DM Kathy Sunday November 27th, 2011 8:28:25 PM
By the time you reach Lord Bydrian's estate, the road is difficult to see for those who don't have low-light vision. The sight of the sturdy manor house, light streaming from its windows, is a welcome one indeed.
Lord Bydrian leads the way up the front steps and opens the front door into a large tiled foyer. A servant comes hurrying in from somewhere at the back of the house. "Your Lordship!" he says. "We were beginning to--oh." His eyes widen in astonishment as children begin trooping into the foyer. And keep trooping. He looks at Lord Bydrian.
"Good evening, Hawes," his lordship says calmly. "We will have several overnight guests. Please inform Mistress Cohwer, and see if Cook can put together a meal for everyone. These fellows are bandits, who will need to be locked away. Please make those arrangements as well."
The servant recovers his aplomb and bows. "Right away, Your Lordship," he says, striving to match his employer's calm. "If you all would be so good as to wait here."
For people not expecting some 30 houseguests, Lord Bydrian's staff does really well. You and the kids are shown a room where you can leave your coats and cloaks, and wash hands and faces. You sit down to an impromptu meal of breads, cheese, cold meat, and hot barley soup, served (somewhat incongruously) in his lordship's large formal dining hall.
A cellar room is cleared out for the bandits, and a good padlock found for the door. They can be safely locked away until you decide what to do with them.
F'aast Monday November 28th, 2011 4:54:50 PM
Faast descends to the cellar as they put the bandits inside and double checks the lock. Then satisfied, he heads up to eat with everyone else.
He nods his thanks, but does not spit on the floor to honor those who prepared the food. Tired of the "crowds" of the journey, he seeks out a corner to have a bit of privacy. Knowing that, once back at school, they will be required to sketch out the combat as well as report on the strategies used, he pulls out his "Combat notebook" and does what he knows will become homework later.
To no one in particular, he says, "Yaknow what Maplehurst needs? A dungeon. Not the kinda in rich folks castles, but a fully stocked adventure dungeon: traps, monsters, AND treasure........yep."
Emrys Monday November 28th, 2011 8:53:33 PM
Emyrs stays with Dawn throughout dinner and waits patiently for her to open up and talk about the questions that were asked about her family (from the last round).
DM Kathy Monday November 28th, 2011 9:13:01 PM
On the way to the manor house, Dawn tells Emrys a somewhat garbled tale of the time her mommy and daddy and their friends fought giants at Shadow Mountain. Unfortunately, the details are not specific enough to allow you to remember more about these adventurers.
It isn't until you have sat down to dinner that Dawn finally mentions the name of the adventuring company her parents are in: The Order of the White Rose. That name you remember, and it's no wonder you didn't remember anything before this! You recall that the words to The Ballad of the White Rose were nothing special; nothing really to set this ballad apart from the dozens of others you know. No, what made this ballad hellishly difficult was the music: the shifting tempo, the tricky fingering, and a diminished seventh in the chorus that would make a strong man weep. You suspect that whoever wrote it didn't want anyone else performing it. Indeed, you have not yet mastered it, and set it aside several months ago, at Professor Silver's suggestion, because it was just too frustrating.
So, the music, you remember. The words, not so much. They weren't the problem.
F'aast, meanwhile, ensures that the bandits are securely locked away (they are), then retreats to update his combat notebook. He anticipates a homework assignment. Although, maybe the other kids in the class will have to do the analysis, since you guys did the fighting. You aren't sure whether that's an improvement or not.
As the meal is finished, and the younger kids begin to yawn, the servants begin showing you to quarters. Even Chateau Henderly doesn't have a room for everyone, but your group can be accommodated. Girls and boys are led to separate guest suites, where they are lifted, giggling, into enormous beds--five kids to a bed with plenty of room. Other kids "get" to sleep on the floor in front of the fireplace, in a nest of blankets and cushions, and they seem just as pleased with their accommodations as the kids who get beds.
And, since they are suites, the rooms don't open directly into the hallway. Each has a parlor or sitting room, with comfortable couches, where you guys can sleep. Situated between the kids and the hallway, you can help ensure that nothing gets in. And that no little ones go wandering around during the night.
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 Monday November 28th, 2011 10:21:48 PM
After the children were settled for the evening, Wilma plopped down on one end of a sofa and lifted her feet up, curling into a contemplative ball.
"We need to find out who told those guys to kidnap Dawn," she said, pointing out the obvious. "We can either use Van and Grell's knack for intimidating the bandits...or we can wait until tomorrow morning, when either William or I...or both of us...can pray to our deity for a truth-telling spell to use on them." Her sapphire eyes steadily gazed at each of her companions in turn.
"There's also the matter of whether any of us will be assisting in guarding the prisoners through the night."
Upon arrival at Professor B's abode, Van follows one of the servants back to the kitchen area, where she chats with the cook for a bit and asks her if she can borrow a few of her kitchen tools until about mid day the next day.
F'aast Tuesday November 29th, 2011 12:11:43 PM
Faast, seeing what Vaniime brings back laughs out loud. "You gonna dissect them for the information?" Then he nods his approval of the "instruments of intimidation.
He follows along as he is pretty good with this type of thing as well. "Take the lead if you want, I'll support you as well as stand guard over the door."
Passing Wilma in the hall he asks, "Is someone setting up a watch? We need one on the children so they don't stray and one or more on the approaches to the house. If you'll start setting that up, I'll be back after our talk with the prisoners and help out. Give me as many watches as you need to, Wilma."
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 Tuesday November 29th, 2011 2:10:31 PM ("illegal" 2nd post - RP purposes only)
"I was just asking, Faast," Wilma admitted, the back of her hand slowly rubbing her chin in an unconscious movement as she thought things over. It was a quirk she picked up from her mother, who often did the same thing whenever she had to contemplate matters. "But it makes sense...we can take turns watching over the children so that we might prevent another kidnapping attempt." The redhead rolled a shoulder.
"Mama always said that the most efficient way to stand watch was to divide up the hours of darkness into four equal parts," she said reminiscently, "That way no one person has to interrupt their sleep for more than three hours. I'll take first watch...how about you all...?"
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Tuesday November 29th, 2011 9:04:12 PM
After his *miserable* excuse for an intimidation attempt, Grell moops all the way back to the Manor, not saying a WORD. Once the children are settled, Grell grins at Vaniime's suggestion. "If you need any more help, I'd be GLAD to hold them down!!"
When watch shifts are discussed, Grell volunteers for whatever shift no one else wants.
DM Kathy Tuesday November 29th, 2011 10:23:43 PM
As the younger kids are getting ready for bed, you discuss a watch schedule. Will the people on watch be inside the manor house, or outside? It's pretty cold out there, and of course those without low-light vision will have a hard time seeing anything. On the other hand, it might enable you to get an advance warning, if the group is attacked.
There are enough of you to put one person on each approach to the house, plus one person on each room holding kids. The problem with that is, each watcher would be alone. And each watcher would have to be on watch all night.
Meanwhile, some of you want to interrogate the prisoners. You make your way to the cellar room where the two former bandits sit, looking subdued and unhappy. The one who spoke earlier speaks again. "Okay, look," he says. "This wasn't supposed to happen. We were just supposed to grab somebody; that's all."
"come on down with me and let's see what we can find out."
Entering the room, the one captive begins to talk and Van ignores him and begins to slowly take out and lay out her supplies from upstairs, making sure to examine each one carefully before placing it where the two men can see them.
Finally she turns to the her companions and esponds to the speaking captive.
"You hear that guys, This wasn't supposed to happen. They were just supposed to grab someone." What's the matter you don't like being grabbed? How do you suppose that little girl was going to feel?
She reaches down and picks up the ice chipper.
" Hey Grell, Did you ever hear about what my dad and your mom did to bunch of people who went around harming children? I remember the stories very vividly. That was the only time I have ever seen my dad nearly lose it. Brother Bertram and Olanna both had to come in and calm him down. His final words on the subject were that people that do injury to children, should not be allowed to live and should suffer the worst possible pain that could be inflicted before they were put to death."
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 Wednesday November 30th, 2011 3:12:59 AM
"If we're going to stand watch," Wilma suggested, "Then we should do it by walking the hall outside the rooms where the children are staying--listening for anything unusual and occasionally checking inside each of the bedrooms. Of course, if Lord Bydrian actually has his own security already patrolling his estate, then having each of us sleep in a bedroom with the children is likely the best way for us to be sure that someone is keeping an extra eye on the little ones...just in case." The young cleric went to ask their host about how the manor is being guarded now that there has actually been another attempt at one of the children.
She also turned to Emrys.
"Do you think you can cudgel your brain into recalling whether or not Beide's parents and Dawn's parents were both members of the White Rose..?" she asked the half-elf bard.
William Willsden AC10 HP 7/11 Wednesday November 30th, 2011 8:14:50 AM OOC: Apologies for lack of posting, real life taking over!
William is exceptionally nervous about teh prospect of being outside, all alone, at night, expecting trouble. He chooses instead to keep watch on the corridor near the children. At least there is light and noise for comfort. He has nothing to do with the prisoners, preferring to leave that to others.
As he strides up and down the corridor, he hums a tune to himself. Unfortunately, it lacks any sense of tone or accurate pitch, so sounds like he is wailing quietly to himself.
F'aast Wednesday November 30th, 2011 3:30:08 PM
Faast reaches the cellar and waits for the others to arrive for the interrogation. When everyone arrives, he pulls his weapon and opens the lock.
Faast, seething, faces the prisoner speaks, "Not grabbing. Kidssssapping. Evil."
Then he stands guard at the door and waves the others in.
------------
Will support whoever decides to be the main interrogator trying to give them a +2 to their intimidate.
Emrys d20+8=24 ; d20+8=21 ; d20+5=22 ; d20+15=34 ; Wednesday November 30th, 2011 8:42:35 PM
After seeing Dawn off to bed and meeting shortly with Wilma, Emyrs strolls the halls pondering his thoughts. In the calmness and safety of Lord Bydrian's manor, he has finally been able to calm his mind and think clearly. The revelation about the Wintershine family and their connection to the Order of the White Rose was certainly eye opening. The dark veil is finally to become lifted.
(Knowledge Local: 24 to recall info about the Wintershine family.) (Knowledge Local: 21 to remember details about Beide's family.) (Knowledge Nobility: 22 to recall any legends about the Order of the Rose.)
"Oh, and the ballad!! That irksome ballad that has thwarted my every attempt to master." Professor Silver was wise to put it away. However, it now appears to be very relevant. When he is a good distance from the bedrooms where the children are sleeping, possibly near the kitchens or dining hall, he takes his lute and begins to play the ballad to the best of his ability, but keeping the volume to his instrument's lowest range. Maybe the ballad will loosen more memories.
(Perform Strings: 34, natural 19, the Ballad of the White Rose.)
"Peas and Carrots!!" Emyrs mutters after completing the song! If he spots anyone of his friends making their way to the basement with implements of torture (otherwise he will hunt someone down), he says, "I have news! I must tell you all, but not in front of the prisoners."
DM Kathy Wednesday November 30th, 2011 10:37:52 PM Vaniime lays out her implements. The bandits look worried. She tells a gruesome tale, and they look more worried. F'aast supports her effort by snarling at the captives. The talkative one swallows, hard.
"Wardd's sake, lady, you got us! There's no call to go hurting us. Nice lady like you. You don't wanna do that. We can tell you stuff." The other one nods, not taking his eyes of the implements.
Wilma and William decide that keeping watch indoors, near the children, is probably your best bet. William drones tunelessly as he walks up and down with a heavy tread. It's likely that half the kids will swear the house is haunted.
Emrys, meanwhile, is sifting through his bardic knowledge about the Wintershines and the Order of the White Rose. You remember that Saadi and Tilannen, Dawn's parents, were a touching romance; they had their own verse in the ballad. You don't remember whether they had other children. You remember that Biede's father was an adventurer, but he's been dead for some time. You don't believe he ever had anything to do with the White Rose.
Finally, you are able to play the stupid ballad. Perhaps your fingers have stretched a little during the intervening months, or perhaps you've just grown more skilled. At any rate, the words of the ballad are little help. It is the same story Dawn told earlier, about fighting giants on Shadow Mountain. It was years ago, the giants were defeated, and you doubt it had anything to do with the present situation. Whoever the foe is, they are more....current than the giants.
F'aast d20+4=9 ; Thursday December 1st, 2011 10:29:40 AM
Faast decides to take over the interrogation. He steps forward.
"Then start talking. My friend here is about done preparing."
He grins with venom.
"Tell me everythingsss."
He isn't happy with his intimidation, but perhaps his partner has scared them enough.
-------------
Intimidate of 9.
William Willsden AC10 HP 7/11 d20+6=24 ; d20+6=25 ; Thursday December 1st, 2011 3:17:24 PM
William tries to stop himself from falling asleep during the late hours as the others keep to themselves. He goes through the events of the day over and over in his head, trying desperately to think about why the girl was so important. (Knowledge, history 24 and local 25!).
He also starts to put in perspective the occurrences that seem to have brought this group together on this day. What would his brothers think of him joining in those fights? Golly!
The big cleric continues pacing the corridor, his fatigue even stopping the tuneless droning.
"Nice Lady?" Hardly. I am a pissed off elf. Do you have any Idea what that means? You might need all of Warrd's luck just for your next of kin to be able to recognize you at the undertakers."
Van carefully tests the sharpnes of the times by scoring 5 groves into the wall next to her and then moves closer to the talkative captive.
If you truly want to avoid an over abundance of unpleasentness. I suggest you tell us the entire plan, who hired you, where you were supposed to take her and why she was targeted, and if there was any other backup plan should you fail to acquire her.
As Van speaks, she begins to have a really bad feeling and quickly adds on to what she is asking.
"Also, How you knew that we were going to be on the road to this house, at that particular time? and how you got taht information in the time between the first failed attack and yours? And you had make sure you don't try to lie to me, for you know how Elves are purported to be able to read minds? Well that's not totally true, but we can tell if humans are lying or not. And if you lie to me I can Guarantee you will not like my response."
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 Thursday December 1st, 2011 9:31:59 PM
Wilma tapped William on one shoulder.
"This is one of the reasons that watch duty is best split up amongst the members of a party," she told the tall cleric in the white robe, "Since you're obviously starting to tire, I'll take up the patrol while you catch a nap in one of the rooms with the children. Get some rest now...and holler if you need help with anything that might interrupt."
Wilma turned to Emrys. "I'll continue to watch over the children here...you'd best make sure to let Van, Grell and Faast about what they need to know. I just hope we can find out who is behind all this and why they're doing it."
Emrys d20+4=6 ; d20+4=18 ; d20+9=18 ; Thursday December 1st, 2011 9:54:13 PM
Hearing the yelling from the hallway, Emyrs decides not to go in. He'll let Vaniime and Faast have their go with the prisoners. Being associated with those two, at this moment, will only hinder his ability at learning every little details about the outlaws' lives. In fact, Emyrs is quite looking forward to playing, 'Good Sheriff, Bad Sheriff.' Soon they'll being spilling their guts like a dressed pig.
He notices William pacing the hall with the same pondering expression that he had just a little earlier. "Hello William, I notice you're deep in contemplation. I can only assume you're recalling the events of today. Maybe we can put our heads together. This is what I learned." Emyrs calmly reports what he has learned. He tells him about Dawn Wintershine, and her parents who are members of the Order of the White Rose. That they are responsible for defending the land against a marauding horde of giants. He explains the 'Ballad', "Ohhh, you should have heard my interpretation of the Ballad of the White Rose. So difficult to play ... but I nailed it, of course!"
The sounds of whimpering and yelling, coming from the basement, interrupts his conversation. He glances quickly to the basement door.
He turns back to William and asked, "Have you been able to discover anything? The bandits must have had a multitude of resources at their disposal. How else would they have been able to divert so much water in order to artificially reproduce the effects of a mudslide on such a grand scale ... in so little time!! I hardly believe these dullards to have been capable of such a feat, especially on a road magically protected against such hazards."
Emyrs pauses on the thought and ruminates on the logistics of the operation.
(Knowledge Engineering: 6. Knowledge Geography: 18, for sources of water locally that can be diverted to the road. Knowledge Nature: 18 to figure out if this is the right season for heavy rain and other weather patterns that would cause a mudslide.)
Emrys Thursday December 1st, 2011 9:58:58 PM
Emyrs is slightly surprise at hearing Wilma's voice. He didn't see her standing on the opposite side of William.
(sorry, I didnt see your post until after finishing mine. :)
"Oh I plan to, but I'm not going in there until they're finished."
DM Kathy Friday December 2nd, 2011 12:20:49 AM
"Well...." sputters the bandit. "Well...I don't know all that stuff. But I'll tell you what I do know, all right? We can all be decent about this right?" He glances nervously at F'aast.
"Me and Kel," he gestures to the other bandit, "we're from Dirt City. We're part of a bigger group, see, of about 30. People mostly call us Tevla's crew, 'cause Tevla's our leader. She's a half-orc," again, he looks at F'aast, "like you. So, who hired us, that would be the lady. She never did give her name, not even to Tevla. An elf lady, like you," and this time he looks at Vaniime. "Except, not very much like you; she had long red hair and was really beautiful. Not," he adds hastily, "not that you ain't beautiful, but she had an air, you know? And I think she's a wizard or something, because she teleported us--boom!--right to Plateau City. At least, she said it was Plateau City; I ain't never been.
"Anyway," he continues, "she said we was the contingency plan. Said she was gonna grab this girl, but in case she missed, she wanted us in position to make another try. Said there was different places we needed to cover, and gave Tevla a list. Me and Kel and Skans and Vely, we got sent together to that place. The lady said the roads was magic and we couldn't attack nobody on them, but then she got one of her rock monsters to make a mudslide so's people would have to go around. And then we were supposed to grab the girl if she came by. Half-elf girl, she said, real pale blonde hair. Dawn something.
"So," he concludes, "that's what we done. Or tried to. We were supposed to bring this Dawn girl back to the meeting-place and hand her over to the lady. If we got her. Lady gave us 50 gold, promised another 50 plus a bonus if we got the girl. I don't know what the lady wanted with her. Tevla didn't ask. You don't ask that kinda stuff in Dirt City."
Emrys, meanwhile, shares what he remembered with William and Wilma. He turns his mind to the problem of the very unlikely mudslide, and can't figure out how it was managed. That is, until he hears the bandit describe how the "rock monster" had caused it; an Earth Elemental would have no problems creating a slide like that.
Wilma, meanwhile, relieves William on watch. The night is quiet.
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Friday December 2nd, 2011 8:07:33 AM
Grell grins at Vaniime's interrogation techniques and the success that she has had. He had misjudged the half-elf. Clearly she was much stronger than he had assumed. It's funny how you can know someone for years and never get a chance to find out who they really are until your sitting in a room with a bunch of razor sharp implement of torture and a couple of low life scum bags. The warrior grunts at the talker and flexes his arms. "Tell us where this meeting place is and maybe you'll come out of this with most of your appendages intact..." Grell removes his dagger from his boot and snarls "Though I still haven't collected my trophy from this encounter, so I make no promises about your fingers..."
Uggg...missed your Tuesday post because I didn't get to the computer in time, then missed last nights post because I had a horrible headache. This hasn't been the best couple of posting weeks for me. :(
William Willsden AC10 HP 7/11 Friday December 2nd, 2011 12:11:22 PM
William nods gratefully at Wilma's suggestion. It had been a long day, and so the cleric shuffles off for a rest. As he turns to leave, Emrys speaks with him. William listens carefully... the bard was very knowledgable.
"Erm.... gosh, you have been doing a .... erm..... lot of thinking. I ... I just can't quite remember anything about the White Rose. I'm so sorry."
His cheeks flush, and then he continues his shuffle for a rest.
"Uh,.... E.....Emrys.....Please wake me if anything happens."
F'aast Friday December 2nd, 2011 2:57:34 PM
Faast nods to Vaniime and Grell and removes himself. "I will inform the master of the house and send for the authorities."
And he does just that.
He leaves to find the instructor, waking him if he has to. "Excuse me Master, we have found out that there is a powerful mage involved. One that the prisoner claims can cast Mass Teleportation. There are also some 30 goons like the ones that attacked us. I have a feeling that they are not done trying yet. Once you're up, Vaniime, Grell, and myself will tell you everything we've found out. I'd like to send one of your employees for the authorities from the nearest town. We're going to need additional help if that mage comes here and I think she just might! You don't hire 30 goons to give up after two attempts."
Faast then leaves him to get dressed and waits outside his door for him to emerge.
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 d20+6=26 ; Sunday December 4th, 2011 9:56:40 PM
Wilma used her time on watch outside the children's rooms to contemplate what had happened so far. After giving the situation a lot of thought, she drew on the tales of her parents to help try to think of what to do next.
It would undoubtedly be wise to try to get word back to Maplehurst about what had happened so far, as well as to urge the adults there about providing more powerful protection for the children...especially young Dawn Wintershine. While she awaited the return of those who were interrogating the would-be kidnappers, the redheaded acolyte tried to take a page from Emrys' book and see if there wasn't anything at all about the Wintershines or the White Rose that she couldn't recall herself...
OOC: Wilma is using her Knowledge of History skill in an effort to see if there is anything from the past that might provide a possible explanation about why the parents or the organization may be targets of a plot. She has rolled a natural 20.
Emrys Sunday December 4th, 2011 10:37:46 PM
Emyrs takes a seat next to the fire in the main sitting room. This day had been exhausting. The trip had made him very weary. So very tired. The next thing he knows he is sitting in a meadow by a crystal clear pond. Emyrs instantly recognizes the place ... it's Beholder's Pond, a place of reflection and meditation ... back home in Culverheart!
He looks into the water but see's the reflection of someone else. Stepping closer, the image of an elven maiden with gold, silken hair comes into full view. "How odd! Who are you?" She mouths the same words but Emyrs only hears his own voice.
Back in Lord Bydrain's parlor, Emyrs' hands go limp and fall away from his prized darkwood lute. The quiet music he was gently strumming ceases.
DM Kathy Monday December 5th, 2011 12:45:57 AM F'aast goes to find Lord Bydrian.
"My word, you have made progress!" he says when you brief him. "Unfortunately," he continues, "the nearest town is on the other side of Maplehurst, which puts it on the other side of that mudslide. Anybody I sent would have to go around it, and I'm afraid that by now, the thugs may know where we are." He sighs. "Do any of you have a magical way to get in touch with them at Maplehurst? I fear I am no caster...."
Meanwhile, Grell asks the bandits for a description of the meeting place. "It's kinda.....this way....and then you go here...." They do seem to be trying, and there's a great deal of gesturing, but it's difficult to tell what they're trying to describe. "If....if you brought us paper and stuff," one of them finally suggests, "we could draw a map. That might be better."
Wilma casts her mind over the problem, but doesn't recall hearing anything of the White Rose. She does get an idea, however. Her parents had always told her and her siblings about their adventures, and their foes. Perhaps young Dawn's parents did the same thing. Perhaps she knows what this is all about.
Emrys, meanwhile, finds that he has played himself to sleep.
F'aast Monday December 5th, 2011 11:30:43 AM
"I'll find out master."
Faast begins to make the rounds, waking folks up as necessary. "Do any of our casters have the ability to contact the academy? The professor thinks we should tell them of our situation."
He then also quickly catches everyone up with what they learned from the prisoners.
William Willsden AC10 HP 7/11 Monday December 5th, 2011 12:19:01 PM
William's snores echo around the hall, perhaps waking many folk except for himself. The cleric himself is gone, deep in slumber.
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 d20+1=18 ; Monday December 5th, 2011 4:48:10 PM
Growling, Grell looks over at Vaniime. "What do these fools take us for...the Catacombs? I say we let them draw on the floor with their own blood. What do you think?" Grell is hesitant to leave Vaniime alone with the prisoners. They've got them in an excellent psychological spot, but they could be tempted to try and overpower her if he leaves. Fear makes people do desperate things. He casts his eyes about the little room that they're in, trying to determine if there is anything that could pass for paper and/or ink. Perception=18.
Vaniime AC 17/14/13, HP: 11/11 Monday December 5th, 2011 6:13:46 PM
Vanime looks around the room as well and then back at Grell.
"You know what. Put there gags back in, let's move my tools back out in the hall and I will run back upstairs to get something to write with. When I get back down I will take this one (pointing at the less talkative one) into the next room and then they can both draw their maps and directions and If they don't match we find out why and I get to kill one the one that tried to trick us."
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 d20+2=15 ; Monday December 5th, 2011 8:23:44 PM
Wilma made a mental note to have Emrys speak with Dawn Wintershine when everyone was awake in the morning. If the young bard-in-training took his time and applied his natural charm, she had no doubt he would be able to cajole the little girl into recalling more information that was relevant to their current situation.
The redhead went to the door as quietly as possible (OOC: Wilma's Stealth roll is 15) and opened it, peeking carefully inside just to see the children for herself. After quickly confirming that all was well, the teenager withdrew back to the hallway to await the outcome of the interrogation going on in the lower level of the house.
Emrys Monday December 5th, 2011 9:37:41 PM
"Snort!," is all Emyrs is able to say. He shifts into another position in the chair and continues his slumber. He has perplexed until he can perplex no more. His mind is as tired as his body. The chair is comfortable and the fire is warm. He had no chance to resist their power.
DM Kathy Tuesday December 6th, 2011 12:55:07 AM Wilma checks on the children, who are sleeping just fine.
William and Emrys are also asleep, tired from the exertions of the day.
F'aast tries to find out whether anybody can contact the school, but his answers are unsatisfactory.
Vaniime and Grell take the bandits into separate rooms to draw their maps. The results are similar, but not identical. Since both men claim to be from Dirt City, and new to the area, it isn't surprising that their knowledge of local geography isn't what it could be.
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 d20+1=17 ; Tuesday December 6th, 2011 7:36:22 AM
After making sure that both captives are both gagged and bound (Escape Artist DC26 to get loose), Grell links back up with Wilma. He lets her know the information they have gathered so far, then turns his thoughts to the practical matters at hand. "We need to make sure somebody pops by our captives as well while they're on watch. Wouldn't want them slinking away in the middle of the night..." He looks around and notices that William and Emrys are not to be seen. "Guess it's up to us to take the first watch then. Wilma, have you set up a watch schedule? That was always something Mom had in place...remember? I can take whatever slot you have in mind. If you need to sleep, I'll take the first watch, I'm not tired anyway."
And it's the truth...the adrenaline surge from the interrogation of the captives will probably keep the teenager up for several hours to come. It had been an amazing day, and far from being worn out, Grell's mind is still reliving the victories of the days battles.
Grell suggests the following watch rotation... Grell Vaniime Faast Wilma William Emrys
While patrolling the hallways, Grell keeps a wary eye out for any trouble. (Perception=17).
F'aast Tuesday December 6th, 2011 12:12:52 PM
With a shrug, Faast finds a spot in the hall outside the children's sleeping quarters and "makes camp."
"Grell, wake me for my watch please."
He dreams of commanding an army of snakes fighting an army of spiders. Gory. Bloody. Glorious.
William Willsden AC10 HP 7/11 Tuesday December 6th, 2011 5:17:45 PM
William's slumber is broken infrequently by dreams of his home, which he had not seen in years, and which was a home no longer.
A recurring dream.
Vaniime AC 17/14/13, HP: 11/11 Tuesday December 6th, 2011 10:53:49 PM
After adding her report to that of Grell's Vanime goes and settles herself on the floor leaning up against the door to where the children are until her time for watch comes up.
DM Kathy Wednesday December 7th, 2011 12:24:49 AM
You trade watches through the night, but it passes without interruption. Your prisoners make no move to escape, and are still in their cell in the morning.
Shortly before dawn, soft-footed servants begin making their way through the halls, beginning their day. A maidservant stops to ask whoever is on watch if you would care for a cup of tea, or perhaps a roll to tide you over until breakfast.
As the sun comes up, a disorganized morning begins. The kids wake at different times, and, stimulated by yesterday's excitement and the new environment, become twirling little demons. The mundane tasks of visiting the privy, washing up, getting dressed and eating breakfast seem all of a sudden beyond their capabilities.
Tearing around the house like lunatics, however, seems to be well within their range.
At last, most of them are seated at the long table, tucking in to ham, eggs, and porridge. The servants look exhausted, and it's barely 8 am.
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 Wednesday December 7th, 2011 2:16:03 AM
Wilma smiled at her brother, who was taking to the life of an adventurer like a duck to water. She wasn't surprised--their current "babysitting trip" had turned out to be a lot more exciting than everyone had expected it to be.
"Putting spellcasters on first and fourth watches is usually best," she reminded Grell, "That way they are more likely to get uninterrupted rest during consecutive hours...making it easier to memorize any spells after they've rested." However, Wilma didn't mind following Grell's proposed watch schedule, if only because everyone was inside a fully-staffed mansion, so the watches probably wouldn't be critical this time around.
Once everyone was up in the morning, Wilma took a moment to tell Emrys that speaking to Dawn again might reveal whatever it was that the Mystery Woman who had commissioned the kidnapping may want with her and/or her parents.
Vanime listens in on Wilma's conversation and add a comment of her own.
"Perhaps if we descried the woman to Dawn she might recognize her?"
William Willsden AC10 HP 7/11 Wednesday December 7th, 2011 12:15:05 PM
William tucks in to breakfast with unsurprising enthusiasm bordering on zealousy. The prior day had been tiring, and quite frankly he had no idea what they were to do today. So, he thinks to himself, it was always better to fill ones belly when the opportunity arose, just in case he was forced to miss elevenses. Or, even worse, lunch!!!
The cleric chooses not to enquire as to the itinerary for the day, or the plan for the children. He was quite certain that someone would tell him what they were up to.
And anyway, what had happened to Nymyrin. He hadn't seen his friend in the manor at all.....
F'aast Wednesday December 7th, 2011 1:03:34 PM
"Ow!" Faast shouts as one youngin steps on his hand running through the hall.
Waking with a start, he growls at the youngin. After waking fully, he apologizes, but is not sure he's talking to the right kid.
Reaching the dining room, he simply says, "Klah."
Once he has his morning caffeine, he sits down to eat. He tries to be cheerful and smile, but it comes out kinda crooked and more like a scowl.
Faast doesn't do mornings.
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Wednesday December 7th, 2011 9:21:17 PM
Seeing that things seem to be going well, Grell spends the morning away from the "woman's work" of tending to the Wilma and Vaniime. At first light, he gets up and begins his morning workout consisting of a short run around the grounds, 100 pushups, 100 situps and several swordfighting forms. By the time he gets back, breakfast is on the table. Shoveling in the ham and eggs. After his 3rd plate, Grell looks over at F'aast with a impish grin. "Morning brother...how'd ya sleep?"
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Wednesday December 7th, 2011 9:45:29 PM
OOC: Lol...that would be away from the "woman's work" of tending to the children. He leaves them to Wilma and Vaniime...though the other version is pretty funny too!! :D
Emrys d20+8=23 ; Wednesday December 7th, 2011 9:50:49 PM
Emyrs enters the room with a yawn and rubbing his sleepy eyes. His eyes go wide when he hears Wilma and Vaniime's suggestion. He pulls them aside and in a hushed tone, he answers, "Shhhh, Dawn is scared enough! She has been through harrowing experience. I will not terrify her further by divulging the fact that she was the target of a abduction. All she knows is that a "bad man" grabbed her, she doesn't need to know why." Emyrs scans the room to see if anyone heard him. "However, I will figure out away to ask if her parents have any half-orc friends." Of course, maybe he knows of any half-breeds that are associated with the Order of the White Rose. (Knowledge Local: 23)
Departing his little 'Dawn-discussion' huddle, Emyrs address children and staff, "What smells so good in here!! What a wondering morning ... and a good night's sleep. Everyone, we should thank Lord Bydrain for allowing us to stay in his wonderful home. Ohh, and a special thanks to his staff for taking such good care of us. Thank you, thank you!!"
Afterwards, Emyrs gets Dawn alone and begins to ask her cleverly masked questions to help find out more about her families dealings with this mystery woman.
"Dawn, may I ask you a question ... I have a problem and I think you can help me solve it. See, I have this friend, his name is F'aast. He is a very strange sort of folk. I do my best to do nice things for him, but he isn't easy to please. I don't understand what I should do. His birthday is coming up and I would like to take that opportunity to become better friends, but I know nothing of half-orcs. Do you know of any half-orcs? I'm sure your parents have associated with half-orcs. If only I could understand them!"
DM Kathy Thursday December 8th, 2011 1:10:22 AM
At breakfast, Wilma and Vaniime suggest asking Dawn about who might be targeting her parents through her. Emrys, however, does not think this is a good idea, and begins talking to young Dawn about half-orcs.
Dawn looks puzzled. "Well," she says, "Uncle Arn is a half-orc. He's an adventurer with my mommy and daddy. Although, he mostly likes adventurer stuff." She thinks a moment. "He smokes a pipe," she offers at last.
[OOC: Just so we're clear, the half-orc woman is the leader of these bandits from Dirt City. They were hired by someone, an elf woman, to snatch Dawn.]
F'aast proves not to be a morning person, but soon feels more alert with some good breakfast in him. William breakfasts heartily, wondering where Nymirin has gotten to.
Grell chooses to leave the "women's work" to others, a decision that (I'm sure) will in no way come back to bite him in the backside.
After the meal, Lord Bydrian takes you aside. "Do any of you have a way to contact the school?" he asks. "With that mudslide blocking the road, and bandits still out there, it probably isn't safe to try to move the students back to Maplehurst."
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 d20+2=17 ; Thursday December 8th, 2011 5:11:23 AM
Wilma, quite frankly, was very surprised to hear Lord Bydrian ask about contacting the school...after all, he was the teacher.
"Lord Bydrian," she addressed their host, "You should probably send a pair of your servants--armed with shovels--to go to where that mudslide is and just start digging a way through it. As long as they remain on the road itself, no harm will come to them. Then, when they have an opening that someone can pass through, one of them can follow the road to Maplehurst to inform them what happened, while the other one can come back here to let us know they succeeded in getting through the blockage."
Hopefully that was a plan that could work, although digging a passable passage through the hardened mud and such might take a few days.
"Dawn," Wilma smiled as she spoke directly to the girl, "You were telling us about how your mama and papa fought some giants once. Can you remember anything else they did? I'm sure you must have a favorite story about their adventures..?"
(OOC: Wilma is actively using her powers of persuasion to try to charm Dawn into divulging more about her parents' past; Charisma check is 17.)
Listening in on Wilma's conversation with dawn, Vanime waits for a break in the conversation and Interjects a pointed question to Wilma but aimed a eliciting a response from Dawn.
"I wonder if I were a mage and a bit older If I would look good with LONG RED hair? I wonder If I could find someone like that that I could see and decide if I would like that look or not."
F'aast Thursday December 8th, 2011 4:42:27 PM
Faast answer Grell, "I slept Flat. But sleep is sleep." It get him grinning, however. "Thanks Grell, I needed that."
Faast asks Vaniime, "Can't mages send messages? My shaman master did it all the time. Course if you don't have it memorized..."
Faast turns to the professor, which he doesn't respect much because he hasn't been much help. "We can't stay here much longer, we're ripe for the next attack. That mage isn't going to give up."
And with that, he goes to the front window and stands vigil while drinking his Klah.
Faast asks for another cup of klah. Going to be another long day likely followed by a flat bed."
Emrys Thursday December 8th, 2011 11:08:38 PM
An elf woman!! Emyrs wasn't aware of that bit of news. All he had been told was about the half-orc. The only elven woman he can recall from the past 24 hours was the one from his dream. His thoughts quickly turn to Dawn. Poor girl. All this attention and inquisition is bound to cause her more harm than good.
"Dawn, please excuse our questions, they may sound very odd, and they are, but we need to know something and we need your help. We were only trying to make you as comfortable as possible. You have nothing to fear, you are completely safe." After a short pause, he swallows hard and asks the question. "Dawn, my friends and I have learned some information about the events that happened yesterday. We believe that the person who is responsible for causing all of this has had some connection or association with the Order of the White Rose, mainly your parents. Has your parents ever had any dealings with an elven woman, who is a talented mage?"
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Thursday December 8th, 2011 11:16:58 PM
Sighing, Grell shovels more eggs on his plate. More babysitting. How were they supposed to get a message to the school without crossing the road again? It's not exactly like they were high level mages. He looks over at Vaniime. "Any chance you can, like get an animal to send a message or anything?"
DM Kathy Friday December 9th, 2011 12:41:58 AM Wilma suggests that Lord Bydrian send servants to clear the road. "That will be done, of course," he says. "I will also send requests for additional workers to my neighbors, as this mudslide affects us all.
"However," he continues, "I worry that clearing the road will take time, time our enemies can use to regroup and attack us again."
F'aast and Grell chip in with suggestions about possible ways of contacting the school, but if any of the casters have anything prepared, they're keeping it quiet.
Vaniime asks Dawn how she would look with long, red hair. "Umm....that would be pretty," Dawn says uncertainly. She seems puzzled by the question.
Emrys asks her more directly about a female elf mage who might know her parents. "Oh!" says Dawn. "Maybe it was Lady Ostine!"
She goes on to explain, "Mommy and Daddy and their friends have tried to catch Lady Ostine a bunch of times, but so far they didn't get her. She's a really strong wizard, they say, and she's their nesmi....nesimss...nessimiss." She frowns thoughtfully. "Mommy and Daddy always said they think she's a human lady, but they don't know for sure. She always uses disguises, but in all her disguises, she's beautiful. Maybe that elf lady was her!" Her eyes widen, and her lip begins to tremble. "Do--do you think Lady Ostine is trying to get me? 'Cause of Mommy and Daddy?"
Lord Bydrian, meanwhile, has been giving low-voiced instructions to the servants, but he suddenly stops. He cocks his head to one side, as if listening to something, but you hear nothing. Then he closes his eyes for a brief moment and says, "Everyone is safe for now. A mudslide blocked the road, and we were attacked. We are at my estate. Please send help."
It seems very odd behavior. Knowledge Arcana DC 24 Highlight to display spoiler: { You deduce that Lord Bydrian must have received a Sending spell and replied to it.}
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 d20+6=13 ; Friday December 9th, 2011 3:39:27 AM (OOC: Knowledge Arcana? Not Spellcraft? Oh, well)
"A nemesis of the Order of the White Rose..." Wilma mused mostly to herself, frowning as she digested the information that Dawn told them: a shape-changing spellcaster named Lady Ostine, who had a fondness for taking on beautiful forms. This wasn't good. Had she ever heard of this Lady Ostine before...? The redhead tried to think if she could recall anything at all about this person...
OOC: Wilma made a Knowledge (history) check of 13.
William Willsden AC10 HP 7/11 Friday December 9th, 2011 12:10:44 PM
William continues to eat breakfast amidst all the conversations and the comings and goings. The eggs were particulalry good, although a touch more pepper would have pleased the cleric even more.
F'aast Friday December 9th, 2011 2:15:01 PM
Faast studies the children trying to determine ages. It seems to him that everyone is treating the young trainees as small children instead of students trying to become adventurers. Then he shrugs and decides to think about it later. He turns his focus once again to looking through the window and making sure that they have no visitors approaching unannounced.
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 d20=14 ; Friday December 9th, 2011 10:48:07 PM
Grell sits back and lets his breakfast digest as he tries to come up with anything that might be helpful with this White Rose issue. He racks his tiny brains, but isn't coming up with much. Knowlege-14
Vaniime AC 17/14/13, HP: 11/11 Saturday December 10th, 2011 8:30:18 AM
Vanime nods as Emrys takes a more direct angle about finding out about our elven mage.
Grabbing abite to eat Vanime takes her turn at working out the kinks in her back and shoulders by working herself into a sweat by going through her weapon forms and some light running.
DM Kathy Sunday December 11th, 2011 10:45:06 PM Wilma searches her memory for a Lady Ostine, but draws a blank. In general, however, young Dawn's information gibes with the things your parents have told you. People who hire others to do nefarious deeds disguise themselves if they can. And, most wizards are vain enough to want to disguise themselves as somebody good-looking.
[OOC: The descriptions of the skills said that Spellcraft could be used "to identify a spell as it is being cast," and Knowledge Arcana can be used "to identify the effects of a spell in place." I thought the second was more applicable; you guys didn't see the spell cast.]
William enjoys his eggs. Grell tries to remember any relevant information, but has no luck.
F'aast studies the children. The kids look to be about 8 or 9; no longer babies, but not quite ready for the full challenges of adventuring. Besides, not everyone at Maplehurst is destined to be an adventurer.
Vaniime does some calisthenics to get ready for the day.
About 30 minutes after Lord Bydrian delivers his strange message to nobody, there is a sudden clatter and commotion in the manor's front hall. Rushing toward it, you see that a group of Maplehurst professors has evidently teleported directly into the building. There's Professor Bounderly, adjusting her hair, and Ganz with his axe. Over there is Dame Brightseeker in full armor, next to Professor Goodnight and Professor Silver, both of whom have sheathed rapiers.
F'aast Monday December 12th, 2011 1:08:04 PM
Fists ready, he bounds down the stairs ready to attack the intruders.
"Hold!" he bellows.
Then he sees who is it.
"Apologies. I thought we were being attacked."
He takes a breath.
"Thanks for coming. We can brief you further once you're settled in. Heading back up to my watch."
No nods formally and ascends the stairs once again to the front bay window.
Outside, Van hears the commotion inside the doors and rushes back toward the manor, sword in hand. throwing open the door she nearly impales someone as she comes to a screeching halt seein who has arrived.
William Willsden AC10 HP 7/11 Monday December 12th, 2011 5:22:10 PM
At the sounds of the intrusion, William finishes his eggs quickly, wipes his mouth, adjusts his white robes, quickly cleans his spectacles, wipes his hands on a cloth, just finishes a mouthful of bread, and is on his feet and ready for action almost instantaneously.
Almost.
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Monday December 12th, 2011 9:26:46 PM
Hearing F'aast holler and Vaniime hustling down the hall, Grell charges in too, sure that they are under attack once more. Bastard sword at the ready, he blinks in disbelief at the sight of the Professors. "Uhhhhh...mmmk." He slowly lowers the sword. "Well, I suppose that answers the question of how we're gonna get the kids back to the school..." He lets out a relieved sigh, ready to be done with the irritating youngsters.
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 Monday December 12th, 2011 9:59:49 PM
"I'm glad to see you all!" Wilma admitted when she beheld the arrival of the teachers from the school. "This whole thing has just been so strange...and there are things that you need to know, too...Emrys has been able to talk to Dawn Wintershine and help uncover stuff that might be important--if you want to hear about it, masters..?"
Emrys d20+8=22 ; Monday December 12th, 2011 10:43:28 PM
Emyrs reassuringly does his best to relieve Dawn of her worries.
"There is nothing to worry about, Dawn. Lady Ostine sent a small band of bumbling oafs to try and scare you and your parents, nothing more. As you see," Emyrs motions to the approaching faculty, "you have nothing to fear with the combined presence of my friends and I, not to mention our distinguished professors."
After hearing Wilma's remarks to the tenured faculty of Maplehurst, Emyrs speaks up to confirm the statement to be true. "We have much to report, I think you will find it illuminating." As he repairs to make his report, he tries to think of anything he knows about Lady Ostine.
(Knowledge (local): 22 to recall anything about the elusive elven witch.)
DM Kathy Monday December 12th, 2011 11:00:12 PM
The clamor in the hall rouses F'aast, Vaniime, and Grell to action. And William, too; just not as quickly. You all relax when you see the professors have arrived.
Professor Goodnight is looking a little smug, and who can blame him? He was right about the target of the attack. For now, though, the professors need to formulate a plan.
They listen as Wilma and Emrys describe what happened. Emrys thinks it over, but he doesn't recall anything specific about Lady Ostine.
Ganz begins a rundown of the tactical situation. "The public roads are safe, but we need to travel about a quarter-mile on Lord Bydrian's private road to reach the public road," he says. "And, of course, there's the mudslide. This Lady Ostine could choose to attack us at either place."
"We need a plan," Dame Brightseeker agrees. "Are the children ready to leave?"
F'aast Tuesday December 13th, 2011 4:47:29 PM
Faast remains at his post until called off of it. He goes through all his mental exercises to keep sharp and focused on the job at hand.
He hears the muffled voices below and knows that the professors are being informed of all that has occurred.
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 Tuesday December 13th, 2011 6:16:51 PM
Wilma excused herself to go and make sure that the children were all ready to accompany the teachers back to Maplehurst. She approached F'aast.
"Ah, there you are!" she said with a smile. "Listen, we need to make sure the younglings are all ready to go...come and help me do that."
While they were checking on the status of the children (and helping any who needed it), Wilma couldn't help but wonder whether anyone was going to take up F'asst's earilier idea--the one about backtracking the kidnappers' trail from the original site of the ambush in order to see where the felonious band was. It might be a task that the older students could handle while the teachers got the young children to safety.
"F'asst..." the acolyte of Gargul spoke to the monk, "...do you think we should follow up on that idea of yours...the one about tracking the kidnappers back to wherever their base is...?"
Van listens to the professors' debate about how to proceed and can't help but notice they have said nothing in response to their trip here, the attack and how we handled ourselves.
I guess what father said was right. The reasons that you do things is not for praise and accolades, but just the knowledge that what we did was right, just, and helped someone that couldn't help themselves. But still, she continues thinking to herself, It would be nice to hear that we did well and that they were proud of us.
She sighs and walks up to the group of professors.
""Umm excuse me professors. I thought I might remind you that we still do have two prisoners downstairs.""
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Tuesday December 13th, 2011 11:20:23 PM
Grell looks confused for a bit. It's true, he never really paid attention during the lectures on magic, and now it's showing. "Why can't you just take the rugrats back with you the way you got here?"
DM Kathy Wednesday December 14th, 2011 12:42:18 AM Wilma moves to find F'aast, who is standing nearby. Together, you help the youngsters get ready for their return to the school. This mostly consists of finding things--shoes, hats, satchels--that were just here a second ago, really! As you work, Wilma suggests that F'aast once again raise the topic of backtracking the bandits.
Meanwhile, Vaniime reminds the professors of the bandits in the cellar. "Do you think they have any more information?" Professor Goodnight asks. "We could send Gavin to talk to them. Or maybe Ganz would be more effective."
Grell, meanwhile, is wondering why the children can't just be teleported back. ""There are over twenty children, Master Illutu," Professor Bounderly says briskly. "Too many to be teleported. We will need to walk back to school."
Lord Bydrian says, "Perhaps it would be best if the prisoners stayed here for a few days until I can summon a magistrate. My staff can look after them."
Emrys Wednesday December 14th, 2011 12:45:29 AM
Emyrs can't help but wish his father were here. This ordeal would be far less demanding. It wouldn't have been an ordeal at all. He could have removed the mudslide with a single swipe of his hand. We could have traveled by power of the root, simply stepping into a tree and coming out the other side in Maplehurst. He could have turned us all into birds, or wisps of vapor. Or he could merely send us there with only his force of will. His father's power was unimaginable. Not to mention being a Knight of the Realm, and an Honored Friend of Dragons. Emyrs finds himself to be lacking on a scale so immensely vast. It's always been easy to get lost in his shadow.
F'aast Wednesday December 14th, 2011 9:53:43 AM
Faast turns and listens somberly to Wilma. "On it."
And then after her suggestion, "Yes, definitely. However, the first responsibility is to the children. Our hands are tied until they are safe, which I guess they kinda are now? Plus, we're under the authority of the teachers. We'll..."
...and he grunts this out as if its painful...
"...have to get permission."
He stomps off starting a marching song to round up all the kids. He's not very creative.
"Time to line up, line up, line up. Time for us to line up, line up now."
"Hey Em! Can you help me with a line up song here?"
"Come on Kids! Time to line up! Let's go!"
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Wednesday December 14th, 2011 9:59:02 PM
The warrior's jaw drops when he hears Professor Bounderly's response. His mind whirls. They don't have a ring. HOW can they not have a ring?! Somehow, throughout all his years in Maplehurst, Grell had always assumed that his professors were at least at the level of his parents. The sudden realization that the people in charge of his education are less equipped than Dragon level groups leaves him feeling disappointed. Wouldn't they have just been better off learning from Mom and Dad? I mean...Mom and Dad would have had no problem with this...they'd just find up their ring of Teleportation once or twice and poof...problem solved.
His faith shaken in some of his educators, Grell collects his things in preparation to leave. As he does, he heads over to Professor Ganz, whom he still has a high level of respect for at the moment. "Ganz, sir" he begins, still a little intimidated by his mentor "the bandits we ran into before weren't too skilled. We were able to take care of them pretty easily. I don't think it's a very good idea to make the children cross the washed part of the road again just to be attacked. Is there any way one of the Professors could make my classmates look like some of the children...particularly...errrr... her" he points over at Dawn, never being particularly good at remembering names. Grell rubs his chin in thought. "Mom always said a little bit of deception wasn't always a bad thing. What if you could make me look like her, and make her look like me." Grell cracks his knuckles. "It'd be even better if we could do that with the rest of my classmates..."
Wilma AC16 (chain shirt); HP10/10 Thursday December 15th, 2011 1:00:19 AM
Returning to report to the teachers that all of the children were now prepared for the trip back to Maplehurst, Wilma arrived just in time to hear her baby brother make a most clever and sensible suggestion: to disguise the older students as the younger and vice-versa.
"What a great idea, Grell!" Wilma enthused, clapping her brother on his back. "As long as none of the bandits have any kind of True Sight spell, it's a tactic that can very well work!" She beamed a smile at Grell, then turned an eager expression towards the teachers.
"Now...will we actually do this...?"
DM Kathy Thursday December 15th, 2011 2:06:49 AM
You are beginning to realize that your illustrious parents are even more illustrious than you first thought. A problem that wouldn't faze them at all is proving to be a challenge to your professors--men and women whom you know to be both knowledgable and capable. It takes some adjusting.
F'aast tries a little marching song to get the kids in line. Luckily, they are in the mood to play along. "Line up, line up," they chant happily.
Grell suggests a magical disguise, an idea his sister Wilma heartily endorses. "Yes, yes, how very clever of you!" Professor Bounderly cries. "I could probably come up with something, but I think this is more Gavin's area."
Smiling, Professor Silver approaches you. "Shouldn't be too hard," he says. He winks at Dawn. "What do you say, youngster? Would you like to look like this big, strong guy for a while?" Dawn looks a little uncertain, but agrees. Professor Silver casts two spells, and in a moment, Dawn looks like Grell and Grell looks like Dawn.
Ganz and Professor Goodnight take a final look at the group. "Are we ready?" Professor Goodnight asks.
F'aast Thursday December 15th, 2011 11:32:22 AM
"Em?" Faast watches as Emrys keeps walking and doesn't help him with his song.
He shrugs and keeps marching the kids and then lining them up in the front foyer ready to do. Once there, he hands them off and runs to the kitchen.
"Hey good folks. We're gonna need hardtack type food for the trip back. We don't march on air alone!," he says with the best humor he can muster after sleeping on the hallway floor.
He doesn't wait for it, but does a final sweep of the house to be sure that they didn't leave anyone behind. "We should have counted them when we left," he intones.
Emrys d20+14=26 ; Thursday December 15th, 2011 9:13:15 PM
Emyrs take his lute and accompanies F'aast with a song. He looks at Dawn, who now has a strong resemblance to Grell. "Maybe you should walk with me and be my bodyguard," he says with a smile.
(performance (strings): 26)
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Thursday December 15th, 2011 10:09:10 PM
Grell does a double take as he looks over at Dawn. His armor, his white hair, that small scar on his throat...it was so weeeeird to see it on someone else! By Domi, do I really have a mole on the back of my neck?! Biceps are looking good...abs still need some work... Grell does a quick self inspection before he gets back to work.
He turns to himself "Now, it's very important that you try not to talk while we're playing this game, okay? Because as you can tell, we still have our regular voices. Just stay with the Professors and nobody will know that you're not me." Grell flexes, which is doubtlessly very strange looking in his Dawn form. "We're gonna give those jerks a suppose that they'll never forget!!"
Grell makes sure that Dawn is positioned nearby Ganz and then he makes his way toward the front of the line of children. He does his best to mimic the carefree stride of the other children, but there is no doubt that he comes off looking strange in his new form.
Grell AC19; HP 12/12 Thursday December 15th, 2011 10:10:26 PM
OOC: Uhhhh yeah...of course that's supposed to be "surprise" durrrrrr!! Sheesh. ;)
Vaniime AC 17/14/13, HP: 11/11 Thursday December 15th, 2011 11:05:33 PM
So are we all taking the palce of some of the children or just Grell? It might be more advantageous if only 1 or two are disguised.
DM Kathy Friday December 16th, 2011 1:09:05 AM
Between them, F'aast and Emrys get the kids lined up.
Grell takes the opportunity to study himself, which more than one person in the group finds a little weird. He cautions Dawn against speaking, and she nods solemnly.
Vaniime asks about disguising more of the group.
"I probably could," Professor Silver says, "if there are more volunteers."
"Otherwise," Professor Goodnight says, "I think we're ready to go."
He takes one last look at the group, then moves to the front door and opens it.
F'aast Friday December 16th, 2011 12:08:48 PM
Faast counts as they exit. Have to have a count. Teachers always have to count, yet none of them are.
Under his breath he mutters, "Do we have to take care of everything?"
Nice song Emrys! I liked the words to that one best of any you've done so far!
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