drnuncheon's Online Story Hour (now playing: Of Sound Mind)
- Thread starter drnuncheon
- Start date
drnuncheon
Explorer
Woo! I finally got P'Cat into one of my Story Hours!
J
enthused
J
enthused
drnuncheon
Explorer
One of the beautiful things about online roleplaying like this is that you have a record of everything that happens - from the actions to the rolls to the OOC banter. I've trimmed all of that out from the story hour, but every once in a while I'll post some of the better tabletalk.
*
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "I'd like to remind everyone that you /are/ being recorded for posterity - so make yer poses good.
"
<OOC> Harvester says, "Oh, well you didn't say anything about good poses..."
*
(Harvester turns the zombies)
"By the will of He Who Is To Come, I command thee to return to thy final rest! BEGONE, ABOMINATIONS!"
The skull's eyes flash malevolently as a force spreads forth towards the unliving creatures that lie in wait.
<OOC> Sen-Jyu says, "Say that again, with a Mr. Rogers voice."
*
Sen-Jyu leans back on his elbows, face tilted upward to catch the morning sun like an open flower.
<OOC> Tal says, "The next pose like that needs to be in haiku form, Sen."
*
<OOC> The Harvester says, "Hey.. none of the other horses have a forehead scab, do they?"
<OOC> Sen-Jyu says, "Harv does, but that's just the post-lobotomy healing."
<OOC> The Harvester drools. Huh?
*
(burying Othic - the DM gets punchy)
"Sir," he murmurs to Tal, "might you know Othic's spiritual beliefs? How we might best honor him in his after-life?"
Tal licks his lips. "We...eat our dead here, sir."
<OOC> Tal says, "Just kidding."
<OOC> Ahoke peers
<OOC> Sen-Jyu puts on a bib.
*
The Harvester nods once. "He's dead." The statement is given matter-of-factly, as though death is just an everyday occurence - which it is - and not to be feared - which it isn't, to Harvester, anyway.
<OOC> The Harvester says, "Hi! Your friend's dead! Can I have another drink?"
*
The Harvester wonders how long til the twilight bell.
<OOC> Tokket says, "It's midmorning, so...a while."
<OOC> Sen-Jyu says, "Great! In the meantime, let's go clean giant rats out of the basement of the busty woman's tavern!"
(Baldur's Gate II: Dark Alliance joke)
*
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "If there's anything that folks want to do over the afternoon we can talk about that now."
<OOC> Ahoke says, "Bathe!"
<OOC> Sen-Jyu says, "Watch Ahoke bathe!"
<OOC> The Harvester says, "Watch Ahoke bathe!"
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "Roll your Personal Hygeine skill."
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "Spot checks for the other two."
<DIE ROLLER> The Harvester rolls 1d20+3 and gets 10.
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "Harv, you get something in your eye, and since the secret of Visine has been long lost, you miss the entire bathing scene trying to flush it out."
*
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "I'd like to remind everyone that you /are/ being recorded for posterity - so make yer poses good.
"<OOC> Harvester says, "Oh, well you didn't say anything about good poses..."
*
(Harvester turns the zombies)
"By the will of He Who Is To Come, I command thee to return to thy final rest! BEGONE, ABOMINATIONS!"
The skull's eyes flash malevolently as a force spreads forth towards the unliving creatures that lie in wait.
<OOC> Sen-Jyu says, "Say that again, with a Mr. Rogers voice."
*
Sen-Jyu leans back on his elbows, face tilted upward to catch the morning sun like an open flower.
<OOC> Tal says, "The next pose like that needs to be in haiku form, Sen."
*
<OOC> The Harvester says, "Hey.. none of the other horses have a forehead scab, do they?"
<OOC> Sen-Jyu says, "Harv does, but that's just the post-lobotomy healing."
<OOC> The Harvester drools. Huh?
*
(burying Othic - the DM gets punchy)
"Sir," he murmurs to Tal, "might you know Othic's spiritual beliefs? How we might best honor him in his after-life?"
Tal licks his lips. "We...eat our dead here, sir."
<OOC> Tal says, "Just kidding."
<OOC> Ahoke peers
<OOC> Sen-Jyu puts on a bib.
*
The Harvester nods once. "He's dead." The statement is given matter-of-factly, as though death is just an everyday occurence - which it is - and not to be feared - which it isn't, to Harvester, anyway.
<OOC> The Harvester says, "Hi! Your friend's dead! Can I have another drink?"
*
The Harvester wonders how long til the twilight bell.
<OOC> Tokket says, "It's midmorning, so...a while."
<OOC> Sen-Jyu says, "Great! In the meantime, let's go clean giant rats out of the basement of the busty woman's tavern!"
(Baldur's Gate II: Dark Alliance joke)
*
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "If there's anything that folks want to do over the afternoon we can talk about that now."
<OOC> Ahoke says, "Bathe!"
<OOC> Sen-Jyu says, "Watch Ahoke bathe!"
<OOC> The Harvester says, "Watch Ahoke bathe!"
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "Roll your Personal Hygeine skill."
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "Spot checks for the other two."
<DIE ROLLER> The Harvester rolls 1d20+3 and gets 10.
<OOC> Dungeon Master says, "Harv, you get something in your eye, and since the secret of Visine has been long lost, you miss the entire bathing scene trying to flush it out."
drnuncheon
Explorer
The Town Meeting
Our heros spend the afternoon in perusing the journal of Thrommel Redstone, failing to turn up information on the whereabouts of the missing Heroes of the Bell, and taking some long-needed baths. Sen-Jyu and Ahoke wait at Wyrmcall Plaza for the town meeting, while the Harvester tries to decide whether he wants to attend the meeting, or magically investigate Cobble when the bells ring. Eventually, he decides on the former course of action, and our freshly scrubbed heros assemble as the church bells ring out the twilight hour.
The plaza is packed with hundreds of people, all jostling and talking with one another, shouting out their own favored courses of action, even though the meeting hasn't begin.
Ahoke stands around, watching people with curiousity as the approach the Plaza. She tries to not stick out too much, although a strange female dwarf with bone armor and a great club doesn't blend too well.
The spirit-blooded man stands outside the thickening throng of people -- never one too comfortable without plenty of elbow room, he smiles at any who look his way and makes pleasantries with the passerbys.
As the great bell begins to peal, the Harvester moves his hands in a short gesture. "He Who Is To Come, lend me the openness of your vision, that I may see clearly..." He then looks at the crystal shard, then towards the bell and crowd. A shake of his head follows, with a wry smile. "Rather a disappointment..."
Ahoke glances at Harvester as he does his priestly mumbo jumbo. She raises one thick eyebrow. "What is?"
The Harvester laughs softly, replacing the shard within the case. "oh, I was hoping they'd ring Wyrmcall again... Wanted to test a theory."
"Which theory is that," asks Sen-Jyu conversationally, though his eyes wander the crowd, looking intently at the faces of the gathering people.
The Harvester raises the scrollcase containing the shards, and gestures towards the tower. "That these are somehow connected..."
Eventually, as the babble of the crowd rises in pitch, you see an older gentleman ascend a platform that's been set up just outside of the tower. This must be the mayor - Hob Waterman. Near him are three other people - a couple standing together, and a muscular man who exudes an aura of 'guardsman'.
Waterman takes up a mallet and begins banging on the podium. "Please! Good people! May I ave your attention! Please, some quiet!"
Grudgingly, the crowd begins to quiet down.
Sen-Jyu's ears perk up, and though he acknowledges the mayor with a glance, continues scouring the expressions worn by the crowd.
Ahoke quiets down, along with the rest of the crowd, and turns her gaze to this Hob Waterman fellow.
The Harvester's attention is now focused on the mayor, for the most part, though he also scans the crowd.
The crowd looks annoyed, upset - and of course, tired. The same signs of sleeplessness are etched on every face present - even the mayor's.
Waterman raises his hand. "Citizens of Bellhold, I have called this meeting at the request of Lucius Krekket," here, he gestures to the dapper, dark-haired man standing with a well-dressed woman, "who would like me to address the current concerns in the interest of maintaining mine production. As we all know, Bellhold could never survive without the mines and the foundries, so it's important that we keep them going. Now, I understand that many of you are concerned, but there's nothing to be worried about, and that's why we're here tonight."
Ahoke scowls a little bit at the mayor's pronouncement, and folds her muscular arms across her chest. She then favors the well dressed people with a scowl.
The Harvester snorts softly, so that his friends might hear. "lack of sleep, nightmares, missing children.... nah, nothing to be alarmed about..."
Ahoke murmurs, quietly, "Demon horses..."
The Harvester continues the litany, just as softly, "Missing heroes.."
A couple of people in the crowd erupt into angry shouts at the mayor's claims that nothing is wrong, but they are quickly shushed by their neighbors.
Waterman continues: "Now, we are all concerned about Caleb, Dorik, and Tana."
"You're damn right we're concerned!" someone shouts. "I want to know where my daughter is!"
"...but all of the children were old enough to have run away on their own - there's no reason to assume kidnappings. We've sent messages to nearby towns via the caravan companies, and both the town scouts /and/ our famous Heroes of the Bell are out looking for the children. I'm certain they wil be found soon."
Sen-Jyu adds, "Inquisitive do-gooders who might well pay the ultimate price for their benevolence..."
Sen-Jyu ahems, looking at his companions, "... sorry."
The Harvester snickers at Sen-Jyu, "No worries, Sen.... i'm not a do-gooder..."
Ahoke smirks at Sen-Jyu, and murmurs, "You're right. We should leave."
Only the faintest glint in her eyes suggests that she might be joking.
A voice calls out from the crowd. "The Heroes of the Bell are missing too, Waterman!"
The mayor doesn't miss a beat. "Well, of /course/ they are," he says with a chuckle. "They're looking for the children! Surely you don't expect them to find the children lost in the common room of the Bell and Clapper?"
A few people in the crowd laugh, but it's a feeble sound in the face of the obvious stress hanging over the town.
The Harvester mutters, "Though I _am_ a bit inquisitive..."
Sen-Jyu frowns, hearing the communal despair being voiced by the crowd. Again, as in the inn, he starts to fidget, feet shuffling while his gaze fades away.
"Now," continues the mayor. "As for the headaches." An angry murmur starts up, and he raises his hand for silence. "I realize that they are irritating, but I can assure you that there is no known spell or curse that could be the cause of the pain. The town's priests have checked the water for poison and found nothing, but just to be sure, I've sent a messenger to the druidic order and requested that they send someone to ensure that our water supply is not contaminated."
The Harvester scratches beneath his hood, at the beard framing his face. Softly, "A shard in the brain might cause headaches, mightn't it?"
Ahoke does not look any more pleased with the mayor. She turns her gaze to the Harvester then, and says, dryly, "I would imagine that it'd be very painful, yes. But that's just imagining."
The Harvester gives a cursory inspection of the crowd, noting its growing discord. To his companions, "This town begins to fray.... Soon enough, it will break."
"What about the nightmares?" someone shouts.
"Yes, the bad dreams," Waterman replies. "Again, none of the priests have found any sign of a 'curse from the gods', so put that out of your minds. Phillipa Krekkit went to visit Utrish, the wise woman-"
"Witch!"
"-and she has prophecied that the dreams and headaches won't last more than another week. So if we can all be patient and wait it out, I'm sure that things will be back to normal in no time."
The Harvester, in all seriousness, says "Utrish, the witch... sounds like someone fun to meet..."
"In the meantime," says Sen-Jyu, speaking up that his voice might be heard, "are you accepting offers of aid for investigating this rash of occurrences?" His gaze is flatly directed toward the mayor.
Ahoke nods. "Yeah, she does." Said in just as much seriousness. She is still scowling at the mayor and the well dressed people when Sen-Jyu speaks out. "Sh*t," she mutters as all eyes turn towards them.
The Harvester grins as everyone turns at Sen-Jyu's voice, and allows the cowl to fall back to his shoulders. He gives a cheerful enough wave.
The mayor falters as Sen-Jyu interrupts, and then recovers himself. "Well, that's a mighty generous offer, sir, and we'd certainly appreciate it if you think there's anything you can do. Why don't you stop by my office tomorrow and we can discuss it."
The crowd buzzes with conversation about these strange newcomers: "What are those funny swords?" "Is that a dwarf? Why is she dressed like that?" "Isn't it a little late for harvest season?"
"If you don't mind," Sen-Jyu says, "I think it would be a consolation to everyone here if we spoke about it tonight. Sooner, rather than later." He smiles sheepishly, as if suddenly realizing that he is a shy person at heart. "Please?"
"Well...all right," says the mayor. "We can talk after the meeting, but there /are/ a few more things to be addressed, such as-"
"What about the animals?" interrupts a man clad in rough homespun. "Mah chickens won't lay and mah cows ain't givin' no milk."
Ahoke watches with amusement as the mayor has to deal with a not so docile crowd.
Sen-Jyu looks on the man who has spoken of his cows and chickens, committing the face to memory.
The Harvester relaxes slightly, his scythe at his back jutting out to either side. He rocks slightly, back and forth, on his heels. He studies each face turned towards him.
Mayor Waterman nods. "Yes, we're aware of the problem with the animals, and we believe that they are getting headaches, too. That's one of the things that we're going to ask the druids about when they finally get here in a few days. Now, as for the-"
"Taxes!" wheezes an old man. "I was overcharged by three silver last year!"
"-/mines/," says Waterman firmly.
Ahoke murmurs, just loud enough for those nearest her to hear, "Well, I can tell what is important to /him./"
The Harvester continues rocking, and says almost to himself in a singsong voice, "Copperdeath, Copperdeath, Copperdeath...." A look to Ahoke, "What, a little money and power that he fears losing when his neighbors revolt?"
One of the crowd chuckles at Ahoke's comment. "Old Druther's been on about those taxes for five years. Gone a bit senile, he has."
"There's no reason to be scared to go into the mines." The mayor waves his mallet to underscore the point. "Master Krekket here has guaranteed that the tunnels are safe, and what more assurances do you need? There is no reason to suspect that the mines are unsafe, and it's the town's job to make sure that we are able to produce as much copper this month as we did last month - headaches or no. Now, are there any /other/ concerns or matters that need to be dealt with?"
The old man's plaintive call of "taxes!" is all but drowned out by the shouts of the crowd.
Sen-Jyu looks at his companions, "Krekket -- does that name sound familiar?"
Ahoke glances sidelong at Harvester, starts to reply, but stops when the shouts of the crowd get to be too loud for conversation.
The Harvester says, "Yah... he's the gent up there with the lady."
"Then who is the lady...?" Sen-Jyu asks of the Harvester.
Ahoke says, "Phillippa Krekket. His wife."
The Harvester nods to Ahoke, "Yep. The lady standing with the gent."
Sen-Jyu nods once. "Must not have been paying attention," he murmurs to himself, and confirms it with a sharp nod before returning to listen to the mayor and the crowd.
Up on the podium, Waterman bravely attempts to deflect the minutia of small-town personal politics.
The Harvester continues to rock a bit, still listening and watching. A little smile on his face.
Ahoke scowls up at the mayor. "If he was one of the People," she says, "He would be out there leading the force to find the missing children, slaying anyone who stood in his way." She does not say this overly loud.
Sen-Jyu agrees with a hum. "He is extremely deft with excuses."
The Harvester murmurs, "The fearful usually are, tis true."
Taking a moment of thought, Sen-Jyu adds, "Hopefully, his heart will be in the right place."
The Harvester turns to look at Sen-Jyu now, "How do you mean?"
Ahoke glances at Sen-Jyu then, and shakes her head. She doesn't believe that the mayor's heart is in the right place, that much is obvious.
"When we speak to him," answers Sen-Jyu. "We will find his heart to be aligned for the good of his people, or..." The alternative is an obvious one, and so goes unstated.
The Harvester grunts softly. "Well, we shall see what we see when we see, won't we?"
Ahoke's eyes widen at Sen-Jyu. "I didn't think that you, of all people, would suggest we do that."
Sen-Jyu blinks at Ahoke's comment, "Do what?" he says, shrinking somewhat from her as if her words were an accusation.
Ahoke smiles broadly, and then shakes her head. "Nothing."
The Harvester looks around, then coughs. "Excuse me," he says in a strangled voice, and disappears around the side of a nearby building.
Appearing rather nervous now, Sen-Jyu looks at Ahoke for a prolonged moment, then turns as the Harvester abruptly leaves the pair. He turns to face Ahoke, wondering if the Harvester knows something about their diminutive companion that he himself does not.
Ahoke grumbles, looking back at the mayor. "This is what they call a leader? Someone who puts profits before the welfare of his people? I think I'm going to be sick."
"One can only wonder if he was chosen by them, or for them," Sen-Jyu murmurs, though he keeps these spoken thoughts between himself and Ahoke.
The Harvester returns after a moment, looking slightly more composed. "Sorry." Ahem. "Had something in my throat..."
Sen-Jyu peers at Harvester. "Was it a crystal?"
Eventually, most of the complaints are dealt with, or more likely set aside until the proper time and place for dealing with them - including old Druther's. As the grumbling crowd begins to filter away, Waterman leans back on the bell tower and mops his face with a handkerchief. Lucius Krekket steps forward to shake his hand and offer his thanks, and then the Mayor of Bellhold climbs down from the platform, glancing in your direction.
The Harvester shakes his head, a little smile apparent, "No, no.... nothing like that." He looks directly at the mayor as the meeting adjourns.
Ahoke refrains from waving her great club at the mayor in greeting, and settles for watching him.
Sen-Jyu starts to walk forward, sifting through the dispersing people, smiling at those he passes by, until he reaches the mayor's proximity.
Ahoke mmphs, and follows her companion through the crowd.
The Harvester gives a careless little shrug and looks at Ahoke before following Sen-Jyu. His hands remain at his back holding the scythe.
The mayor - and the Krekkets - await your approach, and the round man smiles nervously, thrusting out a hand in greeting. "Welcome to Bellhold," he says. "I'm Hob Waterman, the mayor, and this is Lucius Krekket - owner of the Krekket Foundry and the mine - and his wife Phillippa."
The Harvester bobs his head to each, "Hello, and hello, and hello..."
Ahoke lets one nod to the group of them suffice. "I'm Ahoke," she informs them.
Accepting the hand of Hob and a nod given to each of the three as they are introduced, Sen-Jyu smiles to the small gathering. "Sen-Jyu, of over the mountains."
"Oh! Then you've come a long way," says Waterman. "I'm a native myself, but Phillippa is all the way from Tanzerille. Why don't we all go to my office, where we can sit down and have a talk."
"Mmmm," says Sen-Jyu, looking to the ground again, perhaps in the vain hope that cue cards for dialogue options might have fallen at his feet. When the mayor speaks up, Sen-Jyu looks up, relieved. "I think that would be best, yes."
The Harvester gives another nod and an accomodating smile, "Why certainly, certainly...." He follows when the mayor leads off.
Ahoke shrugs, and follows the group in silence.
Our heros spend the afternoon in perusing the journal of Thrommel Redstone, failing to turn up information on the whereabouts of the missing Heroes of the Bell, and taking some long-needed baths. Sen-Jyu and Ahoke wait at Wyrmcall Plaza for the town meeting, while the Harvester tries to decide whether he wants to attend the meeting, or magically investigate Cobble when the bells ring. Eventually, he decides on the former course of action, and our freshly scrubbed heros assemble as the church bells ring out the twilight hour.
The plaza is packed with hundreds of people, all jostling and talking with one another, shouting out their own favored courses of action, even though the meeting hasn't begin.
Ahoke stands around, watching people with curiousity as the approach the Plaza. She tries to not stick out too much, although a strange female dwarf with bone armor and a great club doesn't blend too well.
The spirit-blooded man stands outside the thickening throng of people -- never one too comfortable without plenty of elbow room, he smiles at any who look his way and makes pleasantries with the passerbys.
As the great bell begins to peal, the Harvester moves his hands in a short gesture. "He Who Is To Come, lend me the openness of your vision, that I may see clearly..." He then looks at the crystal shard, then towards the bell and crowd. A shake of his head follows, with a wry smile. "Rather a disappointment..."
Ahoke glances at Harvester as he does his priestly mumbo jumbo. She raises one thick eyebrow. "What is?"
The Harvester laughs softly, replacing the shard within the case. "oh, I was hoping they'd ring Wyrmcall again... Wanted to test a theory."
"Which theory is that," asks Sen-Jyu conversationally, though his eyes wander the crowd, looking intently at the faces of the gathering people.
The Harvester raises the scrollcase containing the shards, and gestures towards the tower. "That these are somehow connected..."
Eventually, as the babble of the crowd rises in pitch, you see an older gentleman ascend a platform that's been set up just outside of the tower. This must be the mayor - Hob Waterman. Near him are three other people - a couple standing together, and a muscular man who exudes an aura of 'guardsman'.
Waterman takes up a mallet and begins banging on the podium. "Please! Good people! May I ave your attention! Please, some quiet!"
Grudgingly, the crowd begins to quiet down.
Sen-Jyu's ears perk up, and though he acknowledges the mayor with a glance, continues scouring the expressions worn by the crowd.
Ahoke quiets down, along with the rest of the crowd, and turns her gaze to this Hob Waterman fellow.
The Harvester's attention is now focused on the mayor, for the most part, though he also scans the crowd.
The crowd looks annoyed, upset - and of course, tired. The same signs of sleeplessness are etched on every face present - even the mayor's.
Waterman raises his hand. "Citizens of Bellhold, I have called this meeting at the request of Lucius Krekket," here, he gestures to the dapper, dark-haired man standing with a well-dressed woman, "who would like me to address the current concerns in the interest of maintaining mine production. As we all know, Bellhold could never survive without the mines and the foundries, so it's important that we keep them going. Now, I understand that many of you are concerned, but there's nothing to be worried about, and that's why we're here tonight."
Ahoke scowls a little bit at the mayor's pronouncement, and folds her muscular arms across her chest. She then favors the well dressed people with a scowl.
The Harvester snorts softly, so that his friends might hear. "lack of sleep, nightmares, missing children.... nah, nothing to be alarmed about..."
Ahoke murmurs, quietly, "Demon horses..."
The Harvester continues the litany, just as softly, "Missing heroes.."
A couple of people in the crowd erupt into angry shouts at the mayor's claims that nothing is wrong, but they are quickly shushed by their neighbors.
Waterman continues: "Now, we are all concerned about Caleb, Dorik, and Tana."
"You're damn right we're concerned!" someone shouts. "I want to know where my daughter is!"
"...but all of the children were old enough to have run away on their own - there's no reason to assume kidnappings. We've sent messages to nearby towns via the caravan companies, and both the town scouts /and/ our famous Heroes of the Bell are out looking for the children. I'm certain they wil be found soon."
Sen-Jyu adds, "Inquisitive do-gooders who might well pay the ultimate price for their benevolence..."
Sen-Jyu ahems, looking at his companions, "... sorry."
The Harvester snickers at Sen-Jyu, "No worries, Sen.... i'm not a do-gooder..."
Ahoke smirks at Sen-Jyu, and murmurs, "You're right. We should leave."
Only the faintest glint in her eyes suggests that she might be joking.
A voice calls out from the crowd. "The Heroes of the Bell are missing too, Waterman!"
The mayor doesn't miss a beat. "Well, of /course/ they are," he says with a chuckle. "They're looking for the children! Surely you don't expect them to find the children lost in the common room of the Bell and Clapper?"
A few people in the crowd laugh, but it's a feeble sound in the face of the obvious stress hanging over the town.
The Harvester mutters, "Though I _am_ a bit inquisitive..."
Sen-Jyu frowns, hearing the communal despair being voiced by the crowd. Again, as in the inn, he starts to fidget, feet shuffling while his gaze fades away.
"Now," continues the mayor. "As for the headaches." An angry murmur starts up, and he raises his hand for silence. "I realize that they are irritating, but I can assure you that there is no known spell or curse that could be the cause of the pain. The town's priests have checked the water for poison and found nothing, but just to be sure, I've sent a messenger to the druidic order and requested that they send someone to ensure that our water supply is not contaminated."
The Harvester scratches beneath his hood, at the beard framing his face. Softly, "A shard in the brain might cause headaches, mightn't it?"
Ahoke does not look any more pleased with the mayor. She turns her gaze to the Harvester then, and says, dryly, "I would imagine that it'd be very painful, yes. But that's just imagining."
The Harvester gives a cursory inspection of the crowd, noting its growing discord. To his companions, "This town begins to fray.... Soon enough, it will break."
"What about the nightmares?" someone shouts.
"Yes, the bad dreams," Waterman replies. "Again, none of the priests have found any sign of a 'curse from the gods', so put that out of your minds. Phillipa Krekkit went to visit Utrish, the wise woman-"
"Witch!"
"-and she has prophecied that the dreams and headaches won't last more than another week. So if we can all be patient and wait it out, I'm sure that things will be back to normal in no time."
The Harvester, in all seriousness, says "Utrish, the witch... sounds like someone fun to meet..."
"In the meantime," says Sen-Jyu, speaking up that his voice might be heard, "are you accepting offers of aid for investigating this rash of occurrences?" His gaze is flatly directed toward the mayor.
Ahoke nods. "Yeah, she does." Said in just as much seriousness. She is still scowling at the mayor and the well dressed people when Sen-Jyu speaks out. "Sh*t," she mutters as all eyes turn towards them.
The Harvester grins as everyone turns at Sen-Jyu's voice, and allows the cowl to fall back to his shoulders. He gives a cheerful enough wave.
The mayor falters as Sen-Jyu interrupts, and then recovers himself. "Well, that's a mighty generous offer, sir, and we'd certainly appreciate it if you think there's anything you can do. Why don't you stop by my office tomorrow and we can discuss it."
The crowd buzzes with conversation about these strange newcomers: "What are those funny swords?" "Is that a dwarf? Why is she dressed like that?" "Isn't it a little late for harvest season?"
"If you don't mind," Sen-Jyu says, "I think it would be a consolation to everyone here if we spoke about it tonight. Sooner, rather than later." He smiles sheepishly, as if suddenly realizing that he is a shy person at heart. "Please?"
"Well...all right," says the mayor. "We can talk after the meeting, but there /are/ a few more things to be addressed, such as-"
"What about the animals?" interrupts a man clad in rough homespun. "Mah chickens won't lay and mah cows ain't givin' no milk."
Ahoke watches with amusement as the mayor has to deal with a not so docile crowd.
Sen-Jyu looks on the man who has spoken of his cows and chickens, committing the face to memory.
The Harvester relaxes slightly, his scythe at his back jutting out to either side. He rocks slightly, back and forth, on his heels. He studies each face turned towards him.
Mayor Waterman nods. "Yes, we're aware of the problem with the animals, and we believe that they are getting headaches, too. That's one of the things that we're going to ask the druids about when they finally get here in a few days. Now, as for the-"
"Taxes!" wheezes an old man. "I was overcharged by three silver last year!"
"-/mines/," says Waterman firmly.
Ahoke murmurs, just loud enough for those nearest her to hear, "Well, I can tell what is important to /him./"
The Harvester continues rocking, and says almost to himself in a singsong voice, "Copperdeath, Copperdeath, Copperdeath...." A look to Ahoke, "What, a little money and power that he fears losing when his neighbors revolt?"
One of the crowd chuckles at Ahoke's comment. "Old Druther's been on about those taxes for five years. Gone a bit senile, he has."
"There's no reason to be scared to go into the mines." The mayor waves his mallet to underscore the point. "Master Krekket here has guaranteed that the tunnels are safe, and what more assurances do you need? There is no reason to suspect that the mines are unsafe, and it's the town's job to make sure that we are able to produce as much copper this month as we did last month - headaches or no. Now, are there any /other/ concerns or matters that need to be dealt with?"
The old man's plaintive call of "taxes!" is all but drowned out by the shouts of the crowd.
Sen-Jyu looks at his companions, "Krekket -- does that name sound familiar?"
Ahoke glances sidelong at Harvester, starts to reply, but stops when the shouts of the crowd get to be too loud for conversation.
The Harvester says, "Yah... he's the gent up there with the lady."
"Then who is the lady...?" Sen-Jyu asks of the Harvester.
Ahoke says, "Phillippa Krekket. His wife."
The Harvester nods to Ahoke, "Yep. The lady standing with the gent."
Sen-Jyu nods once. "Must not have been paying attention," he murmurs to himself, and confirms it with a sharp nod before returning to listen to the mayor and the crowd.
Up on the podium, Waterman bravely attempts to deflect the minutia of small-town personal politics.
The Harvester continues to rock a bit, still listening and watching. A little smile on his face.
Ahoke scowls up at the mayor. "If he was one of the People," she says, "He would be out there leading the force to find the missing children, slaying anyone who stood in his way." She does not say this overly loud.
Sen-Jyu agrees with a hum. "He is extremely deft with excuses."
The Harvester murmurs, "The fearful usually are, tis true."
Taking a moment of thought, Sen-Jyu adds, "Hopefully, his heart will be in the right place."
The Harvester turns to look at Sen-Jyu now, "How do you mean?"
Ahoke glances at Sen-Jyu then, and shakes her head. She doesn't believe that the mayor's heart is in the right place, that much is obvious.
"When we speak to him," answers Sen-Jyu. "We will find his heart to be aligned for the good of his people, or..." The alternative is an obvious one, and so goes unstated.
The Harvester grunts softly. "Well, we shall see what we see when we see, won't we?"
Ahoke's eyes widen at Sen-Jyu. "I didn't think that you, of all people, would suggest we do that."
Sen-Jyu blinks at Ahoke's comment, "Do what?" he says, shrinking somewhat from her as if her words were an accusation.
Ahoke smiles broadly, and then shakes her head. "Nothing."
The Harvester looks around, then coughs. "Excuse me," he says in a strangled voice, and disappears around the side of a nearby building.
Appearing rather nervous now, Sen-Jyu looks at Ahoke for a prolonged moment, then turns as the Harvester abruptly leaves the pair. He turns to face Ahoke, wondering if the Harvester knows something about their diminutive companion that he himself does not.
Ahoke grumbles, looking back at the mayor. "This is what they call a leader? Someone who puts profits before the welfare of his people? I think I'm going to be sick."
"One can only wonder if he was chosen by them, or for them," Sen-Jyu murmurs, though he keeps these spoken thoughts between himself and Ahoke.
The Harvester returns after a moment, looking slightly more composed. "Sorry." Ahem. "Had something in my throat..."
Sen-Jyu peers at Harvester. "Was it a crystal?"
Eventually, most of the complaints are dealt with, or more likely set aside until the proper time and place for dealing with them - including old Druther's. As the grumbling crowd begins to filter away, Waterman leans back on the bell tower and mops his face with a handkerchief. Lucius Krekket steps forward to shake his hand and offer his thanks, and then the Mayor of Bellhold climbs down from the platform, glancing in your direction.
The Harvester shakes his head, a little smile apparent, "No, no.... nothing like that." He looks directly at the mayor as the meeting adjourns.
Ahoke refrains from waving her great club at the mayor in greeting, and settles for watching him.
Sen-Jyu starts to walk forward, sifting through the dispersing people, smiling at those he passes by, until he reaches the mayor's proximity.
Ahoke mmphs, and follows her companion through the crowd.
The Harvester gives a careless little shrug and looks at Ahoke before following Sen-Jyu. His hands remain at his back holding the scythe.
The mayor - and the Krekkets - await your approach, and the round man smiles nervously, thrusting out a hand in greeting. "Welcome to Bellhold," he says. "I'm Hob Waterman, the mayor, and this is Lucius Krekket - owner of the Krekket Foundry and the mine - and his wife Phillippa."
The Harvester bobs his head to each, "Hello, and hello, and hello..."
Ahoke lets one nod to the group of them suffice. "I'm Ahoke," she informs them.
Accepting the hand of Hob and a nod given to each of the three as they are introduced, Sen-Jyu smiles to the small gathering. "Sen-Jyu, of over the mountains."
"Oh! Then you've come a long way," says Waterman. "I'm a native myself, but Phillippa is all the way from Tanzerille. Why don't we all go to my office, where we can sit down and have a talk."
"Mmmm," says Sen-Jyu, looking to the ground again, perhaps in the vain hope that cue cards for dialogue options might have fallen at his feet. When the mayor speaks up, Sen-Jyu looks up, relieved. "I think that would be best, yes."
The Harvester gives another nod and an accomodating smile, "Why certainly, certainly...." He follows when the mayor leads off.
Ahoke shrugs, and follows the group in silence.
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drnuncheon
Explorer
The mayor's office is a few blocks away, and just outside, Lucius and Phillippa take their leave of you. The mayor leads you into the building - a combination city hall and courthouse, but largely deserted at this time of night - and sits down at his desk.
"First, I'd like to thank you for volunteering to help us," he says. "Few people would be so kind - most would just flee to a different town."
Ahoke shrugs, and says gruffly, "Oh, that's alright. I haven't been able to fight enemies for many weeks, ever since those orcs tried to ambush me... I look forward to the opportunity to do it again."
Mayor Waterman looks aghast. "Orcs? I'm sure we don't have those around here." He swallows. "I hope."
The Harvester laughs softly. "It's no matter, Mayor Waterman... Why run in fear, when the Master is ever near?" He shrugs. 'Besides, we've nowhere else to go at the moment, and I've got business to conduct later..."
For some reason, the Mayor looks faintly disturbed at the Harvester's words, his eyes falling on the holy symbol that rests around the cleric's neck. "I...I see. Well, if there is anything that I can do to, ah, to help speed you on your w...er, your search, please, tell me."
Ahoke grins at the mayor. "Even if there were, we would ensure that the streets would run red with their blood. Don't worry yourself about it." She changes the subject abruptly. "Where did the heroes go to look for the children?"
The Harvester notices the mayor's attention on his holy symbol and allows it to spin hypnotically, from grinning skull face to the engraved tree spreading its limbs across.
"I'm not certain," the mayor admits. "I imagine that they searched the area where the children went missing from - the woods, down by the river - but nobody knows where they went from there, and nobody else has found anything."
Bowing in response, Sen-Jyu replies after some thought, "If... if I may speak in earnest." His mind is already made up, however, so whatever the Mayor's hopes for tact, Sen-Jyu has overriden them.
"You are the mayor of a people plagued by a number of horrific events. Even one of these would be enough to question a malignance in your midst, but with so many, it seems a certainty. I spoke up because... I cannot abide despair, and it is a poison spreading through this town." Sen-Jyu's honest expression is enough to convey his sincerity.
"But to help your people, we will also need your help... your trust and your forthrightness."
The Harvester remains quiet, allowing Sen-Jyu to act as Voice for the trio.
Mayor Waterman looks a bit confused. "Well...of course you may have it."
Ahoke hmms. "So did the children frequently play together? The ones that disappeared?"
Mayor Waterman looks doubtful. "They were only a few years apart...but they didn't all disappear at the same time."
Sen-Jyu waits for the mayor to answer Ahoke's question before beginning his own.
The Harvester looks around the office, then helps himself to a chair. He sits casually while listening to his companions grill the mayor.
Sen-Jyu draws a deep breath, and inquires, "Let me ask these questions of you altogether, so maybe you can understand what it is that I seek: what could have caused the townsfolk to believe the mines to be dangerous or affiliated with the troubles that have been afflicting them, and what assurances and measures have the Krekkets made to disprove this belief?"
Mayor Waterman shakes his head. "The people are desperate. They're looking for something - anything - to explain what's going on. A few of them have heard Cobble's rantings, a few of them have had dreams with the mine in them, and, well..." He shrugs, and sighs. "The Krekkets are concerned because the mines aren't just their livelihood - they're the entire town's. Without the copper and the bells, we have nothing."
Ahoke frowns. "Are people worried enough that they aren't going to the mines every day?"
"Some of them," Waterman admits to the dwarf. "And all the missed sleep hasn't done anything for the production either." Looking to the Harvester, he sighs. "Yes, you're right - and it /is/ troubling. But," he brightens. "Utrish has never been wrong before, and she told Phillippa that all of that would stop within the week. So really, it's the children I'm most worried about."
The Harvester murmurs, his deep voice resonating throughout the small room, "And yet, the town is in ill health. Whatever the reason, it is highly unusual, improbable and unlikely that each and every person in the village would suffer from a plague of nightmares and headaches..."
Ahoke says, "Would it be possible for us to meet this Utrish?"
The Harvester laughs aloud, "The end of this may prove to be a VERY bad thing, mayor.... Depending on your views, of course."
Mayor Waterman looks concerned at the Harvester's words, but chooses to answer Ahoke instead. "I imagine so. She lives to the south of town, off of the foundry road."
Ahoke nods. "I imagine that we should pay her a visit in the morning."
"We may need more than that," says Sen-Jyu. "For example, if despite the assurances of the Krekkets our investigations should lead to the mines, I would like your pledge to help us gain the support of the Krekkets in exploring the mines freely."
"Well...I'm sure that they'd have no problem with that. But really, the children were nowhere near Krekket's mines when they vanished - and if they were in them now, they'd have been found," says Waterman.
Sen-Jyu nods in agreement, "But while your concerns for the children are appreciated, it still seems that there is much more at work here than simply their disappearance. I am asking only for utmost cooperation when it is necessary."
The Harvester uncrosses and recrosses his legs, slowly. "Never say never..." A shrug. "Where _were_ they when they disappeared?"
"The children were in the woods, down by the river - as I said," snaps Waterman. He appears to be a little testy at having to repeat himself, but his expression clears again. "I'm sorry," he says, sitting back. "/Everyone/ in town is having a hard time sleeping, including me."
"I think you," Sen-Jyu nods to the Harvester, "were interested in seeing Cobble, and I was interested in the bell-tower. Could we be given access to them? Accompanied, of course."
The Harvester allows his brows to rise with amusement. A nod, then, to Sen-Jyu.
Mayor Waterman nods. "I don't see why not..." He pulls a paper from his desk and scribbles a quick note, which he hands to the Harvester. "Give that to Capain Haldik, or whoever is on duty at the guardhouse." To Sen-Jyu, he says, "I could show you the tower now, if you like."
The Harvester accepts the paper and gives it a cursory glance before nodding once.
Ahoke nods once, and then stands up. "I'm going to head out now. I'll meet the two of you back at the inn later."
Sen-Jyu shakes his head with a smile, holding up one hand in polite deference. "No, that is fine -- I would rather make sure that you at least can make the attempt at sleep rather than follow our whims all night. I speak of the coming days, Mayor; my curiosity is sparked by a journal that we had been permitted to read at the Bell and Clapper. I think that the bell has something to do with some of the odd occurrences."
The Harvester rises, also, "See you at the inn later, Kay."
Ahoke waves, nods once to the Mayor, and then leaves.
Mayor Waterman looks relieved that the strange ones seem to be going, and he's left with the (relatively) normal Sen-Jyu.
"First, I'd like to thank you for volunteering to help us," he says. "Few people would be so kind - most would just flee to a different town."
Ahoke shrugs, and says gruffly, "Oh, that's alright. I haven't been able to fight enemies for many weeks, ever since those orcs tried to ambush me... I look forward to the opportunity to do it again."
Mayor Waterman looks aghast. "Orcs? I'm sure we don't have those around here." He swallows. "I hope."
The Harvester laughs softly. "It's no matter, Mayor Waterman... Why run in fear, when the Master is ever near?" He shrugs. 'Besides, we've nowhere else to go at the moment, and I've got business to conduct later..."
For some reason, the Mayor looks faintly disturbed at the Harvester's words, his eyes falling on the holy symbol that rests around the cleric's neck. "I...I see. Well, if there is anything that I can do to, ah, to help speed you on your w...er, your search, please, tell me."
Ahoke grins at the mayor. "Even if there were, we would ensure that the streets would run red with their blood. Don't worry yourself about it." She changes the subject abruptly. "Where did the heroes go to look for the children?"
The Harvester notices the mayor's attention on his holy symbol and allows it to spin hypnotically, from grinning skull face to the engraved tree spreading its limbs across.
"I'm not certain," the mayor admits. "I imagine that they searched the area where the children went missing from - the woods, down by the river - but nobody knows where they went from there, and nobody else has found anything."
Bowing in response, Sen-Jyu replies after some thought, "If... if I may speak in earnest." His mind is already made up, however, so whatever the Mayor's hopes for tact, Sen-Jyu has overriden them.
"You are the mayor of a people plagued by a number of horrific events. Even one of these would be enough to question a malignance in your midst, but with so many, it seems a certainty. I spoke up because... I cannot abide despair, and it is a poison spreading through this town." Sen-Jyu's honest expression is enough to convey his sincerity.
"But to help your people, we will also need your help... your trust and your forthrightness."
The Harvester remains quiet, allowing Sen-Jyu to act as Voice for the trio.
Mayor Waterman looks a bit confused. "Well...of course you may have it."
Ahoke hmms. "So did the children frequently play together? The ones that disappeared?"
Mayor Waterman looks doubtful. "They were only a few years apart...but they didn't all disappear at the same time."
Sen-Jyu waits for the mayor to answer Ahoke's question before beginning his own.
The Harvester looks around the office, then helps himself to a chair. He sits casually while listening to his companions grill the mayor.
Sen-Jyu draws a deep breath, and inquires, "Let me ask these questions of you altogether, so maybe you can understand what it is that I seek: what could have caused the townsfolk to believe the mines to be dangerous or affiliated with the troubles that have been afflicting them, and what assurances and measures have the Krekkets made to disprove this belief?"
Mayor Waterman shakes his head. "The people are desperate. They're looking for something - anything - to explain what's going on. A few of them have heard Cobble's rantings, a few of them have had dreams with the mine in them, and, well..." He shrugs, and sighs. "The Krekkets are concerned because the mines aren't just their livelihood - they're the entire town's. Without the copper and the bells, we have nothing."
Ahoke frowns. "Are people worried enough that they aren't going to the mines every day?"
"Some of them," Waterman admits to the dwarf. "And all the missed sleep hasn't done anything for the production either." Looking to the Harvester, he sighs. "Yes, you're right - and it /is/ troubling. But," he brightens. "Utrish has never been wrong before, and she told Phillippa that all of that would stop within the week. So really, it's the children I'm most worried about."
The Harvester murmurs, his deep voice resonating throughout the small room, "And yet, the town is in ill health. Whatever the reason, it is highly unusual, improbable and unlikely that each and every person in the village would suffer from a plague of nightmares and headaches..."
Ahoke says, "Would it be possible for us to meet this Utrish?"
The Harvester laughs aloud, "The end of this may prove to be a VERY bad thing, mayor.... Depending on your views, of course."
Mayor Waterman looks concerned at the Harvester's words, but chooses to answer Ahoke instead. "I imagine so. She lives to the south of town, off of the foundry road."
Ahoke nods. "I imagine that we should pay her a visit in the morning."
"We may need more than that," says Sen-Jyu. "For example, if despite the assurances of the Krekkets our investigations should lead to the mines, I would like your pledge to help us gain the support of the Krekkets in exploring the mines freely."
"Well...I'm sure that they'd have no problem with that. But really, the children were nowhere near Krekket's mines when they vanished - and if they were in them now, they'd have been found," says Waterman.
Sen-Jyu nods in agreement, "But while your concerns for the children are appreciated, it still seems that there is much more at work here than simply their disappearance. I am asking only for utmost cooperation when it is necessary."
The Harvester uncrosses and recrosses his legs, slowly. "Never say never..." A shrug. "Where _were_ they when they disappeared?"
"The children were in the woods, down by the river - as I said," snaps Waterman. He appears to be a little testy at having to repeat himself, but his expression clears again. "I'm sorry," he says, sitting back. "/Everyone/ in town is having a hard time sleeping, including me."
"I think you," Sen-Jyu nods to the Harvester, "were interested in seeing Cobble, and I was interested in the bell-tower. Could we be given access to them? Accompanied, of course."
The Harvester allows his brows to rise with amusement. A nod, then, to Sen-Jyu.
Mayor Waterman nods. "I don't see why not..." He pulls a paper from his desk and scribbles a quick note, which he hands to the Harvester. "Give that to Capain Haldik, or whoever is on duty at the guardhouse." To Sen-Jyu, he says, "I could show you the tower now, if you like."
The Harvester accepts the paper and gives it a cursory glance before nodding once.
Ahoke nods once, and then stands up. "I'm going to head out now. I'll meet the two of you back at the inn later."
Sen-Jyu shakes his head with a smile, holding up one hand in polite deference. "No, that is fine -- I would rather make sure that you at least can make the attempt at sleep rather than follow our whims all night. I speak of the coming days, Mayor; my curiosity is sparked by a journal that we had been permitted to read at the Bell and Clapper. I think that the bell has something to do with some of the odd occurrences."
The Harvester rises, also, "See you at the inn later, Kay."
Ahoke waves, nods once to the Mayor, and then leaves.
Mayor Waterman looks relieved that the strange ones seem to be going, and he's left with the (relatively) normal Sen-Jyu.
drnuncheon
Explorer
Caliber said:
Ask me that again when we've finished OSM - there are a couple of things I could mention but they'd be spoilers, and I know my players read this too...
J
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