Duncan puffed out his chest and immediately looked for the spy eye, "Yes, well sort of heroes."
He turned to the woman who offered free food and winked to his companions, "Please bring us your best dish and your best refreshments."
He lowered his voice, "My throat is parched, do you have wine?"
Jibril felt a push pull as he sat down at table. He wanted a better look at Mary's sketches, the curiosity gnawed at him, but felt a need to keep an eye on his teams tokens to keep them safe from mischief.
...As she saw who was at the table, a smile lit her face. "My saviours!" she cried. "Meyin! Come out! These are the ones I told you about!"
"I remember Rex, Quinn, and Duncans angel leaping in to help you while I very foolishly tried to set fire to some tables. I would thank you for some broth and some fish. You seem to be doing well. ... Jibril looked about for evidence of the animal escape ... I imagine this is an important time for you. I hope the chaos hasn't been too hard. When my old mentor told me tales of when he watched the Great Game as a child I'm afraid he mentioned little of the hard working vendors inside of it."
Quinn sat down next to the others and nodded at the woman and her praise but didn't encourage her further.
While they waited for their food, she said, "Shall we take a look at your sketches?"
Mary was already looking through her book. She held it close, so that Quinn couldn't peer over it. Finally she held it open, and with her hand covering half the page, said, "This one. It looks like one of yours, doesn't it?"
"Would knowledge of here this is be worth our token?"
Rex sat down next to Quinn and looked at Mary's drawing. "It look's like it might be one of ours." He sat up straight and appeared to be all business. "I believe the agreed upon terms were our token which you need, for knowledge of where our missing tokens are and one of your spares..."
I recognize one of your token images as Hans Holbein the Lessers 'Die Edlefrau' or 'The Noblewoman' from his Dans Macabre series. Might the Great Game be using archaic philosophical imagery from Ibith? Might Jibril also recognize it? I'm happy to role play him dumb to the image. Especially if the tokens aren't reproductions of historical Ibithean images. As it is about the personification of death, though, I think it dovetails well into Jibrils background and his knowledge of the undead.
As it isn't from the tokens The Orra is collecting I doubt it will come up - I mean I don't know why he would suddenly start talking about the 'Danse Macabre'.
Jibril got that far away look again, "Look at how the waves in Marys sketch appear to be dancing people and how the waves start to look floral. Are those petals just there."
Yes, the images are historical, and the one with the skeleton does signify/personify death.
The food came out, and it was quite a feast. Fish, soup, fresh bread still steaming, cheeses, fruit, roast boar, and good quality ale and wine. Perhaps not quite up to Duncan's family standards, but certainly nothing he could find major fault with.
Mary's team looked on with envy - their spread was much more modest.
As they ate their fill, Mary reread her notes, then said, "We saw this token in the Moon Challenge." A look of pain crossed her face, and she cried out and clutched her hand. The two humans, Brendan and Isaac, were immediately on their feet, on either side of her. After a few trembling breaths, she said, "It's okay, I'm okay, sit down. I should have known better. Can't talk about the challenges." Her face still pale, she continued. "We did that one second, and so probably at least one other team has been in there since we did it. But that's where I saw it last."
She flipped through her book some more, then shook her head. "That's it, I haven't seen the other one yet. But I'll keep my eyes open. Which one of ours do you want?"
She flipped through her book some more, then shook her head. "That's it, I haven't seen the other one yet. But I'll keep my eyes open. Which one of ours do you want?"
Jibril caulked his head suddenly 'I haven't seen the other one yet' Does Mary believe there are only two more tokens for us to find? If it is only two more then the place we leave the tokens might be pentagram shaped - assuming they 'plug in' somewhere to get us through the final door. Hmmm
Mary's tokensJibril turned to his team and in a lower voice, "I think we are all agreed that the 'paw' token isn't one of ours so it doesn't matter which token we take, but listen, something occurs to me ... I think our image may represent the power of the mind and we started in the mind challenge. The token with the skull most certainly represents the ever-presentness of death. We know the team that started at the Death challenge. It is the one that taunted us at the thieve's challenge. Remember how it was the first challenge that gave us no choice of which tile we could remove?
If the token we started with is a coincidence then we loose nothing by collecting the skull token as neither image works for us. If it is not a coincidence then we may already know the team collecting it."
Jibril glanced over at team Zarfu pounding away at the safe, "On a separate note, there were only a few tiles left in the cold challenge. Team Zarfu was there just before us. I wonder if they know to collect one image of tokens? There is a small chance they might have another 'mind' tile. Regardless, I say we ask Mary for the skulled token"
Rex shrugged, "Sound fine to me. Like you said, neither image works for us.." He considered Jibril's theory. "Not sure if the token are tied to the doors or not. My...former team...well I wasn't paying a ton of attention, but I think there was more than one token. I remember Jake taking forever trying to figure out which one to take..."
Dizzy looked at the two tiles. "Do you know of any other team collecting either of these images? That might help us decide."
Quinn dipped some of the warm bread into her soup before stuffing it into her mouth.
She winced when Mary's tattoo didn't like the information she shared. She passed the halfling a warm bun and mumbled through her mouthful, "Careful - but thanks."
She barely listened to Jibril's reasoning and concentrated more of eating the succulent roast boar. It was delightfully juicy and liquid ran down her chin. "Whatever you chose, Jibril, is fine by me." His mention of Timothy's team gave her pause, but only briefly. If that was the token they'd want then at least she could negotiate fairly with him.
Jibril, I'm not sure what you're saying about the thieves challenge. Do you mean the one where you had all the obstacles? And Quinn got darted in the face? There were no tokens there at all - that was not a "door" challenge at all. Likewise with the goblins. Those two "challenges" were for treasure, not for tokens.
Quinn is right - sorry, convoluted post. I don't remember Timothy's (is it Timothy?) team having a name so I just called them 'the team that taunted us at the theives challenge'. I remembered they started at the death door and that creates the small possibility that they may have started with a Death token. No guarantees that they are collecting the death tokens ... or that they have a 'mind' token to trade ... or that our tokens are even mind related - but there does seem to be a pattern so Jibril is using what info he has to do some 'stalking'.
Rex just shrugged. "So we are agreed then? The one with the skull?" He turned to Mary and pointed to the discussed token, "I think we want that one, right guys...?"
Jibril nodded
Jibril nodded
Duncan nodded as well but it was clear that he was not paying much attention to the discussion.
he was concentrating on his meal and hoped it would not be his last in a while. However, just in case, he was stuffing his mouth.
He looked at his companions, mouth full of food, and nodded again.
With a nod of her head, Mary slid the skull token across the table to Jibril, and accepted the token she wanted. She took out the other two tokens that matched it, and put them together. It did clearly look like three parts of a pentagon. "Great! Only two to go. Let us know if you find the other pieces, will you? And we'll do the same."
To Dizzy, she said, "No, we haven't had luck with that. Though we only just got this one," she pointed to the "paw" one that they hadn't wanted.
As she finished the bun Quinn had given her, Mary asked, "So, any recommendations?" she looked down at her tattoo - they were becoming faint, probably only 1/3 to 1/4 of their original brightness. "It looks like we're in the home stretch. Have you spoken to any other teams that might be amenable to a trade?" She eyed up the other team just finishing their meal. "I think I'll go to them next. Though I don't know about that druid. Are those horns, or antlers, or what? Creepy."
She shuddered dramatically, then said, "Did you guys do any challenges that weren't too long? I'm afraid we might not have time to do two more long ones."
Quinn shrugged, "I don't really remember any of them being short. But I think you're right about not having a lot of time so we should get a move on. Good luck with your trading. Most teams we've come across are just way too cantankerous to hear you out."
Once they had parted ways and Quinn had torn Duncan away from the food she said, "So, Moon Door?"
"Seems like the obvious choice..." Rex agreed with a nod, as he pushed his empty plate towards the center of the table.
Dizzy let out a giant belch, then wiped her mouth. Stuffing more bread and meat into her pockets, she finally stood and said, "All right, I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Let's hit the moon door." She glanced to the half-orcs, who appeared to have been bested by the safe. "Unless we should talk to them first?"
She glanced to the half-orcs, who appeared to have been bested by the safe. "Unless we should talk to them first?"
Jibril ate light as he dared, taking broth and fish with wine but followed Dizzy's good example and tore a roll apart to quickly stuff it with some boiled potatoe, carrot, a bit of cheese and fit it into a pocket, "There is half a chance they have one of our tokens ... I will go speak with them ... if no one more amiable will ... ahemm." At that Jibril combed his hair down over his forehead and started towards Team Zarfu.
Team Zarfu had abandoned the safe, and were making their way through the market. When one of them noticed Jibril approaching, he stopped and gave the half-elf a tusky grin. "Ha! Again we see you! The BigCrab did not devour you!" He gave the half-elf a hearty slap on the shoulder, nearly bowling him over.
Rex followed Jibril and clapped the elf on his other shoulder, far too hard as per usual, and greeted Team Zarfu by matching their aggressive enthusiasm. "Of course not! It would take more than a pesky crab to take us down!" These guys seemed like the type to write Jibril off due to his elven heritage and lanky frame, so he decided to try and help by taking him up. Grabbing him firmly by both shoulder, he said the others, "You should have seen this one trudging through the cold! Like it was a day at the beach! Never seen anything like it!" He shook Jibril a few times (affectionately, of course) and let out a hearty laugh. "Blood of fire! That's what this one has!"
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... he stopped and gave the half-elf a tusky grin. "Ha! Again we see you! The BigCrab did not devour you!" He gave the half-elf a hearty slap on the shoulder, nearly bowling him over.
Jibril fought against a sea of broad handed shoulder slaps, both from team mate and competitor, trying as hard as possible to stay standing What in night's gloom am I going to say? What the ghats's grotesquery am I doing? These brothers do have an earnestness. Like the flip coin of our Dun Can. Surely they will respond to directness. Suddenly, Jibril looked very small ... ... and, although friendly, obviously unable to read the room, "The crab? It was a lobster. You can tell by the length of the thorax and it's general redness. Why even the island red crab, or gecarcoidea natalis, has quite a dark gray upper shell. It did try to devour me though. It's sight I think was too poor, another failing of the species. Ha, I think it took the entire shack and is wearing it as a new hat right now ... long pause as he held his two hands over his head in the gesture of a roof ... ahem, sorry, I meant to ask you what image are you collecting? Have you thought to puzzle anything together?"
Quinn's mouth dropped open and she was stunned as she watched two of her teammates actually approach Team Zarfu. She slapped her palm against her forehead and shook her head. "Seriously?!? Mary already warned us not to ask them to trade." She sighed really loudly in exasperation.
But the rogue wasn't about to abandon her two teammates to the fate they deserved. Using the chaos of the marketplace, she quietly moved up towards the group.
Quinn pushed Duncan towards Rex and Jibril, "Go help them." Or at least distract them.
The rogue appraised team Zarfu and looked for any slightly ajar backpack or loose pockets that she may be able to snag something out of. The robes looked like an easier mark but the backpacks could have more interesting items in them.
The half-orc frowned, a puzzled look on his face. "Lobster? A hat? AHA! Yes, the small house! That would be a sight." He laughed loudly, and was joined in by one of the other warriors. The brother in the robe was quiet and watchful, while the final brother had returned to the safe, and was giving it a few final smacks with his mace.
When Jibril mentioned the image, the 2nd warrior stepped back and frowned, hand going to a massive two-handed sword. The robed one put his hand out, and they spoke in their harsh language. A moment later, the one with the sword said, "Enough talk. Go now, find your own."
While Duncan, Jibril, and Rex distracted the team, Quinn deftly opened one of their bags and took what she could before taking a few steps back.
Duncan made a 'yucky' face as his companions stuffed their pockets with food. He then politely asked for something to carry some extra because he had already eaten his portion.
The young man then went to help out Jibril, This one needs a lot of help with just talking to people. The twins will never approve.
He went to the orcs, "Hey fellows, how about you help us out and then I can forward you some of the best wine you've ever tasted. From my own family's vineyards, of course."
Before the orcs answered, he added, "Yeah but I don't know what we need but Jibril here does."
He pushed the half-elf slightly forward allowing him to speak...
--------------
Dizzy didn't bother adding her voice to the clamour - she'd never seen the half-orc team before, and wasn't too keen on getting to know them. She stood back kept her eyes open.
When Jibril mentioned the tokens, the half-orcs didn't give anything away - there were no startled side glances to any particular pack.
Quinn sidled up behind the half-orc who had initially slapped Jibril's shoulder. He was looking askance at Duncan, and she figured the young wizard's distraction was as good as she was going to get.
"Wine? Fruit juice for children! We prefer good strong ale." He didn't seem interested in Duncan's offer. He also didn't notice Quinn stealthily reach up and loosen the tied on his pack. Suddenly, the whole pack threatened to unravel, and she hastily grabbed the ties to prevent the whole thing from falling apart. The rogue had never seen such a bag before - it was loosely laced with one long leather cord, which she'd just untied.
When Jibril mentioned the image, the 2nd warrior stepped back and frowned, hand going to a massive two-handed sword. The robed one put his hand out, and they spoke in their harsh language. A moment later, the one with the sword said, "Enough talk. Go now, find your own."
... Before the orcs answered, he added, "Yeah but I don't know what we need but Jibril here does." He pushed the half-elf slightly forward allowing him to speak...
Jibril took a polite step backwards, or as respectfully as 'he' could, though his ridiculous gracefulness could make it appear like Jibril was standing still and Rex, behind him, was advancing. He sighed a breath of relief as Duncan joined them and glanced over at him 'why do you even let me talk?' ... then Duncan gave him a good, encouraging push forward. Jibril looked at Duncan like he had just been betrayed, "Ah, umn, ok, yes, enough talk. We'll go. You guys are doing reeeeally well. Your mother must be reeeally proud." Jibril meant it (though his monotone made it all sound like he had unpacked a suitcase filled with bad) and tried to back up only to again collide awkwardly with Rex's muscles. He wasn't frightened of a fight, though no one could possibly think otherwise. He was terrified of his clumsy social interaction. These orcs had seemed nice and he was making them all hate him. He wanted nothing more then to get into the comfort of a shadowy wood where he wouldn't have to talk to anyone ... ever again.
Rex raised his hands as if surrendering, "Peace, friends. We meant no offense and we'll be out of your way." He began moving to follow Jibril, "I just thought maybe they would want to get more tokens. They seemed like a team that wanted to win..." he spoke, seemingly to his team mates, but loud enough for Team Zarfu to hear.
@Quinn. Roll whatever you want, don't need permission for that. Let me know what you're looking for.
Quinn's quick reflexes saved her from a major incident. As the bag started to unravel, she snagged the cord with one hand, and caught something spilling from the bag with her other. Sticking it in her pocket, she quickly and nimbly pulled the bag tight, moving almost unconsciously in time with the half-orc as he shifted his weight. As she closed up the bag, she saw a mesh bag with a few stoppered flasks right on top.
Quinn curses inside her head as the backpack almost unravels. Only her quick reflexes keep her and the others being pulverized to dust by team Zarfu. She snags the mesh bag on top, still holding on to hope that she can play 'helpful finder' once again.
Not really - they're specifically designed for this type of thing. Zarfu pack, patent pending. :)
Rex sighed. Quietly he said to his companions, "Darn. I thought I might have been able to get a rise out of them with that last remark. I guess let's get started on the Moon Door." Looking around, he looked confused for a second. "Hey, Dizzy?" He asked the dwarf, who had been hanging back. "Where did Quinn go?"
With mesh bag in hand, Quinn retreated a bit from the group and had to think of a different plan to play 'helpful finder'. With a seed of an idea in her mind, she put it into action and hoped for the best.
Quinn ran up to team Zarfu, breathing heavily as if she'd been running a distance. She tapped the orc on the arm, bent over at the waist taking deep breaths, and held up the mesh bag. "I saw...saw a woman...a woman take...take this from you. Chased...chased her down...got it...got it back." Standing erect, Quinn grimaced and stretched out her side. "Some people," another breath but this time more even, "some people just can't play fair."
The large half-orc grabbed Quinn by the wrist before she even had time to think about twisting away. Wresting the bag from her hand, he examined it briefly, then turned a flinty gaze on the rogue. After seemingly judging her for a moment, he slowly released her. "What woman. Where did she go?" He took off his pack and examined the laces, then returned the bag to it and laced it back up properly.
Quinn rubbed her wrist and glared at the orc. "That's the last time I try to be helpful," she muttered.
"It was a woman in a dark red cloak." Quinn continues to describe the woman from Timothy's team. "I lost her on one of the sets of stairs. She probably ducked into one of the rooms or teleport pads. She was by herself so she probably separated from her team while they were working on a token so that she'd have a plausible alibi."
Quinn motioned to the others. "I think team Zarfu wants to get back to the Game and so do I. Let's go."