Session 23.5

Server started.

MeanyOwl has connected.

Liatai:Heyo!

TMG has connected.

MeanyOwl:Avast.

Liatai:Choose your map! :o

MeanyOwl:Where is my encounter slotted to start? :o

Liatai:Anywhere you like on the maps here, since the Pearldust is in the arcane district and you'd be passing by the Bronze Boot area to get to the show. :3

Liatai:Reminds me, I should make a riverside map... But anyway. ^^

TMG is disconnected.

TMG is disconnected.

MeanyOwl:Bronze boot it is! :D

TMG has connected.

MeanyOwl:YoLiatai:Place your tokens. :3

Barbarus:YoLiatai:Venezuela?

Liatai:Ah, I see her. :3

GM:So, it's about 4 or 5 in the afternoon... there are still a few hours before sunset. What is Barbarus doing?

Barbarus:Searching for amusement.

GM:Well, if he's actively looking, that will give him a bonus on this roll for certain... « 1d20+4 = 16 + 4 = 20 »

Barbarus:oh dear

TMG:aha, here we are...

GM:Oh-ho. >:D Let me just think for a bit to come up with something...

TMG:which map?

GM:Bronze Boot.

TMG:Oh bugger. Vanishing for several more minutes....

GM:Say, Barbarus. Do you know about ROUSs?

Barbarus:Za/

Barbarus:?*GM:Rodents of Unusual Size. >:3

Barbarus:No, I do not. :o

Very Large Rat:Well, you're about to get a good education, because there's a rat the size of a Great Dane knocking over crates of chickens in front of the general store.

TMG:Back

Barbarus:Yo.

Barbarus:"...Oi!"


 * Barbarus double moves while mounted.

TMG:...the mule is running backwards? o.o

Barbarus::BChicken Merchant:"What in Pelor's name is going on here?!" The human merchant tries ineffectually to smack the rat with a piece of a crate; « 1d20-5 = 11 - 5 = 6 » for « 1d4-1 = 1 - 1 = 0 ».

Very Large Rat:The rat is unmoved, but the crate it's attacking is! Suddenly! Chickens! Everywhere!

Liatai:Initiative time!

Barbarus:« 1d20+2 = 20 + 2 = 22 » Dex check!

Barbarus::BVery Large Rat:« 1d20+3 = 6 + 3 = 9 »

Chicken Merchant:« 1d20+1 = 11 + 1 = 12 »

TMG:alright, getting to work on physics...

Barbarus has received initiative.

Barbarus:Are my movement actions seperate from Venezuela's?

Chicken Merchant:"MY CHICKENS!"

Liatai:Yes, though I believe it takes a move action to dismount.

Liatai:I shall check.

Barbarus:Double movment time! Can I attack at it, or no? :o

Liatai:In the same space as the rat and chickens?

Barbarus:?Liatai:The rat is too large to share a space with Venezuela.

Liatai:There we go, fixed. And you can attack with a ranged weapon if you have it drawn, but at a penalty.


 * Barbarus does not have one drawn, but uses his superate move action to draw one. :o

Barbarus:End turn. :>

Chicken Merchant:"GET AWAY FROM MY CHICKENS!" « 1d20-5 = 10 - 5 = 5 » for « 1d4-1 = 3 - 1 = 2 »

Chicken Merchant:The shopkeeper, while passionate about protecting his wares, doesn't quite have the skills to back up that conviction.

Very Large Rat:The rat squeaks loudly as the mule approaches, making a bite for Venezuela's leg. NIP! « 1d20+4 = 20 + 4 = 24 » bite for « 1d4 = 2 » damage.

Very Large Rat:Crit confirm, and roll a Fort save, Venezuela. « 1d20+4 = 9 + 4 = 13 »

MeanyOwl:Donkey stats are in the MM, yes?

Very Large Rat:Ouch! Yep, that's a confirmed crit... And yes, mule stats are in the MM.

Liatai:Page 276. :3

Venezuela:« 1d20+6 = 11 + 6 = 17 »

Barbarus has received initiative.

Caswin has connected.

Liatai:Oh, hiya, Casin!


 * Barbarus moves to flank aaaand...

Caswin:Hiya.

Barbarus:« 1d20+3 = 9 + 3 = 12 » Fwip! Longbow arrow coming at you for « 1d8 = 3 » damage!

Very Large Rat:Unfortunately, despite the rat being quite large, it is also very fast. The arrow lodges itself in between some of the cobblestones that pave the streets.

Barbarus:"I've got the rat covered, get your chickens, man!"

Liatai:There you are, Tech and Caswin, a chicken for you. :3

Venezuela:*Have at thee!*

Venezuela:« 1d20+6 = 3 + 6 = 9 » Hoof!

Liatai:Whiff!

Chicken Merchant:"Right!" The man runs after one chicken, trying to scoop it up... « 1d20+1 = 17 + 1 = 18 » Dex check.

Liatai:One chicken retrieved! The rest start to scatter, though.

Barbarus:"Sir Knight, poultry at nine o'clock!"

Very Large Rat:Squeak! SQUEAK! It's like Kor's giant, mean cousin! « 1d20+4 = 9 + 4 = 13 » bite to Venezuela for « 1d4 = 2 » damage!

Very Large Rat:Fort save again, Venezuela, in addition to the damage.

Venezuela:« 1d20+6 = 7 + 6 = 13 » Fort!

Knight with a Lion Helmet:The knight's head suddenly snaps up -- no, he hadn't been dozing, no sir! He makes a grab for the chicken... « 1d20-3 = 19 - 3 = 16 »

TMG:how does barbarus even know what a clock is? o.o

Barbarus:Denny.

Chicken 2:Chicken 2 captured!

TMG:(sorry, couldn't help it x3 )

Barbarus::BLiatai:Densharr doesn't have a clock... >.>

Liatai:But rolling with it. XP

Barbarus has received initiative.

Barbarus:« 1d20+3 = 20 + 3 = 23 » Fwip! Longbow arrow coming at you for « 1d8 = 3 » damage!

Barbarus:Crit confirm « 1d20+3 = 13 + 3 = 16 »

Liatai:Woo, confirm that crit! :D

Very Large Rat:The rat squeals as the arrow pierces its hide... then turns into a puff of smoke.

Chicken 3:There's still one loose chicken, though.

Chicken 3:*BAWK buk buk buk*


 * Barbarus double moves. :o

Chicken 3:The chicken flaps its wings in its panic as the cat wearing many bones approaches... SQUAWK!! It bolts!

Liatai:You can roll a Dex check as an attack of opportunity to try to catch the chicken as it runs by, Barbarus. :3

Barbarus:« 1d20+2 = 18 + 2 = 20 » Dex check!

Barbarus::DChicken 3:You have caught one (1) chicken! :D

Knight with a Lion Helmet:The guard looks somewhat perplexed, standing there holding a chicken. "... What happened here?"


 * Barbarus brings the chicken over.

Barbarus:"Giant rat started attacking my favorite chicken vendor. And I apparently killed it. :o"

Caswin:: tests.

Caswin:*hits a wall and drops unconscious for the time being*

Chicken Merchant:"Hah... Thanks, friend --" The chicken vendor takes the chicken, then does a double-take. "-- Hey, I remember you! You bought a chicken from me this morning!"

Chicken 2:Noooo! Not in the box! Not in the -- *BOXED*

Barbarus:"Yes I did."

Barbarus:"She had some lovely feathers on her."

Knight with a Lion Helmet:"Giant rat?" The guard blinks, approaching. "... Well, where is it now?"

Barbarus:"Exploded into smoke."


 * Barbarus hands over the chicken.

Chicken Merchant:"Summoned rats attacking my chickens." The man huffs, accepting the chicken. "What is this city coming to..."

Chicken Merchant:"Well, thanks for your help, anyway. Want another chicken? Free of charge, since you helped me out... unlike some people." Pointed look at the armored person.


 * Knight with a Lion Helmet grumbles. "You're welcome for catching that chicken, citizen..."

Barbarus:"Sure. :D"


 * Barbarus has obtained one (1) chicken. Cue Legend of Zelda music.

Liatai:The chicken spins around over your head, levitating as you hold your arms skyward... nah. XD

Chicken Merchant:"There you go. Now where did I put that hammer... need to fix this crate.." The merchant grumbles and begins searching around his stall.

Barbarus:To the Show, with a chicken!

MeanyOwl:End encounter? :P

TMG:wait a minute...-summoned- rat?

Caswin:Bok?

Caswin:Bok bok bok bok bok bok

Liatai:Yep, end encounter, unless Barbarus wants to investigate anything.

MeanyOwl:Nope.

Liatai:... And is he really bringing a chicken to the show? XD

MeanyOwl:Yep.

Caswin:Curious passerby. Curious.

Caswin:Bearded fellow. ... Curious.

Caswin:Something tells me this is not a place for a chicken.

Max:"... Who ordered the chicken?" Max quips as the audience token pauses on the table. :B

Sstheric:>:D

Caswin:Bok?


 * Sstheric approaches with a cleaver. >:D

Caswin:Baaawk!

Sstheric:"Bah. Probably all gamey anyway. Who knows where that chicken's been," the lizardfolk grumbles.

Caswin:Dark, safe alleyeways.


 * Tharky starts writing... "The Lizardfolk and the Chicken, a tale in the vein of the Fox and the Sour Grapes!"

Caswin:Chicken warps time and space out of sheer uncertainty and indecision.

Liatai:x3Liatai:Well, shall we shut down the server?

Liatai:I take it from the no responses that people don't care one way or the other. >.>

MeanyOwl:Unless Tech wants to do his interlude?

Caswin:Go ahead.

Caswin:...oh.

Liatai:I think Tech's doing physics homework... and I need to find some token images. x3

Caswin:Oh, of what?

Liatai:A few new NPCs. :3

Caswin:Righto.

MeanyOwl:Sveet.

Caswin:Don't need any help?

MeanyOwl:Wait one moment, marking chicken down in mah token.

MeanyOwl:Done.


 * MeanyOwl poofles.

Liatai:All righty!

MeanyOwl is disconnected.

Liatai:Server going down for now. :3

You have disconnected.

Server started.

TMG has connected.

Liatai:Whoops, forgot the audience chicken. x3

Dr. Hatari has connected.

TMG:Chicken. :o

MeanyOwl has connected.

MeanyOwl:I smell people.

TMG:should I paste my token into the Bronze Boot?

Liatai:Yep!

TMG:'kay, gnogglebolt's outside, in-transit to the bronze boot from the holding cells


 * Audience Chicken squables furiously and sprints around looking at things. ''

TMG:so, me, hatari, and meany are all here...

Sstheric:"Hey, the chicken came back! >:D"


 * Sstheric advances with a cleaver. >:D

MeanyOwl:...


 * Audience Chicken bawks meekly!

MeanyOwl:THE CAT CAME BACK

Audience Chicken:Feathers and scritching, everywhere!


 * Sstheric watches the chicken, cleaver at the ready, tail lashing back and forth, probably knocking over chairs...

Dr. Hatari:Heehee~

Dr. Hatari:Afk for a while.

Liatai:x3 All right, I'll move the chef back, and we can start whenever you guys are ready. :3

Barbarus:"For the last time, I don't care how curious you are; leave Venezuela alone!"

Gnogglebolt:Anyway, after his business at the holding cells with the goblins, Gnogglebolt walks back through the streets of Castleton at a brisk pace, hoping to get to the Boot before Tharky's show starts.

Liatai:Oop, BRB, talk amongst yourselves. ^^'

GM:Anyway, it is about half an hour before sunset proper sets in. You have arrived with plenty of time to spare, and to mingle should you want to.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt passes by several people at a window outside (not sure if barbaus is 'really' here, so ignoring), waving to them as he opens the doors to the Boot and enters

Gnogglebolt:He look around, and indeed spots a few familiar faces.

Gnogglebolt:"Greetings, Maximillian!"

Gnogglebolt:"Looks like I made it in time."

Caswin has connected.

Max:"You sure did!"

Barbarus:"Denny! :D"

Barbarus: (( Yocas. ))

Caswin:((Yo.))

Barbarus:"Trinny and Sorry too! :D"

Trinnis:*feather puff! Don't call me Trinny! >:( *

Barbarus:"Then you stop being adorable."


 * Sorrel of the Screaming Arrows chuckles good-naturedly.

Gnogglebolt:"Can't wait to see what kind of show this is going to be, Tharkiel." Gnogglebolt grins.

Barbarus:"So, how have you two been? :]"

Caswin:Caswin:(((Oh, right...)))

Barbarus:"Denny, you look thinner than the last time I saw you. >> Did you miss the chicken I made for lunch? Speaking of, I have another one for breakfast tommorow. :D"

Tharky:"Should be a good one, I'm hoping -- Oh, Gnogglebolt, forgot to introduce you! Remember that band Lucky Jack I was telling you about earlier?"

Gnogglebolt:"Ah...not quite, but I'm sure it will come to me."

Densharr of the Screaming Arrows:The pale-furred catfolk chuckles. "No, no, I did not... Trinnis greatly appreciated the pieces he managed to take while Skerrin was distracted."

Caswin:((Ohh... Denny! : D))

Long-Haired Woman:"Well, I guess if you haven't seen one of our shows, we're not that memorable," says the sharp-nosed woman with long brown hair sitting at the table, with a little frown. "An' I'm sure I'd remember a gnome who showed up at the Rat."

Barbarus:"So, what have you two been up to? :>"

Trinnis:*Bah. That hawk has no manners! And nothing on my reflexes!*

Gnogglebolt:"Well, I'm here to see a show now." Gnogglebolt winks.

Densharr of the Screaming Arrows:"Ah, much the same as always... though, I must ask you a question, friend. What did you mean for us to do with those tainted wolves?"

Barbarus:"See if anything useful could be done with them. :o"

Long-Haired Woman:"Well, yeah, but it's Tharky's show, not one of ours."

Barbarus:"It's a Cloud habit, to find a use for anything and everything from a kill."

Long-Haired Woman:"I'm just here to help out with background sounds."

Gnogglebolt:"Ah, I see. Well, I'm sure I'm in for a treat either way."

Sorrel of the Screaming Arrows:"It is a wise habit... but do you really mean to make something from... those?"

MeanyOwl:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_GvNw93eJ4

Barbarus:"If anyone can find a productive use for them, it'll be Denny. :D He's smart."

Densharr of the Screaming Arrows:"Ah... I am afraid you put too much faith in my ability, friend..." ^^;;

Barbarus:"...Okay, I must have this weird human language messed up in some way. :|"

Barbarus:"Faith is absolute trust in ones tribe, right? So how can you have too much of it?"

Barbarus:ErBarbarus:friends/family/tribe*

Barbarus::BLong-Haired Woman:"Oh, yeah, beyond a doubt. Your name's Gnogglebolt, right? Marin Falmuth. Flautist and occasional ruin-delver."

Gnogglebolt:In the meantime, Gnogglebolt calls over one of the halfling waitresses in her native tongue, ordering a nice fruit salad appetizer.

Liatai:Barbarus is still speaking in Common, right? Just to be sure? x3

TMG:("flautist"?)

Barbarus:Yes. :B

Liatai:Flute player.

TMG:Ah, thought so, but wasn't sure

Densharr of the Screaming Arrows:"Ah... it is a turn of phrase. What I meant was, it may prove very difficult to do anything of worth with such a tainted creature."

Gnogglebolt:"Hmm!" Gnogglebolt nods to Marin. "A musician and an explorer. Facinating!"

Barbarus:"Then you should become very well respected if you succeed, right? :D"

Sorrel of the Screaming Arrows:"Mm." The medicine woman nods. "The meat of fiendish creatures is usually suffused with the flavor of brimstone, and the skins are notoriously tough and hard to work with."

Gnogglebolt:"And ah, I see someone here has already told you of my name." Gnogglebolt grins again


 * Marin Falmuth points at Tharky. "This blabbermouth did." :3

Tharky:"Ouch! Blabbermouth? Really?"

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt chuckles gnommishly. "Ah, no worries. So, when is the show due to start?"


 * Densharr of the Screaming Arrows 's ears fold down a little. "... Really, the uses of animals are more of Sorrel's field of expertise than mine..."

Tharky:"As soon as the sun goes down a little farther and people get settled. There's no rush."

Barbarus:">>"

Gnogglebolt:"Excellent." Gnogglebolt digs into his fruit salad.

Barbarus:"Are you trying to sneakily make more work for Sorrel, Denny? :P"

Densharr of the Screaming Arrows:"What? No!" The lynx laughs.

Densharr of the Screaming Arrows:"Truthfully, I know only a little about creatures of the Nine Hells... My education is more focused on alchemy and illusion than creatures from other planes of existence." ^^; "However, they do have the form of wolves... and as a shaman, it only stands to reason..." He turns to Sorrel. "... I'm not making more work for you, am I?" ^^;


 * Sorrel of the Screaming Arrows chuckles. x3

Gnogglebolt:After he was about halfway through his fruit salade, Gnogglebolt looked up and around, then scooted a few seats over, closer to Max.

Gnogglebolt:"By the way, a few things I wanted to ask you..."


 * Max had been reading over a few pages in a small book. He looks over at the gnome. "Hm?"

Gnogglebolt:"First is...and I understand if you don't want to answer it here or now, but..."

Gnogglebolt:"When Nathaniel was telling me the story of 'Papa', I forgot to ask... is 'Mama' also -the- real mother, under the same curse? Simply curious."

Sorrel of the Screaming Arrows:"Really, though, it would be quite difficult to make anything of value out of tainted wolves... unless maybe you wanted to try salvaging the bones. You could try making something out of the skins, but their hides are thick, and often resist a needle."

Max:"Well..." Max closes the book. "The answer is yes and no."

Barbarus:"The bones, you say? ;D"

Barbarus:Rattle rattle, whistle, clank.

Gnogglebolt:"...oh?" Gnogglebolt tilts his head curiously.

Audience Chicken:Hickory-smoked flavor!


 * Sorrel of the Screaming Arrows chuckles. "Yes, I have heard of some shamans who have taken the teeth of fiendish creatures as tokens after slaying them in battle. A piece of bone or a claw might make something useful... but I'm not entirely certain. Normally, I try to stay as far away from such unfortunate mockeries of the natural world as possible..."

Max:"Yes, that's our mother, and no, she's not under the same curse. She just likes shapeshifting as much as our father."

Grey-Haired Spellcaster:"Yum! I love coming here, the meat is always so fresh."

Female Adventurer:"... Is it supposed to still have feathers and be clucking, though?"

Gnogglebolt:"Ahhhh, I see." Gnogglebolt nods.

Gnogglebolt:"...I did have one other question, though. Different topid."

Gnogglebolt:*topic


 * Tharky is reading over pages in his notebook.

Max:"Go ahead! What is it?"

Gnogglebolt:"When we were in your shop, I heard you mention a name. Salishea. You spoke of her as if you knew her, and she is alive."

Gnogglebolt:"Who is she, and where?"

Barbarus:"Hmm."


 * Max blinks. "Well, that's a weird question. Where did you hear that name?"

Barbarus:"Any lasting drawbacks to using the complete skeleton? :U"


 * Tharky looks up... then starts looking around for a pen. >.>

Gnogglebolt:"Because...I think my allies and I found a cave of hers, near the goblin den outside of Castleton."

Sorrel of the Screaming Arrows:The medicine woman's ears flatten. "I wouldn't even think of doing such a thing... Using the skins is troublesome enough, but the whole skeleton? I would be worried about any residual taint..."

Max:"A what?" Max turns more fully toward the gnome, surprised.

Barbarus::TBarbarus:"Then what do you propose?"

Tharky:"... Max, is he talking about Old Sal?" The storyteller looks up from his writing briefly.

Gnogglebolt:"Yes, a cave...we found several things inside, and one of them had the name Salishea on it. So, who is she?"

Gnogglebolt:"It seemed like a small living space."

Sorrel of the Screaming Arrows:"If it were up to me, I would just take a tooth or two and burn the rest..." Her ears droop. "... but if you're so intent on using it... just be careful."

Max:"A small living space... Any idea how old it was? I'm just having a hard time picturing Salishea anywhere this far inland."

Gnogglebolt:"As far as we can tell, it was -very- old. At least a century, I believe there was even a date..."

Max:"But then again, Grandfather..." He trails off, looking at Marin.

Marin Falmuth:"Secret business, I get it. I'll go see what Far' and C are up to."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt blinks at the woman getting up and leaving.

Tharky:"Usually, if something involves Nathaniel Toris, there's something ancient and secret about it," Tharky says by means of explanation, shrugging.

Gnogglebolt:"I just need to know where she is...because, we found several items in the cave that looked either valuable or sentimental, and since we were able to gain entry to the cave, we thought others might as well. So I collected all the items and left behind a note saying I had taken them, and that I will return them if I find her or she finds me..."

MeanyOwl:Oooooh crudmuffins.

Gnogglebolt:*and we thought others, less scrupulous than we, might be able to enter as well

MeanyOwl:Did he tell Sszeyl of this note?

TMG:I'm pretty sure he did, everyone knew about it o.o

TMG:and yes, I'm aware of the fact that Lethirss and Zarith have Astrac's spellbook because Trofim took it. :P

TMG:Gnogglebolt -expected- that Trofim would give the book up if Salishea ever came around (or risk going to jail for stealing)....except trofim's already -in- jail. :B

MeanyOwl:I meant Sszeyl may have accidentally thrown the note awahy.

MeanyOwl:away

MeanyOwl:When he was cleaning.

MeanyOwl::B* Max sighs, then puts away the book. "... Well, unless she decides to take another trip inland or a hunt takes her here, she's not likely to find that note... Well..." He finally seems to decide on something. "... Salishea... well, lots of folks call her Old Sal on the coast. She's a Rescan knight who served with Grandfather in the army."

Tharky:"Terrifying woman." The storyteller shudders. "... Don't ever let her force you into taking swimming lessons from her. Ever."

Liatai:Sense Motive, Gnogglebolt. :3

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt raises an eyebrow, and for once, decides not to pursue that line of--oh. Sense Motive: « 1d20 = 20 »

TMG:O_o

Liatai:WOW. XD

Dr. Hatari:Critical hopefully comedic insight!

Liatai:Not only can you tell Max and Tharky are hiding something, you can tell it's something big. First off, a knight serving with Nathaniel Toris in the army would probably be a human... and humans don't live long enough to leave behind hundred-something-year-old treasure chambers. That alone seems suspicious.


 * Trinnis starts looking around. Where's that chicken? I'm getting hungry. :/

Audience Chicken:>'';

Gnogglebolt:"Hmm...well, like I said, the cave is over a century old. Is she an elf?"

Gnogglebolt:"Or another long-lived race?"

Max:>.>


 * Barbarus puts the chicken on the table."

Tharky:>.>


 * Max sighs. "... Long-lived is a good word for it. Gnogglebolt... how much do you know about dragons?"

Liatai:Is it still alive, or a dead chicken?

Barbarus:Still alive.


 * Trinnis stares down the chicken.

Gnogglebolt:"Very little. There are some dragons in Maxio, but they are quite rare, and usually keep to themselves. A phalanx of twenty warriors clad in steam armor wielding heavy cannons has a tendancy to ward off any large attackers."

Max:"... Do you at least know the difference between chromatic and metallic dragons?" The 'please tell me you know at least that much' is unsaid, but understood.

Trinnis:*You may be bigger than me, but you will be my dinner, vapid excuse for a feathered beast. >:( Feather-puff of doom!*

Gnogglebolt:"...ah...yes, actually. My si--someone I know talked about them on occasion. The chromatic ones usually...aren't nice, while the metallic ones are sometimes nice?"


 * Max chuckles. "Close enough."

Gnogglebolt:"Of course, I've never seen a dragon with my own eyes."

Max:"Salishea... well, she's a metallic dragon. Bronze, specifically. She lairs on the coast... last I heard, she had a small island she'd claimed for herself, but that was quite a few years ago. What she was doing this far inland, I don't know..."

Tharky:Sense Motive again, Gnogglebolt.

Gnogglebolt:Sense Motive: « 1d20 = 19 »

TMG:Geeze!

Tharky:Tharky had been taking a drink of water at the time, and started to cough... though with a check result like that, you can tell he's using the coughs to cover up laughter.

Max:"You all right there?"


 * Tharky waves a hand. "Yeah, yeah, fine, it just went down the wrong pipe." ^^;

Gnogglebolt:"This Salishea... IS a dragon? How...how is that possible?" Gnogglebolt asks. At Tharky's sudden outburst, Gnogglebolt raises his eyebrow again.

Barbarus:FEH

Barbarus:FEH I SAY.

Barbarus:No stairs in the Stronghold Builder's Guide that I can find. :[

Max:"... Bronze dragon," Max says, blinking for a moment in confusion. Then he remembers. "... Right, you don't know much about dragons. Bronze dragons can change their shape. It's something they're born with. They like to disguise themselves as sailors and soldiers a lot of the time, or sometimes unassuming animals."

Liatai:Aw. :/

Liatai:Ad-hoc time! Simple wooden stairs would be probably around 40-50 GP.

Gnogglebolt:"...facinating..." Gnogglebolt says, looking down. "So...is there any reliable way I can find her? I do want to return the trinkets to their rightful owner..."

Gnogglebolt:"...even if it IS a great flying lizard of destruction."

Max:"... boy, you REALLY don't know much about dragons," Max says, snerking.

Max:"Well, last I saw her, she had a lair on a small island on the coast... I don't know if she's moved since then, though. Tharky, do you know?"

Tharky:"Me?" The storyteller pales a little. "You know me! I try to stay as far away from the ocean as possible!"

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt's brow furrows. "...if you are willing to share, why do you stay away from the coast? Was it a personal event (and you don't need to tell me if it is), or is there simply something generally dangerous around the coast?

Tharky:"... Er..." >.> "... 'dangerous' depends on your point of view..."

Max:"Tharky doesn't like deep water," Max says simply.

Gnogglebolt:"Oh...OH. I see."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt scratches his head. "Well...if I ever head to the coast, I guess I'll bring the trinkets with me and hope I stumble across this Salishea...oh!"

Tharky:"Yyyyeah." ^^; "Ocean travel, not for me. Give me hills, mountains, or nice dry sand any day..."

Gnogglebolt:"One other thing."

Gnogglebolt:"There was another object in the cave. It seemed to be a tome of magic, and it also had a name in it. Does 'Asterac' mean anything?"

Max:"Asterac? Hmm..."

Barbarus:"Are you going to give it daggers all night, Trins? Or are you going to put the fear of Owl into her?"

Max:The bard drums his fingers on the table for a moment, then snaps! "-- I got it! That storm mage!"

Densharr of the Screaming Arrows:"... Trinnis is saying it's your chicken, he doesn't want to damage it without your permission."

Barbarus:"Such a polite owl. :D"

Barbarus:"Go ahead."

Max:"Asterac Levethix Thundercloud Lightlance... I don't remember any more of his names." ^^;; "Wrote a solid book on electrical magic back in the day."

Trinnis:*>:D*

Trinnis:*owlswoop!*

Audience Chicken:How... barbarus! I mean barbaric!

Gnogglebolt:"Wait a moment...the other races are usually horribly deficient in names...."

Gnogglebolt:"Is this man one of my kind?"

Max:"Was, I'm afraid." Max puts the book he'd been holding into his pack. "He died quite a while ago. Not in the war, old age. Not sure when... Grandfather might know more, I'm sorry."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt had been getting an increasingly excited and eager look on his face, but was suddenly deflated at this news as he looks down sadly. "Alas..."

Gnogglebolt:"Well, then should his tome of magic go to you, or Salishea?"

Max:Max looks somewhat confused. "Me? What use would I have for it? Salishea might appreciate it, if she knew him... but it might make a good donation to a magical library if she doesn't want it. Asterac was supposed to be a real expert on storm magic... it would make sense if he knew Salishea, then, she knows a lot of old sea spells," he muses.

Max:"People who study magic might be able to learn a lot from such a book."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shrugs. "Very well...I'll hold onto it until I can contact this Salishea...wait a moment."

Gnogglebolt:"If -you- know her, do you have any means of contacting her?"

Max:"Not if she's changed her lair location, unfortunately."

Tharky:"If you want, I can start a message going through the old draconic grapevine that you're looking for her."

Tharky:"I'm pretty sure Austratorix knows her -- that's a gold dragon I'm on good terms with in the Redridge Mountains." :3

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods to Tharky. "If that is possible, then that indeed would be helpful."

Tharky:"Consider it as good as sent!"

Gnogglebolt:He smiles. "Thank you, then."

Gnogglebolt:He then looks down at his horrifyingly neglected fruit salad, and digs back in.

Tharky:"In return, though, I'd like to ask one quick favor."

Gnogglebolt:"Mmf?" Gnogglebolt looks up, halfway through putting a bite in his mouth (which he then rapidly finishes)

Tharky:"Would you mind telling Marin to come back over here once you're done eating?" The storyteller chuckles. "If we don't start the show soon, people might start leaving."

Gnogglebolt:"OH! Of course, of course."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt finishes up the last few bites of his salad, and walks over to the other table.

Karif:"Nevermore."

Gnogglebolt:"Miss Falmuth? Tharky says he'd like to get the show started now."

Sharp-Nosed Man:A brown-haired man sitting in the corner snerks. "Miss Falmuth? Polite little guy, ain't he?"

Marin Falmuth:"Sure, sure, I'm on my way." The woman stands up. "Remember what he said, Far'."

Gnogglebolt:"Why yes, indeed." Gnogglebolt says, giving a small bow to the man (and with the barst hint of sarcasm in his smile)

Gnogglebolt:*barest

Sharp-Nosed Man:"Yeah, yeah, I know, it's a show, not a rabbit trap..." he grumbles to Marin, then snickers at Gnogglebolt's actions.

Scruffy Man:Another man with a shaggy, scruffy look wearing a thick grey cloak appears to be dozing nearby. Zzz.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt goes to take his previous seat again, and continues reading the several books he has until the show starts

Tharky:"Just to warn you, Gnogglebolt, you might want to take a different seat before the show starts if you're uncomfortable with people staring at you. This --" the storyteller knocks on the table twice -- "is the stage."

Tharky:"If you're not careful, people might be expecting you to perform, too!" ^^

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt's eyes go wide as he nods, and moves to a different table.

Tharky:After a few minutes as people mill around and get settled, Tharky stands, stepping up onto the table. "Good people, tonight, I bring you tales from the lands to the far north, beyond the desert, where there once was a great forest, long before many of us here were even born. And where there are forests, of course, there are druid groves. Even in the small pockets of trees that still exist after the Great Fire, you can still find some hidden places where the trees watch you as you walk below, and the animals stop to talk with passers-by... and that's where this first story takes place, in a grove called White Haven. Now, White Haven is a sizeable grove, with a creek running through it that is supposed to teem with fish, no matter what time of year it is. That's what drew an old fisherman from the West to live there..."

Caswin:((Ooh! Just in time.)


 * Audience Chicken flutters back in and takes a seat after his journeys. >''

Tharky:And the stories continue from there, flowing into each other; some funny, some scary, some tales of high adventure, and some fables. A tale was told of the days when the great brass wyrm Alazphraxion was just a young dragon, augmented by the occasional illusion and ghost sound spell. At the end of the show, Tharky steps down from the table, handing the stage over to Max and Marin, sending the audience members off with a few cheery songs.

Liatai:If anyone is curious, the first tale told would be a variation on this one; http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/10/the_fisherman_and_the_bear.html

Gnogglebolt:Throughout the stories, Gnogglebolt really showed his gnommish self. He laugh loudly and cheerfully at the funny storys, was quite tense over the scary ones, and captivated by the adventurous ones. When Tharky finishes his final story and steps down, the cog gnome applauded with much enthusiasm.


 * Barbarus follows the stories. Very few of them catch his interest. And more than often, they are never the same type of story or the same premise. But he's giving his attention at least.

Densharr of the Screaming Arrows:The lynx in the far corner had closed his eyes to listen, perhaps trying to memorize some of the tales. The owl had continued to harrass the chicken until Densharr had reached out and firmly placed the owl on his shoulder, reprimanding him in Sylvan to stop interrupting the show.

Caswin:((Well-chosen and well-told.))

Caswin:((...says, um, nobody in particular.))

Tharky:By the time the music is done, several audience members had drifted away, and after the last few notes had faded away, several more began to leave, talking cheerfully among themselves. It is now pretty solidly nighttime outside; not quite midnight, but definitely dark.

MeanyOwl:Any references to our interepid friends? :U

MeanyOwl:Or Drowish developments?

Liatai:Not yet; Tharky's only just met our intrepid friends. x3 And no drow stories were shared tonight.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt walks over to Tharky, passing him several coins. "Wonderful show! I particularly liked the show about the mage and the badger."

Gnogglebolt:*liked the story

Barbarus:"Not bad for a human storyteller."

Barbarus:"Though I will never get used to this language's strange syntax. :/"

Tharky:"Haha, well, thank you!" The human accepts the coins, then splits them evenly with Max and Marin. "I'm not surprised that you liked that one; it's one I learned from a gnome traveller who was passing through Harmek."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt lets out another hearty laugh. "Excellent!"


 * Densharr of the Screaming Arrows chuckles. "That is easy enough to correct, friend... I may translate a few of those tales into our tongue for the kits in our tribe. There were a few I had not heard before... the story of the bells on the hill would make a fine fireside tale."

Gnogglebolt:"Thank you again for the show, it was a real treat. However, I have one final bit of business to attend to tonight..."


 * Sharp-Nosed Man pokes the sleeping scruffy-looking man. "C'mon, C, wake up, now ain't the time for a nap attack. Let's collect Mar' and go home."

Gnogglebolt:"So farewell friends, and may you have good fortune till next we meet." He says with his usual smile.

Tharky:"Same to you! Austrat shafer thrae bensvelk, as the dragons say." Tharky nods and smiles.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt grins and nods in understanding, and departs from the Boot.

TMG:Hatari; are you still alive?

Dr. Hatari:Mmhmm.

TMG:Ah, excellent.


 * Dr. Hatari has been listening to the Fountain.

Dr. Hatari:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihF_aXi-Huk&feature=BF&list=MLGxdCwVVULXd2EPIP-NtBWc1JselGukqS&index=1

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt takes a moment to breath in the cool night air, before setting off again through the streets, returning to the Temple of Pelor.

TMG:(want to just keep this on the Bronze Boot map?)

Liatai:Sure, since I don't have a Temple of Pelor map yet.

Dr. Hatari:Oh, oven timer. brb!

MeanyOwl:While you do that, I'll deduct the sum for the new items from the Sszeyl token's monies.

MeanyOwl:4 gp for lock materials, yes?

Liatai:Yep.

MeanyOwl:And...8 gp for repairing that infirmary door.

MeanyOwl:Right?

MeanyOwl:Then forty for those stairs.

Liatai:Exactly... No, not forty for those stairs. « 45/3 = 45 / 3 = 15 »

Liatai:15 GP for the raw materials for the stairs.

MeanyOwl:Updated.

MeanyOwl::>Liatai:Yay :3

Dr. Hatari:Righto, back with pizza.

Liatai:Yum. :o

MeanyOwl:Wb.

TMG:So, is Thomas currently at the temple at this time?

Dr. Hatari:(Ouch, still hot.)


 * Thomas Lazarus is burning the proverbial and literal midnight oil, seated behind a pew and writing on a handful of documents.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt reaches the Temple of Peolor, greeting any priest who is around at this time of night.

Thomas Lazarus:He seems a little sleepy, and doesn't seem to notice Gnogglebolt's entrance.

TMG:(um, didn't quite mean Gnogglebolt was already in view, but oh well >.> )

Dr. Hatari:It's fine. He doesn't notice you not entering, too. :P

Gnogglebolt:"Ah, hello there Thomas..." Gnogglebolt says as he walks through the atrium of the temple.

Templar of Pelor:It is nighttime, so there are fewer priests walking around than there would be during the day; most of the people still awake are templars, like Thomas, though there are a few priests and priestesses milling around. (Flavor text, don't mind me. x3)


 * Thomas Lazarus blinks up at the gnome and offers a weary smile. He rubs one of his eyes as he speaks, "Good evening Gnogglebolt - it's a pleasant surprise seeing you again. Although, are you usually about this late? I hope nothing is wrong."

Gnogglebolt:"No, I'm not usually up this late...and as for something wrong well...that's a complicated question, one I intend to explain."

Gnogglebolt:"I do need to ask you about something."

Thomas Lazarus:"I see.." He sets down his pen and slides his papers to one side.

Thomas Lazarus:"Please have a seat anywhere you like. Our home is yours." He allows the gnome to continue and listens.

Gnogglebolt:"Thank you." Gnogglebolt bows respectfully and takes a seat nearby. By any chance, did you hear, or remember any of us mention a man named Trofim when you met us today?"

Thomas Lazarus:He considers for a moment. "It sounds.. vaguely familiar, but I can't place a face. Who might that be?"

Gnogglebolt:"Well, you have no face to match it because I very much doubt you've met him yet. He was part of our group just before you and Miron showed up."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shuffles his feet. "We...had to eject him. Forcefully."


 * Thomas Lazarus raises his brows. "..You?"

Thomas Lazarus:"Goodness. You're one of the most agreeable souls I've met. What did he do?"

Gnogglebolt:"Well..." Gnogglebolt looks around. "First of all, he can use magic. Exactly what kind of magic, I am not sure, as I don't know much about magic."

Gnogglebolt:"But he...well, he wasn't quite right in the head. But it was never a serious problem, because he used magic for healing us when we were in combat, which was invaluable."


 * Thomas Lazarus glances aside with a nervous smile. He doesn't interrupt or anything now, though.

Gnogglebolt:"But...eventually, his head-problem proved such a liabiity as to outweigh him as an asset. You see..."

Gnogglebolt:"I already told you the story about how we've been invoved with goblins so much. Well, when we got to the Blacksword den to pick up the rest, and wound up confronting several undead and a necromancer...I did omit the details concering Trofim."

Gnogglebolt:"You see...I'm not sure how he did it. But, during the struggle, he somehow took control of one of the zombies."

Gnogglebolt:"This -was- useful initially, because it was one less enemy to fight."

Thomas Lazarus:He leans his elbows on his desktop and cradles his chin over folded hands. He's wearing his robes, but not the armor between.

Gnogglebolt:"But...the zombie was the corpse of one of the goblins. And, well, when the battle was over...."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt sighs, looking around. "He refused to dismiss it, even at the demand of the still-living goblins."

Gnogglebolt:"It was then we were forced to incapacitate him and destroy the abomination."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt pauses, allowing Thomas to take in this information.

Thomas Lazarus:He's watching you placidly, unjudging. He nods a little at your pause.

Gnogglebolt:"...anyway...well, we brought him back to CastletonCRAP

Thomas Lazarus:"I can see why you did what you did. Was there -"

Dr. Hatari:Haha what?

Liatai:I was going to ask. XD What?

TMG:did gnolgglebolt EVER tell Sszeyl about telling the guard captain about trofim's real 'crime'? DX

Liatai:No, he didn't.

TMG:GGCK--

Liatai:>:3

Dr. Hatari:I seem to recall Gnogglebolt telling a guard personally.

Dr. Hatari:But I'm getting into business that ain't mine. :3

Gnogglebolt:"...anyway...well, we brought him back to Castleton, we...wait a second..." Gnogglebolt's eyes suddenly go wide, and he buries his face in his hands with a groan. "I can't belive it! I forgot to tell the others first!"

Liatai:He told a guard, but he didn't tell Sszeyl or the party (except Thomas, since he seems to be leading up to that) about his conversation with the guard captain.

Gnogglebolt:"And I won't be able to get to them in the morning before...shredded gears,, how could I forget this?"

Dr. Hatari:Well, it could perhaps be inferred anyways. It seems like the thing someone would do?

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt is dwefintiely talking to himself, and Thomas surely doesn't know what about.

Gnogglebolt:"...I wonder if he's still awake...that drow hardly ever seemed to sleep, and he seems to prefer a nocturnal life, anyway..."

Thomas Lazarus:He blinks a few times, clearly lost as to the new turn of the "discussion".

Thomas Lazarus:"Is there a problem, Gnogglebolt?"

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt groans again, tugging at his hair. "Yes. Several."

Gnogglebolt:"what do I do, what do I do...."

Gnogglebolt:"Ah."

Gnogglebolt:"I'll just finish telling you the story."


 * Thomas Lazarus offers a piteous smile at the stressed gnome. "Certainly. Whenever you're ready."

Gnogglebolt:"Anyway...we brought Trofim back to Castleton, and had him placed in the holding cells. I...well, I claimed he was drunk."

Gnogglebolt:"I wasn't a difficult claim, what with Trofim's usual behavior and marked lack of hygiene, moreso that normal people."

Gnogglebolt:"Except, of course, someone held temporarily for drunkeness is relased when they're not drunk anymore. Or not displaying drunk behavior anymore..."

Gnogglebolt:"So, I ended up telling the true story to the guard captain. And this is what I've forgotten to tell the others."

Gnogglebolt:"I did it without their knowledge and consent. I intended to tell them at the soonest opportunity, but then...-you- arrived, and we got involved in that wolf business..."

Gnogglebolt:"It's important I tell the drow specifically because the two are...allies, of sorts."

Gnogglebolt:"Or at least, they work for the same people."


 * Thomas Lazarus raises his head and corrects his posture.

Thomas Lazarus:"I believe I understand. But I'd like to ask, why have you come to tell me this? I cherish your confidence, my friend. I only wonder if you wish for me to help you."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt rubs his forehead. "Ah yes, the entire point of this conversation. Anyway...after confessing the truth to the guard captain, he told me he would only be able to hold Trofim for one day, at which time he will be released. The captain recommended I get professional magical assistance for him."

Gnogglebolt:"I...like I said, I don't know much about magic. But he can heal with magic, and you can heal with magic. I'm hoping there is a correlation."


 * Thomas Lazarus offers a slight nod.

Gnogglebolt:"The problem is, I need to inform Sszeyl of this first. And Trofim is going to be released in the morning, tomorrow."

Gnogglebolt:"Whether I have anyone there to collect Trofim or not."

Liatai:Awareness checks; how is everyone doing?

Thomas Lazarus:"What I think, from what you have told me, is that your friend is a divine anchor - not so unlike myself. But it sounds like he observes a very different power than Lord Pelor."

Dr. Hatari:Acute.

TMG:Pretty good.

Dr. Hatari:You~?

Liatai:I'm still awake and aware. Meany, are you? :3

TMG:ah yes..if you're aware Meany, Sszeyl might get a late-night visit >.>

MeanyOwl:Yo.

Liatai:Because if Thomas and Gnogglebolt go in search of Sszeyl... well, there's a chance Sszeyl might overhear a conversation before your visit. :3

TMG:o.o

TMG:Heh. Alrighty, well, continuing on...

Thomas Lazarus:"Now, I have some thoughts on this matter.. but first I ask you, friend; you know your Trofim far better than I. Do you think him a wicked man?"

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods. "That's good. I'm hoping that means you or the others here can help his magic--maybe even help his mind."

Thomas Lazarus:"Is he a threat to innocent life and justice around him, beyond his crass and grotesque ways?"

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt then pauses at Thomas' question, and steelples his fingers, looking deep in thought.

Sszeyl whispers: « 1d20+5 = 7 + 5 = 12 » Listen check?

Gnogglebolt:"I would not say...he is wicked on purpose. Indeed, up until that incident, he was mostly harmless."


 * Thomas Lazarus closes his eyes and lowers his head slightly.

GM whispers: This would be around midnight, either before or after Sszeyl's trance... as he lays on the bed, he can hear two voices talking briefly in the main room of the house. Zairith and Rhylinar, speaking in Undercommon.

Gnogglebolt:"But he doesn't seem to understand things, such as what we would call traditional morality. He is simply ignorant, and at several times, uninteligent."

Thomas Lazarus:"..Yes, it's rather as I expected to hear."

Rhylinar says in Undercommon: "I gotta say, I kind of like being the older brother. Can I play that role more often?" The drow's voice seems to be teasing.


 * Thomas Lazarus rubs his chin as a frown forms on his face and he looks at his desk.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt lets out a humorless chuckle. "He nearly got us killed because he used magic to revive the necromancer we had taken down because I wanted to interrogate her, and I couldn't do that if she was unconcious--except I -explicitly- told him to not use magic, as I did not want to interrogate her right that moment."

Gnogglebolt:"That was in the middle of the undead crisis, even."

Zairith says in Undercommon: "You, of all people, should know to be cautious. Lethiriss and the boy have sharp ears."


 * Thomas Lazarus offers another shallow nod, still frowning.

Thomas Lazarus:"Gnogglebolt.. I would like to propose a deal to you."


 * Thomas Lazarus looks up to the gnome.

GM whispers: The voices stop, but you may be able to hear the faint rustle of cloth fron the next room.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt returns the gaze. "I'm listening."

Thomas Lazarus:"I understand that we have only just met, and that we still do not know much about each other. I do not want to overstep my bounds or offend you; you seem like a wonderful person. Ordinarily it is not my place to critique those that come to me, but I would like to offer you my guidance. We will try to help your friend, in any and every capacity that we can, if you will hear what I have to say. About you."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt raises an eyebrow. "Go on."

Sszeyl whispers: « 1d20+5 = 14 + 5 = 19 » Listen check. :o


 * Thomas Lazarus swaddles his thumbs over his folded hands and nods.

GM whispers: You can definitely hear cloth moving, and occasional small sounds... perhaps they're signing?

Sszeyl whispers: Now that gets him up and about.

GM whispers: Move Silently and Hide, if you're trying to eavesdrop.

MeanyOwl is disconnected.

TMG:Bu!

TMG:buh!

MeanyOwl has connected.

Sszeyl:« 1d20+2 = 6 + 2 = 8 » Hide check!

Sszeyl:« 1d20+1 = 9 + 1 = 10 » Move silently check!

MeanyOwl::BThomas Lazarus:"I expect that your companion is the priest of another power. Whose, I cannot presume to know. Perhaps dark, perhaps not. He may indeed harbor a fel threat to the souls of the innocent - but from everything you've told me, that is not truly so." He leans back and looks to one of the stained glass windows lining the halls. "..Castleton is a diverse place.. we see all sorts of duties, here, and even more faces. Although it is more diverse than most cities, it is a good reflection of the world at large." He looks back to the gnome evenly. "It is true that most people in this land do not observe Lord Pelor's tenets, but it would do no good to chastise them for it. We must observe the differences of our neighbors, and abide their differences - even if it may be heresy to our eyes."


 * Thomas Lazarus works a small smile. "I remember your good intentions with Tathi and the ropes, and your protection of the goblins."

Thomas Lazarus:"You are clearly a noble soul that wants nothing but good from the world. But Gnogglebolt, I've begun to wonder if you're not overexerting your views on those around you."

GM whispers: Go ahead, move Sszeyl to where you want him to be to eavesdrop.


 * Thomas Lazarus pauses. "Am I out of line?"

GM whispers: I'll clear away a bit of the door so he can see out, but I need to get an idea of where he is. ^^'

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt looks down, rubbing his chin. "Well, for the goblins, I initially got everyone to agree on live capture for the promise of an increased bounty rather than bringing in a load of corpses. Which I did come through on."

Gnogglebolt:"For what's going on right now, I'm taking care of it myself, because I -do- know it is my responsibility and the others are under no obligation to help."


 * Thomas Lazarus offers a bemused look. "I have never heard of someone who has been pickpocketed defending his accused in court."

Thomas Lazarus:"But I can see that you only wish the best of them."

Gnogglebolt:"And as for tieing up tathi, I just wanted to be cautious. She -could- have woken up with that hostile still in her mind..." Gnogglebolt then chuckles.

GM whispers: So, he's moving out into the room, and not peeping around the door?

Gnogglebolt:"Actually...I was never pickpocketed."

Gnogglebolt:"I -witnessed- the pickpocketing."

Thomas Lazarus:"Oh, I see."

Gnogglebolt:"But my actions would have been the same regardless." Gnogglebolt says with confidence.

MeanyOwl is disconnected.

Meany has connected.

Gnogglebolt:He then shrugs. "All it was...I just didn't think that pickpockets deserve death."

GM whispers: So, he's moving out into the room, and not peeping around the door?

Meany whispers: Yep.


 * Thomas Lazarus can't help but smile a bit more.

Thomas Lazarus:"..You would have made an excellent knight for the Aureate Palm. If a bit short of stature."

Gnogglebolt:"Just didn't seem right, to me. Thje only other alternative was live capture...which then meant the goblins being put in jail, with no knowledge of the society and system they had just been thrown in."

Gnogglebolt:"It didn't seem right to leave them like that, either."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt then gets a small smile tugging at his mouth, remembering the conversation he had with Elwick, which went almost exactly like this.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt then snorts at Thomas's suggestion. "Believe it or not, it's been said before..."

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: He catches one bit of a signed sentence; "Keeping up the half-elven -- Oh, hey there, Sszeyl. Er, Zairith, does Sszeyl sign?"


 * Thomas Lazarus considers the extra information.

Thomas Lazarus:"I certainly believe it."

Zairith signs in Drow Sign Language: Zairith nods, and signs. "Good evening, young Terror."

Gnogglebolt:"though the focus of my life is and always will be building things. And my primary reason for Akellon is saving my scattered kin."

Gnogglebolt:"I just...can't help but help anyone I see along the way, if I can." Gnogglebolt says with a sheepish grin.

Thomas Lazarus:"..Well. Perhaps, then, it was not completely as I had imagined. Those are moving circumstances."


 * Sszeyl flicks his tessen out in front of his lower face. "Evening."

TMG:wut? o.o

Thomas Lazarus:"Although, there is a certain order to this world. Not everyone's highest sense of justice will mirror your own. I shall need to meet this Trofim to see if, indeed, there is something he needs help with."

Liatai:Tech, I think that line was supposed to be whispered. x3


 * Thomas Lazarus blinks up in the dim lighting.

TMG:is Sszeyl seriously in the temple with Gnogglebolt and Thomas? o.o

Liatai:No, he's not.


 * Thomas Lazarus waves it off~.

Liatai:That's what I was saying; he's elsewhere, talking with someone else in a whispered conversation.

TMG:ohhhh xD

TMG:Alrighty, gotcha xD

Thomas Lazarus:"Faith, especially, is a delicate thing. I'm sure you understand. Bloody wars have been waged over much less."

Zairith says quietly: "I hope that we did not rouse you from your trance," Zairith says, keeping his voice down.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt does get a more solemn face. "Indeed, I know my views may not be popular. I just don't like bloodshed and wish to avoid it wherever possible...and as for meeting Trofim, two things."

Thomas Lazarus:"Where our hand is due, we must place it. But zeal can also be an evil."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods.

Thomas Lazarus:"..Yes.. please, forgive my postured lecture, my friend. I believe you understand."


 * Thomas Lazarus listens attentively.

Gnogglebolt:"Anyway... one, by any chance, could you take an hour or two to walk with me to where I think Sszeyl is, or at least the people he works for are so I can tell them what I've forgotten to tell them? And whether you can or cannotcome with me now, will you indeed be able to meet me early tomorrow morning at the courthouse, to collect Trofim and escort him here?"

Gnogglebolt:"Or, to -meet- Trofim, at least." Gnogglebolt corrects himself.

Sszeyl says quietly: "Once I begin a Trance, it is not stopped for anything." Sszeyl fans himself slightly. "I find myself at a loss for what to do with the night."

Thomas Lazarus:"Of course, my friend. I am here to serve the good of the people, after all."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods appreciatively. "I just figured it would be a good idea to have you along when I explain this plan for Trofim to them."

Thomas Lazarus:"..I only ask that you give me ten minutes or so to assemble my uniform. This Trofim fellow may, indeed, be especially cross with you bringing me to him."

Rhylinar says quietly: Rhylinar tilts his head a little, observing the tessen. "... That's an interesting fan you've got there."

Thomas Lazarus:"--And can you help me with the straps near the shoulder-plates? I can never reach them!"

Sszeyl says quietly: "Yes. The artifact assisted in obtaining two Trance visions."

Gnogglebolt:"Oh no, meeting Trofim will be done in the morning, just before he's released. Now, all we're doing is meetin with Sszeyl to bring him up to speed. And hopefully, not have any resistance from him...I'm not sure how they're going to react to this, to be honest." Gnogglebolt winces.

Gnogglebolt:"This is why I'm so upset with myself for not telling them earlier. That was supposed to be taken care of first."

Rhylinar says quietly: "It... assisted? I've heard of weapons that could talk to their owners, but never one that induced visions."

Thomas Lazarus:"Ahh. Do not despair, my friend. Let's simply make amends for the future."

Sszeyl whispers: He points to the dragon and the sparrow.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods, and goes to wait outside on the temple steps for Thomas.

Liatai:Whenever you two are ready, feel free to transport yourselves to the Zairith and Lethiriss' Place map. The house will be dark when you approach; ain't darkvision great, drow? :B


 * Thomas Lazarus drops his pen in an inkwell, and heads off to his quarters to assemble his armor and rigging. After some time, he walks out onto the steps.

Thomas Lazarus:"Lead the way."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods, and leads Thomas to the only places he can think of to find Sszeyl, the house of the snake-woman he was at once before.

Gnogglebolt:*place

TMG:copy your token, and Liatai, we switch map to Zarith and Lethiriss' place?

Liatai:Yep! Hang on, I'll copy an audience snake token for anyone still watching.

Thomas Lazarus:"--I should excuse myself. I do not expect violence of your fellows. It's simply a code of conduct that a templar not be on duty without being at the ready - barded, armed and willing to act on any notice. I was about to retire when you arrived."

Gnogglebolt:"And I apologize for bothering you at this hour, but this had to be done now, and I couldn't think of anyone else..."


 * Thomas Lazarus smiles and holds up a hand.

Liatai:Gnogglebolt, where are you? :B

Liatai:There you are. x3

Gnogglebolt:"This is the house, I think..." Gnogglebolt says, as he steps forward and nervously knocks lightly.

Liatai:Wait one sec... it's nighttime, and the house is dark.

TMG:huh?

Thomas Lazarus:"If you ever do, you can find an ally in me. Pelor is willing to forgive a few minutes of late dozing at dawn if it was to help a friend in need."

Liatai:I'm going to change vision to nighttime; if anyone wants a light source, prepare it now.

TMG:ooh :o

TMG:One sec!

TMG:How much is a single torch, again?

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: Both drow and half-drow turn to the door when someone knocks... then Rhylinar signs. "Zai, are you expecting anyone?"

Dr. Hatari:Hm. Don't gnomes have light-generating abilities?

Zairith signs in Drow Sign Language: "Not at this hour," the wizard signs, frowning.

TMG:Normal gnomes, yes. >.>

Dr. Hatari:Oh, right. :P


 * Sszeyl opens the door, tessen in front of his lower face.

Sszeyl:"Evening."

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: Rhylinar signs to the drow standing up - "Wait ten seconds."

Gnogglebolt:"Ah! Hello Sszeyl, I was hoping you'd be awake, though I'm still very sorry about bothering you at this hour..."


 * Thomas Lazarus hails Sszeyl with an open gauntlet.

Gnogglebolt:"May thomas and I come in?"

GM whispers: He heads into the study and closes the door, leaving it open a small crack; he's hidden by the time Sszeyl opens the door.

Gnogglebolt:"I need to tell you something that I forgot earlier..."

Zairith:No caution in that boy at all. :/ "... Mister Sparkgear, this is a surprise..." He catches sight of Thomas, in full templar regalia, and his eyes narrow.

Meany is disconnected.

Dr. Hatari::oLiatai:Huh. o.o

TMG:he'll be back...

TMG:...maybe...

Liatai:Oof, need to restart the server. ^^'

Dr. Hatari:Ok~

You have disconnected.

Server started.

Caswin has connected.

Dr. Hatari has connected.

TMG has connected.

Liatai:All that's left is to wait for Meany...

MeanyOwl has connected.

Liatai:And there he is!

TMG:last line you saw, meany?

MeanyOwl:Gnogglebolt: "I need to tell you something that I forgot earlier..."

Liatai:Zairith: No caution in that boy at all. :/ "... Mister Sparkgear, this is a surprise..." He catches sight of Thomas, in full templar regalia, and his eyes narrow.

Liatai:That's the only IC line you missed. :3

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt sees the man Zarith eyeing Thomas, and quickly adds "Oh, don't worry, this man saved Sszeyl's life today."


 * Thomas Lazarus offers a humble bow.

Zairith:"... Hmm."

Thomas Lazarus:"I mean no intrusion. I'm simply acompanying Gnogglebolt."

Gnogglebolt:"Yes, I just needed to speak with Sszeyl."

LiNeer:A one-eyed tortoiseshell cat sits on the table and levies a glare at both gnome and templar... watch yourselves, you're in my domain. >.(

Gnogglebolt:"Again, I am very sorry for the late hour, but this can't wait."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt glances at the cat. "Oh, I remember you."

Zairith:"By all means, then, come inside. Conversations that can't wait are usually not best held in the doorway... However, I will ask that you keep your voices down. Lethiriss is asleep."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt gives a small bow, and enters the house.

TMG:(hatari?)

LiNeer:And I remember you, small gnome thing. >.(


 * Thomas Lazarus treats softly. His armor may be finer than the guards, but metals on wood aren't all that subtle regardless.

Dr. Hatari:*treads

TMG:ah, gotcha x3

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt finds a wall to lean up against, and looks at Sszel slightly nervously.

Gnogglebolt:"I'll try to get as straight to the point as I can."

Liatai:That's actually a door. :B

TMG:oh xD

Sszeyl:Like the one Sszeyl just cut you off from.

Sszeyl::3Liatai:I'll ask for Spot checks, Thomas and Gnogglebolt, if you would. :3

Gnogglebolt:"Anyway...first, I must apologize. What I'm about to tell you, I should have told you earlier today. I had every intention, but...Miron and Thomas joined us, and then there was the business with the wolves..."

Gnogglebolt:"So, for this, I am sorry."


 * Thomas Lazarus chuckles softly. "..You're fretting, my friend."

Gnogglebolt:"Anyway...of course, Trofim was put in the holding cells. I trust you remember the 'reason' for that? The drunk charade?"

Sszeyl:"Actually no."

Sszeyl:"I do not attempt to keep track of lies, overmuch."

TMG:(wait, crap, I can't remember. -was- Sszeyl even there for the dropoff in the first place?)

Liatai:Yes, he was.

Liatai:He argued with Justinian. :B

TMG:okay

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt blinks. "Really? Well...hrm. I guess that makes this a little easier, in a way."

Gnogglebolt:"Anyway, I had told the guard captain that Trofim was very drunk, rather than tell him about the zombie business in the goblin cave."


 * Thomas Lazarus folds his arms inside his robe sleeves and simply observes the goings-on. He tries not to concern himself with the messes, or super-evil pets.

Gnogglebolt:"But...this morning, before we all met at noon, I visited the goblins again. And...well, I couldn't help it. I told the guard captain the truth about what happened with Trofim, controlling the zombie and all."


 * Zairith stays seated in the background, quietly listening, occasionally glancing in the templar's direction, as though keeping an eye on him.

Gnogglebolt:"I meant to tell you this earlier today, because as far as I understand, you and him both work for the same people." Gnogglebolt nods to Zarith.

LiNeer:*Pet? I am no mere pet! >.E I never! Hmph.*

Liatai:Spot check, Thomas?

Thomas Lazarus:« 1d20+2 = 5 + 2 = 7 »

Gnogglebolt:"And you should be kept in the loop about things that might concern you." Gnogglebolt adds.

Liatai:Oof. ^^'

Liatai:What about a Listen check?

Thomas Lazarus:Listen! « 1d20+2 = 17 + 2 = 19 »

Sszeyl:"..."

Sszeyl:"The controling of a corpse in this country is unlawful."

Sszeyl:"A death sentance offense, from what I've seen."

Gnogglebolt:"Well...not quite, actually. Not in this case." Gnogglebolt hurridly says.

Caswin:((Regrettably, I must sleep now.))

Liatai:Good night. ^^

Caswin:((I like what you've done so far.))

Thomas Lazarus:The hairs on his neck raise a bit, but he doesn't react at first. He casually lifts his head and turns it partially to the north to spy something.

Dr. Hatari:Bye audience~

Gnogglebolt:"The captain told me that as long as Trofim never actually performed anything hostile with it, which he didn't, that Trofim actually couldn't be held on any real charges unless -we- brought them against him."

MeanyOwl:Night.

TMG:seeya, cas

Dr. Hatari:Spottan! « 1d20+2 = 13 + 2 = 15 »

Gnogglebolt:"Since it seems none of us are pressing charges against Trofim, they have no choice but to release him."

Caswin is disconnected.

Sszeyl:"Or to fabricate charges."


 * Thomas Lazarus slowly returns his attention to Gnogglebolt and Sszeyl.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt frowns. "Which they don't and won't." He then waves a hand. "But anyway."

Gnogglebolt:"Trofim was actually supposed to be released tonight, in fact, but I requested the captain keep him one night more. Because, as we both know...Trofim just isn't right. His head is a few cogs out of gear. And now that he's demonstrated this power...he -could- do it again. And next time, who knows what will happen?"

Gnogglebolt:"So, the captain suggested to me that I find professional help for Trofim."

Gnogglebolt:"People who would be able to help him learn how to properly use his magic, maybe even fix his mind a little."

Sszeyl:"Have you consulted Trofim, seen if he even wishes for such help?"

Gnogglebolt:"I don't know much about magic, or types of magic, but I can see patterns. I noticed that the way Trofim--um." Gnogglebolt grimaces.


 * Thomas Lazarus seems to give Gnogglebolt more attention on that note, although his face is still unjudging.

Gnogglebolt:"Generally, people may refuse aid when at least they are clear of thought. I seriously doubt you believe Trofim qualifies."

Gnogglebolt:"I don't necessarily like the idea of forcing help on him if he refuses, which I'm actually fairly sure he will, but it would be far more dangeous to others if he were to walk the streets as he is now."

Gnogglebolt:"I've heard he's been in jail before he met us. But then, I'm pretty sure he didn't have the power to control abominations. Like I said, who knows what will happen next time?"

Sszeyl:"It is not my place to vote on this matter, and be grateful it is not."


 * Sszeyl gestures to Zairith.


 * Thomas Lazarus speaks up softly, "..I do not wish to upset a legitamate faith, even if it may be alien to what I know. If he is indeed suffering some derangement or malady, that is different - that we can balm."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods. "Which then brings me to this next point."


 * Zairith continues to listen, considering.


 * Thomas Lazarus glances to Zairith at that.

Gnogglebolt:"As far as professional help goes, I don't know much about magic, but I can see patters. I noticed some similarities in how Trofim uses magic, and how Thomas here uses magic. Upon asking Thomas and explaining what I've observed, he agrees."

Gnogglebolt:"Whatever kind of magic Trofim uses, it's the same type as Thomas'. And since I know no one else to ask, I asked Thomas what he and his temple could do. Thomas has agreed to check in on Trofim tomorrow, before he's released, and if Thomas judges him unsound of mind, Trofim will be taken to the temple so he can be helped."

Gnogglebolt:"That's the plan, anyway."


 * Thomas Lazarus offers Gnogglebolt a curious look.

Gnogglebolt:"And, like I apologized first....I should have told you about this before."

Sszeyl:"Agreed."

Sszeyl:"But what is done is done."

Thomas Lazarus:"Gnogglebolt, have you not guessed that it is the Gods who grant me my magic?"

Thomas Lazarus:"..Has your Trofim not spoken of a similar thing?"

Zairith:"No, he has not."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt looks to Thomas. "To my very limited understanding, yes, I have figured that your power comes from forces beyond this realm...But Trofim..."


 * Thomas Lazarus considers Zairith for a moment. "..Hmmm.."

Gnogglebolt:"Oh, dear."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt rubs the back of his neck. "It was very hard to decipher, but...as far as I could tell..."

Gnogglebolt:"Trofim appears utterly and thoroughly obsessed that the world is filled with "lie-mages", and that he is a mage himself. I'm not completely sure what the difference is between that and you, but it was all Trofim ever talked about."


 * Zairith nods.

Gnogglebolt:"He always turned beligerent whenever he identified something as the work of a 'lie-mage'."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shrugs. "I really could not comprehend much more than that."


 * Thomas Lazarus knits his brow and looks dumbfounded. "A lie..mage?"

Thomas Lazarus:"That's certainly the first I've heard of such a thing."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shrugs again. "I really don't know. But he would never stop talking about it."


 * Thomas Lazarus glances to the ceiling and searches his thoughts for a bit, but seems to come up empty-handed.

Zairith:"Quite likely. As far as we were ever able to discern, it was his own idea. His own solid belief in how the world operated."

Gnogglebolt:"His obsession to the point of paranoia is what convinces me something is wrong with his mind."

Thomas Lazarus:"I see.. it sounds like his convictions are curious, indeed. Have you discussed the topic with him to much length? About these lie-mages?"

Gnogglebolt:"That and if you attempted to show him the logical consequence of an action, he'd come up with fish. Or pants." Gnogglebolt says.

Sszeyl:"The possibility that his paranoia is well warranted should be considered. As unlikely as it may or may not be."


 * Thomas Lazarus flinches at that last bit. Fish and pants? ^^;;

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt looks down. "Honestly, no...I always dismissed his ramblins. It was rather lunatic..."

Gnogglebolt:"Oh, and how could I forget."

Gnogglebolt:"That damn skull he talks to."


 * Thomas Lazarus seems a little more concerned. "..Is that so..? I hadn't realised it was quite like all that. Uhm.. whose skull, may I ask?"

Zairith:"Beridze," Zairith muses. "That is what he called the skull, at the least. Beyond that, I do not know. He had said at one point that he found the skull within a dungeon cell in Lorellon."

Gnogglebolt:"Honestly...I have no idea. He calls it 'Beridze'. He always talked to it, asked it questions, and acted as if it was speaking to him. He even seemed to use it to make decisions. And, I don't know if it was really the source of his power, or some kind of crutch, but he always seemed to need it to do his magic."

Gnogglebolt:"It always made me nervous."

Thomas Lazarus:"Beridze..?" He considers that for a moment. (Knowlegde: Religion « 1d20+4 = 4 + 4 = 8 » to recognize any significance)

Liatai:No significance that you can discern.

Thomas Lazarus:"Hm."


 * Thomas Lazarus takes his amulet in hand and raises it over his neck, winding the chain around his gauntlet. "..While I have never heard of Beridze before, I do know how our own magics work. I'm not an expert - or scholar - far from it. But every initiate of the major faiths understands the power of belief. In some lands, there exist churches without the wealth of our Lord's. Their priests make due with symbols of wood, and paint. And they are no less potent for it."

Thomas Lazarus:"It is the conviction of one's belief that invests these things with power."

Gnogglebolt:"Well, he 'believed' pretty strongly that there were 'lie-mages' everywhere and they were out to get him..."

Gnogglebolt:"...you don'


 * Thomas Lazarus looks to the face of Pelor for a time. "..It's too much for me to say without having met him. But you tell an alarming story."

Gnogglebolt:"Well, you can meet him tomorrow morning..." Gnogglebolt then looks at Zarith. "That is, if his 'employer'...or perhaps former employer, with how this has turned out...does not object to this."


 * Thomas Lazarus returns his attention to the others.

Zairith:"Employer? You misinterpret our relationship with Trofim Kabakian."


 * Thomas Lazarus seems curious at that.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shrugs. "Apparenly I have, it was just the extent of my understanding. All I know is that he was somehow associated with you and the snake-woman, Lethiriss."

Thomas Lazarus:Snake woman?! 8|


 * Thomas Lazarus politely shakes it off.

Zairith:"Lethiriss met him within the capital city... between prison terms, I believe. She took pity on him and brought him here. Perhaps she sought to eventually take him to meet her brothers and sisters in the temple she visits near the great swamps. Perhaps she intended to seek more knowledge of where his unusual power stems from. But employment? No."

Gnogglebolt:"Very well."

Thomas Lazarus:"..I have heard, in far-off lands, of priests who lead their communities like our own, but without paying heed to any deity at all."

Thomas Lazarus:"Merely a strict adherence to philosophies and codes of life. It astonishes me, but it seems that they, too, find divine power in that."

Zairith:"... Perhaps, if Kabakian does not deign to accompany you to your temple, servant of Pelor, Lethiriss may accelerate her plans. He may accept aid from someone he is more than passingly familiar with more readily, and she is also quite familiar with priests."

Thomas Lazarus:"I still do not know what to make of what you've told me. But I can assure you, if your Trofim is no fiend, then he is welcome even in our temple. Even if he swears allegiance to some strange power - even if he despises us for 'lie-mages'. Lord Pelor's hand is open to everyone. We will give him any help he wishes."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods. "I just want to be sure he's in good hands, where he can't hurt someone, even if inadvertently."


 * Thomas Lazarus nods at each of them. "Then it sounds like we are in agreement."

Thomas Lazarus:"I suppose Mr. ..Kabakian himself will decide what to make of us, tomorrow."

MeanyOwl:And scene?

TMG:I suppose so...

Liatai:Sounds good to me. :3

MeanyOwl:TMG, care to roll those craft checks? :3

Liatai:Craft checks?

Dr. Hatari:Ah, I enjoyed that. Thanks guys. ^^

Liatai:Gnogglebolt hasn't done any work on the cave yet. :B

TMG:craft check..oh!

Liatai:You're welcome :3

TMG:meany, I have o be IN the cave for that xD

Dr. Hatari:Silliness is good, but it was also good to develop Thomas a little more seriously.

Dr. Hatari:Next on agenda: non-1-shot fights. >:o

Liatai:XDMeanyOwl:We have six more days.

MeanyOwl:The game is scheduled to be IC one week since last game.

TMG:huh?

MeanyOwl:Tired, loosing mental focus.

MeanyOwl:The next Akellon game is supposed to be one in-game week after the last one.

TMG:Right, we'll figure this out later. ^^;

Liatai:Yeah, I think it's time to shut down the server, save a log, and pick up later. :3

TMG:Erm o.o

TMG:actually, no, not quite...

TMG:because we might encounter the druid as Gnogglebolt is going to try and find her :B

MeanyOwl:I take this to mean Gnogglebolt does not attempt to make those doors this in-game week.

MeanyOwl:Good night.

MeanyOwl is disconnected.

TMG:Yes, he--erp

Dr. Hatari:I should really just prepair some make whole spells for him or something. He sure does want to fix those doors. :P

Liatai:OK, server going down. :3

You have disconnected.

Server started.

TMG has connected.

Dr. Hatari has connected.

VAE has connected.

Dr. Hatari:brb

Caswin has connected.

VAE:*is here*

TMG:okey-dokey...

VAE:Zairith's house looks a lot like my college room, except bigger

TMG:x3VAE:the books on floor are very familiar

Gnogglebolt:Anyway, until the others are ready....After speaking with Sszeyl, Zarith and Thomas, Gnogglebolt says good night to them and goes to the inn he's been staying at, to rest and meet Thomas at early dawn before Trofim is released from the holding cells.

Dr. Hatari:Sorry, back.

TMG:(pre-emptively placing token on Holding Cells map)

Liatai:He's cloned himself! :O

TMG:oops. ^^

Liatai:Hmm... audience token, audience token...

VAE:i can' tsee anyone anywhere

VAE:now i can

Trofim:*sleeps, resting against a cell wall*

Caswin:If we're in the Cells, I can't see anything.

TMG:I think Liatai's working on that ^^;

Liatai:You should be able to now. :3

Caswin:Yep, there we go.

Liatai:Let's check the weather, while I'm thinking of it. :3 « 1d100 = 22 »

Liatai:A clear, pleasant day in Castleton!

Gnogglebolt:At the crack of dawn, Gnogglebolt is awakened by his pocketwatch. He gets himself ready for the day, and makes his way through the Castleton streets, which are almost empty with a few people opening up their stalls for the day.

Liatai:It's an alarm pocketwatch?

Gnogglebolt:He reaches the outside of the courthouse, and waits outside by the doors, fiddling with things.

TMG:If that's okay ^^;

TMG:If nt, I'll figure something else out >.>

Liatai:Going to have to say no alarm. That would require another mechanism to be added, which would increas the Craft DC.

TMG:Durn. Alright. Before going to bed for the night, Gnogglebolt tipped one of the inkeepers and asked them to wake up up at sunrise.

TMG:(-2 gp!)

TMG:That work? ^^;

Liatai:That works.

Trofim:2gp is rather a lot for that

Trofim:argh!

TMG:Alrighty. Gnogglebolt is waiting outside the courthouse....

Thomas Lazarus:Eventually, Thomas comes into view, preceded by the sharp footfalls of his greaves on cobblestone.

Trofim:i am sleep-talking!

Trofim:and ignoring 4th wall!

VAE:blah

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt looks up from fiddling with a small mechanism with a spindly tool. "Ah, excellent, you've arrived." He says as Thomas approaches.


 * Thomas Lazarus nods with a sleepy smile. "Of course. We're no strangers to early mornings."

Gnogglebolt:He puts away the things in his hands and stands up. "I hope you had enough sleep for this. Ready to meet the man? I'll wanr you now, he's likely to be...disagreeable."


 * Thomas Lazarus covers his mouth from a small yawn.

Gnogglebolt:"On top of everything I told you last night."

Thomas Lazarus:He simply nods at that.

VAE:beridze has a token?

VAE:niice!

Liatai:For now, at least. :3

Dr. Hatari:You should totally use Mort from Planescape: Torment to voice Beridze talking in your head. *nods*

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt leads the way into the courthouse, and through several crridors, waving to the guards at the doors of the holding cells, who preumably quite recognize Gnogglebolt well by now.

VAE::3VAE:i never played P:T

VAE:so i have little idea

Dr. Hatari:Oh. :P

Gnogglebolt:"Good morning yet again, Captain."


 * Captain McKeith is dozing a little at the desk, but looks up when the gnome approaches.

Gnogglebolt:"As promised, I brought someone to collect Trofim.

Trofim:*wheeze* Give it back! Yo..*hrmpf* *turns*

Captain McKeith:"I can see that," the man says, nodding in Thomas' direction.


 * Thomas Lazarus frowns slightly, but doesn't remark.

Thomas Lazarus:"Good morning, officer."

Gnogglebolt:"Right then...I guess we'll wake him up and speak to him, now."

Captain McKeith:"Good morning, templar. I take it the gnome's filled you in on the situation with the 'drunk?'"

Thomas Lazarus:"Yes, he has. I was hoping I could speak with Mr. Kabakian today."

Captain McKeith:"Cell straight to your left."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods, and heads over. He looks through the bars, down at the sleeping human.

Gnogglebolt:"Well...there he is."


 * Thomas Lazarus approaches and looks between the bars curiously.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt taps on the bars with one of his metal tools.

Gnogglebolt:"Trofim? you're not a heavy sleeper, right?"

Trofim:You notice a now fully beared human with rather ragged clothes lying in

Trofim:He moves and opens his eyes

Trofim:How l... YOU!

Trofim:The man springs to his feet

Gnogglebolt:"Yes, me...and here we go..." Gnogglebolt closes his eyes, bracing for the tantrum.

Trofim:Traitor...

Trofim:I should have known just as you took that lie-mage in

Gnogglebolt:"Yes, yes, I heard it all last time. Shall we skip and pretend that you've already insulted me in every way you can invent?"

Gnogglebolt:"One way or another, you're getting out today."

Trofim:*bleep* you *bleep*ing pile of *bleep* have nothing to do here... go *bleep* with your beloved lie-mages and goblins


 * Thomas Lazarus takes a step forward and offers Trofim a small smile. "Good morning Mr. Kabakian. I'm Thomas Lazarus. I understand that you can't be in the best of moods.. but if you would permit, I'd like to talk to you today."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt steps back, allowing Thomas to do his thing.


 * Thomas Lazarus raises a brow at the man's temper, but actually seems a little amused by some of it.

Trofim:*bleep*ing leave me alone... He turns the head towards the man in armor, looking rather distrustful

Trofim:... who are you?

Trofim:and ... why are you with that traitor?


 * Thomas Lazarus hmm's with a sigh. "..I imagine you've no reason to trust me, but I am here to help you. I understand that you're to be released today. Gnogglebolt has told me a bit about you, and came seeking my counsel. He seems to think ... well." He glances to Gnogglebolt. "You probably know what he thinks."


 * Thomas Lazarus looks back to Trofim. "I'm a servent of Lord Pelor. I serve at his temple, a few blocks west of here."

Trofim:*eyes him suspiciously*

Thomas Lazarus:"Given everything Gnogglebolt told me, I had rather begun to expect that you were a divine anchor of magic, not unlike myself. But then some of the details started to reach my ear."

Thomas Lazarus:"About lie-mages, and Beridze, and no mention of a deity."

Trofim:what.. divine anchor? Am no sailor, y'know?

Trofim:No idiot, either.

Thomas Lazarus:"I was wondering, what would you call yourself?"

Trofim:Trofim Kabakian


 * Thomas Lazarus smirks a little. "Mm.. poor choice of words on my part."

VAE:tea finally cool enough to drink... my mind rejoices

Thomas Lazarus:"What I meant to ask about was the magic you've employed so far. Gnogglebolt seems wary of what you may do, but I'm not yet so sure of what to think."

Trofim:Wary? him? one who is friends with lie-mages and goblins? *laughs*

Trofim:For such a cunning traitor, he..'s pretty dumb in a way


 * Thomas Lazarus seems to consider that. "I'm sorry, but what's a lie-mage?"

Trofim:it's them.. .like that short untrustworthy looking female with the weird ears .. or...

Trofim:wait.... what if you are one of their agents?

Trofim:*thinks*

Trofim:Who gives a damn.. i aren't afraid of you


 * Thomas Lazarus folds his arms. "I'm still not sure what makes them lie-mages instead of mages."

Trofim:you know it all too well, no doubt... their lies.. keeping people from magic


 * Thomas Lazarus looks a little confused.

Thomas Lazarus:"I must confess, I don't know all that much about magic - just how to work my own. Have you been a student of the art for very long, then?"

Trofim:Student... ha!

Trofim:i had to learn on my own... they didn't want those such as me

Trofim:i am not afraid of you, you know? not the first time i was in jail because of one of their lackeys!


 * Thomas Lazarus offers another weak smile and holds out an upturned hand. "Mr. Kabakian, I'm not your foe. I don't want you to be afraid of me. My fold have no lies to tell the people, nor any exclusive covens of mages telling people who may or may not exercise faith. All are welcome to be helped by the lord of the sun. In fact, if you wished it, we would be glad to host you in our temple."

Thomas Lazarus:"Are you familiar?"

Trofim:familiar? no... i aren't ....

Caswin:afg

Trofim:*still eyes suspiciously, shifting gaze from the new man to Gnogglebolt*

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt takes another step back, looking at Thomas.


 * Thomas Lazarus folds his arms into his robe-sleeves. "Well, you'll be free later today, in either case. I'd like to invite you to our temple to see what there is to see. There are other students of magic there, such as myself, and you are free to observe us. It would be a joy if you would be willing to learn - or perhaps tell us a thing or two - but you're not under any lawful obligation. I had merely thought it something you may have an interest in, based on what I've heard of your magic talents. Oh, yes..."

Thomas Lazarus:"I believe that a Drow gentlemen, a.. Zairaith(?) also sait that there was a woman who may be willing to host you with a similar group of priests, depending on your preference."

Trofim:I might come... wait, Zairith?

Thomas Lazarus:"... I'll be honest. I'm a little worried that you don't know where your powers are coming from. I, myself, don't know."

Trofim:You know Zairithe?

Thomas Lazarus:"Ah, yes. I believe that's his name. I met him last evening."

Trofim:i had to ... *scowls* It's his fault!

Thomas Lazarus:"Pardon?"

Trofim:I had to meet him *days* ago.. he wasn't at home at the time... then all this happened

Trofim:I... i barely remember... there was something important... Thank-you for reminding me!

Trofim:Suddenly, the strange man seems a lot less antagonistic


 * Thomas Lazarus rubs his chin thoughtfully. "I.. see. I'm not sure about that business. Just the offer of the woman, Lethiriss."

Trofim:You know her, too?

Trofim:Perhaps you aren't such a bad person after all

Trofim:*cautiously, the man comes somewhat closer*


 * Thomas Lazarus shakes his head slightly. "I did not meet her in person. But I was told she may know some priests of her own that would like sharing your knowledge."

Thomas Lazarus:"My only concern is that you learn more of yourself and the world. I know how patronizing that sounds.. but.. well. My hand is open, should you like any brotherhood."

Trofim:everyone keeps mentioning priests today... i aren't sick or dying,either *smiles*

Trofim:just a mention... do you know *when* shall i be released?

Thomas Lazarus:"Well, you know, we aren't restricted just to heals and blessings. A friend of mine observes the powers of the gods, and finds magic to cause harm, or freeze people."


 * Thomas Lazarus reflects on that for a moment. "Rather a sour attitude, though. You may not like him."


 * Thomas Lazarus glances to Gnogglebolt, not knowing the answer to that.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt speaks up. "You're being released either now, or a few hours from now, depending on if you come with us."

Trofim:With you? I'd rather walk with a sewer rat!

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt smacks his forehead.

Gnogglebolt:"Nevermind me, just with Thomas then."

Gnogglebolt:"I will go elsewhere."

Trofim:Thomas.. do you know where Zairith lives?


 * Thomas Lazarus looks back to Trofim with a somewhat sympathetic look. "Well.. you don't have to rejoin Mr. Gnogglebolt. My fellows at the temple aren't associated with his band - we simply work for the good of the city." He nods at Trofim's question. "Yes.. I believe I can find my way back. I've only visited once, to speak with him and Sszeyl, but ... yes."

Thomas Lazarus:"Why do you ask?"

Trofim:That's good... i will need to speak to him at some time soon, well, after they let me out

TMG:(oh, good going, danman -_- )

Dr. Hatari:lolwut

TMG:(you just added another hour to this mini-session. :P )

VAE:i know! Finally woken up -tea does wonders

Dr. Hatari:Pish and posh.

VAE:praised be caffeine

Thomas Lazarus:"If you'd like, I can accompany you there now."

Gnogglebolt:"Well, no time like the present...Shall we go right now, then?"

Thomas Lazarus:"I'm rather curious as to what you make of all this, Trofim."

Trofim:I aren't sure... especially why are you with this traitor

Trofim:did he fool you like he did me before?

Thomas Lazarus:"Well.. I'm not sure, honestly. How did he fool you?"

Trofim:There were more of us.. a dog-man and a talking pile of stone or something.... they left us after we have caught the thieves

Trofim:I should have done like them.... it was the sort of .. um.. breakage point or what

Thomas Lazarus:"He asked me to come here, and help a man he knew that he suspected of madness and strange powers. Personally, you seem an alright sort to me. I do confess, I'm very curious about your companion Beridze, and the powers you've used to fight off lie-mages." He considers the new information. "Left, did they?"


 * Thomas Lazarus glances to Gnogglebolt and back. "Well, you don't have to be with his troupe if you don't wish."

Trofim:they did... the last i clearly remember is that we were arguing waht to do with the goblins...

Trofim:They suspected his love of goblins too, like me


 * Thomas Lazarus smiles a little. "Hmmm."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt holds up his hands. "The gnoll and the strange golem collected their bounties, and didn't want to have anything else to do with me or the goblins, so they departed."

Gnogglebolt:"Their choice. Trofim here just happened to stay."

Thomas Lazarus:"Well, I suspect he is just doing what he feels is right. The world would be without courthouses if there was one true right path, beyond dispute."

Trofim:And they were wiser than me to do so... oh well... one learns for all his life


 * Thomas Lazarus considers that.

Thomas Lazarus:"It's encouraging to hear humble words such as those. ... So."

Thomas Lazarus:"Do you have a course of action you would like to execute today, Mr. Kabakian? I'm all ears."

Gnogglebolt:"Will you accompany Thomas to his temple?"

Trofim:*laughs* few years ago i could at most mend a tool.... now already.... but indeed i have a course...

Trofim:as i said.. i need to meet Zairith when possible

Gnogglebolt:"I'm sure Zarith could meet you. He knows where you would be." Gnogglebolt offers.

Trofim:he should be home already... not even him stays away for *counts on fingers* six days


 * Thomas Lazarus waves slightly at Gnogglebolt.

Gnogglebolt:"We were speaking with him last night about this."

Thomas Lazarus:"Now, now. He's not a prisoner."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shuffles slightly, giving Thomas an odd look.

Thomas Lazarus:"Do you mind if I come with you? There's still more I'd like to learn about all this - but if you have engagements, I'd like to atleast know you're in good company."

Trofim:I don't... you seem trustworthy enough.. unlike him


 * Thomas Lazarus offers a weak smile. "I think you two think too lowly of each other ... but I can see there is much water beneath that particular bridge that I know nothing of. Never mind."


 * Thomas Lazarus looks to the guard captain. "Well then captain, how about it?"

Captain McKeith:"As long as he's going to learn from someone, and we don't have to keep him here another night. That cell is supposed to be used for real drunks," the captain says with a smile.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt surrpetitiously tugs on Thomas's sleeve as they move out of the way for the guards to let Trofim out.


 * Thomas Lazarus steps aside and looks down to the gnome.

Thomas Lazarus:"Yes?" He speaks softly.

Gnogglebolt:"I'm hoping you can still get him to the temple after we visit Zarith and Lethiriss again...and yes, we, I really ought to see how this turns out in the end. Also, I need to ask Trofim about something. He has an item, and I need to ask where he put it, but despite it not being his, I'm sure he's going to object. Which would mean he's keeping something that's not his."

Gnogglebolt:"It's a tome of magic, I believe."

Gnogglebolt:"Just letting you know ahead of time.

VAE:ahaha

TMG:Eh, probably should have whispered that for not metagaming. :/ oh well.

Visored Guard:A guard moves over to unlock the cell door.

MeanyOwl has connected.

VAE:who cares

VAE:not like it's gonna influence anything

TMG:We'll see. ^^;

Visored Guard:"Right, out you go. Go to the desk and get your things."

VAE:well... i mean, Trofim knows about it, he knows Gnome knows about it...

Thomas Lazarus:He nods hesitantly at that. "Well.. whose company he takes is not a priority of mine. While I would love for him to join my brothers at the temple for a time, it sounds like he has others that care atleast something for him."

VAE:he has an int of 11, he isn't an idiot

TMG:Just play, man.

Thomas Lazarus:"As for an item ... ah. Good luck." He offers a wry smirk.

VAE:you started.. besides, now it's not like i have much to say XD

Thomas Lazarus:"We'll make for your friend's house right away, Mr. Kabakian. Perhaps there will be time for breakfast left over."

Trofim:what time it is, actually?

Thomas Lazarus:"Just past dawn."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods to the guards as the three walk out the door and onto the streets.

Beridze:Don't forget me!

Trofim:*me goes to pick up his things first*

Trofim:And his flail as well

Gnogglebolt:After they walk for a bit, Gnogglebolt speaks up.


 * Thomas Lazarus nods and departs.

Gnogglebolt:"So, Trofim, I do have a question."

Trofim:Beridze! Haven't seen you for a while

Gnogglebolt:"remember that book we found in Salishea's cave?"

Trofim:Now you got to go to the pouch, anyways

Trofim:*turns head*

VAE:as in, towards him

VAE:(ambiguous expression)

Gnogglebolt:"The one with the name Asterac in it? Right, well, what did you do with it?"

Gnogglebolt:"Because I found Asterac and Salishea."

Trofim:I remember... what is it to you, anyways?

Trofim:You found them... lie-mages no doubt!

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt lets out a heavy sigh, and gives Thomas such an "I-told-you-so" look.

VAE:now it's actually an advantage i missed some of the logs


 * Thomas Lazarus raises a brow. Wow, he really does talk about lie-mages all the time. :o

Gnogglebolt:"The fact remains the book belongs to them, and it needs to be returned. You don't have a problem with that, right?"

VAE:honestly, have no idea who they are XD

Thomas Lazarus:"..Oh? Interested in magic texts?"

Trofim:No fact remains... it is in a far better place now...

Thomas Lazarus:"Oh, come now. Even if it were a lie-mages, it isn't right to steal. There are other texts one can peruse if for the sake of sating curiosity."

Gnogglebolt:"No, it is not. It belongs to someone else. That's stealing." Gnogglebolt steps in front of the two humans. "Stealing in a similar way to what got you in that cell back there, in fact."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt gives Thomas a pointed look, expecting backup...ah, good.


 * Thomas Lazarus sighs in response. He doesn't seem to approve of Gnogglebolt's tone all the same.

Trofim:*looks in a hard way* Know, gnome, i am a simple man, but no idiot.... things abandoned belong to who finds them first

Gnogglebolt:"If you speak of ruin-delving, only if the owners aren't still alive to claim it." Gnogglebolt nods. "And they are alive."

Gnogglebolt:"They're on the coast, but there you go."

Trofim:and lie-mages no doubt

Thomas Lazarus:"--I'd like to propose we discuss this after bit. The day is still young, and this isn't much of a place for a conversation."

Trofim:even worse a fool would help those who use every opportunity to drive a dagger up his back

Gnogglebolt:"Lie-mage or not, stealing is stealing...and has consequences...." Gnogglebolt looks at Thomas, and steps out of the way, walking with them in silence the rest of the way to Zarith and Lethiriss' place.

Gnogglebolt:Wait, actually

Trofim:so does treason *scowls*

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt does hang back a little, and whispers up to Thomas.

Gnogglebolt:Though Gnogglebolt would -love- to respond to that last one, he keeps his tongue in check.

Gnogglebolt whispers: "Just like I said...obsessed to the point of paranoia."

Gnogglebolt whispers: "He just doesn't understand what's right and what's wrong. That's what makes him dangerous."

MeanyOwl:Whatwhatwhat?


 * Thomas Lazarus glances down to Gnogglebolt and gives him a frank look.

Liatai:If you want to move Sszeyl to wherever he would be in the house, this is a good time to do so.

VAE:hah... almost forgot how much fun was trofim to play

Sszeyl:« 1d20+3 = 15 + 3 = 18 » Profession Cooking check!

Lethiriss:"Sss? No, no, you sssssit!" Lethiriss is trying to shoo Sszeyl back to the table. "Cooking issss my job, sss!"

TMG:back on Zarith and Lethiriss's place


 * Rhylinar isn't helping. |3

VAE:map change?

Dr. Hatari:Brb in oneee shake

VAE:should i tr... nevermind

Trofim:*knocks*

Sszeyl:"This is an Orgolloyss special, Lethiriss. :P I'd share the recipie, but it's secret."

Thomas Lazarus whispers: (To Gnogglebolt) "..Be that as it may, no man of wounded pride and stubborness has ever conceded a point from being corrected by an enemy. I will see if I can get him to relinquish whatever tome you speak of, but pressing so hard would accomplish nothing. Is there nothing for you to concede to him? No wounds to balm, no topic over which to establish rapport?"

Sszeyl:"Now you sit. :O You have been working far too hard Mrs. Four Gallons of Tea."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shakes his head to Thomas. "Lie mages and his skull are the only things I've ever seen him care about, in the two weeks I spent with him."

Lethiriss:"Ssssecret meaning it will probably sssstain my sssstove! Ssssshoo!"

Sszeyl:":["

VAE:Lethrissss isss awessssome

VAE:like Glup ish

Lethiriss:*ssscrub ssscrub ssscrub :B*


 * VAE founds the Union for Fantasy creatures with funny accents

Thomas Lazarus:Thomas simply sighs and relents. He seems to want little more than to get the super weird-ass party members to get along, but it's hard. :B


 * Rhylinar still isn't helping. |3

VAE:hahah... imagine Miron was here

VAE:*inquisitor sense tingling*

Dr. Hatari:Dude, he would be so not helpful. lol

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt knocks on the door himself as well

Sszeyl:"So, what do you do for a living? :|"

Rhylinar:"This and that -- Lethiriss, you expecting breakfast guests?"

Sszeyl:« 1d20+3 = 3 + 3 = 6 » Sense motive check!


 * Sszeyl senses nothing. :B

Lethiriss:"Not asss far assss I know, beyond a cccertain ssssomeone who ssshowed up unannounccced." Pointed snakey glare.

Gnogglebolt:"Hello again, Miss Lethiriss." Gnogglebolt says when she opens the door.

Lethiriss:She's not opening the door yet. :B

Gnogglebolt:WHEN she opens the door. :P

VAE:well, he set it as trigger action

Trofim:*knocks louder*

TMG:(unless she doesn't. In which case he greets whomever does.)

VAE:like LiNeer

Dr. Hatari:Roll for init!

Lethiriss:"Ssssalesssmen, I sssswear... they arrive earlier and earlier each day..." Lethiriss throws a towel onto the woodpile next to the door and stalks over to the door.

VAE:erm.. care for a break peoples?

VAE:gotta run to bathroom

TMG:>_-

TMG:ohTMG:right, sure thing


 * VAE 's guts are taking an example from Libya and Egypt today

Rhylinar:"You know, I know a few good tricks for getting rid of salesmen..." The drow says with a smirk. "Want me to handle them?"

Lethiriss:"No, you will get out of ssssight."


 * Rhylinar sighs. "Fair enough, I tried~"

Sszeyl:"Or do I have to bury you under the book pile again? :}"

Rhylinar:"Point taken!" The drow heads over to the study door and closes it behind him before Lethiriss opens the door... and now we wait for Danman. :3

TMG:(by the way, just a random thing; I hope there aren't any plans to actually get Trofim back into the party right away...because Gnogglebotl will refuse point-black to accept up if he's unrepentant, and if the others disagree, Gnogglebolt would leave on his own and take all the leads on the necromancers he does have with him... obviously an impossible scenario for the game, so I'm just double-checking)

Liatai:I don't believe so. As far as I know, all plans lead to time away from the party.

TMG:m'kay

Dr. Hatari:Stubborn lil' git ain't he. :>

TMG:Trofim nearly got the group killed, and did something unacceptable. Token Evil Characters gnogglebolt will not tolerate >.>

MeanyOwl:Yep.

MeanyOwl:And he refuses to fix me them doors. :B

TMG:what are you talking about?

TMG:Of course Gnogglebolt is going to work on the doors

TMG:...he might not have time to finish them, admittedly, but he'd give them a go.

MeanyOwl::BTMG:Besides, it's very likely we won't be staying in Castleton after the trial anyway xD

TMG:But no, neither I nor Gnogglebolt ever refused to work on the doors.

MeanyOwl:We?

Dr. Hatari:Hmmm. Was Marius token evil?

MeanyOwl:I assume you mean the party sans Sszeyl.

Liatai:More like affably evil. :B

Dr. Hatari:I'm cool with that. :3

TMG:party sans sszeyl? What? o.o

MeanyOwl:Sszeyl won't be leaving Castleton, not yet.

TMG:He's NOT going to stick with Gnogglebolt and Elros to pursue the necromancers?

TMG:...what the heck? This is the first I've heard of it D:Liatai:Same. o.o

VAE:back...

MeanyOwl:I believe I told you lot this around the twelfth session. :B

VAE:took some activated carbon

TMG:and makes Gnogglebolt's entire shpiel about the three being the core of the group worthless now :/

VAE:should help it

Liatai:... and I hope you have a backup character who isn't Barbarus, then. >.>

TMG:Yeah, I was just about to say...

VAE:now gotta read the local happenings

TMG:Anyway, we'll figure this out later

MeanyOwl:Let's see what goes on first. :B

TMG:time to play

VAE:time to read

Liatai:Besides, adventure = potential chances for house furnishings. :B

VAE:wait a moment >,

Liatai:Waiting!

VAE:doen

VAE:*done

TMG:kay

Gnogglebolt:"Hello again, Miss Lethiriss" Gnogglebolt says as she opens the door

VAE:also... I) Trofim isn't token evil II) why the bloody hell would he EVER want to stay near that gnome

Thomas Lazarus:Snake woman. 8|

Trofim:Hello Lethriss!

Lethiriss:"Who issss -- TROFIM!" Reflex save to avoid being glomped by a yuan-ti, Trofim.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt rubs his foreheard, slightly exasperated.

Trofim:« 1d20-1 = 4 - 1 = 3 »

VAE:failed indee

Lethiriss:"Zzzairith told me you wouldn't be releasssed until later today!" Snake glomp!


 * Thomas Lazarus eases up a bit seeing the creature's friendliness.

Gnogglebolt:"Hmm? Oh, Zarith must have misheard then. I'm sure I said in the morning..."

Trofim:Trofim experiences feelings usually reserved for the prey of an anaconda

Dr. Hatari:Point of interest; what breed of yaun-ti is Lethiriss? Is she bipedal?

Trofim:Happy to be here again... is Zairith home this time?

TMG:yeah, she's a Pureblood

Dr. Hatari:Right on.

Liatai:Pureblood, so yes, bipedal. Mainly just a human with some snakey features. :3

Lethiriss:"I think he isss either sssleeping or ssstudying... I will check. Come inssside, come inssside... Breakfassst isssn't ready jussst yet, but you and your friendsss can come in and sssit!"

Gnogglebolt:"May we come in too, m'am? We should talk, as well..."

Trofim:Thanks!

Lethiriss:"Yesss, yesss, come in." She seems amused by Thomas' 8| face.


 * Thomas Lazarus blinks it off as he remembers himself. "Ah.. thank you very much."

Gnogglebolt:"Ah, hello again Sszeyl."

Sszeyl:"Hey."

Lethiriss:"Come, come, sssit, ssssit."


 * Thomas Lazarus acknowledges Sszeyl with a slight bow.

Trofim:...Sszeyl

Trofim:.... Greetings to you as well

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shrugs to Sszeyl. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect for him to come here first."

Sszeyl:?* Lethiriss waits until people are sitting and situated, then disappears behind a door.

TMG:(Has Sszeyl forgotten that he helped punch out Trofim's lights? :P )


 * Thomas Lazarus takes a seat gingerly and looks about.

Sszeyl: (( Actually yes. ))

Trofim:Trofim hasn't

Sszeyl: (( It really wasn't important enough to remember for him. ))

Thomas Lazarus:"Is this where you reside, Trofim?"

Liatai:Spot check, Thomas... and anyone else interested.

Thomas Lazarus:« 1d20+2 = 3 + 2 = 5 » !

TMG:(...well, now you know. >.o )

Sszeyl:« 1d20+5 = 8 + 5 = 13 » Spot check!

Gnogglebolt:Spot: « 1d20 = 14 »

Trofim:Indeed, for the last year or so

Trofim:« 1d20 = 20 »

VAE:that was the spot check

Trofim:Zairith seems to have more company here, beridze

Trofim:Perhaps the new drow won't be such a burden

Lethiriss:"Zzzairith isss waking up... He ssshould be out here sssoon. Sss, we need more chairsss!"

Beridze:Perhaps... but he might have ulterior motives. Be careful - you have been burned on far less suspicious people

Lethiriss:"It issss not often we have sssuch a large group here sssso early in the morning."

Trofim:Good to know... couldn't have reached him earlier

Gnogglebolt:"Ah...hello, Miss Lethiriss?" Gnogglebolt says carefully, gingerly approaching and bowing respectfully. "Might I speak with you for a moment?"


 * Thomas Lazarus smiles nervously. "I beg your pardon. I hadn't meant to impose."

TMG:shoot

Lethiriss:The yuan-ti looks down at the gnome curiously. "Sss?"

TMG:meant to add "I don't mean to intude" in there x3

Trofim:*Trofim looks with suspicion as well*

TMG:*ntrude

Gnogglebolt:"Ah....'eslewhere'? I apologize greviously for the intrusion, but it's rather important..."

Beridze:Yet that is exactly what you are doing, little gnome


 * Thomas Lazarus sighs silently.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt does look around nervously himself, half-expecting her to refuse.

TMG:(who's speaking through beridze? Liatai or danman?)

Trofim:Trofim looks at her, then at the gnome, standing ominously nearby

Dr. Hatari:Caswin?!

Caswin:Eh?

Dr. Hatari:Nothin'. :>

Lethiriss:"Sss..." The snake woman seems to consider something, looking between Trofim and Gnogglebolt. "Perhapsss in a ssshort while."

Liatai:Danman is speaking through Beridze. :3

VAE:well, thinking

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt accepts that. "Very well."

VAE:that's why it is in cursive

MeanyOwl:Cursive?

MeanyOwl:That's italics. :B

VAE:what's the difference?

Lethiriss:"Trofim, why don't you go ssssit down? Breakfassst ssshould be ready sssoon, and I'm ccccertain they didn't feed you well in the prisssson."

MeanyOwl:Cursive has a different alphabet.

TMG:...italics means slanted script

TMG:cursive is when the script is all written in one stroke, very circular and curly

MeanyOwl:^Trofim:Allright, Letris!

Dr. Hatari:Thankfully, it means you can sign your checks with any random assortment of squiggles you feel like offering and it counts as valid cursive~

LiNeer:A one-eyed cat familiar to all present saunters out of the bedroom to the south, surveying the room haughtily. Who are these people who dare enter my abode?

Trofim:Trofim sits down on one of the chairs, looking around the room

VAE:so... cursive is what we call "written script" as opposed to "printed script"

VAE:ooh! Lineer looks sort of like one of my cats!


 * Lethiriss brings some food over to the table.

TMG:danman; exactly

VAE:?* Thomas Lazarus considers Trofim. "Would it be too forward of me to ask you from whence your cranial friend came, Trofim? I must confess some curiosity. I've never heard of an oracle like that."

VAE:how do you know how my cat looks?

TMG:no, the cursive and print thing


 * LiNeer looks around at everyone, then slinks back through the door.

TMG:that is what we call it

VAE:see... "kurziva" in slovak is italics

Beridze:Hey! You forgot me on the floor! >:(

Trofim:Beridze? Oh... that's when i got arrested the first time! For over a month, no less!

Trofim:Hard to say really.. the time kind of flowed together

Thomas Lazarus:"H'oo~? What kinds of things does he say? I haven't heard anything."

Dr. Hatari:Or have I... *lens flare on glasses*

Liatai:XDTrofim:Oh, that? hmm, you probably haven't... *glances to the doorway*


 * Thomas Lazarus decides to take it as a hint and tries Lethiriss' cooking.

Lethiriss:Well, let'ssss sssee how it turned out... « 1d20+8 = 18 + 8 = 26 »

Trofim:I .. don't think he speaks to other people though?

VAE:so, this is how Zairith looks now

VAE:and i am unsure whether the owl didn't drop

LiNeer:The cat reemerges from the room, followed by her master, the half-drow wizard carrying a spellbook under one arm.


 * Thomas Lazarus nods. "Well, I imagine that's reasonable. It sounds like curious magic at play, indeed."

Trofim:Greetings, Zairith!

Zairith:"It seems you were released earlier than I thought," Zairith says by way of greeting.

Trofim:Magic? That does other things... Beridze is just Beridze... but then, i suppose he must have been pretty bored just lying there

Zairith:"... Much earlier." The wizard stifles a small yawn.

Trofim:Ah well.... sometimes, even i have fortune on my side

MeanyOwl:Doo doo dee doo.

Lethiriss:"Yesss! Had I known, I would have made much more breakfassst..."

Trofim:You know am not picky... and your bread at least has no mold on it


 * Thomas Lazarus seems to be caught red-handed mid-nom. He makes a point of taking no more. ^^;

LiNeer:The cat jumps from the top of a bookshelf onto the wizard's shoulders and curls up there. My humanoid. Not yours, mine. .3

Gnogglebolt:"I'm sorry I wasn't clear enough when we spoke last nigth, Mister Zarith." Gnogglebolt says, bowing.

Trofim:*trofim starts to eat himself*

VAE:no, he's not a canibal and masochist ! you know what i meant!


 * Lethiriss sets about making more food.

Liatai:XDLiatai:Yes, we got it. x3

Dr. Hatari:Snap! We need a straight-jacket!

Sszeyl:"Reminds me, I need to get a cooking hole set up in that cave. >>"

Thomas Lazarus:"Mm.. if I can help with any mending or cleansing spells, I would be glad to. Although.."

Thomas Lazarus:"That does remind me of what we had spoken on last evening." He glances to Trofim, although not wanting to immediately interrupt his meal.

Trofim:No problem, i can do those too

Lethiriss:"Sssso... what hasss happened to bring all of you here sssso early?"

Trofim:*chomp chomp*

Sszeyl:"That would be nice, but for a cooking hole, I'd need someone who could manipulate stone."

Trofim:Well, this man here came with the ... gnome... over there, and both came to pick me up from the cell

Thomas Lazarus:"I see. The most I could do then would be with a pick and chisel. Perhaps better left to a professional." He bows his head.


 * Lethiriss puts a little more food on the table, then bends over to whisper to Gnogglebolt.

Trofim:as i have been there for four days already and there was this other guy who then they needed to place to other cell because he started a ...

Lethiriss whispers: "Perhapsss now would be a good time to talk."

Beridze:Stop!

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods to Lethiriss.

Trofim:er... i mean, yes, they came and the guards released me

Trofim:Anyways, Zairith... i need to speak to ya


 * Zairith moves over to the table and nods. "So Lethiriss told me."

Trofim:*silently* Best somewhere where that small rat won't hear through

Gnogglebolt:"Anyway...I beg your forgiveness for these unsigtly intrusions." Gnogglebolt says once the two are alone.

Gnogglebolt:"First, I need to be sure--you know why Trofim was arrested, yes? I wanted to tell you, because I knew you were associated with him, but Sszeyl told me he would take care of it himself."


 * Thomas Lazarus watches Gnogglebolt leave mutely. Once gone, he sighs lightly and continues to Sszeyl. "Your friend can be a rather insistent man. He seems to be on a crusade to impose his vision of right on the world."

Trofim:Trofim leaves from table

Trofim:He nods to Zairith

Sszeyl:"So it would seem."

Sszeyl:"Makes it difficult to use him for information. :/"

Trofim:Come.. there's a lot that has happened

Lethiriss:"Sss, you are lucky Zzzairith warned me that a templar of Pelor might be with you. I nearly ssshed sssome ssscalesss approaching the door and sssseeing a fully-armored one there... Yesss, I am aware."

VAE:ahahhah... Zairith seems to be lineer-blocked

Zairith:"I see no small one here, do you?" The wizard smiles, but does not stand.

Gnogglebolt:"Ah, good. And I take it that also means Zarith told you of what transpired last night....well then..." Gnogglebolt glances at the door.

Trofim:*comes closer and silently* This has to do with the *fourth* occupant, right? No matter, still

Gnogglebolt:"You do know Trofim needs help, right? Help for his mind, and his magic?""


 * Zairith raises an eyebrow at Trofim's words, but does not react otherwise. "Sit down, Trofim. We can discuss anything here."

Trofim:*still silently* Firstly... don't believe the gnome... he is a friend of lie-mages... *sits, still inclined to the drow*

Thomas Lazarus:To Sszeyl, "Is that so? Mm.. you seem to be a rather reserved soul by contrast. I'm left to wonder what has set the two of you to working together?"

Thomas Lazarus:"..If you'll indulge my shameless prying." He beams.

Sszeyl:"Oh, Zairith. Do you remember where you purchased those robes you lent me while we were leaving the Girns?"

Trofim:in fact, he was the one who got me to the cell.... but that's not the important ....

Sszeyl:"Actualy, it was Trofim."

Lethiriss:"Sss." The snake woman nods. "That isss why I took an interessst in him, at firssst. I believe my brothersss and ssssisssterssss may be able to asssssisssst him."

Sszeyl:"He found himself robbed by a goblin. :/ One thing led to another."

Sszeyl:« 1d20+2 = 19 + 2 = 21 » Wis check!

Sszeyl:To remember if Trofim/Gnogglebolt ever said which goblin had robbed Trofim.

Gnogglebolt:"Well..." Gnogglebolt looks at the door again, with a wince on his face.

Trofim:remember when i came here when we were hunting the goblins that have robbed me and that i chased and bumped into the gnome and ...*yes beridze* remember the book i brought?

Liatai:Nope, never was said, because the goblin was never identified.

Gnogglebolt:"Please forgive me for asking such a question, but...how long has be been under your care, and how many times has he been arrested during this time?"

Trofim:Book of magic, that belonged to lie-mages

Zairith:"The spellbook?"

Trofim:yes! indeed!

Sszeyl:"Trofim, which of those Goblins stole your purse? >> I think it was Slat, right?"

Trofim:the small traitor has found the lie-mages it belongs to and wants to take it to them.. he has no idea where it is... if it is of any use to our cause it should stay that way

Lethiriss:"Ssssssss." The snake-woman's tongue flicks briefly as she looks up to the ceiling. "... It issss hard to remember. Trofim... hasss, I'm cccertain you know, a cccertain knack for getting in trouble."

Trofim:he only knows i had it at some point... and it takes worse than him to pry things out of me

Trofim:is it of any use?

Trofim:can we use it as a weapon against the lie-mages someday?

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods. "I've experienced this myself all too well. However, I believe I've found that the people of Pelor should be able to help him once and for all, one way or another."

Zairith:"... I see." The half-drow is not looking at Trofim. "For your cause, no."

Trofim:for anything else?

Gnogglebolt:"Because Trofim is no longer going to jail for lunatic ramblings. He's starting to use dangeous magic."

Gnogglebolt:"The guard captain told me that he needs professional help n-now-, before he ends up in a genuine arcane prison."


 * Lethiriss hisses. "I underssssssstand that you have friendssssss in Pelor'ssss clergy, but my people are far more familiar with hisssss type of magic."

Gnogglebolt:"It did not sound like a pleasant place to be."

Sszeyl:":/"

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shrugs. "I could have pressed charges against him, and that would have landed him right in that aformentioned prison, and he would never be seen again."

Zairith:"For proper arcane study," is all the wizard says.

Gnogglebolt:"I did not do that because I did pity him, and he was aiding us up until the incident."

Gnogglebolt:"I owe him that much."

Trofim:Good..then best keep it out of his watch and powers

Lethiriss:"Then sssssurely you underssstand what might happen to him sssshould he sssseek refuge in the temple of Pelor?"

TMG:And now, this is where it's ironic and tragically amusing...

Zairith:"That is not your decision to make, Kabakian."

TMG:Trofim will never know how merciful Gnogglebolt was. ^^;

TMG:(well, he might in the future.)

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt's brow furrows.

Trofim:Mine or not... i am saying to you how the situation has moved

Gnogglebolt:"...what do you think will happen to him if he goes there?"

Lethiriss:"You have sssseen hissss magic. The priessssts of Pelor do not look kindly on thossse who can control the undead."


 * Thomas Lazarus frowns at Trofim's words. "..You know.. it is going to keep bothering him until he returns it to - whoever. Is it really so necessary to cajole him?"

VAE:wait, can he hear him?

VAE:because he's whispering all of it !?

Dr. Hatari:I doubt it. :P

Lethiriss:"My people underssstand that thissss power can be usssed for more. The priessssts of Pelor will ssssimply turn him over to the Aureate Palm. And that isss a fate worsssse than any prissson."

VAE:i mean, he wouldnt' be as dumb as to explain its location loudly in front of someone wh would be against

Lethiriss:"Whereasss... we can help hisss power grow and ssshape it into a usssseful form."

Dr. Hatari:Oh, wait. I misunderstood something~

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt spreads his hands. "Perhaps, perhaps not. ike you said, I have friends in the temple, including the one in your dining table right now. He knows everything. And he suggested that they would be able to provide him proper tutelage, and teach him to use his magic better..."

Gnogglebolt:At this, Gnogglebolt frowns.

Dr. Hatari:Disregard Thomas' last line. My bad. ^^

Gnogglebolt:"Unfortunately...I am not as familiar with magic as you seem to be."

Trofim:So... what do you make of it, Zairith.?

Gnogglebolt:"But my friend in there said nothing about giving Trofim to the Aureate Palm."

Gnogglebolt:"And I can not understand what you mean by allowing Trofim to reach a 'useful' form..."

TMG:erp

TMG:clarify tone ont hat last line

Zairith:"I thank you for the information, but it is still not your choice to decide who the book goes to."

Trofim:*shrugs*

TMG:he's saying he can't understand, as it is literally the buden of him that he can't comprehend how the magic works, he's not saying it in a way that he doesn't understand where Lethiriss is coming from

Trofim:As you say for now... just beware of the gnome...

Lethiriss:"Ssss. Of coursssse he would not ssssay ssssso. He isss a friend to you."

VAE:argh

VAE:the points went in wrongly

VAE:was meant to be : as you say... for now beware of the gnome

Sszeyl:"Doo doo dee doo. :^"

Trofim:he is the friend of lie-mages and has no appreciation or understanding of true magic... like when Beridze took over the undead from the vile lie-mage that attacke us

Lethiriss:"I have sssseen far too many people... You sssshould ssssee the great noisssse they raisssse when my brotherssss and sssssisssssterssss come to town."

Liatai:Boy oh boy, the word "sisters" is full of hissing sounds. XD

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt sighs. "Well...like I said, if I pressed charges, he would have been given to the Palm or sent to an arcane prison, and that would have been that. If he's left alone, he could hurt someone with his new magic, and then he will be given to the Palm or sent to an arcane prison, and that would be that. As far as I can tell, this is his best chance. I don't know who your friends are, so forgive me if I am reluctant to entrust this to people I have never met.":Liatai:Spot checks, people in the main room!

Sszeyl:« 1d20+5 = 20 + 5 = 25 » Spot check!


 * Thomas Lazarus has been trying to do his best to not break composure, but it's a pretty stressful position even for a knight templar. He looks from the table to Sszeyl idly.


 * Sszeyl can see the future!

Thomas Lazarus:« 1d20+2 = 12 + 2 = 14 » !

Trofim:« 1d20 = 5 » Spot

Gnogglebolt:"He did help us before then, so like I said, I owe it to make sure he can get the best help I can find."

GM whispers to Sszeyl: You can see Rhylinar shuffle back in front of the door in the study and look out... man oh MAN that food smells good, so hungry!

Lethiriss:"Ssssss."


 * Sszeyl snags some food.

Trofim:In that case... that is all the urgent things ... it seems like you have been already talked to by some

Sszeyl:"I'll be heading into the study, put some stuff in the journal. Zairith, you want me to give Tebryn your regards in the next letter?"

Gnogglebolt:"I don't want him to end up in a bad place any more than you do."

Trofim:i tried to reach earlier... but you yourself see what has happened

Lethiriss:"I ssssstill do not think you are doing him any favorssss by handing him over to them. I ssshall be keeping an eye on him, no matter where he goessss."

Trofim:Trofim shrugs again and returns to the table

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods. "Of couse, that would only be expected."

VAE:as in, turns towards its middle

Zairith:"No need. I sent a letter of my own to him a few days ago."

Sszeyl:"Very good."

Trofim:Beridze... hmm ... he seems rather angrier than last we met

Gnogglebolt:"So...does that mean you are okay with him going to the temple, or do you indeed insist on taking him elsewhere? I will admit, if that is your final answer, then it is of no place of mine to interfere any further."

Sszeyl whispers: Sszeyl hands Rhylinar the food. "Don't say I was never kind."

Beridze:And what did you expect, congratulations? Got yourself hauled off again, and lucky it was just for this short

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: The drow's eyes widen with surprise, then he nods quickly, signing thanks before snagging the food! Om nom nom. :3


 * Thomas Lazarus watches Sszeyl depart. ("Darn.. double-trapped!")

Trofim:True.. but it wasn't like

Lethiriss:"Ssss." The woman nods. "I have given my warning. Ssssshould any sssign be ssshown of trouble..."

TMG:(crap, is that a "yes, he can go to the temple", or a "no, he's coming with me?" >.> )

Liatai:That's a yes, he can go to the temple.

Sszeyl signs in Drow Sign Language: The younger Drow sits down and signs. "How many others are there about the surface?"

Beridze:The reasons don't matter, Trofim, just the outcome... and ordering the zombie to hold her *after* healing was almost worth a darwin award

Trofim:A *what*

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: He swallows a bite of food, blinks, then signs. "Not many."

Dr. Hatari:x3Beridze:Never mind... let's just say it was bloody dumb

Sszeyl signs in Drow Sign Language: "Are you and they happy up here?"

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: "We're suriviving, that's what matters."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt sighs. "Thank you, very much. I know there is the possibility they will not be able to do anything for him, but I just believe it's his best chance...so if they can't, then I'll make sure they agree to give him back to you if they can't do anything to help him. I can grant that, at least."

Sszeyl signs in Drow Sign Language: "I assume Zairith has told you of my commissioned task."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt rubs the back of his neck. "I could have ended this easily and quickly if I had just pressed charges, so believe me, I hope this is worth the headache as much as you."

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: "Actually, no," the drow signs, then takes another bite.

Gnogglebolt:"Anyway...I do have one other question, tangentially related."

Lethiriss:"Sss." The woman nods, then tilts her head.

Trofim:Heya LiNeer?


 * LiNeer hops onto the table and stretches.


 * Trofim observes the feline

Sszeyl signs in Drow Sign Language: "Zilvudar has commanded me to go out, and find a government that can oversee our people without the Rule of Fear. I wonder...if moving our nation to the surface would help with it..."

Gnogglebolt:"We stubled across once cave at one point, and found that the objects inside still belonged to someone. I took most of them for safekeeping, but Trofim took one, a book of magic of some kind."

Dr. Hatari:http://static2.dmcdn.net/static/video/523/997/20799325:jpeg_preview_medium.jpg?20101217232959


 * LiNeer curls up on the table, tail curled around her feet, observing the humans with her good eye.

Gnogglebolt:"By any chance, did he bring that book to you? Because I've found who it really belongs to."

Lethiriss:"That book? Assssterac'ssss? Sss! No, he sssstill hassss it. He hasss been sssstudying it."

Gnogglebolt:"Wait, who's studying it? Trofim?"

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: "Do you want an honest opinion?"


 * VAE facepaws

Lethiriss:"Sss, no! Zzzairith!"

VAE:just what trofim was warning Zairith against

Gnogglebolt:"Ah, I see." Gnogglebolt nods. 'Well, I'll ask him about it, then."

Sszeyl signs in Drow Sign Language: "Yes."

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: "Stay below the surface."

Gnogglebolt:"Anyway, again, I am deeply sorry for invading your home like this, and dumping these troubles upon you. Shall we rejoin the others?"

Lethiriss:"By all meansss. After you."

Liatai:... Uncle? Why is there a picture of Uncle? :B

TMG:Gnogglebolt.

Dr. Hatari:He shares a catchphrase. :3

TMG:"oooone moooore thing!":Liatai:Oh. XD

VAE:why did i first think of Uncle Fester?

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods to Lethiriss, and re-enters the other room.

TMG:ooh, crap

TMG:er...ah, nevermind

Lethiriss:"Sss? Where did Sssssszeyl go?"

Trofim:*meets the gnome with an angry look*


 * Thomas Lazarus is still seated where he was, super awkward tension with cold strangers slowly abating. ^_^;;;;;

Gnogglebolt:"Hmm? Oh, where did he go? I hope he hasn't forgotten to meet us and the others at the Boot for today's plans..."

Sszeyl signs in Drow Sign Language: "I have seen the Duergar's government. That is not something I wish for my people. And I must first master human culture before moving onto the Dwarves."

Thomas Lazarus:"Mm. I believe he stepped off to do some.. writing?"

Gnogglebolt:"Ah, I see."

Gnogglebolt:"In the other room, or elsewhere?"

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: "I mean for your people. Keep them below the surface. Believe me, it's for their own good."


 * Thomas Lazarus nods to the study that Sszeyl slinked off to.

Gnogglebolt:"Ah, very well then."


 * Lethiriss starts to eat. Is she swallowing her food whole? O.o;

Gnogglebolt:"Anyway...Trofim, if you still trust Thomas at least, would you like to take his offer for his people to help you with your magic?"

Sszeyl signs in Drow Sign Language: "I see. Thank you for that."

Gnogglebolt:"I know you don't like or trust me, but this is about Thomas and his kin"

Trofim:Maybe... *suspicious look at the gnome*


 * Thomas Lazarus folds his hands over his lap and remains silent, for the moment. Something seems to be bothering him a bit.

Gnogglebolt:"I suppose that's good enough." Gnogglebolt rubs his chin.

Gnogglebolt:"Oh, Zarith.


 * Lethiriss pauses her eating to look curiously... and perhaps a little nervously... in the templar's direction."

Thomas Lazarus:"-- Well. Our doors are open to you, always. If there is anything you seek to learn, you can find fellowship in our libraries." He gives Trofim an encouraging nod.

Trofim:*Trofim looks at her too... just what could the gnome been possibly speaking of for so long *

Gnogglebolt:"Lethriss told me to ask you about the book trofim gave you. As I'm sure you'ved gathered, it belongs to someone else, and I've found that person."

Zairith:"Already?" The wizard looks a little disappointed.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt picks up on the disappointment. "I was surprised too, believe me. It was pure luck, really. However, if you like the book, you may be in luck."

Trofim:*Trofim has a "i knew it" look*

Gnogglebolt:"There are two people, Asterac and Salishea, and they apparently knew each other closely. Asterac is dead, but Salishea is not, and so the book should be taken from her. However, I have it on good authority she might not want it anyway."

Gnogglebolt:"I just want to do the courtesy of making sure. If she -doesn't- want the book for herself, then I was told that it should be given to those who can learn from it. As you seem to have an interest in it, you are on the top of that list." Gnogglebolt smiles.

Trofim:Seee Beridze.... they never listen...

Gnogglebolt:"Apparently, Asterac was a great mage of storms. He was even one of my kin!"


 * Thomas Lazarus is giving the back of Gnogglebolt's head a flat look. "..."

Beridze:You know... it would sound a lot better if you haven't messed up as well lately

Zairith:"Hmm." The wizard nods. "I had gathered that much from his writing style and the spells within the book."

Zairith:"Quite fascinating, really... there are quite a few spells written in that book that I had never heard of before."

Trofim:More interesting.. what do you think of the new person, Beridze?

LiNeer:*Great, you've gotten my master started on talking magic. We'll be here all day. Wake me when he's done.*

Thomas Lazarus:"Quite invested in fine-tuning the strings of everyone's business, Mr. Sparkgear?"

Gnogglebolt:"Well, if you would deign to allow me to have it, and I take it to Salishea and she does not wish to keep it, I will be sure to give it back to you the next time I am around." Gnogglebolt smiles.

Beridze:We can't quite know yet.... things require time and patience

Gnogglebolt:He turns and gives an odd look to Thomas. "I must admit I do not know what you mean by that. I just want to return things to their rightful owners."

Zairith:"Perhaps in a few days."

Trofim:Though, he seems rather friendly, at least so far


 * Thomas Lazarus smiles slightly. "..Why don't you ask this person first? It seems like it would tread on fewer toes."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt looks to Zarith. "Ah, that is acceptable, too. I won't be leaving for another five."

Gnogglebolt:"At the minimum."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt gives Thomas another odd look, not responding this time.


 * Zairith nods in Thomas' direction. "A wise suggestion, templar."

Sszeyl signs in Drow Sign Language: "Enjoy the meal."

TMG:(okay, because I don't want to ask this IC)

TMG:(ask who what?)

Rhylinar signs in Drow Sign Language: The drow waves, clearly doing so. Om nom nom food~


 * Sszeyl gathers up some random stuff from around the room, and heads out.

Dr. Hatari:He's suggesting that Gnogglebolt ask the dragon if she wants her 100-year discarded spellbook before you go bothering a string of 2-4 people. :P

Sszeyl:"Gnogglebolt, when can I expect you to be by for those doors?"

Beridze:So did certain others.. think Trofim... Who one keeps with tells you a lot.. after all, the gnoll... well, the dog-man and the other one ... you said yourself they had left.... he keeps with him... after all, before showing his true nature the gnome seemed a friend as well

Gnogglebolt:"Hmm? Oh, you mean actually ask Salishea first!" But..." Gnogglebolt winces. "Empty-handed? Er...."


 * Thomas Lazarus chuckles softly. "It would be a good practice for you to refine, if I may be so forward as to judge."

Gnogglebolt:"Well...I suppose I can do that, as long as I'm sure the book will still be here -if- I need to retrieve it."

Sszeyl:"...>->"

Gnogglebolt:"I must say, it makes me nervous to do this empty-handed, that doesn't seem quite right...but I suppose I can live with it."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt looks to Sszeyl. "Oh, yes.":Gnogglebolt:"The doors..."

Trofim:If you couldn't live with it you'd be dead *laughs*


 * Thomas Lazarus doesn't appear to understand, but doesn't continue to pry into the details.

Sszeyl:"Yes, you remember just as I come over to bap you on the head. >>"


 * Lethiriss gives a little hissing chuckle.

Gnogglebolt:"Well, the rest of us are going to meet back in the Boot to discuss who's doing exactly what for the next week."

Gnogglebolt:"So I can figure out where I can put the doors into my schedule once we're all together."

Liatai:I hate to push, folks, but can we finish up soon? ^^;

Sszeyl:"Fine. If you need me, I'll be out cleaning my house again."

VAE:i was rhinking the same


 * Sszeyl strolls off to adventure~ And Drow fanservice~

Gnogglebolt:"Wat!"

Gnogglebolt:"Yes, we -do- need you, that's the point of us all being together this morning."

Sszeyl:"I'll be there Gnogglebolt, but I do have other things to see too."

Sszeyl:"This house, and the funeral."

Sszeyl:"Now I will see you at the Boot later."

Sszeyl:"Good. Day. :|"

Gnogglebolt:"Ah...very well."

MeanyOwl:And away~


 * LiNeer stretches, then jumps back up on the wizard's shoulder as he stands. "If business is concluded, then, I will be returning to my studies."

MeanyOwl:Night, yo.

MeanyOwl is disconnected.


 * Thomas Lazarus stands and slides the chair in. "Thank you for your hospitality."

Gnogglebolt:"Right then!" Gnogglebolt says, turning to the others.

Gnogglebolt:"So...as I spoke to you, Lethiriss, would you like to see Trofim to the Temple of Pelor now, or would you like some time to wait?"

Thomas Lazarus:Thomas interjects. "Gnogglebolt, I'll catch up with you shortly, if you don't mind."

VAE:i like how Liatai uses inequalities for HD

Lethiriss:"Sss, it isss no trouble! Though perhapsss, next time, you ssshall warn usss ahead of time?" The snake woman smiles. "And perhapsss arrive a little later in the day."

Lethiriss:She tilts her head a little at Thomas' statement, though.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt nods. "Oh yes, indeed. I actually did have every intention of informing you of this before, but yesterday was...shall we say...hectic."

Gnogglebolt:"And this couldn't wait any longer than this morning. Just a horrible set of circumstances left me with few options."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt looks to Thomas. "Ah...I'm not sure." He says.

Gnogglebolt:"...How about we just step outside for now?"


 * Thomas Lazarus bluntly adds. "Give me a moment alone."


 * Thomas Lazarus shoos him with a strained smile.

Gnogglebolt:"Oh! I see, of course, of course." Gnogglebolt nods, and excuses himself from the house.

VAE:ahaha

VAE:thomas needs bathroom or what?


 * Thomas Lazarus sighs as the gnome departs and visible relaxes.

TMG:sorry, I thought Thomas meant to speak with Gnogglebolt alone

Lethiriss:"Sss." The snake woman nods. "Then, we ssshall bring Trofim to the temple later?"

Thomas Lazarus:"..That is the most overbearing creature I have ever met in my life."

VAE:...


 * Thomas Lazarus looks to Lethiriss and Trofim apologetically. "If that is what you wish, I welcome it. But I want to apologize as well."

Zairith:"He is Mazian," Zairith observes, but listens to what the templar has to say.

Thomas Lazarus:"It's not as though I think Trofim needs to be brought to us at all costs, unlike our companion."

TMG:Oof. x3

Thomas Lazarus:"None of what I have told you, Mr. Kabakian, has been false. You are indeed welcome in my home. I would cherish your company. But you may do so at your leisure. It is a house of compassion and understanding."


 * Thomas Lazarus bows slightly. "I merely wanted to clear the air."

Trofim:*actually smiles somewhat* ... you seem a lot nicer than some which keep you company

Thomas Lazarus:"I believe Gnogglebolt means well. But what we think is right is not always for the most harmonious good. I'm sure we will trade instances of being right on matters - or lose together, in some."

Thomas Lazarus:"Regardless.. I don't wish to intrude. See me at your leisure." He nods to his hosts again.

Trofim:Until we meet again, whenever that might be


 * Thomas Lazarus waves over his shoulder as he steps out and catches up with Gnogglebolt.


 * Zairith nods farewell, and Lethiriss waves.

Trofim:See what i told about the book?


 * Thomas Lazarus smiles at the gnome outside. "Well. I believe your friend is in good hands."

Thomas Lazarus:"I had worried he was homeless, from your description."

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt waves to Thomas as he comes out of the house, and starts walking with him towards the boot. "So, I presume Trofim is going to see the preists of Pelor later, then?"

Zairith:"... Remarkably polite for a templar in the same area as drow and yuan-ti," Zairith muses.

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt winces.

Thomas Lazarus:"I hope that he does."

Gnogglebolt:"Actually, as I understand it, before he met Lethiriss, he was"

Gnogglebolt:"She took pity on him and took him in."

Lethiriss:"Sss... Trofim, perhapsss it isss not wissse to disssturb Zzzairith for now. He did not get much sssleep lassst night."

Trofim:It seems so...

Trofim:He looked something angry...

Trofim:Now... anything there is to do?

Lethiriss:"Ssso. Do you want to sssee the temple later today?" :3

Gnogglebolt:"From what little scraps I got from him, if he hadn't met Lethiriss, he'd still be bouncing back and forth between the streets and the cells or Lorellon."

Gnogglebolt:*cells of Lorrelon

Thomas Lazarus:"Mm.. well. Fortunate or not, it does seem like things shall work out alright."

Trofim:After spending almost a week in the cell, i need to stretch my legs somewhat

Thomas Lazarus:"Thank you for trusting me with this."

Lethiriss:"It ssshould not hurt to ssssimply look."

Trofim:True... though... even Beridze is suspect of those who deal with that gnome

Trofim:After all, it was him who... well,... you have seen it

Gnogglebolt:"I certainly hope so...Again, I apologize brining you into this, but believe me, I'm having quite a headache over it myself, trying to set this up."

Thomas Lazarus:"Apologies are unnecessary. It is my pleasure and duty."

Gnogglebolt:He runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "It would have been so much easier if I had just....but no, Trofim at least earned better than that."

Thomas Lazarus:"... (Well actually my duty is to stand next to the stairs and look majestic. But I hate that one.)"

Lethiriss:"There issss another alternative, that I am not cccertain they dissscussssed with you at length. Do you remember me ssspeaking of my brothersss and ssssisssstersss in the sssswamp'sss templesss...?"

Liatai:X3Dr. Hatari:He actually did mutter that~

Trofim:... I did... that was back when we met in the Misty Anchor back in Lorellon

VAE:Comment: i didn't think the pub had a name

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt's eyes go wide. "Oh! Dear me, dear me, I can't forget this one."

VAE:just came up with it

Thomas Lazarus:"Mm..?"

Lethiriss:"Perhapsss you would like to ssspeak with them, if you do not find the temple of Pelor to your liking? Ssss, they would sssimply love to meet you..."

Trofim:Though... Beridze's memories might be better..

Gnogglebolt:"Lethiriss did seem reluctant to trust servants of Pelor. She said she had people of her own she wanted to take Trofim to. She's also certain that you won't be able to do anything to help Trofim, something about his magic being obscene to you, and that you'd then hand him over to the Aureate Palm if you couldn't make any progress."

Lethiriss:"Perhapssss they can teach you waysss to ssspeak to Beridze more openly... perhapsss... make it ssso other people can hear hisss teachingssss, sss?"


 * Thomas Lazarus looks unphased. "I am not surprised that she thinks that way. An unfortunate side-effect of one of the evils I told you about yesterday."

Thomas Lazarus:"Zeal."

Gnogglebolt:"I'm not sure about these people of hers myself, but I didn't want Trofim stuck like that any more than her. So, I told her I'd make sure that, if you -can't- do anything for Trofim, that you'd give him back to Lethiriss.

Trofim:It might do for... after all, it was you who first became my ally... the gnome had said himself that i was in the streets before

VAE:i think he said that to Thomas still in the main room

Gnogglebolt:"I hate making deals dependant on someone else agreeing to something that they don't know of beforehand, but I had little options. For that, I am sorry, though."

VAE:my memory is failing though

Liatai:We can leave the talk in the house off here, then, and just let Thomas and Gnogglebolt finish up. :3

VAE:indeed

TMG:Yup!

TMG:Next session is going to be a real one

VAE:Trofim seems inclined to the above plan but will discuss with Beridze first, anyways

Thomas Lazarus:He nods. "..While it is true that we look upon the damned and those that manipulate them as anathema, we are not blindly intolerant like some of our brothers. Cuthbert and the Palm spring to mind."

VAE:Whatever happens, we can finish it off at saturday

TMG:er...nope

VAE:if it even needs my input

TMG:I run a game saturday

TMG:oh!

TMG:You eman just you, hatari, and Liatai

VAE:i meant with trofim

TMG:okay,okay, nevermind ^^;

VAE:indeed

Dr. Hatari:What now

Dr. Hatari:lol

VAE:tech is being the centre of the universe again

Liatai:I don't even think it needs to be played out, just discussed. x3

Gnogglebolt:Gnogglebolt shrugs.

VAE:that's even better

Trofim:Trofim sits cross-legged, Beridze in his hand

TMG:Oh hush, I admitted it was a mistake. :(

TMG:And also

Trofim:He seems to be quite occupied

VAE:also?

TMG:I think I finally see what Hatari meant. Gnogglebolt really is Lawful. Always making these deals. ^^;

VAE:he indeed is

TMG:We'll give it a few days to stew, but I suppose Gnogglebolt's alignment really is Lawful Good

VAE:Neutral good is someone like hatari's character

Dr. Hatari:I.. lost a bunch of discussion IC and OOC in scrolling. Doesn't matter. Don't let me keep you up if you're tired, VAE. We could probably wax philosophical IC all day - or on Sunday, just as easily.

TMG:instead of Neutral Good

Liatai:Indeed!

VAE:I think that the best proof

TMG:Righto...So, save the log, Liatai?

VAE:if we discount the paranoia that comes with years of working with the elements of underworld

Liatai:Of course. ^^

VAE:He essentially agreed on everything with Miron

VAE:and he is pretty much as pronounced lawful neutral as it gets

VAE:so yes... if allignment needs to be reevaluated, i vouch for it

TMG:wait, who's lawful neutral?

TMG:Miron, right?

VAE:Miron

VAE:yep

TMG:ah, whew.

VAE:who did you think?

Dr. Hatari:I like to think of Thomas as Broful Good.

TMG:I almost thought you were talking about Gnogglebolt xD

VAE:Nope...

TMG:Righto, so....irc, everyone? :U

VAE:i only mentioned that they agreed on almost everything

TMG:ah, gotcha

Dr. Hatari:Sure.

VAE:which is a sign of being alligned on at least one axis

VAE:to IRC indeed

Liatai:Going to shut down the server in 3...

Liatai:2...

Liatai:1 and a half...

Dr. Hatari:Is there seriously like 3 pages of Drayco talking about bird mamaries in there.

VAE:1 and 1/4

Liatai:1 and a quarter...

Liatai:... what. XD

VAE:i started it, actually

Dr. Hatari:Okay. lol

VAE:it's to do with an unlucky formulation of his

You have disconnected.