Ice's Island of Relative Order

Game Master icehawk333

Roy has some great reaction time to the explosion, throwing his arm up between himself and the detonation.

As the explosion rolls over him, a round, spiral shield appears where the force impacts it, deflecting it away from him and keeping him upright.

After the immediate reaction to check and see what happened, and reasonably sure it was just the explosion, he turns back to Lwazi.
"I was hired to be the miner for our group. If we're going to be here for, it seems as long as the company decides, I may be able to help get a real fortress built sooner rather than later."
He indicates his magic pickaxe.
"I've got that, and I'm a good enough warrior to have made it this far in my own, so there's that."

Bareth is thrown off of the shoulder he was perched upon and lands in the dirt, clearly unhappy as he glares at the psion and the orc

Roy isn't sure why he is being glared at, as he didn't have anything to do with the explosion, but offers a hand to help him up anyways.

"Do we want something with nuts or-"

"...Perhaps something spicy to fit the mood?" Luca starts to clean up his makeshift station before getting back to work.

Profession: Chef: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

the elemental peers over luca's shoulder, watching Luca cook, something completely Ailen to them.

Lwazi shrugs slightly at Luca's question, not really caring. Food is food to him.

"We should investigate the properties of the items we found on this expedition," he suggests. "If our stay here is... being extended, we will need every advantage we can get from the environment."

Time for some Knowledge rolls and such? ;)

items and thier respective checks- (these checks will get more information if the alchemy lab is placed.)
Purple apples- know (nature)
Green slime- know (dungeoneering) and craft alchemy, this check can be made in tandem with another charecter
Magical paper- no check, just read it
Webbing- know (nature)
Spider fangs- spellcraft
Spider venom- know (arcana)

I think the alchemy lab is set up, right?

Apples: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Webbing: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

He'll also look at the paper, and hand it off to one of the spellcasters if he can't read it.

gin has yet to set up the alchemy lab, but it can be set up easily just by putting the item on the ground and releasing it- though it gets harder to transport at that point.
Sorry for not posting this sooner, didn't realize the post failed to go through.
I'll read off the paper later- but first-
The apples are addictive. Very much so. The seem to have an effect where they encorage things to change.
The webbing could make extremely high quality cloth.

Sorry guys.. I think I screwed up... The Psion looks completely dejected and downtrodden.
I'll, uh, I'll make myself useful now...
Midioto POP!s over to Gin, Hey. You figure now is as good a time as any to get that lab set up? I would very much like to do some tests and whatnot on these materials we have aquired and the lab would help tremendiously.

Midioto waits until the lab gets set up then gathers up the ingredients that the group has collected so far so that he can examine it, however he ends up dropping one of the fangs, as it seems that he has become rather clumsy.
OOPS! Sorry!
If the lab gets set up, he uses that, and add any appropriate bonuses to his rolls, if it does not, he continues anyways without it. Time permitting, Midiotos plan is to check everything that he can, and then cast Call to Mind on any checks that he fails. Note, he only gets the re-roll if he fails the check. If he passes, disregard the re-roll.

Midioto sets himself up in the lab and begins working with the materials.
First he examines the purple apples, shaking slightly as he does so.
K: Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Then concentrates, calling anything else he can to his mind. (1pp)
K: Nature rr: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 4 = 19
Next he begins to work on the Green Slime, but quickly realizing that he does not have the necessary knowledge, so he "Borrows (1pp) Gins Knowledge for the task.
Craft: Alchemy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
I gain 5 ranks in Craft: Alchemy, +3 FCB, +6 Int: +14, for 1pp. However, the spell does not last long enough to also cast Call to Mind, so only 1 roll here. Also, apparently NONE of us has K: Dungeoneering ^_^
Midioto then calls over to Lwazi; Hey Lwazi! You had those magical papers, right? Mind handing them over here and I'll take a look at them?
If Lwazi does not, Midioto will continue on. But if he does;
Midioto then casts Detect Psionics/Magic on the papers, and then concentrates on the papers for a while. Depending on what that tells him, he will just shrug and read the papers.
Next (assuming his eyeballs have not disintegrated) Midioto will examine some of the spiders webs.
K: Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Then concentrate again, calling anything else he can to his mind. (1pp)
K: Nature rr: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 4 = 26
After that, he observes the spider fangs once more.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Call to Mind only works on K checks.
Finally, he examines the venom itself, attempting to learn what he can.
K: Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Then concentrate again, calling anything else he can to his mind. (1pp)
K: Arcana rr: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 4 = 28

Spent 4 pp total.
If anyone does not want to give me the materials, just say so and you keep them, disregarding the appropriate roll. Also, if anyone wants to join me in identifying these feel free to join :)

"Yeah, none of this is really my wheelhouse. I just know mining. A little bit about mountains and stuff, and enough about machines to fix a mine cart."

He does what he can to help cooking, chopping and etc.

Lwazi has no problem with handing the magic paper over

in order of rolls-

The apple's addictive traits are intense and robust. It encorages change, and seems to be useful as a potion ingredient, but potentally dangerous. On it's own, it may also be dangerous, as anything eaten afterwards may have transformative effects.

The green slime is a potent ingredient, and capable of healing wounds- simply placing it on a wound will cause it to stitch up. However, overuse seems, dangerous, as it does stitch wounds by sealing it with green slime.

The papers have some intense and impressive abjurations on them.
(Going to assume a take ten spellcraft). These abjurations seems to be to prevent the paper from taking harm or degrading over time, but the enchantments seem old and unstable.

The webs are good for making cloth, and will be quite resistant to cuts.

the spider fangs have roughly 250 gp worth of enchanting energy in each, double if used to make a poison related enchantment.

anyone else who wants to look them over, feel free. Pm for the spolier, midioto.

Anything written on the papers? Or are they just blank pages with strong wards on them?

actually, I just got a burst of energy, so here's the note, too

Lwazi frowns. "Someone else has been here for certain--long ago, it would seem. With luck these giant creatures no longer roam, at least not close to our camp."

"Just finished setting it up." Gin informs Midioto as he sorts through the equipment.
Following this Gin examines some of the slime, as well as the webs.
alchemy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34
k.nature: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Midioto finishes his tests, and with a POP! he teleports a little ways into the air.
Cast Defy Gravity 3pp

Ok guys, gather round! I have some interesting discoveries from the materials we have gathered so far, and I figured you guys would be interested to know about them.
POP! Midioto returns to the ground, he then picks up one of the purple apples. It seems to take him some effort.

This is an Adam's Apple. It can be significantly addictive and seems to initiate change in things. Specifically, it acts as a catalyst, not causing mutations itself but rather causing other things we eat to mutate. It would also probably make for a great catalyst within a potion! As for my case, as I did not eat anything afterwards I should be ok... The Warp Jump was a bad idea, but that should have passed now...

He puts the apple down and picks up a sample of the green slime.
This lovely stuff is called Gelato, and its potent stuff!! It makes a great curative as it seems to bond any wounds it is placed over. I wouldn't use too much tho, I would need to run further tests to determine its long term effects but I suspect they wouldn't be enjoyable.

He sets the sample down and picks up a few strands of spider silk
These durable threads are very cut resistant, and would make for some very high quality cloth, if anyone can sew... I couldn't come up with a catchy name for them, all I got was Spider Man! Spider Man! and a red-and-blue tights. Any ideas?

Setting that back down, he then picks up a fang.
These potent puppies would obviously make for a great venom or toxin, but I doubt that any one of us can actually brew poisons? Gin, maybe? If not, I am pretty sure I could extract the essence within to enchant some other items, it just wouldn't be as effective.

Lastly he picks up the paper very gently with 2 fingers of each hand.
And this. This is probably the most scary of the lot. The magics emanating from this bad boy are impressive. This things old. Like really old. And held together by powerful abjurations. Yet it is still rather fragile. The contents seems to be about a previous research team that was posted here, and it seems they ran into one of our raptorbunny friends only theirs might have been significanly larger. It mentions losing a dozen to the attack, so they must have had a significantly larger party too.

Midioto then reads the note out loud for the rest to hear;

Day 5-

We've encountered a mighty beast, titanic in scope. It was taller then even some of the tallest Giants. The beast has strange tendril like limbs, a body like a centaur, and dozens of pairs of maindbles running down it's chest. This creature, and others of it's scope, seem to be unfathomably durable, due to a lack of any internal processes to fail- the only way to truly defeat one is to tear it up until it can't move. We have dubbed these creatures primal beasts. A dozen of the subjects were lost to the beast, a fortunately low number to be sure.

It seems that some of these beasts have derastic effects on the envorment around them- in the distance, we can see a figure in a firestorm, and another a sandstorm.
Dispite all this, this place is turning out to be the bounty we had expected- resources aplenty. I will continue to update my book on ingredients I have discovered, and combinations I have tested.

-sal-vallana.

After doing so, Midioto carefully folds up the note and sticks it inbetween a few pages of his unending notebook. Hey Lwazi, mind if I hold on to this? I figure I can keep it safe and preserved inside this magical book.

Well? Any thoughts on these? Or possibly where we should investigate next? That maze looks interesting and designed. Or we could go back to the entry point, try and get some answers there.
It seems that having something to do has been good for the youths mind, keeping it off of other... Failures.

Sorry. That took time. It has been a long day. Late night. But I got it up. Also Midioto is taking some liberties in naming things ^_^ He is a researcher after all!!! (And he hasn't yet named something after himself. >_> Yet.)

"Go ahead," Lwazi responds to Midioto's request to keep the paper.

He frowns in thought at Midioto's questions. "I do not think we have the right skills and the right ingredients to make much of use quite yet... and that maze makes me nervous. I would rather scout its perimeter first before trying to penetrate it."

Roy looks up at Midioto, watching with relative interest. He wasn't aware there was anything to analyze, but hearing about some of their discoveries so far was interesting.

"If we can trust this paper more than me initially, seems that neither of us is really the first expedition here. You think these creatures they talk about are still around? I don't know much about paper, but that seems pretty old."

"yes, well, this group doesn't claim to be part of the company as near as I can tell" the miniature fiend says as he starts hovering once more

Roy looks at the imp and sighs.

Listen, I've offered to do whatever you want to prove I am what I say I am. If you want me to sign something, I'll sign something. If you wanna strip me down and check my supplies, go for it. I spent most of my life in worse than that. Right now, as far as I'm concerned, I'm taking a much bigger risk staying here and trusting that all seven or so of you are from the company than y'all are from letting the one of me stay and help. You could kill me in my sleep as far as I know, but I'd prefer that than wandering around this place and getting cut in half by a tricer-thing, whatever it is. So its up to you or anyone else. You can take my word now, or I can jump through whatever hoops you want to prove it. Seems like we have plenty of time."

Luca cant help but chuckle at Roys indignance.

"Quite defensive for one with nothing to prove. If you wouldn't mind, what do you say to a walk nearby? Just the two of us? At this point we just need to let our concoction simmer for a while, so we'll have time."

Maybe I can get that spider song out of my head this way.

Roy sighs and slumps his shoulders.

"I'm sorry. It's been... A rough day."

He nods and motions a hand as if to say 'lead on.'

Bareth winces and mouths "sorry" before turning invisible

Roy sighs and slumps his shoulders.

"I'm sorry. It's been... A rough day."

He nods and motions a hand as if to say 'lead on.'

Luca does so. Walking with a thus far unseen level of graceful dignity.

"Rivet my friend. You're a well educated fellow, I'll entrust the meal to you if we linger too long. We won't be far, just on the outside of the wall. I only ask no-one follow us for trusts sake."

He rounds the corner to the doorway, making attempts at small talk before he moves to business.

"A shame about those apples we found, eh? I had my hopes up that we found something edible here. Breathtaking as it is, we've had a rough time of it as well here. Two encounters in one day we were attacked. Yet, two more, and we made allies. I'd like to be clear; I am fully willing to trust you at your word. Yet I have a question: What do you plan to do now?"

"Of course," Rivet nods. He wouldn't even think of eavesdropping.

Turning to Lwazi and Midioto, "Our camp here is not secure as we have seen. If at all possible I believe we should relocate to the cave and set up a simple barricade across the entrance, and perhaps carve another exit to avoid being trapped there. Or most of an exit and finish it when we need it. What do you say?"

Lwazi frowns in thought. "Some of the equipment might be difficult to move now, but it *is* likely more defensible. The true problem, however, is that we do not have the manpower to both defend our camp and explore, given the dangers here. If we split up, we run too great a chance of being killed separately, and without guards, even the best walls will fall eventually."

Roy follows, leaving his pack on the ground where it was placed next to him when he woke up.

When they're outside the camp, he leans against a tree, keeping his back towards the camp, a distinctly tactical move, facing the forest to make sure nothing would sneak up on them.

"It does seem that most things here are more suitable for potions and things than eating. This place is more... Raw. Than back home. Back home most people have to study to get any magic done, but here it grows on trees."

The half orc laces his fingers, putting them behind his head. He takes a breath and lets it back out slowly.

"There's really not a whole lot that can be done. It seems something wanted me with y'all enough to put me here, which might be enough concern on its own, but as it stands, I can hope to stay with you and probably live a while longer, or I can take my chances out there and see where that gets me. Either way, I don't have a way back home on my own. I'm just glad, if anything, that you all seem a bit more capable than the folks they sent me here with."

Forgot to include this earlier with my talk about the note;
Hmmm! This adds more credibility to my theories about multiple dimensions! Is it possible we have 3 "First" expeditions? This raises so many exciting possibilities!!!

Midioto returns the green slime and venomous fangs back to Gin then responds to Lwazi.
I agree. We can't yet use much of the ingredients we do have, however it would not be amiss to start planning on what we would like to use them for. It would also probably be a good idea to try and set up a safe location with which to store these ingredients. I also do not like having those Raptor remains just lying out in the open. They may attract other native wildlife.
Say, Roy. Would you be able to dig us an underground vault with which to store these materials? I can draw up some plans for you to follow later if we can do that.

Midioto frowns when Roy attempts to defend himself, the youth had already accepted the man due to the present circumstances.
Don't worry Roy, I believe you. An I think we should all act on the assumption that the things here are what they say they are. Besides, we know that there are current sentient beings here on this island. He gestures to the Elemental, And we have too little knowledge here to know truth from fabrication. The rules here are different, and that seems to apply on a fundamental level. Our main objective at this point is to absorb as much knowledge as we can, so that we can base our later observations on our initial findings, and through that, begin to determine what is real.
Roy. Give me you knowledge, and give me your skills and that is enough.

Then Luca and Roy leave the camp for a bit and Rivet suggests relocating camp.
That may very well be a good idea. With the magical pickaxes that Roy and Thorek have, we should be able to fortify the cave MUCH better then our open fort here. It may very well be a better location.
HOWEVER. I am starting to run on empty! We should rest here and recover at minimum before we do! And if we do decide to do that, it may take a fair few trips to relocate everything of importance from here to there. So we will have to decide on that.
I am assuming that Thorek is still here, we haven't lost him. yet...
And the cave will be a good place for Roy (and I guess Thorek too) to use their lovely pickaxes :)

--Later, after Roy and Luca return--
Midioto gathers the group together once more
Alright, listen up guys! Rivet has brought up a very good idea. He is suggesting that we relocate our base to the spider caves. His reasonings include that it would be significantly easier to fortify and barricade, and safer too. Light sources may be a concern but if we can figure that out we may be better off then here.
Now I want your guys opinions and concerns on the matter and then I would like to take a vote on whether we should move or not. Any comments?
Midioto would vote to relocate.

--At some point after we return to camp--
POP! Midioto appears next to Roulette the elemental and immediately enters a barrage of questions.

Forgot to include this earlier with my talk about the note;

Hmmm! This adds more credibility to my theories about multiple dimensions! Is it possible we have 3 "First" expeditions? This raises so many exciting possibilities!!!

"It seems more likely simply that the White Butterfly Company were not the first to discover this place," Lwazi retorts.

"As for moving into the cave, if we can transfer all of our equipment it seems wise."

Assuming everyone agrees...
Great! With everyone in agreement then we should make preparations to move everything in the morning, or rather, when we next wake up... Stupid light cycle here. No freaking nighttime. At least I'll sleep better in the cave.
In the meantime, we should begin packing up camp. You, get those supplies gathered together. You, gather up the remains of the Raptor. I'll help Gin pack up the Alchemy Lab.
When we move, it would be best to move as a group, leave no one behind. Make sure we take the most valuable things in the first trip, in case something happens to the camp while we are gone.
Sorry for being kinda bossy, but I decided it would be good for Midioto to take charge and get things moving.

Midioto keeps himself busy with packing up the alchemy lab as best he can.
But at some point after that, and before everyone goes to bed, Midioto will once again attempt to explore the Maelstrom.

After all that, he finally settles down for a much desired rest.
So what is the watch going to look like? Who's up first?

Roy follows, leaving his pack on the ground where it was placed next to him when he woke up.

When they're outside the camp, he leans against a tree, keeping his back towards the camp, a distinctly tactical move, facing the forest to make sure nothing would sneak up on them.

"It does seem that most things here are more suitable for potions and things than eating. This place is more... Raw. Than back home. Back home most people have to study to get any magic done, but here it grows on trees."

The half orc laces his fingers, putting them behind his head. He takes a breath and lets it back out slowly.

"There's really not a whole lot that can be done. It seems something wanted me with y'all enough to put me here, which might be enough concern on its own, but as it stands, I can hope to stay with you and probably live a while longer, or I can take my chances out there and see where that gets me. Either way, I don't have a way back home on my own. I'm just glad, if anything, that you all seem a bit more capable than the folks they sent me here with."

Sorry bout the delay.

"Oh please, the others deserve the credit thusfar. All I've done is speak. As for a next step, I did have an idea after we settle in. But! Until then, we are in need of a miner for the cave we'd found. Hopefully there will be more of a plan when we return. Roy, I'm trusting you. Because we need more than base pragmatism. We require the will to do right by each other. I didn't want to show it in front of our team as a whole, but the fact that our only communication line is dead terrifies me. To be stranded out here... Well, I'm sure I don't need to prattle on any longer. Let's leaf here, shall we?" With that Luca heads back to the camp to finish preparing the heavily improvised meal he started.

"I will watch first," Lwazi says. "With no night, it matters little who goes when."

Bareth' voice can be heard nearby "I don't need to sleep so..."

Before leaving, Roy would smile and nod in thanks to Midioto.

Roy gives an ever so slight laugh at Luca's joke as he straightens back up off the tree. He offers his hand to shake once with a nod. "Thank you for trusting me. We'll get back home. We've got a lot of gold waiting for us."

And with that, he heads back to camp, and elects to move into the cave on account of it being safer and easier to build, provided the spiders had been removed. 'Spider Caves' doesn't quite sound like the place to put a home pre-extermination.

"I haven't really put this pick to use yet, but if it works like they told me it does, I should be able to get us some decent if roughly made rooms dug out of there. As far as watch goes, I only need to sleep for 2 hours, but I'll understand if you'd prefer someone else to take watch with me until we get more acquainted."

"Bareth would be pleased to share a watch with you Roy, I am sure. For now, this has been a wearying day and I intend to rest before attempting this move" answers Rivet.

Despite this he wakes at least once to make notes on runic detection wards, a subject which has crossed his mind recently.

"Two to a watch--Bareth and another--sounds best to me," Lwazi states, wary Leopard agreeing within him. "Myself for two hours, and then Roy for the rest?"

He still doesn't really know what to make of the half-orc, but with Bareth also watching does not really fear he will try something foolish in the middle of the night.

After the meal, Roy takes directions to wherever they choose for him to sleep and unrolls the bedroll from his pack. He takes a place nearer the entrance so he can be woken easily and won't have to climb over anyone when it's time for his watch. He doesn't seem to have trouble sleeping after the day it's been, even with the light as bright as it.

He tries to talk with Bareth while the others sleep, as well as checking out the camp, his own magic pick axe,and unpacking and repacking his things, looking them over. They all look unused, so it seems like he got this pack pre-assembled. Several more things inside are White Butterfly branded.

1d100 ⇒ 63

The night passes by with no problems to speak of, and the group can begin moving camp.

1d100 ⇒ 85

The day goes on, and packing up goes well too.

what are you taking on the first trip?

If he's told that they have a bag of holding, Roy would suggest loading up as much of the Alchemy lab as possible in that to prevent it from tipping and being so cumbersome. He'd also volunteer to carry anything else, especially the larger objects.

...Our walls.

You mean those giant logs that are driven into the ground? Ya, I guess we could take those... @_@

In his morning meditations, Lwazi calls on clever Cheetah. None of the spirits appreciate manual labor, but canny Cheetah at least is cunning enough to understand the need for it.

He suggests taking the food first, it being the only safe food they know of, and crafting materials and tools next, being the most essential to their long-term survival.

with the bag of holding, the trip really isn't that hard, and soon the group has all thier gear at the cave.

Once everything is settled, Lwazi gazes back out of the cave. "So now where, yes? We still must see what else is here."

"Where all have you found to need exploring? Is there anything we should clear out of the cave first? Spider carcasses or webs or stuff?"

Who's willing to help me with an experiment?

Yay! Rest. I get my PP back!
Midioto wakes up once more, grumpy and irritable. The constant daytime is really messing with the highly sensitive lad and it was bothering him even when he was covered. It just felt... wrong.
Nevertheless, Midioto begins the day (I really need to come up with a better descriptive term then that... Cycle?) with what is becoming his new routine, and starts by casting Inertial Armor (1pp) and Defy Gravity (3pp). He then prepares for his excursion into the Maelstrom.
This time, he attempts some things a bit differently.
First he calls (Somebody) over to help him out with his studies.
Hi! Thanks for the help, first off, I am going to enter the Maelstrom, then I am going to send YOU into the Maelstrom! Exciting isn't it? Just think, I wont be the only one experiencing this and I will have someone to compare experiences with! I cant wait!
First, he gives his hourglass the his helper and instructs him to time his duration into the Maelstrom.
Next Midioto concentrates once more and casts Touchsight (5pp), becoming hyper aware of his surroundings, almost as if he could feel every minute disturbance around him.
Then, he pulls out a shard of obsidian (+3 Shard of Lore: Maelstrom) and grasps it tightly, the shard dissolving into his hand.
Right. Ready? GO!
Midioto POP!s into the Maelstrom once more...

Later, as the group readies to leave, Midioto looks around at the group, a satisfied look on his face
Right. Well, we are exactly 5.1 miles from the Spider Cave, in this direction. He points with his finger, So that should take about an hour and a half, walking. We should probably go a bit slower to keep alert and safe but it won't take long.

Once at the cave, Midioto Responds to Roy, Well, we did clear out the cave the last time we were here, however that might have changed since then, and we might have missed something. So we should go at this as if it is still inhabited. We should be able to leave most of the stuff near the entrance and explore the cave with greater care this time.

Bareth backs up rapidly when asked to help in the expirament

Chairs are layed out across this spacious room as you enter- there are ten rows of ten chairs, with an empty line in the middle to walk down. The walls are covered in ivy, and the floor is extremely well kept, soft grass, as is rsther normal for the company's buildings. The exeption is the floor under the chairs, thst seems to be a single slab of smooth, polished stone. The meeting hall is mostly unoccupied, and has been reserved for the applicants for today's expedition. A disinterested elf woman stands near the podium, revewing sheets on a clipboard.

A white bearded dwarf stomps his way into the room. Having heard about a call for an expedition that is in need of a miner, he came in search of gold and glory. In that order. Looking at the room with the practiced eye of a man who was willing to buy and sell just about anything that isn't nailed down, his gaze finally met that of the elf standing near the podium. With a grunt he said "Heard yer lot be hirin' an excavator for an expedition to an island o' some sorts. Be this the right place?"

the woman glances to the dwarf, and quietly hides her irritation with his demeanor. She mumbled something in elven.

Knowledge Planes on Imps: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

Yeah, is say he knows a thing or two about imps...

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Thorek smiles at the imp and politely bows his head. As he begins to fill the forms out he says: "Ye be an imp? Me apologies for nay bein' able to speak ye tongue. Most o' yer kind I meet have been summoned. I take it by yer actions that yer summoned has died then? If so, me hat off to ye. But I do be wonderin' what be yer role here an' what can ye tell me o' this organization ye be part of?"

"I'm a bound familiar, actually."
the imp bows back.
"I've lived here so long, common may as well be my native tounge. Thank you for your concern nonethless. I'm the familiar of your potentail employer- her name is renal, and she gives me quite a bit of free reign here. Eventually, she declared me an official member of the company, dispite my status as a familiar. Now I'm one of the higher ups, and I can tell you, it's really nice. I never got this much respect in hell. Though, I don't think hell would take me back, anymore..."
the imp pauses, a moment.
"Ah, but, to answer your question. This is the white butterfly company. It's primary moneymaking methods are the awakening of animal and plants, the blessing of crops, and the tending of other such needs to allow man and nature to live in a greater sense of balance, avoiding the extremist veiw of nature being a sovereign thing seprate from humans. Humans and humanoids are simply the dominat speicies- and there will always be a best. It's just how it is. The company has a lot of side projects, in the creation of new plants, researching of exotic locations, and magically modifying willing animals. Occasionally, one of these will have a huge turnout in profit. Our recent successes are what are paying the bills of those who are to explore this realm- to the tune of one million gold peices, devided among the five explorers upon return."

Thorek nodded and thanked the imp, all the while storing information. The imp had been here for long enough to think of common as its' base language, and given their views of time, that meant it had been here for quite a while. More importantly, it's master was incrediably long lived. And this company, it had an ingenious business model. He wished that he had thought of it. It was also good to know that they weren't fanatics who would cross him over morals. This was a business, which increased he chance of actually getting paid. He carefully read the documents as he signed them.

Profession Barrister to understand the documents and ensure that there are no nasty surprises: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

the documants really are just a series of questions- the only place you sign is in the "name" feild

the imp waits patenently and quietly, watching both thorek and watching the door.
"are you finished, then?"

A tall, broad-shouldered man with striped fur and a feline head, with a trio of scars going diagonally across his face, steps into the room behind Thorek. He wears armor made of thick strips of some sort of leather or cloth, while a large, heavy-headed hammer lies strapped to his back, crossed with a thick-bladed sword. A quiver hangs at his hip, paired with the bow also on his back. He moves with an easy grace as he walks forward.

Seeing there's someone else already at the front, he stops a little before the podium and waits his turn quietly, looking the dwarf over as he stands.

Almost immediately afterwards, another individual walks through the door. The mostly black-feathered Tengu stands at a wiry and unimpressive 5' 8". He looks around the room with his deep-set eye's gawkily. Then he tries really hard not to stare at the catman nearby.

"Hi! Uhh, am I at the right building? I heard the White Butterfly company was looking for linguicians? I walked by a couple of times, so I just want to check."

Despite his awkward demeanor, his polished armor speaks for itself. But not his complete lack of weapons, unless you count the sling.

A short goblinoid pops up from where he had been lingering mostly unseen. He seems neatly dressed with some odd tools and a crystalline bow hanging about his person, and mystical tattoos on his skin.

"Quite. Observing from the inside is something I find more informative; I must commend you for asking those better informed however, the number of times students failed to take such a basic step out of sheer nerves was quite amusing back at the library." He chuckles, "But where are my manners. Rivet, formerly of Yamyra's Troubleshooters, before that of the Queensbridge University. To whom do I speak?"

"come, come! I can handle more then one person at a time." pipes up the imp, gesturing for the two to join him."We do indeed need linguists for our expidition into the mealstrom. Please, come, ask your questions, fill out these forms, and don't be shy to ask for any bevereges you desire."

The imp pauses, a moment, just noticing the boggle. "i am har-barith-zantas, but i just go by "Berith" now. I am a rathee high ranking member of this company, and the familiar of your recruiter.

"Oh uh, thank you, Rivet. I'm Luca Bloodbeak. Don't mind the name, I'm as friendly as can be! Do I uh, do I give a pitch?" He turns to the imp. Definitely one of the other "new" sights.

"just fill out the forms. If your employer has any further questions, we can deal with that when we get there."

"Aw. I've got a good arm too." Luca immediately pauses for effect on what could be considered a joke in some circles. Mostly circles of hell.

A wee demon. Cat-folk. A tengu. A well spoken gobbo. It certainly was something new. In his decades of wandering Thorek thought that he had seen it all, but this was a menagerie indeed. Still, with so much gold on the line he wasn't going to ask any questions. At the very least a tengu linguist certainly made sense. He guessed that the catfolk was the survivalist, and the goblin-like creature was...an alchemist of some sort? Usually goblins and alchemy meant fire, but he wasn't convinced that this was the usual breed of greenskin. With his papers finished he stood back and watched the new arrivals, looking to learn of them what he could.

"Forms. I can handle forms. It does imply an employer who would rather deal with us at a distance, does it not? Is that simple preference or fear of unruly would-be employees?" Rivet asks of Berith.

Kn Planes to recognize the imp for what it is: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

A short, just over 5', very dark skinned man enters behind the others. He holds a long spear in one hand, several ceremonial feathers tied just below the tip. Also on his person are a rapier, a longbow, and several small pouches.

He wears a leather jerkin over loose fitting earthen colored clothing. A single black braid of hair hangs down his back. A smile plays at the edge of his lips, "Ah ha, I've never seen so many foriegners invited to the Shembe Festival before. But do not worry my friends, I shall teach you the proper way to dance the spears."

He gives a low bow, "Nesipho Inkosi at your service."

Still grinning Nesipho grabs one of the papers off the podium, "Oh dear, not the Shembe Festival? Well, exploration and adventure it is then."

Nesipho reaches into his bags and pulls out a quill pen and a vial of ink, dips the quill carefully, then signs his name with a flourish.

Turning to the imp he adds, "Дар ин ҷо шумо Berith мебошанд. Ман имон дорам ман ҷавобгӯ ба талаботи забоншинос дар ин ҷо оварда шудааст. Ман бо ҳамаи забонҳо шинохтаи тайёраҳои чодари, ва чанд дигарон амон ошно ҳастам. Ки ман ҳам як дасти одилона дар қабули силоҳи ҳастам."

A tengu and catfolk, I must get a chance to speak with them.

Nesipho turns to Lwazi, "Only a few times have I seen people of your race before. Once in the markets of Absalom, and again in Katapesh. Tell me, where do you hail from? And do you have a tongue unique to your people?"

Luca takes a clipboard with the required paperwork leans into it while muttering quietly "Log: Day one. They've already turned against me. It won't be long before the others forget what jokes are entirely."

He looks up at the mention of another linguist though. He deicides to pipe up after hearing the answer to the humans question. Luca is curious too, really.

"Priecājos ar jums iepazīties, Nesipho!"

I go to bed, wake up, and everyone posted after I went to bed! XD

Lwazi takes one of the forms and looks it over, though he glances at the new arrivals as they enter and positions himself such that no one is behind him as he starts to fill the forms. He's worked a couple of times for the White Butterfly Company before, and, well... eccentric is hardly surprising by now.

He smiles up at Nesipho as the man speaks to him, and returns his bow with a slight one of his own. "Lwazi," he replies, his soft, even baritone not quite matching his rather ferocious appearance. "We catfolk have our own tongue, yes, though it is Common I was raised on. I was born on the road, you see, and only later found my parents' tribe and learned of our ways. So you might say I hail from many places, yes? The travelers my parents lived with, or the jungle of my tribe."

I'm pretty sure this campaign isn't set on Golarion, right? Or rather, the intro before we enter the Maelstrom isn't on Golarion.

"He is not here because she is preparing to open the portal you will be using, and wants a summery for a quick review when she arrives. This is also why the only available room we have is this announcement hall."
the imp looks to nesiphio and smiles.
"You are correct, this is a not a "shambe festival", rather a sign up for a long and possibly dangerous, but well paying, task."
he pauses, a while, before he says.

not galorion, yes.

"A pity Berith, there is so seldom opportunity to practice some languages."

Nesipho cocks his head slightly as Luca speaks, then with a laugh, "Sorry, I already had breakfast, thank you though." After a short pause, "I shall have to learn that language some day, is it your native tongue? I have never heard anything quite like it with the trilling whistles."

Turning back to the catfolk, "Lwazi?" he practices the name to get the intonations right. "Were you part of a merchant caravan?"

Lwazi nods in appreciation at Nesipho's attempt at pronunciation, then grins a bit sheepishly at his question. "Ah... a circus, actually. As you have said, my kind are strange in most lands, and so..." he shrugs.

the imp waits patiently without a word for quetsions or completed forums, as he gathers up thorek's forms.

"Why yes, that was the Tengu language. Hmm. What tongues do humans usually speak? Ooh!" He repeats himself in elven.

"Wait, did you say circus? Ahh... My wife loved circuses. We never performed for anyone, but we were still the only Tengu in the city. If you don't mind, what was your um, act? So to speak." Luca still seems slightly apprehensive talking to Lwazi, but maybe some common ground is all they need.

"Also, also. Sorry, I'm all over the place." He asks the Imp known as Berith "But ah, do we have a destination should we be hired? An endgoal? "

"Human languages vary from region to region. I know a couple, but find the languages of the exotic races a more interesting study." Nesipho seems completely oblivious that referencing the tengu or catfolk as being exotic might not be taken well.

"Berith, in addition to Luca's query I have a few questions."

"I understand we are looking for a magical plant or herb, but I haven't heard anything about its description, so I don't know what it looks like, or how we will identify it? And when we do find it, are we transplanting it? Collecting seeds from it? Or something else?"

STRIGH UNDERSTONE

Walking past the group to the podium a completely hairless dwarf stretches to reach the forms. He grabs them and walks back to his seat to fill them out.
Berith..I gotta do it… can I fill these out in invisible ink like I did last expedition? I remember Renal thought it was a bit on the uppity side.
He reaches over and slowly fondles several of the whistle like charms that hang all over his backpack. These charms are intricately made from glass and worked bone. His armor as well is studded with intricately carved bone “plugs” giving it a feel of ceremony more than function. Upon completing the forms, he walks them up to the imp. I think its time to spice up this waiting. I probably could enhance any drink you choose. For instance, turning to Thorek. Ale is good so is stout but add this to it and it will bring home the taste of home brewed til it simmers down the throat. Try it you’ll have to tell me if you agree. He hands a small pouch of herbal mix to the dwarf.
Some of you will make my mixing a challenge but I can meet the challenge. You, Luca, should enjoy this. It takes the potent tiinctill worm and suspends it in a configuration of alcohol and the sap from the deciduous direlti trees of the north. Boiled down it makes this… Strigh reaches into his pouches and removes a small vial. Try it if ya like it the pleasure was mine...if he doesn’t I gotta try again.
Berith, what other goodies will we need for the trip. I know there was talk of a miner and a hunter. My ability should help with all roles or atleast my mixes should enhance what others specialize in.
I just learned the recipe for a salve I call it stone salve, it weakens a large amount of stone making it easier to excavate. I got a few toher things to try as well. But what I really really want to do…Is experiment with what we find there. I bet I could make some bang and boom.
Pulling out three vials of greyish colored liquid, the odd dwarf begins to juggle SoH: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 while watching the others.

Lwazi nods at Luca and answers, "My parents performed as the 'Tiger-men of Talamarane'--a completely made-up location, as you might have guessed. Their acts involved beast-taming and acrobatics, skills which I have put to rather different uses."

He doesn't seem to mind Nesipho's comment. "Mhlawumbe mina uyakunifundisa ngasona abanye, khona-ke," he responds.

Looking at the pouch handed to him skeptically and then the hairless dwarf, Thorek said {Dwarven}"My name is Thorek Bloodaxe. What might I call you, what clan are you from...and what happened to your beard?"

There is empty space in the middle of the room, between the rows of chairs. Then with a sudden POP! it is no longer empty...
Standing in the midst of you where previously there was only empty space, is a young lad, long ashen white hair flowing back down his shoulders and dissapearing into his yellow robes that hang loosely over him, fluttering and exaggerating his every movement. He carries no weapons, only a stack of books in his hands.
Looking up, he sees the Imp
Ah! Barith-Zantas! Good to see you, I was told to see you by Professor Flitwick and, uhhh, Rinal. Midioto clearly does not want to undermine Barith's authority in front of the new recruits but is otherwise at a loss on how to address him. She wanted me to give you a status update on the Gate Stones. We have just finished the forming process this morning and we have created 4 of them! Flitwick is heading off to the plane of Air right now to test one of em out, but we have a backup exit strategy!
He then looks around at the gathered crowd and then back up at Barith.
Flitwick also said that I should join the expadition. He said, and I quote; Midioto raises both hands for emphasis, "Go with them. Heck knows we need at least one moron whos ain't braindead on the other side. If Hell breaks loose then Midioto, you guide em right through Hell an back here, now GIT!" Midioto does another gesture with his fingers before dropping them.
So I'm signing up he shrugs.
Next moment he looks up at the podium, the dissapears from his spot with a POP! appearing beside Barith and picking up a form.
Hmm... lets see, what do we have... POP!
He is gone once more, now appearing sitting on one of the chairs in the back row.
There he fills out the form;
Name: Middiotoziggeroto
Race: Human
Details on life expireneces: Teleported Math teacher Susan Boyle into the janitors closet, full time employment by the age of 15, full time schooling at the same time, successfully performed a "Time Hop", running the 1,000m dash in 35 seconds.
Notable skills: Hyperdimensional Technician, Spacial Manipulation, Teleporting, Cartographing and a host of support abilities, as well as additional, extensive studies from the White Butterfly company on many subjects including geography and surveying
Note; I can study the Maelstrom extensively from within, I CAN IMPLEMENT RETURN STRATEGIES!!!
List of goals: succeed Flitwick, explore new wildlands, explore new world! Study Maelstrom, improve 'Portin ampage, 'port an entire caravan, and, ummm, create warp gates between the cities, crack secrets of Time Travel...
Prior expreince working for the company: 4 years training towards Hyperdimensional Technician. Currently Junior Hyperdimensional Technician under Professor Flitwick.

Once done, Midioto jumps up with suprising suddenness and once again POP!s out of existance, handing in his paper to Barith. He then turns and faces some of the others, his face agleam with the desire to meet new people.
Hi! Im Midiotoziggeroto! Most just call me Midioto. I work here for the White Butterfly company down in the Hyperdimentionality department. We are working on Gate Stones in preperation for the upcoming expadition right now.
Who... Who are you? What do you do?

Midioto has worked within the company for the last 4 years or so and would probably know, or at least know of Barith and his Renal.
Professor Flitwick is the Senior Hyperdimensional Technician, which is a specific, specalized branch of the main field of study, so there is only a few in this specific branch. 2 to be exact and Midioto is the other Junior member. Feel free to add people!
*Gate Stones are Psychoportation Circle power stones.

Midioto POP!s over to the fridge (or equivelent) and then selects a non-alcholic drink before POP!ing back over to the new dwarf and handing it to him.
What can you make with this? He asks, his eyebrows raising quite high when Thorek speaks. I didn't know you were just allowed to ask that...

"you aren't looking for any one plant. Your job is to aquire as many diffrent speices of magical flora as pratically possible while setting up a base for potental continued exploration. the imp looks to midioziggeroto. good to hear progress is being made. I certanly didn't expect you to apply. then to sligh. "write in invisible ink again, and i will personslly set you on fire to reveal it with. That said, extra supplies will be distributed by renal."

"Mhlawumbe mina uyakunifundisa ngasona abanye, khona-ke."

"Oh wow, look! So many people."

Some of you will make my mixing a challenge but I can meet the challenge. You, Luca, should enjoy this. It takes the potent tiinctill worm and suspends it in a configuration of alcohol and the sap from the deciduous direlti trees of the north. Boiled down it makes this… Strigh reaches into his pouches and removes a small vial. Try it if ya like it the pleasure was mine...if he doesn’t I gotta try again.

Luckily, he see's the opportunity for some good ol' alcoholic distraction from his decision.

"Hello. Stranger. Level with me. Are you assuming I will like this drink just because there's a worm in it?" Luca speaks with an even tone as he eyes the dwarf and the drink warily. Pausing briefly before he speaks again with a sing-song rhythm.

"Cause you're probably right. Is it sweet?"

Strigh

Fine.. flame ink it is.Strigh the dwarf comments with an impish grin. Hey Midioto, you gotta try this one. My last one made you pop but this one will add zing to it. flipping a small bone tube at the teleporter. toss: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 = 11 Targeting the square where Midioto is standing should be dc 5 ish for me.
My hair decided it didn't like my experiments with flame ink. Unfortunately my beard has been shy eversince. I am a bit worried that it won't come out of hiding though. Hopefully the herb concoctions I can make will work better at our destination than at out location.
As for what I am, I'm a mixer. I mix whatever I find until it does something. Quite often I even have a clue as to what I hope it will do. SO far I have better success' than I do mishaps. A grin covers his face although it appears to be more chagrin than humor Flame ink from ifrits was a mistake my hair hides from.Try the concoction it really is a success.

Luca my friend to be. I don't suggest it is just cuz of the worm, it is the leaves as well. I love the concotion mixed with a bit of fall cider properly warmed. If it will make you trust me more I'll share the "mystery" with you. with that the hairless one motions for a drink.hot apple brandy or hot cider please for both my new friend and I the waiter leaves and returns with the drinks in short order. Taking the vial from the Tengu and handing him an exact duplicate, Strigh pours it in and downs the drink. plsst shack cough hee yuck!!Strigh sputters. whew that is way to sweet for me maybe I'll add a drop of straieen berry to conter the worm's natural sugars.

"What? Oh no, no. I was just making a bit of off-color humor was all. But have you tried unripened strig berries? Kri showed me that trick when she was teaching me how to cook. They're small flavorless, and absorb all manner of sources of sweetness. Only plant I've seen with a sweet tooth." Luca offers.

the imp clears it's throught.
"has everyone filled out a fourm? Those that haven't, please do. Those who have, feel free to ask any more questions you may need to."

Thorek put the pouch down, safely away from his beard. For safe measure he put a similar distance between himself and the beardless dwarf.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 With a grin at Thorek's distancing, the albino dwarf turns to Luca.strig berries? I've heard of them but haven't found somewhere to gather them nearby. To bad we won't have time before this setup here gets decided. Maybe afterwords and before the maelstrom we can gather a few. It would be funny to see some one drink a sweet potion of itchy tongue. Strigh says with a wry sort of mirth.

the imp clears it's throught.

"has everyone filled out a fourm? Those that haven't, please do. Those who have, feel free to ask any more questions you may need to."

Luca hands in his filled out form.

"Well, is there medical staff going with us? I can help with that. I don't want to see anyone get hurt, and I know how travel can be. Ooh! Did you all bring your helmets? Mines in my bag."

the imp gathers up for forums.
"great, thank you. And the group chosen is going alone. The high pay is largely due to the potential hazards. Also why we're choosing very carefully who goes."

How big of an area with in the maelstrom are we looking at? what do we know of the flora and fauna there? Are there native humanoids of any sort if so what is their outlook or perspective on us? I think these would be a great thing to know before we go. Berith ya got some answers ? Strigh brings up.

I think the GM wanted us to actually fill out those forms because he wanted some of that information, at least thats why I filled it out.

Isn't that why we make character aliases?

you don't have to actally fill out the forms. Unless otherwise stated as to what is written, i derive the content of the forums from the aliases.

"those are all wonderful questions, and we expect the answers to them to be on your report. Divinations are only sso effective when searching an area." the imp holds it's hands behind it's back, awaiting more questions or fourms.

I'm away for one day... :D

Lwazi turns in his form as he takes in the newest... eccentricity.

It was going to be one of those jobs.

Still, at least some of the other applicants seemed to have their heads on mostly straight. They'd just have to work together to keep the rest of them from misplacing an important tool or blundering into whatever the Maelstrom's equivalent of a bear was.

"I assume standard arrangements apply to our remains should the worst happen, yes?" he asks Barith. "Returned to next-of-kin if they are retrievable without undue risk?"

It was a reasonable policy, and he doubted there was any change to it... but he was paying more attention to the reactions of the other applicants. Talking about returning the dead tended to reveal who was unaccustomed to the threat of death.

Rivet scratched under his wig. A hairless dwarf! Perhaps he has less problems with my race than the more traditional bearded axe-wielders... His chain of thought was broken by the big catfolk's question.

"Ah, if that's the policy make an exception for me. Just send a message to my mother." The gods only know what she'd do with stress, boggle madness and my body.

"we will do our best, but the odds of your courpse being unmutilated or un-eaten if no-one attends to it within a day or two are not high. As such, it mostly depends on if we can get to it in a reasonable time. If you all die, we will resserect whomever we manage to retrieve. That said, if you die, we're also not paying you. All in all, we are paying so much because this is both dangerous and somewhat poorly planned."
the familiar blinks a few times.
"oh, good news, though. Your eployer just finished the required tasks to make the portal, along with her crew, of course, and will be here shortly."

"I understand. I promise to see to my fellows to the best of my abilities, should I be chosen." Luca nods with a momentary solemness.

"But! We'll just have to make sure it doesn't come to that, won't we?"