City of Cresthall

Hatt, still in his room, and having received no response from Bennett, tries the Sending again to Gasp:

Gasp, this is Hatt.  We are in the Silver Drake Inn.  Can you come to us?  You can answer me, but only twenty-five words. 

Well, at least we're all in the same building now.

So, who is downstairs ?

(Now that I'm home, I can make a couple statements. Bennett would've responded to Hatt's sending spell. Depending on where he was when he received the message he would've said:

 My apologies for boring you guys but Gasp and I had to "take care of business" in PMs. We are finished now, unless Virst has something to add in the conversation, of course.

I think we should all assume it is the next morning, and that Gasp and Bennett made it to the Silver Drake Inn after everyone already went to their rooms.)

Bennett will head downstairs, looking exhausted and stressed. He will sit with whomever is at a table and order a water with breakfast. Everyone will probably notice the new tattoos that you just SWEAR weren't there before under his right ear, on both of his wrists, and there is one more but you wouldn't be able to see it. "How did everyone fare last night? Gasp and I had to make a visit with Opsola. He has given us another task, this one paying less but it is for a good cause. One of his close friends has came under a curse, he has tasked us with seeking out some leads he has found on how to potentially cure it. Before we do that; however, I believe we should have a shopping day. I could use some better armor, to be honest."

I'm not sure we should stay in his employ. He wasn't very honest with us and Crispy and I nearly got thrown into slave mines. Ashley says, concern clear in her voice.

Bennett glances at Ashley and looks at her in her eyes, "I'm upset with him too, believe me, but he has reasons for being so secretive. There is no harm in at least finding these two people: Lord Niyra, and Sir Connor. The former is a noble and oversees the docks. The latter is one of the guards." He pauses, "You two wouldn't have made good slave miners, by the way." he gives his normal charming smile and continues eating and drinking.

The group is sitting in the same private room they had rented the night before.  Hatt is munching on some toast and trying not to dribble butter onto his freshly-cleaned armour.  He does indeed notice the new tattoos.

Bennett, it's really great that you and Gasp are here; we were very worried about you.  But that's an interesting choice of words.  You say you 'had to' make a visit with Opsola?  Why?  And why without telling us, or inviting us to go along?

Also, he says, without giving Bennett time to answer, do you mind if I take a little look at your new, errr, decorations?

At this point, Hatt casts Detect Magic and looks to Bennett, Gasp and all the party to see what magical effects are upon them or the objects they carry.  He's particularly looking at the auras around Bennett, the one that he couldn't explain before, to see if it now surrounds Gasp as well; he also wants to look at Bennett's tattoos.  He should be able to tell if they are magical, what school of magic they relate to, and possibly something about the purpose.

@Hatt

Bennett, there is something strange around you, or within you, something magical.  It's unclear, and I think there was something similar around Ominak; sorry 'Opsola'.  Now I can see the same thing is around Gasp as well.  If you are able to do so today, perhaps you could help me by confirming what I see?; this request is directed at Ashley.  

Bennett, Gasp, can you tell us what this is, please?  And would you give me permission to attempt to remove it?  I'm not certain that I can, but I would like to try.

Of course not. I'm too shy and Crispy has a habit of confusing rocks with the slavemasters skull when swinging a pickaxe. anyways. Laughs at her own joke If you say he is on the level, I will trust you Bennett. It's not like I can knowing leave people in possible danger when requested to find them amyways.

After receiving Hatts request, Ashley casts her own detect magic spell and will also cast detect evil and good.

(Tape recorder rewind sound. This happened as we all first met up.)

Crispy and Ashley come downstairs the next morning, and sit with everyone else. But before Crispy sits down, she winds up her right fist and socks Bennett right in the face. KAPOW!!!!

Attack: 18 Damage: 3

"Where the HELL have you been?" She yells at him, winding up for one more, but holding it. "You had that coming! Business to take care of?? Thanks for letting us know! We were worried about you, you son of a motherless ogre! Don't split up the party! That's rule number one, you shit stain of a leader. Are you even in control of yourself - someone influencing you?! What the hell is going on here with you and "Almanac?!"" She takes a moment to glare at him to make sure the point sunk in. "Good luck getting that tooth back in."

Fast forward to the last post. =)

OOC: Gasp as Crispy punches Bennett

(LOLOL! There aren't any "angry sexy fitness model girl dressed in boots and a bikini punching handsome man wearing a robe" GIF's out there, so you'll have to use your imagination as to the above scene.)

((Bennett doesn't wear a robe *finger guns* punched the wrong dude. *more finger guns*))

Bennett answers Hatt, "The aura you probably see inside of me is where I get my abilities. You know, the ability to make a longsword appear out of no where? I believe wherever I got these abilities, has given me some permanent gifts."

It is at this moment he see's Crispy's frame heading toward him. He knew what was coming and braced for impact. He let's Crispy vent as he tries to crack his jaw back in place. "I know I am in the *spits blood* wrong. I should've told you guys where Gasp and I were headed, my bad. We had to make a trip to Opsola. As for your question, Hatt, I cannot answer the 'why'. He has not messed with my mind or Gasp. I assure you. Go ahead and use a restoration spell if you please, if that is would make you feel better, Hatt."

(Oh, my bad. *finger guns* But, you wear my fist all over your face pretty well *more finger guns*)

More or less satisfied with your answer, Crispy slowly unwinds and gives you one last glare - still not entirely trusting you.

She sits down at the table next to Ashley.

@Ashley

Restor...  oh, yes, I see.  I know the spell you mean.  Honestly, I hadn't thought... I mean, I can try it, I suppose.

Hatt sighs, realising he's rambling again.  I'm also very glad that he hasn't messed with you; I'll still like to do a little checking, just to reassure myself that you're okay.  In the meantime, though I think we could discuss what we're going to do next.  You've been given a job to do by Opsola, one that still needs to be completed?  As little as I like the man, I accept that he's dangerous and we should be wary of angering him.  At the same time, one of the waiters here told us a little about him too; Hatt looks at Crispy and Ashley; remember she said something about a drunk who was accusing Opsola of, I don't know what?  Maybe we can find him and see what he has to say?

As the conversation is continuing, Hatt gets down to his magic inspection of Bennett.  First of all, he casts Lesser Restoration as Bennett suggested that, targeting the odd flickering aura that is inside him, not the one with the threads (which is probably his patron).  If there's no effect, he will target the same aura, this time with Dispel Magic, which should end it if it's the result of a spell that's not too high level.  Finally, he casts Calm Emotions, which would affect both Bennett and Gasp and suppress any Charmed effect, but only for a minute. 

All of this takes time, and so the conversation will be going on around it.  If none of this has any effect, then Hatt will sigh, still a bit worried, and give up for the moment.

Gasp just watches wide-eyed as Crispy decks Bennett! What's more impressive, maybe, is that Bennett just takes it without missing much of a beat in what he's saying. It's like he's use to it or something. Gasp thinks this is dubious at best, so he mimics the sound of Bennett getting punched!

That's when Hatt launches a flurry of spells at Bennett, each leaving a subtle but dazzling aura for a moment. Gasp has always been a little mystified by magic! He'd never really been capable of it himself, so seeing magicians and priests at work has always been something to behold for him...and ya know...shiny magic stuff is pretty. Whatever. 

"Drunk man? I'd be fine with hunting him down, I'd like to know more about Opsola myself. Do you have a name? We can always find Lord Niyra and Sir Connor, I'm sure a noble and a guard aren't going anywhere." Bennett hears himself getting punched again and chuckles at Gasp.