Difference between revisions of "A Merchant Of The Wild"

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(Created page with "<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;"> == Log Info == *Title: A Merchant Of The Wild *Emitter: Merek *Characters: *Place: Lower Alexandria Market District *Time...")
 
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*Title: A Merchant Of The Wild
 
*Title: A Merchant Of The Wild
 
*Emitter: Merek
 
*Emitter: Merek
  +
*Characters: Aryia, Jinks, MAC-B1G, Paenitia, Ravenstongue, Seyardu
*Characters:
 
 
*Place: Lower Alexandria Market District
 
*Place: Lower Alexandria Market District
*Time: October 14th, 2021
+
*Time: Thursday, October 14, 2021, 9:30 PM
  +
*Summary: Adventurers meet in the Lower Market with a merchant who has decided to build an All-Faiths Temple in response to the Temple District being locked out. The timeline and supplies are outlined and the adventurers caravan their way to the RedRidge Mines to obtain stone. On the way, they are interrupted by some sort of otherworldly being, who explains they have a great task ahead. He throws out a ring, which several more worldly adventurers avoid catching. It lands in Ravenstongue's hand, and she is overwhelmed by memories. Her own possible, another's, she is unsure as she can't remember her past. It brings her to tears. The rain keeps falling.</div>
*Summary:</div>
 
   
  +
<pre>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
== ==
 
  +
Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a resolved look about her.
  +
Jinks 3'4" 39 Lb Gnome Male A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry.
  +
MAC-B1G 6'6" 303 Lb War Golem Neuter Drab gray primarily metal humanoid with cyan-lit optical receptors.
  +
Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery.
  +
Ravenstongue 5'0" 99 Lb Half-Elf Female Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair.
  +
Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint.
  +
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
  +
  +
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
  +
Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes.
  +
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=</pre>
   
 
It's raining and the winds seem to howl across the plains. A Merchant waits by what looks like a foundation for construction. Adventurers find themselves being hired for what seems to be a project to build a shrine to the gods after the news that the Temple District will only be allowing clerics. This merchant was the one that was given business by the orphan and a few other farmers, that made him pretty wealthy with a lot of people from the general lower district giving him business.
 
It's raining and the winds seem to howl across the plains. A Merchant waits by what looks like a foundation for construction. Adventurers find themselves being hired for what seems to be a project to build a shrine to the gods after the news that the Temple District will only be allowing clerics. This merchant was the one that was given business by the orphan and a few other farmers, that made him pretty wealthy with a lot of people from the general lower district giving him business.
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Paenitia leans towards him, looking down off her hippogryph, her mask grinning, the cheerfulness in her voice matching it, "You need the ride? We go slow this time, you not fall off."
 
Paenitia leans towards him, looking down off her hippogryph, her mask grinning, the cheerfulness in her voice matching it, "You need the ride? We go slow this time, you not fall off."
  +
 
Ravenstongue thinks for a long moment. "Okay! Dwarves. I can work with dwarves. So long as they don't want to kill me."
 
Ravenstongue thinks for a long moment. "Okay! Dwarves. I can work with dwarves. So long as they don't want to kill me."
   
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"I'm afraid I don't know anything about that at all," Ravenstongue says. "The only animal I really interact with is Pothy, and he's a familiar."
 
"I'm afraid I don't know anything about that at all," Ravenstongue says. "The only animal I really interact with is Pothy, and he's a familiar."
  +
 
Jinks gives a yelp in spite of his earlier agreement, distracted momentarily by the arrival of the provided conveyance. He shifts awkwardly behind the paladina, trying to find some modicum of balance and comfort on the unusual mount. After being left behind on a previous charge he's not too proud to hold onto the Lucht and secure his place atop Ramirez. "Did I tell you about my foray into jousting, sir knight?"
 
Jinks gives a yelp in spite of his earlier agreement, distracted momentarily by the arrival of the provided conveyance. He shifts awkwardly behind the paladina, trying to find some modicum of balance and comfort on the unusual mount. After being left behind on a previous charge he's not too proud to hold onto the Lucht and secure his place atop Ramirez. "Did I tell you about my foray into jousting, sir knight?"
   
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"It was an interesting diversion and my whole trunk was a bruise the day after... but it wasn't entirely miserable." Jinks decides after thinking on it briefly. "We never did hear the final scores-- there was a fire... and my pony got away-- but I think I won? Mirielda the Fair was too busy yelling at us and someone was using the marker board to smother the flames."
 
"It was an interesting diversion and my whole trunk was a bruise the day after... but it wasn't entirely miserable." Jinks decides after thinking on it briefly. "We never did hear the final scores-- there was a fire... and my pony got away-- but I think I won? Mirielda the Fair was too busy yelling at us and someone was using the marker board to smother the flames."
 
   
 
Aryia loads herself into the wagon. "I'll drive the horse if you want me too but if they get spooked we're fucked. Aside from that I'm ready to get a move on." <Handspeech>
 
Aryia loads herself into the wagon. "I'll drive the horse if you want me too but if they get spooked we're fucked. Aside from that I'm ready to get a move on." <Handspeech>
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"It look like Aryia drive, and you are the rear guard, Friend Dragon, this is good." The Dark Lucht takes out the map and looks over the route.
 
"It look like Aryia drive, and you are the rear guard, Friend Dragon, this is good." The Dark Lucht takes out the map and looks over the route.
  +
 
Ravenstongue seems more than reluctant at the prospect of having to drive the cart, and looks relieved when Aryia volunteers to do it. "I'll, umm, I'll be riding along then!" she says.
 
Ravenstongue seems more than reluctant at the prospect of having to drive the cart, and looks relieved when Aryia volunteers to do it. "I'll, umm, I'll be riding along then!" she says.
   
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Pothy, meanwhile, sticks his head out of a window from inside the wagon and screeches loudly, "Wot in the fockin' hells is goin' oin oot there!?" mimicking a very drunk dwarf. The familiar is far more inquisitive than the master.
 
Pothy, meanwhile, sticks his head out of a window from inside the wagon and screeches loudly, "Wot in the fockin' hells is goin' oin oot there!?" mimicking a very drunk dwarf. The familiar is far more inquisitive than the master.
  +
 
Jinks didn't last long on the road before he'd settled against the Lucht's back and started dozing, his head turned and cheek resting on her cape-cushioned pauldron. The rainfall smothers the candle burning at both ends. The flash of lightning does little to disturb but the following thunderclap jolts the gnome awake with a start. "-- said she lived alone!" he exclaims, disoriented, blinking, and nearly falling off the peacock.
 
Jinks didn't last long on the road before he'd settled against the Lucht's back and started dozing, his head turned and cheek resting on her cape-cushioned pauldron. The rainfall smothers the candle burning at both ends. The flash of lightning does little to disturb but the following thunderclap jolts the gnome awake with a start. "-- said she lived alone!" he exclaims, disoriented, blinking, and nearly falling off the peacock.
   
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The rain keeps on falling, and the man looks at the party. It is then he takes a moment to run and twirl into a spin away from the top, landing gracefully upon his feet. He then takes a look to everyone, walking forward to them while he holds up a hand, "You will not travel any further until you hear what I have to say." The sparkling blue is more notable, there are tones of purple, it is like looking into the stars almost, while he waits for everyone.
 
The rain keeps on falling, and the man looks at the party. It is then he takes a moment to run and twirl into a spin away from the top, landing gracefully upon his feet. He then takes a look to everyone, walking forward to them while he holds up a hand, "You will not travel any further until you hear what I have to say." The sparkling blue is more notable, there are tones of purple, it is like looking into the stars almost, while he waits for everyone.
 
 
<OOC> Merek says, "Those with knowledge/the planes can roll at DC 25."
+
<pre><OOC> Merek says, "Those with knowledge/the planes can roll at DC 25."
 
GAME: Jinks rolls Knowledge/the Planes: (18)+9: 27</pre>
 
GAME: Jinks rolls Knowledge/the Planes: (18)+9: 27
 
   
 
Jinks was about to engage in a panicked 'roll out of the bed and dive through the window' maneuver with a 'grab pants off the floor' flourish in pure reflex. Ramirez may be large but the gnome remains grateful for the paladina's steadying hand, regardless. He sits up, craning his neck to see past the knight's grand (if a bit rain-soaked) attire and frowns at the messenger with a flair for the dramatic. "Is he all sparkly blue-black nightsky when you look at him, too?" He wonders of his pilot.
 
Jinks was about to engage in a panicked 'roll out of the bed and dive through the window' maneuver with a 'grab pants off the floor' flourish in pure reflex. Ramirez may be large but the gnome remains grateful for the paladina's steadying hand, regardless. He sits up, craning his neck to see past the knight's grand (if a bit rain-soaked) attire and frowns at the messenger with a flair for the dramatic. "Is he all sparkly blue-black nightsky when you look at him, too?" He wonders of his pilot.
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"Are they blue? Apologies, but I really can not tell, Jinks." Seyardu sighs, though she blinks when they flip to the ground effortlessly. "They are, I suppose we should listen, for now. The question is why they seek to stop us like such."
 
"Are they blue? Apologies, but I really can not tell, Jinks." Seyardu sighs, though she blinks when they flip to the ground effortlessly. "They are, I suppose we should listen, for now. The question is why they seek to stop us like such."
  +
 
Ravenstongue finally screws up the courage to step out of the wagon to take a look at what's going on... And there's a freaky-deaky-starry-scary... man? Thing? She blinks and looks intensely curious about what's going on, the fear seeming to abate for the moment from her face as she comes up to the others.
 
Ravenstongue finally screws up the courage to step out of the wagon to take a look at what's going on... And there's a freaky-deaky-starry-scary... man? Thing? She blinks and looks intensely curious about what's going on, the fear seeming to abate for the moment from her face as she comes up to the others.
   
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The rain continues to pour down.
 
The rain continues to pour down.
  +
 
Tears dart down Ravenstongue's cheek, her hand with the ring on it trembling as she stares down at it. "I... I remember? I remember," she murmurs, a smile cracking on her face. She laughs a little, a laugh of joyful disbelief. "I remember--I don't know if they're mine, but... I remember! I remember! Pothy, I remember things!"
 
Tears dart down Ravenstongue's cheek, her hand with the ring on it trembling as she stares down at it. "I... I remember? I remember," she murmurs, a smile cracking on her face. She laughs a little, a laugh of joyful disbelief. "I remember--I don't know if they're mine, but... I remember! I remember! Pothy, I remember things!"
   
 
Pothy the raven nuzzles against Ravenstongue's cheek, happy little croaks leaving the white raven's body. For once, the bird isn't demanding snacks, but simply just sharing in what appears to be Ravenstongue's sudden joy.
 
Pothy the raven nuzzles against Ravenstongue's cheek, happy little croaks leaving the white raven's body. For once, the bird isn't demanding snacks, but simply just sharing in what appears to be Ravenstongue's sudden joy.
  +
 
"Hopefully the Sildanyari-blooded tallman didn't just agree to marry a blue sparkly-man who just threw lightning at us for now reason." Jinks answers Paenitia.
 
"Hopefully the Sildanyari-blooded tallman didn't just agree to marry a blue sparkly-man who just threw lightning at us for now reason." Jinks answers Paenitia.
   
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It takes a while, but eventually everyone will make it to the dwarves little encampment. There's a cave into the mountains, though it looks like a few will be working the mines that are on the plains. A dwarf meets with them, "You must be the ones that crazy merchant wants to do his work for. Well, you all have a night that you can spend in our Inn. Then we'll work on the negotiation. We told him we wouldn't be able to send any stone." They will all be led to an inn to take the night to themselves. To think about the journey, and to wait to speak to the dwarven merchant.
 
It takes a while, but eventually everyone will make it to the dwarves little encampment. There's a cave into the mountains, though it looks like a few will be working the mines that are on the plains. A dwarf meets with them, "You must be the ones that crazy merchant wants to do his work for. Well, you all have a night that you can spend in our Inn. Then we'll work on the negotiation. We told him we wouldn't be able to send any stone." They will all be led to an inn to take the night to themselves. To think about the journey, and to wait to speak to the dwarven merchant.
  +
  +
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Latest revision as of 16:31, 16 October 2021

Log Info

  • Title: A Merchant Of The Wild
  • Emitter: Merek
  • Characters: Aryia, Jinks, MAC-B1G, Paenitia, Ravenstongue, Seyardu
  • Place: Lower Alexandria Market District
  • Time: Thursday, October 14, 2021, 9:30 PM
  • Summary: Adventurers meet in the Lower Market with a merchant who has decided to build an All-Faiths Temple in response to the Temple District being locked out. The timeline and supplies are outlined and the adventurers caravan their way to the RedRidge Mines to obtain stone. On the way, they are interrupted by some sort of otherworldly being, who explains they have a great task ahead. He throws out a ring, which several more worldly adventurers avoid catching. It lands in Ravenstongue's hand, and she is overwhelmed by memories. Her own possible, another's, she is unsure as she can't remember her past. It brings her to tears. The rain keeps falling.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Aryia        4'8"     110 Lb     Shadow Elf        Female    A heavily scarred mul with a resolved look about her.
Jinks        3'4"     39 Lb      Gnome             Male      A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry.
MAC-B1G      6'6"     303 Lb     War Golem         Neuter    Drab gray primarily metal humanoid with cyan-lit optical receptors.
Paenitia     3'0"     34 Lb      Halfling          Female    A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery.                      
Ravenstongue 5'0"     99 Lb      Half-Elf          Female    Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair.                       
Seyardu      5'6"     150 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint.                     
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Merek        5'10"    215 Lb     Human             Male      A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

It's raining and the winds seem to howl across the plains. A Merchant waits by what looks like a foundation for construction. Adventurers find themselves being hired for what seems to be a project to build a shrine to the gods after the news that the Temple District will only be allowing clerics. This merchant was the one that was given business by the orphan and a few other farmers, that made him pretty wealthy with a lot of people from the general lower district giving him business.

Aryia took up this job for one reason and one reason only. Money. And to get away form the city for a spell. Shrines to appease the gods held zero interest to her, even if she finally respected other's choices to venerate them. She's clad in a treated grey cloak that's wrapped tight around her to ward off the wind and rain, and she purses her lips at the foundation site.

She nods to the merchant as she arrives, not offering much else in terms of greetings to not dispel the warmth her cloak finally suffused around her.

Seyardu was a cleric, but not everyone was, and so she felt it necessary to do what she could for others with the district closed so strangely. And building a shrine to the gods, while unnecessary, seemed to give many some manner of peace. So she joined a slowly growing group, Not wearing too much for the weather, but seeming unbothered by it.

"It is, impressive what the lower markets can do when they are not being exploited by the nobles, is it not?" She says to the mul'niessa nearby.

Ravenstongue arrives with Pothy on her shoulder, looking around with her bright violet eyes. She doesn't look like she got much sleep the night before... or the night before that... or really, not much sleep at all the past few nights. Yet here she is, capelet wrapped around her, wearing the colors of Navos the Raven. "Okay, okay, let's give this whole adventurer-for-hire thing a shot again, Pothy," she mutters to the white-winged bird.

Pothy does not care for gods nor goddesses. As far as he is concerned, he /is/ a god, and all shall bring him tribute in the form of edible goods. After all, his alabaster feathers are the envy of any a statue, so delicate yet lovely in form! "Snacks," he says, although it's more of a question than a statement. Clearly, he expects to be fed at some point in this venture.

MAC-B1G is out here. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until... it is told to.

Currently, the construct scans the prepared site for the foundation, calculating load-bearing capacities of the soil while measuring for level. The current environmental conditions do not overly hinder it; it's chassis is corrosion-resistant and key systems are self-contained.

"Noo, really; all of the time. I can't believe we haven't run into each other before." Jinks' is wearing borrowed gloves a bit too large for his hands (and far too rough-looking to match the rest of his dress) as he helps a freckled gnomish woman unload a wagon of materials. He walks a few paces to set his load down-- bulging burlap sacks of some construction-related sand or sand-like matter-- and dusts his hands as he returns to the wagon. "It's a real difficult thing only being able to be in one place at a time. Do you volunteer with the orphans at Telmentar's hospital or feed the poor of Golbinton or put yourself in the worst of harm's way to try and stave off whatever doom rolls inexorably towards our beloved city."

The gnome grunts and widens his stance when he's given a basket of bricks. He mutters some colorful expletive lost in a groan and puts on his winningest smile. "Which is why Coyote himself saw me back to the land of the living. Too many good deeds still left undone." He winks and then turns to make the delivery trip. His expression falls from brightness and smiles to a calculating frown as he wonders if all this effort is really worth it. Another arrival of alabaster feathers is heralded by a loud, 'Ruaaaaah!' Ramirez announces his presence. He is here to see a temple built. Yes.

His rider, the little Red Knight, feels the wind cutting through her armour. The cracks and dents of her prior encounter impress on her the need to change it to something better. This will happen, but not today.

As a self proclaimed paladina of Tarien, she has a vested interest in seeing a place of worship for him. Trotting around she waves at the crowd, calling out several 'Hola's' here and there as she looks for someone in charge.

Finally a likely individual is found, "I am here to help. Ramirez is here to watch. I can cook the food or work the forges. The brewing beer, haa-ha! That will take longer than this will. What do you want me do?"

The Merchant looks to everyone when they arrive. In the case of Jinks, who is already assisting, he's brought to the group, being known as an adventurer, led by one of the people in attendance of the shrine. He will speak, addressing everyone, "Greetings. As you all know, I am overseer to building the shrine for the gods. The people of the lower districts don't have a lot of options for worship, and as such we are bringing that to them." This is built a little away from the city next to what looks like an encampment of the mountains. "Anyway. We don't have the stone we need for it, though we found a group of dwarves that do. We need people to go and trade with them. You will all be paid a little for the work, in addition to keeping anything you find in your journey to the dwarves. We don't know why they are not willing to sell it at the usual price."

Aryia does concede that point to Seyardu. It was nice to see what the others could do when actually given a chance. A gloved hand peeks out in greeting to the others that join them, her tilting her head to the golem she had yet to meet. A shrug, then a tilt of her head towards the Overseer.

She gives a little thumbs up and nods. She'd be the muscle of the group if need be.

"Okay!" The little Red Knight says, cheerfully enough. "We protect the group. The wheeling and dealing with coin is not the Knightly thing."

She glances around, points a gauntlet at Jinks, "There the man with the fast tongue, the quick fingers, the slight morals and the knowledge of song. He is the good choice."

Paenitia leans towards him, looking down off her hippogryph, her mask grinning, the cheerfulness in her voice matching it, "You need the ride? We go slow this time, you not fall off."

Ravenstongue thinks for a long moment. "Okay! Dwarves. I can work with dwarves. So long as they don't want to kill me."

Pothy looks at Ravenstongue for a long moment and says, in a perfect imitation of a dwarven accent, "Aye lassie, fetch me some mutton!" Ravenstongue facepalms a little.

"Anyway, I'm... okay with talking to people! I know a trick or two if things don't go our way." Ravenstongue smiles.

"This is an unknown, but there may be various reasons for the stone being more expensive. Perhaps we can find out why, and fix the issue." Seyardu notes, after turning to wave to Paenitia, and Jinks. "We will come back with the stone if we can. Is there an upper limit to what you are willing to pay?"

Jinks is happy to help! Or, at least, that's what the expression on his face says. And he keeps looking back over his shoulder to make sure a Certain Someone notices this. "Sure, Khazadi bartering. Heady ales, fantastic facial hair--" he pauses to smooth his own, neatly-kept goatee-- "and a few not-bad games of chance to smooth things over. Should be simple so long as no one takes their products for granite or undermines their efforts in production."

MAC-B1G's faceplate rotates from the empty foundation following the explanation as to why it is empty as well as the taskforce role in remediating this deficiency. It steps heavily towards the other taskforce member units, optics panning across them and to the foreman. "Specify mass of stone necessary to requisition. Specify method of transportation."

"I do not know." Paenitia says. "Ramirez can pull the wagon, but this is not the job for a fancy charger. Do we have the other horses? Or the golem block can pull it?"

The Merchant takes a docket from the pack with him to hand to the group, taking the time to put it into the hand of the knight Paenitia. Then he turns to look at the whole party of adventurers, "Alright. All you need to do is bring that to them, don't open it before you get there. It has all the details, the dwarves will likely tell you what the price will be, or if they are not selling." Then he points to a direction whole he offers a map, "It's a day's travel into the mountain path while still on the plains. You will need to bring it back if they do trade. Anyway, the faster you all do it, the faster you get paid. We need to build it within the week."

Aryia raises a brow. Need? Why does a shrine /need/ to be raised in a certain amount of time? She squints, but gives a slow nod. A glance to Seyardu. "Weird," is all she motions. <Handspeech>

GAME: Jinks rolls Perform/Sing: (12)+13: 25

Ravenstongue thinks about what's said for a moment, and nods to Aryia's sign, catching it in the corner of her vision--what vision isn't blocked by Pothy's massive birdbutt. "Huh. Okay. That's a really, /really/ quick amount of time to build a shrine..."

"The specific time frame, that is certainly a strange thing." Seyardu agrees, but then she sighs. "Perhaps it is due to needing to pay other people, or there is a reason the statue needs to be brought up. Can you tell us more before we go however? I would rather not that we are going into some strange situation with too many unknowns."

GAME: Merek rolls 1d20+5: (12)+5: 17
GAME: Seyardu rolls sense motive: (1)+8: 9 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Paenitia rolls sense motive: (2)+11: 13

Jinks squints his eyes at the tallman for a moment, shaking his hands until the gloves come off and he can stuff them down into a coat pocket. "High Hunt is coming. Maybe he wants construction done so there's time to decorate?" He still watches the documents being handed off with curiosity sparkling in his onyx-black eyes.

"And, Coyote laughs, yes; these poor legs could use a rest." He smiles his thanks up at Paenitia, accepting her offer for the ride. Though he'll stay firmly planted on the ground until it's time to leave.

"Objectives acknowledged. Course acknowledged." MAC's queries were answered, if indirectly. Now that the taskforce has a navigation data, specifics to deliver, and a time requirement, it turns and begins to move in the direction indicated.

"Okay! It will not be opened." Paenitia slips the docket into one of her saddlebags. It will remain there if she or Ramirez have any say on the matter and they usually do. She turns her mask towards Ravenstongue, "The people need the place to worship. This have to be make fast. The sense is there."

She surveys the group, then asks the merchant, "Do you have the camping supplies, the tent, the food for two days journey? Many here come out thinking it is the day, not the overnight and night."

She slaps Ramirez's flank. "We are ready to go."

'Ruaaah!' Ramirez complains. There is no food.

"Except for the food!" The Red Knight adds happily, "We need the supplies."

The Merchant looks to everyone, and will think about it. "It's not important. Anyway, I have what you need to bring the stone back. As well as the method of travel which you will take, along with camping supplies. Don't worry, at least three of you brought me wealth. I will see that it is paid back. You will travel in style." The man motions to one of the workers, then two teamsters will begin to bring a wagon. In addition to that is a few camping supplies.

"And to clarify, production must begin within a week and the first step needs to be completed. It will perhaps make sense. At the moment, it is not important. You're given two horses, please take care of them. I will let you be on your way with the map."

The rain keeps on falling, and people seem to be doing their work on the shrine. Will Adventurers take that request, will they go on that duty, will they inventigate, it is up to them. That's the nature of adventure.

The Red Knight looks over the equipment. She nods. She's not a teamster, but she has worked around mines. It seems similar enough to be taking it to a mine. "Okay, I am ready to go."

"Ramirez! Jinks, saddle." She commands. There is suddenly a large wing swooping down on the gnome to lift him up to Ramirez's back. As this occurs, Paenitia looks around, "Anyhow know the handling of wagons and horse teams?"

Aryia looks ready to get moving, her helping load the wagon. At Paenitia's question, she shakes her head and gives a thumbs down. The mute was terrible at such things.

Pothy flies up to rest on Ramirez's head for a brief moment, nuzzling his bird-bro in an affectionate greeting before flying back to Ravenstongue's shoulder.

"I'm afraid I don't know anything about that at all," Ravenstongue says. "The only animal I really interact with is Pothy, and he's a familiar."

Jinks gives a yelp in spite of his earlier agreement, distracted momentarily by the arrival of the provided conveyance. He shifts awkwardly behind the paladina, trying to find some modicum of balance and comfort on the unusual mount. After being left behind on a previous charge he's not too proud to hold onto the Lucht and secure his place atop Ramirez. "Did I tell you about my foray into jousting, sir knight?"

"Oh?" Paenitia twists around to look at Jinks. Up close her mask is frightening. Focus on the eyes. "I want to hear these things! Did you enjoy the turn in the lists?"

Before she straightens out and faces forward, her head tilts down. She glances at where Jinks holds on and laughs again, "Grip anywhere my friend! The armour is so thick I do not feal the things."

'Ruuaaaahh...' Ramirez perhaps objects to this advice, but he is distracted by Pothy coming and going. He bobs his head at the raven, to see if he will return the gesture.

"I always bring food supplies, but not enough for several people." Seyardu notes, looking to her bag. "But that is welcome, we will not need to gather more on the road."

She busies herself getting the wagon loaded up with the supplies. "Hopefully the ride out will be safe, but we will need to keep watch. And even more so with the stone on our way back."

"It was an interesting diversion and my whole trunk was a bruise the day after... but it wasn't entirely miserable." Jinks decides after thinking on it briefly. "We never did hear the final scores-- there was a fire... and my pony got away-- but I think I won? Mirielda the Fair was too busy yelling at us and someone was using the marker board to smother the flames."

Aryia loads herself into the wagon. "I'll drive the horse if you want me too but if they get spooked we're fucked. Aside from that I'm ready to get a move on." <Handspeech>

"Someone else, should likely do the steering, I am sorry." Seyardu sighs from the back of their vehicle. "I am not the best at seeing the road, but I will keep a watch for any movements while we go."

"Oh, she is the good woman with the tragic past." Paenitia says, recognizing a fellow knight, "She might enjoy telling you the story, you can make the ballad! The joust you describe my friend, sound just the right kind. A good ache afterward."

"The fire, not hear the score, ha! They did not want me run it because that would happen, and it does anyhow. I am much happy to hear." She takes up Ramirez's reins and moves to the front.

"It look like Aryia drive, and you are the rear guard, Friend Dragon, this is good." The Dark Lucht takes out the map and looks over the route.

Ravenstongue seems more than reluctant at the prospect of having to drive the cart, and looks relieved when Aryia volunteers to do it. "I'll, umm, I'll be riding along then!" she says.

"Unskilled drivers taking a wagon into the dangerous wilderness to ferry heavy cargo." Jinks muses, smirking. "The horses are already dead but our holy merchant hopes they arrive alive. This could only be more amusing if they were named 'Animus' and 'Kosomoth.'"

The gnome could find a spot in the wagon but he feels safer on Ramirez' back for some reason. "Maybe the Hymn-Knight will tell me her story. I can't imagine she has much time for Buffooniert."

"She does not get the many visitors you might imagine." Paenitia says, clucking like a peahen. Ramirez starts moving. In consideration for the wagon and driver, he takes the road at a walk, talon-hoof-talon-hoof. His tail is down, causing a good buffer between the hippogryph and the horses. A runaway wagon shouldn't be a concern, and there is no danger the horses will be pecked.

"The Orders, they are not well align. There are old grudges, old enmity. The knights keep to their own. I am happy to have the friendship with others outside the Pillar." Paenitia explains, "and a Friend Dragon knight in the Pillar. He is the good ally. There are not many the right-sized Knights, so there are even fewer to speak with her."

"If you wish the introductions, I can make them." She laughs, "That may be to your disadvantage."

Aryia mounts a steed and gives it a little tap on the side. Giddiup.

The ride on the way is pretty simple for the time being, though the rain will pour onto the party. The wagon provides a covering while people take their time to make their way along the path. It isn't until they come to a point that it looks like someone is watching them from the top of a mountain face, clad in dark attire and with a hood on, sparkling blue beneath the material. They lift up a hand to bring a lightning bolt into the ground before the wagon. The sound loud while it will char the grass.

Aryia is quiet as they go along the road, her keeping her cloak tight against her while they travel.

Her gaze raises to the mountain, her squinting her eyes before sitting up stock straight and laying flat against the wagon in the beat of a heart. "Okay, what in the fuck was that?" a crude hand gestures to the air. <Handspeech>

"Eeep!!" Ravenstongue is inside of the wagon and cowers from the loud boom outside the structure.

Pothy, meanwhile, sticks his head out of a window from inside the wagon and screeches loudly, "Wot in the fockin' hells is goin' oin oot there!?" mimicking a very drunk dwarf. The familiar is far more inquisitive than the master.

Jinks didn't last long on the road before he'd settled against the Lucht's back and started dozing, his head turned and cheek resting on her cape-cushioned pauldron. The rainfall smothers the candle burning at both ends. The flash of lightning does little to disturb but the following thunderclap jolts the gnome awake with a start. "-- said she lived alone!" he exclaims, disoriented, blinking, and nearly falling off the peacock.

Seyardu was hunkered down in the wagon, watching out the back of the vehicle. But the sound of lightning, and a flash of light so close nearby makes her nearly jump out of her seat, the silver sith-makar peeking out the side of the wagon to look forward. "That was, lightning, yes? That was dangerously close. I, did not know the rain had gotten that bad." She says, looking between everyone there.

Paenitia has been rained on. Her wide brimmed hat keeping most of it off her, but the saddle is exposed, so she ends up drenched. Jinks, is afforded some shade from her hat-brime and straight posture. He isn't soaked, but is still wet.

This is not the best state to be in when lightning is nearby.

"Hola the Mountain!" Paenitia calls out loudly, grabbing at Jinks to keep him steady. Ramirez's back is as wide as a campsite, it's a challenge to fall off. "The caravan is here and the lightning too close! The distance too far for the shouts!"

Her voice takes on an odd humour, almost an intimate sort of teasing, "If you do not come close to speak, I will have to send my words on arrows. Like the Cupid!"

From Paenitia, with Love.

The rain keeps on falling, and the man looks at the party. It is then he takes a moment to run and twirl into a spin away from the top, landing gracefully upon his feet. He then takes a look to everyone, walking forward to them while he holds up a hand, "You will not travel any further until you hear what I have to say." The sparkling blue is more notable, there are tones of purple, it is like looking into the stars almost, while he waits for everyone.

<OOC> Merek says, "Those with knowledge/the planes can roll at DC 25."
GAME: Jinks rolls Knowledge/the Planes: (18)+9: 27

Jinks was about to engage in a panicked 'roll out of the bed and dive through the window' maneuver with a 'grab pants off the floor' flourish in pure reflex. Ramirez may be large but the gnome remains grateful for the paladina's steadying hand, regardless. He sits up, craning his neck to see past the knight's grand (if a bit rain-soaked) attire and frowns at the messenger with a flair for the dramatic. "Is he all sparkly blue-black nightsky when you look at him, too?" He wonders of his pilot.

The gnome clears his throat and speaks up. "You may get this a lot, tallman, but you look a bit like an extraplanar arbiter of supreme cosmic law. This isn't the Astral, though, so you may be lost."

Aryia squints at the man in the rain. Was she... hallucinating? She rubs at her lamplight eyes and looks annoyed. She glances to Jinks, a brow raising at whatever the hell came out of his mouth before looking back to the cosmic-highwayman.

She makes a 'go-on' gesture.

"Yes, he is the same for me." Paenitia confirms, facing the man with her grinning mask. Ramirez also looks at the individual, turning his head right, then left to examine with each eye.

More loudly, the little lucht invites him to speak, "You are in the way and wish to talk. We are listening. The love arrows, I will keep them for the spring."

Spring! So many scaramouches!

"Are they blue? Apologies, but I really can not tell, Jinks." Seyardu sighs, though she blinks when they flip to the ground effortlessly. "They are, I suppose we should listen, for now. The question is why they seek to stop us like such."

Ravenstongue finally screws up the courage to step out of the wagon to take a look at what's going on... And there's a freaky-deaky-starry-scary... man? Thing? She blinks and looks intensely curious about what's going on, the fear seeming to abate for the moment from her face as she comes up to the others.

"Speak! Lest you forfeit the right to," Pothy says from her shoulder, imitating some incredibly deep male voice that he's presumably picked up from somewhere. Then... he preens his feathers. Gotta look good for the astral entity.

Well, whether he is a follower, or an Aeon themself, who can tell with this kind of thing, he will walk along towards the party and nod. "You are about to embark on a dangerous quest. Two of you were contacted by the Master of Dreams. You should know well that what you are about to do, will lead you upon a path, where the past and future will become one. You must prove that you are willing to see this through. The balance... It must be kept. Know that if it is not, then we will need to act."

The man holds up a staff, then he points that towards the direction that they are all going, "Paenitia. Ravenstongue. Seyardu. Aryia. Jinks. You are all becoming part of something greater." Then he draws a ring from within the cloak which he wears, throwing that along to the party. It's up there for anyone to catch. "We don't care about what the gods want or what they ask of you. We only care that the world will be kept in balance. Thank you." Then he uses the magic to teleport away back up that mountain.

"I have not been call the well balance one." Paenitia says, with some mirth, nudging Ramirez to move to the side. He watches the spinning ring, but his mistress commands him to be still. "Ramirez! Do not touch! It is Neutral!"

"Oh, they are quite shiny, yes." Seyardu notes, squinting from the back of the wagon. Then she listens, and squints even more. She looks to Aryia, one brow raised. "You remember the dream, yes? Is this the figure we saw? You know what color they were most likely."

Then the ring is tossed, and she reaches to grab it. Only for her grasp to be, several feet off, and tipping her out of the back of the wagon to the ground with a grunt.

"This sounds, important. I will explain what I can afterwards." She states, already pulling herself to her feet with practiced ease.

Aryia's eyes grow wide at the mention of Dreams, her looking over at Seyardu with a look of complete disbelief. "... it real..." she motions slowly. They then toss something at them. Seyardu goes for it and whiffs it. Aryia reflexively reaches out, but it smacks against her hand and rebounds back into the air.

It twirls, going right for... <Handspeech>

Pothy nudges at Ravenstongue's cheek as the scene of fumbling unfolds. Ravenstongue moves almost instantly, spurred on by her pale raven's moves, and she... takes the ring.

The half-elf stares down at the ring, violet eyes behind glasses going wide with realization. "U-Umm..."

"Go on, then," Pothy says, imitating a rather maternal sounding woman. The voice appears to be of some sentimental importance to Ravenstongue, as her eyes well up. She nods, and attempts to slide the ring onto her right hand ring finger.

"Ew." Jinks remarks from behind a curled lip. Ever the beacon of moderation and careful deliberation it comes as no small shock that the gnome wnats nothing to do with this ring.

People would say that cosmic balance is knowing exactly who the ring would go to. The question is was it meant for Ravenstongue, or was that the choice that she made. It's unknown at the moment. When she places the ring onto her finger, memories will begin to appear, though not all of them are her own. A few might be from the past, a few might be from the future. It is difficult to know. Rain keeps pouring along and it was like the man wasn't even there. The ring is a black metal with celestial markings, purple and blue.

Aryia and Seyardu might have even noticed while they went for the ring that it reacted to something with the two, though what that would be, a mystery. What none of them know, the story was written the day they walked into the Merchant meeting. And Paenitia and Jinks, for whatever reason may it be, become part of that story, and even too, MAC, the golem.

'ruaaaaa...' Ramirez wanted the ring. He is not the stuff of heroes, he is the stuff that holds up heroes.

Paenitia watches it spin and finally settle into Ravenstongue's grasp, and strange expressions cross her face.

"Ahhh... I am thinking. There is more to this story?"

The rain continues to pour down.

Tears dart down Ravenstongue's cheek, her hand with the ring on it trembling as she stares down at it. "I... I remember? I remember," she murmurs, a smile cracking on her face. She laughs a little, a laugh of joyful disbelief. "I remember--I don't know if they're mine, but... I remember! I remember! Pothy, I remember things!"

Pothy the raven nuzzles against Ravenstongue's cheek, happy little croaks leaving the white raven's body. For once, the bird isn't demanding snacks, but simply just sharing in what appears to be Ravenstongue's sudden joy.

"Hopefully the Sildanyari-blooded tallman didn't just agree to marry a blue sparkly-man who just threw lightning at us for now reason." Jinks answers Paenitia.

"Ha! The weddings are better than the funerals, and Ramirez like be the ring bearer." Paenitia chuckles cheerfully.

Aryia is still a bit flabbergasted from such a seemingly innocent dream coming into reality. Her faith on anything in the beyond was cynical at best, so the nonbeliever was reeling still.

She stares at the ring as it sits on the half-sil's finger.

"Seyardu and I had a dream..." Aryia begins explaining to those who knew the gestures. "And we saw... something. Have to go to some cold place up north for... something." Hopefully Seyardu could pick up the slack. <Handspeech>

"Ah, how do I put this." Seyardu sighs, dusting off her armor and clothes. "Aryia had the same dream as I did, and it matches up some with what was shared in said dreams. I do not know if that was the same person as the one in the dream. They had wings, however."

"They said, something about changing the path of the land we walk, and finding the power to do such. And that it would be found at the Icewall Mountain, or at least, part of it would be."

Seyardu shakes her head. "It was all very vague, but seeing this figure here, and Aryia having the same dream, it feels too much to be a coincedence. And, the figure there, did not seem hostile to us, either."

At the mention of wings, Ravenstongue looks incredibly intrigued, her eyes widening. She wipes her tears away, although she still sniffles a little from whatever wonderful realization she just had upon wearing the ring. "Wings? What color were they?" she asks, before murmuring, "I wonder if they're related..."

"Well, if you've seen the future and we're in the Icewalls there's a good chance you don't drive the wagon off a cliff and die before that?" Jinks offers at least a sliver of silver lining. He's dubious about destinies and prophecies and future's past or present. "Do we go through the Sky Curtains on the way? I wouldn't mind seeing home again..." He yawns, shakes his head, and finds his cape-pillow once more.

"The Icewall Mountain sound far away. Wait, they past the Skycurtain mountains?" Paenitia asks with some surprise, "We could detour I see home too, if we go that far."

She kicks in her heels, gets Ramirez walking again, "I think the rocks is still waiting for us. One quest at a time."

It takes a while, but eventually everyone will make it to the dwarves little encampment. There's a cave into the mountains, though it looks like a few will be working the mines that are on the plains. A dwarf meets with them, "You must be the ones that crazy merchant wants to do his work for. Well, you all have a night that you can spend in our Inn. Then we'll work on the negotiation. We told him we wouldn't be able to send any stone." They will all be led to an inn to take the night to themselves. To think about the journey, and to wait to speak to the dwarven merchant.

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