Adventure Path Reign of Winter

Game Master Almonihah

Selena looks a bit confused, "What is wrong with changing bodies? It isn't like it changes who you are. I don't see the point in caring about whether you are physically an elf or not. It makes no sense to me."

Fin shrugs. "If Erastil had wanted me to be anything other than an Elf, I would be...but even aside from that, there are huge differences. As an Elf, providing I survive our quest, I'll probably live to be over 600 years, perhaps 700 or so...if I come back as something else, my lifespan will be significantly shorter and I may need those extra years to figure things out. In addition, I'll know nothing of the culture of the new being/race that I've become...

"If I come back as a halfling (as you did) or a dwarf or gnome or something even smaller, my beloved longbow becomes a paperweight; I'd no longer be able to wield it properly. That's part of what makes me me...I'd be devastated...and miserable...

"And that's just the tip of the iceberg. I already carry a lot of baggage from my life as an Elf...I don't need any more, thank you very much..."

"Look at me, I've been human, wolfish, and now halfling, but I'm still me."

Fin grins. "About that, Selena, we are in complete agreement..."

"If I come back as a female, yet I am still myself as you say, what about that? I know nothing of females...I'd be a male in a female's body. And what about any romantic relationships I might've cultivated or might've wished for before then?

"Well then I could teach you about the female body, that'd be a lot of fun!" Maka said as she returned with some firewood.

"Well then I could teach you about the female body, that'd be a lot of fun!" Maka said as she returned with some firewood.

In spite of his sincerity when speaking, Fin laughs heartily at Maka's response. "Aye, Maka, fun indeed! You're the only one I know of that could get me to see the silver lining in that..."

In spite of his sincerity when speaking, Fin laughs heartily at Maka's response. "Aye, Maka, fun indeed! You're the only one I know of that could get me to see the silver lining in that..."

"What are friends for?" Maka replied as she laughed with Fin. "Oh speaking of learning about new bodies, learned anything fun about yours Selena?"

"How many times do I have to tell you, the half-orc fetish is just a drunk-Quasit thing." says Quasit in feigned exasperation. "It'd never work when I was sober, which is at least half the time."

"I don't know Fin, I might be with Selena on this one. Alive is almost always better than dead. And whatever you came back as, it would feel natural and normal -- I mean, I guess it would, I've never been reincarnated, as far as I know. Cripes, it's either that, or Tez is gonna dissect you and use part of your soul for a spell and steal your face and heaven's-know-what-else."

"Personally, I wouldn't mind coming back as a man. Life is so much simpler for men."

"I don't know Fin, I might be with Selena on this one."

Fin drops his jaw, his mouth opening wide in mock-plaintive fashion, before he utters, "Q agrees with Selena? Tez, can you do one of your readings to see if Hell has frozen over?" The Elf looks up to the sky to make sure it's not falling...

"Personally, I wouldn't mind coming back as a man. Life is so much simpler for men."

This time, Fin looks genuinely flabbergasted. "Are you kidding me, Q? I'm over 110 years old...and I still don't know the first thing about women...but maybe that's just me. Seems women have men figured out before they reach puberty..."

Oparal's shoulders rise and fall rapidly as look of humor shapes her face. It seems Aria isn't sure how to relay laughter telepathically, but it is clear that she finds the exchange humorous.

Selena but then tells Fin, "Fin, so long as I have access to the reincarnate spell, I will not die. I will outlive you, whatever bodies I have. I'm sure someday I'll be bored of living but I plan on outdoing Baba yaga at least, and that's several millennia. Besides, did it ever occur to you that were meant to start as an elf, but maybe not end as one?"

What is left of the night is restful for all. Findurel has a fair supply of fish for breaking fast and to cushion the party's supplies until arriving in Vurnirn. Oparal and Aria remain with the group to share in food and company until all are ready to make the short trip to the city.

Selena but then tells Fin, "Fin, so long as I have access to the reincarnate spell, I will not die. I will outlive you, whatever bodies I have."

"Look Selena, I don't begrudge you, or Q, if you wish to go the reincarnation route...both of you are comfortable with it...I am not. If I die on this quest, if there be a cleric or priest that can raise me from the dead, as I am, then fine...but I'll take a hard pass on reincarnation. I have many flaws...but I am comfortable in my own skin...though it's taken me a while to be so. I would not be comfortable in the skin of another...perhaps that is another flaw of mine..."

"I'm sure someday I'll be bored of living..."

Fin nods wistfully. "That haunts me...since I lost my parents, at a fairly young age for an Elf, there had only been one other that was a true friend to me (and death took that friend as well) till I met up with you folk in Heldren to take up this quest. If we all survive this, I will be keep in touch with each of you...but when each of you die, I will be left alone...

"I wonder if this might be the sadness referenced in that quote from the poem Q recalled earlier an Elf's birthright..."

This time, Fin looks genuinely flabbergasted. "Are you kidding me, Q? I'm over 110 years old...and I still don't know the first thing about women...but maybe that's just me. Seems women have men figured out before they reach puberty..."

"See, that's the beauty of being a man. Society is set up so you don't have to figure out women, you can get by just fine being clueless."

"Look, I enjoy being a girl, but it's sorta like the difference between walking across a room and walking a tightrope over the same room. Women are judged on everything they do, and no one ever gives us the benefit of the doubt when its our word against some dumb man. And you always get judged for how you look. I have to admit I've sort of given up on that front, I just don't care any more. But it's pretty hard getting people to take me seriously."

"I could go on, but nobody wants to hear me kvetch. But back me up girls?"

"Actually, I think my first choice would be to come back as an Amazing Fox Lady. But with my luck I'd get stuck as a kobold with a limp."

"See, that's the beauty of being a man. Society is set up so you don't have to figure out women, you can get by just fine being clueless."

Fin ponders skeptically. "I dunno...I sure am tired of being clueless in that area...but maybe you're right, Q...maybe I'm better off being that way..."

"But it's pretty hard getting people to take me seriously."

"You may be right there as well...at least in general. Bulvi, Tez, and I all look to you as our leader, with no doubts, so there are some of our gender that take you seriously..."

--------------------------------------------------

Fin will wake early the next morning, as usual, and try to rouse Maka for his training without awaking Bull. After getting bruised as usual (he can see improvement as he's not getting as many bruises), he walks back down to the river to wash off and bathe. Upon finishing, he'll head back to the camp, warm up the fish, eat, brush his teeth, and gather his gear for the hike to Vurnirn…

As they approach Vurnirn, he looks to Q and Erdija. "Erdija, how should we best approach this town? Q, the plan is still to get in, get what we need, and get out, while staying together, right?"

He'll then turn to his new Elven friend, smiling. "Oparal, do you, Aria, or your gnome friend need anything from town? Will you be able to stay with us a while longer? While I hope you can, I'll understand if you need to check on your friend..."

Erdija looks ahead and then responds after watching the crowds for a moment, "With the warming its busy enough that we shouldn't garner much attention. Glancing toward Findurel. Just be sure to keep you ears hidden. Everyone else will be fine if they can appear human or like a mundane animal.

Oparal gestures toward the tree line not to far from the city. "Aria and I will find a spot in the forest and watch for you all to leave the city. We have what we need. I will be able to stay with you all for another night. We'll have to part ways when I return to the south tomorrow."

Tezuzu will sleep in later than is usual for him and spend a decent amount of the morning in his tent. After meditating to regain his magic he tries his hand and transforming himself into an approximation of the dead merchant using his notes. Casting, Greater Assume Appearance

Upon emerging from his tent stands a close but flawed approximation of one of the bodies Tezuzu had been fiddling with the night they stayed in the hut. His nose clearly misshaped and larger than originally "Tada!" he proclaims happily to the rest of the group a silly grin plastered all over his face.

He experimentally pushes on his cheeks with his fingers "This feels so strange. It is certainly going to take some getting used to. These facial muscles and lips are....weird...are there any tricks to preventing them from reflexively expressing your emotions?" As his grin begins to turn to a frown he continues "No matter how hard I try they keep shifting based on my temperament and it is quite distracting."

As his frown turns to contemplation he adds "I cannot say it is a bad as I thought it would be. I feel weirdly smooth and cold without my feathers though..." as he licks his fingers and slicks back a few out of place hairs continues rambling a bit "....and do not get me started on nipples...I have much higher respect for you all for putting up with them all your lives. These fleshy nubbles are absolutely awful."

Fin smiles sadly at Oparal. "Yes, you must help your friend. I'll see you once we have the supplies we need. Be wary out there...someone, or something, hunts us..."

Fin then nods to Erdija and Quasit. "Let's get to it then." The Elf puts his bow in his quiver of efficiency, pulls his hood up over his ears, and starts heading into town.

While in town, he'll try to stay inconspicuous and alert to anything odd...not actually hiding, just placing himself where he'll draw the least amount of attention...

I'll just take 10 on both while in town...

Stealth: 10 + 20 + 2 + 2 = 34
Perception: 10 + 13 + 2 + 2 = 27

Selena Snoe Yelizaveta wrote:

"I'm sure someday I'll be bored of living..."

Fin nods wistfully. "That haunts me...since I lost my parents, at a fairly young age for an Elf, there had only been one other that was a true friend to me (and death took that friend as well) till I met up with you folk in Heldren to take up this quest. If we all survive this, I will be keep in touch with each of you...but when each of you die, I will be left alone...

"I wonder if this might be the sadness referenced in that quote from the poem Q recalled earlier an Elf's birthright..."

"Didn't I just say that I'll outlive you Fin? You can visit my castle anytime. If you die there, I promise not to let the gravekeeper play with you." she remarks the last sentance with a playful grin and amusement. Her invitation seems legit though.

In the "city,"
Selena looks for supplies to craft magic with, a ring of sustenance, and spells to learn.

Sakitu joins the others walking into town. She stays in her human form. Once they've left Oparal she scoots close to Quasit. "So? That elf lady seems nice, right? I thought it was a little weird that she didn't want to come into town but I guess her explanation made sense. Hopefully nothing bad will happen to us in here."

"I'm not sure if I'd want to come back regardless of the means but I don't think a new body would be the thing that would put me off, compared to coming back from the dead it seems somewhat trivial. Though it would be very inconvenient to come back with a different stature and reach I'd adapt in time."

Oparal jest via Aria, "And he's worried about me getting into his mind. The real worry it him taking on the appearance of a recently dead friend or family member.

Feel free to back track for role play. Moving a bit into city scene.

Erdija watches Oparal a bit to get a sense of the area of forest toward which the elf is heading. She then shifts her attention to the crown surrounding the tent 'city'. She returns nods, but is otherwise silent as the party is absorbed into the scrum surrounding the city. Beyond the occasional over eager merchant, no one seems to give the party's arrival notice.

Take a look at discussion when you can.

"....and do not get me started on nipples...I have much higher respect for you all for putting up with them all your lives. These fleshy nubbles are absolutely awful."

Fin arches an eyebrow. "We monkeys are rather fond of nipples," he says, then blushing a bit after realizing what he said, before trying to qualify his statement. "If it 'tweren't for nipples, baby monkeys would have a hard time being fed..."

"I'm not sure if I'd want to come back regardless of the means but I don't think a new body would be the thing that would put me off, compared to coming back from the dead it seems somewhat trivial. Though it would be very inconvenient to come back with a different stature and reach I'd adapt in time."

Fin smiles at Bulvi. "Not you too, Bull? So I guess my prediction of being alone are moot; you will all keep being reincarnated and outlive me. I'll be on my deathbed in Selena's castle and you'll all come to see me; Selena will be a hag, like Baba Yaga, Quasit a half-Orc lad, Bull a gnome princess in unfashionably large plate armor, Maka undoubtedly will be a dragon, Tez a three-nippled monkey of some sort, and Sakitu, probably a fey creature...I won't recognize any of you, but at least I'll die among friends..."

-----------------------------------------

Once in Vurnirn, Fin will keep an eye out for a shop likely to carry arrows and a general store. He'll stay with his friends, though, pointing out anything he finds...

The variety of weapons and armor is quite expansive, though much of it is likely mundane and full armor will prove unusable as its made for centaur. Head, chest, and armor for the arms should work just fine. Similarly, cloaks are available. Arrows are also easily found.

Likewise a wide variety of preserved food stuffs are available.

"Tada!"

Quasit looks back toward Tezuzu at this flourish. Her eyes go wide and her hand flies to her mouth, though it's not clear if she's holding back vomit or a laugh.

"Um. Yeah, you're gonna blend right in. Nice job Tez." she manages weakly.

"So it's not just an illusion spell? You actually have lips and... nubbles?"

"So? That elf lady seems nice, right? I thought it was a little weird that she didn't want to come into town but I guess her explanation made sense. Hopefully nothing bad will happen to us in here."

"In her place I'd be cautious too." says Quasit with a shrug. "But yeah, she seems nice, I like her." She lowers her voice so only Sakitu will hear. "I think Fin is a little taken with her. And I think she likes him. They make a cute couple -- what am I talking about, all elf couples are cute. I wish she would stay with us, he seems brighten up with her around. And she would obviously be helpful to us."

"If it 'tweren't for nipples, baby monkeys would have a hard time being fed..."

"It beats having your mother vomiting into your throat." observes Quasit.

Fin smiles at Bulvi. "Not you too, Bull? So I guess my prediction of being alone are moot; you will all keep being reincarnated and outlive me. I'll be on my deathbed in Selena's castle and you'll all come to see me; Selena will be a hag, like Baba Yaga, Quasit a half-Orc lad, Bull a gnome princess in unfashionably large plate armor, Maka undoubtedly will be a dragon, Tez a three-nippled monkey of some sort, and Sakitu, probably a fey creature...I won't recognize any of you, but at least I'll die among friends..."

"Chances are we'll all be dead in a week and no one will bother to reincarnate any of us." observes Quasit blithely. "So I wouldn't worry about it."

She elbows Bulvi. "A gnome princess? Lucky."

"I'm not exactly sure how I'd be a princess. But switching out all my gear would be a serious downside of coming back as a gnome or ogre." Bulvi grins at Quasit "I think I'd make a great gnomish princess... I can't recall a gnome kingdom. I guess if I did come back as a gnome I'd be a warrior monarch."

Quasit rolls her eyes, then begins teasing Bulvi mercilessly. "Ugh. What's the point of being a princess if you're still gonna hack people with swords? You have to play the hand you're dealt. If I came back as a completely different kind of person physically, I'd look at that as an opportunity to be a completely different kind of person overall, you know? Just don't rule out the frilly dresses and needlepoint out of hand before you see what feels right, you know?"

Fin laughs at the banter about reincarnation. "You never know, Bull...if I understand correctly, you have no control over what you come back as...I'm sure Selena didn't choose to be a halfling...but Q's right, we're not likely to survive any way. We've been pretty lucky to get this far..."

Fin will give Saki his 18 regular arrows; he'll purchase 30 cold iron arrows (3 gp) and couple packs of yummy trail rations (1 gp).

He nods to Quasit. "Q, you're both our best appraiser and our best negotiator; if we can find a buyer, would you mind trying to liquidate some of our loot?"

"Sure" she answers with a shrug.

Quasit will seek out a likely merchant.

Anyone have a list of what we're selling? It might be a couple days before I get a chance to really study our backposts, I'm working a lot of hours these days.

"I could go on, but nobody wants to hear me kvetch. But back me up girls?"

"Actually, I think my first choice would be to come back as an Amazing Fox Lady. But with my luck I'd get stuck as a kobold with a limp."

"Hmm, well I haven't had those issues, but boys sure can be jerks to girls in the Inner Sea. Do you think most everyone thinks I'm a boy here?" Maka laughed at the thought. "Still I agree with Quasit, I like being a girl. Though it wouldn't be so bad being as pretty as Saki, so long as I had my fire."

------

Fin will wake early the next morning, as usual, and try to rouse Maka for his training without awaking Bull. After getting bruised as usual (he can see improvement as he's not getting as many bruises), he walks back down to the river to wash off and bathe.

After a rousing round of sparring, Maka left a trail of clothes behind her as she took a running leap in to the river. Turning in to a ball of fire before hitting the water, steam filled the area as the water quickly rose in temperature.

"Nothing like a hot bath after a good spar!" Maka shouted as she rose from the water and stretched. "You should ask Oparal to join us!"

Maka spit her drink out in laughter at Tezuzu's quip. [b]"Well other people's nipples are usually more fun than your own."

-----

"I'm not exactly sure how I'd be a princess. But switching out all my gear would be a serious downside of coming back as a gnome or ogre." Bulvi grins at Quasit "I think I'd make a great gnomish princess... I can't recall a gnome kingdom. I guess if I did come back as a gnome I'd be a warrior monarch."

"I'd prefer you to come back as a dwarven princess, that way you'd still have a beard. What is the common saying..."Best of both planes"?

-----

Maka threw her arms around Quasit in a back breaking hug. [b]"But I love the person you are overall! Getting a new body is one thing but you still have to be my friend!" Maka lifted Quasit to eye level for optimum sad puppy eyes.

-----

As the group got closer to the city, Maka's excitement grew. "I can't wait to get some food! Erdija what kind of street food do centaurs make? Is it fried, sweet, spicy, meaty..." Maka continued to list food adjatives at Erdija for a time.

Erdija looks toward Maka, smilling. "Mostly smoked. As if on que the smell of slowly smoked meat of some sort wafts toward the party. It's unclear in the crowd which tent the smell is coming from.

Maka threw her arms around Quasit in a back breaking hug. "But I love the person you are overall! Getting a new body is one thing but you still have to be my friend!"

There is a low dull popping sound from Quasit's back and her eyes go wide. She bites her lip hard and closes her eyes tight.

"Yeah. Sure. Anything you say Maka." agrees Quasit very quickly. Once released Quasit resumes walking, if a bit more stiffly.

Back at the river...

After a rousing round of sparring, Maka left a trail of clothes behind her as she took a running leap in to the river. Turning in to a ball of fire before hitting the water, steam filled the area as the water quickly rose in temperature.

"Nothing like a hot bath after a good spar!" Maka shouted as she rose from the water and stretched. "You should ask Oparal to join us!"

Fin laughs as Maka does a cannonball, enjoying the soak even more as the water heats up. "Amen, Maka, a hot bath soothes the body and soul! And there'd be no such thing as a hot bath here without you around! I think I'm getting a little better with the sparring...at least I don't have quite as many bruises as usual...

"Yes, Oparal, you are most welcome to join us...but I'll understand if you may not be comfortable with the communal baths I grew up with among the Elves in Osirion and Kyonin..."

-----

Fast forward to back in town

Fin will partake of some of the smoked meat...as long as it something that he recognizes. He'll then lay low and keep an eye out on things while Q does her negotiating thing...

Stealth: 10 + 20 + 2 + 2 = 34
Perception: 10 + 13 + 2 + 2 = 27

Sakitu giggles quietly when Quasit mentions the elf couple and then she whispers back. "But I thought that Fin and Maka were a couple. I mean they are always 'sparing' -- but I know what that means."

Sakitu and Quasit continue talking all the way until they enter the village. The sights and sounds and smells are intriguing. The smells especially. The smoked meat makes Sakitu's mouth water but she waits to see what other people are going to do.

While waiting, she approaches Maka. "Back there, outside the city, you said that you'd want to be as pretty as me. But I'm not that pretty you know. I mean, do you think I am?" Sakitu asks quietly and she's clearly not begging for a compliment. Her own insecurities seem to be driving the question.

"Back home the boys really didn't pay much attention to me. So I guessed that I was just too plain." She shakes her head and looks around. Speaking a little louder she continues. "But you know what, it doesn't matter. Look where I am now. I'm on an adventure and none of those boys at home will ever have anything like this."

While waiting, she approaches Maka. "Back there, outside the city, you said that you'd want to be as pretty as me. But I'm not that pretty you know. I mean, do you think I am?" Sakitu asks quietly and she's clearly not begging for a compliment. Her own insecurities seem to be driving the question.

"MUWHA!?" Maka shouted through a mouthful of smoked meat before beginning to choke. Taking a moment to clear her throat, the fire monk leaned down and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "That's CRAZY! You're the prettiest girl I've ever saw." She said with wide, teary eyes and a snotty nose. "And not only that, you have magic, you're super brave, and yeah you're on this adventure to stop evil witches and help people!"

Maka took a drink from her canteen and wiped her nose. "I bet those boys were just intimated by how amazing you are! Wait...so have you never...or even kissed someone?"

"For all the jokes people make I've never seen a dwarven woman with a beard. A dwarf wouldn't be too bad, good centre of gravity and the gear wouldn't need as much modification."

"I'd still be me though so the whole frilly dress thing, if I wanted to wear frilly things you'd have seen me in frilly things by now."

A bath
Oparal smiles and blushes a bit. "My arm needs special tending when it comes to water and as I didn't anticipate this journey taking such a curious detour I did not bring the needed supplies I'm afraid."

The 'city'
Barter goes quickly and easily, Erdija serving as a fine source of cultural relations. The centaur give the group a curious look, but as you are accompanied by a known scout of a well respected clan there seems to be no need for questions. Each of you are able to have your fill of smoked meat. Drink is primarily cold well water unless there is curiosity about the mead a variety of centaur merchants seem to be selling. Eridja seems quite resistant to the mead, however.

Several different merchants are able to purchase found treasure from the group. Interest is such that one of the most well connected merchants finds a spare tent whose owner has not yet arrived. An older fellow, he offers to pay the rental fee if he is guaranteed first appraisal of the items.

OK, so before selling things, we have some un-appraised items I'd like to appraise.

Appraise on Jeweled Trollhound collar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Appraise on Snow Globe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Appraise on Gold Censer: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Appraise on 5 tourmalines: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Appraise on 10 enormous pearls: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Appraise on gold locket: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Appraise on blue quartz tiara: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Looking over Maka's loot sheet, the following are claimed:
Mingus locker (Tezuzu)
Hyperboreal robe (Tezuzu)
Seer's Tea (Tezuzu)
Unguent of Timelessness (Tezuzu)
Universal Solvent (Quasit)
Elixir of Love (Quasit)
Did Findurel claim the Efficient Quiver?

I think we should keep the following as party resources:
Scroll of Scorching Ray
Scroll of See Invisibility
wand of true strike (5 charges)
Adamantine warhammer (handy for fighting constructs and busting through things)
Potion of CMW
3 potions of CLW
Restorative Ointment (neutralize poison in a jar in a party with no cleric? yes please!)
The 3 Artrosa Amulets

So, that leaves us selling so far:
2 masterwork comp longbows (+2 Str) - 600g
+1 scale mail - 600g
+1 hvy wooden shield - 579g
scroll of blink - 188g
wand of silent image - 90g
Everblooms Rose - 1500g (this seems ungrateful of us toward Solveig, but...)
3 masterwork rapiers - 480g
bracers of armor +1 - 1500g
ice diamond necklace - 50g
Battle Axe of Binding - 6175g
cauldron of brewing - 1500g
Emberchill - 6403g
wand of ice spears - 1125g
bead of newt protection - 500g
potion of shield of faith - 25g
potion of barkskin - 200g
serpentine owl figurine - 4550g
pearl of power 1 - 500g
creepy hexing doll - 1250g

So by my calculation, we are selling 27,815g worth of items + whatever the unappraised items are worth. We'll be dividing that 7 ways. I recommend that we factor in the value of what has already been specifically claimed by any characters and subtract that off their total to be fair to the others in the group, not counting the things we are holding as 'Party' resources.

Does all this look right to everyone?

Sakitu giggles quietly when Quasit mentions the elf couple and then she whispers back. "But I thought that Fin and Maka were a couple. I mean they are always 'sparing' -- but I know what that means."

"Yeah, I know what that means too, but as far as Maka goes, I think she'd 'spar' with the bears and the trees if it seemed fun." she answers, making the air-quote sign with her hands. "I don't really think they're a couple, but I think she likes to lannat hai everything and I think he's just lonely. I think her and Bulvi might be a couple -- I don't know, it's a little hard to tell. I tried to weasel a confession out of Bull and he just was like 'Oh, you know, maybe, we'll see how it goes...'" When 'quoting' Bulvi, she deepens her voice comedically and apes some of his characteristic gestures and mannerisms.

"So I guess my prediction of being alone are moot; you will all keep being reincarnated and outlive me..."[/b]

Tezuzu will quietly add "I...hmmmm... While I am not inherently opposed to the idea of extending my time in this mortal existence through various means. I would not bet that I shall outlive you Findurel. I am not so much concerned with fleeing death as much as I feel there are things I would like to accomplish and do at this stage before moving on to the next. Once I am less occupied I shall greet Pharasma's judgment happily." scratching his head he notes "And if I spent longer than an elf's lifetime to accomplish those things I would be awfully disappointed in myself." with a sarcasm he finishes flipantly "That is supposing our fate is something other than being disemboweled and impaled on pikes outside the palace"

---------

"So it's not just an illusion spell? You actually have lips and... nubbles?"

Tezuzu frowns with his newfound facial muscles before lecturing "I have told you before I am terrible at illusions. It is flesh-warping magic. A practice my clan that has been passed down the generation actually emulated from the fey originally. I believe they are called skinstealers?"

"It beats having your mother vomiting into your throat." observes Quasit."

Showing an exaggerated display of offense in jest Tezuzu chirps "I find that offensive! That's a misconception. Tengu parents do not feed their hatchlings and certainly not in such a disgusting fashion."

”I’d still be me though so the whole frilly dress thing, if I wanted to wear frilly things you'd have seen me in frilly things by now."

Tezuzu nods a thought occurring to him as wry smile spreads across his new face "There are times where the things we wanted were hidden from ourselves. How are you sure dresses and frills are not something you would enjoy? Have you tried them before? I think personally think you would look rather dashing in a elegant petticoat."

Tezuzu's eyes open wide "Oh and before I forget I sent word via wind spirits to Solveig last night. We had a brief chat. Apparently the uprising is going well in so much that it has not been brutally crushed yet. The children are doing well. No new news on the queen or the rest of the winter guards actions as they pertain to us at least."

As they travel through the settlement Tezuzu will aid Quasit in tracking down merchants and organizing the sale of their treasures. He munches down a bit of smoked meat on a stick with gusto quite pleased to try out his molars for the first time.

"For all the jokes people make I've never seen a dwarven woman with a beard. A dwarf wouldn't be too bad, good centre of gravity and the gear wouldn't need as much modification."

"I'd still be me though so the whole frilly dress thing, if I wanted to wear frilly things you'd have seen me in frilly things by now."

"Girl dwarves do have beards. It's just that there is a play about a dwarven war maiden that shaves off all her hair so a magic giant mole rat wouldn't be able to smell her. So it's really popular for girl dwarves to shave their beards in..." Maka's brain visibly turned on her face. "Whats the word for ekajutata? Doing things together? Anyway that's why you never see girl dwarves with beards. My friend Bomdem told me about it when I was earning food in the fight pits in Absalom. He wasn't a very good fighter, but he told great stories! He'd tell you all sorts of stuff if you bought him ale." Despite having said it all out loud, Maka failed to connect the dots about the truth to Bomdem's drunken tall tales.

"Also no complaints from me about the frilly clothes!" Maka said with a laugh. "Fancy clothes in the Inner Sea are crazy. I don't know how people even move in them, especially the dresses. Girls can barely walk in them, let alone hit a chin with a spinning back kick!" Flames shot out from Maka's foot as she demonstrated such a kick. "I mean even if I could make the kick I probably would have just set the dress on fire. And sure I wouldn't burn, but trust me when I say it's never good to be on fire and inside. Although..."

Maka's brain once again started to visibly turn, but this time with an unusually sinister grin from Maka. "Yeah! If I was on fire I would be way harder to grapple. And even if they punched me it would still burn their hand some. Okay we should get some oily rags to wrap me in!"

Shopping continues as various equipment is obtained. Bulvi even manages to find someone that can do work on his shield. Such work takes time so an issue comes up. Stay in town, camp outside town, or pass on the chance to have the work done?

Bulvi starts counting off on his fingers. "One it might damage your gear... though you don't use much. Two the oily rags would burn off to cinders pretty quickly. Three I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd be concerned if you were running around on fire, even if you were alright it would take some getting used to."

"To be fair Maka most people can't kick people with the same level of skill as you do. I did hear a tall tale about an assassin who masqueraded as a noble woman and had a ball gown enchanted to cast feather fall on her. She'd lure her victims onto some high up balcony... dispatch them and then glide downwards to safety."

Seeing the surplus of goods that Quasit has been able to negotiate for, Fin bows, not mockingly but in pure heartfelt gratitude, to Quasit.

"Thank you, Q...you truly have a silver tongue, if ever there was one...not that I expect to but, if my past ever catches up to me and I should need a barrister, I'd choose you..."

He immediately puts on the ring of sustenance, as well as the belt; he tiptoes around a bit, then gives off a wink, saying, "Now I'll even be more of sneakier bastard..."

He nods to Bulvi. "Of all things you could be reincarnated as my friend, I think you'd be best suited as a dwarf...

As for your shield, I'm willing to wait a day or so. Anything that'll protect you better, as well as keeping me from facing another boar charge, I'm all for..." Fin says, but then looks to Quasit as he continues, "...but I shouldn't overstep my bounds...whatever you think best, Q..."

Maka took a drink from her canteen and wiped her nose. "I bet those boys were just intimated by how amazing you are! Wait...so have you never...or even kissed someone?"

Sakitu blushes at the compliment from Maka but then turns even more embarrassed when she mentions kissing -- and implies other things...

Yes. Of course I've kissed a boy before. Okado. Back home. But," she added with more than a touch of shyness, "it was only that once. And it was really fast. Not like I've seen you sometimes."

Sakitu is uncomfortable with the topic but something about Maka is comforting and makes her want to keep talking.

"I mean, I just don't think I'm ready for all that. Everyone keeps saying 'when you meet the right guy' but I don't know..."

As for your shield, I'm willing to wait a day or so. Anything that'll protect you better, as well as keeping me from facing another boar charge, I'm all for..." Fin says, but then looks to Quasit as he continues, "...but I shouldn't overstep my bounds...whatever you think best, Q..."

"I still don't like the idea of staying in town. And remember that somehow those frost giants were waiting for us in ambush. Someone knows we're here and is after us."

She looks off back toward the forest.

"But I'm not sure we could get much farther today anyway. Maybe we could camp a day or two outside of town and come back for your shield. Would that be long enough?" she says hesitantly. She looks back toward Findurel. "Then you and Oparal could have a little more time too. I'm sure she'd like that."

"But I'm not sure we could get much farther today anyway. Maybe we could camp a day or two outside of town and come back for your shield. Would that be long enough?" she says hesitantly.

"Sounds good to me, Q; I think a night or two is worth the chance as that shield could be a big help to Bull in a fight...hopefully, it'll be ready by then..."

"Then you and Oparal could have a little more time too. I'm sure she'd like that."

Fin blushes a bit. "She said tonight would be her last night with us; she's got to head back south to help a friend. I don't know that she likes me like that though, Q...she may just be happy to see another Elf after all these years..."

Maka wrote:

Maka took a drink from her canteen and wiped her nose. "I bet those boys were just intimated by how amazing you are! Wait...so have you never...or even kissed someone?"

Sakitu blushes at the compliment from Maka but then turns even more embarrassed when she mentions kissing -- and implies other things...

Yes. Of course I've kissed a boy before. Okado. Back home. But," she added with more than a touch of shyness, "it was only that once. And it was really fast. Not like I've seen you sometimes."

Maka wrapped her arm around Saki with a chuckle. "Yeah, I do like to kiss. Sometimes I forget that Bulvi doesn't have breath training."

Sakitu is uncomfortable with the topic but something about Maka is comforting and makes her want to keep talking.

"I mean, I just don't think I'm ready for all that. Everyone keeps saying 'when you meet the right guy' but I don't know..."

Maka continued to walk with her arm around Saki, doing her best to keep the kitsune physically and spiritually warm. "Well you know I don't agree with that. But it doesn't matter what I or anyone else agrees with. What matters is what you agree with."

Maka looked down at Saki with a toothy grin. "I know how I am, but it's actually fairly common for people to be celibate in Jalmeray. There isn't anything wrong with it." A flash of concern quickly swept across Maka's face and was just as quickly replaced by a look of contemplation. The fire monk took a moment to chose her words before continuing, but was still clearly hesitant. "I'm not sure how Tian is...but I know in the Inner Sea...the point is, it might not be the right guy but the right girl. Or not even a girl, it..."

Maka broke off as her brain visibly turned. Eventually Maka broke out of her stupor with a fierce shake of her head. "Wow I do NOT have the words in common. Well there are a lot of other things besides boys and girls. Just think about things, try not to let other people's preconceptions cloud your judgement. And don't be scarred! I know in the Inner Sea there is this...story about sex you are supposed to meet. But sex isn't a story, sex is...sex is like running. It's fun and exciting and sweaty, and it's fun to do it alone and with others, and you'll probably fall down your first time but you'll get better, but maybe you don't like to run, maybe you like to read, and that's fun too..."

Maka broke off with a look of frustration and then a quick laugh. "Well I think the roopak got away from me, but I hope you understand my meaning? And you can always talk to me! And not just about sex, but anything else too. I love you chhotee bahan!" Maka finished her ramble with one of her back breaking hugs.

With further conversation Bulvi understands from Erdija that the crafts person anticipates the work being done late tomorrow. Given that the group is accompanied by a centaur payment is delayed until after the work is finished. The crafts person is taking the shield as deposit incase payment is provided after the work is done.

Though he suggest a particular area of the tent city to stay, it is clear from the smattering of tents beyond the main city area that many prefer to camp outside the city.

By this time sun has dipped toward the horizon. Stomach's express interest in the continued presence of smoked meats. Even with a break for dinner there is likely still to be plenty of light left to make it to the nearby forest to alert Oparal to the party's plan.

GM: According to the map, Vurnirn looks like it rests between the junction of two rivers...so I'm assuming a river is nearby...is that correct?

Fin will buy some extra smoked meat for Oparal, as well as for her song drake Aria, before they head back to the forest to make camp. Upon approaching Oparal, he smiles as he hands the skewers of smoked meat to her. "I got these for you, m'Lady...and there should be enough for Aria too. Since you have to leave us tomorrow, I felt like you and Aria should eat like queens tonight..."

He takes a short moment while they eat to size up the area for making camp, looking for a good spot for his bedroll, before continuing. "We'll be staying here for the night as Bulvi's shield won't be ready till late tomorrow; we'll pick it up before heading to Artrosa. What time will you be leaving us tomorrow? After my very early morning training session with Maka, I'll head to the river and catch some fish for breakfast, if you like...and if you have the time..."

"That reminds me, Maka, how do you not become pregnant? Isn't that what normally happens when one does enough 'sparring?'" she airquoted that last word, but seems interested in a technical kind of way.