The sun rises up in the sleepy town of Parnast at the heart of the Calais Triangle.  Birds are chirping, creeks babbling...

"EEEYYYYOOOOOOOOOW!"

Burgomaster cussing.

"HA!  Serves you right, Justin.  Kicking a dwarf!"

"Outta my office before I do more than kick, you daft knucklehead!"

Karl Kinderforge bolts out of the Burgomaster Office, with a cat-that-ate-the canary smile on his face.  Some muttered curse words could be heard from behind the door that had a plaque on it:


The office is stationed at the former church which the new Burgomaster repurposed into an adventuring guild and town hall because Justin and his beloved, Darcy Amberguil, are not known for being as religious as the previous Burgomaster.  Not that it wasn't used as a church, however, there is still a more experienced cleric in town that does the sermon, but the current preacher isn't as verbose (some would say full of hot air) as Father Ildar.

And Father Ildar would be embarrassed at his adopted son as he hopped out of the building on one foot, favoring an ankle that he hopes against hope is just sprained.

"Why don't he get his own girlfriend, the stubborn goat," he muttered as he sits down and hopes that someone who knows how to heal would find him.

Pan tried to get an answer from the fleeing dwarf, but he just flew by too fast.

So she heads over to the office, gently knocks and peeks in. "Justin?" Pan says with her soft voice.

In reply to Pan Flute (msg # 2):

Pan finds Justin favoring his ankle.  His cursing stopping as he sees Pan.  "Ni Hao, Pan.  I just had an argument with a Dwarf.  You can guess what happened.  Ugh!  Fine time for Darcy to be with Igatho."

Pan says, "Ni Hao. Please sit down. I overheard him saying you kicked him. Why did you do that?" she goes to Justin and, assuming he sat down, she gets to tending to his ankle.

In reply to Pan Flute (msg # 4):

"He caught wind of how much you're supporting me here in town and read too much about it," Justin said as he sat down. "Even though he knows by now that we're very professional, he keeps calling me a...what's the right term for this...casanova."

Pan would notice that Justin all but shattered his ankle.

"Sometimes I think he does things just to get my goat.  I know I was asking for it when I tried to punt him.  I forgot that you can only punt halflings when they get annoying."

Pan says, "Honestly, Justin... people spreading rumors is not something to shatter your ankle over." The pandaren is knelt in front of Justin like a servant. She rubs some herbs on the ankle with a soothing touch and adds, "And don't forget how upset hurting yourself will make Darcy..." she pauses and looks up at him. "Why did it upset you that much?"

In reply to Pan Flute (msg # 6):

Justin winced a bit as Pan examined his ankle, but felt better when she rubbed the herbs on.  "I just respect you too much, that's all."

Meanwhile, at Itagho's lair, a cave in the mountains south of the village, Darcy crooked her head outside.  She sighed.  "You never learned not to kick a dwarf, Justin," she said to herself, and then turned back to the youth frost giant.  "There are some things about guys that you'd never understand, sweetie."

Igatho wasn't sure what Darcy meant and says, "Like what?"

---

Pan looked up at Justin from where she was and locked eyes with him. "If you mean to say you were standing up for my honor, then thank you. If you will permit me, I will show you a technique that will save your ankle the pain of kicking a dwarf while still getting the point across." she wraps up the ankle and, regardless of Justin's answer, says, "Stay off the ankle for today. It should be fine in the morning."

Pan stands back up.

In reply to Igatho (msg # 8):

"Boys and Girls getting together," Darcy said, "Something you'll understand better when you're older, Igatho."

---

"I'd be honored myself if you can teach me that," Justin told Pan as he found a quaterstaff within reach to use as a walking stick.

Pan nods. "You have two options; Chin Na, which is my preferred method, are joint locks that only the strongest can escape and can range from harmless to extremely painful. It would allow you complete control of your opponent, but is usually best used when you are not in the middle of fighting... which is why you have not seen me use it yet." She glances down at Justin's ankle and then back to Justin. "The other option is for me to show you ways to slap that will leave a mark on even a dwarf while leaving you with only a slightly hot sensation on your hand. But no matter which option you choose... I would like to help you learn some self-control at the same time. Anger is a tool that, if used incorrectly, can get its user hurt." she glances at the ankle again, before giving Justin a smile.

---

Igatho glomps Darcy and says, "I wanna get together with a boy then! Do boys play different?"

In reply to Pan Flute (msg # 10):

"Dwarves are known for being pretty strong," Justin said, "So the second option would be the way to do, and yeah, it would be better for me than just kicking them," Justin said with a snort, looking down at his ankle.

<br>

Darcy panics a bit, though not by the glomp.  "Eeeep! Too Soon Too Soon, that's something you need to wait for!" she says, flailing.

Igatho giggles from Darcy's panic and says, "Tay! I'll wait till tomorrow! Smash stuff now!" she lets go of Darcy and starts heading out of the cave.

---

Pan nods to David. "When I said 'only the strongest', I'm talking about someone strong enough to pick you up with their pinky without even straining. But very well; your choice is yours to make and I will happily teach you how to make a dwarf think twice when saying dishonorable things around you. Do you have a life-sized sculpture of someone? A bust or full body is good, as long as there is a head attached."

In reply to Igatho (msg # 12):

Darcy could only go "ooooy," as she follows Igatho.

<br>

Justin looked around, at first inside the office, and then outside the building, and finally found a stray taining dummy made out of a large trunk of wood.  It's was made for Igatho to smash around, something the locals placed in random places in the region.

Clearly, Igatho just heads out and smashes some monsters. She offers Darcy her club after combat at one point to see if she wants to smash the nearly-dead, still-twitching monster.

---

As long as there is a head to it, Pan demonstrates the slapping technique. From all appearances, she seems to just be showing Justin where to slap someone. Which most people already know. "Slapping this dummy could get you splinters, so do not slap the dummy at full force. Instead, I will provide you something else to slap at full force for a while. Go ahead with whatever business you were doing, Justin."

Pan heads off to grab a large bucket, the kind that can be used as a tub for a child up to age 10. So hopefully, about 4' deep. After bringing the bucket to Justin, Pan then goes to fill it halfway with water. As she fills it, she goes for casual conversation, "What led to the dwarf saying what he said, anyway?"

In reply to Pan Flute (msg # 14):

Justin just sighs.  "We both know how professional we keep our relationship together, and I've read up on Empaths and all that, but Karl just keeps talking about us being 'an item,' as he calls it and asking whatever I'm going to hook him up with someone."  He groans.  "It's embarrassing to me, I can only imagine how you feel toward it."

---

"You're an attacker, Igatho," Darcy said, "I do heals and support.  Go on ahead."

Pan nods to Justin. "I will speak with him myself. For now, just make sure you stay off your foot, slap the water, and get whatever paperwork you need accomplished done. I only came to check on you... I will be doing my rounds to see how everyone else is doing. Do you have any requests of me before I go?"

---

Igatho yays as if celebrating she didn't have to share her cookie! A few more smashes and she starts toddling off to Parnast. "I wanna see Justin! JUSTIIIN!" she hollers even as she picks up the pace to head towards the town.

Justin gave a nod to Pan.  "Don't say any of this to Igatho,"  He said as he took up the quaterstaff-slash-walking stick and hobbled over toward Igatho's voice.

Pan says, "I... don't think she has any problems slapping a dwarf silly."

Pan waves and heads out, only to see Igatho in passing. She waves to Igatho, who waves back before barging into Justin's place. Pan calls after Igatho, "Gentle, Igatho! Justin is hurt!"

Igatho calls back, "Tay!" and hurries to Justin in hopes of giving him a gentle hug!

Pan stops to face Darcy. "Have a minute?"

As everyone was doing their own thing the sound of music could be heard rolling into town . It gradually grew louder and louder as this wagon came through town. Justin could tell this meant only one thing Sassy was finally back from the trip he had sent her on with new goods and refills on others. The Squirrelfolk lass of about four feet sat on the wagon playing a golden lyre. She had on emerald green peasant dress and blouse.


(Hope ya don't mind me joining. I liked what i'd been seeing here.Sasselia/Sassy Hazelnut is a bard but she works for Justin as a barkeep/maid and storekeep. His savvy merchant who gets him the best deals she can. I put her sheet link up in my description if you'd like to see. )

In reply to Pan Flute (msg # 18):

"Sure thing, Pan," Darcy said.  "I take it it's about Karl.  Only him would make Justin forget he's not a frost giant."

"Hey, Igatho," Justin said as she bounded up to him, nearly knocking him down with the rumbles caused by each step.  "How have you been doing this morning?"

While Justin is getting his bear hug from Igatho, he heard the music rolling in.  "Looks like Sassy's back from her errand."

Igatho says, "Do you wanna piggy-back ride to Sassy, Justin?"

---

Pan nods to Darcy, "Yes... Karl was insisting Justin and I are an item and..."

She looks to see the incoming Sassy. Then looks back at Darcy. "...he is fine for now, but he nearly broke his ankle kicking Karl, not that any harm came to Karl, of course. I patched him up, gave him an exercise, and went looking to see if there was anyone else needing my aid. Figured if I bumped into you, I could talk to you before checking the other parts of town."

While Sassy is still out a ways, Pan gives Sassy a wave in greeting, though she keeps her eyes on Sassy, as if to communicate she is willing to converse whenever Sassy is within conversation distance.

Pan also puts an arm around Darcy in order to indicate she doesn't want Darcy to leave, regardless of Sassy. Besides, the giant might be out any second to greet the squirrel.
This message was last updated by the player at 04:01, Sun 27 Nov 2016.

The squirrel seeing the wave smiled and nodded to her as she played. Justin had sent word of Pan but she had not received word of the giant. The wagon came closer and her music stopped as she looked to Darcy and Pan " Justin said you wanted some rare herbs. I couldn't get you the herbs themselves but I was able to get you quite a few seeds. " she put her fingers to lips and whistles as a small mimic hops out of the back of the wagon and hops over to pan opening up for her at Sassy's command.

  Tark is reminded of the wildly varying quality of available resources in building up Paranst, as he comes into view of the growing congregation of named characters.  He honestly liked the currently ceased music more than the mimic running around, on that note.

  "Hello, everyone."  Tark figures it would be more polite to greet everyone by name, but that's a lot of names.  "Not to make light of a nearly broken ankle, but someone actually did break their ankle dropping some bricks on it.  Nothing life threatening at the moment, but brickwork won't set itself any faster with less people on their feet."

  He would love to complain about how stupid *picks name out of a hat* STEVE was, but considering his past luck with workplace medical treatment he really doesn't figure pointing out they were trying to show off carrying loads of bricks in each hand would help his case.

OOC: Sudden sleep pattern antics.  Basically just an annoyance in the long run, but would not have been the best for writing a coherent post even by my low standards of "Coherent post".  Which would mean things like forgetting Pan isn't only half as tall as me in this setting.

Note to self, edit up a Level 1 again Tark.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Sun 27 Nov 2016.

This post didn't happen

"No need, Iggy," Justin said, using Igatho's nickname and showing his walking stick.  "I can manage." He heads over to Sassy.  "Herb seeds are as good as any, Sassy. Oh by the way, Igatho here's a friendly type, even as Frost Giants go."

He then hears the voice from up ahead, in the next wagon.  "Well, I do intend to get off this foot in due..."

He then saw who Tark was with.  And favored his head.  "Oh Gods...Jamie Wisdomtouch."

"Ugh, that Dwarf," Darcy muttered. "Remind me to ask Igatho to--carefully, I'd mind her--throw him into next tenday.  Seems like we only got seeds of the herbs we ordered...and an annoying little red-haired elven witch along the side."  Darcy get non-plussed as she sees Jamie hop off, her own squirrel in two.  "Meery meet, Jamie."

"Oh don't be that way," Jamie said with a confident smile and a hand flicking away a lock of her hair.  "As I said when we met in Paris, I'd be around when there's much needed lore to be found.  And I heard that there's plenty of abandoned towers in the forest in the Triangle, so I thought I'd check them out."

Jamie stretched her arms.  "But right now, I'm a bit parched.  Is there anyplace a girl can get a drink in here?"

Neither Justin nor Darcy had the nerve that one doesn't usually generate much of a thirst by travelling the 20 or something miles between Saint-Omer and Parnast on wagon.  But then again, a ginger half-eladrin known for prankster magic might be looking for more than a throatslake.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:35, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

This post didn't happen

The squirrel maiden hopped off the wagon placing her lyre into the mimic. "The good seeds are in the mimic Darcy. Safer keeping that way. Noone wants their fingers bitten off trying to steal goods. Though admittedly some rabbitfolk was trying to get in but something made him run off. "

she sighed blowing some hair out of her face "Whats the blasted dwarf gone and done now? Did he drink me out of house and home while I was away? So help me if he touched one drop without my permission ..." she trailed off grumbling hand reaching for her whip. None to pleased with the idea of the dwarf getting into her profits.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:36, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

This post didn't happen

In reply to meiou (msg # 25):

"Yeah, that reminds me," Justin said as he waited for Sassy to handle the seeds.  "Where did Meiou go, that annoying little cuss?"

Jamie eyed the seeds from afar herself, wondering if she had that type in her own hidden stash known only to her own Squirrelfolk familiar.

"Meeeeeiiiiou," Sarah heard Jamie's voice in her head.  "Is there something you need to tell me?" She could sense something poking in that new grumbly part of her mind, in her usual prankerish manner.

(Mechanically:  I don't know how much Sarah knows of Meiou at this time, although I'd think she'd be more aware of this new part of her.  I'm surprised that Meiou and Sarah haven't 'talked' any overnight.)

Jamie's mental tickle stopped when Sassy spoke to her.  "Oh, I'll be glad to, my squirrely friend."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:36, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

This post didn't happen

Igatho steps out to see the others. Then squeals and jumps in place, purposefully causing a mini quake! "PEOPLE!" she yells. Igatho then rushes over towards Jamie and Tark.

---

Pan meeps as she widens her stance to keep from losing balance.

Pan reaches and takes the seeds. "...thank you." She nods to Darcy. "I don't think anyone can carefully throw someone... oh you are joking."

She gives a bow in greeting to the new arrivals. "Welcome. I am Pan. Please excuse me; I am off to help someone who is injured." She turns to Tark and says, "Lead the way."

---

Zerry sees a giant and her eyes go wide. She MUST climb it! Zerry gallops over to Igatho and immediately climbs all over the baby! It is an odd sight, but judging from Igatho's giggling, the baby isn't being hurt.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

This post didn't happen

The squirrel quite used to such things easily maintains her balance. Having lived in a tree most of her life the moving of branches had helped her get used to instinctively balance herself. Seeing Pan get the seeds she whistles again for the mimic to close and hop into her arms. It was a pet of sorts of hers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:36, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

In reply to Tark (msg # 23):

Pan looks at Tark and says, "Lead the way." before following him. She glances at Darcy. "Coming with? I'd like your company, and Justin has Igatho for now."

"Sure thing," Darcy said as she joined with Pan and Tark.  "Remind me to ask Igatho to--carefully, I'd mind her--throw him into next tenday.  Seems like we only got seeds of the herbs we ordered..."

And that's when she groaned, when she saw a red-haired elven witch in the wagon behind her, smiling as pretty as she pleases and petting the like-dressed squirrel in her lap.

"Aw, Gods, Jamie Wintertouch." (Note:  Had to correct the last name.)

"Oh don't be that way," Jamie said with a confident smile and a hand flicking away a lock of her hair.  "As I said when we met in Paris, I'd be around when there's much needed lore to be found.  And I heard that there's plenty of abandoned towers in the forest in the Triangle, so I thought I'd check them out."

Jamie stretched her arms.  "But right now, I'm a bit parched.  Is there anyplace a girl can get a drink in here?"

Darcy hadn't the nerve to say that she wouldn't generate much of a thirst travelling the 20 something miles between Saint-Omer and Parnast on wagon.  But then again, a ginger half-eladrin known for prankster magic might be looking for more than a throatslake.

Meanwhile, Justin just patted Igatho.  "Darcy wanted Sassy more than I did, Igatho.  I'd figure that I'd keep off my ankle for a while."

---

Sarah  (Did it again, crap!)/Sassy/Meiou's turn is next.  I'm guessing we're going by player, and not characters?
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:36, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

Post Order: Pan, Justin (David), Sally, Tark, Whoever my bro introduces
(Sally's Turn to Post. Nobody but Sally post please.)

In answer to Justin: Correct. It is by player, with the understanding that the characters here have no connection to the characters in Togetherness Thread. :)

The squirrel maiden snapped her fingers to close the mimic. "I'll keep the seeds safe till you need them Miss Pan. Oh sir Tark I hope you'll stop by later I got a few kegs of some new ale I hope you'll try for me. "

She nodded to Darcy smiling to the woman. Darcy had practically twisted Justin's arm to keep her around after she saved them so much gold on goods and well handled a certain dwarf problem so well.

"Terribly sorry for bringing her Justin but I did manage to make her pay up a thousand gold for bringing her along with me. "

The squirrel familiar hopped down from the wagon  next to Jamie . She quietly cast some mage hands to get their things from inside it. She wasn't quite sure why they needed to come here but who was she to question her mistress.

  Tark nods, "Thank you, Pan, Darcy." Well, thing are looking up for stupid not quite nameless NPCs. He really still has not figured out where his opinions land with Igatho, wavering between 'Child labor?' and 'Practical outlet?' as it does.

  "Well, your stuff tends to be nice Sally. So I'll probably get some later." Tark can only imagine how things would go if he was the sort to drink on the job, given his luck sober.

  He waves a combination greeting and departure to the latest arrivals of Witch and Squirrel variety, "I hope your stay here goes well, though I've got co-workers to get back to who did not cry like a small child in any way whatsoever." you're straining that 14 CHA, Tark.

  Justin seems to recognize them, so that's probably going to go well... Maybe.

OOC: I believe it's Whoever Pyrus's player comes up with, then Pan at this point.

Nathan flutters into the scene, humming merrily.  "Did I hear someone mention 'small child?'  I've got plenty of music to help with such.  And magic too!"

Igatho exits Justin's office and squeals, "Nathan!" and hops up and down to cause a mini quake before looking at Jamie. "New girl! I'm Igatho! Nathan is a song angel! Sing, Nathan!"

It is actually a good thing Igatho didn't hear about the smashed ankle. She would offer to smash it better and think the offer as being helpful. Or she would say Darcy or Pan need to kiss it to make it better, depending on what Igatho heard from Tark.

Meanwhile, Pan waves to Sally and heads off with Darcy and Tark. She looks over at Tark and says, "There is going to be a meeting later today concerning the current progress of Parnast and its future plans. Will you be joining me for that?"

After Tark gives Pan an answer, Pan asks Darcy, "If I may, why did you react that way to the recent arrival? Is she bad news?"

---

Post Order: Pan, Justin (David), Sally, Tark, Whoever my bro introduces
(Justin's Turn to Post. Nobody but Justin post please.)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:40, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

OOC:  Before I go on, I err'd:  "Sally" should be "Sarah"

<br>

"Somehow I knew that would be the case," Justin said to Sassy as Igatho carried him back to his office.  "Just make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble."

"We met in Paris," Darcy said to Pan.  "A witch from the Black Forest Coven.  Not a bad witch per se, but a practical joker if provoked enough."

"I'm not that bad," Jamie said, using an illusion spell to create a halo over her head.  "Would I really do something as malfesient as stuffing that Jester's Mask on the pickpocket that ran into you, just to shut him up?  I think that Mime that was jealous did that cute Ultra Combo on th--"

"Oh, let me think for a min--YES!"

The halo shattered.  Whatever it was by Darcy's remark or Igatho's entrance remains to be seen.

Sassy looked over to justin " I'll come by once I finish unloading to give you your share of the profits and your change."

Sassy smiled seeing Nathan " If its not much trouble after I finish work later could you give me some more singing lessons? I just feel I could be so much better with some help."

She wasn't sure about this other squirrelfolk though. There was something about her that didn't feel right aside from the fact she lacked a shiny and worked as a familiar to a witch . She would have to ask her mother or grandmother if they had heard anything about such things.

Sarah curtsied politely to everyone not sure who was looking to her or whom would be interested in listening but it was only polite to introduce yourself. " I am mistresses' familiar Sarah. It is nice to meet new folk. "

She really didn't like how Sassy was looking at her but she had to be quiet and follow her rules. Don't make eye contact with someone potentially hostile.

  Well, technically Tark did say the phrase 'small child', so sudden Angel kid had him there.  "Well, Nathan" Hopefully babies have great memory for names.  "he's more like thirty something.  But I'm sure he can act like a small child easily enough." Sassy (Why does he keep calling them Sally?) would probably benefit more from the singing, he doubted Steve would ever have a good voice for it.

  Tark suppresses a cringe at the miniquake.  Less out of any personal fear, and more just thinking about trying to perform construction around Igatho.
 
  "Yes Pan, I should probably should come along to that.  If only to compliment Justin for providing enough helmets and not complaining when rot worn handles break."

  Darcy's explanation basically sounded like the dictionary definition for witch... Well, okay, a fantasy setting dictionary would probably have something more rude to say about witches than that.

  Hopefully their Maid could keep Jamie out of trouble?

OOC: Seems to be Nathan, then Pan up next.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:43, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

Nathan smiles and waves!  "Hi, Igatho!  Hi, new girl!  I'd be happy to teach music!"

He giggles at being accused of being 30.  "Dunno how old my bones are, but all I remember is about three winters."

...With the occasional flashback that doesn't make sense for a kid his apparent age.

Upon overhearing mention of a witch and being asked to sing Nathan grins.

"One of the funnest things about music is finding songs that tie into what's going on.  I'll sing 'Night Witches.'  It's a song about a military regiment of stealthy flying soldiers who were given that name.

He conjures a lyre and begins strumming a driving beat while bobbing his head and dancing on air.  ((OOC: This song just happened to pop up on my playlist right when I started writing up my post. ;D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7NSUFDHFgg Altered the lyrics slightly to be more setting appropriate. ))

♫♪ "From the depths of hell in silence!
Cast their spells, explosive violence!
Magic night time flight perfected!
Flawless vision, undetected!

Pushing on and on, their spells are going strong!
Air force's number one!
Somewhere down below they're looking for the foe!
Bomber's on a run!
You can't hide, you can't move, just abide!
Their attack's been proved (raiders in the dark)!
Silent through the night the witches join the fight!
Never miss their mark!

Undetected, unexpected!
Wings of glory!
Tell their story!
Aviation, deviation!
Undetected!
Stealth perfected!

Foes are losing ground, retreating to the sound!
Death is in the air!
Suddenly appears, confirming all your fears!
Strike from witches lair!
Target found, come around, magic sounds, from the battleground!
(foe 'r aiming high)!
Rodina awaits, defeat them at the gates!
Live to fight and fly!

Flying wings of death!
Prepare to meet your fate!
Night Witches regiment!
588!

Beneath the starlight of the heavens!
Unlikely heroes in the skies! (witches to attack, witches coming back)!
As they appear on the horizon!
The wind will whisper when the night witches come!" ♫♪
This message was last edited by the player at 17:04, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

Too much metal. Pan is one of those girls who would cringe at the sound of metal; she would so not enjoy most of Chestnut's music. She leaves with Tark and Darcy to check on Steve. On the way, she asks Tark how the accident happened and how it will be prevented in the future.

Once there, Pan will of course, tend to the wound regardless.

---

Igatho is a baby; she has not made strong opinions yet besides "smashing is good". So if anything, she is dancing about to Nathan's song about witches! Anyone with keen rhythm perception would notice Igatho is pretty spot on. She could either be a good dancer, a good drummer, or both.

Igatho goes to pet Sassy. "Pretty squirrel!"

Igatho looks at Jamie. "Jamie! Show us magic!" she claps with a big smile on her face.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:49, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

In reply to Igatho (msg # 41):

I suppose it's my turn.  (Tim then Me)

---

At first Jamie had to blink at the unusual sight of a Frost Giant being so innocent, but then she smiled at the child's request.

With a bit more flair than usual, she conjured up an illusion of a glowing ball of light, and then with both hands up in the air, she launched it up in the sky when it burst into a sparkling colorful firecracker.

"There be more where they came from, my pretty," she said with a chuckle.

She then paused to look over toward Nathan.  "I know some guys who would go for that style, but I think Igatho here's a bit young for that."

Meanwhile, Justin hobbled his way to the Inn, because if he's going to get off his foot, he might as well have it in a place where the villagers can get to him if they need him, and the barkeep there is practicing with his new cappuchino machine.  (Generic NPC for now.)

Darcy accompanied Pan, Tark and the others as they checked out the rest of Sassy's shipment.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:12, Tue 29 Nov 2016.

Post Order: Pan, Justin (David), Sassy, Tark, Whoever my bro introduces
(Sassy's Turn to Post. Nobody but Sassy post please.)

Sarah shook her head as Jamie conjured the ball for Igatho. She looked back to the other squirrel then to the hobbling off Justin. Trying to place why he seemed so familiar to her.

Sassy turned back to her wagon and began to unload it herself .It might be a tad surprising to see the squirrel woman lift heavy stuff.

  Tark is hardly surprised a tiny angelic looking person is singing about flying death... Not for the first time, Tark wonders about his priorities.  "Nice song, Nathan."

  He smiles at Jamie's display of harmless pyrotechnics still visible behind them as they depart towards lazy jump cuts, because it's all the light show of fireworks without the potential fire hazards.  Which is honestly for the best with babies nearby, even ones that probably have more hitpoints than he does.

  "Well Pan, Darcy. Short version is they were carrying too much for them to handle at once while we were repairing and replacing some brickwork.  So they ended up dropping it on themselves.  Maybe you'll be more convincing than I am saying 'please don't carry more than you can handle'?"  People do seem to take concern for their health better when it's a cute girl rather than some half-orc guy, for some reason, go figure.

  STEVE, hapless nondescript NPC extraordinaire who will probably never be heard from again after this, has somehow managed to win solitaire without cheating as the small group arrives. "What took you so long, Tark?"

  "Sorry, I would have found them faster if I knew you were that eager to get back to work."  Wait, did that sound sarcastic? Tark hoped it didn't... It probably did.

OOC: Seems to be Nathan, then Pan now.

"Thanks!"

Nathan smiled and danced midair right along with Igatho.

"You're a good dancer!"

He cheers and claps for the magical display, firing an illusary arrow through the fireworks!

"Pretty squirrel!  Pretty elf!  Pretty magic!  Aaand pretty baby!"

"Any requests for my next song?"

Igatho watches Sassy a little and says, "I can help!" and goes to grab stuff to carry for Sassy. She is apparently assuming Nathan was asking Jamie for music requests... or she just figures anything Nathan performs is good anyway. However, she does make sure to say, "I like your music, Nathan!" as if to say the metal is fine with her.

Seeing Justin head off to the Inn, Igatho begins following him there with her hands full of some of Sassy's stuff! Unless Sassy stops her, that is.

---

Pan says, "Maybe." in response to Tark, and walks over to Steve. "I understand the desire to get as much done as possible, while doing so as quickly as possible, but as you can see, there is such a thing as too much which just winds up slowing you down. Everyone knows you are a hard worker, Steve, and that you're a tough guy*. But please be more careful in the future?" Her voice resounding with care and concern as she works on the guy's fracture.

*Steve at least was not crying like a baby or whining or anything concerning his injury.

---

Jamie/Justin/Darcy's turn.

"Well, that's how some shipments get here," Darcy said.  "Parnast only gets one or two regular shipments from Saint Omer to here a day, three if we're lucky, so we expect an occasional overload."

She then looks over at the resident Giant in the region, who's heading off to the inn's outdoor patio, which due to the villager's foresight has set up a large tree log under a high awning for Igatho to sit in (since she's too big to fit through the door, naturally)  "It's not like we're lacking for good help here."

Justin just calls out for a basket for Igatho to dump all the stuff she'll carry into.

  Turns out Steve can't quite bring himself to sarcastically point out how wrong Tark is about his enthusiasm to the concerned lady. "Allright, I'll be extra sure to only lift what I can easily carry." Unless you count honest intentions of carrying half bricks instead of whole bricks.

  Tark is glad Darcy's comments about good help being lacking is still mostly true.  He expects he'll get used to giant children and winged children(?) just in time to need to adjust to the next hard working oddity.

  "Thank you again for the help, everyone. If Steve looks too bored on the mend we can always make him mix the cement.  I don't suppose you had idea ideas about any pressing issues bound to turn up at that progress meeting?"

OOC: Pyrus, then Pan.

"I'm glad you like the music!"

Nathan lends a hand while teaching Igatho a helping hand song.

♫ "I am helpful,
I am helpful,
I am helpful,
Yes it's true.
When other people need me,
Helping them is what I do."♪

https://youtu.be/ISHwjJtnV8s?t=1m2s
This message was last edited by the player at 04:33, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

Igatho will also carry Sassy if the squirrel lets her. Although running from Igatho would be a bad idea as it would just cause the tot to think she wants to play chase. Either way, Igatho is sure to carry as much as she is allowed to help out with while marching dutifully to Nathan's music. When Nathan is done with his latest song, Igatho asks, "Do you know Giant tunes?"

Meanwhile, a townsfolk by the name of Henry walks to Justin and says, "Hey Justin, I overheard Pan saying something about a meeting later today? I've been getting more involved in coordinating stuff, so I was wondering if I could be in that meeting?"

---

Pan smiles at Steve and nods, happy that he agreed to it so easily. She looks at Darcy and says, "True. But with Parnast trying to build up, we can still use all the help we can get. I know I feel a lot more secure having you around, Darcy. But my medicine just can't compete with divine healing from the gods." So just multiclass into Cleric, Pan. Mmmm... monk/cleric....

Pan then looks at Tark. "Tark... considering your history, would you like to learn a thing or two about first aid? It would help me a lot and I think someone as safety-minded as yourself should be prepared for times like this when someone gets injured despite precautions."

Jamie/Justin/Darcy's turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:11, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

Justin nodded to Henry.  "Yeah, it'll be part of the weekly meeting, of course, anyone with a good idea or an offer to help is always welcome."

Darcy scratched her head.  "Well, the divine dragons just don't grant everyone divine magic willy nilly, but I have seen arcane healers. While I might loathe to involve our visitor," she glances at Jamie, who was entering the tavern herself, out of earshot, "I know that the Black Forest Coven are known for their healers.  Maybe we could search for some way to channel your ki into healing magic."  She shruggs.  "brainfarting here."

---

OOC:  My, I'm surprised that I was able to keep playing even when I'm in Idaho.

The squirrel woman blinked at being picked up. she would of said something but figured the child meant no harm by it.

Sarah quietly and eagerly followed her mistress looking about as they entered the tavern.

  "Understandable Darcy, considering you can only help people so often with that kind of thing it's no surprise why most magical healing you see put to use is either on the road when they need the injured person to protect them, and cases of 'use it or lose the patient'" Well, outside of people rich enough to make a Generous Donation™ to the church/guild/coven/Owlbear veterinarian's society.

  He nods to Pan, "That would be appreciated, and yes I would really like to be able to do more for injured workers than lie to them 'oh this is totally a healing potion' while they have a head injury too big to question that."

  As such, even if Jamie was legitimate he'll still be hazy around potion based healing compared to point and pray.

Nathan smiles so big it forces his eyes closed and he shakes his head in answer to Igatho's question.

"Only 'giant' song I know is about a giant purple dinosaur."

He begins playing music on his lute.  (( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSxgoHfgy9c ))

"Do you know any giant tunes?  Can you teach me?"

Pan says, "Let's finish patrolling Parnast and then rendezvous with Justin at the Old Barrel Inn. I saw him head there, so he should be there when we arrive." she then looks at Tark. "I can teach you later tonight. But for now, care to join Darcy and I on a patrol of Parnast? Steve will be OK..."

Pan puts an arm around Darcy with a smile and continues her patrol, having already started it by going with Tark to one of the construction sights. "And if you see anyone not following safety procedures, please feel free to correct them. I will wait."

Meanwhile, Henry smiled and says, "Well... good. Mind if I sit with you, Justin?"

---

Igatho puts Saassy on her shoulder, then claps and giggles at the sound of the dinosaur song and says, "Rawr!" while stomping around, acting like a T-rex!

When Nathan asks if Igatho knows any Giant tunes, the tot nods, "Uh-huh!" and sings!

"Anfel! Anfel!
Fange blod angel! Anfel!
Dod kom!
Gi isejotun dun nom!
Gi seir!
Gi isejotun uvenir!
Ise! Vind! Uvar! Kom!
Kvit ise stig slag nar heim stomm!
Ise! Vind! Uvar! Kom!
Gi isejotun seir dun nom!"

---

I looked up Giantish and meticulously put those lyrics together. I spent entirely too much time on that when I could have just made up words. XD

Translation of the song:

Attack! Attack!
Take blood as ale! Attack!
Death come! Give frost giants your name!
Give victory! Give frost giants enemies!
Ice! Wind! Storm! Come!
White ice lights battle near the home (of our) tribe!
Ice! Wind! Storm! Come!
Give frost giants victory in your name!
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:34, Sat 17 Dec 2016.

Nearly all of Parnast almost cowered in visible pain whenever "Giant Purple Dinosaur" is heard, even those who haven't even heard of a certain kind of Giant Purple Dinosaur, whose singing is known to cause pain to all of reality, but then the actual song was played, and everything breathed a sigh of relief.

Not that purple dinosaur, thank the Dragons!

Darcy took Pan's arm and continued on her patrol like school-time BFFs, and nodded to the Pandafolk with a smile as they went on their way.

Meanwhile, Justin pulls a chair over and offered it to Henry.  He's keeping a watchful eye on a certain newcomer Witch.  Who's pointed ears just twitched.

"That better not be a spell, Jamie Wintertouch."

Jamie stopped, and then turned around to face the still sitting--thanks to the bound ankle--Justin.  "Justin Mercurial, I. Am. Surprised at you.  Do you honestly think that I, Sister Jamie Wintertouch of the Black Forest coven, would do anything nefarious?"  She was laying on the ham pretty thick, and even used an illusion spell to make a halo appear around her pointed hat, to show that she's on her best behavior.

Justin was quick to shatter that halo.  "Oh Jeez, let me think--YES!"

"Oh don't be that way," Jamie said with a confident smile and a hand flicking away a lock of her hair.  "As I said when we met in Paris, I'd be around when there's much-needed lore to be found.  And I heard that there's plenty of abandoned towers in the forest in the Triangle, so I thought I'd check them out."

"Yeah, that reminds me," Justin said.  "Where did Meiou go, that annoying little cuss?  I haven't seen him since two days ago when he said he needed to touch back with his friends.  Probably to scam someone of some coin to get some loan sharks off his cottontail."

Jamie paused for a moment, but then just stretched her arms.  "I think I've seen him, but I'm a bit parched to talk right now. I'm cozying my way up to the bar."

Neither Justin nor Darcy had the nerve that one doesn't usually generate much of a thirst by traveling the 20 or something miles between Saint-Omer and Parnast on wagon.  But then again, a ginger half-eladrin known for prankster magic might be looking for more than a throatslake.

And he might be right, as the witch contacted the rabbitfolk through her connection to him as his warlock patron, whatever he wanted to or not: "Meeeeeiiiiou," Sarah heard Jamie's voice in her head.  "Is there something you need to tell me?" She could sense something poking in that new grumbly part of her mind, in her usual prankish manner.  By now he knows that she, while never harming him even in this enchanted costume he's wearing, has her ways to get him to spill the beans.

While she's doing this to her familiar, she just sits in the stool acting attractive and all to the locals, waiting for the bartender, and reminding herself not to charm anyone off the bat, she just got here.

---

(Mechanically:  I don't know how much Sarah knows of Meiou at this time, although I'd think she'd be more aware of this new part of her.  I'm surprised that Meiou and Sarah haven't 'talked' any.)

The rabbit would roll his eyes if he was capable. " Oh you know I did have a life outside you before you trapped me in here temporarily " he said in a sort of you should know this tone

Sarah shifted uncomfortably as the two voices in her head conversed. She was slightly aware of it but nervous to talk to the grumpy bunny given how he argued with her mistress every time she heard him talk.

Sassy came in carrying some supplies for the tavern. "  That rabbit? Probably still pissed at Carl for telling him his axe was valuable and then finding out it was shittier than even what we sell. I think the dwarf ended up having it stuck in the back of his head for a day before someone finally told him it was embeded in him .I think Darcy scolded him for it too. She might know where he went."

  "Hopefully that's all the injury you two need to deal with today, but yes I'll come along for the rest of your patrol."  Tark opts not to mention the fact 'safety procedures' are not much of a formality in fantasy steampunk land.  Though he's also well aware his views on critiquing a lack of railings installed in bandit cave lairs is not exactly normal thinking.

  Either way, he will follow along with Darcy and Pan.  Even if that means it will be harder to see background gags like babies giving grown adults piggyback rides before resuming their booze supply duties.

Nathan was tickled by the giant tot's enjoying his dinosaur song.  He never did understand why adults cringe at the mention of a purple dino specifically.  But Sassy apparently took it all in stride along with the dancing blue giant.

Nathan's positively delighted to learn a Giantish song!  He immediately echoes the song note for note and (mostly) word for word so he can memorize it, punctuating the word, "nom" with a biting motion like he's eating an invisible sandwich.  Rhymed and repeated words like, "Anfel" he remembers perfectly, but the rest of his Giantish needs help.  For the words he's forgotten, he substitutes the nearest "Do," "Re," or "Mi."

"I love it, Igatho!  I want to learn it by heart!  What do the words mean?"

Nathan gives a friendly wave to the familiar Justin, but doesn't recognize the pretty elf he's clearly none too trusting of.  The halo sure catches his eye, and feels familiar somehow.  Where is this strong urge to smite the nice smiling ginger coming from?  Embarrassed, Nathan averts his eyes and returns his attention to Igatho.

Igatho looks at Sassy and says, "Ooooooo... you said a dirty word. You're gonna get a time-out..."

She turns her attention to Nathan and says, "I love you, Nathan!" and covers half the cherub's face with giant lips. "Mwah!" She then answers by singing it in Common, "Attack! Attack! Drink blood like ale! Attack! Death come! Give us your name! Give victory! Give us enemies! Ice! Wind! Storm! Come! White ice lights battle near our home! Ice! Wind! Storm! Come! Give us victory in your name!"

Sure, it isn't an exact translation. For example, Igatho didn't know "us" was at the exclusion of any other race. "It doesn't rhyme in common." she comments.

Igatho then stares at Jamie and says, "Pretty!" before rushing to attempt to grab the halo off Jamie's head and slap it onto her own head.

Henry looks at Justin, "You know, you could just kick the witch out of town if she is that much trouble. Or has it all been harmless?"

---

Pan takes the time, patrolling Parnast, to talk with Tark and Darcy. Mostly small-talk, but the occasional brainstorm on what all needs done in town and if Karl should be allowed to attend the meeting today. Regardless of what Tark and Darcy decide to discuss with Pan, their jaunt takes about 20 minutes since everything is currently running smoothly. (After this coming round of posts, I will time-warp to the meeting)

---

Post Order: Pan, Justin (David), Sassy, Tark, Whoever my bro introduces
(Justin's Turn to Post.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Wed 28 Dec 2016.

Justin snorts as Sassy tells him about what Meiou has done.  "Why am I not surprised?"  He then turned to Henry.  "Jamie's more of a prankster than anything else.  If nothing else, just leave something bright and cute on the table she's in.  That always keeps her occupied"

Or have a Preschool Frost Giant grab for her halo.  "AAAAAAAAAH!" Jamie said with a comical face as Igatho went for the halo.

-----

"Anyway," Darcy says during the chit chatting, "I'd like to find out where both rabbit and dwarf are at.  I'll feel better knowing where they're at."

-----

Edit:   Thank GOD that I'm still able to edit this post:  Did I just tell someone to spike a woman's drink?!  Even though the woman in question is a practical joker with her spells?  What was I thinking!?
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:10, Sun 01 Jan 2017.

" Please tell me you kept that dwarf out of my tavern while i was gone. I don't want to find out that he drank everything. So help me if he has I'll throw him into next year." The squirrel really disliked the dwarf when it came to drinking her profits.

  Tark nods,  "Yeah, missing people are generally not something you want to happen."  Even if apparently, they were not very popular people?  He has the feeling they will have better luck with The Dwarf, than finding the missing rabbit though.

  "Well if we find him, that depends on Justin if he goes to the meeting."  Yes, clearly as the man in charge-  "Because we wouldn't get much done if he spends the time trying to kick people." welp.

Signs point to Revenge, with a side of 'it's fine if it's my own character right?' oops logic.  Mostly the revenge.

Nathan giggles from the great big kiss and returns it with showers of magical valentine bubbles directed at Igatho.  "I love you too, Igatho."

The meaning of the song stuns him, and he's left with a sinking feeling in his stomach to hear a toddler mention drinking blood in the name of a false god.  But his mood brightens when she goes after the fake halo and the witch shrieks!

"That it is!" Nathan laughs, following after the tot.

Igatho plays with Nathan and Jamie. Pan chats with Darcy and Tark. Henry patiently waits for the meeting while letting Justin vent to him about whatever... though he also tries to get Justin to drink as much alcohol with him as possible.

Fast forward occurring!

While silly and/or fun times are had by the characters for the most part, Pan and her company finish patrolling Parnast and soon after, the meeting begins. Everyone who happens to be present is invited to take part in the meeting (Even Karl Kinderforge if he is there, but if he is, Pan will pull him aside for a stern talking to before the meeting). Pan opens the meeting by giving Justin a run-down of the current progress of the town and what still yet needs to be done.

Igatho sits in on the meeting out of curiosity and listens. That and since Justin is at the meeting, Igatho thinks she should be too.

Pan adds, "Also, it has come to my attention that someone we know is missing. A rabbit by the name of Meiou. I do not know how urgent this is yet, but I take missing persons very seriously. So the moment I am told this has become an urgent matter, I will personally form a team specialized in tracking and set out to find him." She gives Justin an expecting look, as if waiting to see what he wants to say. "And on that note, I am done filling you in, Justin."

Igatho raises her hand and, when called on, says, "Meiou is a bunny!" and seems very happy to have shared this revelation with the crowd.

In reply to Pan Flute (msg # 68):

OOC:  There's going to be a cut scene where Jamie turns Sarah back into Meiou; it'll probably be a new thread.  (If Meiou appears, he'll be under some orders from, "A Private Friend.")

---

There were a couple chuckles at Igatho when she made her comment.  "I think we all know that already, kiddo." one of them said.

"Go easy on Igatho, folks," Justin said as he drank some beer from his tankard.  "She's going easy on us, isn't she?"

He glances over to where the Frost Giant is setting, outside on the patio since she can't fit through the door.  She's sitting on a log placed earlier.  Most of the villagers are checking her out, some cautiously, others were actually coming up to her.

Justin returned to the page in his ever present notebook.  "Meiou's known for being away for long stretches of time," Justin said, "but if people are worried, I'll let them track around to find the little buggar.

In other news, we might need to find a barn that we ain't using anymore and convert it for a place for Igatho to hang out in.  I've already got help with her with the Council folks at Saint Omer.  Granted, having a kiddie Frost Giant can be strange to us Small Folk, but having been with Igatho here, I'm sure she doesn't mean any harm."

Someone in the back then blurted, "Just don't be under her foot!"

That produced some laughs.

Justin just nodded.  After a few moments for everyone to calm town, he said, "Anyone has anyone to comment over this?"

Almost as if on cue from all this talk about him a young girl in a pink dress and bow with long blonde hair blinked and reached up peeling her face back and off with a loud snap to reveal the bunny " Worried about me? What did someone loose their valuables again and blame me?  I keep telling check the squirrels mimic! "

This elected a glare from Sassy as she was serving refreshments to everyone in attendance at the meeting. Free of charge ofcourse it was a special event  after all. " Rabbit if you accuse me again I'll bloody well hire some mage to make one of those rubber things of yours your new face!"

  "I'm good for helping Igatho get a proper roof over her head sooner rather than later."

  Tark blinks, considering Meiou's taste in disguises is a little more Bugs Bunny than expected.  "Well, when someone has not been seen or heard from in a while.  People who are not apathetic, or in on their disappearance, like to have more than 'Eh, I'm sure he's fine!' to go on."

  At least, he thinks so?  Tark has not had very consistent luck with how empathetic co-workers or fellow citizens are to be honest, so maybe he's got unrealistic expectations of 'gives a **** about other people' to compensate?

  Either way, he thanks Sassy for the drinks and avoids commenting on her outburst.

Nathan thought Igatho was being helpful.  After all, he'd never met the person before, so the beginnings of a description was more than he was getting from anyone else in the know.  He'd used a little magic to sneak himself a treat and offers to share it with her as a thank-you.

And then, Mission Impossible mask removal!

"Wait...  That's Meiou?  But Pan said, 'he.'  Is Meiou a 'he' or a 'she?'"

To Igatho he comments, "I'll teach you a fun foot game after the meeting.  We may need Pan's help, though."

Igatho squeals happily and claps at the mention of builing something for her.

Whenever people do approach Igatho with curiosity, she usually gives them a smile and, if able to get away with it, a pat on the head with a happy-baby giggle.

Pan looks over to Meiou and with a tone that suggests clarity, sternness and tender concern, says, "....you heard what I said, Meiou. I take missing persons seriously. For all anyone knew, you could be captured, hurt, or dying somewhere. I care about you, OK? And I am not alone on that. So, thank you for letting us know you are alright."

Henry raises his hand, looking in Justin's direction. "I do have a comment for the cold kid: I have heard frost giants are extremely violent by nature and while this kid has shown surprising restraint for her race's reputation, she also has shown an absolute *need* for it. What assurances does this town have she is not a walking safety hazard?"

"Oh God, my head," was all Justin can say when he sees Meiou appear, antics and all.  "And I have to tell you that someone's worried about a certain young daughter who is in Saint Omer now learning how to be a bard.  Get a new outfit, rabbit."

There was a bunch of laughs at Meiou's expense, but then the conversation segued to the [over] 800 pound [gorilla] frost giant in the room.

"I've talked with Igatho about staying to the outskirts of town so that she won't crash into anyone.  Even at her age, she's got enough sense not to go into city squares like the proverbial bull in the proverbial china shop."  He glances over to Igatho.  "Her main house is in the mountains to the south, where we converted a former ogre cave into something more fitting for a giant.  Add to that some Council members have been tutoring her, and you can see the initial steps I've been taking.  I might suggest a couple."  He lifts one of his hand to give a 'meeeh' expression. "...training dummies for Igatho here to release some aggression on? She's known for dragging her latest riff-raff victim around like a rag doll.  I spent the last couple days stitching up an example, I don't know if Igatho has seen it yet."

Almost as an illustration, Igatho saw something flopped against the side of the church; a burlap rag doll of a bandit slumped inert against the stone wall.  Inside the stitched sacks a bunch of wood chips (lacquered to resist splinters) and repurposed sacks that had too many holes in them, all around a 'skeleton' of tree limbs).

The rabbit huffed " I dont see the problem. Kid gets to learn about music like she wanted and I get to have fun. Its a win/win situation here."  when the conversation shifted to igatho he spoke up again " Kids fine. I'm like everyone's punching bag and she leaves me alone. I'm sure Justin's toy will be keep her happy. He then looks back to Pan rubbing the back of his head. Why did she remind him of a mother or sister looking out for him.  " Yeah well I'm sorry but I do have other contracts I have to go tend to once awhile. Letting everyone know where I am is usually not my thing to do."


Sassy smiled to Tark before continuing to make her rounds with refreshments making sure everyone had something to drink wether alcoholic or virgin.

  Say what you will about the many Work-In-Progress parts of this town.  The drinks are great.

  "So, sounds like one of the hard parts will be finding stuffing that will hold up to Igatho, but not hurt her knuckles."  We filled your doll with sling stones!...Wait.

Nathan giggles at Justin's reaction to Meiou's appearance, and the silly excuses Meiou offers.  Apparently clarifying what gender he/she is isn't high on his/her priority list.  Or Pan's.  Or anyone else in the know.  If anyone is in the know.

"SheHe it is!  TeeHee!"

He flutters up to sit on Igatho's shoulders and give her head a hug from behind, rubbing his cheek on her hair.

"Who could consider such a sweet girl as this a hazard?" he asks before answering himself, "Badguys!  That's who!  So if you're a good little boy, you've nothing to fear from the good not-so-little girl.  But if you've been a BAD boy.  Well..."

He sings a song about bad boys.

(( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm6xexu_wJY ))

And speaking of being a bad boy, he tries to sneak one of the grown-up drinks.

Igatho squeals happily from the angel hugs and reaches up to pet Nathan.

Pan walks over to Meiou and sits next to him, just to be there for him if he wanted anything, privately or otherwise.

Igatho crawls inside the bar, now more of a steed for Nathan, the doorway just barely wide enough for Igatho's shoulders and hips as she happily crawls towards Justin, barking like a dog. "Arf! Arf!" and crawls quickly over towards Justin with the intent of tackling him and licking his face! In her excitement, she knocks over a chair or two.

Henry looks annoyed with the sight, but most of the people in the place are laughing. Even if some are laughing nervously, worried she might break something... or someone.
This message was last updated by the GM at 01:25, Sat 21 Jan 2017.

Justin, of course, couldn't stop laughing, being pounced on by Igatho who's pretending to be a puppy.  A puppy the size of two fully grown Saint Benards, but chaos aside, only a couple tipped over chair and him landing into the Frost Giant proves that no harm has been done.

"Hey Hey Hey!" came a voice that was distinctfully dwarven.  "Can't you read, Sassy?  No selling alcahol to minors!"  Wherever Karl's been, he's now back.  And he's laughing at the sight as well, seeing more than a dwarven child (or was it himself as a child) do just that.

The rabbit rolled his eyes at all the commotion and looked abit uncomfortable as Pan came over. He decided to hide rather than face her and pulled the mask back on slipping back into the cheery persona of the girl who fusses with her hair. Pan was nice and all just something about her made him feel different. Not love different but different. Like he was trying to remember something but he couldnt find it.


Sassy rotated her tray ever so slightly so that nathan took a mug of cider instead of ale before glaring over at the dwarf as she walked to him and yanked the mug out of his hands "Well guess that means your staying sober than Karl. " after all the stereotyping went most dwarves were miners/fighters

  Oh, well Tark isn't a Miner anymore so he should be okay for having taken those drinks-wait...  Damn you, wordplays.

  So instead he will joke about other semantics.  "Well Nathan didn't pay for it, so it's not really selling." Tark comments, as he rights the fallen furniture.

Simultaneously humming a tune, drinking cider, and riding on the back of a frost giant who's busy play-pretending to be a wolf and tackling a man is something most would find impossible to do.  But Nathan succeeds!  If with a little spillage.  Which only serves to make him giggle.

"Chilled cider!  Yum!"

He grins impishly to the grownups and declares, "I'm not a miner!  I'm an A major!"

He sings the note.

Being an empath, Pan feels Meiou's feelings and decides maybe it is time she talk to Karl instead. She gently puts a hand on Meiou's shoulder and says, "If you ever need an ear, I will listen." is all she says before standing and heading over to Karl.

Once within reach of Karl, Pan says in a quieted tone, "Excuse me, Karl, may I have a minute of your time?"

Meanwhile, Harry is unamused, but can't really comment about the frost kid since it seems she is winning the hearts of the town. So for now, he keeps quiet.

Igatho goes from licking to kissing all over Justin's face. Then feels cider spill on her and looks over at it curious. The cider freezes solid before it can drip to the ground. During that time, Nathan felt Igatho's skin temperature drop drastically for a brief moment before returning to her normal "just chilly" levels. Igatho sits on her feet, then sits up, smiling up at Nathan and giggling along with the crowd's laughter. She turns her attention to Sassy and says, "If Karl can't drink it, I will!" making grabby-hands motions in Sassy's direction.

"Best give her something non-alcoholic," Justin told Sassy, "Oh, and Igatho, please drink it outside, you know how crowded you get in little folk houses."

Darcy found her way in, if for nothing else than to ensure that Igatho can get out without wrecking the place.

Meanwhile, Karl just leans over to Pan.  "Sure thing, ma'dam.  I hope you no do anything foolish like what Justin did."

"Ofcourse Justin let just get something more appropriate for her." She went off somewhere and returned moments later carrying a giant sized mug with a sippy spout something justin had her get when she was doing business. "One mug of cider for the frost giant baby." she said somehow lifting it herself as she brought it to igatho.

Meiou didn't mean to be cold to pan its just there were things he didnt know about himself that he was scared of and those feelings she caused him to feel just trigged his usual clam up. Pipkin usually had his own ways of triggering the bunny out of it.Chances were with paying his debt that Jamie had learned those tricks too.

  Tark gets the impression that not only will Pan avoid kicking Karl, but she wouldn't hurt her foot in the process if she decided to anyways.

  "I'm still needing to adjust to the fact it's safer to let a baby smash bandits than it is to let them drink whatever they want.  Even if it makes sense in the life is crazy sort of way."

  He offers Justin a towel, at least.

Nathan had been thinking of lapping up the frozen cider like a popsicle to make the baby giggle, but now he's worried his tongue would get stuck to her like it would to metal in midwinter.

"You sure got chilly there, Igatho."

When Igatho is served cider he bursts into song.

♫ "She drinks a lager drink!
She drinks a cider drink!
She sings the songs that remind her of the good times!" ♩

He grins at Tark and sings the chorus.

♫ "She gets knocked down
But she gets up again!
You're never gonna keep her down!" ♪

Igatho takes the drink. "Thank you, Sassy!" She bobs to Nathan's singing as usual and pats her leg to the rhythm, once again showing she can keep rhythm really well... but when Justin makes his suggestion, Igatho says, "O-tay, Daddy!" and crawls for the outside with her new drink.

Pan raises an eyebrow at Karl. She is a doctor who has trained since infancy on how to fight, what causes pain, and what relieves pain. However, she is also far from one to brag of her prowess. Which includes social kung-fu. "Karl. I do not desire to inflict pain on friends. The question is why do you?" She asks with a tone that communicates she is not angry... but sad.

Justin just looks over to the crowd with a sheepish grin, testing his ankle as Karl's arrival reminded him of it, and helped Darcy guide the frost giant child out.  Fortunately, the tavern is made of sterner stuff, as only a couple chairs got tipped over, which was slipped back into place.  "Most people know how kids act at times.  Uber cute, even when they're big 'uns." That produced some more chuckles as the meeting continues.

"I didn't hurt him," Karl said.  "He hurt himself trying to drop kick a dwarf. Big difference.  Besides, all I wanted is glance at his little black book and help Karl find girlfriend, the casanova!."  Those last two words were louder and aimed at a certain burgomaster inside the tavern.

"I am not a casanova!" Justin spat back while Karl grabbed the nearest tankard of mead and started to quaff it.

sassy smiles and heads back to get a fresh tray of drinks to replace anyones finished drink with .

The girl hopped up followed after justin having nothing else on her agenda. She'd rob someone but yknow everyone would know it was her so what was the fun in it.

  "It's okay Justin, I believe you"... Okay, telling your boss you believe he's not good at picking up dates may not be the kind of encouragement that is helpful, Tark.

  He does wonder why Nathan thinks he's worth singing over, but at least the short angel is good at it.,

"You keep really good time, Igatho!"

Nathan stays with the blue tot, singing the first song that comes to mind

♫ "He’s a good time cowboy casanova
Leaning up against the record machine
Looks like a cool drink of water
But he’s candy-coated misery
He’s the devil in disguise
A snake with blue eyes
And he only comes out at night
Gives you feelings that you don’t want to fight
You better run for your life!" ♪

Pan rolls her eyes. "Not talking about his foot, Karl. Talking about his feelings... and mine. I appreciate you trying to play match-maker, but it sounded a lot more like you were spreading gossip and making him and I lose face.... but then I wasn't there and didn't hear what exactly was said. Perhaps you can fill me in?"

Igatho says, "Thank you, Nathan!" She dances to Nathan's latest song, not bothered by the lyrics. Though probably just as much because she might not understand the lyrics.

Henry seems to pay attention to the Justin/Karl situation, but keeps an eye on Tark also. He heads to a corner of the tavern to chat with some other guys who seem to know him.

Karl snorts.  "Justin's face is pretty much attached to his head very well.  All I said is that He's been getting a lot of ladies as of late and I was wondering if he could set me up with one.  Didn't know that was big perk of being Burgonmaster."

Justin just leers at the girl.  "Don't you got someplace you've gotta be?"

Indeed, the girl is starting to feel a pull toward what she heard from...

Meiou could hear his Mistress' voice in his head.  "Quit your lollygagging and find me a house to set up shop."

She twitches as she comes to a stop and grumbles mentally at noone at the crossfire between Justin and the witch. At least Pipkin would of liked this. She waited for Justin to face the other way and swiped the keys. While he was busy he would go try to find some local maps in the burgomiesters office to look at. He was pretty sure there was an old watch tower or something in the woods but chances were Justin's records would tell him for sure.

  After a coin flip careful consideration of all the other things Tark is focusing on, the half-orc doesn't notice the key theft from his employer... Though we get the feeling if Tark had, his biggest concern would be wondering what Jamie has against just asking.

Once Igatho sits up Nathan plops himself into her lap and leans back to smile up at her.

"I love you, Igatho!  You're fun!"

He looks toward the room full of grownups.  "Let's go back in when you're done your drink."

Pan wonders if Karl sincerely doesn't know what losing face means. It is possible. She also wonders if Karl would understand even if he knew what it meant. Does the dwarf even understand embarrassment? "....Karl, are you saying you are attracted to me?" Well that is one way to find out. Put him on the spot.

Igatho is watching for anyone passing through the doors because being stuck outside means she can't touch the grownups. Nathan's suggestion makes Igatho smile and hurry up with her drink so she can head back inside. "Tay!"

Tark seemed like a nice target to go for next once she heads back inside.

Henry, meanwhile, calls over from the corner he went to earlier and says, "So is that it for the meeting, Justin?"

Karl just chuckles and rubs his head.  "We've just met, Panda. I was wondering if Justin know someone who'd be attracted to Karl here."

"If nothing else needs to be discussed," Justin replied, "I guess that's it.  We can reconvene here in 5 days."  Justin holds these meetings every 5 days (Twice a typical Tenday)

the girl wandered off from everyone heading towards the burgomeisters office. She eyeballed the lock before picking the key to match and unlocking the door to go in and look around for a proper area map.

  Tark gets the feeling unofficial meetings will be more frequent than every 5 days.  If only because he still isn't used to something so stupid and/or dangerous happening needing to be dealt with not being much more frequent than that.

When Nathan caught sight of Meiou's girl form headed out, he calls out to him/her, "Love the Mewtamorphosis, Meiou!  Mew Mew style!  Mew Mew grace!  Mew Mew power in your face!"

He dances midair and begins singing a song praising Meiou.

(( https://youtu.be/nOD5XQ4olnw?t=1m15s ))

Pan takes a moment to pull away from Tark and addresses the people present, saying, "Only thing I'd like to add is that anyone here who receives a safety tip from Tark should listen to it. Tark is not here to be bossy and he is carrying his weight like the rest of you. He has a personal interest in safety and while I certainly appreciate being useful to you all by being available to aid you when you get injured, I think everyone here can agree it is better not to get hurt in the first place."

She then looks back to Karl. "It sounds to me like Justin misunderstood you. He thought you were trying to smear my reputation, which is why he kicked you. You two should make up and I will be happy to help him understand. But just so you know, his position isn't really getting him girls the way you think."

Meanwhile, Igatho claps for Nathan's singing as usual. She even goes to give Nathan a kiss on the cheek. Then calls out, "Darcy! Justin! Play with me!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:53, Tue 31 Jan 2017.

"Are you sure?" Karl said.  "Even younger girls are going gaga over him."

Karl glanced over to Justin, who was with Igatho while Darcy was checking out the giant 'Stuffed' toy.  "About five ply on the burlap so that the wood don't spill out, although I'm worried that a splinter would punch through and get into our baby's fingers."  The 'bones' are sticks that still had their bark on, and the chips surrounding them have been sanded to deter sharp edges and--of course--splinters, but Darcy wasn't aware of this.

"I know it's called proper caring, Darcy," Justin said as he's getting glomped again by toddler frost giant, "But are you certain that we should be talking about children at this stage of our relationship?"  He then turns to Igatho with a wink. "If that went over your head, it's okay; something you'll find more important when you're older."

Meiou under his disguise cringed at the song Nathan started singing. "Oh yes make everyone pay attention to me suddenly. gee thanks. " he said to himself under his breath.

As the meeting came to an end the squirrelfolk woman went around collecting empties and replacing them if they desired it.

  Tark shrugs, "I'm not exactly an expert, I just noticed I've seen more scars on people working normal jobs than I've seen on adventurers."  Silly Tark, that's because scars on the civilian masses gets across a gritty realism to a setting, while scars on adventurers only exist when it's cool or the GM... So where does that put you on the scars spectrum?

  He returns his empty and once again thanks Sarah, "Thank you for the drinks."

Nathan smiles brightly from the toddler smooch and kisses her cheek in return.  He'd say, "You're welcome!" just as cheerfully to Meiou if he could overhear the muttering, but, no bunny ears.

When Nathan overhears Karl's answer to Pan, he begins laughing uncontrollably!  "GAGA!  I see what you did there!"

Justin's tease for Darcy only serves to make him laugh all the more!

Pan looks at Nathan, then back to Karl. She gets a helpless smile. Then giggles. "Thanks for your time, Karl." she heads over towards Justin, shaking her head.

Igatho plays with anyone who wants to play with her... but she just wanted Justin and Darcy to be included at the moment. However, the evening approaches and the sun looks like it is on its way to setting.

Seeing Nathan laugh makes Igatho laugh because obviously, that is what we are doing now!

Pan approaches Justin and says, "Justin, sounds like it was a big misunderstanding and Karl is... off in his own world. He may not be fully aware of how non-dwarves socialize, but it is clear he genuinely never meant to harm anyone. I ask you offer to buy him a drink and forgive him. Even if he doesn't say sorry."

As Henry leaves, he gives Tark a suspicious glance, but doesn't say anything as his buddies head out with him.

In reply to Pan Flute (msg # 108):

As Darcy reaches over for a book to read to Igatho, Justin just says to Pan, "You want me to explain what makes dwarves tick, Pan?  That's a proverbial dirty job I don't need."  He then shouts out.  "Hey Karl.  Let's grab a brewski, pal."

The rabbit sighed as she started to go through the office trying to find some sort of map for jamie. the sooner he did this the sooner she'd get off his back for awhile.

  Despite the more casual general reactions from most of the town, Tark is hardly surprised by Henry Mc Frownyface.  Even if so far all his actually stated complaints have been sensible sounding like 'giant that like to smash, will probably smash'.  Or 'If you hate the witch so much, why let her live here'.

  So Tark figures Henry is less suspicious, and more put out at not being given the option to point out negative stereotypes without looking like an idiot in the process.  It would fit Tark's past experiences at least.

  He wanders over to the easily amused Angel(?) and says "Thanks for keeping Igatho company outside, Nathan."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Tue 07 Feb 2017.

Nathan smiles and gives Tark a midair salute.  "No problemo!  So now that the boring meeting stuff is handled, care to join us for fun times?"

He looks around to see if there's any interest from the others present.

Igatho enjoys storybook time and playing with anyone who joins in. "What's today's story?" Igatho asks while grabbing her toes.

Satisfied that Justin and Karl might make up, Pan heads for her house/clinic.

Meanwhile, a rather large group of rough-looking people are approaching the town from one of the roads. And by large, we mean about 40 men. Any and all PCs can notice the approach (Meiou can see them once he exit's the building he is in).

In reply to Pan Flute (msg # 113):

Not just the PCs but also the night watch, because Justin had the forethought of building a lookout tower in the center of town, with a good supply of fireworks from China to signal everyone that some bad guys are coming.

"Just when I was about to be drinking!" both Justin and Karl said as they went out, Justin catching a rifle tossed to him, while Karl pulled a battleaxe out of somewhere, probably his beard.

"Storytime will have to wait until after we deal with these bad guys, Igatho," Darcy said.

Meanwhile, Meiou found a good place for Jamie in the main regional map.  An unused tower on the outskirts of town surrounded by the woods.  Nice private spot with an ample ground for a garden.

After making note of the tower he came out and spotted the group. Deciding to have a little fun he slipped back into character running up to them like a kid who had lost her play thing. "Excuse me misters did you see a red ball come by here? I think we kicked it too hard."

  Guards with more than a badge and psychic powers regarding PC crimes only, is part of why Tark kind of likes how Parnast seems to be shaping up, yes.

  Though he does have to wonder about Meiou(?)s common sense about sassing that many people at once.  He'd understand it more if they weren't so slow they made the average Dwarves look like like a track and field athlete by comparison.

  "I would have found fun times prefferable Nathan, but I don't think we're going to have time for that."  Well, Igatho would probably think it was fun.

"You should probably be getting to safety, miss," Nathan says to the play-acting Meiou, "A whole lot of rough-looking travelers have arrived, and things could get violent."

He shrugs to Tark.  "Last time I checked, being numerous and rough-looking isn't against the law.  I'm worried that our town head and dwarf buddy will provoke an un-needed fight.  I hope Pan can make it.  She'll be able to determine their real intentions."

But Nathan has detect thoughts, so maybe he'll be able to diffuse the situation before things escalate.  He flies right up to the "badguys," hovers at maximum range of the spell, activates it, then addresses the bandits visitors.

"Hi there!  I'm Nathan!  I'm an angel of song and art.  How's it going?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Thu 09 Feb 2017.

The men look tired, worn, and jaded. The nearest to Meiou looks down at him and says, "Sorry. I did not see a red ball come this way." His voice sounds so hollow (Or maybe it was the look in his empty eyes?), Meiou can almost feel his soul drawn into the gravity of the blackhole that this man is.

Igatho looks curiously. "Bad guys? I can smash?"

Pan has not come to the event yet.

Nathan's mind reading is assaulted as he receives many different views at once!

The following is NOT said out loud, but is what Nathen picks up from reading the thoughts of the men:

Man 1: "Such a shame. Can't warn him."
Man 2: "One thousand eight hundred twenty eight point eight centimeters."
Man 3: "An angel. How beautiful. Would he consider keeping me warm tonight?"
Man 4: "Childhood innocence. One of life's biggest jokes. I'm not laughing."
Man 5: "Justletuspass, justletuspass, justletuspass, pleeeeeeease...."
Man 6: "Does angelic flesh taste the same as mine?"
Man 7: "Another day, another fight."
Man 8: "A freakin' ANGEL?! The gods are being cruel now. Hell would be better."
Man 9: "Repentance. Shameless. Good. Evil. Meaningless. All so disgustingly meaningless."

....the mind of the man Meiou is talking to feels not only empty but like if Nathan keeps his power on, his own mind will be lost forever to time.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:57, Fri 10 Feb 2017.

Justin does his usual stance of authority as he comes in front of the villagers as they stand in a line.

"Hold your ground, folks," He says, "But hold your fire too.  Let me talk to them first."

He then crosses his arms and addresses the group.  "I'm Justin Mercurial, Burgomaster of Parnast.  If you wish to discuss this matter before we come to blows, now's the time."

"Always the diplomatic approach," Karl mutters, "but these be humans, after all."  He pauses long enough to quaff his brew.

The girl shook her head . She wasn't sure quite what had happened but she knew enough to make sure Justin didn't get spoken to and started to run for him while calling out across his mental connection to Jamie explaining to her what had just happened for any advice.

  Wait, Nathan is an actual Angel-Oh right, more pressing matters which are part of why Tark keeps glossing over things that would normally be notable.

  "No smashing until you need to, Igatho."  Tark is pretty sure it's not really a human specific trait to decide immediately rushing forty depressed people with weapons drawn might not be the best idea.

Nathan stares in disbelief and stops his spell.  "Someone... make sure Pan does NOT come here."

He turns to Justin and explains, "Something... terrible has happened to these people.  So terrible as to send most of them over the deep end..."

Nathan rubs his forehead as if trying to clear his own thoughts before descending and turning to address the group of weary visitors.  "Lots and lots of cold drinks to be had.  If you cannot pay, I'll cover the tab till you can pay me back.  Just please be considerate of the townsfolk.  We don't ever get so many visitors all at once."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Sat 11 Feb 2017.

The man at the front says, "Cold drinks? Why... thank you." then looks at Justin. "Justin Mercurial, Burgomaster of Parnast, I am King Dynmas the First, Ruler of the Avidian Empire." (Nobody here has heard of this empire or this king) "I am merely traveling through. I ask you keep your kindness only to common decency; we will pay for our drinks. Let us pass, but be neither friendly nor antagonistic."

Pan doesn't show up.

Igatho says, "Don't be friends. Don't be enemies. I'm confused..." and stuffs two of her fingers into her mouth to suck on them with a pouty expression.

Justin just crosses his arms, not knowing if there's a new kingdom he hasn't heard of--it's happened before--or someone's just pulling his leg.

(Is there any way he can roll an Insight check in this one?)

But Nathan gets his ear, and he takes in what the psionic angel said.  "Something terrible, you say?"

He then motions the visitors to an outdoor patio.  "Have a seat here, and we'll have drinks available.  It seems like you've been put through the proverbial wringer.  If there's something you need to warn us about, I'll be glad to hear it.  Maybe a little talking will do you some good."

Darcy just pats Igatho on the shoulder. "It gets that way at time, afraid to say."

Almost as if on queue Sassy came out with a large tray of drinks for the men. " Ale here fellas and if you'd prefer something different just let me know and I can fetch it for you. "

  "Most people are confused by alignments to one degree or another, Igatho."  Oh no, it's a bunch if people cursed to be someone's interpretation of 'true neutral' isn't it?

Nathan's guessing chaotic neutral in the "out of their minds" sense.  "I'm confused too, Igatho.  On the bright side, they haven't been hostile in the least."

"What you request is not unreasonable, King Dynmas the First.  This town desires only the latter part: non-antagonistic guests."

He plays a tune on his lute and sings a warm, soothing song.

"Tonight the smoke is rising, from around the room,
And judging from the warmth and smells from the kitchen,
There'll be supper ready soon...
And our table's set for twenty,
room for more if they should come,
And later on we'll pass around the wine for our pleasure,
and sing until the morning comes..."

( music: https://youtu.be/yrYWY1mqUp8?t=1m39s )

Yes. You may choose to auto-succeed, auto-fail, or roll it. Whichever is more fun for you.

DC 15 insight
Success: They mean what they say and they say what they mean. In their minds, they have no reason to lie.
Failure: They are so cold, sad, or empty in their demeanor, it is hard to tell if they are serious or just that good at lying.

---

Dynmas says, "I wish I could warn you. But part of my curse is that the best I can do to warn you is request you not be too friendly or too apprehensive. If you want answers, though, we came from the Avidian Empire..." He points a direction. "You just go that way about 25 miles and you should find a cave. Inside the cave will be any and all answers you may have wanted to get from us. Just be sure you heed the warnings given there. My hope is that some day, someone can break our curse. Until then, there is nothing more I can do but say what has been said."

Igatho says, "Nathan! You play pretty music!"

She then looks at Darcy and scoops her up for a big hug. "Darcy!"
Then looks at Tark. "What's alignment hafta do with them?"

I'll let Darcy auto-succeed on this one. Justin knows enough to put two and two together, until the curse is mentioned...

"A Curse you say?" Justin said as he looked at the direction Dynmas pointed.  "That's something I wouldn't want this close to my home.  This needs some investigation, if for nothing else but to know what we're dealing with."

"Exactly why we must be careful," Darcy said while still in Igatho's hug.  "We don't know what's in there, or what kind of curse has befallen them."

" Justin should I find and prep the rabbit for transport? " Sassy asked quite sure Justin would want the resident rogue on the job for this.

  Tark comments to Igatho "Not as much as I think it does, probably."

  At Justin's enthusiasm for rushing towards cursed caves of vague warning, he says "Or we could not rush towards 'heed warnings or else' cave.  Particularly if it's someplace your not willing to go without shoving Meiou face first into it to see if it's safe."  'prep the rabbit for transport' doesn't exactly give the best impression.

  "Besides, isn't checking 'please follow spooky warning labels' places what Scrying or not-a-person familiars are for?"  Hmm, common sense may not be enough.  "Or do you trust Meiou to interpret the assorted warnings properly, and not get you cursed by proxy considering how big a group it seems to effect?" There we go.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Wed 15 Feb 2017.

Nathan bows with a flourish to Igatho's compliment.  "Thank  you!"

He ohs at the revelation about a curse being involved.  "Prep the rabbit for transport," must be code for getting a mecha suit fueled up and loaded into a giant crossbow to be launched into a HALO drop, so Nathan's not as worried for Meiou's safety as Tark is.

Nathan nods to Tark.  "Sounds great!  We have people in town who can do those things?"

He sings for the group, ♪ "I'll break the seal of this curse if I possibly can.  For freedom of every man!"  ♪
This message was last edited by the player at 05:00, Wed 15 Feb 2017.

Igatho yawns and says, "I wanna smash something..."

Dynmas says, "Your friend there is wise to be cautious. But curses don't break themselves... and unfortunately, part of the curse is that I and my men can do nothing about it."

"You might be right about that," Justin said.  "Unfortunately I don't know much about curses other than steer clear of them.  I might need to find someone who's more knowledgeable about those sort of..."

"Like me, Handsome?"

"GYAAAAAH!!"  Justin almost jumped out of his skin.  Once she landed, she turned around to face Jamie Wintertouch while throttling down the impulse to throttle her.

Jamie just had the impish of grins.  "You're right about one thing, you need someone more knowledgeable about curses, and I might just be the one you're looking for."  She then did her trademark half laugh, half crackle.

Justin just sighed.

Jamie just sang, "Meeeeiou, you're neeeded." Her voice echoed through the rabbit's mind as she said that.

The young girl coughed and pulled at Jamie's robe crossing her arms looking at the witch .

The squirrel went around changing out drinks for those that needed them and bringing out something to eat for anyone that wanted it.

  Tark can tell it's distinct, because most people would half laugh and half cackle instead.  Yes we're making typo jokes, it's late and we're low on material.

  "Sorry Igatho, looks like it's going to be a quieter night than expected." Well okay he's not very sorry about it at all.

  "I'm sure Jamie will manage to not live up to the sterotype and remove arbitrary curses instead of placing them." it's probably at least removable, if only because there wouldn't be so much dancing around the subject impelled or otherwise if it were a permanent issue.

Nathan laughs from Justin's reaction to Jamie.

After collecting himself he nods to the king.  "Sorry to hear 'bout your predicament.  And don't get the wrong idea, our eagerness to break this curse is not being overly kind.  I can assure you that self-preservation plays a large part in what motivates the people of this town.  In learning how to break your curse, we'll be learning how to defend ourselves from it."

With a smile to Igatho, Nathan suggests, "How 'bout your new toy, Igatho?"

Igatho immediately gets to roughhousing with the new toy! And looks very happy about it.

The army of men glance at her with mixed reactions. Some smile. Some look weirded out. Some look angry. But none comment.

Dynmas looks at Nathan and nods. "Appreciate the reassurance. But words are only words. Our curse looks at the heart."

When he notices his men have finished drinking, they all get to their feet and move to exit the town in the direction they were headed.

"Looks at the heart," Justin thinks to himself, as he watches the party start to leave.  "Maybe it's less of a curse and more of a test, a test with dire consequences if you fail it, as with these poor souls."  He forgot he was still in public so those nearby can still hear him.

Jamie bends forward to smile at the little girl.  "Oh, what makes you do that, my pretty?  Have you seen a reddish-furred bunny hopping around here, I sent him to do something, but every time I turn my back to him he's always causing mischief." She knows the child's Meiou, but she can't help but tease him every now and then.

Deciding to return the favor the girl speaks up " Haven't seen a red one but I saw this white magician like bunny go into your wagon and do something and come out and leave. I think he may of been naughty"

Sassy hummed to herself as she walked around collecting the empties to wash .

  Tark is sure the angry looks are out of jealousy for not having their own punching bag of a doll, obviously.

  "Yes Justin, that's how vague spooky challenge filled caves work. With spooky challenges."

Nathan understands the mixed reactions... kindof.  He's guessing that if this strange insanity is the result, the one who created the test is chaotic evil.  It be much more practical to simply kill those who fail your test.

"That they failed the test is a good sign that these people didn't deserve to be cursed.  Cursing those who fail your test is usually the work of arbitrary evil beings.  This test needs to be destroyed.  Or the cave blocked at the very least."

Igatho turns her attention to the others. "I wanna do the test! I'm good at tests!"

(It is up to you all how you handle this, but plot is in the direction of the caves. You handled the travelers perfectly, so Parnast will not have trouble from them.)

Justin does an anime face fault when Igatho talks about tests.

"I don't think that this is the kind of tests you're used to, Sweetie," Darcy says to the Frost Giant child.  "But I'm sure we have a party to address this...Hey, where's Jamie?"

Jamie just took up the child in her arms and heads toward her wagon.  "Stewfixings?  Here?  I gotta tell him to stop messing with my wagon!"

Once the two are alone, Jamie drops her act.  "Don't you hate it when things happen while you're away, Meiou?  I don't know if you have any progress with our lair in this short time."

" Depends on what happened while I was away . Yeah yeah I got your info" He explains about the area he found on the maps in Justin's office.  " So that seems like a good place to go."

  What a surprisingly optimistic Angel.  Tark can't tell if he should hope Nathan is right, or wrong because self important 'I'm technically true neutral' sorts means not hoping for literal Evil being involved.

  "Jamie ran off to her witch wagon, Darcy."  Tark commments, and tries his own take on cautioning Igatho that it's probably not the Aggro Crag sort of testing.  "The cave might involve math tests."

Nathan winces at the thought of having to do math to stop an evil test.

"Igatho's got strength tests covered.  For math?  Uh...  We should probably bring a person good at each of the things we expect to be tested on.  I've got music tests covered."

Unless it involves technical terminology.

Pan finally shows up, her fingers combed through her hair and leans against a wall. Frazzled fur under her eyes indicates she had been crying earlier. "What... happened here?"

Igatho says, "Lots of men came! Nathan played pretty music! The men said there's a curse! Justin said it's a test!"

At first, Justin thought that Pan's arrival might prove useful for this upcoming quest, but then he noticed that she'd been crying.  "Pan, what's the matter?"

"That place looks perfect," Jamie said as she found the zipper on Meiou's costume and pulled him out.  "I thought of having Sarah take over but you're needed, Meiou.  I overheard what happened, and we might be needed."  She then digs into a spare chest and breaks out some new rogue equipment and even a Leather armor colored in Jamie's colors (to match Jamie's outfit.)  "I just got this for ya," she said.  "It's thinner, but retains its protection so you can move easier and sneak around all right, especially with non-reflective metal on the outside."  (Mechanic wise, it's not that different from standard Leather Armor, only with added maneuverability.  Jamie probably found someone who's making better Leather Armor.)

The rabbit takes the armor and goes about the process of adding it to his equipment set via his bracelet before using his bracelet to return the costume to his bracelet for safe keeping.

  "As nice as it would be to be prepared for anything, actually doing that would take so long we never leave."  Because 'everything' is a lot of things to prepare for, after all.

  Tark walks towards Pan, in case she downgrades from leaning to falling and comments to Igatho "Thanks for the sum up."

Nathan immediately flies over to Pan to give her a comforting hug, singing a comforting song for her, the same song he was singing for the drinks.

♫ "And he said "Look upon me, brother,
I'm a man with piece of mind,
You know I've never been good at nothing
But the words I wrought in rhyme," ♫

He nods to Tark, watches Meiou and Jamie, and isn't sure what to tell Justin...

Nathan interrupts the song briefly to try and explain, "Collectively there is a tempest of powerful and contradictory emotions inside them.  Imagine if your best friend died saving the life of your most hated enemy only to learn that your friend never loved you, your enemy never hated you, it was your fault that you misunderstood, and you can feel the feelings of everyone gathered to celebrate and mourn.

"It is more than I can bear, so I ended my mind-reading spell.  Pan on the other hand..."

He resumes singing to, and doting over Pan, treating her like he would his own daughter.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:35, Sat 18 Mar 2017.

Pan nods to what Nathan says, hugging him to herself and then looks at Justin. "Yes. What Nathan said. The fact I can feel the emotions of others around me can be quite distressing at times. But I don't believe I have felt that much pain, jadedness, and twisted desire in one spot before. Thanks for filling me in."

She then looks at Nathan. "Don't worry... I'm used to feeling others' emotions, so this was likely not as harsh on me than you are imagining."

Pan looks at Tark's approach and gives him a soft smile and a nod. "I'm OK... I wasn't OK earlier, but I'm OK now. Thank you."

Justin nods to Pan, reminded how difficult being an empath could be.

Until Jamie whispered in his ear.  "I heard you might be needing me."

Justin almost jumped out of his skin!  "Gods Damnit!  Don't do that to me, Woman!"

Jamie just went on with her innocent act and bright smile.  "Dealing with cursed dungeons is more of my forte, and I've gathered my cute little rogue to help me."

Justin looked down at Meiou who was in a purple-colored version of a thief's bodysuit. Color coded to match Jamie.

Justin sighed.  "What in the blue blazes did you do now, rabbit?"

The rabbit quipped up " Oh well you see i was going to get it in black but they were all sold out, Jamie suggested Lilac but you know I thought that might make us look bad and well Pink is just too out of season OHHH! you mean why am I with her? She's paying. " He nudged Jamie after seeing Pan to see if there was anything the witch had up her sleeve that might help the panda lady. Despite his antics Pan was always nice to him and he hated seeing her this way.

  Tark nods to Pan, "Well, let someone know if things get too bad to deal with, Pan."  He doubts he's anywhere near the most qualified to deal with normal emotional issues, so overactive empathy issues are probably even more complicated.  Like adorable angel people.

  And then Meiou was a fashion model.  "Well, be careful Meiou.  That outfit might look fancy and..." Tactful words, Tark "Flexible, but you'll get stabbed more easily than if you had just stuck with off the shelf studded leather." Is it still optimism when he thinks Jamie just doesn't quite know what she is doing as much as she acts like, rather than being actively out to get Meiou?

  OOC: Stupid equipment jokes taking descriptions of 'Like standard leather' at face value, basically.

Nathan blows a kiss to Pan that magically freshens her up!  "Good to hear!"

He laughs when Jamie startles Justin and gives a smiley thumbs-up to Meiou.

"Looks good on you!  Red and purple go together well."

...on the color wheel, at least.

"Seems we've got a few volunteers for dealing with the cave.  Shall we get started, then?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:45, Wed 22 Mar 2017.

Pan gives a smile to Nathan and Tark, nodding to them. "Thanks."

To Jamie, Igatho comments, "Cursy! Cursy! Like garasje or maug*!"

Igatho squeals happily. "Yes! I go! That's my name! Igatho is I gotta go!"

Not really what her name means, but in her childish mind, may as well be. (If you guys are ready to move on, I can move us toward the cave)

* garasje is giantish for garbage.
* maug is giantish for dishonorable.

Justin sighs and pats Justin.  "You be careful though, we don't want you to get some maug on you."  Justin knows enough of Giantkin to understand some terms, but his grammar would be off.  In typical giant standards, at least; it works with Igatho just fine.

"I'll be with him," Darcy replied.  "The party will need a healer anyway."

"And a caster," Jamie added as she just struts her way into the group, Meiou in tow.

" And a rabbit who doesn't have much say in the matter" He said as he was pulled along in tow. He sometimes wondered how he kept getting into these messes as a rabbitfolk . He sometimes felt he had the worst luck.

  "Well unless it gets me cursed for 'doing it wrong', I'll be inclined to make things unpleasant for anyone who wants to kill you Meiou." You can never be sure when it comes to nebulous magical tests.  Sometimes they want you to show mercy at the last second, sometimes they consider mercy a dishonorable failure.

"Alrighty then!  Here we go!"

Nathan starts leading the way in the direction indicated and sings a travel song for everyone.

Pan decides to stay behind lest any of the emotional madness would be at the cave.

The team travels about an hour before seeing smoke up ahead. Like the kind of smoke from a campfire. Igatho points and says, "Fire!" and gets watery-eyed before stuffing her mouth with her thumb. Her other hand is occupied with her new life-sized orc toy.

Darcy was quick to reassure Igatho. "It's just a campfire, girl.  It won't hurt you this far away."

Jamie just follows watching the pair.  She never been in a party with a giant of any stripe, let alone one who's a mere child.  "Best stay away from my tower, dearie," she says, "I use a lot of fire."

"I dont mean to interrupt your train of thought here but might you kindly set me down . "  Asked the rabbit grumbling at being carried about like someones plush toy.

  Tark sighs at the witch's (hopefully) well meaning warnings.  He's going to end up having to clean up a smashed to rubble tower in the near future now, isn't he-wait...  "Huh. How much did Justin sell that old place for, Jamie?  Though I admit, I thought you'd try for something more secluded."

  Tark sometimes forgets that other people can forget geography.  Or have any need to be sneaky about it.  So old forgotten locations discovered on a stolen map is basically 'obvious landmarks' to the Half-Orc.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:02, Mon 03 Apr 2017.

Nathan thought Jamie's warning a good one.

"I'll go scout ahead.  If they're bad, I'll fly back to you so you can smash 'em far from the fire when they chase me."

He heads toward the column of smoke singing a cheery song, pausing occasionally to listen.

When Nathan arrives at the campfire, there is a lone dwarf male ( https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini...360ac16386b93202.jpg ). There is a half-structure like that seen in the picture.

The dwarf turns his attention to Nathan once the boy makes his presence known. "....be ye an angel?" he asks with a light tone of awe in his voice.

Nathan smiles brightly and nods. "Pretty sure, considering the look. But I have amnesia, so not entirely sure where I'm from. I'm on an urgent quest with some friends to dispel a cave that cursed a bunch of people with some trial. Happen to know where that is?"

The dwarf points. "If ye go 200 steps that way, ye'll find a cave with warnings all over it. It's probably the one ye're lookin fer."

Nathan bows politely and answers, "Thanks! I'll go tell my friends. Would you mind if we joined you here to rest a little?"

The dwarf headshakes. "Be honored... a friend of an angel's a friend o' mine."

Nathan says, "Thanks again!" and heads back towards the group.

---

Back at the others, Igatho has begun trying to hide. "Is this good?" she asks while curled up behind a tree. But she is, of course, easily able to be seen due to her sheer size making her too wide to truly hide behind a tree.

Nathan flies back to the group and tells them about the dwarf and recounts the conversation.

OOC: Nathan and I RP'd on roll20 to save time and decided to post the whole thing here.

For clarity: It is David's turn
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:22, Tue 04 Apr 2017.

"Ulp!  Sorry there, Meiou," Jamie said as she set the rabbit down.  "I'll be talking to Justin about it when we get back.  And on the record," she then turned to Igatho, "I have a cauldron for making brews, sweetie.  Cauldrons require fire.  Something I read that frost giants don't take too well, so I thought I'd give you a heads up.  Oh, one moment."

Jamie makes a sweeping motion with a hand, and a cloud of fog appeared in front of Igatho.

"That should help you hide better, hon." Jamie said with a smile.

The rabbit adjusted his attire after being set down.  "You just need to learn to use coldfire instead Jamie. Though that might be better for freezing or chilling than for brewing. Remind me to show you sometime how to do it. It's one of those tricks of Pips I picked up . " You kinda need something when ice in this age is abit hard to come by without magic users . He remembered how he used to nurse slap bruises or really tight pinches on his ass from his time with Pipkin. You would not be surprised how many males still slapped womens ases or pinched them even now .

  ...Tark suddenly gets the feeling Jamie owes his boss some money.  Though given the circumstances, he isn't going to bother bringing it up until they are back in town rather than on their way to cursed caves.  Besides, from the impression he gets from Justin the guy will probably just complain loudly about Jamie, then give it to her for free anyways.

  Then it's random Dwarf introductions time, as Nathan returns.  "You were definitely the best choice for first impressions, Nathan."

Nathan blushes from he compliment.  "Thanks, Tark..."

Unable to think of anything else to add, he simply leads the group back to the dwarf, playing pleasant music.

Once there, he introduces each of the members of the team to the dwarf.

Igatho squees with delight at Jamie playing along. But when time comes to follow Nathan, she follows.

Upon seeing the bunch, the dwarf immediately stands up, weapon ready. He looks ready to fight for a moment, but watches and sees Nathan's expression. In a tone of confusion, but also demanding as a dwarf normally can be, the dwarf says sternly, "...what's the meaning of this? An orc? A frost giant? Are these your friends? Captives?" The elf? Fine. The rabbit? Also fine. But seriously... two of the biggest enemies of dwarves: orc and giant.

Igatho says, "Friends! Nathan sings pretty music!" and happily claps.

"I know about Coldfire, Meiou," Jamie said.  "But I need to boil water, not freeze it."



"And Babysitters," Jamie and Darcy said as they both hovered around Igatho.

" You say you know what coldfire is but you would be surprised how many don't" He said following along hands behind his head. Looking to the dwarf he shrugged. Well least he wasn't rushing him hoping to cook him over an open flame like some dwarves.

  Tark gets the feeling that making the distinction he is a half-orc won't matter much to this guy.  "I'm the guy who will just give you judgmental looks without fighting back when you stab me." That's probably not much better, Tark.

Nathan can totally understand a person being apprehensive about a giant and a person of any amount of apparent orcish ancestry.  Most of the giants and partially orc people he's met were...

Actually, 100% of the giants and part-orcs Nathan remembers having met (one of each!) are rather awesome people.  So no, Nathan doesn't understand.

"What do you mean, 'What's the meaning of this?'" Nathan asks, showing a little bit of being upset that someone would be rude to his friends, "Igatho is sweet and playful.  And she smashes monsters well.  Tark watches out for people's safety more than even they do.  And he smashes monsters well too.  I could hardly ask for more.  And why do the rest of us not register on your fright-o-meter?  Just 'cause a person's shorter doesn't mean they're any more friendly."

He folds his arms and pouts in a huff, stopping just short of pointing out, "You're proof of that."

Igatho looks SUPER happy to be flanked by the two ladies as she squeals and does a little dance where she stands!

The dwarf gives the bunch a suspicious look, but slowly puts his weapon away. He eyes Tark. "What?! You touched in the head, man?! If someone stabs you, you need to either stab them back or do something to stop 'em!"

He then looks at Nathan. "And you! No disrespect, but did you hit your head, or have you never met an orc or giant outside these two? Allow me to fill you in: Orcs and Giants are EEEEEVIL and delight nothing less than utterly destroying entire civilizations! Generally speaking, of course. The fact they haven't killed you by now says they are exceptions to the rule. And the fact that the bunch of you haven't collectively killed me yet tells me you don't plan to."

Jamie gave a glance at the Dwarf but stopped short of talking about it as Darcy places an arm in front of her, a symbolic sign for her to hold back.  "Dearie, if the orc and the giant were even intending to do something like that, do you think we'd let them in our team?"  She then gave Igatho a wink.

The rabbit rolled his eyes " igatho only hurts BAD things and well Tark he rather help than needlessly fight. Really if anything its me you should worry about. Not that i would do it but i could rob you blind in your sleep and leave you naked.Nothing worse for a dwarf than loosing his dignity except honor. "

  Normally Tark would ask Meiou to not antagonize the dwarf, but considering what he said himself about ten seconds ago it wouldn't be quite so credible... Even if the tone was quite different.

  "Well, I don't hold it against you personally a dwarf run mine ended up with me taking a pickaxe to the skull, given a fake healing potion, and sent on my way.  Though 'stab them back' probably would not have turned out so well for me." Tark, what did we just say?

Nathan's a little too ruffled to think of a good anti-racism song at the moment.  Maybe later.

"Nope.  Someone else hit my head."

He parts his hair to show the scar.

"I can usually sense evil at a glance, but I always give 'em a chance.  Bad rep or no.  That's how I made friends with Igatho...  Well actually I knew she was fine the moment she laid eyes on me and offered me a snack.  None of the people I've guessed were evil from looking at them turned out to be otherwise."

(But a few he guessed weren't evil turned out to be kill-on-sight levels of evil.  He'd look into becoming part paladin if the detect evil ability actually worked.)

Nathan doesn't get Meiou trying to convince someone that he's bad news.  Wouldn't it make more sense to not "tip your cards" as the guys at the tavern put it?  Well Meiou's the grown-up, and he hasn't done a single naughty thing that Nathan knows of, so it's not like he needs the correction of a cherub.

Jamie made the the point Nathan wanted to make, so he just adds, "Yeah.  Tark's enemies tend to wind up stabbed, shot, smushed, and exploded before he even has to do anything to defend himself.  But he's quite tough and defends his friends really well."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:30, Tue 18 Apr 2017.

Igatho smiles brightly from the comments her friends make. She says proudly, "Meiou doesn't hafta rob me because he knows I love him! All he has ta do is ask and I'll let him play with my things!"

The dwarf nods to each of the team. "Fine. M' name's Broth Hinderforge. Ye bunch 'o lucky bastards found yerselves possibly the only nice giant because she's a baby. Mark my words... in a couple decades, you'll be cryin' tears because she'll still be a child, yet leave ye no choice but to put her down. Unless I'm rememberin' my dwarven history wrong. Nice orcs, however... slightly more common. Still lucky as gods to find yerselves a nice orc."

He sits back down. "I don't have much for ye to rob, mouse. My armor's too heavy for ye to carry and m' coin purse is empty. I hunt to eat, so the only food ye'll find is what you see here at m' campfire. Which you all are welcome to... though I may not have enough for all of ye... especially given a giant's appetite."

Broth looks at Tark. "Honestly, I'm surprised ye don't hold it against me for being a dwarf, much less how some dwarves treated ye. Most orcs I've faced don't need more reason than ye not being in their clan to wanna kill ye. Even if you're another orc."

Broth looks at Jamie, "And t' answer yer question, lass... I don't know any of you, so how would I know who you would or wouldn't let on yer team?"

He then nods to Nathan. "Nice scar. Hope you get your memories back. Heh.. detect evil... Handy ability, that... though I've heard sensing evil is overrated. Heard a zealous paladin once sensed evil in a camp, so he attacked and killed everyone in the camp. Figured the ones who weren't evil deserved to die for associating with someone who was evil. Turned out, only one was evil because he was a devil who had disguised himself and nobody else in the camp knew... it gets better: the camp was a bunch of monks from that paladin's own order. They too were in disguise as normal travelers because they were transporting a holy relic."

OOC: Actually happened in a game where a friend of mine was playing a killtastic paladin.

"Well, at least you not knowing us is understood," Jamie said, "But if you think you know Igatho's fate..."  She lets her eyes flash to show her magic prowess. "You don't know everything about her yet."

What she didn't say is Broth's comments on Meiou.  'A mouse?  Really?  That's a good way for me not to like you, dwarf!'  (This was mental, so only Meiou heard it.)

" Once more everyone underestimates the rabbitfolk. They never learn. You'd think as a dwarf he'd know looks can be deceiving." he said over his connection to jamie. " We will handle feeding Igatho. Don't you worry about that. So if were going based off sterotypes that means you must be so damn drunk you can't see. " he really was not liking this dwarf's attitude. It didn't help he hated HATED being looked down on. Just like he hated everyone wanting to eat him. Jamie might need to bring Sarah around to keep him from mouthing off too much or acting against him.

  Poor Nathan, Tark has his own head injury scar but at least there are no side effects*  "Yeah, that detect evil spam story sounds like a contrived enough of a coincidence to be true.  What does it say about the world when it would have been less believable without 'And he was also killing his own order the whooooole time'"?

  Probably some similar statement to how Tark doesn't feel it worth the effort to ever correct people that he's a HALF-Orc.  Because anyone he'd have to make that clarification to wouldn't care about the distinction in the first place.

OOC: "What do you mean I don't have a 10 INT anymore?"

Nathan beams proudly from Igatho offering to share her toys.  And for being told he's lucky to know her.  And Jamie defending Igatho.

"Yup!  We sure are lucky to be friends with Igatho.  And each other.  And if ever anyone puts another down, we work it out."

Apparently he didn't get the meaning of putting Igatho down.  "Thanks for the offer for food.  Don't worry, we prepared to travel to the cave and back with plenty to spare in case the trial was a long one.

"As for how you could know the kinds of allies we'd want to keep..."

Nathan points at Darcy's holy symbol and thumbs at his wings.  But then there's the story of the detect evil with everyone disguised and stuff.

"Huh.  Maybe that's why I instinctively offer a second chance to evildoers before I kill them.  Might be an old habit.  Sure hope that paladin learned his lesson.

"Can someone explain why being mistaken for a mouse is a bad thing?  I know a really nice mouse, and I can't imagine there being anything at all bad about being a mouse.  It'd be pretty cool, even."

He cups his hands over his head to make pretend mouse ears and squeaks at Igatho.

Broth shrugs to Meiou. "Heyhey, no offense intended. Just speaking from experience. Rodentfolk in general don't tend to have much in the way of heavyweight champion material. I don't doubt yer thievin', I doubt yer ability to pick up armor that weighs probably as much as the pretty lass there." He thumbs at Jamie as if to clarify he meant Jamie was the pretty one.

He looks at Nathan and laughs heartily. "By 'put down', I meant kill. Ye don't just snap yer fingers and bring someone back from the dead.... but then you ARE an angel... CAN you do that?"

Broth then looks at Jamie. "Oooooh? OK, ye got me curious. What do you think the big lass' fate is?"

Igatho says cheerfully, "Meiou's gonna teach me how to steal! Jamie's gonna teach me magic! Tark's gonna teach me how to stay safe even when killing! Nathan's gonna form a band with me and teach me how to make music! Darcy's gonna teach me how to use the power of the gods! Justin's gonna teach me how to make machines! Pan's gonna teach me how to hit harder! Sooo... my fate is..... to be like my friends!"

She didn't mention Karl, but that is partly because she is already good at what Karl is good at when in a fight, and when she tried to do the thing Karl is known for in town, she was given a different kind of drink.

The dwarf laughs, then looks at Jamie. "But seriously. What DO you see for the giant kid's future?"

OOC: Side note - Igatho is actually a smart kid (I usually have her Int no lower than 13), but her magic potential is low. So while she is just spouting off how she wants to be like everyone she loves or likes, like a normal kid would, she will probably not be a caster.... even if she does wind up wearing a holy symbol at some point.

Jamie crosses her arms and says in a stern voice. "I see Igatho becoming a heroic warrior and a noble woman, especially when she has people like us to guide her along her way."  And with that, she let her eyes show her anger with a spark of arcane energy.

She's grown a bit annoyed at the dwarf.  Typical thick head with a lack of a filter to match.  If it weren't for being in a party, she'd put them on ice to get them to cool off.  (Temporarily, of course:  She doesn't intend to hurt him, just make him think twice about shooting off his mouth in her presence.  Jamie learned that it's quite hard to unintentionally hurt a dwarf.  All that stubbornness and durability means they can take some roughhousing.)

Of course, he also insulted her warlock (Meiou) so add that to her desire to give Broth some karma.

  Despite his sass, Tark thinks the Dwarf is being reasonable enough to not wish bodily or financial harm to.  He's got a seemingly rare personal interpretation that Karma doesn't mean 'abuse people who just kind of annoy you' gets a free pass.

  His go to suggestion for meeting Igatho's hopes will be a bit tricky. Technically she meets the criteria of 'wear a helmet' by virtue of having one perched atop her head, at least?  "Oh... Igatho is going to need a very large throne in that case, Jamie.  Also, you should probably get your eyes checked.  It can't be healthy having them glow and spark so often for no good reason."  Where were we?... Maybe Igatho will take up the casual nobility furniture stance of reclining upon an ornate lounge chair, if only to keep her subjects closer to eye level?

EDIT from the future: I crossed some wires on 'Oh Meiou's starting to post, time for me to catch up' for which thread to update first, it seems.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:55, Fri 05 May 2017.

( wasnt it my post first ? XD )

The rabbit just turned away from the dwarf to keep from going over there now and stripping him naked. He spoke over the link to Jamie "Either shut him up or I will." He just really wanted the dwarf to eat his words at this point.

Nathan is still lost on what's so offensive about mice, but whatever.  He's got more important things to think about.  Such as why a non-brigand would suggest Igatho should ever need to be killed.  But fortunately Igatho and Tark lighten the mood.

Nathan shrugs to the dwarf.  "By the time hypothetical future Igatho is running around oppressing her subjects, I imagine I will have the power to resurrect her after giving her a time-out in the afterlife."

Multiclassing too much leaves you vulnerable to min-maxed angels if player experience is any indication.  (Alternate reality adult Nathan proceeds to one-hit-kill the can-do-anything boss with his bare hands... and skirts past taking darkside points since the player's stated intentions were to take the guy alive.)

Nathan smiles at Igatho and says, "And I wanna be like you!"

...and proceeds to sing her a Disney song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JDzlhW3XTM

Igatho looks at Tark. Then to Jamie. Then back to Tark again. "My eyes glow when I'm mad. It doesn't hurt."

Igatho claps to the song and once again demonstrates her knack for rhythm. However, she doesn't really get far into it when she notices the mood is not really lifting.

Igatho asks, "Why are you all mad? Do I need to crush things? I miss hearing bones go 'snap'!"

Broth says, "What'd I tell ye? Violent by nature. Listen to any other baby except maybe orc and gnoll babies, and you will never hear 'I miss hearing bones go snap'. Well I wish ye all luck. Anyways... the cave is up ahead. I'm heading the opposite direction. And I can tell some of ye are losing patience with me for some reason, so I'll be off. Help yerselves the the food I leave behind."

He grabs his backpack and begins to walk off, giving everyone a wiiiiide berth and keeping an eye on Igatho in particular.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:14, Sun 07 May 2017.

"Wait for it...waaaait for it."

Jamie's lips drew a mischievous smile when Broth stepped on the banana peel that she--without anyone else knowing--conjured in his path just outside of the scene.

(Posting here so everyone can post a reaction instead of just posting waiting)

In standard cartoon-fashion, Broth slips on the bananna peel! One can almost hear the sound-effect that normally accompanies such! Broth winds up on his back.

Igatho, of course, laughs.

DM:  The others can make their responses to the scene, whatever or not you know that was Jamie's doing is up to the character.

  While Tark doesn't exactly have direct proof, it would take TWO pickaxes through the skull to make it not entirely obvious what just happened to him...  Maybe three, given Jamie literally going all 'wait for it'.

  He offers a hand up to the Dwarf, even if he doubts it will be taken.  "I appologize for the behavior of those who should know better."  Tark looks back to Igatho, and comments "No Igatho, you laugh when enemies fall over.  Broth getting hurt is bad."

  He feels awkward correcting a literal baby.  But Tark has the feeling Nathan will need all the help he can get.  "If you suddenly find a bunch of stuff stolen, look me up in Parnast and I'll reimburse you while rolling my eyes very hard."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:05, Wed 17 May 2017.

He groaned at this. Why ? Why did he feel like this was something from comedy bard college. Wait how did even know what that was? Ugh he was getting such a headache now.Hearing tark he rolled his eyes and looked to him " That defeats the whole purpose of robbing him! Next you'll be wanting me to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Wait the poor is me in this case. I could do that! "

Nathan can't help himself and begins to sing about the bananna.

♪♫ "Ba ba ba. Baba nana!  Bananaaaa!" ♬

(( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCkerYMffMo ))

After dancing and singing a bit, he points to Tark.  "See?  Polite and helpful and generous too!"

To Meiou he points out, "But if you stole from the rich and gave to you, you'd become rich!  Then you'd have to steal from yourself!  Viscous cycle."

Igatho says, "NO! I laugh when I WANNA!" Theeeere's the toddler in her.

When Tark mentions Broth getting hurt, he yells out, "I wasn't hurt! You think I'm made of talc or something?"

Broth takes the hand, stands up, and says to Tark, "....I'll keep that in mind." what a world. The orc is being nicer and saner than everyone else. "If a banana peel gag is the worst you can expect from your friends, then I think yer set."

He stares at Tark a while, before finally just turning and going his way like he was earlier. He waves a hand over his shoulder in a direction. "Cave's that way."

Speaking of laughing when she wants to, the bananna song is cracking Igatho UP. She falls on her back, squealing and laughing, kicking her legs. She is now incapacitated.

We are now back to normal initiative: Dave > Tark > Meiou > Nathan
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:54, Sat 20 May 2017.

In reply to Igatho (msg # 200):

Jamie couldn't help laughing with Igatho...once she recovers from the shockwave produced by her falling down.  She would already be heading toward that cave without a second thought if it were for Tark.  The fuddle duddie, ruining her fun.

"Come on, sweetie, once you get up," Jamie said.  "We've got a cave to explore and a curse to break."

  Tark honestly prefers banana phone, but people seem to complain when he's only half as anachronistic as others get away with.

  "Well, I do find you yelling about it preferable to actual injury." It also means Broth is too busy being indignant towards Tark to be upset at Igatho again, so there is that.

  "Stick to monsters and petty criminals, Meiou.  Stealing from acceptable members of society or political figures wouldn't be worth it in the long run.  Practicality just happens to look like morals sometimes."

He looks towards nathan waiting for him to finish " are you kidding? With two debt collectors on my tail im lucky to be able to purchase food and drink. " Looks to tark " Riiiiggghhhtt morals. I'm totally not into it for the money. "

Nathan grins proudly that Igatho enjoyed his song so much.  He waves farewell to the nice dwarf, all bright smiles.  Nobody explained why mice are bad, so no real reason to be upset at the guy that he knows.

To Meiou he blinks in surprise.  "When this is over, I think we need to look into getting you some help with those debt collectors if it's that bad.  But I agree with Tark.  Best to avoid looking naughty if it can be helped."

Igatho looks at Meiou's butt. "I don't see the debt collectors... but you can have my food if you wanna!" (Meiou can react to this retroactively if he likes, but I'm moving us forward)

The group does not have to go far. They are soon at the cave. It is a standard cave.

https://aceflashman.files.word...seen-from-inside.jpg

Igatho says, "Ah!" and listens to her exclamation echo. "ooooOOOOOoooo!" bright smile with hand to her ear.

"Very spacious for a cave," Jamie said, she then licked a finger to check for the wind.  "Cool as well.  A good place for a frost giant to crash, once we deal with the unpleasantness inside."  She turned to Igatho.  "You best be careful, dearie."

"She's got a point for once," Darcy said.  "We don't know everything about this curse."

Jamie just rolls her eyes at Darcy.  Darcy snorted in return.

  “Yeah, Meiuo needs less problems in his life, instead of a growing list of new ones.”

  Scene transition is go!

  “I’d rather Igatho live closer to town, really.  Secluded lairs are mostly for people with no social skills, or screwing around with things nobody wants near city limits.”

  He does agree with Jamie’s last point (which is Darcy’s first one), though.  “Given the number it did on Pan, I do get the impression there is probably more to it than being really depressing.”
This message was last edited by the player at 09:06, Wed 31 May 2017.

The rabbit groans. " never mind. " it wasn't worth trying to explain the situation he felt. After they reached the cave the rabbit shivered. Something about the feel of this place poked at his mind in someway but no memories surfaced in response

Nathan giggles when Igatho takes Meiou literally about debt collectors on his butt.  He lights up when he hears the awesome acoustics of the cave.

"Depressing?  This place is awesome!"

He bursts into song to enjoy the reverb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZfkxpTa5Co

(( while tempting to use a video of the even more amazing reverb of The Pisa Baptistery, i doubt you could get this level of perfection in a natural cave:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BjV_CXrkSM ))
This message was last edited by the player at 04:48, Mon 05 June 2017.

Igatho pauses, listening. She closes her eyes, laces her fingers together, and raises her eyebrows as she listens to the haunting music. For a change, she looks solemn. Maybe enjoying music in a higher level than normal.

Igatho simply bobs side to side slowly.

Jamie and Darcy just look at each other.  "Children these days."  "Yeah."

He started rubbing at his bracelet rather like wasnt very comfortable at the moment. Like something here didn't agree with him being in here.

  The cave known to be heavily cursed isn't sitting well with the paranoid rabbit.  Tark can't see anything wrong with that because, again, heavily cursed cave.

  "Well, at the very least of people are still being pleasantly excitable.  It means whatever hit those guys has not set in yet just for showing up."

Nathan gives the grown-ups an impish grin.

At the end of his song he gives Igatho a hug then calls out to the darkness in a stern voice, "Alright, whatever you are, we know you cursed that group of men, and we're here to put an end to your cursing."

His eyes glow a bit as he scans the area for any magical auras.

A giant sweat bead appears on the side of the cave.

Nathan's voice calls out from inside the cave, "I have forgotten much about myself. But with this... I can get my memories back."

Jamie's voice calls out from inside the cave, "If only there was a way to harness the power of this cave. People across the land would fear me and tremble at the very mention of my name..."

Meiou's voice calls out from inside the cave, "If Nathan could get his memories... could I get mine back too?"

Tark's voice calls out from inside the cave, "These stalactites could fall on anyone at any moment. Should probably wear helmets. Not that anyone is going to listen to that suggestion."

Darcy's voice calls out from inside the cave, "Curse or no curse, I have my allies backs. Nothing will hurt them as long as I'm here."

Igatho's voice calls out from inside the cave, "I wanna sing and play and smash things forever! Drums! Drums mean smashing things for music!"

Igatho is still bobbing to music that is no longer playing.

OOC:  Nice touch on the sweat bead.

Jamie humps and crosses her arms.  "To think that some cave would know me more like myself."

Darcy raises an eyebrow, however. 'How does this cave know what I'm thinking,' she thinks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:56, Mon 12 June 2017.

Could he get them back in this place? Was that a thing? Pip had always told him no magic could fix that and that he had tried many times. He looked to the others for some sort of sign to continue or fall back.

  Tark is less surprised that his echo was the most boring one, than Jamie's representation having obvious megalomania.  "I'm pretty sure Jamie isn't quite that far gone… I hope."

  He looks over to the pair of shorty short men.  "Considering what the last people who came out of this cave were acting like, hope for reward seems suspect at best.  Random thought reading by comparison is basically nothing to be surprised at."

"Yeah.  That would probably be the bait to the trap that is this cave," Nathan agrees.

"Igatho?  The music has stopped."

If that's not enough to snap her out of it he tries touch.

Igatho does not respond to touch and just keeps bobbing there.

A different voice, sounding like another toddler (but not Igatho), but with a very clear way of talking and a certain otherworldly beauty to it, calls out from inside the cave. "Nathan... you have forgotten me? Don't worry... I will help..."

In reply to Igatho (msg # 220):

"Okay that first part was a total dud," Jamie said, "but I think here comes that real challenge. Be on your guard, Darlings!"

Darcy nodded.  But still she things, "For an instant there, I thought it was a real child."

He continued further on. Actually curious about this voice that had sounded like his. Could it help him? Would it? Did Pip lie to him? He wondered so many things while he walked.

  "I apologize in advance for any intangible problems I can't blunt trauma away from hurting you."

Nathan gets angry.  "Hey!  Release Igatho from the spell!"

He strains to find the source of the voice, "I don't think you're a friend of mine.  I think you're a trap!"

(Sorry for how long I took to get to posting here. Been busy with a friend's birthday and such like. XD)

Igatho continues bobbing happily with her eyes closed. Also, the cave does not respond.

"I think you're right, Nathan," Jamie said, finally having enough.  "Let's see what we're up against."

Jamie walks up ahead. Casting a ball of bright light in one hand, and detect magic at anything up ahead, intent in sniffing out anything that could create any of these sounds.

Meiou feeling abit more confident in himself asks the group to slow down for a moment . He feels the need to check for traps to make sure between him and jamie they could find anything that could cause problems.

  Tark is really hoping Igatho is just bring a huge baby and not paying attention, but things probably will not be that convenient.

  "Igatho, you're going to miss the smashing if any happens if you keep dancing."  He looks over to Meiou and nods.  "I always have such mixed feelings about that, it's hardly safe but you're still the best choice, well at least after Jamie checks for magical explosives.  I wonder if any archers feel that way about warriors"

  It's totally a recurring concern with your player's other characters, Tark.  Oh wow look at the big brave sorcerer hiding behind two halflings and a gnome.

Nathan grits his teeth and waits for the experts to search for traps.  It's hard for him to hold back now that the evil has put Igatho under a spell.

"Couldn't have come up with a better way to snap Igatho out of it myself.  Thank you, Tark.  And thanks for checking for traps, guys."

While the entire room seems to be infused with magic to some extent, Jamie can sense much stronger magic emanating from deeper in the cave.

Nathan's voice can be heard calling from inside the cave, "It's a good thing one of us thought to hurt Igatho."

Meiou is able to find that the cave is actually trap-free, but not contraption-free. There are ropes and pulleys hidden in crevices. Following them with his eyes, Meiou can tell that the front cave room has a hidden doorway. Given enough time, Meiou will find said door and even how to open it. (Go ahead and RP finding and opening it. :)

Igatho continues to bob happily, as if she didn't hear Tark at all.

Jamie nodded in approval at her minion Meiou bolted up ahead of her, sending that familiar warm fuzzy feeling into the rabbitfolk.  "Good bunny, Meiou. Show me what you find."

Through Meiou's connection, Jamie was able to see (through Meiou's eyes) the ropes, pulleys, and eventually hidden door.

'I knew there was more of this 'curse' then meets the eye, Meiou," Meiou heard Jamie's voice say in his head.  'Let's see what's in there.'

"Er, Darcie, dearie, could you keep an eye on Igatho, in case she snaps out of it?" She says out loud.

"Already on it," Darcy said, rolling her eyes at the witch, and muttering something under her breath.

"I heard that," Jamie said, "and even though it's true, that's a moot point now."

The rabbit ignored Jamie and Darcy for the time being as he careful went ahead and pulled the lever. As a certain bobcat was famous for saying "what could possibly go wrong!?" he had a feeling he shouldn't be asking himself that AFTER pulling it but oh well too late now. "Heads up. Lever pulling here."

  "Thanks for the warning, Meiou."  Tark also has an incredibly mature answer for the latest cave voices.  "Not it for testing if poking the baby works."

Nathan grimaces in a mixture of anger and worry.  Is the cave trying to use reverse psychology on him to prevent him from doing the one thing that will wake Igatho up?  Or is he over-thinking things, and the cave is consistently trying to get people to do what they shouldn't?

"When in doubt, don't do the awful thing you didn't want to do in the first place."

He gives Igatho a kiss on the cheek.  "We'll get you out of this.  Hang in there."

Nathan then flies over to Meiou to grab his shirt, ready to snatch him away if he should get electrocuted or something, and mutters a blessing.

"May there always be good for your hands to do
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
and may trouble be always a stranger to you."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:10, Wed 02 Aug 2017.

With the pulling of the lever, the hidden doorway opens. Beyond the door (which used to just look like more cave wall) is a stairway that leads down into some hallway with metallic walls.

There is a skeleton at the base of the steps. It is situated almost like whoever it was just decided to sit there, relax, and die.

Igatho remains bobbing happily, seemingly unaware of Nathan's kiss or Darcy staying with her.

"Well," Darcy said, "At least it's not harming her."

Jamie brings up the rear of the group investigating the new area, but then takes a closer look at the skeleton.

The rabbit came up next to Jamie checking the skeleton with her. She was more trained in the magical side of things. A thief is trained in the hey that wasn't there a second ago where were you hiding this side of things.

  "Right, you keep examining the probably literal lazybones." Tark opts to try and remove the distracted Igatho's weapon.  Obviously she can still punch hard, but that would be less painful than a clubbing when no cutscene perks are allowed to the big baby.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Fri 11 Aug 2017.

Nathan of course let go of Meiou when it was clear there wasn't a trap.  He follows along and takes a look at the skeleton inquisitively.  But since two of the group are already taking a close look at it, Nathan searches the walls and ceilings for any kind of clues.

"Let's make sure there's something to block the door from closing and locking shut.  Igatho's club will do nicely."

Igatho doesn't seem to mind or notice when her club is taken and used as a doorstop.

Jamie/Meiou find a weird looking box with buttons and a window on it, behind which are two gears. The buttons have symbols on each of them:

Button 1: A square
Button 2: Two triangles pointing left
Button 3: Two triangles pointing right
Button 4: A triangle pointing right
Button 5: A circle

There is also what looks like some kind of crank attached to the odd looking box. On the side of the box is the side of a wheel. Also a switch of some kind. Also some tiny hole too big for a needle and way too small for even Meiou's pinky.

http://globalrecordings.net/im...upics/messenger2.jpg

Jamie gasped in surprise over what she found.  "Whoa," she said, soft enough for only Meiou to hear.  She had to do it because only Meiou knew of Jamie's secret. "I never thought I'd see one of these in my lifetime, and that was before I found myself here."

She has had a tape player before, but those were small cheap players that she clipped to her belt and listened with headphones.  "I've seen devices that record on cassettes, but never owned one."

Until now, as she picked the device up and examined it further.  She first pushed the button with the single triangle to see if it works.  She also placed a finger over the hole, to see if it's small enough for headphones, or a larger plug for an external power adapter.  She also checked to see if there's a port for batteries, fiddled with the switch, and even pulled the crank.

"Meiou, I wonder if you can see some small boxes lying about.  With two holes punched through it.  They might go with this device."

He didn't really understand the excitement about this . It didn't see that valuable or interesting but she was really really really happy about it. "Uhh sure I'll see if i can find any." seemed an odd place to leave this device but he looked around the stairwell for any signs of the things jamie described.

  While glad he doesn't have to fight the big baby, the lack of any reaction at all is still somewhat concerning.

  "Well, you clearly recognize the thing if you are asking for specific components Jamie.  Probably not a bad thing if you're making Meiou scrounge for things." When close enough for her to be caught in any explosions, that is.

"Not exactly interested in a transcript machine, but maybe if we find the cassette that belonged to this guy, we'll be able to read his final thoughts."

Nathan helps with the search.

"But I can't help but thinking this isn't getting any closer to shutting this place down."

There is a port for batteries, but there are no batteries inside. (And as depicted in the picture, the player has its own speaker) Playing with the crank while the play button is depressed shows that the machine will work while being cranked.

Meiou finds a small box with two holes punched in that look almost like gears. But possibly more interesting is that it is translucent, showing its oddly simple yet complex inner workings.

http://images.wisegeek.com/cassette-tape.jpg
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:00, Wed 06 Sept 2017.

In reply to Igatho (msg # 245):

Jamie figures out what the crank does, first manually and then with her Mage Hand.  "Good thing my Mage Hand doesn't have to deal with muscle fatigue."

When Meiou hands her that smaller box, she puts it in place and turns the crank. "I'm surprised I know how cassettes work.  They were ancient even in my time.  Let's see what this tape says."

the rabbit shrugged at this. not real sure what to say on the matter as he doesn't know what they are. pip always prefered these big round black discs that needed a special thing to play.

  "It has a crank on it, and a hole the same shape for what you put in it.  I'd be more concerned if you didn't figure it out Jamie."

  He looks back over to Nathan, and comments "Finding the notes of previous occupants in abandoned places seems to end up practically a requirement, for some reason."

Nathan shrugs and answers Tark, "I wouldn't know."

He then turns a confused look to Jamie.  "'Ancient even in my time?'  You make it sound like you're making yourself out to be ancient.  Or maybe... a time traveler?!"

He smiles like a kid in a candy store!

The tape plays and through the speaker comes a voice: "Things aren't going well. None of the bodies have turned into dust, so i can't get the souls. I told the families that I would give them the dust back for the funerals. People are starting to ask me what's happening. What do i do?"

A distant moan can be heard along with a quiet, whispering voice saying, "What did you do?"

The man continues, apparently having stopped the recording and continued at a later date, "This isn't working. And I feel so alone. I keep losing people... and yet I feel like I'm being watched now more than ever. I'm so close... but-"

The recording stops there.

Jamie had to glance over at Nathan who was grinning like the proverbial cat who ate the canary.  "I let the cat out of the bag, again, didn't I?" She says.

She then leans back. "You got it right the second time.  Well, I didn't actually travel as much as I tripped into a time rift.  Next thing I knew, I was in the Black Forest.  Good thing the coven there took me in..."

She then heard the recording, and her expression darkened.  "Trapping Souls.  And that voice sounds like a lich to me, I'd wager my hat on it.  I knew I'd find out about one here sooner or later."  She paused.  "Well, I'd always ask for later, of course."

He looked to everyone for then back to Jamie is there an easy way to make it redead?

  Of course she's old, Witch, duh.  Though if time rifts are involved that means by technicality Jamie may be the oldest witch currently alive.

  "I suppose we should be thankful they didn't sound like a particularly successful lich, if that thing is anything to go by".
This message was last edited by the player at 05:45, Mon 23 Oct 2017.

Nathan loses his smile upon hearing the recording.  "So this place is haunted?  Maybe those guys we met back at town were just lunatic ghosts.  In any case, we need to figure out how to break Igatho from her reverie.  And shut this place down for good."

To Jamie he looks concerned.  "Wow.  I hope things turn out OK for you."

To Meiou's question he shrugs. "Sorry.  All I know 'bout liches is that they're zombies who sling spells."

He heads farther down the hall, looking for anything else.  "Wiches rhymes with Liches.  Gotta think of a funny song that'll have me in stitches.

"Hey ghosts!  You tired of being stuck here?  How 'bout offering a helping hand?"

Igatho wakes up and looks at Darcy. "...momma?" she blinks a few times and rubs at her eyes with her fists. "I had a neat-o dream! ...where'd everyone go?"

Nathan finds the hallway has multiple doors, each with a room inside. Some rooms have a skeleton inside. All of them look like this place used to be a place people resided and did things. What they did is mysterious, outside the recording, of course.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:54, Tue 24 Oct 2017.

Jamie's seemed to melt a bit by the age remarks.  Meiou can see her crying rivers.  "Just because I'm a witch doesn't mean I'm an old hag," she mutters.

---

Darcy sighed in relief as Igatho comes to.  "Oh thank the Gods. I thought that music will make you sleep forever."  She then tilted her head.  "The others pressed on ahead, and found a clue or two."

The rabbit cringed at Jamies crying. You dont look a day over eighteen to me. n.n;;

  Tark didn't make such comments out loud for a reason. See also, not joking about being as big a crybaby as Igatho.

  "Nathan, please don't run off alone in the cave of questionable standards." Oh good, just skeletons... Speaking of standards, being an adventurer does strange thing to them.

"Sorry.  Just getting impatient with this place.  As if I wasn't before we even got here."

He figures Jamie is responding to some ghost sound only she can hear and nods in agreement with Meiou.  "Meiou's right.  You look plenty nice, Jamie!  And remember to be on guard against anything from this place.  Even if they seem nice."

He turns around and heads back since this is apparently a dead end.

Igatho yells, "ECHO!" and listens for an echo with her hand to her ear and a open-mouth smile on her face.

The others can hear Igatho yelling Echo and when they exit the hall, they can see Igatho awake, hugging Darcy, and toddling towards the group. "Hello!" she squeals. "I had a neat-o dream!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:07, Tue 24 Oct 2017.

"Oh Thank You!" Jamie said as she grabs Meiou and hugs her.  "I couldn't ask for a better familiar!"

---

"What was the dream about, may I ask?" Darcy said.

the rabbit gasped as he was grabbed and squeezed. Jamie was surprisingly stronger than she seemed as she squeezed the air out of him. ja........mi...e.. a...i....r he manages to gasp out

  "Well, try to at least stay in sight of someone, Nathan."

  Alas poor Meiou, he was slapsticked to death. Or so their eventual tombstone shall read most likely.

  "Igatho, I hope you are okay." She seems okay.  Because enthusiasm was distinctly missing from the cursed emo crowd.

"Oh Tay!" Nathan answers Tark.

He's so proud of his team.  Tark looking out for everyone's wellbeing.  Igatho for shrugging off mental manipulation that has pushed grown men over the edge.  And testing acoustics!  Very important.  Darc for asking the question Nathan was thinking before it even reached his lips.  meiou for complimenting Jamie.  And Jamie for giving him a WWE bone-crusher bear hug!

Nathan bursts into singing about friendship while he continues to search for clues within view of the others.

"Oh I get by with a little help from my friends!"

Igatho says, "I'm OK!" in response to Tark's comment. She then looks at Darcy, "I dreamed I was in a biiiiiig place with echoes like this place! Then I heard music everywhere and it was very good! Then there were glowing eyes staring at me from all over the place. So I said hi! Out came grumpy monsters made of shadow that had sharp teeth! They jumped at me and I got to smash them to bits!"

She seems WAY more happy about smashing things and not in the least bit frightened by what should have been terrifying to normal toddlers. But then, Igatho isn't what one would call a normal toddler. "Then some angry man walked over to me and said I was supposed to be scared! So I smashed him too! He told me to stop and that my friends were going to hurt me, but I heard Tark say he wasn't gonna hurt me, and I felt Nathan kiss me and say he'd get me out without hurting me! So I smashed the mean man more until I woke up! I love dreams where I get to smash meanies!"

Meanwhile, Nathan finds a different door, this one less hidden and surrounded in magic runes.

Darcy couldn't help but laugh at Igatho's retelling of her dream.  "I guess that that curse thought it could deal with you, but it has no match against a child's imagination."  She then hugged Igatho on the side.

---

"OOOPS!"  Jamie said as she lets go of Meiou!

the rabbit blue in the face ironically gasped for air coughing abit as dust got in throat. Please be more careful next time.

  Makes sense. Igatho is a baby, not an idiot. Duh.

  "Can you remember what the jerk looked like before you beat him into an unrecognizable mess?  You may have just punched a real evil wizard in the mind face." Everyone keeps talking about telekinesis and telepathy. but Ghost punching is a drastically underrated mental ability.

Nathan sunshine smiles at Igatho.  ( https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_...1802240/8ykh2Yew.jpg )

"I love those kinds of dreams too!"

He dances midair happily and bursts into song!

♪♫ "Smash!  Smash!  Smaaash!
Yeah yeah!" ♬

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQTvuP1Dgs )

Igatho returns Darcy's hug and then dances with Darcy to the SMASH tune!

Igatho then looks at Tark and taps her lips with her finger. "Ummmmmmmmmm... he had no hair. Had pink skin like Nathan, Darcy and Jamie. Aaaaand... he had a purple robe! With a biiig collar that went halfway up his head!"

Fortunately for Darcy, she learned how to stay loose and go with Igatho's dancing.  "Who-whoever he was-s-s, he sure looks evil enough."

Jamie follows Nathan up to the rune-encrusted door.  "Looks like you found something, dearie."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:35, Tue 07 Nov 2017.

For now he just focused on catching his breathe and reminding
himself to maybe look into some plate armor to avoid jamie's death hugs.

  Oh dear, the party is up against Ming the Merciless.

  "I would hope he's incompetent in reality as they are in your dreams, but there wouldn't be a magic cave and cursed horde of emotionally wrecks if they didn't have something dangerous going for him."

  He looks back to the runed door he's probably the least qualified for, then back to Darcy.  May as well make practical use of his time.

  "Igatho, Darcy's getting tired. So how about I take a turn dancing with you instead."

  Practicality gets some strange meanings in this profession.

Nathan smiles and nods then takes a closer look to try and read the runes.

"You can unlock any door if you only have the key."

If the language is ancient, chances are Nathan can read it.

OOC:  Look, I know that I'm going to be posting out of turn, but I have to do it:

Somewhere else in the world, Johnny Briz sneezes.

I now go back to my place in line.  Igatho, you're up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:22, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

Nice secret of NIHM reference, Nathan. :)

Igatho smiles brightly at Tark. "Tay!" and lets go of Darcy before dancing with Tark!

Anyone versed in Celestial can make out that the runes over the doorway roughly translate to "an act of love."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:04, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

And now for my official post:

As Darcy tried to stumble in a straight line, only to make some impromptu spins until she decided that sitting down for a minute would be a good idea, Jamie walked up to the runs and casts Comprehend Languages.

"Hmmm, An Act of Love," Jamie muses.  "Looks like I'm going to need to play matchmaker."  She tilts her head over to Meiou.  "What do you think:  Justin and Darcy, or Justin and Pan?"

Edited because one joke reference to another thread a week is my limit.  Or it should be.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:20, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

The rabbit looked over to Jamie "I would think Pan on her own is an act of love. That or angel boy there." He said motioning to Nathan.

  Tark is hardly the best dancer, but at least he has found Igatho is a forgiving critic on technique.  So he just goes along for the ride while asking Darcy, "You going to be okay?"

  Though he does attempt (emphasis on attempt, dancing baby giants steer where they wanna steer) to guide the direction of the dance to be within proper earshot of the whole group.

Nathan sunshine smiles at Meiou!

"Thanks, Meiou!  Love you too!"

Figuring there's plenty of love going around, especially with a happy toddler dancing with her friends, Nathan pushes on the door to open it.
This message was last updated by the player at 06:49, Sun 12 Nov 2017.

The door doesn't open.

Igatho pauses from dancing. "Tark! You dance good like Darcy!"

She then rushes to the door, "LOOOOOOVE!" and slams into it!

....it causes a small tremor, but the door remains closed. "Maybe I have to say it this way: I love you, door!"

Still nothing. "The door is smart. It knows I don't actually love it..."

Back in Parnast, Pan sneezes an adorable girly sneeze. "...why do I get the feeling I should hug Meiou when I next see him?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:10, Sun 12 Nov 2017.

Justin had to smile as he sees Pan make the cutest sneeze he ever seen.  And then he groans a bit.  "What in the Gods' collective names has that rabbit done now?"

Darcy has canaries tweeting around her head.  She manages to say, "Give me five minutes," before closing her eyes trying to keep the world from spinning.

Jamie just blinks at Igatho's failed attempts.  "I don't think you'd want to keep doing that, child.  You'll find out that the cave ceiling isn't feeling the love as well."

He came over to the door and began examining it himself.
In his experience those that crafted these riddles often had a back door
or something similar incase they forgot the answer.

  Tark is thankful for no longer being dancing with Igatho when she decided to test if it was a push, rather than pull door.

  "I think serious relationships are a bit beyond what these sort of doors usually expect, if only so the wizards that made them can ever get through."

  He would help Darcy up, but it hasn't been five minutes yet.

"Good point, Tark.  An act of love doesn't necessarily have to have any real love in it.  If it needed real love, the villain who lives here wouldn't be able to use this door."

Nathan kisses the door.

The door opens for Nathan.

Igatho pauses and stares. Then smiles wide and claps for Nathan! "Yay, Nathan! You're smart!"

Beyond the door is another hall that seems to lead to another door. If approached, that door opens on its own to reveal a 5' x 5' room with metal walls. There are buttons on the inside of the room.

Jamie will recognize it for what it is:
https://www.forms-surfaces.com...SU_4712_01102014.jpg

Jamie just shrugs.  "Of course you had to kiss it.  It's something I'd never think of."

She then peeks her head in and then blinks.  "Don't go in there just yet, Igatho.  Although I doubt you'd fit in there.  You've probably seen carts that travel on wheels, right?" She pauses to let the child frost giant understand where she's coming from.  "Well, this is a cart that goes up and down.  We small folk put them here to get to floors in tall buildings and places, including something under this cavern if I think about it."

Jamie looked at the buttons to see how they're labeled, all the while keeping anyone else from barging in.  "Let me see what these buttons do before we start pressing them, okay?"

He kinda rushed in checking it out having kinda shoved jamie aside. He began examining it carefully. "I saw these in a moving picture show once. I dont know what they are called but they move like magic up and down. Just dont ever ride on top of one or below one. this guy was watching his friends and someone tampered with the box and he got impaled through the face. they didnt show it but you know implied it. " He blushed and apologized to jamie  "Sorry .. I sometimes get mesmerized by things from moving picture shows I liked. This one was the one that made me have the idea for disguises while thieving."

  Tark nods as the interior is revealed.  "That's certainly out of place all right."  He points at the signs inside.  "No smoking? You can't even get people to put those signs near the alchemical fire storage. Why would it be in an elevator?"

  Tark, that's not the part you are supposed to be surprised by.

  "It probably wasn't built by gnomes, they usually prefer brass over chrome."  No that part either.

Nathan grins at Igatho's compliment.  Then marvels at the strange tiny room.

"A moving room?  'Elevator.'  Wow!"

He takes a closer look.

"So dangerous!  What happens if you smoke?  Will you suffocate?  It is a very small room."

Though "no smoking" is kind of a given with Igatho around.

<flashback>
Igatho watches in rapt curiosity as Karl stuffs his pipe with aromatic tobacco.

"Perfume!  Smell good!"

Karl lights a match and Igatho frowns.  "Fire!"

FSH!  She blows out the match.  Karl grunts.  "Leave off, ankle biter!"

He turns his back to her and lights another match.  WHOOSH!  His hair gets blown forward as giant-sized lungs blow a gust of frigid air past him to blow out the match.

"Fire bad!"

"Hrmpf.  Small wonder dwarves and giants don't mix."
</flashback>

Jamie and Meiou see standard stuff for an elevator. Buttons with numbers on them. A button to hold the door open or close the door quicker. A keyhole for unlocking the panel. The buttons are as follows: B3, B2, B1, 1, 2

There is a sign (besides no smoking) that says, "Weight Capacity: 2,000 lbs."

Igatho says, "I can read! No smmmmmoke...ing. W... w... weee-ite? caypack itey. Two, zero, zero, zero libbs!"

"You're getting there, Igatho." Darcy said, then repeating what she read:  "Weight...two thousand...pounds.  I don't know if you could get in there without something breaking, dear."

Jamie nods.  "I don't think you can even fit in there with all of us too, child.  Maybe someone should guard our escape route, two at the most."

He was very eager to press the buttons but he restrained himself while they sorted out the igatho situation. He bit his lip quietly not really wanting to seperate anyone from anyone but she just wouldnt fit. Maybe Darcy? I mean Igatho already kinda sees her as mom."

  "Well, we already know Igatho can take care of herself better than most probably could in here." If dreamtime slugfests are any indication.

  "Though unless the elevator suddenly stops working, it won't be a very long wait to have them use it after we do to catch up."

"Good job, Igatho!"

Nathan thinks about it.  2,000 lbs would be... 10 grown human men?  No way Igatho weighs THAT much.  Heck, the combined weight of the entire team wouldn't be that much.  And she could totally fit in there.  ...sitting down.

"We can all go together.  It'll just be a little crowded."

Igatho gets that beaming proud smile kids get for being congratulated on a good job when Nathan says she did a good job.

Igatho giggles. "You can't fool me, Darcy! Pounds is spelled P-O-U-N-D-S! Not L-B-S!"

She starts getting pouty when people suggest she has to stay behind. Igatho wants this ride BADLY. Her first reaction would be to throw a toddler tantrum, but she is worried that might lessen her chances of getting a ride. So she shelves the idea of throwing a tantrum to think on how to use persuasion to get her way this time. "...can we try something? I can sit in it and we add people. If it creeks, maybe I should stay. But if it doesn't creek, I can ride with you?"

In reply to Igatho (msg # 296):

"L-B-S is the abbreviation of 'Pounds,' Igatho," Darcy said.  "You'd have just as good as finding out why it's spelled like that as I do, though."

When Igatho showed her plan, Darcy and Jamie looked at each other and shrugged.

"Sounds like a plan," Jamie said.

"Maybe it goes down and then up," Darcy said.  "If that works, maybe we can split into two groups."

Jamie showed a bit of incredulity.  "Are you suggesting splitting the party?!"

"Better than handling one of Igatho's meltdowns."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:27, Sat 25 Nov 2017.

The rabbit pulled at Jamies robes " easy. Look splitting wont be that bad its not like were gonna split up and go explore. were just going up getting up and the next group coming while we wait. not that of a deal. "

  Tark can sympathize with Igatho's issues with how nonsensical language can get at times.  He then nods to Meiou and Igatho, "Yeah. That's the idea if it turns out we can't fit everyone at once."

  Igatho is a giant baby, but that's still a medium creature.  It's not like trying to get a horse to climb a ladder while riding it.

"Dibs on riding with Igatho!" Nathan declares eagerly.

He reaches to take her hand and tug her into the elevator.  "Watch your head!"

He'll let someone else push the button if they don't spend more time debating on what to do.  But they've got exactly five seconds to make a move for the elevator before he'll lose patience and push a button.

Igatho enters the elevator. No creaking happens. As the others pile in, the elevator will show no signs of buckling from the weight.

Igatho sits in the elevator and will happily have anyone willing on her lap! With a squeal, a giggle, and a big smile.

The team is currently on Floor 1. Floor options are Floor 2 or Basement Floors 1 to 3. Where will you all go?

Very basic guesses:

Darcy: about 130 lbs. + gear (50 lbs) = 180 lbs
Jamie: about 130 lbs. + gear (10 lbs) = 140 lbs
Meiou: about 50 lbs. + gear (10 lbs) = 60 lbs
Nathan: about 100 lbs. + gear (20 lbs) = 120 lbs
Tark: about 220 lbs. + gear (80 lbs) = 300 lbs
Igatho: 568 lbs. + gear (100 lbs) = 668 lbs

Total: 1,468 lbs.