Mortimer Smith's page

Mortimer sizes up the doors. ”You know, if we had a thin sheet of adamantine – thin enough to slide between the doors, we could just slide it up and knock the bars that bar the doors out of place.” He kills time studying the doors a few seconds more, then sighs dejectedly when no one produces a thin sheet of adamantine. ”But sure. I guess I can just knock.”

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

He falls back a bit waiting to see what shall respond.

Mortimer follows slightly behind the elder Eidi ready to catch Eidi should Eidi stumble and crack his fragile old skull on a zephyr.

”Here, hold my beer.”

Mortimer watches in outrage as the gnome quietly disappears alone – and with no beer proffered! ”Oh, no hey – not this again.” He turns and beholds his companions who – like himself – stubbornly remain in view. . ”Er… Ascaria?’ He address the empty space previously occupied by the gnome with concern. ”You forgot something?!”

Eidi’s demeanor and words assuage him a tiny bit and a thought dawns upon Mortimer. Oh – somehow the little guy is on the other side of the door… Did we know he could do that?! He anxiously but quietly waits trying not to chew his lower lip.

Sorry, that diplo role was meant to be a Diplo Aid

It has been a long time since Mortimer has thought. Now in the break of battle he decides, it may be time. Dragons to the left, Giants to the right, what is a group of Outcasts to do?

He fixes his gaze upon the motley crew of giants and wags his finger in warning at them, then points down towards the mist where surely a pile of dead, stunned and/or shaken dragons flounder.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.

Mortimer looks toward Blue (Green Dot) Dragon and wipes the sweat off of the end of his nose. He then launches himself foot first into the side of its head.

Acro: 1d20 + 30 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 30 + 1 = 32 +Prayer

Literal flying side kick to head(Elemental Cold+Stun): 1d20 + 17 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 5 = 43 Holy, +BoF, Prayer, Hero’s feast, +2 more if opponent has a dodge bonus (Anticipate Dodge), Greater Weapon Focus, -Power Attack

For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 12 + 1d6 + 1 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 10) + 3 + (3, 2) + 12 + (1) + 1 + 10 + (3) = 46 +Holy, +Dragon (Ferocity), Deliquescent Gloves (Acid), Prayer, +Power Attack, +Elemental Fist
Fort Save DC 22 or La-la-laaa for a round.

WillDC34: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 16 + 4 = 40 Hero's Breakfast

"What?! Did you say something?" He languidly asks the Old Dragon.

ReflexDC36: 1d20 + 20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 20 + 1 + 1 = 37 Prayer, +Haste
The flames, thanks to Protection from Fire, just sort of evaporate off of him. "Oh, I see," Mortimer grumbles, "So it was something I said..."

Mortimer double moves to the other side of the Green dragon by Eidi Single Hasted Move and tries to knock it too out of the sky.

StunningPumch: 1d20 + 17 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 31 +BoF
for Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 12 + 4d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (10, 6) + 3 + (3, 2) + 12 + (6, 1, 5, 4) + (2) = 54 +Holy, +Dragon, +Acid

Fort Save DC 22 or La-la-laaa for a round.

Now I just remembered -- stunned not dead dragons are also shaken for 1d4 + 6 rounds.

Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.

Mortimer pounds on the reddot Green near him. 5 foot step

Elemental Boot to Tail (Coold): 1d20 + 17 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 31 +BoF
For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 12 + 4d6 ⇒ (6, 8) + 3 + (1, 3) + 12 + (1, 3, 4, 4) = 45 +Holy, +Dragon, +Mot4W
Stunning Fist: 1d20 + 17 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 33 +BoF
For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 9) + 3 + (4, 2) + 8 = 31 +Holy, +Dragon
Fort Save DC 22 or La-la-laaa for a round.

RightPunch: 1d20 + 12 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 32 +BoF
For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 12 + 4d6 ⇒ (6, 10) + 3 + (2, 2) + 12 + (4, 5, 1, 1) = 46 +Holy, +Dragon, +Mot4W
LeftPunch: 1d20 + 12 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 26 +BoF
For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 + (1, 3) + 8 = 20 +Holy, +Dragon

BoottoHead: 1d20 + 7 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 29 +BoF
For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 12 + 4d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 + (6, 2) + 12 + (2, 4, 1, 1) = 38 +Holy, +Dragon, +Mot4W
RBackFist: 1d20 + 7 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 18 +BoF
For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 6) + 3 + (1, 4) + 8 = 28 +Holy, +Dragon

LJab: 1d20 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 21 +BoF
For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 12 + 4d6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 3 + (2, 6) + 12 + (2, 3, 6, 5) = 43 +Holy, +Dragon, +Mot4W
LHook: 1d20 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 6 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 20 +BoF
For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (8, 5) + 3 + (3, 2) + 8 = 29 +Holy, +Dragon

Haste, LSidekick: 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 3 + 17 - 1 = 45 +Amulet, +Haste
For Damage: 2d10 + 12 + 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 12 + (5) + 3 + (2, 6) = 31 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon

Confirm?: 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 3 + 17 - 1 = 32 +Amulet, +Haste
For Damage: 2d10 + 1d6 + 3 + 12 ⇒ (5, 7) + (3) + 3 + 12 = 30 +Dragon (or maybe not?)

WillDC24: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28 More to come!

Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.

Mortimer sees Eidi maneuvering his hands like a puppeteer and muttering while a strange feeling overcomes him.
What, what…. What’s this?!!
He feels his body being tugged off his air perch of choice, and that the sensation is closely correlated with the movement of Eidi’s hands!

”Care to have a ride?”

’HHmmm, minty! Zesty! I like it! Aaaieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey! That tickles!” he chortles as he soars to the other side of the Blue Dragon, preparing to strike it when he arrives.

Stunning Fist: 1d20 + 17 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 - 1 = 37 +Telemort, +BoF
For Damage: 2d10 + 3 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 + (6, 2) + 12 = 26 +Holy, +Dragon
Fort Save DC 22 or drool for a round.

Mortimer stops in his tracks.

”Hold up, looks like they might be coming to us.”

He reaches into his haversack and pulls out a tangleburn bag, then hurls it at the Blue 85 feet away attempting to further “provoke” it.

Let’s hope they find this insulting enough.

Burn,Baby Burn: 1d20 + 17 + 5 - 10 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 5 - 10 = 31

Instead of watching it fall some 35 feet short of the dragon and plummet to find the kiss thrown by the spriggan, he points to the Blue’s head and makes a “blowing up” gesture.

He starts a boxing bob with his fists up facing the feral Blues.

The blue coming from the east towards the Round House swoops down on the eastern most hill giant, its great teeth gnashing at the exposed flesh, hoping to find purchase during a Fly-By!

Mortimer folds his arms across his chest and looks very off-put.

Yo, over here, eh?

"C’mon, let’s take the fight to them shall we? I can’t see anything. Mort, Sol, Eidi, lead the way to the hill giants and we’ll aid them first."

"Yah, I'm going to go fight with those guys over there."

He starts heading for the Hill Giants, but not too far ahead of the blind Ascaria.

”Excuse us if we join the party too late"

Mortimer waves at the Hill Giant.

Solrisa steps forward 5’, raises Rae of Light and shoots at the nearest blue.

Mortimer waves at the blue dragon(s), staying in front of Eidi and Ascaria in the hopes of intercepting attacks upon them. Intention is to provoke the dragons.

Be with me my friends, know those spriggans are usually of chaotic and evil nature, so let's not trust this one easily.

Chaotic AND evil?! I don’t want to trust him at all!

Mortimer shakes his head at Gazzilfek and his sudden bulk up, wondering why the display should warrant any trust at all. He shrugs, clearly unimpressed. I bet lots of things can do that.

”What vision? How’d you get here?” he challenges, looking around expecting to see the clouds part to reveal a spriggan portal. ”What exactly led you to us, and why?!”

He probably wants to take us to his Thane now, or something, he thinks at his companions.

”Maybe we should walk and talk?” he says, also pointing to where Ascaria is pointing. "Didn't the vision mention that we are in the process of collecting heads?"

The little man gestures the kiss of perfection with a small hand pinching to a kiss of his lips, throwing it to you.

Mortimer lets it fall into the abyss.

Telepathic bond

Not this guy again! Remember? Zeech’s jerk jester? We’re too busy for this, right?
He pictures himself leaning over to Sol and saying, Shoot him.

"Should Can we follow the guylines for 'cover'?"

Where is all the action Ascaria is pointing to!?

Round 3, Init 16+

ReflexDC22: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
ReflexDC22: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

"Ah, yeah, I wanted to warn you, if you have not Tres Sangres Cake to offer, better prepare for some acid!"

Cake? Oh no, was someone supposed to bring cake? Where’s the cake?! Did I mess up? Was I supposed to bring cake?! Mortimer’s stomach growls. The magic of Holy Aura falls upon him. OMG. Angel food! Ascaria brought it!

”Thank you! Light and fluffy!” He gloats, pummeling the Green trying to squash Ascaria. ”Where’s your cake?!” He tries not to hit the head too much, aiming more for the jaw and neck.

Monkey Lunge
Left Punch, Elemental Fist (Cold): 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 3 + 17 - 1 = 34 +Amulet, +Haste
For Damage: 2d10 + 12 + 4d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (10, 1) + 12 + (2, 5, 4, 5) + 3 + (3, 2) = 47 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon
RightPunch: 1d20 + 17 + 6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 6 + 3 - 1 = 31
For dice=Damage: 2d10 + 9 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (10, 5) + 9 + 3 + (6, 1) = 34 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon

Left uppercut, Stunning Fist: 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 3 + 12 - 1 = 33 +Amulet, +Haste
For Damage: 2d10 + 12 + 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 12 + (3) + 3 + (4, 6) = 30 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon
Rightknee: 1d20 + 12 + 6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 6 + 3 - 1 = 40 ‘ really putting it out there on a lunge
For dice=Damage: 2d10 + 9 + 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 10) + 9 + (5) + 3 + (2, 1) = 34 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon

Fort Save DC22 or Drool and be shaken for: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 if not already unconcious.

Left Backfist: 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 3 + 7 - 1 = 35 +Amulet, +Haste
For Damage: 2d10 + 12 + 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (9, 7) + 12 + (4) + 3 + (6, 6) = 47 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon
RightNotSoFlyingSideKick: 1d20 + 7 + 6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 6 + 3 - 1 = 22
For Damage: 2d10 + 9 + 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 10) + 9 + (3) + 3 + (4, 2) = 33 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon

EarBox (ears on dragons pinholes are right below the jaw, right?): 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 3 + 2 - 1 = 28 +Amulet, +Haste
For Damage: 2d10 + 12 + 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (7, 9) + 12 + (6) + 3 + (2, 2) = 41 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon
RightHeelKick: 1d20 + 2 + 6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 6 + 3 - 1 = 21
For dice=Damage: 2d10 + 9 + 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 9 + (4) + 3 + (1, 1) = 24 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon

Haste, Left punch: 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 3 + 17 - 1 = 30 +Amulet, +Haste
For Damage: 2d10 + 12 + 4d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 12 + (5, 2, 2, 5) + 3 + (3, 5) = 41 +Cold, +Holy, +Dragon

Confirm Crit #1: 1d20 + 12 + 6 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 6 + 3 - 1 = 21
for Damage: 2d10 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (7, 9) + 9 + 3 = 28

Confirm Crit #2: 1d20 + 6 + 3 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 3 + 7 - 1 = 34
for Damage: 2d10 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 9 + 3 = 19

Mortimer stretches, yawns, and opens his eyes.

Man, I feel really refreshed. A little out of practice, even. But good, it’s all good… except for the five green dragons headed straight for us… Wait… what?!

”Oh! Licorice! Thank you Eidi!” the taste brings him back to his senses. Mortimer bounces 10 feet back and 20 feet up, bobbing and weaving. He waits for the flock to arrive.

Condition(s) = Magic Vestment, Status, Life Link, Air Walk, Heroes’ Feast, Protection from Energy (120hp Acid)l, Protection from Energy (120hp Electrical), Protection from Energy (67/120hp Fire), Protection from Evil, Wind Walk, Monkey Lunge, Anticipate Dodge, Combat Rhythm, Telepathic Bond, Particulate Form

Mortimer takes in his surroundings, looking for potential weapons of dragon destruction or other advantages as he follows/is teleported by the others.

"Too bad we can't will the guylines straight into their slender but scaly necks..." he grumbles.

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (20) + 24 = 44 +2 more, spirit sense

"If you set foot in the Citadel again, you best bring the head of one of the dragon commanders as tribute. Otherwise, I'll have every reason to believe you're just another enemy here to pillage Kongen Thulnir, while we're occupied in the skies."

Mortimer grunts, putting his corn kernels away. ”Seems fair. That’ll be big, but I still think I can still carry it…”

”And I have a nice bow just for that."

Mortimer glances over at Solrisa’s hair. Well, I see no bow, but there is that old thing...

Agreed. Let's press the matter while the magics last.

Oh, do you think we should form a circle? You know -- like wagon trains do when they’re under attack by dire bears?

Mortimer draws himself up to his full height (which is puny by comparison to the giants -- a fact completely unnoticed by the brawler), but says nothing waiting to see how things play out.

DiploAid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Who doesn't like popcorn?!

"I only have a small coin pouch full of them. I was going to plant them -- but might not get the chance."

Just now, I was sitting in a large somehow climate controlled room, with an enormous bucket of ... of -- watching us all try to negotiate this scene... but it's real! There is no ..."

"Oh, hey, yeeaaaah... Did you know if you take dry kernels of corn and heat them in a little fat they explode into delicious snacks? Why don't we make some?"

Without really taking his eyes completely off of the Giant, he glances around the room briefly trying to spot a pantry.

"ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.....ip...*snork*"

Mortimer -- still standing -- peers at the still regenerating pyrohydra through very bleary eyes. Aaaah shit. So it wasn't a dream!

Come back!

Round 2

"I can't promise she'll not be angry with the likes of you for almost slaying her"

"You OAF!" Mortimer bellows, double moving into position. "Don't you get it? We DID Slay Noggins! We felt bad, and brought her back to life to show our remorse! Now CALL 'EM OFF!"

Note: Anticipate Dodge allows Mort to ignore dodge bonuses up to +2 in his targets. Please apply, and let me know (as per the feat) who has dodge bonuses among my enemies.

Sorry, misinterpreted Combat Rhythm -- need only take it once. Will take Anticipate Dodge instead of the second Combat Rhythm.

Round 1, Init 8

Monkey Lunge, Combat Rhythm (x2)

Mortimer grips the thunderstone in his fist tightly for later use, and tumbles/cartwheels/spins to the far side of Fire Giant.

Acro: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (5) + 30 = 35

He lunges at the Fire Giant!

"Shutaap! You talk too much!"
MLunge, Dragon Ferocity, Stunning/Elemental Fist (Cold): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (17) + 27 = 44
for Damage: 2d10 + 10 + 2d6 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (9, 2) + 10 + (2, 4) + (5) + (4) + 3 = 39 +Holy, +Cold, +Acid, Adamantine, Magic (etc)

Fort Save DC 22 or be Stunned for 1 round. If stunned, Giant is also shaken for Ding!: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 rounds.

Also, I forgot to mention, Mort auto-makes the Sense Motive check.

Mortimer waves to the Giant before addressing Sol.

"No, Sol, no -- remember?" He reminds her, "We've just come to destroy the Dragon's precious Thing, not fight Giants. If we do that -- every dragon in this valley will surely feel that tremendous loss and lose their will to fight!"

He looks at the Giant. "We're not here to fight Giants. We're here to destory Dragotha's precious -- whatchamacallit -- Thing."

DiploAid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Ascaria will move back, suspecting he’s within range of the hydra. He ‘attacks’ the wall with his new mace to make himself visible.

Ahhhhh-haa... So Ascaria's right there?! So where's Sol and Eidi? Mortimer pauses in thought invisibly now that the gnome is visible, waiting to see what will transpire. ... and doesn't he mean "pyrohydra"? Mortimer peeks at the pyrohyda to get a good look.

He breathes a sigh of relief when Eidi speaks and ends the invisibilty sphere. He steps into what passes as an antechamber.
"He means pyrohydra... so that's a pyrohydra?" Mortimer nods, pursing his lips. "Impressive."

Percept: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (11) + 24 = 35

Is Ascaria moving further away?! Where's Sol? Where's Eidi?! Aaugh!
.
.
.
.
... I hate being invisible.

Mortimer pouts at the doorway.

"Who's come to play?"

Mortimer opens his mouth to speak, but then remembers that it is not a skill in which he is particularly gifted. He looks to the others for their reactions, but sees nothing.

I hate being invisible.

Nonetheless he sticks by the party and quietly reaches into his pack to pull out a thunderstone in case another need for chaos arises.

"I, mean, I’m a very good fighter, but would also like to sit around an eat cookies too."

Eidi wrote:

"Solrisa is very great, but I only rival her on cookie eating."

No, not the cookies! NOT THE COOKIES! Shit. We don't have any cheese either, right!?!? Nope. No cheese, no cookies.

Mortimer struggles successfully in keeping silent. Only the flush on his face reveals his effort.

Maybe it IS good we're invisible.

He soundlessly waits to "see" what will transpire, gripping the thunderstone and looks about.

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (7) + 24 = 31 +2 more (spirit sense if applicable)

"I say, Citadel, not yet. Let's see what's there?" Mortimer says, pointing downwards to the third floor before remembering everyone is invisible. "I mean, down there -- floor three. What do you all think?"

"It's just a couple of tanglefoot bags and some alchemists fire he's not going to use anytime soon, we'll pay them back if they turn out to be friends and we end up using them, otherwise, we'll just return them."

"I'm fine leaving the rest."

Mortimer points downwards at Eidi's question, and if everyone concurs when they are ready he'll try and pop open the next trap door.

Hopefully it's not barred from below.

Str: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Str: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"Urrrrrruuuuuuuugghhh!!!!!"

Otherwise, he follows along to check out the fourth floor.

PerceptionDC30: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29
KnowDungeon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"!Ah-ha!" Mortimer holds a finger to air as if to proclaim something very profound. "Uh, gimme a second -- it's on the tip of my tongue --" He looks around as a dragon screams past nearby.

KnowNothingPercept: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (1) + 24 = 25

"No, sorry," he says shaking his head. "It's gone."

He looks about the citadel roof. "Maybe we should work our way down as far as this goes, see if we can use some kind of magic to detect The Thing. If it works, we deal with the guards guarding It, away from the main fray. It'll distract the dragons away from us, at least until we can destroy The Thing."

He searches the dead Fire Giant in search of a clue as to who these giants are, via holy symbol or other possessions, as well as a way inside.

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (18) + 24 = 42

"Maybe we're not here to do any of that. Maybe we're just here to sneak in and destroy something? You know, THE Thing?"

Damsk or no Damsk, I don't really want to go back to ZeechTown. That stupid monument. Those evil angel things... Ugh.

Mortimer groans quietly as they take off for Alhaster, and tries not to breath the rank air once they arrive.

How does anyone keep an appetite around here?

He does not partake of second breakfast, though does accept a hoppy ale if offered so as not to appear rude. He glances at Ascaria, and when Ascaria gives the green nod, he immediately proceeds to nurse the brew.

"Oh it is fine Damsk, it is great to remember a good story"

Mortimer smiles once or twice and nods, fondly remembering as Eidi tells the tale of the Birthday Debacle, the outrageous gifts, and how much fun they had having a good time at the Evil Leader's expense.

"That fool of his, one you mentioned in your stories just now, well he's no longer in the Palace, no longer entertaining Zeech, and the servants are walking on eggshells most of their work days"

OH, crap! Did we make everyone's lives worse by irritating Zeech?! That guy has got to go!

"So, uh," he asks cautiously and quietly, "Is The Fool dead, or just in hiding? Does anyone know? He'd be hard to miss."

~~~~

Mortimer gazes sullenly out at the besieged city nestled in its bleak landscRaping, wondering what to do. He peers over at the citadel to see if he can see any form of civilian movement.

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (12) + 24 = 36 +2 more Spirit Sense

"Is this place supposed to be inhabited now by ... civilized beings?"

"What do you think about having a second breakfast by the Laughing Dawn Tavern as is tradition with our first visits to Alhaster and remember old days with Damsk?"

Mortimer hesitates, remembering his last meal in Alhaster, trying to conceal a frown.

When everyone wholeheartedly agrees to second breakfast, he points to Ascaria then to his head. "O.K., just watch out for all of us, in case they try that nasty poison delay thing there again on one of us."

"Mort? Did you see what happened? Did it work?"

Mortimer smiles. "Yes, judging by your smile and the spring in your step, it worked! I'll take some credit for sharing that Ost av Linnorm with you before retiring to sleep -- that cheese is the STUFF of nightmares!"

As Solrisa goes on about Rae and birthday cakes, Mortimer finds himself wondering, "What if you could make little tiny cakes? They do that, right? Not like ... little cakes ... like pancakes or sheet cakes cut up -- but scaled down versions of the Mierani Forest Cake in little individual boxes so you could carry tons of them and just pop them into your mouth whenever you felt like one..."

For the remaining time Mortimer patrols around town in his smoked goggles, running errands to garner supplies for whoever needs things while they bake, study or draw -- hoping upon hope that the next Heroes' Feast will have miniature cakes.

Mort looks at Solrisa with concerned eyes, for possibly the first time ever he finds himself really fearing for her.

"No, don't worry. There will be plenty of cheese. We'll try when you're asleep, I just want to make sure we get it right. It isn't a cheap spell."

Mortimer listens to Eidi's summary of the nature of liches, his eyes wide open in wonder.

"Vecna?! Doesn't that Darl Quethos work for or, uh -- worship Vecna? OOoooohh.... gross. I didn't know it was a lich. Maimed, huh? NO! DRAGOTHA TOO?!!! Oh, uh well -- actually. That makes sense..."

He becomes anxious when Ascaria asks about two phylacteries for the one lich, and shudders. NO, that can't be how it works! They're already not who they were! How do you split what's left? He breathes a sigh of relief when Eidi expresses his speculative answer. That would make more sense!
~~~

"Mort! Mort! Can I borrow you a moment?! Can I borrow you a moment? I need the bag of holding you carry to load it up."

Mortimer looks up from the last issue of Magi Today -- The Swimsuit Edition at Ascaria -- for the first time startled and a little nervous.

"Shhhh, it's a library. Load it with what?" Relieved when he discovers that it is just history and God of Beer books, he obliges the gnome.

~~~

Eri smiles grandly, patting himself for a shifted flask of spirits, offering it whoever's interested.

Mortimer samples the flask of spirits -- and never before having had the distilled beverage made from a blue plant of the same family as asparagus, he buckles slightly at the knees as his tongue transmits 'smokey fire water nectar with a hint of watermelon and cucumber' to his brain.

The stuff hits him pretty hard.

Wha, what is this druidic potion? It's like ... burning liquid candy... He pulls out a cheeseboard, a fresh hunk of smoked goat cheese and a small cheese carving knife. With a gesture of his hand, he offers it to everyone.

Improvisational Equipment for the perfect cheese.

"You're strong, Solrisa, but you must know that if you die Cursed, you will usher a new Night Twist into the world."

... ! "She'll what?" he blurts rhetorically.

"No, wait Eidi, Maxie said we must wait until she's sleeping. We can do it tonight in the pub, if you don't mind a late night intrusion that is, Sol." He turns to the maiden. "It will calm your dreams."

He turns to Solrisa. "Is that it, Solrisa!?" he asks, gently. "You haven't been hearing The Dragon lately -- just instead having nightmares?!"

He turns to Ascaria and Eidi. "Maybe Maxie didn't mean a specific 'you' when she said '...you can only lift the Curse by Wishing it away, while you're in the throes of a nightmare.', right? Because --otherwise it sounds like it is Solrisa who needs to do the wishing while dreaming?"

He looks to Maxie for clarification.

"And of course it's about the curtains, Mort! How can you *have* ... Without curtains, what ... roll wood or stone so that's a silly idea, Mort. That wouldn't work at all... I'm not sure that's how things are supposed to be..."

Mortimer shrugs. "Maybe you're right. Kittens would need something to climb and knock over," he says pointing to a large stocky looking black spotted grey cat with a long, fat tail as it bounces up its habitat wall to a ledge. It pauses briefly to casually clean a paw before using it to deliberately swat a wide flat water dish over the side.

~~~
Mortimer is more than happy to shop, visit the Druids and visit Lashonna (either before the bow is ready or after).

Then finally to Kongen-Thulnir, to locate and destroy a phylactery.

"Find any of it, no." Manzorian smiles. "I know how to craft them now. With study, so can Eidi. [ ... ] I could be wrong, of course."

Mortimer gasps in astonishment, his mind blown by Manzorian's revelations. He hesitates, then chooses to accept Manzorian's theory about their experience being some mass hallucination. "Then..." he a bit more still slightly feeling that all of this (after the Dragothian experience) is too good to be true, "I guess you can make something other than a cloak?!" he rasps. desperately hoping he doesn't sound too skeptical.

~~~

"Oh yes, Mort! Yes, that's exactly right! I don't know what it is. Might be an owlbear! Remember the owlbear! Oh...that was a lot of fun...do you think its an owlbear, Mort!?!"

"Ooooh, yah! Maybe a real small one. I can totally see how the bill could turn into a beak as it gets bigger!" How fast do they grow?!

~~~

"[ ... ] That was *home*, but I don't know my home anymore." Solrisa looks at the duckbilled owlbear baby.

Mortimer too gazes upon the strange quasi-mystical beast. "*Home*? I, ... don't remember my people. I feel bad about that. I wonder if they remember me. Sometimes I think to be forgotten would be a tragedy. But then I realize -- no one is ever really forgotten. Your Rae and Mum are still here," he says, pointing to her heart. "Because of that they're always with you. And, where ever they are -- they remember you too in their hearts."

Dust and rocks in the sheets would be pretty tough...

"See, Sol?" he asks, after being briefly distracted. "It's not about curtains, it's about who you care about, what's in here," he says, pointing to his own heart. "That's *home*."

"Maybe things are just weird. The only time I know peace is when I'm asleep and The Dragon comes to whisper things in my ear. Then I know things."

Mortimer starts slightly, pondering Solrisa's words as he gazes at the creatures sauntering back to the river after snacking on some quackgrass. Is that a 'shoulder' they're looking over? What does she mean 'peace' when she's asleep? "Did you hear Apsu last night? What did he say?" Mortimer quietly asks not really expecting an answer, but hoping the memory might bring Solrisa some peace.

”YES! THE ZOO!!! I *love* the Zoo!!’ Solrisa squees with delight. She doesn’t yet know what to do with all her money, so going to the zoo would be a perfect way to avoid thinking about things.

"Oh, yeah --," Mortimer says by way of apology. "I thought Eidi and Ascaria said they already had plans, so I didn't think to invite them." He looks at them. "You're more than welcome to come with us to the Zoo if you like -- if you plans changed. I wonder if this Zoo also has the large deer-like creatures with fat tails and pocket babies too!"

The Zoo in Magepoint
~~~

"Oooh -- look Sol. See?" Mortimer asks, pointing to a spot in a slow moving river. The opaque form makes it's way to shore. "What is it? A duck?! Look at the bill! And a beaver tail? What about those otter feet? Is it for real, or did they just do some weird magical experiment?! I bet you can only find this in Magepoint!"
~~~

"Solrisa, is anything bothering you? You don't seem all that interested in being here in Magepoint. I know it's not very far north, but it was the most pleasant place we've been in our travels -- it having that cheese shoppe you love so much. Remember the last time we were here? So inspired by the city, you sculpted a statue of Eidi! You haven't mentioned wanting to do anything, I mean -- until I mentioned the Zoo."

"Maybe it's just me, but you seem of late -- very distracted. NOT like 'Manzorian distracted' or anything, more like 'you're here not here really' sort of distracted."

"No, no, I meant the Wild Watchers. The very ones who protected the Fountain of Dreams. From your accounting, it felt very one-sided. Instructions, compliance, no real exchange. Did they allow you a chance to ask them questions?"

Mortimer frowns. "Uh, well... there didn't seem to be time. First one of them -- Sayren-Lei -- " Mortimer says, fussing in the Muleback cords to bare forth a black and green banner, " -- this is his banner -- he's very moody. Uh, mostly angry, really it seems. Anyway," he continues, tucking the banner back into the cords (having not quite decided how to bear it), " Sayren-Lei challenged us to fight since due to random chance we didn't technically happen to finish one of the Trials. We managed to convince him we wanted to stop the Age of Worms. They all seemed tired, not in the mood for casual conversation. I mean -- they'd been holding that fort down since forever, right?" Mortimer concludes his lengthy roundabout way of saying 'They weren't up for chatting', and looks for something other than water to drink.

Growing pains.

"If you don't consider it useful, then you are right to ask if any of it would help."

"I don't think I meant that. That cloak is pretty cool," he says, pointing to the Quicksilver one, "but unfortunately, I'm already wearing a cloak. And, you having just found out about all of those -- do you even know how to find any of it?" Mortimer asks, brazenly adjusting the Headband of the LizardHood upon his brow. "Also, I'm not sure I understand all the stuff in there about the dragons, turning into them and all. There are good ones and bad ones -- Sol said so. So, I found myself wondering -- how could a bad dragon help? Do you have to be the dragon, or just be able to use its particular breath weapon or whatever? Is it the dragon part that is important?"

"You're referring to the Fragment, Mortimer, the one you were hesitant to leave with me."

Mortimer nods, as Manzorian speaks. Why is he questioning my memory? If I'd forgotten about it, why would I bring it up? Mortimer squints at Manzorian, trying to get a closer look. Is it HIS memory that suffers?

TakingTimePerception: 20 + 22 = 42 +2 more Spirit Sense should it apply

"I was just wondering if it was safe, you know -- if you had been able to use it at all toward our common goal," he assures Manzorian. "Good to know that it is still safe."

~~~~
Mortimer stuffs himself with standing rib roast, baked potatoes and some small round green vegetables resembling cabbages.

"Excellent work Cedric! Is Ascaria paying you enough?"

Mortimer sleeps dreamlessly for once, and accompanies Ascaria on his foray into market, chiding him over his lack of herb knowledge.

At some point during the time in New Magepoint:

Will get back on purchases/loans. But boots? Really? We have tons of boots! Have you seen the boots we have in inventory?! It rivals Imelda Marcos' collection!

"What do you all think about sharing our discoveries with Lashonna?"

"If you're right," Mortimer says, turning to Eidi, "then we still have some time -- and I think we should use it to talk to as many people as possible!" Mortimer pours Eidi more water.

Mortimer looks at Manzorian. "Just out of curiosity, wasn't there a rod , or uh, something?"

Mortimer, eyes fixed on Manzorian, offers some chilled water to his companions before helping himself.
He's like Allustan -- with the 'never can have enough water' thing.

He looks at Eidi and Acaria. They think just as hard. Why aren't they thirsty? If it's not thinking, what makes these Academic types so thirsty?

He pours Manzorion more ice cold water when he finishes his current quaff, lest Manzorian stop thinking aloud.

"You were firsthand witnesses, and your success or failure to stave off the wave of Swords wouldn't have altered the druids' safe retreat. They stole this knowledge from the world, for the extreme danger it posed. [ ... ] Did you suffer any long term effects, drinking from the Fountain? What was it like, talking with such ancient beings?"

Krathanos? 'Eldrich'? He seemed so stupid. Does listening to the rambling speculation of a giddy Mage count as suffering? Mortimer smiles.

"It was amazing," he gloats. Still, the actual present day druids , Maxie and Valeris had a similar impression about missing ... memories. I know what it's like to not remember. None of this helps really me, though.

"What do you mean?! Do you mean we really didn't actually make any difference slaying of all the undead soldiers? I tell you, it is if we were really there! We changed the past!" Mortimer exclaims, slightly disheartened by the suggestion that their group experience was just some Druidic experiment in mass hallucination. "What makes it safer now, for your book to have new pages, or missing pages restored? What about the sea elf civilization discovery? How does any of it help?"

He listens as Manzorian rattles off the list of discoveries, not fully understanding the usefulness of many given the limitations of each. Nor does he find that any lend themselves particularly to his style of combat. He leans against a wall and tries not to look so terribly bored as the group discusses Manzorian's list.

As they ready to depart, he wonders what discoveries the Druids they met near Magepoint have experienced recently.

"Hey, at some point we should pay a visit to Maxie and Valeris too?"