This is a one shot adventure "The Devil Box"

You have traveled for several days, heading towards the infamous festival the people of Muffin's Honor call The Shackling. As you crest a small rise, you note a small farm just below you. A sign before you reads:

"Only chance for a decent bite until Muffin's Honor"

The smell of fresh baked bread wafts out of a small cottage at the edge of the property. As you pass the sign, the opposite faces reads:

"Last chance for a decent bite for three days"

You nod your head in agreement, having just come from that direction. Your stomach nods in unison with a slight growl. As you enter the establishment, a motherly human woman welcomes you to Rusty's Inn and Pub.

"Darling, you look parched, have a seat, and what can I get for you?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:15, Thu 17 Apr 2008.

A furtive shape scuttled along behind the paddock fence, keeping to the shadows, barely making a noise above a whisper. He was entering human lands now, and had to be extra careful.

Carefully he peeked through the gap in the fence. No-one about. Good, good, still good.

But when he turned back, he got the fright of his life and as a huge and terrible monster loomed over him. Quickly he threw himself through the gap in the fence, and peeked back from the safety of the other side. "Shoo now away you will, Mr Cow." he hissed, then took off along the ditch before the great beast could moo and give away his position.

With stealthiness and caution, he approached the sign and tried to read it. He'd picked up some of the surface world language, during his travels underground and the times recently spent above. "Muffins... bite... Mmm." His stomach began to rumble, reminding him all too sadly of the dried mushroom rations and cold rat in his pack. Muffins were human food, he was sure, and he guessed a good one if they could be said to have 'honour'.

He had an idea.

Dashing closer to the village like a brave and hungry rat, he stayed out of sight of humans and crept beneath windows. No one saw the sneaky gnome, even when he detoured through an open window and out the back door, right under human noses.

Then finally he was right outside the door of the "'Rusty Inn And Pub?'" Could buildings get rusty? He didn't know; the surface-world was so strange.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, he weaved a little magic and placed a glamer about himself. Now there a stood a human man - short, dark, dressed in drab grey traveller's clothes and bland of face. It was as utterly forgettable as a human could be.

His disguise done, he stepped inside.



He almost jumped as the human woman spoke to him, but he quickly recovered his composure. "Muffins. Food. Uh, food and muffins I would like, yes please." Ha! A perfect disguise.


OOC: Disguise Self SLA, 20 minutes
This message was last edited by the player at 07:47, Wed 07 May 2008.

Caitlin was limping a little but she tried to hide it from Loorn who could get so over protective if he thought his lover was hurt. "It's just a small stone." she thought, knowing fully well that the musclebound barbarian would carry her to hell and back if she showed it to him. She looked up at him and tossed a strand of her black hair out of her face, her emarald green eyes lingered on his massive form for a moment then gave him a warm smile. Loorn was an exceptional person. Not just in his physique but also in the way how he had put his trust and confidence into Caitlin. He was the first one who truly loved her, despite of her looks and other shortcomings. He was the only human worthy of her trust, the only one in the world that she would trust... ever.

The pretty Illuskan lass saw the sign and looked at her lover again, gently she poked his 6-pack tummy with a slender finger, fully expecting to hear his stomach giving off a hungry grumble. "We should get something to eat, don't you agree?" she smiled again and pressed her taut body, which was clad in black studded leather armor, into the man at her side.

Loorn had seen her limp for quite some time and was wondering when Caitlin was to give it up and actually say something, Loorn might be a bit slow but he wasn’t blind. Why wouldn’t she ask for help, ask to slow down… anything. But she kept going, pressing on despite everything. He would have done anything she had asked for, he had in the past and would in the future as well… He hoped it hadn’t anything to do with their last fight in which she had sworn she hadn’t been hit. Not that she had allowed him to see for himself.

“You just want to see me naked…” She had retorted and killed the request then and there… Caitlin could really be wilful and he let her, sometimes he even wondered if he could steer her will if he actually tried… probably not, if anyone was steering someone it was she guiding him.

Caitlin saw the sign first and pocked Loorn in the stomach suggesting them to take a bit. He smiled down at her and felt that he actually was hungry. Looking at the sign he again wished that he had learned the ability to read.

“Yeah, that would be wise I guess… I would prefer a real meal than an additional day of day rations.” Feeling her body against his Loorn placed his arms around her and lifted her off the ground and gave her a kiss, his shining chain shirt gleamed in the sun and the head of his large great axe stood up just behind his head. It was a quick kiss and he let her down again giving her a wink.

“Come lets see what they have on the menu. My turn to pick…” Turning and with his arm still around his woman he marched in through the door.

Rusty's Inn and Pub is just slightly more than a very large farm home. Rusty and his wife Darla operate the farm with the help of some farmhands and run the Inn and Pub to supplement their income.

Darla looks up from Schnicklegulp's table as Loorn and Caitlin enter, "be with you in just a moment, have a seat anywhere, "looks at Schnicklegulp "Muffin's eh? I'll see what we have in the kitchen, how about some vegetable stew?"

Darla walks over to where Loorn and Catilin sit "and what can I get for you two?"

Ooh, vegetables. Maybe even fresh. He was in luck. "Vegetable stew I will have, yes please." the bland looking ersatz human nodded eagerly. "Mushrooms I will have none." Blegh, he'd eaten enough of those lately, eating deeply into the last of his supplies since he'd arrived.

Now his eyes lit up as a thought occurred. "Meat you do have? Not rat? Meat I shall have with my stew then." Vegetables and meat and muffins; he'd decided to eat fancy tonight.

Once he'd ordered, he found himself a table, for one, in a darkly-lit corner close to the exits, and sat with his back to the wall, spying suspiciously on everyone else. A svirfneblin couldn't be too careful.

Schnickle only hoped his disguising spell and handful of loose change would last the meal.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Sat 10 May 2008.

Not even throwing an eye of Schnicklegulp (it wasn't even certain Loorn had noticed him so far) Loorn shot Darla a very friendly smile.

"We would like a room and something to eat, something roasted for me if you have and for now a large pitcher of water." His arm laid protective over the shoulders of Caitlin.

"Yes, and I would like some of that vegetable stew you mentioned, it sounds lovely." Caitlin said with a sweet smile, that died the second Darla turned her back on the couple. Immediately the eyes of the lass darted this way and that, looking for exits and places to hide or defend best. She would never know when the shadows came alive.

Her arm snaked around Loorn's waist reflexively, Caitlin hadn't counted the days or months they had walked together but despite the trouble they had gone through, it was the best time she had, ever. The realization made her thankful and for the fraction of a second she felt humble and blessed. But the feeling passed quickly and her mind was back to her usual paranoia. A paranoia that had saved their lives repeatedly.

Darla responds to the bland human "Sure hun, I'll try and avoid mushrooms for your bowl... Stew, muffins, and some meat, I'm fairly sure we have some roasted turkey. I'll be back in a moment."

Turning to the lovely couple, "I'll bring out some roast turkey and vegetable stew for you two. I'll have Mella tidy up a room for you two. It's such a delight to have so many customers this eve." With that, she turns to the kitchen and as the curtain slips to the side, you detect the delicious aromas wafting out of the kitchen.

She returns several minutes later with a large, to Schnikle, bowl of vegetable stew, with a lone mushroom in it, a large muffin dotted with dried berries, and a side plate of roasted turkey, which is plump and juicy.

For the lovely couple, nearly a half turkey for the large man, an appetizing leg, prominently sticking out, a bowl of delectable vegetable stew for the lady, and a pitcher of water for the table.

You all hear some footsteps approaching the door, and it opens, in steps a man, still cloaked in shadows from the rapidly dropping sun.

Darla says "Welcome to Rusty's, hungry dear? These fine folk were just settling in with some vegetable stew and turkey, everything raised and grown here on the farm, fresh as can be!"

[Private to Quinlan Fairfellow: Quinlan, this is your opening.]

Quinlan bows low in answer to the woman's welcome: Mylady, you must be a mindreader! Please bring me a plate and a bottle of your best local wine!

Still keeping his hood on, Quinlan scans the room for a good place to sit and find one in the back against the wall. He approaches the table and asks the man sitting there: Please sir, may I take a seat? (To Schnicklegulp)
This message was last edited by the player at 07:01, Mon 12 May 2008.

Loorn wasn’t as paranoid as Caitlin if that was because he trusted that people around him wasn’t to want to harm them or if it was because he trusted on Caitlin’s suspicious behavior to detect anything out of the ordinary he never really thought of. He thanked Darla, picked out a nice table not standing in the middle of the room and headed over to it. To honor that they actually was indoors he took the liberty to act as the gentleman he wasn’t and pulled out the chair for his loved one before he dumped his equipment and weapons in a pile beside his own chair leaving the battle axe hanging in the noose around his waist. The longbow and great axe he placed so he easily could get hold of them if needed.

“It crowds up…” He commented as the newcomer walked in through the door.

Schnickle regarded the man like a hawk. He would have refused, out of a svirf's natural inclination to avoid strangers, but he remembered that he was a human now, and had to act like one. However that was. Presumably that meant being polite and sociable. "Sit, you may." he muttered.

Not paying much attention to him after that, he stabbed the lone and offending mushroom with his fork. He sighed, and quickly gobbled it up to have done with it. Then he ate into the rest of his stew and turkey with gusto, relishing the hot warm food that tumbled into his belly after so long.

Darla brings another bowl of vegetable stew out from the kitchen and another plate of roast turkey for Quinlan.

"Are you two friends?" she asks of Quinlan and Schnickle, seeing as they are sitting together.


"Are you all headed to Muffin's Honor for The Shackling? Tis such a wonderful event, and the animal antiquarian is in town with his collection of beasties too!"


It's a mere 4sp per person to spend the night, dinner and breakfast tomorrow included. For those who wish to spend less, they can take a 1sp discount if they elect to do chores, either in the kitchen, this evening, or in the fields in the morning after breakfast.

I'm Quinlan Fairfellow, and I came for the shackling... guess I will need a good disguise? Quinlan adds jokingly as he pulls back his hood, revealing his dark skin and white hair. Those sitting close to him will note that while his Drow heritage is unquestionable, his physical traits are also definitely human, especially his hazel eyes.
Quinlan wears a dark green leather tunic with silver embroideries over a dark silk shirt (shimmering in purple). His tight-fitting dark pants are tucked into a pair of yellow soft leather boots.
A long bow, of the kind favoured by the Dales militia, is slung across his shoulder and he carries a rapier at his side. You assume he carries more weapons under the travellers cloak he wears.

Finding his money-pouch, Schnickle emptied it on the table with a clatter. A small,  sad and lonely pile of coins appeared, a motley collection of coinage: some marked with spiders and cackling drow queens, others with severe dwarven kings and shields, a number of grubby surface world coppers and silvers picked up off the road, and even a few green brain-marked illithid exchange tokens.

He pondered the problem of what to do with them. There was enough to pay for meals and room today, but was there enough left for the next time? He could save some money and carry out some chores for these big-folk, he'd done worse to survive, but his spell of disguise could not last long enough. He'd have to reveal himself, but would it be safe for a little svirfneblin?

Of course, there was always the option of a sneaky escape...



Friends? By the deep, these humans were presumptuous! They'd only just met, and it could take a svirfneblin a decade of acquaintance to reach only the 'pal' stage. Schnickle shook his head vigorously. "Not at all, no." then went back to his meal.

His magically-concealed pointy ears pricked up as he listened. It must have been some human ritual, this Shackling. Perhaps they tied themselves up with chains. And there was an 'animal antiquarian', which sound most unusual. A scholar of antique animals?

***

He almost leapt out of his chair in surprise as the drow revealed himself. Drow! They were all doomed! Flee! It was only the cower-and-hide-and-look-really-small reaction that stopped him, for he shrunk into his corner in surprise.

Then he caught himself, as wits overtook instincts. Drow, but not quite. Bigger, chunkier. He'd known another drow-blood like that, Illianka, and she had been kind to him. He could almost call her friend.

So anxiously, he watched and waited to see whether the drow would launch on a killing spree or behave more like Illianka would.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:07, Tue 13 May 2008.

Quinlan barely noticed the human's sudden reaction as he revealed himself, it was something he had grown accustomed to over the years. At least he doesn't immediately bring out a weapon... he thinks to himself.
Grinning widely at the lady and the laden plate placed before him he digs into his food, satisfying his immediate hunger before adressing the man next to him:

Would you like to share this wine with me? It's more than half-decent!

Schnickle's fear competed with his desire for free food. Was the poison? But would it be better to play along with the drow? Slowly, Schnickle nodded. "Have a taste, I shall." He'd have to wait until after the drow-blood had had a drink, of course.

And with whom do I have the pleasure of sharing this drink with?
Quinlan asked, pouring up some wine for the unknown man.

Name, name, name! "Schnickle-" No, not that one! "Uh.... Human. Arhuman it is, a human I am. Yes." Whew! Saved!

He didn't touch the wine, not yet.

"And you are who?" asked the newly christened Schnickle Arhuman.

Still Quinlan Fairfellow! The young rogue states with a laugh. So, you're here for the shackling? Mr... Arhuman. he asks his peculiar dinner partner, not quite knowing what to think of this odd character.

09:32, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 15 using 1d20+8. Spot.

"Shackling? No, no idea what it is have I." he said, shaking his head. "But this 'animal antiquarian' like to see I should." Schnickle liked animals, more so that most gnomes.

He glanced around, uncomfortable at the drow's proximity. So far, no one else in the inn had run in terror from the drow nor tried to drive him off. It was more like an Underdark tavern, where drow were too dominant and frightful to be rid of. Were they as common on the surface as they were below?

Could a svirfneblin get by the same then? Schnickle was anxiously aware that his glamer was running out of time. Soon he would have to either reveal himself or flee.

Schnickle slid the glass of wine closer to him, though he still didn't drink from it. He said a short phrase in the Undercommon tongue, wondering if the drow-ling would understand. "Thank I you." Strangely, this drow-blood was the most familiar thing on this strange surface world.


OOC: Disguise 21
I guess he is a reasonably facsimile of a human, even if the behaviour and speech is all wrong. :)

I too am intriguied by the fantastic creatures on display. Quinlan replies. He does not react to the Undercommon phrase, and simply takes it as a form of "cheers".

Caitlin began eating her stew when a new figure entered the inn. While sipping on the hot food, her eyes never left the newcomer. Her eyes went wide for a second when she instinctively assumed Quinlan was a fullblooded drow. But she knew them. He was no drow but a half-breed. Caitlin relaxed just a little, wondering what made a half-breed provoke the wrath of ignorant humans. Or perhaps he was known enough in this place that nobody would hunt and kill him.

A movement at her side caught her attention and she saw her lover's hand jerking towards his blade. Quickly her hand covered his and her eyes transported a silent message to him: Don't! "He's a half-breed. Don't act yet." the girl hissed under her breath, knowing Loorn trusted her instincts, or her paranoia as he called it. She called it a sense of self-preservation.

Something didn't fit the picture...

[Private to DM Tarkin: Please make a sense motive roll for Caitlin]
This message was last edited by the player at 10:33, Fri 16 May 2008.

OOC: Quinlan actually orders a bottle of wine with his food, but it's ok if Caitlin missed that ;-)

I'll have your rooms ready in just a little while, there are rooms up the stairs over there, she hands out 3 keys with simple wooden identifiers.

Breakfast is served shortly after sun up, take your time with the wine. Just leave the dishes for me in the morning.

[Private to Caitlin o'Donnel: you don't sense any malice from the half drow]

"He's good at hiding his intentions. He even manages to hide them from me." the woman thought, then caught the innkeeper talking about rooms. "Ah thank you ma'am, a cozy bed is highly appreciated." Caitlin said and took the key, looking it over for a second, assessing how secure the look could be. Not satisfied with the result, she decided that she would have to protect them as she did usually.

As Loorn saw the drow enter it was as if something bestial had awaken inside him, his hand went for his axe but Caitlin’s voice stopped him and he turned his head and looked at her, then finally nodded.

“Hardly the time… or place…” He thought letting his hand fall away from the axe and back to his place. His food was good but their company spoiled his appetite rather quickly and just barely managed to finish his meal. Getting their room felt suddenly very important.

As the key arrived Loorn nodded to the woman and said a quit thank you for their dinner.

The surprise appearance of the drowling had distracted Schnickle, and he'd lost count of how long his glamer had been running. He figured he still had the time though; he just had to make the most use of it.

He merely nodded to the drow-known-as-Quinlan, and set to licking his plate clean after the vegetable stew, and gobbling up the roast turkey. Now he was busy gnawing on a drumstick that, he reflected, was so large it could very well have come from a gnome.

Then something rather strange happened.

One moment, there sat the blandly human character that had behaved so oddly. The next, there was a much shorter and odder creature. He was a gnome, probably, but grey of skin and ratty of face, and much shorter and skinnier than most gnomes. The peasant clothes had been exchanged for scuffed and patched travelling gear and scrappy chain-shirt. He had the tools of an adventurer and explorer, a crossbow, and a deadly looking gnomish hooked hammer.

And he'd not noticed. He carried right on eating the drumstick and making lip-smacking and gravy-slurping noises.

"Ha!" Caitlin called out and pointed at the suddenly-less-than-human person at the next table. "I knew something was off! I have yet to see a more sloppy disguise." she commented, drawing her dagger, mentally readying a spell should hostilities break out.

And then it dawned on her, this wasn't her brother in disguise, nor anyone else of her family that were going after her. None of them would have been that sloppy, or dirty, and none of them would have chosen the guise of a half-drow. She was ready to slap her forehead but that would have been too obvious. Instead, her stance relaxed, just a tiny bit, still these fellows could mean trouble.

Uh oh... Schnickle, still with drumstick in hand, looked slowly around, from the angry shouty woman and the drow sitting opposite. They only just noticed that he was a drow? It was hardly even a disguise.

He shrank back into his seat, acted like he was paying no attention and tried to look even more small and unnoticeable.

Quinlan took the key and started juggling with it, adding the cutlery and the wine cup as he winked at the landlady and continued his conversation with his rather odd mate.

Yeah, so I'm something of a performer see, and hope to make a few gold at the festi... what!? The utensils dropped with a clutter and crash as Quinlan discovered the man next to him had transformed into what looked like an odd-looking gnome.
Tymora! What are you?

It was good juggling. Schnickle liked it. He guessed that Quinlan had swore to some surface-world god upon dropping his things.

"A human I am." he insisted. Perhaps he wanted to know his occupation; after all, he'd just given his. "A miner and prospector humble I am, and seeking work." Two half-truths had gone together to make a whole.

"I have yet to see a ... what... three foot human that is NOT a child." Caitlin said, now totally convinced she was talking to an imbecile who didn't realize his spell had worn off. "It is not working anymore, just in case you missed that."

Quinlan laughs at the sudden turn of events, merrily picking up his mess and waiting for the next explanation.
Don't worry little one; you're safe with me!

"...What?" With mounting horror, he looked at the little hands that now held the drumstick. It wasn't hard for him to not see the glamer, it made it easier to do things if he didn't imagine himself three feet taller than he was. He blinked a few times, but the glamer most definitely did not come into focus. Oh.

He gave a quick yelp of something in Gnomish - "Oh no!" then dived under the table and scooted under the chairs, not unlike a large rodent.


OOC: Hide 14, Move Silently 17

:D

Darla comes out of the kitchen and asks Would anyone care for some coffee? She stops, blinks a few times as at least one guest is gone and there appears to be a small gray person hiding under one of her tables.

Loorn really raises his eye brows at the transformation around the "human" who in reallity seems to be some kind of gnome or something. He was uncertain what kind though, it wasn't a type he had ever come across... and of course his loved one had known, she always did.

He moved away his hand from his weapon as he saw that the little one seemed to afraid to be something of a threat.

"Darling... I think you should..."

I've served you some more wine for when you're ready to come out from there! Quinlan says, earnestly. For all his mirth he does know something of the feelings the gnomeling experiences, being an outsider himself. Quinlan is intrigued by this fellow though, like seeing something out of a dream.

Caitlin looked at Loorn, then at the scene before her. Perhaps she had been really paranoid? Well, she hadn't been too far off that something wasn't right. But perhaps she didn't need to draw her weapon. She looked at Loorn again and realized how safe she felt when he was near.

Cait sheathed the dagger and sat down again. "Yes, a coffee would be nice. Maybe that little one would prefer a cup of tea though."

He peered from under his hiding spot. Well, they hadn't turned into monsters and tried to eat him or anything, yet. In fact, they were ordering drinks as though no great thing had happened.

He felt a little embarrassed, in fact.

So he laid under the chairs for a time, considering. A svirfneblin's natural instinct, drummed in since childhood, was to run and hide and be unnoticed and avoid dangers. It was the only way to be safe. But Schnickle was on the surface now, there was nowhere for one of his kind to hide from the dangers. No caves, no burrows, no walls, no roof. Just a big wide open space full of strange and unknown people. How could he even hide from all that?

Finally he slid out from the chair, staring upwards and blinking. Then he silently got to his feet, climbed back onto the chair, and sat down, without a word and looking very small indeed. Were they all watching him?

So, you two don't seem to be needing the Shackling, here to see the beasts as well?
Quinlan enquired, offering what was left of the wine to the two at the next table. He deliberately didn't fuss over the gnome when he appeared, simple slid the now full glass over as to acknowledge his presence.

As Caitlin relaxed, Loorn did the same and waved at the woman to return to their table once more.

Darla shakes off her surprise, and leans under the table and takes a look at the new Schnickle, Well, haven't you changed! Did you think we wouldn't allow you to stay here just because you don't look like us? Come on out and finish that muffin! she chides.

Darla comes over to Loorn and Caitlin at their summons, "yes dears? would you like some wine, or coffee, or something?"

Schnickle nodded to Darla and began to nibble on his muffin; small bites, chewed fast, like a rodent would. He even risked a sip of wine, as a show of bravery, and immediately felt a bit light-headed. Was it poison after all, or just the alcohol?

Nervous, anxious, he pondered. Now what? He glanced warily around at the others, trying to follow their conversation.

"I'd like some coffee, and perhaps a bottle of wine that we can take upstairs." Caitlin said and send a warm smile to Loorn, she knew he loved it when they got cozy. Or perhaps he just loved to have her anywhere as long as they were together.

Intently she watched the strange gnome, unlike most of the gnomes she had met - which wasn't really many - this one acted like a frightened animal. "How odd." she thought to herself and wondered about him.

Quinlan looked a little disappointed as the couple chose to ignore him.
We'll finish the bottle ourselves then Schnickle. He shrugs.
Shall we go to the festivities together in the morning? He asks the gnome.

Loorn winked back to Caitlin at the mention of wine. The order held promises about private pleasantness later on which he imagined both of them actually needed. Laying in a bed always beat laying outdoors on the ground.

He didn't care much for the strange gnome really, it clearly wasn't any threat to any of them so instead he paid his attention to his meal.

So the drowling was intent on being his ally, and the svirfneblin knew that there was safety in numbers, especially if one of those numbers was a drow. "Okay." he answered both questions, still close-mouthed and shy, and took another sip of wine. He was confident in his abilities to run and hide if anything went awry.

He looked forwards to seeing the animal show though. He could talk to some of them after all.

Darla brings coffee for everyone and an extra bottle of wine for Caitlin and Loorn to take up to their room, she mentions there are glasses there already. As it gets long into the evening, Darla announces she is closing the kitchen and you take it as a gentle hint she wishes to finally retire as well.

"Breakfast begins at sun up my friends."

It will be an uneventful night, and in the morning, after breakfast, those of you heading to Muffin's Honor will be hitting th road.

OOC: I'll wait until tuesday the 27th to allow for the holiday here in the US, but feel free to post any last "get to know each others" before the adventure starts.

At the tail-end of the evening, and emboldened by the wine, Schnickle put on a conspiratorial air and leaned closer to Quinlan. He whispered "Know what I am, do you, good drow?"

You look like a gnome, but none that i have seen before.

He didn't know? The drow-blooded one did not know? Schnickle eyed Quinlan suspiciously, but figured that he'd spoken the truth. Hmm. Perhaps he had never set foot down in the 'dark. Lucky was he.

"Just a gnome I am, and nothing more?" he queried at last, then nodded. "Good that is. Keep it that way, we shall. Else have to kill you I will." The so-called gnome winked and grinned, but that uncomfortable feeling remained that it hadn't entirely been in jest.

"And drow you are?" Schnickle was concerned that this apparent drow hadn't tried to kill anyone at all yet, and seemed friendly.

OOC: i'm going to zip ahead here in time and get this started. y'all can finish up your get to know each others, but it is now the next morning.

The sun streams into your rooms through the windows as the sun rises, it had been a fine night of sleep, the beds were super comfortable and the fires stoked warmly. The smell of breakfast comes wafting up the stairs. Baths are available for those who wish to partake, the water is hot.

When the sun rose over the horizon Loorn was still sound asleep. This was one thing he had learnt after he had met Caitlin to actually be able to relax when being indoors and in a proper bed. In the past he had always awoke just before sunrise now days that was more of an exception of the rules.

Schnickle surprised himself by still being present at the inn come morning. The proper svirfneblin thing to do would have been to creep off, silently and without a trace nor farewell. That way foes could not follow his tracks. But he was still here. He decided that he liked the warmth, the comfortable bed that was so big around a small gnome, and the good food. It was very welcome after his long travels, experiences and ordeals, both in the Underdark and on the surface. It was perhaps the first time he'd truly rested since leaving Neblheim.

He still awoke nice and early, and creeped downstairs, almost fearfully, to fetch himself a big warm bowl of porridge.

Darla is already bustling around the kitchen when Schnickle gets downstairs. She looks up and says "Why, hello there little one, would you like something to eat? There is fresh fruit on the tray over there, we have eggs, and ham, and, ooh, plenty of porridge." She smiles brightly, you can tell she has been up since before the sun rose.

Quinlan awakes refreshed from the rest and heads down to the common room for breakfast. Good morning dear! He greets Darla, grabbing an apple on the go before settling in next to Schnickle.
Good morning master gnome! Did you sleep well? Feeling up to visiting the fair?

"Thanks to you." Schnickle answered Darla, and began helping himself, by a lot. He got the feeling that due to his small size and frantic behaviour of the night before, she treated him as she would a human child. Some of the others did too. That was good, he decided, for it meant that the big folk underestimated him.

To Quinlan he replied "Indeed I did, yes. Better than a flat rock or squishy mushroom the bed was, by far." He slurped up a spoonful of porridge flavoured with honey, and added "Love to visit the fair I would." A whole night and the drow had not flipped up and killed everybody; Schnickle decided he could trust him. To an extent, anyway.

Since Caitlin still was sound asleep Loorn decided to let her sleep for now and dressed, took his battle axe which he hung in his belt and went down to the ground floor to get something to eat. If she hadn't awoken in a while he would return to awake her, in his own way... he was sure that she wouldn't mind.

As he walked down the stairs he found himself a place to sit and then ordered his breakfast.

Darla busies herself around the kitchen and dining area, helping everyone with what they need.

"Let me know when y'all will be ready to go, I'll pack a lunch for you all. You are leaving together, right? It's about a 5 hour walk from here, quite pleasant too!"

That is most kind of you, I guess we won't be long leaving.
Quinlan replied, taking a look at the battle-ready barbarian.

Caitlin dreamt of things only she would remember...

ooc: Just showing I'm still around. Just terribly busy.

"Thanks to you." Schnickle said to Darla, then added "The Deep Brother smile on and keep safe your inn, I pray."

To Quinlan he asked "Human-folk travel with us, will they?" The drow was seeming to Schnickle to be the most familiar thing here, both for their known menace and his lost friend Illianka.

I would think so, we're all going to the same place and it will be several hours walking before we arrive.
Quinlan collects his belongings and appears ready to head out. He pulls up the hood on his cloak as the small group exits the inn.

"Thank you." Loorn said giving Quinlan a second glance. He still didn't trust him regarding what Caitlin said. She had been wrong in the past and this could be one of those times, but her words stopped him from cutting him down where he stood. It was that thing that he walked down in daylight too, which to Loorn's knowledge Drows didn't do.

"It seems so," His voice held suspision. "We never discussed that yesterday so lets see what the Princess says as she wakes up." He said to Darla.

Darla smiles, "There is rarely trouble between here and Muffin's Honor, I would think you would spend the time walking together, it's a single path from here, and it would just be awkward ignoring one another for that long. Don't you think? You kids will be just fine."

While waiting for the lady to join them, Quinlan picks up an odd looking hat from his pack.
What do you think I should wear for disguise? This one too obvious? He adds as he puts on the hat and his features suddenly changes to that of a black panther, whiskers and all.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:00, Mon 09 June 2008.

"Neat, for a festival." Caitlin said, who had showed up after what seemed to her a century of sleep. "But it is useless if you want to pass by and be forgotten a second later." she thought to herself.

Caitlin had seen everyone ready and asked the innkeeper for breakfast 'to go'. Since there were no travelling mugs available, she had to settle for a quick sip of some hot coffee before leaving the friendly inn.

With her breakfast bag in hand she turned to smile at Loorn "So, are we ready to go?"

The svirfneblin scowled. "Think I do that too many drow associate with black panthers."

Then he smiled. "Need a hat, you do? Do that I can all by myself. Old svirfneblin trick." He declared, proudly. Too bad he could only keep it up for a limited time, as everyone discovered last night.

"Ready to go I am."

Ah, but I am no Drow, although it does appear my father was... or is. I'm a Dalesman. Quinlan replies, winking. He removes his hat.
Svirfnerblin? Is that the name of your people? Quinlan inquires, clearly interested by the little ones revelation.
What other tricks do you know?

Oh no! He'd said it! "Svirfneblin I am, yes." he answered circumspectly. "And of tricks I have others, but none that at this time you need to know!" After all, the secrets of the svirfnebli were theirs to keep.

Very true. Shall we venture forth then, it's a rather long way to get to the fair? Quinlan asks the small group. As they head outside, Quinlan pulls up the hood of his cloak, hiding his dark face and white hair from the eyes of the casual observer.

Your party heads out on the road, its a solid five hours of walking to Muffin's Honor, you should arrive by mid-afternoon. The road itself is empty of other traveler's, and meanders throughout the gently rolling green hills. Its punctuated with lone trees every so often on hilltops off to the side of the road.

At lunchtime, you stop, grateful to rest your feet. You have located a slightly shady spot under a tree that is not too far off the main road, its at the top of a very small hill. You think you are only about two short hours from town.

Under the shade of the tree, Quinlan stretches out on the grass as he unpacks the bundle of food Darla prepared for him. What a pleasant area this is, reminds me of home. he says, looking at the rolling green hills around them. While looking very relaxed, he still has his bow within arms reach and two arrows stuck into the ground at his feet, ready to be fired at moments notice.

Caitlin quirked an eyebrow when she saw Quinlan ready his arrows for an emergency. It seemed he was just as paranoid as her. The girl let her eyes wander over the horizon and enjoyed the elevated position, it would help greatly to spot any unsuspected threats.

She had finished her breakfast while walking and didn't feel that hungry yet but rather than relaxing, she allowed her mind to wander while observing their surroundings.

Schnickle plopped down on the turf with a weary sigh. It was tiresome travelling with three long-legged big-folk, especially so when busy scouting and sneaking ahead, behind and all around constantly. He was glad for the little breaks and rests.

"No home like mine," he sighed, gazing around. He missed the closed-in caverns, the crystals and gems and mushroom forests, the safety and security of Neblheim.

Seeing Quinlan ready his bow, Schnickle kept his crossbow loaded, just in case.

Loorn was in a solemn mood mainly because he had to travel with the others as that meant he had too keep an eye out for more than Caitlin which in itself was a job that took most of his time normally. As the chatter began he forced himself to too speak, didn't want to come out as a boring guy really.

"Where is your home?" He asked the gnome.

Caitlin was tempted to read the little one's mind but realized it would become problematic should he find out. Instead she sighed and waited for Schnicklegulp's answer.

The gnome frowned. There was no way that would he reveal Neblheim's location, not to anybody. And of course, he had absolutely no idea where he was either; he could be on the other side of the planet, if not another one altogether, after where he'd been. And the landmarks around the caverns of his homeland were likely known only to those who lived there, and would mean nothing to these surfacers.

"No idea have I." he said, saddened and homesick. "Far away and deep underground it is, and very lost am I." he said, evasively.

Eager to make Neblheim live in his mind, Schnickle went on at length about it, still carefully censored of certain things. And slightly embellished. "In a small cavern it is, all around with houses carved from stone - walls, floors, ceiling, and stairs back and forth and up and down they are going. Upwards through it a canal runs, water sparkling from crystal lights by thousands. Svirfneblin like me walk everywhere, safe and happy. Miss it, I do." he finished wistfully.


OOC: A bit like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I...r%27s_Relativity.jpg :)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:15, Thu 12 June 2008.

Your lunch spot offered a delightful respite from the morning travel. Knowing you only have just over two hours to get to town, you set out again with a renewed step and food in your bellies.

After about an hour of traveling towards town, things are becoming a little more wooded. As he is scouting ahead, Snickle notices a few wisps of smoke just over the crest of a small hill along the road. You all begin to smell burning wood as soon as Snickle says something. Its obvious there is no structure ahead, such as an inn that would have a fire. Something seems to be amiss.

Something's on fire... shall we take a look? Probably just trappers or timbermen camping, but it doesn't hurt to find out. Quinlan suggests.
Arming his bow Quinlan moves in the direction of the smoke.
Schnickle and I can scout ahead.

Just before you get to the crest of the small hill, you can hear a pair of dog-like voices, yelping and yapping.

[Private to Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: you think the voices belong to kobolds]

Where there's smoke, there's... kobolds? He waved at the others to stop and be careful. "Kobolds I hear!" he hissed quietly. "Careful you must be." The nasty critters were tricky and wicked and new, having dealt with them many times before in the warrens near Neblheim.

He scuttled closer, crossbow at the ready, and tried to find where the kobolds lurked.


OOC:
Listen 9, +3 if it really is kobolds
Spot 18, +3 for kobolds
[Private to DM Tarkin: I later noticed you already rolled a Listen check, for Schickle. I guess this is actively looking and listening, rather than passive.]
Hide 24, +3 vs Kobolds
Move Silently 16, +3 vs Kobolds

Up ahead, a large merchant's wagon lies on its side in the middle of the road. Smashed barrels that once contained wine lie in heaps around the ruined wagon. The rear of the wagon is partially burnt, and parts of it still smolder.

At the head of the wagon lie the bodies of a man and a horse.

you see a pair of halflings digging around in the remains of the wagon.

[Private to Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: you swear it sounds like kobolds still.]

Quiet as a cat, Quinlan follows the small ranger, an arrow on the bowstring. At the sight of the carnage Quinlan finds some cover before peaking again trying to see and hear were the yapping comes from. The presence of the halflings on the site puzzles him; what are they up to?

He waves at the barbarian and his companion to stay back for the time being.

08:45, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 23 using 1d20+8. Spot.
08:44, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Listen.
08:44, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 24 using 1d20+7. Hide.
08:44, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 15 using 1d20+7. Move silently.

Schnickle frowned, confused and suspicious. "Heard kobolds, I did. Know it, I do." He gestured to the diminutive forms; they certainly were not gnomes. "These are creatures of what kind" he asked as the others got into position.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:47, Fri 13 June 2008.

Caitlin shushed Loorn, who was probably going to say something in his wonderfully maskuline voice. Although she loved to hear it, she was afraid it would give their presence away. Indeed the sounds the odd gnome identified as kobolds, sounded strangely familiar. Sneaking closer, the girl put more weight on hiding well, than keeping silent. Wondering what the halflings did, she put an arrow into her longbow...

Spot: 12
Move silently: 16
Hide: 23

The two halflings seem to be busy with counting out a large pile of silver coins and twittering on. they seem to be quite excited, to the point where they are fairly oblivious. After a couple of minutes of inspection, you can see the following:

* they are not hurt
* the skin of the man and the horse are a terrible fiery red. The bodies are horribly swollen, and almost seem to steam from several deep punctures on the necks and chests.
* one of the halflings is wearing VERY expensive clothes and is immaculately groomed.
* the other is wearing leather armor.

[Private to Caitlin o'Donnel: you recognize the speech, its draconic. they're babbling on about how lucky they are to have found such a wonderful treasure and they didn't even have to fight for it.]

PL: [Private to DM Tarkin: Quinlan speaks halfling, is he able to hear anything of their conversation?]

PL: [Private to Quinlan Fairfellow: you hear no halfling phrases at all. its all yapping and unknown to you.]

They aren't speaking halfling... what is this? Quinlan whispers.

"Draconic, language of kobolds..." Caitlin replied in a sharp whisper. "Keep your eyes open, kobolds usually don't come alone."

"But lizard people kobolds are, with horns. Unless... In disguise they are!" After all, he could do it himself.

Cover me, I'm calling their bluff! Quinlan sets off to the side and emerges some 15 feet off the position of his companions. He has put on his hat of disguises and transforms his features to that of a human with blond hair.
He bursts out of the undergrowth and calls to the halflings/kobolds:
Are you alright? I saw the smoke from the fire and feared the worst... by the gods! He's dead! he says pointing wide-eyed at the corpse.
He still carries his bow in hand.

OOC: 07:53, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 10 using 1d20+3. Bluff.

Moving silent or hiding wasn't Loorn's stronger side. Instead he just stayed put trying not to move to much and as Caitlin hushed him he did without arguing. Readying his axe and shield he crouched, ready to spring out if needed.

Spot: 9
Listen: 23
Hide: 12
Move silently: 17

Caitlin had her bow ready but already considered casting a spell of her own, perhaps it would become necessary if more kobolds showed up. Inwardly she thought Quinlan was being stupid, making himself a target to forces unknown, but at the same time this was quite useful to her and she would be the last to complain.

ooc: Ready to shoot her bow if Quin is attacked by one of the 'halflings', cast sleep if more kobolds show up.

"Better you than me," the gnome muttered as Quinlan volunteered to meet the kobolds. Schnicklegulp carefully aimed his crossbow, ready to fire at a moment's notice.


OOC: Ready attack on one of the "halflings"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:36, Tue 17 June 2008.

As you announce your presence to the halflings, they are completely surprised and yelp loudly. The one in leather armor actually falls off the overturned wagon and lands squarely on his butt. The well dressed fellow however, manages to maintain his composure.

As he tries to contain his surprise, the well dressed halfling says in common, "Oh, hi, well, hello there, um, how are you? Are you on your way to Muffin's Honor?" He is a little wary of you, since you clearly surprised him.

He has not made any offensive moves.

Yes I am, or was until I saw this accident... what has happened here? Quinlan is more than a little puzzled by their reactions.

"Hello sir, my name is Raspit, and this Chupo," Chupo sings out "Duke Chupo!" We are on a mission of great importance, this paper will explain everything, he rummages around in his tunic and produces the following document.


"Do you think you can help us?" he asks after he has given you a moment to look the paper over.

I'm Quinlan Fairfellow. Shall we let go of our disguises? He suggests, pulling of his hat and resuming his normal appearance.
This is a very unusual request. Where is your companion... Lumbie? that can lure the devil back and where is the box? The devil I assume has recently passed by here. Quinlan adds dryly, casting an eye on the dead.

Caitlin slapped her forehead when Quinlan let go of his disguise "D'oh!" there was nothing as good as fooling the enemy you were something other than you really were and that half-breed gave it up with no reason. She sighed, her mother would have killed her if she had done that. What was done, was done, there was no means to change it back.

Although curiosity was killing Caitlin, she decided to let Quinlan continue his discussion with the disguised kobolds or whatever they were. Patiently she waited for new developments.

"The ambush they still don't know about, at least." the svirf added. Schnickle was eager to find out what was going on.

Loorn couldn't really hear everything that was going on but so far no battle cries had been called and as Quinlan removed his disguise things didn't seem so bad... not that he left his hiding place... oh no...

"I apologize for the crude nature of the note, I tried to write it for him, but Chief Gnurka felt that this was too important of a note to trust to anyone but himself."

After just a casual inspection at this distance, you notice that both the halflings are really kobolds in mediocre disguises.

As you take your hat off, they both are startled and the other one yelps out again. He reaches for a katana on his belt, but Raspit restrains him with a stern glance.

"You'll have to excuse my companion here, Chupo. He is a bit jumpy. Certainly, you must not be travelling alone, a Drow on the surface with a magic hat of disguises... very peculiar," they both start scanning the area.

And so is this request for help! Kobolds are not known for their trustworthyness; how do I know this request is genuine? And you haven't answered my questions yet. Quinlan does his best to look stern.

"Don't know about the devil passing through here, we just happened across this big box of money, oh, and yes, we know where Lumbie is!" He pulls out a folded poster from his bag and presents it.



"Look, right there, its Lumbie!" he points excitedly at the reptile boy in the lower right.

Quinlan sighs deeply That is a drawing of something that could be your friend; are you sure this is Lumbie?
Looking at the devastation around him the rogue continnues: And you didn't just happen across anything here! There's a dead man over there, don't you think the money belonged to him?
Quinlan feels unsure on how to proceed, having no positive experience of dealing with kobolds in the past. He signals to his companions to join him, in an underhanded way, hoping Caitlin will pick up on his intention.

OOC: Take ten on sleight of hands (17)

"He is waving for why? Help does he need?" Schnickle whispered to the others.

Caitlin scrunched up her nose, she didn't like that. Not at all. Her hand wandered back to give Loorn a signal. Touching the large man to grab his attention, she felt his hardened muscles and some of her paranoia washed away. He would easily take care of a dozen kobolds or more. There was no need to worry. "He feels it is safe to go, Schnickle. - Loorn and I will go, you can wait here if you want." with that and a brief eye-contact with her lover, the sexy Illuskan left her hiding spot and strode towards Quin, her bow still at the ready.

"Stay I will not. Missing out is not for me." With that, he scuttled away through the undergrowth, almost turning invisible, such was his stealth.

The gnome dashed through the woods as he tried to get closer to Quinlan the kobold/halflings. He didn't know the former, and certainly didn't trust the latter.


OOC: Hide 28, Move Silently 20

Loorn almost flinched as Caitlin touched him and he met her eyes with his intense blue one. Giving her a reassuringly smile that he understood how she felt he rose as she did keeping himself at arms length behind her. There where two reason for this, one the obvious to easy be able to come to her aid if things got out of the hand and the other... well she did have a very nice behind to look at.

"Who is that!?!" says the jumpy halfling, he draws a katana at the approach of the female, immediately taking a defensive posture.

"Is that a friend of yours? How many of there are you?" Raspit asks, a little nervous.

PL

[Private to Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: As you scuttle around the perimeter, you come across the body of a dwarf, he moans slightly but doesn't move much.]

Stopping part way there, Schnickle almost jumped in fright as he came across a fallen dwarf, sudden worried that he'd been spotted. But he caught himself; the dwarf was injured or unwell, and a deep gnome could always rely on a dwarf.

Schnickle crept closer to the dwarf, and leaned close to his ear. He said softly in Dwarven "Hello? Do you need help or are you just drunk?"

The dwarf is unconscious. He appears to have suffered the same wounds as the people by the cart.

OOC: That would be red skin, swelling, etc?

"Look well, you do not."

The gnome frowned at the dwarf's injuries and symptoms, and tried to work out what might have caused them, and what he could do to help the dwarf.


OOC: Heal 14, ascertain injuries. Then see if needs either a healing potion or a patch-up from the healer's kit (Heal 11?). Obviously I'd prefer the cheaper option. :)

You think he might wake up if you managed to patch him up with the kit, a little blast from the smelling salts, etc.

Yes, his wounds are reddened skin, punctures, swelling, he is quite hot to the touch.

"So, what were you telling my friend?" Caitlin said and looked to Quin then fixed the two small ones with a hard stare...

[Private to GM: Detect thoughts (SLA) on the katana halfpint. What's he thinking...]

With not quite expert care, Schnickle set to work on patching the dwarf up and waking him. He suspected the poor dwarf could tell him something that the kobolds would not.

The dwarfs begins to come around, his eyes open, looking up at you, he struggles to get up, "Bah, get away, what, who in the halls of Moradin are you?" He struggles to sit up against a tree and get his bearings.

[Private to Caitlin o'Donnel: the halfpint with the sword is wondering if the big people are going to kill him, after all, just learning to use the katana cost him a finger.]

Caitlin snarls at the halfling with the katana "That is a very dangerous weapon. Put it away before you cut off your own finger!" she didn't like him, in fact she didn't like most of the people she met, but that wasn't the problem right now. She wanted to hear the truth from them.

"So will one of you tell me the truth about what happened here, or will I have to resort to bugging the dwarf until he tells me?" the Illuskan said, guessing that both short ones wouldn't like to hear what the dwarf had to say.

[Private to GM: Continue to concentrate on reading the katana-halfling's thoughts.]

Schnickle drew himself up to the proud height of three foot three and declared "A svirfneblin I am, and the one who saved your life. Now, tell me what happened to you, and what you know of kobolds... Or 'halflings'."


OOC: I don't think you know about the dwarf. Schnickle found him separately in a Private Line. I probably should have kept it private, but PL games usually bug me.

It's just the four of us. And to me it sounds like you could need the help, but if you rather have us on the way again...
Quinlan shrugs.

Loorn remained silent just using his size to look as intimidating as possible.

OOC: the dwarf is a bit off the road by schnickle
"What dwarf? it just these dead humans and the horse and the silver coins. Oh yeah, and the broken wine barrels everywhere. You three look big and strong, and very capable. Will you help us get Lumbie and then help us capture the devil in the Devil Box again?"

"Hey, don't talk about my fingers that way, it was a sparring accident! [Private to Caitlin o'Donnel: lie], not only that, hey, how did you know about my finger?" He begins to eye the party warily, particularly Caitlin. The mean looks from Loorn keep him at least 10 feet away though.

"Halflings? Kobolds? What are you babbling about? Where's the cart? Where is Erasmus and Emily?" The dwarf gets up shakily and looks around. Upon spying the halflings, he begins to stomp his way over, muttering.

Caitlin laughed out loud "Just counting your fingers tells me you lost one, and the way you hold that bread knife tells me you are totally incompetent." she turned to Loorn "Loorn my love, be a dear and show him how a sword ought to be gripped if it is to be any use in combat!" she gave the big man at her side a wide smile and a wink, time for him to look intimidating.

Uh-oh! With little other option, for he could hardly explain what he didn't know to and neither could the dwarf, Schnickle scampered after him, not bothering to conceal himself now. He wanted to see what was going on, and what was going to happen.

Finally catching on to what Shnickle has been up to, Quinlan contends himself by watching the events unfold, not without reminding the kobolds though:
You still haven't told me how you  can be sure this is Lumbie, and where the devil box is.

He shows the letter to Caitlin, and then to Schnickle as soon as he catches up.

Well, I know thats Lumbie because our tribe sold him to the freak show. I know Lumbie when I see him. Narl and Thistlelip, his brothers, are dead, killed in the dark. Lumbie is the only one who has the right lineage to activate The Devil Box, which we have have. It's nearby, it is.

Stonty stomps over to the destroyed cart, kneels next to the dead human and horse, and begins to cry, a manly dwarven cry. He surveys all the broken wine caskets, sniffles.

Oh, Erasmus, how horrible... he mumbles, he looks at the halflings through his tears, Oy who are you fellows? Were you hoping to raid the money from this cart whilst the dead rotted? I'll have you all know, this money will be returned to Erasmus' wife, and his body returned to town for proper burial!

Still with crossbow cocked and loaded, Schnickle followed the dwarf up to the group gathered on the road, then sidled off to join the ones who were currently his allies. "Found him, I did." he said quietly by way of explanation.

And we will be more than happy to assist you in this task master dwarf. Could you tell us more of what happened here? These fellows don't seem to know.

"Or don't want to tell us..." Caitlin added, only briefly looking up from the letter while she read it out loud to Loorn.

ooc: Sorry guys. Heavy workload :(

Loorn nodded listening to what Caitlin said. Stepping up he towered up in front of Stonty and Raspit.


Intimidate: 14

Also sorry, vacation...

do you mean Raspit and Chupo, the two halfings? Stonty is the dwarf.

Yes, sorry my mistake.