<DM> Roll call <Grith> (Ngah!) <Apol> *munch* * Sam bows. "Present." <Fordran> Croooooooooooooow! * Grith thuds his chest with a meaty fist. <Fordran> everyone here is NG, right? * Fordran eyes Castigate. <Foster> X8 'Elan' destructive unit online. Battery power: very low, recharge soon. <Sam> neutral what? good what? <Vita> here <DM> Last week, on Eclipse... <DM> (Lucidus) "You and your men go back to the inn and rest. We'll clean up here. The worst is past." * Fordran dies. <Fordran> (oh, after that.) * Apol hasn't figured out if Beholder will go on the "Yummy" list. * Foster mutters to Apol "Perhaps we should see to depriving Mozwell's corpse of its magical possessions." <Grith> (Rib-eye of the Beholder?) <DM> |roll d20+4 <tafal> 8 | [d20=4] [+4=4] (DM) * Apol replies, "Ok!" and grabs a bunch of eyeballs for a later snack. <DM> |roll d20+9 <tafal> 13 | [d20=4] [+9=9] (DM) <Erias> "Yes, sir. Thank you." <Erias> (sorry for delay) * Foster looks to Lucidus. * Grith is still standing guard by the stairs. * Fordran tries to act as normal as anyone who's come back from the dead would. <Sam> "Whatever it was, I am glad it is no longer a threat." * Apol lands on Foster's shoulder and pulls out the monocle. <Erias> (don't know if I heard the mozwell's corpse bit) <Foster> (yeah, not really sure how to approach the Radiant Knights on that one) <Fordran> "What should we tell the people... the worshippers?" <Foster> "If it's not to much of a burden, might I be able to take certain of Mozwell's possessions for further study? Some of them seem interesting." <Vita> (sidenote: how long did this entire thingy take?) <Vita> (the battle stuff) <DM> (Lucidus) *as if something occurs to him* "Erias... since your allies are not members of the Church, you may claim the possessions of this one for them as their spoils of war." <Foster> (Approximately 45 seconds) <Foster> (Heh. I guess that does it) <Apol> (Tell them that their god is spicy and tastes mildly of sneakers.) <Fordran> (definitely less than a minute) <Vita> (including the stuff before we came down the stairs?) * Erias turns to Fordran. "The truth, I suppose. That their god was a false one, a monster deceiving the townsfolk, and we defeated it." <Vita> (I mean since we started walking to the church) * Fordran nods. "We should notify the magistrate, then." * Erias bows slightly to Lucidus. "Thank you, sir." <Foster> (Ah. Probably around 1m 30s, then) <DM> (Lucidus) "I'm sure I don't have to remind you to surrender any truly dangerous objects for destruction." <Erias> "Foster, Apol? You're the best at appraisal, I suspect." * Foster glances at Apol, awaiting information on what to take. <Sam> "Why am I more worried about Mozwell than his possessions?" <Fordran> (who can DE?) * Fordran looks at Moz, then at Well. <Fordran> "I don't think he's much of a threat anymore." <Apol> "The whole room is still glowy. I wonder if that's Yawin all over the room." <Erias> (uh... I can...) <Sam> "If you can be brought back to life...?" <Foster> "Hm." <Fordran> "...Good point." * Foster kneels down, and looks at what Mozwell has on him. * Erias nods to Lucidus. "Foster has a good deal of magical knowledge. We will analyze the items carefully." <Sam> "I am still not comfortable with the idea, yet I cannot deny that it happened in front of my own eyes." * Apol tells Foster, "A lot of it is glowy." * Apol points at the dagger, amulet and headband. * Erias will wait for the others to loot and/or whatever before heading out. * Vita says to Apol "Well, a lot of glowy things have happened in the last few minutes" * Foster confiscates away. * Fordran nods slowly. "Pelor has a destiny for me, Sam." * Apol says to Vita, "Yeah, too much glowy." <Foster> "I'm glad your destiny seems to be on this plane of existence." * Vita nods * Fordran smiles a little. <Sam> "I acknowledge that, Fordran, yet I do not claim to understand." * Apol picks up a metal bar and ruffles around the corpse's robe and pulls out a couple of scrolls. <Fordran> "Well, perhaps for the moment." <Fordran> "Nor do I, Sam... nor do I." <DM> As you ruffle around in the robes, a rat squeaks in protest and scurries away <Fordran> "What the." * Apol hisses at the rat. <Fordran> (flamestrike!) * Apol pulls out a two wands. * Vita looks... confused <Vita> "How did that rat get in there?" <Foster> "Hm." <Erias> (flavortext wisdom check) <Sam> "It was an utterly normal rat, yes?" <Erias> |roll d20+2 <tafal> 19 | [d20=17] [+2=2] (Erias) <Foster> |roll d20+6 <tafal> 23 | [d20=17] [+6=6] (Foster) * Erias will detect evil toward the rat. <Vita> (shoot, I can't seem to find my sheet, I don't know if I was down any HP_ <Foster> "I suspect it was his familiar." <Apol> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 8 | [d20=3] [+5=5] (Apol) <Fordran> (i don't think vita was hurt) <Sam> "And now?" <DM> Vita took a fireball <Fordran> (oh right) <DM> And Vita is still suffering from Symbol of Pain <Vita> yeah, and then I wanded myself once <Erias> "It doesn't seem evil, but it could still be his familiar. <Vita> I could have sworn someone undid the pain <DM> Not on you <Foster> I dispelled you at the end of last session. <Vita> "Well, is it any danger to us?" <DM> Oh? <DM> What was your dispel check result? :P <Foster> (I forget, should be logged) * Apol shows Foster the metal bar, 2 new wands and the 2 scolls. <Foster> "I doubt it will be a danger at all. After its bond to its master was severed, it reverted to being a normal rat." <DM> (Wasn't good enough) * Apol then looks around for the rat. <Foster> "Ah, excellent, Apol. Would you prefer to carry them, or shall I?" <DM> (The dispel wasn't good enough, I mean) <Foster> (Ah. eh well) <Vita> (oh, well crap) * Vita retcons saying Ow a lot <Apol> "I can hold them." <Foster> "Alright. I'll get to work IDing everything here tomorrow." <Apol> "Gray? Is there anything you need here?" <Apol> "hmm." <Erias> "Foster, Fordran, do you know if Vita will recover once she's away from this place? Perhaps we should hurry." <Erias> (Is Grith still hurting?) <DM> (Grith and Apol got dispelled) <Fordran> "I don't know. I can try to remove the affliction from here once more." <DM> (Are your spell slots gone after rez?) <Grith> (Grith still has negative energy drain, but that's all. He's fine otherwise.) <Fordran> (not from rez; however, i levelled. do i get the extra slot now?) <Sam> (all your skills are disabled for 30 seconds~) <Fordran> (f'in Rebirth) * Apol continues to look around the room for any more glowies. <Fordran> (i can attempt 1 more dispel if i have access to the slot from levelling to 8 again) <Foster> "I'm not really certain, honestly. The spell that created this pain is beyond my knowledge." <DM> (Fordran: Yeah, go ahead) <Fordran> |roll d20+8 <tafal> 12 | [d20=4] [+8=8] (Fordran) * Fordran does a weak facsimile of Dispel Magic. <Vita> (Oh boy!) <Fordran> (if it's clvl 1, i TOTALLY pwn it) <Sam> (but it was an *impressive* fizzle!) <Erias> (argh! the pain symbol required a save, right?) <DM> (Yes.) <Erias> (I wasted my spell ; ; ) <DM> Lucidus begins directing some knights to load the beholder corpse onto a table * Fordran sighs. " <Fordran> "I don't think I can do any more about it, Vita." <DM> The statue of Jaim has already been hauled out. * Vita sighs * Vita looks like she's trying to tough it out * Vita has a look of concentration <Foster> "It's possible that it will simply fade, our having left the area which generated it." <Erias> "Well, let's get going. Anything else the rest of you need?" <Fordran> "Then if we are done here, we should go. We can notify the magistrate on the way out." <Foster> "Speaking of which, I believe that we have everything we need, if Apol has no objections." * Erias nods. * Vita mounts Pup <Vita> "I'm all for it." * Erias leads the others out, assuming no objections. <Sam> "I favor leaving." * Apol nods. <Apol> "where are we going?" <Foster> "Out of here, to begin with." * Apol says something to Foster in draconic. <DM> (Lucidus told you guys to go back to the inn) * Foster replies in kind. <Erias> "Lucidus suggested the Inn; if we'd like to go to the base instead, I should let him know not to expect us at the Inn." * Erias looks around at the group inquisitively. * Apol nods to Foster. <Foster> "I have no issues, either way." <Apol> "Where is the Farmer's Fair?" <Grith> "I think I still need Gray's help. I still feel... less." <Vita> "I don't care." <Erias> "...I don't remember exactly. Somewhere in the middle of town?" <Fordran> (i could help Grith... tomorrow.) <DM> (Market plaza) <Erias> "Sounds like we'd best get Grith back, in any case." <Foster> "Ah, yes. We should probably repair to Gray's demesne if we are to aid Grith properly." <Erias> (Party split! Party split!) * Vita just follows where the others go * Foster leads the way out of the basement. * Apol lands on Foster. <Erias> "I will catch up with you -- let me just step back in to talk to Lucidus." <Foster> "Very well. Be seeing you, Erias." * Erias turns back to the stairs, doorway, or room... depending on where we are. <Fordran> "I think I can aid you, Grith, but I will need rest and meditation first. These last few events have been... taxing." <Apol> "Fordran, what's it like being dead? What does Pelor really look like?" <Erias> (we should be taking recent events more seriously, but we've had a week irl to adjust to people dying or petrifying and coming back.) <Sam> "Gray's place sounds like a more prudent destination...?" * Fordran thinks. <DM> (Erias, continue in msg, the rest of party will be in main channel) <Foster> (some of us are still a little shell-shocked) * Grith creases his brow at Fordran, "I... whatever you think is best. I don't know much about this sorta thing." <Vita> (yep) * Fordran chuckles, as if remembering a long-forgotten joke. <Fordran> "...I don't remember. At all." <Foster> "Doesn't that just figure, huh?" <Foster> "Reality just kind of stopped, as far as I was concerned." <Apol> "Awww. I was wondering if the place you go after you die is full of meat. Now I'll never know!" * Fordran grins. "It might be, Apol. Just might be." * Foster leads the party out of the church and into an alleyway nearby, out of sight of errant passers by. <Sam> "When I arrive there, Apol, I will let you know. Keep in mind, though, that I am in no hurry." * Apol nods to Sam and grins. * Foster addresses the air quietly. <Foster> "Hello, Gray. We'd like to come back now." <Apol> "Plenty still to do here." <Fordran> "Aren't we going back to the inn...?" <Foster> (... oy.) * Vita looks confused <Vita> "Where are we going?" <Apol> (We can still go back to the inn after a little bit, no one would know the difference) <Grith> (Did DM dole out XP from last session?) <Fordran> (yes) <Foster> "Now I'm confused, too. It must be a side effect of the petrification. I had thought that we should return to the facility and have Grith healed." <Fordran> "Ah. I see." <Fordran> "And then we come back to the inn?" <Foster> "That is quite functional." <Sam> "Agreed." <DM> You hear a single pair of armored footsteps approaching * Foster leans against a wall non-chalantly. <DM> Erias wanders past, apparently looking for something. <Apol> "Hi!" * Erias starts. <Erias> "Hi." * Erias turns and walks up to the rest of you. <Fordran> "Welcome back." <Erias> "Lucidus has asked that I meet him at the Inn before dawn tomorrow. The rest of you are welcome as well. Other than that, we can go where we wish." <Erias> "Shall we head back to Gray's base, then?" <Foster> "Certainly, if Gray would see fit to transport us there." * Erias looks around, scanning the sky. <Apol> "Are Gray talking again?" <Erias> "I must admit I always feel a bit odd about people watching me." <Foster> "They... weren't talking?" <Apol> "For a little while. They seem sad after Gray died to the beam." <Foster> "Hm." * Erias looks concerned. <Foster> "The amulet was an access key to their power repository." <Foster> "Perhaps we should head to the inn." <Apol> "What's an aboleth?" <Erias> "So, uh... we can't get back?" <Fordran> "I don't understand that, but it sounds bad, Foster." <Grith> "They made a copy... right?" <Erias> "Can anyone pick locks?" <Foster> "I am not aware of whether they did or not, Grith." <Apol> "They are having aboleths?" <Erias> "What's an aboleth?" <Fordran> "What are those?" * Vita looks confused and in pain <Foster> "The aboleth is loose? That would explain their unresponsiveness." <Apol> "I don't know... Gray just said that they have problems with aboleth." <Erias> "If it's a beast of some kind, perhaps we could help?" <Grith> (flavor text Wis check) <Grith> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 9 | [d20=6] [+3=3] (Grith) <DM> (This would be a K: Dungeoneering check) <Grith> (nevermind) <Fordran> "I feel as if I'm missing something here." <Erias> (I'm assuming I haven't heard of them, given minimal exposure to psionics) <Erias> (could untrained K: Dungeoneering reveal anything?) <Vita> "I feel like we should go to the inn." <DM> (K: psionics would work too) <Foster> "There was an aboleth, which is an water-dwelling monster with powerful mental abilities, held captive in the facility. They were able to control it when last I spoke to them, however, I suspect that the amulet's destruction is having unforseen side-effects." <Foster> "We should probably go to the inn." <Erias> (K: anything is not really my area.) <Erias> "I... see." <Foster> "We will be able to render aid to them tomorrow." * Erias nods. <Foster> "Hopefully, they will be able to hold out that long." <Erias> "Alright, let's go." <Erias> (we head in the direction of the inn, unless someone objects.) * Sam follows. <Foster> "Ideally, they would simply be able to teleport it out of the facility." <Fordran> "...Teleport it where, exactly?" <Foster> "The middle of the ocean, far away from us." <Erias> "Some defenseless seaside town?" <Erias> "Ah." * Foster starts off towards the inn. * Erias heads toward the inn with the others. <DM> You arrive at the Sandpiper, which is still empty. <Erias> (we don't have rooms here, do we? Is the innkeeper here?) <DM> (The place was commandeered, there are no civilians here) <Erias> (oh, right.) <Sam> (i bet we can get rooms if we flaunt the bling~) * Erias heads upstairs and looks for an empty room. * Foster does the same. * Vita says "Do you think it's ok if I go lie down in a room"? <Sam> "I would not object." <Foster> "I think that's the idea for most of us." <Fordran> "I think so." * Apol stays in the common room. * Vita does so, if such a reasonable empty room presents itself <DM> You find the rooms unoccupied by the knights because they are merely unlived in instead of organized with military precision. * Foster finds somewhere to sit down and meditate, and promptly begins to do so. * Erias organizes his room with military precision and goes to sleep. * Fordran enters his room, does some evening prayers, and goes to sleep. * Apol sits on the mantle over the fireplace and looks at stuff. <DM> Vita, your pain dulls and fades after an hour of restlessness. * Sam picks a room, meditates, and sleeps. * Grith takes up an entire bed and then some. * Vita tosses and turns and tosses and turns and... falls asleep immediately after the pain disappears <Vita> (brb, making dinner now that I'm at least a little hungry) <DM> (Stuff happening behind scenes while people snooze) <DM> (Tell me if you're doing stuff in the middle of the night) * Fordran snores, perhaps even turning over a couple times. * Sam sleeps calmly and tries to have an otherwise Very Boring Night. * Vita makes cute little high-pitched sleeping noises * pst has joined #ddi * Foster is rather dead to the world. <DM> Apol is snoozing curled up over the mantle of the fireplace. * Grith has intermittent nightmares about the slaughter of various party members at the hands of different monsters. <Grith> (Argh. Rebooting.) * Grith has quit IRC * Sam dreams of...vegetable farming? * Vita is too exhausted to dream <Vita> (fortunately) <DM> How long are you guys sleeping? * Devo has joined #ddi * DM sets mode: +o Devo * Fordran gropes devo. * Vita is sleeping until she wakes up <Sam> (yeah, that long) <Devo> (Ngah! Damnit!) * Devo is now known as Grith <DM> (hee) * Grith blocks. <Vita> (however long that takes, or if someone wakes her up) * Fordran sleeps until dawn. <Sam> (/autogrope 4tw?) * Foster meditates until disturbed. <Grith> (Yeah... I was too slow.) * Grith wakes up naturally after 8-9 hours sleep. <Grith> |context 20 <DM> Fordran, what are you doing at dawn? <Fordran> (morning prayers, i assume. getting erias to join, if he's awake.) <DM> You find Erias waiting for you outside your room. * Erias nods to Fordran. <Fordran> "Good morning, Erias. Would you like to join me for morning prayer?" <Erias> "Yes." <DM> (Grith will be waking in another 3 hours or so) <Fordran> "Let's go outside and greet the sun, then." <DM> (Fordran will be fatigued until he gets the remainder of his rest) * Erias walks outside with Fordran. <DM> (But, being a cheaty divine caster, does not care for spell purposes) <Fordran> (hot) <Erias> (prayer ensues, etc?) <Fordran> (my spell slots reset normally?) <DM> (Yes) <DM> (takes an hour, I'm assuming) <Grith> (Goddamnit. Rhonda sent me an e-card. I foolishly downloaded the active X controls to view it. Now my YM is fucked beyond recognition. I hate the web. <cries>) * Sam does various exercises shortly after dawn. <DM> Sam, getting up at dawn means being fatigued <Fordran> (pwned) <Grith> (totally) <Sam> (bah, screw it then) <Sam> (i'm lousy at keeping track of what time it is over a three-week-long day) <Grith> (So does Fordran sneak into Grith's room and lay some "healing" hands on him?) <Fordran> (i didn't know we were going to sleep so late, but i'm still getting up at dawn, because.) <Fordran> (if you count teabagging as "healing", sure) <Sam> (Divine Molestation) <Grith> (...) <DM> Alright, unless you have anything in particular, you finish your prayers, reset spells, and head back to the inn. <Grith> (...when did we start playing SC III?!) * Fordran yawns a little on the way back. <DM> What do you do until the others wake up? <Erias> "You should get a bit more sleep, Fordran. The others won't be up for a while." <Fordran> "It's probably too early to talk to the magistrate..." <Fordran> "Are you sure? Pelor will lend me strength, I am sure." <Erias> "True enough, but I'd be happy to wake you when the others rise, if you wish. No sense being overtired." * Fordran nods. "I suppose I could use a little more rest. Let me know when the others awake." * Erias nods. * Fordran falls asleep. Zzz. * Erias heads down to the main room. <DM> It's empty now, except for a snoozing Apol. * Erias makes some tea, and sits at the table, thinking. <DM> ((Int check)) <DM> (Kidding) * Foster groggily walks downstairs. <Foster> "'morning, Erias." <Erias> "Morning, Foster." <Sam> (you fail your Tea Ceremony check~) * Foster pulls up a chair and helps himself to some tea. <Foster> "Yesterday was a bad day." <Foster> "I hope today is better." <Erias> "I think the worst may be past." <Vita> (let me know when I naturally wake up) <Foster> "We can hope." <DM> (Will do) * Apol wakes up to the sound of voices. * Apol streches leisurely leaps off the mantle and floats the ground. <DM> (During this conversation, it'll have been 8 hours. Sam, Vita, Grith, your call if you get up.) <Foster> "I suppose I should get to work identifying the things we took from Mozwell, but I think we should wait to hear from Gray first." * Vita stretches, rolls over, and decides to go back to sleep for another hour <Erias> "If they need our help with the water beast, yes, we should be ready." * Apol leaps up and lands on Foster. <Foster> "Hello, Apol." <Foster> "Sleep well?" <Apol> "Hi! Yes. * Grith gets up, stumbles out of his room in his small clothes, rubbing his eyes and blinking blearily. He runs into his doorframe, collides with the far wall, then stumbles down the stairs. * Grith blinks at the people in the common room, then turns around and goes back upstairs without a word. <DM> The common room people hear a series of thumps and thuds. * Foster grunts slightly as Apol lands on him. * Foster continues to drink his tea. <Apol> "After the fight yesterday, do you think we are strong enough to fight that thing Gray wants us to fight now?" <Sam> (now preparing monkly beverage) <Foster> "Which thing does Gray want us to fight?" <Erias> "The fish with the mental powers?" * Sam inexplicably dreams about incorrect fish. <Apol> "The powerful thing that Gray sees in the future that Gray wanted us to fight. Not a fish." <Foster> "...ah." <Apol> "Yesterday was a good test of our strength. We need to die less." <Foster> "I think we may still need to work harder before we are ready to face that particular challenge." * Grith comes stumbling down the stairs again, fully clothed and buckling on his breastplate, Shara over his shoulder in her usual place. <Erias> "I will be right back." * Grith hair looks especially unkempt. * Erias heads up the stairs and knocks on Fordran's door. * Erias nods at Grith on the way. "Morning." <Apol> "Hmmm. I'd like to ask Gray if they think we are big enough, but they are busy." <Apol> "Hi!" <Foster> "Certainly, it would help if we were to find more information about what we're up against." * Vita and her vague slumber are awoken for the second time by Grith walking through the hallway, and chooses to get up <Sam> (kill more, die less...this sounds like dawn's advice~) * Fordran wakes up. * Fordran goes to the door, opens it a little. Sees Erias. <Fordran> "Good morning, again. Is it still morning? Is everyone awake?" * Sam dreams about incorrect, amphibious bipedal fish with huge brains and giant feet that go stomp stomp. <Erias> "Yes, I think so. Vita isn't downstairs yet." <Foster> "Out of curiosity, do we know what Gray is busy with?" <Apol> (BTW this is just my guess. Apol speaks in absolute, but this is just my guess that the last fight was not what Gray was talking about) <Foster> "Still having aboleth problems?' * Grith nods back to Erias, takes a seat ungracefully, making the chair or bench creak loudly. "Food. Tea." <Fordran> "Still asleep, then? I should get dressed. I'll be down in a moment." <DM> You could probably raid the kitchen, Grith, but there aren't any waitstaff here. * Erias nods, and heads back down. <Vita> (sorry, got a parental phone call) * Vita comes down the stairs * Sam wakes, dresses, and walks calmly into the common room. * Fordran comes downstairs after a couple minutes. <Fordran> "Pelor's light warm you this day, everyone." <Grith> "Hmmm." He gets up and goes to poke his head in the kitchen... then decides to grab a large platter and pile foods of various kinds on it, enough for several people. <Erias> "Alright, you're all here." <Erias> "I've talked with Lucidus, and he's suggested that I remain here to keep an eye on the area; we can't be sure that the influence of the false church is completely gone." <Foster> "I agree that the region will bear some watching." <Fordran> "I can stay here to provide the people with spiritual help, if you would like." <Erias> "I would like to remain with the rest of you and continue dealing with this odd and complicated situation we're in. The other knights will be returning to the east (or west, or insert city name here) -- they may have already left." <Foster> "There's also the question of whether the thing we killed last night was the proto-god that Gray had previously spoken of, or a being of significantly lesser stature." <Fordran> "I imagine that they might need some guidance." <Vita> "_Lesser_? That thing might have been lesser?" <Foster> "A terrifying prospect, I agree." <Fordran> "It was quite powerful, but... I expect an ascendant god to be, well, more." <Erias> "I suppose that does make sense." * Apol nods. <Vita> "Well..." * Vita scuffs her toe "I guess you have a point" * Grith returns with a huge platter full of food, if that's possible. Sets it down in the middle of the table they're all at, says "Eat" then grabs a wedge of cheese, bread, and some fruit for himself. <Apol> "Why would Gray kill all those others before us for just that one orb?" * Vita eats * Fordran says a short prayer of blessing over the food. * Sam eats carefully-considered portions of the non-meats. <Foster> "There are several other minor concerns that we may wish to keep in mind, as well. Bloodnose likely thirsts for revenge, though his fear of Gray may continue to keep him at bay for the time being." <Erias> "Thanks, Grith." * Erias digs in while continuing to listen. * Grith shrugs, "Was hungry." * Fordran reaches for that sunny fruit, an orange. <Foster> "Apol and I should probably check in with Argus and his wife. We haven't spoken in a while, and he may have some sort of insight on the situation." <Grith> "What -was- that disgusting thing we killed last night?" <Apol> "Argus said he was going away. He's probably not here now." <Foster> |roll d20+9 <tafal> 25 | [d20=16] [+9=9] (Foster) <Foster> "Ah. Well then, I suppose can cross that consultation off the list." <Erias> "I have heard of floating eye creatures, with immense magical power, although I've never seen one before." <Sam> "I don't care to see one again. Or have it see me." <Grith> "I agree with Sam." <Vita> "Eye? Wasn't it just a ball of light?" <Erias> "After it was dead, the light went away. It was a flesh and blood creature underneath." <DM> (There was a fleshy bulbous corpse with a ruined large central eye, after Erias smashed it) <Erias> (retcon my line if Vita retcons hers.) <Vita> "Oh. I wasn't really paying attention at that point." <Grith> "They don't live in packs, do they? Travel in pairs? Some animals... you find one, there's a mate nearby. Some monsters, too." <Fordran> "That would be a terrifying sight." * Fordran starts working on a grapefruit, and dutifully gets squirted in the eye with citrus. <Grith> "The mate... or the mating?" Arches a brow. <Foster> "They're creatures called "Beholders", presumably referencing their many eyes." <Sam> "That was no animal. I care not what it really was." <Foster> "They... don't like other things in general, and hate other beholders." <Grith> "Well... that's something." <Fordran> "There we agree." <Foster> "Rarely, they form an organization around themselves, as this one seems to have." <Erias> "Fortunate." <Foster> "But never with other beholders." * Grith nods looking vaguely thoughtful as he rips into the bread and cheese with massive bites. <Foster> "So, at least for the short term, we should be safe from various forms of eye-projected death." <Grith> (or thoughtfully vague) * Vita has a sudden thought "Oh. It really wasn't a god if it was flesh and blood after we killed it. Darn." * Grith nods again at Vita's comment, "So what do we do next, then?" <Sam> ("Its kung fu was good. But it is dead now.") * Apol looks up. <Apol> "Gray is coming." <Erias> "Well, our greatest asset aside from those present is the base, and it is in danger." <Vita> "Wait what who where how?" * Erias glances at Apol, then looks around. * Foster stands up, just in case. * Fordran looks at the entryway. * Vita looks around <Vita> "Um, coming to us or are we going to... uh... them?" * Sam remains calm and relaxed. * Erias sees Foster stand up, and stands as well, picking up his shield. <Apol> "Coming here, on foot. Gray, or part of Gray." <Foster> "Obviously, there are problems at home." <Vita> "Great." <DM> There is a brief double-tap at the door. <Foster> "Hopefully, we can work to at least partially restore their transportation abilities." * Fordran goes to answer it. <Apol> "Who's there?" <DM> There's a pause. * Fordran sighs a little at Apol. * Fordran shakes his head. <DM> "Gr... Gary." <Apol> "Gary who?" * Sam snerks. * Fordran opens the door. * Vita also snerks, or even snirks <DM> A mostly-non-descript man in peasant clothes is smiling plasticly at you. <Grith> "Ah... Sir, uh, Fordran?" <DM> "May I come in?" <Sam> (mm, plastic.) <Foster> "I think that would be advisable, yes." <Apol> "hmm. *That* wasn't funny..." *mumbles* * Fordran shows Gary in. * Fordran closes the door after him. <Grith> (Gary?) <DM> As soon as the door closes, the expression falls off of his face. <DM> "We had unforeseen difficulties." * Vita nods politely at him then stops <Sam> "They would not be difficulties otherwise?" <DM> He looks at Sam oddly. <Apol> "Why didn't you let us help?" <Erias> "I heard something about an aboleth." * Grith continues eating when everyone else has stopped, probably until the platter is cleared. <DM> (Gray) "We lost our Nomad Prime." * Sam gets a sheepish, apologetic look. <DM> (Gray) "We could not bring anyone in, or send many out." <Vita> "Um, excuse me, but what's a nomad prime?" <DM> (Gray) "Do you remember the one who teleported you en masse?" <Apol> "He shouldn't have come. Do you have more?" <Foster> "I must apologize for the destruction of the nexus device. I was... indisposed at the time, and unable to prevent it being from being targeted." <Sam> (drat, natural 1 on my snark check) <DM> (Gray) "Shouldn't have come? He never left the facility." <DM> A pained look crosses his face at Foster's comment. <Apol> "He was there." <Erias> "I don't understand all the ...complicated parts. How can we get in? How can we help?" * Vita in confusion decides to pick at the scraps of food <DM> (Gray) "The aboleth took control of the Nomad Prime, and we were forced to destroy him before he could free the aboleth." <Vita> *munch munch* <Fordran> "Oh. I'm very sorry." <Fordran> "But the... aboleth... is still contained?" * Grith shakes his head, looking grim. <DM> (Gray) "Yes. Much potential was lost." <DM> (Gray) "... in... a way. Contained." <Foster> "This is most unfortunate. How can we assist you?" <DM> (Gray) "Mmm... Keep our secret. Some of us have fled. We will disperse, hide, grow again." <Foster> "Very well. Is the facility... intact?" <DM> (Gray) "Not... exactly. Some measures were taken to destroy as much evidence as possible. We noted your interest in our salvage, however." * Apol breathes a sigh of relief. <Foster> (I wasn't going to say it. :P) <Apol> "Are we big enough yet to fight what you want us to fight?" <Erias> (Me either. I am a paladin with no interest in earthly treasures and GIVE ME LOOT!) <DM> (Gray) "We ruptured part of the facility and sent it to the surface. It is just beneath low-tide where we sent Erias and Fordran to pray. <Erias> "Down, Apol. Hang on, we'll come with you." <DM> Gray gives Apol an inscrutable look. <DM> (Gray) "What do you mean?" <Foster> "Good to know. Regarding your plans for the future... is the ascendant deity that we were originally recruited to fight still at large, or was that what we actually defeated last night?" <DM> (Gray) "... I... the vision is unclear now. There was a balance point last night... But... the vision was shattered..." <DM> Gray looks perturbed and sighs. <DM> (Gray) "Look, it's hard for me, you know? Like I've been cut off from most of my thoughts, suddenly, painfully, last night." * Vita throws up her hands and goes back into the kitchen for more food muttering under her breath ("so much for an answer I can understand") <Foster> "I can understand that." * Foster shudders slightly, recalling his first introduction to Gray. <Erias> "I'm sorry, Gray." <DM> He takes a deep breath to regain composure. <Sam> "Maybe I should be glad that I cannot understand." <Erias> "Would you like some tea?" <DM> (Gray) "We will reach our-- thank you, no-- we will reach our potential. It is only a matter of time." * Vita comes back with a smaller plate of food and puts it in the middle of the table * Vita nibbles <DM> Gray glances at Apol and smiles sadly. <DM> (Gray) "Me, personally? I believe the threat has passed. But I don't know what we would have said. I don't think we're in any position to help anyone at the moment." * Fordran frowns. <DM> He looks at each of you, briefly, then heads for the door. <Erias> "I -- is there anything we can do for you?" * Foster nods to him as he leaves. <Fordran> "How will we know when you have regained your strength?" <DM> (Gray, over his shoulder) "Remember, beach, where we dropped you off before. Low-tide." <Apol> "When you reach your potential, be nicer! Good luck! Bye!" * Erias nods, and leans back in his chair. <DM> (Gray) "Mmm... You'll know." <DM> With that, he leaves. <Foster> "An ominous parting note, that." * Fordran follows Gary -- Gray -- to the door, closes it after him. * Grith nods at Foster's words, frowning. <Foster> "Perhaps we should attend to that salvage he spoke of before the beachcombers happen upon it." <Vita> "He said "me personally"... does that mean there are other Gary...Gray... things that are separate?" * Fordran returns to the table. "Well. Yes, good idea." <Grith> "When is low tide?" <Foster> "First, though, are you still feeling drained, Grith?" <Foster> "I would suspect so, Vita." * Grith blinks at Foster, then nods, "I, er... yes." <Fordran> "Ah, yes. Let me take care of that, Grith." * Vita frowns slightly, but doesn't say anything * Grith frowns at nothing in particular but nods and sits still. <Foster> "I have a theory that the amulet which was destroyed served as a sort of bridge between their minds." * Fordran walks over to Grith, reaches into his pouch, and sprinkles some sparkly dust over Grith while mumbling a prayer to Pelor. (Restoration) <DM> Grith's soul feels all warm and fuzzy. * Sam tries not to think about shared mind concepts too much. <Vita> "I still don't understand the aboleth thing" <Foster> "I don't think I want to." * Grith relaxes visibly, "That's... that's much better. Thank you, Fordran." <Vita> "Is it anything like an oblelisk?" * Fordran smiles. "Good, good." <Fordran> "Obelisk? Is that one of those large lizard things? I heard caravan stories about them." <Erias> "Perhaps they're related to the floating eyes. I think they can turn things to stone as well." <Foster> "An obelisk is a large sculpture. An aboleth is a monster that dwells deap underwater and entertains goals of world domination." <Erias> (gg low int!) <Foster> (s/deap/deep/) <Vita> "Oh. Um. I guess not then." <Vita> "Is it lizard-like?" <Foster> "More fish-like than anything, I believe." <Foster> "On that note, shall we take a trip to the beach?" * Foster rubs his hands together and hefts his satchel. <Apol> "Can we get a cart?" <Vita> "I suppose we shall." <Erias> "Yes, let's head out. Oh... right." <Erias> "We will probably be unable to transport it all." <Foster> "Hm. Perhaps renting a cart is a good idea, Apol." <Foster> "There should be a livery house around here somewhere." <Sam> (eewww, liver. oh, wait) <Apol> "At the Farmer's Fair?" <Erias> "Another thought is this: where can we store these items? They are highly valuable, and take up a great deal of space. An inn room could do, but in the long run we will need more permanent space." <DM> If anyone bothers to check, there's a small cart in the inn's stable <Foster> "I'm sure one of the helpful town guards will know, if they can stop gushing about the Farmer's Fair long enough." <Foster> (that works, too) <Erias> "I think I saw a small cart in the inn's stable." <Foster> "Perhaps we could rent a house." <Erias> "That could do for now, and once we've retrieved everything we could see about accomodations." <Erias> (so, I assume we take the cart to the beach. We should probably wrap this up.) <Erias> (I mean, for tonight.) <Foster> (Sounds like a good idea.) <DM> Yeah, you take the cart to the beach. <DM> With a little orientation, Erias and Fordran figure out where they must have been. <DM> You spot a strange piece of something whitish in the tidewater. <DM> *whiteish * Erias approaches it, trying not to fall over and drown in plate mail. <DM> You wade out to it * Foster follows him. <DM> It's a very large, bulbous mass of the same material as the strange white walls in Gray's complex * Vita follows people <Vita> (If it gets too deep for her and Pup she asks Grith for a life <Foster> "I think we will probably need Grith's help to move this." <Vita> lift * Grith follows everyone else, literally. * Foster tries pushing it, anyhow. <Foster> (towards the shore) <DM> You get it to shore without incident. <Erias> (we try to get it onto the cart.) <DM> The material is pliant, and you can see pointy things jut out. <DM> Ok, it's on the cart. <Apol> (I'm now imagining that big Earth ball game) <Sam> (oooh, pointy!) <Foster> "Do we have anything to cover this with?" <DM> (What, Katamari Damacy? :P) <Erias> (approximate size?) <Foster> "I neglected to bring an extra bedsheet or two along on this excursion." <DM> (The contents of the armory :P) * Erias shrugs. "This will have to do for now." <Sam> (cue girly j-pop-rock~) <Foster> "Indeed." <Erias> (we haul the cart back to the inn.) <DM> Okay. <DM> Luckily, there don't seem to be people out and about. * Grith helps, but otherwise continues to follow people. <DM> You get it back to the inn without comment or incident. <Erias> (I should bow out. I suggest we leave people to keep an eye on the cart while others look into renting a house. I'm not sure if we have treasury contents as well as armory.) <DM> When you get it open, just the armory. <Erias> (okay.) <DM> And alright. You'll have Real Downtime now. <Foster> glee. * Foster identifies the universe. <Erias> (well, we probably have enough to rent a house if it comes to that. Or if Argus was around, I'd suggest asking about using his basement or some such.) <Sam> (q - an uncursed +0 universe) <Foster> (+1 Vorpal Metalline Universe, Lifebane) <Foster> (And yeah, inquiries as to renting a house sound good) <DM> Feel free to email me stuff you'll be doing during downtime <Foster> (As does, once we have established our assets, seeing about securing it from scrying, etc) <DM> I'll take that into account as I begin the next chapter <DM> And now, logging