Magic Soup
Session Start: Mon May 16 19:56:40 2005
*** Now talking in #greyhawk
*** Roamy has joined #greyhawk
*** Kys has joined #greyhawk
<DM> Hi, Melissa.
<Roamy> Howdy, all.
<Phantom> Hi, Melissa!
<Phantom> Are you going to join this group now? Are you going to stay as the Danilo character?
*** Alanna has joined #greyhawk
<Alanna> Hello!
<Phantom> Hi, Gina.
<Alanna> Scott, do we have to make any changes on Klooge due to the different port?
<John> Well, I think me joining or not is up to the group…and I’m sensitive to your all-female line-up.
<Kys> Hiya, Alanna.
<Phantom> We aren’t all-female anymore
<DM> Ah, no kLoOge tonight.. Can’t host it here at Disney.
<John> I did submit a non-Danilo character to Scott.
<DM> (i thought that was for the other group, he seemed like such a good fit for those chars
<John> A fella with no combat skills or magic whatsoever. Didn’t wanna hog the spotlight.
<Roamy> ((hehehe))
<John> Oh….are we splitting somehow? Thought this same group was just starting over with new characters.
<Roamy> Not likely with this grou,p anyway–we all have our own.
<Phantom> Half-time each set.
<Alanna> Not really splitting; we have two groups of characters, for Scott to prep one while the other is running!
<Phantom> Really, you ought to be in both groups, John.
<Alanna> This is the higher-level group…the others are the babies.
<Alanna> I like playing with you!
<DM> Ya two groups of chars, the originals and the newbies…this week we’re back to the originals.
<Phantom> So do I!!!
<Phantom> And I know April does, too.
<John> Well, I’d asked Scott if I could run an NPC…and he offered me Danilo. I think he was supposed to be around only for a few sessions–then the reboot.
<Alanna> Yes, on a ship once again.
<Alanna> Bad things always happen to us on water.
<Alanna> Water is terrible. It reaches its evil tentacles to grab us every single time we get near it.
<Phantom> You really need two cool characters.
*** Lurker has joined #greyhawk
<Lurker> (waves)
<Alanna> Hello! Lynne?
<Roamy> giggles
<Alanna> ?
<DM> Hiya, Lynne.
<Phantom> Hi, Lynne.
<Phantom> : )
<Alanna> Lynne the Lurker.
<Lurker> (Hi! Yes, this is Lynne. Just stopping in to lurk a bit.)
<Phantom> I was going to ask
<Alanna> What was the costume for?
<Alanna> Yes, he plays the frail and delicate flower of our party!
<Alanna> Alanna is neither frail nor delicate!
<Lurker> (And he’s probably the tallest person here, in real life!)
*** DM sets mode: +o DMhelper
*** Amalie has joined #greyhawk
<DM> Hiya, April.
*** Amalie is now known as Obsidian
<Phantom> Hi, April.
* Phantom waves.
<Roamy> afk a moment
<Alanna> (Changing gears….not prissy mage-girl anymore, am warrior of the plains, a woman with no homeland…..big honkin’ sword instead of dainty little magic components. Strangely, still red-haired, though.)
* Obsidian has returned as the impulsive crispy-haired trap exploder *grins*
<DM> Okay…so when we last left off, you had just returned from your “vacation” and were taking up the hunt for the little girl again.
<Alanna> (Yes, vacation. Some vacation. More watery adventures.)
<John> [uh, who are we tonight? Still dungeoneering with Amalie and company?]
<DM> (no different cast of chars tonight)
<Phantom>( nope-this is the original cast)
<Alanna>( John, you played Christopher for a session or two with these characters, I think!)
*** James has joined #greyhawk
<DM> That is correct.
<Alanna> Trapped by the ant-people?
* James waves.
<John> [oh, them!]
<Roamy> howdy james
<DM> hiya james
<Lurker> (hi, James!)
<James> Sorry about the wait. I had to watch while the new version of my mail client indexed all 42,855 messages. 
<DM> Christopher’s last letter to Alanna told of Alwyn’s being sold through a book merchant in Selgaunt…or a girl looking like Alwyn, at least.
*** James is now known as Hyacinth
<DM> *** Lurker is now known as LurkerAFK
<Alanna> “Well, she was listed as a Sharran child…and we will be able to tell if it is truly her once we locate her. The mark of the clan is not easily copied or faked, nor would anyone have any reason to do so.”
<Phantom> (I remember now, I think)
<Alanna> “It could not be gotten rid of easily, either.”
<Hyacinth> “What does it look like?”
* Alanna rolls up her left sleeve, revealing a tattoo in the shape of a running red horse just inside her left arm, below the elbow.
* Hyacinth smiles. “It’s lovely.”
<Alanna> All of our clan are….were marked. Sadly, it seems that L’Hania, myself, and possibly Alwyn are all that remain.
<Alanna> There is one other, but she was taken in by a farm family and I would not take her from them, since she is happy and safe there.
<John> [what did happen to Christopher?]
<DM> (He is still working for his father in Amn.)
<Alanna> (We took him back to his father. He’s currently getting restless and thinking of moving on!)
* Hyacinth pats Alanna on the arm.
<Alanna> “If I can find Alwyn, it will be good. L’Hania will have her child, and I will have done my duty to my clan.”
<DM> A trip to the docks finds you a merchant schooner heading to Selgaunt, captained by a dwarf of all people, and a crew of six. The fare isn’t bad, 50 silvers each.
* Roamy quite ready for the open sea again, with a few prayers for safe passage to her goddess.
<Alanna> “I have failed in some ways, but I have done what the spirits have allowed.”
* Phantom smiles at Hyacinth, and warns her that patting Alanna might get her a wop on the head if she isn’t careful.
<DM> (taking this ship across the Dragon Reach, or waiting for another?)
<Obsidian> (Taking this ship….)
<Alanna> “We can take this ship. Better to get it behind us.”
* Hyacinth laughs.
<Kys> “The sooner we find her and free her, the sooner she can be reunited with her clan.”
<Kys> “Well, her mother at the least.”
* Alanna is visibly uncomfortable getting aboard the ship.
<Alanna> (Are we taking our horses along?)
<Alanna>( Or will we be arriving at a city when we get there?)
<DM> (You can, if you wish.)
<DM> (Selgaunt is a fairly large city; that is your destination.)
<Alanna> (Not sure I want to risk my fragile baby on a ship…knowing our luck!)
* Hyacinth takes a leisurely stroll up onto the ship, looking around idly from under her parasol.
<Alanna> (He is so delicate and perfect!)
<DM> (Just like his owner…uh-huh.)
<Hyacinth> (Heh.)
* Alanna finds a place to sit out of the way of activity and sharpens her greatsword.
<DM> The vessel is called the Floating Keg. Six sailors are busy working in the rigging as a stout, long-bearded dwarf barks commands gruffly to them.
*** Deorol has joined #greyhawk
* Roamy takes in the sights, smells and sounds of the ship, helping if she can and staying out of the way if she can’t.
<DM> None of you has ever seen a dwarf on a ship before.
<Hyacinth> (nor heard of a ship called “The Floating Keg”)
<Alanna> (Wow, I thought dwarves hated water as much as I do!)
* Alanna looks curiously at the seagoing dwarf.
* Obsidian speaks in dwarven.
* Kys will play for the hands and the passengers as time and the captain permit.
<DM> The dwarf spins around to look at you all.
* Obsidian introduces herself and the rest of the party, bowing.
* Hyacinth bows respectfully.
* Kys smiles happily.
<Deorol> “What are you all gawking at? Hurry up! Get aboard! We’re burning daylight!”
* Phantom bows and gives a tentative, friendly smile.
* Roamy nods a greeting to the fellow as she is introduced.
<Obsidian> Is this your ship, sir? And if so, may I inquire about finding passage across the sea?
* Phantom feels her stomach tighten as she boards.
* Obsidian shrugs her pack on tighter, and steps onto the gangplank
<Deorol> “Aye, this is my ship…what? Dwarves can’t own ships?”
* Hyacinth takes her cue from the captain, sees her trunk aboard, and tips the people who bring it up for her.
<Deorol> “Not every dwarf lives underground digging tunnels, y’know.”
* Obsidian chuckles.
<Obsidian> “You do look to be the one in charge. How much?”
<Deorol> “Fifty silver ravens, up front.”
* Alanna hands over her passage money.
<Obsidian> “Fifty?”
* Obsidian guffaws herself
<Obsidian> “For all of us, I hope?”
<Deorol> “Each! And another ten for yer horses.”
<Alanna> “As long as it doesn’t sink, and nothing eats us, I’ll be content.”
<Obsidian> “Forty-five!”
<Deorol> “Forty-five for you. You don’t look like ya eat too much.”
* Roamy nearly chokes on a chuckle, and hands the man funds for her and for Kys.
* Obsidian hands over her coin reluctantly.
<Alanna> “Actually, Obsidian can probably help supplement your crew’s meals. She’s quite a fisher-gnome.”
* Hyacinth pays her fifty.
<Deorol> “My crew gets good meals already; they don’t need no help.”
* Phantom pays as well
<Deorol> “I even got ‘em entertainment.. Where is that blasted human, anyway?”
* Deorol looks around.
<Alanna> “Entertainment?”
<Deorol> “Where’s the buffoon?! Get the buffoon on deck!”
<Kys> “Really?”
<Hyacinth> “I am already entertained!”
* Hyacinth laughs a silvery laugh.
<Deorol> “You’ll be taking a saltwater bath if yer don’t mind yer mouth, elf.”
* Hyacinth bows. “No disrespect intended, captain.”
* Kys ‘ eyes light up at the thought of teaming up with the fellow.
<Alanna> “Dwarves, elves, water meet oil.”
*** John is now known as Clown
<DM> (send in the clown!)
<Phantom> (hehe)
* Clown ceases the sea shanty he was experimenting with, tucks away his crude flute, and speeds down a rope, hitting the deck with a thump, staggering for comic effect.
* Deorol chortles at the act.
<Clown> “At your service, your captainship!”
* Clown snaps a broad salute at Deorol.
* Kys giggles, and bounds over to say hello.
<Deorol> “Yeah, yeah.”
* Deorol waves him off.
* Phantom watches, amused.
<Deorol> “These be our new passengers. Keep ‘em entertained and out of my beard.”
<Clown> “Even as you say, my captain!”
* Hyacinth claps.
<Kys> “Do you fancy a duet some time? I would be so happy to play with you.”
* Clown is dressed in worn motley. He stands all of 5′ 4″, and has a noticeable hunchback. He is one of the uglier humans on the face of the sea, and looks as though a strong breeze might blow him into the rigging. He bows deeply to Kys and her companions.
* Alanna finds a nice place to sit down to sharpen that sword of hers.
<Clown> “Good morrow, ladies and germs!”
* Deorol returns to barking orders at his crew.
* Alanna waves vaguely.
* Clown produces a small drum, and begins thrumming his fingers softly upon it.
<Clown> “I am Magnifico, fool and songster. What is your pleasure?”
*** Clown is now known as Magnifico
<DM> Freedom lands on the crow’s nest, eyeing the scene below suspiciously.
* Hyacinth finds a place to sit, and arranges herself upon it, twirling her parasol in a gloved hand and watching.
* Obsidian climbs to the crow’s nest.
* Roamy caws to her and dons her helmet.
* Deorol spots Obsidian and shouts, “Hey! Hey Gnome! Get down from there!”
* Magnifico launches into a comic impression of Cormyr’s King Azoun IV.
* Phantom sits near the center of the ship. Her face is the color of parchment, but she smiles at the clown.
* Magnifico punctuates his act with the occasional rim-shot.
* Deorol whirls on Magnifico. “Clown! Didn’t I tell you to keep them outta my beard?!”
* Hyacinth watches the clown intently, smiling.
<Magnifico> “As you say, sir! I shall entertain them until they run, screaming, from your sight!”
* Magnifico bows low.
<Magnifico> Ladies, will you not follow me below, that the sun may not mar your fair skin?
* Freedom flies down from the crow’s nest and perches on Roamy’s arm.
* Magnifico picks up anyone’s gear that is lying at hand.
* Kys giggles and follows him happily.
* Alanna looks down at her deeply tanned and calloused hands. She picks up her stuff and follows, sheathing that enormous sword.
* Hyacinth cocks an eyebrow, looks around, and rises, straightening the skirts of her dress. She folds her parasol and follows, bemused.
<DM> The ship’s lines are released and it slowly slips out of the wharf, into the bay.
* Obsidian invites Fluff to fly overhead.
* Fluff climbs out of Obsidian’s backpack and takes flight, circling the ship some 100 feet above.
* Phantom decides to stay with her friends to help calm her nerves, and goes below.
* Magnifico leads the group toward their cabin space.
*** Kys has quit IRC (Ping timeout)
*** Roamy has quit IRC (Ping timeout)
<Hyacinth> [Apparently the wireless reception sucks below decks.]
<Phantom> (lol)
<Alanna> (Seems so)
* Deorol looks at Obsidian and shouts again, “Last warning sister.. .get down from there before I’se shoots ya down!”
<DM> (hehe)
* Alanna wonders if the gnome is going to be squashed.
<Deorol> “Clown! Get that gnome outta my crow’s nest before I’se feed ya both to the sharks!”
*** Roamy has joined #greyhawk
*** Kys has joined #greyhawk
* Magnifico places a bag upon the deck.
<Roamy> ((sorry all wind storm bumped the power, may be a rough night around here))
<Magnifico> “Ladies fair, my captain calls–though why another fool is needed upon the deck is beyond me”!
* Magnifico gives himself another rim-shot, and stands waiting expectantly.
* Kys giggles.
<Kys> “See you later.”
* Kys smiles broadly.
<Magnifico> “Indeed, madam. Thous shalt not lack for foolery on this voyage.”
* Hyacinth calls out in a clear, singsong voice, “Come down, Obsidian! You must see our quarters!”
* Magnifico bows low, and again stands expectantly.
* Alanna hands him a silver for a tip, figuring that’s what he wants.
* Magnifico glances downward.
<Alanna> “Thank you…er, Magnifico.”
* Magnifico smiles sweetly–a rather horrid sight on such a twisted figure.
<Magnifico> “Madam, you have crowned me with silver! I shall requite, madam. I shall requite!”
<DM> (has obs gotten down yet?)
<Alanna> “Um…okay…”
* Magnifico races away to the main deck.
<Alanna> “Well, he’s, um…exotic, eh?”
* Alanna looks at the others.
* Hyacinth unfurls her parasol again, and watches, even more bemused.
<Hyacinth> “Exotic. Yes, that word is…appropriate.”
* Hyacinth taps her chin with a gloved finger.
<Kys> “Wonderful! And most unusual, yes.”
* Kys grins at the others.
<Alanna> (you know, I’m so paranoid any time we’re on water! I’m already waiting for the captain and crew to attack us!)
* Alanna looks unhappy.
* Magnifico scans the rigging for unauthorized gnomes.
<Alanna> “I hate the way the boat moves. I hate the way boats smell. And it’s always slightly damp on a boat.”
* Freedom takes off from Roamy’s arm, circles the ship a few times, then with a loud screech heads back toward Raven’s Bluff.
* Magnifico will do his best to charm Obsidian out of the rigging, if he can divine her reason for being there.
<Alanna> “Yuck.”
<DM> (has Obsidian gotten down yet?
<Alanna> “Have I mentioned that I hate water?”
<Alanna> (hopefully she has)
<Alanna> (is she AFK?)
<DM> (dunno)
<Phantom> (I’m trying to raise her but don’t know what’s going on-she’s at work)
* Roamy stows her things and settles in for a rest, as she is obviously not wanted topside, for now.
<DM> (She’s at work…I’ll assume Obsidian has gotten down from the crow’s nest.)
<Phantom> (I’ll tell her.)
* Alanna stows her gear and goes back on deck, since it seems marginally safer there than down here. She finds an out of the way place to sit and watches the activity, trying to keep her paranoia at bay.
* Magnifico conceals his silver coin in his shoe.
* Alanna marks that in her mind.
* Hyacinth sits by Alanna in quiet solidarity, and watches the rigging.
<DM> Raven’s Bluff quickly fades out of sight behind you, and you find yourself out on the open sea.. The water is fairly calm, a stiff wind blows up from the south, and you are making good time.
* Alanna chats with Hyacinth, about horses and the plains.
* Hyacinth is all about horses! She chats eagerly about that.
* Alanna actually knows a great deal about horses, having grown up among the horse tribes of the Shaar.
<DM> The day passes uneventfully, and the sun sets on the horizon, providing a beautiful display of color. Dinner consists of some fish stew and crusty bread, washed down with some mediocre ale.
*** LurkerAFK is now known as Lurker
<Alanna> (yeah, disaster is lurking not far ahead, I know it)
<Phantom> (wb Lynne)
* Alanna mutters about how much she detests fish, too…but quietly.
<Lurker> (thanks! <waves>)
* Kys offers to play for the crew and guests after the meal, if the captain will permit.
<DM> The captain eats in his private stateroom, so the crew would be happy for any entertainment.
<Magnifico> “Did someone say…..ENTERTAINMENT????”
* Kys strikes up a tune, hoping that Magnifico will join in
* Magnifico takes a cue from Kys’ jaunty tune, and launches into the thrilling tale of Pigrogromitus of the Vapians, and his passage through the equinoctial of Queubus.
* Hyacinth stirs her bread in the soup, to soften the crust, and watches the two entertainers.
* Magnifico voices every part himself.
* Obsidian goes out to fish when the sun drops
<DM> Kys plays impeccably.
<Magnifico> [plays what instrument?]
<Hyacinth> [pipe organ]
<DM> Kys plays the flute.
* Kys mixes her song with his tale if he permits it
* Alanna watches…with interest and curiosity.
<DM> (a beautifully engraved gold flute)
* Magnifico also plays occasionally upon an ordinary flute.
<Alanna> “His style is a bit different from Kys’.”
* Alanna watches and keeps an eye on the crew, wondering which is going to attack first.
* Roamy grins at Alanna’s paranoia.
* Hyacinth nods. “Perhaps, by voyage’s end, they will have a rapport.”
* Magnifico sidles up to Alanna, and launches into “Where Does My Love Wander?”
* Hyacinth giggles.
* Magnifico ’s voice is a clear tenor of professional timbre.
* Phantom is captivated by Magnifico’s voice.
<DM> Combined with Kys’ flute, it is quite a virtuoso performance. The crew is totally rapt.
* Magnifico throws a cue to Kys, and expertly modulates into “My Love to Sea Is Gone,” turning it into a sad lament.
* Alanna listens to the music, relaxing a bit–a very little bit.
<DM> Several of the crew nonchalantly wipe tears from their eyes.
<Alanna> “You know, this ale is awful.”
* Kys beams at the responses
<Alanna> “But the performance is good.”
* Roamy nods in agreement with Alanna.
* Magnifico wrings a few tears, then punctuates Kys’ playing with his own again.
* Hyacinth is composed, but listening raptly.
* Alanna leans back a bit, still scanning the room for trouble.
* Magnifico picks up the tempo, and is off into a major key. He adopts a comic Freeport accent, and begins “What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor?”
* Magnifico wants to leave the crew smiling.
<DM> The first night passes uneventfully, and so does the following day. The following evening has the crew begging for more of Kys and Magnifico.
* Obsidian returns to fishing and keeping watch.
* Kys happily obliges, and does a jig as well.
* Magnifico beats out a rhythm for Kys’ dance.
* Hyacinth laughs at Kys and Magnifico.
<Hyacinth> [Or, laughs *with* them...]
* Obsidian is not having much luck fishing.
<DM> You suddenly hear the alarm bell ring above decks.
* Phantom looks up, startled.
<Hyacinth> “Oh, bother.”
* Alanna is on her feet, drawing her sword as soon as the alarm sounds.
* Roamy jumps up and grabs her swords, sprinting up to the deck
<Alanna> “See, I tell you, sea…bad!”
* Hyacinth draws a knife from…somewhere, and heads for her quarters.
* Alanna wonders what horror awaits us above.
<DM> Above deck, the night sky is illuminated by a fireball streaking down from the heavens.
<DM> “Fire in the sky!” shouts the crewman in the crow’s nest
<Obsidian> “Protection from fire, anyone?”
<Alanna> “Yes, please!”
* Kys puts her flute away and prepares for battle, heading topside.
* Alanna smiles politely.
* Alanna moves forward, hoping to find something to fight.
* Obsidian begins to cast.
<Alanna> “Fireballs? Why is it always fireballs?”
* Phantom grabs her crossbow and follows Obsidian, as she also begins to cast.
<DM> The deck is awash with fresh water.
* Roamy looks to the sky for the source of the fireball.
* Alanna is very upset about this.
* Magnifico creeps up to the deck and peeks out, once the crew have gone to their stations.
* Alanna reminds all in the area that she hates boats!
* Hyacinth shields herself behind a slightly-open door and looks with her darkvision, ready to fire.
<DM> The fireball hurtles toward the near horizon, and strikes what appears to be a small island, setting a tree on fire.
* Alanna looks around to find a foe to fight.
* Hyacinth frowns, and tries to see from the patterns on the surface of the water whether the “island” is moving.
* Deorol orders the ship toward the island.
<Hyacinth> [She's looking for a bow wave, if it's coming for us, or a wake, if it's heading away]
<Deorol> “That be a meteor!”
<Alanna> “A what?”
<Deorol> “You know how much alchemists and armorers would pay for some meteor iron?!”
* Alanna still looks for something to strike with her sword.
<Alanna> “No. I don’t.”
* Alanna points at Obsidian.
<Alanna> “She probably does, though.”
* Hyacinth relaxes her bow, looking at the island curiously.
* Phantom nods, knowing how her wizard friends would love to have meteor iron.
<Deorol> “A pot o’ gold, they would.”
* Roamy sheaths her swords and looks to the island, slightly interested in this detour.
<Hyacinth> “So, your wizard has decided to smelt it here and now?”
<Deorol> “No…but when we get to Selgaunt., I’ll sell it!”
* Deorol thinks.
* Roamy looks to the captain and asks, “Is that island inhabited?”
* Deorol looks at the island and shrugs.
<Deorol> “Don’t know.”
* Hyacinth nods, still obviously curious.
<Deorol> “Hmm..only got a crew of six. You folks wouldn’t, ah… mind going and fetching it, now would ya?”
* Roamy grins.
<Roamy> “For a price, of course.”
<Deorol> “Well, o’ course..o’ course.”
<Phantom> “For our passage, I think, would be fair.”
<Deorol> “Deal!”
* Deorol spits in his palm, and offers it to Phantom.
<Lurker> (ew)
* Hyacinth shakes her head.
<Roamy> “Half the meteor’s value.”
* Alanna looks at Obsidian to see how she feels about this deal.
* Phantom looks to the others.
* Roamy looks firmly at the others, getting between the captain and Phantom.
* Alanna sheathes her sword, afraid that there will be no battle tonight.
* Alanna lets those with bargaining skills decide what the price is.
<Phantom> “I was just suggesting…”
<Deorol> “What? You ain’t welching on the deal already, are ya?”
* Hyacinth gives Roamy a nod.
<Alanna> “The deal has not been struck yet.”
* Alanna looks at the dwarven captain.
* Obsidian shrugs
* Roamy grins. “Then I guess you will have to go get it yourself, eh?”
* Deorol stomps his foot.
<Roamy> “We’ll watch the boat for you while you are gone, though.”
<Deorol> “Half is too much! I know the contacts to get it sold for the highest price. I’ll cut ya in for a quarter.”
* Phantom looks at Roamy questioningly.
<Roamy> “Half.”
<Deorol> “Forty percent.”
<Roamy> “Half.”
<Deorol> “OOOOOHHHHH!”
* Deorol clenches his fists and stomps his feet in frustration.
<Deorol> “Awright, awright!”
<Deorol> “But one o’ my men is going with ya.”
* Roamy shakes his hand.
* Deorol spits in his hand and shakes Roamy’s.
* Deorol looks around at his crew.
* Alanna wonders at this strange spitting thing.
* Obsidian nods.
<Deorol> “You! Georgie! Whatever yer name is…you go with ‘em.
*** Lurker is now known as Man
* Phantom swallows, and decides to keep her big mouth shut more often.
<Alanna> “Of course, it will be simple…go, get the meteor, come back and we’re on our way again.”
* Man walks over slowly.
* Hyacinth whispers an explanation of the spitting convention to Alanna.
* Alanna looks at this man who is being sent along with us.
* Man looks the dwarf up and down and says quietly, “Gregoire.”
* Alanna nods at Hy’s explanation.
<Deorol> “Clown, you go too. I trust you more than Georgie.”
<Alanna>( Oooh, now that’s a fancy name!)
*** Man is now known as Gregoire
* Gregoire raises an eyebrow at the dwarf.
<Gregoire> [description time?]
<Deorol> “Well ya are runnin’ from the law or somethin’, aren’t ya?”
* Gregoire chuckles. “Isn’t everyone, in one fashion or another?”
* Hyacinth has managed to keep a poker face through this entire exchange.
* Magnifico steps out onto the deck.
<Magnifico> “Indeed, sir! One finds that the law does not walk. A man might fairly run, and not keep to its windy side.”
<Kys> “If you are concerned, sir, I will stay.”
* Deorol grunts.
<Deorol> “You can stay if ya like.”
* Hyacinth gives Gregoire a quick once-over, taking stock of this new fellow.
* Gregoire is 6′3″ is tall and weighs 170 pounds. He is completely bald with no facial hair, and his skin is deeply tanned. The lack of hair and his habitually stern expression make it difficult to tell how old he actually is. He could be in his early 20’s, or he could be as old as 40. His clothes hang loosely on his large frame. It is as though the clothes were made for someone else, or perhaps he has lost a considerable amount of weight since he bought them. He wears a coarsely-woven beige linen shirt with an open neck and rolled-up sleeves. His homespun breeches are rolled up to the knees, and he is barefoot. His hands are calloused and crisscrossed with scars.
* Gregoire shrugs. “’Tis all the same to me. I will go with them…Captain.”
<Kys> “Well, I would rather go with my friends.”
<Deorol> “Then go–just make sure ya come back with the rock.”
<Magnifico> “A fool’s errand, indeed, my captain!”
* Magnifico bows.
<Deorol> “And you’re the man for the job.”
<Roamy> “If there is anything left of it, we will return with it.”
* Hyacinth excuses herself quickly while the others are debating, and walks swiftly to her quarters.
* Phantom looks at Gregoire, and decides he probably can hold his own if they run into trouble.
* Roamy goes and gathers her gear.
* Gregoire grabs a small bundle, extracts a pair of boots from it, and dons the boots.
* Kys gets her things also, as the captain didn’t seem to care and she would rather go.
* Deorol orders the lifeboat lowered.
* Phantom also gathers her gear, glad she didn’t unpack anything.
* Deorol orders several readied torches put in the lifeboat.
* Gregoire assists with lowering the boat.
* Alanna looks with interest at this new guy.
<Gregoire> (heh!)
* Phantom hurries Obsidian ahead of her.
* Obsidian moves.
* Roamy deftly climbs aboard the life boat, and settles in to help the others aboard.
<Deorol> “Be quick about it, now.”
* Hyacinth reappears in jet black leather armor, with black silk underneath and black hilts sticking out from various places. She hops into the boat to be lowered down.
<Roamy> “Quick as we can, sir.”
<DM> Everyone in the boat?
<Phantom> (yep)
<DM> (ya need two rowers)
* Gregoire blinks when he sees Hyacinth’s get-up, but his face quickly resumes its usual stern expression.
* Kys climbs aboard as well.
* Obsidian nods and puffs up her little air bladders.
* Gregoire climbs easily into the boat and picks up some oars.
* Magnifico arranges to sit near Alanna, crouching in the bottom of the boat rather than taking up bench space.
* Hyacinth ties her hair back, and tucks it under a black kerchief. Her expression is all business now, although there is a glint in her eyes.
* Hyacinth sits at the very front of the boat, bow ready.
* Phantom steps in last, settling in the back of the boat.
* Roamy looks to Alanna. “Row, or watch?”
<DM> The night is dark (only a quarter moon), but the sky is clear.
<Alanna> “I can row.”
* Alanna puts her considerable muscle into rowing.
* Gregoire waits for everyone to get settled before rowing.
* Deorol watches as you head away from the ship, toward the shoreline about a hundred yards away.
*** Deorol has left #greyhawk
<DM> It takes about ten minutes to reach the shore.
* Gregoire pulls off his boots, and wades alongside the boat.
<DM> (who’s got a torch?)
<DM> (those with lowlight or darkvision are fine)
<Obsidian> (no torch… fire ick.)
* Obsidian casts light.
<Magnifico> [do we want to announce ourselves?]
<Alanna> “Thanks for the light, Obsidian.”
<Roamy> “Sunstones will work too. I have some of those.”
<Alanna> “Well, I can’t see in the dark.”
<Obsidian> (you can cover it with a hand… *will cast on a coin*)
* Magnifico looks surprised at the light source.
* Gregoire brings the boat ashore and secures it so that it won’t be washed out to sea, then dons his boots and ties the small bundle to his waist.
* Hyacinth blinks and winces at the light.
<DM> Obsidian casts light, as good as a torch.
* Roamy disembarks as gracefully as possible, and helps the others out, trying to stay somewhat dry.
* Hyacinth covers the others from the boat, waiting until they are all near shore before she disembarks behind them.
<Roamy> (is the tree still ablaze?)
<DM> No…it has collapsed into a pile of embers.
* Phantom pulls out her lighted bone, and ties it to her belt.
* Gregoire walks slowly around the perimeter of the group, and peers off into the darkness.
* Roamy looks to the ground as they move inland, looking for tracks of any kind.
<DM> The island is forested with tall pines.
* Obsidian follows behind Roamy with her crossbow out.
<DM> There are hills at its center.
* Alanna falls into her usual spot in the marching order.
* Phantom follows Obsidian, also nocking a bolt in her crossbow.
* Hyacinth scowls at all the shadows, and tightens her grip on her bow.
* Gregoire takes up a spot near the rear.
* Kys stays close to Gregoire at the rear.
* Gregoire moves rather quietly for such a big man.
<Roamy> (can we tell fairly easily where the meteor probably went?)
<DM> Yeah, you can.
* Magnifico brings up the rear, having tucked away anything that might jingle.
* Alanna watches Gregoire and Magnifico, since she neither knows nor trusts them.
<Alanna> “What if it’s not a meteor, but some ugly, nasty creature?”
<DM> The impact point appears to be close to the island’s center, perhaps a quarter-mile in.
<Alanna> “Oh, never mind. We’ll kill it anyway.”
* Alanna smiles happily at the thought of slashing something to ribbons.
* Roamy heads as straight for it as the terrain will allow, attentive for wild life sounds, tracks, trails, etc.
* Hyacinth tucks herself into the shadow and…shadows the group.
<DM> It takes you about 45 minutes to reach the hill in the center of the island.
* Alanna walks easily, her long legs easily navigating most any terrain.
<DM> A large, freshly burned area blackens a circle at the base of the hill, and a depression about three feet deep, roughly twelve feet in diameter, can be spotted at the base of the hill.
<Alanna> “So, Gregoire, how did you come to be a sailor?”
<Alanna> (I hear wailing, I think that children’s hair is being washed.)
<Gregoire> “’Tis a job, like anything else.” (shrugs)
* Hyacinth is a silent, graceful shadow flitting across the landscape nearby. She peers around the perimeter of the crater.
<Alanna> “Well, you look worse for the wear, your clothing either borrowed or purchased when you were in better circumstances.”
* Gregoire raises an eyebrow at Alanna. “Observant one, aren’t you? How do you know I didn’t steal these clothes, then?”
<DM> The depression is empty, aside from the scorched earth.
<Alanna> “No one would steal rags. If you stole the clothing, it would be of better quality.”
* Gregoire chuckles. “But you know what they say about beggars…”
<Alanna> “You don’t have the look of a thief, but then, I do not know you.”
* Gregoire bows to Alanna.
* Roamy finds a place where something heavy was dragged away from the hole.
<Roamy> “Must have rained very recently, and the pine needles make it very difficult to see tracks.”
<Alanna> “I’ll bet this thing is going to be heavy. “
<Roamy> “Looks like someone or some thing beat us to it.”
* Phantom bends down, and looks for molten glass or rock.
<Alanna> “Someone took it already? Well, damn.”
* Alanna lets loose a string of Shaaran invective.
* Roamy checks the ground for tracks again.
<Obsidian> “Took it? You gotta be kidding.”
* Hyacinth smirks at the subject of the conversation. “Should we be surprised? It is a thing of obvious value.”
<Magnifico> “If the rock has already been stolen, then it must be of fine quality, indeed, as the lady says.”
* Phantom watches Alanna attentively.
<Magnifico> “Were it not worth stealing, then here it would lie, a-waiting for us to steal away with it.”
<Alanna> (AFK a moment)
<Roamy> “Stolen, ha! It was a gift from the sky, free for the taking.”
<Magnifico> “A toast, then, ladies, to the swifter thieves!”
<Roamy> “Well, the meteor looks to have been at least ten feet wide, and must have been very heavy, but the tracks beside it appear to be humanoid.”
* Gregoire comes nearer the crate, and peers in.
* Gregoire circles the crater.
* Gregoire clears his throat.
* Hyacinth looks for shards.
* Roamy looks to Gregoire
<Roamy> yes?
<Gregoire> “How likely is it that someone could have actually made off with this rock before we got here? They would’ve had to be right next to it, and even so, they would still be working on it.”
<Phantom> Not likely, I think, Gregoire.”
<Roamy> “But it is gone.”
* Phantom nods.
* Hyacinth taps her chin thoughtfully, and starts digging at the center of the crater.
<Hyacinth> “How odd. I agree that it cannot have gotten far.”
<Phantom> “What do you see, Hyacinth?”
<Hyacinth> “Nothing but dirt.”
<Magnifico> “Odd, indeed, madam, that the treasure should fall into the wrong hands.”
<Roamy> “Not our hands, but we know not that it is in the wrong hands.”
<Magnifico> “That is more than I know, and more than my own mother would allow, madam.”
<Alanna> (back for now, at least)
<Phantom> “It wouldn’t hurt to see who snatched it.”
<Roamy> “We should go back to the ship.”
<Phantom> “We’re here, anyway.”
<Roamy> “The claimants have rights to it.”
<Phantom> “I’ll not fight genuine claimants, but what if it was taken by evil creatures?”
<Gregoire> “I’ve not known the dwarf for long, but believe me when I say that you do not want to go back to the ship empty-handed.”
* Gregoire takes off his boots, and begins to walk around the crater barefoot, and then ventures inside it.
<Alanna> “Why not? If someone else got to it before us, well, that is simply one of the things that sometimes happen.”
* Alanna sighs.
* Hyacinth gives a start, and looks for a vantage point to see if their boat is still there.
<DM> Hy can’t see the boat for all the trees in the way.
* Roamy watches, curious what the man is thinking.
<Gregoire> “This ground is cool already.”
<Alanna> “Well, the island is not that large. “
<Phantom> “It shouldn’t be hard to follow that path, and they won’t have gotten far.”
<Alanna> “Come on then. Roamy, any idea which way to go?”
<Phantom> “I vote to follow this drag-path.”
<Alanna> (are there drag marks?)
<DM> There are.
<Phantom> “Just to see who has it, and what is is, for sure.”
* Kys watches Gregoire and the area closely, flute and crossbow at the ready.
<Hyacinth> “We should hurry, lest they steal our boat to leave.”
<Gregoire> (where is the drag path?)
<Gregoire> “Shall I return to the boat to make sure it is not stolen?”
* Alanna moves along with the group, hoping that at very least there’s something to fight to make it a worthwhile detour.
* Hyacinth steps into a shadow and starts following the path.
<Phantom> “Someone should guard it, if there are others here.”
<Alanna> “No. If they are here, they likely have their own boat.”
* Hyacinth ’s voice comes from a shadow, “True.”
* Gregoire nods and puts his boots back on, then takes up a position at the end of the marching order.
<Phantom> “I am surprised we didn’t see another boat, but it may be on the other side of the island.”
* Hyacinth tries to remain up front, unseen.
<DM> (following the drag-path to the west?)
<Hyacinth> [Yes]
<Alanna> “They can’t be moving all that fast, dragging the thing. Should be easy enough to catch up to them!”
* Obsidian follows.
* Phantom follows.
* Roamy sighs and follows the path, ready to draw swords at need.
* Gregoire is keeping an eye to either side and to the rear as he walks along. He is apparently unarmed.
<DM> You go west, following the base of the hill, for about 50 yards, where you come to a cave. The sound of hammering–like hammer on anvil–emanates from within the cave.
* Gregoire nods slowly.
* Kys remains near the rear as well, her usual position feeling most comfortable to her
* Hyacinth smiles to herself, and sneaks up to the cave entrance, trying to be quiet and in shadow.
* Phantom hopes Hy is good at stealthily finding out what’s going on
<Magnifico> “How fortunate that iron should fall from the sky, a stone’s throw from a smithy.”
<DM> The cave goes back about 50 feet, then turns east and out of sight. The hammering continues.”
* Gregoire says quietly, “Indeed.”
* Phantom puts her finger to her lips.
* Roamy remains close enough to Hy to give aid, but far enough not to give her away, moving as stealthily as possible.
* Hyacinth gives an all clear signal, and waves people up.
* Hyacinth makes the international symbol for QUIET.
<DM> The cave entrance is wide enough to fit three abreast. What is the marching order, please?
* Gregoire will stay in the back.
* Magnifico will guard the rear…a loooong way back.
* Phantom stays near Gregoire and Kys
<Roamy> (We will let Hy scout ahead, and perhaps Obs if she is quiet enough)
<DM> Which three are up front?
* Hyacinth will take point, then.
<Roamy> (Then Alanna and I next)
<Alanna> (Sounds good.)
* Obsidian can be quiet.
* Obsidian casts group invisibility.
* Hyacinth blends into the shadows on the eastern wall of the cave, and sneaks forward to the turn.
<Roamy> (Obs and Hy can duck back behind us if necessary.)
<DM> Okay.
* Phantom casts upon herself.
* Alanna watches for things to whack with her sword.
* Alanna is not all that quiet as a rule.
<DM> Obsidian fades away.
<DM> The hammering drowns out any noise you make.
* Roamy muses that these folks are very strong to have dragged the thing so quickly.
<DM> The cave turns east for about forty feet and opens into a large cavern. A dozen male humanoid creatures surround a (dented) 10×10x10-foot cube. About a dozen more females sit with children around them, watching the males hammer at the cube with stone mallets.
<DM> (Lemme give you a description of these critters…)
<Gregoire> (ut oh)
* Phantom casts quietly toward the creatures.
<DM> They are muscular, and stand just under 6′ tall (for the males). Their skin is a dark leathery grey, and they have stringy black hair. The most striking thing, though, is that their eye sockets have no eyes.
<Alanna> (A cube?)
<Gregoire> (And here I was hoping for kobold-sized critters.)
<DM> They seem totally concerned about the cube, and are oblivious to you.
* Phantom whispers: “They are indeed evil creatures!”
<Alanna> “Ugh.”
* Hyacinth wrinkles her nose at the appearance of the things.
* Alanna prepares to attack when necessary.
<DM> Their hammer strikes don’t seem to so much as scratch the cube.
* Hyacinth whispers, “They are many, and strong. What shall we do?”
<Alanna> “Um…I dunno. I’m sure we can take them, though.”
<Phantom> “I know this–we must not let them use the meteor iron.”
<Gregoire> “Why is that”? [said very quietly]
<Hyacinth> “They appear incapable of affecting the thing at all.”
* Hyacinth is always whispering.
* Roamy motions to Kys, and lays her hands on her head in a sleeping fashion.
<Gregoire> (will that thing even fit in the lifeboat, Scott?)
<Alanna> “I know little of ‘meteors’, but how did it come to be that shape?”
<DM> (ya but not with all of you.. you’ll have to make two trips)
<Hyacinth> (And is it shaped like a certain elf?)
* Kys moves forward and looks at them, considering.
* Hyacinth nocks an arrow and hugs the wall.
<Gregoire> (Do they have any weapons other than the mallets?)
<DM> Battleaxes are stuck into their crude leather belts.
* Phantom moves up beside Kys, quietly ready to cast on those who don’t respond to Kys’ spell.
<Kys> (Any way i can empower or increase my spell to affect more than one at a time?)
<DM> (yes kys, you can use the widen option, which will double the 5 foot radius of the spell)
<Alanna> We should try not to harm the females and children.
<Phantom> “But making them sleep is fine.”
<Alanna> “I have an idea.”
* Gregoire turns to look at Alanna.
* Hyacinth looks attentive.
<Alanna> “Let’s just ask them for the cube. Never hurts to ask.”
<Phantom> “I don’t think that is a good idea.”
<Hyacinth> “Have we something to trade? Something…sparkly, perhaps? Shiny?”
<Roamy> “Evil creatures rarely negotiate, especially ones without eyes.”
* Hyacinth is dubious, but considering.
<Gregoire> (Gregoire’s skull?)
<DM> (hehe
<Hyacinth> (Heh)
<Hyacinth> “I shall have to defer to your wisdom, Roamy.”
* Hyacinth smiles wryly.
<DM> So, whatcha gonna do?
<Alanna> “But we can’t simply attack them. Really, we should wait to see what they do.”
* Kys takes aim at the biggest and meanest looking ones, ready to cast at the others’ readiness.
<Alanna> “Give me a chance, okay?”
* Alanna looks at the others.
* Hyacinth nods to Alanna.
* Alanna steps forward, away from the group.
<Roamy> “If kys can simply put them to sleep, then perhaps no fight will be needed.”
<Alanna> (Well, get that ready!)
* Alanna calls out to the group of creatures.
<Alanna> “Any of you speak Common?”
* Phantom takes aim in the middle of the ones Kys isn’t targeting.
* Gregoire curls his hands into fists.
<DM> The creatures turn away from the cube with a start, and “look” toward Alanna.
* Alanna looks at them, her sword drawn but not in a threatening posture.
* Hyacinth offers Gregoire a dagger, hilt first.
* Gregoire inclines his head in thanks and takes the dagger.
*** Chieftain has joined #greyhawk
* Gregoire passes his hand over the blade and tests the dagger’s weight. He nods approvingly.
* Phantom stands next to Kys, ready to cast as soon as Kys does.
<Alanna> “So, what are you doing with this thing?”
* Hyacinth nods to Gregoire.
<DM> The biggest one answers Alanna in broken Common.
<Chieftain> “We find. We open.”
<Alanna> “Why?”
<Chieftain> “You take, we kill. It ours.”
<Alanna> “Now, we came looking for it as well. Can we trade you something for it?”
<DM> The other males draw their axes threateningly.
* Roamy steps up with Alanna, swords drawn as well.
<Roamy> “Perhaps we can help you.”
<Chieftain> “What trade?”
<Alanna> “Trade. We do a service for you, or give you something in exchange for this….thing.”
<Phantom> “That thing is not a meteorite.” (Phantom hisses softly to her friends)
<Alanna> “Barter…um…”
<Chieftain> “What trade?”
* Gregoire looks at Phantom. “What is it?” he whispers out the side of his mouth.
<Alanna> “What are your people in need of?”
* Kys whispers to phantom, “Is the cube evil?”
* Phantom shrugs her shoulders. “Just not a meteorite.”
* Hyacinth nods to Phantom. “I thought it odd that a rock should be such a perfect cube.”
* Chieftain points to Magnifico.
<Chieftain> “He look tasty.”
<Roamy> “No.”
<Alanna> “No. He’s stringy, and won’t taste good at all.”
* Magnifico tries to look untasty.
* Hyacinth tries to keep her tender elven self out of sight.
<Chieftain> “Ogrash make good.”
* Phantom casts quietly on the cube.
<Alanna> “No. Not one of us..but do you need food? Clothing? Shiny things?”
<Chieftain> “Need food.” *points at Magnifico again*
* Phantom whispers: “No, the cube is not evil. But it’s not a meteorite.”
<Alanna> “We can’t give you him!”
* Alanna sounds a bit frustrated.
* Magnifico pulls out a flute, and begins to tweetle a bit.
<Alanna> He would give you indegestion.
<Magnifico> “Indeed, madam, I excel at that.”
* Chieftain looks at Alanna curiously.
* Alanna looks at him.
* Gregoire makes a soft choking sound.
<Alanna> What manner of creature are you, if you don’t mind my asking?
* Kys looks to Gregoire.
* Gregoire returns Kys’ glance, inclines his head at the clown, and rolls his eyes.
<Magnifico> “Of very ill manner, I’ll warrant.”
<DM> Alanna, make a bargain or charm check (your choice)…see how much sway you have over the chieftain.
<Alanna> (I think I am equally sucky at both.)
* Kys plays her flute to improve Alanna’s chances.
* Magnifico plays along with Kys.
<Chieftain> “What shiny things?”
* Chieftain looks at Alanna.
<Alanna> “Well, is there something you need? Fishing nets? Help with…something?”
* Alanna smiles as she looks for the right words.
* Phantom touches Alanna and casts.
<Chieftain> “We no fish. We hunt.”
<Alanna> “All right. Can you think of anything you need?”
<Roamy> “Better ways to trap your prey?”
* Chieftain points to Alanna’s big sword.
* Alanna looks at her sword.
<Alanna> “No.”
<Chieftain> “Yes.”
<Alanna> “It is of my family, it was borne by my father, my brother, many of my ancestors.”
* Hyacinth mutters, “This is not going well. I would negotiate, but we have nothing they want that we are willing to give up.”
<Alanna> “I cannot give it up.”
* Chieftain points to Roamy’s big sword.
* Hyacinth thinks.
* Roamy shakes her head.
* Phantom looks at her own crossbow.
<Roamy> “I can teach you some trapping or hunting skills, perhaps make big game easier to catch.”
<Chieftain> “we know hunt. No teach.”
* Hyacinth looks through her weapons…all small blades, and her bow.
* Magnifico comes to stand beside Alanna.
* Gregoire holds out the dagger, hilt first, to Hyacinth.
<Magnifico> “Lady, if our hosts wish to eat, it may be that I can cook for them.”
<Alanna> “Do we have any extra weapons along? A bow perhaps? We can replace normal weapons easily enough when we reach the city.”
* Hyacinth holds up her hand. “You may need that yet. I have what I need. I am thinking of what I may have worth bartering.”
<Alanna> “But not my sword.”
* Hyacinth clutches her bow.
* Phantom hands Alanna her bow.
* Alanna offers the bow to the chieftain, adding her own for good measure.
* Phantom feels slightly sick to her stomach at the thought of bartering it away.
<Alanna> “How about these?”
<Chieftain> “How use?”
<Alanna> “Roamy and Phantom can teach you.”
* Alanna points to Roamy and Phantom.
<Alanna> “It allows you to kill things that are farther away.”
<Phantom> “Better to show them how to make their own simpler bows from trees and animal skins.”
* Chieftain grunts.
* Magnifico begins singing “The Magic Soup.”
<Alanna> “You guys are in charge of bow making and stuff like that. Too bad Jela isn’t here; she could make their axes better.”
<Chieftain> “We take killing-thing-from-afar.”
<Phantom> How is it you have no eyes? Can you see in the light?
<Chieftain> “Want more.”
* Alanna offers her two daggers
<Chieftain> “We see noise.”
<Alanna> “Really? That is interesting.”
<Phantom> “Have you always been this way?”
* Chieftain nods.
* Magnifico winks at Kys, and twists the words into “The Magic Soupstone.”
* Hyacinth sneaks out to the edge of the cave, and tries to see if there is any game to shoot nearby.
<Chieftain> what more have?
* Magnifico steps forward to greet the Chief.
* Phantom watches, ready to cast.
<Magnifico> “More than that, Your Odorousness! All you could want to fill your belly!”
* Kys accompanies him on the song.
* Chieftain looks at Magnifico.
<Chieftain> “You feed…good! Get in pot.”
<Magnifico> “I can see that you need more than such a snack as these poor bones would provide.”
* Magnifico dances just out of the chieftain’s easy reach.
<Chieftain> “What more have?”
* Magnifico reaches down and picks up a stone.
* Phantom whispers to Magnifico “See if you can get him to just accept your soupstone.”
<Magnifico> “Did you not know, sir, that you sit upon a veritable wealth in soupstones?”
* Chieftain watches Magnifico warily.
<Chieftain> “Sit on soup?”
* Alanna watches with some disapproval.
<Magnifico> “Indeed, your fair isle is well known in legend.”
* Phantom is sorely worried about possibly losing her crossbow.
* Alanna thinks about what she has on the boat.
* Kys winks at Alanna
<Chieftain> What leg…leg..end?”
<Alanna> (Phantom, we’ll get you a new crossbow.)
<Magnifico> “Not just any soup, sir! The finest, flavored with all your favorite ingredients!”
* Magnifico sings the tale of magic soup that comes from stones.
* Gregoire is casually sizing up the creatures and the room.
<Chieftain> “How make?”
<Magnifico> “Have you a pot of water, sir?”
* Chieftain says something in another language, and two women bring over a rusty cauldron. It is half-full of dirty water.
* Phantom winks and smiles at the children looking their way.
<Magnifico> “Ah, perhaps a pot of fresh water would be more to your royal taste?”
* Magnifico continues singing the virtues of magic soup that satisfies all hungers.
<Chieftain> “Is fresh! Got yesterday.”
<Magnifico> “Surely, sir, the women will do better than that to please you? Or do you not rule them?”
* Hyacinth sneaks back to take her place against the east wall, right before the bend. Her face is unreadable.
* Chieftain looks indignant.
<Chieftain> “I rule all.”
* Magnifico beams.
<Magnifico> “Just as did the king in the song, in the very verse I was about to sing.”
* Chieftain says something to the women, and they leave with the cauldron, returning after a moment with clean water in it.
* Kys plays sweetly in accompaniment.
* Magnifico bows to the chieftain.
<Magnifico> “Indeed, Your Barbarousness, they leap at your command.”
* Hyacinth leans her head back against the stone and closes her eyes, thinking hard.
* Chieftain nods
<Alanna> “Sir Chieftain.”
* Chieftain turns to Alanna.
* Magnifico presents the chieftain with the stone.
<Alanna> How about a sharpening stone and some oil to hone your axes?
<Magnifico> “You, sir, being a man of taste, will best wield the magic within your stones.”
* Alanna pulls out her whetstone and some oil and rags.
* Chieftain nods to Alanna
<Chieftain> “Yes…good…with thing-that-kills-from-afar.”
<Alanna> “I can show you how to put a very sharp edge on your axes.”
<Hyacinth> ['the magic within your stones' indeed. ROFL]
<Gregoire> (heh!)
<Magnifico> [heh]
<Alanna> “Do you know how to use this?”
* Alanna asks the Chieftain.
* Chieftain nods at Alanna, and mimes a scraping motion.
* Alanna hands him the whetstone and her flasks of oil.
<Chieftain> “Yes, stone that make axe cut good. And soup.”
* Alanna also hands over the rags.
<Gregoire> (I’m just waiting to see what title he calls the chieftain next.)
<Magnifico> “The very thing, sir! Wonderful soup.”
<Kys> “Oh yes, magnificent soup.”
<Magnifico> “We would ask only that when we have satisfied, that you allow us to take one of your rocks along with us, that the tale of your isle grow ever larger.”
<Chieftain> “Now make soup!”
<Magnifico> “I, being no king, will not do so well, sir, as you will”.
<Chieftain> “Ogrash know many things.”
* Magnifico bows again.
<Magnifico> “If you would, sir, please place the stone in the pot.”
* Chieftain takes the stone, and places it in the pot of water.
* Chieftain sniffs the cauldron.
<Magnifico> “And the tale of Ogrash is born, ladies and gentlemen!”
<Chieftain> “No smell good.”
* Magnifico continues playing, improvising another verse.
<Magnifico> “Well, sir, the soup will take an hour or more to cook.”
* Phantom mumbles something about smelling like rotten meat.
<Chieftain> “You wait…when soup done, you go.”
<Roamy> “Yes we leave with box in trade for the things we have given.”
* Hyacinth nods glumly to herself. “I knew that was coming.”
* Gregoire murmurs, “But if he makes it all about the king and how special he is, then the king will have to make good soup.”
* Hyacinth nods, and sneaks back to the entrance.
<Magnifico> “Perhaps your taste is more refined even than I have guessed? Would you, sir, like even more flavor? Even more savor?”
<Chieftain> “Ogrash have good taste. Want more taste.”
<Magnifico> “Have you within your realm any of the root we commoners call the onion?”
<Chieftain> “On.. yon?”
<Magnifico> “It is ambrosia, sir! Just the thing to add the perfect touch to your magic soup!”
* Gregoire murmurs, “It’s too bad he’s too smart to fall for the cube messing up the taste.”
* Chieftain calls one of the females over, and she brings a few wild garlic.
* Magnifico clutches his chest and gasps.
<Magnifico> “Can it be? Can it truly be?”
<Magnifico> “King Ogrash is mighty indeed! The garlic grows in his land!”
* Chieftain grins.
<Chieftain> “Me make grow good.”
* Gregoire mumbles, “Should we all look impressed?”
<Magnifico> “Look you, gentles all! King Ognash will be the first to put garlic in the magic soup!”
* Alanna looks at the others, kind of at a loss at this time.
<Kys> “What else wondrous do you grow, sir?”
* Phantom tries to look awed.
* Chieftain puts the garlic in the soup, and tastes it.
<Chieftain> “Mm…better much.”
<Magnifico> “Indeed, sir, your land is fertile beyond the dreams of mean! What other wonders do you grow on your island?”
<Magnifico> roll -1
<Magnifico> [hot dang!]
* Alanna looks at the cube, trying to figure out how we’re going to move the thing.
<Chieftain> “Me like soup rock. Me take rock, and rock that make axe cut, and rags. You take rest.”
<Alanna> “Thank you.”
* Gregoire blinks.
* Phantom sighs a silent little whistle as she takes back the crossbow.
* Alanna bows slightly .
<Magnifico> “Indeed, sir We will tell the world of King Ogrash!”
* Chieftain calls his clan around to taste the soup
<Chieftain> “Magic soup!”
* Roamy nods to Alanna, and moves to the box to see if they can lift it or drag it themselves.
<Magnifico> “Who here will not remember the King’s soup?”
* Alanna gathers the others to try to get this thing out before they wise up!
* Gregoire moves forward, his manner very casual.
<Alanna> (afk a moment)
<DM> The crate is fairly heavy, but 4 could carry it all right.
* Magnifico begins playing dramatically.
* Hyacinth bites her lip, hard, and walks back to see if the others need what feeble strength she can lend.
* Gregoire takes a corner, and waits for the signal to lift.
* Kys helps as the others heft the box.
* Magnifico looks about for another “soupstone.”
* Magnifico bows to the chieftain.
<DM> The grimlocks are all preoccupied with the magic soup, and leave you to your means.
<Magnifico> “Hail, King Ogrash of the Questionable Odor!”
* Chieftain puffs out his chest.
* Phantom bows with the others as she helps carry out the cube.
* Kys moves to lend a hand.
<Magnifico> “Let this day be writ large in memory! Tell your children! Tip your waitress!”
* Chieftain grunts at Magnifico.
<DM> You get the cube out of the cave.
*** Chieftain has left #greyhawk
<Gregoire> “What in the Nine Hells is this thing?”
* Alanna wonders what the thing is, and how much bad luck it’s going to bring us.
* Kys heads for the boat as fast as possible.
<Phantom> “Not natural, I think.”
<Roamy> “But quite interesting.”
* Hyacinth is appropriately somber until they’re far away from the cave.
<Alanna> “Now, what on earth possessed me to talk rather than fight? That is not at all like me.”
* Magnifico sidles up to Alanna.
<Magnifico>” I would have you live unbruised, my lady.”
<Phantom> “And they were indeed evil, but what would their dependents have done on this forsaken isle had we killed the men?”
<Gregoire> “Just so. One wonders who might have sent it. Or who else might be looking for it.”
<DM> There is a plate about six inches square on one side of the cube. Looks like a panel of some sort.
<Hyacinth> “I can only imagine what it is.”
* Alanna looks at the plate and boosts Obsidian up to take a closer look at it.
<Roamy> “Let’s get it back to the boat before we go speculating.”
<Hyacinth> “I must say, good fool, that I am awed by the wisdom of your foolery. I would never have thought to sell them one of their own rocks.”
<Kys> “It was wonderfully done, Magnifico.”
<Magnifico> “They have learned the wisdom, madam, of being happy with what they have.”
<Hyacinth> “That must be why it would never have occurred to me. I have never met a nobleman of whom I could say such a thing.”
<DM> You make it back to the lifeboat.
<Gregoire> “What will the captain make of this?”
<Alanna> “Now, if we load the cube first, will the boat return for us? Or will the captain try to get the whole price by abandoning us?”
<Hyacinth> “We don’t load the cube first.”
<Alanna> I’ll stay to guard it.
<Gregoire> “I do not know the captain all that well, but I can guarantee you that he would abandon you without a second thought.”
<Hyacinth> “I guessed as much.”
<Phantom> “Right, and I’ll stay to help guard it.”
<Gregoire> “And my advice would also be to take a few minutes here to examine it.”
* Phantom nods and looks carefully at the cube.
<Hyacinth> “I will go, then. Anyone else? Magnifico? Roamy?”
<Gregoire> (How many will fit on the lifeboat if the cube is on it?)
<DM> (2)
* Phantom looks for secret doors, cracks and such.
<Magnifico> “Look then to be well edified, when the fool delivers the mail.”
* Hyacinth grins.
* Gregoire circles the cube, passing a hand lightly across its surface.
<Phantom> “There is that one panel–see?”
* Alanna looks at the six-inch panel.
* Phantom points it out.
* Alanna touches it.
* Gregoire stops beside Phantom.
* Hyacinth hastens over to look, at the mention of a panel.
<Phantom> “Get back, and I’ll try to open it.”
<DM> The panel slides up, revealing a lever (it is currently in the UP position).
* Alanna pulls the lever down.
<Gregoire> “Well, well, well.”
* Alanna then says, “Oh, sorry!”
* Phantom motions the others to move back.
* Hyacinth steps back. “Better here than aboard the ship, I suppose.”
* Alanna looks at the others.
<DM> One side of the cube falls to the ground.
<Alanna> “Well it will be easier to carry this way.”
<Phantom> “Oh!”
* Kys hurriedly looks inside.
* Gregoire looks inside.
* Alanna looks, wondering what horrible fate is about to be ours.
* Hyacinth has an arrow ready. “What is it?”
<DM> The inside of the cube is dark, but moments after it opens you hear a clattering noise, followed by a series of strange whirrs, clinks and kaboinks.
* Phantom stands ready to cast, should anything awful emerge.
<Gregoire> (kaboinks? )
<DM> A lopsided metal creature staggers out of the cube and walks unsteadily down the ramp.
<Phantom> “It truly detected non-evil.”
<Hyacinth> (Does it detect non-Gnomish?)
* Alanna looks at it.
<DM> The construct stands about 3 feet tall, and bears an uncanny resemblance to a gnome.
<Magnifico> [oh, great...war of the worlds]
<Gregoire> (A modron?)
* Phantom looks over at Obsidian.
* Hyacinth faces the not-gnome. “Do you speak?” She tries in several languages.
<Alanna> (I’ve got to go…kid barfing…got to clean up!)
<Hyacinth> “How curious! How curious indeed!”
<Alanna> (Sorry!)
<Alanna> (Later!)
*** Alanna has quit IRC
<DM> (ack ok
<Phantom> (We’ve lost two now.)
<DM> Actually, let’s call it here. I suppose our resident gnome should also be in on this.
<Kys> ((ah the joys of parenthood — giggles))
<Hyacinth> [Yeah, 'spose so. :)]
*** Magnifico is now known as John
*** Hyacinth is now known as James
<DM> twas fun guys!!
<Phantom> Ya, Obs will probably want to talk to it
<John> That was fun!
<Phantom> Ya, it WAS fun!
<James> Definitely. Change of pace! Nicely done, John!
<DM> nice job by all =)
<Kys> great session all!! Thanks Scott!!
<Phantom> Good seeing you again, John and Lynne
<Gregoire> Good game, y’all!
<James> Indeed.
<John> Great to game with you all.
<Gregoire> Likewise!
<Phantom> Fun playing with all of you!
<DM> have a great week, cya next monday.. and klooge will be back, yay!
*** Gregoire is now known as Lynne
<James> Yay!
<Lynne> I like crossdressing. 
<Kys> have a great week all
<John> What’s up with Disney blocking you?
<Kys> nighters
<James> It’s fun, isn’t it?
*** Kys has quit IRC
*** Roamy has quit IRC
<DM> dunnop
<Phantom> Nighters guys! : )
<DM> 6667 is defnitely blocked tho
<James> Night!
<DM> definitely
<DM> night james
<John> Good night!
<DM> night cheryl
*** Phantom has quit IRC
<James> A lot of trojans and viruses use IRC.
<DM> ah maybe that is it then
<James> They might be blocking bots.
<Lynne> Aha.
<DM> Nice job there by Magnifico, John! He and Kys will make a potent pair.
<John> They didn’t tell you they were blocking?
<John> Gonna be fun. Been many years since I tried a jester.
<Lynne> I loved the way you played that chieftain, Scott. He was a riot!
<DM> no.. it’s one of those hotel internet things
<John> Lotta fun.
<James> Yeah, Hy felt stupid. All that diplomatic training, and she couldn’t think of anything to say!
<DM> just give em your credit card and you get 24 hours worth of internet
<John> Oh, yeah, you’re on vacation.
<DM> Ya i’m at disney
<John> Doing what?
<DM> just taking it easy, really
<James> Definitely anti-bot, then. All kinds of awful things happen when you let random peoples’ notebooks onto your network.
<John> Tell me about it.
<DM> i’m gonna run.. the bar closes at midnight and i need my margarita fix
<Lynne> Have fun!
<John> Heh.
<James> Later! GG Scott!
<Lynne> I should get to bed, too.
<John> Good night!
<Lynne> Thanks, Scott!!!
<DM> later guys!
*** Disconnected
Session Close: Mon May 16 23:02:34 2005
