Session 36.5

Liatai	Sometime in the night, during a lull in the elves... ahem... breaking in the new bed... Gnogglebolt hears a curtain being pushed aside, and booted footsteps headed downstairs. Unfortunately for whoever was trying to make a clandestine escape, some of the stairs in the old rented shop squeak. techmastergltch	Liatai; so, guess it's just me an Gnogglebolt. :B

techmastergltch	Ready to run this, or would you rather scrap it?

Liatai	points up.

techmastergltch	....sorry. Little distratced. Bloopers for The Producers playing behind me XD

techmastergltch	it'll be over in a minute, I'm surer

techmastergltch	*sure

Liatai	Well, as soon as you're ready, post a Gnogglebolt reaction and we'll get this thing rolling. :3

techmastergltch	...more bloopers than I thought. xD

techmastergltch	Okay! Ready, reading, and typing...

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt, having stopped his own quiet snickering during the lull, heard someone start to walk downstairs. Well, the elves were probably going to start back up again soon if the noises so far had been any indication, but hey, a midnight snack sounded like a good idea...

techmastergltch	Getting out of his own bed and walking by, he makes his own effort to be quiet, though he doesn't try to be completly covert (taking 10 on move silently if applicable, +1 dex modifier), and heads down the stairs himself, skipping the one he knew creaked.

techmastergltch	(also, how funny. When the next session starts, I'm going to have gnogglebolt say "Thanks for breaking in the new HQ! ;D " )

Liatai	Luckily for him, his quarry is a tad distracted. Gnogglebolt hears a quiet whisper of "banana bread" from downstairs, and as he goes down the stairs, he can see the door opening and someone heading outside; one of the tall-legs, by the looks of it. And given that only two people currently in the HQ have dark hair and one of them is clearly still upstairs, it's likely Edaric.

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt blinks. "What the...what's he doing?" Gnogglebolt whispers the pass phrase himself, and goes into pursuit. he doesn't call for Edaric once outside, but as he follows, Gnogglebolt doesn't take particular care to be stealthy or out of sight.

techmastergltch	Mostly, he just tries to catch up, which given his stature, is extraordinarily difficult.

Liatai	The bard is walking at a somewhat brisk pace away from the HQ, but once he's a few blocks away, he slows his pace, hands in his pockets, lute on his back.

techmastergltch	Some time after Edaric has slowed down, he hears the sound of someone slightly out of breath behind him. Gnogglebolt approaches, and rests his hands on his knees.

techmastergltch	"Mind telling me...what you're doing...out here at night...all alone?" Gnogglebolt says, catching his breath.

Liatai	The bard turns and blinks at him. "... Gnogglebolt? Thought you were asleep."

techmastergltch	In a mutter, he adds "Stupid...tall-legs..."

techmastergltch	"Need...rocket boots..."

techmastergltch	"Did you really think... anyone was asleep...aftr all that?" Gnogglebolt says, looking up, and finally slowing down in his breathing.

Liatai	He chuckles. "... Good point."

Liatai	Looking up at the city skyline for a moment, he pushes his hands deeper into his pockets before responding. "... I just needed a walk. Couldn't sleep, thought it would help clear my head."

techmastergltch	After a pause, Gnogglebolt speaks up. "While I doubt they're here yet, and if you and Aelian wanted, you could probably leave us right now and get away from the trouble we're in, but that's still no reason to throw caution to the wind."

techmastergltch	"The assasins, I mean. I doubt they're here yet."

Liatai	"I'm not --" The bard cuts himself off with a sigh. "... I'm not trying to throw caution to the wind, I just needed some quiet time to think. Besides... what was it you said earlier? We're Guardians now. We look after each other."

Liatai	"And I'm not going to rest easy while I know there's an enemy out there lurking in the shadows I don't know anything about." He frowns. "... Not when I know I can do something about that."

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt smiles. "I did say that, didn't I?" Then he tilts his head. "And what -can- you do about it?"

Liatai	"Well..." He looks away for a moment and grins sheepishly. "... You caught me. I wasn't just going for a walk. I thought I'd grab a nightcap while I was out... maybe reconnect with some of the local information mongers."

techmastergltch	"A sound idea." Gnogglebolt nods. "Though, why didn't you think to bring someone with--oh, right you thought everyone else was asleep. Didn't think it worth to wake someone up, though?"

Liatai	Edaric chuckles. "... Aelian's a good guy, but he's sometimes a liability when you're trying to learn sensitive stuff. He and Tathi are occupied with each other and their hounds, anyway." He glances back up at the skyline. "Sszeyl and Barbarus might make some waves or turn some heads... Miron might try and arrest them, even if he was there..."

Liatai	"Elros... doesn't seem like the type to frequent the taverns I go to, Thomas is out somewhere with Miron, and you... well, I didn't want to bother you." He's clearly holding something back in that list, though. No Sense Motive check needed.

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt lets a sly grin cross his face as he folds his arm and taps his foot. "And me?"

Liatai	The bard looks to the side awkwardly. Clearly trying to be tactful. "... You've got a lot on your plate, I didn't want to wake you if you were sound asleep."

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt tilts his head the other way and keeps his arms folded, but stops tapping his foot. "Well, I give you permission from here on out that if it's something important, I'm okay being bothered with it. And hey, I'm here now, so shall we go together to where you were planning?"

techmastergltch	"Well, as said, -no one- could have slept through that. And hey, I'm not doing anything else at the moment, right? I'm up for a midnight round of tavern diving. Just don't ask me to drink alcohol." He says, smiling.

Liatai	"... Might as well."

techmastergltch	(hang tight one sec, Alex/Elros may be jumping in)

Liatai	Edaric starts walking again, at a more sedate pace this time. I would ask for a Sense Motive check here, if you're inclined to roll one. :3

techmastergltch	sure. Though, I have a gran total of +0 to it. x3

techmastergltch	rolling...

Drayco	(Meanwhile, back to the upper floor...)

Drayco	*Wha-SNAP! Wha-SNAP!*

Drayco	Tathi: "CALL ME YOUR MISTRESS, SLAVE!"

Drayco	*Muffled mumbling.*

techmastergltch	Roll(1d20)+0:

techmastergltch	11,+0

techmastergltch	Total:11

Liatai	Good enough. As you start walking again, you notice something seems to be making the bard somewhat uncomfortable. There's a certain stiffness in the shoulders that wasn't there before, and his gait seems less like a stroll and more like the brisk steps he had been taking away from the HQ (though his pace is still easy enough for gnome legs to match).

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt, what with the signs being enough to get through to even him, decided to take a shot in the dark.

techmastergltch	"So, why am I not going to like where we're going?"

techmastergltch	(...are you lagging again, Liatai?)

techmastergltch	Liatai...?

Liatai	I was lagging, yep. ^^;

techmastergltch	alrighty, continue when you can

Liatai	"... What?" Edaric looks down at the gnome.

Liatai	Seems the shot in the dark missed. Maybe you should have attacked the darkness with a magic missile. *BRICK'D*

techmastergltch	Gogglebolt shrugs. "Seems like the answer to the riddle you're presented to me. You didn't have any specifically good reason to not bring me along, and you seem to not want to tell me what it is or why. Stands to reason it's something I won't like, but I could be wrong."

Liatai	"..." The bard sighs and rubs his forehead with one hand. "I just needed some quiet time to think, okay? Some time without people questioning everything or roaring or making the beast with two backs or barking."

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt chuckles nervously and rubs the back of his head. "Ah heh, well... I -am- a gnome. You can't not tell me something without especting me to treat it like a riddle or mystery. But, I'm sorry, I won't ask any more questions, I'll leave you to your own thoughts. Just lead the way, I'll follow and be quiet." Gnogglebolt shrinks back slightly.

Liatai	Edaric nods. "Thanks." For some time, there is silence... and already, the bard seems less tense. After a while, he smirks to himself and speaks up, musing. "... You know, it's funny. Lots of people think making music is all about making sound. But silence is important, too."

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt looks up and nods, though he's not sure if he should start talking again and just keeps following.

Liatai	The bard says nothing more, until a good five or ten minutes later as you approach a small brick building set onto a side street. The one window facing the street is warmly lit with the glow of a fireplace, and people can be heard talking and laughing within.

Liatai	"The Sign of the White Rose," Edaric says, stopping for a moment. He smiles wryly. "... At least, it would have been, if the sign was still up. Nowadays folks call it Talespinner Tavern."

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt looks up as they approach. "I bet that name's no coincidence, huh? I'll stay out of the way." He says, and follows Edaric inside, but hangs back heind him and lets him talk to whoever he needs to.

Liatai	Edaric pushes the door open, and the sound of an old piano in the corner drifts out into the street. There are a few pockets of people around, but the tavern is far from full. Most of the patrons are humans or half-elves, with the occasional halfling sprinkled here and there; and you would swear that was a kobold hopping up and down by the fireplace's side, in the middle of an animated tale in Draconic.

techmastergltch	Gnogglebol;t tilts his head at the local choice of lingo, and glad he was as well-versed in languages as he was.

Liatai	The place is small, warm, and cozy. A few people look up as you enter, and a few cry out in welcome. "ED! Where've you been, you old devil?! It's been weeks! Rumors were starting to fly around that you were done in by that goblin gang!"

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt winces at that.

techmastergltch	*at waits for Edaric's reacion

Liatai	Edaric laughs and heads over to a table, waving. "Hah, it would take more than a few goblins to get rid of me!" He glances down at Gnogglebolt briefly and winks before taking a seat. "But have I got a tale for you..."

Liatai	A halfling peers over at Gnogglebolt. "What happened to your half-elf tagalong, Tonmor? Did he get turned into a gnome?"

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt, true to his word, looks up at Edaric and lets him answer that one.

Liatai	A good number of people in the tavern look expectantly at Gnogglebolt. You may feel anticipation in the air... some of them are quite clearly wearing an expression very similar to Tharky's just before the notebook and pen come out. Polymorphing story? :O

Liatai	"Nah, Aelian's not with me this time. He's... occupied." The bard smirks and makes a slightly lewd gesture, which gets some disbelieving laughs. "Go ahead, Gnogglebolt, introduce yourself."

techmastergltch	With the go-ahead, Gnogglebolt nods and says "Oh, I'm just a new friend of Edaric. Gnogglebolt Sparkgear, from Mazio. I was..ah, traveling and, er, ran into Edaric and Aelian. We decided to stick together for the time being."

Liatai	"Oh? Where did you meet up with them? Nobody's seen them around Castleton for --" A human with a bushy brown mustache begins to count on his fingers.

Liatai	The kobold by the fireplace looks a little put-out, but continues his tale in Draconic. It's something about a barbarian and a pseudodragon, from the sounds of it.

Liatai	Edaric seems to be catching up with a small knot of people nearby... You're on your own for a while.

techmastergltch	"A sculptor's shop, if you can believe it." Gnogglebolt aswers truthfully.

techmastergltch	"In a little town not too far from here, actually. We were both, ah, heading back to Castleton eventually anyway."

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techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt blinks when he realizes Edaric isn't next to him anymore, and chuckles weakly. Oh, great. he thinks to himself.

Liatai	For what it's worth, it sounds like Edaric is starting to tell the Redtree story, so some of the pressure is off. Pockets of conversation in languages from all over Akellon can be heard, some of which Gnogglebolt recognizes, some of which he may not.

techmastergltch	Up to you if Calrach is here. ;3

techmastergltch	Does Gnogglebolt hear Edaric mention being stoneified?

Liatai	He does, and it gets a mixed bag of reactions. Some laugh, some look surprised, and one elf clearly has a scowl on her face as she mutters "I knew that human was up to no good."

techmastergltch	Hearing that Edaric is already telling what he would have been most likely to want to keep secret, Gnogglebolt relaxes and turns back to the people talking to him.

Liatai	Trying to keep secrets from information gatherers always ends poorly, and nobody knows this better than the walking rumor mills that are bards. XP

techmastergltch	And, included in the people sitting near Gnogglebolt and watching him is a halfling wrapped in a large dull red cloak, but he keeps silent for now and watches with the rest.

techmastergltch	(anyone else asking Gnogglebolt any questions?)

Liatai	General questions, though most of the focus is on Edaric, who seems to be wrapping up the story. You're free to mingle, grab a drink, check what's in the stewpot hanging over the fire, what have you.

Liatai	In the meantime, Edaric is starting to ask some questions, catching up on the local goings-on, rolling Gather Information checks...

Liatai	... holy crow he rolled a natural 20 on learning about Yazagh. XD

techmastergltch	Ahaha. xD

techmastergltch	Also, can't think of anything for Calrach to do, not really developed his personality yet...

techmastergltch	...

Liatai	Some elven words can be heard, and if Gnogglebolt perks up his ears at the right moment, he just might hear Edaric...

Liatai	"So..." He leans an elbow on the table and clandestinely points over toward Gnogglebolt. "What's the word about this adventuring group we seem to have hooked up with?"

Liatai	"Some more literally than others," a dwarf says with a smirk, which gets a few laughs from the assembly.

Liatai	"Well, word goes that they're monster advocates. Willing to give anyone a chance, no matter what they are. But it's a little jumbled, because they say there's a Leaden Mace inquisitor with them."

Liatai	"Ahh, some inquisitors aren't all bad. If you catch one that isn't a Cuthbert priest, some of them are downright amiable." A dark-haired half-elven woman with her boots up on the table laughs. "And even if you do catch a Cuthbert priest, they're fun and challenging marks!"

Liatai	"Spoken like a true student of the Laughing Rogue," another one says.

Liatai	After about half an hour of talking and tale-telling, Edaric wanders back over toward Gnogglebolt with a mug in hand. He looks quite pleased with himself. "Well, that was productive. Want to hear what I've got now, or wait until the morning?"

techmastergltch	except hazing the new guy. :B

Liatai	Apparently, I'm in lagville again. Carry on. ^^;

Meany	I'm sorry.

Meany	What.

techmastergltch	As Gnogglebolt mingles about, the top edge of his vision is suddenly obsured by flickering multicolored lights, as if there's something above him. he looks up--and sees no source, yet the flickering is still there.

Meany	I ask again, what.

techmastergltch	And no matter how he turns or twists, he can't see any source. Meanwhile, Calrach sits back in his seat, grinning at his use of the Dancing Lights spell, making the orb above Gnogglebolt's head and stay there no matter what.

Meany	How did Yazagh get involved in this? :U Have you lot been invading Ezzebek in your off time?

techmastergltch	(Edaric's asking around about the assasins xD )

Meany	facepalms.]]

Meany	double facepalms.]]

techmastergltch	Meanwhile, the patrons are probably staring at Gnogglebolt's futile attempts to find the source of the lights, to no avail. Finally, Gnogglebolt gives up. "Erm, can any of the rest of you see some strange lights flitting about?"

techmastergltch	The patrons, however, should probably know this trick and are about to pull Gnogglebolt on a wild goos chase, and make him think it's all in his head.

Meany	 http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs42/f/2009/093/5/9/Double_Facepalm_by_ScotlandForLife.jpg

techmastergltch	(have any of my lines been getting through?)

techmastergltch	(last one was about the patrons stringing Gnogglebolt along about the strange lights, which I thought you would pick up)

Meany	YoTech.

techmastergltch	Ah well, I'll just assume the patrons led Gnogglebolt into believing he was suffering from a mental disorder until Calrach finally burst out laughing. :B

techmastergltch	Anyway...

Liatai	I LIVE

techmastergltch	When Edaric comes back over, he finds Gnogglebolt laughing good-naturedly, having been the subject of a small prank from the halfling in the large dull red cloak.

techmastergltch	"Oh! Well, let us walk back, and you can tell me on the way."

Liatai	To answer Meany: Yazagh was the name Edaric heard in connection with the assassins. Curious bard is curious. :B

Meany	Ah.

Meany	Welcome back to life. :B

Liatai	Edaric nods, finishing the last of what was in the mug and setting it down on the counter.

Liatai	On the way back, he starts to share his newfound knowledge; "Well, given the local news stories, I thought I would ask first about that Burning Mountain that Coralline Aramathea mentioned. They're an almost military-like fanatical group, devoted to taking out the drow and anyone who allied with them during the war. Mostly high elves and wood elves, some half-elves of various kinds."

Liatai	"They apparently have cells in most wooded areas near rocky areas where drow and duergar could hide, and they consider themselves the true guardians of their people. Lalahel said they like to try and 'turn the drow's own strategies against them,' whatever that might mean. Deception and a knife in the back, probably."

Meany	points out that it is one o'clock on Liatai's end, and that she should be asleep. =3=]]

Meany	*shot]]

techmastergltch	it's almost over xD

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt nods. "I believe I've herd Tathi talk about this as well."

Liatai	"So then, I started asking about these assassins. There was a drow man Sszeyl and Thomas talked to who mentioned something about a Helvirahel when we showed him the letter... didn't get anything on them except they're apparently a drow Great House with a lot of feuds."

techmastergltch	"I see....go on."

Liatai	"But then I started asking about the Yazagh Sszeyl mentioned, and I struck -gold.-" Edaric grins. "Apparently we got there just in time. There was this half-elf in the corner, long grey hair, who seemed to know all about this Yazagh character."

Meany	God damn it Yazagh, stay off the twitter!

Meany	=3=

techmastergltch	*snrk*

Liatai	"He was on his way out, but heard me talking about Yazagh and came over. Apparently, he's one of the higher-ups in Ezzebek's government, and he advocates ruling the people through fear. Rumor has it he never ages, and has been second or third in line for the head of the Order of Orgolloyss for nearly a hundred years."

Liatai	"He joined the Order later than most do, and the guy said he was formerly a member of House Helvirahel before he jumped ship to Orgolloyss. Something about them appreciating his work more."

Drayco	chucks pillows at people.

Liatai	"He's also said to have a nasty temper. And a passing interest in sorcery. And a weakness for some kind of brewed chocolate drink, he said, but I don't think that's too relevant. >.>"

Liatai	"Guy seemed to know a lot about the drow for being a half-elf, come to think of it..."

Meany	Nasty temper he says.

Meany	http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Understatement

Drayco	bokkens Meany.

Drayco	No linking to TV Tropes after 1am!

Liatai	"... Anyway. That's about the size of it."

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt nods. "Hmm. Well, we'll see what the others and Sszeyl think in the morning.


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techmastergltch	And if there's nothing else...they return to HQ?

Liatai	Edaric nods... then glances down at Gnogglebolt and smirks. "What's the betting Aelian and Tathi are still going at it?"

Liatai	"... If they are, I'm sleeping downstairs. >.>"

techmastergltch	"I would not be surprised if they are, actually. For elves, they seem to have stamina in the only place that matters." gnogglebolt says, winking (OOC: When I asked Ghost how long they were doing it, that is what he said, somewhat ambiguously xD )

Meany	And then the ninjas attack.

Meany	*shot*]]

Liatai	And unless Gnogglebolt has anything more to say, scene? :3

techmastergltch	Gnogglebolt, to his own credit, returns to his own bed, even amidst the sounds of elven love. Man, when those two get down, they get -down-.

Meany	And they both get a passing glare from the Drow standing outside, who otherwise leaves them be. =3=

Liatai	Also. Mysterious Messenger returns, again~ *points up*

techmastergltch	whoa, really? o.o

techmastergltch	didn't see anything about that...

Liatai	Half-elf with long grey hair who seemed to know a suspicious amount about the drow... :3

Meany	did, but chose not to comment. =3=

techmastergltch	Ohhhhhhh xD

Meany	Silverthrush: "Not sure if I should be professionally pleased that I was so easily forgotten, or personally pissed off that I'm so easily forgotten."

Liatai	XD

techmastergltch	so, save log?

Meany	Also.

Meany	I hope both of those two are ready for as close to a verbal ass kicking as can be managed.

Meany	=3=

Liatai	Well, Edaric's already expecting one from Aelian. :B

techmastergltch	Hey, Gnogglebolt followed him -because- he was sneaking out on his own and needed a buddy. :B

Meany	*clears throat*

Meany	A bard. And a clankless tinker.

Meany	These are supposed to fight off some assassins? =3=

Meany	Could have at least taken a war mule.

Liatai	Edaric: "Hey now >:[ I'm not one of those bards who faints from being poked with a feather!"


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Meany	Aelian: "Says the man laid low by a chicken."

Meany	YoVae.

Liatai	"Look who's talking!"

Meany	"I was beaten by a cockatrice. You lost to a 'chicken'."

Liatai	"I didn't go down in one bite. Unlike some half-elves I could mention. >:P "

Meany	"You leave Elros out of this."

Liatai	snerks.

techmastergltch	oh, liatai, just double-checking, you do have a log of yesterday's bombchucker inventing, yes?

Liatai	Yes.

techmastergltch	Cool