The Exploits of Misfit Company

YESTERDAY

"I heard about your ded. I am sorry, leetle one." Misha said.
"Eh." Kasha shrugged, absentmindedly playing with a flower. "It's alright. These things happen."
"Kasha." Misha said, placing a hand on your shoulder. "It is not all right."

She was quiet for a moment, then dropped the flower, looking at the ocean. "I was thinking about all the experiences i'm not going to have with my dad now. Now he'll never get to see me fall in love, having a family..playing with his grandchildren. Hearing my stories. Finally being proud of me. Seeing i'm not a nobody. Seeing that..i''m not..a misfit.

The last word she said with a bit of resentment. She immediately regretted it, but not entirely so. She made a face that was slightly unreadable.

"When I was young, my mother would always tell me about our ancestors - about the family line. The Naevari's who fought at the Battle of Twin Peaks, the Naevari's who won the Arcane Award for Transmutation, the Naevari who settled the first Astral colonies. And, when my mother mated with my father, for reasons I can't even fathom, she..it was like.." she lost the words.

"And you began to theenk you were an eenterruption een zeh family line. Like, the chain was broken. That you were not part of that destiny any longer?"

Kasha thought for a moment, "Yes. Yes, that's exactly it. You know, Misha, i'm beginning to think that i'm never going to find anything i'm looking for. Sometimes I wish the next time I turn into a dinosaur I stay that way. I lose myself, my mind, to it. I don't fit in. Anywhere No one really loves me. Sometimes I even think the Misfits don't get me sometimes. They're all smarter than me, they can do things I can't. Hhh. I couldn't STAND one of them - i'm glad he left." she said bitterly. "I throw myself willingly into danger without a second thought, I daydream constantly and my mind is never on the game. It's a miracle i'm so focused now. People think i'm careless and free and deep down i'm lonely. So very lonely. I have all the friends in the world, but i'm so alone. I just don't get it. Why do I feel this way?"

"Kasha, my love, one day you weel meet person who turns your world upside down. Meesha knows thees."

"How in the world can you be so sure."

You all head to Merisia and make your way to the castle that Maxwell calls home. He's waiting outside the doors for you so that he can let you in and lead you through the castle until you arrive in a room with a circular table. Seated at the table is an olive skinned man with a goatee wearing opulent robes with exotic designs and has a navy blue skullcap with gold lining. On the table are some drinks and pastries. "Ah, you must be the Misfits!" The man says. "I am Ohmajin, emissary of Mahajarin. My king has heard of a lost treasure in our country and believes that you would be the perfect group to find it. If you all would simply lock hands with me, I can take you to his palace so that you may speak with the king in person."

Seeing the foreigner initially, Courage seemed struck by the sight of the man's appearance, but then nod approvingly and made a mental note to ask later about getting hold of a similar skullcap. Beyond that, he would look to the other members of the misfits, intending to very much follow their lead in regards to the emissary, as well as listen attentively to any questions they may yet have for him as well. 

As always, Kasha had no questions, so she spread her arms and opened her hands, making sure that: everyone was here, and that her, or Stella, had Obsidian on their shoulder.

Stella blinks at the offer, but rapidly regains her composure. "Of course, we wouldn't want to keep him waiting."

You all hold hands and Ohmajin casts Teleport, taking you all to the throne room in a castle that you assume to be Mahajarin. Seated on a lavish throne at the far end of the room is a man in his early sixties in resplendent robes, wearing an ornate hat on his head with a well-kept beard that easily reaches his waist. "You are now in the presence of King Kujomin. Pay your respects." Assuming that you kneel or bow, King Kujomin speaks up. "There is an object of great power that is spoken of in the legends of this country. It is called the Sunstone. I have heard that it is currently hidden in the tomb of the arcanist Ollander in Mount Byoku. Now you may be wondering why I have gone to the lengths of hiring foreign mercenaries to perform this task for me. Anyone who is familiar with this country (which is none of you) would know that we have no shortage of powerful mages in Mahajarin. In fact, we are only a three centuries removed from this land being ruled by mages. Some of those mages still live today or their descendants walk this earth, remembering the days when their ancestors held rule in this country. Were I to assign this task to one of them, I cannot trust that they would not use an artifact as powerful as the Sunstone to restore those days when they were in power."

Stella bows to the king when they first appear. She listens carefully to the explanation before asking her questions. "What does the Sunstone do? What kind of defenses do we need to worry about? And what exactly are you paying us?"

Kasha copies what everyone else does and looks up as Stella asks her question.

"45,000 gold. Our legends say that the Sunstone is an object of great power that is capable of granting any wish. As for the defenses, there are the natural creatures that reside on Mount Byoku, and whatever arcane protections that Ollander had installed before his death."

Courage bowed as requested, but was otherwise content to listen intently to the others. At the reward he cannot help but let out a low whistle and mumble, "Now that's a nest egg." He then rubbed his chin and asked, "And just to be crystal clear on this, not that its intended. But, apart from the Sunstone, we are /not/ to take anything from the tomb, even if by accident, your majesty?" 

Alys had been quietly tiptoeing along, thoughtfully nibbling on some cookies along the way. Her eyes would ping wide. Not in awe of the value drop, but in surprise from the knowledge of the Sunstone having the power the grant any wish. It made her shift a little uncomfortably. The elf's eyes would glance around to the others, then her baby blues would rest on Courage. That was a very important detail to nail down. She'd nod. The archaeologist would correct her posture. This was an environment she should be accustomed to and prepared for. Alys would pull out her spellbook to review it, pacing a little as she did so.

Courage: "No. I only care about the Sunstone."

Alys: Bixby's scrolls were not taken and the capital city of Mahajarin is selling scrolls.

Alys would eventually pad her way over to Yvan. She’d gently tug on his sleeve. I think I’m ready to borrow some of B’s items... The wizard would nudge gently, remembering the goliath had taken responsibility of the left over items. She’d look to take possession of the Instant Fortress, the Tentacle Rod, Chaos Bolt x 1 and Bane x 2.

(Calculating $$ for scroll shopping.)

Courage slightly bows again, thankful for the clarification beyond belief. Though the sunstone's power made it without a doubt extremely worth the expenditure. In his youth, one too many employers would use some excuse to confiscate other treasures obtained on such morally grey jobs. That said, he silently promised himself not to be the first to get side tracked by whatever else they found, prior to look to the others for any signs of more pertinent questions being said or agreement made.

Yvan remains silent throughout the discussion, never one to really have any questions. He does look to grimace slightly at the mention of a mountain, but it quickly fades as he continues to listen on what just what the king wants them to do. When he feels a tugging at his side, he gives a glance over to the source. He tilts his head seeing Alys, however, when it is explained why, his lips form an 'o' and hands her over the bag to sift through.

When all is said and done, and it looked to be as if there would be no further questions, he gives a nod over to Stella to signify that he was good to go had she wanted a head count.

Stella nods. "I see. Thank you. Should we arrange our own transportation there and back?"

"We'll be fine, I've got this magical helm that I can use to Teleport us places."

Stella nods to Vastra and bows to the king. "Then I have no further questions."

Kasha imitates Stella in her movements looking at her from the corner of her eye in a poor attempt to conceal she is trying to copy her elegance.

You leave the castle and start following the road to Mount Byoku. Vastra seems in good spirits as you all march down the road. "It's a shame that Bixby had to leave us, but we really are doing well for ourselves. We're doing a job for a king. Doesn't get much better than that. Might not be the king of Riisel, but gold is still gold."

As you walk on and get closer to the mountain, the temperature continues to go down and you notice that there are some uprooted trees on the ground.