NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Morgaine" data-source="post: 255166" data-attributes="member: 2393">A brief conversation with Hammond Cotter reveals that his son is at the beach with some friends.  The elder Cotter is surprised to note that the party is the second group of people looking for his son - the first were foreign dwarves -- and expresses some concern.  Alarmed and disconcerted to learn they are not the only ones looking for Gobrey’s friends, the group hastily informs the father that they fear for his son’s life.  He calls the city guard and sends the group ahead to protect the younger Cotter.  They beat a brisk path to the beach, aware that they are more than twenty minutes behind their foes.On the road, the party encounters a traffic jam, caused by a large cart of beer kegs that has rutted itself, spilling beer in the process.  Huge groups of people mill about aimlessly, some drinking the now free-flowing ale, others simply trying to get around the mess.  Deciding they will make better time off-road, the heroes ride around the cart through the rough underbrush nearby.  As they crest a small hill they catch their first glimpse of the lake below, with sundry multicolored pavilions and at least a hundred bathers reveling in the warmth and sun.  Marja charmingly asks the stable boy about Cotter and the young lad is more than happy to oblige her.  He takes their horses and points the group in the direction of a large pavilion several hundred yards down the beach.As they make their way along the crowded beach, the party gets more than a few stares from the local patrons.  It is not common occurrence for seven obvious adventurers to find themselves on the shores of a small lake, even in Otenazu.  Gemma with her heavy cloak and hidden countenance, Deke an elf with crossbow and fine rapier, Kalina wearing the garb of a druid and keeping a large wolf at bay, and Morgaine with her staff, spell books, and cat perched atop her shoulder cause many to stop in their tracks.  Although not wearing her spikes, Xenia is still in light chain mail with several weapons strapped to her back; Borin’s dirty beard and unkempt appearance, coupled with his fearsome great axe, and Kel’s gleaming armor and sword do little to assuage the stir the heroes create.  Even Marja, whose midriff shirt and flowing pants could be considered beach garb, is easily marked.  Marja and Deke spot a pleasant-looking dwarf with rosy cheeks splashing about at the water’s edge.  He seems out of place somehow and they inform the others, who all make concerted efforts to watch him closely.  Not knowing who they are looking for, the party is suspicious of everyone.  They know they are looking for dwarves, however, so even if this one looks harmless, he bears close observation.Several yards away, they see a large, brightly colored pavilion where bards play happy tunes on various instruments.  There are many servants waiting on the nobility or waiting with towels for their employers to return from their swim.  Most are looking hot and bored.  Deke calls up to the gazebo that they are looking for Cotter, whose life may be in danger.  A servant calls out to a young man in the lake wearing a red and white striped bathing costume, splashing boisterously in the small waves.  He responds with a whine and is wary of the strangers in front of him.</blockquote>

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