| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Alrinkiri walks over to the Powderpile in the morning. Unsure what 'mid-morning' means, they depart Spire dorm just as others are beginning to stir, only to find the shop not yet open. They sit, unmoving, next to the front door until Xhokan opens the shop, quietly padding in as the first customer of the day. A short while later, they depart bearing a bundle of yellow and green cloth, as close as could be had to the color of the bead they were given to represent Spire dorm, wrapped around some basic sewing supplies. They spend the remainder of the day in their room, attempting to create a garment they can wear for the meeting tomorrow that won't restrict their movement in either stance.
The result looks ok when worn in an upright stance, having been created based on a pattern for a tunic found in the basic crafting book they bought. When worn in a quadrupedal stance, however, it hangs all wrong and interferes with easy movement.
Wisps checks out a couple books and takes them back to the dorm that night. Zachva and Zanvi peek in through her window; they're hanging upside-down.
What're you reading?
Is it good?
Is it scary?
Does it have dragons?
I like stories with dragons!
No, I like dragons more!
Nuh-uhhhh…
Yah so!
They seem to have taken a shine to Wisps, though it's hard to read with the spiderlings creating havoc in her room.
☀☀☀
Akoril enjoys a walk in the manicured parks on the city's outskirts before visiting the Max Headroom hat shop. The proprietor has a bad stutter but an array of hats such as kufi, bucket hats, headwraps, pith helmets, fedoras, flat-topped cowboy hats from Alkenstar, Pirate hats from the coast… and so on.
☀☀☀
The bioluminescent plant has been taken, seemingly into Mariama's room.
Okoro is poring over newest errata for the latest Tomb Robber Society Sourcebook. It looks complicated, but perhaps Chimwemwe can help him suss it out with Academia to uncover the authors' true intent, or Society to decode the complex writing.
☀☀☀
Alrinkiri believes their outfit looks awesome. It even hangs just the way they want — well, sure, it drags in the first a bit and it's a little torn… but no one will notice.
Ignaci, fashionable-dressed as always, passes them in the hallway. How… avant-garde.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Soomdevi finds Mariama and smokes a clove cigarette with her, eager to tell her what he's learned about the cultists, how they're trying to disrupt the mail system.
"Hampering our communications, of course. And starting with the students, probably thinking no one would suspect."
He's not entirely sure what putting a lamp in the window means, or what demons have to do with lights.
"But maybe it's not about the lamp, maybe the "mix-up" is the thing in and of itself, causing friction, putting neighbor against neighbor, breaking down our communities. That's what they want."
His eyes water from all of the smoke.
The last piece of info, the juiciest part, that he saw Professor Ot's eyes glow red, he saves for last.
"It might not mean anything. Sometimes people's eyes glow or whatever, magic, a trick of the light, who knows. Even Chimwemwe's." The thought that Chimwemwe might be a cultist makes Soomdevi laugh.
But then he thinks again and coughs on his cigarette.
I don't know who to trust around here! I need to do something to protect myself.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Wisps grins at Zachva and Zanvi.
"This one IS a book about dragons. It's more about the geopolitical relationships between different dragons, but I can tell you a fun story about dragons and some brave anadis who had to slay evil dragons!"
Wisps makes up a story with obvious insert characters for Zachva and Zanvi, casting herself as the wise old woman who guides them on their journey.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Wisps carefully smooths out the new dress her mother made for her to take to school. It has vibrant stripes of indigo, magenta, and teal, with an elaborate pattern of cutouts at the collar.
Soomdevi finds Mariama working a strange-looking plant cutting. She explains she's trying to make a new kind of invisible ink from it. That should help them communicate.
She listens to Soomdevi's report but doesn't seem surprised. I'm telling you. Ot is too good to be true. She is interested in the lamp. Light makes shadows, right? Maybe they are opening portals to the shadow-plane. I've heard some rumors to that effect. Maybe it's shadow-people and now demons? Hmmmmmm.
She chuckles at the idea of evil Chimwemwe as well. And tell him thanks for this cutting!
Akoril avoids any faux pas by picking hats with endangered feathers but eventually finds a green felt hat with a shimmering blue feather. A good look and given the number of indigo thrushes around clearly not an endangered species.
Chimwemwe chats with Okoro as they go through the complicated rules. "...almost, hmm, impossible to guess what the, hmm, what the intent of the authors are. They say reading is a, hmm, hmm, a, hmm, subjective exercise." He continues reading in an effort to decipher the arcane rules. The complexity and mathematics appeal to the Lirgeni, but starting at a supplemental rules set disadvantages him. "Is there a, hmm, a version that uses only a core set of options?" He forges onwards--the artwork is quite entertaining--interjecting on a particularly opaque rules interaction, "You know, hmm, at the end of the day, as long as everyone is having fun, I, hmm, I'd accept whatever ruling the gamemaster decided on that rule."
Alrinkiri pauses and looks at Ignaci as he walks away, then turns back. They wait patiently in the common area until they spot Chimwemwe, after he is done learning to play games with Okoro. "Chimwemwe" they call out, as the man passes by. "You seem skilled at creating things. I believe, based on Ignaci's reaction, I may have erred in creating this garment. Do you know how to fix such things?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Oh. Ah. Hmm," Chimwemwe considers the green and yellow garment. "I, hmm, I can try my best. I won't, hmm, won't be able to make it fire retardant nor install any electroluminescent threading, but I can make some adjustments and clean up those hems." He beckons the Jistka automaton to follow him to his room. Inside one of the drawers of his dresser is an assortment of thread and needles. "The trick with your clothing is that, hmm, that it must fit well in both postures: walking and standing. Something like barding but also a robe..."
Many hasty stitches and temporary pins later, Chimwemwe returns the garment to Alrinkiri. "It should hold up for the ceremony," he says, "but, hmm, the pins might slip out if you go on a long walk through the city or try dancing in it."
|
|
Light does make shadows...
Soomdevi nods along as he listens to Mariama's theories.
"If the cultists are traveling to the shadow plane, that's the last thing we need. They could use it to travel anywhere. They could even be here, in a parallel plane, right beside us. I hope it doesn't mean that people are trying to get the shadow plane and the Abyss to work together. That would be..."
He shivers at the thought.
Later, when Soomdevi sees Chimwemwe pinning clothes onto Alrinkiri, he tries to keep things light. Why send anyone into a panic?
He says, "I ran into Mariama. She's trying to trick the cultists by making invisible ink from some blue plant. Oh, and she said to tell you hey."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
The spiderlings listen to Wisps' story, totally enthralled. Tzeniwe collects them an hour or so later. They really like you. She looks at the floor, always a little shy in contrast to her twins. … Maybe some day you could come over for dinner? I think they miss being around other Anadi. I mean, if you want.
☀☀☀
Akoril chooses a sustainably-sourced piece of headwear. Eco couture is in!
☀☀☀
Okoro lends Chimwemwe the core ruleset, which weighs several pounds and looks like it would take a semester to read in of itself. Ahh, you are saying the ever-dreaded 'table variation' is in effect. He frowns. I was worried about that.
☀☀☀
Mariama snaps her fingers and finishes Soomdevi's sentence. … horrible.
She pauses. I've found evidence of artifacts being smuggled around through the shadow plane, to avoid customs fees and bypass inspection. We should research this more, Soomdevi. It might be serious. Anything could get in by skipping customs… imagine the power and potential… Her eyes gleam. And it might be fun too.
Keep researching. Keep an eye out. I will too.
☀☀☀
Ignaci peeks into the room and sees Chimwemwe and Alrinkiri at work. Not bad. Not bad at all, Chimwemwe. But look — fold and tuck like this — he folds some of the fabric across their shoulder — and this. He tucks it elsewhere. He steps back and admires his handiwork.
It’s not just about crafting a good outfit that will "hold up," which Chimwemwe has done. It’s about how you wear it. Thanks to Chimwemwe’s efforts, and mine, you just might this look off. might.
As he walks away he calls over his shoulder: Let none stay Ignaci will not help those in need of fashion advice. Indeed, thanks to Chimwemwe the fabric no longer interferes with their movement, and thanks to Ignaci it also looks elegant and sleek.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"She's already discovered new magic within it? Remarkable!" Chimwemwe says around the needles arranged between his lips.
---
"Thank you!" he says with a wave as Ignaci departs.
"Thank you Chimwemwe. I have never really had call to make clothing before; I should have asked for your help from the beginning."
"Ask me for help anytime," Chimwemwe says with a smile, his eyes trying to find the correct place to look on the automaton's head."Tailoring isn't my, hmm, isn't what I'm known for," he adds, "but my father showed me a lot of crafts. 'You never know what you'll need to do when you're called for a repair.'"
Wisps smiles broadly.
"Of course! It is hard to be away from my family, too."
You are to meet Ot at dawn the next morning, so it's an early bedtime. You rise early, putting on your armor and weapons (as is the norm — remember, branches like the Tempest-Sun Mages protect their beloved academy), and your new outfits as well.
It's finally sunny this morning. The dawn of a new chapter in your lives. But the muddy ground is slick… perhaps this too is symbolic. You make your way to the designated place on campus. You're so excited, you arrive a bit early…
☀☀☀
The ceremony stage is a simple platform decorated with intricate circular mosaics and a wide ramp descending to the grass. The wooden platform is elevated about 3 feet off the ground on sturdy wooden supports. Two 8‑foot‑tall pillars flank the ramp to the south, and a low, curved, stone wall to the north can provide audience seating.
As you approach you hear some strange clacking under the stage… is someone working down there?
You peer in… no, there are two tiny, crustacean-shelled creatures bashing the stage supports with pint-sized mauls. Their exoskeletons creak, click, and clack as they smash the wooden support beams.
A dog-faced gremlin seems to be overseeing their work. She notices your approach and shouts at her allies in a squeaky voice:
REEK! HAVVIX!
She leaps up onto the stage…
WREAK HAVOC!
The crustacean creatures look confused…
THAT MEANS: ATTACK, YOU IDIOTS! SMASH 'EM UP!
The two other creatures, who must be named "Reek" and "Havvix" giggle and brandish their mauls! Why didn't you say so, boss Kurskhin?
She spots Akoril's fashionable new purchase. Gah! What a stylish hat. I hate it! She shoots at Akoril's hat! (well, the head that's UNDER the hat, truth be told).
Her first arrow whizzes by the indigo thrush-feather. The second plops into the mud. Phooey.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kurshkin
--
➤ Soomdevi
➤ Wisps
➤ Akoril
--
Havvix
--
Alrinkiri
--
Reek
--
Chimwemwe
DC 34 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 26 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
Akoril looks puzzled "Crab gremlins? I guess they don't like us gnolls."
Turning to them as he heads forward, confident in his arcane might "I guess it's the hard way..."
Akoril then fires an electric arc at the two crabs.
Akoril blasts energy at the crab-like fey. Reek is only partially struck; Havvix laughs as the bolt bites into the wood, missing him altogether.
He stops laughing when he gets a little sleepy… his companion Reek starts snoring mid-laugh.
Wisps is up!
"Nothing will ruin our big day! Friends, to arms!"
Wisps starts to Inspire Courage on her friends.
She then tries to figure out what these creatures are.
"I have no idea what they are."
Havvix knocks his friend upside the head with the butt of his maul. Wake up, Reek!
Reek's eyes blink. OW! You — Whaaa?
Then he steps out and jumps up onto the stage.
Alrinkiri is up!
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kurshkin
--
Soomdevi
Wisps
Akoril
--
Havvix
--
➤ Alrinkiri
--
Reek
--
Chimwemwe
DC 34 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 26 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
Alrinkiri dashes forward on all four in full-on predator mode, ducking under the stage and slashing at Reek before it can react.
As Alrinkiri passes by the pillar, they step on a spike snare as they cross by the pillar.
Heh.
… OW!
After being attacked by a horrible cat-robot person, Reek looks bloodied. His crab-exoskeleton is cracked. He dashes off into the forest.
Get back here! Kurshkin jumps up and down on the stage as she watches Reek slip in the mud and fall on his rump as he scuttles away into the forest.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kurshkin
--
Soomdevi
Wisps
Akoril
--
Havvix
--
Alrinkiri
➤ Chimwemwe
DC 34 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 26 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
"The stage is the better battlefield," Chimwemwe shouts to the others as the battle between the gremlins and his cohort begins to unfold. "What are we facing here?"" he wonders aloud to himself as he considers the enemy. "Be careful! Don't let it curse you! That one looks like a pugwampi. Did anyone bring bells?"
He then concentrates as he traces a symbol on his forearm.
Like before, the runes on his armor flare with sympathetic light. However, his eyes and the astrological tattoos that appear along his bare arms begin to glow with a lighter orange color rather than red light.
Alrinkiri yowls in pain as they step on the spike, though they manage to avoid the worst of it.
Havvix's eyes gleam as he watches the metal armor glow.
I don't like the look of that! Kurshkin moves back and then wags her tail. The air around her shimmers with magic.
She then wings two arrows at Soomdevi.
Only one arrow gets close to Soomdevi, grazing his arm. Seriously!? You obnoxious wizards have the best luck. UGH!
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kurshkin
--
➤ Soomdevi
➤ Wisps
➤ Akoril
--
Havvix
--
Alrinkiri
Chimwemwe
DC 34 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 26 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
Akoril draws his bow and fires at the puppy gremlin on the stage.
As the arrow flies through the air it collects a vortex of debris that all...
slam at the doggy with surprising force.
"Have no fear, friends! We've got them running."
Wisps moves closer and draws her bow.
An arrow thunks into Kurshkin with great impact. OW!
Missiles singe her fur. Ow! Ow! Ow!
Havvix moves back and waves his maul around at the ready.
Snooty wizards, all afraid to come close! HAHA!
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kurshkin
--
Soomdevi
Wisps
Akoril
--
Havvix
--
➤ Alrinkiri
➤ Chimwemwe
DC 34 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 26 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
"If you wanted to brawl, you should have stood closer," Chimwemwe says, cracking his knuckles. The glowing tattoos along his muscular arms flare. Having never killed a thing in his life--excluding the finer distinction of eating meat the butchers slaughtered or feeding insects to his snakes--he approaches unarmed. That does not mean his punches will be gentle.
Alrinkiri leaps up onto the stage, landing gracefully on all four paws, then spits a glob of glowing green goo at the crustacean fey!
Some residual mud on their back left foot causes them to slip a little at an inopportune time, however, and the glob goes wide.
Chimwemwe makes his saves, and is immune to the aura for 24 hours!
The acid plops on the stage, disfiguring a tile.
Kurshkin moves back and sends two arrows into Chimwemwe.
How you like that? And THAT?
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kurshkin
--
➤ Soomdevi
➤ Wisps
➤ Akoril
--
Havvix
--
Alrinkiri
Chimwemwe
DC 34 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 26 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
Kurshkin jumps up and down.I don't answer questions from goody-goodies! Maybe Stone Ghost will before he kills you. She realizes she said too much and growls at the crab-gremlin. Havvix! Why aren't you them!?
Akoril focuses as starlight condenses on his bowstring and he fires at the dog face again.
Akoril then trudges through the mud.
"We'll have the upper hand soon!"
Wisps continues to Inspire her friends.
She then sends two bolts of force at the dog-faced one.
Akoril has less luck this time but Wisps hits Kurshkin.
Gah! Stop it! GET 'EM HAVVIX! NOW!
Havvix rushes forward until he's under Chimwemwe's feet, and swings his tiny maul… at the inventor's armor!
Ding! A fleck of rust falls to the ground when the hammer hits the armor plating, but the magical runes engraved upon it fend off the corrosive touch of fey magic… for now.
Gaaahhhhhhh!! Havvix screams in frustration as something so well-crafted and within reach eludes destruction.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kurshkin
--
Soomdevi
Wisps
Akoril
--
Havvix
--
➤ Alrinkiri
➤ Chimwemwe
DC 34 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 26 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
Alrinkiri bounds forward into a strategic position, using Soomdevi's presence to create an opening on Havvix.
"That hurt," Chimwemwe murmurs with a glance at the wounds left by the arrows. He disengages from the destructive gremlin and advances toward the pugwampi-like gremlin. "Capture the leader!" he shouts as he maneuvers around the gremlin.
"Hopefully, this knocks you out," he says as he throws a firm right jab. "My companions are more dangerous."
Kurshkin reels back, then spits blood. She's still going strong. You'll pay!
She snaps off an arrow point-blank at Chimwemwe's eye.
and
She is disappointed to see the arrow isn't quite on target, though it's cut a deep furrow in the inventor's right temple.
Havvix! I softened them up! Now it's your job finish them!
She dashes to the edge of the platform and long jumps into the bushes, intent on fleeing.
Havvix looks around and counts. Umm… and grips his maul.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Kurshkin
--
➤ Soomdevi
➤ Wisps
➤ Akoril
--
Havvix
--
Alrinkiri
Chimwemwe
DC 34 (crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 26 as second check after first success:
DC 25(crit success), second success by another PC, or DC 17 as second check after first success:
Akoril trudges up to the edge of the platform and tries another ranged spellstrike at the fleeing puppy gremlin.
His arrow once again a swirling vortex of sharp splinters.
Wisps walks up on the platform.
"See, friends? Two of them fleeing now! Only one left!"
She fires off her own bow.
She stumbles, but is still staggering away into the forest. I thought I told you to GET THEM, Havvix!
--
Soomdevi is up!
Ack! She drops.
The last fey runs away.
The puppy-faced fey lies in the bushes, out cold but not dead thanks to the bruise Chimwemwe left.
All is quiet…
"Yes, I would like to find out why she and her friends attacked us. And who is the Stone Ghost?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Chimwemwe raises his hand to touch his bleeding scalp as the arrow glances off of his braincase. He begins to trace arithmetic in the air with his bloody fingers as the pugwampi runs off of the stage. "I can catch--," he murmurs as his focus waxes and wanes, but then several projectiles streak past his periphery and Kurshkin falls into the brush.
He turns in time to see the crab-like gremlin flee from between Alrinkiri and Soomdevi, so he charges across the platform and leaps to the pugwampi's side. He removes a dried flower from his bandolier and kneels to administer aid to the gremlin, but finds her unconscious and stable. "Does anyone have rope?" Even as he asks the question, he moves past it and unstrings the gremlin's bow and uses the bowstring to bind her hands.
Out of breath, Chimwemwe rises. "We need an instructor. Or a Tempest-Sun Mage," he says. While he waits, he crushes the flower and presses it against his scalp wound to stymie the bleeding.