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CERAMIC D.M. the final judgement is in!
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<blockquote data-quote="Speaker" data-source="post: 621298" data-attributes="member: 6571"><p><strong>Speaker vs. Mirthcard</strong></p><p></p><p>I arrived at the elegant dinner party just as the soiree was entering a fever pitch of noise and excitement. I allowed my rented spectral horse and carriage fade into magical mist as I took stock of the celebrations. When I next needed them, the rental service had assured me, I had merely to blow through the silver whistle they provided. While I am more a fan of personal teleportation as locomotion, the long ride here from the teleport beacon in the city had given me plenty of time to review the actions I was about to take. </p><p></p><p>The party was an all day affair, beginning around mid day and scheduled to end at the stroke of midnight. The estate was as effervescent as the host himself was, and I had plenty of room to wander about looking for a familiar face. I saw very few, as the crowd was composed primarily of highly placed nobles, with the remainder merchants or adventurers who had bought their way into societies higher echelons. Not the sort of people I normally associate with, all told. I was not totally adrift, as soon I found someone to talk with. Rather, she found me.</p><p></p><p>“Sam!” I turned to see a young woman, dressed in a shimmering red mirrorcloak. “You made it, after all. I am so pleased.” She made her way through a group of sellswords and came to my side, taking the opportunity from my hesitation to plant a kiss on my cheek and a flower in my hand. “I had thought the existence of rock gnomes more likely then the chances that you would turn up here.”</p><p></p><p>(Insert ‘rock gnome’ picture)</p><p></p><p>I had to smile at the cliché, if only because my close friends would have made similar pronouncements of shock if they ever found out where I was tonight. “I would thank you for inviting me, Vanessa, but I still don’t know how you managed to drag me to this puffed up gala.” I kept my tone light to soften my words, and carefully placed the flower in the top buttonhole of my black suit.</p><p></p><p>“Oh Sam. Try to enjoy it. You might even see a few familiar faces.” With that, and offering a parting smile, Vanessa faded back in the press of cloaks and finery. Leaving my alone once more. Swallowing a string of words that would have sounded unduly harsh in the posh company around me, I instead made my way towards the buffet table.</p><p></p><p>While I had more then my share of complaints about the party itself, the food was more then welcome and came in a variety of flavours and shapes that caressed my toungue and left me wanting more. I helped myself to a plateful and after a momment’s examination of my surroundings, took to one of the quieter corners of the garden.</p><p></p><p>I enjoyed my privacy while it lasted, which was not very long at all. A young man in glaring white robes and intruded, followed by an older gentleman in similarly pale dress. Sampling a finger sandwich on from my plate, I had a perfect view as the young gentleman—his head outlined by a fashionable continual light dweamer—flourished and held out a small scroll. The older man grabbed it and growled a harsh word, then stomped back into the press of partygoers.</p><p></p><p>(Insert ‘robed man’ picture)</p><p></p><p>Polishing off my plate, I followed close behind the two, intending to find a drink. Several waiters wound through the crowd, and off of one I plucked an elegant silver glass filled nearly to the brim with a rich looking red liquid that made itself right at home from the first sip onwards. So distracted was I in sampling the fluid that I was nearly knocked over by a fat noble barging towards the buffet table. I stepped backwards to avoid him, and was half-successful in my efforts to remain steady. My failure became apparent as my haste sent me crashing right back into the guest behind me, nearly spilling my drink all over him.</p><p></p><p>It was fortunate that I was able to keep my glass steady, because that guest was the young man I had just seen earlier. While white is supposed to go with anything, a wine stain would have made an already garish outfit that much worse. “Sorry about that.”</p><p></p><p>“Watch your steps with more care.” He spat back, and I instantly fantasized running into him again, with my fists leading the way. Instead, I nodded contritely and would have apologized again if the host had not at that moment called for everyone to enter the main party pavilion.</p><p></p><p>If the lawn on which we had been standing before had seemed overdone, what we all walked into next was that much worse. The host’s great-great grandfather, as Vanessa had explained to me before the party, had once funded a hunt for one of the giant turtles of the sea, in exchange for the shell such a hunt would produce. After defeating the huge beast in a tremendous sea battle, the expedition had floated its carcass back to shore, and scraped the animal’s carapace clean of flesh. Now it stood in the noble’s yard, a conversation piece that little represented the creature it had once adorned.</p><p></p><p>(Insert ‘Turtle’ Picture)</p><p></p><p> I was tempted to find Vanessa and comment on this, but fortunately, for her she was in the middle of a conversation with the host himself, and I little wanted to hear his opinion on the subject. Instead I finished the last of my drink, and looked around to find another waiter to prey on.</p><p></p><p> Instead, I found my eye focusing on the older gentleman who I had seen take the scroll. He was in peering around the pavilion in a nervous fashion. My curiosity aroused, and with little better to do, I made my way towards him. I was beat by a dark cloaked noble I did not recognized, who led him outwards towards one of the four balconies protruding from the four ends of the turtle shell.</p><p></p><p> Night had fallen in the short interim between my confrontation with the first holder of the scroll and the change of party locales to under the pavilion. It was a full moon, and the white orb in the sky contrasted with the magical lights hanging from the arch that stood firmly astride the two ends of the balcony. Under the arch was a collection of tables and chairs that were empty for the moment. Towards this destination the two gentlemen swept, one in white and the other in black. I followed slowly behind, hoping not to attract their notice.</p><p></p><p> (Insert ‘Arch’ picture)</p><p></p><p> I need not have worried. So preoccupied were the two that they took little notice of the attention they had garnered. They strode to the middle of the arch and fell to animated discussion. Plucking the Vanessa’s flower from my buttonhole and idly playing with its petals, I attempted to look uninterested as I wandered within hearing distance.</p><p></p><p> “Do you have the payment or not?” demanded the man in white, his arms crossed before him. He sounded flustered and confused a terrible combination.</p><p></p><p> “The scroll of the dead first, and then I will give you your gold” the other figure intoned. The voice was not the kind that would suit a child’s entertainer. It seemed to slither from the dark figure’s mouth.</p><p></p><p> As for my part, I shivered when I heard those words, and that was a mistake. Perhaps catching the movement from out of the corner of his eye, the black-cloaked man turned towards me. We recognized one another at nearly the same moment, and as shocked, as I must have looked, his wide-eyed fury was something to see.</p><p></p><p> “You!” he said. “So, you managed to find me. It is unfortunate that you are too late. For the Scroll of the Dead will soon by mine. I count myself blessed, for now I can deal with you as I wanted to the first time we met.” So saying, he pointed at me and issued a word of power. I flung myself onto my back as quick as I could, and heard a hiss of sibilant magic dart through the spot I had just occupied. I heard screams from inside the pavilion as wizards of varying power felt the evil that had just been unleashed this night, but I knew none would reach me in time.</p><p></p><p> I lifted my head painfully, and saw the dark man pointing at me, magic gathering on his fingertip. He smiled crookedly. “This may hurt a little. Good bye, Sam.”</p><p></p><p> I smiled back, which must have put him off a bit, because he let me live a little longer. Alternatively, perhaps it was a sadistic choice on his part, to let the worm live knowing what doom awaited it. But this worm had its own surprise, and now was the time to employ it. “The party is just getting started.” So saying, I balled my right fist and crushed the flower I still held.</p><p></p><p> The rest of my group had been waiting for that signal. The next few moments were more then a little chaotic, but I do remember feeling a great sense of relief, as the balcony was suddenly full of a teleporting response unit. No sooner had they appeared then an antimagic field descended on the black wizard, and the threat to my life was over. That fast, the situation had reversed. I helped myself up as the men and women under my command bound the two prisoners and confiscated the scroll.</p><p></p><p> “You were right. The scroll is here, and so is Keelson.” I heard from behind me, and turned to see Vanessa. “And here I had thought the host was planning to get his grubby hands on it.” Taking the scroll from Del—one of the TRU members—she unrolled it, then handed it to me. “I would say the flower beacon worked fairly well, did it not?”</p><p></p><p>(Insert ‘Leonardo’s skeleton’ picture)</p><p></p><p> I looked the manuscript over to confirm that it was indeed the Scroll of the Dead—not a hard task considering that it featured prominently a skeleton and arcane writings—then raised my head to glare at her. “Very well, although I’m sure you enjoyed watching me parade around with a daisy stuck in my suit.” I tried as hard as I could to ignore her affirming smile, and turned to Del. One last order to give before this mess was all cleaned up. “Send a squad to scour the party for the third suspect. Just tell them he is a young man with atrocious manners, dressed in white, and,” here I smiled “with a rental’s silver whistle in his left pocket. I want that back, mind, so don’t let him get away.” I had planted the object when I had crashed into him, just to make sure I could find him again. Rental agencies routinely place locating spells on their keys, so even if the arrogant youth had left the gala immediately after I had seen him last, he would not get far.</p><p></p><p>With that settled, I brought my full attention to bear on the two prisoners, both of whom were now under holding spells. Although I knew he could not talk back, I smiled grimly at the black wizard. “Keelson, it has been a long chase, but I’d say I have you now. You are under arrest for attempting to acquire an artifact of necromancy.” Nodding to my team members, I motioned for them to teleport the two away.</p><p></p><p> The future held reports to write and forms to sign. Nevertheless, the present was pure bliss.</p><p></p><p> I had to admit that the party had turned out just fine.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Speaker, post: 621298, member: 6571"] [b]Speaker vs. Mirthcard[/b] I arrived at the elegant dinner party just as the soiree was entering a fever pitch of noise and excitement. I allowed my rented spectral horse and carriage fade into magical mist as I took stock of the celebrations. When I next needed them, the rental service had assured me, I had merely to blow through the silver whistle they provided. While I am more a fan of personal teleportation as locomotion, the long ride here from the teleport beacon in the city had given me plenty of time to review the actions I was about to take. The party was an all day affair, beginning around mid day and scheduled to end at the stroke of midnight. The estate was as effervescent as the host himself was, and I had plenty of room to wander about looking for a familiar face. I saw very few, as the crowd was composed primarily of highly placed nobles, with the remainder merchants or adventurers who had bought their way into societies higher echelons. Not the sort of people I normally associate with, all told. I was not totally adrift, as soon I found someone to talk with. Rather, she found me. “Sam!” I turned to see a young woman, dressed in a shimmering red mirrorcloak. “You made it, after all. I am so pleased.” She made her way through a group of sellswords and came to my side, taking the opportunity from my hesitation to plant a kiss on my cheek and a flower in my hand. “I had thought the existence of rock gnomes more likely then the chances that you would turn up here.” (Insert ‘rock gnome’ picture) I had to smile at the cliché, if only because my close friends would have made similar pronouncements of shock if they ever found out where I was tonight. “I would thank you for inviting me, Vanessa, but I still don’t know how you managed to drag me to this puffed up gala.” I kept my tone light to soften my words, and carefully placed the flower in the top buttonhole of my black suit. “Oh Sam. Try to enjoy it. You might even see a few familiar faces.” With that, and offering a parting smile, Vanessa faded back in the press of cloaks and finery. Leaving my alone once more. Swallowing a string of words that would have sounded unduly harsh in the posh company around me, I instead made my way towards the buffet table. While I had more then my share of complaints about the party itself, the food was more then welcome and came in a variety of flavours and shapes that caressed my toungue and left me wanting more. I helped myself to a plateful and after a momment’s examination of my surroundings, took to one of the quieter corners of the garden. I enjoyed my privacy while it lasted, which was not very long at all. A young man in glaring white robes and intruded, followed by an older gentleman in similarly pale dress. Sampling a finger sandwich on from my plate, I had a perfect view as the young gentleman—his head outlined by a fashionable continual light dweamer—flourished and held out a small scroll. The older man grabbed it and growled a harsh word, then stomped back into the press of partygoers. (Insert ‘robed man’ picture) Polishing off my plate, I followed close behind the two, intending to find a drink. Several waiters wound through the crowd, and off of one I plucked an elegant silver glass filled nearly to the brim with a rich looking red liquid that made itself right at home from the first sip onwards. So distracted was I in sampling the fluid that I was nearly knocked over by a fat noble barging towards the buffet table. I stepped backwards to avoid him, and was half-successful in my efforts to remain steady. My failure became apparent as my haste sent me crashing right back into the guest behind me, nearly spilling my drink all over him. It was fortunate that I was able to keep my glass steady, because that guest was the young man I had just seen earlier. While white is supposed to go with anything, a wine stain would have made an already garish outfit that much worse. “Sorry about that.” “Watch your steps with more care.” He spat back, and I instantly fantasized running into him again, with my fists leading the way. Instead, I nodded contritely and would have apologized again if the host had not at that moment called for everyone to enter the main party pavilion. If the lawn on which we had been standing before had seemed overdone, what we all walked into next was that much worse. The host’s great-great grandfather, as Vanessa had explained to me before the party, had once funded a hunt for one of the giant turtles of the sea, in exchange for the shell such a hunt would produce. After defeating the huge beast in a tremendous sea battle, the expedition had floated its carcass back to shore, and scraped the animal’s carapace clean of flesh. Now it stood in the noble’s yard, a conversation piece that little represented the creature it had once adorned. (Insert ‘Turtle’ Picture) I was tempted to find Vanessa and comment on this, but fortunately, for her she was in the middle of a conversation with the host himself, and I little wanted to hear his opinion on the subject. Instead I finished the last of my drink, and looked around to find another waiter to prey on. Instead, I found my eye focusing on the older gentleman who I had seen take the scroll. He was in peering around the pavilion in a nervous fashion. My curiosity aroused, and with little better to do, I made my way towards him. I was beat by a dark cloaked noble I did not recognized, who led him outwards towards one of the four balconies protruding from the four ends of the turtle shell. Night had fallen in the short interim between my confrontation with the first holder of the scroll and the change of party locales to under the pavilion. It was a full moon, and the white orb in the sky contrasted with the magical lights hanging from the arch that stood firmly astride the two ends of the balcony. Under the arch was a collection of tables and chairs that were empty for the moment. Towards this destination the two gentlemen swept, one in white and the other in black. I followed slowly behind, hoping not to attract their notice. (Insert ‘Arch’ picture) I need not have worried. So preoccupied were the two that they took little notice of the attention they had garnered. They strode to the middle of the arch and fell to animated discussion. Plucking the Vanessa’s flower from my buttonhole and idly playing with its petals, I attempted to look uninterested as I wandered within hearing distance. “Do you have the payment or not?” demanded the man in white, his arms crossed before him. He sounded flustered and confused a terrible combination. “The scroll of the dead first, and then I will give you your gold” the other figure intoned. The voice was not the kind that would suit a child’s entertainer. It seemed to slither from the dark figure’s mouth. As for my part, I shivered when I heard those words, and that was a mistake. Perhaps catching the movement from out of the corner of his eye, the black-cloaked man turned towards me. We recognized one another at nearly the same moment, and as shocked, as I must have looked, his wide-eyed fury was something to see. “You!” he said. “So, you managed to find me. It is unfortunate that you are too late. For the Scroll of the Dead will soon by mine. I count myself blessed, for now I can deal with you as I wanted to the first time we met.” So saying, he pointed at me and issued a word of power. I flung myself onto my back as quick as I could, and heard a hiss of sibilant magic dart through the spot I had just occupied. I heard screams from inside the pavilion as wizards of varying power felt the evil that had just been unleashed this night, but I knew none would reach me in time. I lifted my head painfully, and saw the dark man pointing at me, magic gathering on his fingertip. He smiled crookedly. “This may hurt a little. Good bye, Sam.” I smiled back, which must have put him off a bit, because he let me live a little longer. Alternatively, perhaps it was a sadistic choice on his part, to let the worm live knowing what doom awaited it. But this worm had its own surprise, and now was the time to employ it. “The party is just getting started.” So saying, I balled my right fist and crushed the flower I still held. The rest of my group had been waiting for that signal. The next few moments were more then a little chaotic, but I do remember feeling a great sense of relief, as the balcony was suddenly full of a teleporting response unit. No sooner had they appeared then an antimagic field descended on the black wizard, and the threat to my life was over. That fast, the situation had reversed. I helped myself up as the men and women under my command bound the two prisoners and confiscated the scroll. “You were right. The scroll is here, and so is Keelson.” I heard from behind me, and turned to see Vanessa. “And here I had thought the host was planning to get his grubby hands on it.” Taking the scroll from Del—one of the TRU members—she unrolled it, then handed it to me. “I would say the flower beacon worked fairly well, did it not?” (Insert ‘Leonardo’s skeleton’ picture) I looked the manuscript over to confirm that it was indeed the Scroll of the Dead—not a hard task considering that it featured prominently a skeleton and arcane writings—then raised my head to glare at her. “Very well, although I’m sure you enjoyed watching me parade around with a daisy stuck in my suit.” I tried as hard as I could to ignore her affirming smile, and turned to Del. One last order to give before this mess was all cleaned up. “Send a squad to scour the party for the third suspect. Just tell them he is a young man with atrocious manners, dressed in white, and,” here I smiled “with a rental’s silver whistle in his left pocket. I want that back, mind, so don’t let him get away.” I had planted the object when I had crashed into him, just to make sure I could find him again. Rental agencies routinely place locating spells on their keys, so even if the arrogant youth had left the gala immediately after I had seen him last, he would not get far. With that settled, I brought my full attention to bear on the two prisoners, both of whom were now under holding spells. Although I knew he could not talk back, I smiled grimly at the black wizard. “Keelson, it has been a long chase, but I’d say I have you now. You are under arrest for attempting to acquire an artifact of necromancy.” Nodding to my team members, I motioned for them to teleport the two away. The future held reports to write and forms to sign. Nevertheless, the present was pure bliss. I had to admit that the party had turned out just fine. [/QUOTE]
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