Moonlight turns back to Michaela.
Any idea where Macavee wolf den may be.  Which dirction did he come into town from?  Any idea how long he was away from town before he returned to declare how wonderful he is.  If I remember right he and his crew are a little shy when it comes to setting up camp in the waste lands.
Moonlight goes through the places a wolf may be in the local area.  Also how far Macavee would gone to find it before running back to the safely of the town.

I know the limits of the town.  I just want to make sure someone does not get drunk and end up being lead out into the waste land so they can have their fun.

OOC:
11:30, Today: Moonlight Dalesong rolled 17 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 10.  Know local of possible dens (with guidence).
11:34, Today: Moonlight Dalesong rolled 16 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 5.  Places wolves would make den (with guidence).

Moonlight, with the friendly, maybe a little to friendly, help of Michaela start with what is known. You guys were gone from town about two and a half weeks. Macavee came back into town with his wolf story a day or two before you all came back. Most of the wolves in the woods and plains around town are no where near the size of what Macavee indicated, so either it's a good distance away, or, in the case of this all being a rues, this was some wasteland monster that he came upon. The dens around town are maybe 8 hours away by foot, 2 if a horse is used to rush there. While wolves do hunt the domesticated animals that sentient beings cultivate, they don't have their homes near enough that it's easy to catch up to them once they've caught a prize. What makes Macavee's story the most unbelievable is that he's stated many times that he caught the beast unaware, and everyone knows that a wolf, any animal really, in its den is more dangerous given that it is cornered or might have pups to defend. Given he had a crew with him, he could have just waited for the wolf to come out and then attacked it with spells and bow, but then this would make the timeline a little suspect as few remember he being gone more that a week at best. It's not impossible he is telling the truth, but it is very tight time wise.

Alyx listened and then gave a shrug. "I suppose the wolf den thing is a bit pressing to the mayor. Azhanti's...quest to get what is needed for a cure has...a deadline? I think?" He nodded and then spread his hands. "If the wolf den area would be somewhat close and somewhat quick to check out, I think we could maybe spare a few days, but beyond that I believe we need to go after the cure."

Moonlight nods to Alyx.
The truth about the wolf may never have a real answer.  We could spend years and never be sure we found the den.  We can spend time on it but we be doing the town harm if we spent to much time and did not finish other thing we need fix for the town as well.

Sylvia listened to the offers -- and deliberations -- with a frown.

"Has anyone had a chance to examine the beast that Macavee's group brought? Is it actually a wolf? Or a sheep dressed in wolf's clothing?" This was asked primarily of Michaela. Beyond that, she tapped a slow rhythm on the table as she pondered the next steps.

"Takin' care of the healers' stuff would be good -- both for us..." -- her eyes lingered briefly on Azhanti before moving on -- "...and the town. But giving Macavee and his [Language unknown: incaaleiil] more time to build support to become mayor would not be good -- for us or the town, quite frankly. Not to mention the arrival of those glowseekers." She looked around at the rest of the table. "Any other thoughts?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Fri 22 Dec 2023.

Ocean speaks up, "I would personally prefer to help Azhanti first so we are at full strength for anything else that would come our way.  Although if we take all the equipment and divide it up maybe my share could be sold enough to pay for the magic we need which I would happily do for Azhanti.  If that works for everyone."  She says as she does not want to speak for group treasure without it being a decision of the group.  A reason she did not just want to accept the quest without asking.  "I mean I would gladly give up my suit thingee and maybe if there were enough for all one of those zapper thingees."

The mention of the Macavee and the mutant wolf was troubling, but seemed more remote to her.  Probably since she was less invested in the village not being raised here. But the mention of the Radioactivists in town gave Azahnti some pause.

Azhanti pursed her lips and looked at Sylvia.  She knew what her desires were, but also recognized that they could be interpreted as entirely selfish.  But all she really knew was that she wanted to feel better, but the others were not as directly invested in the quest as she was - and probably rightfully so.  The diminutive blue mutant gave Ocean a wan smile, genuinely thankful for the animan's concern and promise to help her.  "I know..." Azhanti offered tentatively, "that I don't really have a vote in this, as I am not a full-fledged member of the group yet - and one of the quests on the table is due directly because of me and my affliction."   She sighed and added ruefully, "My first foray with you has led to more problems than I may be worth." and obviously not for the first time did she potentially regret her continued existence.  But she was obviously a survivor - and was well acquainted with the adage that one didn't always get what one wanted.

"I am genuinely grateful for the help that you have freely given me in saving me from certain death at the hands of the Radioactivists." she offered, "And I know that there are other priorities for the group and this community.  I would like to help if I can, but I must admit that I don't know if I can meaningfully contribute to those efforts in my current state.  Thus, the quest to heal myself is one that I must undertake and as soon as possible."  Her brow furrowed, "Otherwise, I fear that I may be more of a liability than an asset in any confrontation we encounter."

Her fingers scratched at the table's surface idly.  "I know that it is not right to ask any of you to drop everything else for me.  Nor do I want you to sell or bargain hard-earned goods just for my sake. That wouldn't be right." she paused and pursed her lips again, "I only ask for permission to go and seek out the means to be made whole again.  I'll be back as soon as I can."

Moonlight turns and looks at Azhanti.  One of his dark frouns appears on his face.
He walks up to the little blue girl.  Then lowers himself so he is looking her direcly in the eyes.
Who said you are not a full-fledged member of the group yet? Who said you don't get a vote.
Who wants to disagree with me on this?
He looks around at the others.
There is no point in saving you just to let you die again or live and not able to help us.
You are a full memeber of the group and you vote is just as good as mine.

He look deep into her eyes.

There is likely some danger out in the wilds that you and only you can help us with.  One day we may find it and we be in trouble with out you.

He gets up.  As we head off to get what Azhanti needs we could travel slowly for while and search for the den at the same time.  Scout that area.

I am someone else that has fast moving skills could split with the group and carry on the search.  Keep looking for the end with the main group getting what Azhanti needs.  Then when they are back we can carry on search for a little while longer.

Alyx listened and looked between people before answering. "I dislike Macavee and his crew. Intensely." He then gave a shrug. "But I'm not from this place. If it really came down to it, I could find some other place to live."

He paused and a thought made him smile. "Or, you know, kill some a-holes way too in to bigotry and radioactivity before they could become mayor. Or right after they became mayor."

He shook his head, becoming serious once more. "But I'm going to help Azhanti."

Moonlight face showed a evil grin.
Alyx why did I no see it before.  It will take some time, and will not go well all the time but the answer to Macavee and the Glow gang is Macavee and the Glow gang.

Azhanti frowned slightly as Moonlight quipped that the two sets of unruly hooligans might annihilate each other.  "But... W- won't that place everyone else in the crossfire though?" she asked quietly, "That's... that's what happened to my parents."  Though a number of years ago, the memory was still fresh and vivid in her mind, "Back then it was the Knights and some one else... Bonapartists maybe, I think..."

The actual factions mattered little to her, since she was so young at the time.  Only the strange gleaming weapons with the bright lances of wild energy wrapped around coherent light and angry faces twisted into macabre and grotesque caricatures of humanoid (in-)civility mattered.  And the stench of death; both sides seemed to relish the acrid stench of death.

The diminutive blue-skinned mutant lapsed into silence, hunched over and staring blankly down into her empty hands on her lap.  The thumbs were gently rubbing the phantom limb of a loved one long-gone, but never forgotten.  A single tear ran down her cheek, even as her small frame shuddered slightly.

Memphis listened intently to everyone there was some semblance of a plan coming together "Macavee is a worm. He MIGHT gain enough support to start making policy, I guess that would be bad, but the town isn't in a state to discriminate too harshly. That's why they deal with the Glow gang."

He shook his head at Azhanti's concern "We would have to convince Mac to go fight the Radioactivists and assume the winning side would be weak enough for us to clean up. Which is silly since it relies on Macavee being competent enough to harm the enemy."

"I'm more than happy to help Azhanti and by extension the healers. Let the politics shake out after. If we need to kill some people when we get back... I guess we do that. Easier to harm than heal after all.

Sylvia listened impassively as the others spoke, not providing any clue as to what she was thinking. However, when there was finally a pause and everyone had said their piece, she looked at Michaela.

"Inform the Mayor that we'll look into the situation with the wolf after we've gotten what our friend and member Azhanti needs to be whole. Until then, please keep an eye on things for us."

She looked at the rest of the group. "I'll need to head back to give Aron some assistance. Everyone ok with leavin' tomorrow morning?"

Ocean was a bit confused as no one answered that part of her questions about the loot. "Does this mean all the treasure is gone or we can't divide it up to see what is available?"  She asks actually wondering if there is anything the sisters would trade.

Sylvia looked back at Ocean.

"Wait -- is the only reason to do this to pay for the magic to assist Azhanti? The healers quoted you an exorbitant price, and then offered this as a way to pay for the procedure?" Sylvia scoffed at the idea. "If everyone is willing, we have unsplit funds that could most likely cover the cost. Gems and such, which are otherwise difficult to divide. We also have an item or two that might interest them in trade..."

"Having said that, there is something nice about the idea of getting on the healers' good side... especially if they had help spreading word of our helpful deeds -- perhaps done at the Mayor's request -- around town..." She gave Michaela a significant look as she said this, before looking around again. "But let's say we have enough to pay for Azhanti to be healed without going. Is gathering materials for the healers -- separate from Azhanti's recovery -- still the priority?"



OOC: So sorry, Ocean -- I'd completely forgotten!

"Everyone shouldn't have to sacrifice their share for me... " Azhanti protested lightly with a light sniffle as she wiped the tear from her eye.  Though from her tone it was obviously she was touched by the willingness to sacrifice on her behalf.

In answer to Sylvia's question about the timing of White Hand's request, the young blue-tinged mutant noted tentatively - as if trying to recall exactly what the White Hand healer had told them, "Ms. Brenta said that we need to let her know before tomorrow.  And that if we accepted that the items we were to retrieve needed to be in their hands within a month."

Alyx looked at Sylvia and then slowly shrugged his shoulders. "I just know the price was high and way outta my range. If we wanna pool some stuff and just buy her clear of this...issue..." He gave another, but quicker shrug and spread his hands. "I guess I'm fine with that if everyone else is."

He gave a nod, "But if she's sticking with us, we need to get her back to full before we get into too much more trouble."

10:34, Today: Alyx rolled 26 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 19.  Knowledge check on battle.

"I am more than willing to give up my share to help, but yes it would be good to get on with my sisters of healing.  I just figured I think we had four or five of those stun things as a group and wondering if one of or two of those might be worth it to them as they don't harm if the person does not want to kill and I could see that being of great interest to the healers.  But those would be part of group items and would therefore be a group decision by rights before we utilize or trade them."  Ocean says before turning to Azhanti. "I think you are worth the sacrifice!"

"Might be worth seeing if they would be willing to keep some of our treasure as collateral while we complete their mission. No doubt the service we are providing is more valuable to them than just the raw payment. We pay them, they heal Azhanti, we do the job for them, they give us our loot back when we get them what they really need. It's what they would be doing anyway, paying someone else with the money we give them, that is."

Not that you aren't worth healing, mutants got to stick together." he winks at her with his third eye.

Moonlight steps back.
Turns to Sylvia.
I think the politcical games are something for me and you to work on.  As Azhanti pointed out it has to be done so nobody else gets hurt.

He turns to Mephis.
I may not like you.  But that does not stop me agreeing with you if your idea is good.  I agree with you.  Being on the good side of healer is going to be useful.  Also we be allowing them to do their work better with what we get them.  The stonger the healer or the better for the town all round.

He turns back to Sylvia.
I got my ring.  The only other thing that really important to me is to find a magic bow and they as common as Macavee doing a pure kind deed for someone that is helpless.  So you can add all of my loot into the pot to help Azhanti.

Memphis looks askance at Moonlight "You don't like me? I thought you were like that with everyone?"

Moonlight takes a few steps backwards and end up next to Michaela.
He slips his hand into hers.  He gives her a wink.
Not everybody.

He turns to Sylvia.
So put up the money for the healers.  Scout for the den on the way to getting what the healers need.
Take a slightly different route back and do some more scouting and hope our collective crazy luck holds up?

He shakes his head.
Well the distance we will travel this time has got to be way less than want we travel for the dwarf.
Then he laught.
Are dwarves not ment to take you down into the depths of the earth not up into the stars and plaints above.  I think our dwarf friend was reading from the wrong script.

He turns back to Michaela.  When I get back I really have got a tale to tell.  Even I would have problems beliving it if not for what we got from the adventure.  You should get a look at them.  I think you find them interesting.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Fri 29 Dec 2023.

Alyx slowly turned to look at Azhanti, his mind whirling as it dredged up knowledge. A little bit of a frown was on his face, but not at her. He was...thinking? Or remembering. He then blinked as he finished, and looked down. He hesitated but then reached over and gave her a quick but firm hug.

Then he took a step back, mumbling an apology for invading her personal space without consent.

He waited for a decision but gave a shrugging nod at Moonlight's outline. He wasn't sure that the wolf den was 'on the way' but he was fine with either helping on the quest or paying the healers or both to help Azhanti.

Though, he would do that for most anyone in the group probably. They had grown on him a little. Not that he wouldn't abandon them at the drop of a hat to save himself if he had to. Sure, he would. Definitely. He was totally self-interested still at this point.

Azhanti was shaken from her reverie, by Alyx's display of affection.  She'd yielded almost instinctively to the embrace before they both stiffened simultaneously.  As he mumbled off an apology, the diminutive blue-skinned mutant simply nodded, averted her eyes and felt the light flush of warm blood to her cheeks.

"Th-thank you." she stammered lightly, first to the pale elf and then to the rest of the group, "Thank you, all of you.  I appreciate your support.  It's... it's a novel experience for me to not be alone."  And by that it seemed not just physically, but emotionally and socially.  She may have seen and interacted with other sophonts, but never so meaningfully.  At least, not since her parents and teacher died.

"I still don't know about using the communal loot on me...." though she did sound grateful, "Should we still entertain doing the mission for the White Hand."  After a thoughtful pause, "Ms. Brenta did seem awfully nice.  And being on their good side would probably be best."

Azhanti frowned slightly, "Even if they do traffic with the Glow Gang sometimes..."  The memory of the Radioactivist's leader chortling with another of the White Hand at infirmary was still fresh on her mind, "Maybe we should make sure that those guys don't get the stuff the Healers want and get in their good graces."  It wouldn't do to have her nemesis get too chummy with the Healers.

This thread closed for now