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<blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 3902743" data-attributes="member: 1210"><p><em><strong>10 a.m., 11/4/372 O.L.G., the plains north of the Stern Mountains</strong></em></p><p></p><p>Ari, as a hawk, flaps down and settles in next to the others. His form melts like wax, and sudenly he’s a halfling again. “Hey, guys,” he tells the rest of the party, “there’s a trio of halfling wagons ahead!”</p><p></p><p>“Really?” exclaims Federico. “I hope that they are Flapjacks, and not Peachtrees. I don’t want to fight any Peachtree halflings. Or really, any halflings at all.” The little kobold’s tail is tucked between his legs. </p><p></p><p>“They are Flapjacks- at least, two of them are,” Ari nods. “I checked it out pretty closely. The third wagon is a Hempflower clan wagon.” </p><p></p><p>“Martini’s birth clan!” Federico squeals. “I wonder if he’s back on Strogass!” Then he grins. “I hope Aunty is with those wagons!”</p><p></p><p>“I thought he was still on Dyshim? Well, who knows,” Ari says.</p><p></p><p>“Who are you talking about?” Rush asks.</p><p></p><p>“Martini. An old clan mate.” Federico explains, “The halfling clans that wander Strogass, when they meet up, they often trade kids. Like, one from each clan will go over to live with the other clan. This helps cement friendships between clans, arrange marriages- you know, the usual stuff. Martini was the Hempflower boy that I grew up with, and he grew into a fine, mighty ranger. He traveled with us for many adventures.”*</p><p></p><p>“Only one way to find out,” grunts Chief Jawbreaker. “Let’s go!”</p><p></p><p>The party moves forward at a quick pace. There is a spring in their step. They are about to meet friendly folk- and maybe, even, Aunty Flapjacks! Soon the wagons come into view, and soon they spot the party approaching. Halflings gather outside. Federico grins and runs forward into their smiling, welcoming embrace. “Hi, everyone! It’s been so long since I’ve seen all of you!” He is licking everyone, showing his belly, being a good dog. Berry Flapjacks, who spent years growing up together with Federico (as the clan dog), is there, and she rapidly proves to be the leader of the group. Feddie’s tail thumps wildly as she scratches him under the belly. Her boyfriend, Luke Goodwheel, is with her. Federico doesn’t know him, and he proves to play the flute much more than he talks.</p><p></p><p>Cookie is there, too; he is an old man, Berry’s great uncle. When Federico was a pup, Cookie used to tease him with food, but would always cave in eventually. Now Cookie has gone senile and is wracked with a horrid phlegmatic cough. Federico feels rather sad for him. </p><p></p><p>Then there is the 20-year-old Keldrin Flapjacks. Keldrin was the Flapjacks child traded for Martini and has lived with the Hempflowers until the two clans’ wagons met up about 2 weeks ago. Further, Mango Flapjacks, a traveling druidess, has come to aid Berry. Mango always traveled a lot, so Feddie never really go to know her very well.</p><p></p><p>From the Hempflower wagon, there is no sign of Martini. In his stead, our heroes find his father, Martin Hempflower. He tells the party that although his clan remains neutral in the feud, his heart is with the Flapjacks. He warns them that he will not do anything to drag his own kin into the conflict, however.</p><p></p><p>In addition, there are quite a few children present. From the Flapjacks clan, there are Posie, Drelsie, Muffin and George (all of whom are essentially cousins to Federico); along with them as fosters are Palindrome Hodiddly and Harthing Hempflower (Martini’s cousin). Martin’s oldest grandson, Wheat, is with him, but Wheat is only 1 year old.</p><p></p><p>Notably absent is Aunty.</p><p></p><p>So, of course, Federico asks. “Where’s Aunty?”</p><p></p><p>Berry sighs. “We’re not exactly sure, though we do have a good idea,” she answers him. “We don’t know how worried to be, or when to be worried about this. She went to consult some kind of entity for knowledge concerning...” She hesitates for a moment, watching Federico intently. “Concerning whatever it was she called you back here for. I don’t know exactly, but I think it has to do with the feud.”</p><p></p><p>“The feud with the Peachtrees?” asks the kobold.</p><p></p><p>”Vendetta,” she nods. “They’ve declared vendetta. I fear many lives may be lost.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s terrible!” exclaims Federico. </p><p></p><p>“What do you know about this ‘entity?’” asks Erasmuz, pleased at his ability to maintain a straight face and hold his tongue as several reckless things to say occur to him.</p><p></p><p>“Not much,” admits Berry. “She was going to trade some books for information to them. I did overhear something Aunty Flapjacks tell another of the clan elders before the wagons left their previous camp to come here: <em>I have to go seek answers from the Myriad Glimpses. There is something else behind this feud, and I think the kids faced it before. I hope that dog is taking good care of them!</em>”</p><p></p><p>“I do my best,” whines Federico. </p><p></p><p>“And,” Berry adds, “I know where she went.” She turns and points into the distance. “That mountain there.” </p><p></p><p>Our heroes exchange a very meaningful glance. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The top of the mountain takes minutes to reach via <em>wind walk.</em> At the top is an old shrine, open to the elements. It is quite cold; a few spots have ice or snow on them, but only a few. The shrine consists of a 30’ diameter dais, raised 10’ above the surrounding ground, that the path leads directly up. There are six pillars arranged along the perimeter of the shrine; it has no walls. Old books are scattered around the shrine. Along the edge of the roof, some words are written in some incomprehensible language, repeating the same few words over and over again.</p><p></p><p>Our heroes search around, but they find little of use. The books are in poor shape, having been exposed to the elements for quite some time, at least in many cases. There are halfling-sized tracks, less than a week old; but they don’t seem to leave again. Finally, Federico casts <em>detect secret doors</em> and is pleased to discover that one of the pillars does indeed contain a secret door. </p><p></p><p>Our heroes soon open it and discern that the interior of the pillar is actually an elevator.Though it is only big enough for one of them at a time, or two if they squeeze, it only takes a couple of minutes for everyone to descend.</p><p></p><p>At the bottom of the elevator shaft, our heroes find themselves in what is unquestionably a crypt. And, a few dozen feet inside, is a perfectly rendered statue of Aunty Flapjacks.</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next Time:</strong></em> Can Aunty be saved?</p><p></p><p></p><p>*Vic, who is Martini’s player, no longer lives across the street. In fact, the distance has increased significantly. Plus, he’s a family man, and the missus doesn’t like giving him too much time to get in trouble with the boys. Can’t say as I blame her, really. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 3902743, member: 1210"] [i][b]10 a.m., 11/4/372 O.L.G., the plains north of the Stern Mountains[/b][/i][b][/b] Ari, as a hawk, flaps down and settles in next to the others. His form melts like wax, and sudenly he’s a halfling again. “Hey, guys,” he tells the rest of the party, “there’s a trio of halfling wagons ahead!” “Really?” exclaims Federico. “I hope that they are Flapjacks, and not Peachtrees. I don’t want to fight any Peachtree halflings. Or really, any halflings at all.” The little kobold’s tail is tucked between his legs. “They are Flapjacks- at least, two of them are,” Ari nods. “I checked it out pretty closely. The third wagon is a Hempflower clan wagon.” “Martini’s birth clan!” Federico squeals. “I wonder if he’s back on Strogass!” Then he grins. “I hope Aunty is with those wagons!” “I thought he was still on Dyshim? Well, who knows,” Ari says. “Who are you talking about?” Rush asks. “Martini. An old clan mate.” Federico explains, “The halfling clans that wander Strogass, when they meet up, they often trade kids. Like, one from each clan will go over to live with the other clan. This helps cement friendships between clans, arrange marriages- you know, the usual stuff. Martini was the Hempflower boy that I grew up with, and he grew into a fine, mighty ranger. He traveled with us for many adventures.”* “Only one way to find out,” grunts Chief Jawbreaker. “Let’s go!” The party moves forward at a quick pace. There is a spring in their step. They are about to meet friendly folk- and maybe, even, Aunty Flapjacks! Soon the wagons come into view, and soon they spot the party approaching. Halflings gather outside. Federico grins and runs forward into their smiling, welcoming embrace. “Hi, everyone! It’s been so long since I’ve seen all of you!” He is licking everyone, showing his belly, being a good dog. Berry Flapjacks, who spent years growing up together with Federico (as the clan dog), is there, and she rapidly proves to be the leader of the group. Feddie’s tail thumps wildly as she scratches him under the belly. Her boyfriend, Luke Goodwheel, is with her. Federico doesn’t know him, and he proves to play the flute much more than he talks. Cookie is there, too; he is an old man, Berry’s great uncle. When Federico was a pup, Cookie used to tease him with food, but would always cave in eventually. Now Cookie has gone senile and is wracked with a horrid phlegmatic cough. Federico feels rather sad for him. Then there is the 20-year-old Keldrin Flapjacks. Keldrin was the Flapjacks child traded for Martini and has lived with the Hempflowers until the two clans’ wagons met up about 2 weeks ago. Further, Mango Flapjacks, a traveling druidess, has come to aid Berry. Mango always traveled a lot, so Feddie never really go to know her very well. From the Hempflower wagon, there is no sign of Martini. In his stead, our heroes find his father, Martin Hempflower. He tells the party that although his clan remains neutral in the feud, his heart is with the Flapjacks. He warns them that he will not do anything to drag his own kin into the conflict, however. In addition, there are quite a few children present. From the Flapjacks clan, there are Posie, Drelsie, Muffin and George (all of whom are essentially cousins to Federico); along with them as fosters are Palindrome Hodiddly and Harthing Hempflower (Martini’s cousin). Martin’s oldest grandson, Wheat, is with him, but Wheat is only 1 year old. Notably absent is Aunty. So, of course, Federico asks. “Where’s Aunty?” Berry sighs. “We’re not exactly sure, though we do have a good idea,” she answers him. “We don’t know how worried to be, or when to be worried about this. She went to consult some kind of entity for knowledge concerning...” She hesitates for a moment, watching Federico intently. “Concerning whatever it was she called you back here for. I don’t know exactly, but I think it has to do with the feud.” “The feud with the Peachtrees?” asks the kobold. ”Vendetta,” she nods. “They’ve declared vendetta. I fear many lives may be lost.” “That’s terrible!” exclaims Federico. “What do you know about this ‘entity?’” asks Erasmuz, pleased at his ability to maintain a straight face and hold his tongue as several reckless things to say occur to him. “Not much,” admits Berry. “She was going to trade some books for information to them. I did overhear something Aunty Flapjacks tell another of the clan elders before the wagons left their previous camp to come here: [i]I have to go seek answers from the Myriad Glimpses. There is something else behind this feud, and I think the kids faced it before. I hope that dog is taking good care of them![/i]” “I do my best,” whines Federico. “And,” Berry adds, “I know where she went.” She turns and points into the distance. “That mountain there.” Our heroes exchange a very meaningful glance. *** The top of the mountain takes minutes to reach via [i]wind walk.[/i] At the top is an old shrine, open to the elements. It is quite cold; a few spots have ice or snow on them, but only a few. The shrine consists of a 30’ diameter dais, raised 10’ above the surrounding ground, that the path leads directly up. There are six pillars arranged along the perimeter of the shrine; it has no walls. Old books are scattered around the shrine. Along the edge of the roof, some words are written in some incomprehensible language, repeating the same few words over and over again. Our heroes search around, but they find little of use. The books are in poor shape, having been exposed to the elements for quite some time, at least in many cases. There are halfling-sized tracks, less than a week old; but they don’t seem to leave again. Finally, Federico casts [i]detect secret doors[/i] and is pleased to discover that one of the pillars does indeed contain a secret door. Our heroes soon open it and discern that the interior of the pillar is actually an elevator.Though it is only big enough for one of them at a time, or two if they squeeze, it only takes a couple of minutes for everyone to descend. At the bottom of the elevator shaft, our heroes find themselves in what is unquestionably a crypt. And, a few dozen feet inside, is a perfectly rendered statue of Aunty Flapjacks. [i][b]Next Time:[/b][/i][b][/b] Can Aunty be saved? *Vic, who is Martini’s player, no longer lives across the street. In fact, the distance has increased significantly. Plus, he’s a family man, and the missus doesn’t like giving him too much time to get in trouble with the boys. Can’t say as I blame her, really. :) [/QUOTE]
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