In reply to Hussdor (msg # 161):

The bat faced woodgrue immediately prances over and extends a small wooden cup, apparently for its own use.

In reply to Fisbie (msg # 162):

Kirpich will listen for a bit, before asking

"Care to translate?"

Balir responds "Sure, Kirpich.  The important part is what he told me about the way west.  Hussdor said they only saw small hamlets.  He also mentioned wild men who live in the foothills of the mountains. The woods contain fairy creatures, along with hags and witches.

Now, I am going to try this brew to see how it tastes.  I have never had moss dwarf ale before."

Balir will share the ale with Hussdor.

OOC I'm assuming he'll have something in his "personal basics" for drinking.  If not, he may need to borrow a mug.

[Private to GM: I should explain...  I was thinking modern day with Balir, as in be professional and don't go getting drunk your first mission.  As a dwarf, he would be thinking more along the lines of 'wait, these people don't drink on the job...?'  To really hit the right tone I really should have brought a wineskin with ale in it or something.  He should have had the ale, and been offering the drinks on the front side.  I was trying to say I missed that point and left out what he needed for carousing]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:28, Mon 04 Mar 2019.

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 164):

The ale is hearty and dark, and very frothy, like a sour, smoky stout.
[Private to Balir Ironhide: I would throw you that, and a stone bottle with a quart of hard stuff, that you could nurse for most of the trip at a shot a day. Being a carouser doesn't make you a drunk, it makes you a pleasant drink8ng companion.]

The woodgrue pounds it back, and starts doing a frantic giggling dance.
Leandru rolls her eyes at this display.

In reply to Fisbie (msg # 165):

Kirpich just watches in amusement, keeping an eye on all the odd characters...not just the dancing ones.

Balir enjoys the ale and makes small talk for as long as the rest of the group seems willing to loiter around.  He'll also share some of his ale, although sparingly - he will explain it has to last him for a long trip, although he won't elaborate even if asked.

[Private to GM: I concur.  Balir wouldn't get drunk on the job, but I expect he would have a beer with his work.  Dwarves need to loosen up and enjoy their jobs after all.  I'm trying to play the carousing and the chummy here.  I'll gladly take the aleskin and mug, and adjusted my response to include that.

Side note - I have seen plenty of GMs who are black and white about the character sheets.  Appreciate that you're more gray on that, as ale is something I should have thought to bring for a chummy carouser.]

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 167):

"Where are you all heading, so heavily kitted out. I must confess, I am curious."

Balir falls quiet at the question.  He isn't one of the leaders of their party, he's new and inexperienced when it comes to travel above the ground.  The question was for someone else to answer.  Instead of making his silence obvious, Balir quietly starts packing up his mug and aleskin, as he expects they will move on before long.

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 169):

"We head off to investigate reports of trouble." Kirpich answers matter of factly.

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 170):

The elf smiles wryly."We travel eastward in search of opportunity and rumors of home."

In reply to Leandru (msg # 171):

"Opportunities and rumors of home? I am not sure I understand..."

In reply to Kirpich Rockson (msg # 172):

"This is a wondrous land, and a curious place to be sure. There are however, portals to faerie, some fixed, some seasonal, scattered about. Leandru has occasional duties at the winter court, and the passage we last took this way leads to a place not near her destination, so we seek other paths to faerie."

In reply to Jelak (msg # 173):

"Most of the gates I know are far to the south, near the sea, but one must pass through the cities of men before closing on the hinterlands.
There is one other way I know, in the city of Northport, there is a tavern called Hypathia's Hoofprints, with a faerie ring in the back garden."

In reply to Dionysus Dispatha (msg # 174):

"That is certainly good information. Please excuse Fisbie, he has decided our parley is instead a party."

In reply to Leandru (msg # 175):

The woodgrue has moved from dancing to playing. An irresistible urge is rising with the odd flutelike music, whi h is both haunting and frantic at once.
 Make will rolls to resist breaking into dance!
Any magic resistance counts.

In reply to Fisbie (msg # 176):

Kirpixh frown.

"To invite is acceptable, but to compel dancing is outright rude. If you will finish that, we will be on our way."

He looks around to check prying hands are not too close to his companions.

[Private to GM: Rolled 7 under will...]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Sun 10 Mar 2019.

Aethul starts to tap his feet in time with the music.



[Private to GM: 19:21, Today: Aethul rolled 13 using 3d6.  Will. Missed by one]

Syvanus controls his urge to dance.



[Private to GM:  19:23, Today: Syvanus rolled 11 using 3d6.  Will. Just made it.]

Balir also frowns at the compulsion to dance. It seems impolite to him. Thankfully, he resists the urge, but in part circumstance helps with that. The tower shield and heavy mail make dancing quite inconvenient. “I agree. That music is nice, but the compulsion is most unwelcome. Please, put away the flute. “
This message was last edited by the player at 17:26, Mon 11 Mar 2019.

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 180):

The hautbois playing bat faced goblin seems caught under the sway of his own music, playing on
 and dancing himself as if compelled.
The satyr seems caught under his sway as well.  The Moss dwarf sways slightly, but you can see by the twitching of his tail that the grimalkin is just irritated, and the frost elf looks done with the entire situation.

Balir shakes his head at the inaction on the part of Fishbie.  The creature was of the Fey, so maybe this was a normal behavior.  He had no idea.  Regardless, it was bothersome, and he had asked politely.  Balir will hang his axe on his belt, and then approach Fishbie to gently knock the instrument away from his mouth.

"I mean no harm, but it seems Fishbie has been captured in his own thrall."

OOC I expect this to go badly, but...  I think this is what he would do.

[Private to GM: My initial reaction was to ask Hussdor to step in.  But, looking over the character sheet, Balir has some overconfident.  He thinks he can stop the music without giving offense, which I as the player doubt.  He's also a bit naive to the ways of the world.  I had him put the axe on his belt because he can obviously take any of these visitors handily... ]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:03, Mon 11 Mar 2019.

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 182):

as Balir pushes the delicate instrument from the woodgrue's lips, the creature frowns.
"Hey man, what gives? why you trying to harsh my mellow? I was getting into the groove, man, that was not cool."

Balir nods in an understanding fashion.  "No offense intended.  Play music if you wish, but please do not compel us to dance.  We were having a nice conversation, and a nice brew.  I do not wish to dance in mail armor and a tower shield."

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 184):

"Man, what a downer! You need to loosen up, maybe lose the metal threads, drink a little more and get nice!"

Balir takes a knee so he can look Fishbie in the eye.  "On another day, I will gladly share a brew and dance with you.  Unfortunately, we have a job to do, so my friends and I must work.  It seems you have somewhere to be as well.  I think we must take our leave from you for now.  After we are gone, I am sure the frost elf would gladly dance with you."  Balir stifles a smirk as he stands back up, and prepares to move on down the road.  "Well met Hussdor, and friends."