"Well, yes a murderer could say they were a murderer. I think I would. Or are you assuming that all murderers are liars as well? Or do you mean that some murderers would not see what they do as murder and would consider it something else? You might think killing a friend was murder but if your friend was trying to kill someone else and that person just defended themselves they might not think they were a murderer." Rowan says. Then he adds "do you ever get to the point that you say something so many times it no longer sounds right? I'm like that with murder right now."
He looks from Barria to the rest of their companions and then back to the dark figure.
"I wonder if you're so untrusting and suspicious of us because you, yourself are a bit on the shady and untrustworthy side," Rowan ponders. "People like you who say you have to do better usually just keep changing what will satisfy them."
Rowan finally registers the man's final question and fishes in his pocket for the invitation and holds it up.
"Yes, we do have invitations. Do you have one?" Rowan says. "We really just want to rescue a friend of a friend and get back whatever is lost that is still in the Motherhorn. I guess we can try it without the Korred and Brigganocks help, but it did seem like it would be easier to do with everyone working together. Nobody likes taking on a witch by themselves. Though maybe another witch might. Are you a witch?"
Barria stands a little taller, as much as she can and wonders how they got into such a frustrating situation. "Please let us release our friends, you had no right to do this. We are not murderers, is this how you great everyone you meet? You must not like to be around people."
She decides not to add anymore words, Rowan has taken care of that.
says your voice. The dark figure becomes less distinct.
Are we asleep?
says your voice again, though somewhat more feminine. The figure's face seems to lighten.
Perhaps it's time to wake up,
says the voice again, decidedly female. The figure's face sharpens into focus... eyes shut as though asleep... eyes in a pale face framed with white hair white hair which flows as though underwater...
The sleeping face turns to you... The eyes snap wide open, staring directly into yours.
WAKE ME UP!
Mulligan awakens with a start...
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
The dark human looks suspiciously at Rowan, including at the invitation that the elf holds up, and even seems irritated at his incessant prattling. However when Barria makes her final heartfelt plea, the human looks at the dwarf intently, then says in a low voice:
By the gods! You really are in earnest, aren't you?
With a sly smile, the human sheaths their knives and nods once to the little brigganock on her shoulder, who squeaks some orders to the other assembled brigganocks in the fey language. (Barria can't understand the fey language they speak. Rowan doesn't know they are speaking a different language, and hears them rapdily squeak: "Eh, we talked it out, yep-yep! Not villains, no-no! Go on, untie ‘em—before they wrinkle!") They all lower their tiny hammers, and begin untying the sleeping captives. The human speaks again:
You can call me Molliver. This is Trig, and that's Zarli and Oyla, and those are... well never mind. They're usually very hospitable - it's kind of an important rule in these lands, if you didn't know. So although they didn't harm you, they probably didn't show you the respect you were entitled to as visitors. That's party my fault. With things being the way they are, I persuaded them that caution was better than keeping rules.
The brigganocks finish untying Mulligan, Greginald, Glister, Amidor, Polinella, and the two leprechauns, and begin loading their sleeping forms into the wheelbarrows. Molliver continues talking as the processions makes its way deeper down the twisting tunnel.
So you want to get inside Motherhorn, but you don't want to use your invitations and go through the front door, eh? I can appreciate that sentiment. The brigganocks might be willing to assist you, but I don't have the authority to say. I'll need to take you to see Obud.
As the group travels, Molliver continues to talk to Barria and Rowan as if they were old friends popping over for tea and biscuits.
The mistress of Motherhorn - Creeping Lyn they call her - has full control over this land. She kidnapped the brigganocks chief architect, and forces him to make and maintain some kind of evil machinery. And the korreds are helping her by donating their hair, which she can turn into metal wires that power her machines. You probably saw the statues out the front of the cave, right? Korred statues? Obviously trying to intimidate the brigganocks into supporting Creeping Lyn.
The tunnel winds on and on. The companions in the wheelbarrows continue to slumber.
So you said you're trying to rescue someone from there? Who's this friend of a friend? And these things you lost - is that what the leprechauns stole? By the way, did you want us to dump them outside? It'll be some time yet before they wake up...
Whatever Barria and Rowan decide with the leprechauns, Molliver leads them far down into the mountain's heart. Along the way, Barria sees the telltale signs of gemstone mining, based on the features of the rocky tunnel walls, and after some time both see active mining operations. The tiny brigganocks work inexhaustably to carve gems out of the walls - all of which glow with an inner light, some golden, and some purple - and load them into wheelbarrows, separating the gold from the purple. All the while, Rowan can understand their fey chatter:
Eh, hurry-hurry, sparkleheads! The gems won’t polish themselves, no-no! You think wishes grow on trees, amigo? Ha! Not in this cave, nope! Boss, boss! I found a gem with a face on it! Look! Oops—too slow! You blink, you miss it! Less blinking, more tink-tink-tinking, capisce? The bigfolk up top, they got wishes stacked like pancakes, and we’re late-late-late! Zip-zip!
More tunnels converge with the main shaft, and the travelling group are joined by convoys of gemstone-filled wheelbarrows heading deeper. Eventually one tunnel breaks away from the main shaft, and the purple-gem-laden wheelbarrows head down this branch while the golden continue down the main shaft. Molliver stops here, and as if on cue, the sleepers in the wheelbarrows all awaken at the same moment...
Hello, sleepy-heads. I'm Molliver. Glad you could join us. We're going to visit an old friend, who may be able to help you. Come along!
And with that, Molliver heads off down the tunnel, following the trail of the purple gemstones...
Mulligan and Greginald
Mulligan and Greginald awaken suddenly to find themselves laying awkwardly in little wooden wheelbarrows, surrounded by a dozen tiny mouse-like creatures. More mouse-like creatures pass by with wheelbarrows laden either with golden gemstones or purple gemstones, the golden going down one tunnel, and the purple down another. Amidor, Polinella, Glister (and possibly the two leprechauns) are also waking and rising at the same time. Then they notice that there is a dark-clothed, dusky-skinned human standing amongst the crowds. Whether male or female, it is difficult to tell.
Hello, sleepy-heads, says the dark figure. I'm Molliver. Glad you could join us. We're going to visit an old friend, who may be able to help you. Come along!
And without waiting for introductions, Molliver heads off down the tunnel, following the trail of the purple gemstones...
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
G'Reg Wakes with a shout, "GAH! WITCH! HAG!! WHA-" his legs kick comically around from the bucket of the wheelbarrow as he gains awareness of his situation, "what happened? What did you two do? Why are we tied up?..." Wholely ignoring the introduction of Molliver.
Rowan listens happily to the brigganocks as they work.
"Wishes? The gems are related to wishes?" Rowan asks as they pass by. "Do the wishes create the gems or do the gems grant the wishes? That's quite an unexpected relationship."
He looks over at Molliver.
"Creeping Lynn takes the korreds' hair without permission." Then he points at Glister as he wakes up. "That one's Glister. We met him here. It's his sister that's been captured and held in the Motherhorn. I'm still unclear on what else might be in the Motherhorn, but it will be something that belongs to one of these three. I think. And if she has something that belongs to them she probably has all sorts of other things that belong to other people too."
Then he looks at the leprechauns and shakes his head. "No I think the only way we might get back what the leprechauns stole is if we somehow convince them to take these two back."
Rowan then looks more carefully at Molliver.
"How'd you end up here? Are you from Yon? You don't sound like it? Did you come from where we came from?"
Mulligan's psychic communication lacks tone, volume and inflection so it is difficult for those in the "Group Chat" to really know what the just awakened Mulligan means by this but he does look about himself quickly and shrugs confusedly. He then quickly looks about himself again and takes in the scene about him which is very, very different than it was before he lost consciousness.
Umm, huh?
He really doesn't feel he needs spell out exactly what he is asking. He assumed anyone in Group Chat who knows how they got in this situation would know to explain it...
Seeing Rowan wave and say that he fell asleep Mulligan gives a reluctant wave back.
She told me to wake up.
This is said directly to Rowan since he is not in the group chat.
Not her. Not Molliver. Is Molliver a her? But the one I saw while sleeping. I think she was sleeping too...
Mulligan glances towards Molliver again to try to determine if they are a her or a he or something else he could tell by sight but it didn't really matter, they weren't the one who told him to wake up. Mulligan shrugs at the strangeness of... Well, everything... and stretches and works out the stiffness in his joints and such before following the rest of the group. He listens in to whatever explanation they provide over group chat as well as any conversation that happens as they move along. He takes a moment to discreetly summon a psychic knife and then immediately let it vanish into nothing, just wanting to be sure he still could. Otherwise he follows along and tries to catch up on what he missed.
Glister and Amidor rise from slumber and disembark their makeshift transports, although the don't seem to have been startled awake in the same way Greginald and possibly Mulligan were. Neither the elf nor the dandelion show any recognition of the dark human who seems to be their default host/ess. Molliver continues to lead the group along the tunnel, which opens into a large cavern, in the middle of which is a chasm spanned by a narrow stone bridge. Brigganocks line up along the rim of the chasm, tipping their barrow-loads of purple gems over the side.
The wishes create the gems, he/she explains. The brigganocks mine both well-wishes and ill-wishes - golden gems of hope, and purple ones of spite. Both can be used for good or ill, but only the gold gems are held to be of value.
Just at this moment, as barrow-loads of purple gems pass the group on the way to the lip of the chasm, Greginald feels strangely drawn to one of the barrows. There is something in that barrow that belongs to him! How he knows this, he cannot tell...
Leprechauns aren't likely to give anything back, Molliver continues. I'm afraid you might be disappointed there.
Molliver doesn't answer Rowan's question about his/her origin, but instead stops short and turns to Rowan, returning to another of the elf's many, many comments, as if the meaning has just sunk in.
Wait! What did you say before? You said the korreds had their hair taken from them? By the witch? How?
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Scissors, or maybe it was shears," Rowan says to Molliver in answer about the korred's hair. "I don't remember that part very well. I was talking to one who wouldn't come out of their stone. They still seemed friendly enough."
He continues on.
"They really don't like Creepy Lyn." Rowan said then adds "I think that's why they hide in the rocks now."
Molliver shares a startled glance with Trig, the brigganock who rides on her shoulder. They turn back to Rowan and Molliver asks: If that's true, then why the hatred toward the brigganocks? Why the intimidation and threats?
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"wishes? Wait!" Greginald hops up out of the barrow and rushes over to the gem filled barrow that he knows his wish is in.
He casts his mind back to the last time he wished for something, a floating seed given to him by a strange tree creature in the carnival. "What happens to the wish gems, how are they used? One of mine is here, likely purple..." He states though that last bit mumbled a little out of shame. "And anyway how the Hells does a wish in the material realm turn into something to be mined all the way out here" If he can find his particular wish he grabs it up and takes a look at the hue, deciding what to do with it based on the reply.
Barria is relieved when her friends are released and then awake. She glances over at the leprechauns as they are discussed and finds she has a bit of disdain for the creatures, and knowing they probably won't get their items back... does it makes sense to keep these two with them?
Turning her attention back to the conversation that is going on with Molliver, she nods, "What Rowan says is true. It sounds like you are both thinking the other is working with Creeping Lyn, when in fact, you both want her disposed of. Maybe we can all work together? I don't think the Korreds hate you, they probably think that you're working with the witch, same as you thought. They have requested us to ask you all to dance by a lake? Does this make any sense to you at all?"
Barria looks at the gems and feels a yearning to check all of it out, but keeps her focus where it is needed and smiles as G'reg rushes over.
Wait, what? Is G'ReG suggesting that wishes wished back home are somehow mined here as gems? Does that make any sense at all? Even faery sense? Mulligan slowly walks after G'REg to try to keep an eye on him but is at the same time distracted by the conversation about the Korreds and Bigganooks.
It was all very confusing to me but it seems like they missed the Bigganook more than anything else, more than any potential quarrel or misunderstanding.
Mulligan puts that into the head Molliver and adds a sheepish smile and a shrug.
Greg's digs through the contents of the wheelbarrow, and although the purple gems all look much the same, he instinctively knows which belongs to him. Seizing the gem, he lifts it out and holds it up to the light. Thoughts flood back into his mind regarding the wish, the two carnivals, and Mister Witch and Mister Light. A strange sense of mild nausea fills his stomach. However there is no response to his queries about the wish from Molliver, who is listening intently to what Barria and Mulligan have to say...
...however it is tiny Trig that speaks first, with a squeaky voice edged with shock.
Dance? They have called us to Dance the Three Circles under a full moon? Then perhaps it is true!
Molliver suggests: Perhaps this is the work of the hag, sowing discord between you.
To which Trig replies: Let's discuss it with Obud.
Amidor and Glister have little to say to this 'revelation' but the elf smiles encouragingly at the prospect of a joyous reunion between the two races. The two leprechauns stand silently by the tunnel wall, watching and listening, but follow along as the group begin to move.
The 100-foot chasm is spanned by a truss bridge constructed of intricate wooden struts and beams. Beneath the bridge is darkness, dotted with distant and faint purple lights, from the malignant gems that are tipped in. On the far side of the bridge is a grotto full of stalactites and stalagmites, in the center of which is a piebald pony wearing blinders. A small wooden hut is strapped to its back, and a faint clatter can be heard from inside the hut.
The door swings open, and a tiny, wrinkled creature hobbles into view, accompanied by a wispy bulb of light. The old brigganock peers at you through tiny spectacles and drawls in Common:
Big folk. How wonderful. What do you want?
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rowan drops a small pebble off the side of the bridge, watching it fall and then hoping to hear it hit bottom. He's quite taken with how far down the chasm goes. But he forgets all about that when he sees a pony with a house on its back.
"Do you ever have trouble drinking or taking a bath when the pony is moving?" Rowan asks. "I would think water would slosh right out of the tub while your pony is cantering around."
He looks more closely at the pony, then ventures a question. "Can you understand me?"
Rowan is too curious about the pony and the logistics of a house resting on its back to remember to let Obud know why they've come. Though if the pony can't talk and no one else jumps in, Rowan will eventually get around to letting Obud know about the dance invitation.
Is the bridge people sized or Brigganook sized? Either way, Mulligan is a bit more than hesitant to cross it. It's not that he is scared of heights, you see... It's that he is scared of falling from heights. He'll happily dance upon the edge of a cliff, so long as he trusts the cliff not to crumble and fall, taking him with it. He reaches one hand into the pocket of his overcoat and grasps the small packet of Pixie Dust he won at the carnival, just in case. As he does so he panics a bit, didn't he have two packets?? With a roll of his eyes and then a glance back at the leprechaun he sighs... Guess they took more than I thought,he thinks to himself.
No matter. What is done is done and he's become convinced there is no getting back what they have taken. He's more just curious on the most appropriate way to rid himself of what he has taken. They may take offense at being let go and be even more trouble than they have been so far... And anyway, there was now a pony and a house to deal with. But he was not going to be crossing the bridge first, nor taking his hand off the pixie dust until he has.
We come with a request that you dance the three circles under the full moon with the Korreds... It is their request. We were just recruited to bringing it.
Mulligan sends that to the little one in the little house. He doesn't think the pony would much care. though he could be wrong. Things are weird here. And after sending it is repeats it to the Group Chat so that they know what he said...
The aged brigganock chuckles at Rowan's questions as he pats the side of the old gray pony.
Old Keg doesn’t move much, no sir, but when he does, you’ll feel it from your boots to your bones. Taking a bath on him’s a fool’s errand, but he rocks me to sleep better than a cradle.
The pony doesn't respond to Rowan, but does look at him with eyes that seem to plead for something...
Molliver takes a moment to recap the group’s journey and how they came to find themselves in the brigganock mine, seeking an alternative route into Motherhorn to reclaim lost possessions and rescue a captive. When she finishes, Mulligan steps forward, relaying the korred’s message - the invitation to Dance the Three Circles. Obud’s bushy brows rise, and he gives a slow, knowing nod.
Ahh, that sounds like the korreds, all right. Wild bunch, but they mean what they say when it comes to a dance. I’ll send word back, see if they’re serious about it.
He rubs his chin thoughtfully, then adds,
You've done a favour, bringing us this news, and one good turn deserves another. Getting you in to the hag's castle is no easy feat though. Tell you what... since you're in the business of freeing prisoners... if you’ll promise to free Golmo, our architect, from that wicked place, we’ll get you into Motherhorn. Fair trade, eh?
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rowan looks around in his back to see if he has anything a pony might like to eat, but it seems to be mostly dried meat and stale crackers and bread but he does find a few pieces of dried apricot at the bottom that he offers Old Keg.
"Oh yeah, I think we're planning on helping set free anyone trapped in there. Adding Golmo's no problem," Rowan says.
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Rowan looks at the newcomer and frowns.
"Well, yes a murderer could say they were a murderer. I think I would. Or are you assuming that all murderers are liars as well? Or do you mean that some murderers would not see what they do as murder and would consider it something else? You might think killing a friend was murder but if your friend was trying to kill someone else and that person just defended themselves they might not think they were a murderer." Rowan says. Then he adds "do you ever get to the point that you say something so many times it no longer sounds right? I'm like that with murder right now."
He looks from Barria to the rest of their companions and then back to the dark figure.
"I wonder if you're so untrusting and suspicious of us because you, yourself are a bit on the shady and untrustworthy side," Rowan ponders. "People like you who say you have to do better usually just keep changing what will satisfy them."
Rowan finally registers the man's final question and fishes in his pocket for the invitation and holds it up.
"Yes, we do have invitations. Do you have one?" Rowan says. "We really just want to rescue a friend of a friend and get back whatever is lost that is still in the Motherhorn. I guess we can try it without the Korred and Brigganocks help, but it did seem like it would be easier to do with everyone working together. Nobody likes taking on a witch by themselves. Though maybe another witch might. Are you a witch?"
Barria stands a little taller, as much as she can and wonders how they got into such a frustrating situation. "Please let us release our friends, you had no right to do this. We are not murderers, is this how you great everyone you meet? You must not like to be around people."
She decides not to add anymore words, Rowan has taken care of that.
Persuasion: 20
If we are not at odds then why are we not at evens?
Mulligan wonders. To himself? To themselves?
We have no conflict that I can see, no need to disagree. Why not aid each other in their quest? I assure you, me and mine need no more rest.
Mulligan
Are we at odds?
says your voice. The dark figure becomes less distinct.
Are we asleep?
says your voice again, though somewhat more feminine. The figure's face seems to lighten.
Perhaps it's time to wake up,
says the voice again, decidedly female.
The figure's face sharpens into focus...
eyes shut as though asleep...
eyes in a pale face framed with white hair
white hair which flows as though underwater...
The sleeping face turns to you...
The eyes snap wide open, staring directly into yours.
WAKE ME UP!
Mulligan awakens with a start...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Barria and Rowan
The dark human looks suspiciously at Rowan, including at the invitation that the elf holds up, and even seems irritated at his incessant prattling. However when Barria makes her final heartfelt plea, the human looks at the dwarf intently, then says in a low voice:
By the gods! You really are in earnest, aren't you?
With a sly smile, the human sheaths their knives and nods once to the little brigganock on her shoulder, who squeaks some orders to the other assembled brigganocks in the fey language. (Barria can't understand the fey language they speak. Rowan doesn't know they are speaking a different language, and hears them rapdily squeak: "Eh, we talked it out, yep-yep! Not villains, no-no! Go on, untie ‘em—before they wrinkle!") They all lower their tiny hammers, and begin untying the sleeping captives. The human speaks again:
You can call me Molliver. This is Trig, and that's Zarli and Oyla, and those are... well never mind. They're usually very hospitable - it's kind of an important rule in these lands, if you didn't know. So although they didn't harm you, they probably didn't show you the respect you were entitled to as visitors. That's party my fault. With things being the way they are, I persuaded them that caution was better than keeping rules.
The brigganocks finish untying Mulligan, Greginald, Glister, Amidor, Polinella, and the two leprechauns, and begin loading their sleeping forms into the wheelbarrows. Molliver continues talking as the processions makes its way deeper down the twisting tunnel.
So you want to get inside Motherhorn, but you don't want to use your invitations and go through the front door, eh? I can appreciate that sentiment. The brigganocks might be willing to assist you, but I don't have the authority to say. I'll need to take you to see Obud.
As the group travels, Molliver continues to talk to Barria and Rowan as if they were old friends popping over for tea and biscuits.
The mistress of Motherhorn - Creeping Lyn they call her - has full control over this land. She kidnapped the brigganocks chief architect, and forces him to make and maintain some kind of evil machinery. And the korreds are helping her by donating their hair, which she can turn into metal wires that power her machines. You probably saw the statues out the front of the cave, right? Korred statues? Obviously trying to intimidate the brigganocks into supporting Creeping Lyn.
The tunnel winds on and on. The companions in the wheelbarrows continue to slumber.
So you said you're trying to rescue someone from there? Who's this friend of a friend? And these things you lost - is that what the leprechauns stole? By the way, did you want us to dump them outside? It'll be some time yet before they wake up...
Whatever Barria and Rowan decide with the leprechauns, Molliver leads them far down into the mountain's heart. Along the way, Barria sees the telltale signs of gemstone mining, based on the features of the rocky tunnel walls, and after some time both see active mining operations. The tiny brigganocks work inexhaustably to carve gems out of the walls - all of which glow with an inner light, some golden, and some purple - and load them into wheelbarrows, separating the gold from the purple. All the while, Rowan can understand their fey chatter:
Eh, hurry-hurry, sparkleheads! The gems won’t polish themselves, no-no! You think wishes grow on trees, amigo? Ha! Not in this cave, nope!
Boss, boss! I found a gem with a face on it! Look! Oops—too slow! You blink, you miss it!
Less blinking, more tink-tink-tinking, capisce? The bigfolk up top, they got wishes stacked like pancakes, and we’re late-late-late! Zip-zip!
More tunnels converge with the main shaft, and the travelling group are joined by convoys of gemstone-filled wheelbarrows heading deeper. Eventually one tunnel breaks away from the main shaft, and the purple-gem-laden wheelbarrows head down this branch while the golden continue down the main shaft. Molliver stops here, and as if on cue, the sleepers in the wheelbarrows all awaken at the same moment...
Hello, sleepy-heads. I'm Molliver. Glad you could join us. We're going to visit an old friend, who may be able to help you. Come along!
And with that, Molliver heads off down the tunnel, following the trail of the purple gemstones...
Mulligan and Greginald
Mulligan and Greginald awaken suddenly to find themselves laying awkwardly in little wooden wheelbarrows, surrounded by a dozen tiny mouse-like creatures. More mouse-like creatures pass by with wheelbarrows laden either with golden gemstones or purple gemstones, the golden going down one tunnel, and the purple down another. Amidor, Polinella, Glister (and possibly the two leprechauns) are also waking and rising at the same time. Then they notice that there is a dark-clothed, dusky-skinned human standing amongst the crowds. Whether male or female, it is difficult to tell.
Hello, sleepy-heads, says the dark figure. I'm Molliver. Glad you could join us. We're going to visit an old friend, who may be able to help you. Come along!
And without waiting for introductions, Molliver heads off down the tunnel, following the trail of the purple gemstones...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
G'Reg Wakes with a shout, "GAH! WITCH! HAG!! WHA-" his legs kick comically around from the bucket of the wheelbarrow as he gains awareness of his situation, "what happened? What did you two do? Why are we tied up?..." Wholely ignoring the introduction of Molliver.
Rowan listens happily to the brigganocks as they work.
"Wishes? The gems are related to wishes?" Rowan asks as they pass by. "Do the wishes create the gems or do the gems grant the wishes? That's quite an unexpected relationship."
He looks over at Molliver.
"Creeping Lynn takes the korreds' hair without permission." Then he points at Glister as he wakes up. "That one's Glister. We met him here. It's his sister that's been captured and held in the Motherhorn. I'm still unclear on what else might be in the Motherhorn, but it will be something that belongs to one of these three. I think. And if she has something that belongs to them she probably has all sorts of other things that belong to other people too."
Then he looks at the leprechauns and shakes his head. "No I think the only way we might get back what the leprechauns stole is if we somehow convince them to take these two back."
Rowan then looks more carefully at Molliver.
"How'd you end up here? Are you from Yon? You don't sound like it? Did you come from where we came from?"
He waves at the others as they wake up.
"You fell asleep."
Drowning!
Mulligan's psychic communication lacks tone, volume and inflection so it is difficult for those in the "Group Chat" to really know what the just awakened Mulligan means by this but he does look about himself quickly and shrugs confusedly. He then quickly looks about himself again and takes in the scene about him which is very, very different than it was before he lost consciousness.
Umm, huh?
He really doesn't feel he needs spell out exactly what he is asking. He assumed anyone in Group Chat who knows how they got in this situation would know to explain it...
Seeing Rowan wave and say that he fell asleep Mulligan gives a reluctant wave back.
She told me to wake up.
This is said directly to Rowan since he is not in the group chat.
Not her. Not Molliver. Is Molliver a her? But the one I saw while sleeping. I think she was sleeping too...
Mulligan glances towards Molliver again to try to determine if they are a her or a he or something else he could tell by sight but it didn't really matter, they weren't the one who told him to wake up. Mulligan shrugs at the strangeness of... Well, everything... and stretches and works out the stiffness in his joints and such before following the rest of the group. He listens in to whatever explanation they provide over group chat as well as any conversation that happens as they move along. He takes a moment to discreetly summon a psychic knife and then immediately let it vanish into nothing, just wanting to be sure he still could. Otherwise he follows along and tries to catch up on what he missed.
Glister and Amidor rise from slumber and disembark their makeshift transports, although the don't seem to have been startled awake in the same way Greginald and possibly Mulligan were. Neither the elf nor the dandelion show any recognition of the dark human who seems to be their default host/ess. Molliver continues to lead the group along the tunnel, which opens into a large cavern, in the middle of which is a chasm spanned by a narrow stone bridge. Brigganocks line up along the rim of the chasm, tipping their barrow-loads of purple gems over the side.
The wishes create the gems, he/she explains. The brigganocks mine both well-wishes and ill-wishes - golden gems of hope, and purple ones of spite. Both can be used for good or ill, but only the gold gems are held to be of value.
Just at this moment, as barrow-loads of purple gems pass the group on the way to the lip of the chasm, Greginald feels strangely drawn to one of the barrows. There is something in that barrow that belongs to him! How he knows this, he cannot tell...
Leprechauns aren't likely to give anything back, Molliver continues. I'm afraid you might be disappointed there.
Molliver doesn't answer Rowan's question about his/her origin, but instead stops short and turns to Rowan, returning to another of the elf's many, many comments, as if the meaning has just sunk in.
Wait! What did you say before? You said the korreds had their hair taken from them? By the witch? How?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Scissors, or maybe it was shears," Rowan says to Molliver in answer about the korred's hair. "I don't remember that part very well. I was talking to one who wouldn't come out of their stone. They still seemed friendly enough."
He continues on.
"They really don't like Creepy Lyn." Rowan said then adds "I think that's why they hide in the rocks now."
Molliver shares a startled glance with Trig, the brigganock who rides on her shoulder. They turn back to Rowan and Molliver asks: If that's true, then why the hatred toward the brigganocks? Why the intimidation and threats?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"wishes? Wait!" Greginald hops up out of the barrow and rushes over to the gem filled barrow that he knows his wish is in.
He casts his mind back to the last time he wished for something, a floating seed given to him by a strange tree creature in the carnival. "What happens to the wish gems, how are they used? One of mine is here, likely purple..." He states though that last bit mumbled a little out of shame. "And anyway how the Hells does a wish in the material realm turn into something to be mined all the way out here" If he can find his particular wish he grabs it up and takes a look at the hue, deciding what to do with it based on the reply.
Barria is relieved when her friends are released and then awake. She glances over at the leprechauns as they are discussed and finds she has a bit of disdain for the creatures, and knowing they probably won't get their items back... does it makes sense to keep these two with them?
Turning her attention back to the conversation that is going on with Molliver, she nods, "What Rowan says is true. It sounds like you are both thinking the other is working with Creeping Lyn, when in fact, you both want her disposed of. Maybe we can all work together? I don't think the Korreds hate you, they probably think that you're working with the witch, same as you thought. They have requested us to ask you all to dance by a lake? Does this make any sense to you at all?"
Barria looks at the gems and feels a yearning to check all of it out, but keeps her focus where it is needed and smiles as G'reg rushes over.
Wait, what? Is G'ReG suggesting that wishes wished back home are somehow mined here as gems? Does that make any sense at all? Even faery sense? Mulligan slowly walks after G'REg to try to keep an eye on him but is at the same time distracted by the conversation about the Korreds and Bigganooks.
It was all very confusing to me but it seems like they missed the Bigganook more than anything else, more than any potential quarrel or misunderstanding.
Mulligan puts that into the head Molliver and adds a sheepish smile and a shrug.
Greg's digs through the contents of the wheelbarrow, and although the purple gems all look much the same, he instinctively knows which belongs to him. Seizing the gem, he lifts it out and holds it up to the light. Thoughts flood back into his mind regarding the wish, the two carnivals, and Mister Witch and Mister Light. A strange sense of mild nausea fills his stomach. However there is no response to his queries about the wish from Molliver, who is listening intently to what Barria and Mulligan have to say...
...however it is tiny Trig that speaks first, with a squeaky voice edged with shock.
Dance? They have called us to Dance the Three Circles under a full moon? Then perhaps it is true!
Molliver suggests: Perhaps this is the work of the hag, sowing discord between you.
To which Trig replies: Let's discuss it with Obud.
Amidor and Glister have little to say to this 'revelation' but the elf smiles encouragingly at the prospect of a joyous reunion between the two races. The two leprechauns stand silently by the tunnel wall, watching and listening, but follow along as the group begin to move.
The 100-foot chasm is spanned by a truss bridge constructed of intricate wooden struts and beams. Beneath the bridge is darkness, dotted with distant and faint purple lights, from the malignant gems that are tipped in. On the far side of the bridge is a grotto full of stalactites and stalagmites, in the center of which is a piebald pony wearing blinders. A small wooden hut is strapped to its back, and a faint clatter can be heard from inside the hut.
The door swings open, and a tiny, wrinkled creature hobbles into view, accompanied by a wispy bulb of light. The old brigganock peers at you through tiny spectacles and drawls in Common:
Big folk. How wonderful. What do you want?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rowan drops a small pebble off the side of the bridge, watching it fall and then hoping to hear it hit bottom. He's quite taken with how far down the chasm goes. But he forgets all about that when he sees a pony with a house on its back.
"Do you ever have trouble drinking or taking a bath when the pony is moving?" Rowan asks. "I would think water would slosh right out of the tub while your pony is cantering around."
He looks more closely at the pony, then ventures a question. "Can you understand me?"
Rowan is too curious about the pony and the logistics of a house resting on its back to remember to let Obud know why they've come. Though if the pony can't talk and no one else jumps in, Rowan will eventually get around to letting Obud know about the dance invitation.
Is the bridge people sized or Brigganook sized? Either way, Mulligan is a bit more than hesitant to cross it. It's not that he is scared of heights, you see... It's that he is scared of falling from heights. He'll happily dance upon the edge of a cliff, so long as he trusts the cliff not to crumble and fall, taking him with it. He reaches one hand into the pocket of his overcoat and grasps the small packet of Pixie Dust he won at the carnival, just in case. As he does so he panics a bit, didn't he have two packets?? With a roll of his eyes and then a glance back at the leprechaun he sighs... Guess they took more than I thought, he thinks to himself.
No matter. What is done is done and he's become convinced there is no getting back what they have taken. He's more just curious on the most appropriate way to rid himself of what he has taken. They may take offense at being let go and be even more trouble than they have been so far... And anyway, there was now a pony and a house to deal with. But he was not going to be crossing the bridge first, nor taking his hand off the pixie dust until he has.
We come with a request that you dance the three circles under the full moon with the Korreds... It is their request. We were just recruited to bringing it.
Mulligan sends that to the little one in the little house. He doesn't think the pony would much care. though he could be wrong. Things are weird here. And after sending it is repeats it to the Group Chat so that they know what he said...
The aged brigganock chuckles at Rowan's questions as he pats the side of the old gray pony.
Old Keg doesn’t move much, no sir, but when he does, you’ll feel it from your boots to your bones. Taking a bath on him’s a fool’s errand, but he rocks me to sleep better than a cradle.
The pony doesn't respond to Rowan, but does look at him with eyes that seem to plead for something...
Molliver takes a moment to recap the group’s journey and how they came to find themselves in the brigganock mine, seeking an alternative route into Motherhorn to reclaim lost possessions and rescue a captive. When she finishes, Mulligan steps forward, relaying the korred’s message - the invitation to Dance the Three Circles. Obud’s bushy brows rise, and he gives a slow, knowing nod.
Ahh, that sounds like the korreds, all right. Wild bunch, but they mean what they say when it comes to a dance. I’ll send word back, see if they’re serious about it.
He rubs his chin thoughtfully, then adds,
You've done a favour, bringing us this news, and one good turn deserves another. Getting you in to the hag's castle is no easy feat though. Tell you what... since you're in the business of freeing prisoners... if you’ll promise to free Golmo, our architect, from that wicked place, we’ll get you into Motherhorn. Fair trade, eh?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Rowan looks around in his back to see if he has anything a pony might like to eat, but it seems to be mostly dried meat and stale crackers and bread but he does find a few pieces of dried apricot at the bottom that he offers Old Keg.
"Oh yeah, I think we're planning on helping set free anyone trapped in there. Adding Golmo's no problem," Rowan says.