The feast continues as long as you wish.
Aien shows the group his paper and talks about it, "I have a house for us to stay in Loarim. Shall we check it out?" The writ only states that the one who holds the deed owns the house. It is a green house of newgrowth wood next to the pool of sapphires.
Garret points out his blessing, "The Fae have agreed to have an alliance of non violence between them and Sanctuary. More specifically the temple of death but it extends to the mesa Sanctuary rests on."
As the group approaches, the purple robed and faceless man gives a cheek revealing smile "Yes, the Filthy Trio. Much better than the Dirty Duo but I can't imagine it is TOO much better.... Oh well. Yes yes, you've been in here before Mr. Third? Well I can only hope it lives up to the expectations you had for it last time... Up, down- who knows with the Dungeon....
Oh, something in your eye...."
The Doorman pulls a Pearl of Protection out of Delman's eye, or rather, that is how he attempts to make it look as he rolls the black swirling orb between his fingers.
He flicks it off his pointer to Delman just before hard balling another at Titus. It slaps Titus in the chest just before he can catch it.
Finally the Doorman approaches Tyme And you MOST of all should have fun. Sitting back, healing them like a good little revivalist. It'd be such a shame if you got left behind. Do take care of yourself!" The Doorman gives Tyme's hand a rather casual caress before plopping the third pearl of protection into Tyme's hands.
He almost dances with the way he moves to and opens up the Dungeon Tower gate and ushers them in "One way ticket to the Dungeon, ha ha ha!"
Good job fellows! Much better than what I got from the Queen Belmaid and the Maid in Black... While the feast is great, I could use some sleep. Flynn's blue eyes sparkle with rueful amusement about Garret and Aien's great success vs the lack of tangible success on his part. He gracefully takes any comments that poke fun at his achievements as a result of the Hunt.
When hearing that Ms Darkling's Charisma is now used as a channelling stat, Flynn is impressed and happy for her, declining to comment so not to sound creepy or hitting on her.
Can't really brag that the Queen kinda/sorta helped legitimize the House of Courage.
Tyme looks at the doorman then quickly shakes off his hand when he caress' him looking disgusted
"Don't touch me, and healers are gods of the game world as long as they do their job, I wouldn't be left behind by any sane individual"
He then enters the dungeon with the others
Aien and Garret are simply tired too and seem to out of poking words.
Aien picks up on that the group is mostly done and offers, "Shall we all go see this establishment that I have been given and then can decide if we can stay there or other plans from there?"
Ironfist, Baris, Jellena, Garret, and Orik agree grabbing a few last morsels before leaving.
Tristan gives his apologies and is afraid for his life, "But we can talk about that at the house that you now own. Follow me I have already checked it out for traps. It is clear." Following the former Winter Court soldier you come out of the main hallway into a massive cavern and off to the left past three streets is a green house of newgrowth wood next to the pool of sapphires. He goes and opens the door for the group and locking it behind him with a wooden brace.
To Tristan, Have you redeemed your scales? Give one to Mordriac to become one of his Adepts.
I really need to train for armor. Flynn struggles to remove the armor, it doesn't seem to want to be removed. Must be late.
Once successful, Flynn slides into one of the twin beds naked. In no time, he is asleep.
In the morning, Flynn will take 20 for a 27 perception to understand what the House and Grounds are.
Aien, you should put the deed to this House in one of the Banks. Unless you can secure it someplace within the House.
Alice consumed and snarled and ate, plates upon plates gathering around her. She ate chicken legs, and grapes, and fried potatoes, and veal, among many other foods. She drank heavily, commanding her critter to fetch her more. More! MORE! She consumed in excess, waving away those that neared her with, "Begone, I am busy." with a glare of her blood-dripping eyes.
It must have been some time, but Alice eventually knocked on the door of the new house. It must have been but 5 minutes after the others entered and she was alone. "Open this door, or..I will make you bleed from the most uncomfortable of places." When and if the door opened, she'd curtsy, "My thanks."
Taking a look around, Alice travels to the fourth floor. Opening the door slowly, she peeks in and closes the door behind her, taking up the queen's bed. She smiled to herself and tossed her clothes onto the floor, jumping and rolling all over the bed, laughing quietly and hugging the covers to her bosom. She kicked her legs up and down, belly on the bed, and spent some time sending messages, before finally drifting off to sleep.
It would be some time before she awoke and headed downstairs for breakfast, stretching upwards in her clean clothes. Before she saw anyone, she'd clear her throat, practicing her vocals and low, gravely voice with her hand trailing the air. Satisfied, she descended to the Great Hall and started checking the cubbards for breakfast.
"No, I think it would be better to give my scale to Zanthias the Troll King. I will need to prove my worth and have a leader I can trust. I will now go where Baris goes." He says a bit slyly to Jeffery and inadvertently to Baris.
He sets his bedroll out and sleeps beside the fireplace. Nearest to the halfling.
Happily he accepts the scale from Tristan and says, "I will gladely accept you, though it is too bad not under a better situation. I am glad to have your bow as I will protect you the best I can."
Baris pulls a few blankets his bag and makes a nice little nest next to the fireplace. As Alice comes to check out the cupboards he says dryly, "They are all empty, this place apparently has never been lived in or really furnished."
"Since there are not enough beds I will be back in the morning, Augork you may take this time to rest. We will start your training in the morning." He says smugly.
Aien takes the bed next to Jeffery. As Garrett and Jellena take the beds on the third floor.
Orik takes a seat in one of the corners on a sleeping roll he had on his pack.
"Heh, nooo I'd never want that!" the Doorman cheers in your minds with a eerie and gleeful tone as you are sucked through and tossed out into the first room of the Dungeon Tower.
"Today we have a special treat, a re-order of things! After all it seems all three of you have been here before so.... how about we treat you all to a SURPRISE? Ha ha ha ha!"
A series of clicks is heard beneath each of the players as the Doorman's laughter fades off. The room appears almost completely identical to Tyme and Titus' first time through- but it was much more abundantly clear that the mechanics had been changed.
The clicking grew louder as the panels beneath all three players' feet began to shift.....
Circe shook her head at the empty cupboards, her lip picking up with a sound of disgust, "Well, we'll have to fix this." The blood of her disguise was very dry though, and her clothes were clean, and her teeth were white as can be. She closed the cupboards and walked around the table and made herself comfortable in one of the chairs, eyeing Baris with a bored expression, her chin resting in her hand, "This place needs some remodeling. This brown and this white is so bland. A true bore."
She lazily gestured to the wall color and the chairs, before she moved her fingers on the table as if she were typing. "We should hire some painters. Hmm, purchase some new furniture..." Her voice trailed off as Flynn started walking around the house, but she was obviously mumbling notes to herself.
In the morning, Flynn wakes up and relieves himself in the chamber pot. Well Holy s@$*, a self-cleaning chamber pot.
He gets dressed in his skivvies, jeans, and shirt. He puts on the boots he got from the Cave Lodge. He declines in pocketing the hilt, debating on which pocket he should stow it - in case it regrows a blade while he isn't looking. He tucks it in a pocket in the robe. The Summer Fae magic should be able to protect it against normal Winter Court Fae.
Flynn hangs the robe and armor in the wardrobe, after making sure it isn't a wardrobe from that Harry Potter series, or was... definitely not from the Lord of the Rings. Nope, no secret doorway to another world with Talking Lion that is a metaphor for Jesus... or was it Jim Morrison? He puts the bag with the books and notes from the Cave Lodge inside the breastplate.
He straightens the bed he slept in. For a society that likes to spread propaganda bout how much they like death and decay, their Fae magic kept the bedding fresh.
Flynn pulls up his map with known Points of Interest for his present location. He looks for names of nearby locations, for vacant locations, lairs, or businesses. He notices the write-up that includes something underneath the house.
Flynn heads downstairs. He looks around he heads to the kitchen to see if there is anything to fix for people to eat. Alright people, we need some ingredients for food, turn over anything I can use to cook with - Tristan know of any place to get food? Orik or Garret, we need some pitchers or bowls or something, but not the chamberpots for you to create water into. Baris, New Cute Girl why are you here? Never mind, probably one of the Council sent you here to spy on us. Good, use your spy skills and help Baris and Mr Manyteeth find the way to the basement. Anyone know of any Quest Givers or Merchants handling Interior Design or building upgrades?
Should we make bets on who knocks on the door first? Sycophants for Baris, Neighbors welcoming us to the neighborhood, wandering monster/assassin, Council Members, or Council Member Lackeys. Flynn pauses, flashes a quick smile. Maybe a mixture of all of the above...
Threckle's Bakery
The Armory
Button's Store
and
Work
"We get most of our food from the forest. You could try Threckle's Bakery but those faeries are known for mischevous treats. Button's store might have some extra supplies, it would have bowls and most simple supplies for living." Continuing as Jeffery continues to ask, "House upgrades would be found at "Work"."
With the knowledge of a basement and one that was not evident peeks his interest and begins to look in the obvious spots first. Upon moving the carpet under the table he announces with a, "Ah Ha!" Which then he opens it and scampers down the ladder.
Augrok did not get much sleep that night. While everyone was making ready to bed down, he watched them go through the motions with slight amusement before he brought up his menu...
Then closed it and tried again.
And one more time.
"Is anyone else's menu glitched?"
- - - - - - - - - -
Morning found him asleep on the floor, still not having come to terms with what had occurred, and thinking that he was going to wake up back in his bed. When everyone started moving with the coming of the day, he cracked one eye, looked around, and heaved a great sigh of resignation. Unsurprisingly, he found that he was not tired, and got up, looking around to adjust to this place as if seeing it for the first time.
A ration was fished out of his pack, and he chewed on it curiously, wondering how it might have a taste if it was just code.
Augrok your ration tastes like an old tasteless shoe. Sure there is a bit of taste but nothing that you wanted.
|
Jellena comes down and looks at Augrok before asking, "Augrok, come with me. We need to have a talk." If he accepts this and followers her she leads him up to her and Garret's room.
Tristan, please head down there and help out Baris. No one should go off alone.
When Baris and Tristan come up outta the hole, Flynn provides a meager meal with the offerings he received and his own hoarded ingredients. It will taste much better than the bland ration bars, even if some of the ingredients included ration bars.
We need supplies such as kitchen ware, ingredients, more furniture, especially beds. Baris, by the right of combat, could you claim any of Lord Lloyd's possessions at his estate? Can we raid one of his estates to claim furniture?
Let's head the Player Bank in Loarim. Aien should place the deed there and create a will. I have some stuff to place in Bank as well. Could everyone clean out the bank for coin and items to sell? We can pool together. The bank may redeem trading cards.
We should trade in our crystals at a dispenser for level-up potions.
If we sell the unwanted equipment from the Hunt to either the Armory or Button's Store, we could have some coin. Let's head to the Armory first since we may get a better price there, then head to Buttons then to the Bakery.
We should figure out how to invest in these businesses to help them grow. We'll need 75 pounds a month of precious metal, so investing in them early would mean discount over a longer period of time and steady supply of precious metals.
Did everyone use their scales from last night? Aien, did the house use all of your scales? I would assume that the economy here would still use the scales until the next Hunt as a form of currency seeing how the Hunt is so ingrained in their lives. With the massive amount of death during the Hunt, the transfer of possessions will go on for a week or so as they figure out inheritance.
Flynn pulls up his map to determine if he can sort Loarim's point of interest into a restaurant category. Flynn isn't sure if the Winter Fae dine together in a restaurant atmosphere.
Flynn received an instant glare, a lofty scoff following, "How did you know? My skills are -near- perfect, okay? Well, whatever. Here I thought those that would follow alongside someone like Alice, without knowing who she was, would be super dumb." Lifting her hand and sliding it through the air, she begins to type on an imaginary keyboard. Her thumb hit enter and her form glitched out, Alice's imagery dispersed and replaced with a more elfish lady with long, auburn hair in a leather tunic over a sea-green outfit. She had a cut along her cheek.
Circe lifted a finger, "By the by, I don't work for the court. Because I don't work for anyone, okay? And you can call me Circe." She placed her hands on the table, "Woah, are you going to go steal things? That's like, my fetish. I can convince these npcs of anything; I can get us a wagon and we can play as collectors for that fool Lloyd's stuff, yeah?"Placing a hand on her chest, she flaunted a smile, "I'm kinda a big deal. Being a sorceress and all that."
knowledge local Threckle's Bakery: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
It is run by faeries. Good food and great atmosphere.
knowledge local The Armory: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Where arms and armor is made for Loriam city and citizens. For one scale you may get a mastercraft weapon or armor crafted. Limit one per citizen first week after the Hunt. Elves work under the tutelage of the Mastersmith Firre Slavik. Her first passion is the forging of weapons to kill. Should you prove your resolve and mission your commisioned weapon will have extra bonuses on it.
knowledge local Button's Store: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
General store with some fey running the day to day operations who report to the treasurer.
knowledge local Work: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
If you need anything made you go here and laborers are assigned the jobs.
knowledge local of Pool of Sapphires: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
The pool of sapphires is a natural magical phenomina. It emits blue light, but when the stones are removed from the water they no longer shine or look clear.
Baris and Tristan return from the cellar. "Just a root cellar. Yeah we could go claim what we want. Those that want to furniture shop come with me or go to the bank with Jeffery."
Orik shakes his head and groans out, "An independent Fae, how... strange."
We can goto the bank afterwards. There will be others wanting to loot. Get your battle gear.
Flynn will get the House of Courage gear: robe, armor, shield, hilt. He'll leave the books and notes in the concealed root cellar.
By the way, for one scale you can get a mastercraft weapon or armor crafted at the Armory. Limit one per citizen first week after the Hunt. Not sure if Mastersmith Fiire Slavik is skilled with firearms. But if she likes you, she might be inspired to add something to it.
Tyme quickly trys to get out of the way as well by swiftly jumping
As Delman leaps out of the way of the clicking trap, Tyme and Titus find themselves being cut across their backs as a giant scythe slides down the wall after each of them, fading into the parallel wall on the other side.
The Doorman gives a laugh "Heh, I told you that it was going to be a bit different.... don't stick around too long... I don't think you'll enjoy what happens if you do...."
As Titus absorbs the blow letting it glance off his scales and drawing blood across his shoulders he huffs in annoyance "To make such a room so aggressive... We must have been on to something quite well last time we were here. Quick- can anyone see any other traps? I can see in the dim light, but I am not trained in spotting things without a great amount of time to do so."
As they walk towards Lloyd's Estate. Going to the Estate shouldn't be a problem. What would pass for the City Guard would be busy protecting Noble Districts and Main Roads. Street Gangs would be focused on looting previously owned houses and waylaying looters. This may be like Black Friday...
Depending on how returning so many Fae to the Cycle during the Hunt would show how influential and competent this Treasurer is. Does his influence spread to Crime Lords that control Street Gangs? Does the transfer of wealth move easily, without violence in the streets?...
Are the Council Members of Loarim also considered Crime Lords....or do the Crime Lords report up to the Council Members?
Be alert of footpads, to defend the innocent, so we can stabilize the city, but ensure we get our loot.
Augrok took in Jellena's words with a bit of a blank expression, his elbows on his knees, and his hands folded as he rested his chin on his thumbs. The thought of something like this happening was... Probably something that was going to take a long time in reconciling. As it was, he was probably going to take a good bit of time in making sense of the world, since this game had been purchased for an escape, a bit of fun.
—It looked like it just turned into an involuntary vacation.
A slight smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, as he raised an eyebrow. "Not so different, then. 'Cannot' is one thing. 'Can not yet' is another." A bit of a rumbling chuckle followed his statement, large in the room that they were in. "Perhaps we will become strong enough to find out which it is."
That did remind him of the next question that he had, though. In a voice as rough as gravel, un-inflected, he posed it. "We are in Fey territory, yes? I want no business with their kings and courts. I have no love for their customs. I have no care for them and theirs. I would leave, save for my seeking out Ironfist, as well as no knowledge of where the nearest town is."
Both Tyme and his eidolon are cut by the blade Tyme lets out a hiss of pain before looking at each of the injured and them being healed with his healing hex
He then looks around to try and find other traps
"It appears they switched up the room. That is annoying..."
Circe twiddled her thumbs into her pockets, walking behind Flynn but at a good distance, "They probably just steal it, like I do. You know, this game has some weird races, tucked away, woah what's that?" She pointed past Flynn and the others into an alleyway.
There was someone with a gravely voice yelling and puking at a few fae, most likely looters. There was also a beast that teetered between smashing the looters and holding the someone upwards.
Alice rested her forearm against the ally wall, gracing the wall with her dry heaves, wishing to vomit, and reeking of the smell of red wine. She gritted her teeth, drifting away and swaying lightly, she spat blood from the small wound in her lip (most likely from falling over and into something solid), "No one, no one will miss you. You are pathetic, wretches. Looking for scraps...stray dogs...I will end you.."
Alice's beast stepped towards the cowering fae, who waved their hands and pleaded rapidly, but the beast stopped and lifted Alice upwards again. Alice dry heaves and would have fallen forward if the Beast didn't hold her. Some noise behind her had her look behind her. Alice holds her spear out in front of her, but fell back into her beast, "Interlopers! I will...I will gut you...with the pointy end."
"There really is not a city guard. The nobles have their soldiers and Mordriac has his adepts, though the population of the city was at the feast last night. Really only Fae live in Loarim and the few citizens who choose to stay as well but most of the fey will go back to their lands and the elves might stick around but they roam the woods more than anything else. There is very little crime."
|
|
"That is the attitude friend, we can only find out once we try." Jellena says glad he has at least put a good face forward.
"Honestly we got here through a web portal of some kind, though Orik is our guide back out of these woods when we are ready. You are welcome to stay with us and or follow Ironfist. You now know where we are staying and you are welcome to it. Come with us to the estate if you want or stay, your choice." She responds to Augrok. Then she gets up and heads down to join the group.
____________
She shakes her head at Alice but walks up to her anyways, pity in her voice she asks, "Do you need to rest? Come I will take you to the house we are staying at." Then she offers her arm to support Alice.
Aien is apparently not joining the group as he has not shown up and Garret was enjoying laying on the bed and waved as Jellena left.
Orik rolls his eyes at the state of Alice and waits with the group.
I wonder what I have gotten myself into with this group.
He pulls his chain from the cylinder on his back and twirls the blade as they wait.
Baris just trots along with the group seeing that they are stopping for the moment at least he shrugs and announces, "I will be back, I need to check on a few things and get some papers too." With that he skitters off with immense speed and is gone.
Well Circe, did you hear the one about the Mad Programmer trapping players in a game, then alerting them to a future date that he'll release Four Armies upon Sanctuary? Fire and Death, Destruction and Plunder, Put to the sword or sold into slavery. Flynn casually walks, wearing the House of Courage Armor, speech style that of someone delivering a joke.
A block later, he speaks again. I don't want to be sitting around a campfire on the Plains outside Sanctuary when these Armies approach. I would rather act now to ensure that everyone is united and prepared to meet these Armies.
He pauses at an intersection, pulling up his map. Don't lose sight of why we are doing this. We are accomplishing goals that we have placed upon ourselves so that Sanctuary and Loarim can be Ready.
Gesturing towards the direction of the city gate We could give up and simply hunt down Monsters and Collect level-up gems, hoping we can be strong enough to defend ourselves when the Armies lay siege to Sanctuary... The city might need to change its name at that point.
Instead, Flynn continues walking towards the Estate.So far we have collected an interesting group of individuals with different skill sets. We have created economic deals between Sanctuary and Loarim. We have made it to a Hidden Fortress City to be introduced to its society via a Memorable Hunt. We have a non-aggression pact arranged. We have aligned with the God Baris, who can become the Troll King, leading a number of Trolls into Battle.
Even Patches and Screams as an enemy is welcomed. He is the obvious figurehead of those that would oppose us in Loarim.
The reason that we are raiding the Estate is this is a one time opportunity. With the Hunt having massive casualties, you take what you own. You own what you take. So let's take an Estate. Aien's Green House is awesome, but we have need for multiple places of property. The Estate could be used for a Temple Complex as Ms Darkling has the right to set-up a Temple of Death. That gives us Legal Right to do this, spun the right way. Baris will still need a place to set up Government offices.
Circe let the others deal with Alice's condition, laughing gaily, "Oho, that's a good one. But that would explain some unexplained code stuff.." She thought about it for a while, and kept after Flynn.
On the second block, "So we're having these npcs fight npcs? That sounds like fun, actually. I usually blow them up like some l33t haxor. Did I mention I was an l33t haxor, because I totally am."
Circe waved her hand to brush the words away, smiling to herself, "Goal bound is my usual, I absolutely love goals." She might have taken a peek at the map, eyeing for particular details. Then she fiddled with the air for some time, walking after Flynn.
Circe started to walk towards the city gate, "Uh huh, and we could rename it something prettier if we came back and took over." Stopping with an "Aha!" Opening her map, she moved it off to the side and turned around, following Flynn.
She snorted, "Troll King. We should just run around and take Estates, I think that would be fun." She had marked a few buildings on the map with a red circle, an improvised quest marker.
Tyme is unable to spot any traps in the room as he looks about. Delman, on the other hand, begins to hear a few of the traps clicking as they sit and wait for him to point out the traps.
"Ha ha ha! I did warn you on waiting! Don't chya know it, the dungeon has a mind of its own! Slowly but surely it winds and whirs to find itself those pesky intruders!"
Titus gives a rough sigh as he begins to scan the area as well-
Titus puts a hand to his sword as he nods at the other two "I don't think we should stand here too much longer... Last time he had the door trapped so that we were hurt no matter what.... I can only imagine this will be just as deadly... We should run for the door... I can only imagine what awaits us down below at the gate."
Alice eyed Ms. Darkling with blurry vision, eventually falling over Ms. Darkling's arm, "I hunger..for bread." There was a short pause where her stomach heaved again, but nothing came out. Despite having eating so much, she was rather light.
As Alice was led elsewhere, her will became undivided and the Beast turned around back to the looters. Its claws glistened as it approached them, they're screams short and bloody. It wouldn't be long before the beast joined back with Alice and Ms. Darkling.
|
|
Ms. Darkling takes Alice to the new green house next to the pool of sapphires. Through the door and up to her and Garret's room. She moves her head to the side and scrunches up her nose seeing him gone. Helping Alice into bed she pulls out some bread from her rations and lets a single drop of enhanced flavor hit the bread so that it will be bearable. Unless Alice wants her to stay she goes down stairs and cooks up some tea in a frying pan to help soothe Alice's stomach.
The tea done in a few minutes she puts it in one of the few cups in the house and brings it up to her patient.
Alice teetered beside Ms. Darkling, all the way to the new house. With her help, she traveled up the stairs and sat on the bed, soon falling backward with a flop. Her eyes closed and a little bit of blood pooled on her cheeks, soon drying up. Once Ms. Darkling had left, Alice's shadow lengthened and became a murky, partially translucent thing that stared out the window. It shared Alice's exact shape, but as Ms. Darkling entered the room, Alice's shadow turned to look at her, but lacked the eyes and clear facial features of its owner. The shadow's fingers looked to be sharp..
Alice staggered to sit on the edge of the bed, her body swaying gently. Accepting the bread, she rips her teeth into it and leaks a little blood onto it from her eyes, but doesn't seem to mind. Once finished with the bread, she drinks the tea. Letting the tea cool against her lips, "The bread was good." And I ate it. Her shadow resumes looking out the window.