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13:21, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 2: Passages and Professors.

Posted by XandFor group 0
Bunny Cotillion
player, 768 posts
Who breaks the Law
Are we not Men
Mon 11 Dec 2023
at 15:12
  • msg #452

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

"Oh, there you are, Lissa."  There was a touch of relief in Bunny's voice.  The blonde Rembaran stood as something of the official liaison to the Professor, and the two of them seemed to vibrate on something of the same frequency as well.

"Xynlexios," she added to Lissa's description.  "The tomb guardian we set free down inside there.  Said his name was Xynlexios.  In case that means anythin' to y'all."

"Ah am Bunny Cotillion, bah the way," she added by way of introduction.  "Mahght Ah get your name, Sirrah?" she enquired of the fey wearing the metal boots.  "If y'all will pardon me sayin', seems to me that you not only know a bit about what is down inside that barrow, but y'all have somethin' of an opinion on it as well.  And not a favorable one, Ah might add.  Am Ah wrong?"
Xand
GM, 1330 posts
Tue 12 Dec 2023
at 02:43
  • msg #453

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

"Hrr..." the bearded fey grumbled an answer for Bunny, "I go by Dunter.  An' yer right; I don't have any favorable opinion.  'Bout barrows an' tombs, or gods an' undead.  Or people an' posies.  But I have an especially low favor fer demons.  Keep outta my bailiwick I say."

The male faun grimaced, "We apologize for Dunter.  He's always disagreeable but he does follow the rules of our community."

Dunter scoffed, "I speak plain; I need no apologizing."  The red capped fey returned its attention to Bunny, "Them undead have been down there for centuries.  They keep to their business an' that makes em' fine enough neighbors.  Demons moved in recently, maybe as recent as one of your human lifespans."  He scratched his chin with a long, crooked fingernail, "Should say brought in.  I remember the ones what brought em'."

"End of the story, demons make fer bad neighbors.  I had a mind years back to go down there and send em' packing myself, but when I saw that god-shrine down there I turned around.  Won't see me stepping foot over no divine threshold fer nothin'."  Dunter grumped, "Then those dragons moved in and priorities got changed fer all of us."

Around you, the rest of the fey have been busily setting up a celebratory feast.  A feasting table with chairs has appeared within the boundaries of the barrows; near the campsite you had set up.  You are certain that none of the fey dragged that here with them, but there it was nonetheless.

"Hrr..."  Dunter grumbled again.  "I hate parties."
Zassil
player, 396 posts
My bark is NOT worse
than my bite actually
Wed 13 Dec 2023
at 05:23
  • msg #454

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Zassil looked at the rec-capped fey with the bear as he spoke gruffly and plainly - which the dracil could respect. He gave a small nod about good neighbors, though he found it odd that undead would be. The undead in the barrow - or at least, the one they had conversed with - did indeed seem like they were atypical and might be good neighbors.

"At least the drakes won't be a problem for you anymore."


He turned and moved to a bit back to go speak with the hiding sprites and lowered his voice, [Language unknown: "Ol ivhiul nesi o ati no? Men thi nteiouconticson us oerhousti ceis. E niwick lione pe romureter ro onedayyin ingto."]
Bunny Cotillion
player, 771 posts
Who breaks the Law
Are we not Men
Wed 13 Dec 2023
at 14:19
  • msg #455

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

"We aren't goin' to be hungry soon after dinin' with them, are we?"  Bunny shot a cautiously polite whisper to Lissabytta after spying the table that had appeared without the accompanied substantial effort.  "The stories you hear, you understand."

There were so many other questions to ask.  "Perhaps y'all could tell us about the ones who brought the demons.  Xynlexios very pointedly called them Corrupters."  A thought then tugged her dark brows down a bit.  "Or was that the demons he was talkin' about?"
Claissa Silver
player, 260 posts
Thu 14 Dec 2023
at 07:59
  • msg #456

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Generally speaking, Claissa was good at talking but not as good at taking the lead. She usually waited to be tagged in if needed. For now, she brought up the rear together with Niri, smiling when eye contact was made but otherwise just keeping an eye on things.
Xand
GM, 1334 posts
Thu 14 Dec 2023
at 13:33
  • msg #457

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Uncertainty is plain on the little sprites as Zassil attempts to reassure them.  They go back to the barrow entrance and watch the preparations that the other Fey are making.

"Ach, them."  Dunter answered Bunny, "Corrupters eh?  Sounds fitting.  It was back when you mortal people were having one of your big wars.  That sort of thing catches my interest so I was enjoyin' myself on the sidelines."

"These Corrupters of yers came here with their magic an' their monsters.  I wasn't keen on em' trampling through my neck of the woods so I set to work taking one or two of em', here an' there."  The old fey grimaced, "Not very satisfying.  Their monsters, undead mostly, a few demons, don't get proper scared when ya' come for em'.  And themselves," Dunter scoffed, "They were hardly any better.  Magicians, soulless the lotta them.  Believe you me, I can tell."

"So I follow em' here and they were right interested in this place." Dunter shrugged, "Must be the undead already unliving here.  Once they were done I went to see what they'd done.  I could feel it, left the place lousy with demons."  He grumped, "In my backyard!  I was livid so I kept up my work on em' as I could.  At least until they left my woods."

Professor Clarke, meanwhile, seemed completely stunned at hearing an eyewitness account concerning what must be the Necromancers he had spent decades studying.  The old man was speechless.
Bunny Cotillion
player, 774 posts
Who breaks the Law
Are we not Men
Fri 15 Dec 2023
at 14:52
  • msg #458

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Bunny's face took on its own concerns as the white bearded fey continued his story.  A thoughtful sigh escaped her as thoughts and concerns passed behind her eyes.  It was the reaction from Professor Clarke that coaxed her out of her head and into the developing festivities.

"Ah am not sure whether Ditty has told you or not, but we are here on a mission of scholarship," she began by way of an introduction to their story.  "The people of which you are speakin' are the thing of legend and speculation outside of these here woods.  Which is to say, that we are interested in learnin' more about them.  Can you tell us which way they went when they left y'all's woods?" she asked Dunter.
Lissabytta D'Argento
player, 313 posts
Just a moment, Pliny the
Elder says those are ...
Sun 17 Dec 2023
at 19:27
  • msg #459

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Lissa noted over her shoulder to Zassil, "Work with Ditty to get those guarding the eggs ... and the eggs themselves ... away from this place.  They are right to guard them.  The young are precious."  Her glance tried to convey the urgency she felt about Lucille's potential return ... and whom or whatever else that stubborn woman might bring with her ... which would put them also in danger.

She turned back to Dunter and the others, "Well met, Honored Elder."  Though Lissa continued to speak in the common tongue,  the blonde scholar tried to use what she believed to be the standard translation of the honorific in Sylvan.  "Thank you for speaking with us; I am sorry that the Corruptors influence has tainted this forest." Lissa noted, for it was obvious that the white-bearded Fey didn't view himself as a conversationalist, "The ones who brought the demons, they were human, correct?  And they trafficked in the dead?  Can you tell us, perhaps, their numbers when they entered the barrow?"

As Dunter and the others relay their information, Lissabytta feverishly scribbled in her journal to try and capture the various threads and details.

She held up a rough sketch of the swirling symbol of Jerilith, the Lord of Demons and Madness, "Was this wretched symbol of their vile deity emblazoned upon their person?  We seek knowledge to help us purge their stain from this world as well.  Their tracks, though old, led here."

"Those interred in the barrow - and their belongings - didn't seem to be disturbed." she mused aloud, "At least, on that first level.  So, they must have been seeking something else."  That fact gnawed at her.

Then she tacked onto Bunny's query, "When they left - and after your work - how different were they in number?  Did they take any of the dead from the barrow with them?  Was Markul - the Lord of this barrow - amongst them?  And did they take anything else from the barrow that your recognized?"  Now that Clarke was part of the conversation, Lissa didn't mind sharing her hypothesis of who's barrow this might be.  And how significant a find it could potentially be on so many scholarly and non-scholarly levels.
Zassil
player, 397 posts
My bark is NOT worse
than my bite actually
Tue 19 Dec 2023
at 06:31
  • msg #460

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Zassil looked over at Lissabytta for a moment after she spoke. But then he gave a languid shrug. He gestured to Ditty, even as he stepped back away in to the outside, but standing apart from the other conversation going on.

"Ditty? May I speak with you for a moment please?"

If she came over, he continued quietly. "There are sprites here guarding drake eggs and there is someone out there," he waved a hand to indicate 'in general' and not right over there right now sort of thing, "that wishes to destroy the eggs. My friends and I believe that if the drakes were raised correctly, with love and kindness and family and that sort of thing, it would ensure they wouldn't be terrible monsters to be feared and avoided. They could...belong. And the sprites could as well."

He paused and looked at her. "What do you think? Is that something the group of you might be willing to do? Offer the sprites and the drakes-to-be-hatched protection and a home?"
Xand
GM, 1336 posts
Fri 22 Dec 2023
at 13:40
  • msg #461

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

"Where they left to?"  Dunter scratched his chin again, "South."  The fey shrugged a response to Bunny.  "Didn't see em' come back into my woods either, but what they did away from here isn't any of my business."

He turned to Lissabytta, "They was mortal; don't much care about em' further than that.  Human, orc, dwarf..."  Dunter grunted, "All the same to me.  But these ones were soulless; ye can tell when ye have the knack for it.  Maybe a half dozen went inside the tomb, dragging along a score of their minions with em."  Dunter grimaced distastefully and spit on the ground when Lissa showed him the symbol of Jerilith.  "Don't care for deities, demon deities less.  They probably had that symbol among em', but I don't go staring for long at their like."

The bearded fey shook his head, "I don't know what was in the ground, so I can't say if they took anything out with em.  Don't know about this Markul either; sounds like another mortal name to me.  But I don't think any of them what's buried here left with em' when they went."

"But if you want to kill yerselves some demons, I got something that'll help you along."  Dunter sniffed; the smell of a fresh-cooked hot banquet wafted through the air.  The table that had appeared was now laden with feast and drink; with no explanation for how any of it arrived.  "But I'm gonna clear out before the party starts.  Can't stand em'.  I would be obliged though, were you to direct myself to the drakes that were slain here."

Meanwhile, while Zassil spoke with Ditty, the tiny half-cricket fey opened its mouth with a long "Oooooh."  Ditty nodded, "It's that why they are scared?  They think we won't want them to hatch the drake-babies?  Awww, babies aren't a problem."  Ditty started hopping towards the entrance to the barrow, "I'll tell them that we can all watch over the eggs, and I think they'll have fun if they join the party.  There's going to be music AND dancing."  This was stated as though there was any other possibility.
Bunny Cotillion
player, 776 posts
Who breaks the Law
Are we not Men
Fri 22 Dec 2023
at 14:49
  • msg #462

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

"Ah was just thinking that it was less than sanitary to have the bodies of those drakes near to here."  She gathered herself to lead the fey who'd named himself Dunter to the place to which they had dragged the bodies.

Before going, though, she leaned into her fellow Rembaran.  "Soulless.  He said, Soulless, right Lissa?  Do you think he's sayin' that they were a bunch of Liches?  Bunch.  As in more than one.  Travelin' together.  With magic totin' minions along too.  Imagine what kind of surprise a bunch of liches could leave behind."  Then she dragged herself away in the direction of corpse duty.  But, before departing entirely, "That's something to think about," she said in parting.  And she shook her head as she went.
Zassil
player, 400 posts
My bark is NOT worse
than my bite actually
Sat 23 Dec 2023
at 05:31
  • msg #463

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Zassil listened to Ditty and the nodded sagely. He moved back with her to try and see the sprites without getting too close. He called out gently to them, [Language unknown: "Int tio icich? Ol menwhinti hisestpro ek e nte fo."]

He sounded genuine and serious as he continued, [Language unknown: "A ivpest k butlinave e ntive ekaius her oulin, t i cewaha ri omeionect incaisol ers we ar dayounlar antmenome ng her?"] He gestured towards the exit, [Language unknown: "Po o trrepr he ratundven ss caie has noanma ulol yin pe ek is espl tha u ieha ere nibut k lickse oer redomeart ioic nahanc ndsich ngev eisa lopareio."]
Lissabytta D'Argento
player, 314 posts
Just a moment, Pliny the
Elder says those are ...
Mon 25 Dec 2023
at 08:25
  • msg #464

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

She nodded slowly to Bunny's supposition, leaning in and whispering in kind, "A reasonable supposition.  Monstrous creations such as liches have been known to store much of their essence in relics that are often termed phylacteries or reliquaries ..."  She shook her head and pursed her lips, adding quietly, "Bad, bad business ... serious ju-ju."

Lissa bowed her head to Dunter as the elder Fey made to leave.  "Thank you." she echoed Bunny's sentiment, but unlike the Priestess of Guyver made no move to accompany Dunter, "Any additional assistance that you can afford us is greatly welcomed."  Then she waved farewell for the time being the pair as they made for the drake's corpses.

With Zassil attending to Ditty and the drake eggs (as well as their guardians), Lissabytta remained with the two fauns and Professor Clarke.  "You honor us with such a feast." the blonde scholar noted with genuine appreciation for hospitality, "Is Dunter the only one to remember the Corruptors and the barrow makers before them?"

"Surely," she prompted idly, "Your people must have stories about the mound and its inhabitants.  Perhaps we can swap stories as we break our fast?"  Lissa paused thoughtfully for a moment, "What can you tell us of the drakes and there time here?  How many summers were they occupants?"

She turned to confer with her mentor for a moment, "I believe that this a wonderful opportunity to avail ourselves.  The barrow below has many intact rooms and artifacts to catalog."  She let her excitement bubble to the surface, "I believe that we may have the opportunity to explore and categorize the barrow of Markul himself!  The tomb guardian patrolling the first level indicated that it might be so - the dating and the carvings..." and she gushed on for a bit before catching herself.

"You'll have to see for yourself, Professor." she beamed, but then caught herself, "Once we have secured the barrow, of course."  Lissa added with some chagrin, "The lower levels are definitely not safe yet.  But we will do what we can tomorrow."

Her attention returned to the leaders of the fey.  "How can we help with the preparations?" Lissa asked, looking to ensure that her (and her companion's) idle hands were not wasted - even they didn't have the intrinsic magical facility that their hosts did.
Xand
GM, 1339 posts
Thu 28 Dec 2023
at 09:18
  • msg #465

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Dunter follows Bunny off to where the bodies of the slain drakes had been disposed.  He shuffles beside her and she can clearly tell that the old fey is much more nimble and strong than it lets on.  Once they had completed the walk to the draconic bodies, Dunter grunted once before taking a knife from his belt and cutting into the soft underbelly of the creatures.  He removed his cap and rinsed it in the blood of each drake in an almost ritualistic manner, "I said this would end with me washing my cap in their blood."  This grisly work was done within only a few minutes.  He turned to Bunny, "Now, unless yer itching to get to that party they want to make fer ya, we can talk more about these demons."

The bag Dunter carried was set on the ground and opened; paradoxically, a spear was pulled out.  "Cold Iron.  Magic."  He said, showing Bunny the sharp tip of the spearhead.  "Yours, in thanks for getting rid of the drakes.  Especially if yer plannin' on spitting a demon with it."  He closed the bag up, "I have more of course.  I collect tools of bloodletting, especially the ones that demons fear.  But you'll need to trade me for em' if you want em'."


To answer Zassil, the sprites fluttered out from their hiding place amidst the drake eggs.  "[Language unknown: Comleshou?]" said one. "[Language unknown: Llar?]" said the other.  The flew to where the dracil stood at the entrance to the barrow and peeked out once more at the goings on outside.  Music was already starting up as a small group of the grigs formed a tiny band, and the table had been laden with a sylvan feast.  The sprites were clearly torn. "[Language unknown: Man ithios rat ieca os?] one said while the other simultaneously said "[Language unknown: Miut ashiom io be?]"  The little winged sprites seemed both excited and apprehensive about joining the party.  "[Language unknown: Aiome ta ee enain i encmanain i hamema ons sa?]"  They asked Zassil.  Maybe all their time with the drakes made them feel more comfortable around draconic people.


"When these Corrupters were here, most of the woodland people hid from them."  The male faun answered Lissa's question, "I believe only Dunter showed interest in stalking them the way he does.  Many would have wanted to drive them from the woods, but our people would never be able to stand up to an army of evil such as we saw."  The female faun followed with an answer to Lissa's next question, "The drakes had made this place their home for a number of years, as your people measure time.  Two decades perhaps?  Sometimes it becomes difficult to tell.  But the occupants of the barrows themselves were never a concern to us.  We know that there has always been undead living down there, but they are under the protection of a goddess."  She shrugged, "There was nothing we could do, but they never bothered us either."

"Come now, enjoy this feast in your honor."  The fauns gestured towards the table, "Allow us to thank you for the help you have given us so freely.  We wouldn't dream of asking our guests to help prepare, only that you fill yourselves with merriment and lighten your hearts."

As the professor allowed himself to be led tot he table, he stopped next to Lissabytta, "The tomb of Markul?  The greatest conqueror of our continent's history?"  The old man sounded very excited, "I never would have imagined it to be here, in these woods.  We will have to be absolutely certain before trying to advertise such a find."
Bunny Cotillion
player, 781 posts
Who breaks the Law
Are we not Men
Thu 28 Dec 2023
at 15:37
  • msg #466

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

"Ah believe that Ah know just the right person for your generous gift, Dunter."  It is possible to admire the cold, dark efficacy of a thing, while at the same time being chilled to the bone by that very same feeling.  This was something that Bunny discovered in the presence of both the dark spear, and the fey that had offered it.  "We do expect to ... uh ... be comin' across the demons left by these Corrupters.  And, Ah am certain that we will be able to repay your generosity by spillin the blood of many of them, thank you."  Her lips tightened into smile that did not sit as easily with itself as it might otherwise have before observing the bloody washing of the fey's cap.

"Hey, y'all!"  Bunny found herself turning her head just enough to call over her shoulder, but not so far as to take her eyes off the bloody fey.  "Before you get to your feastin' and such, Dunter here has got some goods to trade that mahght help us in clearing out that there tomb."

"Ah, myself, find an interest in metals from which Ah mahght be able to fashion cold-iron bullets.  If you happen to have something in that vein," Bunny began.  "Can you show us what y'all have to offer?"
Zassil
player, 406 posts
My bark is NOT worse
than my bite actually
Fri 29 Dec 2023
at 04:00
  • msg #467

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Zassil smiled at the sprites and gestured for them to see for themselves when they questioned and came forward. He turned serious and shook his head. [Language unknown: "E, stree erosre eset ndees, ol our encch. Was ive witss il intng allstihas set verereoveresble. Nd n nooun ver nonot ai eveestsan un lesshetedera, ithoveressomtio Menstiant ntiv Ni nica eklissilte,"] He gestured at Ditty with a smile, [Language unknown: "k K evetioing onsmenlar it camo n estoerant."]

He held up one cautionary finger. [Language unknown: "Onntee...nowe verentmen us ck is esevta illlatenc ear oermaning mo er arwaac ionel tech thatharedarttheine verth, korvenion?"] He let out a small chuckle to take any sting out of that.

He looked a little surprised at their request, but then smiled slightly and gave a nod. [Language unknown: "T unun n ent li iohe, oupr m prewervor T ofilon st beildi nture outrat'onsnti th fo rea atlin! Ch et latele entonethu earee usis thindeerestrsan red maou u icarutintave usess ou we terro in hisac li i aindi anypo."]

He glanced towards Bunny and she could tell he was interested but he made no move to head her way immediately or anything. He looked back to the sprites and jerked his head towards the feast. [Language unknown: "Ard! Isbeat i el wil ne tral, fiunis ie?"]
Lissabytta D'Argento
player, 318 posts
Just a moment, Pliny the
Elder says those are ...
Sat 30 Dec 2023
at 20:21
  • msg #468

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Lissa nodded to the faun's, "You are too gracious.  We have not finished the job with the barrow yet."  Even though she knew that the Fey were referring primarily to the drakes, "And we have favor to ask there.  The drakes had both some pixie followers and a clutch of eggs in their midst."  She let the fact sink in for a moment, "Those will need longer term care than we can afford."  She started to walk with the others towards the festivities.

And though she knew that Ditty and Zassil were managing negotiations on one side, the blonde scholar figured that working both ends was going to be necessary.  It took two to tango.  "So," Lissabytta arched and eyebrow, "would your community be able and willing to take them in?  Without the adults, I suspect both the pixies and young could make wonderful and productive members."  Lissa had to believe that the pixies and the young were both capable of good with guidance; they only lacked the light to show them the way.

As they strolled along, Lissabytta asked rather casually, "You mentioned an 'Army of Evil' ... what did you mean by that?"  And though her tone was relatively light, the blonde scholar seemed keenly interested in anything that the fauns might be able to describe with respect to the size, composition, disposition and such - even with, or especially because of, their unique, other-worldly perspectives.  If they felt something was 'Evil' then it was worth investigating how.  And she was more than willing to ask any probing questions for more details; it was purely for professional and academic reasons, of course.

Turning to Clarke, the blonde archaeologist noted eagerly, "We absolutely would need to study more and make sure.  But the prospect is tantalizing, isn't it, Professor."  She licked her lips, "Just think of the possibilities.  And the skeletal tomb guardian on the first level is entirely approachable - as long as the proper forms are followed."  And while trafficking with the undead wasn't the most savory of subjects, Lissa's thirst for knowledge poked through.  Besides, Xynlexios had proven to be a worthy ally in the fight against the Corruptors.  'The enemy of my enemy...' and everything.

Hearing Bunny's summons, Lissa's ears perked up slightly and she gestured to the others she was walking with.  "Please excuse me for a moment..." she noted slightly sheepishly, since she was in the middle of so many interesting conversations, "Duty... er... Dunter calls?"  And she made a beeline to where the elder Fey and her Guyverite friend were conferring.

"What's up?" Lissabytta chirped eagerly, her hands rubbing together.
Bunny Cotillion
player, 785 posts
Who breaks the Law
Are we not Men
Wed 10 Jan 2024
at 01:19
  • msg #469

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

It was not in the weight.  Bunny held the ball in her hand hefting for that intangible quality that made it different.  Weight would throw off her aim, but it was most certainly not that.  She palmed the bullet, rolling it up to where she could pinch it between forefinger and thumb.  Hold it up to the light.  There was something there.  A power that could not be described.

"Gravitas," she finally said, finding a certain satisfaction in the sound of the word, even though it did not exactly hit the mark.

"Ah will take ten of these cold iron balls, Dunter."  From her purse, Bunny dispensed twenty gold coins.  "And Ah will take possession of this fine spear for the moment, as well.  Thank you so very much."
Xand
GM, 1344 posts
Fri 12 Jan 2024
at 11:55
  • msg #470

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

The pair of fauns look between each other before answering Lissabytta.  "Of course we will take them in to our community."  The female faun responded with a smile, "The sprites make their own way but they belong with the rest of us."  The male faun followed with, "If helping them to care for a clutch of eggs makes them feel secure and happy, then it is a small price to pay."  The female finished, "No creature deserves to be judged before it is born.  Once hatched, we will raise the newborns among us as well."

"We call it an army of evil," the fauns answered Lissa's next question as they walked, "because they serve evil.  We didn't need to see the undead and other monsters that followed it to know that they were wreathed in foul magic.  Their approach was felt long before they reached our forest, and most of our people withdrew into hiding.  They seemed to have no interest in the fey, and we were mostly interested to avoiding their notice."

Professor Clarke recovered from his daze after the wealth of information, "I expect our colleagues back at the Academy to have difficulty believing what we have discovered here.  It will be absolutely necessary to learn as much as we can while we are here; if this is truly to tomb of Markul it will turn a few careers on their heads."  He gave the impression that there were a few specific careers he would love to see turned on their heads.  He nodded as Lissa went to see what Dunter had to say, "I'll be here with our hosts then."  The old man went to the table with the fauns.

Dunter seemed almost close to happy as he drew various weapons from his bag to be sold.  It was a fleeting moment that passed out of the old fey quickly; he seemed at his best while holding his weapons.  He did readily accept gold in exchange for pieces of his collection and answered questions as to what use the fey even had for currency with the following, "Its only value to me is that it has value to you."  He declined to elaborate.

Business with Dunter complete, the fey stayed in the woods outside the barrows and avoided the party being thrown by the others.  The feasting table you found to have a place set for each member of your group as well as the pair of fauns.  It was laden with exotic-looking food and drink.  A band of grigs started playing happy and upbeat music when your group took your seats.  Other strange fey creatures waited upon you as honored guests.  It made for a surreal end to a day that had begun by battling demons in a tomb.
Zassil
player, 408 posts
My bark is NOT worse
than my bite actually
Sat 13 Jan 2024
at 04:53
  • msg #471

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Zassil looked at what was available, pondering what he might want. Finally, he looked at Dunter and asked, "A longsword, please, if you have one." And in exchange he asked, "I have gold coins but...if you prefer...I have gems instead?" He admired the sword and hefted it to test it's weight.

After the deal was done, he put the sword away and turned back to the sprites with a small smile. "Now. That's done. We could...go for a long walk somewhere. Go check out the barrows a bit. We could..." It was very obvious he was teasing the small fey and drawing out ridiculous things instead of the OBVIOUS idea to go play and feast.

Finally he chuckled. "Come. Let us meet some nice fey." And he lead them to go eat and play.
Bunny Cotillion
player, 790 posts
Who breaks the Law
Are we not Men
Mon 15 Jan 2024
at 02:37
  • msg #472

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

"Some folks have their own ways."  She shook her head, looking off in the direction Dunter had gone.  Moments passed.  Just thinking of that.  What it meant.  For people.  For herself.  Long endless corridors of philosophy.  Penetrated in the end by the music.

Bunny shook her head again.  This time her lips dimple at the sides in a wry knowing way.  The world will be the world.  "Hey, who wants t' dance?"

Time to break out the harmonica.
Xand
GM, 1347 posts
Tue 16 Jan 2024
at 21:51
  • msg #473

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

"Dance!"  Bunny's suggestion is taken up like a call to arms among the grigs, whose band pauses for only a moment to reorganize.  They are surprisingly efficient when it comes to making cheer.  Ditty leads the group of tiny fey as they start playing very happy and folksy dancing music.  The urge to dance hits hard, making itself difficult to resist.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea."  The fauns answer Bunny.  The female in her white dress approaches Professor Clarke.

The old man stammers, but gives in after a moment.  "I can't refuse..."  He stands and accepts her offer to dance, "Be warned, I'm thirty years out of practice and was never any good to begin with."

The male faun approaches Bunny and bows, "I would love to accept a dance," he offers her his hand.

Even the sprites, hiding with Zassil during the feast while they not-so-secretly snatched delicacies from the table, were urged to dance to the festive music.  They urged Zassil to go with them.



Facing the magical compulsions of the fey, anyone who does not wish to dance to the grigs' music must succeed on a DC 12 Will save
Lissabytta D'Argento
player, 320 posts
Just a moment, Pliny the
Elder says those are ...
Wed 17 Jan 2024
at 01:04
  • msg #474

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Lissabytta bought just over a half-dozen (eight to be exact) cold iron bullets from Dunter, thanking the elder Fey for his largess.  She bid him farewell as he left, expressing the hope that they might meet again - if he was willing.

Then she returned to the party and chatted with Professor and their hosts, asking about (and seemingly interested in) anything and everything that they had to say:  Customs, Membership, Histories... Lissabytta had had just enough education to have a passing knowledge in just about every conceivable topic.  Sure, her depth of knowledge wasn't always the greatest, but it the world had an equivalent to Trivial Pursuit, she'd probably be pretty good.

The mead and honey rolls were particular favorites of her, Lissa partaking of both liberally while chatting - everything on the table was fabulous tasting to her.  The company (as well as magic) was surely part of the reason for that and her mood.

When Bunny called for dancing and she saw her companion pull out a harmonica, the blonde scholar smiled and moved towards the band of grigs.  Lissa knew that she was a better musician than a dancer.  She hummed and tapped her foot along with the band for a bit before asking if they had a flute or tin whistle that she might play along with them.
[OOC:  If there isn't an instrument for her, Lissa will join in the dance ...

  16:58, Today: Lissabytta D'Argento rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Will save (DC: 12):  Now is the part where we dance! – 12

She just isn't absolutely compelled to do so... Though it was close (thanks, Free Thinker feat!)... Oh, and I'll mark off the 16gp for the bullets.]

This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Tue 23 Jan.
Bunny Cotillion
player, 793 posts
Who breaks the Law
Are we not Men
Wed 17 Jan 2024
at 16:19
  • msg #475

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

At a point, it became hard to distinguish between the magic and the music.  And, perhaps, there was a little magic in all music anyway.  With a smile, Bunny accepted the offered hand.  "Why thankee, Sir," she replied, moving with the faun into the fields before the burial mounds.

Kicking boots and flying skirts helped to work up a healthy appetite.  So, it was with a powerful hunger - and not a little hot sweatiness - that Bunny settles into a seat at the table for food and drink.
Zassil
player, 410 posts
My bark is NOT worse
than my bite actually
Wed 17 Jan 2024
at 18:23
  • msg #476

Re: Chapter 2: Passages and Professors

Zassil frowned as Bunny brought up dancing and everything started to spiral. Ditty and some others got involved, loving the idea apparently. And he felt...an urge? A small pull? He shook it off, but the sprite with him wanted to dance, and wanted him to go with them.

So despite his better judgement and desires, he relented - especially since he wanted to try and help integrate the sprites with the rest of the fey. This might be just a good chance to get that started.

He looked at them with skepticism and said, "....mmmmm okay but just ONE dance. I am not good at dancing and don't think I am built for it." He smiled, however, as he let himself be lead to the dance area. "Maybe you'll have to show me some moves that don't require flight..."

11:19, Today: Zassil rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  Will save.
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