“And if a battle kindly never moved beyond the frontlines, then you would both be correct,” Meridian said in her rebuttal to Solgran and Malice “Since enemies and monsters rarely display such consideration, I maintain my request. Malice can’t wear heavy armor. I cannot wear any armor.”

She looked at the group. “I am not so foolish to think that you would go against one you already know for a stranger, though. I stand by my request, but have no illusions about the outcome.”

Solgran wondered where this woman was from for greed to be the manner in which she showed her gratitude. "You've been awarded your freedom, reprieve from whatever 'sinister promises' you claim they had made you, a wand, and your retribution. Is there anything else we can give you? I still possess some coin, I believe."

The smirk on her face widened, "Then perhaps I shall let you have the cloak and you can stand up in the frontlines with the swordsmen. Seems like a good tradeoff to me."

“If you are so fragile as all that, perhaps you need a reprieve from the frontlines, dear,” Meridian smiled sweetly at Malice. To Solgran, she said, “As for you, keep your coins. You look as though you need them.”

Snoric put his cup down a little harder than he meant to, spilling some of the freshly filled coffee on his hand but he didn't notice.  Burning oneself went with working a forge or an oven.  He looke to Meridian.

"Miss.  As Solgran has said you've got both your freedom and a fine prize in that magic wand.  Your help in the hideout was appreciated but I don't understand why you're still here.  I don't recall inviting you to join our group but I have been absent the past few days."

"I am not against a new member to this team but be aware this group is bound not just by commonality of purpose, but with a shared mutual respect of each other.  You seem to have some designs on joining us so I would suggest you consider that respect part carefully."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Sat 19 Mar 2022.

"Ladies, you have both made excellent points. There is no immediate need for this decision to be made now. Let us take a break and go and see what has Snoric so excited."

Yana raised an eyebrow at the conversation,  but didn't get involved.  She sipped her ale an remained in the background

OOC:  if this game were to be broadcast on television, Yana would, at this point,  glance at the camera briefly,  like Jim from The Office, sipping her drink like Kermit from the famous meme

In reply to Snoric (msg # 28):

“Fair enough, Snoric. I approached this conversation with respect. Perhaps my…stridence…put your friends off, but I am more interested in trading ideas and even friendly debate, not trifling insults.” Meridian nodded. “Osmon is right. We can wait to resolve this matter.

Unless my presence is unwanted. Fate threw us together, but we have a mutual enemy. Is that reason enough to indulge my company a little longer, Snoric?”

This comment made Yana perk up a bit. Glancing at her sister,  she spoke, loud enough to be heard by the table.
"We did well, especially with a few good hits at the right time,  but some extra help, should the redcloaks come looking for their weasels den of minions sooner rather than later."

Snoric nods.  "This group gives everyone a chance.  When I arrived I was just the 'gnome with muffins'.  Maybe I'm still that but I've done my best to find my place within this team.  I have no doubt you can too."

With the discussion made moot at the moment, each person claimed the items that suited them. Allura, happy with the magical sword, claimed the breastplate from the half orc woman, and while it was a little big, snoric assured her he could alter it to fit her easily. Amalia claimed the ring with the fur, allowing warmth at all times. Malice took the cloak that held protective magic. Meridan, though still eyeing the cloak, took teh wand. Osmon clearly had eyes only for the staff. Snoric claimed (in his drowsiness) the unique handaxe. Solgran looked meanacing with the huge maul and yana claimed the bunches of crossbow bolts, managing to fit the 25 snugly into one case .

The other magic items, including the dagger, amulet and the scrolls and potions were technically unclaimed but remained with the group.

Yana shrugged and looked at the remaining items speculatively.
"Well, if no one else is in dire need of it, I could hang onto the dagger, for now at least, so I have a better melee weapon, should someone get too close to me."

Amalia was still trying to wake up when the argument about the coveted cloak broke out, and while she found Meridian worth getting to know more, she was glad that Malice, always in the thick of combat, got to pick it. With Yana claiming the dagger, the cleric took the amulet for safekeeping. She already had one of those so she would use it until something better turned out for her.

She also picked the potions, trying to determine what the unknown one were.

Well Snoric, didn't you have something to show us?

Allura looked to her sister and whispered, "I think Amalia wanted the dagger. After the battle with the ghosts everyone having a magic forged or capable weapon is good. It certainly is an interesting piece of weaponry."

She rose after breaking her fast to join the others in seeing what Snoric had.

"Wait Gnome with the muffins ?" She looked at Snoric.  She had not been one to receive one of those treats yet and didn't know of them.

Malice ran the cloth of the cloak between her fingers, it was very well made. She secured the clasp around her neck and began to eat. The topic of Snoric being simply a gnome with muffins took her aback and she almost choked on the bite she chewed on. "Allura, I'm also curious about the gnome with the muffins comment. I've never gotten muffins from Snoric. I am basically finished eating, shall we go see what Snoric is busting at the bits about?"

Solgran finished his food and drink, set the fancy new hammer against his shoulder, and followed the others off to the blacksmith.

Snoric looked at Allurea with surprise when she claimed ignorance of the muffins.  "I brought a whole basketload on our wagon ride from Neverwinter.  You mean to say you didn't have ANY?"  He looked around suspiciously at other members of the group.  They'd been two dozen muffins in there!

"Anyway I promise to make you some more if we have time and if the local baker will let me loose in their kitchen."

The gnome hadn't finished his food but the others were ready and he was honestly too excited.  He pushed up from the table and began walking towards the smiths.

"Well some of you know how I like to tinker.  I've dabbled in making little clockwork and mechanical toys for children.  Simple things, animals that walk, dolls that wave.  Well after our battle in the goblin caves I started to wonder if I could do something more.  Upon reaching town I find the smith was amenable to my ideas and exchange for some gold and labour he let me use his equipment."

Reaching the smithy's shop they found it closed but Snoric produced a key.  "I imagine the smith is asleep.  Been working the last few days to get this project complete.  Become as much of a passion project for him as me."

Moving into the shop, Snoric approached a large cloth that had been thrown over something about a metre tall.  With a flourish Snoric pulled off the cloth to reveal a large metal construct.  It was a deel qreyish colour though streaks of blue were locared on the tail, legs, shoulders and face.  It had the general look of a a cross between a wolf and a fox, though much taller.  In size it was as large as a great mastiff.

"Isn't it beautiful?"  Snoric purred moving over to it.  The statue was of reasonable make though hardly artworthy, it was difficult to tell what exactly it was meant to be but Snoric wasn't done.  Pulling out one of his artificer tools, a long rod, he approached the machine and lifted a hidden flap under one of the shoulders.  Inserting the rod he muttered some phrases that sounded arcane (though no magic user recognised them) and then twisted the rod and retracted it.

To everyones surprise the statue came to life.  A whirring sound came from within and the lights began to glow.  The creature rose from it's sitting position to stand on four legs and it moved over to stand beside Snoric.  The gnome couldn't help but squeal.

"My finest invention.  If all goes right it should serve as companion, mount and guardian.  I've tried to model it on a fox.  I remember my master fox hunting when I was young.  The foxes sometimes got caught but most were sneaky.  They avoided the dogs, evaded traps and lived to fight another day.  I'm hoping this will help us also live to fight another day."

He gestured to the others.  "It's safe to touch.  I want it to know you are my friends so it knows.  I'd also be honoured if you'd help me give it a name.  I feel it deserves one."


OOC: FINALLY had time to finish my steel defender (honestly wondered if I'd hit level 4 first!

Solgran called out, giving the gnome a reassuring nod, "I remember your muffins, Snoric!" He'd only eaten one of them himself, but he remembered the others enjoying them well enough.

"Oh, you've been welding a...wolf...fox...fox-wolf statue? Hey, hey! Nice work." Solgran clapped his hands, and looked over at the others to encourage them to do the same if they weren't already.

When the thing came to life, Solgran pulled back and reflexively reached for his new hammer in the event that he needed to defend himself or the others. He stared in awe as he took the thing in, standing there alongside Snoric like a faithful hound. A giant, faithful hound. "Oooh, that's a big boy."

Yana chuckled as they walked over
"I remember those muffins.  Seems like a lifetime ago."

The Locksmith looked full of anticipation and excitement,  though as usual she seemed to be trying to hide it.
When the cover was lifted, the craftswoman gasped with delight,  and stared in wonder.
"So......so beautiful....."

She walked closer, like a child at Yule, her eyes almost twinkling with joy

"More then a sculpture, it moves. You are certainly a Master tinker. I have heard of such things though seeing such a creation up close like this. It's beautiful Snoric."

Since he seemed to indicate they could touch it she ran her hand over the construct.
"I don't suppose you will be calling this amazing creature, Muffin." She half smirked.

“Masterful work,” Meridian murmured, eyeing the Construct as if appraising a painting or sculpture. A fitting comparison in her mind, given the care the Gnome invested in his act of Creation. She nodded approvingly. “Truly, a work of Art.”

After Yana and Allura “met” Snoric’s Guardian, Meridian approached the exotic machine. “May I?” Although Snoric invited the group, Meridian still asked. Her standing was uncertain at the moment, so she asked permission to confirm it.

Malice followed the others to the blacksmith. Snoric pulled a key from his pocket to unlock the doors for the group. I didn't realize they had gotten that close. Once he revealed the metallic invention, Malice stood there in slight awe. When Snoric asked for each person, in turn, to introduce themselves, she moved closer and placed her hand on the fox's head. "I like Muffin. It would almost be like a codeword. Saying it in the presence of an enemy, they would think we speak of baked goods."

"A truly impressive achievement." I spend a few more moments examining the construct. "Have you thought on what improvements or additions you might make in the future?"

Solgran had a suggestion to offer, "I've got a sword you could mount on there."

Snoric considered the idea and shrugged. "Muffin it is.  Seems as good a name as any.  I'll program the name shortly."

He nodded when Meridian asked to touch it.  "It's currently in a passive state.  I haven't given any orders so it will only defend itself until I give it other instructions."


When Osmon spoke of future ideas Snoric nodded.  "The thing I'd like to do most, well I took inspiration from you actually.  I'm hoping to create an interface where I might see through Muffin's eyes and ears, even at a distance like you can.  For now I'm hoping it can at least prove useful in our endeavours.  I've done my best to make it quiet and fast, just like its real world counterpart."

The gnome smiled at Solgran's suggestion of a sword.  "It needs no weapons other than it's claws and teeth.  I've imbued it with the ability to fight.  I'm hoping it will also serve as a distraction, splitting an enemy's focus and allow our fighters to land killing blows more easily."