Byron gets comfortable with his back against a tree across from Kali.  He thinks for a moment before replying to her question.

"No, I don't think about that."

He pauses for a moment then explains his answer in detail.

"Ever since I was able to use the great sword with the strength I have and the skills I've acquired in training and since then I've done what I have wanted.  I hope the choices I've made since then are good ones and the ones I make in the future are good ones as well, however that is not for me to judge.  Now a part of that is because I am young both as a human and as an individual in this world.  I would guess you might get a different answer from Aliana as she is an elf, but to me looks to be about the same age as I am.  However I suspect she could be mother's grandmother or maybe even her great grandmother."

Kali smiled at Byron's surprising wisdom and nodded. "Our paths are what they are. I too would not change who I am or what I have. Had things changed, I would not have met Raie....or any of you."

She continued looking to the sky. "....but sometimes, just sometimes I wonder when I see a family 'could I have had that life?' Quiet, with a home, family."

She sighed as she looked down. "My mothers blood and my druid training always prevented me thinking like that, but traveling with you all, I wonder if I could have had that....if I'll ever have that."

She lays down in the grass, raie shifting slightly to nuzzle against her. "Forgive my thoughts Byron - perhaps it's the scope of our mission that makes me so."

"She is not merely a lynx," Myarra replies.

"Mystra has, a little more pointed than I would like, directed me to her.  She has also suggested a magic item that would serve the two of us well.  It's a belt with a large number of pouches, one of which she will be able to ride in quite comfortably.

Of course, now I need to go introduce myself and pick up a very expensive magic item.  But then when do the Gods worry themselves over trifling details?"

Byron smiles at Kali as she sighs.

"There is no harm and nothing wrong with looking at something you would like to have someday.  I know that at some point it will be time for me to change my path from what I am and do now to something different.  When that time comes, and it will if I live, I hope that it includes a loving family of my own like that of my parents.  The only real difference I see between my own family and that of my parents is that I may not be an everyday farmer like they are."

Byron pauses a moment before continuing.

"Alstadin once told me that humans are the ones forcing change upon the rest of the world because of the things we do that he couldn't understand the why behind it.  Part of me thinks that he said because he's a dwarf and they have have a much longer life span than the average human.  Another part of me thinks that what he said is true because of the way we do things both good and bad."

After the scrying crystal is used, the group calls it quits for the night to ponder what they saw. If they wish to use it again, they can come back in the morning with a fresh mind and new ideas to explore. The party is going to have a busy day tomorrow.

Byron and Kali are the first ones to wake up on the new day, being woke up by the farmers tending their fields.

Twiggy eats in silence, after Nolan ignoreded him, and watches the girls with the orb. He wonders if he can tric the device into thinking he is a female but then lets the thought go knowing he hasn't played with enough magical stuff yet. He sees the crypt keeper and wonders about how he is still alive and wants to talk to him.

After a bit he gets bored and calls it a night.

Roen wakes up in the morning and goes outside to help the farmers until it was time to go. Most people don't even realize the hard work farmers do for the people. Without a farmer, most city folk won't be able to eat and it upsets Roen to see how poorly farmers are treated, like they were a second class citizen. So, him helping farmers make their job easier brings a smile to his face as some of the burden is carried by another.

Sister Aliana came down and prepared some food to break her fast, after doing her morning prayers and other rituals.

Kali smiled as Byron spoke, letting the thoughts set in. She turned ti say something else to Byron, but when she did, he was asleep. She smiled as she settled into Raieylan, feeling his deep pur.

"I know, old man...these humans are getting close to me." She muttered. She closed her eyes, and dreamed a dream of another life.

---

When dawn broke, both raieylan and Kali were awake, their own habit to greet the morning sun as she watched the farmers before dawn. She sighs as she gently shakes Byron. "Time to wake up sleepy head - go inside for a decent meal."

Nolan meets everyone in the dining room and explains to them all the magical items they have found so far. He gives Byron back the ring Amara gave him and hands the coin, not flipping it, to Twiggy.

The ring is perfect for you, Byron, since you're the one most likely to get hit, even before Myarra, who can fly out of harm's way. And the coin was flipped by Twiggy first, so the coin told me it goes to him. From what I can tell, it's a lucky coin. What kind of luck, I can't say, but I was told that it will be a very bad day if you have any bad luck. So, let's hope you always have good luck, my friend.

So, we need to take a vote on the things we found. Do we want to keep some of these items, or sell them in town? Also, how do we determine the value of the coin for determining the share out of party treasure? Also, the same with Byron's new ring.

My vote is to keep what we can use and sell the rest in town to get the funds we need for our trip to the mines. Of the items we keep, whoever has whatever pays for the value like normal. If you can't pay for it, you have a debt to the party. Amara, Byron and Aliana still have outstanding debts.

Byron surprises Kali being waking up easily when she shakes him.  Mostly because he is used to waking up with the rising sun when outside.

Good morning.

Once inside the tower and meeting with the others does Byron have a lot more to say.

Nolan, I'm not sure if I still have any debt to the group.  If so this will add to it and I don't have an issue with that.  However, what can you tell me about this ring?

Byron picks up the ring and looks at it closer, but doesn't put it on yet.

"Yes, I agree with Nolan's proposal for use of the items," Amara said.

For those who were not watching, she tells them what she scryied. "The dwarf is alive, most likely some sort of cleric."

"Aye, this be feelin' weird earnin' coin when I be dead. How much gold do I need to be brought back?" Vernon asked so it could be translated by Byron

"There's nothing there that I would want.  So I'm good with selling whatever isn't wanted.

Could someone take me down to the scrying room?  I want to give the crystal another go.  I have a vague idea where I need to go, but I need more general context for the area before I can go befriend Shannon.  And I'd like to try before we head out to the temple."

"My bet is that if you can scry, you can get around most of this tower by yourself now," Amara said to Myarra, amused at her infatuation with the lynx.

"I'm not sure if I can get through that particular door.  I'm fairly sure Nolan wasn't able to get in at first, so it might take a bit more magic in the blood.  Besides, just for safety, nobody should scry alone."

According to the ledger, you have an outstanding balance of 276 gold, 1 silver, but that's nothing based off what we usually collect. But, fair is fair and it needs to be cleared.

Anyways, the ring is very old. Elvish make. The stones in the ring help with some sort of retributive strike when you take a solid hit from an enemy. Perfect ring for a frontline fighter, such as yourself. I'm not sure how many times the ring works though. Old rings like that are sometimes difficult to identify.

In reply to Nolan (msg # 967):

Sister Aliana walked up
"What is my current debt?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:15, Fri 04 Feb 2022.

Byron relays Vernon's words to the group before adding his own thoughts on the subject of Vernon's words.

Vernon, the cost is not the issue for us as a group.  We are a diverse group from a lot of different backgrounds.  Some good, some neutral, and some evil.  We have come together for a common cause.  Part of that cause led us to you, and you to us.  I know I speak for the group when I say that you are a valuable part of our group.  Regardless of what happens we will do our best to make sure that you see your wife again.  Be that when we return your ring to her, or we are able to resurrect you so you can see her in person is indifferent to us.  We have all made choices that changed our lives.  The choice you made was late in one sense, but still very real and very honest.  We will work with you to make sure the honor of that choice is made known to the one you truly love.

Byron pauses for a moment then continues.

Yes, I know.  I'm being sentimental.  On to other important things now.  Nolan, If I have to take on some additional debt to the group for the ring I will.  However, I want to make sure that I'm not cheating one here out of something first.  Each of us needs all the others for us to prevail against Culver and the damned evil cult.

Amara chuckled slightly, "Very well." She went with Myarra.


PLEASE give us a new thread before we hit 1,000 - otherwise the threads become non-searchable... PLEASE

Twiggy takes the coin from Nolan "I am always lucky but let us see what this coin does."  Twiggy then starts to inspect the coin and roll itbaround on his fingers "You talked to Nolan, will you talk to me?"

With Amara's help, Myarra returns to the scrying room and prepares.  And by preparation, she means getting out her crowbar and blanket.  She's pretty confident that she's not going to catch on fire now, but better to be safe.  She really should have thought to bring a bucket.  The damn thing does make her rather queasy and she'd rather not have to scrub the floor.  Not that any of the guys would think of scrubbing the floor after they used it, of course.  Cleaning up was some weird mysterious event that happened when they weren't around.

Enough procrastination.  Placing her hands on the orb she sends her mind into the weird trance-like state, seeking out Shannon.  Once she zeros in, she tries to pull back a little, looking for roads, rivers, or other landmarks that would help her pin down where the idyllic little stream and den might be.   It had felt so familiar before, and she hoped one more try might help her remember whatever it was she'd forgotten.

"Of course I will talk with you, Twiggy. You and I are friends."

"Hmmmm," Myarra ponders, taking her hands off the crystal and holding her roiling stomach instead.  The crystal may be useful, but she and it are never going to get along.  Still, she's pretty sure she knows where they need to go.

"Amara, this is weird.  Do you remember when we were clearing Vernon's tower?  And we found that other, smaller tower about a mile away?  The one where the ground hummed with power?

Guess where Shannon is currently living?

Obviously I have an ulterior motive for going there, but if we're looking for expensive treasure or powerful items we can use against the cult, a ruined tower where the very ground vibrates with power might not be a bad place to look.

Nolan said he could teleport us, although it would take several trips.  Or we can use the waystone in the garden, although that means traveling through the marshes again.

Am I just being self-centered here, or do you think it's a good idea?"

Twiggys eyes get big and starts giggling "By Tymora's hand, you can talk. I thought Nolan was playing a trick on me. How did you get into a coin, and who are you. Did some evil wizard entrap you like they did me? Can you percieve things, or see or can you see through my eyes... What's your name?" In his excitement, Twiggy rattles off questions.

Is the coin's voice out loud or in his head?