Agathys it backlashes and freezes her face! And she jerks back with this *look* and yells, "Ow! What the hell, Rush?" and everybody turns and the look on her face is this horrible mix of anger and loathing and disgust, and I just want to hide and never see her or anyone else ever again and then suddenly I can tell I'm casting something and everything goes dark, and I try to run where I remember the door was and there's tables and people in my way and someone's calling my name and I make it out somehow, and then I heard Vrak."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Oh"

Rashawndra says, "And I can't see anything and the last thing I saw was that look on her face and I can't shut it out and I want to go home. And die. Or die and then go home."

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "Someone's still playing Monsterhearts (which is fine!)"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "ha"

Vraklul checks Shoullack's face for her reaction before risking a laugh.

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra exclaims, "I've never played Monsterhearts!"

Quarion says, "Sorcery magic is far more unpredictable than wizard magic."

Quarion says, "Accidents can happen."

Quarion says, "Not to say that accidents don't happen with wizards too."

Shoullack pats Rush gently on the back. "It's okay, kiddo! I'm so sorry. You should find a less painful way to give someone the cold shoulder, though."

Rashawndra says, "Oh Iallanis Shoullack are you here what I'm sorry don't hate me arrgh"

Rashawndra buries her face in Vrak's shoulder.

Vraklul says (to Rush), "Hey, it's OK. No one hates you."

Vraklul says, "Well, I mean, probably some evil people somewhere. But no one here."

Rashawndra laughs, hiccups.

Shoullak says, "I don't hate you! But I'm worried I've messed this up for you."

Quarion says, "I mean, when I was working on that teleportation spell I was constantly being thrown about and smashing furniture, and-- oh, nobody's listening, oops."

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

Bloodfang starles away, looks around, moves over to Rush, rests his head on her lap.

Rashawndra says (to Quarion), "No, it's OK, thank you and Shoullack I'm so sorry but I can't think and everythings spinny and I can't see anything and sorry."

Vraklul says (to Rush), "It sounds like maybe you two should have a talk tomorrow, when you're s-- when the magic has worn off."

Rashawndra pats Bloodfang and squeezes his head.

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Ooops, now he's dead."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "I didn't know Rush was *that* strong"

Rashawndra asks (of Vrak), "You think it'll wear off? I'm not stuck like this forever?"

Vraklul says (to Rush), "OK, try this:"

Shoullack says, "Yes, I think I will get out of your hair, let you calm down. *akward pat* Goodnight, Knights."

Vraklul says, "Close your eyes. Then picture in your mind everything flowing away."

Vraklul says, "Hum one note -- and keep it up, letting your mind go blank."

Rashawndra says (to Shoullack), "Thanks. You're... you're still pretty. Even with that look on your face in my head."

Vraklul says, "Letting all your concentration just dissolve into nothing."

Rashawndra hums.

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Not that Vrak knows *in character* that it's a Concentration spell, but...)"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "... then Quarion casts "Dispel Magic""

Rashawndra's hum keeps getting broken up by hiccups, but she soldiers on.

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "I was going to say that! Timing"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "ic"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "But I figure if she can stop concentrating on it, then the Darkness spell should end."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Does it work?"

Rashawndra's breathing finally starts to slow down, and after another minute she stops humming and the darkness disappears... to reveal that she's sound asleep.

Vraklul says, "Ah. Good. That'll do."

Shaborys aw.

Bloodfang has also fallen asleep on her lap.

Quarion says (to Vraklul), "Teach me this magic."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "[Stephen Strange gif]"

Vraklul nods, but puts a finger to his lips.

Quarion quiets down.

Vraklul carries them both to Rush's bed.

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(That's Rush and Bloodfang, not Rush and Quarion.)"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Hee"

DM says, "And so night falls on our heroes, be they embarassed or drunk, or both, or neither..."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "OMG, the gif I wanted exists! https://gph.is/20C8ETx"

DM says, "And it's a few days later when you decide to head back to Wolfwater. A large crowd has gathered to see you off."

[Crows-Nest] Horst | https://giphy.com/gifs/cat-animal-kitten-6uMqzcbWRhoT6

Quarion says, "My friends, once again we have prove ouselves worthy."

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

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra says, "Ha! Yes."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "aww"

DM says, "In front of them stand M'Arce and Araynore, and they seem to have something prepared."

Vraklul exclaims (at Quarion), "I'm sure your dad will be proud!"

DM says, "(Araynore looks very stately in a white elven dress and with her hair washed and put up. It's held in place by a number of small diamonds.)"

Araynore says, "My friends, it would be an illusion to say that we could ever repay you. However, we are deep in your debt, and if you should ever find yourself wanting for the help of the Evergreen Forest, you shall habe it. M'Arce and I have talked a lot lately, and since the Horntown council disbanded, we both have been leaders of our respective cities. But this ends today - There shall be no Bronzeleaf, or Horntown from this day forth.""

DM says, "They both step forward and kneel. "Knight of Varg Gijak, in the fight against the Darkness, you have the allegiance of the Evergreen Forest.""

Vraklul cheers!

Shaborys smiles.

Quarion says, "United, we can prevail."

Rashawndra says, "Thank you both."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Something for the next arc: I want to see if we're still TAINTED. We've been healed by a unicorn and everything."

DM says, "And then, finally, it times to leave. You ride back north, towards Wolfwater, and new adventurers. First stop : The nest of dragons, where you may find some answers about the Voidwalkers lost history.""

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Indeed."

DM says, "THE END OF ARC III"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Woo!"

Vraklul exclaims, "Woo!"

Rashawndra exclaims, "Yay!"

Quarion exclaims, "Hip hip hooray!"

DM says, "Woo! Thank you guys so much. That was amazing."

Vraklul says, "It was great."

Quarion exclaims (at DM), "Everyone was amazing. Even you!"

DM says, "ha ha"

DM exclaims, "But wait!"

DM says, "POST CREDIT SCENE"

DM says, "Rush looks around. Her packs feels lighter."

DM says, "The old woman lies, her face covered blood. She is on some dusty slope, surrounded by corpses, gnolls, merceneraries, and others, less easily identified. Before her stands a small metal box on legs. "Cannery� she whispers. "PLEASE RECORD MESSAGE" "They've killed us all. Find the warlord's bride, if she is still alive. We're somewhere near 3 Pine hills..." She suddenly goes still."

DM says, "A gnoll picks up the struggling Siri. �Ha, nothing escapes Eagle-Eye of the Blood Clan!� Siri struggles, then stabs him in the eye with a leg and quickly scrambles away."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Yikes"

[slingergame] Quarion exclaims, "Woo, free sidequest!"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "With extra cheese."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Yay, Siri."

DM says, "NEXT UP : THE LONG WAY TO WOLFWATER"

[slingergame] Horst says, "thanks for the cameo, everyone"

[Crows-Nest] Rashawndra exclaims, "It was fun to have you back!"

DM says, "Now I'm really, really done."

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Except here."

[slingergame] Quarion says (to Horst), "I'm so glad we didn't kill you off"

[slingergame] Horst says, "I /might/ be more available for D&D on the weekends but my wife is starting a new job on Monday so maybe not"

[slingergame] Horst says, "yeah I was half-expecting to have some sort of turn-evil reveal"

[slingergame] Rashawndra says, "Woo new job."

[slingergame] Horst says, "I request a break before game #2"

DM says, "So the gamera swivels away from that scene, zooms in on the Evergreen Forest ..."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I imagine Jota needs to gather his notes (and his sanity) together anyway"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "Where is Gamera? Who is Gamera?"

DM says, "It keeps zooming in, between the trees, moving quicker and quicker."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "And we all need to slip into something a little more.. furry."

DM says, "And we eventually emerge from the forest in a different place, at edge of an overlook. There's a blue-skinned male humanoid standing there. He has a stocky build, a heavy brow ridge, and a crudely-woven purple over-the-shoulder loincloth."

DM says, "He's peering down at the landscape below with an intense expression on his face. The camera slowly pans around to see what he's looking at:"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "I wear my fur suit UNDEr my elf suit"

DM says, "It's the city of Crownsford!"

[slingergame] Vraklul exclaims, "Coming in two weeks, to a DTT near you!"

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Our next enemy : Doctor Manhattan!"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "hahaha"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "But in the meantime, how about 15 minutes for the break? 4:40"

[slingergame] DM says, "Sure"