Archway Offices:

"Understood." Ulrich hands the long coat over and looks back at the pile. "I suppose we should really just get most of what we need when we get there. I can ask you questions all day, but it would do me better to actually see how things will be. And learn how I am being received and adjust accordingly. Thank you, Elan. I am grateful for the help you are giving me."

He draws the card out again, practicing moving the box in and out of it. "My last question. You said 'deck'. Cards for clothes, for carryable items. And? I do not think I would risk my staff to one of these cards, but they are intriguing. I feel rather obtuse but," he shrugs, "I did choose this mission to learn."

Orina (Bunny Knight) | Cordivae, Wrightway Inn

"Finn?" Orina says, surprise coloring her voice. She watches in astonishment as the man practically invites himself into her life as a new teammate. Her brows lower, as does her temper, but something stops her from chasing the man off.

Everyone deserves a second chance, she thinks to herself. Or at least a chance to show that they can be better. Sighing, she holds her hand up to try and quell the man's word vomit.

"Listen. I do accept your apology, and I appreciate the fact that you must have worked hard to find me and deliver it. But it's not just my choice alone, whether you join us or not. Why don't you come inside, and I'll ask my partner how he feels about your assistance," she says, standing to the side and inviting the mage in. "Give me a minute here," she says as she closes the door behind him.

Moving over to Hainsley, she wakes up the hare and smiles at him. "Hey there! Are you feeling better today? We seem to have a visitor, and I thought you might want to meet him." She leans in closer to her friend, speaking in a whisper so that Finn won't hear her words. "This is what I call a possible teaching moment. The man here is Finn Bashford, a mage who tried to ambush Jogs and I before we first met you. I think he needed money and was angry that we hired Grr Grr Frr instead of him for our team. He's come back with an apology for that, but only because he needs something from me and is being selfish... or desperate." She pauses a moment to let Hainsley absorb that information. "I wouldn't call him a good man yet, and certainly not someone to learn any behavior from. But I also wanted to show you that people can be complicated. If he's being a bad man because he's in a bad place, sometimes people like that can change if you offer them a helping hand to get them to a better place. ... and sometimes, you can't. But I'm going to try and find out if we can help Finn become a better person today, and I thought you might want to see it and let me know what you think. You're my partner now, and your opinion is important to me, okay?"

Turning back to Finn, Orina thinks a bit before speaking. "Mr. Bashford... or Finn, whatever you prefer," she starts, "I wasn't planning on entering the Winter's End festival in the first place. And, umm... to be honest, I'm not any good at any of those things you're talking about," she admits shyly. "I can talk to little creatures, and try my best to soothe the big ones, but I'm not in the business of 'taming' anything. I like to leave all living things the free choice to chose their own destinies. So I'll warn you now, if you're looking to invite me along to participate because you think I'm skilled, you're probably making a bad choice here."

Orina tactfully decides to not mention that Finn's hair and beard choices clearly indicate many bad life choices, and presses on.

"But if you're here because you really want to participate, and can't find anyone else who will join you, well... I'm in the business of helping people, and that sounds to me like you might need help. So if you want my help, I'll be happy to give it... but only if you tell me honestly about your motivations."

Insight Check on Finn: 14 + Guidance 2

Spider Temple:

Iam:  "No need to awaken me, or wait for me, I'm a late sleeper.  Just meet me back at the tent."  After saying that, Eli immediatly passes out.  You find a bed next to his, which creeks horribly under your weight, but holds you.  You have no need to sleep, but, perhaps shutting out your periphary senses helps you process information.  Perhaps your creator made some assumptions and programmed some sort of sleep program, but the secrets and reasoning for sleeping behind living things has never been truly understood, let alone to be transcribed into a fabricated brain.  The best you can do is wait, and see what happens...wait, and see what...wait and see...wait and...wait.....

You are in a dark forest, sitting up from under a tree.  Your eyes flicker with sort of light and static, and through some method or another, you can perceive yourself and the world around you.  You look up, and you see that the sky is a clear blue, with a scant amount of clouds, the sun blazing in the sky, it's light filtering through the treetops, but not around you.   You see a plume of smoke in the distance, and here the rumble of what sounds like an earthquake occasionally.  You feel compelled to move around, but you realize your legs are inoperable.  This body does not feel like your own, it is something much more suited to being alive than it is to living.  Surely, if anything is a dream, this would be it?  No...this is not a dream, this is a like a sound being thrown directly into your head.  This is not a dream, this is a transmission.  The transmission ends.

You turn your sight back on.  The sun is up, and Eli is still fast asleep.  You can hear the sounds of someone practicing piano in the distance through the walls of this room.

Rafon's Run: Road to Glanyrafon:

Tsahil:  The horse easily catches up.  The Triton is completely exposed in the drivers seat, and you manage to land an almost lethal shot on him.  The Caretaker gives a whistle, stands up on the horse and effortlessly hops onto the side of the wagon.  You are left on your own on the horse, but don't feel the least bit worried about falling off so long as the horse keeps pace.  The Caretaker hops down and makes two strikes against the Triton. 

Attack: 12 Damage: 4

Attack: 12 Damage: 8

 With the swipe against the Triton, he is badly wounded, and about to fall.  In a desperation move, you see  him grab the reins and suddenly jerk them to the side.  The horses are suddenly put off balence, and the wagon overturns!  The Caretaker desperately tries to keep balance. 10

but the wagon spins and tumbles too violently, and he his forced to hit the ground in a controlled roll!  Your horse steers itself away from the wreckage as a puff of dirt and debris hits your face.  It runs pass the wrecked wagon, it starts to disapear behind you, but it turns around, and slowly comes to a slightly faster trot back in the wrecks direction.

Spider Temple

Iam carefully raises up in bed then carefully gets out of bed. He holds his hand up a moment and looks at it a moment. The transmission had been strange. Perhaps that is what dreaming is like for others, transmission from another, a shared link of like minded souls, or even a collective consciousness. Something primitive cut off by consciousness, but not inferior, just an alternative of higher thought. This line of thought gives Iam some ideas of inquiry in regards to his creators instruction to eventually create others such as himself.

The down time had also allowed Iam to process the massive amount of things he had learned in the last day. Not that he didn't know the information, only now it had been incorporated into his being. He would need to schedule time for this process occasionally.

Ready to go Iam will head out and watch and listen to the pianist play.

This post is to say that there will be no responses today.

I mentioned a long time ago I was writing sometihng called "In the gallow or the meadow." which I wrote the first portion of, but was a depressing story I didn't feel like tackling.  It focused on a small company of soldiers left after an event known as The Devestation.  After a while that actually changed to "To the City and Back", which I never mentioned, which is about exactly what the name suggests.  but I also wrote the first portion for then immediately lost steam.  Now, I want to start another story simply called "The Tower Looms", which actually focuses on adventurers making a name for themselves.  Probably going to take all those ideas as far as I can, and put them into one collection.  Unfortunately, video games and books have been engrossing, but tommorow I hope to make due on my resolutions.

Good luck.

((I posted some new stuff to my Patreon page, about 4ish lore things so far, but once I make these responses I might just make more until I get tired.  Also, I thinking of opening recruitment back up since some people filtered out, but it probably won't be entirely jump in jump out like it was.))

Riverport: Twilight:

Voldred:  "Not a wizard, but running around in robes."  mutters Twill.  "Really just give anyone a gun nowadays and they call themselves an adventurer....pssh."

"Hey, ease up buddy, all of my attempts to rob people are usually considered suicidal.  I'll keep my distance if that works for you."  She points to Twill.  "And the robes are just for show, alright?  It's called a disguise, alrighty, and once this is done you won't ever be seeing me again if we're all lucky; or even if we die for that matter so that seems like a win-win.  Now,  let's get moving before another minion shows up."

You spend some time creeping along through side passages and alleys of the town.  You'll need to make a Stealth check.  As you roam through the town, you occasionally notice hollow eyed figures roaming the streets who do not bother you.  "Ghosts."  says the thief.  "I've heard others call Twilight the ethereal plane, but that's just a misnomer.  They probably won't cause any trouble to us if we don't cause any to them."

Archway Offices:

Ulrich:  "The manner of these cards are both complicated and simple."  says Elan.  "There's a balance between cost and efficiency.  If you have a staff, there is a card which is designed to hold exactly one type of item that you can bring out at will, but they don't give them out to just anyone but they are well balanced.  I've heard all sorts of rumors, some can hold objects normally but require some sort of skill to use, others are simply more efficient than others but are more costly, and some, well, I've heard some can hold anything at the cost of requiring a miracle to get the right thing out of it.  Luckily, there's a saying that miracles happen exactly when they mean to.  If you'd like, I could put in a good word for you, and get you something a little more...interesting than the one you have;  We are headed to Spearhead next, I'm sure they already made plans to give you something."

Riverport: Twilight:

"Talking about dying is a little premature right now, we're not helpless." Voldred says as he casts Guidance to slightly improve his odds of not attracting unwanted attention to himself. Voldred hates sneaking, and his noisy armor isn't helping any, but right now his best bet is to be quiet, much to his disdain.

Stealth check: 14

"Also I'm pretty sure those are not ghosts. This is more or less what the Ethereal Plane looks like. It's technically possible this is a pocket dimension or an elaborate illusion, but I doubt it. It also may be the Astral Plane, but I certainly hope not. That would complicate things."

Archway Offices: 

"Thank you, Elan. If they don't have something suitable, then I have no doubt that you will be able to procure it. Well, I will waste no more of your time for today. I fear there shall be enough of that on this trip. Thank you for your advice and the items.  Until we are ready to journey." Ulrich gives a bow and leaves.

He makes his way back toward the Archbishop's office, to see when or if his staff is done. He is halfway there before he realizes he is still wearing the new clothes. He stops, then shrugs and continues on. "Better get used to them."

Waynewright Inn:

Orina:  Hainsley rubs his eys as you wake him.  "Huh, what who?  Oh, yes I'm feeling fantastic, thank you for asking!"  He listens to your explanation on Finn.  "Well...that certainly does sound complicated., my grip on what you mean by selfish and desperate are a bit hazy, but I understand. I guess it is worth a try, and "

"Are you quite done speaking to your rabbit friend?" says Finn  "We must make haste, the whole city is frenzied by the news, and the lines are only getting longer."

"I guess it worth a try, but he seems to be very demanding; is he joining us, or are we joining him?  Really, the question is what does he think" whispers Hainsley.

Based on your insight of Finn, he seems to have an air of desperation, and more than likely he is short on cash to pay the entrance fee.  The thing that strikes you most odd is the faint question on how exactly he managed to locate you, but he is a wizard, or artificier, or something.  You are almost certain you saw him cast one spell.

"Making a mistake, no, I have heard of your exploits, you bested that dungeon, or, survived it anyway, and certianly plundered its spoils.  Your the geneuine article of an adventurer.  However, not to worry, I am quite skilled myself, and should we combine our funds I shall humbly carry you through any endeavor."  Something definitely off about that, your not sure of his merits, and the last time you butted heads he was instantly deterred.  "Besides, you can't expect to win the group stage of the tournament with out a planned alliance, and there's no greater shame than not participating at all!"  There's definitely some sort of plan in that head of his, your not sure what, or whether it's good or bad, but a partner he needs.  Your also quite sure you'll be the one paying the entrance fees.

"This festival tournament thing sounds kind of fun." says Hainsley.  "Although, there's was that other thing we had to do...should we let Finn in on that?"  

Spider Temple:

Iam:  You walk out of the room, coming to the main room.  A human Caretaker with short, neat black hair and an eyepatch, has taken up the piano by the altar, his playing is close to perfect,.  The song he plays is slow, and in the minor key, but picks up speed in some parts.  You swear you recognize it, even though that's beyond impossible.  His playing exudes a strange sort of energy that makes the instrument disappear, it is just the him and the song.  He stops abruptly, he seems to have noticed you.  "Oh, hello again." he says, even though you are quite sure you don't recognize him.  "You are called Iam, correct?  Is Liadon doing better?  You certainly were off in a hurry yesterday."

Orina (Bunny Knight) | Cordivae, Wrightway Inn

"Listen," Orina says to Finn.  "I'd be quite happy to help you out with this tournament, but first you have to put in a show of good faith for myself and my friend.  For one, he's a hare, not a rabbit!  And for two, he has a name, and it's Hainsley.  I know yours, Finn, and you should try to be considerate enough of others to use his."  Having said that, Orina continues:  "If you can help me find out where the Stoneshield family resides in Cordivae so I can take care of my business there first, then Hainsley and I might be able to make it to this tournament. ... particularly since the Stoneshields might be able to pay us a small fee for returning their property to them.  But you know, if it's just the money you need, there are better ways to do it than by performing tricks at a fair.  Besides, seeing as how I just recently bought myself a new armor, I'm not even sure I have enough coin to pay for the entrance fee for all of us. So if it's money you want, you might be barking up the wrong tree here."

Spider Temple

"Hello. Your the caretaker who helped us when Liadon was injured are you not?" Iam will ask. "I believe he is alright, but he was starting to behave erratic as we grew closer to his residence. He decided he needed to enter by the construction but insisted I must go to the front, so I did and informed his people of his health incident. As for myself, I had another appointment so could not stay. Thank you again for your assistance. That was a lovely song, a bit sad, but quite nice."

Quote from Pin_Pieron >>

Riverside Village:

Nae, Noldeme, Xamodas:   

As you await someone to help you, someone else comes out of the same house the otter went into.  A halfling kicks the door of it's hinges and sends it flying, sending Vir cowering behind Xamodas.  They walk out, wearing a flowing blue and white garb with a furred trim, a large necklace with polished riverstones as beads, and a scowl on their face.  They turn to face you and shove an index finger in your general direction.  "YOU!  What makes you think you have any right to treat the elder with such disrespect!"  He roars  "Did you think that just because you're a couple of girls with a weird dog that we would just bend over backwards for you?  If you want something, then you need to earn it!"  You notice that a pool of water begins to flow around is feet and swirl close to his heels.  He takes a defensive stance, and the water takes the shape of an arrow pointed in your directions.  "I'll give you two choices, earn your way downriver, or I'll beat you back into the fields and let the Lightmares blow your souls into a million pieces!"

Vir whispers to Xamodas in draconic "when he says weird dog...is he talking about me or you?"

Noldeme, Nae, and Xamodas | Riverside Village 

After going a bit silent at first, seeing that Xamodas seemed to lose all interest in her story in the time it took for her to tell that story, the sudden commotion regarding Vir does manage to get her moving. She raises in defense of the Kobold at first, asking the Halfling. "Wait a second here, please? What's going on? You can't go accusing us of being bad people when we don't have any context to what you're saying."

Nae looks like she was going to say something when the halfling burst the door off its hinges Naes hands reflexively glow ready to shoot off an eldritch blast. Watching this halfling immediately come off aggressive, Nae grits her teeth a little hearing him speak
"Sounds like he wants to try to pound us into paste. Not a fan of that." She shrugs trying to come off much more relaxed. "Fan of the trick with the water though, I will say that comes off real fancy."  Nae looks the halfling up and down. "Given the two choices, I'll take earn the way downriver i suppose, but first..." Nae nods towards Noldeme "I think i'll agree, I would like context before you attempt to pound us to paste."

Quote from Pin_Pieron>>

(Page 49) Faksimile - Temple District:

 It's the death cleric you bumped into this morning!  She has a Deathclaw!

Riverport:Twilight:

"If that's your reasoning we might need another plan. I barely talked with the armorer, just enough to buy something, and I didn't do anything to stand out. There's no reason he would be 'thinking about me' so to speak."

For a moment, Voldred is startled by the sudden appearance, jumping back in surprise, but he quickly regains his composure.

"So that's how Guidance actually works? Fascinating. I always thought it was more of a placebo than anything. I would love to talk with you some while I have the chance, but we have more pressing problems to address. It was me that called for stealth guidance. We're here because a certain someone..." Voldred glares at the thief "...tried to take something that doesn't belong to her, which caught the attention of Barracuda, who decided to trap us in this Plane to hunt us down and take it for itself. And the reason I need guidance is because I need to be sneaky now, which was never my forte, and this armor isn't helping." Voldred moves around to make some light clanking with his armor to illustrate his point.

"So, Courier, if you have some good advice how to stay quiet I'm all ears...wait, minimum wage? So even you lot have rich and poor? Why? And how?"

Voldred is about to barrage the courier with even more questions, but stops himself.

"No, never mind all that now, there's no time for questions. We need to move."

No responses today, trying to get my sleep schedule back in order + work on more stuff before getting back to college.  Look forward to seeing a post that isn't made at 2AM Central.  I think I might get a lore post I've been thinking about though.

Waynewright Inn:

Orina: "Stoneshield?  Why, their practically my second family, of course I could take you them, I suppose we might have to miss out on the cooking competition signups, but no matter, I'm just as proficient in other areas.  I would be happy to take you and Harry there as soon as possible.""

"It's Hainsley, and I am indeed a Hare, or at least I look like one."  he says   "I'm actually not so sure-"

"Gasp!" Finn say aloud. "He can talk!- Is what I would say, if I weren't already well versed in the designs of magical creatures and familiars. Hainsley, understood, just didn't hear it clearly the first time.  My ears aren't as big as yours are, you know."  He waves his hands in the air, and magically conjures a carrot from thin air, and hands it to Hainsley.  "Here, as an apology or something.  Now where were we, Stoneshield, of course, just follow me and we'll be there in no time!" he trudges out of the room in a rediculous gait, before backpedaling in the exact same fashion  "Actually, why don't we have some breakfast first, I am quite famished and I'm sure you are as well."

Spider Temple:

Iam:  "Is that so?" says the Caretaker.  "That's very intresting to here perhaps we should...well actually, there's no point in pretending I don't know.  There was Caretaker there last night, and I'm sorry to say that seems Liadon has been facing a series of unfortunate events.    His fiance went missing, a Caretaker sent to help and well...we haven't heard anything since last night, supposedly they went out looking and never came back. However...if he was acting that suspicious, perhaps that means something...I''d like to know as much as I can from you before my next course of action, but I can't keep you nor can I stay.  If you care about this persons wellbeing enough to put yourself at risk, the best thing for you to do is to come with me."

Spider Temple

"Nothing that would be more pressing than the welfare of another. I shall come along with you." Iam will answer. He will check his cards and manual, his short sword and shield to make sure he is ready to go.