Horst asks, "While they're not around, anyone mind if I take/use the Goggles of the Infravision?"

Shaborys asks, "You're the only one without dark vision, yeah?"

Horst says, "I think so"

DM says, "And Luthian"

Shaborys says, "Oh. Well, ok. Fight over them :D"

DM says, "take them for now"

Horst says, "Maybe we could cut them in half and have Monocles of Nightvision"

DM says, "ha ha"

Quarion says, "heh"

Quarion says, "How posh and decadent that'd look."

DM says, "Well, you're both nobles, so I think you could pull it off"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "Oh, is Perry logging?"

Horst says, "Handy since I'm getting surprised all the time"

[Crows-Nest] DM asks, "Isn't he working for those Clubfloyd people?"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "there is no clubfloyd, only zuul"

DM says, "Any other in-game stuff to discuss? Or OT stuff for that matter"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "Jota has gone silent for a suspicious period of time"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Yeah"

Horst says, "I don't think so. We're back on our way to the Wolfwater, I think"

Shaborys says, "We were gonna go talk to the guy for exposition."

DM says, "Actually, you were about to have a big discussion with Norin Goblinsfowe"

DM says, "-w"

Quarion says, "I still don't understand why sticking one's head through the wall 'killed' Vraklul, but when he stuck his head through the ceiling he was fine."

Vraklul arrives from the east.

DM says, "It was an imperfect illusion"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Whoops, sorry. I'll grab Perry..."

DM says, "Speaking of people I did not call lazy bums, it's Vraklul"

PerrySimm arrives from the east.

DM says, "Basically, the mad bard did not count on you breaking down the walls"

Quarion asks, "But he expected us to smash the ceiling?"

DM says, "Yep"

Quarion considers this.

[slingergame] PerrySimm says, "(Log on.)"

DM says, "Allrighty"

DM asks, "So, who is ready to play some D&D?"

Horst says, "woo"

Quarion says, "dun dun dun"

Shaborys nods, more enthusiastically than usual.

DM says, "Good, otherwise this would have been kind of awkward otherwise"

Quarion asks, "So, Master Goblinsfoe, what have you to tell us?"

DM says, "Okay, you are seated at a stone table with Norin Goblinsfoe, y'al have plenty of food and an awesome view of Myrehall and the MIMI. Luthian seems even more silent than usual."

(From DM) Norin says, "Well, do you have any specific questions?"

Quarion takes some food and munches thoughtfully, trying to come up with good question. Mmmm.

[Crows-Nest] Horst asks, "What was the name of that creepy 'hey I can see the future' guy?"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "You never asked."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "captain future"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "okay good"

Horst says, "We ran into a creepy little fellow in there who seemed to be able to tell the future, or claimed to."

Horst asks, "What's up with him?"

(From DM) Norin pulls his blankets closer around him and sighs for a moment. "Oh, you met Astaforth? I was hoping you wouldn't have."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "Yes we did."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "I seem to recall he threatened to kill us."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "So we retracted the question."

Vraklul asks, "Why?"

(From DM) "He is ... He was ... a halfing wizard. Many hundreds of years ago he was a founded of the Wolfwater School of Magic. But as he aged, he chose ... a different path."

(From DM) Norin makes the sign of his god. "He is a lich."

Quarion says, "An undead wizard? *Gulp*"

Horst says, "Unfortunately, I believe he escaped."

(From DM) Norin says, "The weirdest thing is, we have been hunting him for a long, long time. And then a few years ago he gave himself up."

Vraklul asks, "What sorts of things did he do, that you were hunting him for?"

[Crows-Nest] DM asks (of horst), "Hm?"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "I think he just disappeared or turned to smoke or something"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion exclaims, "That was the Bard!"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "Damnit all this stumpy villains seem the same"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "We don't know if the halfling is gone or not. We didn't check."

(From DM) Norin rubs his face for a moment. "Well, he is an Undead wizard, and he did a lot of experiments with Necromancy and Demon worship. I won't go into details, even on a bright day like this. We never quite knew what he was up to, as we never found his lair, and only occasionally found traces of his ... work."

Vraklul whispers to Horst, "I think Mr. Goblinsfoe is talking about the halfling in the cell with the magic circle, not the Mad Bard."

Horst nods.

Vraklul asks, "Demon worship? The sort of thing that might involve making pacts with fiends?"

(From DM) Norin, "I believe the mad Bard burned up in green fire."

Quarion says, "We saw this with our own eyes."

(From DM) Norin says, "Yes. Luckily, Bastafore is infamous in magic circles, because, planarwise, this continent is kind of ... sturdy. There are but a few *thin* places, were conjuration of devils and their ilk is possible."

Horst says, "Possibly he's in cahoots with that crazy gnome woman soulsucker"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "How would Norin know that? (the green fire)"

[slingergame] DM asks, "Wasn't he there?"

[slingergame] Shaborys asks, "Oh. He was the gnome?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "I forgot who Norin was."

[slingergame] Horst says, "This asylum is driving us all mad"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "harhar"

Vraklul asks, "Maza Belltwinkle?"

(From DM) Norin says (to Horst), "Maza ? Oh yes, that's possible. Though I never saw them talk to each other."

[Crows-Nest] DM exclaims, "My memorable characters!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "We need to assemble a cast of characters."

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "Hehe, sorry"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "heh"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I'll see what I can do after this session."

(From DM) Norin says, "Maybe I should give you some background on her?"

Vraklul exclaims, "Please do!"

Shaborys says, "Yes, please."

Quarion needs to know.

Horst asks, "So... you're sort of a learned fellow. Are you aware of any... malign entities... that might be represented as a large sphere of utter darkness?"

Horst says, "(belay that question)"

(From DM) Norin says, "The Belltwinkle family is known throughout the lands for their magic abilites. (they were among the founders of the Wolfwater School of Magic). Maza trained to be a Conjurer with her family, about 300 years ago. All we know is that one day her father and brother disappeared during some sort of ritual in the Wolfwater school."

Vraklul . o O ( Everyone around here is so old! )

(From DM) Norin says, "it seems that after that, she became a sort of drifter, or dare I say, adventurer? We have records of her here and there, all over the known lands. Then, about 70 years ago, it seems she followed a call from the Thrice-slain king, Balthasar, to his kingdom of Varg Gijak."

Shaborys hmms.

Vraklul says, "Ah. Him."

(From DM) Norin says, "It seems that Balthasar was having some problems of a magical nature."

(From DM) "We now know that, in fact, Varg Gijak, has one of three known places that are very *thin* (i.e. good places for conjuration magic)

(From DM) There are no surviving records (or indeed adult survivors from Varg Gijak, so we have to piece a lot of this together from hearsay. It seems that Maza took care of whatever magical threat ailed the dwarven city, and then decided to stay."

Vraklul asks, "The sort of place that Astaforth would have likely been drawn to as well?"

(From DM) Norin nods at Vraklul. "Perhaps."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "Who's Astarforth?"

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "Creepy guy in the cell"

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "The halfling lich we met in a cell containing a protective circle."

(From DM) "Then, about 60 years ago, it seems the mining in the city slowed down and almost stopped. It looks like their resources almost ran dry. And it seems that Maza gave Balthasar some, um, ideas."

(From DM) Or maybe some malady befell them? It is hard to tell, though I suspect some foul play."

Horst says, "Perhaps they delved too deeply."

Quarion says, "And too greedily."

(From DM) "At a time about 10 years ago, news from the city stopped completely. The giants send for dwarves from the city, and a rescue party was mounted."

Vraklul mutters something indistinct under his breath about 'anti-dwarf racism'.

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Man, I should have typed all this up beforehand."

(From DM) The rescuers found the city in ruins. It was littered with the corpses of slain dwarves and strange, hooked monstrosities. The only survivors where some children who had been hid away."

Quarion exclaims, "That's the story Brunhilda Bloodaxe, my mentor, told me!"

Quarion says, "She was a member of the rescue party."

(From DM) In the main hall, they found some sort of portal, made with dwarven craftmanship and infused with gnomish magic, but destroyed. they found the corpses of Balthasar and his guards, all had been stabbed in the back. And Maza, gibbering in a corner."

Vraklul asks, "So the giants around those parts are generally decent folks, it sounds like?"

(From DM) Norin says to Quarion, "Brunhilde! I haven't seen her in ages! How is she?"

(From DM) Norin says to Vraklul, "They keep to themselves mostly, and are a bit grumpy to outsiders. Don't expect help, but don't expect hostility either."

Vraklul says, "That seems fair."

Quarion says (to Norin), "She's comfortably settled in my home village."

(From DM) Norin smiles. "Good news on an otherwise gloomy day."

(From DM) He asks, "Do you have any questions so far? There is not much else to say."

Horst says, "So... you're sort of a learned fellow. Are you aware of any... malign entities... that might be represented as a large sphere of utter darkness? (for real this time)"

(From DM) Norin says, "Oh, do you dwell in History now? There is an old legend about the dark that eats the world."

Horst says, "Call it a new hobby."

Vraklul asks, "How does that legend go?"

DM says, "Well, that is quite a different topic. I'm happy to come back it, but maybe we should finish this previous thought?""

Vraklul asks, "What were these 'hooked monstrosities' you mentioned?"

inky has arrived.

[slingergame] Shaborys robs inky blind.

Horst nods amicably.

DM exclaims, "A wild inky appears! Quick, roll Initiative!"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "Oh no it's inky darkness; kill it with fire"

inky says, "rar, I have six hit dice"

Quarion quivers visible!

(From DM) ..vraklul Well, that's what we called them. We have no name for them - such beasts have not been seen in the world since.

Vraklul asks, "Do you mean they had hook-shaped claws, or were just giant living hooks, or...?"

DM says, "They were bird beaked terrors with hooked arms.""

Vraklul says, "Huh."

Vraklul asks, "And this portal that was found... what happened to it? Was it just left there?"

Vraklul says, "The remains of it, I mean."

DM says, "Well, after the dwarves had moved the survivors away, the Giants decided that a *thin* place was not something they wanted to have in their mountains. So they removed the corpses of the dwarves and filled the whole City with lava and rocks, burying its dark secrets forever.""

Shaborys frowns.

Vraklul says, "Oh."

Vraklul says, "That might make it difficult to visit, I suppose."

Vraklul says, "But I guess I can see their point."

DM says, "They then a crypt for the brave king and his men quite a ways away, and sealed it. They then send the key to his daughter, in case she ever wanted to go there and reclaim her father's treasures.""

Shaborys ah!

Shaborys says, "I think I hold that key now."

DM says, "(I meant people, not men, sorry)"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Sexist."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "(They're dwarves; it can be hard to tell the difference.)"

Vraklul says, "Alas, his daughter has not survived."

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "I corrected myself!"

Vraklul says, "And Maza Belltwinkle is the one responsible for that."

Horst says, "A key that resembles a big gear of some sort, if memory serves."

DM says, "Norin nods gravely. "Another set of bad news on a day full of it.""

DM says, "Norin says, "I have not seen that key, but it must a dwarven piece of great beauty.""

Shaborys pulls out the medallion to show Norin.

DM says, "May I?""

Shaborys nods.

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "Now we all die"

DM says, "Norin takes the medallion and holds it up to the light. "I believe that might be it. With this, you might be able to enter the crypt of the thrice-slain King and find some answers.""

[Crows-Nest] (from Vraklul) Norin smashes the key to fragments. "And good riddance."

DM says, "He hands it back to Shaborys. "Take good care of this.""

Shaborys secrets it away in a pouch. "Will do."

Vraklul says, "If he was 'thrice-slain'... and came back each time..."

Vraklul asks, "How sure are we that he's properly dead *now*?"

DM says (to Vraklul), "Well, they say he stalks his crypt. But I guess they say that of all dead kings."

[slingergame] (from Shaborys) Norin says, "It's a rough translation, but it means he had just three orgasms (little deaths)."

DM says, "Also, he was called thrice-slain because his dead was reported three times when he turned out to be alive."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "You know, fake news."

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "He was also 'Thrice-Lain', iykwim"

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "Ha ha."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Dude had some stamina"

Horst asks, "And where is this crypt?"

DM says, "Norin shrugs. "Only the giants know. I think they feared the duergar would defile it.""

DM says, "(The duergar are the deep dwarves the dwarves fought the wars with in the south.)"

Vraklul says, "Ah. I knew we would come back to the giants eventually."

DM says, "If you want the location, you'll have to travel deep into the mountains and seek out the court of the Everburning King."

Quarion asks, "Would he be friendly?"

Vraklul asks, "'Grumpy', I think was the word you used earlier?"

DM says, "It's hard to say. He will not kill you on sight, but to get him to cooperate might take some work.""

Shaborys can be very persuasive.

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "Perhaps a side quest or two."

DM says, "Only getting an audience might be tough."

DM says, "He shrugs. "I'm sure you can figure it out.""

DM says, "And you should. I'm worried what Maza will do."

Quarion says, "We'll do what we can."

Vraklul says, "So are we."

DM says, "Because, you know how I told you there are three known thin places? One was in Varg Gijak, the other is far beyond the mountains, in the Desert of Silence, but the third, the third is in ..."

DM says, "Wolfwater."

Shaborys asks, "I suppose that's why they built the academy there?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Or whatever it was called"

Vraklul says, "Ah. The place where her father and brother disappeared."

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "My memorable place names!"

Quarion asks, "Are the thin places... connected?"

[slingergame] DM says, "It was called the Wolfwater School of Magic"

DM says, "Norin shakes his head."

DM says (to shaborys), "Yes."

DM says, "Also, this seques nicely into your next question."

Vraklul says, "So if we want to learn more about Maza and this 'thin magic' and what's been going on, I suppose we should either go to Wolfwater or to find the crypt..."

Quarion asks, "Time to make a choice. Which is closer from here?"

DM says (to Vraklul), "I'm not sure what you would for in Wolfwater, though"

DM says, "*look*"

DM says, "It's a big city"

Vraklul asks (of Norin), "So, even bigger than this one?"

DM says, "Norin says, "They say a hundred thousand beings live there! It's hard to believe.""

Vraklul exclaims, "A hundred *thousand*!"

Horst says, "My temple is in Wolfwater, actually. I should at least say hello, and my fellow priests may have something useful to report."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Says the guy whose hometown's population could be figured in the double digits.)"

Vraklul says, "So, one clue we might have into what Maza is doing..."

DM says, "Norin nods. "That sounds like a good idea. But either the Kingdom of Fire or Wolfwater is about a months travel (by horse) away from here."

Vraklul asks, "...does the phrase 'the blood-forced Chain' mean anything to you?"

DM asks, "It was a phrase Maza occasionally mumbled in her ravings, but apart from that I can't really say. I understand it's some sort of entity?"

Vraklul says, "So... this might be a good time to go back to Horst's question about that legend."

DM says, "Oh yes."

Quarion is impatient to hear this strange tale.

Vraklul asks, "Is that 'darkness' thing the sort of thing that a thin place portal might be connected to?"

DM says, "As you all know, when the continent was first settled, the settlers encountered Argenschwinge, the great silver dragon. And after some tense deliberations, there soon was a flourishing town that would soon become Wolfwater."

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "SCHWING"

DM says, "At the time, nobody but the settlers was living on this side of the mountains, which they considered strange."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "I swear I will turns this group around"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "yessir"

DM says, "And Argenschwinge told them of an old, undefeated evil that had eaten all the original settlers millenia ago, but was now sleeping. And for hundreds of years, Bastafore grew into what you we now know and love. A somehwat civilized continent."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Am I a Bastaforian? I forget."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "I think *you* might be."

[Crows-Nest] DM asks, "I'm not sure. I think you are from the south?"

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "I don't think Horst, Shaborys or I is."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "It makes sense if I'm a southern Bastaforian, since Brunhilda's a Bastaforian who wandered into Elvish territory."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "Does the DM decree this canon?"

DM says, ""And then, one day, there was a great earthquake ! They say the mountains themselves were re-shaped, and that even the implacable fire giants fled in terror. And from the tortured earth escapes the dark that eats the world, and began to conquer everything between the mountains and the coast."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "Sure"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "This place really lives up to its name"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Besides, it simplifies the whole 'who the f*** is my father' aspect of things."

DM says, "And floods of refugees came to Wolfwater, and they say the sky itself behind them was black with evil. And even as the people of the town cried out in terror, the great Argenschwinge rose up as their protector. And he and the Dark fought for three days and three nights."

Vraklul exclaims, "Go Argenschwinge!"

DM says, "Finally, the great dragon threw the beast down into the chasm from which it had come, and the mountains sealed above it. But Argenschwinge himself was mortally wounded, and went intot he mountains to die and was never seen again."

Quarion says, "Sad."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "So something just occurred to me about this squickly thing-inna-jar I've been carrying around with me."

Shaborys aw.

DM says, "And now it's time to go to bed ... Oh sorry, I usually tell this to my children."

[Crows-Nest] inky says, "ha ha"

Vraklul laughs.

Vraklul sighs.

Vraklul asks, "Does the story say anything about the darkness returning?"

DM says, "Norin yawns. "Sorry, having been tortured for days is getting to me. Do you have any more quest - No, they don't."

Vraklul says, "Because I've been having certain visions... which make me think it may be."

Vraklul says, "And that Maza might be involved with it."

DM says, "Norin blinks. "Oh, that would be bad news indeed. What kind of vision did you have?""

Quarion says, "One with tentacles coming out of his chest."

Vraklul describes first the vision that initially set him on his quest, and then the vision that they just shared on the way here.

DM says, "Norin sighs deeply and closes his eyes for a moment."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "That first vision:"

[slingergame] Vraklul | A few months ago, while experimenting with a particularly potent blend of herbs, Vraklul found himself suddenly at one with the cosmos in a manner he had never felt before. He experienced a vision of a great tangible darkness, like a thick black furry pelt, rolling down over the world from above, blotting out the sun and the moon and the stars. But even once all the lights in the sky were extinguished, he saw more lights: a few small flames, rising up from the ground to fight against the darkness. And then a voice, from somewhere ��� female, possibly gnomish, possibly a bit unhinged ��� saying, "It laughed at us from the dark... the blood-forged Chain."

Vraklul also shows the bit of necro-flesh to Norin, since it seems relevant.

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "I'm not sure but I think one of the cats attacked the blinking lights on my router and knocked it off the shelf. Anyway, caught up now."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "(The thing that I am becoming increasingly convinced is actually a piece of Astaforth's own lich body...)"

DM says, "My friends ... my friends ... there may be very dark times ahead of us. I would ask you to keep any idea of the Dark returning to yourself from now. I also implore you to visit the crypt and find out what you can while I send word to the Magic School in Wolfwater."

Vraklul says, "That sounds like a good plan to me."

Vraklul looks to the others to see if they agree?

DM says, "Norin looks at a piece of bacon he just put in his mouth, then the necro flesh. He spits out the bacon and eyes the necro-flesh with disgust. He then mumbled DETECT MAGIC at it."

Horst says, "I have my reservations about this Magic School."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "But whoo??? is??? this Astaforth???"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "The Magic School should really have a name."

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "Wolfwater Institute of Magic"

DM says, "There are traces of powerful Necromancy on this ... and also all of you. Maybe that's what causes that vision. But it seems to be fading."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "I believe I have called it "The Shield of the North" before."

Vraklul asks, "There's necromancy in *us*?"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "The Wu Tang Clan"

Vraklul shudders.

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "Is Astaforth the halfling lich?"

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "Asked and answered :D"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "lol"

DM says, "Norin smiles faintly. "As I said, it is fading.""

Vraklul says, "Oh, there was one more thing..."

DM asks, "Do you have accomodations for the night, my friends? I will see that you'll get some human-size ponies in the morn - oh?"

Vraklul says, "While we were exploring the lower levels, we found a box that was designed to cut off people's hands."

Vraklul says, "Inside it, there were some magic items."

Vraklul asks, "Do those belong to MIMI?"

DM says, "Oh, yes, those are for defense in case of outbreaks."

Vraklul asks, "Ah... like the one that just happened?"

DM says, "He smirks. "To bad someone stole them. I guess they will have to be replaced."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "nudge nudge"

Vraklul says, "Stolen? But they're right here."

DM says, "I must be tired but I don't see anything."

Shaborys kicks Vraklul under the table.

Vraklul looks confused for a few moments, then in pain for a moment, then: "Oh!"

Vraklul says, "I see. Yes."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "He may be too innocent for his own hood."

DM says, "Norin claps his hands. "That's settled then! I will see you in the morning. And - my friends, thank you! Thank you! For people who really have no stake in this, who aren't even from here, it warms this old gnome's heart on this dark, horrific day.""

Quarion says, "Okay, let's have a long rest, then? We've got a long journey ahead tomorrow."

Vraklul says, "You're welcome. I'm just glad we could help."

Quarion finishes his portion of bacon. Scrumch crunch munch.

Vraklul says, "Especially for those two children."

Quarion says, "And thanks for the hospitality. This bacon is delicious."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "It's elf bacon."

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "That does not mean that it came from pigs raised by elves."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAGH"

DM says, "Okay, you mosey down the cliff path, back into the gnome camp which is still a loud, crazy confusing mess. Davina is selling sleeplessness potions to some tired guards. Captain Rosscobble is hectictly talking to Shinefuse, the guard you rescued earlier. He seems to be back in perfect health already."

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "The other other other white meat"

Vraklul says (to Davina), "So, about that trip to Wolfwater we were planning..."

DM exclaims, "Hello, friends!"

Shaborys waves!

Vraklul smiles. "Hello!"

DM exclaims, "You are the talk of the town!"

Quarion asks, "We are?"

DM says, "Yes! The elvish woman over there asked if there's a Mrs. Quarion!""

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "Davina proceeds to convert MIMI to mostly chemical treatments, completing its rebirth as Fantasy Arkham"

DM says, "(An elvish woman sheepishly looks up from putting up a tent and waves awkwadly."

Quarion blushes!!!

DM says, "She goes back to putting up the tent. promptly stumbles and the whole things comes down around her."

Vraklul says (to Quarion), "She looks like she could use a hand."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "I guess this is a hint."

Quarion rushes over to help.

Vraklul says (to Wolfwater), "It's a shame we can't stay here longer."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(Er, to Davina.)"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks, "Do I roll anything? Dex for tent lifting?"

DM says, "She manages to free herself from the tent and looks up at Quarion and blushes. "Uh, hello. I've heard you were in the MIMI. Oh! Oh! I mean, as a rescuer, haha.""

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "Charisma *wink wink nudge nudge*"

(From DM) Davina says, "Oh, are we going for Wolfwater right away?"

Quarion says, "Haha. Indeed I was among the rescuers."

DM says, "Hah, oh so that must've been like ... um, very dangerous? I mean, you are alive, but, uh, down there it was probably ... Anyway, I need to put up this tent.""

Quarion asks, "May I help?"

DM says, "Uh, uh, of course." And she accidentally (?) brushes against your hand a few times while showing you how to put up the tent."

Vraklul says (to Davina), "Alas, it seems that we might be delayed from that -- we've learned about a place in the mountains that we need to visit."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion asks (of DM), "You are enjoying this, aren't you?"

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "He just found the rules for syphilis, so..."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "wooot"

Vraklul asks, "I don't know if you would want to join us -- do fire giants buy many potions?"

(From DM) Davina says, "Oh, I guess that means you are going to see the Fire Giants? Uh, I fear, that is kind of too far out of the way for me."

Vraklul says, "That's a shame."

Horst says, "We've inconvenienced you enough already."

Horst says, "But if you could drop this letter off at the Temple of Ilmater in Wolfwater, I would be very grateful."

Shaborys looks worried. "Will you be ok on your own?"

Vraklul says, "Will you be alright travelling back to Wolfwater without an escort? The wilderness can be dangerous."

DM says, "Yes, I feel like I'm abandoning you, my friends." She looks from one to the other. "It was a nice travelling with you. And if you don't visit my shop once you make it to Wolfwater I will take it as a personal insult.""

DM says (to horst), "Sure." (She tugs it away safely)"

DM says (to Shaborys), ""Some adventureres came here to check out the MIMI, and now they are leaving for Wolfwater and will be willing to take me with them.""

Shaborys says, "Oh, that's great."

Vraklul exclaims, "What a handy coincidence!"

DM says, "She looks at you all for a moment and then impulsively hugs all of you in turn."

Shaborys awws and hugs back, then steps back and looks embarassed.

DM says, "Take good care of these silly people, Horst." she says and quickly turns away."

Vraklul says, "We'll miss you! But I'm sure we'll see each other again before too long."

Shaborys waves at her back.

Quarion says (to Davina), "Good luck! Travel safe."

DM says, "So, I guess you go to sleep? It has been quite a day."

Vraklul yawns.

Quarion says, "Hold on, I didn't get to ask that elvish lady her name."

Quarion says, "Out of the spirit of courtesy, of course."

Horst sleeps it up.

DM says, "Her name is Haleth and she works as a sort of handywoman around town."

[slingergame] DM says, "NOT an euphemism"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Good to know."

[slingergame] Horst says, "The sort of handywoman who can't put up a tent, iykwim"

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Horst), "Oh, I'm sure she can help Quarion 'put up a tent'."

DM says, "After you've put up the tent and chatted for a bit, she kissed you on the cheek and makes you promise to visit her if you ever come to Myrehall again."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Hey! No kibbitzing on this channel, Vrak."

[slingergame] Horst says, "They're makin' bacon. Elvish bacon."

[slingergame] DM exclaims, "Goddamn!"

Quarion says, "I'll remember that promise."

[slingergame] DM says, "Wait to ruin my tender love interest that will inevitably be murded for Quarions motivation"

[slingergame] Horst says, "Sorry"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Elven woman in a fridge, huh?"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Are we still talking about bacon?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "(woman in freezer, I mean -- that ol' trope)"

DM says, "So rest for the night in the hotel you had paid before, and in the morning, after breakfast, Norin is waiting outside for you. He looks a little better."

Vraklul exclaims, "Good morning!"

DM exclaims, "Good morning!"

Quarion says, "You look well, Master Goblinsfoe."

Quarion says, "Glad to see it."

Shaborys stifles a yawn.

DM says, "Besides him stands a gnome that has 5 rough looking ponies on a leash."

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "One of them is smoking"

DM says, "YOu too look well, my friends. These are the ponies I promised. They are Icebred, and hopefully big enough for you."

[Crows-Nest] Horst says, "Other one is combing his mane real slow"

Horst says, "Surely they will be better than walking, my good man"

Shaborys nods appreciatively.

[slingergame] DM says, "They look something like this [LINK]"

Quarion strokes a poney, cautiously.

[slingergame] DM says, "And we'll say you can all ride "normally""

Vraklul says, "Thank you."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Looks like a rock band."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Album cover"

Vraklul says, "Do you know the way we need to go to get there? I assume there's no written record of the terrain."

DM says, "We don't give our ponies name, so if you want to, go right ahead. I heard humans and other big people sometimes do that."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "OK, who gets which pony?"

DM says, "There is a path you can follow for at least two weeks or so."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I'm thinking Shaborys will be on the Dark Horse."

Shaborys picks out a pony and pats its head. She mumbles quietly, "I shall call you Iados."

[slingergame] Horst says, "jump on it, let's do it, ride it, my pony"

Vraklul tentatively mounts one, being careful until he's confident it can carry his weight.

DM says, "The ponies are generally pretty chill (he he) and don't scare easily. Icebred ponies are bred for the mountains and cold regions. They prefer little food and are very,er, offroad-y."

DM says (to Vraklul), "The pony seems unimpressed."

Vraklul asks (of Norin), "Are there any other settlements along the way where we can resupply?"

Quarion mounts the beige poney.

[slingergame] Horst says, "Someone gets to show off all their Animal Handlin"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I don't dare roll it."

DM says, "Norin says, "Between here and the Fire Giants, you will find nothing but wilderness.""

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I'm afraid I'll roll a 3 and we'll be down one pony."

[slingergame] Horst says, "my pony:"

Vraklul says, "We had better stock up on rations and such before we leave, then."

[slingergame] Horst | [LINK]

DM says, "Oh, I nearly forgot, I have one last present for you."

[slingergame] DM says, "Ha ha"

Vraklul asks, "Oh yes?"

DM says, "He produces from behind his back (which is quite a feat, considering he's a gnome) a small, golden box about the size of Notebot."

Shaborys oohs!

Quarion asks, "What is this?"

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says (to Quarion), "It's a small golden box. About the size of Notebot."

DM says, "I've been working on a better notebot for quite some time."

Vraklul asks, "'Notebot'?"

Vraklul asks, "Is that that device that kept saying things in gnomish?"

DM asks, "You remember notebot? The bot? With the notes?"

Horst says, "I do! It is very impressive."

DM says, "Well, this notebot is even better. Where the old notebot used these steam tunnels, this one uses the magic of "hidden paths". Which means that you can send him to any person you know and who is friendly to you. He will take a day to arrive, and a day back, no matter how far the phsical distance is."

Quarion says, "Wow."

Vraklul exclaims, "Amazing!"

Vraklul asks, "Does this one speak Common?"

DM says, "Yes! I kept the recoring equipment the same, because that was pretty good. You can record messages up to 25 words long.""

[Crows-Nest] Vraklul says, "Ha ha."

DM says, "Also, you have to decide on an opening word for him, and the person on the other end needs to know that, too, obviously"

DM says, "I say him, even though it's a genderless machine, I'm sorry."

Vraklul asks, "How do you know this one isn't a her?"

Horst says, "Lots of people with gnomish accents do that; it's okay."

Vraklul says, "We could call it 'Alexa'."

Vraklul says, "Or 'Siri'."

DM says, "Well, that's up to you, but we do need to imprint an opening word"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I am voting for 'Siri' as the opening word."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Anyone?"

Vraklul says, "Let's use 'Siri'. I once had a friend with that name. I've always been fond of it."

DM says, "Well, I think it's fair to wait for agreement from everyone"

Quarion is fine with it.

Shaborys nods.

Quarion says, "I think there are more important things at stake, anyhow."

Horst says, "It is a fine word"

Quarion says, "It sounds... siri-ous."

DM says, "Norin nods and then puts down the golden notebot. "These are your new masters now. You shall only reveal your message on receipt of the magic word SIRI""

DM says, "*ding* OPENING WORD RECORDED AS SYRUP"

DM says, "No, SIRI"

DM says, "*ding* OPENING WORD RECORDED AS EERIE"

DM says, "Noooo, SIRI"

Vraklul raises an eyebrow.

DM says, "*ding* OPENING WORD RECORDED AS SIRI"

DM says, "There we go. Still some kinks to work out, I suppose."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Before we leave town, I'm going to assume we tell Davina about this."

DM says, "Maybe you better send me a message once you are a few days out.""

Horst says, "It will be cherished."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "So we can exchange messages with her as well."

[slingergame] DM says, "Davina is excited and asks if she can borrow him to send a message home."

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Can I also tell... someone else about the secret word?"

[slingergame] DM says, "aww"

Shaborys says (to Davina), "I'm afraid they won't know the opening word on the other end."

DM says, "Aww, that's true."

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Quarion), "I think we'd all be fine with that."

Horst says, "We could paint it on him"

[slingergame] Quarion smiles.

Vraklul exclaims, "Good idea!"

Shaborys shrugs, "Ok."

Quarion asks, "Wait, doesn't that defeat the purpose?"

DM asks, "Davina is clearly excited. "Can I send the first message then?"

Shaborys says, "We'll tell them to wash it off after the first message or something."

Vraklul asks, "Is the word a secret?"

Shaborys says, "Depends on whether we're concerned about it getting intercepted."

Quarion says, "Hmhm."

Vraklul says, "Mmm. I suppose that is a risk."

Vraklul says, "We wouldn't have wanted the Mad Bard to get a hold of her if we were sending and important message to Mr. Goblinsfoe."

DM says, "It cannot be intercepted unless someone uses very, very powerful nature magic"

Shaborys says, "well, all right."

Vraklul asks (of Norin), "What if they just try to pick it up and carry it off after it arrives?"

DM says, "Uh, well if they have the word they can send messages, but it will always return to you."

Quarion says, "Nice."

DM says, "So foes could use it once, for one way communications"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "like 'MUAH HA HAH'"

[Crows-Nest] DM says, "WORD OF POWER DEATH"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I am imagining the situation where we try to send a secret message to someone like Norin, but before he can listen to it someone steals the device from him."

[slingergame] DM says, "That is a risk"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "And then listens to the message themselves."

[slingergame] DM says, "Notenot secretly moves on hidden path, but once she appears, she's a box on wobbly legs"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Aren't we all, though. Aren't we all."

[slingergame] Horst says, "NORBERT THE CHICKEN IS IN THE HENHOUSE"

Vraklul asks, "So, it's agreed? Davina can send the first message! And then when it returns, it should catch us up along the road to the fire giants?"

DM says, "Davian nods exicetedly."

Quarion slips off for a moment, then returns, looking innocent.

Horst says, "I am in accord"

Quarion nodnods.

[slingergame] Horst says, "Unfortunately, Notebot mangles her message, resulting in her divorce"

DM says, "Davina clears her throat."

DM says, "SIRI"

DM says, "*ding* RECORD RECIPIENT"

DM says, "Sparks" she says softly."

DM says, "Something rattles inside Notebot."

DM says, "*ding* RECIPIENT RECORDED"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "Aw."

DM says, "Then she leans down to record her message, and you have some words like "cuddblebug" "kids" "see you soon" "wipe of word" "don't respond""

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys says, "Cuddlebug!"

DM says, "*DING* MESSAGE RECORDED"

DM says, "Notebot skitters away around a corner."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "('don't respond'?)"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Since it's coming back to us"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "I guess"

[slingergame] DM says, "Yes"

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

Vraklul smiles happily.

[slingergame] Horst says, "Gather around kids and let ole grandpa tell you about the time I witnessed the invention of sexting"

DM says, "Oh, my friends, I brewed these for you last night."

DM says, "She pulls some potions from her belt and hands each of you a potion of climbing and a potion of greater Healing"

Shaborys says, "Oh, thank you!"

Vraklul exclaims, "Wonderful!"

Quarion says, "What a lovely gift."

Quarion slips the potions into his backpack.

DM exclaims, "See you in Wolfwater!"

Quarion exclaims, "Have a nice trip!"

Shaborys waves!

DM says, "And she and Norin wave while you ride away."

DM says, "TO BE CONTINUED"

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "My backpack is *loaded*."

Vraklul lights his pipe, leans back in the saddle, and settles in for a long ride.

[slingergame] DM asks, "Yeah, I think some of you still have their original healing potions?"

[Crows-Nest] Shaborys is happy to give her potion of climbing to someone else if it's needed later on. I have second story work.

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "I do."

[Crows-Nest] Quarion says, "I do."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Me too."

[slingergame] Shaborys does not.

[slingergame] Horst says, "I hope so"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "For bizarre reasons, I have a potion of Water Breathing. Not much use in a Fire Giant kingdom?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Man, time to aim for that TPK again."

[slingergame] DM steeples fingers. "Maybe ... maybe not."

Quarion looks over his shoulder, thoughtful.

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Who knows what we'll go through to get there?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "But maybe it's for later, when we visit the Desert of Silence."

[slingergame] DM says, "It's a water desert"

Quarion will do anything to keep his promise. And *that*'s a promise.

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Weird."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "With the occasional oasis of sand."

[slingergame] DM says, "Odd that Hunter didn't show up at all. I hope everything is allright."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "With a single palm tree in the middle of it."

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "Isn't Hunter working at a haunted house?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Later in the evening, I thought."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Didn't he say that that wasn't u-- yeah, that."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Like, he said we just couldn't run super late, but later than we'd normally run anyway."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Maybe it slipped his mind that he had the game first."

[slingergame] DM says, "I hope he's allright."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Yeah."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Me too."

[slingergame] Horst says, "Odds are good"

[slingergame] DM says, "And phew, that was a lot of exposition. Sorry there wasn't much action."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I loved it."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Can we we kill one of the ponies now to make up for it?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "nooooo"

[slingergame] Quarion prods Vrak in the ribs with his quarterstaff. 'None of that, please.'

[slingergame] Shaborys has a soft spot for animals and children.

[slingergame] Quarion too.

[slingergame] DM says (to Vraklul), "They are DIRE ponies"

[slingergame] Horst says, "We knew what we signed up for when we hiked up to Exposition Point"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks (of Shaborys), "Even goats?"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Indeed."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "Or toads?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Ok, fuck giant toads. The goat didn't harm us, though. It ran away."

[slingergame] Horst says, "Vraklul, you must learn that friendship... friendship is magic."

[slingergame] DM says, "Oh boy."

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Shaborys), "That is how you get half-toads."

[slingergame] Shaborys ew.

[slingergame] DM says, "Tieflings and Toadlings"

[slingergame] Horst says, "The goat was tragically cut down for his eyelids"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "haha"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "You really don't want to hear where half-lings come from."

[slingergame] DM says, "the giant goat is still at large ... MUAHAH"

[slingergame] DM says, "(giant goat - at large, get it? Nevermind)"

[slingergame] Horst asks, "occasionally in past rpg games we had a small wiki set up. How do people feel about that?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Sure"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Wiki sounds good."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Great idea."

[slingergame] DM says, "One rule:"

[slingergame] DM says, "NO MAPS"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Sounds good. We had a google doc at my last campaign. Mostly it listed all the people we'd (I'd) killed."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Ah."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "How delightfully... morbid."

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "So, we're playing on the next two Saturdays, 21 and 28. I'm busy on the following two Saturdays (4th and 11th). But I'd be up for those Sundays (5th and 12th). What about everyone else?"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "It was supposed to list all the places and characters, but after almost each one, it said "DEAD.""

[slingergame] Quarion says, "hahah"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I'm good on weekends."

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "I can't do the 5th or 12th"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Traveling bot hweekends"

[slingergame] DM says (to Vraklul), "Sundays always will mean sessions of about this length, as I have work on Monday"

[slingergame] Horst says, "those dates are probably good for me although 11-12 is a long weekend"

[slingergame] DM says, "I'm on vacation from the 5th to the 10th, and I will probably have stuff on the 12th"

[slingergame] DM says, "So 5th is a no go, and 12th is a probably not"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "So should we just make the 18th our next session?"

[slingergame] DM says, "I think that's best"

[slingergame] DM says, "Man, I need a good cliffhanger for the 28th then"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks, "To round out the month, are we also good for the 25th?"

[slingergame] Quarion asks, "18th November, right?"

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Right."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "(And 25th of November?)"

[slingergame] Shaborys says, "Works for me"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Works for me too."

[slingergame] DM says, "AFAICT yes"

[slingergame] Quarion says, "I like Saturday sessions anyway."

[slingergame] Quarion says, "Longer. More adventure. Etc."

[slingergame] DM says, "Yeah, they work far better for me"

[slingergame] DM says, "But I guess Jota has his flings on Saturdays, so..."

[slingergame] Vraklul says, "Yeah, don't tell Quarion, but I'm meeting up with Haleth for some fun."

[slingergame] DM says, "he he"

[slingergame] DM says, "Vraklul is reckless in all the right ways"

[slingergame] Horst says, "/Possibly/ I might throw together something one-off-ish for the November orphans but I'll see"

[slingergame] Vraklul asks (of DM), "I assume we're not levelling or anything between now and next week, right?"

[slingergame] DM says, "Nope"

[slingergame] Quarion hits Vraklul with a quarterstaff for that last comment!

[slingergame] Quarion says, "*boink*"

[slingergame] Horst exclaims, "but XP is right in 'exposition'!"

[slingergame] Vraklul says (to Horst), "Ha."

[slingergame] DM says (to Horst), "I *might* be able to play on the 5th and 12th"

[slingergame] * NewsBoy hollers, "Extra! Extra! Jota has posted message 31, about 'Next sessions', to the bulletin board! Finally, I reboot my hotel voicemail service to, apparently, moo at father's house!"