Alexandra's face drops at the mention of the slug-like creatures and Caelyn's question. "Those things were actually giant, semi-sentient tumors with an insatiable appetite. Let me start from the start…” she says, drawing several tubes of blood from the unconscious Dalva and then moving to the small lab where she was hiding.
“Over a year ago, the Society learned that a wizard named Tancred Desimire had entered Bonekeep Tower outside the ruins of Dragonspear Castle. Suspecting that Desimire would find some weapon within to use against us, we sent several teams of highly skilled agents to the site to identify what the conjurer had discovered. Several Bastards died during the brief exploration, but they recovered some fabulous treasures as well as clues as to what the tower’s creator may have attempted before being defeated centuries ago.” While she is explaining what happened, the woman continues mixing various reagents and chemicals in vials and flasks, setting some over a small device with a constant blue flame coming out of it.
“We identified several unique pathogens in biological samples taken from creatures they had slain in Bonekeep. As alchemists and wizards, we needed to study this, so we isolated these pathogens for further study. As a precaution, we insisted on putting the returning agents in quarantine. Good thing, because the agents began to show symptoms such as ugly boils. This morning, the disease took an unexpected turn for the worse. Without warning, the victims went mad, attacked my researchers, and destroyed our alchemical equipment, resulting in an explosion that incapacitated the infected and spattered the room—and Dalva Aiger, the surviving alchemist—with disease-bearing bits of flesh. When Dalva recovered, she tried to flee the lab, but by then the fast-acting disease had already begun to warp her judgment and senses. She viciously attacked the first person she saw, and the shocked bystanders succeeded in driving her back into the lab and barricaded the door. Of course, I was down here in my private lab when all of this happened, close to a breakthrough.”
By now, her mixing and measuring and boiling and separating are complete, and she holds up a bottle with purplish liquid with swirling silver streaks in it. “I think this is it! The cure – and potentially more! If you’re infected, I’d like to try this out on you. It will most likely cure the disease, and, hopefully, grant some of the regenerative qualities without the madness. Of course, there’s a 10% chance your body will reject it and you may die, but science demands testing and sacrifices!”
She looks the group over. “I see two of you are already exhibiting signs of the disease.” The scientist pours some of the contents into two smaller vials and holds them up. “Will you let me examine you, before and after? And will you fully describe to me how you came into contact with the creatures, the symptoms you are feeling, and how you react to the serum?”
(If you decide to accept this offer, roll a d100.)
Pepper snorts loudly at, “…as alchemists and wizards, we needed to study this…” but does not get in the way of her infected companions trying the serum if they choose.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Cyril visibly blanches as the alchemist describes the possible "cure" and what might happen. He looks to Caelyn for a second before sighing and stepping forward.
"I'll go first. If I go crazy then you can find another way for anyone else."
His gaze focuses on the researcher, not quite hostile but certainly less than pleasant considering the circumstances. He proffers his bare arm, trying to ignore the urge to scratch at the infected skin, something more difficult now that the fight is over.
"Those... things.... left trails of slime all over the place. I slipped in it and it came into contact with my bare skin. It itches like absolute hell, for starters."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Alexandra scribbles notes as Cyril describes what happened and his symptoms. She asks several follow-up questions, measures the size and shape of the blisters and rash spreading rapidly up Cyril's arms. She gives him a vial and encourages him to drink it all at once. As with most cures, nothing seems to happen at first...and then the pain hits, followed shortly by nausea. The burning in Cyril's arm intensifies and spreads, but Alexandra just nods her head and explains this is about what she expected and to hold on.
After about 15 minutes, Cyril feels the pain and nausea start to subside. Meanwhile, Caelyn's own rash and blisters have spread all along her torso and down her arms...
Cyril only:
You are healed from the disease, and over the next few weeks actually gain 9 additional HP permanently!
If possible, Kira has hopped up onto a stool, chair, or anything else that can put her at eye level with the tall people here. Upon seeing Cyril not die, she addresses Caelyn. "You should probably drink it. Doesn't look especially deadly."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hearing Alexandra she is still unsure of the possible cure Caelyn watches Cyril as he receives the antidote.
Seeing him in pain doesnt really want to make her try it as well but with the rash quickly spreading she responds to Kira with a fake smile trying to think positive Yeah, it will be ok. she looks at Pepper fearfully but says nothing. Then turns to Alexandra and nods Ok, I slipped in the slime trail as well. Please cure me.
Pepper looks up as Pernach notes the loose end. "Before I came here, I said she should be taken to the healers," she says to nobody in particular, but actually everyone. "Who saw her last?" Then, "How soon can you make more of that?" she asks Alexandra.
Alexandra repeats her questions and physical examination of Caelyn, finally handing over the vial and watching Caelyn consume it. The minutes pass slowly as the rogue anticipates burning pain that never comes. Instead, she feels an intense itching that spreads throughout her entire body, like a billion tiny insects crawling around inside of her before all biting their way out...
"It seems there is something in your blood that reacted better with the serum than with the other elf. Very interesting. I will want to follow-up with both of you later, but for now I must study your blood and make adjustments to the serum. As for the other, hopefully they've already visited the healers - but you should ensure they remove disease AND remove curse, otherwise the infection may return. Now go - and thank you!"
(Congrats on surviving the Hungry Flesh nightmare! Feel free to write up your after-stories if desired. Several days after this event, Dalva comes to your rooms and gives you her thanks for not killing her outright. As a token of her thanks, she offers you her suit of Studded Leather Armor, +2 - cleaned, of course - and four alchemical potions - Barkskin, Dragon's Breath, Spider Climb, and Jump. You will have a few weeks before your next assignment - this is a good time to update your equipment if you want.)
Caelyn:
80 is better than 11 =) You are healed of the disease and have gained resistance to all non-magical piercing and slashing damage!!
For a few days after the incident with the labs, Cyril tries to take things a bit easier. The nausea and general unwell feeling lingers for a bit, but soon he is recovered, and indeed is feeling even better than before. He soon returns to his routine of training, meditation, and keeping an eye on everyone else in general. He does accept Dalva's offering - gravitating towards the Dragon's Breath potion - with decently good grace, feeling that the alchemist wasn't entirely to blame for what had happened. It does leave somewhat of a bitter taste in Cyril's mouth, however.
One night in particular, he steals away from the facility, spending time in town meeting with his friend Alevin, discussing their futures and what might lie ahead.
Pepper will follow up with the woman who first warned them, to make sure she got the help she needed. Then she'll fall right back into her normal routine, early to rise, exercise, run, practice, always watching. She starts to practice a few fancy moves with her two swords, and will gladly spar with anyone who shows an interest, including older members and the younger students. She doesn't go easy on any of them.
By the second week, she's fidgety and bored, short with her friends and downright rude with others. But she then spends one night out drinking, doesn't come back until morning, and when she does, there's straw in her hair if anyone is up early enough to see her return. After that, she's calm as a forest pond, smoothly going about her training, laughing and carrying on with the unit, and generally being very even keel. She graciously accepts the inevitable jokes about the healing powers of relations, but refuses to give any names.
Anyone who wants to be nosy/observant can decide how likely it is they would be to try and watch Pepper in a private moment, and if so, then read this:
Once or twice after the "calming event" Pepper will privately (but not necessarily secretively) retrieve a small glass vial from her stuff, roll it between her fingers while she thinks, and then put it away.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
After verifying that the tiefling who warned them about the kerfuffle has been seen to, Pernach takes the first available opportunity to visit the armory.
With the ineffectiveness of attacks from their sword, it's time to make sure there are other options.
Pernach comes away from the armory with a warhammer in place of the handaxes and an air of contentment.
When Dalva comes by, they are relatively gracious to her; "You are one of us after all; hopefully greater caution will be taken now."
During the downtime afforded, Pernach makes periodic visits to the markets looking for interesting trinkets, potpourris, and teas. They also make some efforts to learn to carve or whittle, as well as putting out feelers for an unclaimed docent.
** The carving efforts are intended to push towards too proficiency for woodcarvers tools **
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After the cure Caelyn keeps to herself a bit, mostly sleeping/resting the first few days. In the days after that Caelyn will try to pick herself up again and visit Alexandra and Dalva to see how things are going.
For the offered items she will discuss with the group who would take what item. Each of the items seemed to have their uses and she was certain she could find a way to make the most out of each of the items.
Caelyn does however visit the armory to restock her arrows and to request an upgrade for her bow to a longbow. Making sure she gets some practise with it she often spots Pepper battling other students and being glad Caelyn is not on the receiving end of it with her temper going a bit sour these days.
With renewed vigor Caelyn will spend much of her time speaking to teachers or contacts of the academy to get in touch with people who are good at finding people. Not reveiling to much to them but trying to get contacts that could serve as eyes and ears for her, even it is for a price or deal. Preparing herself for the future. She will do the same to each of her recent companions. Trying to uphold her bond with them as she knows she will need them to further her own goals as well. For those that know Caelyn they will notice she has become a bit more focussed now. When she was younger she had a lof of this focus, working towards specific goals. Something that had faded a bit over the years but with her illness. Realising she might not have all the time in the world she is now picking that up again.
Speaking with Ashe and eventually trying to see if hes looking for his sister Cinder or about what happened to her. To Cyril to speak with him about his lost parents and speaking about what they both knew about Elven ways or what they remembered from before the academy. And ofcourse to see how hes doing after the cure. To Pernach to find out more about the mysterious warforged. To see what information she can gather about whoever made Pernach and noticing the newly found interest in woodcarving. To Kira to see what projects she has been working on and asking if she requires any materials for anything special. And ofcourse to Pepper, but waiting on that till she is surprisiingly more relaxed. To try and pry out some info on what happened. And trying to gauge how willing she would be to help Caelyn on her goals, even if that meant going against the academy. (insight for Peppers event 18)
@everyone, feel free to share a bit on what you might speak of or ask in return if you want.
To Summarize what Caelyn would be trying to do (up to DM to see what she gets):
Get arrows and a longbow from armory
In case the studded leather armor +2 goes to someone else (others can use it as well and Caelyn can find a use for the potions) she would like to request a regular studded leather armor
Get a contact. This would do nothing yet but would provide her with someone to get in touch with to find out some things for a price. Maybe its for a specific town/region only thats up to DM. No mission for contact yet just setting up the option for later. This contact would be specific for Caelyn, others might not know about it.
Contact for special materials for Kira/Pernach atm (perhaps merchant or black market contact) in case they can make something later and for RP bonding now. This contact would mostly be for the group but Caelyn will try to acquire the contact.
Perhaps im asking to much here but working on RP options for later so lemme know what works :)
Pepper spends her downtime (i.e., when she’s not eating, sleeping, or fighting) at the smithy, bullying and cajoling her way in to learn something of the skills needed to work with metal. She’ll do what she has to to get access (drink with the smith, sleep with the smith, promise favors to the smith) and has her eyes set on securing a breastplate someday to replace her heavier chain mail.
(This is the skill with Smith’s Tools from her Martial Archetype. Also, she’d like to request a breastplate from the quartermaster, knowing they are expensive (400 gp!). Someday.)
When she finds herself alone with Caelyn at some point, a warm drink placed in her hand, a quiet moment the two of them, which she suspects has been orchestrated but can’t quite see how it was done, she accepts the gesture. She leans in and shares with her friend, and listens. Caelyn will find Pepper patient, non-judgmental, but still a little closed off. With her tremendous insight into her friend, Caelyn knows whatever Pepper went through before the Academy, and those first few years where she beat herself against the virtual bars of the place, trying to get out… that version of Pepper is still there, and she carefully protects those memories. Caelyn suspects she has banked them like you do a fire you intend to bring back to a roar the next morning. But Pepper won’t talk about it in any specific way. The vial she brings out smells of mint and flowers, Caelyn notices, though it appears empty. But yes, Caelyn can count on Pepper for anything, against anyone, she says. “This place isn’t a home,” Pepper says, indicating the Academy. “But I have family here,” she continues, clasping Caelyn’s hand and pulling her into an embrace, even if the elf is unwilling. Pepper has never been shy of physical touch, and gods she’s strong! ;)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
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Alexandra's face drops at the mention of the slug-like creatures and Caelyn's question. "Those things were actually giant, semi-sentient tumors with an insatiable appetite. Let me start from the start…” she says, drawing several tubes of blood from the unconscious Dalva and then moving to the small lab where she was hiding.
“Over a year ago, the Society learned that a wizard named Tancred Desimire had entered Bonekeep Tower outside the ruins of Dragonspear Castle. Suspecting that Desimire would find some weapon within to use against us, we sent several teams of highly skilled agents to the site to identify what the conjurer had discovered. Several Bastards died during the brief exploration, but they recovered some fabulous treasures as well as clues as to what the tower’s creator may have attempted before being defeated centuries ago.” While she is explaining what happened, the woman continues mixing various reagents and chemicals in vials and flasks, setting some over a small device with a constant blue flame coming out of it.
“We identified several unique pathogens in biological samples taken from creatures they had slain in Bonekeep. As alchemists and wizards, we needed to study this, so we isolated these pathogens for further study. As a precaution, we insisted on putting the returning agents in quarantine. Good thing, because the agents began to show symptoms such as ugly boils. This morning, the disease took an unexpected turn for the worse. Without warning, the victims went mad, attacked my researchers, and destroyed our alchemical equipment, resulting in an explosion that incapacitated the infected and spattered the room—and Dalva Aiger, the surviving alchemist—with disease-bearing bits of flesh. When Dalva recovered, she tried to flee the lab, but by then the fast-acting disease had already begun to warp her judgment and senses. She viciously attacked the first person she saw, and the shocked bystanders succeeded in driving her back into the lab and barricaded the door. Of course, I was down here in my private lab when all of this happened, close to a breakthrough.”
By now, her mixing and measuring and boiling and separating are complete, and she holds up a bottle with purplish liquid with swirling silver streaks in it. “I think this is it! The cure – and potentially more! If you’re infected, I’d like to try this out on you. It will most likely cure the disease, and, hopefully, grant some of the regenerative qualities without the madness. Of course, there’s a 10% chance your body will reject it and you may die, but science demands testing and sacrifices!”
She looks the group over. “I see two of you are already exhibiting signs of the disease.” The scientist pours some of the contents into two smaller vials and holds them up. “Will you let me examine you, before and after? And will you fully describe to me how you came into contact with the creatures, the symptoms you are feeling, and how you react to the serum?”
(If you decide to accept this offer, roll a d100.)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Pepper snorts loudly at, “…as alchemists and wizards, we needed to study this…” but does not get in the way of her infected companions trying the serum if they choose.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Cyril visibly blanches as the alchemist describes the possible "cure" and what might happen. He looks to Caelyn for a second before sighing and stepping forward.
"I'll go first. If I go crazy then you can find another way for anyone else."
His gaze focuses on the researcher, not quite hostile but certainly less than pleasant considering the circumstances. He proffers his bare arm, trying to ignore the urge to scratch at the infected skin, something more difficult now that the fight is over.
"Those... things.... left trails of slime all over the place. I slipped in it and it came into contact with my bare skin. It itches like absolute hell, for starters."
74
Alexandra scribbles notes as Cyril describes what happened and his symptoms. She asks several follow-up questions, measures the size and shape of the blisters and rash spreading rapidly up Cyril's arms. She gives him a vial and encourages him to drink it all at once. As with most cures, nothing seems to happen at first...and then the pain hits, followed shortly by nausea. The burning in Cyril's arm intensifies and spreads, but Alexandra just nods her head and explains this is about what she expected and to hold on.
After about 15 minutes, Cyril feels the pain and nausea start to subside. Meanwhile, Caelyn's own rash and blisters have spread all along her torso and down her arms...
Cyril only:
You are healed from the disease, and over the next few weeks actually gain 9 additional HP permanently!
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
If possible, Kira has hopped up onto a stool, chair, or anything else that can put her at eye level with the tall people here. Upon seeing Cyril not die, she addresses Caelyn. "You should probably drink it. Doesn't look especially deadly."
Hearing Alexandra she is still unsure of the possible cure Caelyn watches Cyril as he receives the antidote.
Seeing him in pain doesnt really want to make her try it as well but with the rash quickly spreading she responds to Kira with a fake smile trying to think positive Yeah, it will be ok. she looks at Pepper fearfully but says nothing. Then turns to Alexandra and nods Ok, I slipped in the slime trail as well. Please cure me.
24
(For some reason you rolled a 1d20+8... roll again =)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Pernach watches curiously as the others ingest the "cure". "One advantage to being...created," they remark.
"There was a half-elven woman who'd been bitten who came to alert us of the problems down here. Has she been treated as well?"
Pepper looks up as Pernach notes the loose end. "Before I came here, I said she should be taken to the healers," she says to nobody in particular, but actually everyone. "Who saw her last?" Then, "How soon can you make more of that?" she asks Alexandra.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Cyril leans against a wall off to the side, trying to push down the lingering taste of bile, looking up as the first woman is mentioned.
"Oh hello, I had forgotten about her..."
80
Ashe watches nervously, awaiting to see the results of this potentially deadly cure that Caelyn and Cyril have taken.
Alexandra repeats her questions and physical examination of Caelyn, finally handing over the vial and watching Caelyn consume it. The minutes pass slowly as the rogue anticipates burning pain that never comes. Instead, she feels an intense itching that spreads throughout her entire body, like a billion tiny insects crawling around inside of her before all biting their way out...
"It seems there is something in your blood that reacted better with the serum than with the other elf. Very interesting. I will want to follow-up with both of you later, but for now I must study your blood and make adjustments to the serum. As for the other, hopefully they've already visited the healers - but you should ensure they remove disease AND remove curse, otherwise the infection may return. Now go - and thank you!"
(Congrats on surviving the Hungry Flesh nightmare! Feel free to write up your after-stories if desired. Several days after this event, Dalva comes to your rooms and gives you her thanks for not killing her outright. As a token of her thanks, she offers you her suit of Studded Leather Armor, +2 - cleaned, of course - and four alchemical potions - Barkskin, Dragon's Breath, Spider Climb, and Jump. You will have a few weeks before your next assignment - this is a good time to update your equipment if you want.)
Caelyn:
80 is better than 11 =) You are healed of the disease and have gained resistance to all non-magical piercing and slashing damage!!
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Kira spends the next few weeks looking for ways to earn some coin.
For a few days after the incident with the labs, Cyril tries to take things a bit easier. The nausea and general unwell feeling lingers for a bit, but soon he is recovered, and indeed is feeling even better than before. He soon returns to his routine of training, meditation, and keeping an eye on everyone else in general. He does accept Dalva's offering - gravitating towards the Dragon's Breath potion - with decently good grace, feeling that the alchemist wasn't entirely to blame for what had happened. It does leave somewhat of a bitter taste in Cyril's mouth, however.
One night in particular, he steals away from the facility, spending time in town meeting with his friend Alevin, discussing their futures and what might lie ahead.
Pepper will follow up with the woman who first warned them, to make sure she got the help she needed. Then she'll fall right back into her normal routine, early to rise, exercise, run, practice, always watching. She starts to practice a few fancy moves with her two swords, and will gladly spar with anyone who shows an interest, including older members and the younger students. She doesn't go easy on any of them.
By the second week, she's fidgety and bored, short with her friends and downright rude with others. But she then spends one night out drinking, doesn't come back until morning, and when she does, there's straw in her hair if anyone is up early enough to see her return. After that, she's calm as a forest pond, smoothly going about her training, laughing and carrying on with the unit, and generally being very even keel. She graciously accepts the inevitable jokes about the healing powers of relations, but refuses to give any names.
Anyone who wants to be nosy/observant can decide how likely it is they would be to try and watch Pepper in a private moment, and if so, then read this:
Once or twice after the "calming event" Pepper will privately (but not necessarily secretively) retrieve a small glass vial from her stuff, roll it between her fingers while she thinks, and then put it away.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
After verifying that the tiefling who warned them about the kerfuffle has been seen to, Pernach takes the first available opportunity to visit the armory.
With the ineffectiveness of attacks from their sword, it's time to make sure there are other options.
Pernach comes away from the armory with a warhammer in place of the handaxes and an air of contentment.
When Dalva comes by, they are relatively gracious to her; "You are one of us after all; hopefully greater caution will be taken now."
During the downtime afforded, Pernach makes periodic visits to the markets looking for interesting trinkets, potpourris, and teas. They also make some efforts to learn to carve or whittle, as well as putting out feelers for an unclaimed docent.
** The carving efforts are intended to push towards too proficiency for woodcarvers tools **
After the cure Caelyn keeps to herself a bit, mostly sleeping/resting the first few days. In the days after that Caelyn will try to pick herself up again and visit Alexandra and Dalva to see how things are going.
For the offered items she will discuss with the group who would take what item. Each of the items seemed to have their uses and she was certain she could find a way to make the most out of each of the items.
Caelyn does however visit the armory to restock her arrows and to request an upgrade for her bow to a longbow. Making sure she gets some practise with it she often spots Pepper battling other students and being glad Caelyn is not on the receiving end of it with her temper going a bit sour these days.
With renewed vigor Caelyn will spend much of her time speaking to teachers or contacts of the academy to get in touch with people who are good at finding people. Not reveiling to much to them but trying to get contacts that could serve as eyes and ears for her, even it is for a price or deal. Preparing herself for the future.
She will do the same to each of her recent companions. Trying to uphold her bond with them as she knows she will need them to further her own goals as well. For those that know Caelyn they will notice she has become a bit more focussed now. When she was younger she had a lof of this focus, working towards specific goals. Something that had faded a bit over the years but with her illness. Realising she might not have all the time in the world she is now picking that up again.
Speaking with Ashe and eventually trying to see if hes looking for his sister Cinder or about what happened to her.
To Cyril to speak with him about his lost parents and speaking about what they both knew about Elven ways or what they remembered from before the academy. And ofcourse to see how hes doing after the cure.
To Pernach to find out more about the mysterious warforged. To see what information she can gather about whoever made Pernach and noticing the newly found interest in woodcarving.
To Kira to see what projects she has been working on and asking if she requires any materials for anything special.
And ofcourse to Pepper, but waiting on that till she is surprisiingly more relaxed. To try and pry out some info on what happened. And trying to gauge how willing she would be to help Caelyn on her goals, even if that meant going against the academy. (insight for Peppers event 18)
@everyone, feel free to share a bit on what you might speak of or ask in return if you want.
Pepper spends her downtime (i.e., when she’s not eating, sleeping, or fighting) at the smithy, bullying and cajoling her way in to learn something of the skills needed to work with metal. She’ll do what she has to to get access (drink with the smith, sleep with the smith, promise favors to the smith) and has her eyes set on securing a breastplate someday to replace her heavier chain mail.
(This is the skill with Smith’s Tools from her Martial Archetype. Also, she’d like to request a breastplate from the quartermaster, knowing they are expensive (400 gp!). Someday.)
When she finds herself alone with Caelyn at some point, a warm drink placed in her hand, a quiet moment the two of them, which she suspects has been orchestrated but can’t quite see how it was done, she accepts the gesture. She leans in and shares with her friend, and listens. Caelyn will find Pepper patient, non-judgmental, but still a little closed off. With her tremendous insight into her friend, Caelyn knows whatever Pepper went through before the Academy, and those first few years where she beat herself against the virtual bars of the place, trying to get out… that version of Pepper is still there, and she carefully protects those memories. Caelyn suspects she has banked them like you do a fire you intend to bring back to a roar the next morning. But Pepper won’t talk about it in any specific way. The vial she brings out smells of mint and flowers, Caelyn notices, though it appears empty. But yes, Caelyn can count on Pepper for anything, against anyone, she says. “This place isn’t a home,” Pepper says, indicating the Academy. “But I have family here,” she continues, clasping Caelyn’s hand and pulling her into an embrace, even if the elf is unwilling. Pepper has never been shy of physical touch, and gods she’s strong! ;)
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.