You walk back inside your home and open the letter. It is a short note written clearly in Sara's handwriting.

Meet me by the memorial fountain today at 6pm.
-Sara

You're rather relieved to hear from her. It's been at least two weeks since you last saw her, which is not normal. It is currently around 9am. You have nine hours until you have something to do.

[Private to ZEIG: You have not had a chance to tell anyone about the man and money.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:10, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

Vil ponders shortly on what he could do and decides to check on his other friends, starting with Dai first. So he heads over to Dai's house and knocks on his door cheerily.

Jack rereads the short letter, wondering what it's about. He carefully folds it and puts it into his pocket, and gets ready to start the day. As he's leaving his home, he sees Vil knocking on Dai's door. He moves over to say hi.

"Hi Vil, been waiting long?"


[OOC]EDIT: That'l teach me to post before reading the world info. Changing now[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:04, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

Vil blinks then smiles at Jack. "Oh, hi Jack. No, not long, but I think Dai might have overslept. Did you get a letter from Sara too?"

Jack takes the letter out of his pocket.

"Yeah. What do you think it's about?"

[Private to JACK: "In reply to VIL (msg #4):" isn't necessary ;p]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:19, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

Vil shrugs and says, "No idea, but we have plenty of time to kill before we meet up with her. Whatcha wanna do?"

"Well, I was planning to go shopping, but that can wait a while." Jack began, "Maybe we could visit Zeig?" Jack points at the Dai's door with his thumb, "He'll probably be asleep for a while."

[OOC]EDIT: I don't want to be a downer, but light blue on white background is a bit tough to see.[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

"Sounds good, lets go see Zeig." Vil begins walking towards Zeig's house.

[OOC]Change your background color. Duh. :P Mine is black.[/OOC]

Jack walks with Vil to Zeig's house, and knocks on the door.

[OOC]... You can do that?[/OOC]

Both ZEIG and DAI hear knocking on their doors.

The day is clear and sunny and the weather is mild. This part of town does not see a lot of traffic at any time during the day, and apart from one or two people on their way to somewhere else, you two are the only ones walking around.

[Private to DAI: If you open your door as soon as you reach it, you will see VIL/JACK outside of ZEIGs house, or catch sight of them just then walking into it.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:22, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

Zeig bursts out of the door, dazed and confused.  His eyes are blood shot and dark.

"I have to...uh, hey guys.  You're out and about early.  Why didn't you knock?"

Vil looks at Zeig more closely. "Um, hey Zeig, are you feeling alright? You look like you haven't slept in a week."

This message was deleted by the player at 18:42, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

Jack looks worried, "Zeig, if something's wrong you should tell us."

[OOC]My comment looked a little out of placed, took too long to post :) [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

Oh...yea.  A disturbing man stopped by last night.  He blurted out that he was sorry he couldn't deliver my mother's keepsake, then shoved some platinum at me before taking off...old wounds.  But that was a long time ago.  Sorry, it's just...I didn't sleep a wink last night.

Jack glances at Vil, "That's... a little odd. He knew your mother?"

I don't know.  Why else would he be on my doorstep so late?  I've been up all night thinking about it myself...and mom."

Zeig stares off vacantly for a bit, before seeming to remember that his friends are there.

Besides that, I got a letter from Princess Sara to worry over!  She asked me to meet up with her at the fountain later.  She's been absent from the gardens for weeks but I haven't been able to get anything out of the guards on her whereabouts.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

Looking genuinely confused, "Where's Dai?  Isn't he normally with you two?"

"Dai seems to have overslept. Listen, you should get some sleep before our meeting. Whatever she wants from us, seeing you like this is only going to worry her. I can drop by to wake you up before the time's here." Jack said, awkwardly. Jack pauses for a moment. "Wait, haven't told you yet. Me and Vil got letters too."

Zeig breathes a notable sigh of relief.

Ah good.  Well if we all got letters perhaps she's throwing us a party for up and disappearing like that!  Oh!  If there's going to be a party then I need to be presentable.  This worried face just won't be welcome there!  A short nap should fix me right up, so come and wake me up after Dai rolls out of bed, won't you?  (If I can sleep at all)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:09, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

"Sure thing. Rest easy, now." Jack smiled.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:10, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

DAI is currently walking down the street, returning to his house from his early morning trek...he sees VIL and JACK standing outside ZEIG's house, so he approaches with a questioning tone to his voice.

"Uh...morning guys, you're all up early, wh-what are you up to?"

DAI's voice was obviously shaking, he seemed a little nervous under his shadowy veil, while moving something around in his sleeves out of sight.

[Private to teslas: I'm gonna say DAI got up early to try and find a gift for Sara since it had been so long, I'm thinking a flower, or perhaps a home-made perfume with his craft(alchemy skills)]

Jack sighs and knocks on Zeig's door. "Oh, nothing much, just waking Zeig up." He looks at Dai, "He had a pretty rough night. How was yours?"

DAI's yellow eyes shift from side to side, before he relpies.

"Y'know...same old same old? Um...s-so what happened to ZEIG?"

Seeming to get whatever he was fumbling with into a safe place, DAI's hands now dangled at his sides, his fingertips barely showing from under his long-sleeved robe.

"A man came around and started babbling about his mother and something he was supposed to give him from her. Did you get a letter from Sara?" Jack asked, suddenly.

DAI stepped back a second, seeming on the defensive.

"W-What? How'd you know? Who told you?"

DAI was speaking quickly, in a bit of a fluster.

Zeig pushes the door open with his shoulders slumped against it.

"Yaaaawwnn.  Why is it always so bright outside?"

DAI, eager to change the subject, turns his attention to ZEIG.

"Probably because of that huge ball o' fire in the sky hm?"

Jack took his letter from his pocket and showed it to Dai, before looking up to the sky. "It's probably the sun." He grins as Dai says much the same at the same time.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:15, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

DAI eyes the letter, reading but not touching, before letting out a sigh.

"O-Oh...so we all got one of those? I mean...Right! It only makes sense because she had been gone so long...hehe..."

DAI's voice has the slightest bit of disappointment in it, but quickly tried covering that up with a sense of expectedness.

OOC: Sorry if I'm over-RPing, just a level I've gotten used to...I feel weird if I don't have descriptions before and after dialogue.

Zeig perks up a bit.

"Dai!  Did you get a letter from Sara too?  She's throwing us a party!  I can't wait.  I bet there will be flowers and wine and freshly baked bread..."

In reply to DAI (msg #30):
You're doing just fine.

You're describing things the other players and NPCs could actually notice that might affect their reactions to you.

AFK for an hour. Please continue on without me. Feel free to simply say "We go eat lunch together and wake ZEIG up around x o'clock or something. At the same time, please feel free to shoot the shit to build character relation and depth. If you wish to interact with any NPCs, please wait.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:28, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

DAI's eyes showed the hint of a somewhat forced smile, even if his face could not attest to it.

"Yeah...wine and...baked breads..."

His head dropped while he spoke, before looking up with a word of genuine joy.

"Well...it has been a while sine we got to visit the gardens..."

"Yeah..." Jack said. He looked to his own little garden, and decided to bring the princess some of his own. He looks at Dai. "I'm thinking of bringing her some of my vegetables. I have some flowers, too, if you want to bring her some."

A genuine look of contentment breaks through Zeig's exaggerated facade.

"Yea.  Just like old times.  We're all together for once."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

DAI stayed silent a moment, before slowly turning his head to JACK.

"W-Why would I want to take some flowers? I-It's just friends hanging out in the royal garden...but uh..._{what kinds did you have}?"

DAI's weak attempt to hide his words was abandoned halfway through...and he decided taking some flowers might please the princess after her long absence.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:32, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

Jack replies innocently "Well, it's been so long since we've seen her and I'm already bringing those vegetables and all. Let's see... I have some assorted tulips. Some daisies and bluebells..." Jack grins. "Quite a few, actually, maybe you should just poke around 'til you find some you like?"

DAI cleared his throat lightly, before holding up a single hand as if to say something...then merely walking past and kneeling next to the flowerbed.

"Hmm...this one smells sweet...and she likes bluebells..."

DAI spoke mostly to himself while forming the small bouquet, before standing again, turning around, looking quite out of place with his robes, and featureless shadow of a face, hovering lightly above this groups of bright colors and sweet scents, the juxtaposition was sublime.

Zeign squints and rubs his temples.

"All this time and effort towards healing people and I haven't figured out a way to cure headaches yet.  Maybe it'd be easier to just block out the sun."

After noticing Dai amongst the flowers Zeig leaks out a smirk.

"Now there's something you don't see everyday."

Jack realized they'd moved to his house without him realizing. "We still have quite a while 'til the meeting." Jack reminded him, though his smile didn't change. "I should probably think about what I'm taking, as well."

DAI avoids the gazes and smiles he was sure were being pointed at him, before decidingto show off a little bit of what he had been working on these past months, and years.

"Well...not like it's that big of a deal, if the flowers start to wilt I can breathe them back into being with but a snap of my fingers."

As he says this he snaps his the fingers on his left hand, to illustrate, when the flowers he's holding all suddenly become the same shade of bright blue, petals, stems and all.

"W-WHAT? Darn it...I keep doing that on accident...well, it'll fade in an hour I guess..."

[Private to teslas: Used free prestidigitation, changing flowers' color for an hour, mostly did it for fun though :P]

Jack blinked. "Cool! Didn't know you could do that." He paused. "Can you do more colors?"

DAI looked up with some frustration apparent in his voice.

"Yeah...it seems that it always turns bright blue when I snap my fingers though...whatever I'm holding, it's really annoying for books because...well the whole page is blue, no writing anymore...bah."

DAI was inspecting his gloved hands closely, apparently wondering if his digits were to blame for this occurence.

Oh, I see how it is.  Everyone has a gift for Princess Sara's party, but what do I have to offer?  Slaving away in the clinic day after day affords me such little time for crafts or horticulture, and how can my light compare with these blue glories?  I have no gifts for you this day Sara!

With a dramatic flourish, Zeig launches onto the steps.

"I suppose I shall have to stay her disappointment with a poem, or epic story!  Or perhaps a love song to soothe the soul..."

Shooting a devious glance at Dai, Zeig bursts into throws of laughter that intensifies his headache quite a bit.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

Zeig's laughter breaks off almost immediately due to the sharp pain in his head.

"Unngh.  I suppose that's what I deserve.  It really is impressive!  More often than not I can only get things to glow.  Creating light, what a joke with that damnable orb riding high in the sky.

DAI shoots a nasty look at ZEIG, rasiing his right hand above his head, ready to throw some invisible force he seemed to be creating with his mind at the laughing White Mage, before lowering it with a "feh." and turning away, smelling the oddly shaded offerings he carried beneath his hidden face.

"I'm sure you'll get a chance to use your spell Zeig." Jack said, "And I like the color, Dai. I'd love a chance to change a few things around the house..." His grin widened. "Why don't we all go in and catch up for a while? I can prepare lunch."

DAI pauses from his inspection of the plants, to send a few words toward JACK, explaining how the spell, if you could call it that, worked.

"Sounds nice...but even if you could do this, the color only lasts an hour...so not really useful for anything long term."

"It's still pretty. Beauty is a perfectly valid quality, even if doesn't last." Jack said seriously, opening his door. "And at the very least, it can be used to compare with more long term ways of coloring."

DAI shrugs as he walked into JACK's house, trying to remember the last time he had actually entered one of his friend's homes.

"Hmm, I guess so...but even something that simple can drain one's magical energies if over-used...nothing is too small to be seen as a 'free' spell."

Zeig begins to stare off into space again.

"Ah.  Beauty is ephemeral, lasting but a fleeting moment before the twilight, much like hope.  In many ways it all the more precious since it does not last..."

After a few awkward moments he realizes that people are staring at him.

"And think of the fun at parties!" he says with a giant grin as he walks through the door to Jack's home.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:28, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

A little less than a half hour has passed as you talk along street and make your way to JACK's house. Clouds can be seen in the far distance, coming in from sea. The air begins to cool the slightest bit.

[Private to ZEIG: You will need to catch at least a short nap at some point or Constitution checks kick in for lack of rest. About an hour or so should be fine since you've not done anything strenuous today or yesterday.

My apologies if I've miss-read something. Speed reading at work.

I don't know if you saw the post with spell prices, but scrolls of spells are either 100 or 200gp each. Make your way to the white magic shop (or black magic shop) if you're interested.]

[Private to JACK: You, of course, have plenty of foodstuffs in your house for a meal for four. Depending on what you make, it'll be about 15 minutes to an hour before you're all finished eating.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:32, Tue 01 Feb 2011.

"Looks like rain soon..." Jack says quietly. "Hope it doesn't rain on our meeting with the princess."
[OOC] Do you guys think we've "felt out" our teammates enough? I'm willing to do the time skip. Mostly because I type a bit and then suddenly remember how Vil (as in the character, not the player) isn't talking and for some reason that makes me feel awkward IRL lol.[/OOC]

OOC: Fine with me.  I just figured we'd assume he had been interacting the whole time and get to know his character whenever he got on.

[OOC]Assuming he is interacting is probably a good idea. Don't get me wrong, I'm aware it's more a psychological thing on my part (and considering the nature PbP games, I should get used to it).[/OOC]

Zeig finishes the last of his tea and gets up from his chair.

OOC: Since we're doing the time skip I'm just assuming we did the lunch thing.

"Well, it was nice getting to spend some time together for once.  I have some business to take care of though, so I'll be taking my leave.  I can't keep wallowing around in self pity.  Take care!  I'll meet you guys at the fountain around 6PM, unless anyone has business in the market district?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

DAI rises as well, having finished his drink moments before ZEIG.

"I'll go with you...if you don't mind, not much I'm really looking for but...I haven't really checked anything in the market in a few days..."

DAI made his way to the door, thanking JACK on the way for the long-overdo meal and chat.

"Come by any time!" Jack says. He gets to work picking out a few vegetables to bring.

[OOC]That's it for a little bit. When I feel enough time has passed he may visit the markets as well, unless we do the time skip to 6 O'Clock[/OOC]

"Sure!  The more the merrier.  I'm actually headed to a particular venue today that might be of some interest to you.  Research is calling me and I think that perhaps a bookstore with an eye for the mystic might have just the answers I'm looking for."

Zeig (OOC: and Dai? not sure how to initiate this without speaking for another PC) starts making his way over to the magic shops.

[OOC] Holy Sweet Baby Jesus, I had to look a page back to read up on current events. [/OOC]

Vil perks up at the sound of the word, "bookstore". "Bookstore? I'll tag along if you don't mind, Zeig, gives me something to do to pass the time and perhaps, maybe something to catch my eye to read."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:07, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

[OOC] We were bored :p [/OCC]

"All right!  Let's head out then."

*Sweet theme music plays in the background as the trio makes their way to the magic shops*
This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Time goes by quickly during lunch. JACK auto-succeeds make lunch checks because of his ranks in Survival. Talk continues about the letters received, the possible reasons for Sara's aloofness, and about all of the unusual traffic through town.

After you're done, the three mages walk off towards the section of town containing the miscellaneous, magically-oriented wares and services.

JACK remains behind.

Shops:
White Magic scroll scribe.
Black Magic scroll scribe.
Alchemist and Arcane Spell supplies.
Alchemy and Potion shop. DAI is employed here at times.
Madg's Miscellaneous Magical Masterpieces. "Misfit" is often prepended to the name of Madg's store. She has some useful things from time to time, although the store is closed currently. (Darksday is bad luck, afterall)
Public Li a brary. You all know there is a smaller, yet superior (in regards to arcane knowledge and ancient history) library in the palace, which you have nearly full access to. For a price, books can be magically copied and kept. Such a thing is much more expensive at the palace.

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:52, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

"Say, Zeig, you would think that the local LIBRARY would know how to spell." Vil grins at Zeig, pointing towards the sign for the public library.

VIL gained 1 EXP for making fun of the DM.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:50, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Zeig heaves a heavy sigh.

"Truly it is darksday for bibliophiles everywhere."

ZEIG gained 1 EXP for making fun of the DM.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:50, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Zeig peers up at the White Magic Scroll storefront with awe and an unusual determination.

"That's it.  That's what I'm going to make out of this mess.  Let's just call this your keepsake mom.

Zeig strolls right into the store.

[OOC] Do you guys have any cash to buy things with?  I wasn't very direct earlier but the platinum that was shoved at me by the strange guy was 25 PP.  Zeig's definitely buying Cure 1 here (if it's available) as it's been what he's been training/saving for this whole time but he planned on sharing with the party too.[/OOC]

Vil follows Zeig into the store, slightly interested, but kinda knowing that he doesn't have enough, probably, to buy anything.

[OOC] I sincerely doubt 3g is going to buy anything. :p And if its anything like FF1, its gonna be 200g for any 1st level spell. And, oh yeah, I'm writing down that 1 XP.[/OOC]

[OOC]Cool. I do have a bit of cash to buy things with, but nothing to buy. +1 for the Black Belt :)

well, he still wants to stock up a bit on food (reserves are a little low) and maybe seeds but I hardly think that really matters given the likely direction of the game.

Unless the game changed to the Sims while I wasn't looking...[/OOC]

GM edit-
color fix

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:10, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

The shopkeepr, a middle aged man in long, white robs lifts his head up from a writing desk. "Hello! Ah, ZEIG I see, and his friend. I'm sorry but I've forgotten your name." He stands up and walks over to the counter. "Come to browse the wares once again, ZEIG?"

There is a simple plaque on the counter top, behind it a glass case containing many small scrolls tied with simple, white string.

100gp:      200gp:
Libra       Cure
Light       Dia
Blink       Fear
Harm        Protect
Basuna

The shopkeeper sees you eying the plaque. "You know, I feel bad. You've been coming in here for almost a year now. Tell you what, when you get the money to buy a scroll finally I'll give you a 5% discount", he says with a grin, obviously not believing today is any different.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:18, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Vil feels a little miffed in not being recognized but just plays it off with a cool, calm expression, waiting on Zeig to answer while glancing around the store.

"Ah, but surely you remember Vil?  At any rate, you know we've been working hard for some time now.  I could relieve some of the mages at the clinic with a cure spell, what with the monsters raising all hell outside, and perhaps I could convince Vil here to help out as well.  What would you say to a 2 for 1 deal?  If people are too scared to venture here, well, it's bad for business you know!  And the kingdom itself would owe you a debt of gratitude.  Just this once!  Who knows, I might even be able to rake up the cash for it."

Zeig gestures elegantly during the conversation, as if this logic could not be denied.

20:25, Today: ZEIG rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Diplomacy.

Zeig suddenly trips over himself but manages to recover quickly, hopefully no one saw it.

GM edit-
Copy/paste them directly from the log. Like that please :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

"I noticed the other mage, yes." He eyes you ZEIG, unamused by your audacious but seemingly serious question, "especially in such times, where this shop donates many hours of its workers' time and more than its share of funds for charity", he shifts his eyes to VIL and DAI and then back to ZEIG, "a 50% discount might be a bit much."

He begins to smile again. "Worth a shot though, I guess. Don't try that kind of ploy on the other shopkeep when you come in to actually buy something, ZEIG"
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Vil glances at Zeig and shrugs. "It was worth a try, wanna check out the library?"

Looking a bit disheartened, "All right, all right.  You got me.  I'll be taking you up on that 5% discount though.  Because today?  I'm a paying customer.  I was serious about the cure scroll.  If I am able to ease the suffering of even one child it will be well worth it."

Zeig places 19 platinum pieces on the counter.

The shopkeeper's eyes widen, then squint. He calmly reaches behind the case, and places the scroll upon the desk.

Please confirm this is what you are looking for, young mage. As I believe this may be your first spell, be careful not to read it to completion, as then you will have purchased it.

Upon opening it, it is very clearly a scroll of Cure.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:41, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Vil whistles at the amount of platinum being forked over by Zeig. "You weren't kidding about being handed such an amount of money."

Zeig's hands tremble as he holds the case as delicately as possible.

"This is most definitely what I have been working towards, sir.  I cannot thank you enough."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Zeig looks at Vil with an uncharacteristically seriousness in his eyes.

"Whatever remained of my past is gone, this is but a bitter reminder of that fact.  But I won't dwell on it any longer, at least some good will come of it."

[OOC] I promise he will stop being emo soon. [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

The shopkeeper takes the coins from the counter, and leans down to place them into a lockbox resting on the floor.

"That 5% discount was one-time only, young mage," he says from underneath the glass case, obviously slightly disappointed in himself.

He stands back up. "Any others find themselves a store of money? If not, I've got work to do."

Reading a spell-teaching scroll requries but a Full-Round action. The knowledge is immediately imparted to you, and is usable as if you have always known its secrets.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:47, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

"Thanks again, sir!  It was a pleasure doing business with you."

For once, Zeig was too distracted to slip in a sly grin.  He immediately reads the scroll and knows contentment.

"Yea Vil, I think today's a great day to check out the library."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:50, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Vil frowns as he fidgets with the sides of his cape slightly, then smiles. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That is why it is called the present, my friend!"

"Truer words were never spoken.  Let's find something sweet to read while we pass the time!"

"Sounds like a plan!" Vil heads out of the store and heads to the public library.

*follows*

VIL and ZEIG and presumably DAI, depending on what he describes make their way to the library. It's as full as it always is when the librarian's young students aren't present: basically empty.

Much the same type of Plaque hangs on a wall near the large counter, a man asleep with his head down on it. It describes how books can be magically copied for a cost of 5gp.

Such books weigh 5lb and convey, when you have at least 1 minute to reference it, a +1 Circumstance bonus to any singular type of knowledge check.

Examples include:
Registries of noble families, their holdings, and blood lines.
Reference books of flora and fauna of all types.
Ancient legends and modern day scholar's interpretation of their meanings.
...etc


Also, sweet christ it's convenient DAI described himself as being the silent type ;p
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Jack finishes packing the vegetables, covers them carefully before setting them aside to get ready to go to market. He takes his various savings (4 gil) and his walking stick, and goes to see the shops (and his friends, he hopes).

If you'd like, we can just assume he buys rations (don't know if you still have those in this system) for however much they cost. I feel no need to draw out a shopping list.

DAI follows VIL and ZEIG, not saying much the entire way, thinking excitedly about when he'll be able to see Sara again, he half-consciously noticed ZEIG trip over himself in a conversation, but otherwise is unaware of what was being discussed. After the White Mage shop where ZEIG shelled out a surprising amount of Platinum, making DAI feel insignificant with his 5 gold pieces, DAI got even quiter then silent, finding a large tome to hide his face in he'd read a million times before.

Time passes on. It is now around 3pm. Dark clouds have appeared and now fill half of the sky. It seems as if they'll approach Cornelia before your meeting with Sara. The temperature is cool yet comfortable and the soft smells of rain are in the air.


JACK makes his way to the marketplace. It is usually busy in the mid afternoon and this day is no exception. It seems as if many booths are getting ready for the weather and many customers are hurrying to finish their business.

The marketplace is a large courtyard around a large fountain. Cornelia has many of such fountains. The memorial fountain is near the castle.

Other shops in or near the marketplace:

Weapon Shop.
Armor Shop.
Silt's Sundries and Supplies Sometimes prepended with "Sour" as Silt is not a nice man.


The mages in the library carry on about their business, reading books on their interested topics, stopping to talk from time to time. The man asleep behind the counter wakes up after a while and wanders over to each of you, quietly asking, "Would any of you like to take a book home?"

It is 1sp to check a book out for three days. You get the silver coin back up on return. Some of you have forgotten to return books in the past, and know that the library is rather unforgiving in such circumstances.

Such checked out books confer the bonus to knowledge checks as normal.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:07, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

DAI looks up from the tome he wasn't reading, but remembering the words of.

"Huh? Oh...I uh...no thank you, if I change my mind I'll let you know though...thanks."

DAI was having a hard time keeping the flowers he had picked from getting smashed in all the movement he had done, he was beginning to think picking them so early was not the best of ideas.

Zeig sits with fingers steepled over a book he never intended to open.

"I think I am quite content for the time being sir.  I have all the research that I need...the rest lies at the fountain."

[OOC] Waiting for 6PM unless something nearby happens. [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:16, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Vil is unusually quiet behind a large book, presumably too enthralled with the book to answer the Librarian's question.

[OOC] He is, of course, sleeping. :) [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:16, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Jack finishes his rounds in the marketplace, and the three people in the library continue to focus on waiting.

[Private to JACK: In the bustle of people, you can make out a section of conversation. It doesn't catch your ear at first, but on the trailing end you hear one of the people mention having to get back to the palace kitchen before tonight's assembly. They seem surprised at it, like the kitchen staff was notified last-minute. Before you can turn to attempt to continue listening, they turn down an alley-way and bustle off towards the palace.]

As it begins to reach around 5:30pm, everyone makes their way to the memorial fountain as to be sure to not be late. The dark clouds are just now stretching overhead, and the setting sun on the other end of the sky makes the transition from clear day to overcast night all the more impossible to miss. The smell of rain is unmistakable.

The mages reach the western courtyard outside of the palace just after JACK does and see him by the fountain. This is a neighborhood of wealthy businessmen and lesser nobles. As such, none of them are outside daring to get wet. The courtyard is empty except for the occasional errand person or house servant hurriedly making his way by.

It is 5:45pm. Sara has not arrived yet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:28, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Jack waves to the others "Hey guys."

Vil masks a yawn behind his hand with a mumbled half-hearted "hey" towards Jack. He looks around for a moment. "I wonder where Sara is at."

"Hey Jack!  Doesn't look like we're going to be able to have much of a party if this weather keeps up.  Although when friends meet, in rain or shine, it's always a treat, with bread and wine!  Heh, I'm just getting warmed up!"

Jack grinned at his earnest friend (heh :P) and responded. "Yeah, but we're still early. Maybe she'll take us to a banquet?"

Vil smiles warmly at Sara. "Ready to go, wherever it is we're going."

GM Edit-
This takes place after the following post, of course.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:52, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

A few minutes later, a slender figure of exactly Sara's height turns a corner a couple of blocks away and begins walking towards the fountain. The figure is wearing a long, dark blue cape with the hood up, obscuring the face.

Once it's about a block away it trots up to the group with a familar grace and pulls back the hood slightly.

"Hello everyone", she says, smiling. It seems as if this may have been the first smile she's put in in weeks. "We'll have to time everything right, but the weather seems to be on our side. JACK, I don't know if you'll be able to bring that with us."

She smiles briefly as she pulls her hood up over her face, "Sorry I don't have time to explain more, but is everyone ready to go?"[Private to ZEIG:

OOC: If there was a DMPC right now, it would attempt to kill you, haha]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:23, Mon 17 Dec 2012.

"A surprise party, eh?  I think I like where this is going.  Of course we're ready!"

[Private to teslas: I couldn't resist after teasing Dai earlier.  I'll keep his horrible horrible poems to a minimum. :D]

[OOC] Horrible poems are a way of life!  It could be worse, it could be puns. [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Jack looks down at his offerings before standing up. "If you say so, it must be important. I'm ready."

DAI was slightly disappointed he had to abandon the idea of flowers...picking them so early was a mistake, instead he stood in his robes, now lightly coated with rain, eagerly awaiting Sara's voice. When she arrived DAI bolted up, ready to say something but, she spoke first, and sounded in a hurry, so DAI merely complied.

"No problem...lead the way."

He sounded much happier then normal, though his friends would be used to this anytime Sara was nearby, or even so much as mentioned at times.

Sara finishes tightening her hood and walks towards the western castle gate. "Stay close, please."

As you walk up to the gate, the four guards stationed there immediately form up, weapons ready. "Hold, citizens, please declare yo..."

Sara de-hoods herself, interrupting, "Hello Raul, let us through please."

Very surprised, the guards bow their heads slightly as is appropriate. The guard that must be Raul steps forward. "My apologies your grace. We did not know you were among town today. Might I ask where your escort has gone?"

Sara looks annoyed, pointing back at you, "This is my escort. I was told to be present before tonight's assembly, so we must be going now. I will send these gentlemen back to the gate once I reach the palace. They will be carrying something back for me, so expect them to be late and in the possession of a box."

"Yes your grace," the guard says, moving back out of the way. The other guards move simultaneously while remaining in exact formation, like points on a perfect trapezoid. Cornelia's palace guard has a reputation for being exceptionally well-trained and professional which stretches even to other lands.

The western gate was not often used by anyone but nobles entering from the city. None of you have actually been through it before, though you have explored the gardens beyond.

It begins sprinkling, and the clouds that were over the city only moments ago now appear to be traveling at an amazing speed, voraciously consuming the sunset. The wind has begun to pick up, and is beginning to moan slightly as it passes the trees, hedgerows, and high walls of the gardens.

"This storm will definitely help us remain unseen. I hope it's a sign of things to come," Sara remarks calmly. She has always been superstitious with the old perception of the world and its elements.

You make your way up to the palace's decorated garden entrance. The guards once again ask the same questions and are given the same answer. This time, however, they seem very displeased and eye each of you carefully.

The interior is warm and moderately illuminated by candles lining the hallway walls and tables. None of you have seen the palace interior at night in a very long time, and nostalgic memories come back of the group of you running down them, escaping the worst thing possibly conceivable at that age: bed time.

"Follow me please. It may take a few moments to gather everything," Sara says quite obviously making sure the guards at the door can hear. Large raindrops begin to fall against the ornate palace windows. The sound of remote thunder begins to echo through the outer doors.

You continue to follow her, taking a left down a smaller hallway, and then through a rough-hewn archway directly by one of the castle larders into what looks to be an unused storage room.

"Ok," her tone sounding planned and collected, "we have a meeting to eavesdrop upon. Let's all be very quiet, and attempt to not be noticed. Stick to my lead if we see anyone. It will begin in 15 minutes." Sara steps gracefully back into the short hall, taking a look around the archway. "As soon as the next patrol passes, we'll head for the assembly room. It should be an easy walk. I'm guessing we have a few minutes until the patrol comes by."

Palace guards are equipped with heavy armor and Guisarmes. Guards usually also carry Longswords, Heavy Shields, and Heavy Crossbows, although guards stationed at the walls do not have this additional equipment. VIL, DAI, and ZEIG, in the past, have all noticed that most of the equipment the guards carry is magical.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:25, Mon 17 Dec 2012.

Vil tries to move silently, following Sara.

05:52, Today: VIL rolled 15 using 1d20+2. Move Silently check.

With a furrowed brow, "So, if we have a moment from the prying ears of the guards, what exactly is going on?  Sara, this isn't like you.  You've been missing for weeks and this is obviously no dinner party.  We're your friends.  Whatever it is I'm sure we can take it, you don't have to hide it from us.

[OOC] That's a lot of text that didn't necessarily all have to come out at once depending on the others' responses.  I'll be out for a while after this. [/OOC]

Good call Vil.  She said be quiet and try not to be noticed so here's a Move Silently and Hide check in case you need them while I'm gone.

06:58, Today: ZEIG rolled 13 using 1d20. Move Silently check.
06:58, Today: ZEIG rolled 8 using 1d20. Hide Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:01, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

Jack murmurs, "I'm not sure now is the time Zeig..."
07:59, Today: JACK rolled 11 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 9. move silently.
07:59, Today: JACK rolled 21 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 19. hide check.

DAI merely follows quietly, shifting the contents of his small belt pouch nervously, trying to remain quiet. He was about as quiet as one would be walking in light footwear, but used to being in the background he stayed out of sight slightly better.

06:03, Today: DAI rolled 14 using 1d20+2. hide
06:02, Today: DAI rolled 10 using 1d20+2. Move silently

"It will make sense in a moment, I hope. Trust me."

A minute passes with all of you steadying your breathing, listening to the hallway. A patrol of what sounds to be more than two guards in heavy armor makes its way past.

Sara barely whispers, "Let's go."

She walks into the hallway, attempting to soften her footsteps. All of you follow her doing your best to do the same. The rain is now coming down heavily against the high windows of the hallway. You follow it around a corner to the right. The general layout of the castle seems familiar now that you're here again.

Just before what you remember to be the way to the smaller assembly hall, she takes a left and goes up a large spiral staircase. This is a part of the castle that you have not seen. You think you remember it leading to living quarters for high ranking court officials.

As you ascend the stair, you pass a balcony. One of the two massive doors has been left open. Lightning illuminates the gardens below for an instant, the thunder following so closely it may have well struck the balcony itself.

Sara stops at the top of the stair. She peeks her head around and turns back to you in a hurry. "The next patrol will be up here at least twice during the assembly. Try to hide as best you can once we're above it. Ok, let's go."

With that, she disappears around the corner. As you follow her, you run out into a grand hallway lined with the personal quarters of what must be many people you are familiar with. Weston, the captain of the palace guard. Garland, the second in command of Cornelia's army. Bartholomew, the king's personal White Mage. The thick carpet in the hallway seems as if it would have silenced your footsteps even without the help of the storm outside.

All of you roll a single Spot check for when walking past these three rooms.

At the end of a hall lays another archway. She slows to a slow walk as she approaches. Talking can be heard through it.

You almost have to read Sara's lips as she whispers,"this is the balcony above the meeting. Hide once we get in. Don't spread apart too far if you can help it. Listen as closely as you can."

As you enter, it is indeed a second level above the assembly room. It is a broad pathway circling the entirety of it with several exits but no stair down to the floor below. Most of the light is coming from the first floor, casting shadows against the wall behind you. There are several benches and decorative chairs. Tapestries line the walls. You could lean over the railing to watch the meeting, but that would probably be a bad idea for the circumstances. None of you dare to even peek over the edge. You'll have to settle with simply trying to listen in.

A voice much louder than the rest speaks out. You hear, "take your seats," as you all find what you think is a good place to avoid being noticed.

All of you roll a Hide check.
After you do that, roll five Listen checks.
Please post them all.

Time for plot. Hopefully you guys aren't noticed immediately, amirite?

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:40, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

09:43, Today: JACK rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16. listen (5).
09:43, Today: JACK rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18. listen (4).
09:43, Today: JACK rolled 2 using 1d20 with rolls of 2. listen (3).
09:43, Today: JACK rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19. listen (2).
09:42, Today: JACK rolled 6 using 1d20 with rolls of 6. listen.
09:42, Today: JACK rolled 17 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 15. hide.
09:41, Today: JACK rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8. spot.

Wow, I'm doing pretty good on my hide checks today.

DAI continues following closely, trying to not be seen or heard, when Sara gives instructions he listen and watches intently.

06:42, Today: DAI rolled 9 using 1d20+2. Hide.
06:41, Today: DAI rolled 17 using 1d20+1. spot(1?).
06:47, Today: DAI rolled 7 using 1d20+1. listen 5.
06:47, Today: DAI rolled 7 using 1d20+1. listen 4.
06:47, Today: DAI rolled 16 using 1d20+1. listen 3.
06:47, Today: DAI rolled 9 using 1d20+1. listen 2.
06:46, Today: DAI rolled 8 using 1d20+1. listen 1.


Knowing his hiding skills are mediocre at best, DAI raises his left hand and his robes change color to match the immediate area, hat too.

OOC: I think this would be an instance when GM rules a circumstantial bonus to my Hide check? If not that's okay but, just trying to think of ways someone wouldn't notice me passively...camouflage being a possibility.

Wow..>DAI can hear 1 out of 5 words on average >.>

[Private to teslas: Whether or not it helps, that's another prestidigitation, so costs 1 MP]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

DAI hides behind one of the wall tapestries. He changes the sides of his robes to match the dark maroon color he's hiding behind. His feet can be seen poking out slightly beneath the tapestry, but it's too late to for anyone to let him know without risking someone hearing.

JACK deftly falls onto the floor and slides underneath an elaborate bench. If you hadn't of seen him crawl under there yourselves you'd probably never notice him.


[Private to JACK: You noticed the door to what is probably Garland's room is open.]

[Private to DAI: You notice the door to Garland and Bartholomew's rooms are open, about two feet and one foot respectively. You could make out miscellaneous items inside both. A large, horned helm on top of a desk caught your eye in Garland's room.]

Zeig finds it a bit hard to concentrate as his minimal sleep takes effect, but urgency and adrenaline push him forward.

10:32, Today: ZEIG rolled 18 using 1d20. Hide.
10:31, Today: ZEIG rolled 23 using 1d20+4. Listen (5).
10:31, Today: ZEIG rolled 6 using 1d20+4. Listen (4).
10:31, Today: ZEIG rolled 7 using 1d20+4. Listen (3).
10:31, Today: ZEIG rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Listen (2).
10:31, Today: ZEIG rolled 8 using 1d20+4. Listen (1).
10:31, Today: ZEIG rolled 17 using 1d20+4. Spot.

[OOC] Epic listen rolls, 2, 3, AND a 4. [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

ZEIG ducks behind a large chair and sits on the floor with his back towards the ledge to the now momentarily silent assembly below. The tall, solid back of the chair is ornate to say the least. The carvings arch around and almost hug ZEIG, casting him nearly entirely in darkness.

[Private to ZEIG: You notice the door to Garland and Bartholomew's rooms are open, about two feet and one foot respectively. You could make out miscellaneous items inside both. A large, horned helm on top of a desk caught your eye in Garland's room.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:30, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

Vil finds a smile growing upon his face. It's almost like the old days of sneaking around trying not to get caught to go to bed.

12:02, Today: VIL rolled 15 using 1d20+4. Listen check.
12:02, Today: VIL rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Listen check.
12:02, Today: VIL rolled 12 using 1d20+4. Listen check.
12:01, Today: VIL rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Listen check.
12:01, Today: VIL rolled 15 using 1d20+4. Listen.
12:01, Today: VIL rolled 12 using 1d20+2. Hide check.
12:01, Today: VIL rolled 18 using 1d20. Spot check.

[OOC] My rolls are ballin'! [/OOC]

GM edit-
Changed dice rolls to green.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:00, Wed 02 Feb 2011.

VIL hides behind a suit of armor and assumes the same pose, putting his hands on his hips. It was silly, but it looked like it worked. His cape could be seen at wide angles when walking past, but it wasn't quite as obvious as DAI's feet.

[Private to VIL: You notice the door to Garland and Bartholomew's rooms are open, about two feet and one foot respectively. You could make out miscellaneous items including bundled up scrolls inside of both. A large, horned helm on top of a desk caught your eye in Garland's room.]

Listen Check #1.

The king begins to speak again. This time in a much less authoritative manner. Straining to hear, you can pick out parts of his speech.

[Private to VIL: It seems as if putting your ear to the suit of armor is helping you make out the talk below slightly better. You miss a few words here and there, but you can very clearly hear most of the talking.

Again, the king speaks, "We are indeed amidst dire times my friends. Thank you for coming. It is a shame that Sage Lukan cannot be here with us."

Another voice butts in, "Forgive me, my lord, but I believe you all to be taking the signs a little too seriously."

A third, "Too seriously?! Master Garland, the soil rots beneath our feet in Melmond. I have heard tales of things from trusted townspeople, while embarrassing to repeat, it is absolutely impossible to deny the bodies and burned down farms."

The king breaks in, "That is enough, gentlemen. We will all have our chance to speak in time."]

You all hear mumblings and talking going on down below, but have a hard time making it out. The king talks again, almost to be interrupted by a second man, a hint of indignation in his voice. A third man speaks up, angry apparently, and then both are silenced by the king. Everyone attempts to reposition themselves for a better listen while not daring to move from their spot.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:19, Thu 03 Feb 2011.

Vil looks caught between eying something in a room across from him and trying to listen more carefully.

Jack sits quietly, straining to hear.

Zeig takes in his surroundings quickly but his gaze stutters momentarily.  He then closes his eyes in an effort to avoid distraction and focus on the conversation below.

DAI is tempted to move from his spot...but doing so would not only grab attention, but also destroy the purpose of his camouflage...so he waits, and listens(poorly).

You all hear the clink and clank of a guardsman walking towards you. VIL, you can see him enter from one of the archways from a hallway. He walks towards the group of you, but looks markedly distracted by trying to hear the conversation below. He measures his walking pace as to not seem like he's eavesdropping.

23:43, Today: teslas rolled 16 using 1d20+7. Guard passively noticing the party.

The guard passes with his head turned slightly to the lower floor. The darkness of the upper level appears to have concealed all of you. The clanking of his armored feet as he moves past DAI to turn down a hallway drown out the sound of most of the dialogue.

The talk continues. An as yet unheard voice seems to be talking at first, and then the group of them begin muttering at once.

[Private to JACK; VIL; ZEIG:
"We all value your opinion Garland, but it might be wise to err on the side of caution. Lukan has rarely been incorrect in something so serious," a new voice explains. "Melmond may be the first of the southern cities affected. It is quite obvious to all of us the Wind of the north has already been lost. We cannot blindly hide in our pocket of the world any longer. What if Earth is next? And then, my dear Elf, what of Fire?"

At this, everyone erupts into small comments and conversation. Garland's voice is boisterous and solid. The king and this new voice cannot be heard.

Another unique voice with an accent retorts loudly, "Master Mage, The Lufeinians and their air machines brought their doom upon them. I have little interest in the speculation of humans in this matter, I did not..." and his voice is lost in the renewed uproar at the table.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:45, Thu 03 Feb 2011.

Zeig's eyes open immediately and he trembles a bit, but manages to refrain from moving and attracting unwanted attention.

[Private to teslas: Do we have any idea of what they're talking about means?  Would any of the knowledge skills help determine that (like recognizing what it means to lose the elements)?  Just trying to determine how to act.]

01:22, Today: ZEIG rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Knowledge history.
01:22, Today: ZEIG rolled 14 using 1d20+5. Knowledge religion.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:23, Thu 03 Feb 2011.

DAI, in aggravation of not hearing anything, moves his ear much closer to the other side of the tapestry and discovers the undecorated portion of the wall is echoing everything quite clearly.

The din of the rabble finally dies down. The king's voice can be heard at first, lowered much in volume to force everyone else at the table to remain silent to hear him. A voice very similar to Knight Captain Weston speaks for a short time, with a deep grunt punctuating his first statement. Garland's voice nearly interrupts immediately after Weston is finished.

[Private to DAI: Another guard can be heard approaching from a different hall. You decide to move back towards the center of the tapestry before he draws much closer, but you manage to hear the talking much more clearly now.

"It is in my opinion the claims of Lukan could possibly be overstretched", the king seems to very carefully admit. "The circumstances that befell the Lufeinians and the other Northern states are not known to any of us. I do, however, feel it may be time to repeat our previous action. The last expedition may have failed, but a new one by those next in line to a much closer location may be the next step."

You can feel the uncomfortableness at the table from this statement in the air from 30 feet away. Many members of the assembly can be heard clearing their throat and shifting in their seats.

"You, if I may presume, my liege, are talking of the potentiality of the destined warriors?" Weston's familiar voice asks. A hearty, unmistakable Dwarven laugh bellows after this comment. "If I may possibly suggest a military expedition instead? Now is the time for deliberate, organized action. Chasing wisps and shreds of legend Lukan predicted did not return the results for which you had hoped."

"Garland chimes in, I must, for once, finally agree with something suggested by Sir Weston, your majesty. "]

[Private to ZEIG: Roll a Knowledge (Religion) and Knowledge (History) check.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:55, Thu 03 Feb 2011.

Another guard patrol can be heard walking by. This one's footsteps are slightly less distracted.

00:24, Today: teslas rolled 24 using 1d20+7. Guard patrolling the balcony.

The guard stops in front of DAI's tapestry. "I can see your feet, fool," he whispers.

At this, Sara immediately jumps out from behind another tapestry. "Quiet, please, Roland," she whispers back. "The two of us were curious and trying to listen. DAI, please come out."

00:27, Today: teslas rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Sara's Bluff.
00:27, Today: teslas rolled 11 using 1d20+1. Roland's Sense Motive.

"I see, but you mean the three of you, do you not?" Roland pokes his Guisarme behind the statue VIL is behind.

You take 1 point of damage, VIL, and manage to muffle yourself before making any noise.

"Yes... him too of course. VIL, DAI, our time here is up. Let's make our way down my father's chambers and wait to admit we were eavesdropping. I'll tell father you were the one who found us, Roland."

00:34, Today: teslas rolled 8 using 1d20+1. Roland's Sense Motive.(2)

"Very well. Leave at once. If I find any of you near here for the rest of the night we will throw your two friends into cells and forget to tell anyone for a couple of weeks. Is that clear, my lady?"

The conversation below has taken another turn towards open arguments. It is doubtful any of the members of the assembly could hear the previous events unfold on the balcony. None of you manage to hear any of what they're saying, however, as Sara and Roland talk over it all.

[Private to ZEIG: All of what was said rings a bell to you, although you can't quite place why exactly. You're sure the Lufeinians were a people that Cornelia has had no direct contact with in over a hundred years. You're fairly confident you can remember that it is presumed they were lost to some kind of catastrophy.

Speaking of Wind, Earth, and Fire you would assume they are speaking of the four prime elements that remain in this world from the eight original gifts from the gods. The fourth is Water. The gifts from the gods myth is a very old one, the origin or probably significance of which is unknown to you.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:22, Thu 03 Feb 2011.

DAI walks out quietly, silently cursing hmself for not changing his shoes as well, with a quick wave of his hand the robes and hat return to their natural colors. He walks after Sara, saying nothing for fear of revealing his still-hidden allies.

Vil glares at Roland as he rubs the spot he was poked at and quietly follows Sara and Dai.

On behalf of ZEIG:

Zeig is startled by the discovery of Dai and Vil but dares not move lest he should miss the reason Sara brought them here.  Upon watching them leave with the second patrol and waiting until they are sufficiently out of earshot, he performs a small cantrip [OOC] Prestidigitation [OOC] to further conceal himself, taking a page out of Dai's book, as he now knows that someone must remain privy to this knowledge.  Although he had felt sufficiently hidden, he now believes there is no longer room for error.  He glances towards Jack's position but dares not extend him the same favor to avoid alarming him.

End quote.

The two remaining people attempt to concentrate once again on the meeting below. ZEIG spends three short seconds making his clothing more like the color of the stained wooden chair, even though he is nearly completely concealed by shadow.

The two people leaving can hear the arguments begin to inflame and worsen. The talking then finishes in a rather sudden fashion, and nothing else can be heard.

[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
The accented voice speaks again as you hear a chair scoot across the floor, "I have no more time for this squabble. Elfheim has its own problems. Do what you must, your highness. I, too, find temptation that such superstitions are true, but resist them. Good luck in your endeavors."

The rantings of a screaming man can be heard as he is dragged down a hallway on the lower floor. "_{Vampires! Our town... ...-lieve me... now! It...  ...too late!}"

Garland's voice is then heard. "I will begin to prepare for your request, my liege. Sir Weston, if you've need of my help in your business, I'll be in the library, double-checking logistics."

A man, presumably Weston, huffs at this.

The king speaks, sounding weary, "Bartholomew, double check your presumptions. We will act in two weeks time."

"Yes, your highness. There is much to review. I believe your faith is in the right place, no matter how it may seem to others," Bartholomew responds.]

[Private to ZEIG; JACK:
The scooting of chairs and diminished talking continue to be heard. Judging by the frequencies of the previous guard patrols, the two of you left on the balcony have no more than a couple of minutes until the next one comes by. With the noise quickly dying below, it seems as if now might be the best time to leave. You did not see which hallway Sara, DAI, and VIL took to leave, but you know it wasn't the one you used to enter. You can take a guess between one of the three others on this side of the room or go back the way you came. Again, you are not familiar with this level of the palace.

There are 8 hallways all leading to this balcony around the assembly hall below. The other four are on the other side of the room, and are symmetrical to the four on your side.]

[Private to VIL; DAI:
Both of you follow Sara down a different hallway than you used to enter. "You two will not be joining me in meeting my father. I'd like to talk to him alone. Please take the stair at the end of this hall and leave through the garden we came through. I will see to ZEIG and JACK as best I can. I hope they were able to hear the rest of the meeting. Trust me, please, it is probably best for everyone..." she pauses, closing her eyes for a moment, "...for everyone, if you two leave the palace as soon as possible. Do your best to not be caught. Take this with you" She hands DAI a small wooden box and waits for you guys to begin leaving.

VIL/DAI: Roll spot checks for the surrounding hallway.]

OOC: You do not have to post privately to me about your actions and what you say. I think you guys are good enough at D&D and self-aware enough to play only what your character knows. I will continue to Private Line your situations and surroundings to you, however, as long as you remain apart.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:30, Thu 03 Feb 2011.

Vil lays a hand on Sara's shoulder and squeezes it gently, then nods. With eagle eye precision, he scans the surrounding hallway.

07:08, Today: VIL rolled 19 using 1d20. Spot check.

[OOC] Kefka smiles on my Rolls in this game. Muhaha. ^_^ [/OOC]

DAI stares intently at Sara after her words ended, he was not liking teh way she was speaking but...he knew objecting would only upset her, which he was not okay with. He held the box under one arm, before rummaging through his small pouch, pulling out a crystal vial with an ornate stopper, and handing it to Sara without a word. He then turned and headed toward the door, taking note to point two fingers at Sara, and say something under his breath. While walking he made sure to spot anything he could...it seemed information was their goal, and he was wanting it more then ever now.

05:24, Today: DAI rolled 18 using 1d20+1. spot (:P).

[Private to teslas: Using Message, to "whisper" to her at a distance. "Please just...don't do anything that would make me regret leaving..."]

Jack was torn. He knew guards could come at any moment, but he wasn't sure if there was more to hear. Sara thought this was important. He looks over at the place where he knew Zeig had hidden, to see if he was leaving.

Zeig moves to a crouch and whispers to Jack ""Looks like they're clearing out, perhaps it's time we did the same.  Sara's not here to bail us out if we're caught now.

Jack rolls out from under the bench and sighs. "Yeah. Let's see if we can make our way to her room and wait for her."

VIL/DAI:
[Private to DAI; VIL: Sara quickly heads back down the hallway towards the balcony. She places the bottle from DAI into her pocket gingerly. You can see her sticking to the thick carpet and carefully watching and listening for another guard.

Both of you notice that a couple of doors are open in the hallway. Moreover you notice the familiar glint of coins sitting on some of the desks. This must be another wing of small personal spaces for officials.

The hallway is 15 feet wide and roughly 120 feet long. There are eight doors on each side, and three are open. The same type of tapestries line the walls along with tables, chairs, and benches and other forms of mostly-decorative furniture.

OOC: You are roughly 2 minutes ahead in time of the other group. We may have to delay your actions slightly.]

ZEIG/JACK:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:

You are roughly 2 minutes behind in time from VIL/DAI. They may have to wait for you to resolve your action.]

[Private to JACK:
If you did want to head to Sara's room, any of the four hallways, or at the very least two of them, should take you to the main lower hallway that is probably the most direct way, that you can remember.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:54, Thu 03 Feb 2011.

Zeig starts making his way to Sara's room, attempting not to be discovered until out of this unfamiliar part of the castle.

14:38, Today: ZEIG rolled 13 using 1d20. Hide Check.
14:38, Today: ZEIG rolled 18 using 1d20. Move Silently check.
[OOC] If you need them. [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Thu 03 Feb 2011.

Jack follows Zeig with as much care as he can.

14:46, Today: JACK rolled 7 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 5. move silently.
14:46, Today: JACK rolled 5 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 3. hide.

[OOC]Jack runs off screaming into the hallway. The dice are fickle.[/OOC]

Zeig moves back through the hallway they entered from, hoping to get back into more familiar territory quickly.

Jack follows.

Time is close to re-synched now.

[Private to JACK; ZEIG: The two of you head back down the way you came. The same, familiar hallway is just how you left it. You guys begin making your way down the thick carpet as stealthily as you can.

Both of you roll Spot checks.]

[Private to ZEIG: You remember some of the doors to rooms were open on this hallway.]

[Private to DAI; VIL: You can continue leaving, as Sara suggested, snoop around some people's rooms, or go back towards the balcony.]

DAI pauses, inspecting the rooms, before holding up one hand and levitating the small piles of coins into his pouch.

OOC: Mage Hand, can go for 1 minute/level, since 50 coins are a pound it can move up to 250 coins at once.

Don't blame me, I'm used to playing theivy characters >.>

18:59, Today: ZEIG rolled 10 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 6. Spot check.

[OOC] You thieving bastard! :p [/OOC]

30 seconds passes.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
DAI delays near one of the doors labeled "Magistrate Minor Mury, Second Class".

He calmly uses Mage Hand to lift a stack of 32 platinum pieces out to him in the hallway without leaving any trace of his presence in the room itself, or disturbing the door at all. There are five more stacks subdivided out into the same amount that are clearly visible through the semi-open door.

The entire process takes only 25 seconds, and can be repeated. VIL witnesses the act.]

ZEIG:
[Private to ZEIG: You are in a hurry and manage to notice the same thing you did last time, but only because you were looking for it.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:05, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

19:11, Today: JACK rolled 14 using 1d20. spot.

DAI continues to get another, looking over to VIL while doing so, whispering.

Am...am I the only one doing this?

OOC: Since MAge Hand lasts 1 minute/level, could I get 2 stacks done with one use? OR is it a new use for evry object levitated?

OOC: Single cast for two stacks, yes, and the Duration is "Concentration" meaning that you can Mage Hand all day long on one cast so long as you keep concentrating on doing it.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
DAI grabs another stack of 32 platinum coins from the desk as almost another 30 seconds passes.

18:16, Today: Secret Roll: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 15 using 1d20+4. Listen check.
18:17, Today: Secret Roll: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 18 using 1d20+1. Listen check.

DAI thinks he hears the familar sound of armored feet coming from the direction of the balcony and points it out to VIL, who quickly listens and confirms it.

OOC / DM TIP: The guards will, of course, look down each hallway as they walk past. I'd suggest rolling a Hide check. If I do not hear from VIL in the next little while I will roll it for him.]

[Private to DAI: I'm telling! Total wealth gained: 640 gp.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:27, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI begins leaving, trying to muffle his own feet on the chance thay could hear his over their own. He also uses his magic to attempt to hide once more, hoping it would obscure him from sight.

16:22, Today: DAI rolled 17 using 1d20+2. Move Silently.
16:28, Today: DAI rolled 10 using 1d20+2. Hide(please...).

This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
18:40, Today: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 8 using 1d20+2. Hide check.

The two of you attempt to hide. DAI, not being sure if moving the partially open door would make noise, hides behind a tapestry again. Once he's back there he realizes his feet are, once again slightly exposed, but turning them sideways against the wall would cause his hips to poke the tapestry out a slight bit.

VIL, again, runs behind a suit of armor and assumes the same pose.

18:42, Today: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Guard looking down hallway.

OOC: oops, well VIL rolled that one for the guard.

The guard continues on his way around the balcony. The distance and somewhat dim lighting seem to have done all of the work for you. Relieved, you guys step back out onto the carpet.]

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
The two of you begin to make your way down the hallway, heading for the stairwell. You near the archway to the spiral staircase.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:49, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

[OOC] Sorry guys, was called in early for work, and now able to post since the bosses finally left. [/OOC]

Vil wipes his forehead with a sigh of relief and decides to copy Dai and also use Mage Hand to swipe some stacks.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
OOC: the stories of old tell of the light warriors' many battles against powerful evils as well as their sticky hands when visiting castles

It can be assumed VIL would have done this the same time DAI was doing it previously. VIL, add 64 platinum pieces to your inventory.

There are still 32 left inside of the room, but the act of hiding broke both of your concentrations on Mage Hand. One of you will have to recast it to proceed, if you wish.]

Vil whispers to Dai with a grin, "Let's get out of here. Let's not let greed screw us over."

DAI nods to VIL, ready to move.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

Vil heads down the corridor cautiously, listening and peering around the corner.

19:06, Today: VIL rolled 6 using 1d20+2. Move Silently check.
19:06, Today: VIL rolled 6 using 1d20+4. Listen check.

[OOC] Ay Carombe, my Rolls have taken a dismal turn for the worse while posting at work. [/OOC]

Both groups make it to their respective spiral staircases. They lead downwards. The sound of rain can be heard against the doors of exterior balconies.

Both groups make their way down. As they pass by the glass doors to the exterior balconies lightning strikes several times.

JACK/ZEIG, the door to the balcony in your stairwell remains open as before. DAI/VIL, yours is not.

Both parties are synced in time and halfway down their respective stairwells.

[Private to DAI; VIL:
After the barrage of lightning strikes, the unmistakable sound of at least two pairs of armored feet can be heard clanking at the direct top of the stairwell. The footsteps sound hurried, like they have a purpose.

You have little time to decide on a course of action, and to your dismay, footsteps from below sounding as if they are headed upwards, are also heard. There seems to be only one pair of them, however. The clanking of this person's armor is quite distinct.

You guys are halfway down, and it is a full rotation of the stairwell to reach either the top or the bottom. The walls of the stairwell are quite barren.

OOC: Way to fail secret Listen checks, kids, at least you both made the second one. No tapestries to hide you this time, DAI!

OOC: I'll allow you to substitute your roll for your first listen check, VIL. You still fail, but less miserably.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:13, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

I'm going through the door.



[OOC]Are we allowed in this part of the castle normally?[/OOC]

Vil whispers urgently, "Dai, in here!" And immediately tries to open the door to the balcony (if open easily) and drags Dai with him inside.

I follow Jack after I realize he's not behind me anymore.

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
You two step out onto the balcony. Rain is pouring from the sky. Looking out over the edge of the balcony directly next to the castle, avoiding leaving the overhand and getting wet, it looks as if the ground is 25' directly beneath you onto a stone pathway around the castle.

Lightning strikes. You can see that at the end of the balcony, the ground is mounded up and only around 20' or so down. Beneath the end of the balcony is a large hedge surrounded by now somewhat soft and muddy garden soil.

If you wish to stay and wait for another lightning strike, you can roll a spot check to see anything in the garden, or look at the gate in the distance through which you entered the palace gardens earlier in the night.]

VIL/DAI:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
Vil quickly opens the door. It lets out a small creaking noise, which is absolutely painful to hear. The sound of rain increases slightly in volume as you make your way onto the balcony. The doors are not as wide as the balcony, and with your backs to the wall you could avoid being seen from inside.

Looking out over the edge of the balcony directly next to the castle, avoiding leaving the overhand and getting wet, it looks as if the ground is 25' directly beneath you onto a stone pathway around the castle.


19:20, Today: Secret Roll: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 8 using 1d20+2. Dex Check.
19:20, Today: Secret Roll: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 32 using 1d100. Luck check for lightning to conceal door opening. (Failure)

19:23, Today: Secret Roll: teslas rolled 8 using 1d20+7.
19:23, Today: Secret Roll: teslas rolled 20 using 1d20+7.

"Did you hear that," one of them asks. "No, but I think hear Garland coming. Let's get this over with," the other responds, sounding very much like Roland.

Footsteps begin leading down the stairwell.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:27, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

"Think you can make it Zeig?" Jack whispers. "I think I can."

Zeig stifles a chuckle and then takes a good look at Jack.

"Wait, you're serious?!"

[OOC] I have a negative strength modifier!  I don't mind making the jump, just wanted to give you time to respond. [/OOC]

Jack nodded solemnly. "Completely. Need a hand?"
[OOC]I'd like to use Aid Another to "help" Zeig make the jump.[/OOC]

Zeig visibly pales.

"Well, I...I suppose it's better than rotting in the dungeons if we're caught up here." *gulp*

Jack takes Zeigs arm and brings him closer to the edge over the bush. "Ready?"

"Ready, huh? Zeig nods his head, then shakes it. Eh...there better a WAY better party next time!"

20:39, Today: ZEIG rolled 12 using 1d20-1. Jump check.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
JACK drops ZEIG down into the bush. ZEIG's stomach curdles slightly during the short fall. The hedge seems to soften the blow, but not as much as you would have hoped and one of the branches sticks into your backside as you land. It is uncomfortable, to say the least, but does not seem to pierce your skin.

You then roll out of the bush and knock your head into the mud face first. You feel as graceful as a sopping wet White Mage covered in prickly leaves and twigs. All in all, you suffer 5 points of Non-Lethal damage as the wind is knocked from your body.

19:42, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 5 using 1d6. Non-Lethal falling damage.

JACK jumps down into the bush directly afterwards. As he crashes into it, he is jabbed in the side by a branch, which pierces his skin. JACK nimbly rolls out of the bush and lands on his feet beside ZEIG splashing a little more mud onto him.

You take 1 point of lethal damage from the bush. (Shrug It Off can be used for environment damage as well, if it doesn't say so in the description).]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:50, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

My check to assist and my own jump check
20:43, Today: JACK rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Jump check.
20:42, Today: JACK rolled 23 using 1d20+7. Jump check.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:44, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI stays at the edge of the overhang, waiting for the guards to walk past.

[Private to teslas: If a guard apporaches the door I was going to use Ghost sound to emulate a window breaking in the hallway at the top of the stairwell.]

Vil presses his back and Dai's back against the wall until the footsteps recedes. "Now what? I didn't bring a rope, did you?" Vil asks Dai as he peers over the balcony.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

Jack brushes his side a little, shrugs, then goes over to Zeig to help him out of the mud.
[OOC]Jack uses Shrug It Off to turn it into nonlethal damage.[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:02, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
The steps seem to meet just outside of the door. You can hear a metal gauntlet press into the door abruptly, closing it. The rain and wind are quite loud out here.

A conversation strikes up on the other side of the somewhat thin glass door.

Both of you roll a listen check. DC 12.]

[Private to DAI: Ghost Sound is range Close and requires line of effect. You'd have to roll a Hide check to lean over and look through the open door to avoid being noticed for it to originate from the top of the stairwell.

It's a non-issue though, as nobody wants to stand and get wet while they talk.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:59, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

17:59, Today: DAI rolled 8 using 1d20+1. listen.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

Zeig attempts to wipe the mud off of his face between gasping for air.  After wiping the tears out of his eyes he gives Jack another incredulous look.

"You...are......nuts......" *gasp*

[Private to JACK: [OOC] Tes made an edit that said I rolled out of the bush and landed face first in the mud.  D'oh. [/OOC]]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:00, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

19:59, Today: VIL rolled 10 using 1d20+4. Listen check.

[OOC] I gotta stop rolling at work, the rolls are horrible. :) [/OOC]

Jack grins, "Sara didn't want us caught. Better this way. We should be able to go through the front doors to get to her room now. Is that still the plan?"

[OOC]Made an edit to reflect Zeig's situation. D'Oh.[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:03, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI/VIL:

[Private to DAI; VIL:
The discussion lasts for several minutes. It seems rather rushed, as if something concerns all of them. Garland's voice is unmistakable. Shreds of words can be heard.

"...hand... ...forced... ...DO NOT... ...Roland..."

Straining to hear, it seems as if Garland walks off, but you cannot discern whether it is up or down the stairs. A final, "...and wait for me there!" is heard as he leaves.

Stone silent, the two of you wait another minute before daring to move. Nothing can be heard from the other side of the door.]

"Yea...I suppose.  You think they'd let me walk in the front gate looking like this?  Bet I'd get a laugh or two at least."

[OOC] What's the ruling on prestidigitation for cleaning?  1 cubic foot is what can be cleaned, but when you're only cleaning surface area (clothes and face) that's a completely different measurement.  The plan is to magic some grime off, can I do it? [/OOC]

Edit: 1 cubic foot each round, my bad.

"No, this simply won't do at all."

fluffity-fluff text -snip- Zeig casts prestidigitation on himself in order to clean the mud from his garments and body.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

Cautiously, Vil cracks open the door and peeks. If noone around, he opens it and slips inside, motioning Dai to follow him. He'll head downstairs as quietly as he can.

"Maybe." Jack admitted, "I think we can get through. And don't worry, I'll throw a great big party for all of us next time we get a chance. No mud at all"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI would follow whatever signs VIL made, attempting to listen for footsteps as well.

18:11, Today: DAI rolled 2 using 1d20+1. listen.
Wow I'm deaf...

ZEIG and JACK head around the gardens back towards the castle. One of the groundskeepers is going to wonder who or what fell off of the balcony and put two huge holes in his hedge row.

Please specify which entrance to the castle you'd like to take. You entered the Western gate before. There is also the main gate, the South one. I didn't want to assume anything.

VIL and DAI attempt eek back into the hallway.

One of you roll the DEX check to open the door silently.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

I think we agreed to go through the main gate.

20:18, Today: VIL rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Dex check.

[OOC] Vil flings the door open crashing against the wall, then makes a loud TA-DA! - The rolls hate me at work. Going home soon. Yay. [/OOC]

DAI attempts to open the door silently, crigning at the sound produced.
18:19, Today: DAI rolled 4 using 1d20+2. Dex(oh please...)
d'oh...

VIL/DAI:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
Going with DAI's 2 on his listen check. I'll roll one for Viladin to speed things up.
20:21, Today: teslas, on behalf of JACK, rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Listen.
OOC: Yeah dude, totally let me roll for you while you're at work.

Apparently the door's hinges may need some attention, as they squeak again as VIL opens the door.

VIL sticks his head through and listens, DAI waiting outside, his hearing literally being drowned by the storm.

20:22, Today: teslas rolled 22 using 1d20+7. Roland Listen.
20:22, Today: teslas rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Unnamed Palace Guard Listen. ]

[Private to VIL:
"THAT is how you tie a knot. Now let's g... shhh." Apparently the two guards were still at the bottom of the stair busily doing something.

You can barely hear one of them say, "I swear I heard that door open again. I'm goin..." and then Roland breaks in, "I heard it too."

Metal clanking of feet begin climbing the stair rather quickly.]

[Private to DAI: You see VIL poke his head through the open door and listen for a moment. His face changes from concentration to panic.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:37, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

ZEIG/JACK:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
The two of you go around the hedge row and back onto the pathway just outside of the palace wall. You turn one of the corners of the castle and see two guards roughly 45 feet away making their standard patrol. They lock eyes with you immediately and motion for you to stop.

They briskly begin to walk towards you, Guisarmes in hand.

The path is 10 feet wide. The smooth castle wall stretches up into the sky to your left. To your right is a high hedge row of about 6'. Behind you the path turns back towards the way you came, and in front of you are the guards on their way to intercept you.]

"Hey!" Jack waves.

[OOC]Do we know their names?[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI whispers.

What is it? Are the coming?

DAI prepares to jump.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:00, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

Zeig slows to a stop and makes an elegant bow.

"And how are you this fine evening, good sirs?  The rain is quite lovely tonight, there's nothing quite as refreshing as a stroll through the garden in the rain."

[OOC] Rep sirs with their names if we know these guards. [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

OOC:
It is customary for palace guards to only serve for 5-10 years, as they usually select already-trained soldiers who excel in their craft. After 5-10 years, they usually retire to make place for younger replacements or are promoted to a position that does not include patrolling the gardens in the rain at night.

As such, most of the palace guards that you would know fairly well from childhood no longer serve.

Also it's dark outside.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:54, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
The guards come within range of their Guisarmes. While not pointed directly at you, they could be in an instant. Neither of you recognize either guard by name, but you're somewhat sure you have seen both of them before at least once.

"Hello. Fine night indeed. Might we ask what you're doing enjoying it so close to the palace," the one on the left queries?]

"We're on our way to see Sara. We kind of took a detour in the garden. Been so long since we've been here. I was thinking of bringing some vegetables for Chuck next time I was around, too. Do you know if Chuck is still a gardener around here? He taught me about gardening and all." Jack natters.

Vil curses underneath his breath and concentrates creating water to splash the stairs with Cantrip. "We go up! Quickly!" Vil whispers to Dai. Vil quickly makes his way up the stairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
The one on the right does not even blink, "You will follow us immediately and without incident. We will proceed to the gate and straighten this out."

One of the guards begins to circle around behind you on the hedge-row side. The guard circling does not remove his eyes from you, while the other scans the surroundings.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:03, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI follows VIL, hoping they would not get seen.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault really.  She invited us for a get together with some old friends but the gardens have always been very nostalgic for me.  We've only idled a few minutes."

Edit: "Please lead the way.  I'm sure if you asked the princess herself she would forgive us our tardiness."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
VIL quickly splashes the stairs with some water as DAI darts through the door. The two of you run up the stairs and end up back in the hallway.

You hear one of the guards slip slightly as he is running up the stairs, but they are otherwise unimpeded.

"Running will only make what happens to you when you're caught that much worse!", one of them yells as they round the stairwell past the balcony door.

OOC: DC in creased by 2 due to its unexpected location. Both pass.
21:11, Today: teslas rolled 7 using 1d20-5. Guard's balance check, DC 5.
21:11, Today: teslas rolled 10 using 1d20-5. Roland's balance check, DC 5.]

DAI goes ino one of the open doors of the rooms that he obtained some of the money from earlier, while sending a ghost sound further down the hallway creating the sound of four people running to the end of the hall and just around the corner.

ZEIG/JACK:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG: "We'll see. Move along. Stay next to one another," the rear guard commands. "And please, sirs, no more talking until we arrive. I hope that is very, very clear."

The guard circling around you is now behind you, weapon readied. The guard in front peers over his shoulder very often as they take you towards the main gate of the castle.

You are traveling in this formation:

..G..
.....
.J.Z.
.....
..G..
.....
]

Vil follows Dai and hides behind the door.

21:28, Today: VIL rolled 7 using 1d20+2. Hide check.

[OOC] Bah, rolls. I'm home. Roll good nao! [/OOC]

Jack nods, and keeps moving.

19:30, Today: DAI rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Hide.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
VIL dives into the door behind DAI and lands on thick carpeting muffling most of the impact noises, completely non-viwable from the outside of the room.

Roland and the other guard come running by. "I heard something!" one exclaims outside of the door. "Me too," yells Roland as he continues to run.

The door slams and you hear the lock engage. A muffled voice through the thick, wooden door says, "If you're in the magistrate's room we'll see you in a moment." His armored feet clank down the hallway to follow Roland.

21:27, Today: teslas rolled 9 using 1d20+1. Roland's sense motive vs. Ghost Sound.
21:36, Today: teslas rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Listen for VIL's graceful landing. DC 18.
21:36, Today: teslas rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Listen for VIL's graceful landing. DC 18.
21:36, Today: teslas rolled 20 using 1d20+7. Spot vs hide, DC 26, Other.
21:36, Today: teslas rolled 15 using 1d20+7. Spot vs hide, DC 26, Roland. ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:18, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

Zeig maintains his cheery disposition and occasionally stares off into the sky while accompanying the guards.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
You both look around the room quickly, hearts racing. It is very dark with the door closed.

The major features of the room catch your eyes first. A large writing desk, a luxurious leather reclining couch, several chairs, and a few large chests.

There are two outside windows which are shut and latched from the inside. As you turn for a second look around the room a bolt of lightning brightens everything quickly.

One stack of 32 platinum pieces remains on the desk.

Roll spot checks. It's very dark in here.]

ZEIG/JACK:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
You both follow the guard's instructions. You round another corner of the castle and are approaching the main gate. The rain, if possible, has seemed to worsen.]

19:51, Today: DAI rolled 16 using 1d20+1. spot.

DAI takes in his surroundings, while also looking outside the window to see if there was anything below it to land on safely, or perhaps if it led to a wall easy enough to climb down. He pocketed the last stack of platinum, before checking the window.

OOC: Also, how high up are we now?

Vil notices Dai swiping the rest of the platinum pieces. He shrugs at Dai, "Might as well, since we're here. If we can, lets search the chests for something to get us out of here in one piece." Vil steps as quietly as he can towards one of the chests and checks to see if its locked.

21:52, Today: VIL rolled 4 using 1d20. Spot check.

[OOC] Ugh. Kefka, bless my rolls! [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:54, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

[Private to DAI; VIL:
DAI goes to the window after pocketing the last of the platinum pieces and waits for the next lightning strike. It appears as if you are now 45 feet from the ground below. The windows lead down into a side-courtyard next to the castle. It leads off into the north side of the gardens. The northern section of the castle, more of a fortress than anything else, can also be seen.

VIL, you attempt to open each of the three chests, but they are all firmly shut. There appears to be detailed padlocks on each one.]

[Private to DAI: You noticed a longsword hanging above the door to the room. There is a plaque underneath it but it is far too dark to read.]

OOC: VIL, I told you to let me do your rolls, haha

Vil goes to search the desk for anything they could use.

22:15, Today: VIL rolled 6 using 1d20. Search check.

[OOC] Bah, I'm home now, stupid rolls. [/OOC]

VIL/DAI:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
Despite it being very dark, VIL fumbles around with the desk looking for something. He feels paper in most of the drawers.

DAI, being near the window for a couple of lightning strikes it appears that the windows are held shut by simple metal latches.]

ZEIG/JACK:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
You two are fairly near the front gate now. One of the guards stationed there catches sight of you and waves his hand. The guard walking in front of you does the same. There seems to be at least eight people at the gate, and most of them are looking at you.

All the while both of you continue moving towards them.]

Jack keeps moving and doesn't make any trouble.

Vil gives up searching at the desk and heads to the door to see if it can be unlocked from the inside.

Zeig cheerfully waves to the new guard, mistakenly thinking that the guard was waving to him.

VIL/DAI:
[Private to VIL/DAI:
Viladin goes to the door to see if it can be simply unlocked. He feels around in the darkness and does not see a latch. Lightning strike. He sees that there is a keyhole on the side of the door he's on. Presumably, the lock is internal with a key hole on each side.

As VIL as at the door, the familiar sound of clanking can be heard outside. It is hurried, but it seems as if those hustling are trying to conceal their steps as best they can--and on the carpet outside it might actually be hard to hear them if you weren't in the hallway with them. They do not stop as they pass and neither of you hear them say anything.

The time between being locked inside and the sounds of armored people running past has been about one minute.]

[OOC] Psst, can't read it. [/OOC]

JACK/ZEIG
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
The two of you arrive at the gate. A guard captain you actually recognize walks up to the both of you, "What the hell are you two doing being brought to me on a night like this?"

Four guards that were at the gate walk off in the direction you came, presumably to resume the interrupted patrol. Another listens for a moment and disappears inside the castle.

You are all standing in a large gate-house embedded inside the castle's structure. It appears to many visitors to be decorative and mostly for show when they the first enter the castle. The two of you know that in the darkness 30 feet above you lie several massive portcullises--the first of the castle's impressive defenses that haven't been put to a true test in hundreds of years.

The two guards explain exactly how they found you and repeat almost word for word what you told them. The guard captain plainly says, "alright. Now you're going to tell me why you're here, and how you got in."

An especially large network of lightning lights up the cloud-choked sky and everything beneath it for an instant. The two guards, and their weapons, are still paying accute attention to you.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:56, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

"Raoul let us in." Jack began "With the princess. Me and Zeig took a detour to the garden. Not sure where the others are, we're on our way to find them."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:57, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
"By the others you mean," he thinks for a moment, "that creepy, skinny one and VAL?"

"I believe that Sara probably would've had to have been with you to get into the gardens tonight, but where is she now? Why did you not simply go to the West gate to wait for them if you were separated? Why were you so close to the castle? How long have you been on the grounds?" He sincerely doubts the completeness of your story. He is clearly annoyed and impatient.]

Vil grumbles silently but casts the Light cantrip on his shiny platinum piece so he can see.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:06, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

"Come now, you wouldn't deprive us of a walk in the gardens?  In the rain?  At night?  What an exquisite opportunity!  The way the droplets glisten as they reflect the lightning and drip from the rose petals.  I just couldn't pass it up.  Honestly, it was just a few minutes!"

Zeig flits between annoyed and enthralled as he rants.

"I dragged Jack out here and then we didn't know where the others had went.  We thought it would be simplest to return to the front gate since we didn't know."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:10, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

OOC: Please declare on object on which you're casting Light. How about one of those platinum pieces you just stole?

Jack feels a flash of annoyance. He frowns, but keeps his voice civil. "Dai. Dai and Vil. I think Sara told Raoul she wanted us to carry something, and Zeig told the truth about why we're in the garden. Are they at the West Gate? " here, he looks a bit embarrassed, "We kind of got a little lost. It's been a while since we've been here, I guess. We would like to meet up with them, if you know where they are.

ZEIG/JACK:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
00:20, Today: teslas rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Guard Captain's Sense Motive.
00:21, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 17 using 1d20+1. Bluff.
00:22, Today: teslas, on behalf of JACK, rolled 13 using 1d20-1. Bluff.

The guard captain looks absolutely furious after ZEIG finishes his inane ramblings. JACK's further explanation does not improve his opinion of the situation. "Inform Weston there may be a problem. Wake the next shift. Find the princess. Throw these uncooperative fools some place uncomfortable until the Knight Captain can see them."

Two guards are going to initiate grapples against each of you. The guard captain has his hand on his sword.

You have an opportunity to roll initiative if you wish. It won't take too long to resolve the situation if you do. This is not a good thing for you.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:22, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

I'll pass up my opportunity

"This is absurd!  You KNOW us and we have every right to be here!  When the princess finds out about this..."

Zeig is a bit mouthy but makes no move to resist.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:20, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
Four guards take you to a holding cell just inside the gate. A door of iron bars swings shut and is locked by a key one of the guards is holding.

Two of the armored guards remain behind and light lantern in the room. The other two leave once the cell is locked. None of them say a word. One of the guards is about 10 feet away facing you, but starring above your heads as to not make eye contact. The other assumes a position near to him, facing the door.

The room has one large cell and is cold and drafty due to the long slits in the wall to your left. These slits face directly into the gatehouse tunnel, but are far too narrow to fit through. They seem just barely wide enough to launch arrows through. You can see through them fairly well. The two guards that left the room make their way back outside the castle. A few moments later several more guards run by. A bell rings in the distance.

It is obvious the castle guard already had a reason to be on alert. Perhaps the small assembly tonight was much more important than it seemed.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:32, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
VIL's coin lights up the room completely. After another quick scan, VIL now also notices the longsword above the door.

The plaque reads:
Awarded to Mury for excellence and valor in service to His Majesty's naval force.
Mury, retired 1st Lieutenant, His Majesty's Marines.

OOC: VIL may re-roll his Search check of the desk.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:39, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI picks up the sword, trying to eye its sturdiness, to see if it could be used to pry open the window or, the door.

04:07, Today: DAI rolled 8 using 1d20+4. search(desk).
OOC: should note, DAI wears gloves so...in case fingerprints are a thing here, I'm good
This message was last edited by the player at 12:07, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
DAI hops up and grabs the sword from above the door. It was merely resting on two small, metal hooks.

The sword seems well-made and as sturdy as any other decent sword DAI has ever seen.

DAI jabs the sword between the edge of the door and just above the lock and gives it a good pry. It notches the wood a little before simply sliding out, as the tip was the only thing he managed to put between the two large pieces of wood.

Now that the room is illuminated, the door handle and lock mechanism is obvious. There is a key hole on the inside of the room. Looking through it, you can see light from outside in the hallway. Apparently it can be locked and unlocked from either side by a key.

Frustrated, DAI rummages through the desk. He too only finds papers that seem to cover an array of subjects that have to do with Cornelia's finances.

OOC: DAI, if I wasn't clear, you can simply unlock the window from the inside. They are metal latches to stop it being opened from the outside only.

Reminder: VIL can research the desk now that he can see, as the first attempt was basically futile.

To save time: There's no way you two could pry this door open with a longsword. It does seem like you could use it to eventually break the door down, however, but that might take VIL a couple of minutes of tirelessly hacking away (20 rounds) and would create a hell of a lot of noise.
]
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:42, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI, after failing with the door, unlocks the windows and looks down, seeing if there is an easy path to climb, or perhaps a lower ledge or window to grab onto.

OOC: 45 feet would be 4d6...unless I'm incrediby lucky that spells unconscious and bleeding out...possibly even dying(as only 20 damage would be required for that)

I don't even know feather fall O.<

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
The ground is 45 feet below you. Your heart sinks. It is a long fall onto cold, wet stone. The nearest tree lies far away in the garden. You think you can remember hearing the groundskeepers mumble something about not letting trees grow too near the castle due to security risks. "Too easy for people to sneak in or out" or something similar. The irony might be amusing in another circumstance...

You continue to look around the well-lit room, considering your options apart from breaking your legs (and possibly neck) or having VIL chop the door down.

You see:
-The couch with three large cushions and a couple of smaller pillows.
-VIL's stolen sword.
-Three large, wooden chests held by what appears to be simple metal padlocks.
-The writing desk, now with papers slightly scattered.
-Several ornate wooden chairs.
-Four long tapestries on the wall behind the desk--presumably Mury's proud family seal is on them. They stretch from ceiling to floor like the ones in the castle hall.]

OOC: The first 10 feet of an intentional fall is always non-lethal damage. That helps your chances for a jump. If you got lucky on your jump check it's only 2d6 lethal and 1d6 non-lethal. Still a risky decision.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:06, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI begins tying the tapestries together frantically, cutting them from the wall when needed.

OOC: how long would combined length be? and is there a suitable anchor point inside? Do I need to make a roll of any sort? Probably use rope...no ranks, awesome >.>

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
DAI begins tearing Mury's tapestries from the wall. These things are usually quite expensive and made out of fine, tough fabric. These are no exception.

They are 8 feet long and are quite thick. DAI tears each one in half longways and begins tying them together with crude knots.

The chairs are too big to fit through the window, so tying to one of them and then lowering yourself out, while a bit rough at the beginning as it caught the window frame, would probably work well. It would, however, get you 5' closer to the ground and be easier to tie to than anything else in the room.

Tying off to the writing desk would perform the same function. DAI quickly decides sliding the couch in between the stout writing desk and the wall and tying off to the writing desk should be quite secure and should not move much at all, if any... so long as the tapestries stay tied to one another.

07:02, Today: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 20 using 1d20. Intelligence check.
07:02, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 5 using 1d20+4. Intelligence check.

Looking at it, you both think there should be enough to lower the two of you within 15' of the ground tying to the desk, and within a little less than 10' tying to the chair.

VIL suddenly has an idea. He has no idea where he remembers this from, but getting the knots wet and waiting a moment after they are tied should actually make it less likely for them to pull apart... he thinks. DAI does not like the sound of the idea, but has no knowledge to the contrary.

Two minutes have passed since you last heard anyone outside.

07:08, Today: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 8 using 1d20. Search check.
VIL, preferring another option if it is available, frantically searches the writing desk again now that he can see, but finds nothing.


OOC: Use Rope! -2 penalty for using non-conventional material. Possible bonus for getting knots wet after tied. ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:09, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI will moisten the knots after tying them, trusting VIL's instincts, but adding a little of his own isnurance. After doing this he ties the tapestry to the writing desk, moving the couch between it and the wall(with VIL's help Im assuming).

05:07, Today: DAI rolled 14 using 1d20. use rope(-2 for non-rope).05:21,
Today: DAI rolled 22 using 1d20+2. use rope(tie to desk...please).


OOC: There's the base roll, before possible bonus for wet knots, also...

Casting Mending on the tapestries, hopefully melding them into a more singular, but still resilient, substitute for ropes.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:21, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

VIL/DAI:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
DAI sees if a Mending spell might improve the look of the make-shift rope. Some of the fibers twist and intertwine, but it looks like the torn and knotted tapestries are so far from their original state the spell simply fails to have any appreciable effect.

DAI gives the tapestry rope a few good tugs. It appears to hold incredibly well, albeit his tugs are probably but a fourth of the weight of a body climbing down a wall.

OOC: That was the Use Rope check to tie all of the tapestries together. You will make a separate check when tying off to whatever you decide to tie off to. Thank you.

DAI and VIL then tie the tapestry "rope" to two legs of the desk as best they can. Both of you give the tapestry "rope" a leaning tug and it appears to hold quite firmly.

The storm outside has done anything but let up. The wind is blowing rather forcefully up the exterior wall of the castle. The papers from the desk that were jostled and disturbed by several frantic searches flutter around the room. Some of which are getting sopping wet.

Mury is not going to have a good day tomorrow.

Alright, let VIL get on and put his two cents before you enact the fall climb out of the castle plan.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:40, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

Vil looks down from the window and says a quick prayer to any gods listening and says to Dai, ""Alright, let's do this. Once we get down, providing we survive the fal... climb, we'll head to the west gate and you present the box to the guards just as Sara said we would." Vil then attempts to climb down the makeshift rope.

07:51, Today: VIL rolled 4 using 1d20+2. Climb skill check.

[OOC] Oh, sonnabishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! [/OOC]

DAI nods...tucking the box into his robes against his stomach, before climbing down as well. He unknowingly tucked the sword away as well.

05:53, Today: DAI rolled 9 using 1d20+1. Climb(only DC 5...please).
That's kinda bad...a rope against awall(knotted at that) is only DC 5 to climb down...missed it by that much

ZEIG/JACK:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
At least 10 minutes pass while in the cell. The guards don't move or say a thing. Traffic outside in the gatehouse entryway intensifies as more and more armored feet pass through.

There is absolutely nothing in the cell except the stone floor and walls and the iron bars between you and the guards. You wonder how long you will be here and how long it will take Sara to iron everything out. This is definitely a big deal.

A couple pairs of armored feet stop outside the door, the sound audible through the slits in the cell wall. Weston bursts into the room with a look on his face neither of you have ever seen the normally warm man express.

"Tell me what you have seen and done immediately. Begin with your entrance of the palace's West gate, and I do not wish to hear of pleasant walks in the garden."]


The Knight Captain is the highest ranking member of His Majesty's Palace Guard. It is a respected position full of responsibility. Although the Knight Captain commands but a fraction of the nation's fighting personnel, he is given the same prestige and attention as any other military leader. Weston has held the position for the last seven years. He was the obvious choice to fill the role after the honorable retirement of his predecessor. He is quite familiar with the lot of you, and is especially fond of the king's two daughters, whom he watched grow up from birth.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:12, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

VIL/DAI:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
As soon as VIL braces himself against the wall outside of the window, his foot slips. He falls a couple of feet, but manages to maintain a death grip on the tapestry life-line. He swings in and busts his face against the castle wall.
Viladin takes 1 point of non-lethal damage.

DAI recoils in horror for a moment and then realizes the good news: If the tapestries can handle that they should be able to make it down without a problem.

VIL makes it to the bottom of the tapestry rope, and drops down the last 12-15 feet or so.
(Roll your Jump check to reduce the fall by 10')

OOC: You have to fail a Climb check by more than 5 to fall, chief. You're fine, haha.
Also, you don't have anywhere to "tuck" the sword into per se. You're going to be aware that you have it if you take it with you.
Finally, it's actually a Climb check for every move action you climb 1/4 of your speed, but I'm not that mean ;p VIL can't actually fail the climb check by more than 5 even with the -2 penalty from the 'rope' being wet and being blown around slightly.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:14, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

06:12, Today: DAI rolled 6 using 1d20+1. Jump(reduce falling...yaaaaay).
06:18, Today: DAI rolled 6 using 1d6. nonlethal-ness...yaaaaaaaay
OOC: DAI would have left it then, a man's trophy sword is easier to track then some missing platinum. If VIL wanted to take it that's his choice but...yeah

ah well...at least it was an intentional jump so, only nonlethal...except i got max damage >.>
This message was last edited by the player at 14:19, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

"I don't know what to tell you, captain, that's what happened." Jack said adamantly.

09:13, Today: JACK rolled 14 using 1d20-1. bluff.

[OOC]This would be sooooooo much easier with a rogue in the party. and I got a 14! That means I might actually win if he rolls a 6. Stupid competent guards.[/OOC]

ZACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
"WHAT is what happened? I've said nothing. I don't have time for this nonsense. Explain what you were doing. This is the last time I will ask."

Weston has always been a warm man with the princesses' best interest at heart. You have never seen him so furious.

OOC: Give ZEIG a chance to piss off the friendly NPC, too, before you say too much, please.]

[OOC] I would have taken it and drop it out the window, point first, then retrieve it after the climb. [/OOC]

08:18, Today: VIL rolled 9 using 1d20+2. Jump skill check.
08:20, Today: VIL rolled 6 using 1d6. Non-lethal damage from fall.

[OOC] Of course, I would roll max on a non-d20. >.< [/OOC]

[OOC]He did say something. He said not to talk about a stroll in the garden. that's what I was referring to. I'm sensing your trying to give us a way out of the mess we've made for ourselves. Now I just need to figure out how to take it while remaining in character.[/OOC]

OOC: I know what you mean, I am pretty sure.

He meant JACK's said nothing of substance, and flat-out disbelieves you that nothing else was taking place. Sense Motive checks don't need to be rolled when you're 100% sure someone is lying due to having empirical proof.

And table-talk in the OOC thread in the future, please~
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:29, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

After landing rather roughly, DAI makes sure VIL is okay, and starts walking towards the West Gate, slightly hurried but trying to seem calm, holding the box under his left arm now...in case he is questioned as to what he's doing, since Sara mentioned them leaving with a box earlier.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
VIL lets go of the rope and lands on his feet without bending his knees very much and falls over. He lies on the ground for a moment making sure nothing is broken, and determines he should be alright to continue on without too much trouble at all.

As DAI is climbing down he sees VIL nursing a twisted ankle and a busted face, wondering if he is alright.

Letting go of the rope after the treacherous climb, DAI lands on the stone slab pavement. As he hits the ground, DAI finds out exactly how alright VIL was when he fell the hard way.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:00, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

Vil follows after Dai, trying to keep an eye out for guards, and stuffing the sword through his belt, holding a hand onto the hilt to keep it steady.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:57, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
You tear your way through the gardens, making sure to stay next to hedges and the like as best as you can. You only hear one guard patrol of four guards during the trip, but it is running and doesn't seem to be looking for people trying to hide from them.

It takes you several minutes to get to the gate. Both of you stick your heads underneath a hedge to get a good look at the West gate. One guard appears to be sitting on the ground, his back leaning against the wall. The other cannot be seen.

One of the two massive doors is sitting open. This is extremely odd. Usually the doors are either both open or both closed.]

DAI takes in the surroundings...this seemed...off

"VIL...what's going on? That guy's either asleep or...and what about the other guard? And why is the door open?"

"This isn't good. I'm gonna check on the guard."

Vil creeps up to the sitting guard and examines him.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
VIL crouches close to the ground as he closes the 30' gap between himself and the guard sitting down. DAI stays behind looking around for any more signs of what might be going on.]

[Private to VIL:
He is sitting down, his guisarme looks like it fell out of his hand as he sat down. You hold your coin closer to get a better look, and notice a large, red pool underneath him that's being steadily diluted by rain water.

You look outside of the gate, and can make out the silhouette of the memorial fountain and some of the buildings, but nothing else.]

Vil attempts to check if the guard is still alive and motions Dai towards him.

09:16, Today: VIL rolled 7 using 1d20. Heal skill check.

DAI heads over quickly, seeing VIL's work he attempts to patch up the man as well, or at least bring him to consciousness.

07:18, Today: DAI rolled 4 using 1d20+1. Heal(haha...yeah right).

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
DAI, as you creep up, you see the same red pool underneath the guard that VIL noticed.

If the guard wasn't dead before, which is unlikely, he probably is now. After you guys push and prod at him through his armor the red pool underneath him grows more vivid, and then slowly starts to be washed away by the rain again.]

DAI stops touching the guard after the a while...looking over to VIL.

"I think...we should go or...or help or...something, this can't be good for the castle, I mean...what's going on?"

Vil curses underneath his breath once more. So close in getting out... "Dai, what do you want to do? It looks like the castle may be under attack. I think we have to warn someone."

"And Sara's Inside...where's Weston?"

DAI starts running toward the front of the castle, trying to find guards who may be unaware of what's happening.

Vil follows Dai, gripping his Mury's sword hilt tightly.

GM EDIT-
FIXED
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:34, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

"As I've been saying...we were invited by the princess this morning."

Zeig's stubbornness falters under the gaze of this man who would not be so enraged over such a simple matter.

"We met her at the memorial fountain thinking that she had planned a reunion party since she had been away for a time...we really didn't know there was anything going on..."

Zeig attempts to tell the truth but as little as possible to pacify Weston (omitting events such as Roland escorting the other three and other serious events if he can get away with it unless he's grilled).

[OOC] I still have some stuff to take care of if you want to play for me, 2 hours or so. [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
Continue. Start at the point when the five of you entered the palace from the guardens, Weston's anger subsiding only slightly.]

VIL/DAI:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
The two of you leave the body and the open West gate and make your way to the castle's main gate as quickly as you can.

Almost immediately after making the turn south on the garden path you see four palace guards mounted on unarmored chocobos riding towards you. They spur their mounts, and are on top of you before you have much time to react.

OOC: They get within 15-25' of you in one full-round of running. You can dive into the hedge row on your left or simply stay on the path and wait. The path is 15' wide and made of smooth, stone slabs, decently weathered by time. The hedge row is 6' tall and is extremely thick and voluminous. Most of the hedge rows in the garden are 5' wide, and it is a good assumption that this one is, too.]

"W..well, we came in through the West Gate and we proceeded into the castle proper...ah...that is...we made our way to the assembly hall."

Zeig stammers around and mumbles the last part with down cast eyes.

[OOC] AFK a bit [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

Vil holds his ground and yells out, "There has been an attack on the West Gate. We found a dead body of the guard and the gate was opened."

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
"I assume you were above us then, yes? Were you there for the whole meeting? Nobody found you? Were you able to hear us?"]

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
Two of the mounted guards run straight past you towards the West gate. The force of their passing is enough to make you balance yourselves. One of them holds something up to his mouth and a whistling horn noise can be heard. Describing it as loud would be an understatement. People in the noble's quarter could have possibly been awoken.

The other two halt just next to you, and tell you to walk to the main front gate as quickly as you can. Their guisarmes are readied. They step back to the sides of the path, allowing the two of you to continue to the front gate.]

Vil walks as quickly as he can without running towards the front gate.

DAI follows, holding the box with great care, glad that the ones they stopped were willing to let them pass.

"We didn't hear much."

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
Weston is once again absolutely furious. "Why aren't you answering all of my questions? Are you both still stupid children? I don't know what you've managed to do with Sara, but not cooperating is as good as taking her yourselves."

He turns to the guards in the room, "put these two some place cold. I'm sure the king might want to ask why they're betraying him."

He turns to begin leaving. The two guards unready their weapons and move closer to the cell. Two more guards enter from the exterior.]

"What the HELL are you talking about?  We saw her not 15 minutes ago and were on our way to her room to meet up with her and the others when YOUR guards threw us in jail for being out in the garden!  If you had just let us go to her in the first place this whole mess would be sorted out by now!"

[OOC] Waiting for Jack. [/OOC[
This message was last edited by the player at 03:19, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

VIL/DAI:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
You are hustled to the front gate. Once you arrive, you see what appears to be the majority of the palace guard has been mobilized. More mounted guardsmen ride past you, briefly stopping to talk with your escort.

You arrive at the impressive main gate of the castle. As one of the oldest parts of the palace, it is as magnificent in its appearance as its design. It would be safe to say it is probably the most defensible position built by man on the continent.

You can see the inner courtyard of the castle as you enter the castle's maw. You pick up the sound of Weston screaming furiously, his voice echoing throughout the 30' tall entryway.

The beginning of his yelling is inaudible, but it seems as if he's yelling out into the archway when he says, "Put these two some place cold. I'm sure the king might want to ask why they're betraying him."

OOC: Go ahead and edit your following posts if you want to say or do anything as you're walking closer.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:37, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

21:28, Today: VIL rolled 9 using 1d20+4. Listen check.

19:32, Today: DAI rolled 7 using 1d20+1. listen(do you hear what I hear?).
See, to be regularly bad at hearing...I blame poor child education.

Jack sat stunned. Sara was gone? "Weston, she's missing? What happened? Didn't she make it to see her father? WHERE IS SHE?" Jack practically roared the last, on his feet with his hands clenched to his side.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

DAI and VIL hear JACK's exclamation as they are brought closer.

DAI, VIL: Weston, in the doorway of a room to the side of the entryway seems tired of talking to you already, even though you've not exchanged a word.

"Get those two out of there. Bring the two new ones down, too. I'm sure the king will want to see them."

The two of you in the cell are pulled out by two guards each with Weston watching in the doorway. The guards behind VIL and DAI dismount and are joined by two others.

You're funneled into the hallway in a 2x2 square with two guards holding both of your arms each.

Weston turns around at the group of twelve people he's about to lead into the castle. First, he turns to JACK and ZEIG, "I would suggest treating your interaction with the king more seriously than you did with me, especially under the circumstances." He turns back to looking at everyone. "Do not speak another, singular word until you are in His presence."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:21, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

Jack gives a short, terse nod, but he wasn't listening. He couldn't unclench his fists.

DAI blinks quietly...more in disbelief than anything. He raises one hand objectively, as if to speak but...upon hearing Weston's words lowers it and remains silent, his gaze now hovering to VIL's new sword...

Vil glances at Dai and shakes his head, then motions with his head to look forward.

DAI keeps his eyes forward, even if his face had shifted below his veil it would be hard to notice. Right now DAI made sure to not drop the box...still not knowing its contents.

Zeig's arms drop to his side limply.

"Sara's............gone?"

Two of the guards pick up ZEIG's somewhat limp body by his arms. It is insanely uncomfortable on his shoulders, and he perks back up and continues to walk.

Everyone is taken through the courtyard. The wind is howling through the myriad of structures of the castle. Guards can be seen scattering around in all sorts of busy directions.

Weston does not turn back once the entire trip down into the first level of the castle's basement. You pass the armory and down into what appears to be a bunker or some sort. The King is inside. The large room, about 40' by 40' has several thick pillars supporting the ceiling, which is only 10' tall.

He is studying a map on the wall of the continent on which Cornelia resides, but it looks slightly distorted. None of you can place why without taking time to study it. He turns and locks eyes with each of you before speaking.

"Thank you men. Please leave us. Knight Captain, grant us your company for a while. I know you have much to do, so let's make this brief."

You are all released. All eight guards and Weston bow their heads in exact precision. The guards step back three paces before turning on their heels and leaving the room.

"We have some time, I'd assume, but not so much as to waste it," the King remarks. "I want you to tell me exactly the last time any of you saw Sara."

"Roland." Jack said numbly. "A guard named Roland had her."

Vil nods silently, raging quietly. He could not give voice for fear it might be something he'd regret.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:52, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

"When we were separated she left with Roland..."

"Knowing Sara, you guys were probably trying to hear the assembly this evening from the balcony." The king thinks for a moment. "Weston, where is Roland now?"

"I'll find out as soon as possible, my liege. He was, as one of our best guardsmen, on patrol of the upper balcony during the assembly."

"Some of the pieces are beginning to come together then." The king then looks at VIL, then DAI. "And you two. You were separated at some point from the others. When and where was the last time that either of you saw Sara? What were the conditions of the separation?"

DAI looked to VIL, hoping he would speak but...deciding it was left upon him to try andfail at articulating once more.

"We...VIL, Sara, and I, were with Roland and...then we separated...she told us to...leave...and that's the last time...I saw her. When did she go missing? This is...the first I've heard..."

DAI left out the handing over of the box...in case it was meant for him and his companions alone.

The king calmly asks, "So the last time you saw Sara, she was with Roland?"

[Private to DAI; VIL: OOC: You of course know that she was not.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:24, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

DAI looked to the side...wondering how his words were interpreted as such.

"W-Well...no, Roland took us to the Hallway, and Sara went off somewhere else, and we went our separate ways...me and VIL making it to...the West Gate after the...attack."

DAI was regretting letting Sara go off on her own...and it was becoming more painfully obvious.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:35, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

"Attack...?  What...but.......this was supposed to be our party...Just what exactly is happening here?  Secret meetings with foreigners, the wind failing...Sara..."

Zeig's fatigue is really starting to show from both the events of the day and the sleepless stressful night before.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

Weston steps in, "If I may interrupt, my liege, there has been evidence of some sort of violence at the West gate. I don't have any more information yet, but it appears we were missing several palace guards."

At this, a man in a rope steps in, bows, and hands a sheet of paper to Weston. The king waits patiently while Weston reads it.

"Of the seven missing, one dead at the palace's west gate, and one dead at the castle ground's West gate. Five guards are missing or have yet to report or respond to beacons, one of which is Roland. My liege, if the princess is not on palace grounds anymore, it looks as if she most likely left the West gate. The rest of our guard's bodies may be in the gardens or further outside of the gate in town. I would suggest we start looking there. They may have already been found."

The king looks back at the four of you. "I am not satisfied with the sitaution at hand, but I do not think any of you would intentially put Sara in harm's way." He turns and looks at the map behind him on the wall. "Weston, I am loathe to think servants to the kingdom capable of such a thing, but this also could have been in part perpetrated by our own guards, could it not?"

Weston clears his throat. "That is a possibility we have not ruled out, my liege."

"Alright. Weston, we begin two weeks early. Take them to the south gate of the city and set them on their way as we discussed. I hope this situation is a way to prepare them for things to come. Report back to me after you have done this with any information. Alert Garland and have all actives ready to mobilize, and have him come see me as well."

The king turns the group of you. "You have not asked for what I am placing upon you, but it was never for you to decide. Your parents were all talented and loving people who attempted to save you of your fate and I regret allowing them to try. Go now and find my daughter. I will make clear all that has been said when you return."

Jack nodded immediately. "My king, thank you for the opportunity!"

Weston says nothing, bows, steps back three paces and then turns towards the door. He waits in the doorway for the four of you to follow.

Thunder so forceful that it can even be heard as a dull roar in the bunker cracks the sky. The king looks at each of you one last time, "This indeed has been a day that we have needed you. Bring light back upon the world. Start with finding my daughter. If the poetry of legend can help us, begin your way to the Temple of Fiends."

The king looks weary and regretful. He turns and looks at the map once more. Weston clears his throat loudly in the doorway and gently pats an armored foot on the floor.

You're welcome to make Knowledge: Religion, Knowledge: Geography, or Knowledge: History checks.

[Private to DAI: You know the Temple of Fiends is an old, old building north of Cornelia. You do not recall its purpose, origin, or much of its past other than it has not been used, if "used" could have ever even been applied, by Cornelians for your entire life.]
[Private to ZEIG: You know the Temple of Fiends is an old, old building north of Cornelia. It has not been used for anything for the entire time you've been alive, nor for anything you can think of for well over hundreds of years. You have never even found an account of what people may have even constructed it in the first place. It holds religious significance to many superstitious people as a place of ancient secrets.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:22, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

DAI nods silently, and moves to leave.

"The...Temple of Fiends?"
22:11, Today: DAI rolled 9 using 1d20+6. Know(religion).
OOC: Of course...the skill I actually have ranks in I roll low :/
This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

Upon hearing the King's words Zeig is seemingly calmed, his disposition changing the moment he heard the king mentioned his parents.

"We will find Sara because she is our friend."

01:17, Today: ZEIG rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Knowledge religion.
01:17, Today: ZEIG rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Knowledge history.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:20, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

"Can you take us to the West Gate, Weston?" Jack asked.

[OOC]My last post never happened >.>[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:23, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

"We'll need supplies.  The Temple of Fiends is a ways to the north.  You cannot simply send us off alone and expect us to rescue the princess empty-handed!  We'll need some outfitting before we embark if we plan to succeed, and I plan to.  Several professional armed guards were murdered outright here under our noses in the castle!"

01:39, Today: ZEIG rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Diplomacy check.

[OOC] Guys, we suck at rolling. [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:40, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

Jack doesn't listen. He's too busy thinking.

We should hire professional rollers.

Weston's expression is blank. He says nothing, but motions for you all to move into the hallway.

00:25, Today: teslas rolled 23 using 1d20+9. Weston's Spot.

He stops VIL, and lifts up a part of his clothing and looks at the sword tucked into his belt. His eyes rise to meet VIL's for a moment, then he allows VIL to pass.

Weston leads you down the hall to the armory, and unlocks the door. He motions for all of you to enter and closes the door behind everyone. The room is 25' by 25' with the same low ceiling. In the middle is a large, wooden, simple table with nothing but notch marks and scuffs edged into it. There are five doors in the room. The one you entered through and then two sets of two facing one another. There are many, many weapon and armor racks lining the walls.

"Wait here," he says as he motions to the table.

He walks behind VIL on his way to the other side of the room and removes the sword from his belt in one swift motion, cutting it off as he does so. "I do not believe this is yours. By my recollection, they made only five of these, and three of them are buried with the heroes that earned them."

He looks at it for a moment and then gingerly places it on the table in the center of the room. He spends a moment staring at VIL and then walks over to one of the doors, unlocking it with a keyring that seems to appear out of nowhere in his hand.

"The king trusts you. I can say that I at least used to do the same. I don't think you intentionally helped whoever took Sara. I also don't believe you're worth as much as the king believes you are in your current state."

He enters the pitch-dark room he had just opened, now yelling so you can hear him. "Regardless, it is now time to prove your worth to the kingdom. What you are entrusted with doing, though it is hard for me to personally feel the same way, is much more important than merely Sara's life." You hear some shuffling around in the room for a few moments.

He exits, holding a large wide and shallow chest that must weigh more than Weston, fully clad in plate mail, does. He staggers up to the table and plops it down. The table, probably the most loyal piece of furniture in Cornelian history, holds true.

There is a scroll-case attached to the top of the chest. He opens it and begins to read its contents without removing anything.

"DAI. Black Mage. Robes and the spell Aero, to reflect overcoming his weaknesses.

VIL. Red Mage. Rapier, light armor, and buckler. The spell Enspell to reflect his diversity.

ZEIG. White Mage. Robes and the spell Cure, to reflect his dedication to his friends.

JACK. Black Belt."

Weston picks up and turns the paper over, and then back to the front. "Hrm. You can have my belt then."

[Private to GM:
Fire: JACK
Wind: VIL
Water: ZEIG
Earth: DAI]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:00, Mon 17 Sept 2012.

Jack finally relaxes a little. He takes a look at the others, before turning back to Weston. He bows. "Thank you Weston, I'd be honored. I apologize for trying to keep this whole mess from you."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:49, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

Zeig looks Weston in the eyes solemnly.  "Perhaps with this we may succeed where others have failed."

Zeig turns to Vil and says with a slight grin, "Fortune smiles upon you today Vil.  It appears we got a 2 for 1 deal after all.  It's all yours."

Weston removes his belt and lays it on the table. It is a standard leather belt with pockets lining it. He picks up Mury's sword from the table and walks back to the door he had unlocked and closes it. He then walks towards the door to the hallway and opens it, turning only to say, "Good luck". Weston's footsteps back towards the courtyard can be heard in the hallway.

The following is out of character:

ZEIG and DAI both receive robes. They are nonmagical, fairly thin, but extremely heavy. One set is white with red trim and the other is black with dark blue trim.

Heavy Robes
Does not grant any Armor bonus to AC.
Grants DR 1/- as normal for armor.
Can be enchanted like clothing for armor. Any bonuses to Damage Reduction from enchanting it stack.
Weighs 10 lbs
Worth 100gp

There are three scrolls as Weston described. All of them are on white parchment, but one has a black ribbon, another a white ribbon, and the third a dank, brown piece of string.

VIL:
You receive a masterwork buckler and masterwork studded leather armor. The Rapier appears to be of standard quality.

JACK:
You pick up Weston's belt. It has many pockets, all of which contain a potion.
Potion Belt
Holds 8 potions (or other tiny item).
Potions are protected by padding, and are almost impossible to break by falling on them or during combat.
You gain a +4 bonus to your Grapple check when attempting to draw a potion from the belt while in a grapple.
Weighs 2 lbs
Worth 50gp

Also inside are several potions with labels you do not understand. Luckily, DAI has seen them often and tells you that you've gained:

3x potions of Cure (1d8+1)
1x potion of Cure II (2d10+3)
1x potion of Pure (removes all poisons)
2x potion of Protect (+1 Deflection bonus to AC for 10 minutes)
1x potion of Shell (+2 Resistance bonus to all saves for 30 minutes)

They all bear the royal seal, and as such probably can't be sold to vendors in Cornelia.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:47, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

DAI holds the scroll with a slight quivering...

"This...is my first true spell...I wonder what it...feels like?"

DAI opens the scroll, reading it in a moment. After he absorbs its knowledge, he picks up the robes that were marked as his, and attempts to see if there's anyt difference between his own and it.

-GM EDIT
Reading a spell-teaching scroll requries but a Full-Round action. The knowledge is immediately imparted to you, and is usable as if you have always known its secrets.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:05, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

Zeig's eyes darken significantly.  "Sorry for trying to keep this mess from them?!  And what is this exactly?  Awfully convenient for this equipment to be here and specifically assigned to us.  And what did our majesty mention of us?"

Zeig looks ill.

"Can we be on our way now?  I fear if I see Weston again I may run him through."

Zeig leaves the scroll to Vil and heaps the robes into his backpack.

[OOC] 90% of these edits have been to add quotation marks I forgot >.> [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:11, Sat 05 Feb 2011.

You guys eventually leave the armory, talking amongst yourselves. Most of the guards are far too busy to talk to you and are aware of your orders. The door to the king's bunker is shut and locked if you go back and try the door.

You are very familiar with the path out of the palace, and none of the guards will interact you for very long, if at all. Weston, despite being instructed to lead you to the city's south gate, left you in the armory.

On your way out of the palace, a palace guard stops you and hands you a note that is wrapped around a small box.

Children:

You look worse for wear. I have notified the king that allowing you to rest in your homes tonight may be a wise choice of action. You will have a palace escort to the south gate in the morning.

If the legends are true, such a thing should not impede your progress. I hope that they are.

-Weston


After you remove the note and open the box, it contains a Tent item.

Tent
Size: Tiny
Weightless, as are all consumables.
Can be used to create a small, magical tent for 9 hours. It is always warm and comfortable inside with enough room to sleep six.
It is unusually sturdy, and all but the loudest of noises and brightest of lights cannot be heard or seen from the outside.
Sleeping in a tent lets you recover 2hp/character level and 2mp/character level.

This, too, has the royal seal upon it, and as such probably can't be sold in Cornelia.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:12, Sat 05 Feb 2011.