"Thank you for your help. Though we should decide how we want to proceed. How far out of our way would this gate be? The problem with the elves has been one that has been going on for some time, but something tells me this gate problem might be newer, and a bit more insidious."
Olga pats Wat on the back affectionately.
"Now now, don't be getting any silly ideas in you head about sailing back to Redstone Isle with Young Peg to deal with them Yakuza. Besides, that Lah'nun friend of yours already woke up and said his goodbyes. Said he had to take care of that too. How many of you do you need to tell the Count what is going on? Besides, I've already had the horses saddled and readied. Did I mention the part where we were all counting on you? You wouldn't want me to slip the poisoned sweetcakes into your breakfast the next time you came to visit would you?"
She winks and smiles but your not quite sure if she is joking or not.
[sblock=OOC] [MENTION=78756]Son of Meepo[/MENTION] The Redstone Gate is situated near the Redstone Isle, where you began the adventure. If you all decided that you prefer to follow that story up ... well I guess it could be arranged... *Imagine me saying that in the tone of voice that an acquantaince might when you popped around by surprise and they offer you 'juice or ...', hoping you'll accept the juice as they have nothing else in the fridge.* It is not intended for this adventure, it was intended as a background to events within the Isles to make the place feel a little more alive and dynamic (and to satisfy treex' complaint that there would be no sea based elements in the adventure) and a minor quest to get word to Count Varis in time before the surprise attack occurs, but not needed to be given in person by yourselves. But I decided that it was enough that you had saved the wounded men and with Themes heading back the quest is in effect complete. Sorry for any confusion caused by this. There are a few details about the setting of the Crystal Isles on Page 1, all details your characters should more or less know
[MENTION=6690636]Daeja[/MENTION] [MENTION=100292]Neil1889[/MENTION] [MENTION=90924]LordGraz'zt[/MENTION] I'm a little hesitant to move things on without giving you a chance to pick your potion in character. Let me know what your guys opinion is about this in the OOC thread. That said, I will anyway. Just include the reward your character chooses in your next post. It would be good if everyone still keen to carry on checks in. Let me know if you have real life stuff happening that is going to interfere with your posting. Only takes a second
[MENTION=84680]treex[/MENTION] Thanks for your contribution. Sorry things didn't work out. Good luck with your future games. I'll have Time XP and Gold up in a while, once I've figured out the calculations. And of course one of the potions are for Themes as well. [/sblock]
Before anyone has a chance to protest Olga has hustled you all out the door towards the stables where a strapping teenage lad awaits you holding the reigns of 5 riding horses. Olga introduces the boy as Tom. Tom smiles, his eyes fixated on Sabynha, a similar look of adoration seen on Megs face can be seen. She of course has come to see you off as well.
"Tom will accompany you to Crystalbrook and make sure the horses are properly cared for until you return. You won't be able to take them into the Sildaine, if that's where you're headed. Tom'll make sure they are waiting safely for you in Crystalbrook when you are ready to return. Let's hope it all goes smooth as a boat in the calm, aye? See you back here for one of them poisoned cakes I promised you aye, boyo?" Olga winks at Wat.
She chuckles to let him know she is joking affectionately with him and adds:
"And if you get the roads back open to trade, next time I promise they'll be fresh!"
After you are all mounted Tom gets on his own horse and off you trot up the road towards Crystalbrook as Olga and Wat wave you goodbye. If you turn back you might catch Meg wiping a tear from her eye or Old Sad Sacks peeking out from an upstairs window.
The journey is a fairly steady climb up and away from Port Bean. A thick green forest flanks the left hand side of the road almost all of the way. To the right the lands are pastures and fields recently harvested. After an hours journey the fields become blackened and charred from what must have been quite a blaze. At a certain point you can see a river up ahead. It flows from the direction you are headed but at a certain point turns into the forest and is hidden amongst the trees which is why you hadn't seen it until now. The river is wide and fast flowing. It is in fact quite a beauty. The silvery green elestial quartz that lines the the river bed catches the light in quite a spectacular way. Darting shapes of fish can be seen within. Obviously it is teeming with life. The sun is shining and all seems well with the world apart from the burnt fields to your right.
[sblock=Insight Passive DC 12] Tom looks suddenly very tense as he rides. He often looks into the trees before turning his head away quickly as though he is doing something he shouldn't [/sblock]
[sblock=Nature or Perception Passive DC 12] No birds to be heard from such a verdant forest strikes you as strange [/sblock]
Tom says quietly in a strained
"We're almost there now. An hour and we'll see the city."