Start of #TD&DG buffer: Tue Apr 15 20:03:06 2008 [17:08:54] [A week and a half's worth trudging has brought the seekers for a cure for a lycanthropy out of the lightly forested regions of Corlenn and into a wide open plains. The vast expanse is made to feel smaller by the looming mountain range to the northwest.] [17:10:43] [Under Ierikc's ministration, Lidya got over her illness, and has been able to enjoy the balmy and sunny weather along with everybody else. Tag has been actively working on his fighting abilities, asking Wurr to spar with him frequently, while Bert has taken more to practicing sleight of hand with Lidya. The younger boy has been prone to periods of concern over his impending curse, and Tag has done his best to keep his spirits up.] [17:14:01] [With only a few days left until the full moon, and a few fewer left until they reach Mardeux and the hoped-for cure, Wurr is setting a somewhat grueling pace by virtue of not slowing down to wait for stragglers. It is thus somewhat disappointing when, around a bend in the road that diverts past some large up-jutting stones, the speach of kobolds can be heard. | Start!] [17:14:26] * Lidya tries to find a nice place to listen in while hidden [17:15:15] * Althea rides along on Shelby. "So, do you hear that?" [17:16:25] * Wurr sighs at the Kobold speech, listening ot it. [17:18:13] * Stella frowns. "Oh, dear." [17:20:39] * Lidya frowns, and heads back to the group. She speaks quietly. "Four kobolds, standing around a sprung trap. There's a dead horse in it. They're looking at something near it." [17:21:14] Something or someone? [17:22:27] Why can't kobolds get honest jobs instead of laying traps and stealing? [17:22:28] Something. [17:23:44] Stealing's easier, but it's still a lot of work. 'Swhy you gotta make it hurt to do it to make 'em stop. [17:24:00] * Wurr mumbles quietly. "home....human...ruler..." [17:24:08] It was something flat. LIke... a scroll, or a shield or something. [17:25:31] * Stella frowns. "How odd. No sign of the horse's rider?" [17:25:47] Yeah, people usually ride on horses. Or sometimes along side. [17:26:34] "Well, and horses are not known to carry items such as scrolls or shields. Shall we investigate?" [17:26:37] Well, it's the horse's backside sticking up. If he's still here, he's in that pit. [17:27:04] Should we interupt [17:27:18] Well, we should stop this kobold banditry. [17:27:18] Ask 'em what they're doing, at least. [17:27:52] Fair enough. [17:27:54] Being bandits, I bet. [17:28:04] * Wurr takes out his scimitars. [17:28:36] * Tag grins and draws his bastard sword. Bert frowns and pulls out his own shortsword. [17:30:09] * Wurr nods. "I will wait till I know one way or another." [17:30:26] I don't speak their language. [17:30:43] well then if I have to. I will [17:30:56] * Stella nods. "Do yell if a fight breaks out, friend Wurr." [17:31:09] * The kobolds' conversation seems to conclude. At least, its tenor has changed, and they sound like they're moving. [17:31:35] IF we're going to talk to them, we probably shouldn't dally too long lest they take off. [17:31:53] * Wurr moves that way, hustling to catch up. Hey! Guys! [17:33:08] * The kobolds pause for a moment, looking back, and then turn and -run-, scattering, as they see the big blue orc. [17:34:15] * Wurr grins and goes running after one. ~I just want to talk...right now.~ [17:36:14] * Althea rides along a short-ish distance behind Wurr until the kobolds start running. [17:36:31] So, shall we take up chase? I bet there are some lovely traps they can lure us into. [17:36:37] * The one he's running after yelps when he glances back and sees Wurr following him; the others seem relieved that he -isn't- following them and continue in their chosen directions. [17:36:58] Sure. [17:37:34] Then hurry up. I'm going to see if there's anyone still living caught by the trap. [17:39:56] I'll catch up quickly enough. [17:40:36] * Lidya nods, and starts moving. [17:40:47] * Althea leads her horse over to the trap. [17:40:56] [When Althea goes to look, there is a horse in fine black bridal and saddle, with its forelegs broken and its throat slit. It has bled out over a very dead, impaled young man of mediochre appearance and athletic build, in fine black heralds' garb.] [17:41:15] * Wurr continues running after Kolbold, enjoying his chase. [17:43:01] * Wurr's quarry runs into some high grass, and keeps going, getting harder to see. [17:43:44] * Althea hops off her horse to take a closer look at the dead man. "Huh, poor guy." [17:44:15] * Wurr will suddenly leap and then land to continue his chase hoping to catch up a bit. [17:45:15] * He died rather obviously from being impaled on the wooden spikes in the pit. His horse landed on top of him, pushing him further in and probably breaking his neck. It looks like the horse might have lived, save for that slash across its throat, most likely done after it had fallen in rather than as part of the fall itself. With two broken legs, though, it probably couldn't have been saved. [17:47:00] * Wurr closes the distance greatly, though the kobold still has the lead. He's still able to make out the rustle of grass where the kobold is running, though, before he plunges into the grass, himself! [17:47:31] Well, I'm going to need a little help getting him out of there, so I should go back to help with the chase. [17:47:55] * Althea actually can't see any of the kobolds anymore. [17:48:25] * Althea hops back on her horse and turns it back towards the exciting chase. [17:48:53] * Wurr keeps it up. ~Come on! Just stop and talk and then I won't have to hunt you down and threaten you.~ [17:51:33] [The kobolds have well and truly lost themselves in the overgrown grass and bushes.] [17:52:27] * Wurr will keep up his chase for as long as he can. [17:53:15] Well, seeing as how the kobolds have left, who wants to help get the poor guy out of that trap. We might be able to figure out who he is when we do that. [17:53:24] Damn. ALright... [17:54:03] * Bert curses, and Tag looks disappointed. The smaller boy heads over to the pit, though, and says, "Alright, how can I he--oh, the poor man." [17:54:12] I think I've... sort of gotten over the sickness. Not feeling so great, but I'm not completely wrecked like ealrier. [17:54:31] * Lidya gets to work trying to help people solve the mystery [17:54:53] I will assist, if I am able. [17:55:23] * Wurr sighs and comes out. "They weren't willing to talk. I don't know why." He still has his scimitars out. [17:55:24] Well, the best way as I see it is to tie a rope around that horse and have Shelby pull it up. I'm not any good at climbing, though. [17:55:36] I've got a rope. [17:55:38] * Lidya brings out the rope [17:57:08] * Syzix (zegond@c-24-15-245-98.hsd1.il.comcast.net) has joined #TD&DG [17:57:29] * Stella smiles at Wurr. "Friend Wurr, perhaps if you did not have weapons in your hands, they might be more amenable to discussion?" [17:57:39] * Syzix is now known as Ierikc [17:58:10] * Wurr shrugs. "People talk more when I have these out. In high squeaky voices but...." [17:58:19] I think his teeth are more dangerous than those swords of his. [17:58:27] Or they run? [17:58:30] It's harder to remove his teeth. [17:59:46] People don't run from me until I start hitting them with my sword. Usually. *sounds annoyed, and sheathes his weapon* I'm kind of bad at climbing, too, but I think I can get down there and search the body, if you want. [18:00:38] Getting down there is the easy part. Doing it well, now that's hard. [18:00:51] Is anyone here good at climbing, instead? [18:00:59] I'm not good at either ropes or climbing. [18:01:22] I think I'd be good with it. [18:01:26] Maybe. [18:01:36] ... well, I'd be OKAY with it. [18:03:35] Wurr, I think you're strong enough for this. [18:04:03] I think Wurr should be up here with the rope in case you fall so he can pull you up. [18:05:25] * Lidya hands over her rope [18:05:32] * Wurr shrugs. "I yank things well. I don't tie and if ou want me to climb I'll just shove my fists into the rock." [18:11:11] * Stella ties rope to horse. [18:12:51] * Althea yawns while waiting for this whole rope business to be finished. [18:13:15] * Stella ties many, many good, strong, redundant knots. [18:13:26] * Stella hops out of the pit and takes hold of the rope with Wurr. [18:13:40] * Bert looks nervously impatient while Stella carefully ties the rope so it will not come loose. Tag rests a hand on Bert's shoulder and shares something that makes the smaller boy blush, and laugh in spite of himself. [18:13:49] * Wurr starts yanking it upwards. [18:14:24] * Althea looks puzzled. "I guess Shelby isn't going to do the work after all." [18:15:01] [It takes a lot of heaving, with the horse's body fighting the lip of the pit as well as being inordinately heavy in and of itself, but eventually, one equine carcass is on the ground, out of the pit. Shelby is looking quite skittish.] [18:15:15] * Stella hauls back on the rope. "I had hoped he would." [18:15:33] What? I had it in my hands. [18:15:36] * Stella sighs, and rubs her back a bit. [18:16:18] * Althea walks over and pulls Shelby a little away from the dead horse. "I don't think Shelby likes the smell of dead comrades." [18:17:16] I do not overly blame Shelby. [18:17:57] Why do you think gravedigging is such a well-paying, if unsavory, job? [18:18:41] * The human's corpse is, for the record, still in the pit. [18:19:02] * Wurr looks down at it. "Lidya heading back down?" [18:20:12] * Althea pets Shelby, trying to calm him down. [18:21:03] She would have an easier time avoiding problems. Friend Lidya? [18:21:31] Uh... yeah. [18:21:35] * Lidya heads on over. D: [18:21:57] If you do not wish to, you do not have to. [18:22:06] Nah, s'fine. [18:22:36] * Lidya performs the job. D: [18:23:29] * Althea calls over, "Be sure to tell me when you're done with all that mess so I can bring Shelby back over." [18:23:58] * Lidya drags the human body out. "ALright, there it is." [18:24:28] * Wurr moves to let Ierikc look it over. [18:26:14] * Ierikc checks the human out, looking for likely cause of death, searching the body for anything of interest or value, and, if he can, identifying who the person is or works for. [18:26:22] (err, who the person was or worked for) [18:27:38] * Althea brings Shelby closer and ties him up to a convienent tree before walking back over to the body. "Nice clothes. Kinda drab-colored, but nicely cut." [18:29:33] Weird. What's with the black string on his finger? [18:30:13] Well, he was probably ferrying about information about a death in the family of a local duke. [18:32:48] Right, which matches with the rest of his garb. He's of the House of Gan. [18:32:49] * Bert covers his mouth, looking horrified. Tag frowns. [18:33:09] I'm not familiar with any of the royalty specifically around here. [18:33:40] Nor do I. [18:33:49] Same... [18:36:02] * Wurr moves off. "BERT! Come on. Let's walk for a second." [18:36:23] Well, we probably should at least do something with the body. If nothing else, bury it ourselves. [18:36:44] * Stella nods. [18:36:46] He's an important guy, isn't he? They mgiht want him buried somewhere else.. [18:36:51] * Bert nods, and follows. Tag looks between Bert and Wurr and the rest of the party, and elects to follow the other kid and the big orc. [18:38:17] * Wurr will walk off with the kids. [18:39:08] Yeah, I think so as well, but we kind of need to hurry with our quest. [18:40:54] We only have a few days till the next full moon. [18:40:56] Right... [18:41:57] We need to be quick. I'll perform last rites on him, then we can dispose of the body. [18:42:15] * Lidya nods. [18:43:05] * Stella nods. [18:47:27] Sounds good. I don't have a shovel. [18:48:02] [There's a convenient pit that could become a grave, right in the middle of the road...oh, wait, that's not very respectful.] [18:49:49] I do [18:49:54] * Lidya takes out a shovel. [18:51:32] Do you often carry shovels around for just this sort of thing? [18:52:14] I carry shovels around for a lot of things. [18:52:33] [A little while later, the grave is dug, and Wurr and the kids are back.] [18:52:43] * Ierikc takes his holy symbol out and walks around the body with his head low, waving the symbol over the corpse as he murmers slowly in celestial. After a few minutes of chanting he finishes and bows his head. "Godspeed messenger, may you find your path in the afterlife." [18:53:45] * Ierikc takes the symbol and puts it away. "My people would cremate the body, but you may dispose of it as you wish." [18:54:35] * Wurr comes back with the boys. "There we go" [18:58:06] [With less than two days left before the first night of the full moon, the party finds themselves in Mardeux. The city lies nestled at the base of the mountain range that borders this portion of the duchy of Orlan, and the dwarven population is nearly as large as the human population in this very large town. For some reason, the mines are closed and the miners all up in town.] [18:59:58] [The apothacary, one Floren, is a half-elf living in his human mother's home. It isn't hard to find out where this is. There are numerous inns, as well as multiple houses with rooms for rent, throughout the city, and it lies heavy with the smell of hot metal from the many smithies. | Start!] [19:01:58] Ugh, I don't terribly appreciate the smell of this city. [19:02:26] There are worse smells than hot metal, friend Althea. [19:02:37] * Stella has something fuzzy in her bot. [19:02:38] *boot [19:03:27] It's great, it's a city, we should get a good inn. [19:03:58] Yes, but just because there are worse smells doesn't make this a good smell. [19:04:02] Ah, hi. We've heard you have a special treatment for lycanthropy? THere's a situation that we're trying to control before it gets any worse. [19:04:22] ( Wait, whoops ) [19:04:25] ( I misread that ) [19:04:34] * Lidya goes to the apothecary and says taht [19:05:32] Personally I don't mind the smell of the city. [19:05:46] * The elderly woman at the door blinks, and says, "I see. Come on in and have a seat; I'll get my son for you." [19:06:00] Thanks. [19:06:04] * Lidya comes on in [19:06:47] * Althea follows Lidya over to the apothacary and takes a seat herself. "I wonder if the people who live here just get used to the smell." [19:06:58] Thank you! [19:08:21] [This seems to be a residence more than a business, and the old woman leads her guests into a living room draped with doilies and plush couches and chairs. It smells strongly of the herbs and flowers growing all over the house in pots, at every window and in each dark corner. A few minutes later, she leads a young half-elf, roughly Althea and Wurr's apparent age, down to greet the party.] [19:08:40] Hello, I'm Floren. Mother tells me you're looking for a cure of some sort? [19:08:55] Wererat, can you help? [19:09:10] Hi. Yeah, there's a minor lycanthrope breakout. Hoping to contain it. [19:09:38] * Floren blinks. "'Breakout'? How serious is this?" [19:09:40] * Ierikc walks in too. [19:09:59] Yes, as my sentance structurally challenged companions have said, yes there's a breakout of lycanthropy. And it's very serious and widespread. [19:10:19] * The half-elf goes into another room, and returns wearing some spectacles and carrying a thick notebook that he's rapidly paging through. [19:11:09] That's... oh my. I think I have something that might help, but it'll take me all night to brew a dose. I think I have almost everything I need, here, though... [19:11:19] Almost? [19:11:58] What else do you require? [19:12:17] *pushing his glasses up his nose as he looks up* Almost, I think? I need to find the recipe. I've never tried it, but my master said it looked promissing. I don't think it will cure anything, but it will help control it. I can't make nearly enough before ...it's what, a week before the next full moon? [19:12:44] Not even a week, I think. [19:12:47] Less than two days... [19:13:06] * Floren continues flipping through his book, finally stopping on a page and mouthing words as he reads a list on it to himself. "Two days? No, no, I can only get one, maybe two doses made by then." [19:13:14] Anything you need... We will get it if we can. [19:13:47] Right. [19:16:22] You really should see...no, I don't think we have any priests of enough power. And my master's been out of touch for a week, now. I'd check on him, but the kobolds have closed the pass. I think I have everything but the Cumin and the Myconid Spoors. ...I can get the Cumin in market, unless it's all sold out. But the Myconid Spoors need to be fresh, and the nearest colony is in the mines. [19:17:05] Kobolds are fun, we can talk to them. [19:17:07] Perhaps we can fetch some to make this easier? [19:18:18] Is there anything else you require? [19:18:43] Yeah, if you would. I'll go buy the Cumin. The standard rate is about 40 gp for a dose. If it's an emergency, I can get you one for free, but I really can't afford too much charity. I'd go out of business. [19:19:02] Please! I don't want-- *swallows* Please, make it. [19:19:51] *eyes Bert* ...I'll make some, if your friends can get the spores. It won't cure you, though. [19:19:55] I'll pay. [19:20:01] Too bad we don't have a quick way of mass producing it. [19:20:01] It'll just help keep it in control for one night. [19:20:17] Don't worry about me; I don't mind changing. [19:20:34] * Ierikc frowns. "Nothing to reverse the process?" [19:21:37] I'm sorry. I just don't have the means. My master might be of more help. [19:22:17] How may we contact your master? [19:22:56] we have spores to get first on a little time [19:23:28] Usually, he contacts me every three or four days, and I go to his tower. But he's not called me in a week, and I can't get out there with the kobold's closing the pass. With their hostage, we don't want to clear them out, but we're not sure what to do about it. [19:24:07] Right, the spores. Gods speed you. And be wary! The miners claim the mines have been strange, lately. Some say they're haunted. [19:24:10] * Ierikc smiles. "I will attempt to reason with them." [19:24:13] So if we rescue this hostage... [19:25:03] * Althea sighs. "There are waaaay too many kobolds around." [19:25:14] I'm sure the Duke would be very grateful. And we could slaughter those kobolds. No offence *to Ierikc*. But we don't appreciate him taking the little Princess hostage like that. [19:25:45] * Bert's eyes widen, and he breaks into a fit of coughing. [19:25:48] Princess? [19:26:40] * Ierikc takes a small pouch of 60 gp out of his pack and hands it over. "We didn't expect charity work from you, honestly." [19:26:40] Rescuing a princess from sort-of-dragons... this should be an interesting story to tell [19:26:53] Well, the Duke's daughter. Elizabeth is something of a favorite in the Duchy; she's a sweetheart. [19:27:14] Kobolds are nothing like dragons. [19:27:26] * Ierikc clears his throat. [19:28:41] I think that is a conversation for another day, perhaps. [19:29:36] Besides, she can't be a real princess. She doesn't have a knight in shining armor rescuing her. It'll be up to us. [19:29:40] * The half-elf's mother steps into the room, carrying a tray heaping with cookies and mugs of what smells like milk with honey in it. "How long are your friends staying, Floren?" [19:30:05] You're right about that... none of us are really knight-ish. [19:30:12] * Tag eyes Althea, then Ierikc, then Lidya, then Althea again, and tries not to laugh out loud. Bert just fails, and snickers at Althea's statement. [19:30:35] * Ierikc raises a brow at Althea, shrugs, and sighs. [19:31:26] * Wurr poses. "I am!" [19:32:07] * Stella is sword to strictly avoid wearing anything shining, so. [19:32:15] ( Sworn ) [19:32:22] * Althea laughs at Wurr's statement. [19:33:14] ...Take some of Mom's cookies, or her feelings will be hurt. But Mother, I'm afraid they have to go as soon as possible to get some myconid spores. I need to go to market, myself; we're out of cumin. [19:34:00] * Wurr smiles. "Glad to make you laugh" [19:34:05] * Ierikc ponders. [19:34:09] * Stella bows graciously and has cookies. :9 [19:34:17] Ah, thanks!. [19:34:28] A little glamour, a quick little hygiene spell to cover the smell, and you may very well pass as one. [19:34:33] * Lidya helps herself. :9 [19:35:14] Ah, dear. Well, eat up, keep your strength, and good luck. While you're out, Floren, pick up a new knitting needle for me? I broke another one today. [19:35:17] * Ierikc takes a cookie and munches. [19:35:36] * Althea takes a few cookies on her way out. "Hopefully we won't be gone too long, but things seem to conspire to make trips take longer." [19:36:31] * Lidya enjoys. Very very much. She comments on the flavor and texture and other things only halflings care about. :9 [19:36:59] * Floren excuses himself, donning a straw hat and a carry-satchel as he heads out to market. [19:37:28] We will be back. [19:37:30] * His mother smiles. "The secret is stirring it exactly 77 times. That makes the texture just right when you bake them." [19:37:36] Oooh. [19:37:46] Before you go too far, Floren, which direction do we go to get the myconid spores? [19:38:44] Into the mines; If you just go down and seek the moister areas, you should find a myconid colony. There are about a dozen families that rome about down there. [19:39:11] Exactly 77. I'll keep that in mind. [19:40:31] Oh! Give them this when you meet them. *flips a stone chip worn smoothe with a vein of clear stone running through it* They'll know I sent you, then. [19:40:46] Ooh, thanks. [19:41:54] * Ierikc gets up and bows to Floren's mother. "Thank you for your assistance, and the magnificent cookies. We must be off, however." [19:42:35] * Althea doesn't voice her opinion that the cookies are rather pedestrian, but no one could make cookies like her mother. [19:42:46] Of course. Take care, now. ...if you're going down into those mines, I'll look after your young ones. [19:42:55] * Tag puffs up. "I can take care of myself." [19:43:03] I really should help...they're getting me my cure. [19:43:20] Beats sitting around in town doing nothing where you know no one. [19:43:26] Nonsense! Those mines are no place for children! Have another cookie, and tell me about this wererat business. [19:43:42] If you want to stay Bert you can. [19:44:20] You've been up and about for a while. You hsoul dprobably get some rest. [19:44:27] I want to help! [19:44:53] ...give it up, Bert. I recognize it when adults are trying to treat you like a "big kid". [19:46:20] I'm treating him as an equal, he can come if he wants. [19:46:31] Thanks, Wurr. [19:46:57] *sighs* Don't let them get hurt, if you insist on taking them down. [19:48:14] I would prefer not to, but I'll leave it as Wurr's responsability. [19:48:08] [End Session.] [19:50:34] * Segev changes topic to 'Game Info: http://web.umr.edu/~cej/Gaming/TD&DG | 2695 exp total as of the end of last session.' End of #TD&DG buffer Tue Apr 15 20:03:06 2008