Boreas chooses to believe Ptolemy's assessment, that Zuriel and Sazed will be able to return on their own, and pushes the concern from his mind for the moment.

Right.  I suppose that leaves us with the matter of our compensation then.  Mah'mout is safely here, and I believe we were promised 60,000.  Also, as you know, I work for information.  What is the vivimancer's part in all of this?  What will he be doing, and why is he needed?

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 17):

Ptolemy giggles, tossing a large bag nearly effortlessly toward Boreas. It crashes to the ground with a jangling sound that promises hard-earned coinage.

"You have a voracious appetite for knowledge," she says with a smile. "If he is willing, we would have Mah'mout bind each tower to the living rock upon which it is built, rendering them nigh impossible to strike down. Nine times shall the spell be cast, and afterward we would consider his debt to us settled -- and more, besides."

In reply to DM (msg # 18):

The vivimancer cracks his knuckles, then bows with a flourish.

"Such a small task is insufficient thanks for your kindness in masterminding my release," he smiles. "I'll be glad to assist you."

In reply to Mah'mout (msg # 19):

Money?

Keef raises one hand and points a single digit at Ptolemy with cruel purpose.

If he COULD come back why wouldn't he?  If you'd wanted us to understand what we're doing, you'd have TOLD us already.  If you want towers protected, why a Vivimancer?

A tiny spark of red energy crackles at the end of Keef's outstretched finger.  His stare bores into the young lady.

"Keef, what are you doing?" Maeve asks warily, suddenly feeling dreadfully tired as it occurs to her that their trip to Umbr'iel and back has happened within the space of one day.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 21):

Keef turns toward Maeve but keeps his finger solidly pointed at Ptolemy.

I just... I don't understand.  We're losing... losing family and running around and freeing criminals and for what?

Chubbs, totally indifferent to the loss of Zuriel, to Ptolemy and to Keef's questions, sidles up beside Lyriel and nudges her foot in a "comforting" manner.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Fri 11 Apr 2014.

In reply to Keef (msg # 22):

Ptolemy, who in her current guise looks only slightly older than Keef and is shorter besides, blinks her big blue eyes in his direction.

"For the greater good," she says, by way of explanation. "Time passes differently in the planes. It's also possible they ended up somewhere so nice, they don't want to come back. You're mercenaries. It's a dangerous line of work. Losses are to be expected, whether through death or disinterest."

She glances at A'tril, ignoring Keef's outstretched finger entirely.

"I think we're done here. Take today to recover yourself -- you look terrible. Tomorrow, you'll begin the task of reinforcing the towers."

[Private to Keef: "She does not respect us, Master. Shall we demonstrate our greatness, or forgive her insolence?"]

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 24):

Keef allows Maeve to approach but raises his other hand before she is able to lay a hand on his shoulder.  The way he does so is more protecting her than defending himself.

He doesn't move his aim, however.

If he's not here, we can't protect him and he can't protect us... that should be the priority.

Chubbs, sensing something is going on, gives Lyriel's foot a parting pat and hops over to squat on Keef's foot instead.

Mercenaries... don't work for the greater good.  Heroes do.

Keef splays his fingers and there is a flash of red electricity that consumes his entire body.  There is a sound like a key turning in a lock mixed with thunder.

When the flash fades, Keef is gone.

[Private to GM: Dimensional Door: gone maximum range down mountain to get some space to work.]

Maeve approaches Lyriel and Keef with the intention of bodily marching them out of the tent and insisting that they have some tea and some rest.  Her plan is rather rudely interrupted by Keef's sudden departure in a blaze of red lightning.

After the events of the day they've just had, she doesn't even react with surprise--merely stares wearily at the place where the young mage once stood and contemplates the further splintering of their group.

Maybe Keef had the right idea this whole time. Maybe we should have taken our leave of these people a long time ago.

Well this is going well...

Boreas flicks his eyes right and left, looking for Keef.

The boy is right about one thing, Ptolemy.  We need to go find our friends.  We have the hat, and we'll notify you when we do, if you have more work for us.  In the meantime, we will have to take our leave.  Fare well.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 26):

"It would seem your mage has gone rogue," Ptolemy says. "If you're intending to go planes-hopping to find your friends, I wish you the best of luck. It's folly, but I'll wish it nonetheless. OSA will contact you if you're needed."

"A'tril, Mah'mout, linger a moment longer?"

The dark elf and the vivimancer stay behind while the P.A.R.T.Y. -- or what remains of it -- exits the tent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:14, Fri 11 Apr 2014.

Boreas looks around, seeing no sign of Keef.

Great.  Looks like we'll need to venture forth and gather our party.

He keeps walking, presumably with Maeve and Lyriel.  Once they've left earshot of the encampment in any random direction, he turns to Lyriel.

Finding Keef is our first task.  Can you locate the Everstaff for us?

Lyriel struggles to keep herself composed. After the events of the day, she finds herself fighting conflicting urges to scream, cry, and sleep. She looks over at Boreas dully.

Finding specific items has a very short range. The only way it would work is if Keef was already very close. Within a thousand feet or so. The cleric sighs wearily. I need some tea...

I can prepare several Sendings tomorrow, and we can find out where Zuriel and Keef are. If they're even on the same plane. After that... Lyriel shrugs. I have no idea.

Boreas' face falls a little.  I suppose we should make camp here then, so we don't risk going further in the wrong direction.  Prepare everything you can to find them.  We can head toward the nearest city if we get no useful information.  Should be more powerful magic that we can use there.

Boreas checks his compass absently.

But you may as well try the spell.  We could get lucky.

Maeve nods tiredly.  "It's worth a shot, I suppose."

With her uncanny sixth sense regarding when tea is needed, she goes through the ritual of preparing chamomile for the three of them before bed.

Lyriel shrugs, quickly incanting a few words as she holds the image of the Everstaff in her mind.

[Find Object: Everstaff]

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 33):

Lyriel's eyes flash green, and she feels a tug toward the bottom of the mountain.

Boreas starts, surprised that the spell seems to have worked.

Did... you just find him?

Lyriel lets out a soft cry of surprise. She indicates the direction of the urging. Apparently. Unless there is more than one Everstaff...

"Well, what are we waiting for?"

Buoyed by the prospect of finding at least one of their scattered group, Maeve sets off at a quick jog toward the base of Mt. Salt, with the others presumably following close behind.

Boreas follows Lyriel's magical lead, eager to rejoin with one of their friends.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 38):

Keef is not far and you find him easily enough.

He has take up residence some short way from the path leading up the mountain, and apparently disengorged the contents of both his bag of holding and backpack on the ground.

He sits surrounded by open books and scattered papers.  Longshank is sticking up out of the ground right in front of him and a book has been propped up in front of it with a rock so that it can read along too.

The only movement Keef makes is to turn pages, on each book in turn, and if he notices your approach he doesn't react to it.

As they walk, Lyriel thinks back to the spell that caused Keef to vanish. She thinks through her lessons, trying to determine what spell the young mage cast.

[Spellcraft: 33]

She sighs with relief as she spots him with his books. The priestess sinks down wearily beside the boy, throwing her arm around him and embracing him. Oh good, I'm so glad we found you. You had us worried.

She takes a deep breath and doesn't press him further, refraining from reading over his shoulder, assuming that it would annoy Keef as much as it annoyed her.

So. I must say, I'm rather sick of this OSA. I wish they'd at least have the decency to be obvious enemies, rather than smiling employers with vague motives and vaguer promises. What do we do now?

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 40):

As soon as he realizes the priestess' arms are around him, Keef's eyes go wide and he freezes still as a statue.

I... uh... was looking for something... something that will help.  Find Zuriel, figure out what's going on here, I...

Maeve sinks down on the turf next to Lyriel and Keef.

"That's good thinking Keef, but next time don't scare us by running off like that."

Maeve ponders the situation.

"I think the best thing to do for now would be for all of us to at least try and get some sleep.  It's been a long day.  Then tomorrow, Lyriel can prepare a Sending to Zuriel to see if we can find out where he and Sazed are."

After that. . . . .well, I guess it depends on where they are.  And if they're alright.