The Defenestration of Hawklor

[zmflavius]

As my other RP is a bit inactive right now, I'm starting this new one. If GodofPride comp. gets fixed anytime soon though, I still will be handling both.

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Conirinn jumped out of bed and put on his armor as soon as he heard the shouts. Something was happening in town.

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As he headed towards the center of town, he saw three the members of the town council, lying in a large pile of excrement.
"What happened?"
"There was an emergency town council meeting..."
"And I wasn't invited why? As head of the town militia, I by right should be allowed to attend!"
"Well as you can see, only three people were there, maybe it was nothing, but who could have done it?"

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Eventually, it was discovered that the purpose of the robbery had evidently been theft, specifically, the theft of a cloudy green gemstone from Tala, a town council member. She had carried the gemstone with her as the centerpiece of a locket she always wore, at least, until tonight, when it had been pried off the locket.

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At this particular moment, a slightly inebriated adventurer was stepping out of the Stoneback Tavern, only to be immediately volunteered into the search for the gemstone.

"Huh? I get gold, exp, and maybe a few ATs? Ok, sure."

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This RP takes place directly before the events of A Modest Proposal, and also assuming that the events in A Modest Proposal never occurred.

[thingirl]

That adventures' name was Alanne. She and her sister, Myrenne, had been heading to Axepath Cemetery to bash a few skeletons. However, with the prospect of ATs, they decided to help.

(If you don't want Myrenne, just say.)

[zmflavius]

Immediately, one of the council members, an extremely twitchy fellow called Baro explained that Tala had recently acquired a locket made of some strange black stone with a green gemstone in the center of it. It had apparently been given to her by the new stablehand at the Hawklor stables. Recently however, the stone had been pried off the locket and the thief had disappeared into the night, though the tracks of the thief were still visible.

[thingirl]

The girls followed the tracks into the woods.

[zmflavius]

The tracks wove through the woods over hill and dale, but heading in a generally eastern direction. The thief had made some attempts to hide his tracks, but they were pretty pathetic, and would be discernible to even a journeyman woodsperson. Soon, however, the two came to an area where they could find no trace of his tracks.

[thingirl]

Myrenne spoke: "So, what do we do now?"
"Well, he obviously used some sort of magic. But I don't think it was him who used it."
"Unless he is really bad at hiding his tracks, but really good at magic."
"Good point. Anyway, let's look for some sign of magic use."

(Before you ask, I'm looking up Myrenne's profile now.
EDIT: Got it: Myrenne (http://www.sryth.com/ci.php?f_c=pcp.inc&f_i=11ada4cxce196d7cc))

[zmflavius]

Eventually, the pair found signs of magic use. There were ten or twelve large blast marks in a large elm tree nearby, which went from around one foot above the ground to the top of the tree. It was clear that the thief had liberally used destruction on the tree.

[thingirl]

"Myrenne, there's defiantly something that he doesn't want us to see about this tree."
"I agree. Let's see if we can figure it out."

(Combined Woodsmanship = 80 + 69 = 149. Combined Thievery = 80 + 68 = 148.)

[zmflavius]

They weren't really able to find out anything special about the tree (honestly, if there was anything special about it, it would have been burned off). However, they did find some faint footprints on the inside of the holes.

[thingirl]

(Boy, am I stupid. He climbed the tree.)

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get up that tree." Alanne proceeded to use Elementalism (level 73) to summon an air elemental that lifted them up into the branches.

[zmflavius]

From up in the tree, you eventually trace him to the river Trynd. There are signs of a boat pick-up here, indicating that this was not an opportunistic grab, but rather a planned theft.

[thingirl]

(Wait, they're in Southern Tysa. Fine...)

"Well sis, should we report to Corrinin?"
"Well, yes, I think. One of us should anyway. Myrenne, you go. And ask him and Lady Tala about that gemstone. I'm beginning to think that there's more to this stone than meets the eye..."

They both used their powers of Gateing to open portals to their destinations, The River Trynd (at the spot of the boat) for Alanne and Hawklor for Myrenne.

[zmflavius]

Alanne already is at the shore of the River Trynd.

[thingirl]

Alanne was about to open a portal, but then noticed that it would be quicker to walk. So, she opened a portal for her sister instead. (To Hawklor)

[zmflavius]

Alanne was about to open a portal, but then noticed that it would be quicker to walk. So, she opened a portal for her sister instead. (To Hawklor)

At the River Trynd:
Alanne noted that the boat could have headed southward, to Tryndmoor, or northward towards Moonlyre Lake and eventually Trithik.

At Hawklor:

Conirinn, having heard the story, proposed sending a group of militia to the place where the boat had been launched and seeing if they could figure out where the boat was going.

[thingirl]

Myrenne:

"Alanne is already there. And knowing her, a little help doesn't hurt. But what I want to know is what exactly the Gem is."

Alanne:

Alanne tried to use Divination to tell which way the boat went.

[zmflavius]

Myrenne:

"Alanne is already there. And knowing her, a little help doesn't hurt. But what I want to know is what exactly the Gem is."

Alanne:

Alanne tried to use Divination to tell which way the boat went.

"Well...I'm not too sure. You might want to ask Tala about that. Thing is, I don't know where she is. She hasn't been seen around the village these past few hours."

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The boat went southward, in the direction of Tryndmoor.

[thingirl]

"Thanks anyway." Myrenne left the council building and was on the street. She asked a passing villager if he has seen Tala. When he said that he hadn't, she used divination to try to locate her.

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Alanne marked the ground so that when Myrenne came back, she would know which way the boat went. She then used her Elementalism to summon a water elemental so that she could follow the boat.

[zmflavius]

"Thanks anyway." Myrenne left the council building and was on the street. She asked a passing villager if he has seen Tala. When he said that he hadn't, she used divination to try to locate her.

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Alanne marked the ground so that when Myrenne came back, she would know which way the boat went. She then used her Elementalism to summon a water elemental so that she could follow the boat.

Strangely enough, Myrenne's divination was being blocked.

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As she traveled southward, she suddenly saw that the river was blocked by a fallen tree. The clean cut on the trunk clearly indicated that the people were trying to hamper her way. Unfortunately, behind her were three heavily laden river barges which were unable to stop as they were riding the current. She also noticed that behind that tree were 4 or 5 more trees, all arranged to block off the river.

[thingirl]

"Well, I guess I'll have to do it the hard way then." She headed to the last place Tala was seen and used her skills of Thivery and Woodsmanship to try to find the trail.

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Alanne used her power of Destruction to clear the loggs.

[zmflavius]

"Well, I guess I'll have to do it the hard way then." She headed to the last place Tala was seen and used her skills of Thivery and Woodsmanship to try to find the trail.

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Alanne used her power of Destruction to clear the loggs.

Tala was last seen at her house. It was a rather large house, but the door was locked. Nobody answered the door.

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Alanne easily destroyed the logs, as they were big targets and not magically fortified. However, the boat she was chasing...turned out to be a barge loaded with goods.

[thingirl]

"Uhhhh! I'm beginning to think she was kidnapped. Oh well, let's see if there are any clues." She used Thievery and Woodsmanship to try to find out.

------------
Alanne was talking to the captain. "You're kidding me! Are you sure that you didn't pick up anyone about 2 KM ago?"

[zmflavius]

Inside one window, she could see signs of a struggle. On the table was the locket that the cloudy green gemstone had once been set in. She could see which window the kidnapper probably left in, but it would take a master woodsman to track him (70+).

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"Errr...um...I got my rights! You ain't searchin' me barge without a warrant!"

Meanwhile, the other crew members began drawing weapons.

[thingirl]

(GAAAHHHH!!!!! She is 1 ONE level away from 70. And she could be at 70 if she wanted to spend general. Rather, if dad would spend general.)

"I have a feeling that I'm on the verge of being able to track him, but this one foot print is pointing the opposite way. I had better go tell Corinin."

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Alanne used Fortification to put up a black barrier around herself. While nobody could see her, she used her skill of Lore (I just raised it to 80) to draw up an official looking warrant to search the ship.

(OK, I'm sorry I just logged off like that. I have middle school fun & worship on Sunday nights and had to leave for that.)

[zmflavius]

Conirinn examined the area, and soon realized what happened.

"You see these markings near the footprints? That guy took some animal and tied boots to its feet and set it off running. He covered his own tracks pretty well, but he forgot this footprint pointing east. We'll have to go that way."

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As soon as the barrier was dispelled, and the captain saw the warrant, he said,
"Right. You'd have to be insane to think I would believe that the king or one of his Thanes made that warrant. Why would you put up the black barrier if you had a warrant? Attack!"

With that, the captain charged towards her waving a rapier. The crew followed close behind, except for two, who were holding...boltslings! They fired at Alanne.

[thingirl]

"East. I should have known. Let's go."

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Alanne used her power of Shadow Magic to block the bolts and stop the crew. She used her Diplomacy to try to talk the captain into believing that she had a warrant.

[zmflavius]

Suddenly, Myrenne saw a ruckus up ahead. It looked like a bandit had boarded a barge and was using shadow magic to attack the crew.

Conirinn readied his men to board the barge and arrest the impudent bandit.

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"Avast ye! Ye'd have to think that I'm an idiot to believe that! (really, if the warrant was real, why didn't you produce it in the first place?). Oh look! A guy down there with a lot of militiamen! 'ey, you there! There's a bandit here trying to steal my cargo and threatening my crewmen! She's also a forger! Help us arrest her, will yer?"

[thingirl]

Myrene whispered to Corinin: "Corinin, wait! That's no bandit, that's my sister." One of the crewmen knocked Alanne's SSL out of her hand. It landed right in front of Myrenne. "See, she even engraved her name on her sword."

"Very well. Let's subdue everyone , then we will get things sorted out."

Myrenne jumped on board the ship and made a passing swipe at Alanne with her fist while whispering "Follow my lead".

The sisters pretended to spar until about half the crew remained standing. Then Alanne "slipped" and got "knocked out", because she saw the Corinin needed help with the captain.

[zmflavius]

Myrene whispered to Corinin: "Corinin, wait! That's no bandit, that's my sister." One of the crewmen knocked Alanne's SSL out of her hand. It landed right in front of Myrenne. "See, she even engraved her name on her sword."

"Very well. Let's subdue everyone , then we will get things sorted out."

Myrenne jumped on board the ship and made a passing swipe at Alanne with her fist while whispering "Follow my lead".

The sisters pretended to spar until about half the crew remained standing. Then Alanne "slipped" and got "knocked out", because she say the Corinin needed help with the captain.

The captain was an expert swordsman, though Conirinn had the advantage of experience. Soon, Conirinn was backed into a corner.

[thingirl]

Myrenne sprang to the rescue. She hit the in the back of the head, just as he was about to do Conirinn in.

(I hate to leave in the middle of a battle seen, but good night. Oh, and Alanne just raised Seamanship also.)

[zmflavius]

Myrenne sprang to the rescue. She hit the in the back of the head, just as he was about to do Conirinn in.

(I hate to leave in the middle of a battle seen, but good night. Oh, and Alanne just raised Seamanship also.)

The captain was dead. Everyone was about to search the barge when the bo'sun suddenly lit a torch and set the barge on fire!

[thingirl]

(Who is bo'sun?)

Alanne suddenly "came-to" (She had been faking the fight and loosing it too.) She and Myernne tried to combine their powers of Elementalism to put out the fire.

[zmflavius]

Conirinn and the militiamen simply chopped the burning bits off and threw them overboard. Soon, the fire was out. Conirinn examined the captain, and gave a gasp of surprise.

"Well, it appears to be your lucky day. This is Captain Vir Malorum, a notorious smuggler in and around Trithik and Tryndmoor. The bounty for him is 5000 gold and 64 ATs."

edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo%27sun

[thingirl]

The sisters replied in unision. "64 ATs! WHAT?!?"

Myrenne came to her senses first. "So. Let's search the ship for any sign of Tala."

[zmflavius]

The sisters replied in unision. "64 ATs! WHAT?!?"

Myrenne came to her senses first. "So. Let's search the ship for any sign of Tala."

Tala was nowhere to be found on the ship.

Conirinn suddenly began talking again
"Of course, there's all this legal paperwork that needs to be filled out before we can turn him in, and of course I and all the militiamen need to get a cut of the reward, and we also can't actually collect the reward until we obtain a conviction and also, there's the matter with the fact that you used a fake warrant..."

[thingirl]

"Maybe I did use a fake warrant, but that sure looks like your handwriting." She produced the fake warrant. She had gone on enough missions for Connirin to know what his handwriting looked like, and her skills in Lore was high enough to duplicate it.

[zmflavius]

"Maybe I did use a fake warrant, but that sure looks like your handwriting." She produced the fake warrant. She had gone on enough missions for Connirin to know what his handwriting looked like, and her skills in Lore was high enough to duplicate it.

"It's my word against Thane Pyrond's, and who do you think he'll believe? Surely he's back from wherever he's gotten to now..."

(This is, after all, a backwater village in the middle of nowhere you know)

[thingirl]

(Dang it! Me and my "bright" ideas.)

"I am not the girl you are looking for."
"Nice try, Alanne. How dumb do you think I am? I really don't want to take you in, but I will if I have to..."
"Fine. I don't get any, and we never speak of this again?"

[zmflavius]

(Dang it! Me and my "bright" ideas.)

"I am not the girl you are looking for."
"Nice try, Alanne. How dumb do you think I am? I really don't want to take you in, but I will if I have to..."
"Fine. I don't get any, and we never speak of this again?"

"Good idea."

Conirinn then landed the barge in Tryndmoor, and later sailed back upriver to Trithik, leaving you two on the piers.

[thingirl]

"So, Myrenne, What do we do now?"
"Let's ask around and see if anyone has seen Tala or the gem."

[zmflavius]

Eventually, the pair turned up in the Loch Leap alehouse. When a shady-looking old man heard about Tala, he walked up to them, and motioned for them to follow him.

[thingirl]

They followed him.

[zmflavius]

He led Alanne and Myrenne down a small back alley, into an old house, and into the house's basement which was pitch-black dark, when suddenly he turned around and gasped in surprise. A figure wearing a black mask stood in the doorway, holding the lifeless body of the thief. He threw the thief into the room, and at the same time, triggered a trap door dumping everyone in the room into a pit. Soon, an iron grating closed around them and sealed them inside. Fortunately, they were not in some inescapable oubliette but in...the sewers of Tryndmoor. Nearby, a sewer rat playing with a bony finger suddenly dropped its toy and began gnawing at the thief's body.

[thingirl]

They brushed the rat aside and searched the thief's body. Naturally, they found nothing. Alanne asked the question. "Sir, you probably know who we are, but, who are you?"

[zmflavius]

They brushed the rat aside and searched the thief's body. Naturally, they found nothing. Alanne asked the question. "Sir, you probably know who we are, but, who are you?"

The old man got up, and smiled.
"My name is not to be revealed yet. But you have indeed met me before, both of you. Follow me."

The man then began running down the length of the sewers at a fast pace.

[thingirl]

"There is nothing to do but follow him." Alanne said as she and Myrenne took off after him.

[zmflavius]

The man led them to a ladder climbing out of the sewer, and then pointed out a house.

"Tala's in there."

He then prepared to leave, but then suddenly seemed to think of something. He threw Alanne and Myrenne a bag, suddenly saying,
"It's still September."

He then donned a painted wooden mask and ran away.

[thingirl]

"64 ATs. Hey, isn't that-"
"Myrenne. We said we would never speak of that again."
"Anyway, let's try to find a way in."

[zmflavius]

"64 ATs. Hey, isn't that-"
"Myrenne. We said we would never speak of that again."
"Anyway, let's try to find a way in."

Suddenly...A fast-talking salesman appears!

"Would you like to buy a lockpick? Only 64 ATs!"

[thingirl]

Alanne said: "I have Thievery at 80. I don't think I will be needing any lockpicks."

"Aye, aye, aye little lady. So you say, So you say. How about you take a look at it?"

"You rip off artist! This thing is barely worth 1 AT." And with that, the sisters headed around to circle the house.

[zmflavius]

Alanne said: "I have Thievery at 80. I don't think I will be needing any lockpicks."

"Aye, aye, aye little lady. So you say, So you say. How about you take a look at it?"

"You rip off artist! This thing is barely worth 1 AT." And with that, the sisters headed around to circle the house.

Guess what...The house has neither door nor windows.

[thingirl]

(So lockpicks wouldn't help anyway.)

Alanne estimated the thickness of the wall and tried to open a portal into the room.

[zmflavius]

(So lockpicks wouldn't help anyway.)

Alanne estimated the thickness of the wall and tried to open a portal into the room.

Which floor? There are three.

[thingirl]

You could have said that in the description of the house. I have a feeling she's being held on the third floor, but let's go with the first.

[zmflavius]

You could have said that in the description of the house. I have a feeling she's being held on the third floor, but let's go with the first.

You gate your way in. You can see a rickety set of stairs leading to the second floor. You also can see a safe with a rusty bolt on it.

[thingirl]

"Let's see if we can't open that safe, Myrenne."

[thingirl]

BTW, Alanne is using Thievery (80).

EDIT: If I have offended you, I apologize.

[zmflavius]

(I actually was just busy)

Alanne, being a grandmaster thief, easily picked the lock. The two peered inside, finding an old...suitcase filled with IOU notes. They appeared to be the property of a compulsive gambler who lived somewhere in some forest in the middle of Tysa.

[thingirl]

(OK, I see a legendary healer and unarmed combatant with strength 30 in my future.)

"Well, that's disappointing. Let's try the stairs."

[zmflavius]

(OK, I see a legendary healer and unarmed combatant with strength 30 in my future.)

"Well, that's disappointing. Let's try the stairs."

(Don't forget 20 Agility: "No! It's more important to be able to dodge! If the healer is injured, who will heal the healer? (Or something like that)")

The stairs crumple into dust as soon as you step on them!

[thingirl]

(Ah. Good point. Forgot about that.)

"Figures."
"Air elemental?"
"I'll summon it, Myrenne."

[zmflavius]

(Ah. Good point. Forgot about that.)

"Figures."
"Air elemental?"
"I'll summon it, Myrenne."

The second floor was empty, but an old, rusting plate body could be seen lying on the ground. The body had an empty impression in the center, as if in times past, an item had been placed inside of it.

[thingirl]

(I don't get that reference. What's it to?)

"You touch it."
"No, you touch it."
"No, you touch it."
"I know how to settle this, let's play rock, paper, dagger."
"OK."
"ROCK, PAPER, DAGGER, SHOOT!"
"Haha Alanne! Dagger beats paper."
"Fine." Alanne stepped up to the plate (Sorry, couldn't resist) and examined it.

[zmflavius]

(I don't get that reference. What's it to?)

"You touch it."
"No, you touch it."
"No, you touch it."
"I know how to settle this, let's play rock, paper, dagger."
"OK."
"ROCK, PAPER, DAGGER, SHOOT!"
"Haha Alanne! Dagger beats paper."
"Fine." Alanne stepped up to the plate (Sorry, couldn't resist) and examined it.

(reference?)

It was an old plate body but her use of arcana and lore revealed that there was more to it than met the eye.

[thingirl]

(Well, with the safe containning all of Tsunade's IOUs, I thought it might be a referance to something.)

"Now I actually have to touch it." She examined it.

[zmflavius]

(Well, with the safe containning all of Tsunade's IOUs, I thought it might be a referance to something.)

"Now I actually have to touch it." She examined it.

Some rust fell off.

[thingirl]

"Well, I guess I have to put it on now."

[zmflavius]

"Well, I guess I have to put it on now."

Some of the rust on the inside scrapes off. It itches!

[thingirl]

(OK, what in the WORLD am I supposed to do with it!?)

"Let's try to get to the top."

[zmflavius]

(OK, what in the WORLD am I supposed to do with it!?)

"Let's try to get to the top."

(just take the hint. You're looking for Tala and a cloudy green gemstone. There is a gemstone shaped indent in the middle of the breastplate. And it's rusty).

The stairs don't crumble this time. On the top floor, you find a few empty bottles and small box made of some very sticky wood.

[thingirl]

(This is my head. This is the wall. *BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*)

"Myrene, you take those bottles while I exaimne the boxes."

[zmflavius]

Eventually, you manage to get the box open. Inside, you find an egg. The egg is covered with fine gold inlay, and ornamented in lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. Unlike most eggs, this one is hinged and closed with a delicate looking clasp. The egg appears extremely fragile.

[thingirl]

"Woah.... Alanne, that's pretty."
"Yes, it is." She put it down, and opened it a gently as she could.

[zmflavius]

"Woah.... Alanne, that's pretty."
"Yes, it is." She put it down, and opened it a gently as she could.

For some reason, it won't open.

[thingirl]

"This thing might not be a fraigle as I first thought." She used Shadow Magic (74) to try to convince it to open.

[zmflavius]

"This thing might not be a fraigle as I first thought." She used Shadow Magic (74) to try to convince it to open.

Suddenly, you drop it! And it doesn't break. And you still can't get it open.

[thingirl]

"Let's take it with us."
"I think we have to, Myrenne. Now, let's see if this place has an attic."

[zmflavius]

You're on the top floor, when suddenly, the floor gives way! You fall through to the bottom and land directly on the egg. Which still doesn't open up.

[thingirl]

"Well, I suppose I can re-open the portal we got in through." Said Alannne.

Her sister complained "Ow ow ow ow ow!!!!! That egg is pointy."

[zmflavius]

You're back on the streets of Tryndmoor (You do realize that you don't actually have a direction to head in from here, right?)

[thingirl]

(Yes. Oh, come ON, don't tell me...)

The girls were pondering over how to open the egg. Alanne spoke. "Well, I guess I can try my Thivery on it."

"Hey, isn't that the sales person who wanted to rip us off?"

"Fine. Here, take 4 and tell him that we've changed our minds and that I have the rest."

[zmflavius]

(Yes. Oh, come ON, don't tell me...)

The girls were pondering over how to open the egg. Alanne spoke. "Well, I guess I can try my Thivery on it."

"Hey, isn't that the sales person who wanted to rip us off?"

"Fine. Here, take 4 and tell him that we've changed our minds and that I have the rest."

The salesman looked noticeably less chipper when you met him.

"Here, keep the lockpicks, all of them. Like for free!"

He practically threw the bag of lockpicks at Myrenne and dashed away.

All of a sudden, Alanne realized that he looked like her coachman.

[thingirl]

(You keep throwing weird plot twists in here. Me like. Sort of.)

Alanne took the egg and gated to the spot where he usually drops her off, which was sort of near the tavern where the masked stranger had met them. She whistled for Stormgait (Who Myrenne had brought from Hawklor, and they had ridden to Tryndmoor) and hopped on. She tried to find her coachman.

In a few minutes, Myrenne showed up with the lockpicks. "How much have you been paying him, sis?"

"Well, I certainly haven't been paying him ATs. But, isn't 5k gold a week enough? He may have gone back to Stormedge Palace. I'll take Stormgait and go there. You stay here and try to open that dang egg."

[zmflavius]

(You keep throwing weird plot twists in here. Me like. Sort of.)

Alanne took the egg and gated to the spot where he usually drops her off, which was sort of near the tavern where the masked stranger had met them. She whistled for Stormgait (Who Myrenne had brought from Hawklor, and they had ridden to Tryndmoor) and hopped on. She tried to find her coachman.

In a few minutes, Myrenne showed up with the lockpicks. "How much have you been paying him, sis?"

"Well, I certainly haven't been paying him ATs. But, isn't 5k gold a week enough? He may have gone back to Stormedge Palace. I'll take Stormgait and go there. You stay here and try to open that dang egg."

Alanne arrived at Stormedge Palace just in time to find him trying to drive off in the coach with the contents of the storage room.

Oh yes, and the egg refuses to be opened.

[thingirl]

(Shoot, I have the SoM in there.)

Thankfully, the horses are over burdened with all of Alanne's stuff and, atop Stormgait (plus the help of a little fortification), she is able to overtake them. By this time, it was late afternoon.

He tried to jump off of the coach and run, but Alanne had him in the grips of the shadows.

(All powers 70-74.)

[zmflavius]

(Shoot, I have the SoM in there.)

Thankfully, the horses are over burdened with all of Alanne's stuff and, atop Stormgait (plus the help of a little fortification), she is able to overtake them. By this time, it was late afternoon.

He tried to jump off of the coach and run, but Alanne had him in the grips of the shadows.

(All powers 70-74.)

Soon, he was trapped by the shadows, whimpering, and pleading for mercy. He was also mumbling about having sold "a few items" to Tyrlonia Gryphook.

[thingirl]

Alanne, not fully trusting him and keeping him warped in shadows, told him that she was heading back to Tryndmoor and that he was coming with her and explaining stuff on the way. Predominantly, what was sold.

Meanwhile, Myrenne was trying everything she could to open the egg.

[zmflavius]

Alanne, not fully trusting him and keeping him warped in shadows, told him that she was heading back to Tryndmoor and that he was coming with her and explaining stuff on the way. Predominantly, what was sold.

Meanwhile, Myrenne was trying everything she could to open the egg.

(well...I don't know the contents of your storage, so...)

"Just that old rusty longsword. The one with the funny glow! Seriously, don't hurt me! What'd you want with an old rusty glowing longsword?"

Oh yes, and the egg stayed closed.

[thingirl]

(I have pretty much everything except what she's wearing and SSL and Enchanted Dagger and Hale and the undroppable stuff. Funny thing. Remember "The two-of bug"? Well, the SoM is one of the affected items. I removed them and put them in Trynd keep.)

Alanne was lying her butt off because she doesn't trust the guy anymore. "Well, it was my grandfather's sword. When he died, he gave it to my father. Father was going to give it to Tharvald, but he didn't want it. Neither did Melvin. So, I being the next oldest, he offered it to me."

"Now. Why are you trying to rob me? Is it because I don't pay you enough?"

Back in Tryndmoor:

"GAAHHH!!! I give up. Wait, maybe Ms. Gryphook would know how to open it." Myrenne got up and went to the docks.

[zmflavius]

(I have pretty much everything except what she's wearing and SSL and Enchanted Dagger and Hale and the undroppable stuff. Funny thing. Remember "The two-of bug"? Well, the SoM is one of the affected items. I removed them and put them in Trynd keep.)

Alanne was lying her butt off because she doesn't trust the guy anymore. "Well, it was my grandfather's sword. When he died, he gave it to my father. Father was going to give it to Tharvald, but he didn't want it. Neither did Melvin. So, I being the next oldest, he offered it to me."

"Now. Why are you trying to rob me? Is it because I don't pay you enough?"

Back in Tryndmoor:

"GAAHHH!!! I give up. Wait, maybe Ms. Gryphook would know how to open it." Myrenne got up and went to the docks.

"Well, actually, I heard about this raffle up in the Edgelands near the Trading post of Tallys, and I needed a ton of gold..."

(Umm...Tyrlonia Gryphook is a "he")

Gryphook isn't home. How very strange.

[thingirl]

"You could have asked... Well, Myrenne. I spent most of my savings on that raffle too. But not the gold in the funds for the payment of my employees. And, how much did she pay you?"

(DOH! For some reason I remember reading that Mr. Gryhpook was a girl.)

Myrenne grabbed a passer by and asked if Mr. Gryphook was around.

[zmflavius]

"You could have asked... Well, Myrenne. I spent most of my savings on that raffle too. But not the gold in the funds for the payment of my employees. And, how much did she pay you?"

(DOH! For some reason I remember reading that Mr. Gryhpook was a girl.)

Myrenne grabbed a passer by and asked if Mr. Gryphook was around.

"7k a year...But yeah, it actually was because I was going to switch jobs to some job in Western Tysa, but I quickly backed out when I heard about how his old coachman became a demented lunatic, and then I lost all my life savings gambling in the Loch Leap...I can tell you're not buying this, you know."



He didn't know, but did try to buy the egg.

[thingirl]

"I lost you at 'he payed my 7k a year for selling me one item'." By this point, they were almost in Tryndmoor. She took him to the jail and asked the jailer (whom she knows personally) to hold him, but not to throw him in too harsh conditions.



"No. But, I'll give you 100 gold if you can get it open."
"Hmm, no deal."
"500?"
"Nope. How bout you give it to me if I get it open?"
"Hmm, well, my sister found it, so it's really her's. If she agrees to it, I will give you the egg if you can get it open."

[zmflavius]

"I lost you at 'he payed my 7k a year for selling me one item'." By this point, they were almost in Tryndmoor. She took him to the jail and asked the jailer (whom she knows personally) to hold him, but not to throw him in too harsh conditions.



"No. But, I'll give you 100 gold if you can get it open."
"Hmm, no deal."
"500?"
"Nope. How bout you give it to me if I get it open?"
"Hmm, well, my sister found it, so it's really her's. If she agrees to it, I will give you the egg if you can get it open."

After Alanne left the coachman at the gaol (that's not spelled wrong), she saw Myrenne about to give away the egg to some twitchy-looking guy. Upon closer inspection, she realized that she'd seen the guy's face on one of the mug shots in the gaol.

[thingirl]

(I know. And I suppose that "gaol" is more appropiate that "jail" in this case.)

Acting quickly, she used her Shadow Magic to grab both the man and the egg.

[zmflavius]

(I know. And I suppose that "gaol" is more appropiate that "jail" in this case.)

Acting quickly, she used her Shadow Magic to grab both the man and the egg.

The man flicked his fingers, and began struggling against the Shadow Magic towards a magical gate.

[thingirl]

Myrenne saw what was going on and used her power of Shadow Magic to try to help contain him. She also grabbed the egg and set it down with a Fortification barrier to keep anyone from stealing it.

[zmflavius]

First roll of the RP! About time too!

Your combined SM is 131, and you want to get more than 150.

Shouldn't be too hard right?

131+...11=142.

FAIL!

The man makes it into the portal, just as a dozen city guardsmen from the gaol show up. One of them spits into the ground, mumbling,

"Amateurs..."

[thingirl]

THey started to question Myrennne when Alanne asked her: "Hey, Sis, Where's the egg he was trying to steal?"

When the guards realized that Myrenne was with Alanne, they backed off. Myrenne asked a question. "So, do any of you know where Tyrlonia Gryphook is? Or where I can find a good locksmith?"

[zmflavius]

The sneering guard captain simpy replied

"No, and no."

Then he and his platoon left.

Did I mention that in the ruckus following that scuffle with the wanted man, the egg was banged around but without a single mark on it?

[thingirl]

(Remind me where the Sannin are, please. [Sorry, I mean 3 sages.] There's one in Hawklor, but I forget where the other 2 are.)

"I suggest visiting a sage."
"That's about the only thing I can think of to open this egg."

[zmflavius]

(Remind me where the Sannin are, please. [Sorry, I mean 3 sages.] There's one in Hawklor, but I forget where the other 2 are.)

"I suggest visiting a sage."
"That's about the only thing I can think of to open this egg."

(Well, there's Elumyr, who's a mean-spirited old codger with nasty disposition, there's Lady Cirenea who lives in a huge house in a busting riverport on the River Trynd, and there's that other guy Teagurn who lives in another bustling riverport on the River Trynd, but he hasn't been seen in those parts for a while).

Which one will you visit?

[thingirl]

"Let's go to Lady Cirenea."

[zmflavius]

"Let's go to Lady Cirenea."

By foot or on a barge up the river?

edit: I mean, by horse.

[thingirl]

"Let's go by barge, so we can ask the other people if they know anything about our people of interest."

[zmflavius]

"250 gold each, plus 80 gold per bag, also, for each 5% of encumbrance over 45% we need another 75 gold. Each day, we serve 2 meals, breakfast and dinner; breakfast costs 30 gold, and dinner, 50. If you want to sleep on an actual bunk and not the deck, you'll have to pay another 60 gold. Also, you have to sign this release of liabilities form stating that you understand the risks of traveling by barge and that Scrooge and Marley Corporation is not responsible for any injuries, disease, theft, or violent death which may and probably will occur over the course of your journey. Oh yes, you also have to give us a temporary deposit of 40 gold per head, plus 30 gold for every 2% of encumbrance that you're carrying."

[thingirl]

"I think we'll be on our way, unless you can tell us where Gryphook is."

[zmflavius]

"I think we'll be on our way, unless you can tell us where Gryphook is."

"Didn't he leave city after someone sold him a rare weapon belonging to a careless adventurer?"

[thingirl]

"I'M GONNA-" *SMACK*
"-ALANNE! Calm down." Myrenne turnned to the ripoff artist. "Did he say where he was going?"

[zmflavius]

"No. But he did purchase a ticket on one of our barges. It hasn't left port yet."

He motions towards a barge scheduled to leave in 1 and a half hours.

[thingirl]

"Thanks for the info," Alanne handed him 25 GP. The girls left to find Gryphook.

[zmflavius]

"Wait, wait, wait! You can't get on a barge without a ticket!

[thingirl]

(DOH! This is what happens when I haven't had breakfast yet. And you forgot to close the quote.)

"How much?"

[zmflavius]

"250 gold each, plus 80 gold per bag, also, for each 5% of encumbrance over 45% we need another 75 gold. Each day, we serve 2 meals, breakfast and dinner; breakfast costs 30 gold, and dinner, 50. If you want to sleep on an actual bunk and not the deck, you'll have to pay another 60 gold. Also, you have to sign this release of liabilities form stating that you understand the risks of traveling by barge and that Scrooge and Marley Corporation is not responsible for any injuries, disease, theft, or violent death which may and probably will occur over the course of your journey. Oh yes, you also have to give us a temporary deposit of 40 gold per head, plus 30 gold for every 2% of encumbrance that you're carrying."

Yeah. Pretty much.

[thingirl]

(I was hoping you would do the math for me.)

While Myrenne went to count out the money, Alanne tried to lower his price.

(As I have stated, Alanne has all skills at 80 or higher.)

[zmflavius]

"I'm sorry, but company policy states that in no event shall the price for any of our services be abridged, reduced, raised, or changed."

(What's your characters' encumbrances? Do they want to sleep on the deck or in a bunk? The trip will take around 4 days total; do you want to eat 1 meal, 2 meals, or get your own food each day?)

[thingirl]

"You get this a lot, don't you."
"Yep."
"Well, let's see... How much does it cost to bring a horse?"

EDIT: Both have less than 45% encumbrance (Alanne 36%, Myrenne 34%). They want bunks, but they will eat from their endless Adventurers' Rations. I think that comes down to 780 gold, + a deposit of 290 = 1070. Plus whatever charge for Stormgait.

[zmflavius]

"You get this a lot, don't you."
"Yep."
"Well, let's see... How much does it cost to bring a horse?"

EDIT: Both have less than 45% encumbrance (Alanne 36%, Myrenne 34%). They want bunks, but they will eat from their endless Adventurers' Rations. I think that comes down to 780 gold, + a deposit of 290 = 1070. Plus whatever charge for Stormgait.

"So yes, your tickets cost 780 gold total, and for the deposit...1130 gold (30 gold for every 2% of encumbrance). Wait, a horse? That's free."

[thingirl]

(I thought I did that right. That was the one thing I didn't use a calculator for.)

"Ok, that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." She turned to her sister. "Hey, Myre, bring Stormgait up here and sign this release form."

[zmflavius]

Soon, they were on the barge, sailing northward. Gryphook could very clearly be seen, but he was doing his best to ignore Alanne and Myrenne and also had sat such that there were eight extremely drunk sailors between him and Alanne and Myrenne. Oh yes, he also had a large bundle in his hand that as about the size of the rusty sword. The barge was extremely overcrowded, and every time someone next to them sneezed, they could feel tiny, microscopic organisms going into their mouth and nose. Did I mention that in spite of all the jostling, the egg remained unscathed?

Also, after the fare and deposit were collected, they were handed to some man wearing a leather hat who had an entire cabin on the barge to himself.

[thingirl]

"Good thing I have restroation 70, huh, Myrenne. Now, let's see if we can try to get to Gryphook."

[zmflavius]

The sailors are drunk, remember? And there's 8 of them. And it's night time. The rest is self-explanatory. Probably.

[thingirl]

You didn't say it was night already.

"Umm, sis, I think that drunk guy just winked at you."
"Don't make eye contact and let's go to the cabin."

[zmflavius]

Time flies on an overcrowded, flea infested barge. Did I mention that the meals supplied by Scrooge and Marley Corporation are made up of the stuff that the people of Tryndmoor won't eat anymore? Still, the meat may be over-salted, the bread filled with maggots, the water green, and the vegetables covered with mold and fungi, but it's still better than the average adventurer's rations (according to Scrooge and Marley Corporation at least).

Anyways, belowdecks is just as crowded as abovedecks. Unless you're the captain in the leather hat, who has his own personal cabin. Who has no expertise at all in opening resistant locks.

[thingirl]

Still, a crowded cabin of all girls is preferable to the crowded deck with the 8 drunk sailors.

The next day, the girls got up early. They managed to get above deck, where they set off in search of Gryphook.

[zmflavius]

Still, a crowded cabin of all girls is preferable to the crowded deck with the 8 drunk sailors.

The next day, the girls got up early. They managed to get above deck, where they set off in search of Gryphook.

"Gryphook...oh, I think he was killed last night ...oh wait, no he wasn't. That was Mike the coxwain. Somebody knifed him last night and threw his corpse overboard; we just found it today. Gryphook's the guy over there, trying to pry open that egg.

[thingirl]

"What the heck?!?!? Myrenne, I thought I told you to keep an eye on that." They tried to get over there as fast as they could.

[zmflavius]

As soon as Gryphook looked up, he jumped back startled and yelled almost immediately,

"This is my egg! MY egg! Go away, you...just go away! Guards! Guards!"

[thingirl]

"There aren't any guards. 'Also, you have to sign this release of liabilities form stating that you understand the risks of traveling by barge and that Scrooge and Marley Corporation is not responsible for any injuries, disease, theft, or violent death which may and probably will occur over the course of your journey.' It may be your egg, but we found it in a windowless, doorless tower. And I don't see a name on it. Also, that is my sword that my coachman sold to you."

[zmflavius]

Gryphook chuckled, before saying,
"Yes, that is true...but Ebenezer and Jacob are very good friends of mine...After all, I own 25% of Scrooge and Marley Corporation. Also, the release form doesn't prevent Scrooge and Marley Corportation from filing a complaint regarding theft of one of their shareholders by a pair of unscrupulous passengers. Did I mention that we have the best lawyers in the Northern Broadlands on our payroll?"

[thingirl]

"Just a second." Alanne trunned around, looked up at the say and said: "WHY DOES THE UNIVERSE HATE ME?????!!!!!!!"

She turned back to Gryphook. "At least tell us what's in it? Please? And can I have my sword back?"

[zmflavius]

"Just a second." Alanne trunned around, looked up at the say and said: "WHY DOES THE UNIVERSE HATE ME?????!!!!!!!"

She turned back to Gryphook. "At least tell us what's in it? Please? And can I have my sword back?"

"I bought the sword for 6500 gold tokens, but I won't sell it for anything less than 50000. As for the egg...I don't actually know what's in it. But an object covered in gold and studded with gems that has a hinge and a clasp must have something valuable inside of it. Right? Anyways, I'll also be happy to sell the egg for 72 ATs."

[thingirl]

"Myre, you pay the ATs and I'll pay the gold?"
"Why?"
"Because, besides the 60 we still have from that masked stranger, I only have 6. Where as I'm not going to say how many you have (She has 53 ATs)."
"Fine. How 'bout we both pay 6ATs and 20k gold?"
"OK."

They handed over the money and Gryphook handed over the items. Alanne demanded that he also write a receipt, to which he agreed.

"Now that that's over with, do you have any guesses as to how to open the dang thing?"

[zmflavius]

20k*2=40k=40000. You're 10k short.

[thingirl]

I thought I typed 25. Anyway, they split the 10k evenly and paid it.

[zmflavius]

Gryphook smiles having collected his payment.

"Here's you receipt. Also, if you thought I knew how to open it, don't you think it would be open?"

The boat has stopped in Trithik. For some reason, Idrisskar climbs aboard, followed by Pryhan and Teek. You notice that for some reason, Pryhan is wearing a really rusty helmet with a small, rhombus shaped indentation on the back of it.

(Note: The indentation on the breastplate is that of a pentagon)

[thingirl]

(So were missing a belt with a triangle. Considering your apparent obsession with Runeskin, I think I know where this is going. And oughtn't it to be Teek wearing the helm?)

The girls went over to their friends. "Greetings fellas, how goes the Crest?"

[zmflavius]

(So were missing a belt with a triangle. Considering your apparent obsession with Runeskin, I think I know where this is going. And oughtn't it to be Teek wearing the helm?)

The girls went over to their friends. "Greetings fellas, how goes the Crest?"

(Did you actually guess that? I'm pretty sure I sent my notes only to myself. I'll have to change it I guess. As for the helm, well, I just picked a random person)

All three greet you warmly. They explain that they're going northward to meet with a contact who can provide them with some confidential information. Which they're not sharing. Pryhan then pipes up about how they'd heard about some famous smuggler who was heroically captured in a one-on-one duel somewhere near Tryndmoor and later hanged in Hawklor. He also expressed surprise that Alanne and Myrenne hadn't managed to capture him themselves.

[thingirl]

(Yes, I did. In one of the Runeskin scenarios, you have to pick either a regular triangle, regular quadrilateral, or regular pentagon. We've got armor with two of the three shapes, and I just picked belt on a hunch.)

"He was too much for me alone, and Myrenne here was too distracted to be of much help."
"Hey!"
*Mean stare* "As I was saying, he got away. Would any of you three know how to open this egg?"

[zmflavius]

Teek examines the egg, and then suddenly gasps.

"This is an egg of Shubnefer! How did you get a hold of it?"

Pryhan, not being acquainted with the legend of Shubnefer (like most people), demanded to know about it. Teek proceeded to enlighten everyone on it,

"Shubnefer was a mage in the Grey Circle 400 years ago. He somehow learned and became skilled in a little-known sphere of magic that gave eternal life, among other things. Later, he had a break with the Grey Circle and formed his own magical guild, the Acolytes of Shubnefer, which proceeded to cause havoc across Tysa and the Central Broadlands. Shubnefer's guild was much smaller than the Grey Circle, but that was because anyone who wished to become an acolyte of his had to be an expert in all forms of magic and a grandmaster in the sphere of magic he had discovered. In order to actually become a full member of his guild, one had to be a archmaster at the power he had discovered, and a master in all others. The guild was ruled by a council of twenty, known as the Twenty Legends, amazing mages who had become legends in all spheres of magic and were subordinate only to Shubnefer himself. Rynduil used to brag about how he once had been one of the Twenty Legends, something that nobody actually believed. Anyhow, Shubnefer disappeared around 300 years ago and was never seen nor heard from again. After the disappearance of the strongest mage in the Acolytes of Shubnefer, the Twenty Legends negotiated a peace with the Grey Circle, where the Acolytes would become a secret wing of the Grey Circle based in the city of Asphyr. The Twenty Legends still exist, but now, they're all cronies of the Grey Mage.

Now, about the egg...

When he first founded the Acolytes of Shubnefer, Shubnefer create twenty-one magical eggs, beautiful things to look at, and openable only through a cipher created by Shubnefer. The cipher was a tightly guarded secret of the Twenty Legends, each of whom had possession of one of the eggs. Shubnefer had possession of the last one. They were used by the Twenty for various purposes, most often to store valuable items.

On the Twenty Legends...
To gain a spot on the Twenty Legends, an aspiring acolyte who was a legend in all the various spheres of magic would challenge one of the Twenty Legends to a test of combat. The test of combat was to the death. If the challenger won, he gained a spot on the Twenty Legends and all of the deceased mage's possessions. If he died, then all of his possessions were ceded to the challenged Legend. Only someone who made it into the Twenty would be taught the cipher. Leaving the Twenty was punishable by death, as it would mean that the secret of the cipher would be leaked outside the Twenty. Rynduil is the only person who may have once been a member of the Twenty and escaped without dying.

On What happened to Shubnefer's egg...
After Shubnefer died, his egg was found by the Twenty Legends, and after the creation of the truce between the Grey Circle and the Acolytes, the Grey Mage was given the twenty-first egg, and presumably the cipher as well. And to this day, the Grey Mage has always retained possession of the egg, though all of them have had relatively normal lifespans. It's rather possible that you don't need Shubnefer's special magic to open the egg, but just the cipher.

On the Acolytes now...
Like I said, the Acolytes now are just servants of the Grey Mage, but they're still as strong as the original ones. The eggs also generally remained in the possession of the Twenty Legends, who continued to be chosen in the same manner as before. Occasionally, a Legend will lose his egg, but they almost always are regained within a couple months. It doesn't really matter, since most people don't know that the Acolytes exist."

[thingirl]

(That was a long read.)

"I knew there was something strange about that house with no doors or windows." Alanne proceded to explane how she and Myrenne had found the egg.

"Any hoo, it's been a while since I've been in the back room. But, I found a piece of paper that looked like it might be a cipher of some kind. I've kept it with me in case I found a lock or something I couldn't open. I had forgotten about it 'till now." She produced it for Teek to look at.

[zmflavius]

Teek stared at it in shock. He scanned the page for a few moments, and then said, with a note of skepticism in his voice.

"You say you found this in the back room of the Silver Crest?"

[thingirl]

"Yes, I was having a look while those two were looking at the Bowl."

[zmflavius]

Teek hands the note back, and then says,

"Alright, I think I know where next to look."

[thingirl]

Alanne and Myrenne chimed in together. "Where?" Then Alanne added: "We'd be happy to help you with whatever your here for is, if you help us."

[zmflavius]

"We should still talk with that contact we were going to meet."

Pryhan and Idrisskar decide to go after the contact. Everyone else went to follow Teek.


Teek led the party outside Trithik.

"According to the map, the shield of Shubnefer should be hidden in a secret cave somewhere in the Felrundins. Pryhan has the helmet of Shubnefer, and you seem to have the Breastplate of Shubnefer. The gems of Shubnefer are what give these pieces of armor their power. They come in the colors of red, yellow, and green. You know, I'm pretty sure that inside that egg is one of the gems."

[thingirl]

"Are the gems by any chance small and cloudy, like that blue stone I showed to, wait, I didn't show that to you. I showed to to Rinduil. Oh well. Are they cloudy? Because if they are, I both do and do not know where the green one is." She proceeded to explain about Tala.

[zmflavius]

"Yes, they are in fact cloudy. But how did a councilwoman in Hawklor get a hold of that gem? I knew from the start that we might tangle with the Acolytes of Shubnefer, but I feel there are other forces at work here."

[thingirl]

"I really don't know how she found it. All that I was told is that she always wore a locket with the stone in it. I seems like our missions might be one and the same. I don't think the boat has left yet, let's try to get back on. And would you please give us even the most basic info on your mission?"

[zmflavius]

"We were actually trying to assemble all three pieces of Shubnefer's battle armor, and had already found the helm. The contact Idrisskar and Pryhan are meeting has information on the yellow gemstone. The cipher you gave us translates to:
FRSTMAPVORENFVEHFRTNVLRGCVE.

FRSTMAPVOREN - The First map of the Vorenthans: It's an old map made by the Vorenthans of Tysa (Map (http://www.sryth.com/ci.php?f_c=map2.inc&f_map=1)).

FVEHFRTNV - 5 horizontal, 14 vertical. The map was divided into hexagons, and this refers to the hexagon coordinate (5,14).

LRGCVE - That hexagon is famous for having a lot of caves, which lead into deep mazes. When the Vorenthan were migrating to Hadrigon, many lived in those caves. The largest of these caves is famous for once having been the main entrance to the cave network. It has many sealed chambers, which were rumored to be the lairs of Voren-Thul. Several of them were unsealed, but after a party of 35 adventurers were massacred by a rather fearsome Voren-Thul, exploration of those caves was forbidden.

[thingirl]

"Well, lets go."

(Sorry, I was on the phone with 2 of my friends.)

[zmflavius]

"Well, lets go."

(Sorry, I was on the phone with 2 of my friends.)

(Sorry, I went outside for a short break)

"Well...Let's see...According to my map...We can go through or around Fogbough, stop at the Goblinclaw Inn, and then from there, into the Felrundins. Once we're in the Felrundins, there's nothing but bears and mountain goblins, some of whom inhabit the caves we're looking for. They say further south, by Highwall Pass, is another cave inhabited by an fearsome Ice Troll, something I doubt even you could defeat. Ah well, back on topic. So should we go through Fogbough or around the northern tip?"

[thingirl]

(It's rainning. That wouldn't be a god idea for me. But, that would get me out of the heat of the school room. Nah, I don't like wet.)

"About that Troll."

"Another time sis."

"No, I want to here what Alanne has to say."

"Thank you Teek. See this shield of mine?"

"Yes"

"Well, I think I defeated that stinking troll about 36 times before he gave it to me. Oh, and considering your luck with Fougbough, I think that around is better."

"On second though, I think we will go through Fougbough. (stupid Spider troll)."

[zmflavius]

You go through Fogbough. You're immediately mobbed by headless corpses. And one-legged skeletons. And giant insects. And you seem to be unable to find what you're looking for, whatever that is.

[thingirl]

Wasn't it a way out? I'd pull the spider cave, but (1) I already did that in AMP and (2) We have Teek with us.

"What now?"

"Be quiet, Teek."

"Myrenne! Be nice to Teek."

"Hey, isn't that Castle Baleward?"

"Yes, it is. Good catch, Teek. I think I know how to get out now."

[zmflavius]

"What you're looking for" seems to be the way out. As it is, you suddenly realize you don't know the way out.

Luck Roll!

Roll greater than 100, you get a bonus from your luck. And Teek's luck is 7.

95+47=142.

You find the Tangled Maze of thorny vines, or whatever that mushroom place is called.

[thingirl]

"Well, as long as we're here, we might as well eat the 'shrooms."
"Good point Myre. I CALL GREEEN!!!!!"
"Aww, no fair Alanne."

After they ate their 'shrooms, Myrenne tried to lead the way out.

[zmflavius]

You're out! You move quickly to the Goblinclaw. Do you want to go in?(don't say yes)

[thingirl]

no.

[zmflavius]

Good choice!

You climb up into the Felrundins. You're attacked by a bear. A Felrundin Brown Bear.

[thingirl]

There's three of them. They engage it in combat.

(Now I have to leave for Church.)

[zmflavius]

If I recall correctly, A Felrundin brown bear is something like 9+ at 55 MR, and has like 50 SP, give or take. The outcome is kinda obvious.

OK...so you're wandering through the Felrundins looking for the location of the caves. Pick a cardinal direction.

[thingirl]

North?

[zmflavius]

You go north. You get lost almost immediately.

[thingirl]

"I told you we should have gone east."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah Alanne."

"Teek, if you had asked that man a while back for directions, we wouldn't be lost."

"Well-"

"Stop it, both of you. I think we should find somebody who is human and ask them for directions."

[zmflavius]

Suddenly, you're surrounded by 8 members of the Grey Mage. Suddenly, Teek curses, and you realize that all 8 are Acolytes of Shubnefer and are after your blood.

[thingirl]

(Do you mean "members of the GC" or "friends of the Gray Mage"?)

Alanne opened a portal to Moonpath, grabbed her sister and Teek, jumped in and closed the portal as soon as all three were on the other side. (Unless her Gateing fails.)

(Now I know why I shouldn't have gone into the Claw.)

[zmflavius]

(Whoops, I meant Grey circle)

Your gating is at 71, so you'll have to roll higher than 71 to succeed.

You roll 91.

One of the mages raises his hand and tendrils of shadow magic immediately grab Myrenne and Teek and drag them backwards. The portal however, has successfully been opened, and you now have to make a snap decision.

Will you jump into the portal, which the mages not preoccupied with controlling Myrenne and Teek are trying to close, or will you stay and help them?

[thingirl]

She's my SISTER And Teek has valuable info. I was trying to avoid a fight, but...

Alanne used Elementalism (74) to make a rain cloud that blocked out the sun (and thereby disrupted the SM.)

(Halanne said something to that effect in one of the PGV scenarios. Also, it's the same with Shika's jutsus.)

[zmflavius]

Excerpt from the Records of the Acolytes of Shubnefer
When questioned by several members of the Twenty Legends as to why Shubnefer demanded that members of his guild be proficient to some extent in all spheres of magic, and not just Shadow Magic, Shubnefer gave the following response:
"We are currently at war with the Grey Circle, the mages of whom are skilled in 9 different Spheres of Magic. They are especially so skilled in Fortification and Elementalism, which, while weaker to the all-powerful Shadow Magic, are still strong enough to counteract it if used properly. The only solution to this problem is to have our members be ready to use all types of magic if neccesary."

Immediately, one of the Acolytes cast Destruction on the clouds, creating great holes in it. Being a grandmaster at that skill, he easily cut great swathes through it, allowing once again for his allies to use their signature magic.

[thingirl]

But the goal was acomplished. Teek and Myrenne were freed. (Now I'm hoping Teek knows something about how to defeat these guys.)

[zmflavius]

Teek, then realizing that the portal had all but disappeared, drew an axe from his belt and yelled,

"Run!"

[thingirl]

(I'm assuming he means the portal.) Alanne was closest to the portal and she jumped in. The other two followed.

[zmflavius]

realizing that the portal had all but disappeared

yeah...

He means run away.

[thingirl]

:oOk, I've spent waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time on the comp. today if I didn't understand that.:o

Alanne with Trielra's Staff and Myrenne with SSL followed suit.

[zmflavius]

You're all captured again!

[thingirl]

Alanne said "We surrend... HA!" She blew a destruction (cloce enough to a bomb, right?) blast at the nearest mage.

[zmflavius]

Luck + Agility roll!

(did you attack fast enough?)

You need more than 100 to succeed.

3+20+20=43

FAIL!

The mage quickly uses fortification to block your attack.

Soon, you're all trussed up with Shadow Magic.

[thingirl]

Alanne attempted to make an illusion of the Ice Troll.

[zmflavius]

One mage leaves to investigate.

(How are you doing that while trussed up though?)

Meanwhile, one of the Acolytes chatters about how the contact Idrisskar and Pryhan was actually a member of the Twenty Legends whose egg had been stolen. He also commented that it was interesting how the Helm of Shubnefer was found in their possession.

[thingirl]

(I sort of imagine Illusion as more of a mind thing and less of a hand jesture thing.)

Teek was about to say something but alanne quickly snapped at him and he didn't say anything. She then surendered to the mages. She was thinking 'Don't tell me I have to save those two AGAIN.'

[zmflavius]

You're already captured. But anyways. Soon, you come to a campsite which is filled with members of the Grey Circle. You note that every singe member in the campsite, including the eight who captured you, are all wearing a grey padded sash with a black buckle on the front, which has the letters SM engraved in gold on it.

[thingirl]

(Wait, has HttF happeded yet? Because that might effect my answer...)

[zmflavius]

Presumably yes, so long as both Alanne and Myrenne have completed it.

[thingirl]

OK, actually, that doesn't change much (Myrenne hasn't.)

They try to find their comrads.

[zmflavius]

You're reasonably sure that Idrisskar and Pryhan are in this camp, since actually out of the Felrundins and in some lowlands area (it's a little bit north of the Longspur downs actually, on the edges of some great forest).

[thingirl]

They try to got to Pryhan and Idrisskar so that they can talk.

[zmflavius]

The guard kicks you back in the tent.

[thingirl]

Divination?

(You're not giving me much to work with here.)

[zmflavius]

Idrisskar is unconscious. Pryhan trying to work his bonds free. Teek is cooking up a plan. Myrenne...you probably know better what Myrenne is thinking. The guard outside is a grunt, with only two skills (weaponry and arcana) in which he is accomplished, but not that accomplished. However, he is an expert in every known sphere of magic except SM, in which he is a master. He's also bored and has a terrible MR and SP. If you were tied up, you could probably KO him in one round with a QS 20, even if he used SM. There are also three of the Twenty Legends in the camp. Sadly, you and your comrades have been deprived of all your armor and items, but it all has been dumped on a huge pile in another tent, which another grunt is going through. And this length use of divination took up 4 NV.

[thingirl]

Myrenne is helping Teek with the plan. And is the were or weren't tied up? Anyway, a Grandmaster Unarmmed Combatiant can get her ropes off anytime she wants to.

Eventually, Teek and Myrenne explain that the plan is to wait for nightfall, then go and rescue the others and flee into the woods with their stuff.

[zmflavius]

They're tied up (with regular ropes). However, everyone is being held in a different tent, and Idrisskar, Pryhan, and Teek all have limited magic skills.

[thingirl]

Fine. Alanne comes up with the fore-mentionned plan, except she saves Teek first to listen to his plan.

[zmflavius]

Ok, how does Alanne get out her tent then?

[thingirl]

It's her guard who's the wimp, right? It's the evening shift, but it's not dark yet.

[zmflavius]

He's not a wimp. He's just bored. And a recent initate.

[thingirl]

The guard outside is a grunt, with only two skills (weaponry and arcana) in which he is accomplished, but not that accomplished. However, he is an expert in every known sphere of magic except SM, in which he is a master. He's also bored and has a terrible MR and SP. If you were tied up, you could probably KO him in one round with a QS 20, even if he used SM.

OK, not wimpy, low SP. Anyway, she will wait until his back is turned and use her Unarmed Combat (her MR is actually 2 points higher than with SSL) to knock him out.

[zmflavius]

How do you knock him out (this is important, as it's still the late afternoon)?

[thingirl]

OK fine. Her dress has a relatively low neckline. Lure him into the tent and get him distracted (nothing she will regret later) and then hit a pressure point on the back of his neck.

[zmflavius]

OK fine. Her dress has a relatively low neckline. Lure him into the tent and get him distracted (nothing she will regret later) and then hit a pressure point on the back of his neck.

Okay...

Roll for luck, and agility.

You need greater than 75 to succeed.

15+20+20=55.

FAIL!

You fail miserably.

[thingirl]

(How miserably?)

She tried to make it look like she was just going to hug him from behind.

(EDIT: I imagined it being like Gentle Fist.)

[zmflavius]

(How miserably?)

She tried to make it look like she was just going to hug him from behind.

(EDIT: I imagined it being like Gentle Fist.)

(He's not an idiot just so you know or he wouldn't be an Acolyte of Shubnefer. Or maybe he just works really hard)

Diplomacy+Luck roll!

You need more than 125 to win!

52+80+20=152

Success!

He falls for it.

[thingirl]

Next is to cover his mouth and nose and try to strangle him.

[zmflavius]

Strength+unarmed combat.

You again, need more than 125 to succeed.

41+80+20=141

SUCCESS!

But his face looks really, really shocked. Even though he's dead.

[thingirl]

(I guess she's mote of a seductress than I know.)

By this time it is (hopefully) dark. 'Now, to find Teek.'

[zmflavius]

It's sunset. Most of the mages have retreated to their tents, but you can see a couple riding away on horses. There also are four sentries total on the edges of camp, and a four guards each standing outside a different tent. There also are a few mages wandering through the camp.

[thingirl]

It's sunset. Most of the mages have retreated to their tents, but you can see a couple riding away on horses. There also are four sentries total on the edges of camp, and a four guards each standing outside a different tent. There also are a few mages wandering through the camp.

She decides to wait until all the mages are in their tents. She searched the guards body and found a dagger, which she planned to sneak by in the dark and quickly dispatch the other guards.

[zmflavius]

She decides to wait until all the mages are in their tents. She searched the guards body and found a dagger, which she planned to sneak by in the dark and quickly dispatch the other guards.

Unfortunately...you forgot one thing:The changing of the guard. When the mage who was supposed to relieve the guard you killed entered the tent...

"OH MY F*#&ing ALL-FATHER! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO IZEOJEK AND WHY THE HELL IS HE NAKED?"

[Godofpride]

(Anyone mind if I join? A quick summary of the plot would be nice, but if need be I'll go over it from the start and just read it all. And I posted in the old one just now. Many apologizes for the delay.)

[thingirl]

I don't mind. Let's see...

Lady Tala of Hawklor was robed of a gemstone and then kidnapped. Alanne and Myrenne were signed on to find the gem and Tala. After an encounter involving a pirate and a fake arrest warrant, the girls found themselves in Tryndmoor.

They went into a 3 story building with no windows or doors and found a rusty old breastplate with a small pentagon indent in the middle and a magical egg that won't open. They come out and find that Alanne's coachman has sold the Sword of Meryzak to Tylornia Gryphook. The girls board a ship that he is on and buy back the sword.

The boat docks in Trithik and Teek, Phryn, and Idikasar board. One of them has a Helm matching the Breastplate that Alanne found. The girls explain their mission to Teek and, after Teek gives a history of their enemy, the three set off in search of a cave. All 5 are captured by the enemy and that's where we are now.

[thingirl]

Here's the main history. Teek examines the egg, and then suddenly gasps.

"This is an egg of Shubnefer! How did you get a hold of it?"

Pryhan, not being acquainted with the legend of Shubnefer (like most people), demanded to know about it. Teek proceeded to enlighten everyone on it,

"Shubnefer was a mage in the Grey Circle 400 years ago. He somehow learned and became skilled in a little-known sphere of magic that gave eternal life, among other things. Later, he had a break with the Grey Circle and formed his own magical guild, the Acolytes of Shubnefer, which proceeded to cause havoc across Tysa and the Central Broadlands. Shubnefer's guild was much smaller than the Grey Circle, but that was because anyone who wished to become an acolyte of his had to be an expert in all forms of magic and a grandmaster in the sphere of magic he had discovered. In order to actually become a full member of his guild, one had to be a archmaster at the power he had discovered, and a master in all others. The guild was ruled by a council of twenty, known as the Twenty Legends, amazing mages who had become legends in all spheres of magic and were subordinate only to Shubnefer himself. Rynduil used to brag about how he once had been one of the Twenty Legends, something that nobody actually believed. Anyhow, Shubnefer disappeared around 300 years ago and was never seen nor heard from again. After the disappearance of the strongest mage in the Acolytes of Shubnefer, the Twenty Legends negotiated a peace with the Grey Circle, where the Acolytes would become a secret wing of the Grey Circle based in the city of Asphyr. The Twenty Legends still exist, but now, they're all cronies of the Grey Mage.

Now, about the egg...

When he first founded the Acolytes of Shubnefer, Shubnefer create twenty-one magical eggs, beautiful things to look at, and openable only through a cipher created by Shubnefer. The cipher was a tightly guarded secret of the Twenty Legends, each of whom had possession of one of the eggs. Shubnefer had possession of the last one. They were used by the Twenty for various purposes, most often to store valuable items.

On the Twenty Legends...
To gain a spot on the Twenty Legends, an aspiring acolyte who was a legend in all the various spheres of magic would challenge one of the Twenty Legends to a test of combat. The test of combat was to the death. If the challenger won, he gained a spot on the Twenty Legends and all of the deceased mage's possessions. If he died, then all of his possessions were ceded to the challenged Legend. Only someone who made it into the Twenty would be taught the cipher. Leaving the Twenty was punishable by death, as it would mean that the secret of the cipher would be leaked outside the Twenty. Rynduil is the only person who may have once been a member of the Twenty and escaped without dying.

On What happened to Shubnefer's egg...
After Shubnefer died, his egg was found by the Twenty Legends, and after the creation of the truce between the Grey Circle and the Acolytes, the Grey Mage was given the twenty-first egg, and presumably the cipher as well. And to this day, the Grey Mage has always retained possession of the egg, though all of them have had relatively normal lifespans. It's rather possible that you don't need Shubnefer's special magic to open the egg, but just the cipher.

On the Acolytes now...
Like I said, the Acolytes now are just servants of the Grey Mage, but they're still as strong as the original ones. The eggs also generally remained in the possession of the Twenty Legends, who continued to be chosen in the same manner as before. Occasionally, a Legend will lose his egg, but they almost always are regained within a couple months. It doesn't really matter, since most people don't know that the Acolytes exist."


-----

I thought that had already happened. Oh well. How far has Alanne gotten?

[zmflavius]

Here's the main history.


-----

I thought that had already happened. Oh well. How far has Alanne gotten?

She's just left the tent. Unfortunately, the area's swarming with mages since they heard the new guard yelling.

[thingirl]

She makes a mad dash for the equip tent.

[zmflavius]

You need to roll higher than 85 to win. You will get bonuses from Agility and Luck.

52+20+20=92

In the confusion, nobody notices you. You do knock over the grunt who's exiting upon entering though.

[thingirl]

She quickly stabbed him with the guard's dagger. She went in and equiped herself with her stuff and took the helm and breastplate. She also grabbed Myrenne's stuff and as much of the guys stuff she could carry in her back. She again tried to make it to Teek's tent, where she saw the other guys and Myrenne going.

[Godofpride]

(Thought I'd try something a little interesting, but it'll work.)

A solider from another time and universe had found himself stuck in Tysa for five years. He has already used up all his ammo for his firearms early on, so he discarded them. He only had his survival knife, woodland camo uniform, and his self made face paint left.


The solder's codename was Python, and over the course of five years, he learned the local language and some of the customs. Currently he was following a trail, and came upon a camp engaged in what appeared to be warefar. He drew his knife and proceeded with due caution, already having a feeling two women running about were not his enemy...


(Python has no magic skills. He has 85 for woodland and thievery, 72 for unarmed combat, 50 for weaponry, 60 for stabbing, and 30 for diplomacy. His stats are all 18 except for aura, which is two.)

[thingirl]

(Makes sense. Although, his Arua should be 1, because if one of your stats is 0, wouldn't you be dead?)

[Godofpride]

(Corrected it. Thanks.)

[zmflavius]

(Actually, the min stat is 2)

A mage noticed him, and immediately used SM. Python, coming from a world where magic was restricted to fairy tales and games, was immediately captured.

[thingirl]

Alanne noticed this and, while the other three members of the SC fled into the woods with their stuff, she and Myrenne tried to combine their powers of Elementalism to darken the skies, which were already dim, with it being evening.

[Godofpride]

Python struggled against the shadows, while also noticing the skies were getting darker.

[zmflavius]

Suddenly, a man strode out of the largest tent in the center of the campsite. He easily conjured up a number of lanterns, used elementalism to light them all, and then used telekinesis to raise them above the camp, creating a new array of shadows. Then, Python noticed that in addition to the belt with the black emblem and the grey robes he wore like everyone else, the man also had tattooed on the back of his neck: "20"

[thingirl]

Insane stab in the dark.

Alanne saw a red potion on the ground and was about to drink it when Myrenne slapped it out of her hand. It spilled everywhere. However, it was a NVR draining potion. All magic stopped.

[Godofpride]

Python escaped the shadow's clutches, do to the potion's spill. In a ready stance, he went up to man in grey robes. Python used his CQC skills he learned in training (Close Quarters Combat) in an attempt to get the mage in a joint lock with a knife to his throat.

[thingirl]

Alanne was suprised, but figured Python couldn't be an enemy if he was atacking the mage. She ran over and tried to help.

[zmflavius]

The potion bottle had Pryhan's name on it. In his rush to get out of camp, he must have left quite a few behind (You can see them in the equipment pile).

Python soon realized that despite the flowing robes, and aged look, the man was a fearsome fighter. He was, as Alanne suddenly deduced, after all, one of the Twenty Legends, and a master unarmed combatant (he was also a legendary staff-wielder, but it's rather difficult to use a staff in close quarters).

[thingirl]

Alanne yelled for her sister to grab as much stuff as she could from the equp tent and run. Once Myrenne was running, Alanne told Python to run and follow her. She noticed that Myrenne had droped one of the potians, so she threw it behind her for good measure.

[zmflavius]

Python's still struggling with the Legend. But it does have the effect of neutralizing the Legend's magic and shutting down all the SM (because the lanterns fell to the ground). Now you just need to get Python out.

[thingirl]

Try again with hitting the preasure point?

[Godofpride]

Python found himself outmatched. He felt like he was fighting with Bruce Lee rather than an old man in robes. The soilder tried to use evasive tactics to escape and flee.

[zmflavius]

You need greater than 150 to succeed. You will get bonuses from luck and unarmed combat.

74+72+18 = 164

By only sheer luck, Python managed to escape.

[thingirl]

The next chalenge is to find the others (which isn't very hard). After filling Python in on most of the details (and explainning the concept of magic and NR), Alanne tryed to open a portal to the Ice Cave again.

[Godofpride]

Python was still amazed, but he understood the concept. He asked to travel with them, as he might find some more answers. Python watched Alanne's back while she tried to open the portal.

[thingirl]

Myrenne was a bit skeptical, but she agreed to let him come.

[zmflavius]

The portal was opened but they could hear the mages approaching on horseback.

[thingirl]

Everyone jumped in, except Python, who was still a little skeptical.

[Godofpride]

Rather than waiting for mounted warriors without any weapons besides his knife, Python choose to dive into the portal.

[zmflavius]

You're standing outside a cave in a freezing pass.

[thingirl]

Alanne closes the portal asks Teek to lead the way to try to find the cave where they were going in the first place.

[Godofpride]

Python grunted, and rubbed his arms. "If only I still had my snow camo...nevermind. Where are we exactly?" He asked.

[thingirl]

Alanne answered. "Well, see this shield I'm wearing?"

"Yes"

"I got it in that cave. After defeating the Troll made of ice that lives there 36 times."

[zmflavius]

Teek looked around.

"Crap. The passes from this area leading to the caves are all blocked. It looks like they managed to sneak in a few destruction blasts."

"No, we just camouflaged ourselves with illusion and followed you dolts here before you closed the portal." (they went into the portal before Python and while the mages on the other side were sending in Destruction blasts, they loosed a few of their own, which obviously, were easier to aim)

Then they attack!

[thingirl]

(I'm gonna regret this.)

Alanne grabbed the closest two people (Teek and Myrenne) and ran into the cave shouting for the others to follow.

[Godofpride]

Python grabbed a chunk of ice real quick, and threw it at them before retreating. He made sure to watch his step as to not slip.

[thingirl]

(You can't remember your own character's name. I think it's Python.)

Alanne stoped at the frozen body. "Now, just up ahead, there are two loose blocks of ice. They hurt if they hit you. These mages will persue us in here, no doubt, so what we will do is this: We will all run past the falling ice, then Myrenne and I will use our powers of Shadow Magic to hold it up and drop it on the mages when they case us. The second one we will use as a passage block."

[Godofpride]

(I corrected it before you said so. I was doing another RP at the same time using a different character altogether. Only similar in name.)

[thingirl]

(sorry.)

[zmflavius]

To get to the frozen body, you need to get past a frozen brigand. And any number of random encounters.

[Godofpride]

(It's ok thingirl. No problem.)

"Let me handle the first one." Python said, and then went to square off with the strange ice being. He focused on dodging the swipes and countering its techniques.

[thingirl]

NINJA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (jk :p)

Alanne could see that Python was getting hurt, so she stepped in.