In reply to Kamatar Yu Pan (msg # 139):

You eye Parkins' maid/goon Breya...

She's got a knife!  It's a butter knife!  The maid is acting like she is just using it to add some orange marmalade to a scone, but that could just be a cover Breya...

Feel free to roll a PER check if you like Breya

Widow Parkins picks up a pimento cheese sandwich triangle...no crusts.  The Widow Parkins absolutely can not abide crusts on her pimento cheese sandwich triangles...and nibbles it daintily.  "I believe in being upfront.  I think Salt Lick has tremendous potential for growth. And I think Orus has been hampering that growth.  I have nothing against the man personally you understand.  I respect his abilities as a warrior immensely.  But he's simply too laconic when it comes to business matters.  I've made several proposals to him about expanding the fishing fleet or offering to buy out Lori Grats establishment but he's not been interested.

"If you are going to take over, I want to gauge if you might be someone more agreeable to doing business Miss Grunnel."

---

The herbs turn out to be what's so interesting Kamatar.  Or at least the note you find stuck inside one of the bundles.


Outside, the sun is peeking through the trees.  You would guess it's probably about first morning bell now.

---

Bellinha and Breya...

Looks like lunch will be served soon.

Real soon.

Try a pimento cheese sandwich triangle in the meantime.

They're gooooood....
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:12, Sun 28 May 2023.

23:33, Today: Breya rolled 19 using 1d20-1.  Perception.

lol

In reply to Breya (msg # 143):

You continue to watch the maid marmalade up the scones Breya

That better be all she's doing.

"Wasn't it clear and sunny outside a minute ago?"  Breya asked all of a sudden.

In reply to Breya (msg # 145):

Widow Parkins stops and blinks at you Breya.  She then looks out the window.

"My goodness.  That's rather thick.  We do get fogs rolling in from the ocean.  But...seems a bit late in the day for it.   It'd usually burn up by now."

"Something's fucky wucky."  Breya concluded in her scientific and magical brilliance.

Bellinha's attention was entirely on the Widow Parkins.  "Indeed...indeed.  I also believe that there is potential here in Salt Lick, which is why I've travelled here.  I have not been here very long so I do not have the same perspective that you, as a long time resident, have.  Pray continue.  I understand wanting to expand the fishing fleet but why would Orus be against that?  It seems like a reasonable idea."

Seeing everyones attention suddenly move to outside the window, Bellinha turned to see what was going on.  Just when the conversation was getting interesting, now fog had to appear.  Bellinha rose and moved to the window. She studied the scene before her andsoftlyspoke several words of arcane power, stretching out with her mystical senses.

OOC:
Casting Detect Magic on the fog.  (I don't have magic missile ready)

After sharing the contents of the note and the pirates' belongings with his companions, Kamatar and his allies make certain that the pirates are securely bound without a stitch of clothing or any equipment.

Then Kamatar picks them up and begins running back towards Salt Lick.

OOC
Kamatar Yu Pan rolled 17,11,23 using d20+3,d20+3,d20+3.  DEX checks.
Kamatar Yu Pan rolled 4,23,13 using d20+3,d20+3,d20+3.  STR checks.

In reply to Kamatar Yu Pan (msg # 149):

Naked pirates bound up in a cabin in the woods?  Someone's kinky...

You secure Harold on your back and Cassandre and her cat perch on top of his shoulders.  It's awkward, but you take off like a deer running from a hunting pack Kamatar.

Harold steers you down a ridge and along the beach at one point.  But he seems to know the way.

Everything is going great...

Until you hit the fog bank.

Harold leans over and says in your ear, "We should be within sight of town now.  But...this fog don't seem right.

"If we're where I think we are, we're not far from Mr. Orus' manor.  Try going left.  If you go right, that'll lead you into the town center."

Which way Kam?

---

Fucky Wucky was a fog
Fucky Wucky had no smog...

The fog is probably the result of some kind of magic Bellinha.  But it's not conjuration.  It feels like a different science.

Widow Parkins shakes her head.  "Do you think this is something we should worry over?"

"I'm going to say yes, especially if fucking butterflies start coming out of it."  Breya decided.

Bellinha still stared out the window in to the fog.  Her brow was furled in concentration, trying to figure out just what she was sensing.  "It's...not natural, whatever it is."  she said.  "I agree with Breya.  We should not take this lightly.  Worried is probably the best option."

She turned and closed the window and sighed.  "This had better not be a fight.  I am not dressed for a fight."  Bellinha turned to Widow Parkins.  "Close all of the windows.  Is there some place where you and yours can find shelter?"

Having been guided by Harold for most of this trip, Kamatar will follow Harold's directions to the town center. However, he will also start shouting out between getting directions from Harold, "PEOPLE OF SALT LICK! BEWARE OF PIRATE ATTACK! PIRATES ARE COMING FOR YOU NOW!"

"And where's your hidden piece?"  Breya asked.  The old biddy had one somewhere nearby.

In reply to Breya (msg # 154):

You shout and Cassandre shouts at the top of your lungs Kamatar.

Harold thumps you.  "Lemme down!  I'll go sound the warning bell!  Two short rings then a pause, then two more short rings over and over!  That means pirates are about!"

He rushes off into the fog.  You can hear voices...

Kam, give me three PER checks please

---

The Widow frowns and looks at her maid.  "Let's get the crossbows."

She glances at you Breya, then mutters, "Wait here..."

She walks out of the room.

You can both hear voices at that moment.  Something about pirates...

If you make a PER check of 12-, you recognize Cass and Kam's voices and hear what Kam is shouting.

A moment later, the Widow comes back in, carrying a ballista.

Not actually a ballista.  More like a Muck and Visors Ramrod Line Heavy Crossbow with optional EZ pull winch.  The Muck and Visors Ramrod Line Heavy Crossbow can shot a bolt through an elephant and still perfectly slice a tomato.  That's right.  The Muck and Visors Ramrod Line Heavy Crossbow is perfect for owlbear hunting, siege warfare, or just an evening of shooting vagrants with that someone special.

The Widow draws and cocks like she's marmalading a muffin.  Slipping the bolt in, she asks with a straight face,

"Whose ass do I need to perforate?"

That's when a bell outside starts ringing.  Two rings.  A pause.  Then two more.

The signal for pirates.

Yeah baby.  Groovy.

15:15, Today: Breya rolled 1 using 1d20-1.  Perception.

"Holy crap is that a circus out there?"  Breya looked at the piece.  "Nice.  Waste anyone who comes near this place.  Like I had to tell you?  All right I'm going out there, I don't really need a shiv they just sort of slow me down."

OOC
Kamatar Yu Pan rolled 16 using 1d20+11. Perception check.
Kamatar Yu Pan rolled 18 using 1d20+11. Perception check.
Kamatar Yu Pan rolled 13 using 1d20+11. Perception check.

(Well, it helps to be a skill monster when the die roller decides it doesn't like you.)

Bellinha cocked her head to the side and glanced back towards the window.  The voice sounded familiar. "That...sounds like Kamatar."  She listened further.  "He's yelling something about pirates."

Bellinha sighed.  It was going to be a fight.  she asked the maid to bring her sword, the one that she had given up when she had arrived.  "Breya wait.  You'll not go without me."  The maid brought her sword and Bellinha slung the weapon over her shoulder as she thanked the woman.  "Ezlin, I think that you have your place protected with that nice crossbow.  I would suggest picking a window to shoot from and perforate any pirates that you see.  We'll have to continue our discussion later."

Next, Bellinha took a moment to hitch up her long skirt to give herself some better mobility.  "I'm ready, Breya.  Let's go."

OOC:
Bellinha Grunnel rolled 22 for Perception.

In reply to Bellinha Grunnel (msg # 158):

Outside, the townspeople of Salt Lick are moving.  They seem to know what that bell means, and what to do.

The elderly are evacuating children towards the woods.

All the able bodied are arming themselves.  They seem to be gathering either to the west, maybe in the direction of the fish market, or to the south and east.  Asking one of the townspeople rushing by confirms things.

"When we hear the bell, some a' us go down to the docks.  To get ready to meet 'em when they try to land.  And some head towards the beach near the old pirate ship wreck.  There's a patch of water there that's deep enough an' level enough a big ship can anchor there no problems.  And it's not too far from shore.

"We'd know what to do if it weren't for this damn fog."

"Breya!"

You hear Cassandre's call and soon the four of you are reunited Breya, Bellinha, Kamatar, and Cassandre.

Please refer to the Salt Lick map in the Adventurer's Almanac.  I will let you decide where you want to go, and then we will move to the next thread...ASOL Pt. 2 - The "A" is for "Assault"!

Hope to have at least one new player joining us by then.

Thanks

Bellinha looked at her three companions.  They could really have used Kozibi and Zekks right about now.  Even Zale would be a welcome presence.  "The problem is, we do not know what we are up against.  We could split up and cover both locations but that might weaken us.  And how do we split up?  Staying together would give us better odds but leave one location vulnerable."

Bell looked over into the fog for a long moment.  "There's no time.  Here's what I propose.  We divide our company, two to the docks and the other two to the shipwreck.  I'm not fighting pirates in without protection.  I need to get my armor.  By the time that I get it on, the Docks will be closest to me.  I want some magical abilities at each location.  That means that Cass and I will take different locations, I'll take the dock, Cass to the shipwreck.  That leaves Kamatar and Breya.  One of you to the shipwreck with Cass and the other with me."

She looked around, her eyes scanned the running townsfolk for familiar faces.  "I'll try to find Norvus or Orus as I go for my armor and see if we can get the services of a runner for each location, someone that can pass messages back and forth so that we know how the other group is doing."

"Be careful all of you."  Bellinha turned back to her gathered companions.  "I don't want to lose anyone.  And...uhm...watch out for butterflies."

In reply to Bellinha Grunnel (msg # 160):

And with those stirring words...you're off!  Into the fog of war!

Kam and Breya, let me know which location you chose.  I'm assuming Kam will stick with Cass and Breya with Bell. But who knows?  Maybe you'll shake things up.

I will start us on the new thread tomorrow (hopefully)

Thanks

"Oh I'm with you, I'm not wearing armor either remember?"  Breya asked Bellinha.  It wasn't like their armor was in two widely disparate places.

Sure, that was the reason.

Kamatar nodded then said tersely, "Cassandre and I are a proven effective team. We'll take the shipwreck unless Cassandre has a better idea." Briefly looking confused he asked, "Why are we watching for butterflies? Are we looking for specific colors or patterns?"

"Cass can probably fill you in, but in brief, we fought a very powerful...creature...being...something whose presence was announced by magical butterflies.  There's more but I'll have to go into it later, when we are not pressed for time."  Bellinha explained quickly.  "Just...be wary should you see them."

"Jumping in a barrel won't save you if it happens."  Breya contributed helpfully.

Breya and Bellinha, you hurry back to Grat's Packets and don your armor.

As you scurry to the docks, and Kamatar, as you and Cassandre start towards the shipwreck, the fog starts to thin....

Please move to the AOSL 2 thread. Thanks