Jamie looks over at the western path out of town...and Pan could just sense a growing sense of mischievousness.

Everybody else saw Jamie showing a very impish grin.  "This has...possibilities...I'll deal with their escape route."  She then gave her combination of an angelic laugh and a hag's cackle.  Never a truer sign that Jamie Wintertouch is up to no good.

In her mind's eye, she saw a foam trap here, and a suspended bedpan there, here a swinging log, there something she saw in a movie once. (Very long story...)

(Dittos with the theme in her head:  https://youtu.be/-y3h9p_c5-M)

"It's going to take some time to get everything set right, especially when I don't want the villagers to get caught by accident."  She then calls for Sarah.

'Wake up, my dear," Sarah hears Jamie's voice say as a thought of a gentle shake stirred her awake.  "I need the wagon brought around to the Western path of town."  Even Sarah could tell that she's got mischief in her mind.

  Tark’s player knows at least, considering he suggested the magic item to Zerry.

  “I think they can probably slowly walk out of town by the time Rube Goldberg traps are set, Jamie… As much as I’d probably want to see that." He expects Jamie considers ACME catalogues as important as her spellbook.

"Honestly it seems outside of ‘make sure mage can’t interfere’, the rest of the elaborate planning seems based around the fact nobody can make up their mind if just walking up to him and challenging him in front of a bunch of witnesses means pan or I would still lose.  General humiliation is great, but the job was for something that at least looks respectable from our end to witnesses."

Sarah yawned and rubbed her eyes hearing jamies voice. She went to wagon to bring it around while at the same time prepping what few spells she had for the day. She didnt know what her mistress had in mind but could tell she was up to something. 

Pyrus of course follows along as well.  He smiles at Zerry's wall-climbing prowess, thinking on how amusing the reactions she must get are.  Then he listens to his friends and nods.

"Thank you for that insight, Pan.

"I'm thinking our friend Jamie is expecting that Karl will not be allowed to leave so soon and that she'll have plenty of time to prepare a proper send-off, Tark.  I expect the same.  The question is how best to goad him into a fight when he apparently is wise to someone in town being out of his league even with magical aid.  Perhaps false information that his renowned fighter is not at her best today?  Suffering from a wound, illness, or emotional impairment?  Or better yet, that she just left town.  Any ideas as to whom it is he's so wary of?  If we can gain her cooperation, he'll be more likely to fall into our trap."

Zerry says, "You have a wagon, so maybe I can try to sell them on your energy drink? That coffee you mentioned? Since I'm already energetic, they might believe I am energetic because of the coffee."

Pan nods to Pyrus and listens to everyone. "I will do what I can to slow them down then. Keeping in mind the idea you had in mind, Pyrus, I will see if I can persuade them to believe the incoming hero is weakened... As for who she is? I do not know, but if I am to fool them, I will need to find out who she is and fast."

With that, Jamie spins around to Zerry, placing her hands on the centaur's sholders.  "Zerry, dearie!  You might have a point there.  I might need a distraction to keep the guards from getting wise.  I usually have to charm them into leaving me be or even helping me out, but that spell's something I don't want to rely on too much.  Too high a risk of backlash."

Jamie still remembers the last time she charmed a guard, only to spend the rest of the hour running screaming away from someone who wanted her hand in marriage!  She shuddered.  (Think of Pepe Le Pew)


"I still have enough morning brew for a couple dozen vials.  Give me a moment when the wagon comes around."

  Tark will have to settle for Jamie's explanation that the only reason she's not charming people willy nilly, is a fear of consequences for her actions.  At the very least that means better odds of Tark being able to show his face in town again after all this.

  "I suppose if all else fails, I can just walk up to him and ask if it's true he's never lost a fight before challenging them in the middle of the street.  Though while we're at it, hopefully when Meiou or Not Meiou Honest get back we can have them confirm that's actually the guy under that oddly conspicuous cloak first.  I'm sure Jamie wouldn't want all her planning wasted for following the wrong guy."

Sarah yawned as she pulled the wagon up to the group. Still rather sleepy but she went with it the best she could unsure why her mistress was eager

Pyrus chuckles at the suggestion.

"Considering he's wanting to be able to leave town as is physically and magically possible, a coffee boost might be just the thing to attract his attention.  Good idea, Zerry.

"I'm a tad concerned that he suggested to his friend that he memorize invisibility.  If you have any scrolls of glitterdust, that could prove very helpful, Jamie."

He nods to Tark.  "Not everyone is a master of disguise, but it would be quite vexing to find we've been stalking a decoy."

To Pan he smiles and says, "I'll ask the local fighters about this famous person.  I'm sure they'll have heard the rumor as well.  I'll be right back."

He goes and asks around.

FAST FORWARD!

What Pyrus finds out: According to locals, the famous fighter is a gal who simply goes by "May". Some say she is a kobold, others say she is half dragon. Still others claim she might be some kind of lizardfolk cousin. Nobody can quite agree on what exactly she is, but they can all agree she is a lizardy thing who happens to have blonde human-like hair on her head. Pyrus also finds out May is a lover of all weapons and has become a renowned weapons expert. As for her reputation as a fighter, people say she is a dragon slayer and has ventured into the another realm to take down space pirates. She is said to be part of a team who have thwarted no less than three wars and probably more....*

*All true of this character. Tark, Pyrus and I play in a 4th edition game called "Scales of War" and are currently lvl 22. But since this is Aethercoil, I didn't list "took out 4 exarchs and befriended 3 gods" since this world is different enough that I doubt the same events could quite have occurred.

Meanwhile! Jamie has her cart all set up like a proper snake oil salesperson and Karl spots it. Initially, he seems intent on ignoring it, but then a Zerry ZOOMS up to him! "JetFuelCoffee! JetFuelCoffee!" how she even talks that fast is a mystery "Getchyer JetFuelCoffeeRightHere!!!! One gulp and you'll run as fast as meeeeeee!" zoom! Zerry gallops in circles around the cart, kicking up a small cloud of dust.

Karl sweatdrops. Then thinks about it. He walks over to the cart and looks at Jamie. "Does that speed also enhance reflexes?"

Meanwhile! Pan is staying out of sight with Tark (Up to Meiou if he stays hidden with Pan or out in the open with Jamie and Zerry). "If this doesn't work, I guess that will be your cue to challenge him..." Pan looks at Tark with sincerity. "But the only reason I would let you fight instead of me is if you want to. Far be it from me to have you fight when I could have done so and prevented harm to you." There goes her protective nature.

Karl would've also seen Jamie set up an assortment of traps along the back door, throughout the courtyard where Zerry was hawking homemade energy shots, and the final gate to the western path into the forest.

What Karl didn't know is the movie that Jamie took the traps from:  A bedpan overhead here.  A vial of oil there.  Several bags of marbles, a covered pit between some stalls, and if the feed actually succeeds in making it to the gate, a suspended log is waiting for him there to knock him back into this Rube Goldberg hell.

The villagers who saw that were looking over what she built, a bit hesitant even though Jamie told them that they're currently still safe.  She has a double trigger on each of her traps; a trigger that she controls that arms them, and the ones that the feeb will trigger himself.  (To arm the traps, Jamie will use mage hand to put everything in place.

One of the guards who helped her set things up said, "You will be putting everything back after this, right?"

"Of course," Jamie said.  But then she mutters, "I will not charm the guard, I will not charm the guard, I will not charm the guard."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:55, Mon 12 June 2017.

  It would be less pride, and more the fact Pan doesn't seem to be the sort to deserve some jerk taking swings at her as much as Tark would.

  After the setup, Tark is impressed something like that is set up so readily by amateurs.  He needs to reevaluate what he can accomplish with his actual proficiency in construction.  _{You know, aside from perfect 5x5 foot design without a ruler.}

  "I'll do what I can about cleanup, if Jamie is suddenly absent once the dust settles."

The rabbit looked to Tark and Pan then back out towards Jamie and Zerry. Pan could feel his mixed emotions of feeling the need to try and protect Pan and Tark and take out the enemy first to feeling nervous about his skills. Sure he boasts but he felt that without those missing memories he was just a shell doing what Pip had trained him to. These people were what was the word he was looking for, Friends. He hadn't had those before and he was very conflicted about if he was capable of keeping them.

"Remember, the plan was to have Sess fight him."

Pyrus is ever so amused at Zerry's salesmanship.  And how perfectly Karl is falling into the ruse.  And at Jamie saying "I will not charm the guard" out loud.  He quickly relays what he's learned then goes to try and find this "May."  To say he's intrigued by her doesn't begin to describe his level of interest.

Pan looks at Meiou. Then goes to pull him in for a hug.

Pan gives Pyrus a smile and a nod in acknowledgement to let him know she heard him.

To Karl's question, Zerry screeches to a halt and looks dumbfounded. "Let's find out!"

Sess is approaching with a bunch of townsfolk. "Yes. Let's. I am here for a re-match, Karl."

Karl looks over to see Sess and the townsfolk. "Oh... alright..." he thinks this his opportunity. "But this has to be my only fight today."

Looks like Jamie's traps will be used a little later and Tark & Pan will not need to fight this guy, but the point of them was to make sure the guy stayed in town, so that is fine. Little does this guy know that just because Sess isn't May doesn't mean he won't lose... thanks to some teamwork.

Sure enough, the team can easily see Chirpy going to blend with the crowd before any of the crowd even realizes there was another man with Karl.

Meanwhile: Pyrus is able to find May easily. She is quite the celebrity visiting this town and when Pyrus finds her, there is no mistaking the little lizard with blonde hair. She is in a tavern just a few blocks away and is in the middle of telling the tale of how, out of reflex, she bit this guy's leg and light shown out her mouth before the guy's leg exploded.* "And the moral is: Never underestimate the power of friendship! Friendship can make your bites explosive!"

*True story.

Giving everything the second once over and seeing that everything is in place, she took a deep breath, nodded, headed over to an open air cafe for a tall glass of tea, and waiting for Meiou to come back to her.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:14, Fri 16 June 2017.

  Tark would be happy to hear Meiou's inner monologue, but he's not the Empath here.

  "So, Jamie. I'm going to try and judge it as optimism that I don't want to step in.  Because that means I'm expecting your ACME catalog be something I'd rather see at a distance."

  Still, keeping an eye on Chirpy is what he's trying to do either way.  Since as interesting as watching Sess pound Karl, or reputed Weredrakes talk about exploding bites would be…  Chirpy is the part of the job not finished yet.

He shivered and blushed at the hug from Pan. He was still nervous but not really quesitoning himself anymore for the time being. he just focused on the task at hand of waiting to strike.

Pyrus uses magic to catch May's attention if he has to.

"May!  Your reputation suggests you're a woman of justice!  There is a villain trying to slip out of town at this very moment, because he fears you.  If you'll come with me, I'll explain on the way!"

If she agrees to come along, he'll explain the situation while returning to the others.

"...so will you be willing to help us expose Karl for the fraud he is to restore Sess' honor?"

May listens to Pyrus and grins. "I'd love to help! But from what you are telling me, I think you've got all the help you need. Still, I'll come and be on standby in case he has some other trick up his sleeve."

Meanwhile, back at the fight, Sess charges at Karl and Karl seems to be barely holding his own against Sess. It doesn't take long for Karl to give a subtle signal and Meiou (and anyone else who is on the lookout for Chirpy) can see Chirpy beginning to cast a spell.

Pyrus and May are showing up around this time, but neither would be able to get close enough to do anything before Chirpy can get his spell off.

Jamie just leans back and smiles.  "Oh, don't worry, Tark.  My traps are idiot proof.  Nothing will happen until I want it to happen."

  "Well, you might need them fairly soon then Jamie."  If Meiou doesn't interrupt the wizard, Tark will probably resort to something as subtle as a brick.

A literal brick.  Hey, it's less pointy than a javelin.

The rabbit quietly slips into the crowd to come up behind chirpy and quietly whispers to him "I'd stop that if i were you.Be a real shame if something were to suddenly happen. "

A burlap sack over his head would likely be enough to stop Chirpy.  Most magic requires line of sight.

"Thanks.  What I need you to do is..."

Pyrus notices that Sess is fighting Karl.  "Huh.  Change of plans.  Looks like my friends managed to goad Karl into a rematch with Sess in spite of his big hurry to avoid you.  So I guess what we need to do is find Chirpy and loudly expose him when he tries to use his magic on Karl.  Your rep will really lend a lot of weight to the reveal."

Chirpy slowly glances over his shoulder to see if he can spot who his assailant is. But he has stopped casting, at least.

May says, "Find Chirpy. Got it." and heads into the crowd with surprising stealth. How is her armor not making sound? And how did she just turn invisible?

Meanwhile, Zerry goes to the front of the crowd and says, "WOOOOOHOOOOO! This is KARL! The guy who has a long winning streak! Undefeated as he goes across the lands and challenges warriors who are well-known for their ability to fight! He ain't afraid of anyone and will take on any fighter! And! And! SESS! Greatest Lizardfolk warrior for dozens of miles! Give it up!"

The crowd begins clapping and cheering for the fight.

Pan watches intently. "I sense worry in both Karl and Chirpy. Especially Karl." she comments.

Speaking of idiot-proof, the village idiot is wandering his way to one of Jamie's traps. Because idiots have a reputation to keep up.