Session Start: Tue Jan 22 19:02:19 2008 Session Ident: #TD&DG * Logging for #TD&DG started * CCD is now known as Wurr * Zegon has left #TD&DG * Syzix has joined #TD&DG * Syzix is now known as Ierikc * Stella has joined #TD&DG * Robin has left #TD&DG [Having rescued Eve East from the nefarious traps set by the kobold menace, they made their way to the town of Corlenn.] [Corlenn is a small village with a quaint cobblestone set of streets with a wall only a story tall demarking its border. The prisoners - and Ierikc - caused the guards to stop the party at the gate.] [Cast: The party, about nine kobolds, and Eve. | Start!] Hey! We caught these bandits! * The guards are a stripling youth and an older man; they have crossed halberds blocking the way. The younger one adjusts his oversized helmet. "...you did! That's great! How?" * Althea points at Ierikc. "He's not with the bandits, though. He helped caputre the bandits." TUrned their traps against them. Good work. *eyes Ierikc* Are you sure he's not with the bandits? * Ierikc clears his throat. "I'm positive I'm not with those hooligans." * Stella smiles and claps her hands once. "He's a very good little turncoat kobold, sir!" We brought him from one duchy over. Well, if you say he helped... Just keep an eye on him, okay? * Ierikc eyes Stella and Althea. "I have no affiliation with them, nor their ways, is what my compatriots are *trying* to say." Yeah, he's not a jerk like those others. *clears his throat* And what my partner is trying to say is that he will run and get the mayor while I escort you to the jail. Jeff, get Frank and Seth to take over here. * Wurr follows along behind the group watching. * Lidya smiles * The younger guard sallutes, which jostles his helm awry again, and dashes off. * The kobolds are clustered together, eyeing the bigger humanoids with hatred, suspicion, and some amount of fear. Oh, come on, jail isn't that bad... I think. I wouldn't know since I've never been. There are many places you've never been.... Sorry for the wait. Can't leave the gate undefended. Name's Edward. I spent a few nights when inns were all full. It varies from jail to jail. From what I hear, it's certainly a place of great potential for experience and reflection. * Stella smiles. "But generally, it is warmer and more comfortable than a dry riverbed." Assuming it's well mantained. * Stella nods, still smiling and cheerful despite the topic of conversation. I'd rather still sleep in a bed. Beds are weonferful * Eve chimes in, "I know I'm looking forward to one." Weonferful? What, pray tell, does that mean? * Stella nods. "They're soft, and supportive, and warm, and at some inns they even have snacks in them!" ( It eans that Dem's fingers tripped over each other while typing. ) I'm not a fan of jails. Nice to meet you Edward. * Wurr holds out a hand for the Guard. Well, it will beat sleeping on the ground like we've been doing. * Two new young men, a bit older than Jeff, but still probably new to the armor, come jogging up. Edward lets them take over as he shakes hands with Wurr. "Not often you see an orc 'round these parts. Glad you're helping collect the bandits, Sir. Right this way. All of you," he finishes, glaring at the kobolds with wizened eyes. :D * Wurr looks impressed that he got his hand shook and nods following. * Althea follows the guard. "So, how big is this city anyway?" [The town is neat and well built, with plastered walls and shingled roofs, but the populace seems a bit subdued. There's interested stares from the halflings and humans that make up the population at the small cavalcade of bound kobolds, and not a few nervous glances at the red, unbound one. The jail turns out to be the back of a two-storey guard post. There are no sleeping accomodations here, other than in the cells, however.] This is a nice town... They seem kinda... uneasy... Of course they are. Most are afraid of the unknown. Well, they have been forgoing all good and foods made in other kingdoms, as well as any messengers or letters from anyone they may know who is abroad at the moment. Things have been hard, lately. Little word from, well, anywhere has gotten in. Without Carblinkarn's deliveries of goods, we'd be destitute by now. * Stella nods. There is that as well. * Lidya nods I'm used to it. That's too bad. Well, we did some good here. Maybe things'lll look up soon There's probably more kobolds out there. I mean, trouble comes in threes, and we only ran into two groups. Perhaps we will have further chances to do some good. I hope so. Here we are. *opens the door for the party* * A well-dressed, portly man with a solid gold badge of office on a heavy chain waits, grinning enthusiastically at the number of kobolds brought in. "Well done! Well done! This is the first good news we've had in months! Welcome, brave heroes! I am Maxwell Gentry, Mayor of Corlenn, and it's my pleasure to greet you!" * A wiry but well-dressed elf stands beside the mayor, equally happy. "Yes, thank you so much. Getting in and out has been so hard, thanks to these monsters. While these aren't all of them, it's a wonderful start. Please, accept this small token for your efforts," he says, gesturing at nine small pouches on the counter. * Ierikc hmms. Ooh. Thanks * Wurr nods letting the talkies talk unless he screws up and uses the wrong fork to answer with without pinkie extended. * The bags each have 20 gp in them. The elf gestures grandly. "One for each kobold you bring in." Ooh, we could buy all sorts of fruit with that money. Oh, yes... * Ierikc walks over to the bags and takes one of them, glancing inside and checking the mintage and authenticity. Yes, Carblinkarn has generously offered this bounty. ...of course, if you've brought any trade goods with you, you'll make a killing, here, too. * Eve East steps forward at that, "Yes! That's exactly what I thought! But those horrid bandits took everything! Well, almost. I'd like to organize a militia to hunt the miscreants down, Mayor, and--" * Ierikc holds a gold coin above his head, squinting at it. "I'm positive we would if all trade has been cut." * The gold seems to be quite good, marked with the local Duke's seal. * Wurr joins Ierikc in paying attention to the gold, examining it carefully. "Trade goods. Hrm..." What sorts of trade goods? * Ierikc twirls the coin on his claw and plops it back in the bag. "I would imagine anything from lumber to inks to tools." Wouldn't they need a militia to defend the city from the kobolds? * Carblinkarn shrugs. "Just about anything. I've got a shop here in town, but what goes fastest is food, when I can get it in." Well, if you didn't notice, there was a militia of sorts that confronted us. I certainly took note. * Stella nods. Our guards are, really, all we have. We don't have the forces to go out kobold-hunting. The boys do a good job, though. Just need some seasoning. * Lidya nods * Ierikc nods. "They're skeptical, which is good. As long as they don't get too entrenched in the idea that everybody's a hostile." Right. Food. I think we need to do a good deed. *He still hasn't put the gold down.* * Stella nods. Well, no rush. You've done a wonderful thing for the citizens' morale. We can't thank you enough. Is there anything you are looking for, here? I'm just here to help. Same. Just doing good. * Eve nods. "Yeah. ...though a bed would be wonderful. Is there an inn?" * Ierikc takes each of the bags and handles them. "I'm sure we could use some rest before setting out again. Would you have an inn that would accomidate one of my unique stature?" Of course. The Muddlefoots run the only inn in town, but they do have halfling sized beds. Ooh Wouldn't a halfling be able to sleep in a human sized bed? Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my shop. I have another trade run to do in a couple of days, and need to run inventory. They're a bit hard to climb onto. * Stella nods. Alright, that's fine. I was more talking about being me, but if they handle it I have no objections. ....halfling sized beds? Beds for the little folk. * Wurr sounds doubious. * Ierikc bets he sounds dubious too. * The elf slides out the door, leaving people with the Mayor, who is quite happy to give the heroes a brief tour of the town, culminating in the Duke's Stewpot. The Muddlefoots are a family of halflings, though at the slightest hints of Wurr's concerns, they mention they have human-sized beds, too. * Wurr seems happy there's a bed he won't hang off of. * Althea looks and sees that the doors are normal sized. "At least I don't have to worry about crouching through doorways." Oh, of course, dearie. We built it for our most common customers, first. Though there are a few rooms you'd have to. They're just not for big folk like you. Of course. I think I'll manage. * Ierikc smiles. "I would be very surprised if they didn't accomidate for human-sized occupants, honestly." It is a lovely inn. I'd be surprised too, but I've seen wierder. Like... well, I can't think of anything weirder right now, but I've seen weirder, I'm certain. Really now, do tell. Over some mead if you wish. oh.. ? * Eve decides she wants some fresh air, and goes out to try to raise a militia. ...it's doubtful she'll have much luck. [The mead is tasty, if a touch expensive. Isabel apologizes, but with supplies running so low...] Oh, there is a great deal that is quite a bit weirder. I do so love hearing of it; please tell us, Althea! Like I said, I can't think of anything right now, but I'm certain I've seen weirder. Aw, come on... [And so Althea proceeded to tell about all those weird things she can't remember - it's a remarkably decent telling, if utterly devoid of any skill (must be her beauty...or imminent kidnapability, to the dragons amongst you - until people decided it was bed time. The rooms and beds are, themselves, quite comfortable and clean. It's easy to drift off...] [Which is a shame for Wurr, whose sleep is interrupted by something moving about in his room! It's digging through his bags, and has just taken something and started for the open window when our orc hero notices. | Start!] * Wurr jumps up, literally, diving for the thief, and then lets out a loud scream of pain and starts cursing in orc at the top of his lungs. * The little figure - can't be any bigger than Ierikc, really - goes running for the window, and scrambles clumsilly over the sill. * Wurr starts to look around for what ever bloody stabbed him, screaming in anger still. Apparently, waking the Orc isn't a good idea. * Lidya jumps awake * Althea rolls over and puts her pillow over her head. Lousy loud orc. This isn't the time of night to be yelling. * The figure is obviously outside Wurr's window, and starting to run off! * Lidya heads over to Wurr's room. "Hey, what's going on?" * Ierikc blinks open and snaps awake. "Huh?" * Wurr breaks through the window taking it and probably part of the wall with him as he lands with another battle shout. * The figure seems a bit intimidated by Wurr's explosive exit. With his darkvision, he can see in clear black-and-white that the figure is a human child clutching a dagger and a satchel recognizeably from Wurr's travelling gear. * Wurr starts to charge after him running as fast as he can. * Lidya hears the burst out the window, and follows herself * Lidya heads through the whole in the wall and gets preeetty close * The kid seems to snap back to himself as the halfling gets so close, and turns and dashes off with a quiet little yelp! * Ierikc picks his pack up and opens the window, stepping out of it in a hasty manner. He's not particularly clothed, but thankfully only Wurr can tell that. * Stella opens her window and looks out. "My, my, all this ruckus. Am I missing something interesting?" * Althea grumbles and pulls her pillow down tighter around her head. LITTLE THIEF! Do YOU KNOW what I went through for that backpack? GIVE IT BACK! BLOODY! Was going to make supply runs for you ungreatful little.... *it breaks off into orcish swears* Oh, quite interesting. You might want to see this. Ah, ah, indeed. * Wurr curses as he gets another dagger stab to the arm, he's screaming louder now. IF he can't get the kid he'll wake the whole town. * Althea refuses to deal with the orc. All that yelling is probably part of some strange orc mating ritual. * Lidya tries to get a hold of whoever it is. * Lidya grabs! * The kid struggles. "Lemme go! Lemme go! He's gonna eat me!" * Lidya drags the kid to the ground. "Hold it!" Nobody's gonna eat you * Windows of various houses are starting to open, as are a few doors. The Muddlefoots are sleepilly coming out, and at least one person - geeze, the guards are -really- young here - in a nightshirt and carrying a bastard sword is rushing up. He'll be here next round, though. Oh, no, no. He won't eat you. Isn't that right, Wurr? * Ierikc walks over to the kid and hisses. He really doesn't seem very threatening in voice, although his appearance may well frighten them in this light. "Hey kid, what'cha doing?" * No-- Nuthin'... *struggling, having dropped the satchel* That is MY backpack kid. And you're DAMN lucky that inn has good food or I WOULD eat you. Really? You know it's not good to lie. At least say you're sorry. * The figure in the nightshirt - older than this brat, but not by more than a few years - skids to a stop on bare feet. "What's going on here?" he demands in a cracking voice. He's got his bastard sword held in a decent stance, two-handed. ...s-sorry... * The thief kid - dressed in dark-colored, worn clothes, but not rags. He's also snivvelling, truly scared. Kid broke into the Inn took my backpack and stabbed me with that bee stinger. Now, now. Why did you do this, child? * Ierikc picks up Wurr's backpack and hands it back to the orc. * The kid looks at the older boy. "T-Taaaaaag!" he whines, crying. * The older boy sighs, lowering his sword. "...what'd he do?" * Althea sleeps comfortably in her bed while all this is going on. Suckers. He took your backpack? * Wurr digs through his pack mumbling under his breath. * Everything's there. ...in fact, a few extra coin pouches are. * ...and an extra rations set. * Wurr pulls out the extra rations. "Not mine." *rubs the back of his neck in frustration* He stole from you guys? I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over him. * They're Ierikc's. ... weird. Hey. What's going on here, exactly? * Ierikc checks his backpack. "Those are mine." * Stella frowns. * Stella checks her pouch. * Wurr shrugs and hands them to the Lizard. * Ierikc takes back what belongs to him. So, what's going to be done? * The thief kid's just sniveling and looking at the boy he called "Tag", who is stepping forward. "Has he appologized, at least? I'm sure he'll get a good whipping for this." Tag reaches down and grabs the boy's collar. If Lidya lets him, he wrenches the boy out of her grasp and holds him by his shirt. Hey, hey. Easy. Kid, what have you got to say for yourself? * Wurr just GLARES at the kid. * Tag is roughly 12 or 13, for the record. The younger kid's maybe 9. Shouldn't be starting this so early. ...sorry, I'm sorry, please lemme go! * Ierikc glances. "Hey, I'm also missing *my* coin pouch." ...did you take the kobold's pouch, too? * The thief nods. "It's all in the orc's bag. Really! Don't hurt me!" * Wurr grunts and looks through his bag again pulling out extra coin purses. "Not mine." * Ierikc takes the coin purses and weighs them in his hands, then glances into them to confirm they're what he suspects. "Thank you for your honesty." * Some adults are starting to show up, now, rubbing their eyes. One asks, "Do you need the guards?" * Lidya checks her stuff, finds it fine Think this oen got it under control. * The guy nods. "Alright. I'm headin' back to bed, then." That seems to be the consensus for about half the gathering onlookers. Others seem to be lookylous. * Stella nods. So, did he hurt any of you? It sounded like someone was committing murder. He doesn't -look- hurt, so I trust you haven't bullied him more than he deserves. Well, I tackled him. A little. * Tag glares at the kid, who withers a bit. Said he poked me with the bee stinger. ...apologize for that, too. And THAT is going to be a serious whipping, boy. * The thief quivers as he looks up at Wurr. "I'm s-sorry, s-sir. W-will y-you b-be okay?" I likely should bully him more, but Wurr's doing far more than his fair share. You're damn lucky it was me kid. That would had seriously hurt some others. You look smart. You don't want some one seriously hurt now DO you? *chuckles* So far, no more'n he deserves. ...really, I am sorry about this. You the bounty hunters I heard about? Can't be many other strangers in town. Bounty hunters? Just know that if it does happen again, well, these teeth and claws aren't just for show. * The thief shakes his head slowly, eyes wide and welling up with tears. We did bring in some kobold bandits, but it's not our regular thing. * Wurr gives Ierikc a very measured look that says "Shut up or I'll shove your head up your arse." Or something very similar to that. Oh. Well, still, thanks a lot. Mr. Carblinkarn was really grateful. * Ierikc doesn't seem particularly intimidated. You two seem pretty familiar with each other. I know most of the kids around here. 'm an orphan, an' we gotta stick together. But I WON'T condone stealing! *glares at the kid* When they're done with you, get home. I'll make sure the right people know what you did. * The kid nods, too scared to be sullen, and looks at Lidya plaintively, trying experimentally to get out of her grip. * Lidya lets go. I'm finished. Wurr might want to talk to him more, though. * Stella frowns. "Are there no ophanages to house you?" * Wurr moves so he's eye to eye with the kid. "Listen VERY carefully to me, I want you to repeat what I say. Okay?" * The kid leaps up and tries to run, but Tag catches him by the collar. "Mr. Carblinkarn lets me stay at his place. I'm his shop boy." He spins the kid around to face Wurr. "Do what the nice orc says." The kid whimpers. * The kid nods at Wurr's command, silently. I haven't had a good meal in a while, do you have any food? * The kid blinks, taking a moment to realize that's what he's supposed to say. "I h-haven't h-had any f-food in a while. D-do you ...h-have any...f-f-food?" * Wurr pulls a trail rations out of his bag and hands it to the kid. "The young fool was hungry on his journey but refused to ask for food or work out of pride. The old man knew better, and asked. He found not only food but money and shelter for the two of them." He stands up and turns walking away. * Lidya blinks * The kid stares dumbly at the food. After a moment, he realizes Tag has released him, too. It takes Tag telling him, "Get lost!" to get him running off as fast as his little legs can carry him. Think that'll scare him off stealing? * Stella smiles. Fear may not be necessary. He's a talented kid. Not too bright right now, but he's got talent. Hrm? No. Me cutting his little hands off would of done that. But it would have upset the town. Thank you. I... Let's hope so. He should be ashamed of himself. *stoops to pick up the kid's dagger, akwardly holding his bastard sword in one hand to do so* WHere's the orphanage? Maybe we'lll pay a visit tomorrow. Make sure there are no hard feelings. Town this size doesn't really have one. I think the church of Pelor takes care of the youngest orphans, though. * Lidya nods. Like I said, I'm only kinda one. Got a good place to live, and good work. Learnin' to fight so I can help on Mr. Carblinkarn's travel. * Stella nods. * The crowd is breaking up, and Tag looks over his shoulder, shivering a bit in the cool night air. That nightshirt can't provide much protection. "...I'm gonna get back, if that's okay." He looks up at the adult-type-people for permission. * Stella nods. Thank you for coming to assist! Good, take care of the kid. * Stella smiles cheerfully. Hold still for me, would you Wurr? Yeah, sure. *nods* Just tryin' to do my civic duty, 'n' all. Thanks for bein' so understanding. *jogs off* Night. * Ierikc motions and speaks a short incantation as he puts a softly glowing hand on Wurr's wounds, assuming Wurr doesn't get out of the way. Wurr, you going to be able to sleep with the wall in that shape? * Henry Muddlefoot is already looking it over. "...I won't let him try. We'll get you a new room, okay? I'll have the Carpenters take a look at this tomorrow." Tell me what it costs, I'll replace it. * Wurr laughs. "A full grown orc doesn't fit out the same hole a human child does." I'll take you up on that, Wurr. Thanks! * The halfling mutters, "I think only Carblinkarn could really afford -not- to, 'round here, these days." Oh? Times're hard since the bandits started up in earnest. How is he keeping his wealth? Well, we got a number of them down. We might head back and find their camp Interesting. He's been making trading runs. We're just lucky he keeps coming back here. At first, he was just another profiteer, but he's been getting more generous as we've had less to pay with. One of the few traders who've made it past the bandits. * Wurr looks over at Ierikc nodding a bit. And don't let the brat fool you - we're not starving here. The bandits don't care about our farms. It's just...everything else. We can't get any food out to trade, and can't get anything else in. But it gets dull, the same food for months with no variety. And without travellers, the innkeeping business obviously suffers somethin' fierce. * Ierikc glances over at Wurr, nodding back. * A couple halfling kids, yawning, help their dad put an oiled cloth over the hole in the wall, and nail it into place. "There, that should keep it for tonight, at least." * Stella looks at Ierick and Wurr. Right, we will see what we can get here for supplies. The town'd be most grateful. Heck, if you can get some travellers to come through, I'd pay you a commission, myself! ...if I had money to pay. Hah! How 'bout a percentage! That'd work. We'll see what we can do. Just need a little excitement here. * The halfling eyes the patched hole in his wall. "I prefer less violent excitement, myself. But we'll take what we can get. Unless I can get you ladies and gentlemen anything else, I'm heading back to bed." I believe we are well enough for the night, good sir. [The next morning dawns bright and clear, with the kind of sun-inspired warmth cutting through the night's chill that promisses to be a very hot day. But at least for now, it's nice. The Muddlefoot's inn has decent if not spectacular. Where are the town's heroe's going today? Who knows?] * Lidya wakes up and goes to breakfast * Wurr heads downstairs, dressed, and just flops on a bench looking tired. * Althea walks downstairs cleaned and refreshed. She heads towards the table area where everyone else is sitting. "I slept well last night. How about you guys?" It was a little rough. Woman, I could beat you right now. Did I miss something? * Ierikc is being silent to himself downstairs, looking through a kobold-sized prayerbook. * Jessie the fox practically rolls her eyes at Althea's question, and sets in on her food. Which the DM is sure Althea kindly set up for her. ( Of course! ) Sit. I was thinking we could get a wagon or two of food, supplies, and people here and back. Food free make it a big festival. sell the other stuff. Why don't we try and root out some more of the kobolds? Looking at what the people need, they're most desperate for tools, building supplies, that sort of thing. Yeah. We need to find the camp Making it a little fun and breaking the same old same old won't hurt. * Stella nods. "Good morning, Althea! Last night, we were robbed by a young man, who also stabbed Wurr." * Ierikc closes his book and closes his eyes. He breathes in the fumes of the food then slowly starts eating. "If we do come with a caravan, it will lure more of them out for such a prize." I suppose that's right. Oh, yes. Surely they cannot pass up more food and supplies making their way to the city. And we were robbed? None of my stuff was taken. We will just have to be good enough to stop them. And YOU were not robbed. I was. The child attempted to take Wurr and my posessions. Likely because we are different. Is THAT what all that yelling was about last night? I assure you that was bellowing not yelling. Yep. Big difference. We scared the kid. Hope to talk to him if we've got the time, make sure there are no hard feelings We didn't scare him enough. Big green guy yelling? I bet he was scared. (Blue, not green.) * A familiar-sounding enthusiastic female voice can be heard in the distance. It sounds like it's coming from the top of a soap-box, for some reason. So, odds that's Eve? Bellowing. Yelling would mean I knew what I was saying. Pretty good, I imagine. So, do we want to go take a look? Huh. Sure. Why not? * Ierikc gets up, having finished breaking the fast, and walks outside. He puts some very dark-tinted glasses on as well as the cloak from before. * Lidya finishes her breakfast (she'd been eating it for a while) and steps outside * Althea finishes her meal and rises from the table, picking up Jessie in the process. [Eve is, in fact, perched on a soap box on a streetcorner a couple blocks away, exhorting the people to heroic action against the kobold menace. She's looking for people to stand up for themselves and beat back those who would take the food from their mouths and the supplies from their sheds! ...some people are listening, but nobody seems terribly enthusiastic.] * Wurr follows, trying to look happy. I wonder where she got the soap box. Probably from someone who sold soap. The angry people with a mission guild. Every hamlet has one. --is why you should gather your weapons, your tools, and band together to find the beasts in their lairs! You fought off a dragon! How hard can a few kobolds be? How long--oh! Hi, guys! You want to help me gather together a righteous band? I thought most of the exports were cut off. * Lidya blinks. I can't play an instruments. Wow. You guys fought off a dragon? Neat. * Bruce, for the sharp-eyed, has found a shady spot under a roof to roost and take a nap. Bats don't like being out during the day. We took out like... nine kobolds. Captured them all. * Stella smiles. "Perhaps we will be a sufficiently righteous band?" Let's not make Kolbalds into Dragons. Our friend here might decide he's hungry. * A kid a touch taller than Lidya answers, "Yeah, the Duke fought it off with the army. That's why there's not enough to keep the bandits down." I've heard of making mountains out of molehills... Well, you're definitely a start! See, people of Corlenn, citizens of Orlan!? These strangers will aid you! Will you not join us? I'm less strange than them! * Wurr leans over to Ierikc whispering. "I'll give you a gold piece if you can maker her sputter." * Ierikc rubs his chin, certainly considering the offer. * The crowd is thickening, but more due to people going about their business as the day gets warmer and more mature than because anybody is stopping to listen. I don't think you're going to get any more help Miss East. * Eve eventually sighs, and steps down off her soap box. "Well, maybe tomorrow. But we have to act soon! We can't let these bandits go unchecked any longer!" Well... Eve, what do you know about the bnadits so far? Any idea about their leadership structure? * Ierikc motions for Eve to walk over to the rest of the group and talk in a quieter tone. * The kid chuckles. "I'll help." He's...maybe Tag's age, but a bit slighter of build. Dressed a bit better, too, though anything's better than a nightshirt, really. * Eve walks over. "No clue. Though I know a Locate Object spell will be useful later today, so I took the precaution of preparing one." How do you know that? * Wurr gives the two a strange look. Useful later today... ? * Eve opens her spellbook! "It's a spell of my own devising! It helps me know just what I'll need!" She's pointing to an entry labeled Eve East's Excessive Precaution I. So you cast a spell to figure out what spell you need today. Exactly. One can never be too prepared. Did I get that right? Mmmhmm. Ooooh That's an interesting way to do it. ((That's the kid. Darn it, he'd not given his name yet. Sorry.)) That's... interesting. Weird, but interesting. That's downright useful I don't know. I prefer knowing I need to smash things. And look I can. * Eve snaps her book shut and puts it away, and whistles for Bruce. Once the bat is safely on her shoulder, she frowns. "Okay, now, if this is all we've got...wait, I don't think it's a good idea to take a kid along, is it?" Is it too late for me to say something that is weirder than an inn that doesn't cater to human-sized people? I think I found something. Go ahead Althea. Hey. It's clever, not weird! I don't know any other wizard that does that. Of course not. No other wizard has my spell. It's also amusing. After all, it reminds me a fable, where a man couldn't decide what to wish for, so he wished to know. As he knew, however, he realized he couldn't wish for it. * Stella smiles. "If it works, then it would be quite useful." Since he had just used his wish to know. How profound. Couldn't he have wished for more wishes, then wished to know what to wish for, and then wished for it? Wish for more wishes loophole always backfires. But wishing for more wishes is knowing to wish for more wishes. * The kid rubs his forehead. "Um, about the kobolds? When do we leave?" Oh, yes, the kobolds. I had forgotten. * Wurr slaps he kid on the back. "How about now?" * The kid stumbles, the breath knocked out of him. "oof. Works for me!" You might be a little young to accompany us. No offense. I'm as big as you are! I think Ierikc's right, kiddo. You should stay here. Hm. You got parents kid? What's your name? Yeah, I don't want to get in trouble if something bad happens to you. I'm Bert. And yes, I have a father. But this needs doing, so I will help do it. right. Let me talk to your Father for a second. He is unavailable. Who is he? ....Why? I got separated from him, okay? Once we beat the bandits once and for all, I'll find him. * Althea looks down at Bert and just ...'s. I think we should take him along. Are you sure? Look Bert, more then happy to have you along. Do you have a weapon? Well... he's pretty good at sneaking around. How can you tell that? * Bert pulls out a crude club. "I do, but I think this may be insufficeint." He got into not one, but TWO of our rooms, didn't he? Thta we know of. * Wurr reaches into the pack and gently tosses the kid a scimitar. ...huh? Oh, this is the kid that broke into your rooms? Wrong kid guys. If that kid were joining us I'd be having a good lunch. * Bert clumsilly...fails to catch it. But he picks it up awkwardly! "I'm not sure I can use this, but...thanks?" Hm.. What about my old sling? It'll keep him at a safe distance. * Stella nods. "That may work." I'd say... a sling, and a spear, if he can lift them. * Wurr looks at Althea and then back at the kid. "What can you use?" He holds his hand out for his weapon back. Very simple weapons, spears. It's point and stab. I can use a sling. Or a knife or a crossbow. ...there's one thing you should know, though. When we were attacked, one of the kobolds turned into a rat-man. And I know that he didn't seem to get hurt as badly as the other kobolds. ... a rat-man? * Ierikc hmmms. * Althea reaches into one of her sleeves and pulls out a throwing dagger. "Think this is a bit more your speed?" * Bert nods. "Well, not a 'man'. He was still small of stature." I could use that, sure. Thanks! Sounds like a lycanthrope. Wererat, to be precise. * Althea flips the dagger around not-so-expertly and hands it to Bert. We'll want some silver weapons to hurt it. * Bert accepts it carefully. * Stella nods. It seemed to be the leader. Right. I'll bash him harder. Wurr, do you happen to have a silvered weapon on-hand? Wererat? Ew, those are icky. If the guards don't have any to spare, maybe Carblinkarn has some for sale. He's really well-stocked. Maybe... I wonder how many others are infected. ...no, nothing silver. * Ierikc frowns. "Unfortunate. Let's check to see if the guards have any to spare. Even a dagger can be extremely effective if silvered against a lycanthrope." I heard he was the man to see in Corlenn. *swallows at Lidya's musing* ...I, um... I think I might be. Please don't let that get out. ... how long ago? Just last week. But the rat-man bit me. It's already healed. *holds up one arm, rolling back the sleeve* Let me see that. * Bert holds out his arm. It's really smoothe and pale; almost delicate. * Ierikc hmmms. * Lidya nods. It shouldn't have healed that fast, right? Without scarring? Anyone know how to tell for sure? Or how to heal it? From what I know, there are two ways to find out. * Eve frowns worriedly. "Well...it's almost a month until the next full moon, at least. He's not changed yet, has he?" * Bert shakes his head emphatically. Either beat him to a bloody pulp and see if he transforms, or wait until the next full moon and see if he transforms. He'll be fine. Kid looks healthy. There may be some divining magics that can tell too. I don't like that first one. What about cures? Unlikely unless we find someone capable of removing curses. Indeed. There has to be some cure for it. We figure out what the cure is, and Miss East could find it. You wouldn't happen to be skilled at that, would you Eve? If we kill the one that bit me, won't that cure me? Nono, that's vampires. She happened to know that she'd need to prepare Locate Object. I do have locate object, but...it's not that specific. But if we can discern what the cure is! The cure, huh... * Ierikc rubs his chin and looks up. Bert, how did you get bitten by that guy, anyway? * Bert looks dejected. "...I can't go home without a cure... BUT. We still have to stop them from hurting anybody else! Worry about me, later. You said I've got time, right?" He looks to Lidya to answer her question, "He and his bandits attacked us on the road. I tried to drive him off." * Althea ponders something. I see... * Althea sighs dejectedly. The Kid comes with us. *nods* Well, we could ask around. You saw a rat-man. There's no disputing that. There's nothing from seeing that that'd cast suspicion. We could see if anyone knows a cure as a preventative measure. I have a pretty good idea who would know about a cure, but it would take us away from here to Westbrook. * Stella nods. Although then we could return with a wagon of supplies for this city, assuming the kobolds don't take it. We will finish quickly, then, and then we will see about a cure. Well, a cure, hmm. Legend says bellodonna root, administered fresh and within hours of the bite, will help remove lycanthropism. I think it's been more than hours. That's the unfortunate part. Anything past that is guesswork or requires strong magic. Bellodonna root may still work, but it's a coinflip, up to chance. ...isn't it also poisonous? *nervous* Yes, it is. That's so it'll kill the disease. You'd be sapped of pretty much all your strength for the duration of the poison. * Stella nods. However, it is more poisonous to the disease than it is to you; that is the key. * Bert gulps. "Then definitely after we're done. I feel fine right now." Well, we can try the Belladonna trick, and if that doesn't work, we can talk to my... contact back in Westbrook if we still want to try that. It's not a deadly root. It just has a nasty taste and would require you to have care while you nurse back to health. Contact? Yes, a person I know. A contact. *resting a hand on Bert's head* It'll be alright. We'll take care of you, Kiddo. But for now, we should see about those silver weapons. Right Let's see what the guard has first. All right. * *Alright [The guards, sadly, have nothing other than masterwork weaponry, here. There's an adamantine bastard sword that belonged to the Captain, but they're reluctant to part with it for sentimental reasons, unless it's really necessary. No silver weapons amongst them. Nor any silversheen.] Well, this is a bust, then. * Stella nods. Well, we can try Carblinkarn's shop. He might have some for sale. I suppose we may have to make due. Yeah * Ierikc goes to check it out. I'm not terribly worried about getting myself a silver weapon. I'm not grand at fighting in the first place. * Carblinkarn's shop is one of the larger buildings in town, so it's not hard to find. It's three stories tall, with the bottom one turned over to the shop itself. Carblinkarn himself is behind the counter, though navigating through all the odds and ends and brick-a-brack is a bit tricky. He really does have a lot of random wares, if not really the kind of mundane supplies Corlenn needs. ...oh! Welcome! Hello again, Eve. What can I do for you and your friends, today? * Tag is putting some things up on a shelf in back, looking a bit sullen. Hello again. Thanks for giving me a place to stay last night. *smiles* *stepping around the counter to extend a hand to the first PC to take it* My pleasure, my pleasure. But really, what can I do for you? * Althea returns the handshake. "They're looking for silvered weapons." * Ierikc takes the hand and shakes it. * Althea beat you. Neener neener. (D:<) Silver... hrm. *looks around* I...actually don't have any. Why? hunting werewolves? I could give you some silver coins to use as sling stones, maybe? I'm sorry, those won't do. They don't have enough weight. I could get some on my next trip, if you like. How pressing is this need? At this rate, going home and getting some silverware might be faster. No kidding. *grumbled* * Althea preemtively bops Jessie on the head before she gets in trouble. * Jessie does not, then, go poking about amongst the alchemist's fire. ;_; * The elven merchant hrms. "Can I interest you in any potions or wands? I got a deal on those on my last trip, so I can part with them for relatively cheap." You mean silveredware. We will have to make due, then. Sorry. Wish I could be of more help. Don't worry about it. I'm sure they'll make do. I'm afraid I don't have much to spend on potions or wands. No, it's not your fault. You get what you can, after all. We'll make do, as they said. * Althea looks at a shelf full of various papers. * The elf negotiates a bit with Ierikc, and they come to an equitable - if not highly desirable - agreement for all involved on some select flasks. [By the time the megre shopping is done, it's shortly after noon. A quick lunch later (and an interrogation of the captured kobolds) finds the party on the road again. Well, walking, at least. There's no road. Fortunately, Wurr seems to have a decent idea where they're going based on the kobolds' directions. It is, however, getting dark; Wurr estimates another three hours of travel to their lair.] We probably should pack up. We don't want to attack at night. Be warned that they may try to do the same to us at night. Right Perhaps we shall take turns keeping watch? Very well, I will take first watch. I'm not very good at taking watch, but I can give it a shot, I suppose. Watch in the morning with Stella. Wurr and Lidya can take the middle watch. * Stella nods. Sounds fine by me. [During Ierikc's watch, he spots a small figure approaching the camp from the direction of Corlenn. It's carrying a soft-looking cyllinder of some sort, and trying to be stealthy, though it's not hiding well at -all-.] * Althea doesn't snore. Honest. * Ierikc nudges Eve, indicating her to the figure. He stands, starting to walk torwards the creature. * Eve looks up, and Bruce flits up into the trees. The wizardess readies to cast a spell, just in case. * The figure starts, sniffing a bit as Ierikc moves, then makes a tiny yelp and carefully holds out the soft cyllinder towards Ierikc. He puts it down slowly, then straightens and runs away as fast as possible. Eve, disable him. * Ierikc carefully walks torwards the cylinder. * Eve invokes her spell, and the figure drops, about three dozen paces from where he started running. What is it? It's the one that tried to rob us last night. And he put something down that I really don't want to trigger if it's a trap. * The cylinder is a heavy blanket, wrapped tightly and tied with a rope around each end. I heard about that. Hard to believe there'd be crime in such a small town. Why would he follow us all the way out here, though? I really don't know. * Ierikc takes the blanket and unrolls it in the direction of the kid. * The blanket unrolls! Revealing three shiney daggers and three flasks. As Eve brings her small candle (since she lacks darkvision) over, it becomes clear the daggers are silver. Hmm, he WAS being helpful. * The kid starts to snore. * Ierikc blinks. "Sleep spell. Nice." I try to keep one on me. Very handy. I was afraid I'd have to heal him. I should wake him up and apologize, however. * Ierikc puts his arms on the kid's shoulders and motions to wake him up. * The kid mumbles a bit about his mom letting him have five more minutes, then startles awake as he recalls what happened. He jets backwards five feet on his hands, feet, and bottom, eyes wide. * Ierikc was holding the kid, so that probably doesn't happen as he suspects, but he motions for the child to be quiet. "I appreciate the assistance, and I'm sorry for suspecting you. But you shouldn't be out here." (Or at least talk softly.) * The kid nods, slowly and unsurely. "I owed you," he whispers. "T-- I'm s'posed to say I'm sorry again. 's'silversheen in the bottles, 'n' those're silver knives. You needed 'em, right? You're not mad or gonna tattle on me?" * Ierikc speaks softly. "Not at all. Was that elven merchant holding out on us?" * The kid clams up and shakes his head side to side. Then where did you find this? T-- *swallows* 'm s'posed t' give it to you and go home. ...can I go home, now, please? It's cold and a long way back. * Stella nods. "Of course, dear child." * Stella says, sweetly, "And thank you for helping." * Ierikc motions forward and gives the kid a hug. "Thank you again. This will let you get home quicker." He motions and a soft aura briefly glows around the kid. * Althea is still sleeping. She misses all the interesting stuff. Now go back and get some sleep. * The kid stiffens at the hug, but doesn't fight. "Um...thanks, mister? I hope you can do it... Bye!" He turns and runs off, remarkably quietly, if not very well-hidden. * Ierikc stands up and grins. "May the concordance guide your way home." * Stella nods. That was kind of you. I hope he'll be alright. Well, I do believe this proves a theory. * Ierikc walks back and starts to confirm the items. "Part of it. He can outrun anything short of a wolf now." Three silver daggers and three bottles of silversheen. This will make things a lot easier. * Stella nods. "Quite a bit, yes!" * Lidya sleeps in her halfling-sized bedroll. awww. * Ierikc yawns. "I do believe it is your turn to watch." Thank you for the help, Eve. And do make sure we don't die, Stella. * Stella nods. "Then it is just as well that I am awake. And I shall, friend Ierikc." * Eve yawns. "Well, then, I shall get my beauty sleep. Thank you, Stella. And thank you, Ierikc, for being such a pleasent watch companion." It's always a pleasure to watch the stars with another gazer. [End Session] Session Close: Tue Jan 22 23:51:57 2008