Mage's Towers
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini...3b10a2e3b18c7b60.jpg



https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini...180fa30a1fdba7b9.jpg



https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini...f53d680087ed0474.jpg
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:02, Fri 11 Nov 2016.

 Walks down the curving street toward the towers set against the waterfront. Her eyes are filled with darkness, her sword and knives filled with death. She goes to explore the Mage's death, prepared to do what it takes, even if she does it alone.

 Where lilbug is she doesn't know. Will he follow? Or will he be content t stay behind and be a good little slave boy?

Huffing from the effort, lilbug comes running after his eager Mistress.  He wasn't particularly enamoured of the waterfront; the mariners and merchants that frequented this area could be an insular and difficult people to deal with.  It was no place for cowards, but lilbug, for all his natural meekness, had never been a coward.

Catching up to his Lady, he slowed down to catch his breath.  He looked to his Mistress and immediately knew She was focused on Her purpose.  Quietly he walked behind Her, staying in close in case She had need of him, guarding their back vigilantly.

It was not too long after breakfast that Xi joined Fairaday to the mages tower.  Weapons and armor strapped on let those know that should a fight occur, she would not be found to be unskilled that art.  "I hope there are no mystical spells to be trap triggered." she stated calmly staring upwards to guess the height.  "I wonder how long the little beastie took to travel to join us...and why to the banquet", still part of her guessed it went to look for help but in this putrid city most would soon kill the animal and eat it than have cared enough to care for it.

 She gave lilbug a stern glance as he came puffing up like a steaming tea kettle. Was this how she had trained him? Clomp up the street with nary a glance around. Not a stealthy bone in his body!

 "Is that how I taught you to act slaveboy? For shame! You attract attention like a honey-flower attracts bees!"

 She glanced over at Xi and shakes her head. She hoped she got the boy trained before her own life depended upon him. She noted Xi's readiness for trouble with approval.

Rinaldo spotted Xi and Fairaday at a distance those two women left a wake behind them o a city street. Lethal and eyes full of purpose and death He doubted he noticed the common folk skittering out of their way like nervous sheep.

He Strolled leisurely whistling a tune and conversing with Stardance about the trip to the market as they went. Her presence was a going to attract attention but he was ready to shoo away onlookers and scolded them with a surprising sharpness if they tried to get too close to her.

Carefully and subtly making use of his title and Flashing his signet if they didn't respond to a man with no lady in his presence. No one wished to anger a Noble even a low ranking Man.

Now dressed in black with a cape of black with stark white flashes on the shoulders and down the hem,His garb now matching the colors of the bird tattooed on his neck. he Gave a slight apologetic glance to Stardancer when he chased away a particularly persistent Matron who wished to purchase her from them" Humans, I forgot how pesky they could be.Worse than Starlings."

He was relieved when he caught up to them on their way to the wizards tower. Ladies, no summoned demons from the abyss so far I hope."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:10, Wed 23 Nov 2016.

As the group made their way toward the wizard's tower, the familiar face of the aspiring magician appeared behind them.  He scratched his head before getting their attention.  "Ah... you guys got here first?  Here I was thinking I'd get a head start on the scene of the crime.  Ah well..."

His eyes turned toward the direction in which the tower was located.  It wasn't often one had the chance to see the dwellings of a master wizard as successful as the owner of that one obviously was while he was still alive.  Of course, he had no doubt that he would be given many more such opportunities in the future.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:35, Thu 24 Nov 2016.

 All are walking down the street toward the towers, but haven't gotten there yet. To the left, half a block ahead, the street branches off to the side, rounding behind the tower with a few narrow storefronts on the left and right. Ahead the street curves slightly to the right and heads straight for the waterfront, facing upon a section of the lake. There are a few boats tied up to warfs, the waterfront isn't as poor as some sections might be. This is a more affluent neighborhood. The buildings facing the water have some upper balconies and windows to open for fresh air flow.

 There do not appear to be any direct openings to the tower from this angle.

A little bird flies over and leaves lilbug a gift on his shoulder and down his back.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:47, Sat 26 Nov 2016.

Walking along the streets Stardancer played her part as his dutiful guard.  Especially from pickpockets and those who wanted to accost him for a reason or two.  Still for sake of keeping peace she did not draw a weapon, she did not want to appear too threatening too the common folk.  She looked curiously at the woman wanting to 'purchase' her.  Flashing a wide smile as they passed when Rinaldo turned her offer away.  Though still acting the part of slave, most of her companions knew she was free and if her 'owner' did not appear within the next few months she truly would be free.  "I for one am often amazed at the diversity of thoughts by the people of this city, they are complex at times"

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini...3b10a2e3b18c7b60.jpg

 He ran ahead and to the left, down the side street, then disappears suddenly.

"Sorry Mistress, I was trying to act naturally as a slave boy would.  Even in places such as this, most slaves bustling about on their Mistress' errands are not given much notice.  I will try to be quieter."  the chastened slave boy whispered in reply.  He knew he had a great deal to learn from his Mistress, and he had best learn quickly it seemed.

When the generous bird left its gift on his shoulder he groaned.  This was not a very auspicious beginning.

 "Clean up your act worm. And your shoulder. You need to look presentable if you insist n acting the slave. Wash off your leather and do your best to keep up. And keep your eyes peeled. We are nearly there."

 Her eyes followed their guide's path. She went left along the street that went west. Her eyes scanned the street but didn't see where the guide had gone.

"I think it is that building up that way"  She looked to the others gathering "Shall we take a look?"

 She looked at Xi to see where she was pointing, then looked around for the cat she had been following. Where did it disappear to anyway?

 "Did you see where the cat went to?"

She looked confused.  "Last I saw he was asleep on the chair in the dining hall"

 repost

The slave took a moment to find a rain barrel and clean himself up, then returned quickly (and quietly this time) to the Lady Fairaday and company.  He arrived in time to hear his Mistress query, and quickly answered:

"Mistress, I think I saw the Mage's cat go down this small street...um, I believe it is called Fishmonger's Way?  Perhaps he is hungry my Lady?"

 "I believe you are correct. Do you see him now though? This street backs up against the back of the towers."

 She stopped and looked around the area, the street that followed the curve of the lakefront a block further on.

roll Know Local or Spot

Cautiously, lilbug scanned the street, looking for any sign of the ragged tom.  He tried to think like a cat, hoping it would help.

"I'll search for him, Mistress, hopefully he hasn't gone far."

21:52, Today: lilbug rolled 23 using 1d20+11.  lilbug spot roll to find ragged kitty.

He moved slowly forward, trying to see if he could spot the surprisingly quick feline.  He looked up, checking walls and roofs, knowing cats were superior climbers.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

Xi looked that way as well.

Xi rolled 23 using 1d20+9.  spot ragged kitty.

She looked at the others assembling when asked to see if she could see the cat they were following, or had followed them.

Stardancer rolled 23 using 1d20+9.  spot the ragged kitty.

As you all search for the Tom, you feel that you are being watched. Once you look around, looking not only behind the crates and lobster and crab traps, you look up. Over a burnt out looking shop on the peak of the porch roof, you see the Tom looking down upon you with a smug look upon his face.

"Muurr?"

Mariasha had arrived late and just barely caught sight of the group, had to be Mana's divine intervention she thought as she hurried to catch up to them.  She stops short in front of a burnt out shop, breathing a little heavy from hurrying, and watches the others search the crates and traps scatter around the area. When they seem to have exhausted all hiding places they turn theirs to the burnt out shop. Mariasha's eyes are on the group and not the shop, she see enlightened flash across their faces moments before she hears the Tom meow.

 Tom dances on the roof of the shop then climbs along the roof-line toward the stone wall of a garden behind the business.

Azael followed a little behind the rest deciding to watch the rear of the group planning on keeping an eye out for anyone paying undue attention to the group as a precaution. He waited for several moments then joined the rest of the group.

He paused for a moment and gave Sparrow a glance." An Interesting side of town."

While we are inside, feel free to move about and speak as you need to. We need to give our friends all the assistance we can."

Stardancer pointed up to the roof "Is that him up there?" If it was, it would mean a rather difficult climb for her.  "The front door might be more to my ...style?"

His eyes never leaving the ragged tom, lilbug nodded at Stardancer's assertion.  "It is him, he is leading us, that much is certain.  See?  He is making for that walled garden.  We should see what he wants us to find!"

The slave glanced back to his Mistress, "with your permission, of course, Mistress," he added a little sheepishly.

"What are you planning to do lilbug? That wall is tall and it's inside another wall. The roof of that burned out store is higher than I want to climb."

 She stood and studied the walls and the rooftop, then looked at her slave-boy with a smirk on her face. She shook her head at him.

 "And no, I'm not giving you a lift up and over. You may be young, but you aren't light."

"There must be a way into the garden my Lady, if that is where he is leading us.  I am confident that we can find it dear Mistress.  Also, perhaps I should go on a diet?"Lilbug replied returning Lady Fairaday's smile with a wink.

 "Have at it then worm. Let me know what you find."

 She stands there with her arms crossed, toes tapping on the street as she watches them search, and studies the walls and streets and the way the winds blow and the birds fly. She keeps a close eye on people walking around too, trying to judge how they are reacting to them as well.

In reply to Fairaday (msg # 32):

If there is a way I think I can find it" Rinaldo spoke up as he dug into his pack and came up with a thin coil of silk rope.He sized up the walls and the surrounding buildings with a practiced eye." I spent some time hanging out with a particularly clever murder of crows. Those fellows can teach  you how to get around an obstacle."

He started up the wall lost his grip on a piece of loose mortar and tumbled back.Well damn that wasn't how that's supposed to work."

Time to get clever.He looked around and took a short hop a flurry of feathers and flapping wings as he took wing. scouting for an ope window or opening the  cat could be looking for
OOC:

03:52, Today: Rinaldo Scyffia rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  climb.
03:52, Today: Rinaldo Scyffia rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  spot.

As Rinaldo began up the wall Stardancer moved close "Be caref......" he started falling.  Luckily it was not from a great height.  Helping him up she dusted him off a bit "Perhaps another approach?  Perhaps the main door?" she suggested.  Somehow Stardancer was thinking the cat was laughing at them.

Quietly Xi moved around to bypass the shop and to find perhaps a better way in to the mages tower, or atleast one with a larger than housecat size hole to fit through.

 Rinaldo makes it so high then runs into a solid wall of nothingness, then a gust of wind blows him away and across the street to land in a heap of leaves in the eaves of a house across the street.

Sparrow nods to Azael. "Yes, master", she says quietly. He's right of course; when walking into danger she needs to be able to point out danger or react to it without having to defer. Seconds may save lives in such matters.

She quietly watches Rinaldo come up the wall -- and suddenly get blown away. She gasps, but his landing, in a heap of leaves, appears to be a soft one. She nonetheless rushes to help him. "It seems the mage has spells to prevent intruders", she opines. "I'd suggest the front door."

In a touch of shock at him being blown into the leaves so suddenly her hand covered her mouth and her eyes got wide.  By the time she moved to his side Sparrow had already got him up right "I agree.  Master Rinaldo...this is too dangerous.  I don't want you to get hurt"

OOC: I think you all missed his turning into bird form? But he is ok... is he still in bird form? Up to him now.

The slave is visibly relieved when Rinaldo, in his mischievous magpie form, is seen to be okay.  Pondering the puzzle before him, lilbug makes a decision.

"Yes Sparrow, I think you are right.  Let's search the burnt out shop, there may be a way through to the garden there, or at least a clue of how the cat go there.  Come my friends, the more eyes we have the greater the chance we will find something, if there is anything to be found that is."

He glanced back to his Mistress, who was keeping a wary eye out, and headed for the abandoned shop.  She had given him leave to deal with the situation as he thought best.  She had faith in him, and he would not let her down, he would find the way!

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini...1d911a9be05282b2.jpg

The shop looks like this from the front, except it's somewhat smoky and burnt. You get the feeling though that it could be dangerous and may even be about to fall down.

"This is strange...." Stardancer said looking at the others "Well...I mean, odd? I think" she cocked her head sideways as she thought about how to get her thought across for others to follow.  "Well the little fellow did not show up until yesterday afternoon...after the evening that its master was dispatched.  And now the building next to it has been put to a fire?  Is that more than odd?" Since the building was still smoking it meant the building was only recently torched. She looked to the feathered form of Rinaldo.  Gathering him up from Sparrow and placing him on her shoulder.

Rinaldo fluttered and squawked angrily his wing coming up to his feathered head  in a very human gesture as he recovered from the spell generated trip to the ground. He flopped back wings spread looking very disgusted by the experience.

He let out a string of sounds that could easily be curses and then settled on Stardancers shoulder and nodded his head at the suggestion of using the front door.he continued to caw and squawk for several moments startling  flock of pigeons from their roost.

"Mages" he croaked angrily as he set his keen eyes on the front door.

She knew he was frustrated at what happened.  Gently she stroked his chest, smoothing the ruffled feathers then kissed his head "I am glade you are not hurt beyond pride.  I shall endeavour to be more attentive in the future to break your fall" she cooed in his ear

 The closer you go to the burned out shop, the grimmer the picture you see. You start to smell the burned wood smell and smoke seems to hang in the air. The stone lintel is growing mold and feels almost slimy. Soot clings to the wood seen from the doorway.

Mariasha had been taken somewhat by surprise when Rinaldo changed into a magpie and thus watched the the whole events transpire quietly. She stood back from the others and observed the shop and their surroundings it did indeed look like the work of mages as Rinaldo suggested. As the others moved forward toward the burnt shop, Mariasha followed couple of paces behind. She had only just join this group and still felt out of step but she would help them to the best of her abilities.

"Some sort of mage battle, perhaps?" hazards Sparrow. "Why else would this shop be burnt... and this feels... unnatural, a little." The slave girl very visibly lets someone else, someone bigger and more suited to the role, go first.

 "Go ahead guys, and explore. I am watching from here, in case someone comes to investigate. If you find a way in, then come get me lilbug. I can seal the doorway and come inside then."

 She leaned against an alcove in the decorative alcove in the wall across the street.

"What say we investigate the area a bit more carefully?" she said as she stroked the dark birds chest feathers.  "Then if we find no hidden passages or such we try the front door to the wizards place"
Carefully with in the burned ruins she moved a few boards as needed looking for any hidden doors or such.

Hearing his Mistress speak, lilbug did as always, he absorbed and memorized Her every word.  He smiled softly in reply, then nodded his head.

"Yes Mistress, understood," he answered as quietly as he could.  Then, swallowing the lump in his throat, he made his way in, following Stardancer and Rinaldo.  Remembering his training, he scanned the area first for immediate danger, obvious or hidden, before he began to assist in the search of the shop.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:21, Thu 15 Dec 2016.

Xi looked about.  Though her eyes were looking for a way in she also had a surprise for her companions.

With eyes scanning the area around them for danger, Mariasha followed cautiously behind the others into the shop. She knew she may not be all that much help in a hand to hand fight but she was there to ensure the health of her party, come what may.

The tower reminded him more of an elaborate birdhouse, then a place that one would find a mage.  "Perhaps if we find the way that the little cat got out, then we might have a way to get in."  He commented to Xi as he walked up behind her.  "Do we know what sort of Mage this was... I hope it was a blow em up mage, and not one that captures and keeps dangerous beasts."

Stardancer heard a familiar voice as she searched.  Wide-eyed she looked at Rinaldo...about a half second before she raised up and hit her head on part of the burned and fallen roof area.  Not really hurt beyond pride she shook it off. "Stargazer!?!  When did you get here?" she asked with a smile.

Sparrow nodded at Stardancer's suggestion to search carefully, and began to do just that, exploring carefully in the areas Stardancer and the others weren't.

"Last night." he replied to Stardancer, glancing up at her forehead.  "But if you mean this Mage place, Xi guided me in.  I heard that there was a little cat you saw to and something that went down here, but the cat couldn't be specific?"

Perception check. Roll 1d20 please.

Rinaldo sitting on her shoulder she stopped for a moment to greet Stargazer "A well dressed man and atleast 2 others were fighting with a greybeard.  Busting furniture and such.  Tossing the cat with the collar out a window and into water.  The man may be injured or dead...and with the damage about...well?"  She relayed to Stargazer, it was good to have him back.

Stardancer rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  rolling perception (spot).

The  watchful slave scanned the ruined shop, looking for anything out of the ordinary... "if I was a cat, where would I go?"  He mumbled quietly to himself.  He was determined not to let his Mistress down.


00:13, Today: lilbug rolled 20 using 1d20+11 ((9)).

"Oh, so two ruffians assaulted the magus?"  That made things look a bit different.  "Has anyone talked to the locals?  There must be some history with these other men."

08:15, Today: Bruto rolled 29 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 17.  Spot +5wis w/torc+7ranks.

Results:

Mariasha got herself in time before stumbling over a burnt piece of timber, she had been bringing up the rear of the group and yet she had still been taken by surprise by the newcomer. She silently scolded herself for not paying attention and tried to refocus on searching for clues.

OOC: sorry for my delayed post.  10:47 today rolled 11 using 1d20

He points out the cat prints leading into the shop, "What are we looking for, maybe I'm on a different track.  Are we wanting to view the crime scene for ourselves?"

Crow looked up at the store, taking in the sight of the magical shop... not quite what he was expecting.  For one, it was smoky and burnt.  A foreboding sign, to be sure.

He took a careful glance around, wondering if he should start using magic at this point... no.  It would be a waste at this point.  For now, he figured he should save it for later in case of an emergency.

His eyes weren't nearly as good as Motoko's... or Bruto's apparently, but his ears... He closed his eyes and listened carefully.  Perhaps there was something that the others had missed.  Something that couldn't be seen, but rather heard...

Cooper, who still remained lying atop the bard's head also had his ears perked and ready to capture any information that may be of help.

22:39, Today: Crow Reeds rolled 28 using 1d20+12.  Perception Roll (Listen + Familiar's Alertness).

Shortly after... a familiar-looking woman with three swords at her side and a longbow on her back ran up the street to greet the others.

"Sorry I'm late.  The... thing at the temple took longer than I thought," Motoko apologized as soon as she reached the others.  She looked up at the shop, taking note of the burnt state it was in.  "So... this is the place, eh?"

In reply to Bruto (msg # 63):

You see sooty cat prints entering the door of the shop, disappearing into the interior.

He waves at Motoko, "Good to see you again Lady Motoko."  He takes a step towards the shop doorway.  "These sooty prints seem to indicate that a cat has entered since the fire?  Or maybe it was a flaming cat that started the fire."

"Welcome everyone; please do stay focused.  We have no idea what's in here and we may not be alone," the slave boy cautioned.  He noted the sooty paw prints and began to follow them, being careful to stay aware of his surroundings.  He had learned from his Mistress that complacency was dangerous.

"We've been following the mage's cat familiar Bruto, he seems to be leading us to something."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Sun 18 Dec 2016.

The cat's prints meander here and there as he smells mice or other interesting things, even hopping from floor to counter top down the counter, up to a shelf, down it to the end, back to the floor, around the counter and through an opening in the wall, you can't fit through. You will have to follow then go search for the prints again from the other side.
______________________________________________________wall
......................................................
r**********d....................................
................r********d..........................
.................*..........*...................
..d*********l........r********d.............
..d*..........u*......................*d.............
d**l.........u****************l..............
d*.....................................................
d*_______ ___ _ ______  ________ __ __________wall


r=right
d=down
u=up
l=left
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:33, Sun 18 Dec 2016.

Sparrow looks at the cat prints with amusement. "Well, it's a cat all right. Do you think he's looking for something here, or is it just catlike curiosity on the way?" She quietly looks at the cat's first stop to see what had him so curious.

He smiled at Lilbug, he always appreciated the nice costumes that his Mistress placed him in, "Oh, maybe I should stay outside and guard?  I imagine I'll... Ah.... Choo!"  The fine ash around the place finally getting to his nose's tolerance.  "All this ash..."

Edit: ash, not ask
This message was last edited by the player at 22:45, Mon 19 Dec 2016.

Everyone should go in...lol.

Mariasha allowed the voices of the others to play as background noise in her head as she walked into the shop. She spotted the sooty paw prints quickly after they had been pointed out by the male centaur that sprang up by surprise in their group. She took some comfort in the fact that he seemed to be a much trusted companion and thus allowed her nerves to settle some. However her senses were still taut like rope and she tried to proceed with caution.
 Perhaps I am still unsettled by my talk with Brother Galen?... No, I must not think about that right now. Think about the task at hand! She reprimand herself silently as she cautiously followed the path of the paw prints.

She had reached the wall where the cat had disappeared through the small hole before she knew it and began making her way to a break in its expanse so as to try and continue to follow the prints.

Motoko entered, keeping her eyes and ears open just in case.  Remembering her training, she adopted the Tiger Claw Stance "Hunter's Senses", which allowed her to use her tracking skills to the fullest.

OOC: Using Hunter's Senses to gain the Scent Special Ability

With no other way to go except forward, the aspiring mage followed after the others.  For now, they were going to have to follow the cat and see where that took their investigation.

Turning, lilbug grinned at Stargazer, then started to follow the wall, searching for a way around so they could continue their pursuit of the cleaver tom.  It did occur to him that there might very well be a hidden door or entry on the wall itself, and he made sure to search for any possible signs of such.

"I've missed you too Stargazer, and bless you."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:20, Wed 21 Dec 2016.

 You find a doorway to go through and keep following the foot prints until they disappear through another doorway where a stairway is blocked by fallen timbers.

He stood beside the door and held it open for others, after Motoko entered.  "How is it going in there Lady Motoko?"  He smiled at Lilbug, unsure what he was doing to that wall.

Xi smiled at Motoko and Fairaday.  it was good to have the members back together.  One alone could be dangerous, all together it would be horror for another.

Seeing the helpful Centaur holding the door, he stopped searching the wall for a secret entrance and walked on through, grinning back at him.  He followed the cat's paw prints as the others had until it came to the blocked staircase.  He scratched his head, trying to decide how to get past.  It appeared as if several wooden beams had fallen across, so he began carefully trying to remove them, one at a time, vigilant for any sign of instability in the frame.  The last thing he wanted to do was drop heavy wood timbers on his friends heads.  Mistress really WOULD kill him for that!

Sparrow looked at the collapsed timbers. "Is there a hole through which the cat could have traveled? Could we perhaps find another path?" The dainty slave girl doubted she would be of much use moving the timbers.

"Perhaps if we both try to move the beams?" she suggested to Bruto and tried to move up next to him to help dislodge the timbers.  Then to the magpie on her shoulder "Cannot hurt..right?"

When Stardancer moved past into the structure proper and started touching the beams, he stepped inside.  "Whoa... building has suffered a fire or explosion... moving one beam could bring the whole place down upon us."  OOC: What sort of roll for determining structural stability?

Mariasha had followed the others into the next room and watched as the two centaurs tried to figure away passed the blockage of fallen timber. She did not know what good she would do here she was a cleric not a Mage.

Crow had decided to take a good look around the room, basing his search entirely on his knowledge of the Arcane.  After all... they were inside a place that should be filled with magic.  With that in mind... if he simply put himself in the shoes of the owner, then where would all the Arcane secrets be hidden?

21:31, Today: Crow Reeds rolled 27 using 1d20+15.  Knowledge (Arcana).

Seeing the two centaurs at work moving the debris to create a passage, Motoko simply shrugged her shoulders before approaching to help out as well.

 Just role play trying to clear the stairs if you wish to go up. Or search other places to go search.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:26, Fri 30 Dec 2016.

He reached upward to steady the fallen beams above as Star dancer removed the beams below.  "Maybe if we can get a gap between the beams to the next floor we can shove someone thin up there?"

12:05, Today: Bruto rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  climb.
12:05, Today: Bruto rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Balance.
12:04, Today: Bruto rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Strength

Mariasha knew her limitations and thus followed Crow's example and began searching the room for anything that could be of help to their party moving forward. She would only hinder those attempting to removing the burnt timbers. She particularly kept an eye out for any herbs or potions of a healing nature that may have survived the fire, while still looking for an alternative route.

In the middle of her searching she caught Bruto's remark. " I will go. I mean to say that if you are able to create a gap then I would be willing to volunteer."

"Hmmmm....Rinaldo, want to try flying through?" she tried coaxing the magpie.  Besides just moving the logs she adjusted them to try and shore up the timbers to be more stable.

Stardancer rolled 13 using 1d20+1.  balance.
Stardancer rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  strength

Bruto manages to start slowly pulling heavy beams off the stairs, though there were some weak spots in the staircase so he had to watch where he placed his hooves.

With aid from the others, he and they clear the lower ends of the fallen debris and can make their way part way up the stairs. The upper stairs are also cluttered with smaller timbers stacked in a jumble and tumble almost like a giant bird's nest was started. It looked like a tangled puzzle knot that would take some time to clear. Nothing larger than a cat would clear it easily or quickly.

Working with the rest, lilbug did his part to help remove the burnt timbers and debris from the stairs.  He felt a sense of triumph when they finally managed to clear enough for them to continue up the stairs.  Unfortunately his elation was short lived as he saw the mess on the upper stairs.

"It appears we've reached another impasse," the slave announced, obviously disheartened.  "Perhaps there is another way around?"

The bird seemed the optimal solution, so he agreed with Stardancer.  "Crows away?"

Looking over his shoulder towards Lilbug, "There looked like there were some windows on the second floor.  I could brace my hooves against the wall and lift someone up there."

"We should have someone who is a good climber do it. Then they can lower a rope for the rest of us. Though it will be hard for you too to go there, I'm afraid", said Sparrow. looking at Stardancer and Bruto.

"Rinaldo tried flying over but we say him get blown around.  He could perhaps hop through, but I'd worry about that if he became stuck.  The window we can do and I have my special rope.  Still that would leave Stargazer and I un able to get up there this way" she stated.  She did not mention anything in particular to be of note.  "It you all wished to go this way we could...Stargazer and I, go to the front door and see if we can get in that way" though they had not found the front doors just yet.

"So... I don't suppose you've managed to find anything?  I've no luck in that myself," Crow said to Mariasha after giving up on searching through the room for any magical clues.

He turned his attention over toward the debris that was blocking their way upstairs.

"Hmm... it's gonna be difficult getting through there and I'm not sure about sending anyone through by themselves," Crow remarked as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  He briefly considered blasting away the obstacle, but... considering the poor condition of the building they were in, that would probably be a very bad idea.

"If you need someone to climb up there, then I'd be more than happy to volunteer," Motoko offered as soon as it was suggested that someone climb through the second floor window.  She held out her hand to take the special rope from Stardancer.  "Hand me the special rope.  I'll lower it for everyone else."

 While it is a tangled mess, the cat did make it through, as you can see some of his prints about the mess.

Everyone roll 1d20. No bonuses.

"So there is some sort of wind wall around the tower and we can't get through the tower door, but this shop may have a way to enter the tower... what if the two brigands are still in there?"

22:18, Today: Bruto rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8

"Some sort of secret door or illusion perhaps?"

13:46, Today: sparrow rolled 11 using 1d20.  d20 roll, no bonuses.

"If those two brigands really are still in here, then we should be following their footprints, not the cat's," Motoko replied as her attention shifted toward the floor.  She took a moment to sniff the air, trying to catch the scent of any strangers who might potentially be in the shop as well.

14:10, Today: Motoko rolled 12 using 1d20.  No bonuses.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:21, Sun 01 Jan 2017.

"An illusion hiding a secret door?  I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case," Crow shrugged offhandedly at Sparrow's suggestion.

14:23, Today: Crow Reeds rolled 1 using 1d20.  No bonuses.

"An illusion, do you suppose that's possible?  I suppose such things are to be expected near a Master Mage's Tower.  And if there are any brigands about they'd best beware.  After what we've been through I doubt very much a few thugs would cause us much dismay, and Mistress Fairaday isn't far away.  They would REALLY not want me to call for Her aid,"

The slave boy in pink smirked, and kept vigilant for any clues as to how they might gain entry into the enigmatic tower.

14:37, Today: lilbug rolled 15 using 1d20.  lilbug rolls d20 like a good boy :P.

Stardancer rolled 12 using 1d20.
"I don't think they would stay.  I mean, if they have killed the mage...which was nearly a day ago, I assume, since the tom there did not show up until then.  Even searching to loot...I'd think they would be gone by now" She handed Motoko her rope.  "As well, I believe I heard that the watch searched as well and found only the dead mage"

Xi rolled 2 using 1d20.
fairly oblivious Xi concentrated on looking to see if they were being watched by others, giving the centaurs room to work as needed.  "Good point Stardancer, yet the watch may have missed something.  As well I'd like to know why the mage was attacked and killed"

Motoko, Lilbug and Stardancer discover a way to untangle the mess of burnt and fallen timbers and boards and twigs from the top of the stairs. Lilbug starts and with the advice of the ladies, starts sending the debris down the stairs to be stacked below.

Once he is sure that nothing is going to collapse without him holding it, he helps grab the wood that Lilbug hands down and stacks it near the door.  "Yuck, I'm going to be covered in black soot and ash."

The slave worked hard to finish clearing the debris, with the centaurs help.  Then once it had been completed he pressed his palms together, closed his eyes and chanted.  "Oh great Padros, Father of slaves, defender of the lowly, god of the humbled, if there is enchantment hidden here, I implore you to reveal it to your faithful servant."  When he opened his eyes once more they gleamed with a silvery light...

OOC:  Detect Magic spell.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:43, Mon 02 Jan 2017.

lilbug looks around and gasps lightly...

"Are you alright Lilbug?"  He tried to think what an old wizard might be hiding with an illusion spell from guests.  "If you're seeing anything that is going to scare us, then you should keep that to yourself."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:47, Mon 02 Jan 2017.

"Don't listen to him, Lilbug.  Just tell us what you saw," Crow immediately jumped in as he looked between Bruto and Lilbug.  It was unfortunate, but he could only use his magic a limited number of times per day.  If someone else had already used theirs, there was no reason for him to use his for the same purpose, right?

"I fear I did not find anything, Crow" Mariasha responded to his question and gave him a small dejected small. She then turned to listen as the others discussed climbing to the second story window. She would have volunteered again but she knew she was not as nimble as some of the others in the group so waited out the discussion instead. She had to admit that she found it interesting being with them, they all added a different dynamic to the group. It was strange for her, a loner, she had always been held separate from the clerics at the temple that raised her and when she started her journeys she gave everything to others in her skills of healing yet always seem be separated from them.

Her attention was caught as Lilbug began his chant and she watched in fascination until his last word.  She found herself stepping forward slightly, eagerly as he gasped in revelation. "Please, tell us what you saw, Lilbug" She found herself responding quietly.

"I think I will definitely need a bath tonight" she said as she too was getting covered with the ash and soot.  The she gave the magpie looking bird a sly grin.

Taking a step back, lilbug heard his friends call to him and he remembered they could not see what his god had shown him.   Turning towards them he softly answered, his voice filled with amazement:

"I see...cobwebs of silver that seem to spread across every surface of the this shop and across the tall stone walls I can see through the windows. In some places, the webs seem brighter and stronger, in others the spidery strands blend into the light from the windows. The tom cat's prints gleam brightly upon the stairs. Some of the beams we've cleared shine brighter, some seem clear of threads.  Both Star gazer and Star Dancer gleam softly, as do Rinaldo.  I even see Mistress Fairaday shining through the window.
The very air around the close neighborhood seems to glow with a slight brightness of magic, as if something protective lays across the town.  I know not what kind of dweomer this is, but it is beautiful, like a woven pattern.  I will try to discover the nature of this spell..."

After a moment, lilbug smiles and exhales gently.  "As near as I can tell, it is illusion and abjuration."


OOC: 20:07, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  Spellcraft check.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:08, Tue 03 Jan 2017.

He had no idea what to make of Lilbug's revelation, making him wonder what the human had eaten earlier.  "Are you saying that everything we see maybe an illusion?"  Then he asks, "The gleaming paw prints, do any of them cross from this shop into the tower?"

Her ear twitched a bit listening to Lilbug.  She really did not understand what 'abjuration' was, illusion  somewhat.  "This is all ...not real?" she asked wondering how something so large and solid not be real.  She looked at Rinaldo, a confused look on her face.

Mariasha could just grasp Lilbug's words that an illusion was cast upon the place and yet she could not quite divine how to unravel it.  "Divine?".... Could it be? She wondered to herself. Long nimble fingers reached up and loosened the ties of her cloak and dark auburn hair spilled down her back. Without conscious thought to those around, Mariasha sank to the ash covered floor and her hand gently clasp the metal tree that was suspended from her neck. Her violet eyes darken to a dusky gray and she softly began to hum. Words weaved their way through her mind like a soft melody, a pray to her goddess and a soft glow began to emit from her clasped hands.

She who breathes life into forest,
To wind and streams.
She graces the divine races,
The enchantress of dreams.
If you thus deem this one worthy,
Grant your humble servant the sight.
Perchance a mere glimpse of the future,
Thus to triumph or fight.

Softly her humming faded into silence and the glow around her hands flared brightly for brief moment then faded to nothing.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:10, Sun 08 Jan 2017.

"Why would the paw prints gleam at all? Are they illusory?" The slave girl scrunched her pretty face in thought. "That I do not understand. The mage could've set any manner of spellcraft on his house and walls, but why would the cat leave magical prints? Even if he is magical, would his prints not be mundane?"

He looked at Sparrow with wide eyes, "Maybe the cat is the wizard, and the wizard is the familiar?"

"Worst case scenario, the cat's paws have been enchanted so as to allow him to bypass the spells set in place.  That is why his paws leave magical prints.  In that case, we may not be able to get past the illusions even if we follow those paw prints," Crow suggested after thinking on it for a small while.  "It's also possible, however, that the spells set in place are only there to fool our senses and make us believe there's no way into the tower, in which case following the prints may actually work."

"Well, I don't think its all an illusion, just that some of here is illusory, and some is... protection magic.  While the Father's power is within me, however, I can see magic of any kind if it is within my sight, which is why the familiar's prints glow, and why even Stargazer and Stardancer do as well, at least some, and Rinaldo and..." the ever joyful slave admitted, blushing a little.

"I'd guess the magic I'm seeing here was meant to protect something important to the Mage."

Hearing Crow voice his thoughts, lilbug nods enthusiastically. "Its certainly worth a try Master Minstrel."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Mon 09 Jan 2017.

He was hoping that the old man had been a distraction for the cat wizard, "The glowing cat prints cross into the tower?  Where?"  Although it was possible that there was some druid prayer for magic sight, he had mostly prayed for healing type powers.

So what do you all do now?

((OOC:Just so you all know, once you stepped inside the shop, you all entered "Init" though I'm not holding you to official turns. I do however wish for everyone to make at least 2 posts a week if at all possible.))
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:20, Mon 09 Jan 2017.

Looking at Bruto "Perhaps the magic is from items.  We already knew the collar was magical, as is Stardancers rope, and the stud earring. " She suspected others had magical items as well.  "Still looks like some climbing will be involved.  Lady Fairaday with your permission..." She nodded respectfully "Bruto, Stardancer, Rinaldo, Azael, and ..either Lilbug or Mariasha locate the front door while the rest of us continue this way." she suggested.  To herthat looked to be an equal balance.

OOC: You came in the "front door" of the shop. You are now heading toward the back of the shop.

Entrance
room 1: shop's sales room
room 2:office, with sanitary room to the right of the desk, and a window  to the right. To the left is a staircase going up
Room 3: not explored
Stair's to left, going up cleared to the top where it's mildly blocked.

INIT 19

"Mistress Xi, do you mean you want me to try and hoist someone up to the first set of windows on the tower?  See if someone bigger can resist the wind?"

21:34, Yesterday: Bruto rolled 19 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 17.  Init.

"Well..possibly.  There is some sort of trap...we saw that with Rinaldos being blown about.  The thing is we are in a shop...We need to find his residence.  That may be in a different area.  What we need is a way to see through any mystic illusions.  If it comes to going up and in...Well..I'll give it a try" She was not afraid to take point.

Listen Check.

Stardancer rolled 15 using 1d20+10.  listen check.
Stardancers ears flicked a bit as she kept trying to figure out what was real or not.

Xi rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  listen check.

INIT 19

"Is that the kitty?"  Unsure if he'd heard the wind.

Listen 18

10:27, Today: Bruto rolled 18 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 6.  listen.

14:41, Today: Mariasha rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Listen.

"Hmm..." Crow rubbed his chin thoughtfully and closed his eyes and he attempted to think through their current situation.

20:07, Today: Crow Reeds rolled 20 using 1d20+12.  Listen (plus Familiar's Alertness).

Motoko's attention shifted over toward the others before realizing that they were attempting to listen for something.

20:08, Today: Motoko rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Listen.

21:08, Today: sparrow rolled 15 using 1d20+11.  Listen check.

Everyone rolling 15 or above hear noises up the stairs, a skittering or rustling sound.

Sparrow looks up. "Is the cat moving upstairs?" she asks in a soft voice.

Turning to look at Sparrow, lilbug scratches his head.  "I didn't hear anything, but I suppose its possible.  Alright, I'm going to try and get up those stairs.  Its only timbers after all."

Climbing up the stairs with care, lilbug closes his eyes once he gets to the blocked part of the stairwell and feels with his hands, moving aside anything that is in his way if he is able.

23:03, Today: lilbug rolled 14 using 1d20+11.  Listen check.

23:16, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 18 using 1d20+1.  Strength Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Fri 13 Jan 2017.

 Lilbug manages to move some of the twigs and branches, and a timber making a hole big enough for him to crawl through perhaps.

Recalling a certain dark fae bug that transformed him, "Or something else is loose up there."

"Careful Lilbug.  You're in two legger territory now."

Mariasha turned to Sparrow,"I didn't hear anything." She muttered quietly and turned to look at the stairs. Slowly, she stood up from the floor, hiding her disappointment but knowing that not all spells work as you wish them to. Pulling her her hood back over her head, she headed to the base if the stairs to watch Lilbug's progress.

Regarding the hole with uncertainty, lilbug tried his best to squeeze his way through it.  He hoped his theory about some of the timbers and blockage being an illusion was right, but of course he wasn't at all sure.  Perhaps, if he could make it through though, he could find an opening on the opposite side to let everyone else in as well.  That would most definitely be the safer choice.

"I heard something," Crow raised his hand.  "The cat went up that way, right?  Maybe that's what was making that noise?"

"Hmm..." Crow's attention shifted over toward the desk.  He walked over and decided to start rummaging through them, in search of clues.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Sat 14 Jan 2017.

"Can you fit through okay?  Perhaps I should give it a try," Motoko offered as she looked up at the hole through which Lilbug was attempting to crawl through.

 There is another hole slightly smaller that Motoko might fit through on the other side of the hallway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:23, Sun 15 Jan 2017.

"Huh... wonder if I can fit through there..." Motoko wondered as she stood in front of the other, smaller hole.  She briefly glanced over towards the others and shrugged her shoulders.  "Well, might as well give it a try."

With that, Motoko attempted to squeeze and climb through the smaller hole.

23:38, Today: Motoko rolled 18 using 1d20+17.  Climb check.

Oh my!


 There comes a dry rattling sound. As you both look into the upper landing, you see twigs and dried leaves scattered around the corners of the walls and along the base boards. As the sounds of rattling and rustling are heard, you see the leaves and twigs moving. As you glance up, they come together and start moving toward you.

Motoko's eyes went wide as soon as she realized that she was stuck.  She glanced back for a moment, then took a deep breath.  With a slightly irritated look on her face, she rested her face against one hand and with the other, drummed her fingers along the wooden framework in front of her.  "Hey!  Uh... guys?  Kinda stuck here."

Deciding that staying stuck in this hole would be a rather bad idea, Moroko decided to try using brute force instead to break free from her prison.  Grabbing a hold of whatever sturdy thing she could find.  She attempted to pull herself and force her way through the other side.

 The twigs tighten around you the more you struggle.



Those still down below, roll perception rolls.

OOC: 02:51, Today: Mariasha rolled 19 using 1d20 ((19))

Mariasha had been watching Lilbug's progress but at Motoko's cry she turned in her direction startled. Noticing her distress immediately, Mariasha rushed forward to help as best she could. Her mind tried to frantically grasp the situation that Motoko was in so as best to help her out.

 Mariasha tries helping Motoko. She hears noises now, rustlings and chitterings...

10:19, Today: Bruto rolled 20 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 8.  spot.

Seeing the feet of Motoko as she tries to follow Lilbug through the opening.  "Push or pull?"

OOC: Did Lilbug make it through, or are we seeing him stuck as well?

Both are stuck.

He thought he was going to make it through, when suddenly the twigs and branches wove themselves around his waist!  He could see the strange looking stick like creatures start towards him, coming from all directions.   He squirmed, grunting from the effort, but couldn't break free!

"Please, if you can understand me, we are here to help.  We mean no harm!"  He cried out to the advancing beings, hoping they would understand.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:07, Sun 15 Jan 2017.

 Lilbug tries to talk to the stick creatures but they don't listen to him. They keep crawling toward the two caught in the stick web. One has made it to the timber over lilbug, it stops and wriggles it's antennae at him as if scenting something or sensing him somehow.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:06, Mon 16 Jan 2017.

Stardancer rolled 25 using 1d20+9.  spot.
She thought it might be bad seeing her friends getting stuck.  She concentrated on the cat since she still had the stud.  Maybe it could help.

Xi rolled 12 using 1d20+9.  spot

Xi looked about quickly "Pull.  Atleast our friends would be safe on our side." she suggested.

At the urging of Xi, the slender Sparrow grabs one of the trapped folks where she can, hoping to add her slim strength to the task, but does her best not to stand in the way of her strongest companions in doing so.

"Who are you talking to, Lilbug? Do they respond?" She looks at the web of twigs. "...fire perhaps? But it is certain to harm our friends!"

06:59, Today: sparrow rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Spot.

INIT 19

He reached up and grabbed Motoko's lower legs, then leaned back, in an attempt to free her from the tight space.  Hopefully without pulling her legs off or disrobing her.

09:41, Today: Bruto rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Strength.

 Above, on a alcove near a broken circular stained glass window, the tom cat looks down upon them all. He blinks at the things he sees crawling up the wall, hisses and reaches out to knock one off the edge of the alcove.


 Bruto grasps Motoko and pulls back against the stick web trap. The sticks flex and stretches against Motoko, but stays tight around her waist though she slides until her rib cage is tight against the sticks.

Mariasha had moved in as close to Motoko as she was able and not impede Bruto from trying to pull the sword woman free from the trap. One of the first things she notices immediately is movement around Motoko and upon the walls, floors of the area. Upon focusing properly she is able to distinguish a multitude of twig like figures swarming the area, she was uncertain if they meant them harm. Not wanting to needlessly attack where one might be an ally or persuaded, Mariasha reached up and touched to fingers lightly to silver tree at her throat and quietly whispered.

Mana... Great mistress, goddess, mother of elements of life grant your daughter the knowledge of tongues that your children speak so that a bridge I may gap

 Mariasha feels a warmth flow over her and suddenly she starts hearing clicking sounds that she understands...

     ^roof peak
   ^-^
| (cat)
|------
|xx__upstairs hallway__>___________

He grunts, "I'm sorry Lady Motoko, I can't free you.  The wood has a better grip then child with a sweet cake."

"How are you faring LilBug?  I'm out of ideas... anyone?"

Turning her attention from Motoko, Mariasha slowly lowered herself to the floor in a non-threatening manner and spoke softly in series clicks.

 The creatures don't seem to hear Mariasha.

"The creatures are also climbing up to our feline friend", Sparrow says, pointing at the twigs and leaves. "I know not if they are hostile but they act like spiders and so I would expect the worst." She looks around for anything resembling a torch. "We may have no choice but to burn these wooden webs. Perhaps someone with an ax or blade might try to cut them, but I fear the weapon may get stuck."

In reply to Bruto (msg # 165):

I am stuck fast Star gazer my friend.   We need to find a way to speak with them.  If they meant to attack they could have done so already. "

"Thank you Lilbug, I'll try to get a closer look at them."  He leaned in close to his two pinned friends and tried to see the wood like beings.  Maybe if he knew what they were, he could figure out what they wanted or even a way to communicate with them.

20:30, Today: Bruto rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17.  Knowledge Nature.

ooc

These fantastic creatures are a mix of what you might see upstairs.

http://klubbsaga2015.wikidot.com/twigjack

http://www.abc.es/ciencia/2014...-201401271754_5.html

http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/21755032

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533043305871509028/

https://www.google.com/imgres?...;iact=mrc&uact=8

http://www.molon.de/galleries/...Insect/img.php?pic=8
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:41, Thu 19 Jan 2017.

"I think that these could be a kind of dark fae that likes to pester others.  Or a hive of bugs.  They may focus on a bow or other crafted wooden object in an attempt to break it."

He looked around the area for any sign of cold iron.  "We've dealt with dark fae before.  Well... any fae don't like the touch of iron."  He wasn't sure he wanted to threaten the dark fae, but he wanted to be ready should their tricks turn ugly.  "Oh duh, I have iron shod hooves."  Lifting hoof into the tight space looked impossible.

The stick creature above lilbug backs it's rear end around and squirts sticky web at him. Others come scrabbling up the wall and timbers heading for the area above lilbug and Motoko.

Mariasha realized the creatures were not understanding her and she sigh in frustration."They believe we are intruders and are determined to defend, though I do not believe they are malicious. I am trying to speak to them, however they do not seem to understand me." She said to the group without taking her eyes off the nearest creature.

Again, with.her fingers resting lightly upon her goddesses crest, Mariasha attempts to speak to the twig-like beings. Please we mean you no harm, we are here to right the wrong that was done, to help.

He steps back, to see what Mariasha is doing.  "They may know elvish, being fae.  If that... err, you're Goddess, unable to translate?"

"That spell should translate to whichever language they use", says Sparrow. "We cannot parlay for long. We cannot allow these things to harm our friends." She looks up at the cat. "Or our guide."

 He stands up and dances around, hopping and swatting at one of the creatures, pouncing on it then swats it out into the room and watches it fall. He blinks and looks smug and happy.

"Hmm... They don't understand us, huh?  Well, we could try a bunch of different languages or... we could try the universal language of music," Crow grinned widely as he gestured toward his zither.  Strumming the stringers beneath his fingers, he said, "Let's see if I can calm them down with a song."

~I think i'll go for a walk outside now,
The summer sun's callin my name.
I just can't stay inside all day,
I gotta get out get me some of those rays.~

OOC: Attempting to calm the creatures down with music
11:19, Today: Crow Reeds rolled 24 using 1d20+15.  Perform Check (+2 Masterwork).

"Tch..." Motoko gritted her teeth as she continued looking for some way out of her predicament.  Bruto's strength wasn't enough and she doubted her own would be enough to break free of this trap.  The more she struggled, the tighter the branches seem to close around her.  The only thing she could do right now was stay calm and... reach for her blade.  If she could just draw one of her swords, perhaps she would be able to break free of her binds.

Some of the varied creatures seem to respond to the music. They crawl across Motoko and lilbug to the stairs and go scrabbling down the stairs toward Crow. Other of the creatures continue to crawl along the walls and the timbers and twigs.

Mariasha took a deep breath to calm her frustration, her spellhad allowed her to understand the creatures but not be able to speak to them. It didn't help their predicament and desperately searched her mind for a way to help Motoko out of the trap. Did she have an herb or potion on her that would eat through it, was there something in the room they had overlooked?
OOC:1:35 today rolled 16 ( 1D20+2 ) search room
This message was last edited by the player at 07:40, Sun 22 Jan 2017.

There might be something in your possession that might distract or turn the creatures away.

The desperate slave boy continued to struggle, watching the little twig like creatures with growing alarm.  The one directly above him seemed intent on further binding him into the already effective trap.

Who knew wood could be so strong, he thought to himself.  Then suddenly that gave him an idea.  These creatures looked to be made of wood, twigs, and other plant material.  What was one thing all plants were afraid of?

"FIRE!  Everyone, perhaps if we could threaten them with fire, light some torches and wave them in their direction, maybe that will make them back off.  Don't actually hurt them with it, and do be careful not to set Motoko or I on fire, please."

OOC:  GM are lilbug's hands free?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Sun 22 Jan 2017.

"Wasn't there already a fire?  I'm not sure that is wise... I'm thinking water.  Its a web like substance right?  Water or oil might break it down?"  He suggested back to Lilbug.

"Stargazer, that which holds us seems more wooden to me, though enchanted as well.  I did not mean light the trap, goodness no!  I am trying to think of something to scare off these creatures if we cannot reason with them.  Water will not scare plant creatures away; perhaps pruning shears?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 01:06, Mon 23 Jan 2017.

Knowing that in her situation, a shorter blade would make more sense, Motoko attempted to summon her Wakizashi into her hand, reverse-blade style.  "Tadashi!"

 It assesses the situation, seems amused, laughs and goes back to sleep.

He could hear the bard playing and could only assume that Rinaldo was charming the creatures, but that still left Lilbug and Motoko stuck in the wood like webbing.  If he threatened them with fire, then it'd probably ruin whatever calm that the bard was trying to induce.  So what to do?  Maybe he could free his friends without fire?

He looked around for any sort of artisan tools, a wood chisel or maybe a small axe.

09:04, Today: Bruto rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Search.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:05, Mon 23 Jan 2017.

As Crow continued strumming along with his zither, he attempted to remember as much as he could about creatures such as these.  What were they?  Had he seen such creatures before during his bardic studies?

OOC: Attempting a Bardic Knowledge check to figure out what's going on with this place and these creatures.
21:33, Today: Crow Reeds rolled 30 using 1d20+14.  Bardic Knowledge (+5 from Zither).

Sparrow is still eyeing the cat. "Some were driven away by our feline friend. Perhaps they are less formidable than they seem. Still, it would be best to avoid confrontation entirely."

She frowns and looks at the trap. "Oil perhaps? It might serve to both scare the creatures and to perhaps slip out of the trap."

The creatures coming down the stairs turn toward Crow, heading toward his feet.

 He looks at sparrow and squeezes his eyes shut at her then opens them again in time to swat another twig creature away so it flew across the hallway and fell to the floor.

Seeing the success the Tom cat was having, lilbug starts swatting any of the stick things that come near him.  "Okay, Sparrow, let's try the oil.  Maybe we can slide out or through to the other side.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:56, Wed 25 Jan 2017.

 The creatures seem to dislike being swatted away. The ones swatted away stand back and watch them, chittering at lilbug or Tom.

In reply to Crow Reeds (msg # 189):

 Crow doesn't remember hearing anything quite like these creatures, though he has heard of live insects that are green in other far away places but those were in jungles in rainy areas. Those ate other insects.

Something about the trap and the creatures had not been setting right in Mariasha's mind since she cast her first spell and as the others cast about ideas quickly to figure out how to get the others out she fretted until an idea coalesced in her mind. It may not bear fruit yet she still had to try for the sake of Motoko and Lilbug. Grasping the silver medallion around her neck once more and hummed softly concentrating her will.

OOC: cast Dispell Magic

Stardancer tried to get one of the little creatures attention that was not actively out to harm her companions.  In her hand she held small bits of 3 foodstuffs (a few berries, part of a piece of bread, and a bit of chicken).  She smiled gently as her hand was held out.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:32, Fri 27 Jan 2017.

 Lilbug managed to confuse and distract some of the creatures.

 Stardancer enticed 2 of the creatures coming down the stairs toward Crow, they come to nibble at the food, but the rest run over to Crow and try to climb up his legs. One stops and bites at Crows toes. The ones climbing his legs start spinning webs on his legs and scurrying around his legs and hips.

 Mariasha casts Dispell Magic...

 The webs holding the web of twigs tightens and tightens... then the strands fray and crumble...

 The creatures become a bit disoriented and straggle around before heading back to their nests.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:54, Fri 27 Jan 2017.

Sparrow claps delightedly. "Excellent work, Mariasha!" Then she moves over to help Lilbug, to get him off the remains of the web and onto his feet.

He moved back to the stairs hearing Sparrow praising Mariasha's success.  "How do you fair Lady Motoko and Lilbug?"  Seeing the binding material dissolve, he is unsure whether he should push or pull his friends.

Finally deciding on pushing them, he held up his hands bracing their feet, so that they would have extra leverage in pushing off.'

She holds them as they are disoriented, the ones in her hands. She takes a closer look.

ooc: can I get a description of them?

The slaveboy in the pink thong blinked as the trap holding him crumbled.  His muscles ached from struggling against the web of sticks, but he smiled to hear his friends.

"I fare well enough, Stargazer, a few bruises perhaps, nothing more.  Hopefully Motoko fares the same.  Thank you, Mariasha, for your timely dweomer.  Let us take advantage of this good fortune and press onwards."

He gladly accepted both Sparrow and Stargazer's assistance.  Slowly he moved forwards, looking for their feline guide.

In reply to Stardancer (msg # 201):

http://i7.photobucket.com/albu...rs4_zpsx0ldq97z.jpeg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albu...rs6_zpsuei9hxgr.jpeg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albu...rs2_zpsujrcpnah.jpeg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albu...rs7_zps8jlcdpb3.jpeg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albu...ers9_zpswiqnqryb.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albu...ers8_zps0s26fyyz.jpg

Motoko dropped to the floor just as soon as she felt the branches crumble all around her.  Freed from her predicament, she got back to her feet before rejoining the others.  She scratched the back of her head when Stargazer asked her if she was well.  "Eh... I'm alright.  Except for maybe my pride, but what can you do, eh?"

The swordswoman turned her attention toward Mariasha, the one who freed her.  "Thank you for getting me out of there.  I'm glad that you're here with us."

Mariasha let a brief sigh of relief escape her lips as she felt the spell take effect and then slowly opened her eyes.  She smiled gratefully and whispered gratitude to her deity Mana, proper gratitude would need to be paid later. She turned then to watch the others help Motoko and Lilbug from the remains of the traps.

" One is happy to be of service. I am truly happy that both yourself and Lilbug are well. Are either of you injured? Allow me to heal you if you are."

I do not think they truly mean us harm...After what happened they just might be hungry" She gestured to the ones eating out of her hand.  "Maybe the mage used them as sort of ..protection" she looked to the others wondering if it was atleast possible.

 The Tom looked down at them with an amused look, squeezing his eyes at them. Then he meowed softly and climbed back out the small broken stained glass window.

 "Meow."

He looked from the small holes that Lilbug and Motoko had managed, back to Stardancer, then up to where he thought that cat was located.  "Good grief, I feel like a child trying to find his legs for the first time.  I think we've come too big for this cat fiasco."

 Ok, Motoko and lilbug are at the top of the stairs. Tom went out a small broken stained glass window at the peak of the roof 12 feet overhead of the stair landing. Ahead of you is a hallway, and to the right is a short hall as well.Suddenly you notice that all the leaf and stick creatures have scampered off into hiding once again.

 The rest of the party sans Fairaday... (who is still outside guarding the doorway) still stands in various poses and places at the bottom of the stairs. A jumble of broken sticks and bits of old sticky web lays across the top of the stairs.

 The light in the building seems to have dimmed considerably perhaps a storm is moving in and turned the day gloomy.

 Lilbug and Motoko... what will you do now?

 The rest of you... are you advancing up the shallow but wide stairs, exploring more where you're at, or leaving, giving up before you really have a chance.

Determined to continue on and to make certain Motoko and Lilbug have no injuries, Mariasha starts carefully climbing the shallow stairs. Her eyes are scanning the stairs and the area around her as she climbs.

OOC: 11:29, Today: Mariasha rolled 18 using 1d20 ((18)). Climb
This message was last edited by the player at 17:30, Wed 01 Feb 2017.

Stardancer looked at Stargazer for a few moments "Well...I thought there was another way in.  Apparently there is not.  Stairs might be a problem.  But I think you might be able to go in"  She tapped the torc on his neck.

Sparrow looks up the stairs. "If the trap is gone, perhaps we can proceed now. We're losing daylight. And our cat friend seems to have moved on." She moves to the stairs to climb them after Mariasha.

He was surprised when Stardancer revealed secret knowledge of the item shared between Xi and himself.  Saying quietly to the centauress in Aranto. "If lives were in danger, then yes, but I am as I am."  He wasn't sure how to express to Stardancer that he identified as a centaur and the other form made him feel weak.

What do you all do now? Proceed? Go back? Stay and discuss everything in minute detail?

"Well Let us go on up as we can.  If the Centaurs get to a point where it might be to dangerous they can await the rest of us.... dallying here is just..awkward" She said and decided to try for her self to go up...hopefully avoiding the stick bugs and to not run into any other traps.


ooc: Xi is going to go as far as the cat is if she can.

Seeing Xi head up the stairs, he followed.  Giving Stardancer a guilty look.  "I just don't much care for stairs.  I've fallen down them before."

"Well, we already came this far, would be a shame to turn back now," Crow remarked as he followed the others up the stairs.

Motoko's gaze followed the tom cat as he left out the window.  She was tempted to climb up after him, but stayed put.  She turned her attention toward the two hallways before her.  As she waited for the others to catch up, she peered down the hallway, attempting to catch a glimpse of what may lie ahead.

One hallway is short, straight ahead, under the window ledge where the cat was. It ends in a cluttered alcove around a bay window, broken furniture and some burnt bits of odds and ends.

the other hallway has two doors on both sides. A smaller door at the end on the left side is up 3 steps. All doors are closed.

Cautiously, lilbug climbed up the stairs, following the cat.  He turned to see the rest were following, and so continued with confidence to where the cat had been.

"I quite agree, friend Crow.  "I do believe the feline is trying to show us something, I only wish he'd stay long enough for us to speak with him.  I'm sure Stargazer could manage such a feat.  He's very good with animals."

Seeing Motoko, he came up slowly behind her, making sure she was aware of him, then came to stand beside her.

"I am going to search the alcove where the cat was, in case there are clues there."

The pleasure slave makes his way to the alcove and starts to search around.

OOC: 20:27, Today: lilbug rolled 26 using 1d20+6 ((20)).  Okay that was as good as it gets for this slaveboy :)

The ledge at the top of the alcove where the cat had been is 15 feet above lilbugs head. The clutter underfoot is burnt furniture and odds and ends, including an old chest that while burnt is in decent shape still.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albu...hest_zpscis7ylxs.png

http://i7.photobucket.com/albu...2x11_zpsnv2bkmt4.png

basic map

"I know that same feeling" she said to Stargazer, following the others carefully, Rinaldo on her shoulder.  Making sure her rope was recovered and all was atleast as safe as she could, she followed.

Sparrow eyes the chest Lilbug has found warily. "In this place, I would make sure that this thing isn't trapped, magically or otherwise, before I try the lid. This whole thing has me paranoid, I'm afraid. Still, perhaps it is what the cat would have us find."

He looked up at the alcove, not really interested in the chest.  "Are we doing an inventory?  I thought that we were trying to find a way into the tower so that we could recover the body of the wizard and try to find out who killed him."

"We can certainly wait until we are done to bother with the chest, but I wonder if the cat directed us to it, and if so if it's not because it has some relevance to the current mystery."

"You think that the men who killed the wizard wanted what is in the chest?"  He looked at the strange faces embossed on the chest.  "They don't look dangerous."

He thought about the old temple that they found while camping and the tense conversation with the divine horse lady.  "I'm just a little uncomfortable looking through someone's things... its not like the wizard was slain a thousand years ago."

Mariasha peered pass Lilbug to get a look at the chest they were discussing. She too was leery about going through someone else's possessions but Sparrow had a point too. "I tend to agree with Bruto, however Sparrow does have valid point. Whatever we decide we should keep moving we do not want to get caught in another trap that mage set. Where did the cat go?"

Do you open the chest, or do you keep searching?

Weapons ready, just incase Xi moves to the door that is down the hall and up 3 steps.  Not opening but is going to listen at it first

The slave boy considered as he listened to everyone's questions and advice.

" I am going to check down the other hallway where Lady Xi has gone.  Stargazer and Sparrow are right, I think if the cat wanted us to see this chest he would have stayed here.  He went out the window above and so we must find our own way into the tower.  The other doors seem the best option to me my friends."

Then he followed after the Lady warrior, making sure not to surprise her, asking quietly, "How may I help, Lady?"

The two people stand in front of the door at the end. There are three steps up. The door opens inward away from the 3 steps, and is slightly narrower than the other 6 doorways along the hallway. The burnt walls and debris is less obvious here though it still smells smokey and musty.

Stardancer steps into the room when it becomes less crowded at that point and looks around "What a..disheartening room" She glances to Rinaldo on her shoulder.  "From what I recall... the cat showed me he was tossed out a window overlooking water, or rather over water.  His master was killed there." wondering if the room matched her memory of what she was shown before.

She gave Littlebug a slight smile "Just keeping an eye out.  The chest we can grab later looks like a few of us can lift it to take back to the manor or Inn." she put an ear near the crack of the door (between the door and the frame), wondering if she would hear anything.

Xi rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  listen at door.

 Xi hears something...

Mariasha climbs the last three steps and makes her way to Lilbug and Xi. She stands slightly to the back of the group, prepared for whatever, yet not to hinder anyone's movements.

"Well let's try this one" she shrugged since they were all there any how.
Carefully Xi opens the door and looks in

Nodding to the Lady Xi, he did as ahe asked, keeping a watchful eye out as she accessed the door.  He smiled warmly to greet all his friends as, one by one, they came up to join him and the Lady.

He would not allow himself to be distracted, however, and soon turned his attention once more to making sure he guarded Lady Xi, so she could test the door.  That was what Lady Fairaday would want, he knew.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:28, Sat 11 Feb 2017.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albu...irs_zps6zbmbjkg.jpeg

Before anyone entered she shut the door.  "Question...Are any other doors ajar?" her tone a bit serious "This door was shut...anyone here think a cat can walk through doors?" If the cat could open doors then the door behind it would be ajar.

He looked around the room and picked up a handful of debris and placed it on top of the chest.  He had no idea if the two men that had come in here and slain the wizard had gotten what they had come for, of if they'd use this opportunity to come back and get what they hadn't.

Being a herd beast at heart, he followed the others.  "I have never seen a cat walk through a door, but I have seen a door opened by someone woken by a yowling cat.  They may have mind powers."  He smirked.

Turning to listen to Stargazer's comment, lilbug could not help but grin at his whimsical friend.  Turning back to Lady Xi, he gazed up to her, respectfully and replied:

"I don't see any other doors ajar, but I do think the cat wants us to come this way for a reason.  Don't ask me why I think that, I just do.  Please Lady Xi, let's take a look inside.  I'm not sure what we are looking for, but I do believe we'll know it when we see it."

"Just want to make sure we take the right path" She opened the door again (same one as before).  Before taking a step she looked for any trap or trick that might make going up (or down) the stairs difficult or problematic.  True she was no wily rogue, but still she would need to be careful.

Xi rolled 12 using 1d20+9.  spot.

 Nothing to be seen at this point.

taking the stairs one at a time. No light...set out a torch.

 The steps creak and groan, and spiderwebs dangle to drape across her face and arms, hair and shoulders...

From behind the group, Mariasha waits and watches the hallway around them as Xi moves cautiously into the room.

Stopping a moment "I don't think the cat came this way...too many cobwebs.  If it's master was killed yesterday there should not be so many...unless he was not a person who believed in order and cleanliness" She said then continued as well until she would come to a hallway, room, or such.

 The stairway curved around a left turn and continued up toward a distant crack of light...

"If the cat can go through a door, then he might be able to pass cobwebs without disturbing them. Or, more mundanely..." Sparrow looks lower, to see if there are any cobwebs at knee level or lower -- the height of a cat.

 "Cats are smaller too compared to you Xi. I've never figured out how cats can get through doors and windows almost as if magical. Do we even know all the magic that collar might have? Maybe it's got a magic cat door spell."

Stardancer smiled as Rinaldos mind became human again.  "You are not injured from your fall are you?" her voice held much concern for him.  She hated it when he got stuck.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Thu 16 Feb 2017.

"I see some light up ahead.  let's keep going and find out what's up there, I'm curious now.  I know it seems forsaken, um and seriously in need of a talented slave's efforts, but I'm hopeful this is the right way.  I can't help feeling that our feline friend wanted us to come this way; maybe there's something he wants us to see.  Either way, unless there are any strong objections, I'm going up."

So saying, the pleasure slave continued climbing the stairs to where they curved around and followed them, heroically leading the way in his heroic pink pants and matching collar.

As the 2 leggers began to file through the stairs Stardancer stopped at the door. "Looks a bit steep and dangerous for us.  If you would like and if agreeable perhaps Rinaldo, Bruto, and I can check the other doors or perhaps the chest?"

There's room for the 4 legged, barely. If you don't want to go up, then do as you want.

As Motoko followed along behind the others, her eyes darted across the floor, scanning it for hints as to where they should go.  The mention of following where the cat may have gone had come up.  If she could find some sort of trail for them to follow...

She sniffed the air, attempting to figure out who else had been in this building before.  If she could capture their scent, perhaps she could figure out what path they took.

Motoko smells smoke and sees scattered charred bits of wood, dry leaves and other bits of debris kicked up by those who went before.

"Alright, but..don't push" as she continued into the lit area careful of any traps or being pushed into traps by those behind her like Littlebug.

19:59, Today: Motoko rolled 32 using 1d20+16.  Survival (Tracking by Scent) +4 Favored Enemies Bonus.
OOC: 28, if they're not human or monstrous humanoids

He stands beside Stardancer, looking at the narrow stairs.  "Did a fire go through here?  How can there be cobwebs and fire?"  He poked the door with a finger, just to make sure that it was real.  "Maybe the fire was contained."

Mariasha had been looking around at the damage and debris as well  as she waited to follow the others up the narrow stairs. "Magic... the fire could have been Magic in origin."

"Fire was yesterday, night before perhaps.  Spiders could have come back and spun thier webs then" she stated.

tbc*

"This many cobwebs? That would've been a lot of spiders. I think Mariasha is right -- the fire was contained, and likely so because it was magical in nature, or else because the tower is magically protected to keep the fire from spreading."

Xi still continues and enters the next room
She looks about.

 You turn the corner of the stairs and see a door ajar at the top. Light comes around the crack of the door.

 Xi hears a small voice coming from her drapery of cobwebs, a spider there in her hair calls out to them all "Go back! Doom awaits you!"

 What do you all do?

OOC:
 There are no real footprints, just a few scuff marks in the dust. Only webs you knock down are really visible, unless perhaps you crawl along the floor?

"Well... if the spiders are magical in nature, then... were they put here by the wizard who lives here or were they put here after his murder?" Crow wondered out loud.  He turned his attention toward the spider and asked, "Little spider?  Have you always lived here?  Do you know the owner of this place?"

Brings hand up for the spider to light upon.  She looks closely at it, perhaps to see if such would have a human face or something.  "Doom?  Do you know what is in there?  If so please tell us if you can"

Looking confused, the pleasure slave peeked around Lady Xi and then all around the cobwebs and ceiling.

"Not sure if they are magical, but it is certainly unusual for arachnids to speak, at least any I've ever met.  What are they saying?"

"This little one is saying doom awaits us in the next room.  I was looking to see is there was fairie or fey blood in the creature" she watched it dangle on a slim thread.  "Yet the concept of doom is subjective.  If the cat is in the room then doom to small spiders it might be, but not to us.  however if there is a troll or such in the next room then the little spider is a very good judge of danger." she smiled at Lil'bug.

 "Doom! Go back! hehehe!"

 Xi opens the door to the room at the head of the stairs and enters a long narrow dark attic, gloomy and dusty with cobwebs everywhere hanging down. There are piles of old furniture and stacks of sheet covered chests and boxes. along the right side of the slanting eaves are narrow dormer windows facing the lake and the tower, so dusty and dark it is hard to see out them.
 There are no footprints except for those you yourselves make.

He rolls his eyes and smiles in spite of himself at the spiders.  "Apparently their vocabulary is limited to this one ominous phrase.  It is interesting, however, that they may speak at all."

Slowly, warily, lilbug follows behind Lady Xi, looking around the dusty room and shakes his head. "Very ill kept indeed.  Give me a day, and I would have this entire chamber spotless."

"Unless he flies I do not think he came this way" She looked back towards the others "Perhaps another door?  Or if there is a hidden or illusionary secret door somewhere?" She shrugged...wondering how murderers could have gotten in.

From near the back of the group she listened carefully to what was happening and tried to relay what she could to Stardancer and Bruto, what they hadn't already heard  of course.
"Perhaps we should check the other doors as Lady Xi suggested?"

"I would like to look around, if that's okay Lady Xi.  It occurs to me I don't even know what kind of shop this was.   Also I think I can see the tower from this grimy window."

"Go ahead.  I wish to catch up with the cat.  He seems to want to lead us on a merry chase" she stated with an arm gesture of permission.

"I agree with Lady Xi - most of us should focus on the cat. But the spiders... perhaps they are but enchanted with a magic mouth spell or similar, to frighten intruders? Though I would wager deadlier traps await regardless. Lead on, m'lady."

So what are you going to do now?

Cautiously, lilbug begins looking around the upper room, peeking under covers to see what's there, peeking through the grimy windows to look at the tower, and trying to discern what sort of shop this is and what its connection to the mage's tower might be.

You find...


Roll 1d20
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:37, Sun 12 Mar 2017.

22:38, Today: Secret Roll: lilbug rolled 18 using 1d20.  Rolling one d 20 as requested.

 Lilbug finds a few clues, of what the shop is dealing with. He notices something different about one of the windows across from the mage tower, seen through the dirty window. When he looks more closely he sees something under the window sill, and bends to look more closer still. He starts fiddling with something he sees under the window sill, in the shadows. After awhile, he hears a snap and a lever pops out of the wall near his head.

Astonished at having solved the tile puzzle, he blinks at the lever and then calls out to the rest before they go too far:

"Lady Xi, my friends?  I believe I have found something.  Come quickly please.  I would be loath to explore this without aid."

He remains on his knees (being comfortable there as any male should be) and awaits his companions.

Having merely made the suggestion and  allowing the others to decide, Mariasha had not moved from her spot but had been vigilantly watching for danger. When she hears Lilbug's excitement over finding something she  heads up the stairs."I shall help Lilbug and Xi "

Sparrow nods and follows Mariasha, going up the stairs after her.

Xi had only moved to the side to allow Lilbug to pass she had not retreated out of the room.  She had been watching him as he searched.  Like hell she would see a friends slave boy injured for her inattention.  "What did you find?  A way the cat could have scooted out of the room without leaving tracks?"

Lilbug smiles softly, hearing Mariasha and Sparrow answer.  He turned around and found himself face to face with Lady Xi's knees.  This made him suddenly miss his Mistress Fairaday terribly.  He was sure She would have taken full advantage of him being on his knees this long.  Her boots were probably dirty by now and needed lilbug's attention.  He sighed quietly, and then shook himself out of his reverie as Lady Xi addressed him.

"Yes, Lady Xi.  I found this curious tile puzzle and when I moved them to where I thought they fit together best it revealed this lever sticking out of the wall by your knee.  I am sure it is important, and so I thought it best to speak up.  Shal I pull it?"

"Well you're there ...might as well." she smirked a bit.  Part of her was thinking..'Here comes the 'Doom'.  Be ready'.  It was an adventurers stock and trade for such to happen.

He took a nervous gulp, then a deep breath, and pulled the lever, squinching his eyes tight and praying to Padros it wasn't some sort of trap.

 The window shatters and reforms into a long narrow and glassy surface leading toward the window in the wizard's tower. The "bridge" is approximately 30 inches wide, and crosses over the walls to join with the wizard's tower window ledge.

 The puzzle resets and scrambles.

"Well...that is rather interesting" she said looking at Lil'bug.

Finally standing back up, lilbug looked in wonder at the smooth and narrow bridge now extending to the Wizard's Tower.  He rubbed his eyes and then blinked, looking over to Lady Xi.

"It is most certainly a way across, but it looks rather dangerous and will not be easily traversed.  Certainly our four legged friends may not be able to make it across, although perhaps our own magic may be of assistance in this."

"Indeed; we should have one agile person test the bridge, with a rope about their waist held by the rest of us here. When they get across, the rope can help to cross", Sparrow suggested.

Without any hesitation whatsoever, Motoko immediately stepped forth and raised her hand.  "I'll do it."

She then stepped in front of the bridge, ready to cross just as soon as the rope was around her waist.

Mariasha had been awed by Lilbug's discovery but she did not have the confidence to cross the glass bridge, she let a nervous sigh as Motoko stepped forward to take on the challenge. She worried for her friend but trusted in the sword woman's skills.

Motoko readies to cross the bridge. Although the bridge seems fragile, it feels sturdy.

Well? What are you all doing now?

"Best have our four-legged friends hold on to this end of the rope. You're not likely to overcome their weight if you fall, and they can pull you back to safety quickly."

 "Well Motoko? Are you just going to stand there or are you going to go? Do you want one of us to go first? If so I will go."

 She climbed upon the window sill and held to the frame to see what Motoko would do. If she doesn't go soon, she will pass her, take the rope and go across.

Motoko glanced back at Mariasha and raised an eyebrow at her for a moment.  She turned her attention back on the narrow bridge before taking a deep breath.  She raised both of her arms and stretched them out from the sides so as to help with her balance.  Narrowing her eyes into concentrated slits, she started making her way across, taking her time as she did do.

23:49, Today: Motoko rolled 25 using 1d20+9.  Balance Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:52, Sun 26 Mar 2017.

Xi had produced a rope for Motoko to use.  She held the other end and watched carefully to catch her friend should she start to fall.

Unable to get past others safely the large framed centaur looked about.  There were still other doors that were shut, as well as the odd box.  She glanced over to Stargazer "Should we check one of the other doors?" then up to Rinaldo on her shoulder.

 Motoko manages to find firm footing across the glass bridge without much trouble. She crossed over the shoppe's wall, looking down into the mews where the stables were. Only rabbits and birds show there. She crosses the mews and across the tower's outer wall, looking down upon a wild looking area, seeming much larger than possible. Strange creatures wander there, some large, some small, but all very strange indeed. One creature seems to see her, and rears upon it's rear legs to try to reach up to her, it's mouth full of sharp teeth, it's eyes glowing with malice.

Xi holds the rope to play out more rope as Motoko moves along.

Instead of giving a try on the glass bridge or changing to a smaller shape, Stardancer turns back and heads down the attic and back toward the stairs, retreating to the 2nd floor.

Mariasha, Sparrow, Crow, lilbug and Rinaldo watch with held breath to see if Motoko makes it across.

Sparrow picked up and held part of the rope, figuring that the more people available to pullMotoko to safety, the better.

Motoko reflexively jerked her foot away from the edge as soon as she saw those sharp teeth turned in her direction.  She breathed deeply as she continued making her way across the narrow glass bridge.  Her left hand rested upon the hilt of her sword as a way to calm herself down and focus on the task at hand.  One wrong step and it could be all over for her.

As she continued crossing, she glanced down at the strange creatures below, wondering if she had seen or heard about them before...

22:02, Today: Motoko rolled 12 using 1d20+9.  Balance Check 2.
22:03, Today: Motoko rolled 22 using 1d20+9.  Knowledge (Nature).

Noticing Sparrow picking up part of the rope, Crow walked over to do the same.  He didn't have much to offer in the muscle department, but every little bit helped... right?

Taking his cue from Crow, lilbug helps him and Sparrow to keep the rope steady and, if necessary, pull her back.  It would take team work to get safely to the Mage's tower, but this was definitely the best chance they'd had since they first came into this shop.

It didn't take long before the swordswoman crossed the glass bridge and reached the other side.  Bringing her arms back in again, she stepped onto the ledge of the wizard's tower window.  She dropped off the bridge and landed inside the tower.

Turning back around, she looked across the bridge toward the others, waving at them.  She took a quick glance around the new surroundings for a bit, checking to make sure it was safe before waving the others over.

The rope was still tied around her waist.  She braced one foot against the window ledge and held onto the rope with one hand, leaving her other hand free in case she needed to defend herself.

Motoko makes it to the tower, discovers the window is locked, somehow manages to get the lock jimmied and makes it inside. There is no one inside... except the Tom cat.

Motions for others to cross "Azael..You and crow cross over.  Help bolster that end.  Lets see if we can tie this side off" she suggested.

He waits for his turn to cross, hopeful he can do so without embarrassing his Mistress...oh Padros!  Letting everyone know he would return shortly, lilbug ran down the stairs and through the shop to the doorway, where his Lady Fairaday was keeping watch.  Seeing her there he knelt at Her feet and smiled happily up to Her.

"Mistress, we have found a way over to the Mage's Tower.  I believe this shop was once a spell and curio shop.  Thank You for standing guard my Lady, we can cross over now."

 She caresses his face then lets him lead the way to the bridge. She doesn't indicate if she had known of the bridge or not. She praised him for finding the way.

 Seeing the trunk, she raised an eyebrow but doesn't comment upon it's untouched state as they walk past. Climbing up the stairs, she waits and watches as the rest cross the bridge, waiting until last to cross over.

"Everyone, we need to get over this bridge and into the Mage's Tower, so we can find out what really happened to the Mage.  Sparrow, Crow, Star Dancer, Rinaldo, Star gazer, and of course Lady Xi.  Let us make our way over as quickly and safely as we can."

The pleasure slave smiled, proudly standing behind his Mistress, Lady Fairaday.  It was a time they started finding answers to this strange mystery.

"All right, make sure the rope is tethered at both ends and tight, and I'll go next", says Sparrow gamely, though she's not too confident how her slender body will handle the trip.

Motoko took a look around the room for a place to tie off her end of the rope.  In the worst case scenario, she would have to leave the rope tied around her own waist and brace herself against the window.  She wasn't worried if it came to that, though.  She was confident she would be strong enough to pull it off.

Motoko ties off the rope to the iron bracket for a torch near the window.

Once the ends were secured. Xi began making her way across.  Making sure she too would not fall or injure herself.  "Oh the things we do!" Hand over hand she held on and moved.

 He jumped up on the window sill and watched Xi walk across the narrow glass-like bridge.

After crossing she took a deep breath.  "Alright let's get going" she began waving the others to cross.


ooc: we'll not playing gets us nowhere.  anyone else about??

"I'll go next."

Now that the rope was secured, Sparrow clung tightly to it and gingerly began to cross to the other side.

 He leaps off the window sill and flies toward the tower. Halfway there, something streaks up from the alley between the walls and hits Rinaldo, knocking him out of the sky, and down toward the ground. He disappears in a scattering of feathers with a brief squawk.

He watched in horror as Rinaldo was struck from the sky, plummeting to the wilds below, lost to sight.

"RINALDO!  PADROS NO!  Oh poor Rinaldo, do you think he's alright Mistress?" he asked, turning to Lady Fairaday.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:39, Mon 01 May 2017.

Watches in horror..."Rinaldo!!!!"
The worse was she'd seen that hawk before....It was one that had tried to attack Rinaldo before.  Immediately her bow came out, but at it's speed it was gone before she could loose an arrow.  She'd ...She'd...She'd failed.  This had not happened to her before.  She was supposed to protect him, guard him.

"Wha... what happened?  How did...?  Where did that... thing come from?" Crow could hardly believe what had just happened to Rinaldo.  He peered over the window sill, attempting to catch a glimpse of... anything, really.  Rinaldo.  Whatever knocked Rinaldo to the ground.  Some sort of clue as to what happened...

He looked toward the others, seeing if anyone else had answers.  Sighing, with nothing else to be done, he got up onto the glass bridge and followed the others across.  If nothing else, he supposed the answers could be found, if at all, somewhere on the other side of the glass bridge.

ooc: reminds players of post #307

 You guys are pretty laid back and slow for being in the middle of a quest. :P If you are all wanting to keep playing, lets get to it already. You all should have been halfway through the wizards tower by now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:38, Fri 05 May 2017.

 She came up in time to see Rinaldo get hit by a mocking bird and knocked silly. She looked down and saw him hit the top of a tree, feathers flying. He should be ok, but he wouldn't fly for awhile.

"Rinaldo! Didn't you learn not to fly here earlier? Try to find a way into the tower down there!"

 "Go Sparrow. We've wasted enough time already. Move it on across. I'll help the others!"

Xi looked to see what happened.  from the ledge in the room she is in leaning out she can look down and see feathers on the greenery tree top. "Stardancer, you and Bruto go look for him.  I think getting across this way would be difficult for you two.  Those of us on this side will push on.  Rest of you..either cross or search for Rinaldo" She stated authoritatively.  Since her head wound it was almost as if she were her old self.  She looked at Azael and Judos across the way "Coming or not?"

She didn't want to show off, but this was an emergency.  She grabbed her magic rope and tied it to a sturdy part of the ruined home.  She flung the other part out the window.  Holding the rope at the edge she did what Rinaldo told her the night before about concentrating.  Literally she willed herself human.  Atleast she was not naked this time.  Still a bit unsteady she climbed over the ledge and down the rope to search for her Rinaldo.

 Roars and noises of other large beasts come from the reserve. Stardancer climbs down the rope into the reserve below and disappears from sight.

Looking down, lilbug offers a quiet prayer to the slave god.  "Padros protect him and guide him back to us."

Then he turns and enters the room, looking around to see what new trials await them all.  One way or another, they would figure out what happened to the Mage.  The pleasure slave was determined to make his Mistress proud.  He looked over to his beloved Lady, helping the rest across and smiled softly.

"I will assist from this side, my Lady.  Who is still coming across?"

When everyone goes across who IS going across, she goes across, ignoring the animals below.
She manages to cross with the help of the other rope.

"Well done everyone."

As the immediate danger calms Xi looks about the room for any clues or information. Best way to help Rinaldo and Stardancer is to search the place quickly."

Sparrow was staring at where Rinaldo and Stardancer had disappeared, wide-eyed. "If you're sure, my Lady Xi. It feels wrong to leave them but if that is how we may save them, then let us search." She turned from her contemplation to join the others. "Lead on."

"They are clever...both of them.  However if the mage was...experimenting on any creatures there, then finding his notes or books would be of importance." she gave Sparrow a smile to bolster her confidence.  This needed to get done.

"Then we should get started right away," Motoko said as she took a look around.  Her eyes went toward the nearest exit, wondering if perhaps what they needed could be found in another room.  She walked over to peek her head out and looked around.

 She walked the bridge as the others had and climbed through the window. She ruffled lilbug's hair as she went past him then petted the Tom.

 "There you are! Some of these people thought they had to go the way you went, but we can't walk through walls like you can little fellow. Those holes are only cat sized. Do you want to travel with us or do you have things to check, like mouse nests and bird roosts?"

 She headed toward the doorway out of the tower room to see if it was unlocked then changed her mind and let the others try, for practice.

The pleasure slave smiled at his Mistress, beaming when she ruffled his hair as he always did.  He followed her gladly, then noticed her hesitate as she walked towards the door.  Understanding her intention, lilbug took her hand and kissed it, then padded ahead and cautiously tried the door to see if it was locked.

 She smiled at lilbug then holds her breath as he tried the door without letting any of the trap finders check out the door first.

 "Lilbug, wait. Does anyone here have trap sensing abilities, or door lock picking?"

Xi looked at Lady Fairaday "I think our avian friend was of that inclination." right now hoping Rinaldo and Stardancer were well.  "I think we are doing this the hard way" She prepared to kick the next door in.

Well...technically she was still in the mages tower.  This wooded area seemed 'off' to her.  Of course, being in a human shape was...odd.  Once down she recalled her rope, then began looking for Rinaldo.  She found a few clumps of feathers, she realized were his.  From there she began to use her tracking skills, taking into account he may be stuck in a tree as well.

using tracking feat.

About to try the door, lilbug stops instantly at his Mistress command.  Stepping back a pace, he nods to Her smiling softly.

"You are right of course, my Lady.  I am not sure if we have anyone with such skills among us now, which may present a problem if the former Mage was fond of traps."

Sparrow sighs. "My talents run more to entertainment and perhaps encouragement than the thieving arts. Alas I will not be of much help with the door."

"Eh... I haven't done any trap-finding for a long while, so I hope I haven't gotten too rusty," Crow shrugged his shoulders as he stepped toward the door.  He placed a hand on the door and proceeded to search it for traps.  "Still, I guess it's better than nothing.  Go ahead and sit down, this might take at least a couple minutes."

OOC: Taking 20 on the Search check, if possible.

02:12, Today: Sadina, on behalf of Crow Reeds, rolled 20 using 1d20+4 ((16)).

 Taking his time and moving slowly, Crow examines the door, going over it with excruciating detail, inch by inch, he finally deals with it's nature and it's bespelling. He draws away some gossamer strands of magic webbing that linger then reaches out to slowly open the door.

 Meanwhile, others sharpen their blades, review spells, buff their nails, etc. After about 4 hours, Crow declares the door safe and opens it slowly.

After having a nap, sharpened sword, and eaten.  Xi was ready to go.  coming up behind Crow she smiled a bit "Good.  Step aside" Her foot went heavily into the door.  A girl does need to work out aggression.

 The door slams open so hard it rebounds and slams shut again, but now sags slightly on one hinge and has a crack running through the grain of the wood. A breeze comes in the window and rattles the door slightly so it creaks and with a rusty moans opens and comes to a rest ajar.

 Any element of surprise is fled from the room on clattering feet and headed for the hills.

With surprising speed she reaches to catch the door as it swings back and wrenches it free, then continuing on inside.  Stepping is she noted which direction the 'hills' were that the feet were running to.  Sharp eyes then scanned the room.

ooc: don't know my own strength, lol

"Hmm..." Crow looked down, curiously at the gossamer strands of magic webbing.  He shrugged his shoulders and tossed it aside before following Xi through the door.  Kicking the door in like that was probably unnecessary... but it also looked kind of fun.  No wonder a lot of people do that!  It made for a dramatic entrance, after all.  Still... it wasn't like there was anyone waiting on the other side... right?

Once he entered the room, he noticed that Xi was already scanning the room.  He waited for her to give the 'all clear' before gesturing to everyone to follow along inside.

 There were footprints in the dust on the floor. Dust bunnies hid under the bits of mismatched furniture scattered around in neglected clumps. Some dusty footprints headed out under the next door... various tiny prints.

 Spiders webs hung in the corners if the ceiling, some with spiders giving baleful glares at the intruders' noisy entrance. Shadows lurked in dark corners.

Xi gestured for the others to follow.  She moved to the next door to stand ready for anything or one.  "Any clues or of interests?" she asked of those searching.

"I like the look of these webs little", says Sparrow. "And those prints, what manner of beast could have made them? They seem too small for humans." She kneels down and examines the tracks.

OOC: It's not like she knows how to track, but she's looking for anything obvious, ie. these are spider or cat tracks.

 Ragged Tom scratches at the door and enters from outside the door, trilling and bussing anyone's legs they allow, proud of himself...then drops a fat body at sparrow's feet. He sat with a fat smug look on his face smiling up at her.

"Let me," Motoko nodded as she knelt down beside Sparrow in order to take a closer look.  She examined the prints as well, drawing upon her knowledge of the wild for any possible ideas as to what left such tracks.

She became momentarily distracted, however, when the Ragged Tom came in.