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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Softwind" data-source="post: 1240439" data-attributes="member: 13893">Toynapper nabbedFourteenth Episode (part 3) Hours pass before the party becomes curious as to the final results of the interrogation. As a group, they head to the jails to inquire. They are taken aback to find out that the mage has literally lost his mind. As far as the town guard mage is able to ascertain, there was a link between the mage and the imp, and when that tie was sundered by the imps death, so too was the mage’s mind. “What, like a familiar’s death?” asks Athena. “I know that to lose one’s familiar can be a soul-wrenching proposition, like what we encountered with that kobold sorcerer in our home mines, but he seemed able to continue fighting even after we killed his nasty stirge!” She shivers with the memory.“Erm, no, not quite like a familiar, at least, not as *I* know of them.” The mage strokes the cat resting contentedly on his shoulders. “More like a, ummm, parasite or symbiote relationship.” Noting the party’s blank looks, he continues. “A creature that depends upon another creature, for sustenance or the like. A leech, or the holly vine, for example. In this case, I think the mage may have needed the imp in some fashion to maintain his sanity. With that support gone, so has the mage’s mind departed.” “Now, having said that, we did find out a little about this person. Mostly with Sage Humphrey’s help. It appears that this man was once a student in the very same school Humphrey taught at. *chuckle* That old man seems to know a bit about everybody around here… even knows Tam from way back. Ahem. Anyway, our prisoner appears to have been kicked out of the school for, and I quote, excessive use of powers for the summoning of extraplaner creatures, the purpose of which to enact agreements for an increase to said powers, end quote.” Waving a leather wrapped missive at the party, he continues, “That’s straight from the records of the school, thanks to Humphrey.” “What is to become of him now, then?” asks Athena. “Not entirely sure, to be honest. Most likely he’ll be kept imprisoned for the duration of his insanity. When and if he regains his mind, he’ll be tried for his crimes.” The mage shrugs. “Don’t think that’ll be any time soon though.” The Companions thank the guard mage, and return to the Prancing Pony. There, they gather up the depleted toys and seek out Tam. The gnome’s smile of joy at seeing the toys is replaced by a rueful grin as he is told of the work that likes ahead him, should he choose to re-enchant the items. The smile returns as the gnome says, “If’n I’ve done it once, I’ve done it twice more. The children here may have to wait a day or more, but we’ll get them set aright again.” As the toys are placed in the bin indicated by the gnome, he reaches behind him and pulls out a floppy hat. Tombit’s eyes alight with joy as he is once again presented with his “cat hat”. The hat is firmly and promptly placed on the Halfling’s head, and he scampers off to “cat about” in the alleyways. “Hope that don’t end in cat-astrophe,” Grimnyr mumbles. “Whut?” he asks, as the party bursts out laughing. “That Halflin’ gets in more trouble quicker’n water flows down a well.” Grimnyr remains puzzled as the group chuckles over his pun. “Ain’t funny,” he is heard to complain through the night as the town continues its carnival atmosphere.</blockquote>

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