In reply to Keef (msg # 8):

The P.A.R.T.Y. arrives in Medenbury without further incident.  Night is falling, and the caravan quickly makes for the nearest inn that can accommodate them: The Meandering Tigerlily.

Despite its pretentious name, the place looks to be about mid-range in terms of amenities and pricing.  The carts and horses are quickly stored in the stable, and in no time the villagers have made themselves at home in the Tigerlily's modest suites and lively common room.

There is a clearly defined area emblazoned with the word "Bath House", but the paladin is interrupted before he can explore the promising features that might hide within.

"The menfolk are heading off to buy supplies," Sheriff Mathers says.  "I'd like to meet you outside at dawn tomorrow, to file the paperwork with local authorities.  After that, we'll be on our way."

He smiles softly.

"Thank you for everything."

Maeve smiles and shakes hands with Mathers.

It was our duty and our pleasure to help.

She then goes to find Lyriel and Rachel and says, in a rare moment of feminine bonding:

Shall we see what amenities the bath house has to offer?

Zuriel likewise shakes hands with the sheriff. "Until tomorrow then. I actually have some quick resupplying to do of my own." He spins Shahara, and heads off towards the merchant district.

[Private to Lyriel Vesper: Zuriel catches your arm before you head off with the girls. "I'd like to outfit Rachel with some more appropriate gear. She's more a fencer than warrior, and I think a rapier and buckler would suit her well. What do you think?"]

Lyriel grins and claps her hands together delightedly. Oh yes, let's! She grabs Rachel and sets off to the bathhouses with Maeve and a collection of scented soaps and towels.

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: Lyriel nods. "I think that's a good idea. Here, I have extra gold from the Vault." She counts out a generous pouch and hands it to Zuriel before skipping off to the bath house.]

Boreas heads for the markets in search of what this town has to offer.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 13):

Keef gathers up his books and a great quantity of papers and runs after Zuriel and Boreas.

Yes... resupply... I think I've found what I've been looking for but... I'll need some equipment ... some parts... some tools... some materials I think...  Keef holds up his notes for inspection, but neither Boreas nor Zuriel take them, knowing full well the boy's scribbles and diagrams will not shed any light on what Keef wants.

Anyhow...the problem, catch really... it's going to be expensive...

In reply to Keef (msg # 14):

Zuriel and Boreas head off toward the market, with Keef trailing behind them with a list of materials and equipment he'd like to find.  The women, deciding shopping to be less important than hygiene, opt to visit the bath house.

Team X,X

The bath house is well-appointed and gorgeous, containing areas to wash, areas to swim and play, areas to dry and change, and even several sauna-style rooms kept warm by steam and heated rocks.  The competing scents of dozens of different oils and soaps waft through the air, creating an almost intoxicating aroma.

After a bit of girl talk and a lot of scrubbing, they leave the bath house looking and feeling refreshed.  Finding the men still missing, it falls to Maeve, Lyriel, and Rachel to actually see about procuring rooms for the evening...

Team X,Y

The setting sun has left a number of stalls, shops, and tents unattended, but there are plenty of people still doing business.  Boreas quickly locates a promising shop filled with gloves and gauntlets, but balks at the rather high pricetags.  Zuriel keeps an eye out for clergy, but is unable to discern any obvious members of the Church.  Keef continues to rattle off the things he needs, pointing out various promising shops and tents and hoping one of his companions will indulge his curiosity.  One such shop is located next to a tent bristling with swords -- a fact that catches the paladin's eye.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:27, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

Zuriel waits for the boy to catch up before continuing. "What exactly are you researching, Keef?" he asks, walking into the sword tent.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

As the girls dress from their relaxing time in the baths, you notice something that you would not have had occasion to before, given that the P.A.R.T.Y is not exactly in the habit of stripping in front of each other.  While it would have ordinarily been covered up by her tunic, it is now apparent that Maeve has a long, thin white scar that extends from her collarbone down her chest, curving around the left breast before finally coming to a stop somewhere on the middle of the rib cage.

It looks almost as if a very inept fighter tried to stab the young woman in the heart or throat and missed horribly, or if a very talented fighter aimed for the same place and, at the last minute, opted for a less lethal blow.  It's difficult to tell.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 17):

Team X,Y

Zuriel heads into the sword shop and begins to browse the racks.  He eventually finds a good-looking rapier shoved into one of the barrels. The weapon is finely crafted, and priced to move at 400gp.

Zuriel extracts the rapier, holding it outstretched to test the weight and balance. He gives it a few practice swings admiringly. He turns to the shopkeeper. "This is a fine blade, though rather on the expensive side. Would you consider throwing in that buckler for the price?" He gestures to a solidly built buckler hanging on a rack. He smiles at the shopkeeper.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 17):

Keef looks down at his notes, for a moment perplexed at the question.

Oh.... right... well I'm researching a spell!  Armor!  I've done most of the reading and sketching out already

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 19):

After a bit of haggling, Zuriel is able to get the buckler thrown in for the same price.

Zuriel shakes hands with the shopkeep, slinging the buckler and rapier across his back. Giving up on finding members of the church at random, he makes to head back to the inn, along with Keef once he's finished his shopping.

"That sounds quite useful, Keef. What kind of materials do you think you'd need?"

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 22):

Keef lists a string of essentials, very little lf which makes much sense to Zuriel, or indeed to anyone.  The words 'diamond dust', 'candle', 'chalk', 'mica' stand out, but that's about it.

It's a lot I know, but all neccesary... I think, and should only cost maybe... three thousand! he concludes.

Zuriel coughs when he hears the cost. "That's...quite expensive. Not saying we can't do it, but let's wait until we get to Ikuabai. We are going to have a lot of expenses coming up that we will want to plan for. And some extra magic items to sell."

He tosses Keef a grin as they walk back to the Inn. "I agree, an armor spell would be very cool though!" The whole way back Keef chatters about this that and the other, with Zuriel trying to keep up but failing overwhelmingly to make any sense of they boy's narrative.

Upon returning to the Inn, Zuriel makes directly for the bathhouse. Finding a luxurious tub in the corner, he looks around sheepishly to see if anybody is watching before filling the tub with a bubbly scented soap and steaming hot water. He takes out the chalice of wisdom, willing a deep red wine to appear in the goblet. He strips and jumps into the tub, sinking into the water with a contented sigh until only his eyes and the top of his head remain above the mountains of bubbles.

Bliss...
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

Maeve flushes as she notices Lyriel and Rachel examining the scar curiously, clearly refraining from asking about it only out of an attempt to be polite.  She's not ashamed of it, but it's not exactly attractive either, and Maeve is developing enough of a complex from being in the constant company of Lyriel's striking beauty and Rachel's fresh-faced farmgirl prettiness.

We should go see about rooms, she says, hastily donning her clothing.

On her way out the door, she notices that one of the baths is now occupied by Zuriel, nearly concealed under a mound of flower-scented bubbles and sipping contentedly from the chalice.

Oh Zuriel.  Thank you.  That's lifted my spirits to no end.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 25):

The serentiy of the bath is disturbed by a loud splash.

Zuriel looks down.  His gaze os met by the unblinking eyes of a large toad who seems to disapprove of the bubbles.

I did some calculationsKeef offers meekly as he pokes his mop of unruly hair into the bath house, I don't need EVERYTHING right now, with just a third of that I could continue my experiments for now...

Chubbs raises one brow, clearly finding humanoid nudity amusing.

Lyriel wraps herself in a fluffy towel and follows Maeve to the changing rooms. I don't mean to be rude, Maeve but...how did you get that scar? It looks like it's quite the tale.

As they leave the baths, Lyriel pauses to wave cheerfully to a woman in a nearby tub, dark hair the only thing visible in the mass of bubbles. Those bubbles look delightful... She swears to herself as her towel comes undone as she waves. She stoops to pick it up from her feet, readjusting the fabric around her figure. Strangely, when she looks back the woman's head is gone, vanished under the bubbles.

She hurries to catch up with Rachel and Maeve, eager to hear the story of the Easterner's scar. As they change and leave the bathhouse, Lyriel waves idly to Keef, who appears to be wandering in from shopping.

Odd...Keef is back. I wonder where Zuriel is.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

Zuriel starts in shock as Maeve, Lyriel, and Rachel walk by his tub. Before he can say anything, Lyriel waves, somehow managing to dislodge her towel in the process. The paladin nobly attempts to avert his eyes,

[Will save = 14; Failure]

But somehow doesn't quite manage to turn away in time. He chokes and dives under the water, staying submerged until his lungs burn nearly as hotly as his face. He emerges, spluttering, in a daze, grateful to see he was once again alone. He finishes the rest of the wine in one gulp. Idly he waves to Chubbs as he is joined by the toad. The paladin upends the Chalice, providing the familiar a suitable golden throne.

Chubbs inspects the makeshift golden lily pad critically, before deciding that it will suffice. He hops on top, and gives a croak that clearly conveys that of all gilded lily pads he has graced, this one ranks six or seven.

Keef pokes his head in, but Zuriel isn't able to make sense of the boy's mile-a-minute chatter. "Yes yes, that's nice Keef. We'll see."

The paladin decides stay submerged until the dizziness passes.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:49, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

Oh. . . .this?  I don't know that it's much of a story, Lyriel.  I've had it since I was five.

Maeve's assertions that she obtained a wicked-looking weapon scar at the tender age of five seem to do nothing to put her companions at ease.  Quite the opposite.

Oh, no no! she hastens to assure them.  I wasn't stabbed or anything.  Well, that is to say, I *was* stabbed.  But it was all fine.

Her reassuring words are met with twin horrified expressions. Maeve thinks of how she can explain things with a bit more clarity.

As I briefly mentioned before we met you, Rachel, my father is the wielder of an exceedingly powerful weapon known as the Spear of the Sands.  Since I can first remember, father always referred to the Spear as a "friend of the family."  I never knew what that meant, but I did know that I was strictly forbidden from touching or playing with it.  No matter where father was stationed, the Spear always hung in a place of honor above our hearth.

Maeve smiles as she recalls herself as a small girl, brimming with curiosity over the mysterious weapon.

One day when I was five, Father was in his study taking with some of his men.  I was tired of playing war with my dolls and, seeing that nobody was around, decided to be exceedingly clever and touch the Spear.  Perhaps even take it down to look at.  So I dragged a chair over to the hearth, climbed on top of it, and reached for the Spear, standing on tiptoe to try and get it.

Well, what happened next was I guess pretty predictable.  I lost my balance just as I grabbed the Spear and toppled off the chair, taking the weapon down with me as I fell.  Its curved blade was facing toward me, and it caught me as I fell, slicing me a good cut from my collarbone to my ribs.  Oooooh, how mad Father was. . . .

Maeve shudders, not so much from the memory of the pain and blood but rather from the recollection of her father's obvious anger.  Lyriel and Rachel continue to look suitably horrified, and Maeve realizes that perhaps they have overlooked the central point of the tale.

But don't you see?  I should have been dead.  The healer who came to clean my wound said as much.  If I were any other person, I *would* have been dead.  The way the Spear was pointed, it should have gone straight through my heart.  Instead, it dealt me only a cut, which stopped bleeding rather quickly. Turns out that that's what Father meant by the Spear being a "friend of the family."  It recognizes its own.

Father told me after the healer had gone home that the Spear lashed out at me in warning, because I had mishandled it.  "A weapon like this, Maeve, deserves your respect.  If it doesn't have it, it will know and respond in kind.

Maeve slowly emerges from her memories.

It's been more than twenty years since that day. I haven't touched the Spear again.  Scared, I suppose

Boreas returns from the market empty-handed save for a small scroll tube, having decided to save his money for the bazaar in Ikuabai.  He takes a more spartan bath but savors it no less.

Better enjoy this, before I have to get 'in character.'  Thanks, Lyriel...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

That's a remarkable story Maeve, Lyriel says. A weapon with a mind of its own...good thing it's a friend! Still, did it have to maim you so?  That's a harsh lesson for a five year old. The self-conscious look on Maeve's face leads the cleric to believe that the Easterner misunderstood her intended meaning.

She smiles at Maeve. Still, all is well that ends well, yes? *I* think the scar gives you an exotic beauty. Like one of the warrior queens from the southern jungles! Ferocious, yet feminine. Lyriel looks over Maeve, and the Easterner can almost see the gears turning in the cleric's mind as she thinks of a suitable outfit. Sure enough, a fashion suggestion is immediately forthcoming. Well, obviously we can't show the whole thing, but perhaps have a bodice that leaves just a hint of the scar peaking out. Mysterious!

Lyriel sighs. You could turn the head of any man you wanted, if you just tried, Maeve. I wish you could see that. Perhaps with a different hairstyle, and some new clothes? The Highborn maiden looks up at Maeve hopefully.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:08, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

After a considerable while, Zuriel determines that his body is likely to become a prune if he stays any longer in the bath. He gets out, dressing quickly and entering the inn proper. He arrives in the common area to find the party, including Rachel and Oliver, just sitting down to dinner, presumably having procured rooms. He joins them, uncharacteristically silent, plopping down between Oliver and Maeve.

[private to Lyriel Vesper: Zuriel seems to avoid your gaze, though you catch him looking at you several times over the course of the meal. Each time your eyes meet, he drops his gaze, blushing violently.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:13, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

Oh.  Well, right. . . . thank you, Lyriel.  I'll think about it.

Maeve smiles wanly and then heads over to the common room of the tavern for supper.  The rest of the P.A.R.T.Y seems to still be occupied in the baths, so Maeve joins Rachel and Oliver at one of the tables; Lyriel looks for someone from whom to see about procuring rooms for the night.

Rachel and Oliver chatter happily about their day thus far; Maeve is quietly pensive, tracing a finger back and forth along her collarbone.

She's just being kind; it's ugly--no denying that. Still, I suppose that every warrior needs a scar with a story behind it.

I haven't thought of the Spear in a long time. . .I wonder what would happen if I tried to pick it up now?  I wonder. . . .

After a little while, Zuriel comes in and joins them, sliding in to a seat next to Maeve.  Seconds later, Keef joins them and throws himself into the seat next to Rachel, explaining to the young woman all about his plans for magic armor, whether she wants to hear it or not.

  The paladin's sudden appearance snaps Maeve out of her reverie and she favors him with a distracted smile, her hand still resting on her collarbone.

Oh, hello Zuriel.  Did you have a nice bath?  You must have stayed in there for a long time--you look awful flushed.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Fri 31 Jan 2014.