ACDM Cayzle Saturday January 19th, 2008 11:11:50 AM
Welcome to Blackbird Lake!
DM Kent Monday January 21st, 2008 4:26:45 PM
As Vaught, Vorelle and Berlon, Malgant,and Aztyr sit down to eat and Val, Bart and Apollo watch their compatriots sail off, their vision blurs momentarily and then in front of them they see a patch of swirling mists. looking into the mists they see something approaching: two flames side by side - eyes, blazing eyes in a mask-like, hollow face. The face seems to see you; it draws nearer, and speaks:
"Are you the ones? Are you the ones? Long indeed the swords sleep, and I wait, and evil grows stronger."
Though the voice is a whisper, the echoes of the face's speech roll through the mist. It fixes you with those eyes of leaping flame, and asks again, oddly pleading,
"Are you the ones?"
As the flames and face fade into the mist, things clear a bit and you see a large clear lake and then suddenly the view is covered by a flock of what looks like blackbirds and then everything goes black.
DM Kent Monday January 21st, 2008 4:41:06 PM
Over a few weeks worth of travel you eight adventureres find yourselves converging upon the entry door to the Tears of the Woods Inn. You are all a bit tired as you haven't been sleeping all that well as every night several times a night you have been visited by the misty vision and voice.
It is a large, three-story building, with an enclosed courtyard inside and gardens in the back, toward the river. Above the front door is the sign of a large weeping willow tree.
Surrounding the inn is a wide track that encircles the place. It appears to be a horse track, and it is set up for as an exercise and training area, as well as races. Currenlty there are several horses being exercised on the track.
There is no porch at the front, but instead there is a wide awning that extends out from the front and two sides for about twelve feet. These awnings are done in the local orcish style, and there are currently a small part of orcs frequenting one of the tables that is under the awning.
The tavern itself is of new construction. It is sturdy, with stone walls for the first two stories and solid logs for the third. There are arrow slits on the ground floor and large round windows, like portholes, on the second floor. There are smaller portholes in the third. There is only one public entrance, big enough for horses (but not caravan wagons).
The first floor is an inner courtyard open to the sky, surrounded by the stables. It's quite an extensive stables too -- well beyond the requirements of a wayside Inn or Tavern. Horsemueller keeps it immaculate -- not a blade of grass or straw is out of place.
Also on the first floor are kitchens, pantries, barracks, and baths. The baths have round bath tubs in relatively private cubicles near the stables. One is actually big enough for a horse, and therefore is also Taur-sized. The water is hot, the towels are clean but a bit scratchy, and the place is clean enough.
Also on the ground level is, kitchens, pantries, and barracks. The second floor has the common room and guest rooms to let -- ten rooms holding up to six guests each. The third floor is staff housing and storage. There is a simple pulley and lift to help move things up and down.
The heart of the place, the common room, is famous for really cool brewed ales, unique to this particular tavern, where you can go in and ask for a pint of Horsemasters, a mug of Orcshead, or maybe a glass of Blackbird wine. The bar was built from the hull of a sailing ship -- a few barnacles and limpets are still stuck onto the wood. It smells of beer and salt water. A rather voluptuous woman-shaped ship's figurehead holds up the bar's section of the ceiling.
There are eight full-time bouncers/guards working here -- four on, four off, in 12-hour shifts. The long shifts are not so bad since a shift mostly consists of sitting in the common room or roaming around glaring at troublemakers. At least one bouncer/guard is always on the roof keeping watch next to an alarm gong. The bouncers -- a mix of half-orcs and humans -- generally use greatswords and chain shirts.
Another 20-odd staffers work in the place -- cooks, maids, grooms, haulers, etc. There's a carpenter with masonry skills and a blacksmith with a small forge in the courtyard. His biggest job is shoeing horses. There's a half-orc brewer, too. A couple farmers grow vegetables and herbs in small fenced fields out back, and another couple fishers keep fresh river fish on the tables and in the stew-pots. The management pays for fresh game that locals bring in from time to time. Flour, sugar, and other staples are mostly imported.
Vorelle and Champ Monday January 21st, 2008 7:04:51 PM
Disoriented, Vorelle looks around. She recognizes the place; she visited here on that unforgettable adventure with the Swords of Redemption. But what is she doing here now?
"Wh-what j-j-just ha-happened?" she asks.
At her side, Champ whines anxiously. She hugs the shaggy dog reassuringly.
Val Monday January 21st, 2008 10:21:00 PM
She stands tall for an elf with solid black skin. Her hair, the color of sunset, is cut short just above the neck. Gleaming mithril chain hugs her voluptious body. A transparent misty warhammer hangs at her hip and a quiver of arrows is strapped to her back. Val doesn't sleep. Therefore she doesn't dream as other races do. She finds the concept as strange as humans find reverie. Even after eight days the strange elf is still upset. Upset at being stranded. Upset at the other swords quitting when they were finally making progress.
"I need a drink...." She spat and headed inside.
ooc: I understood the post as it was implied we traveled together for eight days. We were all magically transported by some dark power to the middle of knowhere.
Kent- No each group traveled to this place following the "dream"
Vauhwyt and Mookie Monday January 21st, 2008 10:56:33 PM
Vauhwyt too recognizes this place. And she too feels disoriented.
"Was it all a dream?" she asks. "Somewhere in my head I have a memory of the Battle of Dirt City. The fight with the Crimson Skulls. And killing goblins!"
The liontaur grins at the idea of killing goblins.
"And do I have a memory of going before Gargul to plead his favor? I know that I vowed to serve him. I feel a tie to him like my tie to the Lady of Vengeance."
"It must be, Vorelle, that we have finished that battle and have come to this place. For a reason, I bet."
"But these visions have made my mind foggy, and I don't know what has happened and what is only a dream!"
She looks around.
Vauhwyt is dressed in black cloth armor studded with spikes. She has a black and red cloak, a carved wood amulet, a backpack and saddle bags. Her auburn mane is asymmetric -- long on one side of her face, covering her ear and eye; short on the other, revealing an emerald green earring.
On her shoulder is a talking raven. The bird wears a headband, and a magic stone floats over his head. You know he can talk because he is saying, "Look, Boss, let me make this easier for you. It's a Brave New Wold. Get used to it."
Vauhwyt Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 7:45:08 PM
Vauhwyt sees Val and exclaims, "Here's a familiar face! Val! It's Vauhwyt from Dirt City! And Vorelle! Do you remember us?"
Malgant Wednesday January 23rd, 2008 11:17:09 PM
Having left Arminas' side a few days ago as they traveled through the Culverwood Malgant finally sees the place he has be getting a glimpse of every night since leaving Jarlswolf. The Minotaur grunts and heads toward the building. His full plate armor sheathes his body in steel. Across his back is a large greatsword, covered by a large steel shield. At his waist is belted a large longsword as well. He walks with a weary gait, but also seems to have no fear of walking alone. Looking towards the building Malgant notices the guards outside, and knowing better than to startle a guard, calls out a greeting in a deep voice and lifts a hand in greeting. Noting the woman and dog outside of the building he greets her as well. She looks kind of disoriented and the dog seems to note its companions disquiet. Malgant stops a few feet from her and waits a moment for her to sort herself out. As he waits he notes that she, much like himself seems a bit weary, showing dark circles under her eyes. After a moment he asks her, " Do you feel alright? You seem a bit uneasy. Maybe you should head inside for a drink. My name is Malgant. Would you like a hand inside?"
OOC sorry for the late posting, Still sorting my leveling out and I haven't got all the ideas I want to do figured out yet.
Vorelle Thursday January 24th, 2008 12:26:51 AM
Vorelle glances up to see a Taur shape looming over her. "O-Oni?" she asks, straightening up. "Oh!" Seeing that the minotaur is not, in fact, someone she knows, she goes immediately into her full "shy girl" mode. Her chin drops, her shoulders hunch, and she is suddenly very interested in the ground.
Val Thursday January 24th, 2008 11:36:04 AM
Val had stepped into the tavern when she heard somebody call her name. She turned and looked back seeing a female liontaur dressed in black studded leather, a massive minotaur covered in steel, and an embarressed girl. Perhaps two mercs and a local.
"Did somebody call my name?" she asked. Val didn't proceed further into the tavern nor did she head back out.
Berlon Thursday January 24th, 2008 5:20:12 PM
"Foofnikkar?"
The tall gnome (at least as far as gnomes go) rubs his eyes in confusion. "Get it, Vorelle? Because that's the wand, and, er..." he trails off, apparantly too dazed to explain his own jokes.
Malgant Thursday January 24th, 2008 6:05:28 PM
" Oni?, no, my name is Malgant. I am a potector of Domi. Are you from around this place? I have been.... drawn here. It seems someone, or something needs to speak to me and some others . Are you one of the others that has been called to this place?" Noting that the woman now seems to be concentrating hard on the ground Malgant carefully squats down to put himself more on her level. Squating in plate is not an easy feat, so it takes a moment for him to accomplish. Removing a gauntlet he extends his hand palm up to the dog to let it catch his scent and try and make friends. The scent of the woods, woodsmoke and fresh leaves mixes with the scent of oiled metal and leather coming from the Minoatur. " Did you drop something? I can help you look for it if you like." He becomes a bit uneasy. This is not going well. He is not sure if he has frightened the woman and she is too scared to walk away, or if perhaps she is not able to understand him for some reason.
Vauhwyt and Mookie Thursday January 24th, 2008 11:39:03 PM
Vauhwyt rushes up to Val.
"Val! Valanthe! Don't you remember us? We had an adventure on Blackbird Lake? Just after you fought those slavers? And the island sank? Where is Ashira and Appolo? They'll remember us."
Meanwhile, Mookie laughs when Berlon says the magic "F" word again. "I like you! You're crazy!" caws the bird.
[OOC: Welcome everybody!]
Bart Friday January 25th, 2008 4:30:08 AM
Bart did stand outside the inn for a few moments looking around, getting new impressions from this place, he sees the courtyard and the stables. Hmm it seems a lifetime ago a ride a horse. A lot has happend since.
Bart wears his usual travel outfit, his mithral chain shirt hidden by a robe, he wears a cloak, pinned with a brooch that looks like a strange shark he wears some leather gloves and a steel shield on his back alongside his backpack he has no vissible weapons with him.
The young fighter walks in and sees some familiar faces and some new. Hihow are you, He Vauhwt have you been drawn here too? It looks like we are summoned here by some great power.
Val Friday January 25th, 2008 6:51:18 AM
"I do remember you. Since I've only met one liontaur before but the name escapes me. Appolo is around here somewhere and there's Bart. The others, well they decided to retire and just up and left."
Vorelle and Champ Friday January 25th, 2008 3:30:04 PM
"V-V-V-Vorelle," she responds to Maglant's introduction. She doesn't look up, however.
More outgoing, Champ readily sniffs the offered hand, then lets out a soft "whuff!" and wags his tail.
Malgant Friday January 25th, 2008 5:02:18 PM
"Well met then Vorelle, and who is your friend here?" Sensing hat the dog is not scared Malgant gently scratches it behind the ears. He hears others in the courtyard nearby and shifts his attention to them as he scratches the dog's ears. "Pardon me. Did I hear you right? Did you say you had been summoned here? I have been seeing this place evry night, just as I get down to some sound sleep I see a pair of burning eyes and this place. A voice keeps asking if 'we are the ones'. Does that sound familiar? Oh, and my name is Malgant, and I am pleased to meet you all." The last trails off as if he is prompting them to offer their names as well.
Vauhwyt Friday January 25th, 2008 6:24:17 PM
The liontaur smiles and bows. "I'm Vauhwyt" -- it sounds like "Vow-wet" -- "and this is Mookie." THe raven bows too, and says, "Charmed, I'm sure."
Yeah, I had those same visions too. What does that mean?
Appolo Friday January 25th, 2008 9:06:52 PM
Appolo come walking up leadinga mule carrying his chest along with extra supplies he took off the ship just before he left for this place.He looks well rested and relaxed.Seeing Vorelle.her dog anda rather large well armoured Mimotuar in th courtyar he moves forward"Well hello Vorrela.See you're still to shy for your own good."The 6 foot 6 in 200lb rail thin human with molted grey and brown lether armour and claok looks at the Minotaur"Hello names Appolo formsly of the Swords of redemption called here to doa job while the others sail back to our pcolony to retire."Appolo is built rather likea fine sword thin. swift hard razor sharp and lethal.He has long brown hair,blue eyes anda deep bronze tan.His haor is braided pirate style and nearlyas long as Vorelle is tall.H
Appolo sticks his hand out to the Taur witha friendly smile.He alsoat first glance seems to be unarmed.Closer examination reavela the hilts of various sharp edges weapons neatly concealed on his body.
Vorelle and Champ Monday January 28th, 2008 12:04:46 AM
"Th-this is Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch--" Vorelle says, trying to answer Maglant's question. Her tongue ties itself in knots, and she has to start over. "Th-this is Ch-Ch-Champ," she finally manages, her face flaming scarlet.
When Appollo arrives, she subtly moves away from him, and keeps a careful eye on him.
Vorelle is a slender woman in worn--but clean--travelling clothes. Her clothing tends toward the shapeless and baggy, so it's difficult to tell what she really looks like. Her cloak is the greens and browns of the forest, and seems to shift subtly to blend in with her environment. She carries a backpack and quiver, but no bow.
With her hood up as it is now, it's difficult to tell her features and coloring--or even her race. If she finally removes her hood, she reveals a human woman with untidy dark-blond hair and gray eyes.
Champ is a shaggy dog with something rather wolf-like in his appearance. He is considerably less shy than his human friend.
The gnome's voice trails off as if he is searching for the right words, but can't find them. Never a good sign.
He holds his hands up before him, as if they are unfamiliar. Berlon almost got used to the way the soot clung to his hands in Dirt City, but now his hands look as if the clay of the earth itself covered them. They are now a deep red, and one of them is holding a crystalline carving of a long slender hand. Each finger in the hand has two hollowed out notches, and five of them are currently filled with a liquid the same color of the gnome's hands.
"Alemi's Grace! Woldsblood!"
He suddenly looks around from side to side. "Wait, what happened? Did I perform the Feast of St. Hubbins? Did someone spike the ale? What's going on??"
His confusion stops when he notices his armor. Instead of his usual half-plate, he instead wears a full plate of the finest mithril, with a deep red rune carved into the front.
"Runeplate!" he says happily, "strong magic, strong *gnomish* magic, Young Theo, why it wouldn't surprise me a bit if this armor were..."
He looks around again and his confusion resumes.
He holds his had up to his mouth, putting a gaudy ruby ring close to his lips. He uses the Ring of Communication the party obtained from Liam Kent.
"Testing, testing, is this thing on? Theo! Where are you? Did I perform the Feast of St. Hubbins? You didn't drink the ale, did you? Over."
Vauhwyt Monday January 28th, 2008 4:59:58 PM
Vauhwyt sympathizes with her gnomish friend. She too had been affected dramatically by the events after the Battle of Dirt City. And she too had memories of that time that seemed more than real. And memories that she had lost.
But her gnomish friend has suffered worse. Always seeming a little unstable before the Battle, afterward he sometimes had a fit and forgot all that had transpired since.
"Berlon! Berlon!" she calls to him to bring him back to the present. "Wake up! The Battle is long overr! We gave back that dragon ring. Or lost it. And Theo went off on his own a while back! It's just you, me, and Vorelle now, called here by the visions."
"Remember the visions? the flames in the mist? The ones that said, 'Are you the ones? Are you the ones? Long indeed the swords sleep, and I wait, and evil grows stronger.' "
Malgant Monday January 28th, 2008 8:16:29 PM
Malgant ignores the embarassment that Vorelle is showing. How hard life must be to have a speech impediment like that. He thinks for a moment how it would make reciting prayers, or arcane spells almost impossible. He continues talking to her, wanting to make her feel more comfortable. He looks to her gear and notes the quiver and the forest colored clothing she wears and a thought strikes him. Vorelle, are you a ranger? Is Champ your animal friend? I knew a ranger, in fact we just parted company a couple of days ago in the Culverwood. His name is Arminas. He decided to return to the Culverwood and make himself closer to nature." Malgant trails off thinking of the man. He hopes that his return to the Culverwood makes him happy. Indeed as they traveled through the woods Arminas was the happiest Malgant had ever seen him. The other conversation draws his attention again and Malgant heas the Liontaur explain the vision. Something in the way she describes it makes t sound like she knows something about it."Vayhwyt, did I pronounce that right? You sound like the vision means something to you other than the fact that we are supposed to all meet up here. Do you know the owner of the eyes in the vision, or whether he searches for us to make us his allies or if he means us harm? Why don't we all go inside and see to some food and drink and talk this vision over."
DM Kent Monday January 28th, 2008 9:10:42 PM
As introductions are made as you meet each other outside of the inn, you cant help but see and overhear the group of orcs using the "patio" as they drink and belch.
"Well w'don' yuh luk at des. Iyy tenk w'gut a buncha fluffues cumroun t'stink up the place." <<Beeeeelch>>
Appolo Tuesday January 29th, 2008 10:04:35 AM
Appolo looks around"yes let us go inside and get some thing to eat and drink we also need to see about getting rooms and such."Then looking at Vorell"Vorell you sure are cute when shy away liek that.If you don't stop.I'll never leave you alone."He says witha wink. and turns walking inside the tavern.
Berlon Tuesday January 29th, 2008 1:13:38 PM
The gnome continues to act confused until Vauhwyt settles him down. "Hm, wha? Where?"
He apparantly comes to his senses when he sees the others with Vorelle.
"Ok, that's enough of that," he says stepping in between Appolo and Vorelle. "If you want to play with someone, I'm sure those drunken orcs are up for.... whatever."
"Besides, people who make Vorelle uncomfortable tend to make Vauhwyt unhappy, and trust me, no one wants THAT..."
He then smiles at Vorelle and walks her toward the inn.
Val Tuesday January 29th, 2008 1:39:14 PM
Val turns away from the others and glares at the orcs. At one time she would have walked over and beat the tar out of them. Now she ignores the drunken louts and heads inside. She wants a drink. She's no stranger to hard times and unexpected turns in the road of life. So she was left as the others sailed away to retire. Who needs a ship when they aren't going to fight anymore? Val would get through this just as she had everything else.
Vorelle d20+13=25 Tuesday January 29th, 2008 3:29:30 PM
Magland asks whether Vorelle is a ranger. "S-s-sort of," is Vorlle's cryptic answer.
She looks over in concern as Berlon arrives on the scene. The gnome seems more disjointed than ever. Vorelle tries to ascertain whether he is feeling the same bewilderment as everyone else, or whether there is something actually wrong with him. [Heal check 25]
Truth be told, the orcs bother her less than Appollo. At least if the orcs get out of hand, she's pretty sure she's allowed to shoot them.
She begins moving toward the inn with the others.
Bart Wednesday January 30th, 2008 12:43:08 PM
Orcs? I dont like orcs if they wanna fight im ready. Well as long they are not hostile to me or these people i leave them for now. Domi knows if there is a purpose for their existence
Berlon Wednesday January 30th, 2008 2:28:43 PM
Berlon laughs and reassures Vorelle he is fine, if slightly confused. Apparantly he is withholding any other conversation until in the relative safety of the inn.
He walks with Vorelle and laughs at her comment about being able to shoot the orcs.
"Why Vorelle, don't be silly!"
He pauses a moment for effect.
"Of *course* you're allowed to shoot Appolo too..."
Vauhwyt Wednesday January 30th, 2008 2:46:27 PM
Vauhwyt laughs. She is glad that there is already joking and fun within what seems like a new group. She ignores the orcs and enters with her new friends.
Bart Thursday January 31st, 2008 3:25:27 PM
Interesting people my friends Appollo and Val, a liontaur named Vauhwyt with her raven, a female named Vorelle, looks like a ranger, with a dog, a gnome, maybe a illusionist, called Berlon, a minotaur priest of Domi called Malgant, he reminds me of Nez, quite a nice bunch
Malgant Friday February 1st, 2008 4:22:22 PM
Malgant is fairly sure that the orcs will not start any trouble, even though they appear to have had too much to drink to think clearly. Despite this he makes sure to place himself between the orcs and the others as they enter the building. Vorelle seems nervous enough already, no need to have the orcs put her more on edge. Some of these people seemed to already know one another. That was good, especially if this dark face was looking to make trouble for them. Once again he would need to learn how the people he was about to adventure with would fit him into their group. He notices the dark elven woman ahead of them, already entering the establishment. He wonders if she has been 'drawn' to this meeting as well. Letting the others choose a table, Malgant heads up to the bar to get the innkeepers attention and see about a room.
OOC didn't know if we should move this along or not, so if we are still not ready to sit down and start swapping stories let me know. Our other player, John Calhoun is still in the hospital with no ETA on release. From what he tells me he is in much better shape than when they brought him in there, but it is the doctor's opinion of how he is doing that gets him out, not mine.
DM Kent Friday February 1st, 2008 5:59:21 PM
(OOC: Module is approved and we will start on Monday officially. Meanwhile swap stories get to know one another drink eat make merry. for tomorrow you die.)
Vauhwyt Friday February 1st, 2008 6:01:37 PM
The liontaur lets others enter the inn first, in case the orcs act up. Then she enters herself. As she recalls, the main room of the tavern is on the second floor. If the first ones in seem confused, she'll direct them all up.
In the tavern, she looks for a big table for the lot of them.
"My friends, sit down and get a drink. I think we have some talking to do."
Bart Saturday February 2nd, 2008 9:21:35 AM
It looks like we are all protector dont we Malagant and Vaywyt? I'm not afraid of those orcs if they attack i can take care of my own. Lets hear inside if they are hostile to the people in this area. If they are we will, with Domi's help, take care of it
Vorelle Saturday February 2nd, 2008 4:18:53 PM
Vorelle follows Vauhwyt and sits at the table near her.
Talk, she thinks. Not really my thing.
She stammers out an order for a cup of wine, but is otherwise silent, listening to the others.
Val Sunday February 3rd, 2008 10:54:32 PM
Val had taken a seat at the bar and purchased a bottle of wine. She didn't bother to use a glass as she just drank directly from the bottle.
Malgant Sunday February 3rd, 2008 11:03:34 PM
After settling with the barkeep for a room and a large glass of wine the taur turns to the elf who preceeded him into the bar. " Several of us who have all arrived at the call of some vision have just arrived and decided to have a drink out in the bar. Maybe it is coincidence but I noticed you arriving just before the rest of us and wondered if maybe you had been drawn by this vision as well. If I am mistaken I am sorry to have wasted your time. If not, why don't you join us over at our table. My name is Malgant, what is yours?"
Bart Monday February 4th, 2008 10:58:07 AM
Nice to meet you Malgant My name is Bart and yes i was drawn as well to this place by the means of a vision. Does anyone knows why we are here?
Malgant Monday February 4th, 2008 4:58:45 PM
OOC I kinda was talking to Val, but pleased to meet you too Bart! 8)
Appolo Tuesday February 5th, 2008 2:05:00 AM
After stabling his mule and arranging for it care as well as the storarage of his gear,Appolo comes into the bar.He strides confidently up to the nezt to Bart ,Val and Malgant."Hello.Visions dreams not me I just follow this beautiful woman around."Indicating Valanthe"And kill anything that dares bother her besides myselfe.Most recently it was G'aalians and the like killed hundreds of those fools..Now I'm here.Hey Bart you wanna go clear those Orcs out?Shouldn't take us to long.."Looking up at the Minotaur"You no it's rare that I have to look up at anyone.Going to be kind of interesting not being the tallest one in the group anymore.As I said before names Appolo formerly of the Pirates Jack,Swords of Redemption/Sworn enemy of G'aal/All rounf pirate and thief.Pretty good assin as well.This Is Bart also a pirate anda mighty fighter as well as my best friend.We group together.Joined the Pirates together."
Berlon Tuesday February 5th, 2008 12:05:19 PM
The gnome smiles and sits with the others, but he spends most of his time staring at his strange little vial filled with dots of red liquid. It seems familiar to him yet confuses him.
"You know," he says without looking up, making it not quite clear who "you" is, "I still can't believe Theo went off galavanting wherever it is he went. I mean, HOW can you have the Untouchable Trio Plus One without the Plus One?!? And do you KNOW how long it takes to break in a new straight man?"
"Just plain rude," he harrumphs, still not moving his gaze, "but at least he learned not leave home without his rope..."
He lets out at hearty laugh at the end of Appolo's tale. "Pirates, Vauhwyt, pirates!" He grins widely.
Vauhwyt Tuesday February 5th, 2008 12:34:16 PM
Vauhwyt smiles at Berlon's words. "There's good pirates and bad pirates, I reckon," she says. "These folks are the good kind."
"Do you pirates have a boat these days? We used to have one, a pretty handy magic one, and if we need one, maybe we can go get the one we used to have."
"It could change shape from small riverboat to longboat to sailing ship. But it could not change into a more portable form. For that, I have this."
She takes out a felt cut-out of a boat and passes it around.
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