Magic Kingdom For Sale* (*Some Assembly Required)

[Sephiroth no Miko]

*Phaeder looks at the weapons with a dispassionate eye, having not much interest in them, though he notes the exquisite worksmanship. Anshul whistles low in his head.* "Wow, that's one handy dryad," he comments.

"Indeed," Phaeder murmurs. "But they are not ours to claim. Let's just leave them alone for now... if one of the others wishes procure one of these for their own, they can bargain with Aya then." Hmmm... I wonder if that box over there contained the cursed sword? It would make sense to lock it up.

*He moves closer to the forge, carefully as not to disturb the fire elemental, to take a closer look at the strange red pods.* I wonder what these are and what they're for? *He makes a mental note to ask Aya later if he can't figure anything out.*

 

[Thanee]

Allyra

Allyra, after having thanked Aya for her tale once again, followed Rezomael into the keep itself to see how this place looks like and to get an idea what they could make out of it.

“Not too bad,” she comments, “once these rooms have been cleaned up and some more, this keep might actually be rather a neat place to stay. I'm still quite fancy for the river myself, however, but this here has its own advantages for sure.”

 

[Sephiroth no Miko]

*After poking around the forge some more and seeing nothing that could be construed as a hazard to the party, Phaeder heads towards the keep to meet up with the rest of the group and see what they've found. Unfortunately, he gets quite distracted in his own explorations of the rooms, though he has the sense to avoid provoking any of the 'livelier' plants.*

"This is a really nice keep," *he comments to Anshul aloud, marveling at the plumbing (among other things).*

"You're just saying that 'cause it's got running water and indoor toilet facilities," Anshul retorts.

*Phaeder lifts an eyebrow.* "Well, seeing as how you haven't had to worry about freezing your arse off in a drafty outhouse while trying to answer nature's call in centuries, I would say you've lost your perspective on some of the finer priorities of life," *he counters gamely.*

"Bah! Who needs outhouses, anyway? A bush is good enough! Even provides its own toilet paper!" booms Anshul good-naturedly.

"Barbarian," *Phaeder mutters, but without heat. They continue this way, trading occasional comments and friendly jibes as Phaeder wanders through the halls, his irritable mood earlier seemingly forgotten. Eventually, Phaeder runs into the rest of the Hex.*

*Speaking to the group, he asks,* "Well, it looks like we're in possession of one rather large keep, for better or for worse. The question is, what do we do with it? Do we settle here or press on to the lake and build another keep there? I do not think it wise to divide our resources and manpower across such a distance but I am uncertain whether simply leaving this one here is a good idea either. Do any of you have any feelings one way or another?"

 

[Xael]

*Rezomael shrugs as he answers to Phaeder:* "I'm in favor of continuing to the other side of the river at least, but we shouldn't really just leave this place empty. I mean, it's right on route between where we're going and where we're coming from. But I also agree that we can't really divide our resources too much. We could leave few men here to guard it, or continue forward and come back later. I'm rather certain that Aya will manage to keep possible unwanted occupants out."

 

[Thanee]

Allyra

“Actually, considering the size of this region, we are almost forced to divide our manpower between a few places. At least some smaller outposts in strategic places will be necessary to be able to get somewhat akin to control about this whole area. Constructing those will just be a matter of time, we have more than enough material,” Allyra says with a sly smirk. “Yes, we should take a look at the riverside and then decide what will be the best. The water will provide a lot of advantages, from nourishment to defense. And I'm sure we'll find a way to incorporate some alternative to outhouses, too.” With the last words, Allyra winks towards Phaeder and a smile graces her lips.

 

[Sephiroth no Miko]

*Phaeder flushes pink.* "Oops... I didn't think anyone was listening." *he mumbles, ducking his head.*

Anshul just laughs himself sick, the heartless ghost.

 

[Emperor Valerian]

"This would make an excellent base camp." Drakkon will announce after looking over the walls and towers. "Non-essentials could be stored here, under a comparatively light guard, while the rest, lightened of some of our burden, can press on quicker and more nimble than before."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*What shall you do? Set up a camp? Talk to Aya again? Start slashing and burning the plant life? Start a wild party?*

 

[Thanee]

Allyra

“We should leave a small detachment here, tell them to leave anything as is for now, yes, even the plants, and then move on, after informing Aya, that we will be back in a few weeks,” Allyra suggests.

 

[Sephiroth no Miko]

"Yes, that would probably be best," *Phaeder agrees.* "Aya has watched over this place for years... a few weeks or months more shouldn't make a difference. *He taps his chin thoughtfully.* "Shall we leave a few of my people and/or Drakkon's? They're more warrior types-- we will need Shal's builders for where we're going."