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Message: <blockquote data-quote="htetickrt" data-source="post: 1373787" data-attributes="member: 16534">The Real World: Cave Trella whispers to Dobi, “Ask the newbie a question only she would be able to answer.  Or try and bait her with a false statement which the real Quid would know is in error.”  The druid’s eyes are shadowed.  “Given past experiences, verifying identity is important to me.”While Dobi ponders this for a second, the blond haired newcomer looks back at him quizzically, with a more wary gaze applied to the array of characters around him.  "Umm..." she says quietly, rubbing the coin tied around her neck, "I don't quite remember your name."At this Dobi straightens up, doffs his chapeau with his well-practiced flourish, and bows deeply, "I am sorry my fair lady, I seem to have put you at a disadvantage, we met at a trade conference in Cormyr, and I believe you know my cousin.  But…let me start again.  I am Sir Dobius of Elderberry, of His Majesty's and Her Regency's…""Dobster!" exclaims Quid, as she rushes up and gives Dobi a hug, lifting him briefly off the ground.  Dobi is slightly discomfited by the sudden burst of affection, but makes sure to nod to his companions that Quid is harmless, lest they get the wrong idea about her intentions.  Meanwhile, Quid ruffles Dobi's hair.  "Why, you were just a wee chap when last I saw you, well you still are a wee chap, but you were much younger then.""Yes well...""Your cousin Elbo is doing well.  Though, ever since Chief Tripod started seeking revenge, we have had to keep him inside the mission walls, safely protected by our lady, Waukeen.  Bad for profits this revenge business, though the church nets a tidy profit letting the locals place bets on what Elbo's going to do to the poor Chief next. I think the current odds are 3:1 that the chief will wind up turned into a jungle newt before the next moon."“I of course believe you, milady, but it is still conceivable that you could have eavesdropped on my telling of the same tale earlier.  Can you offer more substantive proof of your identity?”Quid purses her lips, trolling her memory for aid.  To her relief, she finds some.  "Aha!  If proof of my identity you want, Elbo told me to tell you something in case I ever happened upon you in my travels." Before Dobi can answer, Quid is upon him again, pulling off his boots and tickling the underside of his feet.  Soon Dobi and Quid are giggling uncontrollably on the dusty cave floor, leaving the others to gape in surprise.Between fits of laughter, Quid explains, "Elbo always said Dobi was a pretty poor halfling, being so ticklish under his feet…."Kai tries to look stern rather than eager while she inquires of Quid, "Where did you come here from?  Do you know what this place is?" Trella listens to Kai's questions and then asks Dobi quietly, "So, you're satisfied she's who she says she is?"Quid and Dobi pick themselves off the ground, neither answering immediately.  Quid looks around, embarrassed and discomfited.  "Ahh, I'm not sure what came over me, sorry. Uh, so Dobster, who are these people?" Dobi quickly regains his composure.  "Quid, I'd like to introduce you to Andy, Buttercup, Cerridwin, Danek, Earl, Jaalask, Kai, Khail, Kyree, Rhien, Snicker, Trella—an odd assortment of recent acquaintances that have proved themselves true thus far—and Andy, Buttercup, Cerridwin, Danek, Earl, Jaalask, Kai, Khail, Kyree, Rhien, Snicker, Trella, I'd like you to meet—I am fairly sure of this—Quidlyn of Waukeen, late of Maztica, though how she finds herself here I have no idea."  Lenara and Steve both snort their displeasure over being left out, though the former quickly resumes her enraptured gazing at Khail's broad chest*. Quid relaxes somewhat.  "Oh, that's simple enough. While exploring some of the uncharted reaches of Maztica, looking for business opportunities for the church, one of the journeymen came across a portal, which was news of considerable excitement as it could lead to a dramatically shortened trade route between Maztica and Amn and reduce transportation costs by a significant margin.  So, being willing and a bit bored by the desk duties I had been assigned to of late, the church sent me. "Which brings me here, at your service." As she finishes she attempts to find the hem of her skirt, a gesture that fails due to her lack of same.  The Waukeenar shrugs abashedly and continues to execute a well-practiced and formal curtsey despite her decidedly informal apparel.Trella ignores the formalities, as is her wont.  "Nice to meet you.  I'm Trella, the resident woodsy lore type.  Always good to have another priest around."  Her comments are made with some jest, but there's a darker edge to the second. "And oh so nice to meet you Trella," replies Quid sweetly.  "I'm sure we'll get along famously."  She unconsciously fingers her machete, muttering "tree-hugger" under her breath.Andy slaps the dust from his tunic, smoothes back his hair, and performs a grand and formal bow to Quid.  Behind him, Trella makes a noise distinctly like retching. "Most fair Goldeye of Waukeen, it is a distinct honor and a pleasure to meet a true lady.  Methinks we should retire sometime to listen to a bard while dining on sushi and coffee.  Does that appeal?"  He flashes her a wide grin and seems genuinely friendly.  At least to those who have not seen him in action before.Quid looks back at Andy with a discerning eye, instantly assessing his apparent net worth.  "Why, that's so very sweet," says Quid, hardly suppressing a genuinely amused giggle, "You just keep right on practicing that line, and I'm sure it’s bound to work on someone."Andy shrugs, clearly hurt to be shot down so quickly.  "Well, the invitation is an open one.  See you around.  I guess."  Realizing how stupid he sounds, he adds, "Nice place we've got here, huh?"  After this he shuts his mouth at last.Quid’s gaze softens in response to the monk’s verbal flailing.  "This place of yours is very nice," she says kindly, taking Andy's hand in her own, and looking straight into his eyes. "I'm sure we can find some desperate lass of the appropriate station for you."Not sure how to take this, Andy backs off, despite now harboring the notion that Quid secretly wants him in a "dirty" way.Kai’s suspicion diminishes a little, but she doesn't relax her stance.  "Why would they send you all alone to explore an unknown portal?  You nearly walked into a dragon's lair."  Quid, however, is lost in thought, perhaps calculating the potential pecuniary benefit obtainable by one who sets up a system for matching those like Andy with appropriate mates.  She doesn’t immediately answer.Danek, finally overcoming her discomfiture at the continued occurrence of weird events, and at the appearance of yet another attractive female who seems to like Dobi, uses the opportunity to sidle over to the only male with whom she's yet established any kind of rapport.  "What's a Goldeye?" she asks Rhien in a low voice.Rhien smiles genuinely.  "A Goldeye serves Waukeen, a Power of trade, wealth, and the like."Roused by the question from his own musings, the monk greets Quid.  “I am pleased to meet you, Waukeenar, but I am afraid it would be difficult to be at our service, as we have little definite plans at the moment.  Do you by any chance have an answer to Kai's questions?  I would be greatly interested to know if the portal you took placed you in an expected place or an unexpected one.  If the latter, do you know where you are?"Quid starts.  "Ah, excuse me.”  She recovers swiftly.  “And well met to you as well, Rhien, is it?  It was indeed an unexpected place and an unknown portal. I was sent alone because the Church of Waukeen is horribly understaffed in Maztica as it is; so many heathens to be shown the light, so much profit to be made.  I, unfortunately, have been in Waukeen's service long enough to be relegated to mostly desk work, which is why when one of our emissaries returned with news of an uncharted portal, I jumped at the chance to figure out where it led, insisting that no one else in the organization could be spared." "Is there a dragon nearby?" says Quid. "Hmm," she calculates. "That will have to be dealt with if we are ever to establish this portal as a viable route for trade. Any idea what kind of dragon?  And actually, I was hoping you could tell me where we are."Trust amongst those assembled is not easily earned, and so a tense silence follows.  Luckily for Kyree, who was fast growing bored with the proceedings, the stalemate is broken by the sudden appearance through the portal of a tribe of loudly arguing orcs.  The odiferous humanoids, nearly a score strong, strain the carrying capacity of the cave.Though the meeting of orc and adventurer is a surprise to both sides, it takes but moments for weapons to be drawn and battle stances taken.  Showing admirable restraint, Trella asks Kai before charging, "What were they saying?"The only one not to ready an offensive, Kai looks confused.  "They were arguing about the age of the dragon above us, and wondering if they had enough firepower to keep injury to themselves to a minimum."  Trella's answering look of incomprehension nicely sums up most of the group's understanding of the situation.Dobi and Quid, being more recent residents of Faerun, do not share this confusion, though their reactions are markedly different.  Quid's eyes narrow and her fists clench at her side.  She mutters something angrily about stolen goods and the need for respect of private property, but takes no other overt action.In contrast, Dobi relaxes.  "I forgot you haven't been around for a while,” he whispers.  “These aren't evil orcs, though they're not precisely good either.  That," Dobi indicates the heraldic device of a black morning star over a red-tinted mountain range, "signifies their allegiance to the Chaos B*tch.  They're only really a danger to us if they believe we're evil.   Of course, they're not always so bright, so this could end up in battle yet."Long, nimble fingers toying with fletching indicate Kyree's opinion of the newcomers.  Khail, putting together the facts by virtue of his personal animosity**, storms off to the front of the cave.The lead orc, arrayed in well-made plate mail and hefting a gleaming shield and jet-black Morningstar in either hand, looks the party over with a practiced eye.  He addresses the group haltingly in Common, "Why you in our caves?  You evil?  Work with drow?"*Khail and Lenara’s player is often absent from our discussions, leaving his characters open for our—particularly my—amusement.  This is one such instance.**The Stepchildren met said Chaos B*tch a long time ago.  Khail in particular did not get along with her.  Unfortunately for him, since the time he met her (and attacked her), she’s become a lesser Power in my modified Realmsian pantheon, so he’s unlikely to get another chance.</blockquote>

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