2018-06-21: Vintage Village
- Log: Vintage Village
- Cast: Jacqueline Barber, Catenna, Lydia Seren, Matilda Whitehead, Cyre H. Lorentz
- Where: Burwich Village
- Date: June 21, 2018
- Summary: The Caravan Kinship visits the village of Burwich.
DG: A party led by Jacqueline Barber is now entering Burwich Village. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
============================<* Burwich Village *>=============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - The Dangerous Road *>=====================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The road to Burwich Village is really more of a trail. A treacherous
footpath leads through switchbacks along tall cliff faces and steep hills,
until it reaches a high elevation pine forest. The air here is much cooler
than the desert valley below.
It also is quite dangerous. As you step into those woods, you hear a
deafening roar. Then, a trio of cats comes charging for you: mountain lions,
but their bodies ripple and pulse with Malevolence. As they rush in, their
jaws open -- and terrible, shadowy tendrils extend from their flanks to
strike!
However, you can make your destination out ahead: a quaint village, with
tall peaked roofs, and a wall of stone around it. It seems untouched,
despite the Malevolent presence here.
Welcome to Burwich Village!
=Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Bad Luck==========================================
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline had heard rumor of a quaint little hamlet nestled high in the Gododdin Hinterlands. People had heard of it, of course, but she hadn't found anything pointing toward people having visited it.
This, of course, presented a remarkable opportunity.
And so, she gathered her friends and set out. The terrain had become a little too dangerous for the wagon, however, forcing them to leave it behind and continue on foot, after seeing to it that it would be safely returned.
It's quite a pleasant walk, really, through a rather varied terrain with rather varied wildlife. Steep hills, tall cliffs, pine forests, mountain lions...
...Wait, what?
Their arrival is heralded by a loud roar as three beasts leap out of the brush, rippling with muscle and Malevolence in equal amounts.
"A-ah!" Jacqueline leaps to the side as one of them rushes at her with jaws open...but is soon struck by a shadowy tendril that suddenly emerges from its body, sending her staggering back.
"Be careful, everyone...there's no telling what these are capable of. Can you purify them?" Jacqueline asks, the latter toward Catenna, Cyre, and Lydia specifically. This would be much easier if she had a more effective way of immobilizing it, but instead she gestures toward the one that had attacked her with her left hand.
The temperature around it rapidly drops and ice begins to form around its body, as Jacqueline attempts to slow it down and weaken it.
If one looks up ahead in the distance, one can see traces of a village...at least it's possible they've found their destination!
They just have to get there in one piece.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Dangerous Road.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna anticipated a bit of a hike. She brought her shorts and vest out for the occasion.
Perhaps more than most, Catenna's used to handling long journeys on foot over difficult terrain; she's Zortroan, and living in the harsh wilderness is kind of what she did for most of her life. She eases through the terrain with little difficulty, keeping pace with Jacqueline easily enough.
Until the snarling, malevolent mountain lions rush at them. Catenna gasps and leaps backward.
Jay's not so lucky. "Jay," Catenna calls as her friend staggers backwards, but it seems the alchemist is alright - enough to ask a question.
She can't answer right away because she's diving away from one of the mountain lions. Catenna hits the ground and rolls forward, coming up on a knee and whipping her sword around her to knock away anything that's trying to invade her space. Only then does she manage to get a few words out: "Not when they are this lively!"
Catenna moves to fix that. She thrusts her empty hand forward with a resonant power word. Gravitic force seizes the three mountain lions, burdening muscles as she attempts to slow all of them down at once.
DG: Catenna has used her Tool Celesdue Medium toward her party's challenge, The Dangerous Road.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia Seren is still working on her projects but she's pretty happy with Jay at the moment so she is eager to lend her a hand with her own investigations right now! Of course, violence isn't really where she's going to be all that helpful. Violence may be Filgaia's language but Lydia was never that good at communication.
She looks towards Jay when she's asked about purifying the beasts. "Sure." Lydia says. "Easy peasy. Except by easy peasy, I mean y'need to beat them up real bad and then we can try purifying them. Maybe it'll be easier with two of us here."
A malevolence lion leaps at Lydia and she tries to swing her cart (it's presently empty) around to clonk it upside the head!).
"Like this but better!" Lydia says.
DG: Lydia Seren has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Dangerous Road.
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
Matilda had already been with the CaraKin to resupply (and hang out with Mercedes)... she doesn't have any objections to going adventuring. Besides -- she owes both Kaguya and Jay help protecting Lydia. Sort of.
Her expression turns down into a frown, however, when they encounter the mountain lions. "Strictly speaking," Matilda notes to Jay as the mountain lions approach, "Anyone -- can purify, these creatures." She draws her bright silver shortsword without hesitation, giving it a quick flourish. "There are just -- other questions left, afterward."
Dark.
Matilda readies her shield as well, before going in. Her approach is... a little less than subtle, we'll say; step one is to step in and bash something in the face with her shield, then stab it.
DG: Matilda Whitehead has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Dangerous Road.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
Cyre for one welcomes their new short-short overlords.
Oh, that's not what's happening? There are giant malevolence cougars disturbing Cyre's sightseeing trip through the woods? And not even the good kind of cougars? How rude! How terribly, horribly rude!
Cyre's the only giant cat thing in THIS entourage. These devil-cats are just not going to fly! Also, they're hurting Jay and that's just uncalled for.
"Jay!" Cyre roars, slamming his palms into the ground. A great blast of ultra-high pressure washes outwards, trying to pummel the evil pumas right in the teeth. And eardrums. "Stay away from her, you damn animals!"
DG: Cyre H. Lorentz has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, The Dangerous Road.
============================<* Burwich Village *>=============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - The Dangerous Road *>=====================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The road to Burwich Village is really more of a trail. A treacherous
footpath leads through switchbacks along tall cliff faces and steep hills,
until it reaches a high elevation pine forest. The air here is much cooler
than the desert valley below.
It also is quite dangerous. As you step into those woods, you hear a
deafening roar. Then, a trio of cats comes charging for you: mountain lions,
but their bodies ripple and pulse with Malevolence. As they rush in, their
jaws open -- and terrible, shadowy tendrils extend from their flanks to
strike!
However, you can make your destination out ahead: a quaint village, with
tall peaked roofs, and a wall of stone around it. It seems untouched,
despite the Malevolent presence here.
Welcome to Burwich Village!
=Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Bad Luck==========================================
=======================<* Burwich Village - Round 1 *>======================== =======================< Results - The Dangerous Road >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 0 --(20)--> 20 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Catenna 0 --(15)--> 15 Pass Celesdue Medium 2 Combat Effects: Embolden ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matilda Whitehead 0 --(20)--> 20 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cyre H. Lorentz 0 --(20)--> 20 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lydia Seren 0 --(20)--> 20 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Jacqueline Barber 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail Conditions: Bad Luck(2)|Wound(2) Effects: Embolden(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has failed this challenge! The party gained 5 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline recovers just as the lion goes in for another strike. She moves to dodge, but she's a little slower on her feet - fortunately, Cyre is there, assaulting the creature with high-pressure blast that gives it pause.
"Th-thanks..." Jacqueline says, with a thankful nod in his direction. The lion seems a little dazed...but not for long, and Cyre will find it turning toward him next, snarling.
Both Catenna and Lydia elude to the same thing - if they want to purify these creatures, then they'll have to weaken them first. Lydia attempts to demonstrate by bonking one of the lions on the head with her cart.
It succeeds only in making it angrier.
Matilda, however, has her own method of 'purification'.
"...I...don't think that counts as 'purifying' them..." Jacqueline replies with a frown as Matilda moves in, delivering a bash with her shield to one of the lions before stabbing it with her sword.
This one, too, proves, however, to be rather resistant to that method of purification - it even manages to shrug off Jacqueline's ice sorcery without any trouble at all.
All three of them move to strike, but before they can they find themselves grabbed and pinned to the ground with gravitic force, thanks to Catenna.
They're struggling against it, and judging how they've handled everything else, they likely won't be restrained for long.
"Let's hurry to the village..." Jacqueline says, beginning to move quickly. As she does she reaches into her bags, downing a curative to help her move at their pace.
Hopefully they won't be followed.
DG: Catenna has drawn a new Challenge.
==============================<* Burwich Village *>===============================
========================<* CHALLENGE - Dance Up a Storm *>========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 |
----------------------------< Challenge Information: >----------------------------
Life in Burwich Village is lively and energetic. This is no foreboding,
terrified mountain hamlet, despite whatever monsters lay in wait in the
forest outside its walls. Evidence of this can be found as you approaching
the Hat and Tack Inn. There is a raucous inside: many voices, some singing,
and (in defiance of the Church, it would seem) the loud noise of dancing.
In fact, as you enter, you find a local folk dance competition! A young
woman sitting at a desk looks up and smiles. A faint gleam of a silver chain
is visible beneath her collar. "Welcome!" she says. "We're having this
week's dancing contest. Would you like to enter? There is a two hundred gald
prize!"
=Dungeon Conditions: Tire, Treasure===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna isn't going to be able to hold them there indefinitely. She eventually settled for gravity-throwing all three mountain lions across a small gap and pinning them to a cliff while she turns to hustle off with the others. "Awfully pesky," she murmurs as she bustles towards the village ahead.
And it turns out to be... a normal village.
Surprise is written all over Catenna's face as the group moves into the village, immediately greeted by the sounds of villagers moving to and fro with smiles and laughter, conducting their business as if nothing in the world is wrong. "How unusual. Nothing seems to be wrong here," she muses with a tilt of her head towards Jay.
Save for the liveliness - there's someone dancing up ahead! A couple of youngsters are currently engaged in a square dance of some sort. As the group approaches, a young woman at a desk smiles cheerily and waves. "Hello! Welcome to the Burwich Dance Contest! Would you like to enter? There's a prize!"
Catenna blinks a time or two. Then she smiles quietly. "Of course I would," she says. "Would you give me a moment?"
The Moon Shaman looks around for somewhere out of the way. She frowns as she realizes there isn't one.
"Cyre, don't let anyone peek," she finally says, before stepping into the shadow of a booth - and she unravels her coil of rope, casting a spell to hang it in the air in a broad circle around her.
She then hangs her bedsheet around it.
Catenna will be right with you while she gets her dancing shoes on.
DG: Catenna has used her Tool Grappling Hook toward her party's challenge, Dance Up a Storm.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Since when, Lydia thinks, did the compounding business become so hardcore?
She says, "Right," to Jay, probably on both parts really, but she isn't eager to press the matter anyway. It's just kind of a sad way of thinking to Lydia and dwelling on it will just depress her.
Eventually, well, town?
"...I guess that was just a random encounter." Lydia says to herself before looking over to Jacqueline. "It seems like we found ourselves at an inn. I'm not really much of a dancer but..."
She launches a pair of portals. One at the ground, one at the side of a wall.
"Now you can do CRAZY DANCING... Ha Ha Ha!!" Lydia laughs before pausing. "Er."
She looks towards Jacqueline. "I'm not so sure about uh normal I mean... ... uh ... this is illegal right? Not that I care exactly..."
DG: Lydia Seren has used her Tool Portal Pistols toward her party's challenge, Dance Up a Storm.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
So it turns out that horrible mountain lions are a little more durable than Cyre initially gave them credit for. How unfortunate. He doesn't get mauled though, so it's all good, even if he is a bit nicked up by a tumble through some brambly bushes.
But what do they find beyond the danger of cougar woods but... A completely normal and ordinary village? With a dance competition! How weird! "Hey Catenna--"
Oh.
She already has the same idea.
WELL.
"Hahahahaaaa, right~" Cyre chirps and rummages around in his own pack for...
Well. The cloak he wears normally isn't that great for dancing around in, really. But! By using his trusty parachute as a FANCY CAPOTE, he can make it work...!
Also, the more things are fluttering around and stuff, the better he can make Catenna look when she dances. So that's always a plus.
DG: Cyre H. Lorentz has used his Tool Reverse Parachute toward his party's challenge, Dance Up a Storm.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Burwich Village is...not exactly what Jacqueline expected, considering the 'welcoming committee' they just received. In fact, they seem to have arrived just in time...
For a dancing contest!
"You're right...well, this is a good thing, at least. I'm glad to see there's some peace in the world." Jacqueline replies, smiling in Catenna's direction. She then looks back to the counter.
"Hm...I'm not much of a dancer, I'm afraid..." Jacqueline admits sheepishly, then glances toward Lydia.
"Well, I'd have to look through the rules, but...probably not? Let's see..." Jacqueline finds the nearest official to discuss them...among other things.
And eventually...
She doesn't participate in the dancing contest herself...but she does, somehow, end up with a stall nearby, with an array of goods lined up on top of it and her best saleswoman smile on her face and her best sales pitches at hand.
...That was one way of taking advantage of the situation.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Rapid Remedy toward her party's challenge, Dance Up a Storm.
==============================<* Burwich Village *>===============================
========================<* CHALLENGE - Dance Up a Storm *>========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 |
----------------------------< Challenge Information: >----------------------------
Life in Burwich Village is lively and energetic. This is no foreboding,
terrified mountain hamlet, despite whatever monsters lay in wait in the
forest outside its walls. Evidence of this can be found as you approaching
the Hat and Tack Inn. There is a raucous inside: many voices, some singing,
and (in defiance of the Church, it would seem) the loud noise of dancing.
In fact, as you enter, you find a local folk dance competition! A young
woman sitting at a desk looks up and smiles. A faint gleam of a silver chain
is visible beneath her collar. "Welcome!" she says. "We're having this
week's dancing contest. Would you like to enter? There is a two hundred gald
prize!"
=Dungeon Conditions: Tire, Treasure===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
Arriving at the village gives Matilda some cause to feel relief -- and some time to clean off some wounds from the mountain lions. She doesn't seem that bothered by having to do it, though; indeed, it's pretty rote. Matilda is the kind of girl who got a lot of skinned knees as a youth.
As they arrive, they're invited to -- a dancing contest? Matilda... winces a little bit. "I -- ah -- that is... I don't -- I'll need someone to. Teach me?" She gnaws at her lower lip a bit, blinking a few times. This really doesn't feel like her kind of thing...
She does do the courtesy of putting her weapons away at least. "I, uh... maybe I'll leave this to Catenna, actually," she mumbles.
DG: Matilda Whitehead has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Dance Up a Storm.
==============================<* Burwich Village *>===============================
========================<* CHALLENGE - Dance Up a Storm *>========================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 |
----------------------------< Challenge Information: >----------------------------
Life in Burwich Village is lively and energetic. This is no foreboding,
terrified mountain hamlet, despite whatever monsters lay in wait in the
forest outside its walls. Evidence of this can be found as you approaching
the Hat and Tack Inn. There is a raucous inside: many voices, some singing,
and (in defiance of the Church, it would seem) the loud noise of dancing.
In fact, as you enter, you find a local folk dance competition! A young
woman sitting at a desk looks up and smiles. A faint gleam of a silver chain
is visible beneath her collar. "Welcome!" she says. "We're having this
week's dancing contest. Would you like to enter? There is a two hundred gald
prize!"
=Dungeon Conditions: Tire, Treasure===========================================
=========================<* Burwich Village - Round 2 *>========================== ==========================< Results - Dance Up a Storm >========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 20 --(5)--> 25 Pass Rapid Remedy 1 Agility Effects: Cleanse ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catenna 15 --(5)--> 20 Pass Grappling Hook 2 Agility Effects: Quicken ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matilda Whitehead 20 --(5)--> 25 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cyre H. Lorentz 20 --(5)--> 25 Pass Reverse Parachute 1 Agility Effects: Rally and Quicken ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lydia Seren 20 --(5)--> 25 Pass Portal Pistols 2 Agility Effects: Stalwart ------------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------- Leader: Jacqueline Barber 5 --(25)--> 30 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(1)|Tire(2)|Treasure(1)|Wound(1) Effects: Cleanse|Quicken(1) ================================< Dream Chasers >=================================
DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has passed this challenge! The party gained 25 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna takes a couple of minutes behind her modesty curtain to do whatever it is she's doing.
And then the curtain slides aside. The rope snakes through the air and back into the Moon Shaman's pack.
Catenna changed more than her shoes. She's exchanged her shorts for her long dancer's skirt and short-cropped top, and set her sword aside in favour of her enormous feather-trimmed fans, all white with fetching patterns of silver, blue and black dancing through them. She's even pinned a couple of white lilies in her hair. Celesdue only knows where she got them.
She's also smiling warmly. "Okay," she says to the young woman minding the desk, then a smile at Cyre. "I'm ready now."
The crowd parts to make way for the curious strangers. Most of the CaraKin don't dance; they leave it to the professionals. Catenna strides out into the middle of the dancing field, her high heels lending her a slinky gait, like flowing silk. She flicks her hair back with a toss of her head, and begins to move.
Feather fans sweep through the air with dramatic flourishes, long limbs carrying the Moon Shaman through a series of graceful spins, fabulous twirls and sashays that are just this side of sassy - the sort of thing she would never have contemplated a year ago, but picked up thanks to her sojourns with Drago's illegal caravan. Before long the village crowd is clapping along with the music, even throwing in a few whistles.
Things kick up a notch as Cyre steps in. Catenna twirls around him through the last couple minutes of the routine.
It ends with the two coming out of a turn with Catenna arched in Cyre's arms off a dramatic dip, one arm thrown back, the other around his shoulders. The crowd cheers uproariously. Before long, someone's delivering Jacqueline 200 gold.
Under her breath, a blushing Catenna murmurs something to Cyre. "I owe you one, love."
DG: Lydia Seren has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Burwich Village *>=============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Apple Gel Disaster *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
Life in Burwich Village is peaceful. The problems here aren't so bad,
compared to other places in Lunar. Case in point: the loud, angry shout of
Alistair Jenkins, the owner of the local item shop, might send you running
for fear of violence...
...but when you enter, you find him shoving in vain on some crates in the
corner. It appears the Apple Gels inside have leaked, and a sticky residue
has made the crates all stick to the floor. Getting them out will be a task.
"Ho, there, travelers!" Alistair says. He slides a silver locket into his
shirt as you approach. "I'm in a bit of a sticky spot. If you can help me
clear these crates of bad gels out, there might be some gald in it for ya!"
=Dungeon Conditions: Treasure, Tire===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia Seren huffs, crossing her arms, "Not even using the portals. You guys hardly ever use them for some reason." It's almost like they're rips in spacetime and nobody's really too comfortable jumping into them, Lydia.
She snaps her finger and looks towards Jay. "Anyway, now that we totally aced that contest, I need to check out the local shops. Come with me if you wanna!!"
Of course you are coming along because otherwise how are you going to do the challenge?! It would be hard if you don't pass by the item shop too! And honestly in this current situation, maybe you don't want Lydia heading off on her own. It's a little creepy over here, you know?
Eventually the Caravan finds the item shop! Unfortunately, it seems that the local merchant seems to be having some trouble moving boxes.
"Ho there, travelers!" Alistair (the item merchant) straightens up and wipes at his brow. "I'm in a bit of a sticky spot. If you can help me clear these crates of bad gels out, there might be some gald in it for ya!"
"Huh..." Lydia says. "...This village is pretty...free with their money."
She glances over to Jay for a moment before looking over to the man. "...Sure thing. Let's uh. Let's see how this goes."
She starts pushing though, to be honest, she's kind of halfassing it because she's a bit on guard this time. Two events like this could be coincidence but...
DG: Lydia Seren has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Apple Gel Disaster.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Not only did they win 200 gald for winning the contest, Jacqueline also made some good sales! It turns out that opening a stall during a big event is a great way to make some quick cash.
"I agree, I think it would be a good idea...I want to get a feel for what the economy is in this place..." Jacqueline says with a nod, and follows Lydia into the item ship. She's a little startled by the shout, and her eyes drift momentarily toward the silver locket, but her attention is primarily on Alistair himself.
"Well, I do believe in lending a hand to a fellow merchant in need. Of course, I'll see what I can do." Jacqueline says. ...She might also see an opportunity to show off and advertise the Caravan's goods a little, as she soon produces a few bottles of red liquid.
"Fortunately, I have just the thing for moving heavy objects!" She says, distributing bottles to everyone with a smile.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Brewte Force toward her party's challenge, Apple Gel Disaster.
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
Matilda follows along with Lydia, doing her best to keep tabs on her. As they arrive at the item shop, though, she's taken a little off guard by the enthusiastic greeting. "Ah -- certainly. Actually, I've been in need of partially-denatured gels, too... this could be beneficial for both of us..."
Matilda is, perhaps, not being paranoid enough, though Lydia's skepticism starts to come over to Matilda before too long. Nevertheless, she does at least start in on the gels.
Her own approach... honestly focuses more on scraping up the gel residue than on actually moving the crates. It's a little bit on the over-cautious side, or maybe just greedy... it's hard to tell which. Either way, though, it at least starts to loosen things up.
As someone doing detail work, Matilda leaves Jay's potion to the others.
DG: Matilda Whitehead has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Apple Gel Disaster.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
The last time they danced like this, Cyre showed up in a mask and almost caused a massive incident on stage. Fortunately, that didn't happen, Catenna ended up rolling with it in the best way, and a good time was had by all. This time, things are a lot less... Improvised. The pair whirl and swing through the last steps of the dance, ending in what must look to the locals as a practiced, finishing flourish, but...
Really, what good is a dance if you stick to every single motion, really?
Cyre chuckles and whispers back, "Always glad to help, but if you feel like you owe me, then... You can pay me back properly later~"
Beat.
Oh! The party is moving on. They'd best follow!
AND SO THEY DO! And they find... A guy a little too willing to part with his money? Uh. It's just apple gel. Does he... Not like apples, or is just willing to pay someone to avoid getting sticky?
"Ssssure, buddy," Cyre says, quietly igniting his incense burner. The aroma of cinnamon mixes pleasantly with the sickeningly sweet apple-y scent and might just help block out whatever smell might come from whatever is responsible for rotting apple gels. "We can lend you a hand."
And so Cyre does! Because his arms aren't... entirely noodly.
DG: Cyre H. Lorentz has used his Tool Invigorating Vapors toward his party's challenge, Apple Gel Disaster.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna's eyes dip a little, then lift to Cyre again.
"When we get back, then," she murmurs.
But people are moving away! With a puff of effort, Catenna snaps her fans closed and dismisses them to her hips. She brushes her hair back, hand moving over her forehead to wipe away sweat. Yet she's still smiling even as she follows Lydia onward.
The proprietor calls out to them, and Catenna cants her head to one side with a blink. Someone else paying them today? Huh. With a patient smile, she nods back to the item merchant. "I think that can be arranged."
Okay, maybe it's a little weird that folks are so free with their cash. But maybe they're just very generous people.
Catenna doesn't dwell on the question. She heads for one of the boxes and takes stock of its weight, quickly deciding that trying to lift it is a bad idea. She settles for planting a foot and both hands against it, huffing with effort as she attempts to slide it out of the way.
DG: Catenna has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Apple Gel Disaster.
============================<* Burwich Village *>=============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Apple Gel Disaster *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
Life in Burwich Village is peaceful. The problems here aren't so bad,
compared to other places in Lunar. Case in point: the loud, angry shout of
Alistair Jenkins, the owner of the local item shop, might send you running
for fear of violence...
...but when you enter, you find him shoving in vain on some crates in the
corner. It appears the Apple Gels inside have leaked, and a sticky residue
has made the crates all stick to the floor. Getting them out will be a task.
"Ho, there, travelers!" Alistair says. He slides a silver locket into his
shirt as you approach. "I'm in a bit of a sticky spot. If you can help me
clear these crates of bad gels out, there might be some gald in it for ya!"
=Dungeon Conditions: Treasure, Tire===========================================
=======================<* Burwich Village - Round 3 *>======================== =======================< Results - Apple Gel Disaster >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Brewte Force 1 Brute Effects: Fanfare and Strengthe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Catenna 20 --(5)--> 25 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matilda Whitehead 25 --(10)--> 35 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cyre H. Lorentz 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Invigorating Vapors 1 Brute Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lydia Seren 25 --(10)--> 35 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Jacqueline Barber 30 --(25)--> 55 Pass Conditions: Tire(2)|Treasure(1) Effects: Cleanse|Strengthen(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has passed this challenge! The party gained 25 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia ends up being lifted by Cyre along with the box and her legs wobble in the air until Cyre has moved them to their proper spot even as Matilda gets bogged down in the details and, well, maybe she's being a bit TOO conservationist here.
But other than that, nobody seems to have any problems and Jay's potions help considerably with the situation at hand--especially since it is, really, a straight STR check this time.
Once that's done, Alistair hands Lydia the money anyway even though she was just hanging in the air like that and she glumly holds it out for Cyre. She knows who did most of the work here.
"Thank you so much! Maybe if I need something else moved, I'll give you a call!" Alistair says.
Lydia sweats faintly.
DG: Cyre H. Lorentz has drawn a new Challenge.
============================<* Burwich Village *>=============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Stubborn as a Mule *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 1 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The beasts outside of Burwich Village are vicious, cruel things. The beasts
inside are far more mundane. In this case, a stablehand at the Hat and Tack
Inn is trying to shove a mule back into the stable. He grunts, a gleam of
silver chain from around his neck, as he pushes back. "C'mon, now, Bessie!
Just... go... in!"
He, clearly, could use some help. But be sure that you don't get kicked for
pushing Bessie in (or, perhaps, coaxing her in another way).
=Dungeon Conditions: Wound====================================================
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
You know, considering Lydia was POKING AT HIS WOUNDS not too long ago, Cyre is PROBABLY well within his rights to just take the money and go. Instead, he looks at the beastgirl dangling from the box for a long moment and then... Reaches over and ruffles the hair between her horns. "Pfft. What're you doing? That money's all going to the same place, isn't it? You hold onto it, it's fine."
Is this what is called... The Oniisama Impulse...!?
Cyre bids farewell to the appledrenched shopkeep and makes to leave with a spring in his step, when suddenly there is a great big whinny like a very distressed horse.
It's not, because that is... a very distressed mule.
"C'mon, now, Bessie!" A scrawny stablehand grunts, struggling mightily against the back end of a mule who just isn't goin' anywhere at all. "Just... Go... In!"
Cyre stares for a moment, before sighing and going over with a handful of tasty, melty apple gel. It still smells faintly of cinnamon where the lingering smokiness of his incense burner had seeped into the gel. "C'mon, Bessie," Cyre urges, holding his hand out in front of the mule to lick and follow after, "Right this way now..."
DG: Cyre H. Lorentz has used his Tool Invigorating Vapors toward his party's challenge, Stubborn as a Mule.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Frowning with a touch of worry, Catenna watches Lydia for a moment. She dips her head, suddenly a little less sure of herself.
But there's a mule to consider. With a patient smile, Catenna stands back to watch the poor stablehand try to wrangle the mule. For the moment she just crosses her arms and observes, figuring the young man will eventually get this issue well in hand.
He doesn't, and Cyre's volunteering. Again Catenna's smile fades, and she lowers her eyes to the ground.
She can barely herd the Owlet. Mules are far more stubborn, even domestic ones.
"Ah well," she murmurs with a shrug. Moving in to stand near Cyre, she fishes a carrot out of her pouch and holds it out, waggling it towards the mule temptingly. "Come on," she urges. "Come on. Hey now. Come on. Tch-tch-tch. Come on."
DG: Catenna has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Stubborn as a Mule.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"Of course. Take care now, and be sure secure your apple gels a little more securely in the future, hm?" Jacqueline says with a friendly bow and a polite smile toward Alistair.
Sadly, it is unlikely he will learn his lesson.
With that done, Jacqueline departs with the others, but before they get too far, they hear a distressed whinny.
It would seem that there is an animal in trouble!
A mule, specifically.
"Hmm...I don't know if I'll be of any help here..." Jacqueline murmurs. Catenna and Cyre seemed to have things pretty under control, and her potion should still be in effect from earlier...
So for the time being she just glances toward Matilda for a moment.
"I'm a little curious, admittedly. What did you need that gel for?" She asks. A project of some kind, she assumes.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Brewte Force toward her party's challenge, Stubborn as a Mule.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
IT WAS SCIENCE CYRE!!!
Lydia is actually pretty tall. It turns out she was kind of pulling up her legs a bit which is why she ended up pulling off the ground. This is why people think you are short, Lydia. (Just as keikaku). Lydia prefers being smol.
That doesn't stop her from blushing fiercely when she's hair ruffled. If it wasn't Cyre she'd probably have bitten that hand, but because it is Cyre she seems okay with this turn of events. "I guess so..." Lydia says hesitantly as she takes the bag. The one thing keeping Lydia's GREED score from turning her into a full blown early game boss fight is probably her work ethic and a general distaste for suffering. "I guess you'll probably need your hands free." She rationalizes.
And of course--Mule.
Lydia eases up a bit when the mule doesn't offer her gald too. Lydia exhales, turns around back facing towards Bessie and she lashes out with her OWN foot to try and kick Bessie in. Even if her legs don't really look goat-like and her prominent feature is the horns, she does at least have powerful legs. From soccer! And also genetics.
DG: Lydia Seren has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Stubborn as a Mule.
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
... Surprisingly, this is exactly the sort of thing Matilda is very used to dealing with. As Cyre leads them along toward a very distressed mule, she can't help but smile. "Oh -- we kept mules, actually... they're all a little tempermental. This is -- annoying, but not particularly unusual..."
She smiles, moving toward the mule. As everyone else tries to coax it gently, though, Matilda... gives it a single kick in the ass's ass, much like Lydia. It's her contribution. "You can't always get a mule to move with kind words and chirping," Matilda says, before turning her attention back to Jay.
"I've been working on some... new formulations. Mostly curatives -- some unusual ones, too. I thought gels would be a good core structure, but the first experiments weren't promising... I have a theory about something I could do with leaking ones, though." That's all she volunteers, for now.
DG: Matilda Whitehead has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Stubborn as a Mule.
============================<* Burwich Village *>=============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Stubborn as a Mule *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 1 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The beasts outside of Burwich Village are vicious, cruel things. The beasts
inside are far more mundane. In this case, a stablehand at the Hat and Tack
Inn is trying to shove a mule back into the stable. He grunts, a gleam of
silver chain from around his neck, as he pushes back. "C'mon, now, Bessie!
Just... go... in!"
He, clearly, could use some help. But be sure that you don't get kicked for
pushing Bessie in (or, perhaps, coaxing her in another way).
=Dungeon Conditions: Wound====================================================
=======================<* Burwich Village - Round 4 *>======================== =======================< Results - Stubborn as a Mule >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 30 --(5)--> 35 Pass Brewte Force 1 Brute Effects: Fanfare and Strengthe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Catenna 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Matilda Whitehead 35 --(10)--> 45 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cyre H. Lorentz 30 --(5)--> 35 Pass Invigorating Vapors 1 Brute Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lydia Seren 35 --(10)--> 45 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Jacqueline Barber 55 --(20)--> 75 Pass Conditions: Wound(2) Effects: Cleanse|Strengthen(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
You know, maybe people should be LESS RUDE TO CUTE ANIMALS. Animal cruelty is NOT AN OKAY THING YOU GUYS. Lydia and Matilda go right for KICKING SOME ASS. The ass whinnies angrily, moves not even an inch, gets up on its front hooves and KICKS BACK. There is at least one cartoonishly shaped hoofprint in someone's chest today, and it's not the stablehand's.
Before becoming truly MISSION FAILURE, however, the rest of the party makes up for this grotesque display of animal abuse by being overall much better human beings.
Bessie's eyes sparkle when presented with these treats of APPLE and CARROT. She whinnies happily and begins gingerly nibbling on the presented treats, making steady progress into the barn. "Huh," the farmhand says, "I plum completely forgot that animals liked food! Weird! I'm much obliged, strangers! Iff'n I had silver to give, why I daresay y'all would be exactly two-hundred wealthier!"
"So uh," Cyre says to the stablehand, "What's with all the silver chains?"
"What silver chain?" The bumpkin blinks, a silver chain dangling from around his neck.
"Ooookay," Cyre squints, then looks to the others, "Let's... let's just move on?"
DG: Matilda Whitehead has drawn a new Challenge.
=============================<* Burwich Village *>==============================
================<* CHALLENGE - Meeting with the Burgermeister *>================
|Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
It seems that your helpfulness has earned the attention of the man who is
responsible for governing the village: Silas Dee, a younger man with a
short-trimmed black beard. The Burgermeister's home is the only three-story
house in the village, and you are escorted within. He looks up at you -- and
smiles, perhaps unknowingly about your involvement with some of his kin.
"Welcome, outlanders," he says. "I appreciate the help you have done. I do,
however, ask of you one more thing: what news of the outside world? We've
been worried, of late, and have little contact. Most of our Hunters have
been worried about Josiah, and... we've not made the rounds."
OOC: The goal of this challenge is to impress the Burgermeister with your
knowledge. You can also, optionally, give him information to influence him
towards one group or another on Lunar -- for instance, to make him wary or
trusting of Althena's Guard. The end results will influence how the third
Dig in this trilogy goes. Please note your results here, including the title
of the Discovery received (if any; no Landmarks or Escapes, please):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PLHycl8XSs9MO-jKurg-Vb5snrijoLwzWCIx
IJx2Wjk/edit?usp=sharing
=Dungeon Conditions: Secret===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
The group has some time to rest after that incident with the mule. Matilda seems a little annoyed that good horse sense in approaching a mule didn't work. (But then, it is a mule and not a horse.)
After a few moments, a young woman approaches the group. "Ah -- the burgermeister wants to see you," she says, pleasantly. "Please -- come this way." She leads the party along, and Matilda, at least, seems not to mind being led. She seems slightly distracted as they head to the largest building in the village, and are escorted inside.
The burgermeister himelf is a younger man with a dark, short beard. "Welcome, outlanders," he says. "I appreciate the help you have done. I do, however, ask of you one more thing: what news of the outside world? We've been worried, of late, and have little contact. Most of our Hunters have been worried about Josiah, and... we've not made the rounds."
Matilda pauses for a moment, weighing her options. Eventually, she decides it's best to come clean about it. "Lastonbell has fallen," she says. "Hyland moves in to conquer Rolance. They have substantial footholds in Glaivend Basin, and enough reosurces to transport siege equipment fully prepared. They wield unfamiliar weaponry, and possibly unusual sorcery... they have extensive mercenary support, which Rolance is now trying to match."
She looks to the others, letting them volunteer their own stories from outside the village, while she herself starts fishing in her pack to get out her collection of posters and postings from her travels around Glenwood.
DG: Matilda Whitehead has used her Tool Portable Library toward her party's challenge, Meeting with the Burgermeister.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Part of Catenna wonders if she shouldn't change before they go to see the burgermeister.
She hangs back, letting Matilda do the talking at first and just clasping her hands at her waist with a polite dip of her head. For a moment she closes her eyes, not even sure what she's going to actually tell this person. Unlike the others, she's been keeping out of local politics somewhat; her interest has been far more keen towards avoiding too many local entanglements and focusing instead on trying to find a way home.
She nods along with something Matilda says, opening her eyes again. "I am sure you know of Althena's return... though it would seem that there are still troublemakers afoot. There has been a creature that appears to be a yellow blob man harassing towns in the area. If you see it, it is better to leave it alone - or ask your bravest men to poke it until it retreats into its cocoon, then roll it away. Or ask a Drifter for help, I suppose."
DG: Catenna has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Meeting with the Burgermeister.
==============================<* Burwich Village *>===============================
=================<* CHALLENGE - Meeting with the Burgermeister *>=================
|Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 |
----------------------------< Challenge Information: >----------------------------
It seems that your helpfulness has earned the attention of the man who is
responsible for governing the village: Silas Dee, a younger man with a
short-trimmed black beard. The Burgermeister's home is the only three-story
house in the village, and you are escorted within. He looks up at you -- and
smiles, perhaps unknowingly about your involvement with some of his kin.
"Welcome, outlanders," he says. "I appreciate the help you have done. I do,
however, ask of you one more thing: what news of the outside world? We've
been worried, of late, and have little contact. Most of our Hunters have
been worried about Josiah, and... we've not made the rounds."
OOC: The goal of this challenge is to impress the Burgermeister with your
knowledge. You can also, optionally, give him information to influence him
towards one group or another on Lunar -- for instance, to make him wary or
trusting of Althena's Guard. The end results will influence how the third
Dig in this trilogy goes. Please note your results here, including the title
of the Discovery received (if any; no Landmarks or Escapes, please):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PLHycl8XSs9MO-jKurg-Vb5snrijoLwzWCIx
IJx2Wjk/edit?usp=sharing
=Dungeon Conditions: Secret===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
Lydia Seren's instincts are a little off guard but to ease her senses she places a Schrodinger on her head and lets it rest there. Schrodinger flops down on their belly as Lydia approaches. She raises two eyebrows as Catenna uses this opportunity to warn them about Yaro of all people but she supposes that's a good idea. Where Yaro is other metal demons may follow.
"Well I'm glad you asked about that, sir." Lydia says. "See, I've heard rumors that there's some cute gals trying a new business venture in the area. Now, it's still early in development-like, but while I've been here, we've needed t'help with three seperate problems, and you'd be surprised... a lot of towns like this have that problem. Lots that needs doin' but not many hands to do doin'."
She glances over to Jay for a moment before turning back to the man.
"See, right now we're gatherin' funds for this venture that we think will make life easier for Glenwood. Where we're from it's a bit more common. I'm talkin' 'bout a network of guildhalls throughout Glenwood, see? And instead of just handing off gald to any random passerby you manage to track down, you can go straight to th'guildhall and post up a job, and enterprising folks like ourselves will pick up jobs and do 'em for reasonable fare. What do you think about that, sir? Sounds like a dandy idea, yeah? Travel's a rare thing, 'specially with the beasts outside, but with a bit of groundwork your home could handle its problems all on its lonesome and what's more--if something's a bit more than you can handle on your own, why, you could bring in guild members from another town and they could lend some extra hands to the task. It's a win win win situation. And you know with the war that Tilde just mentioned...you never know when y'might need some extra help."
Schrodinger has something to say too: "Meow!"
DG: Lydia Seren has used her Tool Schrodinger the Cat toward her party's challenge, Meeting with the Burgermeister.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
There is nothing quite as disarming as a Schrodinger perched upon one's head. How can anyone resist such a thing? Schroes are far too cute!
Cyre does not have one on HIS head, but only because he has a hood and it'd be impossible to tell whether or not he has actually been schro'd. Since it's still unclear, the wavefunction has not actually collapsed and Schrodinger both is and is not atop his head. Until someone looks.
Cyre gives Lydia a Look as she starts shilling her mercenary company.
Welp. If that counts as news.
"There's... A few things, aside from the business with Rolance. You probably haven't heard, but Pentagulia is cracking down on music and dance. I'm all for making merry, and I'm certainly not about to tell anyone to stop having a good time, but in case you see more religious types make their way through, you should probably be made aware that you should be ready to hide any sign of fun at a moment's notice."
Cyre shrugs, then. "Aside from that, there's been a recent upswing in cases of Hellions, I guess. Mount Zulan, far to the north, has a really bad case. And then there's three in particular who're a bit... Unfriendly, and rampant as of late, and wander around the place. So keep your eyes out for that. That said, though, we are a band of merchants, ultimately, so if your people need supplies, we would be glad to ferry goods into town as you need. Lastly... Hm."
"I suppose that's all I can think of for right now. My friends have most of the rest pretty well covered, I think."
DG: Cyre H. Lorentz has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Meeting with the Burgermeister.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"We enjoyed the dance contest immensely," Catenna puts in. "But I would not invite the Guard to it right now."
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
CYRE RESCINDS HIS DISAPPROVAL OF LYDIA, BECAUSE BRACERS ARE AMAZING FOREVER.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
The burgermeister? They must have done well throughout their stay here in Burwich to receive attention from him. When the young woman approaches them, Jacqueline nod and gladly follows along.
Eventually, they reach the home of the burgermeister. Jacqueline bows politely in greeting before taking a seat.
...Was it just her, or was there something familiar about him? ...Hm, no, maybe not...
"You have a lovely village here, sir. It has been wonderful to stay here." Jacqueline compliments.
"I'm Jacqueline Barber, of the Caravan Kinship. We're merchants, so we do a lot of traveling and hear a lot of rumors...and if you require curatives or medicines of any kind, we can help you with that." She introduces herself.
Matilda gives a rather frank summation of the war's current state, and Jacqueline nods sadly.
"Yes, it's...rather awful business, all around. This far out of the way I imagine you may be safe, but...be careful." She says. Catenna takes the opportunity to warn him of Yarobeleedt. It wasn't a bad idea, really. She considers warning him about the rest of the Metal Demons, too...but she didn't want to accidentally turn them against those following Riesenlied.
...And Lydia, of course, sees an opportunity. Jacqueline glances in her direction. It was a good summation, really...
"Ah, yes...as my friend says, it's already a fairly successful system...I'm hoping it will improve everyone's quality of life, here." Jacqueline says. She's also hoping that it doesn't backfire horribly...but then again, she agreed to it mainly so she could be there to mitigate things when it inevitably did.
And Cyre has his own things to say on matters, including Hellions! Cyre summarized it pretty well, though, so she doesn't see the need to say anymore.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Meeting with the Burgermeister.
=============================<* Burwich Village *>==============================
================<* CHALLENGE - Meeting with the Burgermeister *>================
|Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
It seems that your helpfulness has earned the attention of the man who is
responsible for governing the village: Silas Dee, a younger man with a
short-trimmed black beard. The Burgermeister's home is the only three-story
house in the village, and you are escorted within. He looks up at you -- and
smiles, perhaps unknowingly about your involvement with some of his kin.
"Welcome, outlanders," he says. "I appreciate the help you have done. I do,
however, ask of you one more thing: what news of the outside world? We've
been worried, of late, and have little contact. Most of our Hunters have
been worried about Josiah, and... we've not made the rounds."
OOC: The goal of this challenge is to impress the Burgermeister with your
knowledge. You can also, optionally, give him information to influence him
towards one group or another on Lunar -- for instance, to make him wary or
trusting of Althena's Guard. The end results will influence how the third
Dig in this trilogy goes. Please note your results here, including the title
of the Discovery received (if any; no Landmarks or Escapes, please):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PLHycl8XSs9MO-jKurg-Vb5snrijoLwzWCIx
IJx2Wjk/edit?usp=sharing
=Dungeon Conditions: Secret===================================================
========================<* Burwich Village - Round 5 *>========================= ==================< Results - Meeting with the Burgermeister >================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 35 --(5)--> 40 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catenna 30 --(5)--> 35 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matilda Whitehead 45 --(5)--> 50 Pass Portable Library 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cyre H. Lorentz 35 --(5)--> 40 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lydia Seren 45 --(5)--> 50 Pass Schrodinger the Cat 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Jacqueline Barber 75 --(35)--> 110 Pass Conditions: Secret(2) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has successfully explored Burwich Village!
=============================<* Burwich Village *>==============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - A Howl in the Night *>======================
|Type: Discovery |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
After leaving the Burgermeister's home, you find your way back to the Hat
and Tack. Eventually, it grows late, and you find your way to sleep. You
awake in the night, however, to howling. A terrible, wolf-like howl that
echoes through the town... but, it seems, only those with sufficient
Resonance can hear it.
None in the town did.
=Dungeon Conditions: Secret===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
The man listens to everyone's news in turn, nodding slowly. He accepts Matilda's flyers and posters, too, thinking it all over carefully. "I see," he says. "Thank you. I'm not sure what to do with all of this information just yet... but I'll make sure everyone in the town knows, eventually."
He then says, "As thanks, let us put you up at the Hat and Tack for the night... it's the least we can do. I'll send word ahead for you. Feel free to resupply, as well."
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna closed the door to a particular room behind her and bolted it.
The howl slashes through the night like a tolling bell heard only by a select few. A second later, from within one of the rooms, there's a distant sound like a bustle of movement, of feet hitting floorboards, darting somewhere, a few soft words, then a pause and some more movement.
The door pushes open; Catenna leans out to look out into the corridor, holding her Mediums in one hand and using the other to hold a hastily-donned nightrobe closed. Her hair's heavily mussed but she seems alert as she looks back and forth, her lower lip bitten anxiously.
Catenna swallows a lump in her throat and looks back into her room, withdrawing into it a little ways. "...We were not imagining that, were we?" she murmurs.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Catenna and Matilda were not the only ones who heard it. It ruined what had otherwise been a rather nice sleep. Jacqueline bolts up, alarmed.
...And yet, the village is still. There is not the fear and panic that she would expect, though she can hear the sound of others moving around...
Her friends, presumably. She frowns, a hand covering her mouth. It would seem that there was a little more investigation they needed to do here...but maybe it would also be unwise to stay for too long.
Her investigation would not turn up much. It would seem that no one else in the town heard about it...
...Unless they did, and they were hiding it.
...But they wouldn't do that, right...?
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
"Wasn't me, so no," Cyre says, peeking out from what was most assuredly just the most high-stakes game of triple triad ever. "That was very clearly a wolf howling there. And not just any wolf, either. That was... A pretty bad wolf."
Dun-dun-dun!?
"Come on," he pushes the door open just a bit more to squeeze on through. "Let's take a look around, just to be sure."
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
LATER THAT NIGHT, THERE'S A BGM CHANGE AND EVERYTHING.
Lydia fell asleep quickly. She doesn't normally plop on a bed like this. There's ultimately a HOWL that's very mysterious but honestly not that mysterious if you consider what folks ran into outside. At first it seems like Lydia slept through it.
"mmmm....moneymoneymoneymoney...mmm....moneymoneymoneymoney..." Lydia mumbles in her sleep.
She sits up suddenly and exclaims, "WOLF!"
And then she flops back into bed. "Mmmmoneymoneymoneymoneymone---"
A draft of cold air drifts in thanks to Cyre opening the door and she clutches the sheets closer to her body.
Then she gives up.
"Aggh...fine, if we're doin' that but it's probably just a hellion beast. Don't mean no trouble neccessarily."
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
"Wolves eat goats, Lydia," Cyre says to this snoozing gote. "Come on, up and at 'em."
Why is he so energetic, though?
<Pose Tracker> Matilda Whitehead has posed.
Matilda's sword is out. Her posture is already combat-ready -- she's not groggy in the least. As more of them come out of the inn, Matilda looks back to Catenna. "No, we most certainly weren't. ... Perimeter sweep, then if we find nothing, well... there's nothing we can do but go back to bed, at that point, is there...?"
Her silver blade glints in the moonlight.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Hesitating a moment, Catenna takes a step back to lean against Cyre a little, worry still written into her face. Finally she sighs and sets her Mediums down on the small table by the door. She gives the beastman a small, perfunctory kiss on the cheek before firmly knotting her robe. "Yes... that might be good. I thought I heard the others moving around...."
With a look to the next room down, she nods quietly back to Matilda. "That might be a good idea," she agrees, keeping her voice quiet. She reaches for the sword she left lying by the door, collecting her Mediums again.
Then she blinks and looks back into her room, suddenly realizing something.
"Were you always in my room, Lydia," she asks.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Indeed, Jacqueline emerges from her room, and it becomes clear that the others are also looking to investigate it, judging from what she just heard. She approaches the door and knocks carefully.
"I assume you heard that, as well?" She asks, through the still-closed door. Matilda arrives before too long, assuring her that there were others who heard it. "In some ways it is a relief, but in others...well, I hope it is nothing serious."
Unlikely.
But how serious was it...?
But, either way, Matilda had a point - if they found nothing, there was nothing they could do.
<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.
"Yeah," Lydia says since she has no shame. "Cheaper than getting another one."
She didn't seem to undress though since she's fully garbed when she finally stands up. She rubs at her eyes briefly before looking to Cyre. "Not a goat."
Her cheeks puff out but she doesn't comment any further just yet.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna mentally flails for a response but ultimately just sulks at Lydia a little, blushing. "Your frugality is very admirable."