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LDv2.0-NEW Party--Opening--Falconer's Secrets

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nospeed1981		#881	[-]
Posts: 1174 Jun 17 09 1:35 PM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Acethyen walks slowly into the outpost, and none of the visible posted guards seem to pass her any concern. Other than the man smoking by the tower's base, the cleric can tell the outpost is designed, built, and run by halflings with several intricate amenities interspersed - as steam spurts from fittings along parts of walkways and from cracks in the high-wall back. The structure itself is tucked against the wood's edge nicely, but looms as an eye-sore to the more native look of the rest of the road. No religious marks are visible anywhere on the structure - no idols, no statues, no symbols, and definitely, no church. Paying attention, a person can note that 6 guards patrol the walks at anytime. All are lightly equipped and seem to center around the tower. The guards along the back wall hand off torches as they pass one another. The occassional signal whistle sounds - every 15 minutes - and is followed shortly by a long puff of steam from the tower. As Ze'karra askes of the owners, the kitchen staff breaks into their quiet cooking song that soon grows to a roar of laughter as a crash echoes from the back room. Hylsa smiles at Zek, obviously taken with the barbarian brute, and then seems nearly as quickly repulsed when the skins are laid out. She nods to him, "see what we can do, but no promises, ok?" Erebhwesta joins the group about the same time that Aecethyen makes her way into the tavern and is greeted by Effie. The faint sounds of a mandolin start to fill the room, joined by the rhythmic clacking of metal spoons and methodical bump slide of mugs from about the room. The humming begins to pick up, and a single male voice rises into a strained drunken chant. "Along came a woman so pretty, she deserved a poor minstrel's ditty. Her face shined like the star rising beyond the wilderness far. She strode with confidence plenty, and left a good purse all empty. Her wilds hid that she cared, and shadowed her spirit set scared. Oh captain did sing, when he gave her that ring, and sent her a home down below. Her face stuck in smile, the men wept awhile, as was the end of gulf snow." As he finishes, there is a resounding thud of mugs around the room.
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sparky 90		#882	[-]
Posts: 1177 Jun 17 09 3:07 PM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Aecethyen sat down with the others and quietly spoke to them. "The settlement seems lightly but efficiently guarded. There is no sign of the hostile forces that are at work round Birchbark. No organized religion here either that I can see but if as Effie says there are caged fire elementals providing heat then there is arcane ability here which is perhaps a greater defence than the guards. It is obviously a bigger settlement than Birchbark so trade opportunities will be greater." She paused thinking for a moment. "I also met a forest guardian on my way here and he sees the halflings as no threat, but there is another." She went on to tell her companions about the encroachment of the lizard folk into the forests. "Effie, you said that baths were available. Where can I find one?"
Effie the Fool		#883	[-]
Posts: 329 Jun 17 09 7:16 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"Why, right here in the tavern," Effie answered Aecethyen then took her hand and led her toward Penny, the nearest of the halfling twins, "Come on, I'll float you," Effie laughed at the pun, "the cost. Besides I need a room to change in anyway." After procuring a bath for Aecethyen, Effie added "It's not a fire elemental... at least not like the ones those stones summoned. More like a small super hot, slightly flaming, mushy rock guy." While Aecethyen bathed Effie quietly changed into her jester outfit, struggling not to babble at her new friend so she could relax. Finally, after changing, Effie knelt down and said to her, "Don't stay in too long or you'll get wrinkles... or worse yet, miss my whole act." Coming down the stairs, she approached their table and tossed her bundled up leathers and travel clothes at Zek and said loudly, "Here you go!" Then addressing the slightly confused crowd, "Oh, he's been wanting to get inside my clothes since we met." Then turning back to Zek, "Enjoy, big guy! But please try not to rip anything." Then making her way to the open space, "So I'm guessing everyone here wants to hear about why the outpost came back? We'll I'm here to tell it to you. Straight from the horse's mouth. Except, there aren't any horses in the story." Then pausing, and tapping a thoughtful finger on her chin, "Wellllll.... there was a half horse, half bird involved; but the horse part only made a sound like..." She placed the inside of her palm to her lips and puffed up her cheeks only to pull it away before blowing. "Hey, I'm better than that. I don't have to lead off with a flatulence joke from a majestic magical horse-bird, do I?" She teased the crowd before continuing, "I mean it's not like I'm some crazy two bit fool..." She paused to gauge the audience's reaction, then acted surprised as she 'suddenly' noticed her own dress. "Oh crp! I guess I am." Then shrugging with a big smile she blew a long 'toot'. "So anyway we met the horse-bird because..." She stopped when some drunk shouted out 'Hippogriff' at her, and hands on her hips she retorted, "No, it wasn't a hippogriff. It didn't look anything at all like a hippo." Effie continued the story, accentuating it with her tumbling and juggling and various run off comedic tangents, poking fun at various elements of each of the group's personalities (e.g. Zek and hauling around the dead small lizards so he could feed them to the horse-bird; Erebhwesta almost over thinking the Jermaline King's riddle; etc...), though with the harshest zingers aimed at herself, but with an overall theme of foolish/crazy/clumsy/lucky big folk. Effie will encorporate narrowly missing tumbling disasters during her act as a running gag throughout her act only to be 'done in' very messily at the end. Effie's story/act retells the events, but is light in the various details (e.g. "thought it was a good idea to throw away the unwanted trash in the acidic pool. In the cave... that no one, in their right mind goes in. Yeah, uhm... that was a goooood* idea.") and deemphasises the real dangers and threat, particularly to the kidnapped kids (e.g. "I mean who is the bigger fool: The fool or the Meanlock who used a screwy mind ability on the fool?" Effie asked walking around as if dazed. Stopping she answered her own rhetorical question, "Clearly I'm the bigger fool!" Effie said proudly. "The Meanlock was only this tall." Effie added with her hand about two feet off the ground.) OOC: I don't want to skip ahead too much or overly apply actions (e.g. the bath) to other characters either. If I'm going too far/too fast for anyone let me know and I'll adjust. Perform (Comedy) +7, Sleight of Hand (aka juggling) +10, Balance +9, Tumble +8, Jump +5
Zekarra		#884	[-]
Posts: 298 Jun 18 09 4:30 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	As the clothes smack him him in the face, Zek starts to stand with a gruff look on his face. Then hearing Effie and realizing it was part of the act, says, "That may be true; though, I'd prefer you in them when I try." Then letting out a lion's roar of laughter he sits back down and watches the rest of the jester tale. All hail the teacher, for thou art a student of LIFE.
nospeed1981		#885	[-]
Posts: 1174 Jun 20 09 9:25 PM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The halfling crowds throws mixed reactions at the jester, but when Effie misjudges the amount of space in her routine tumble. She comes up sitting firmly with her sound posterior square on a burly, half-barrel-chested halfling's lap - the crowd breaks into a riot of laughter. A nearby halfling stands and points at Ze'karra across the room, laughing "looks like Dimo's got farter tan you." The drunken halfling's words slur to sound far less appropriate, which only makes the crowd laugh more. A few halflings even fall out of their chairs, but the room hushes some as an elegantly dressed and hooded figure appears on the upper balcony of the tavern. A shake of the dark brown robe with a white hood, and thin white edging along the entirety and the halflings return to their previous loud state. Leather patches cover the elbows and shoulders as white gloves extend from the sleeves and grasp the wooden railing. The figure leans forward, face still hidden under the hood, content to merely watch. ooc - occassionally 1's happen. Last Edited By: nospeed1981 Jun 20 09 11:55 PM. Edited 1 times.
Effie the Fool		#886	[-]
Posts: 329 Jun 21 09 5:12 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Effie smiled and hid her disappointment, pretending it was all part of the act. She then gave Dimo a short, but dramatic full on the lips kiss before exiting his lap in a back hand walk over to prepare to finish her act (sans the 'disaster' finale since that had been ruined). OOC: Take 10 on the rest of the performace Is the robbed figure halfling sized or not?
sparky 90		#887	[-]
Posts: 1177 Jun 21 09 7:28 AM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Aecthyen studied the novel water heating arrangements as Effie filled the bath and prattled on while changing. Once the fool had left she had a good soak and dried and dressed. Feeling refreshed to she returned to the bar just in time to see Effie's 'interesting' finale. Feeling the room quiet she looked up at the figure on the balcony studying it closely. OOC: Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Nature) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Knowledge (The Planes) +2, Spot +5, firstly to identify the Magmin (yes, I know what it is but does Aecethyen?), then to discover how it is restrained and finally any information on the robed figure.
nospeed1981		#888	[-]
Posts: 1174 Jun 21 09 10:04 AM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Aecethyen considers the magmin's internment as local heating. The structure has etchings, reminiscent of binding circles and the magic appears to be active, or the magmin does not appear to be resisting its servitude. From her understanding of the arts, the creator of such designs and the imprisonment of these specific elementals would be a very strong ally or adversary. The robed figure is only slightly larger than a normal halfling and seems to take enjoyment in the predicament Dimo put himself in. Aecethyen's vantage as she walks out from the bath, allows her to see a mishapen face, but otherwise normal halfling appearance. Effie manages to scrounge up 10 sp and 13 gp from the crowd - the majority coming from Dimo's table and accompanied by suggestive glances, looks, and postures. ooc - Editted for more info.... Last Edited By: nospeed1981 Jun 21 09 8:01 PM. Edited 1 times.
Effie the Fool		#889	[-]
Posts: 329 Jun 21 09 7:35 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Concluding her performance, Effie bowed graciously. She smiled, perhaps a bit forced but a smile nonetheless, as she looked for and gathered up (if) any coins tossed by the audience. 'Some day I will have people begging to gather up the coins for me... Better yet, someday I'll be handsomely paid in advance...' she thought to herself. 'That's twice now I've had a misstep while performing...' She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she made her way to their table and by the time she sat down she already felt a good deal better.
nospeed1981		#890	[-]
Posts: 1174 Jun 22 09 1:27 PM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The robed figure slips back upstairs without much notice from the crowd. The minstrel strums away as the tavern-goers consume their food, tonics, and tinctures. The owners give last call for food, and a mad rush of halflings scramble to the counter. The tavern is full of smell - all of which are better than the cave Amn was in, and the frivolity appears more carefree as halflings seem to take great enjoyment in jesting, a nearly opposite feeling to the one encountered in Birchbark. The remainder of the meal is peaceful for the party members, and although the food does not compare to Hobart's, it is nonetheless filling. Small animals, mostly dogs, rats, and ferrets, scamper beneath the tables and through legs with scraps of food. A circular wooden board hangs on the far wall and as the place begins to clear, an interesting game of darts ensues. One thrower pitting his skill against another, attempting to match each other in placement on the board. Effie can't tell if knives are allowed. One of the kitchen crew brings a tin container to the table, setting it by Zek, "the fats from your skin, sir." The halfling slips quickly back into a crowd of the caravan-ers heading for the door, Peryfura among them. Already, several small fires are burning near the wagon houses and canvased overhangs. The shadows of the outpost's wall and the trees creeps over the small yard and everything in near sight. With the tavern almost half-empty, Joshua finally makes his way in. He holds dead rabbits in his hands, and makes an acknowledging nod to the group before handing the game off to a kitchen crew. Joshua walks over to the group's table, and point at a seat next to Effie and Erebhwesta, "mind if I join you?"
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Effie the Fool		#891	[-]
Posts: 329 Jun 22 09 2:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Effie watched the dart throwers and pondered wandering over there, when Joshua showed up. Pulling her attention away, she smiled at metalsmith, "Sure Josh. What's on your mind? I'd tell you what's on mine, but you'd need a bath afterwards." Last Edited By: Effie the Fool Jun 22 09 2:59 PM. Edited 1 times.
nospeed1981		#892	[-]
Posts: 1174 Jun 22 09 4:25 PM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	He takes a slow seat between the two ladies, "Here is a halfling outpost, I am the only human, and my work is the forge. It takes a lot more than what's on a woman's mind to make me need a bath." He gives the rogue a smile, placing his hand on the table in front of her. "What brings you to these parts...?" he looks at Effie. "Besides two feet, a road, and empty stomachs." Joshua sits back, his soft cloth shirt clinging to his chest. He wears a patchwork vest, light leather pants, and boots.
Effie the Fool		#893	[-]
Posts: 329 Jun 22 09 6:56 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"Are you sure? It can get pretty messy what with all the blood, bone and skin on top of one's mind," Effie replied, "Anyway, if you'd had been here twenty minutes ago, you would've gotten the whole story. In short, what with various lizard men types fighting each other in the swamp, the smaller outpost's, colony?, children taken hostage by Jermlains and a handful of Meenlocks attempting to uhm... reproduce with the adults and the blind gnomish wizardess, we presume, whom we're not..." Effie trailed off before thinking better of saying more, then continued, "...we thought it best to accompany them back home."
Zekarra		#894	[-]
Posts: 298 Jun 24 09 4:24 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"I always knew you liked em small Effie...," Ze'karra says just before he bursts into laughter. Then turning his attention to the halfing who brought the fats and oils from the skin he says, "Thank you." "Sure, If that is you don't mind Effie sitting in your lap," Ze'karra says with a mischievous smile. OoC: When appropriate, he excuse himself to sharpen and oil his Greatsword. Doing this prior to going to bed. All hail the teacher, for thou art a student of LIFE. Last Edited By: Zekarra Jun 24 09 4:34 AM. Edited 2 times.
Zekarra		#895	[-]
Posts: 298 Jun 24 09 4:33 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	In response to Joshua's question, he nods in approval of what Effie has related and adds, "And a group of Orcs lead by a Minotaur with one horn." After mentioning this he hangs his head some. More to show respect for his fallen tribe and family, but also to hide his mouthing of curses at the Minotaur. "What keeps you here Josh?," he adds after a momonet of silence. OoC: Sense Motive/Diplomacy/Gather Information on Josh All hail the teacher, for thou art a student of LIFE.
nospeed1981		#896	[-]
Posts: 1174 Jun 24 09 10:05 PM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	At the sound of home, Joshua's face sombers a bit, but he does interrupt, instead lightly traces the table's edge with his finger until the storytellers are done. Pointing across the table in Zek's general direction, "you need to work on your delivery, but a one horned minotaur, that sounds like a story." Joshua smiles and continues, kicking his foot at the floor, and he appears no worse the wear having not made mealtime. "Necessity keeps me here, and a group that considers me useful. I have no place to go because I don't know where I am from. These halflings found me tied to a piece of wreckage that washed ashore about 10 years ago, and have cared for me ever since." "I trained with their craftsmen in manner of things - metal, wood, stone, weapons, armors, traps, wheels, and especially wagons. Humans live by the wagon, but halflings live in them... funny thing that?" He cracks a smile at his own weird humor. "Anyway, it was good speaking with you, but I need to check the steamer liness and get my rest." Joshua gets up and steps around near Zek before leaning down to whisper to him, "if I were you, I wouldn't stay too long, or you'll have a halfling crawling all over your lap. She likes her men, large." Joshua winks at the ladies at the table, especially the two elves. Then he looks toward the bar counter, the owners are still cleaning up, but Hylsa is caught staring and she quickly finds something to work on. The metalsmith's honest, straightforward attitude is comforting to the barbarian - yet Zek can still tell that much like himself, Joshua has some skills to develop socially.
sparky 90		#897	[-]
Posts: 1177 Jun 25 09 4:33 AM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Aecethyen who had been listening to Effie's narration quietly spoke as Joshua stood. "Have there been tidings of an evil moving in the forests? Has it reached in this direction? In the swamps and around Birchbark something is on the move, but what is hard to say." She paused for thought. "You seem to have magical protection here and maybe that keeps you safe ... The method you use to heat your water is unusual to say the least. Does that hooded figure that we saw on the balcony have anything to do with that?"
Taxman66		#898	[-]
Posts: 231 Jun 25 09 10:10 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Effie wondered if she should rescue Joshua from Aecethyen's inquistory style of questioning, and decided against it. Getting up from her seat she smiled and nodded at Aecethyen and Ereb, and winking at Zek she humorously commented , "Good luck with Hylsa." As she turned to leave she put a hand on Joshua's shoulder and said to him, "I'll see you tomorrow about that knife, and I have a question that maybe you can help me with as well." Effie then wandered over to the darts game to watch and hopefully participate in. She attempted to judge their skill level and the competitiveness of the game as she approached. If they were serious, she didn't want to disturb them with her antics. If it was more lite hearted, then, well, all bets were off... 'or on as the case may be' she thought to herself. During the game she hoped to find out who in the outpost one should talk to about trading higher end quality products with, and who might know more about the pirate Slyswift. OOC: Gather Information +3, Diplomacy +4, Perform, Comedy +7, Sleight of Hand +10, Balance +9 (if goofing around), Bluff +7, Intimidate +6 (if necessary, frex: to ward off advances), Ranged AB +4 (or +2/+2 double throw if goofing around). Taxman "If Scientology can be rated a religion then Pythology ought to qualify under any decent tax system." - Eric Idle
nospeed1981		#899	[-]
Posts: 1174 Jun 26 09 9:54 PM Vampire Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Standing beside the table, the metalsmith nods at Effie as she heads off. Joshua smiles at Aecethyen and holds his hands up as if to surrender. "From my local travels, the evil moving in the woods, is always occurring around here. Even the people that consider themselves good seem twisted in the dark forest... I think it's swamp gas, actually. The protection we have is bought and paid for with lives, and loved ones. The hooded figure, you'd have to be more specific, unless you mean from..." he points at the balcony and the doors to the high levels of the outpost. "Yes, he keeps our helpers around, and he seems quite proficient at it... his name, only he can tell you that. I have strict instructions to never disclose that information." The dart game, from what Effie can tell, is very jovial - yet contains a serious tone. The rogue realizes the game is less a game, and more a continuing practice of skill. The darts seem to be thrown in a predictable pattern - overhand, underhand, all-in-the-wrist, and then with no arm motion - just a flick of fingers over the dart launches it at the target. One of the still seated halflings smiles at the watching Effie, his pristine teeth gleam, "fancy a go at flit-wit-stick-dick? Or can we simply help'ye miss in tum other way?"
Zekarra		#900	[-]
Posts: 298 Jun 28 09 4:21 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"I see," Ze'karra says to Joshua before he leaves. Then smiling at Effie, "Well I'm off to bed, see you all in the morning." After he leaves, Ze'karra Oils and sharpens his blade for the following day, then goes to bed. All hail the teacher, for thou art a student of LIFE.
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LDv2.0-NEW Party--Opening--Falconer's Secrets