Hope everyone had a nice holiday!
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So in very fun and scary and exciting news, my wife just had a baby (our first) and we'll be bringing him home today or tomorrow hopefully. I'm not planning on dropping any games as I'll be off work for the next month (is this hubris? Maybe!) but if it's not too much trouble, please feel free to bot me as needed in the immediate future. Thanks!
Vim watches in interest as Adran dons the cap with no obvious immediate consequences, and then followed suit, despite the clash with his otherwise dashing outfit. One couldn't afford to be picky though, at times like this anyway. "Very well, then, friend. What's next? And where have you taken us?"
Hey, that's a nice surprise! Life feeling a little calmer?
Awful* Hey, On the plus side, did that mean you got promoted?
Woof, that sounds serum. Sorry, mdt. Regarding the game, no sense pulling the plug imo. I'm perfectly fine with a long delay. If that eventually does become a plug-pull, so be it, but no sense doing it if things eventually get easier, and it's not like I'm going anywhere. Whatever happens, good luck!
Still up!
Happy solstice! Happy summer!
After the conversation:
Vim maintains a flat expression, even as he's simultaneously disappointed with Connor and impressed with Flann. "Seems like the best option we've come across all week: I say we take it. Though perhaps one of us should stay behind: we'll save some gold and have an easier time keeping track of what's going on with the dwarves at the wall, as well as the inns and trains. Not to mention, they can point the rest of the crew in our direction if the situation...Deteriorates."
FWIW, i've been pretty slammed the last couple weeks, so the low-post rate has made me feel less behind than maybe I'd be otherwise. Sorry to see you go, SD. See ya around the boards.
Sensing that any more people talking would more likely detract from the conversation as opposed to helping it along, Vim stayed silent, choosing to let Connor carry the conversation. Though he did send along a quick missive saying as much over the Network. '...a pretty simple fellow, all things considered. Doesn't seem the decision-making type, Connor.'
while you can** God I hate typos
No rush, I don't mind slow paces. Just like to poke at things once in a while to keep things fresh. Get some rest of your can—that's a long day!
Disappointed, but happy with his reconnaissance (the most important part is not getting caught, after all) Vim heads back to the Spider's Nest , hoping maybe he'd hear something back from Angus again. Or perhaps one of the others had more luck...
While Connor and some of the others head out to explore, Vim heads out to learn. Of particular interest is the mechanism by which dwarves are allowed in and out of the gates: are they recognized personally? Or are they carrying identification? Or is simply being a dwarf enough? While out, he'll be careful not to appear a curious outsider, adopting the shape of a wingless human as necessary to cover for his lack of skill with the dwarven language.
Combined with minor metamorphosis you can change races and stack the bonuses to disguise. I was planning to do both, too, wanna go together?
Barring an enticing response from Angus, Vim moves back towards Connor and Kotsi.
"Wise observations, my friend. It seems we'll be staying here a few days at least; perhaps we'll cross paths again as we unravel the dwarves' mystery. " Vim says as Connor pays the rent on the room. He reaches out a hand and rights the fallen glass before it has a chance to roll off of the table, thus saving it from any serious damage. "Or perhaps you'll seek us out, if you 'recall' anything further that might help us out, maybe later this evening..."
My interpretation was the same. Hence the leveling table increases your Max Power Level Known & number of powers known, instead of giving you level-specific slots.
Connor, if you only go back to your last level and ditch Correspondence (temporarily of course-- maybe drop a report out tonight just to be safe), that should let you skip the penalties, right?
'Connor, can you find out more about who is let in? Do they let Dwarves pass? Is identification required?' Vim thinks quickly, hoping' to catch Connor before the conversation topic shifts. Meanwhile, Vim laughs in response to Angus. "Can't say I don't miss the sky, Angus, and we've only just arrived. Certainly is an interesting place they've got down here, though. No small bit of engineering went into it I imagine, and I can appreciate fine craftsmanship. Now, can I name countrymen of mine that'd give a hand to avoid going underground--well, sure. But business isn't always ledgers and line-items; sometimes you have to get out and see the world. And I'd be lying if I said our group wasn't good at that bit." Vim takes special care to avoid talking about what, in fact, Angus tends to 'retrieve' in his business, trying to appear in-the-know rather than aloof.
"Ah, that makes sense," Vim laughs good-heartedly. "Guess I'm not the 'best' thief' she was talking about, though I don't think any of my colleagues would'd argued that either. Vim the not-thief, at your service. Books and ledgers are more my pace, to be fair. What's your name, friend?" he says in return to the patron.
'Val, can you tell Hero and Kotsi the sisters seem sincere?' Vim thinks to his psicrystal. 'Thanks.' While Connor asked questions, Vim took some steps around the common area, stepping heavily and looking for some is the aforementioned creaky floor boards. When he does find one, he enjoys making it creak a few times, stopping (hopefully) while it's still funny and before it gets annoying. Looking up at the proprietresses, he smiles.
Vim chuckled at the heads-up from Connor and Hero, having noticed the same thing already himself but pleased he wasn't the only one paying attention. After making sure the relay the info to Kotsi, he watched on as the women discussed the prices and things. He let the others focus on that, and instead gave the rest of the place and its patrons a once-over. Lying to folks was hard, and he was good at it, but telling the truth (or must of it, anyway) he felt comfortable leaving to the Connor & Kotsi.
******** As they leave the halfling-hotel in search of the taller accommodations, Vim laments the loss of Flann’s network, which he’d grown used to over the last however-many weeks. In maybe not so weird way (but relatively unexpected to him, at least) it reminds Vim of being home with the many vitalists in his immediate family, something he hasn’t done for quite a while. As they get out of range and he feels the sensation of the network closing off to them, Vim connects with Val and reaches out to Connor, Hero, and Kotsi, telepathically: ”Not as good as a Flann’s network Captain, but it’ll do in a pinch if we need to stay silent and still talk while we’re separated. We can address everyone, but you won’t be able to talk to anyone but me...and it can get a bit confusing if you all talk at once, so I tend not to keep the lines ‘open’ unless I have to, you know?”
Vim laughs over the network, 'Come on boys, I know that. Trained Accountant, remember? Of course they'll try and screw us, but they'll be happy we showed up nonetheless. One customer is better than none, which is what they'll be worried about happening eventually... Plus it's not like we can't afford it. And it's not like I've never overpaid for a hotel room, that's half the fun of it, he adds, laughing at the last bit.
"No arguments here, Cap. And I expect we'll be quite welcome given the impending decrease in business they're expecting given the train schedule changes."
Vim watches Greta intently as she takes in Connor's question.
Vim, at this point growing quite familiar with the way in which the Gnomes deflect questions about the Dwarves, tries his best to pick out anything new by asking about Greta's experiences in particular. <Maybe her personal concerns will break free some hint or clue, though at this point I wouldn't be surprised if nobody up here really knows what's going on down there...> "I suppose with the lack of trade, the powers that be decided to cut back on routes, eh? That's a pity; this might be the most exhilarating craft I've ever had the pleasure of riding. And what will you do to pass the time until the runs pick back up? You won't be out of a job, will you? That's a shame, Greta."
Interesting! What did you want to make the gloves into? Probably either Gloves of Titan's Grip, or Inescapable Gloves, or Mantis Embrace. Keeping my options open!
RE: Connor's crafting suggestion I do keep a nice wishlist on my Google Doc (linked from my char page) but I won't be able to afford anything for a while, even with a generous disbursement from the Elephant, though I did grab a pair of gloves just in case back before we left home.
Vim makes casual conversation with Adran via telepathy as the night goes on.
As Vim, Flann & Adran spend the night out, Vim makes sure to learn as much as he can about the Dwarven City & culture, and does his level best to bring back the information Connor requested (maps, brochures, pamphlets, etc) in whatever form is available.
Okay, so probably no "gear" gear then. Especially if we're going as merchants trying to open trade routes, that's probably fine. I'm ready, then.
Not to pressure Flann, but Sustenance gains the Network descriptor for Vitalists, so Flann can use the power and Target an additional person in the collective for 1 pp when he manifests it. That should cover the non-manifesters and people without it on their list in a pinch.
I was thinking glue and universal solvent, maybe? Or just like, a deck of cards and some snacks.
Oooof, mdt, that is an awful experience. Sorry that happened to you.
Connor, am I crazy, or do you end up cutting up a lot of trees?
Vim found himself sad that Telv would be staying behind, but happy to know their base was in good hands. It was always nice to have a place to return to on mission. Brushing off his shoulder, he stands up, and nods along with Adran. "Can do."
"Any tips, Miss Gearloose, on interacting with the dwarves would be welcomed. I'd hate to let a cultural misstep interfere with what could otherwise be a healthy relationship. Or perhaps you've an expert in the field that you could introduce me to? They are your neighbors, after all..."
<Problem Solvers is a good idea. Intrigue or covert action would be tough, though not impossible. I can hold a convincing dwarf shape for 4 hours or so if I don't need to do much else that day, but that won't work for all of us. Probably better to present as ourselves, at least most of the time, and save the Metamorphosis trickery until it's needed...>
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