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Story Hour
Sagiro's Story Hour: The FINAL Adventures of Abernathy's Company (FINISHED 7/3/14)
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<blockquote data-quote="Sagiro" data-source="post: 5191947" data-attributes="member: 726"><p>Yeah, I can't believe it either. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite5" alt=":confused:" title="Confused :confused:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":confused:" /> </p><p></p><p><em><strong>Sagiro’s Story Hour, Part 313</strong></em></p><p><strong><em>Familiar Risk</em></strong></p><p></p><p></p><p>Ernie, of course, still wants to deal with the Crimson Maw right away. </p><p></p><p>Dranko shakes his head. “What if we get stuck in there, or time moves differently? Could we risk it? I mean, don't different onions have different times?”</p><p></p><p>“It's a demiplane,” says Aravis. “Unless it actively makes us forget things, I'm not too worried.”</p><p></p><p>Ernie furrows his brow. “A demiplane? Doesn't that make it more of a scallion?”</p><p></p><p>“Forget the herbs!” cries Aravis. “Yes, there is a potential problem of time differential, but that aside, we can certainly get out if we can get in. There's always <em>plane shift.</em>”</p><p></p><p>“The Maw is clearly the lesser of the two evils,” says Morningstar.</p><p></p><p>Aravis nods. “I agree. But before we deal with the Black Circle, we'll need to scout it out. I have a plan that will take a couple of days – I want to send a scouting party of cats to learn about the temple there. I think they owe me a debt of gratitude.”</p><p></p><p>“There's another thing,” says Kibi. “If we want to deal with Mokad before doing anything else to the Black Circle, it's still going to be a couple of days before the ritual room in Kallor is ready to go.”</p><p></p><p>So, over Morningstar's continuing objections, they decide to let Aravis implement his cats-as-spies plan and then deal with the Crimson Maw as quickly as they can.</p><p></p><p>“Dealing with the Maw shouldn't take long,” says Aravis confidently. “We should hop in, grab Maglubiyet's Fang, and get out. If they can't move the opening, it'll no longer be an immediate threat.”</p><p></p><p></p><p>* *</p><p></p><p></p><p>Morningstar casts a <em>sending</em> to Plumpypuss at Aravis's request. <em><strong>We need the name of a cat in Kai Kin, preferably a stray. Reply 25 words or less. Morningstar</strong></em></p><p></p><p>The reply: <em><strong>There is a cat named Set-Set. I had some dealings with him years ago. If he's still alive, he's in the foreign quarter.</strong></em></p><p></p><p>Armed with that minimal information, Aravis <em>scries</em> Set-Set that evening. Through the sensor, and using <em>darkvision</em>, he sees an old and scrawny black ally cat resting on a low stone wall. With Pewter on his shoulder, Dranko stowed away in the <em>flask of body pouring</em>, and with a <em>refuge</em> token in his pocket, he <em>teleports</em>.</p><p></p><p>Set-Set turns his head sharply at Aravis's arrival but otherwise stays put on the wall; he's too old to go jumping from the mere presence of humans.</p><p></p><p>He meows. Pewter translates.</p><p></p><p>“You're strangely like a cat.”</p><p></p><p>“I am one of the Nine,” says Aravis.</p><p></p><p>Set-Set rises slowly to his feet. “How did you sneak up on me so easily?”</p><p></p><p>“I had magic,” says Aravis. “I used to see you from a distance and transport myself.”</p><p></p><p>“Magic? I don't know that. How can I serve you?”</p><p></p><p>Over the mind-link, Morningstar opines, “ I'll be Kai Kin has a prohibition against magic.”</p><p></p><p>Aravis starts in on an explanation of how he needs a feline scouting team to infiltrate the Black Circle temple in the city. Set-Set seems extremely confused, and Pewter turns to his master.</p><p></p><p>“Boss, he's just a cat. He's not very smart. He might get distracted by a mouse, and forget all about your instructions.”</p><p></p><p>“We'll have to take that risk,” says Aravis.</p><p></p><p>“Can't you do any Cat Lord mojo to make him smarter?”</p><p></p><p>Aravis thinks for a second before pouring Dranko out of his flask.</p><p></p><p>“Dranko, you carry our spare <em>headband of intellect</em>, right?”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah. Why?”</p><p></p><p>“I need this cat to be smarter.”</p><p></p><p>Dranko hands over the headband before scrambling up the adjacent wall to get a better look at the city of Kai Kin. From the rooftop he takes in a broad view of this section of the city – presumably the Foreign Quarter. That would explain the mishmash of clothing styles, architecture and skin tones, and the wide variety of accents in the general cacophony of Kivian Common. He spots folk from Tev, Dir-Tolia, Djaw, Delfir, and even a couple from Charagan.</p><p></p><p>The buildings are close-set and lean over narrow, winding streets. Though it is night, the Foreign Quarter is bright with lamps and loud with haggling and laughter. To the south-east Dranko sees the harbor, and to the northwest looms a thirty-foot stone wall.</p><p></p><p>Aravis drapes the <em>headband of intellect</em> around Set-Set's neck like a collar, casts <em>tongues</em>, and tries his explanation again. When he describes the Black Circle temple, Set-Set shakes his head.</p><p></p><p>“I've never seen anything like that.”</p><p></p><p>“It's on the other side of the wall,” Aravis explains.</p><p></p><p>“Oh. I've never been there.”</p><p></p><p>Aravis sighs. Even with the headband, a normal cat still can't follow complex instructions. And this particular cat lacks the physical prowess he needs.</p><p></p><p>“Boss,” Pewter implores, “Just send me. I'm a cat, I'm smart, I'm agile, and I already know exactly what I'm looking for.”</p><p></p><p>Aravis gives his familiar a scratch. “I suppose you're right.” He bows to Set-Set, thanks him, and takes back the headband. Then he fishes out his <em>refuge</em> token and ties it around Pewter's neck.</p><p></p><p>“See if you can organize some other cats to get inside the temple.”</p><p></p><p>Pewter is skeptical. “Organize some cats? Er... ok, I'll do my best. What are your specific instructions?”</p><p></p><p>“See if you can find the best way into that temple other than the front door, and anything else interesting.”</p><p></p><p>“How long do I have?”</p><p></p><p>“Two days. We'll meet back here.”</p><p></p><p>Pewter grins. “I get two days to myself? Fantastic! Just promise me you'll take care of yourself. You're not going into that goblin place without me, right?”</p><p></p><p>Aravis is a terrible liar. “Er. Um. No! Of course not!”</p><p></p><p>“Boss!”</p><p></p><p>“I didn't want to tell you,” Aravis admits. “I don't want you to worry.”</p><p></p><p>“Of course I'll worry!” cries Pewter. “First of all, you need me in there. Second, you'll be in a demiplane, so if something happens to me, who bails me out?”</p><p></p><p>“The token I tied around your neck. You bite it, you end up at the Greenhouse. And if <em>I</em> need <em>you</em>, I'll <em>gate</em> you in.”</p><p></p><p>Dranko has dropped down from the rooftops and taps the wizard on the shoulder. “Aravis? I know you like cats and all, but why the hell aren't you turning me invisible and just flying me over the frickin' wall? I'll fly over the temple and get you all the intelligence you need.”</p><p></p><p>“I can't cast invisibility.”</p><p></p><p>“But you <em>can</em> cast <em>fly</em>. And I can stay hidden pretty well.”</p><p></p><p>So Aravis does cast <em>fly</em> on Dranko. As he casts, someone pokes his head into the ally and watches curiously. His clothing identifies him as Dir-Tolian. Dranko thinks quickly.</p><p></p><p>“Thank you so much sir!” he exclaims. “You healed my wound.”</p><p></p><p>“You're welcome,” says Aravis.</p><p></p><p>“Hello?” says the man. “Are you crazy? Did you just cast a spell on him?”</p><p></p><p>Morningstar thinks over the telepathic link: “Did I mention I think there's a prohibition on spell-casting in Kai Kin?”</p><p></p><p>“I healed him,” Aravis explains to the man.</p><p></p><p>“By magic?” asks the Dir-Tolian, aghast.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah.”</p><p></p><p>“Have you been here long?”</p><p></p><p>“No.”</p><p></p><p>“Did we make a horrible mistake?” asks Dranko.</p><p></p><p>The Dir-Tolian looks shocked. “How could you have avoided knowing about the local custom?”</p><p></p><p>“We came in around 3:00 in the morning,” Dranko explains.</p><p></p><p>“It shouldn't matter! Regardless, I will tell you this for your own good. Do not let the city guard see you doing that! Or any magic of any kind!”</p><p></p><p>“So there's a prohibition on magic?”</p><p></p><p>“Of course there is! How could you not know that?”</p><p></p><p>Aravis looks puzzled. “Where do people go for healing?”</p><p></p><p>“They go to a temple, where magic is allowed.”</p><p></p><p>“And what temples are here in the city?”</p><p></p><p>The Dir-Tolian looks at Aravis like he's daft. “They have temples to Lotus and to the Black Circle, I know that much. But I have not spent any time outside the Foreign Quarter.”</p><p></p><p>“Is there a Black Circle temple <em>in</em> the Foreign Quarter?” asks Dranko.</p><p></p><p>“Of course not. Say, why were you in this alley in the first place?”</p><p></p><p>“I heard him groaning in here,” says Aravis. “He was injured.”</p><p></p><p>“And to what God are you a priest?” asks the Dir-Tolian.</p><p></p><p>“Quarrol,” says Aravis.</p><p></p><p>“Say,” says Dranko. “Can I buy you dinner, as a way of saying thank you for telling us about the no-magic thing?”</p><p></p><p>Morningstar, over the mind-link: “<em>I</em> told you about the no magic thing!”</p><p></p><p>Dranko gives the man a handful of miracs.</p><p></p><p>“This is very kind!” exclaims the man. “My name is Fahlwyn, by the way. What are yours?”</p><p></p><p>Dranko introduces himself as Three Slippery Slopes, while Aravis gives his name as Benson.</p><p></p><p>“I have been to Kai Kin eleven times now,” says Fahlwyn. Every time, I am forced to endure, for half an hour, all of the rules and regulations of the city. One of the first things they tell you is: no magic! You should pay attention to those lectures. I realize you may not take them seriously, but the authorities in Kai Kin will kill you! They will execute you without a second thought, for any number of infractions that might seem minor to a foreigner.”</p><p></p><p>Fahlwyn nods his head and departs the alley. Dranko and Aravis look at one another for a long moment.</p><p></p><p>Morningstar's aggrieved thoughts come over the mind-link. “Good job, guys.”</p><p></p><p></p><p>* *</p><p></p><p></p><p>This time it's Aravis's turn to go in the <em>flask</em>, while Pewter rides in Dranko's pack. The half-orc flies up into the night and starts his aerial recon of Kai Kin. He is struck first by the huge size of the city – not quite as big as Djaw, but bigger than anything Charagan has to offer. The wall that separates the Foreign Quarter from the city proper continues well out into the harbor, and only Ocirian ships are docked on the “native” side.</p><p></p><p>In stark contrast to the Foreign Quarter, the rest of Kai Kin is extraordinarily homogenous, especially for a place so large. The architectural style is mostly a uniform yellowing stone, with rounded red-tile roofs. Even more unusual is the constancy of upkeep and cleanliness; there are no slums, and no area that is obviously a high-society neighborhood. (Even a block away from a huge palace – that Dranko assumes is the seat of Ocirian governance – the buildings are of modest size and adornments.)</p><p></p><p>Dranko selectively chooses a half-dozen rooftops around the city that are high, flat, and not easily seen from either the ground or other rooftops. At each of these he pours Aravis out, so that the wizard can study the place for possibly emergency <em>teleports</em>.</p><p></p><p>“Let me warn you,” says Aravis. “Don't start thinking of me as your own private genie.”</p><p></p><p>Dranko just grins. </p><p></p><p>It takes a few hours of slow, sneaky flight before Dranko comes across what is obviously the main Black Circle property in the city. It's comprised of fifteen buildings on a sprawling several-acre campus, with the majority of the acreage covered in parks and gardens. Walkways and benches are dotted here and there throughout. One building – the largest by a good amount – is most likely the main chapel. </p><p></p><p>A few armed men patrol the grounds, but they seem at ease. From time to time a person in black robes leaves one building and walks unhurriedly to another. There's no sign at all of anything sinister in the offing. </p><p></p><p>“Pewter, new plan” says Aravis. “Scout out the place, and see if you can get other cats to help, but don't bother finding your way back to the Foreign Quarter. We'll contact you in two days. If you haven't heard from us by then, use the token.”</p><p></p><p>“No worries, boss. I'll get you your intel. Just don't get yourself killed while you're gone.”</p><p></p><p>After dropping Pewter off a few blocks from the Black Circle temple, they <em>teleport</em> back to Victory. For all of his confidence in his familiar, Aravis feels bereft.</p><p></p><p>“Kai Kin sucks!” Dranko announces. “Magic isn't allowed – Morningstar, you could have warned us about that – and everything is the same, and they keep all the foreigners in their own walled-off section.”</p><p></p><p>“Right,” says Aravis, eager to make some progress. “Onto the Crimson Maw!”</p><p></p><p>...to be continued...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Sagiro, post: 5191947, member: 726"] Yeah, I can't believe it either. :confused: [I][b]Sagiro’s Story Hour, Part 313[/b][/I] [b][I]Familiar Risk[/I][/b] Ernie, of course, still wants to deal with the Crimson Maw right away. Dranko shakes his head. “What if we get stuck in there, or time moves differently? Could we risk it? I mean, don't different onions have different times?” “It's a demiplane,” says Aravis. “Unless it actively makes us forget things, I'm not too worried.” Ernie furrows his brow. “A demiplane? Doesn't that make it more of a scallion?” “Forget the herbs!” cries Aravis. “Yes, there is a potential problem of time differential, but that aside, we can certainly get out if we can get in. There's always [i]plane shift.[/i]” “The Maw is clearly the lesser of the two evils,” says Morningstar. Aravis nods. “I agree. But before we deal with the Black Circle, we'll need to scout it out. I have a plan that will take a couple of days – I want to send a scouting party of cats to learn about the temple there. I think they owe me a debt of gratitude.” “There's another thing,” says Kibi. “If we want to deal with Mokad before doing anything else to the Black Circle, it's still going to be a couple of days before the ritual room in Kallor is ready to go.” So, over Morningstar's continuing objections, they decide to let Aravis implement his cats-as-spies plan and then deal with the Crimson Maw as quickly as they can. “Dealing with the Maw shouldn't take long,” says Aravis confidently. “We should hop in, grab Maglubiyet's Fang, and get out. If they can't move the opening, it'll no longer be an immediate threat.” * * Morningstar casts a [i]sending[/i] to Plumpypuss at Aravis's request. [i][b]We need the name of a cat in Kai Kin, preferably a stray. Reply 25 words or less. Morningstar[/b][/i] The reply: [i][b]There is a cat named Set-Set. I had some dealings with him years ago. If he's still alive, he's in the foreign quarter.[/b][/i] Armed with that minimal information, Aravis [i]scries[/i] Set-Set that evening. Through the sensor, and using [i]darkvision[/i], he sees an old and scrawny black ally cat resting on a low stone wall. With Pewter on his shoulder, Dranko stowed away in the [i]flask of body pouring[/i], and with a [i]refuge[/i] token in his pocket, he [i]teleports[/i]. Set-Set turns his head sharply at Aravis's arrival but otherwise stays put on the wall; he's too old to go jumping from the mere presence of humans. He meows. Pewter translates. “You're strangely like a cat.” “I am one of the Nine,” says Aravis. Set-Set rises slowly to his feet. “How did you sneak up on me so easily?” “I had magic,” says Aravis. “I used to see you from a distance and transport myself.” “Magic? I don't know that. How can I serve you?” Over the mind-link, Morningstar opines, “ I'll be Kai Kin has a prohibition against magic.” Aravis starts in on an explanation of how he needs a feline scouting team to infiltrate the Black Circle temple in the city. Set-Set seems extremely confused, and Pewter turns to his master. “Boss, he's just a cat. He's not very smart. He might get distracted by a mouse, and forget all about your instructions.” “We'll have to take that risk,” says Aravis. “Can't you do any Cat Lord mojo to make him smarter?” Aravis thinks for a second before pouring Dranko out of his flask. “Dranko, you carry our spare [i]headband of intellect[/i], right?” “Yeah. Why?” “I need this cat to be smarter.” Dranko hands over the headband before scrambling up the adjacent wall to get a better look at the city of Kai Kin. From the rooftop he takes in a broad view of this section of the city – presumably the Foreign Quarter. That would explain the mishmash of clothing styles, architecture and skin tones, and the wide variety of accents in the general cacophony of Kivian Common. He spots folk from Tev, Dir-Tolia, Djaw, Delfir, and even a couple from Charagan. The buildings are close-set and lean over narrow, winding streets. Though it is night, the Foreign Quarter is bright with lamps and loud with haggling and laughter. To the south-east Dranko sees the harbor, and to the northwest looms a thirty-foot stone wall. Aravis drapes the [i]headband of intellect[/i] around Set-Set's neck like a collar, casts [i]tongues[/i], and tries his explanation again. When he describes the Black Circle temple, Set-Set shakes his head. “I've never seen anything like that.” “It's on the other side of the wall,” Aravis explains. “Oh. I've never been there.” Aravis sighs. Even with the headband, a normal cat still can't follow complex instructions. And this particular cat lacks the physical prowess he needs. “Boss,” Pewter implores, “Just send me. I'm a cat, I'm smart, I'm agile, and I already know exactly what I'm looking for.” Aravis gives his familiar a scratch. “I suppose you're right.” He bows to Set-Set, thanks him, and takes back the headband. Then he fishes out his [i]refuge[/i] token and ties it around Pewter's neck. “See if you can organize some other cats to get inside the temple.” Pewter is skeptical. “Organize some cats? Er... ok, I'll do my best. What are your specific instructions?” “See if you can find the best way into that temple other than the front door, and anything else interesting.” “How long do I have?” “Two days. We'll meet back here.” Pewter grins. “I get two days to myself? Fantastic! Just promise me you'll take care of yourself. You're not going into that goblin place without me, right?” Aravis is a terrible liar. “Er. Um. No! Of course not!” “Boss!” “I didn't want to tell you,” Aravis admits. “I don't want you to worry.” “Of course I'll worry!” cries Pewter. “First of all, you need me in there. Second, you'll be in a demiplane, so if something happens to me, who bails me out?” “The token I tied around your neck. You bite it, you end up at the Greenhouse. And if [i]I[/i] need [i]you[/i], I'll [i]gate[/i] you in.” Dranko has dropped down from the rooftops and taps the wizard on the shoulder. “Aravis? I know you like cats and all, but why the hell aren't you turning me invisible and just flying me over the frickin' wall? I'll fly over the temple and get you all the intelligence you need.” “I can't cast invisibility.” “But you [i]can[/i] cast [i]fly[/i]. And I can stay hidden pretty well.” So Aravis does cast [i]fly[/i] on Dranko. As he casts, someone pokes his head into the ally and watches curiously. His clothing identifies him as Dir-Tolian. Dranko thinks quickly. “Thank you so much sir!” he exclaims. “You healed my wound.” “You're welcome,” says Aravis. “Hello?” says the man. “Are you crazy? Did you just cast a spell on him?” Morningstar thinks over the telepathic link: “Did I mention I think there's a prohibition on spell-casting in Kai Kin?” “I healed him,” Aravis explains to the man. “By magic?” asks the Dir-Tolian, aghast. “Yeah.” “Have you been here long?” “No.” “Did we make a horrible mistake?” asks Dranko. The Dir-Tolian looks shocked. “How could you have avoided knowing about the local custom?” “We came in around 3:00 in the morning,” Dranko explains. “It shouldn't matter! Regardless, I will tell you this for your own good. Do not let the city guard see you doing that! Or any magic of any kind!” “So there's a prohibition on magic?” “Of course there is! How could you not know that?” Aravis looks puzzled. “Where do people go for healing?” “They go to a temple, where magic is allowed.” “And what temples are here in the city?” The Dir-Tolian looks at Aravis like he's daft. “They have temples to Lotus and to the Black Circle, I know that much. But I have not spent any time outside the Foreign Quarter.” “Is there a Black Circle temple [i]in[/i] the Foreign Quarter?” asks Dranko. “Of course not. Say, why were you in this alley in the first place?” “I heard him groaning in here,” says Aravis. “He was injured.” “And to what God are you a priest?” asks the Dir-Tolian. “Quarrol,” says Aravis. “Say,” says Dranko. “Can I buy you dinner, as a way of saying thank you for telling us about the no-magic thing?” Morningstar, over the mind-link: “[i]I[/i] told you about the no magic thing!” Dranko gives the man a handful of miracs. “This is very kind!” exclaims the man. “My name is Fahlwyn, by the way. What are yours?” Dranko introduces himself as Three Slippery Slopes, while Aravis gives his name as Benson. “I have been to Kai Kin eleven times now,” says Fahlwyn. Every time, I am forced to endure, for half an hour, all of the rules and regulations of the city. One of the first things they tell you is: no magic! You should pay attention to those lectures. I realize you may not take them seriously, but the authorities in Kai Kin will kill you! They will execute you without a second thought, for any number of infractions that might seem minor to a foreigner.” Fahlwyn nods his head and departs the alley. Dranko and Aravis look at one another for a long moment. Morningstar's aggrieved thoughts come over the mind-link. “Good job, guys.” * * This time it's Aravis's turn to go in the [i]flask[/i], while Pewter rides in Dranko's pack. The half-orc flies up into the night and starts his aerial recon of Kai Kin. He is struck first by the huge size of the city – not quite as big as Djaw, but bigger than anything Charagan has to offer. The wall that separates the Foreign Quarter from the city proper continues well out into the harbor, and only Ocirian ships are docked on the “native” side. In stark contrast to the Foreign Quarter, the rest of Kai Kin is extraordinarily homogenous, especially for a place so large. The architectural style is mostly a uniform yellowing stone, with rounded red-tile roofs. Even more unusual is the constancy of upkeep and cleanliness; there are no slums, and no area that is obviously a high-society neighborhood. (Even a block away from a huge palace – that Dranko assumes is the seat of Ocirian governance – the buildings are of modest size and adornments.) Dranko selectively chooses a half-dozen rooftops around the city that are high, flat, and not easily seen from either the ground or other rooftops. At each of these he pours Aravis out, so that the wizard can study the place for possibly emergency [i]teleports[/i]. “Let me warn you,” says Aravis. “Don't start thinking of me as your own private genie.” Dranko just grins. It takes a few hours of slow, sneaky flight before Dranko comes across what is obviously the main Black Circle property in the city. It's comprised of fifteen buildings on a sprawling several-acre campus, with the majority of the acreage covered in parks and gardens. Walkways and benches are dotted here and there throughout. One building – the largest by a good amount – is most likely the main chapel. A few armed men patrol the grounds, but they seem at ease. From time to time a person in black robes leaves one building and walks unhurriedly to another. There's no sign at all of anything sinister in the offing. “Pewter, new plan” says Aravis. “Scout out the place, and see if you can get other cats to help, but don't bother finding your way back to the Foreign Quarter. We'll contact you in two days. If you haven't heard from us by then, use the token.” “No worries, boss. I'll get you your intel. Just don't get yourself killed while you're gone.” After dropping Pewter off a few blocks from the Black Circle temple, they [i]teleport[/i] back to Victory. For all of his confidence in his familiar, Aravis feels bereft. “Kai Kin sucks!” Dranko announces. “Magic isn't allowed – Morningstar, you could have warned us about that – and everything is the same, and they keep all the foreigners in their own walled-off section.” “Right,” says Aravis, eager to make some progress. “Onto the Crimson Maw!” ...to be continued... [/QUOTE]
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Sagiro's Story Hour: The FINAL Adventures of Abernathy's Company (FINISHED 7/3/14)
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