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Post by Gelquie on Jul 17, 2019 4:28:17 GMT -5
How about some actual recaps? (Moni covered Session 12 pretty well, so I'm skipping doing that.) Currently only half-done, but I wanted to start posting some of it. Session 13:Breaking the BondPlot later, individual things now!
Gifts from Tally! Lu'hais - Peppermint scented candles; to help this Very Srs Person to study in the evening sans headaches. Murai - A book that Tallyzzy picked out; a new and exciting special book from Varentar, which she hopes she doesn't already have. Which she doesn't! Yay! They both thank Tally. Anzi - Potion of nifty climbing, and something for archers to soothe their hands after practice (since he collects all sorts of remedies and potions); additions to his World's Greatest First Aid Kit (She also brought cake to all the guards!)
Anzi had a conversation with Tally. He mentions that last time he saw her, Tally was in a bad way and in the caves, he didn't check up on her since then, "that was really bad of me!". So he apologized for that. Tally apologizes for not checking on Anzi either. "I mostly heard what happened through my bae, since she got to talk to you more. So... Yeah! lots of stuff have happened! Of course you couldn't check on me, I understand. And I could've checked on you more too, of course. I was just really busy this week. Sorry!" Anzi: "You don't need to check on me, Tally, it's fine. I was just here! Here..." Tally: "You've sure been here! Yup!"
Anthony checks for mail at tavern. He got a letter from Tyzol! (And a helpful item!) If I get permission to post the letters, I will post them below these recaps!
Khamet mails a letter. You know. The normal, non-animal way. (He's sending stuff overseas anyway.)
Amani had sent back Aytal the day before at dusk. Amani themself arrives back in town the next morning.
Group is given a half-hour's notice to show up at the training room area where Crezonis has been. Everyone needs to be there. They get there; it's pretty quiet at 8am. Tally is already there with the LUrds. Crezonis and Athenos are there, plus the others including the LUrds. Rauliso, Aubryl, Anzi, and other important or important-related people are there. (But bae is not there.)
Meallan is in firbolg form. He gets a few stares, but it's not too bad, so while he's not entirely comfortable, he's fine. Aubryl acknowledges Meallan and hands over a band of unspecified color to the party. She explains that because the party chose the bandit and brought it to them instead of killing him, they thought it was appropriate that the party tie it on.
Meallan takes it and hands the band to Tally. "You wanted to save him. You should do this." Tally: "......Sure?" Meallan pushes Tally forward just slightly. Tally: "Okay, okay." Tally goes forward to tie it.
As she goes to put it on, the centaur pulls back, and his eyes are fluorescent green; Arcaito. He says: "I'm not here to fight. Do not move, I'm fully capable of killing him. Do you really want that?"
Amani: "Back off, Arcaito. It's over." Arcaito looks at the bracelet thing. "Yeah, I'm aware of that. I just thought perhaps that we could come to some kind of agreement." Amani: "There is no agreement for this!" Meallan: "No no, let's hear what he's proposing, it could be interesting! What do you want-?" Amani: "He lost the chance for anything he had to say when he ran out on Crezonis!" Khamet: "Okay, okay, listen, listen. Arcaito, stop this, okay? There is no way we can reach an agreement here, okay? Listen. It doesn't matter. Either way, Crezonis is dead. You're not walking out of here with the full force of the guards with the lords of this place watching you. You're kind of being an idiot. Just accept that you've lost and that you probably should let this guy live his life."
Arcaito: "First of all, it's Arcaito. Second of all, I didn't say I was going to fight my way out of here. I did say I had an alternative agreement. I can't lie. I can render this bracelet wholly irrelevant, which is actually hilarious. I can break this bond if you help me with one teeny tiny thing." M: "And what could you possibly need us for?" Arc: "I just need you to get some components for a ritual. It's standard stuff."
Tally just tries to put on the bracelet! No more talking! But she fails. Arc:"I already said I am quite capable of killing him." M: "Well, what does this ritual entail?" Am: "Meallan!" M: "I'm curious!" Am: "You know he can't be trusted. He may not lie, but that doesn't mean he can't trick." M: "Well, I know he can't be trusted. But I want to listen, and then say no!" Am: "...You're wasting your time." M: "We have plenty of time."
Arc: "Seems very strange to me that you would be more interested in a temporary measure rather than something more permanent, which I'm absolutely confident I can absolutely provide." Am: "Why would you want that, though? If you break the bond with Crezonis, you would lose a source of power. Either way, this would be a lose for you. Unless something else is going on." Arc: "So you don't believe I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart?" Am: "No!" (Liou OOC(?): "What heart?") K: "Yeah, I'm sorry for doubting that, but you don't seem a smart... upstanding person, you say?"
Tally tries to put the bracelet on again. M: "I suggest you hold still." He casts Suggestion. Arc: "I'm afraid that's not going to work on me." M: "Oh. Well. I attempted it."
K: "Woah, hold on. You are being a bit... vague? And I know you can't fly, but you're not really inspiring any confidence, at all. And also, I have a question. So, uh, Amani said that you would lose power if you killed Crezonis. Can't you just grant power to anyone you like, and just leave Crezonis alone? (Amani: "Shhh!") Why can't you just do that?" Arc: "Well, it doesn't quite work like that. And I'm not sure why you think it would?" K: "Well, that's because that's how Anhur works." Arc: "Ohh" M: "Khamet. Not every creature is like that." K: "Yes, not every creature is Anhur, but Anhur gives power to whoever he pleases and takes it away from whoever he pleases. So I'm not sure why this welp wouldn't do the same thing." Arc: "Go and read a book, paladin!" K: "How is it different? You can't just say it's different and leave it at that, I need an explanation."
All Arcaito wants for components is a bowl of water and some oils. While they compare patrons, Tally tries grappling again. Khamet is assisting by distracting and then putting on the bracelet himself. "Surprise!" and he tries to put the bracelet on the centaur. However, they fail again.
M: "So, what are you going to use this water and oil for? I assume you're not going to make some lovely aromatic blend." Arc: "It's blended. I already told you what I want to use this for. I want to use it to dissolve this bond." M: "And what's the catch?" Arc: "The catch?" M: "You would not do something out of the kindness of your heart, Arcaito. There must be some benefit for you." Arc: "There would be another, and I could choose them. Out of their own free will. Isn't that what you care about most? Free will? I can't do that if I'm still bound to this one." K: "Why not?" Arc: "That's not how it works." K:"Okay, okay, also, okay. My question is, if you can only have one person at a time, what prevents you from just killing Crezonis? I don't understand what you would gain from this. I need some clarification on the system here? Why wouldn't you just kill him if you can only have one person at a time?" Arc: "I could just kill him, I've told you I can just kill him. But I prefer not to, because-" "Why would you prefer not to?" "Because that would be a drain on my resources that I can't tolerate." Am: "All the more reason to do it." K: "Okay, what if we just keep him here, and we have tea parties with him for the rest of his life. Would that also be a drain on your resources?"
Rauliso: "Please don't antagonize the ancient archfey." K: "Okay, listen, I mean, this ancient archfey is like, a pushover. He can't even dissolve bonds by himself. What a loser." Arc: "I can break(?) a bond on my own. I can't dissolve a bond."
Meallan casually strolls over to Tally. "Tally. Give it to me." Arc: "The next time you try to put that bracelet on, I will kill him before you can do so." (Am: *Glaring.* "You're truly the wonderful master he expects you to be.") M: "You think I care about that?" Arc: "If you don't care, then why do you keep trying?" M: "Because I don't want you to have someone else. I'd rather we stop(?) this right here right now."
While they talk, Anthony tries to sneak behind the centaur. But... he fails! (Nat 1) Meallan takes the bracelet from Tally, goes invisible, and tries to stealth put it on, invisibly. But he just barely fails. By this stage, the guards are looking ready to kill the centaur themselves.
Finally, Anthony... casts sleep!
((OOC interlude: He centers it on the centaur, and rolls for 30 hit points, which is exactly how many hit points Crezonis has and thus can work. Unfortunately... Amani also has exactly 30 hit points! And is also in range! Oh no! Cue us trying to figure this out! Tally has less, but drow can't be put asleep by magic. Turns out, half-elves can't be put to sleep either, so Amani is safe.))
Anthony's phone plays a music-box version of 'Rock-A-Bye Baby'. Crezonis falls asleep! Just like that! Anthony: "Okay, he's out for a minute, guys. Get him!" Khamet guards Crezonis from the approaching guards. But then Lu'hais calls off the guards anyway. Meallan hands the bracelet back to Tally, who puts it on. It's very easy to tie on, really, once he's asleep. Tally raises with his arm with the bracelet and says "Ta-da!" She waves with it.
Rauliso looks pale, and says: "That was a bit more difficult than I anticipated." Am(?): "It was!" M: "Yes. I should've anticipated something like that happening. But... it's done."
Meallan turns to Master Aubryl. "This might be a good time to discuss what we spoke about earlier?" Aubryl: "Wh- right now?" M: "I think it's a good time." Meallan was looking for some information that Aubryl was looking into. It's about how to protect oneself from being possessed by an archfey. Basically, what Aubryl was overall doing to the bracelet. Meallan asks for details. Aubryl tells him to come to her later to discuss this.
The LUrds approach Tally and tells them that they would get a reward if they come with them. Tally: "Can we leave the sleeping centaur there, though?" Am: "We should probably make sure it worked first." Lu'hais(?): "I have full faith in the capabilities of these masters." Am: "I do too, but it won't take long to check." They all agree. Meallan walks over to slap Crezonis, but sees that he's awake. He backs up like he's not doing anything, like a cat. Crezonis' eyes are back to hazel.
K: "Crezonis! Hi!" Crezonis doesn't respond. He says something in Sylvan, which only Meallan and Amani understand. K: "Hey Meallan! What did he say?" M: "He says that he thinks it works, but he doesn't know if it'll be a good thing yet." Am: "Well, it means Arcaito didn't kill him, and he knows if he takes it off, he dies." M: "So that's very good motivation to not take it off." Am: "Yes, I agree." Meallan and Amani give their Sylvan replies, to which Crezonis just nods. Amani stares to sink it in, but it's not one of their Intense Looks; just a warning "I'm watching you" look.
LUrds ask the party if they think it worked. K: "Well, if Crezonis thinks it worked, then I believe him. I mean, he has the best barometer on his own mind." Rauliso, Aubryl, and the third master are circling, and also believe it works. Looks like it worked! Yay!!
Anthony: "Do we get paid now?" Lu'hais: "Absolutely, Anthony Gale. I'll find you the payment you so desire."
Tally talks to Crezonis briefly and pulls out the letter, asking if he still remembers it and if there's anything he wants to add. Crez: "I don't have anything to add. Just make sure it's delivered. That would be very nice."
Tally tries to figure out Crezonis' mental state, body language, attitude, etc. He's looked awful and exhausted all week. He's shaking a bit. He's mostly speaking in Sylvan because it's easier and he's stressed out. But there doesn't seem to be anything mystical about that.
As they walk out, one of the guards is feeding Athenos some millet. The party goes with Lu'hais and Murai. Anzi wants to talk to someone. Meallan asks Aytal to stay behind for a bit and keep an eye on him. Crezonis is not alone, but it's just to make sure. She Has to BeKhamet talks to Anzi. "Hi Anzi! What's up! I haven't seen you in so long!" Anzi: "Hi Khamet! I haven't seen you in a long time either? How were things?" K: "Oh! Things were good. We found this guy taking a vacation in the woods. ("Good, good!") And I didn't step on any- Oh. Anzi. I still trust you with the secret, don't tell anyone about…" Anzi: "I haven't!" K: "Good! You are a trustworthy guy! ("Thank you!") Especially don't trust that squirrel over there!" Khamet points to Aytal. "This squirrel... is a fey. And he might do something with any information you give it!" Aytal runs up, curls around Anzi's legs, and give him the cutest stare. Anzi: "...Do you know what a squirrel looks like? Do you have them in your homeland?" K: "I haven approximation of what a squirrel looks like. And that thing is a weasel-squirrel." Anzi: "It's closer to a weasel, yes?" K: "Yes. Now I think that, now, between you and me, and you, squirrel, I think what happened is that this thing is actually made out of dung. So try not to... let it touch you too much? Because it might spread disease."
All the NPCs in earshot go: "What the hell??"
Meallan's ears twitch. "Khamet, we discussed this. He is not made of dung." K: "Then what is he made of?" Meallan grabs Khamet's arm and puts it on Aytal. "He is magical energy, fused into form." Aytal is still by Anzi's foot at this point. K: "Yes, magical energy that reanimated your poop. I thought we discussed this. ("No!") Look, you don't have to save face." (Anzi looks so confused) "Because Anzi is not used to being dirty in the woods. I know that you're used to being dirty in the woods, but not Azni! So I am just trying to help him, okay? And also! One more thing. It's extremely rude for you and Amani to just speak Sylvan and not tell us what's going on." (Am: "It hasn't been anything.") "So! I've been working on my Sylvan, coincidentally, and I have something to say to you specifically, Meallan!" And Khamet speaks something in... attempted Sylvan.
(Anzi: "I am so confused. I'm going to talk to the Lords now.")
Meallan looks very confused, and says. "Is that supposed to be insulting? Because it's really not." Am: "It sounds like he complimented you." M: "Yes! And that's what I'm worried about." Am: "No no no! Just take it, just take it." M: "Alright. Khamet... please don't call Aytal a [censored]." He picks up Aytal. "He is very good. He is, for all intents and purposes made of the same flesh as you and I, and I made him that way through magical means. Not out of poo, not out of anything besides charcoal, incense, and magic." Anthony: "Y-you mean like a golem?" M: "...No." Am: "He's a fey!" M: "He's a fey that I bound into this form." Rauliso: "Okay, let's move it out of here!"
Khamet turns to Amani. "Wait, what did I say?" Am: "You called Malka a good fey and said you should be nicer to strangers. Which, I'm glad to see you improving." "...Oh, no no no, I-" "No no! It's okay!" "No no-" "You should be nicer, and I'm glad to see you taking-" "I meant-" (Cross-talk for a while of them trying to talk over each other, with Khamet trying to insist on what he meant and Amani insisting on leaving it at nice points.) K: "Listen!" Am: "No, you listen!" K: "No, you see, what I meant is, you are an idiot, and Malka is not a fey!"
Am: "…" Meallan's ears flatten. "And what do you... mean, by that?" K: "I mean that, the first part of the sentence, is-" Am: "No no, we got that part." M: "No, no, I understand that. K: "The second part of the sentence is that Malka-" M: "I don't care about the sentence, Khamet!-" K: "-Is not a fey." M: "I want to know what you're implying by that." K: "I'm trying!" Rauliso: "You should really have this conversation where others can't hear you." They walk out. As they do, Meallan tries to put his arm around Khamet's shoulders, in a half-chokehold, but Khamet resists and pushes him away. Am: *Quietly.* "Meallan, don't!"
Meallan towers over him. "What do you mean by what you said, that Malka is not a fey?" K: "I mean that Arcaito said it, and fey can't lie." M: "You trust Arcaito?" K: "No, I don't trust Arcaito! (Am: "Meallan-!") I'm just saying it's a fact that fey don't lie, and we know that Arcaito is a fey. And you are either lying, or deluded. And well, I am a good friend, Meallan, and I don't want my friends to live in delusion." M: "She is a fey, and I think- (Am: "Khamet-!") what Arcaito said is simply him trying to shake my faith in her." K: "Well yes, ("Kha-") but fey cannot say untrue things." M: "They cannot, but they can also twist the truth." Am: "Kha-" K: "Oh okay, so 'Malka is not a fey,' ("Khamet-") where is the truth-twisting there? That seems straightforward to me?" … Am: "Khamet, can I talk to you? Alone?" M: "She is fey. I know she is, and Arcaito must be lying." K: "Yeah, okay, but-" Am: "Khamet-"
Anthony whispers to a guard near him. "I can put them to sleep again if this gets too much." Tally: "Hey, shall we collect all the money for ourselves while they're talking? Let's go, let's go!" Anthony: "I like this plan, I agree!"
Amani: "Khamet, can I talk to you alone, for just a minute?" K: "Okay, yeah, you can talk to me for a minute!"
Amani pulls Khamet aside, ensures that no one can hear them. Am: "Look, I know! But you have to be careful. You can't just break everything for Meallan like that. I am worried for him. But you can't just do it that simply." Khamet: "...Wait... wait, you agree with me?" Am: "Yeah! You're right. Fey can't lie. And any archfey would know! I don't like Arcaito, but I think he's right this time. But we have to find a better way to tell him this, or... Look, I don't want to see Meallan get hurt! I don't know what to do here, I…" K: "Oh, you don't want to see Meallan get hurt?" Am: "Yeah!" K: "And how would this revelation, how would learning the truth hurt him?" Am: "He's known Malka for years! He's dedicated his life to her! If we're going to ease him into this, we have to be more careful than what you just did." K: "...Um. So, you want me to be more careful with Meallan's feelings, is what you're saying?" Am: "Yes. Because look, this is very important to him. And I just... I don't think he'll take it if you tell him straight up. I don't know a way to convince him. Can you help me find a way?" K: "Uh, actually, sure! I mean, our goals align, right? We are good friends ("Well..."), and we don't want our other friend to live in delusion." Am: "I... sure! I don't want him to live in delusion either. But I know it goes far deeper than that." K: "I mean, if it goes far deeper than that, that just makes it more dire for him to know. I mean, he-" Am: "It is important, but it's also important to not leave him with absolutely nothing!" K: "Why can't- he can just go back to his tribe he left." Am: "I... I don't know! I don't know. Sometimes it's not that simple. I don't know any of the details yet, but I won't assume he can." K: "I mean, he said that he left, so I can assume he can go back to his tribe, I mean." Am: "I-I would ask him first." K: "Alright. I'll ask him very delicately about his backstory, his origin story, and then using this information, we can construct a new life for him. It's very simple." Am: "Well, I think... perhaps, yes! I-I guess we'll work on this. And hopefully I'll prove myself to you so you know I'm worthy of this... alliance?" K: "I-it's an alliance. And don't worry. I don't... Your worthiness is not what I'm worried about, per se. You're okay. ...Just okay." Am: "Just okay. Right, got it, I'll prove you wrong eventually-!" K: "Right! You're okay, and I hope you feel that I'm okay." Am: "Well, I think you're competent at fighting." K: "Well, I think you're a competent spellcaster. Let's shake on it." Amani looks touched by this. "...Thank you." They shake on this.
Then they realize, oh no, where is everyone else, they're being left behind and payment is ahead! They run to catch up and make it just in time!
Murai and Anzi still haven't returned. But Lu'hais gives money to everyone in the party. They all get 200 gold pieces! To share. Everyone gets 33gp, except for Basil, who takes the extra gp left over, leaving him with 34gp. (What happens to the other gp? It is a mystery.)
Meallan takes his share, but he seems subdued. He gives Khamet a glare. Khamet just smiles and goes "hiiii!". Meallan's ears flatten further. He's not happy. He eventually goes outside the room with Aytal to just... get out.
Ant: "We are rich!" K: "Right! We are rather affluent now! We can buy an entire glass of the richest wine ever!" Ant: "Don't tempt me!" K: "Right. Obviously I think you would also just buy more barrels for some reason! But I think you would just buy a horse to carry all of these. Oh, and a cart."
Murai and Anzi return with Rinn. Anzi loiters near Anthony. Anzi: "Hi Anthony!" Ant: "Uh, hey." Anzi: "I, um, I was thinking about what happened last time we met..." He lowers his voice. "I had this one little thing with me that I thought might help you, if it happens again or if the party tries to hurt you in any way?" Anzi gives Anthony a healing potion! Ant: "All right! This is…" Anzi: "I mean, I was really worried by what they were saying, and I thought, if it happened again... I just didn't want you to get hurt." Ant: "Ah, hey, that's pretty swell of you!"
Anzi goes back to hanging out with Rinn.
Anthony: "This'll go great with my antidote! And this shield! I don't wanna jinx anything, but I might not get poisoned next time, guys!" K: "You know what Anthony? Don't worry. If you get poisoned early enough, I got your back." Ant: "Yeah, uh, yeah, I haven't forgotten about that, Khamet. It would be really nice if you healed me from the poison that you knew how to do, all along…" Khamet whistles. Then: "...Yeah, yeah, I'll try doing more of tha tin the future." Ant: "Yeah, that would be sweet! I mean, I got Cure Wounds, and you don't see me stinging on that!" K: "I'm not stinging on that, it's just that I've already used all of it!" Ant: "Well, in any case, I got a healing potion and a bottle of antidote now, which Tyzol very thoughtfully sent to me." K: "Aw, Tyzol sent it to you! That's like the most romantic thing ever, she knows your needs and wants! Aw, that's so cute!" Ant: "Yeah, she also told me not to die either, so I'm gonna try and do that." K: "Okay, well, I will protect you, or at least protect Tyzol's wishes by telling you not to die." Ant: "Excellent. I'll try to keep up the good work." K: "Okay, awesome!" He gives a thumbs up and walks off.
Amani goes out after a while to check on Meallan. They approach him.
Am: "...Are you okay?" M: "...I... I don't like what Khamet said. And. He's not the first one who's implied it." Am: "Look, I talked to Khamet. I told him to go easy on you a bit. And I think he listened." M: "Thank you." Am: "You're welcome. ...What do you think, honestly?" M: "I believe her. I think she is fey because what else can she be? But thing is, Amani..." Meallan looks around for anyone. "...He's not the first one to say it, that she's not a fey." Am: "Arcaito said it too, didn't he?" M: "Before Arcaito." Am: "Before Arcaito? Who else?" M: "My clan." Am: "Your clan?" M: "Yes. They... Someone saw me with her, and... the elders summoned me. It's... I've had so many encounters with the elders, I never got along with them, but that's... They... They summoned me. And they told me that she was not a fey, and what she was could be... dangerous to the clan. But... I didn't believe them. I couldn't. It... couldn't be possible. She was doing so much good for me, she was... because I refused to believe it, because I cut off all contact with her, they... they banished me."
Am: "...I... I'm sorry. ... ...Would it matter, whether or not she was a fey to you?" M: "I... I don't know what else she can be, though?" Am: "What if she were something else? Would you still want to be with her?" M: "But she... Why would she pretend she that were a fey when she wasn't? I... Fey can't lie, why would she be lying to me? It's not... that's why it's not true! My clan, they were always... stifling me. They were always trying to... pretend that... ...When I refused to cut off contact with the only thing that was elevating me, they... banished me. And for a firbolg, that's a fate worse than death, being cut off from everything you hold dear. That's why I didn't leave sooner."
Am: "...I... I see... I... I'm sorry, it, that must be... so difficult. I couldn't-" M: "You don't know." Am: "I-It's difficult to be torn like that. Especially after you were banished. That sounds... terrifying." M: "And I was willing to think that Arcaito was just digging into my thoughts, so that he was twisting his words, but if Khamet believes that-" Am: "If he were in your thoughts, you would know it." M: "Yes, I would, but... but would I?" Am: "You would. ...I did some research on how it works. If you hadn't heard him, I don't think he's gone in your mind." M: "But then how could he know about... what they did?" Am: "I think it might be that they can read energies from others. They are magic-based, after all." M: "So you think Arcaito was just saying that so he knew could get a rise out of me? Using such a painful memory?" Am: "I-I don't know. But, could he know what happened to you?" M: "I don't know how he could. But no one knows. I have never told anyone except you." Am: "I won't tell anyone either. I... um…"
Amani awkwardly raises a hard to try to pat Meallan's shoulder. Except he's really tall, so Meallan scoots down so Amani can do it. Cue awkward shoulder pat. M: "Thank you." Am: "I would never wish such a fate that you got on anyone. ...Not the- not what happened with your clan." M: "That's why I left Varentar. Because I just... couldn't. No other clan would take me, and I didn't... I didn't want to stay there." Am: "...Do you like it in Eaine?" M: "I miss home." Am: "But do you like it in Eaine?" M: "I like it well enough. But it doesn't change the fact that I miss home. I miss the woods of Varentar. They're different than here. Colder, sparser." Am: "Yeah…" M: "You know." Am: "I'd invite you into the cities of Varentar, but I'm not sure how they'd see firbolgs. They're... not always the most open-minded." M: "I stayed in the cities for a little while, I... didn't like it. It was stifling." Am: "It is…"
M: "Thank you, Amani. I do feel a bit better speaking about it." Am: "I'm glad I could help in some way." M: "I... I just... don't like the thought that she's hiding things from me, because she's... everything to me." Am: "I... I don't know. I... I'm just thinking that…" M: "Arcaito lied. If he didn't lie, then he admitted some-" Am: "No, fey can't lie. That is... They can trick, but they can't lie." M: "Then it's got to be a trick, doesn't it?" Am: "I... I don't know, I don't know. I don't know what... I don't know _that_ much. But... I... I think it's up to you whether... If she did lie about that, I-I don't wanna suggest she did. But I guess it matters what matters to you." M: "I... I trust her so much. And I have so much faith in her, and... the thoguht that she could've lied to me... that scares me." Am: "...Are all lies bad?" M: "...If it wasn't bad, then why would she disguise herself to me as a fey?" Am: "...I don't know. ...You do have a connection with her, right? Is she... hearing all this?" M: "...I don't know. It's not like Arcaito, it's... different. But... I don't want to ask her. It's... I've asked her things like that before, and she... doesn't give me straight answers when she doesn't want to." Am: "When she doesn't want to... maybe don't give a straight question, then." M: "...Part of me wonders if I even want to know." Am: "...I don't know. That's up to you." M: "I love her like I've never loved anyone in my life. It's... difficult, and I... I don't want to think about it now." Am: "No, I can't imagine going through your shoes right now. I don't... I don't have any answers."
Meallan sighs. "I suppose the best thing to do is continue down the same path. I still want the same things, I still want the same goals. It's certainly fine so far..." Am: "You can certainly do that." M: "...It's fine. I…" Am: "...We can continue what we're doing for now. And we can keep thinking about it." M: "Yes. ...Don't tell anyone what I've said here." Am: "Of course." M: "I think, some of them I would trust not to do anything bad with the knowledge, but at the same time…" Am: "No, I get it. I won't tell anyone." M: "Thank you." Am: "You're welcome." M: "Let's go." Am: "Yeah, I'm ready."
Meallan gets up. He's still petting Aytal. His ears are slightly lifted and he's in a better mood now. They reunite with the group. Let's Find Out What's Next- Firbolgs?Khamet goes around the town for rumors, and does so by socializing! He likes socializing! Rumors he heard: -Firbolg in the woods has been seen a few more times now. They couldn't get it to respond to them. -Drow attack to the south. -Recent news! In Cai Shaan, a thing has made its way into the shallows and took out a bunch of people! There's not much consensus on what the creature is, and what it does. Poisonous tentacles? On fire, despite being in water? Metaphorically on fire?? Anyway, a sea creature killed/injured a bunch of people in the shallows of Cai Shaan. (Khamet: "I've gotta see this!")
On the way out of Dyventain, Amani asks if anyone knows about Vystris; an archfey from a foreign land who is dead. Meallan comes along out of curiosity to help out. Amani doesn't do great at asking. Meallan, meanwhile... They don't know more than they both know. They know that Vystris' name is... definitely Sylvan. And everything else they know. But they can't get anything else. Not even which continent Vystris is from.
Amani wants to find Khamet. Am: "Meallan, I know you and Khamet aren't on great terms right now. You don't have to go with me right now." M: "I don't want to see him at the moment. But I do want to speak to the group at some point." Am: "Alright."
So after time where... stuff happened, eventually everyone reconvenes at a room somewhere. People have reconvened. M: "Listen. I had thought... There's perhaps some things in Cai Shaan that are worth checking out." Am: "Meallan, I told you, you can't solve this with magic items. M: "Not just talking about magic items, there's also a school there for wizards." Am: "What could we learn there that we couldn't learn here?" M: "Arcane magic is different from nature magic." Am: "Ah-," They sigh. "I don't think you need it to grow stronger." M: "Why not?" Am: "Because magic through the arcane comes through magic, especially for sorcery and warlocks. Unless you're a wizard." M: "It might be worth seeing what's up there, though." Am: "Uuuugh…" They keep arguing, and is voting no on going to Cai Shaan. M: "Why not? Why wouldn't you want to go to Cai Shaan?" Am: "I just..." They sigh. "It's a long ways away, and there's... And you know how schools are all insular, only teaching specific people? I don't know if it'd be any different with us?" M: "We can always see?" Am: "I'd rather-" M: "What do you think we should do, Amani?" Am: "Like I said. Go out and practice." M: "Why not practice on the way to Cai Shaan? Does it matter which way we go in if we practice?" Amani groans. "I don't know if we'll find anything worth practicing in Cai Shaan."
They argue in circles for a while. Meanwhile, Tally is talking with the LUrds and Khamet is writing in his journal.
Tally asks the LUrds what's gonna happen with Crezonis, and directions to the northern centaur tribe. Murai: "We haven't made our decision, we will need to speak with Crezonis and make a judgment. He will not be set free at the very least, we can assure you. The centaurs are nomadic but there is a station where we send our messengers when we need to get in contact, and we can easily direct you there. Are you looking for someone in particular? They should be able to help you there."
Lu'hais: "We have examined the bandit journal. There were three lieutenants, do you know if all three are accounted for?" T: "Yes please I am looking for [letter recipient]" T: "... ... ... I can only say for sure about Crez. Not sure what you mean by lieutenant as I don't know they had an organised hierarchy. The one that held Crezonis' position before him was slain." M: "She will be easy to find." She give directions to this station, on the northern plains between Ur and Cai.
L: "There is one called...Juniper, she's a halfling. The other two were probably wood elves, Volan and Aronnae. They oversaw particular segments of the group, I believe, and reported back to Crezonis. So far as I can ascertain from this awful handwriting." T: "Juniper escaped. Somewhere in the vicinity of Deyn, I believe. Some of us... were not as watchful. *covers one ear with her hand to try and focus* Volan is dead, of that I am certain. Aronnae,... I know not." M: "That is unfortunate. I am sure you did everything you could." L: "We will stay alert for news of Juniper." T: "I will give you as much information as I can on Juniper and what she can do in battle."
Aytal goes down and tries to see into Khamet's journal. Khamet waves him away. "Go away." Aytal just gets more curious. K: "What do you want?" Aytal bats at the pages. "What do you want to know? You gotta say something. I can't just let you read by private journal. You have to understand." Khamet turns the journal face-down. Aytal tries to get under it. Am: "It's okay, we don't need to pry into his private life." M: "But he's... he's only playing! Leave him be." Am: "I... Let's not read each others' journals. It's rude!" K: "Okay, listen. Weasel? If you continue on this path, you will not get out." Aytal is still climbing under the journal. K: "Okay, well. I guess he is my weasel now. I'm going to rename you... Wee-wee." Meallan clicks his fingers and Aytal poofs back on his shoulders. "He's not yours." K: "Oh, boo." Then Khamet continues writing in his journal, but is hyper-alert. Aytal tries to sneak over to Khamet. Aytal climbs up next to Khamet behind him and leans over. Then jumps on his head and curls up in his hair. K: "Go. Away. Are you stupid or something?" Aytal looks down on him. Blink. Curls up in his hair. K: "I don't want you in my hair. Leave." Aytal doesn't move. So Khamet swats him away. Aytal jumps down on his journal. K: "Geez, What is your problem with reading my things?" Aytal curls up on the journal. K: "Okay, okay, fine fine fine!" He turns a page, right into his fanfiction. "You gotta see this! You're my beta-reader! Okay?" Aytal is intrigued!
Khamet recounts the tale of Mankarah, the best paladin in the world, and Sandy the really powerful fey weasel who's unfortunately attached to a loser named Weylin, and Inima's silver eyes and how that's very important to the plot later, and Mike's romance adventures and how Mike is a very admirable guy for going for it and finding love with Zotyl the fire dragonborn! And Cassandra, how she's really great friends with Mankarah and they're best friends ever! And there's another character who he's not sure about including, named Sibowey, and he's best friends with another one named Joya, and they get along very well and have no problems with each other! And he rambles about these characters and their adventures.
Meallan is listening through Aytal and he's... uh… Amani figuratively mentally transcends into another plane of existence as they listen. They both have blank looks in their eyes, stunned by it all. Aytal loves it! Aytal chatters and happily jumps up and down!
Rinn: "Hi Aytal!" He jumps onto Rinn's shoulders and gives her a lick. Anzi: "Uh Rinn can I pat him, do you think...?" Rinn: "He's rabid." Anzi: "Oh." Rinn: "Haha na, he's sweet!"
Meallan pinches the bridge of his nose. "...Amani, did you hear any of that?" Am: "I heard all of it." M: "Do you wish you could unhear it?" Am: "I-it's... I don't know... It's very creative, Khamet!" M: "It is... unique, Khamet. I was listening through Aytal's ears, and... I could not stop listening. It's... I have no words."
M: "I would ask how you come up with these, but I think I know." K: "How I come up with what?" Am: "It's not that much of a mystery." M: "It's really not. Is that really how you see us, Khamet?" K: "Oh, no! These characters are not based off of anything at all! They're completely original!" Am: "Right…" M: "Yes, of course they are…" K: "Yes, of course!" M: "Of course they are, and I am a sable."
Ant: "I notice the bard in your story also fell in love with a dragonborn? Coincidence?" K: "Yes? Yes! They're very loosely based off of real life. Okay? Very loosely based! You can't even tell where I got the inspiration from!" K: "Actually, Anthony? You know who Crezonis' favorite character was?" Ant: "Who?" K: "It was Mike! He really liked Mike, yeah." Ant: "Ooh!" Am: "Don't read too much into that."
K: "And his least favorite character was the stinky one!" Am: "Mankarah?" K: "Noooo! No! No-" Am: "He was the one doing all the action, so I would imagine that would make him quite stinky at the end!" K: "Okay, yes, it would make him quite stinky. But you have to understand that Weylin has not showered in over 1000 years." Am: "...Riiiight." K: "And he doesn't clean himself after going to the bathroom!" Meallan: "...Where did you get this... conjecture from...?" K: "Well, you kind of look like you don't clean yourself after going to the bathroom, so I figured, you know...?" Am: "Khamet…" M: "Excuse me, I am incredibly clean! For your information, my people are very clean."
Tally is closing one ear with her hand as she finishes up talking.
Later, K: "There's a giant squid in Cai Shaan, you guys! We gotta check it out!" Am: "Wait, a giant squid...? Like, is it hurting anything, or is it... a giant squid?" K: "Uhh, well, it kinda attacked people, in the shallows." Am: "What?" K: "It attacked people in the shallows, apparently! And I wanna see it!" Am: "I-I-Has anything been done about it?" K: "I don't know! That's why I wanna see it!" Meallan turns, ready to speak up to Amani- Am: "Okay, yeah, let's go see it!" M: "There we go! An opportunity for practice?" Am: "Y-yeah, sure!" M: "You sound hesitant." Am: "No, no, no, I'm ready! Let's go! Let's go fight this squid!"
M: "Anthony? There might be money in it for you." Ant: "Well yeah, there also might be poison. I'm gonna go, but I just got this antidote..." M: "Well, you have antidotes, and you got Khamet…" K: "Okay, Anthony! Hero of Riverside! You got this!" Ant: "Okay, let's do it…" K: "Yeah!" Fistbump between Anthony and Khamet!
They talk about if they need anything first. Meallan decides against by saying he can forage in the forest. Am: "I actually... might need to go shopping... for a little bit…"
Amani goes off shopping and buys a disguise kit.
Tally plans on delivering the centaur letter and then returning to bae. The centaur place she needs to go to is on the way to Cai Shaan, though. The others invite Tally to come with them to Cai Shaan, allowing her to drop off the letter on the way. M: "Would you like to come with us, Tally?" T: "Oh, uh, thanks, but I have a letter to deliver to the centaurs from Crezonis." K: "Oh, we can also deliver the letter!" M: "We can stop there on the way! It's not like we're in any particular hurry." Am: *Hurried.* "Only if it's on the way, I kinda wanna get rid of this squid! ...But if it's on the way, we can deliver the letter. We can use your help." M: "You're a very good fighter!" T: "Eh, what? No? Eh? When'd I fight?" Am: "Uh, all the times earlier?" M: "You chased Juniper, for one thing!" Am: "That was good!" M: "Yes! You're incredibly good, incredibly talented." Am: "And those squid are killing people in the shallows. If nothing else, you can try to save their lives before anything happens!" T: "Cai Shaan, I could get some nice... hair dye there, I suppose?" Am: "There are good shops in Cai Shaan!" M: "Yes!" T: "......Yeeeeeeeeeeeesss?" M: "Please do come with us-" Am: "Excellent! And we can deliver the letter along the way." M: "Yes! If it's important, of course we can!" Tally: "I'm going there anyway, so, we'll see!" Am: "May as well travel together; safety in numbers." T: "Mm, point."
Remember the amulet Meallan lended Amani to identify, and they never gave it back? Amani gives it back now. Am: "I'm sorry I took so long. Here it is. I couldn't find anything magical about it, so... Whatever you want to do with it, it's yours." M: "It's not magical?" Am: "No. Not that I could see." M: "Alright. I suppose we could sell it. See what else we could do with it?" Am: "Sure." M: "Thank you, Amani." Am: "You're welcome. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to see what it was." M: "Oh, no worries! We could've found out what it was eventually." He shows the pearl. "But you had your chance." Am: "Yeah, I did. It's nothing important." M: "I'm disappointed and glad it was nothing." Am: "I'm glad it was nothing." M: "Alright. Perhaps we can trade something useful with it." Am: "Right. Maybe. It's yours now." M: "Thank you."
They leave the LUrds residence and go to cross the city. Meallan puts on one of his high elf disguises. Khamet briefly goes shopping.
Rauliso tracks down Meallan and pulls him aside; there was something he meant to tell Meallan back in Dyventain. Rau: "So this firbolg in the woods, Meallan…" M: "Yes?" Rau: "I heard further rumors, and I just wanted to let you know that they don't sound like you. They didn't... respond? They didn't respond to common or elvish. They're heavily scarred. And this one is very much a rumor, but it's alleged that they had a voice like dust, which sounds overdramatic, but I just thought I should let you know. Firbolgs aren't exactly common in our land and finding two of you at once is quite a thing." M: "......I. Don't know what that would be, I... Did it-?" Rau: "Could be nothing." M: "Well did it... Nevermind. Thank you for telling me this. If... If something does come up about this, please send me a message." Rau: "Where should I direct this message?" M: "Well, we're heading up to Cai Shaan. But if you send up any animal to try to find me, and migratory one…" Rau: "I suppose. If I hear anything else, I will let you know. It may be nothing." M: "I hope it is nothing." Rau: "Thank you all again for what you did here." M: "You're welcome." Ant: "Yeah!" K: "Anytime!" Meallan is shaken by this news.
It will take 4 days North to reach Cai Shaan from Ur Zaihar. They're gonna go via the centaurs because Tally wanted to drop off a letter. It's about 2 days North to the centaurs, about halfway between.
After Rauliso speaks, Meallan speaks to Khamet. M: "Do you remember that firbolg that you spoke to Rauliso about?" K: "Yes, I did remember this firbolg!" M: "Turns out that was not me they had seen." K: "Oh…" M: "It was someone else." K: "Ooooh.... Well. Um. Friend of yours?" M: "Not anyone I recognize, no." K: "Well, d-do you want to... pay them a visit?" M: "No, I do not." K: "Why not?" M: "...It's a long-" K: "You know, you know, he's like you! He left to go see the world, so you know, he might be like you! (M:"Khamet-!") And so (M:"Khamet-!") maybe you have a lot in common!" M: "I do not want to run into any of my kind. That's all you need to know." K: "But... why... Okay, listen, listen! Okay? Okay, I was tasked with making sure we knew what this guy was, and if he's not you, that's a problem." M: "Yes it is." K: "So I need to find them and make sure that they're not like you." Meallan looks uncertain if he was insulted. K: "Like you. How do I phrase this...? Well, as a friend of mine would say, um, having extreme amounts of negative mercy. So, I want to make sure that they are a- (M:"Khamet-!"), a normal person?" M: "Khamet! I can assure you, if they are like most firbolgs, they are nothing like me." K: "Oh, good! Good! Okay, that means I can talk to them." M: "I'll forego that insult, but. If you do want to stay and search for them, then... It would delay our trip…"
K: "Oh yes, hold on! Hey, Anthony!" Ant: "Yeaaah?" K:"Yeah! Y-you know that firbolg that the guards saw?" Meallan puts his face in his hands." Ant: "Yeah?" K: "It was apparently not Meallan!" Ant: "Ohh!" K: "It's not the library firbolg, it's another firbolg! So we need to go out there and actually find this other guy! Oh, also, by the way, you have a cut." Khamet gives Anthony 25 copper. "Yeah, sorry about that." Anthony pockets the change and shrugs. "Alright, works for me." K: "Okay, works for you, we're gonna find them! We're gonna find this firbolg! And they're going to be, well, I mean, we're gonna check up on them and see what their deal is about, and you know, there are no other firbolgs here, or anyway, no other decent firbolgs here." T: "I thought you wanted to see a squid, that's quite different!" K: "Well, yes! Yes, but Tally, you don't understand. I got money for this. I need to actually find out who this person is. I mean, they're alone in the wood. Are you not concerned for this at all?" Meallan pulls Tally aside. "I am worried about this. I just need a day to see what this is." Amani sighs. "...I mean, for one thing, Meallan, you can disguise yourself... Do you think this firbolg would do anything in the time that we're gone?" "I don't know, but it's going to bother me, that's the thing." (To note: The firbolg has been around for a while.) K: "There's another firbolg, we gotta... He's not Meallan, and I have to find him!" Amani looks very torn. "I mean... Maybe it's important, but if it's not, then that squid is killing people right now." M: "Amani, please, just for a day, so we can find out what it is." Am: "A day... a day could be all it takes…" T: "Okay, how about we all just go search, like one big good search! Maybe it won't even take a day, but at least you will know, and if you don't find anyone, at least you will know that there's nobody around, and if you do find that firbolg, then okay, then it will be settled!" M: "Yes, that sounds ideal." Am: "Well... maybe we could get a bird's eye view, to help make it easier. Do you know what I mean, Meallan?" M: "If you get me some charcoal and some incense, I can turn Aytal into a bird."
K: *Whispering.* "Hey Anthony! Anthony!" Ant: "Yo." K: "Yo! Hey! Can you tell me about what you did in Riverside?" Ant: "Uhhh... W-what do you mean?" K: "Oh, oh, well uh, the pink tiefling lady called you the Hero of Riverside, that you saved them from giant badgers!" Ant: "Oh, yeah, um... That happened, kinda, not long after I got here." K: "Oh, cool! After you got here, from the future." Ant: "Yeah." K: "Got it, got it, got it! Okay, when you got here from the land of, uh, La Future?" *French accent.* Okay, anyways, anyways, anyways! What did you do in Riverside? Did you sing to the badgers?" Ant: "Yeah, in a manner of speaking. I mostly just played really loud metal music while hitting them many times with a tire iron." K: "Ah, what is this metal?" Ant: "Oh, I'll have to play it for you sometime. I won't play it here cause it'll cause everyone to freak out as soon as they hear it." K: "Okay, okay, I would love to hear this metal. Is it like, played with metal instruments?" Ant: "Uhhh, sort of. Some of the instruments do contain metal!" K: "Very very interesting! Well, I would love to hear this metal! I-I am very interested in new music! You know, my brother really likes music! My little brother? Yeah!" Ant: "Alrighty! Well, we'll have to have a listen sometime!" K: "Yes! You and me listening to 'metal' music. Yes! Hi-ya!"
Meallan goes shopping for materials, and Amani joins him to help haggle. They go to an apothecary and do so for the charcoal and incense. Except... the haggling gets totally botched as Amani has a Moment in the middle of haggling, Meallan tries and fails to calm them, and the haggling is entirely derailed. Oh no! So they end up paying full price. To make up for the failed haggling, Amani gives Meallan 5 of the 20gp needed for the materials.
Khamet approaches Tally. "Tally, hi!" T: "Hiii!" K: "I saw you fighting in the marketplace!" T: "I saw me fighting in the marketplace too!" K: "Wow, really? That's insane! How can you see sometimes? Was there a mirror?" T: "No, I just look at my feet sometimes!" K: "Oh, you look at your feet sometimes! Very interesting! How was fighting in the marketplace?" T: "I was lovely! I got a cool date out of it!" K: "Oh, you got a date?" T: "Yeah, with a really pretty guard!" K: "With a really pretty guard, well I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." T: "Did it look nice from your point of view?" K: "It was good, it was good! There was a lot of crowds! There was a lot of crowding, so it was hard to get a good look at you while I was going to work. Well, not work, but going to do my job of serenading people with my tales, but I really... You looked good!" He gives two thumbs up. T: "You serenaded people, that's so cool!" K: "Yes, that is cool. Oh, by the way! This Alyzraena person, she is your girlfriend, right?" T: "Uhh... Yeah?!" K: "Yeaaah, cool! So, uh. How did you convince the guard to let you live in their place for free?" T: "I didn't live in the guard's place for free?" K: "Oh, you didn't?" T: "Nooo?" K: "Well, are you an employee?" T: "Nooo?" K: "Nooo?" T: "I don't live in the guard's place!" K: "No, in the lord's place?" T: "Oh, the lord's place! That's because they invited me, I'm their guest! They said 'please come over and stay!'" K: "How many important people?" T: "Uhh, two?" K: "Two! Okay, can you tell me more about high class Ur elves?" T: "No, no Khamet! Ask them yourself!" K: "But why? You know!" Not Too Bright vs Not Bright At AllThey make it to the ritual place in the woods. Khamet is absolutely invited to watch to ensure that nothing untoward is going on! M: "Do you want to see how I create Aytal? ...And no-" K: "Oh my god, you're going to go to the bathroom in front of us! Have you no shame?!" M: "No, I am not going to the bathroom! I want to show you how I actually do it. Sit down and watch."
The ritual will take about an hour.
The others stick around. Tally only sorta watches, though. She watches for about ten minutes, then goes out but stays in the vicinity. Tally moves about 40 feet from the ritual, and a dagger flies out of the trees. She deflects it! But there are nine elves closing in around her from the trees.
T: "...Hellooo." They don't respond. Some have daggers, some short swords. One is wearing a fancy broach, the other has a circlet on their head. They're walking towards her, and seem to be aggressive.
Tally dashes back to the party! The elves chase her! Time for initiative!
The elves go first. One tries to grapple Tally and pull her away from the group, but Tally does something incredible to get away! Three try to grapple her, and she just blocks them off all at the same time. The rest try to position themselves between Tally and the rest of the party, indicating to them to go away. Tally tries to back off from the party as well, with the elves following.
Anthony gets his shield and tire iron ready and attacks an elf! Whack!
Meallan aborts the ritual (snuffing the incense and charcoal so it's not wasted) and casts Eldritch Blast at the elf closest to Tally. The elf is hit, and he screams; it really hurt!
Tally also screams! And says to the attackers: "Please, please stop, I don't want to fight, I don't want to do things like this, please stop!" The one with the broach says: "We don't particularly want to fight either, but here we are." "Well... yeah, here we are! So, do you want to just have a picnic?" Tally gets ready to dodge.
Amani looks at the attackers and says: "Look, this is a really long day, and we're in a hurry. Just so you know, there was this spider demon in the forest, and we took him out, all of us, by ourselves! So we can take you on! If you harm her or do anything to her, we'll kill you." With a stare to match, Amani manages to intimidate the elves. They look shaken by that threat. The one with the broach and some of the other elves start to back off. Anthony takes advantage of the opportunity and attacks one of them as they retreat.
The second one with the circlet panics and casts rays of scorching fire from the circlet. One ray each hits Amani and Meallan, and the last one misses.
Tally tells the elves: "Stop hurting my nerds!"
Aytal scrambles up onto Khamet's shoulders and snaps at any elf that comes close, to assist him.
Khamet tries to make his way to Tally, walking around the other elves. An elf tries to take two attacks of opportunity, but both attacks miss. Khamet says: "Come with me, let's get out of here." Then Khamet casts Thunderous Smite on someone who's not injured. He manages to knock them out.
Basil arrives! Roll initiative, Basil! Basil shoots one of the uninjured elves near Tally.
More elves flee! Anthony takes advantage and attacks the slightly injured one for lethal damage... Aaaand gets a nat 20! Now the slightly injured elf is as seriously injured as the other fleeing elf! Anthony: "You're already dead." One elf tries to attack Anthony, then loses resolve and also flees.
There are now four remaining, including the one with the circlet. They try to close in on Tally still. Tally evades their grapples again! Those elves back up towards the trees. Then the circlet-elf tries to grapple and fails. The elves start to realize that maybe they didn't plan this out as well as they should have? Tally speaks to the elves: "Um, please be careful! You might hurt yourself or twist your ankle if you keep doing that!"
The remaining elf tries to get the jump on Khamet and just manages to hit! Khamet takes a whopping 3 damage! Phew! That hurt a lot a little! They might need a bandaid!
Anthony attacks one of the uninjured ones that's running (chasing after to hit them)! Meallan tries to use Hold Person on Circlet-Elf, but fails. He then turns invisible and moves up to the one wearing the circlet.
Tally is being a good little pacifist, going "oh no!!", and pondering if she should attack and confirm their possible beliefs about her. But she's worried about her friends getting injured. So Tally aims at one of the elves and casts Fist of Unbroken Air. The elf is pushed away and collapses to the ground unconscious. Wha-shhh! The others are startled. T: "Sorry, please stop!"
Amani casts Mind Spike on the circlet elf and does a heck of a lot of damage! Circlet-elf falls to their knees holding their head, and drops the dagger they were holding. They're now effectively prone. Then Amani quickly casts Mage Armor on themself.
Aytal climb off Khamet and run over to help Basil! He climbs onto Basil's head to help him, giving him advantage. B: "Hello!" Basil attacks one of the ones around Tally again and gets them down to seriously injured. Aytal nips Basil's fingers affectionately.
Khamet non-lethally attacks one of the elves that is damaged, and knocks them unconscious.
Most are unconscious or have fled. The last elf in front of Tally... just flees. Khamet: "Bye!" The last one in front of Anthony tries to attack him with their short sword. It kinda hurts a bit, actually; 9 damage. Anthony tries to bash that elf... and the other elf grabs hold of that tire iron from the other end. Meallan grabs the circlet from Circlet-Elf, and then backs away. Aytal returns to Meallan and helps him. Tally goes to defend Anthony by bashing the elf with a two-handed quarterstaff, knocking them unconscious. Then she moves to The-Elf-Formerly-Known-As-Circlet-Elf and performs an unarmed strike on them! They're still conscious, but they felt that. Amani casts a non-lethal Ray of Frost at Former-Circlet-Elf. And does 1 damage! Oh noes!
The-Elf-Formerly-Known-As-Circlet-Elf is being hit from all around, all their friends are unconscious or friends, they don't wanna die... Screw this! They surrender!
End of initiative. The group ties them up.
Amani: "We're going to Cai Shaan, by the way." Basil: "Sounds good!" Amani: "Basically because this squid is attacking people there, and I'd rather that not happen! So…" M: "Also, there might be treasure." B: "I could go for some squid nuggets!" Am: "S-Sure."
B: "Tally, what did you steal?!" M: "Tally, why were they attacking you?" T: "Uhhh..." Sigh. "They didn't say!" K: "Does it have anything to do with the rumor drow attack?" T: "I mean, they're both attacks. They have that in common!" K: "Well, maybe you should stop being obtuse. I meant to say like, 'Will anyone blame you for a drow attack made by another drow?'" T: "If they want to." Am: "Is a case of racist people being racist and stupid?" T: "I'm not going to make any assumptions about their motivations until I-" M: "Why don't we ask them?"
Meallan approaches Circlet-Elf. "Why did you attack our lovely friend?" (And of course, Meallan is in firbolg form, so they're clearly afraid already. Then Meallan stretches to full height to intimidate them.) Circlet-Elf: "W-we didn't start this!" M: "Then who did? I'm pretty sure she was just minding her own business, and then you leapt out." CE: "She did or the lords did or someone did! You've got (?) her!" K: "Okay, okay. Listen. We need _context_ for what _this_ is, because you are not saying anything meaningful to us. So perhaps? If you could start from square one, you know? Now, my friend over here," he points to Meallan. "Is kind of a complete idiot. So imagine explaining the entire situation to a complete idiot, and explain it to him." Am & M: "Khamet..." CE: "There's a lot, okay?!" K: "Well, yes! That's why you need to explain it as slowly as possible so he understands it!"
CE: "Okay, so first off, I did hear your friend call me 'racist and stupid,' and that's unfitting, but you don't know the drow, you're not from around here, you don't know what they do, who they've killed, what they've- They turn up, and they're-" Am: "I know Tally, And I know that-" CE: "How long have you known her?" Am: "Long enough to know that she wouldn't do that!" M: "Talsindra is the most kind, honorable-" Am: "She's too kind, honestly." CE: "They shouldn't be letting her walk around unattended, just doing what she likes, when all this is going on and they're not doing anything about that! They don't care about that!"
Meallan picks them up by the scruff of their neck. T: "No-no-no-" K: "Wait, wait, no-" M: "Watch. Your. Words. And do not insult Tally." T: "Don't-kill-them-don't-kill-them-don't-kill-them-don't-kill-them-" Meallan drops him. K: "Wait! Ugh."
CE: "I know (?) I said, I don't know what you want! Just leave me alone!" Am: "Who are you working for?" CE: "Who I'm working for- I'm not working for anyone." Am: "Then who are they?" CE: "My friends! You have friends. You know what friends are?" Am: "And you're a group, so." M: "Why did you attack?" CE: "I've already told you and I'm not going to tell you a second time!" M: "Because Tally is a drow, and you wanted to kill her because you think drow are awful." CE: "I didn't want to kill her." Am: "You kill her because she's a drow, how is that _not_ racist?!" CE: "I didn't try to kill her! And is it racist if it's, I mean, every drow I ever heard of, every drow I ever met?" Am: "You've never met all the drow. You've clearly never met this one." M: "I've met two drow in my life, and they have both been excellent." Am: "Think of it this way. If she were so awful, wouldn't she have just stabbed you instead of just knocking you all out?" CE: "...Maybe?" Am: "Doesn't that tell you something?" CE: "She had you lot to stab us for her." M: "She- listen." Am: "We're independent of her."
Tally approaches and kneels next to Circlet-Elf. T: "So you mentioned that it was a shame that no one was doing anything about me for preventing me from walking around free when so many things were happening, and yeah, to be honest, I am a drow, I am in best position to know what drow are like, and I quite agree! So, how can I make you feel safer?" CE is taken aback for a bit. CE: "You can... You can leave!" T: "I was just on my way, actually! I was quite delayed by this whole situation you started!" CE: "...Well, the other one... I know there were two of you." T: "I don't know what you're talking about!" CE: "Of course you would say that." T: "What? ...Well, sometimes there are more that sneak up to the surface, we can't always find them and get them to their senses. But yeah, sometimes there are more of them, I'm not the only one here." CE: "...I-I don't know what I want, okay?! I mean, if you can't... It doesn't matter anymore. Do whatever."
K: "Okay, okay, sir, ma'am... You never really did the hand signal, and you're kind of tied up right now, so…" CE: "It does make it very awkward, yes." K: "So, I'm just gonna call you ma'am." Amani: "Uh, don't assume." CE: "Um, no, no…" Amani looks to CE. "How do you go by?" CE: "Um... He/him, sir, whatever, is fine." Am: "Alright, sir it is." K: "Alright. Sir? You were planning on kidnapping... Because you were going to take her away, right? But where were you going to take her away to? Like, what? Were you just going to leave her in the middle of the woods?" T: "I'm not sure they were going to take me alive, Khamet." K: "Oh. Well. But you said you didn't want to kill her?" CE: "Well, we didn't!" K: "You did want to kill her?" CE: "No!" K: "You did not? Then what were you going to do?" CE: "Mmm... Well... We were going to take her away, yes…" K: "Take her away to where?" CE: "...Uuuum!... My, um…" K: "Take her back to the underground?" CE: "Nooo...!" Amani closes in. "Why don't you just tell us? As long as you don't know what to do anymore..."
CE: "We were going to take her to one of our houses, and we were going to try to use some people we have there as a tool to get the other one, and then we would have both the drow, and then, um... Um, we weren't... trying to kill her here..." K: "Oh, okay, so-" Am: "So you were going to kill her, I see!" CE: "Uhh, we didn't!!" K: "Okay, so, you know when you have a problem? You know Tally has friends with miss Lu'hais and Murai?" CE: "Yes?" K: "So why didn't you petition them?" CE: "You think I didn't?" K: "I-I mean, honestly, you don't look like the smartest banana in the bunch. I mean, I don't know, you don't really look too smart, I mean, you literally ran at like, an entire armed group with like... knives? So I question your intelligence greatly." CE: "We had swords!" Am: "Oh, that makes it better!" K: "Yeah, yeah yeah, definitely! Those, uh, swords. Uh, so, anyways, you guys are not the brightest bananas in the bunch. Have you ever considered that the lords are working with the drow to make everyone safer from the evil drow? Yes?" CE: "Then why wouldn't they have just told me that?" K: "Okay okay, how did you approach them? How did you phrase your petitioning?" CE: "I don't remember exactly." K: "Oh, you don't remember exactly." CE: "You think I have some kind of photographic memory?" K: "Well, well, well, if you said something like: 'Why are you letting this drow scum come into our kingdom,' then I don't know that they would have taken kindly to that? I'm just saying that maybe you should work on your social skills! I might help you in life." T: "It's okay, I don't remember what I said yesterday either."
Am: "You know, I think he deserves the chance to try again? We can take them right to the Lords of Ur and tell them what happened." With a tone implying arrest. K: "Yeah, we should probably hand you guys to the guards. You did try aggravated assault and murder, so, um…" Am: "Yeah, I think that calls for it!" K: "Yeah, uh, hey Basil! what do you think? Murder is kinda big, right?" B: "...Uh, Yeah." K: "Yeah, so I think we should probably turn them in to the guards. They can investigate." M: "I think they deserve whatever's coming to them."
K: "Okay, how about this? Meallan can finish pooping, and we can take you guys back to the guards-" Am: "Khamet, you were there!" M: "Khamet, you are staying here, we are finishing this ritual, and then everyone else can go." Am: "Tally, whatever happens, I think you should go with whoever turns them in. We don't know if they'll be back, and I think it's safest this way." M: "I would prefer that as well."
T: "You... you all didn't have to do all of this. I'm sorry I didn't just flee, and I could've just made them chase me away from all of you! And some of you got hurt, and you really didn't have to do all of this, but... thank you!" Am: "Tally! Don't worry about it." M: "You are our friend." T: "...I didn't know." M: "I don't think any of us want to see you hurt. You are the best one out of all of us." Tally sighs. K: "...Yeah, probably." M: "You are the one who saved Crezonis' life." Am: "Besides, Tally, they were going to kill you. And after all we've done, knowing what you're like, I... We weren't going to allow that. Okay?" M: "Whatever they think of you, they're wrong." T: "You really didn't have to go to such lengths, but... thank you." Am: "You're welcome."
Basil: "Pssst Tally, for realsies though, what did you steal? Is it cool? Can I see it?" T: "I stole my freedom. It's very cool." B: "...Oh."
K: "Basil! Hey, hi, I, uh... I missed you!" B: "Uhh... yeah! Missed you too, buddy!" K: "Yeah, buddy! Can I ask you a few questions about your culture?" B: "Uhh... sure!" K: "Okay! Well uh, I was wondering, what the relationship between halflings and elves were in this land?" Basil explains as much as they know, that halflings and elves are kinda separate, but on decent terms with each other. K: "Oh, I see! So every single people who live here have their own little enclaves that are not the forest?" B: "Pretty much!" K: "So they all each have their own little carved out piece of land?" B: "I'm not really sure on that, honestly. I mean, my village was pretty small, but…" K: "Okay, okay, so you come from a small village! Interesting! What is your favorite food? I hear halflings make really great food!" B: "Eh, I'll kinda try anything! I like wasp nuggets! Had that recently! We should kill more wasps!" K: "Oh yeah, we should definitely find more giant wasps, you know. One day, me and you, one quiet day, we'll just go giant wasp hunting." B: "Sounds good!" K: "But also, um. I wanted to ask you about Juniper? Um, I'm just curious, I'm not going to sling mud around, but why did you let her gooo?" B: "...I felt like it!" K: "You felt like it. Okay. And what actions did she take that led you to this feeling?" B: "... ...Hey, did you hear something? I think I might've heard a demon!" That doesn't work. K: "No, no no, but seriously, because I am doing some research on uh, political things, and Juniper may have had some insight into some research! So, uh, I would very much appreciate if you thought she was nice or approachable, or something like that?" B: "She was fun to hang out with!" K: "She was fun to hang out with. Cool. So you made a new friend?" B: "Yeah! I think so." K: "So, friendship is good. So, can I ask you a favor? Just if you find this new friend, can you please ask her about treaties between centaurs, elves, and halflings, and see if she knows anything about those? Okay?" B: "...Wiiill do!" K: "Okay. Thank you Basil. You are a very good friend. High five!" B: "High five!" They high five. (Chains, OOC: yeah basil is totally not doing that) Letters between Anthony and Tyzol!Dearest Tyzol,
It's so strange to be back in a city. Well, I guess you guys would call it that. To me city's a little different, skyscrapers and rush hour traffic. We'd been on the road for long enough that it was amazing to just to see it. Would you believe I got poisoned again along the way? What's with that? I mean, I guess eventually I'll build up an immunity, but it just always makes you feel so awful, as I'm sure you're aware.
I've been doing my usual work, playing music and solving problems...well...occaisionally successfully. The gang are alright, even if they are a bit odd. Heck, I owe that warlock a favor for getting this bird to deliver letters to you. Being able to write to you is nice though, it keeps me grounded, like I've found something in this time or dimension or plane or whatever that gives me a reason to stick around. Hopefully, I'll be able to see you again soon, the time apart sucks, but eventually we'll defeat the big bad guy and then I'll show up with a bottle of (not poisoned) wine and that movie I was telling you about.
Forever yours, Anthony
P.S. I'll figure out how to make popcorn. I guess that means I'll invent popcorn too. Haha, I'm gonna be rich Dear Anthony,
Should carry antidote. Found some in Deyn. Venali helped.
Warlock? Was not aware. Be careful with warlocks.
You say many interesting things. Would like to see this movie. Sounds much more interesting than books. Popcorn too. Do not trust your taste in wine but your taste in food may be much more palatable.
Do not die,
Draechydian Tyzol
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