If you were expecting Salt Lick to be podunk, your expectations have been met Zekk.  You set your pack down and wipe the sweat off your brow, easing the tension out of your shoulders.

You're standing between a large building you assume is an inn.  There's a sign above the door reading Grat's Packets.  On the other side is what looks like a market of some kind.  It's midafternoon and a lot of the villagers are gathered there.  It must be a fish market as a lot of the villagers there are dressed like fishermen and..well...the place smells like fish.

A middle aged woman with a young girl no more than two clinging to her legs passes by.

"Pardon me Sir!  And welcome to Salt Lick!  Haven't seen you here before. Gotta get my husband's lunch to him.  He just got back from the boat.  If you're lookin' for a meal and a room..." She points at Grat's Packets

For Breya, Bel, Cass, Koz, etc.

It looks like the fishing fleet have come in.  The boat crews are packing the fish market.  The catch has to be cut and placed on drying racks.  It's a busy time of day in the village.

As you come up the path towards the market, you can see there's a new face in town.  Guy in armor standing between Grat's Packets and the Fish Market, looking around like he's new in town.

Zekk, I'll let you describe yourself for the group.

Looking up from the road, Zekk read the sign on the door quickly, and grunted softly to himself.

Odd...

Zekk tilted his hooded face towards the woman that reached out to him a second later, raising a solitary eyebrow as she virtually threw her entire life story at him in half a moment.

Play nice...

He tossed her a half-smile, waving a powerfully muscled arm at her in a friendly gesture. No reason to rock the boat, having just gotten here.

Turning back towards the market, he lifted his wide chin and sniffed the air, his bright blue eyes glinting in the sun. It smelled good enough: could be a source of food in the future. Shifting his pack slightly to the side on his shoulders, Zekk's posture was still confident, and powerful, even if he had been marching for quite some time.

Glancing back towards Grat's Packets one more time with a sigh, Zekk resigned himself to his fate. Yet another small town, with very little of interest to him. Hopefully, he could find something that he could do that wouldn't bore him to tears, but who knew?

Breya, in the meantime, walked with an elf, holding hands with him.  Well, "holding hands" in the sense she followed right behind him, at his shoulder, with both of her hands wrenched on his arm, one at the elbow and one at the wrist.  It was a little annoying because she had no free hand to police her hair with, and a few long red strands had come loose and were getting in the way.

She even remembered the song.  "With a little turn and a little squeeze, everyone drops to their knees!"

It did leave her vulnerable since she had her hands occupied and had to watch her... friend, but she trusted the others to run interference for her.

She took a moment to whisper sweet nothings in his ear.  "If you lie or target the wrong person or play any stupid tricks, I have no compulsions whatsoever about showing you what I did to Mason the Mutilator."

She wasn't shy about using the leverage to move him along either.  If he got out of position, it would just plain hurt.

In reply to Breya (msg # 4):

Zekk, as you turn towards Grat's Packets...whatever that is...you do see something of interest.  A rather odd looking group is coming in from the east.

Three women: one big as yourself.  One with a servicable looking blade on her hip.  And one tiefling bounding along.  Three men are with them.  A dashing type. One who looks like he's been out in the wilderness.  And a tall, froofy looking elf.

The froofy elf and the big woman are holding hands.  But they neither of them looks happy about it.

I'll let you guys describe yourselves as you wish for Zekk

---

Flea frowns at you Breya.  "You really have trust issues, don'tcha?  Sad way to go through life.  Anyway I have no reason to do the wrong here.  Because once I point them out, you guys are gonna let me go.  Right?"

As you move into what passes for the center of town in Salt Lick, you're encountering more villagers.  They all recognize the lot of you.  They smile, wave.  One woman openly wonders if the "cute" one is dating anybody. But she's not specific who the "cute" one is.

As you get near the fish market, Flea suddenly stops.  He tugs at his hand, shooting you an annoyed look Breya.  "I was about to point at him.  Can you let one of my hands go? It'd make this easier on both of us."

Kozibi was physically attractive, if not physically imposing, by the standards of many. His long straight hair looked as if spun from shining gold, and his eyes appeared as if made of expressive silver - the two helping to denote his celestial heritage. His flawless smooth skin had a light bronze tinge to it. He stood just a touch under six feet in height, with an athletic dancer's build.

He was wearing an outfit colorful and flamboyant, something an entertainer or attention-seeker would wear, with a hide shirt made of some scaled material, like a giant lizard perhaps, only colored in several different shades. Several pouches sat on his belt along with a sheathed longsword and a couple of leather pieces. He also had a pack on his back, not overly stuffed, with a bedroll attached to it.

He strode alongside two of the women, the bruiser holding hands with an elf, and the pretty woman with the blade. "So? Do see who we're looking for?" He wasn't badgering, just asking. He was trying to remain patient. He adopted a small fake smile and waved back at some of the townfolk, but was watching for anyone who looked shifty or recognized the elf.

12:52, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  Perception if applicable.

Breya, at the moment, was very tall (because height is relative), very redheaded, and very pissed.  She looked like she could lift the prize calf over her head without any problem.  She was still wearing the gladiator armor, a strange choice, but it was still what she had at the moment.

"I'm only holding one arm you fucking banana!  Now get to pointing!"

Glancing towards the group of 6, Zekk didn't shift his gaze. He spotted the threats immediately. The large woman, a likely grappler. The bladed one: a swordswoman. And a tiefling. Devil-spawn. Three scrawny men.

Interesting...

He kept his gaze flat, and emotionless. He could recognize adventurers a mile away. Always full of 'gusto', and arrogance. No reason to step in their way... no price on their heads, yet. He towered over the majority of them, except for the woman, who was six foot 5, much like himself! Now THAT impressed him. Somebody he might actually understand the life of.

He saw her shouting at the floofy looking elf she was 'holding', and he recognized right away what that relationship was: prisoner and dictator. He must've pissed off the one woman that could literally manhandle him, and paid the price.

Turning to face the Grat's packets once more, he sighed softly, hearing the man's words. He'd better not have been referring to Zekk. He knew he had the speed to rip the man's face off before the woman would even see him moving, but he didn't want to have to.

Just stay quiet, little man. he mentally urged him, his ears perked at the ready for the wrong words to come out, staring the other way so as not to draw attention.

In reply to Zekk (msg # 8):

Flea sighs in an exaggerated manner and turns back towards the fish market.

"He went inside.  I think.  I can't see him from here.  Let's go over there.  He was headed that way.  Oh!  No wait!"

He points at a fisherman who's walking into Grat's Packets.

"That's him!  I'm sure of it!  I'd never forget an ass like that!"

---

"Pardon me buddy."  Zekk, a broad shouldered fisherman is walking past you into Grat's Packets.  He almost bumped into you.

"Sorry," he says giving you a grin.  "Wasn't payin' attention to what I was doin'."

He nods at you and starts again for the door into the tavern...inn...whatever this Grat's Packets is.

Koz, Breya, Bel, Cass...you guys are about seventy feet away from the entry to Grat's Packets.  Zekk, you're about fifteen feet away.

The guy who's walking into it is almost to the door...

Bellinha walked a few steps behind Breya and Flea.  She didn't need to walk beside Breya and Flea, and standing a few paces back let her keep an eye on both of them.

Bellinha was not a short woman, probably a little taller than average, and certainly not as tall as Breya.  At first glance she did not much stand out from the others around her.  Her long hair shone a silvery gold in the sunlight of the morning and was tied back into a utilitarian ponytail tied with a long red ribbon.  It was how she moved that would catch a discerning eye.  There was a grace and elegance to her movements that one would better expect from someone raised in cultured society than from someone born to the sword.  She was also polite and smiling when greeting those that they walked past, occasionally apologizing for something Flea had said.

The sword at her waist was a heavy looking broadsword, not the sort of weapon that would seem very graceful.  A series of rings were welded into the back of the blade that made a soft chiming sound as Bellinha walked.  The armor that she was wearing was well kept and clean, the leather parts slightly discoloured and there were some dents in some of the metal plates showing that it was not for show.  It did not reveal much of her physique but she seemed to hardly notice any of its weight.



"Ass like...that?!"  Fleas words caused Bellinha to almost look at the backside of the man in question.  She hesitated for a moment and then looked over to see where the man had gone.  Grats Packets.  That made sense.  It was one of the prime meeting places in the village after all.  Pretty much everyone went into Grats' at some point during the day.

"What does his ass look like?"  She asked Flea.  Her attention had been on the door to Grats' so it took her a few seconds to realize what she had said.  "I mean, what does he look like?  Not just his ass.  The rest of him."

Her gaze alighted upon Zekk, looking over the non-fisherman looking man in a studious fashion.

In reply to Bellinha Grunnel (msg # 10):

Flea gives you the cock eye Bellinha.  "Were you not watching?  Kinda like two sacks of flour hanging out a window."

He then sighs.  "He's got brownish kinda hair.  Kind a' gruffy looking.  Kind of a working man type.  You know."

He looks around at all of you. "Well?  We just gonan stand here?  Or are we go get this guy so I can stop holding hands with the dancing bear here?"

Breya ignored him and pressed forward, keeping her death grip but moving.  She wasn't above using the painful leverage on his arm to make him move it, but there was only so far that would go if he resisted.  "You all get ahead and surround him, I'm stuck with this hedgeborn skamelar.  We'll be along... eventually."

It occurred to Kozibi that they were currently taking the word of a very untrustworthy soul - and it didn't take one to know one, though he was - to point out the person they were after. And unless that person pointed out panicked or confessed...well...they had no actual evidence or proof without...a handwriting sample perhaps?

He let out a small sigh. His head was too pretty to be thinking about all these angles.

So as they walked along, he leaned in to Bellinha a bit and very quietly whispered his thoughts to her so he wouldn't be the only one worrying about what to do when they 'caught' this supposed note-leaver and had Untrustworthy's word for it.

But he headed towards Grat's Packets with her to try to catch up to this person.

Matching the gaze, momentarily, of the swordswoman, Zekk paused for a split second, before turning to enter Grat's Packets.

Pressing open the door with his extended right arm, Zekk shifted his pack to his opposite shoulder and stepped inside with a heavier tread than he normally needed to. He didn't need to involve himself too quickly into anything he saw in the city, until it proved to be beneficial. That being said, he was many things, but patient and wise was not one of them.

Glancing around for an empty table, Zekk searched for an open seat, and took it. He looked for an empty table for himself... it would be nice to stretch his legs for the first time in over a week.

Bellinha tipped her head to one side slightly as the strange man with the shield entered Grat's Packets.  She was about to indulge in an inner monologue about strangers being trouble but Kozibis soft voice distracted her.

She nodded in agreement of his concerns.  After all, what could they really do with the person in question?  Haul him off on the suspicion of being a possibly nefarious spy?  The only thing that he seemed to be guilty of was having great ass, well according to Flea.

Slipping an arm through Kozibis, Bellinha started walking towards Grat's.  "Okay.  So.  How do we play this?"  She whispered to him.  "Play the friendly townsperson and join their table?  What do you think?"

"Howdy!  Welcome to Grat's Packets!"

A jovial looking, roundish woman greets you as you walk in Zekk.  She gives you a cursory look.  "You're new.  Well take a seat.  I'll bring ya an ale if you like?  Hungry?  Just made up a pot a' gombs."

Gombs? You've heard of it Zekk.  Supposed to be a pretty tasty stew of some kind.

As you look around, there are plenty of open seats.  Lunch crowd hsan't come in.  Probably because so many seem to be busy at the fish market.

The guy who passed you has joined a couple of friends at a table on one side.  Four sailors are packed around another table.

As you decide where to sit, the door behind you opens...

---

Flea glances around the place and then, without a moment of doubt, points over the shoulder of the big guy you saw earlier, who's standing there, looking like he's trying to pick a table to sit out so he can enjoy an ale and a nice bowl of gombs, towards a table at the back.

"Him," Flea says without any hesitation.  "That Guy."

He says it loudly enough so that Lori, the table of four sailors, and the three guys at the table in the back...one of whom is "The Guy"...all look at Flea.

Flea grins.  "Hey Morty!  Let's do it!"

"The Guy" starts to rise.  And both he and Flea start to change.  They suddenly sprout short, bristly fur.  They both get more buff. Tusks grow out of their mouths and their noses turn into snouts...

Seems like they're both wereboars.  Did Flea mention he and "The Guy" were wereboars?  Seems to have not gotten a mention.  That Flea.  By the way...I. Flea?  Has no one ever head of an anagram before?

Anyway.  They're both wereboars.

And we're in combat.  Wereboars are going on Init. 14.

Zekk, post your init roll, state your actions, and roll any dice.  I resolve all posted actions each round.

Questions?

"Hell yeah it's about time!  I love bacon!"

Breya cranked on that arm like she meant business.

19:55, Today: Breya rolled 18 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

All right, I'm assuming Breya is probably starting at grappling, so she'll go for a pin.

19:58, Today: Breya rolled 18 using 1d20+10.  CMB to Grapple.

Hmmm, that might or might not be enough.  We shall see!

Nodding his head with a bright grin, Zekk glanced the roundish woman up and down and responded in a friendly manner. He was quite used to traveling, so fortunately, he had that comfortable relaxed tone that usually set working people at ease. He dealt with so many servers, town after town, that he knew how to make them feel appreciated. He understood having your nose to the grindstone more than most.

"Appreciate it more than you know. An ale would be great, the stronger the better." he winked at her, not minding at all tipping her a little bit extra if she spiced it up for him.

As the loud group behind him budged in, he stepped forward to make room, and turned sideways, keeping his eyes on them, without directly looking. He could sense something coming from this group, and he already knew to keep his distance. As he pointed out a man at the opposite end of the bar, Zekk glanced that way, and saw a shapeshift beginning to take form.

Damn...

All he'd wanted was a stiff drink, and a little time to rest. Was that really too much to ask?!

Now things were about to get real funny in this new town. He didn't want to reveal himself, or his capabilities, because the last thing he needed was a target on his back. That being said, he saw goddamned men transforming into swine! He didn't want any part of that on his body either!

Watching the men WITH one of the wereboars closely, he wanted to see if they were going to jump in to help the boar, or to attack it. Based on that, he'd make his decision, as he slipped towards the back of the room, positioning himself to painfully surprise somebody who didn't see him coming...


Initiative 11

Zekk shifts his position further into the room, as the group moves in. Hopefully, he has some time to move into the "middle right corner" of the drawing, so he can evaluate the group of men with the lycanthrope.

IF the men support the lycanthrope, he will wait until the majority of them pass him to violently assault the furthest back man, to hopefully keep the violence he's capable of "hidden" from the townsfolk, and the attackers. He didn't want to get 1v3 surrounded.

IF the men don't support the lycanthrope, he will continue moving around the right side of the room to help them flank the wereboar at the table.

Kozibi skidded to a halt, the accusatory look on his face falling away as he looked surprised. Like, visibly, surprised. Gobsmacked. Thunderstruck. Fucking stunned. His mouth, however, worked just fine independently of his brain as per normal. "i did NOT see that coming!....they come in boars as well??"

He shook his head violently to clear it, taking a step back as he almost unconsciously fumbled with drawing his longsword. His mouth kept going, but this time Kozibi was in the wagon driver's seat again and put a little oomph behind it. "Uh. So. Breya is right, sort of. We can do this. We WILL do this. Let's DO this!"

OOC: Move action to step away from Flea and draw weapon. Standard Action Inspire Courage - Sorry, ZEKK - not known to be allies yet, no bonus for you!

Inspire Courage. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

19:51, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

In reply to Kozibi Januson (msg # 19):

The men at the back table dive away and scramble towards the wall, staring at "Morty" as if he were a wagon full of basilisk manure being carted by a polka dotted minotaur.

They seem just as surprised as the rest of you.

Breya, you aren't surprised.  You grab Flea/Alfie and snuggle him like a baby blanket.

"Morty" knocks the table away and starts to charge at the group of ya'll.

Zekk has moved to one side.

Breya and Alfie are grappled.

Koz is doing his inspire courage thang.

What else is goin' down?  You guys tell me.  Your moves.

"Wait!  What!" Bellinha exclaimed, watching two men, Flea and the man that they were looking for, change forms.  Okay, that was surprising but only for a moment.  Only a moment because Bellinha realized that there was a fight brewing in Grat's Packets, a fight that could involve innocents.

She raised her hands up trying to calm a situation that was probably already out of control.  "Not here!  Not like this!"

Bellinha drew her sword in  reaction to the charging Morty.  "I didn't want this!"

OOC:
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 8 Initiative.

Now that his hands were hidden, Zekk reached down beneath the nearby table, and withdrew his blade. Perhaps it had been hidden on his ankle, or in his pack. Either way, he was now armed, with a massive throwing axe. Leaning back, and then forward, he launched the projectile at "Morty", now that he's cleared the cover from in front of himself. He didn't speak, he knew his back was against the wall, and this was the move. He couldn't stay out of it... too much action, and chance for fun! Still: he had to remain just out of the limelight, so that nobody would focus on him after the fight...

...I mean that was a great plan and all, but hurling an axe across the room might gather some attention!

Bah... it'll work out in the end...

After the throw, he glanced sideways at the swordswoman and wrinkled his brow in confusion. Why on earth was she shouting about 'not here', was this a religious inn or something?

Clearing his mind of those thoughts, he needed to focus.


Initiative: 11
Attack roll: 20
Damage roll (just in case): 8

In reply to Zekk (msg # 22):

Bellinha, as you rush forward to face "Monty", "Monty" suddenly gets an axe in the side of his face.  Snout.  Whatever.

"Monty" roars and turns to one side, trying to see who just axed him.  He changes his vector, heading at that big guy who came in here before your group did.

Zekk, "Monty" is coming at you.

Breya, you feel inspired by Kozibi's cheer...that is until Alfie just manages to scramble out of your hold.

Yah!  I finally broke one of Breya's grapples!  Now quick!  Grapple him again so he can't do anything!

Bel, you can make an AoO on Monty as well as your normal attack.  Zekk, wereboar coming in hot and heavy on your 12.

Go Team You Guys!

That is the plan.  Breya is trying to keep one wereboar locked down so everyone can concentrate on one at a time.

21:11, Today: Breya rolled 27 using 1d20+10.  Improved Grapple Attempt.

Undeterred, Breya grabbed his other arm and caught it in hers, slipping behind him in an attempt to lock in a Deadly Double Goose Clutch.

Bellinha was prepared to face down Monty's charge but his change in direction surprised her as much as the sudden appearance of an axe.  She turned to see who Monty was charging towards and saw the lone man trying to hide in the shadows of the Inn.  Given that there was a fight erupting inside the Inn that involved were boars, she couldn't say that she could blame the man.   He appeared to be unarmed, probably having just thrown his only weapon.  He might not have been helpless but Bell couldn't take that risk.

She was not going to let any innocents in here get harmed, if she could help it.  It was bad enough that Flea and Monty were trying to tear up the place, but it seemed like talking was not going to resolve this situation now that it was spinning out of control.

"Hey!  Rude to leave a lady like that."  Bell shouted at Monty.  Bravado, yes bravado might work.  She had to distract the man...pig...man-pig-thing?...and give the stranger a chance to get away, but no pig insults came immediately to mind.  She'd have to do this in a more martial way.

Bellinha changed her direction to chase after Monty.  She uttered a quick word of arcane power and let loose with a blinding flash of light before swinging her blade at the boar.

OOC:
Casting Flare (Fort Save vs 13)
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 22 to hit.  6 points damage

Dropping his hands below the table, Zekk must be finding all sorts of hidden weapons under there! After all: his hands appeared holding a massive longspear. He found the irony perfectly suited to this pig's charging attitude, but unfortunately for the pig man: this weapon was designed for both boars, and charging attackers.

Setting the longspear against the wall for braced damage, Zekk grinned, and called out, just loud enough for the boar-man to hear him,

"Here, piggy piggy piggy..." a glint in his eye, looking forward to the violence.




OOC:
Attack roll: 9, my classic notoriety with the diceroller is back
Damage roll: 19
Setting the longspear with BRACE (double damage against a charging opponent)

Also, if he continues the charge to within 5' of me (since this weapon has 10' reach) My attack of opportunity is below:
Attack roll: 17
Damage roll: 10

In reply to Breya (msg # 24):

Breya, is that the move you are going for?  Goose Clutch?  And I'm assuming it's like a Cobra Clutch where you're grasping his head with your hands?

Monty seems taken aback when he starts to glow, which causes him to side step your thrust Zekk.  But then the Beauteous Bellinha smacks him on the back with her blade.  And he manages to charge onto your lance.  So...yeah.  It works out.

Monty roars and manages to land a big meaty paw on your chest Zekk 7 pts damage.  But his follow up swipe just flails at the empty air.

Your guys go

Having secured the Deadly Double Goose Clutch, Breya tried to put her opponent in the dreaded Inverted Double Underhook Goose Cooker.

lol I have no idea I'm just making this up for flavor, it's more fun than saying "I roll for the same thing" over and over again

Geese are assholes, so I figured a hold named after one is especially painful

Going for the Pin!

20:55, Today: Breya rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  Pinning Attempt!

This'll get better once I can make two attempts in a round.

Kozibi saw someone else in the place was helping them. Someone he didn't know. But that was just a periphery noticed thing. He stopped concentrating on maintaining the inspiration for a moment.

He pointed an accusatory finger Flea even as he headed towards the not-grappled wereboar. "BAD piglet! You...well, maybe you didn't LIE to us, but you certainly withheld information!"

He stepped up next to Bellinha and swung the longsword at the second creature, hitting him with the flat of the blade.

OOC: Inspire Courage will last for another round after this current one due to Lingering Performance.

So, not sure if that's a hit, a crit, or a miss. Hit AC 19 for 4 dmg, or if a 16 hits, then it's 12 dmg. Demoralize check probably fails with a 13.

20:51, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 19,4 using d20+6,d8+3.  Longsword (non-lethal) vs Monty.
20:52, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 16,8 using d20+6,d8+3.  Possible crit?
20:53, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 13 using 1d20+11.  Intimidate (if that hits and damages).

Grunting as he took a shot to the chest, Zekk glanced down, a bit surprised he'd been struck, and he shook his head, calling out to the waitress,

"Your bacon leaves a LOT to be desired!" he shouted, turning back, and as the spear in his hands vanished... wait, or did he drop it (?) replaced by a huge Falchion, Zekk swung for the fences, "Might want to consider Chicken!" he grunted, putting his force into the swing.

After swinging powerfully, he sure hoped that wasn't the last thing he said before he killed this moronic boar. That would not be a good one-liner to be known for...




OOC:
Attack roll: 23
Damage roll: 14

Bellinha winced as Monty struck the stranger wielding the spear...with the Falchion...wait wasn't that a spear?  She could figure that out later.  Right now she had to stop the boar from harming more innocents.

Since words, and pig jokes, weren't going to work, then they'd have to beat him down.  Bellinha swung her sword, but turned the blade so that her blow would not be lethal.

OOC:
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 22 to hit for 10 points non-lethal damage.

In reply to Breya (msg # 28):

Monty gets the one-two from the Go-Go-Gadget Spear/Falchion and Bellinha's sword/club.  He throws out both hands, one connecting with the miraculous Magi's shoulder 5 pts damage Bel

Meanwhile, on the other side of the tavern...

Flea looks a little hurt at your cruel, cruel words Kozibi.  Then he manages a bite on the bombastic Breya's forearm

8 pts damage Breya.  I do like the name by the way.  Just asking because I was trying to figure if it was a hold where he could bite you.  I decided that, yeah.  He probably could.    Will consider counter arguments if you have one though.

And yes. Geese are definitely assholes.

Your guys go.  Not much left now.

Well technically if he's pinned, it's debatable if he can do anything but I like it for something different.  Honestly if he wants to start biting... I mean he asked for this.

"Oh so we're biting now huh!?  What are you, six!?"

Since he's still Grappled and I don't have to re-Pin, I can opt to do damage. So I shall!  Good news is, no roll, bad news is no Power Attack or Bleeding Attack or anything cool like that.  Though I think Weapon Specialization still applies so I left that in.

So Breya bit him right back.  She couldn't take such a chunk out, but she could take his ear and pull hard on it.  It was savage, but he really was messing with the wrong redhead here.

22:48, Today: Breya rolled 12 using 1d3+9.  Unarmed Damage.

"I normally like my bacon cured, smoked and crispy, but I guess I can try it raw!"

Bellinha grunted as she took the blow to her shoulder.  She remained undeterred however and decided to return the favour.  "I'm trying to be nice here." she growled as she swung her blade.  "Stop fighting!  I mean it!"

OOC:
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 19 to hit for 6 damage (non-Lethal)

Watching the boar-man strike the woman, Zekk tilted his head towards her shoulder,

"Wouldn't recommend that. Moving aside is far more preferable..." he winked at her, swinging powerfully, twisting his torso at the boar-man, trying to sever his head from his shoulders. He was done with this fight... this pig was just annoying at this point.




Attack roll: 17
Damage Roll: 12

Kozibi suddenly flinched and reared back slightly as the grappled 'couple' started biting one another. "...uh, do you two need to get a room?"

It threw off his aim a little as well when he swung next at Monty. The longsword maybe caressed a few furs as it winged past. Kozibi frowned at the blade as if it had told an offensive joke.

OOC: Sorry if I wasn't clear, but last round Kozibi was hitting the Not-Flea, Monty, the guy we came in to find. He figured Breya had Flea.

19:16, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 10,4 using d20+6,d8+3.  Longsword (non-lethal) vs Monty.

Cassandre had been paralysed by either angst, saudade, or ennui — either way something very foreign and not recommended when you’re getting into a tavern brawl. You know these people who freeze and decide to have an inner dilemma or monologue while fists are flying? Well one little tiefling was being exactly that moron.

But then she snapped back into it. She wasn’t all that sure about what do, despite the copious amount of thinking she had been able to do while others were throwing axes or biting lard. Oh well, if her best friend was going to bite some bacon, she might as well sear it for her.

A hand on the cat’s head, and his eyes went red, started shooting laser beams, and focused on the fatty bit on the pinned boar’s side.
 “Next I’m whipping up a dip for you, big B.”

She hopped on a table to get a vantage point on the skirmish.

Cast Burning Gaze on Apollo - Pinned Were Boar takes 2 fire damage (and potentially catches fire)
Move: hop on table.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 23:18, Thu 15 Dec 2022.

In reply to Kozibi Januson (msg # 36):

Monty looks put out as he's being ganged up on.  Then he stops looking hurt as his eyes suddenly go glassy and he falls backwards, hitting the ground.

Who wants to see if he's dead or napping?

Meanwhile, the Inn fills with the smell of something cooking...

Flea flinches as Breya kneads and Cassandre via Apoolo cooks.  But he's not on fire...yet.

He does double down on the chomp though Breya

7 pts damage this time Breya.

Also, can everyone roll me a d20 for no specific reason?  Really.  It's not at all related to lycanthropy.

Cass and Koz, you guys can sit that roll out.

Breya was out of soft targets to bite, so she grabbed something that shouldn't be twisted and twisted it.  Hard.

19:41, Today: Breya rolled 12 using 1d3+9.  Unarmed Damage.

19:41, Today: Breya rolled 6 using 1d20.  NO REASON WHATSOEVER.

So, since I rolled low, he becomes a Were-Breya.

Following the were-boar to the ground, falchion aimed downwards in a stabbing motion, Zekk followed the body's momentum, and slammed the falchion with force into his face.

"No open casket for you, piggy." he grunted, slamming his weapon down into the creature's eye.



If possible, I'll happily coup de grace him.

Rolled a 6. Definitely not related to lycanthropy.

There was a satisfying thump of her flattened blade against Montys side followed by an even more satisfying thump from his body hitting the floor.  Taking a moment to assess the situation in the Inn, she glanced around.

"Are you alright, Sir." she asked Zekk as her attention swept the room.  Her shoulder throbbed slightly but she pushed it away.

Her eyes landed on Breya, who was still wrapped up with Flea and....biting him?  That couldn't be healthy.  Who knew where that guy had been.  Cassandre was helping her as well.  That was good.  Teamwork!  Yay!

Bellinha quickly stepped over to Flea and thwacked at him with the flat side of her blade.


OOC:
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 18 to hit causing 10 damage (non-lethal)
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 8 for no reason whatsoever

Kozibi saw Bellinha and the other man helping them had Monty under control. Or under the table. Or maybe six feet under - that new guy was BRUTAL and bloodthirsty. He and Breya would either be fast friends or just HATE each other's guts.

He hurried over to Flea and swung out, but barely managed to put any strength behind the swing. He followed the swing up with another round of painful banter. "Stop BITING or in a fit of really gross irony, I'll chop you up and feed you to pigs!"

OOC: Inspire Courage is DOWN, no more bonuses.
Move to Flea and whack him with the flat of the blade.

23:22, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 20,3 using d20+5,d8+2.  Longsword (non-lethal) vs Flea.
23:23, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 16 using 1d20+11.  Intimidate (Demoralize) on Flea.

As Zekk stood back up, his blade was missing... or left behind in the guy's head? Nope: gone. Still, his hands were empty as he leaned forward and gently pressed on Bellinha's shoulder, testing it for pain and injury,

"I'm fine, but you've been hurt." he said, just before she turned and rushed over to help her friends.

Shrugging, more to himself than anybody else, Zekk listened as the long-haired one made a fairly hilarious comment, and he chuckled. Approaching the bar-staff, he waved a hand towards them, indicating he would like a drink as he sat down at the bar,

"Got anything strong enough to smooth all of this over?" he asked, completely uninterested in 'looting' Mr. Dead Piggy, and seemingly unperturbed by the continuing combat behind him.

In reply to Zekk (msg # 43):

Flea goes still.  Whether it's from the buxom Breya's bountiful bruisings or from all these thwackings from flats of swords, who knows?  But he is turning back into the hateful elf you've all come to know and...hate.

Lori Grats,the waitress, blinks at you Zekk and then puts her hands on her hips, scrunching up her face.  "Smooth this over?  Mister!  You just got punched up by a...whatever the hell these things are!  Freddy!  Go get Moon!  Now!"

She turns and pushes you Zekk towards a chair.  And then she strides over to Bellinha and Breya, pulling the wrestler off the floor.  "And you two too!  You're bleeding! I don't put up with my guests bleeding!  Sit!  Down!  Now!  Hey!  You Two!" she shouts at two of the bystanders.  "Well go get Oren!  What are you? Stupid!  Let's move like we gotta purpose here people!"

In short order, you all are seated at a table, tankards of ale and bowls of gombs set before you, while Moon is patching wounds and Oren is listening to one of you tell him what just happened.

Moon looks grim. "I patched up their wounds.  But..."

Oren raises an eyebrow.  "But..."

She wrings her hands.  "They got bit or scratched by a lycanthrope Oren.  Whaddya think I'm saying?"

He sighs.  Then looks at Breya, Bellinha, and Zekk.  "Any of you feel...ticklish?"

You all three feel...ticklish.

Moon grimaces.  "That's one of the signs.  What about turtles?  What do you guys think of when I mention turtles?"

Breya, Bellinha, and Zekk...the moment you hear the word TURTLE  your vision seems to go red.  Your teeth start to grind.  You just...hate...turtles.

Moon shakes her head.  "Ticklish.  And an unexplainable and pathological hatred of turtles.  It's an almost textbook case of early onset lycanthoposus."
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 04:24, Fri 30 Dec 2022.

Kozibi had sat down once the fight is over. There was a half-finished mug on the table recently vacated. After a moment's hesitation, and a glance around, he shrugged and quaffed it. There was a bit of yelling and commotion, but he stayed quiet and just rested a bit.

Then the talk of lycanthropy came up. His brow furrowed and he got a strange scrunched up look on his face. Finally, he called out "Wait, wait, wait! Feeling TICKLISH? Hatred of TURTLES?? You can't be serious. That sounds ridiculous." He frowned more. "...and how do you know about this?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:59, Sat 17 Dec 2022.

"But I hated turtles before."  Breya pointed out.  "Smelly little slow ass bastards carrying shacks around.  Right, so all we have to do is kill the one that bit us right?"   She cracked her knuckles.

In reply to Kozibi Januson (msg # 45):

Oren and Moon look at you like you've said something strange Kozibi.

Oren cocks his head.  "Have you ever met a werewolf who didn't hate a turtle?"

One of the bystanders nods his head vigirously.  "Oh yeah.  When I was a wererat, I just really hated turtles.  I'm better now.  But turtles still kinda piss me off."

"Oh don't get me started," says Lori, plunking down a platter of sausages.  "When my Dudley got turned inta a werebear, he'd look under all the furniture. Just swearin' he could smell a turtle somewhere in the inn.  I was like "You gone daft as well as hairy?  There ain't no turtles in my inn!".  But he was like, "Nah. Nah.  I can smell that stinky bastard!  He's here somewhere!".  And all the polka dancing.  Don't get me started on the polka dancing."

Moon shakes her head.  "Hey.  Don't any of you worry,"  She pats your hand comfortingly Breya.  "We'll get this cured before the spontaneous polka dancing starts up."

Oren coughs.  "Well.  Lycanthropy isn't all that uncommon in this area.  Probably about...I dunno...half the village has been a lycanthrope at one point or another.  That's why the night before a full moon we make everyone touch some silver.  Just to be sure.  And why we don't allow anyone with an accordion into the village.

"At any rate.  No.  Killin' tha elf guy isn't gonna fix ya up Breya.  We gotta get you folks to a cleric.  Unfortuntely the druids are outta town.  So you'll have ta go somewhere else.  Father Henrik isn't strong enough to remove this curse."

He considers.  "You got about three days.  So you could trek up to Coinhaven if you had ta.  And didn't stop for any breaks.  But that might be tight.

"Should also be a ship comin' in today.  Captain Eddels boat.  She should be headin' to Smythers.  And I think there's a ship pullin' out in the morning to Roundsburg.  All three of those places should have a cleric who can fix ya up.

"I'll pay your passage if you wanna take one of the boats."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:10, Sat 17 Dec 2022.

Bellinha was resisting Lori at first.  There was still stuff to do and she didn't feel too bad so her injury could wait.  She made some apologies to Lori as she wriggled away.  Flea and Monty had to be restrained so that they didn't just pop up and start making nonsense again.  And any valuables that they had on them would be given to Lori in restitution, and buying a round for the others that had been in here before the fracas had started.  That was only fair.

Eventually her skills at evasion, her respect for Lori, and a strong desire to not anger either the Innkeeper or Moon, made Bellinha cease her work and have her injury tended to.

Then she received the bad news.

Bells eyes went wide as she heard Moon talking about early onset of Lycanthropy.  From the injury that she sustained from the were boar.  "....no...." she said quietly to no one in particular.  It felt like her whole world was falling apart with that diagnosis.  She looked back to the prone and bound forms of Monty and Flea.  She was going to become like them?!

"....no..." Bellinha moaned, dropping her face into her hands.  How was she going to explain this to her family?  What would they think of her, as a were boar?  There was no way that she could ever show her face in Coinhaven again.

All because of those two.

Bellinha stood up slowly, very slowly.  Dangerously slowly.  Whatever conversation came after Moons diagnosis, Bellinha did not hear.  She was tied up with her own thoughts, and a rising rage.  She had tried to be nice, she was holding back on trying to kill them, and this is what happens?  Her gaze swept back to where Flea and Monty were.  "YOU SON OF A GRAAAAA" she snarled before proceeding to kick seven shades of holy hell into Monty with a furious purpose.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:20, Sat 17 Dec 2022.

Breya watched that appreciatively.  "Oh that's hot."

She figured it was best for Bellinha to work that out a little bit.  She would get back to the problem of furry disease momentarily.  "Hey, is there any reason to leave them alive, even if killing them won't cure us?"

In reply to Breya (msg # 49):

Orus scratches his chin, apparently coming to the same conclusion as Breya.  About letting Bellinha work it out of her system that is.  Him finding it "hot" would be kind of awkward.

He shrugs at the latest question.  "Well...if you want to interrogate 'em or somethin'. Then yeah.  You could keep 'em alive.  But I think Monty's already dead. Shame really.  He played a good game of gin rummy.  But if you wanna execute 'em..."

Another shrug.  "They're both probably pirates.  And...I'm kinda curious what they were doing at the Brangham's place.  Now that I think about it, I don't think we've seen the Branghams in a week or so.  I'm gonna go up there and take a look around.  I have a feelin' I'm not gonna like what I find."

He shakes his head when he looks at Flea/Alfie.  "Lanna Brnagham is only 15 years old.  I hope she'll get a chance to turn 16."

Leaning back in his chair, Zekk took a deep gulp of his offered drink. It'd been too long for him, so he took full advantage. Listening to the others talk this all through, he swirled his straw around with his mouth, somewhat bored. New disease? He'd seen half of 'em. It was free transport offered, so not a big deal. Cleric would probably need a favor or two, but that was small peas.

Watching the pretty girl beat up the body, he raised an eyebrow, but didn't flip out like she did. Maybe the thought of becoming a hog was troublesome to her. Not to him. Hell, he'd been called a hog in the past, and he hadn't even had lycanthropy at the time.

"When's the ship leave? And how often are the shifts? I mean if you can just throw me in a basement before the moon shows it's face, I can wait it out, and then be on my way, no harm done." he shrugged, seemingly unperturbed by the whole thing.

Breya sighed.  "About that.  See, what I wanted to do today was collar the idiots still in town so they couldn't hurt anybody, then get whatever passes for the law here to lock up the idiots and help us round up a few bully boys to go back to their headquarters.

"I... uh... there's no good way to say this.  There's bodies there.  I pulled one girl out of a barrel.   She was dead, broken neck.  I laid her down on the floor in a corner, did the whole arms crossed across the chest, coins on the eyes thing.  It's more dignified to be dead on the floor than being dead stuffed in a barrel, so I guess that's better, but she's still dead.  That, uh, well it could be this Lanna person.  I don't know.  Anyway I figured some people probably want to get those bodies because we did not have time to open literally every barrel and check every corner for all the victims.  But I'm telling you that place is dangerous.  We left Little Stitches behind.  But he asked to stay behind.  I figure if there's anything dangerous in there, he's scouted it out.  I was hoping to go back and help today, but... well looks like that's not happening.  I'm telling you people though.  I'd say we at least go back for Little Stitches, but... well three days means three days.

"Right then, I have to sort something else out.  Two things actually."  Breya sighed, got up and clapped her arms onto Bellinha's shoulders.  "Hey gorgeous, you're radiant when you're pissed off like that and I hate to stop you when you're making me aroused, but... gonna need you to come back to the present.  Kick him one more time huh?"

She didn't linger there, as much as she might prefer to.  There was something else to do and only Breya could do it.  Well that was a lie but she could probably do it faster.

The World's Most Annoying Elf Who Bites People was hoisted up by one arm, then grabbed in both and shook most non-gently.

"Hey dungbreath!  Our deal, such as it was, didn't say anything about you biting me.  So here's the new deal.  I do not like hurting people, as off brand as that is, but I will do horrible things to you if it means someone who isn't a stain on this planet is safe as a result of my hurting you in horrible ways, capiche?  So the deal is you tell me every single stinking mudchewer who is part of your little operation here in town right the hell now.  You do that, and I don't mutilate you.  You say one smartass thing, or don't cooperate, I'm going to break both of your legs.  I'm not an asshole so I'll do it clean, there's a right way to break legs so that they'll heal, but I'll do it so the local sheriff won't have any problems collecting you and you won't pose a threat to nobody.  You have to the count of five and yes that's because I don't know how to count any higher than that so there, I made the joke for you.

"Now tell me what I want.  One.  Two -"  She was already winding up.

Bellinhas mastery of salty language was on full display as her boot crunched into Montys side again and again.  It was as if she was determined to show off her vocabulary to the dead lycanthrope, using words that any sailors close by would recognize.  She did not notice, or did not care, when her kicks stopped making crunching sounds and were making wet sticky sounds instead.

She did stop when Breya put her hands on her shoulders.  Bellinha cuffed at her eyes.  She wasn't wiping away tears, she just had something in her eye from the fight.  At her friends suggestion, she gave Monty one more good kick.  Then one final kick to get the rage out of her system.  She turned away from the body and took one step towards the table where her friends were sitting, before turning back and giving Monty one final kick.  She missed a little bit that remained.

Regaining her composure, Bellinha returned to the table, taking the time to fix a few loose strands of hair that had decided to rebel in the last few minutes.  "My apologies.  Uhm....you were saying?" she said calmly to the assembled table as if she had not just flown off of the handle and cursed her way into a fit of rage and violence.

"Coinhaven is out.  It's too far." she said after getting caught up on their options.  She did not mention that her family were in Coinhaven and she could not face them with this news.  She could just imagine what her cousin Tomana would say?  "We need to have this taken care of this quickly.  We'll try Smythers and then Roundsburg.  If neither of those places has a skilled Cleric, how far is it from Roundsburg to Coinhaven?"

In reply to Bellinha Grunnel (msg # 53):

Orus watches Breya and then scratches his chin, looking back at you first Zekk.  "Yeah.  Sorry Stranger.  That don't quite work for us.  We'd have ta kill ya ta make sure it don't spread.  Not anything against ya mind. But lycanthropes can get a tad bit ornery an' outta control."

"Not to mention that the final stages of the disease force you to become an asshole. Like this guy," the halfling healer named Moon jerks a thumb at the elf Breya is shaking.  "Do you really wanna act like him?"

"Anyway.  In answer to the rest a' the questions, we'll get you guys to Smythers.  Even if I gotta charter one a' the fishing trawlers to get ya there.  If we can get you out by night tide, you should get to Smythers in the morning.  The cleric there is a fellow named Tottenhat.  He's a decent sort.  And I know he can do it.  He's un-cursed some of my people before.

"And as for the bodies up at the manor...Bell told me about 'em.  I'm puttin' together some folks to go get 'em.  We'll make sure everyone gets a decent burial.  It's the least we can do for 'em."

"See?  Stop shaking me." Alfie says at the end of Breya's enraged arms.  "It's just me an' Monty.  Jeez.  How many spies do you think we need in a little speck a' map like this place?

"We just keep a log of all the merchant vessels coming and going.  The Captain would send someone to collect the logs from the scarecrow, just like I told you.  We were gonna bug out with 'em when they next came.  But they're not due until the end of the week.  So lighten up, alright?  You'll live longer. And maybe not be as ugly."

End of the week would be in five days.  So it sounds like you would have time to get to Smythers, get healed, hop a boat back to Salt Lick, and ambush whoever it is from the pirate ship all within five days.

Easy peasy.  Right?

Of course...if you guys want to split up into two parties, I'm not gonna stop you.

Bwah ha ha ha ha ha ha!
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:20, Sun 18 Dec 2022.

"We're no good cursed like this."  Bellinha said.  She looked over at Zekk.  "A danger to Salt Lick as Orus said.  We cannot just sit this out.  We have to get rid of the curse."  She gave him a apologetic smile.  "I'm sorry but it looks like you are going to be travelling with us."

Kozibi still found it very odd and more than a little alarming at the talk of how 'common' various types of lycanthropy were in the area. It made him seriously consider taking his leave of the place as soon as possible.

But alas he had an engagement scheduled.

"Well. I suppose I shall accompany you three lovebite recipients. I just need to back in a few days."

He leaned towards Bellinha and lowered his voice, "And then maybe we should find a less lycanthropic place to be after that."

Tilting his cup towards Bellinha, Zekk shrugged,

"I've been asked on worse dates before." he said, tilting his head back towards Orus, "Besides, I wouldn't want that to happen. Then I'd have the blood of an entire village on my hands." he said flatly, with no mistaking exactly how he felt them trying to 'kill him so it didn't spread' would go. His voice held no animosity... to him, it was simply factual, and he almost seemed bored about it.

Throwing more of the ale back as they continued discussing, he figured they were all in this, one way or another, so no reason for him to speak further. They already knew he was comfortable with it.

"Gee, thanks!"  Breya responded sarcastically to the request to not be as ugly.  As promised, she didn't break his legs.  But she did spike him down hard on her knee, right in the toodles.  It was a small target, but Breya was good.

She was just going to nail him in the temple and put him out, but she was so tired of him and felt like he needed to retch and vomit on the floor for a while.

"Yeah, so that's... for the sheriff or whatever you have here.  All right we have a plan.  What about you Shortstack?"

  “Oh you’re stuck with me, for a little longer at least. Besides if this curse removal doesn’t work out, I do want to see you with eight bouncing boarish breasts, the snout and tusks, the curled up tail and all the rest!”

 The little wizard was ready to embark as soon as they were, but added for Lori:
  “There was a young gnome with us at the Manor, I think we’ve mentioned him before. He probably would have laid traps and things around the place, as safety measures. Be careful thus, and make sure to talk to him and bring him back.”

 She made sure to pick up Alfie’s spellbook, and told him if asked: “Well that’s for our troubles, and for the whole poisoning us to take advantage of us.”

 “Belinha, we can take turns on this one while we sail to Smythers.”

Bellinhas face went a little white as Cassandre spoke of seeing them with boarish breasts and snouts and tusks.  Her eyes widened at that image and she almost felt sick.  "I really don't want to see that." she said softly.  How were the others able tone so cavalier about this curse?  Even Orus was talking like this was a natural occurrence, like some odd fish that got caught in the nets of one of the villagers, a fish that just happened to turn into a monster under certain moons.

Bellinha shuddered at that thought.  Could she get used to things like this?  Shrugging off lycanthrope curses like they were just a bad meal?

Bells looked over at Kozibi.  "Maybe we should find someplace else to stay." she mused.

The subject needed to be changed, otherwise Bellinha was just going to get more and more depressed about the situation.  "Let's get Flea over into Norvis' custody, and warn him about Fleas....quirks.  Then we can get ready to travel.  I'd also like to take a look at the Brangham place again.  We didn't see anyone else there, and I'd like to see if we can find some sign of Lanna, as you mentioned Orus.  Flea must have done something with that family."

"All right, it's not like we can go this minute."  Breya lifted the cadaver (technically he was still alive, Breya didn't care) in a most undignified way that was convenient for Breya but not him.

  "Kapranthropy!" Cassandre suddenly shouted, with a raised finger and an epiphany.
  "It was going to keep me up all night. Lycanthropy is for were-wolves, Arktanthropy is were-bears, and Kapranthropy for were-boars." she further explained.

  "From Ancient infernal Kaprôs... wild-boar..."

 "Shall we go back to the farm, see what we've missed?"
 "And make a plan to ambush the pirates when they turn up?"

Kozibi gave a visible start when Cassandre just yelled out a strange word, looking over at her with wide eyes. "...the hell?" She kept talking and muttering about lycanthropy for a moment before moving on to something less...were-related. Which was all well and good for him. He'd had enough were-talk for a while.

He thought about her question a moment and then glanced at the others, shrugging. "If that's the plan...I have other things I could be doing, but if you want my help, I will accompany you."

In reply to Kozibi Januson (msg # 63):

After depositing Alfie/Flea and Morty into jail, you trek back to the farmstead.

A search of the farmhouse and barn doesn't turn up a trace of the family.  But scratched onto the wall of a storeroom in the barn are the words they gon take us out to sea plez help us

So everyone is headed for Smythers, huh?  Pity.  I was hoping for even more party separation.  Oh well.  I'll just have to kill you all there.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:57, Thu 29 Dec 2022.

"There's a distinct possibility they're already gone.  There's no sign of them here."  Breya commented grimly.

In reply to Breya (msg # 65):

Orus is a man of his word.  He hires out a trawler named She Nibbles My Toes to take you to Smythers.  It's only a three man crew.  The captain is a rough looking half elf named Getsby.  He smells like ale and burps a lot.  So he's not much different from most of the fellas you've met in Salt Lick.  The two crew members just nod at you and go about their work.

Getsby pushes off shortly before sunset.  "I'll get ya to Smythers pretty quick like.  's only a bump and rough tuppa tup up the coast an' over westernly like.  You guys are all kapranthropes, right?"  He nods at you Cassandre.  "Thanks to ye young miss, I learned a new word today.  An' I never wanna stop learnin'.  It's what keeps a man young.

"Anyhoo.  We should have a quiet night like.  Not expectin' any trouble.  So why don'tcha all relax like?  What ca' possibly go wrong?"

She Nibbles sails along into the ocean.  The sun begins to dip below the horizon.  The stars pop out like little dew drops on the leaves of a poison oak bush.

It's just after the sliver of a moon makes it's appearance in the night sky that one of the sailors finally says something.

"Cap'n.  We got turtle sign."

About one hundred feet out in the water, cruising in a line that seems to parallel the ship, is the back of a large sea turtle, easily as big as the boat...

Bellinha, Breya, and Zekk...you start to feel a rage mounting up within you.

Bel, Breya, and Zekk...I will need a WIL save of 6- or you will fly in a murderous rage and want to rip the turtle into pieces.

As of now though, there's just a giant sea turtle swimming near the boat.  That's all.

As of now that is.

23:48, Today: Breya rolled 2 using 1d20.  Will Save.

Just as I'm about to go out of town for like 3 days.

Tell me you forgot to add your legendary wisdom bonus to this roll!
And resistance, surely you have a resistance bonus… what about luck?

Cassandre stays on deck, near the railing, and observed the turtle in awe. It was gigantic and she was mesmerised. She only hoped the unnatural hatred between shapeshifters and turtles was not about to be put to the test…

Kozibi was not unused to less-than-fancy accommodations. It was part of 'the job' when one traveled often and to less civilized corners of the world. A trawler was a new experience for him, however.

He made a small face that was a mix of acknowledgement of the captain's words and surprised shock. But that quickly changed to a glare when he uttered 'those words', the famous last words that adventurers knew better than to utter. What could go wrong, indeed.

He prayed for a quick, uneventful journey and was disappointed, as usual. He glanced at the turtle with an open mouth. Something promptly flew in to and he fell in to a coughing fit. "damnation!"

He spat and cleared his throat a couple times and then looked at the sea turtle once more. A bit hoarsely he said, "Impressive."

Bellinha looked visibly upset when Getsby said that they were all Kapranthropes.  "Please don't say that." she said in a quiet voice, more at Cassandre than at Getsby.  She knew that Cassandre was just being honest and open, but she really wished that her little companion would stop announcing their condition so readily.  This curse was a flaw that Bellinha did not want to have in the open.

How can people be so flippant about this were curse?  It made Bellinha want to hide away in the ships hold for the duration of the journey.

Of course when she wasn't distracted by the curse, she was thoroughly enjoying being on a boat on the water.  Bellinha would stand  on the deck, often with a big grin on her face like she was the Queen of the Seas.  She loved the water and it would show.

And then someone pointed out the turtle, and her enjoyment faded.  She could feel a part of her, the curse part, start to snarl and she fought back the urge to give in to it.  What about the others?  She looked around for Breya and Zekk.

OOC:
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 13 for Will Save.

In reply to Bellinha Grunnel (msg # 70):

I will move us forward while we wait to find out if Zekk is going mad from the turtle curse

Breya begins to curse and swear.  Her big hands ball into fists and she starts looking around, as if looking for something to throw at the turtle.

Getsby eyes her.  "Oh yeah.  Turtles.  Damnation.  I forgot about that.  Can you guys calm her down?  Them turtles'll leave us be long as we don't rile 'em up."

This was not good.  Bellinha shot Getsby a harsh look and then moved over to where Breya was starting to act up.  She'd need to have some words with the captain after calming down Breya.  Bells was sure that she could.  Pretty sure.  Optimistically sure.

"Breya." Belinha said slowly, approaching her companion with palms out.  "Breya.  Let's just calm down now, 'kay?  Focus on me, not on what's in the water.  Me.  Not water.  Me."  Bells closely watched Breyas body, trying to see if what she was doing was calming her and trying not to imagine those powerful looking arms lashing out.

OOC:
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 16 for Sense Motive.

Those damn turtles, carrying their homes with them.  It was indecent.  Breya was searching for the means to make turtle soup!

But Bellinha sure was nice.  Maybe she'd done better the other night than she'd thought?

Could one use the aid anothet action to help Breya with the will save?
 Also cast Resistance when the Turtle is in sight?
 Cass could use her Detect Thoughts to monitor her reactions...
 She also has a 1/day reroll of a failed save, which technically she can't use to help someone else, but Breya has been her bff since they were polishing the chapel benches together (so 4 days ago)

Zekk was relaxing. Things could have gone worse. The entire village could have blamed him, or somebody could have wondered why he was tagging along, but none of those things happened. He was relaxed, with all of that in mind.

Spotting that damnable sea turtle, however...

Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, Zekk knew better than to rage out over a turtle. It must have been part of the curse, right? Certainly nobody else was...

He glanced to his side, and saw Breya. A kindred spirit. She looked pissed.

Can't leave a kindred spirit alone, can we? he thought to himself, shaking his head,

"Hey, I can see you hate that little bastard too. I say we both jump his floaty ass, and teach him a lesson! he said, starting to strip off his armor to leave it on the boat for a deadly little swim! He was standing near the edge, ready if he saw Breya's support, to leap out at the turtle and grapple the little bastard!


13 for will save, thank goodness!

...oh wait, I'm playing up my character's low wisdom. Die turtle, die!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Mon 02 Jan 2023.

"Zeeeeeekk...." Bellinha turned to look at their latest travelling companion.  Her tone was a warning.  "....You are not helping here...."  Just when it looked like she might be getting through to Breya, Zekk had to come along and enable the urges of the curse.  Cassandre and Kozibi were admiring the turtles and Getsby was pretty blaise about the whole thing so it looked like it was up to her to take charge and calm things down.

Hopefully calm things down.  Just don't think of the turtles....nasty little hard shelled...no...focus on the others....

Bellinha reached out and put a hand on Breyas shoulder and spoke calmingly.  "Stay with me, Breya.  You are stronger than the curse.  Stronger than me and I really don't want to wrestle you to the deck."

She turned to look at Zekk over her shoulder.  "And Zekk.  No one is jumping into the water.  Just come over here and let's talk a bit.  Everyone likes to talk, right?  Come talk to me."

When she turned to Getsby, she was commanding.  "Getsby!  Get us away from those Turt...those things in the water.  Now!  I don't need my crew getting funny ideas."

In reply to Bellinha Grunnel (msg # 76):

Getsby orders his crew to put their backs into it.

Cass, you can try any of those options except using letting Breya use your reroll.

You guys can either help man the oars to put some distance (STR check please.  Once we get a combined total of 35+ in STR roll totals, the ship would be far enough away that Breya is no longer bothered by Mr. Turtle)

You can try a Social Skill of some variety vs. Breya's CHA of 12 to get her to settle down (Aid Another or other types of assists allowed here). Bell, I liked your last post.  If you want to try a Social Skills roll of some kind on her, give yourself a +2 bonus.

There's good ol' magic.  Charm Person or Sleep anyone?

Or anything else you guys can think of.  I will give you a round to do what you can.

Thanks

Kozibi rolled his eyes and let out a loud sigh. Then he began, unexpectedly, to loudly sing. Acapella even. He wasn't trying to drown out Bellinha's attempts at talking to Breya. He just wasn't sure of her possible success as he'd seen Breya be a bit...stubborn.

"I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut.
My weakness is that I care too much.
And my scars remind me that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel."

FASCINATE: Targeting only Breya.

  Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 16) to negate the effect. If a creature's saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the bard continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on all skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:59, Tue 03 Jan 2023.

Okay, Kozibi is singing.  That should help distract Breya and Zekk, Bellinha thought, casting a quick glance over at Kozibi.  Now she just needed to try and talk down two larger, warrior types who seemed anxious to jump over the side and kill turtles.  Not that the turtles didn't deserve it, those uncouth....no...focus...Breya and Zekk.

Bellinha focussed on Breya, lowering her voice.  "Breya.  I can't do this alone.  This curse is...I am barely holding on here.  But you....you are stronger than I am and I need you to show me that we can beat this curse, that it won't overwhelm us and turn us into something that we are not.  Show me that you are stronger than the curse.  Please, Breya.  I know that you can do this."

With her free hand, Bellinha reached over and tried to grab hold of Zekk.  It was a little difficult as she did not want to break her eye contact with Breya and just swung her hand around trying to find a grip on the man. If she could just pull him over and away from the edge then maybe she could talk some sense into the man.  Or distract him.

OOC:
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 17 for Diplomacy.

Breya took a long, deep breath and looked up at Bellinha.  "I swear if he keeps singing, I am going to tie his eyelashes to his ass hairs."

She then became fixated on that idea, fascinated by it actually, and started laughing at the idea of Kozibi trying to separate his eyelashes from his asshairs once they were tied together.

In reply to Breya (msg # 80):

Well that worked out in a strange and fascinating way

She Nibbles presses forward and is soon out of sight of that damnable turtle.  Hopefully the briny deep will take it.

The rest of the trip is uneventful, but soon you are within sight of land.  A small port, larger than Salt Lick's true...not that that's saying much, greets you just as the sun is starting to brighten up the horizon.

Smythers is more of a proper town.  Map of Smythers Town has been posted in Adventurer's Almanac if you wish to peruse.  At least for the Red Tide Coast.

The bay is full of the usual fishing boats.  But there's also larger transport ships loaded with lumber and what looks like pottery.  By the time She Nibbles docks, a dwarven woman in a military uniform is standing there, waiting for you all to disembark.

She watches you grumpily.  And then says, "Welcome to Smythers.  Whaddya want here?"

Friendly, these Smythers Folk

Bellinha thanked Getsby for the ride and then strode down the gangway to the dock like she owned the place.  She wanted this curse removed and was not going to waste any more time with foolishness.  Especially if that foolishness ended up causing her to make a fool of herself.  The last thing that she needed was everyone thinking that she was falling apart because to the thought of turning into a humanoid boar.  It was pretty much true but showing such weakness, especially in front of Breya, was just....ugh.

"Hullo." Bellinha said to the Dwarf in the uniform as she stepped onto the dock.  She needed to take control of the situation and get this curse cured.  Then they could all go back to Salt Lick and...deal with pirates.  Besmara's Bloody Bones, is this what passes for normal now?  "Right to the point.  Understandable.  My name is Bellinha.  My companions and I have some business with a fellow named Tottenhat.  I don't suppose that you would know where he is now, Miss....."

Breya didn't add anything to the introduction.  Seriously this whole mess was already annoying, the sooner it was done and over with the better.

Though her mind was wandering, what if they couldn't all be cured at once?  What if they had to harvest turtles?  If she turned into a wereboar would she still be redheaded?

Kozibi hadn't liked the way Breya had stared at him. The look in her eyes had been...disconcerting. He had stopped singing once they were far enough away from the turtles. And then stayed away from Breya as much as he could trapped on the small boat.

He blinked at the...blunt...some might say rude...upfront question about their business when they arrived at Smythers. Bellinha jumped right in, so Kozibi was content to let her speak for the moment.

 Cassandre did little with the rest of the trip, though she offered anyone willing a reading of their future. She warned them they wouldn't necessarily like what she had to say, but it would be an enlightening experience nonetheless.

 As they reached sight of Smyhters, the little wizard brightened up a bit. Or whatever passes for brightening up for a three-foot tiefling.

 She was quick to disembark, and curtseyed to the port authorities.
  "Well hello... yes Doctor Tottenhat, as my friend said, but also what are the local specialities? And is there a wizard in town?"

 

---

 Whilst on board, have we been able to transcript some spells from Alfie's book?

As Zekk had been grabbed, his gaze was calm and he glanced down in interest,

"I mean... buy me a drink first, but then sure..." he clearly didn't mind, and it was immediately obvious that he hadn't succumbed to his rage, he'd just been enthusiastic about participating. Teamwork and all that.

Letting it go, as he saw Breya get control, he shrugged,

"I just wanted her to know somebody had her back." he left it at that.

As they arrived in port, he was fairly mediocre at disembarking, not in any particular hurry, and hoping that he wasn't going to be arrested... he'd seen worse setups in his past. Nothing happened immediately, and he was quite satisfied with that.

In reply to Zekk (msg # 86):

Cass, you may say you transcribed a spell of your choice.  Every "rest" period you take, you may transcribe one spell.  If you guys rest up for a full day, you can do up to four spells.  Clear as mud?

The dwarven woman studies you up and down Bellinha.  "Oh.  You're one a' them polite ones, huh?

"Well I'm Arabelle KittenKisses.  And I'm the one who tells ya if you can or you can't get off the fuckin' boat here, see?"  She pauses but before anyone can say anything, she continues.  "And it's perfectly fine if you do get off tha boat here.  Not like I care a constipated gnome's fart if you get on or off the boat.  What?  You the type who wants someone ta do their thinkin' for 'em?

"If you want Paster Tottenhat, he lives at the Temple Ta Wyatt up on the shore there.  But he's more like to be at The Grumpy Gus there, havin' a toot.  Or maybe up at his Lordship's house, suckin' on the rich guy's tit.  Not that I'm judgin' anyone for suckin' on a rich guy's tit.  I'd suck away on it myself if I thought I could get a coin or two outta it."

She blinks.

"Welcome to Smythers."

"Arabelle!  By all that's holy!  Stop!".  A thin half orc in a threadbare set of sage's clothes rushes down the dock.  He grabs Arabelle by the shoulder.  She grimaces and stares at her toes.

The half orc smiles nervously at you all.  "I'm sorry.  Arabelle isn't allowed to talk to strangers due to a court order.  She musta wandered away from her keep-er...her 'friend'.  Arabelle?  Why don't you toddle on back to your...'friend'?  And don't talk to anyone else?  Okay? Stop glaring at me and go."

Arabelle looks over her shoulder at you all as she shuffles away.  She stops once and whispers back, "They all smell wrong..." and then rushes away.

The half orc sighs and looks back at you all.  "I'm sorry.  I'm Bixley.  Port Official.  Welcome to Smythers.  Anything to declare?  No?  That's fine.  That's fine.

"Tottenhat?  He's our paster.  Preaches an' lives up at the Temple to Wyatt there.  Though he's probably having a drink at the Grumpy Gus.  Or talking to his lordship Lord Gulber."

He points out the buildings as he names them.

See the updated Smythers Map in Adventurer's Almanac!  Now with words!

"And that's when I knew!  Just Knew! That I'd never love anyone else.  Now my cousin..."

Kamatar, you are sitting at a table at The Grumpy Gus, finishing breakfast.  The rather...chatty...owner of the place, a gnome named Felix, is wiping up the bar and talking about...well.  You probably tuned him out a few subjects ago.  You think he's going on about how he met his wife.  Maybe.  He talks a lot.

The journey here had worn you out.  You slept deeper than you usually do. So you haven't had much of a chance to look around town yet.

There aren't many in the inn right now.  A man in a priest's robes is sipping on some tea.  A couple of burly men are finishing up breakfast.  They have logging axes set by their feet.  Apparently there's a logging trade on this island.

The priest takes a pouch out of his pocket.  A coin drops and rolls along the ground, coming to a stop halfway between you and the priest.  Just a copper coin.  The priest doesn't seem to have heard it fall.  Felix has quite a lot of volume to his voice.

Bellinha took a moment to watch Arabelle walk away before turning back to Bixley.  "Thank you.  I think that The Grumpy Gus would be a good place to start.  And...is there anything about Smythers that we, as visitors, need to know about?"

She paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, before she addressed Bixley again.  "Lord Gulber.  What can you tell me about him?"

Breya screwed down her eyebrows and wondered if these people were inbred or drank too much soap or both.  Bixley seemed like he hadn't swallowed quite as much at least.  Arabelle, well Breya was about to see if she would constipate a gnome if fed to one.

But, Breya realized, that wasn't fair to the gnome.  So she'd have to keep an eye out for a gnome who deserved it.

She really wasn't mute, but, well they were in a hurry.  She didn't wish to delay this with unnecessary questions.

In reply to Breya (msg # 90):

Bixley's smile seems to get a little frozen.  "Lord Gulber?  Well. He's..."

He pauses.  Blinks.

"Yeah.  So...enjoy your stay."

He starts down the dock.

The Grumpy Gus is a tidy little shanty.  Larger than your Salt Lick digs, though it seems most of the inn is the front room.

At this time, the front room is mostly empty.

There are a couple of men finishing a breakfast plate.  You have them pegged as lumber jacks from the axes and outfits.

There's a gnome behind the bar, standing on a stool and talking.  A lot.  You can already tell he's a talker, this gnome.

A half orc is sitting near the bar Kamatar, I'll let you describe yourself

A man in priestly robes is seated at the bar, apparently about to pay for the breakfast he just had.

Bellinha watched Bixley move down the dock.  "That was an odd reply." she said.  "I would have expected at least something along the lines of 'Don't steal the fish' or 'Lord Gulber looks after the town' but nothing?  Odd."

The moment that Bellinha walked in to the Grumpy Gus, she realized one thing.  She had no idea what Tottenhat looked like, other than he was a he.  He was supposed to be a Cleric so maybe it was that priestly guy sitting at the bar.  She turned to Kozibi and indicated the priestly looking figure.  Kozibi was probably more well travelled than she was so maybe he had some better insight.  "What do you think?  Could that be Tottenhat?"

Kozibi frowned a little. He thought about what had been said. What hadn't been said. What had...been stopped from being said? He wasn't sure. But maybe.

He nodded slowly at Bellinha without actually looking at her. "Yes, this place is odd. And I think something strange is going on, but we have pressing concerns regarding three of you, so we shouldn't dally too much, yes?"

Breya shrugged, walked over to the priest and asked unceremoniously.  "Hey bro, are you Tottenhat?"

She could be more couth, but Kozibi was dead on the money here.  Plus if he was going to pull a knife and shank someone, better her than Bell.

Cassandre followed along from the harbour to the inn, wondering all the way what the deal was with the dwarf lass they had first seen. It wasn’t like the second fellow gave them that much more information. Oh well, with more time she would ask about it, but for the time being they were on a clock.

She walked in and grabbed a seat in a corner, perusing from the background, pondering on whatever fresh mayhem was surely to come. Eying the half-orc, she nudged a chin towards him and said:
  “You look like someone with a story. Do you want to know where it goes?”

This half orc was quite tall, with the tusks, pointed ears, and greenish skin typical of orc kindred. However, his build was more athletic than bulky, and his wide chocolate-colored eyes were slanted by epicanthic folds. His medium length black hair was gathered into a main ponytail and into four long braids, two on each side of his head that draped down behind his ears, giving him a hairstyle similar to elven archers. His right forearm is covered in tattoos of  runes woven around small blue and white butterflies.

The half-orc stood up and took a half step away from his table. Picking up the wandering copper piece, he stared at it for a moment, then palmed it into his fist as three large steps carried him from his table to the table with the priest.

Finding himself arriving at the same time as the red harried woman who wore her attitude like she wore her rough beauty, he stood beside the priest and offered his coarse and scarred fist to his face. "This is yours or your gods.", he said in a calm rough voice while fluidly turning over and opening his fist to reveal the copper coin resting in his open palm. “I give it back only asking that it or its kindred's worth be given to someone in need,” he concluded. With a slight bow from his waist, he carefully placed the coin on the table in front of the priest then stood upright.

Giving an appreciative glance and a slight smile to the red haired woman, he left as quickly and smoothly as he arrived.

Quickly reaching his table, he noted the arrival of the newcomer, taking note of her horns, tusks, and striking purple eyes. Paused briefly by her gaze and her question, he looked at her curiously before attaching a cord to the more robust of the two unique bows at the table and his left wrist. He briefly ran his free hand over the large backpack attached to the back of his chair before taking his seat.

His expression gained a quiet serenity, like that of a mountain peak, before he replied, “Everyone and everything has a story. Time will reveal its course as it unfolds. What do you want in exchange for revealing mine in advance?”
This message was last edited by the player at 21:14, Mon 09 Jan 2023.

In reply to Kamatar Yu Pan (msg # 96):

The man in robes smiles brightly at you Kamatar when you return the coin.  "As it should be.  Thank you Sir.  May Wyatt always keep you in salt."

---

Just a moment later, that same man in robes is blinking and staring up at you Breya.  "My beans and biscuits!  Aren't you one wall of beautiful lass!  But there I go being frisky.  Your pardon.  No I am afraid I am not Tottenhat.  I'm the vice pastor of the shrine to Wyatt.  Bilmoth.  Pleased to meet you.

"Are you looking for Pastor Tottenhat?  I'm afraid he's not with us at the moment.  He's been kidnapped again.  But maybe I can help you with something until he's released?"

Well, he wasn't a bad guy.  Maybe.  But his news did not thrill her.  Breya groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Why.  Does it Always.  Have to Be.  So Damn Complicated."

She took in a deep breath, several actually, to calm herself.

"Maybe you can Bilmoth but I doubt it.  I'm Breya."  She didn't add "Just Breya".  She tried not to call attention to the fact she didn't give out a last name.  "We needed a curative spell cast on us, and I'm doubtful anyone else around here but your pastor can do so.  Which-"  She sighed.  "Probably means this is about to get even more complicated."

In reply to Breya (msg # 98):

"Well I'm crap with the healing spells.  So yes, sounds like it's going to get complicated.  Is it urgent?  None of you are in labor are you?  I can deliver the baby if someone's in labor.  I've read all the books about it.

"But if it's not too urgent, then...Good News!..I imagine the Pastor will be back by the end of the week.  They never keep him that long.  It's the Fae you see.  They kidnap him every so often because they think it's funny.  I can't really explain why they think it's funny.  But there it is.

"So if it's something that can wait about a week, I'm sure it'll be fine.  But if one of you is having a baby, well we can just take care of that right now."

He gives you a friendly smile.  "I've read a book on that you see. And it had pictures."

 Cassandre was glad that the tall man had taken a seat, she did not enjoy conversations where she had to change her head up to the skies to maintain eye contact.
  “I suppose they do, don’t they… the lowliest worm lives a life full of satisfactions and disappointments in turn… at least to them, that makes a story. Yet somehow, only some of these stories become worth reading about. Did you know this is what legendary means? Something that ought to be read.”
 “I get a sense that your story ought to be read.”

Her purple eyes fell on his big hands, she eyed the tattoos, noticed the archery kit, the adventuring backpack.
  “I read palms, if you’re interested. A single gold coin for insights into your life story. I can’t promise I’ll tell you how or when you die, but I guarantee you’ll have something to think about.”

Tagging along quietly, Zekk laughed softly to himself at a few of the antics going on. This group of people he was inexorably tied to had some funny traits, but he didn't judge. He'd worked with plenty of mercs before, each of them with their own quirks.

At the vice pastor's response, Zekk shrugged,

"No hurry at all, my good friend! We're happy to relax in your little city until the end of the week, and whatever happens: happens." he smiled in a friendly manner, tipping his head.

The vice pastor would obviously have no understanding as to what was going to happen, but Zekk looked forward to a bit of chaos.

In reply to Cassandre Lagrene (msg # 100):

A cryptic smile spread across his face as he listened to the last of her words. “So you read palms? But you say you read more, more about me than I know about myself. How would my palms tell you more about me than I know?” He paused for a moment, regarding her with a curious expression. “Also, why is your knowing and telling worth more than a single copper or silver? What has true value to you?” The half-orc peered at her closely before leaning back and motioning for the attention of a server.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:41, Sun 08 Jan 2023.

Bellinha, who had been listening to the conversation with Bilmoth at a respectable distance, quickly stepped forward.  "No!" She said quickly and loudly in response to Zekks response.  Maybe a little too loudly but it was too late to do anything about that.  Wait around for a week and see what happens?  By all that's golden not a chance.  However Zekk felt about the curse, Bellinha needed to get it cured right away.

"I mean...no we can't wait around for a week...we should go and see if we can help out Tottenhat with his fairy problem."  She continued, lowering her voice to something more conversational and less desperate sounding.  "So...uhm...what can you tell us about the fairies?  Where are they?  Why do they think that kidnapping a Cleric is fun?  Anything that can help us help him."

In reply to Bellinha Grunnel (msg # 103):

The talkative gnome steps around the bar at your signal Kamatar.

"Oh my goodness!  Them Fae.  They are the dickens," he says before Bilmoth can say anything.

"What can I get you Mr. Kamatar?

"Oh and those Fae!  I swear.  This is the...what?...fourth time they kidnapped our dear pastor!  It's just a shock everytime it happens.  Just a shockeroo.

"Scuttlebutt is..." The gnome leans in close to you Bellinha and acts likes he's whispering something conspiratorially.  But he continues to speak in his can-you-hear-me-in-the-back? tone.

"Them Fae.  They found some kinda religion.  They say they've become "enlightened".  But even though they say that, they don't shine at all.  Still the same ol' dull colors they always were.

"You know what you want Mr. Kamatar?  Or you need a moment to decide?

"Anyway," He quickly turns back to you Bellinha, "They kidnap him an' take 'em out to their glen an' debate stuff with him.  They liquor him up.  So he doesn't mind much.  But does seem like they keep him longer each time.

"Well Mr. Kamatar?  What can I get ya?"

Bilmoth smiles weakly.  "Pretty much what he said."

While awaiting Cassandre's answer he replies to the repeated question.
"I would like another ginger beer and whatever she wants to drink and eat that isn't more than 10 silver." he says evenly while indicating Cassandre.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:45, Mon 09 Jan 2023.

 Cassandre nodded, and to the gnome she replied:
  "Tea, strong one. Smoked if you have it. And whatever your food speciality is..."

 She smiled to Kamatar, and explained:
  "It is an Art... part of it is reading the lines on your hand, part of it is reading the coils of your mind. Oft it is not telling things one doesn't know about themselves, but reminding them of things they chose to ignore."

 "What is is worth depends on you, so much more than it does on me..." she explained.
 "Kings will find that even a little bit of information about their future is worth chests full of gold... while some folks think that knowing or not knowing will never change their ability to command their destiny, and is theregore worth nill."

 "You seem a decent fellow, and you've already bought me lunch... how about I read your palm and you tell me what you think it is worth?"

Stepping slowly, so as not to draw the ire of the woman, Zekk stepped directly between Bellinha and the talkative gnome with an almost annoyed smile on his face. Reaching out gently, he placed his hands on both of her shoulders, and directed her over to a seat, away from the gnome, to sit her down.

"Listen... I mean no disrespect darling, but letting these people know we are desperate will just get us jerked along on a long leash, doing all of their bidding for free." he said in low tones, meant just for her, "Desperate workers never get paid, you catch what I mean?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, clueing her in to his angle here, so she didn't keep messing it up for him.

Once they were finished with their private conversation, he turned back to the talkative gnome,

"Well, my dear friend, we have valuable information for the Drunken Pastor. Information that could prevent death in the city, and we are worried that if we do not reach him quickly enough, many people will suffer. We obviously don't want that: we want to tell him quickly so he can prepare!" he said with a smile, "Would you have any way of getting him a message, so that we can prevent these terrible things from happening, or at least help him prepare?" he asked, hoping to prod the gnome for a little bit more information without SEEMING to want the information for his own purposes.

Kozibi stood there, leaning against the counter, just...listening. Desperate people. Terrible liars. Coziness in the corner. It was like watching several plays going on at once. He almost wished he had popcorn.

He shook his head and just waited to see where it was going since they clearly had things 'well in hand'. Or some unreasonable facsimile thereof.

Kamatar looked at her evenly and shook his head. "You haven't answered my question yet. So I ask again before letting you read my palm.
The question is: What has true value to you?" he replied calmly while looking into her face.

At first, Bellinha wanted to protest Zekk moving her away from the gnome, just as they were getting somewhere.  In the end, after listening to his plan, she stayed silent.  Zekk had a good point.  Appearing too desperate was probably not a good idea, not in this odd town.  An odd town that she was pretty sure was hiding something.  The sooner that they finished their business here, the better.

Bellinha decided to wait and watch, at least for the moment.  She straightened her back to sit more primly in her seat.  Hopefully Zekk wouldn't take too long.  She was anxious to get moving and get cured.

Breya sighed and stepped back, patting Bellinha's shoulder.  "Sometimes, when you're confronted with crazy, the only way forward is even more crazy."

But Breya's eyes were on Shortstack, who seemed to be fine at the moment.  But her eyes were there just in case.

In reply to Breya (msg # 111):

Bilmoth and the Gnome look at you Zekk with a sort of huh expression.

The Gnome goes to fill the order he's been given.  Doesn't stop him from talking though.

"Well. I suppose we could go stand at the edge a' the glen.  An' maybe shout into it.  He might hear the message that way."

Bilmoth shakes his head.  "Sorry. But we can't exactly communicate real well with the Fae.  They just sorta do as they please.  So no way I can think ta get him a message like.

"But I'm in charge of the temple right now.  So you can tell me the message.  I'll do what I can to prepare!"

He considers.  "Though I guess we could ask Granny Bell if she knows a way ta get a message to him. But she's...

"Well.  Granny Bell ain't right in the head."

"Not right in the head!  She's about as right as a bald medusa!  You take "messed" and add it ta "up", an' Granny Bell is what you get!  Why I don't think I've ever seen anyone more 'tetched in the head since the Flanders kid got kicked in the head by a mule an' swore he could talk to sea cucumbers!  He kept splashin' around in the surf, screamin' they were callin' him home to glory!  No shock to anyone when he drowned.

"So what I mean ta say is,

"If you wanna try Granny Bell, go up the stairs an' look for the eastern most shack.  The one with the chicken tethered to the front door latch.  That's Granny Bell.

"Here's your smoked, strong tea.  Ginger beer.  And bar-b-que squid.  Enjoy!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:46, Tue 10 Jan 2023.

Bellinha turned to look up at Breya, and gave her a small smile as she put her own hand over Breyas.  She gave it a short thankful squeeze before returning her attention to the talk between the gnome and Bilmoth.

Granny Bell.  Now they had something to go on.  Of course she was crazy but then that seemed to be expected in this town.  Was that it now?  Or was Zekk going to try and push for something more?  Maybe they should give Zekk a little more time to see what he was going to do, and what he could do.

Unconsciously, Bellinhas foot began to tap impatiently.

"Perfect!" Zekk said with a grin, wrapping his arm around the shoulders of Bilmoth, "I knew you were the right man to escort us around town! Thank you for the offer!" he said, leaving the poor man very little choice in the matter as he slowly shifted him towards the door, obviously assuming the man would roll with the strong personality type.

"Now, we've heard a rumor that dangerous monsters are headed this way. We didn't want any rumors getting ahead of the clergy in this town, of course, so we had to come right away. These monsters, we were told, are..." he paused, and said, "Well I'll tell you much more on the way to the outskirts of town. Near the glen, like you said." he said, nodding.

What he needed was Bilmoth isolated, and away from the Gnome. That would be the only way he could make him feel important enough to basically convince the little bastard to be their personal guide for this whole thing, and give him the information on the town's defenses in the process. Just because this little group seemed particularly "good aligned" and kind didn't mean Zekk couldn't probe for defenses, to see if anything was easy pickings!

If Bilmoth went outside to show him the way to the "glen", then he would continue the conversation in earnest...

In reply to Kamatar Yu Pan (msg # 109):

 Little Cassandre paused for a moment, peering deep into the archer’s eyes. Her own pupils narrowed, as she thought hard before replying:
  “Safety. That would be top of my list. Then probably Comfort. And if I get greedy, Love.”

 “That was a good question, handsome…” she added.

The half-orc's right eyebrow lifted in an expression of curiosity and possibly disbelief."It isn't often that anyone calls me handsome,
either in mockery or sincerity." He paused while looking back into her eyes, his eyebrow dropping back in place as he resumed his
expression of calm.

"But since you've answered my question, I will let you read my palm because you know that nothing you seek will be gained by
harming me. And because I've fed you already. And because you will tell me what you know of the fire-haired woman who looks
like she often solves her problems with her fists. he added confidently, reaching across the table to turn his left palm face up in front of her.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Wed 11 Jan 2023.

Kozibi smirked as Bellinha was moved away by Zekk, but then he saw the touch between her and Breya. Hmm. Well, it's not like he had a chance to romance either of them, or maybe vice versa? It didn't matter. He wasn't their type. Possibly in more ways than one. He was poisonous and he knew it so while he would flirt and romp, nothing more.

He raised an eyebrow at Zekk and then slow-clapped. "Bravo. Well done. When do we leave?"

In reply to Kozibi Januson (msg # 117):

The gnome's eyes go as wide as barrel lids when you mention "monsters coming" Zekk.

"Oh My Biscuits and Bunions!  Monsters Coming This Way!  I must tell everyone!"

And he shoots for the door, presumably leaving his patrons to fend for themselves.

Bilmoth sighs.  "Well that's a mess I'm gonna have to clean up."

He sort of side steps out from under your arm Zekk and glances around at everyone of you.

"Okay.  So...I'm guessin' you want me to show you to the Glenn then?  That's easy enough.  But do you just wanna rescue Tottenhat? Or is there really somethin' else goin' on?"

Breya had her ears on the conversation, her eye on Shorstack, and her hand on Bellinha.  She was doing a lot of important work via multi-tasking.

"Hey, let's just save Tottenhat, one step at a time right?"

Telling these people their problem, well it probably wasn't wise.  It might be, but she didn't know that.

Perfect...

Widening his arms, Zekk grinned,

"We're just responsible citizens doing our parts to rescue the Pastor. Nothing more, nothing less." he said, now that the gnome and Bilmoth were, indirectly, setting this little town up in such a way that they could easily make some real profit hiring out as monster killers.

Bowing deeply, with an exaggerated sweep of his arm towards the door, he invited Bilmoth his voice dripping with respectful tones,

"After you, my dear man." he offered, and it was difficult to tell how serious he was being, but every part of his face indicated sincerity.

In reply to Zekk (msg # 120):

Who all is going to the Glen?

Everyone?

Breya was only going to the Glen if the name of the day ended in "y".

Bellinha calmly watched Zekk work.  Mostly calm.  Her foot was tapping a steady impatient staccato on the floor.  Finally it looked like they were leaving the inn.  She rose to her feet and looked at the others, Kozibi, Breya, Cassandre, nodding her head after Zekk in a silent 'Let's go.'

Zekk, of course, followed on his own little plan to the Glen. He didn't much like waiting, but unlike the obvious Bellinha, he did a good enough job at hiding it. He thought. Maybe with those damnable turtles he wasn't that patient, but that would have to wait until later.

Bilmoth was obviously slightly uncomfortable, and frankly: that's exactly how Zekk liked people he was negotiating with. It tended to cause people to put their emotions on their faces, which made his job that much easier.

He kept his own emotional tells in check, staying calm with a pleasant smile on his face. He was still debating hanging on to this curse for all of its benefits long term, but this group he was shoved in with seemed strongly opposed to it, so he'd keep it to himself.

Kozibi was wondering what Zekk's game was. The other man's style was...a little of this and that, a little over the place. And that seemed like it might be stepping to Kozibi's own area. He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

So he was going along. To keep eye on Zekk. Oh, sure, and to help the town, stop the spread of lycanthropy, blah blah blah.

Breya let out a low *tweep*.

"Shortstack, we're doing a thing.  You in?"

Cassandre made true on her promise. She grabbed the man’s big hand in hers, ignoring her plate of squid for the moment. A long practiced stare, a carefully curated pensive look, gentle little nudges of the head, almost a nodding, but not quite. Short sigh, then gentle rasp in her throat. A subtle nasal sound, and then she commenced:
  “Life had not been gentle on you, but you’ve overcome and got the better of it. The odds were stacked against you, but you set yourself on a trajectory that continues to improve your condition.”
 “I see elements of mayhem in your near future. Things will not go as you expect, but you will adapt and embrace, and come out better for it.”
“Actually… I see imminent and immediate challenges coming your way…” she frowned.

This is when Breya rudely interrupted.
“Well there you go!” she said.
“As if on cue! You’d think we had this rehearsed, but no. But I do need to go. Will you join us? I can’t tell you what it’s about, I don’t know myself, but I guarantee it will be fun, dangerous, bizarre, frustrating, and ultimately satisfactory.”

She turned to the gnome and asked in his native gnomique language:
  “Bigsliceofbreafplease, illhavethistogo.”
And soon her lunch had become a squid yufka, ready to be eaten on the move.

“Where are we going? and who is this Glenn? friend of Wyatt?”

In reply to Cassandre Lagrene (msg # 127):

"Since I have been given an interesting invitation. Since you haven't answered all of my questions. Since it looks
like I'll need to go with you to get those answers. I guess I will have to go with you." he concluded with a nod.

"But I ask that, please explain three things as we go. One, who are we going with beside you and the woman
who called you 'shortstack'? Two, why does she call you 'shortstack'? Third, who would or could you trust to
provide you with the safety you seek?" he asked as he stood to his full 6'3" height and gathered his backpack,
two quivers of arrows, and the two unique longbows.

In reply to Kamatar Yu Pan (msg # 128):

Bilmoth glances at Cassandre and Kamatar then at you Zekk.  "You mind if we stop by the temple?  There's an old map we have of the glen?  Who knows?  Might come in handy."

And with that, we will be moving to a new thread.  Gimme a minute or so folks.

And I no shame over what is about to happen.

None whatsoever.

 Cassandre walked alongside the tall green man, and explained:
 "We're going with this lot: the two amazons, Bellinha and Breya; Kozibi is the skinny singer who thinks he's handsome, and muscle-man Zekk. That is the motley band I've been travelling with."
 "Breya calls me Shortstack, because A- she enjoys nicknames, and B- she's a whole four foot taller than me, so I guess I look like a short stack of hair and rags to her."
 "As for your last question, I don't think I have a straight answer for you, not yet."

 "Come on, pick up the pace, things move fast in this company."