The Exploits of Misfit Company

While everyone was off doing their own thing for a day, Kasha and Obsidian decided to follow suit.

Obsidian made a face like he was a little bitter at the fact that he didn't get invited to the spa, but he was happy to spend time with the druid and not the one who was constantly threatening him with no catnip unless he did what he was told, etc. Kasha laughed at this face, scratched his rump and the two of them went off for another day of adventure. She turned into a great eagle, Obsidian on her back, and they flew a great distance away in search of fun. 

During their travels, Obsidian told the story of the few times he "poofed" to another place because he had "died". At first Kasha thought he was making it up, but Obsidian was way too proper and sophisticated to tell lies of this nature. It just wasn't his style. So, searching for clues in a place called "Den-Vurr" for a group of Vampires - one or two of them he could of sworn he saw before - and the time he was teleported into a fight with oozes, or something, and a tiefling with blond hair and huge broken glasses fawned over him.

It was about this time they flew over a small village and Kasha landed in half elven form. "I just wanna check up on someone. It'll just take a moment. Come on."

Peeking through a window of a house, Kasha spied on a small family that contained a mother and a father, and a very small child. The mother and father looked very typical, but what set the scene apart was the child. She looked completely different than her parents, with red hair and beautiful green eyes. The child was sitting by the fire, playing quietly with a small toy.

"Yeah. She's good." Kasha said, getting back down, pleased.

Obsidian gave her a look as if to ask who that was, and Kasha smiled, content. "I'll tell you about it on the way back home."

Pyramid

Alys would feel everything around her fade away and her breathing would steady. She'd begin to notice presences fade around her as well. It must be time to go. The elf would pop an eye open before the other, peeking to see if it was indeed time to move. She'd slowly pick herself up off the ground. She'd stand in silence, staring around the room. The divination wizard ensured to commit everything that transpired to memory. Garabad was still out there. And that made her uneasy. "I need a smoke..." She'd mutter beneath her breath, eventually following behind the group to make for the exit.

Travel

During the return trip Alys would be quiet. She'd find the most comfortable way to lounge on her mount as she would pack her pipe and smoke from it, blowing puffs of thick cloud up into the air. Occasionally she'd pull out her spell book, journal and notes to study, write and review. There was plenty on her mind and in her studies to keep her busy for the few days of travel. During this time she'd also be sure to recharge her wand and healing staff. There were times she'd get lost in her studies and lose track of time, forgetting where she was as she'd experiment with new magic. If any one were to watch her, they would notice that it wasn't always smoke surrounding the elf. She would actually pull and weave glowing strands of magic. Sometimes her expressions were hard, sometimes sad, though, there were times where she'd smile or even laugh to herself as she'd test this magic.

Yvan had gained Hoodini's favour with the scritches, spending most of the travel with the Goliath.

While with Faras

Alys would find herself stepping closer until she stood at Bixby's side to provide another ear to lend to the conversation. She was interested in what the Avdols had to say about the writings. The elf would turn her head to look at him. "May I accompany you on studying these ancient writings?" The more she knew about Garabad, the better for her new magic. She'd pause to allow B to respond. B's questions to Faras had also caught her attention, specifically regarding the teleportation circle. The wizard would start to chew her lip. She never did get to creating her own teleportation circle. And perhaps that was a good thing. She had purchased all the components last time they returned from a job.

When we return home

Alys would unload a lot of her supplies and equipment in her room. Having completed most of her studies on the travel, she wanted to spend her time in the garden. And that's where she could be found, humming along. She wanted to spend her time digging and playing in the dirt. It was where she could clear her mind and think.

"As some of it may be beyond even my ability to translate, I see not why I should mind." Bixby replied simply, giving the wizard a sidelong look. "I would imagine we enlist Vastra as well depending on how extensive they are, but..." He trailed off there, giving their host an expectant look. While yet curious to see if his earlier words had yet molified the man in regards to magical transportation, again he was already musing alternatives. Risky alternatives that he hoped to mitigate with the right few items and a contact made later in the city, but not above the limit of his tolerance.

"I can place a Teleportation Circle here, if the Avdols permit it. But yes, I'll go researching with you." 

You can attempt a DC22 History check to try and find anything in this library related to Garabad.

"That would be most appreciated." Bixby replied before turning to their host. "Let's table the other matter. I'm sure you wish to think about it further and consult your family in the event no other mage within the city might prove accommodating in one way or another." With that, it's off to do some family bookkeeping! Regarding which, Bixby would in his own way try to keep Vastra's and Alys' spirits up with the rare kind word or hint found in his part of any researching, but would tackle one angle while they poured through the other various various notes and documents.

(@DM: If possible, Bixby is giving both Vastra and Alys each a d6 Bardic Inspiration for any check they might make.)

History: 29.

The battle in the pyramid had taken a toll on the goliath, but he didn't allow it to show, even having offered to take the first watch on the first night in returning back to Faras. He urged everyone else to rest and regather their strength while he watched over them (with Hoodini, had the familiar wanted to) after having ensured that he would be okay despite any wounds that might have still been present.

He would stay vigilant during the night, even considering staying up longer, but he told himself it wouldn't have been a wise idea. If he had been sleep deprived, how could he protect them? He asks himself, repeating it like a mantra in his mind as he woke up the next person to take watch. He bids them a goodnight prior to finding a suitable spot to lay down and take a well deserved rest.

Yvan wakes up with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. Immediately his gaze goes to whoever is nearest to him, checking to see if they had been breathing, and when he confirms it, he releases a breath of relief. He brings a hand to his chest, trying to help control his breathing, but he feels the cool touch of metal instead, and when he looks closer, he realizes there is an emblem that he had held tightly in his grasp. 

Upon closer inspection, he is able to note it as the holy symbol of Helm.

 Yvan is his usual silent self as they finish their journey and quietly watches as the family is reunited again. There is a warm feeling that stirs itself within the goliaths chest as he watches, but he quickly rips his gaze away as he focuses back onto the camels and bringing them back from where they came from. 

When given some free time to explore, Yvan had been at a loss for what to do. The others had so readily gone off to do things, leaving him there standing awkwardly. This place was foreign to the mountain born, not to mention he held a deep dislike of cities for a reason. There were too many people. There had also been no forested area for him to retreat into. "I really don't like it here..." He mutters to himself, trying to decide on what he could do to pass the time.  

Eventually he finds himself a nice and quiet alley way to sit down in and whittle away at a small piece of wood for a while.

"RRAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!" is all you hear as Kasha crashes down upon you from above, doing her best to wrestle you down and pull you into a choke hold that would cut off your air supply and cause you great physical pain. She flops and flails and tugs at you with all her wiry strength, which isn't too much, but it's not too little either.

"Had enough?!?!" she threatens you, gritting her teeth and wrapping her arms around your neck, squeezing.

"I can feel you giving in!!!" she yells, "You're weak and pathetic and I have you in my grasp! HRGrRH!!!" she tugs at you like trying to wrangle a bull, pulling and pushing and using her weight as leverage.

"How you like THIS?!?!" She grabs your arm and twists. "I call this the Kashasaurus TWIST!!!!" she attempts to twist and break your arm in a way that your arm was not meant to bend. "You give up!?!? HUH!??!"

The small wooden figure he had been working on is immediately dropped to the ground along with his whittling tool once he hears Kasha and feels her weight come down upon him like a pile of bricks... if bricks were softer and more fleshy. The druid did get a good startle out of him, he having expected it just to be a small little prank and nothing more, until he feels her trying to put him in a choke hold.

She succeeds, but he feels bad that she really... wasn't doing much to him in terms of choking him out. Taking quick note of there being no one around, he decides to simply play along and make some choking noises. "Y-you're really-uh-getting me good!"

Performance (for flavor): 10

Yvan mentally cringes at how bad that was. "That was awful..." He mutters quietly to himself as Kasha now moves to try and twist his arm, shouting some more. "I, uh, yes. I do, um, surrender to you, the mighty Kasha. I am no match for your, er... strength."

Insight: 23

Kasha let go and slithered off him. She stood there, hands on her hips. She had a irked look on her face.

"That was just awful. You're a horrible actor, you know that? You're not even trying."

Bixby: Despite the vastness of the library and the fact that the books were not organized so that you can conveniently gather information, you are able to find the book that you're looking for without much effort. You learn of a city that's ruled and populated by the undead called Myol-Ghash on the continent of Urdahl. You learn that the upper class of Myol-Ghash is made up of powerful undead creatures such as liches, mummy lords, and vampires, and the author believes that Garabad most certainly went there at some point to learn how to use magic to live forever and that he most certainly has a place in the city that he can use as a refuge. Your interest in the city of Myol-Ghash and Urdahl leads you to looking at a map and you learn that the continent of Urdahl is far to the south, on the other side of the Ocean of the Moon.You learn that Myol-Ghash is located inside the nation of Idrexia, which has been ruled over by a dynasty of powerful vampires for the last 6,000 years.

"I know..." Yvan says, hanging his head in shame as his face heats up, embarrassed. He takes a moment to reach for the wooden statue and whittle tool. "What was that for anyway...? Weren't you doing something with Obsidian?"

"You seem like you needed a friend!" Kasha admitted, like it was obvious. "Special druid senses, dude." She rolls her eyes and snorts, as if this was common knowledge. "And yes I was. But then we came back and I was like, where's Yvan? And then I followed your smell over here, so I decided to kick your ass. Don't mess with me, buddy. Now, you tell Kasha what's wrong or else i'm REALLY gonna lay on the hoit."

Yvan tilts his head at Kasha's words, then gives a little snort at the last bit of it. "I wouldn't ever mess with the mighty Kasha." He jests lightly. "But nothing is wrong, really. You know I'm not a fan of... cities and crowded places, and I couldn't find any other quiet place than this alley, so..." He looks to the statuette that he had intended to make into an eagle, brows furrowing. "Actually... Kasha, have you ever spoken to a God before? Or had a dream about them?"

"Dreams? No. Talking to? If I did, I wouldn't know it." She admitted. She thought for a moment. "Why? Did you forget to take your medication, or something?" Then she remembered something. "Oh! I sometimes dream i'm a dog or a cat, and then I wake up, I AM a dog, or a cat! HAH!!"

She shakes her hands like she's drifting off course.

"You know what I like about you, you big *****? You're open with me. No secrets. You're confident and brave and you know if you tell me something, you do it in confidence. Not like some of the others, who've been hurt, or pPFFfF knows what." she says with mild annoyance. Then, smiles again. "You're not afraid to tell me something because you know i'll still love you. Still treat you the same. I can tell when something's wrong with you, and you can tell when something's wrong with me. That's why you and I have a connection. Ah? Are you hearing voices in your head?"

Bixby is sure to share his side of the findings alongside any Vastra and Alys come across in the search, adjacent though the details may be, and... that's it. By the end of the show and tell there's a faint look of worry on his face, and an inquisitive look leveled in the two wizards way. But an eagerness to speak gets the best of him, as he said in advance, "The fact that this nation even exists -- if it still exists to this day speak volume of the grip they have in those lands, and the difficulty of brute forcing away through to deal with him. Nevermind the other lords we may or may not upset in the process. Creatures that, if but because of outstanding old deals, might find reason enough to impede us, if not for the affront of taking out one of their own."

He rubs his chin. "Of course we could ignore him as well. But I doubt we won't be watching our backs for the remainder of our days.. and death may not be a good enough escape versues a determined enough foe." The changling murmurs under-breath, but would soon aloud follow up with, "At least for the rest of you. My abilities aside, I... have been making certain preperations for some time now, and I believe I'm almost ready." There's almost an immediate dismissive way trailing that final note. "Though I rather it not come to it, and it solves nothing for the company... What are the thoughts of you two?"

"I too am against the idea of breaking into a city full of powerful undead and attempting to carry out an assassination. I've learned of a spell that can be used to place guards and wards around the manor and I was planning on purchasing a scroll that would allow me to create glyphs that could blow up any intruders."

Yvan hadn't expected her to have any past experiences, but then again, Kasha was full of surprises. Maybe she had and she didn't know it, similar to him in a sense, until now, of course. Her jests earn her another snort from him, the goliath lifting a hand to boop her on the nose. "I tell you the truth because you're my best friend, Kasha.... and you know I'm a terrible liar." Yvan gives a one shouldered shrug. "You shouldn't get annoyed at them for not telling you things, though... Sometimes... past pains are... difficult to get over." His expression goes solemn for a moment before he shakes his head and continues. "They'll talk to you in due time, like I did."

"And, ah, no, no voices... Just..." He trails off, trying to find the right words for it and ends up looking to her and seeing her beaming smile again. For a brief second, he remembers her visage from his dream. How beaten she was, how bloody, how her cold her skin felt against his touch. His brows knit together as he closes his eyes, trying to wipe the image away. "... A bad dream." He says finally, his gaze returning onto her very much alive form. "I'll be fine though... What, um... What were you and Obsidian doing?" 

"Sure, everyone's got past pains - i'm talking about more of a behavior thing...how you deal with them, how do they define you..how they shape you as a person. I trust you. I can rely on you. You're true to your word. And when times get tough I know I can count on you." she said, then changing the subject: "However, when a God speaks to me, or if I have dreams that involve one, i'll let you know. Deal? Obsidian and I were checking on a friend. Just seeing how she was doing, nothing more. So. Did you wanna talk about your dream? It obviously affected you. I have dreams, too, but not ones that weigh so heavily on me."

Of course Alys would nod in agreement to Bixby's suggestion to include Vastra on their search through the library. It was obvious, B didn't need much help to find the information but the kind words of encouragement were enough to keep her researching alongside these brilliant minds. It was almost intimidating pouring over documents in their presence. But she was attentive and responsive when collecting and reviewing the information on Garabad. And the more the cleric learned of this city that was ruled and populated by undead, the more her stomach churned. The elf would shudder involuntarily. Goosebumps would pepper her skin, and the more she read, it sent waves of shivers over her skin. It felt like bugs crawling beneath her skin. Alys would swallow, fighting through the discomfort. She wanted nothing more than to rub and scratch her skin.

Finally Bixby would speak to break her out of her trance. Her blue eyes looking between him and Vastra as they spoke. She'd try her best to focus on their words as she'd try to steady her breaths. There was some relief to be had when they agreed that breaking into the city would be rash, and even more so when Vastra would so confidently suggest a range of defenses to keep us all safe. Alys could feel herself beaming in awe of the wise wizards forethought and preparation. Well, both B's and Vastra's. Meanwhile, Alys has been a little all over the place trying to figure out if she even had anything unique to offer the talented pair before her. All she had was her divination. Perhaps?

"I-I.." Alys would pause. "I suppose I've been working on detection methods... For if or when we need them."

"Very good Alys. I think that will be quite helpful." Vastra casts Sending at Yvan. "Could you find Stella and Kasha and bring them back to the library? We're finished up with our research."