Ilura pulled a couple of crates over to a corner of the room out of direct view of either the mirror or the painting and plopped herself on one, gesturing for Marcus to take the other.  She thought about sharing her dream from the night before and the appearance of Lusina's symbol, but this didn't seem like the time or space for such a discussion.  Instead, she reached into her pack and pulled out some of the smoked lizard meat from the night before and tossed as small piece to the floor for Thomas before offering half of what remained to the Palidin.

"Do you spend much time in settlements like this?  So many people in one space has always felt unnatural to me..."

Just making conversation - feel free to zoom us along.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 25):

OOC: Is there any value to the other non magical jewelry?

Hiran nodded when he realized he couldn't leave the shop a minor misunderstanding but he gladly took the gnomes offer to go into his herb garden and take notes.  Hiran spent the rest of his afternoon taking notes and researching all that he could from these books trying to make sure he left no detail untouched in case he needed it in the future.

Hiran then after his careful study began to discuss the magic items to himself.  "Hmm if the others don't mind I believe ill take this ring it has the most promise for myself.  The hairpin while powerful..hmm I don't need to seem more suspicious than the others already view me and the Bracelet seems like something Ilura would fall in love with being how she loves nature.  Though something about that woman doesn't sit right with me, I still need to find what she's hiding behind that rosy facade she uses to butter up to Marcus."

He then takes the ring and puts it on his right ring finger and spends a while enjoying the herb garden taking in it's beauty and splendor before finally gathering up his things thanking the shopkeeper and leaving the establishment.  Hiran then looks to see if he can find signs of his companions to discuss what he has found so far.

His armored form still standing at the door, Marcus asked Ubir "If it will be that long, surely we can wait outside, and you can fetch us when everyone is ready." he looked around the suspicious room adding "And that way, there will be no chance for us to disrupt anything important."

OOC: If required: 19:19, Today: Marcus rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Parley with Ubir if needed.
Sorry, Ilura, will get back to the prompt, have quite a bit running through my head, but would like to see how this plays out.

Hiran
After Hiran wraped up his research, Sovek helped him clean up his work station and assisted with any last minute transactions Hiran may have wanted to make.  Then, with a friendly goodbye, the shop-keep saw him to the door.

By now it was late afternoon and it would start getting darker in an hour or so.  Even so, the cobblestone streets were still full of people doing their shopping or merely out enjoying the nice weather.  As Hiran made his way toward the designated rendezvous point, he passed by many different shops and vendors.  The scent of freshly baked bread still wafted out of a bakery, a jewelry vendor's wares glittered fantastically in the late afternoon sun, and a kennel-master's pups barked enthusiastically as potential patrons walked past.

Eventually, however, Hiran found his way to Markhain's main public library.  The three story building covered in ivy jutted out into a large open courtyard where crowds loitered and entertainers performed for spare coin.  It didn't take long to spot Eryn across the courtyard.

As Hiran approached, however, screams rang loudly over the sounds of the crowd.  From a side street, Hiran could see smoke approaching.  As the source of the smoke rounded a corner, he could see that the smoke was coming from a small burning straw cart being pulled by a rampaging ox.  The frightened animal was charging straight toward a crowd standing in the cobblestone square.

What do you do?

---

Eryn
After finishing up with Lady Hammersoft, it didn't take Eryn long to decide it would be a good idea to clean up a bit.  Markhain had several public bathhouses scattered about, and it would be easier to freshen up in the middle of the day when the pools were less busy.  It didn't take the warrior long to find one of these cleaning pools, and the magically warmed water did wonders for her injuries and general griminess.

Once cleaned up to her satisfaction, Eryn headed over to Markhain's main public library.  After a quick look around the large ivy-covered building, she was able to determine she was probably the first to arrive.  Luckily there were a lot of entertainers putting on performances nearby, so she wouldn't get too bored while she waited for the others.  Before long though, Hiran's form could be spotted across the great cobblestone courtyard, approaching.

Right around that same time though, screams could be heard coming from a side street.  People were shouting for everyone to get out of the way.  Then, from around a corner, it appeared.  A small flaming straw cart being pulled by a rampaging ox.  And the ox was pulling the burning cart directly toward one of the crowds gathered in the cobblestone square.

What do you do?

---

Ilura and Marcus
Sir Ubir looked a bit uneasy by Marcus's question and gave it some serious consideration before replying.  "I suppose waiting outside would be alright.  Just make sure the door locks behind you.  And do NOT let anyone else in."  After one more moment of hesitation, the elven man closed the secret passage and disappeared from view.

What do you do?

---

Eryn
You are clean now!  Also, you see a rampaging ox headed for a crowd of people...

Hiran
The other jewelry would probably be worth about 70 coins if you sell it to a specialized vendor.  Or you could trade it to Sovek for a single healing potion.  Let me know what Hiran did with them (if anything) before he encountered the rampaging ox.

Ilura and Marcus
It seems like Marcus has something in mind that he wants to do, but if not, let me know when you are ready to move on.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY! OUT OF THE SQUARE!" Eryn bellowed the moment she realized what was about to happen. She had planned to show Hiran the new shield she had acquired, but now she dropped it on the grass next to herself instead and broke into a run. The paint might get smudged, but such a triviality was of no concern.

Even going as fast as she could towards the rampaging cart, Eryn already had a terrible gut feeling that she would not be in time - for an ox was far quicker than a human, and speed had never been a particular strength of hers. Plus, even if she could reach the reins there was no telling if the cart would stop before it something and set fire to everything around.

Ignoring the instinct to tackle the animal with brute force, Eryn reached into her bag as she ran and frantically searched for a vial she knew she had left somewhere near the bottom. She located it quickly enough - "Whirlpool in a bottle", it had been called. It was time to see if that claim was true, or if it was just a party trick used to stir soup in cauldrons.

Having no time to fit the bag back on properly, Eryn discarded it as well. It dropped on the cobblestone road somewhere, and the sell-sword could only hope it wouldn't get snagged by some opportunistic cretin.

With her now free hand Eryn uncorked the jar and flung it as the cart just as it was about to pass her by entirely.


Is this Volley, or some other action?

Following Ilura's gesture and taking another look around the room, Marcus nodded towards the alley outside "If we need to wait, it can at least be somewhere with fresh air." he glanced back at the once again concealed passageway as he walked out "I understand their need for secrecy if what they say is true." he considered "And even more if it isn't."

Moving to the end of the alley, Marcus accepted the piece of meat, his mind flashing to the stolen rations for a second, as he found a point from which he could see the entrance to the NECRO's lair. "As for cities, they are proof of what we can do when we do together." paladin started to answer the question Ilura asked "I grew up on my father's estate and often explored the surrounding town, Pahtain." Marcus had to pause as his voice cracked after speaking the name of the town. "Sorry, it was a while since I last thought of home. But yes, I was quite used to busy streets and narrow alleys." he looked towards the sky, barely finding it through the jumble of roofs "I knew the wonder of the wilderness as well, but I never thought to compare the two. They each had their place." he tried a smile but it didn't reach past his mouth.Taking another breath he finished "Once the Fight started, my brother and I traveled a lot, going wherever we heard of someone in need, or a resistance forming. And I never stoped."

I think a Defy Danger +Dex sounds like it would fit what you are trying to do.

"I grew up on an estate too, but the local town wasn't exactly a "friendly" place.  Too many of my father's men.

I guess I can see cities like this as a sign of man's achievement, though when I compare it to the land man has left unspoiled, I'm not sure the achievement is always a positive one."

She watched him closely for a bit, then asked gently "Would you like to tell me about your brother?"

23:03, Today: Eryn rolled 7 using 2d6.  Defy Danger (Dex), throwing whirlpool potion at burning cart.

I have removed the jar from my inventory.

Marcus nodded in understanding of Ilura's plight. His father did much worse things than hers, but the atrocity of parents standing in the path of their children was the same, regardless of scale.

"Darian was..." he gave a wistful smile "is my role model. While I heard of Lusiny often, it was him that showed me what it meant to follow the Silver." The paladin went on to shared few of the highlights from adventuring with his brother, his eyes misting over slightly, but it was clear he enjoyed the memories and opportunity to share them.

I'm guessing Ubir comes for us, or something else meaningful happens while they are talking. Don't want to bog us down with the details (and don't have the time to write more)

OOC: Hiran would sell the other jewelry for the 70 coin as he cares more about bags of books and supplies. Ill go ahead and add to my inventory now.

Hiran kept walking into the library, while certainly dangerous a flaming cart and an angry ox were hardly his expertise and besides his research was far more important in the grand scheme of saving everyone not just one small group who might be in trouble.  He watched curiously as Eryn ran by to help but that did not slow him much as he continued on in.

Eryn and Hiran
Eryn flung the magic jar at the passing cart.  It sailed through the air and landed with a satisfying shatter.  Brine sprayed outward over the cobblestones and... they got wet.  The ox kept running.

A split second later a loud roar of water, like a raging waterfall, could be heard coming from the cobblestones.  Then quite suddenly a great circle opened up on the ground, at least 30 feet wide, and water swirled within.  Even though the ox was now outside of the circle, its cart was still within and it splashed noisily into the whirlpool causing steam and saltwater to spray into the air.  Bits of smoldering straw spiraled down toward the whirlpool's center.  As the current circled, it pulled the wagon.  Which in turn caused the ox's legs to buckle and start to get pulled along with it.  In a matter of moments the beast of burden would get pulled all the way in.  The frightened animal mooed loudly as it panicked.

On the steps of the library next to where Hiran now stood, a woman gasped.  "Was that... a whirlpool in a bottle?  I thought they were just party tricks used to stir soup in cauldrons!"  Then, with much more concern, she added, "Oh no! There's someone in the water!"

And sure enough, someone must have been standing too near where Eryn had thrown the bottle.  A man who had been trying and failing to hold onto the side of the hole now swirled around the spiraling water.  He grabbed onto the back wheel of the wagon as he passed by, but who knows how much time that would buy him.

What do you do?

---

Ilura and Marcus
After at least twenty minutes or so of Marcus and Ilura relaxing and getting to know each other's histories a bit better, a voice down the alley caught their attention.  "Hey!  Magic man!  What you doin' casting spells on our turf without permission?"  The confrontational words were coming from a tall muscular man.  He had long wavy black hair and excessive stubble.  His aggressive smile had what appeared to be pointed teeth within.  He had no shirt, but on his chest was tattooed a white wolf, howling at the moon.  A silver moon, just starting to be eclipsed by a red one.

If the man wasn't intimidating enough on his own, there was another person behind each of his shoulders who were both nearly as tough looking.  And by his legs were two mangy dogs who seemed to be at least half wolf.  Then, just off to the side was a scrawny preteen boy who seemed to think he was on par with the others just by virtue of being in their proximity.

Thomas pecked gently at Ilura's cheek.  [That's the one I saw in the window,] the crow informed her, referring to the youngest member of the group.

"Little Snap-jaw here told me he saw you hanging out with that snooty top hat guy, making magic.  Ya shouldn't be hanging out with those crazies.  They're bad news.  You should come with us, if you know what's good for you."  He pointed at himself with both his thumbs.  "Let ole Snarl-maw show you what's what around here."

Just then, a creak could be heard back by the door to the storage room.  Looking over, Sir Ubir could be seen peeking out, but trying to stay out of view of the gang at the end of the alley.  Barely over a whisper, the elven man said, "The appointment is set.  Don't listen to a stitch of what those ruffians say.  Hurry on now."  He waved the two of you toward him, but didn't open the door any further.  He seemed worried about the gang down the alley getting into his storage room.  And perhaps that worry had a bit of merit since the gang was now approaching.

What do you do?

---

Eryn and Hiran
You are both safe.  Eryn is next to the whirlpool and Hiran is quite a ways off near the entrance to the library.  You can both see that the ox is about to get pulled into the whirlpool by its wagon, which a man is holding onto the rear wheel of, trying not to get sucked further down into the vortex.

Ilura and Marcus
Sir Ubir and Snarl-maw each want you to go with them.  Sir Ubir seems liable to lock the door once the gang gets too close, no matter which side of it you are on when when they do.

In normal circumstances, Ilura would have just stepped inside the door with the elf and paladin and bolted the door.  However, the image of the white wolf and moon intrigued her.

She spoke quietly to Marcus "You go with Sir Ubir.  I'll chat with this lot."

Then she walked towards the group. [are you a friend?]  The mental query went out almost by instinct, directed at the dogs.

She smiled at the shirtless man, though there was caution in her eyes.  She held her bow casually, but she could nock and loose in an instant if need be.

"My friend has an appointment, but I would be happy to learn what you might share of the situation here.  I have an affinity for the wolf whose token you bear."

Hiran continued on his path magic was dangerous in it's own right and he had no way of stopping a massive whirlpool. He hoped Eryn would see the same reason but he knew he couldn't convince her if she didn't so he chose to keep about his business entering into the library.

Marcus tensed at the words, turning as his hand moved to rest on the hilt of his blade. His eyes narrowed at the approaching group, and he was unsure of what the sign they displayed stood for. As he tried to make up his mind on how to make his stand, Ilura offered an alternative he didn't expect.

Glancing at her uneasily, he didn't like the idea of leaving her with this crowd, Marcus realized her mind was set, but her words did little to ease his concerns. "Bad new for you perhaps, but let us judge for ourselves." he retorted as he started slowly towards Ubit, not wanting to show haste or fear. "Know that Lusiny watches over her." he spoke as he neared the door, trying to sound intimidating, but it was never his strong suite, and he realized it might have been a mistake as the words left his lips.

22:48, Today: Marcus rolled 5 using 2d6+2.  I Am the Law! Don't harm Ilura.
Aaaand I was afraid that might happen. Sorry Ilura. I'll go and mark my xp while you hang around with the nice people (if they let Marcus pass...)
This message was last edited by the player at 08:20, Fri 09 Mar 2018.

I don't think they need to let you past.  We were sitting on crates right beside the door.  The friendly folks are approaching from the mouth of the alley.  I'm now standing between them and the door (I presume a good 10-15 feet away from them).  So you can go in the door and close it before they can get to you.

This is correct.

The magic released from the jar was far stronger than Eryn had anticipated. She had kept the people in the square from getting trampled or burned, but unfortunately it looked like the effect of the potion may have caused even greater damage. The experienced sell-sword knew when she had to do something, and so Eryn headed straight for the center of the chaos without hesitating for a second. She stood at the edge of the vortex and peered into it, trying to judge what the best angle of approach would be while ignoring the distraction of people yelling around her.

"Grab onto this!" she shouted to the poor man, lying down flat on the cobblestones and extending the blunt end of her spear towards him. She held onto it hard with both hands while keeping the carrying strap wrapped tightly around her right wrist. The speartip should keep it from slipping too, but she couldn't risk having the man slice his fingers open on the sharp metal.

Muddy saltwater sprayed across Eryn's newly washed self, but it would just have to be that way. A fighter like her could never stay clean for long.

Figures I can't go a moment without being covered in salt in this town, Eryn thought, quite exasperated, while hoping the man would be able to spot her and grab onto her spear in turn. The combined weight of muscles and armor should give her an edge when it came to pulling him up, but with 15 feet to the center of the whirlpool she would never be able to reach him if he drifted too far in. The ox was almost certainly a goner already.


A 30 feet sinkhole could have swallowed my late grandmother's house whole, my friend. A house-destroyer with 0 weight... I believe I'll need to purchase another of those Whirlpool bottles. :)

Eryn is trying to reach the man caught in the whirlpool by extending her spear to him, but if it feels like she'll just get dragged in too she'll stop and try a different angle (or watch him go down, I guess).

Eryn, give me a Defy Danger +Str, +Con, or +Int.  Whichever you think is most appropriate for trying to pull the man from the water in this scenario.

quote:

by powering through, +Str
by getting out of the way or acting fast, +Dex
by enduring, +Con
with quick thinking, +Int
through mental fortitude, +Wis
using charm and social grace, +Cha

I see this as a task of brute force - the biggest challenge is having to pull his weight while resisting the forces trying to drag him and the weapon out of my grasp.

17:48, Today: Eryn rolled 11 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger (Str): Pulling a man out of the whirlpool.

Eryn
Eryn offered the blunt end of her spear to the man in the water none too soon.  No sooner had he grabbed hold than the ox fell completely into the water.  It and the wagon swirled around in circles as they drifted toward the vortex's center.  The man got buffeted a bit by the circling debris and livestock, but Eryn's might heaved him toward shore before anything catastrophic happened.

With one last burst of effort, Eryn was able to pull the man up onto the cobblestones once more.  He lay on his elbows coughing up water, but he was alive.  Shortly thereafter, the radius of the whirlpool began to shrink.  As the ox swirled around in the whirlpool and neared its center, the magical water began to close up.  At its current rate, the whirlpool would completely disappear in less than twenty seconds.  And it seemed likely that everything in the whirlpool was going to disappear right along with it.

Some nearby entertainers approached to help with the rescued man and started thanking Eryn for his rescue.  "Thank you madame!  You have saved our best juggler!  Not to mention you saved our audience from being trampled.  We are in your debt."  The woman in face paint gave a stylized bow as she thanked Eryn for saving her coworker from the whirlpool the fighter had created.

What do you do?

---

Hiran
Dr. Hiran Krauss, forever true to his nature, continued on into the library despite the commotion outside.  He had to push past a few people trying to exit to see what was going on in the square, but he soon found himself standing in the entrance to Markhain's largest library.

The inside of the building was a large open rectangle that rose up the full three stories of its height.  Natural light shone in from the windows up above, illuminating the walls lined with book after book.  Spiral staircases rose up to the walkways that lined the the walls, and long stone tables stretched along the center of the building.  There were a few alcoves that were a bit more secluded as well, and some doors marked with "no entry" signs.  And behind the main desk right next to the entrance, there were books for sale.  Copies of the library's most popular selections.

The place was mostly empty at the moment due to the outside events, but a few people who shared Dr. Hiran's devotion to research still remained.

What do you do?

---

Ilura
When Marcus made his attempt at intimidation then entered the storage room, Snarl-maw and his two cronies paused.  Then they burst out laughing.  "Haha, you hear that Quick-paw?  Night-eye?" Snarl-maw asked his companions between laughs.  Then, in an extremely condescending tone, he said, "Magic man thinks he is big and tough!  He thinks his puny words are going to make us crawl home with our tails between our legs!"  The three muscular people continued to laugh for a moment, with their scrawny tag-along joining in hesitantly.

While they did this, however, their half-wolf strays were much more kind.  When they "heard" Ilura speak to them, the two canines looked at each other and then rushed up to the ranger and happily started sniffing and giving her a lick or two.  They bombarded her with their thoughts as they did.  [Hi lady!] [What is that smell?]  [Oh! or that one!]  [You are nice, right?]  [Oh, what is that smell?]  [Do you like giving scratches?]  [Do you like giving pats?]  [I think I can smell something tasty.] [Can you get rid of fleas?]

The wolf-dogs' affection for Ilura did not go unnoticed, and Snarl-maw soon focused his attention on the ranger.  He seemed to be really sizing her up for the first time.  "You really do have an affinity for them, don't cha?"  He squinted his eyes at Ilura while he made unknown assessments.  "Ok, we'll give ya a chance.  We were hoping for a magic man, but maybe you'll do.  You can come with us."

Without any further explanation, Snarl-maw turned to head back the way he came.  With a sharp whistle and a hand motion, the wolf-dogs ran back to him and his two human companions each took a position behind Ilura.  Quick-paw, an ebony skinned woman with long kinky black hair took up position behind Ilura's left shoulder.  And Night-eye, a tanned bald man riddled with scars took up position behind her right.  It was obvious they expected Ilura to go with them whether she wanted to or not.

What do you do?

---

Marcus
After reentering the storage area, Marcus could hear himself being mocked by the gang outside.  His attempt at intimidation had obviously failed.  But there wasn't much time to dwell on it since Sir Ubir began talking almost right away in hurried tones.  "I think that in light of recent events, it would be wise of us to meet further down the passage rather than right here.  I do not want to be in this room if those feral beasts decide to break down the door."

Ubir opened the secret passage again and called down it.  "Pelra, this entrance has been compromised.  Please organize an erasure team immediately.  And notify the master that we will convene in room C instead."  Then, turning back to speak with Marcus he said, "Please, follow me," then headed down the passage.  A quick peek inside revealed a long and narrow stone corridor that continued on for at least 100 feet until disappearing into darkness.

What do you do?

---

Eryn
The Whirlpool is shrinking and the friends/coworkers of the man you saved have come over to help out.

Hiran
Any research you do while in this library gives you the bonus of using a Bag of Books without consuming a usage.  You can replenish you Bag of Books at the price of 2 coins per book.  Every 5 books you own have 2 weight.

Ilura
The gang wants you to go with them, whether you personally want to or not.

Marcus
You take -1 forward against the gang outside.  Keep it in mind if you interact with them in the future.

Sir Ubir wants you to follow him down the passage and away from the storage area.

Ilura turned and gave a short bow to each of the two toughs.

"Quick Paw?  Night Eye?  I am called Ilura"

She turned forward and crouched down slightly.  [I am nice.  I am good at giving scratches behind the ears where it is hard to scratch and lick.  I also have meat.  Would you like meat while I speak with your master?]

She waited for them to come to her and provided the promised scratches and shared some of her remaining lizard meat while whe addressed Snarl-maw.

"I'm sure I'd be very happy to come with you.  Where is it that we are going and what services do you require?"

She intended to go pretty much regardless, but she didn't want to set the precident of asceding to the leader's every demand.

The paladin pushed down the shame at his failure (of judgment more than actions), and followed after Ubir. The elf's concern gave Marcus a pause. "Who are those people?" he asked as he followed down the passage "And what is an erasure team?" But with everything happening, he paid little attention to anything but the most obvious things.

09:14, Today: Marcus rolled 4 using 2d6.  Discern Realities.

"I only did what I had to, but I'm glad your friend is safe. Shame about the animal, but it would certainly have perished in the fire too." Eryn had risen back on her feet and glanced over at the things she had dropped to confirm that they were still there. She brushed dirt off her clothing, but quickly realized there was no point in doing so. her pants were doomed to never be clean as long as she kept being an arm-for-hire.

"Juggler, you say? You are performers, then. I don't suppose you'd have any knowledge of why this commotion started." Eryn looked around at the people nearby to check if anyone in the crowd were acting noticably agitated or perhaps oddly calm. "Does anyone own a wagon or know someone who did?" she asked.


Clarification: If the whirlpool is swallowing the ox like you say, does that mean it is vanishing into thin air thanks to the magic?

Hiran began looking through the books.  When he had a stack that caught his eye he proceeded to purchase them and add them to his collection.  Hiran then went and found a comfortable yet secluded table where he could focus away from the outside commotion and any of it that was carried into the library.

Hiran then started going about studying the Pit of Shadow.  He hypothesized that his could either help empower his magic or help them find more about the next step in stopping his former master. He excitedly got to the task he so enjoyed this process, far more than the adventure itself.


OOC: Spent 4 coin for 2 more bag of books usages bringing me up to 5