Narrator of the lost Tomes's page

Sorry guys, I posted that last post, just forgot to change faces.

As you try to focus on the spells that you sense in the corpse your senses become confused and you cannot tell what it is that you are looking at, the longer you look at it the more confusing it becomes until all of your vision is just spiraling colors and exploding shapes.

Edan notices magical auras coming from the corpse of trees that the druid is retreating to.

The druid, about to take another deep swig from the wine skin just before Lanten mentions the dust on his person, stares at Lanten with the skin to his lips for a moment prior to removing it and tossing it to the ground appearing deaf to the rest of Lanten and Lina's questions. "Why must you people always stick your noses into that which does not concern you?" He asks, then turns and stalks back to the corpse of trees, upright and sure of himself he seems a completely different person for a moment. The just before he returns to the trees he turns looking hunched and fearful again. "Leave this park if you know what is good for you."

He comes over avoiding touching anyone and grabs the wineskin, takes a deep pull from it and glances around at everyone making no move to give the wineskin back. "I don't have any problems here. I just take care of the park."

As far as you recall there is nowhere particularly dusty in town.

He LIVES! I have finally been switched back to an 8hr/day schedule rather then the 12hr/day schedule I was on. Gotta love the Navy, cramming a month of work into 2 weeks. Took me a few days to get all my notes in order so expect updates!

The druid comes out of the trees tentatively, glancing back repeatedly as he moves out. He seems like he could bolt at any moment, this is odd considering all the rumors you heard said he had a terrible anger issue. He seems very worried about something.

As you examine him you notice his clothing is covered in dust of some sort, another odd thing considering the whole area is really marshy and does not create dust.

I am really sorry you guys, I am completely slammed at work right now, I wish I had time to run this campaign properly and do it justice. If you all want to call it quits I understand, but I just am not going to be able to update regularly.

Had an unexpected trip that kept me away from the computer for much longer then expected. Back now, just need to catch up on some stuff and then I will be back to posting here.

"What? Monsters? There are no monsters here, this is a park in the middle of town. Don't be silly. No monsters he says as he glances back at the grove he just came out of."

I apologize guys, I really am trying to keep up with things on here but work is harsh. Still working long rotating shift work and now I have more responsibilities on top of that so I am wiped out when I get home.

As your explanation drags on the druid visibly relaxes, but when you get to the part about him hiding he tenses up again. "Hiding? Me? Now what would give you that idea?" and he begins slowly edging back towards his corpse of trees that is about 20 feet away.

When Godelina mentions evil the grumbling from the corpse of trees grows quiet and the druid pokes his head out again. "Evil? What evil?" He says, and steps a little way away from the trees before stopping.

"Go away, go away, GO AWAY!" his voice rises with each repetition inside the corpse.

Apologies, I posted on Sat, but apparently it got eaten and I didn't check back until now.

You all see from behind a small corpse of trees a little way off a disheveled head poke itself into view for a moment before a voice calls out from behind it. "Tell her to keep to her own affairs and I will keep to mine!"

I would like to apologize in advance for what is going to be an odd posting schedule for me, I am currently going to be doing rotating shift work, 12 hr days 7 days in a row with 2 days off between each rotation so there will be times when I am changing my sleep schedule and will have trouble posting or come home from work too tired to post. Hopefully I can get things moving along again.

finishing your respective meals you all stand and make your way to frog park where you heard that the druid is keeping residence as a caretaker of sorts.

Fir and pine trees dominate this sizable park, with a few willow trees growing near the park’s marshy interior. The ground here has always been a bit sloshy, making it difficult to build structures. As a result, a cleric of Obad-Hai purchased the land for a low price, and druids of the deity have tended to the area ever since. Frog Park derives its name from the large number of frogs that dwell here; on some nights, their susurrus can be heard all the way to the town market. Most people attribute the frog population to the park’s proximity to the northern wetlands. Statues of frogs decorate the park, but most visitors find the place just too swampy for regular visits. ooc is just for background, you could discover it easily by talking to anyone in town that has lived there for a while.

Let me know of anything you are doing as you enter the park/ look for the druid.

Well as soon as you post we will start rolling again

Glad to have you back. We can run some side mission stuff via email if you would like to get you back up to speed and decide what was going on with you while everyone else was playing.

Haha I feel like Shari is about to be in a love triangle.

Also, just waiting for a destination to be decided on for you guys then we will continue.

Have fun

Once you wake in the morning you all meet at the Lizard boat, as has become your morning routine to talk about the next steps you want to take in your investigation.

Apologies, time of year and all that. I hope all of you are having happy holidays

All of you depart the dancing dryad and while none of you found what you went in looking for most of you found out something new about yourself.

Since it is now late in the night there are not many people moving about the street since most sensible people go to bed long before now and you have no trouble making your way back to your respective places of rest. You all sleep peacefully until morning when the rising of the sun wakes you.

Just let me know where you want to head, I remember Edan saying something about visiting the Druid.

As the two of you scan around with your detect evil and detect magic, Edan detects much the same as before, small magic baubles on the wealthier patrons, if he decides to focus on some of them he can discover the school of magic and how powerful they are. Lina detects no evil in the room strong enough to be noticeable.

He seems to be telling the truth.

As you get up to leave he smiles kindly but does not say anything and does not pursue you. Next time you look back, he is not there at all and you cannot see him anywhere in the throng of people about where he was.

"Not too terribly long ago, may be a couple weeks?"

"What places have you traveled to in the past? Do you have any exciting plans while you are here?" she asks, curious if he's slip up or perhaps mention something she can keep probing gently to get any information that might incriminate him.

"Oh, I have traveled all over, I am a bard, though I am not currently looking for work. The stories I could tell you of the places I have been! Most of them are far too long for such a short meeting as this however."

"I do a little of this, a little of that, I am somewhat of an adventurer. I stopped by in town and thought to see what I could." He looks you up and down in an approving way, though not creepy. "I am glad that I did."

The night continues on, after the dance Mistertique attempts to make small talk with Lina. The party moves and throngs about you but nothing untoward seems to be happening, whether due to the bouncers about or the inebriation of the patrons.

Update tomorrow or the next day

@Edan You detect plenty of magical things as you are passing among the people, mostly from the more wealthy looking patrons but unless you focus on one for a short time all you know is that there are magical items about.

Godelina is genuinly surprised by his words, but she tries to remain cool and curtious. She is a little worried about the prospect of a dance in her high heels, but she appears to have gotten a command of them.

"You lead, Mistertique. he says, hoping this night becomes fruitful.

With that Mistertique pulls you into a lively dance that is just perfect for the music, and even though you do not know the steps he is able to guide you with nudges as he twirls you about the floor. Soon you are both the spectacle of the night, with the dance floor forming a circle about the two of you with everyone oohing and ahhing appreciatively.

'Shari returns Lanten's smile, eyes twinkling. "Yes, I agree, Edan needs a hand here. Let me see what I can do here..." After a moment of thought, she quickly strides towards her hapless friend and, eyes brimming with un-shed tears. "There you are, Edan. I...I just want to to know...I still have feelings for you." She lays a hand on his arm, ignoring the lady already on his arm. "PLEASE come with me!"

The large woman pulls back from Edan, letting go of his arm, and begins to quiver, suddenly she starts bawling loudly, ""You are seeing another?! How COULD you???" you feel that her tantrum could go on for a while if you don't make a hasty retreat.

Update coming tonight, had to get my ducks in a row and get back on track with where all our missions were going. Still crazy busy at work.

Apologies everyone, internet is down at home and work is killing me right now, and this is the first chance I have had to get online at a friends. Currently work and getting ready to visit family for Thanksgiving is priority, so I am putting any new posts from me on hold until I get back on the 25th. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.

@Lina "Evelyn, Ahhh, a name as beautiful as you" He takes your arm gently and begins to lead you away from your table. "Please just Mistertique. First let us dance." he says with a grin.
You are pretty sure his intentions are to have an escort for the night, and he seems friendly enough, though over confident.

@Lanten and Shari You cannot identify either the brute Lanten just chased off or the masked man. let me know what you guys want to do/look for.

@Edan "Oh a drink will be divine! Lead on my white knight, I will follow you until the ends of the earth." She begins giggling uncontrollably and with the way she is grabbing your arm you feel like she will never let go.

@Lina, He comes out of his bow with a grin on his face, hearing your response he proclaims, still holding out the rose rather awkwardly. "Why, I am Mistertique! Worlds greatest ladies man, for I exude the masculine mystique! It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Miss..."

@ Edan, the woman laughs as she continues to pull you around the dance floor with her, probably not even listening to what you say to her. You feel that if you do not escape her quickly this could turn into a very long night.

@Shari and Lanten, The man immediately backs down once he sees he is not welcome there, "Your loss miss." He states and then spits into Lanten's glass, turning and walking away.

No one seems to be paying any of you any particular attention other then to look at clothing and the like, everyone is caught up in their own revels or drunk. The lights dim a little and a bit of a strip tease starts on the stage and then moves into the dance floor and audience and now naked women are intermingled with the guests and dancers. You occasionally see one saunter off with a man or woman attached to their arm up to the second level. You notice that there are darker booths along the perimeter with curtains as well as booths in the upper level overlooking the dance floor and stage.

A few minutes after Edan stands to watch the dancing a rather corpulent well dressed woman, with her breasts falling out of her too small outfit every way they can, surprises him by grabbing his arm as she dances by and pulls him out onto the dance floor, crushing him to her bosom. She is obviously a few drinks in and starts mumbling into his ear once she has him in her grasp.

At nearly the same moment a very well dressed man with an overly large codpiece steps before Lina's sitting form and bows to her with a rose held out to her. He is wearing a finely cut suit and a masquerade style mask. "My beautiful butterfly, your hair is the color of gold and you positively glow, I simply must be your escort for tonight. Grace me with your presence?" He maintains his bow until Lina responds or takes the rose.

The bartender hands Lanten his drinks without acknowledging his question.

A very well muscled man, wearing a outfit cut to pronounce that, while still looking tasteful, walks up to Lanten and Shari (from behind Lanten) Placing a ham sized hand on Lanten's shoulder he winks at Shari and says. "Beautiful miss, is this man bothering you? You obviously deserve better company then this ragamuffin, come and walk with me."

It is no problem I was actually getting ready to send you a message and ask if you had decided to drop out. I will update what is going on tonight after work.

Looking around all Lanten sees is people trying to sate their vices.

Shari begins small talk with some of the servers but anytime the conversation turns away from innocent topics to patrons or other topics they become tight lipped, you feel they are very professional about not talking about anything of import on the floor.

Apologies, I will get a post up tomorrow, hopefully.

Soooooo, yea. Whats going on guys? Are you all waiting for something from me or is everyone waiting on each other?

We seem to have lost a certain golden haired lass, I will let you all respond to the Dryad and then I will continue posts.

Edan spends the hour preparing spells in his room. Just put up a list of spells prepared in your profile As he is doing that the girls decide to get ready for the night, slipping away to put on dresses and makeup. Lanten has about 45 min to wander around waiting for Edan to get done before they both go and change into their new outfits as well. Everyone meets in a common area and sees each other for the first time where you all spend some time talking before putting on cloaks to keep the cold air blowing in from the sea at bay for your trip to the Dryad. Once there you get into the line in front of the building about an hours wait from the front door. Time passes and you finally make it to the front. Once you step inside it is like entering a new world. There are gambling tables in various places around the room, the center is cleared out as a dance floor, there is an orchestra playing on a stage to the left of the room and everyone seems to be talking too loudly and laughing too boisterously. The women wandering the floor have outfits cut dangerously revealing, some having occasional malfunctions and becoming embarrassed, others just letting it all hang out as though they don't notice. Thankfully the sexual acts seem to be kept behind closed doors. There is a grand stage in the center back of the room with no one currently on it and a large bar to the right of the room. If you have any weapons concealed let me know. Looking around you see large men positioned around the room in strategic locations looking for trouble. Feel free to RP first meeting in new clothing and such. I just wanted to get you too the Dryad.

Just tell me what direction you guys are heading once you are done roleplaying and I will continue, no rush.

yup, no one sees anyone following you guys. You may want to meet up with the ladies first so that they are not bored anymore and then decide what to do.

You heard stories of a single dwarf that floated into town on a burnt down boat, shortly before you came to town, and promptly built a bar with funds that he had in a bag of holding with him.

Akalvin looks at you a bit suspiciously but then shrugs. "Well it was about 6 months ago now" (I think that was before you came to the city, if not add on months until it is haha.) "he seemed harmless enough at first, he seemed really excited coming in here and always asked for our best alcohol. One of my men got suspicious one day and followed him after he left. Well he took a round about way to my competitions place." Akalvin gets really bitter at this point. Mumbling to himself, "Damned dwarf comes out of nowhere and seems to think that he can take over my customers by under selling me?!? Bah! At any rate we keep an eye on him for a few weeks and then he comes busting in here all wild-eyed and drunk looking like he got into a fight screaming about burning this place to the ground. Some of my men roughed him up and called the guard. I think they just fined him and took him home, haven't seen him since though."

Akalvin, having turned away after yelling at you expecting his men too throw you out turns back around. "Eh? Oh I am sorry I though that you were someone else that we had trouble with a while back. You look mighty similar to him but you are far too young and a lot less drunk." With that he waves at the men that were moving towards you and they sit back down to their drinks. "Here, have a drink on the house for the mix up." he says putting a glass of scotch on the counter.

Lanten and Edan head to the Drunken Urchin.

This seedy-looking, run-down building houses a popular tavern that caters mostly to fishers and traveling merchants from the nearby marketplace the Drunken Urchin is infamous throughout Saltmarsh for its house special, urchin wine. A huge sign above the bar shows a sea urchin floating in a large glass of red wine as a particularly pleased looking man drinks from it. This concoction is rather foul, but the locals get a big kick out of tricking visitors into trying it.

A crusty old salt named Ankus Akalvin runs the drunken urchen. The light in the common area is rather low as you walk in and as soon as he sees Lanten he shouts "Oy! You, we don't need you here, get out, NOW!" As he shouts some of the bigger men begin to stand and move toward the two of you.

I apologize, my work schedule has drastically changed but I am still putting in close to 13 hrs a day, hopefully things will settle down soon and I can get back to regular updates.

I don't know who added the tailors post, it was not me, I also do not know who took it down. I will use it but ignore the part about him recognizing you. Most of what you guys have done is not public knowledge yet and there really wouldn't be a reason that 'commoners' recognized you yet. The tavern is the Drunken Urchin, The wizards name is Desthen Clorisal.