Unwelcome Company
Chapter 8
Session Start: Sat Jan 30 22:38
Session Close: Sun Jan 31 02:03
Elapsed Time: 3h, 25m
Total Elapsed: 43h, 24m
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Cast (In Order of Apperance) |
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Wilderness, Marius Zone
[Storyteller] You'd left Reza a few days ago, heading toward Iluk. Even as the trade capital of the eastern world, there were a very small number of things that Reza lacked. One of them was harp strings. Travelling with you was a member of the Merchants Guild, named Lyle. You'd been travelling by foot together for days. The Merchant's Guild had decided that no horses would leave Reza. Reza was one of the few cities still safe from the Vile Tribe scourge. It was more of a fortified camp now than a city, but it kept its citizens safe.
Combat! Round 1! [Storyteller] Bandit Blade 1 and Bandit Blade 2
Combat! Round 2!
[Lamont] Oh great... why does this crap always have to happen to me...
Defeat! Meanwhile... [Storyteller] The party has been walking together for the better part of two days. Just as night falls, you see a whisp of chimney smoke up ahead. The smell of cooking food carries to your noses from somewhere in the darkness up ahead.
Iluk * Will tugs at his pack's straps and trudges on.
Dosyani Residence, Iluk [Storyteller] Just as Will closes the door behind him... *THUNK!*
Iluk * Cassandra looks at her plate full of food and calls for Criz.
Dosyani Residence, Iluk [Storyteller] Will awakens tied to a chair with a bright light shining in his face.
* Lamont is lost in his own thoughts... almost like Lyle's not even there.
[Lyle] You don't talk much, do ya?
* Lamont looks up.
[Lamont] Huh? What?
[Lyle] I said, "You don't talk much, do ya?".
[Lamont] Oh... I guess not. I'm sorry. I'm really not much of a conversationalist.
[Storyteller] As they round a bend in the path, the spot a pair of men standing in the path.
* Lamont looks on, as he doesn't really have much to say.
[Bandit 1] Hold it right there.
[Bandit 2] You've got to pay the tax.
[Lamont] Excuse me... I don't believe so.
[Lyle] Oh, really?
* Lyle reaches into his satchel, pulling out a little scroll of paper.
[Lamont] You don't looke like priests collecting funds for Althena to me.
[Lyle] Member of the Rezan Merchants Guild. All taxation road taxation is handled by them. In fact... You know what...
* Lyle pulls his sword.
[Lyle] I think we'll be taxing you.
[Lamont] Lyle, I don't think that confrontation is the correct way to solve everything in life...
[Storyteller] Bandit 1 and Bandit 2 draw their swords.
[Bandit 2] Too bad wussy man!
[Lamont] Ah... darn it all... I guess I'll have to do something here...
* Lamont pulls his hand claws to his sides.
* Lamont starts to chant as a green aura swirls around him. "Oh great spirit of air, Sylph, I call your power to my aid. Let the power of your great winds be as sharp as Althena's sword and cut through the foes of justice that oppose me!"
[Storyteller] Bandit Blade 1 takes 82 damage from Lamont's spell and dies!
[Storyteller] Bandit Blade 2 rushes Lamont, swinging his heavy broad sword in a wide arc!
* Lamont attempts to bring his claws up and block!
[Storyteller] Bandit Blade 2 hits Lamont for 2 damage!
* Lamont stumbles a bit.
[Lamont] You fool! I'll make you pay for that!
[Storyteller] Lyle turns and sticks his blade into the Bandit's side. Critical Hit! BanditBlade takes 37 damage.
Reinforcements have Arrived!
Targets: Bandit Blade 2
Behind: Bandit Bow A, B, C!
* Lamont starts to chant as a white aura surrounds him his hands start to glow with white power, "Illumina, trusted by Althena as the Spirit of Light, I call upon your power to come to my aid. In your great name, I summon you to vanquish the darkness that stands before me! Let your power gather in my hands!"
[Storyteller] Bandit Blade 2 takes 61 damage from Lamont's spell and dies!
[Lamont] Fool.
[Storyteller] Bandit Bow A fires on Lamont! BanditBow hits Lamont for 2 damage! Lamont is affected by SLEP!
* Lamont falls over asleep.
[Storyteller] Bandit Bow B fires on Lyle! BanditBow hits Lyle for 3 damage! Lyle is affected by SLEP!
* Will walks on heavily, the weight of his hammer and backpack wearing him down quickly.
* Audrey stops and breathes deeply.
[Audrey] Food... We're near town, everyone!
* Criz scratches his head and sneezes.
* Will blinks.
* Lynna trudges along, a bit attracted by the aroma of food...
[Will] Food... ? Where? What's up?
[Criz] That smell...
* Criz takes a deep sniff.
[Lynna] Either that, or a nice restaurant Audrey.
[Audrey] Can't you smell it Will?
[Cassandra] That must be Iluk...
[Audrey] It's pretty strong...
* Miriamele listens to her stomach grumble...
[Miriamele] Yeah, I could use some food. :)
[Will] You're... smelling it... right...
[Criz] I don't care Lynna, the last time I ate good was at Audre...
* Will looks deppressed.
* Criz looks at Audrey and doesn't finish the sentence.
* Audrey stops and looks at Will.
[Audrey] Is something wrong? :/
* Audrey looks worried.
[Audrey] It's something I said, wasn't it?
* Lynna goes silent at that comment...
* Will smiles at Audrey unconvincingly.
[PseudoFinn] Oh come on, lets just go.
* Audrey seems to have either ignored or didn't hear Criz's comment...
[Will] No... thanks...
[Audrey] Okay... well, I'm here if you want to talk. :)
* Audrey walks on!
* Cassandra looks at Audrey.
[Cassandra] C'mon. We don't have all day here. I'm tired. I haven't slept in a bed in a long time and I haven't eaten real food in Althena knows how long!
[Audrey] All right... all right. :/
* Audrey hurries along.
[Storyteller] With the scent of food pulling you in the right direction, you quickly arrive at the city of Iluk.
* Miriamele follows.
[Criz] Finally... our destination, as well as our place to eat!
[Criz] And sleep of course.
[Cassandra] And take a bath. I haven't bathed in... Ugh, I feel so dirty!
[Storyteller] Most of the houses are dark, or just barely lit. A few of them do appear to have fires lit inside, but the majority of the smoke is coming from a large bonfire in the center of town. You can see a variety of different people sitting around it.
* Audrey blinks.
* Will looks around at the town, a slight smile starting to creep up in his downcast mouth.
[Miriamele] I wonder what's goin' on... ?
* Lynna scans the town...
[Audrey] I don't know...
[Will] Has it been 7 years... everything looks the same...
[Audrey] ... you're from here, Will?
[Storyteller] They appear to be eating. Of to one side, a small group is playing instruments.
[Lynna] This your home, Will?
[Audrey] What's going on? :)
[Will] Didn't I tell you? ^^; Oops!
[Criz] Tell us?
[Storyteller] A tall, attractive red-haired woman gets up from the circle and heads toward the talking.
[Red-Head] Hey there... Why don't you come join us?
[Audrey] Sure... ^_^
[Audrey] Thank you very much.
[Will] Let's go! I'll show you around tomorrow! ^_^
* Lynna looks the girl over a minute.
[Audrey] All right will!
* Audrey grins.
[Lynna] I guess so... ^^
[Storyteller] The woman leads everybody toward the fire. She sets you all up with nice real silver plates and points you toward the cook.
* Audrey blinks. O_o
[Red-Head] He's serving.
[Audrey] Silver... plates? Wow... Thank you. =D
[Will] Th-thanks... but...
[Miriamele] They always do this for strangers?
* Will looks at his plate.
[Will] I... think I'll pass...
* Cassandra takes her plate and goes to the cook.
[Audrey] I don't know... but I think it's nice.
* Criz looks at the plate and starts to drool.
* Cassandra asks the cook.
[Cassandra] Whatcha got?
[Audrey] Oh come now, Will. ^_^ It'll be fun!
[Criz] Food... I love food.
[Audrey] Eating, drinking, and listening to music by the fire!
[Lynna] No... they're only doing it because you're here Criz. :P
[Will] N-no thanks... I'm... not hungry. =)
* Criz walks up to the cook.
[Miriamele] What do they serve, Will?
[Storyteller] The cook reads off a whole list of different things... He has about half a dozen different entrees, all of them looking like they're made from very good sources.
* Will 's stomach growls. -_-;
[Audrey] Will?
[Criz] Ok, now give me some roast beef, with some rice, chicken and... how about some corn... oh and add some bread to that won't you?
* Will turns to Miri.
[Audrey] What's really wrong?
[Cassandra] Uh... Give me a little of everything.
[Will] All sort of stuff. ^_^ Iluk may be the inventor town, but... it does have nice food. =)
* Audrey gives him a look like "You're not fooling me."
* Will looks at Audrey. ^^;
[Audrey] You sure you don't want to tell? I won't tell anyone.
[Criz] And if you can... Can you get me a brewskie?
* Lynna sighs...
[Storyteller] The cook takes Criz and Cass's plates and fills them up. He pours a flagon of ale for Criz and hands it to him.
[Will] ... uh... well...
[Criz] Why thank you good man.
* Miriamele catches Will by the ear, and begins escorting him to the chef.
[Miriamele] Your stomach sounds about as hungry as mine. You're gonna have some. ^_^
* Will looks around, looking for some excuse...
* Lynna looks over the menu a little uninterested...
[Will] W-woah! Hey! O_O
* Audrey giggles and follows Miri. ^_^
[Miriamele] C'mon, Will. You're obviously hungry. ^_^
* Will looks at the chef, blinking suddenly.
[Audrey] I'm starving myself!
[Lynna] Just give me something that isn't charred beyond recognition. :P
[Cassandra] Hey, umm... Can I get some beer too?
[Will] Wait... why don't I...
* Miriamele stops in front of the Chef.
[Miriamele] Hi, this is my friend Will, and he's pretty hungry. ^_^
[Miriamele] What do you suggest he have?
[Cassandra] . o O (This is so weird... Me being served instead serving others... I can get used to this.)
[Will] (w) Why don't I remember him... ? It has been 7 years, but... come to think of it... who is that redhead?
* Criz walks to his own secluded spot and begins to devour the food.
[Salah] Something's wrong.
* Will shakes his head.
[Will] Wait, Miri... um... could you give me a sec? ^^;
* Miriamele let's Will's ear go.
[Miriamele] Something's wrong, Will? What is it?
* Will looks at the chef.
* Cassandra waits impatiently for her beer.
* Miriamele looks at Will looking at the Chef.
[Will] Hey there... how long have you been here? ^_^
* Audrey gives Miri a look.
[Cassandra] While I'm young, buddy!
[Audrey] (w) What's going on? :/
* Salah glances around warily.
* Lynna looks to Salah...
[Lynna] Is it just me, or is this all just too 'hospitable' for your liking?
[Salah] Ermm, no, just there's something wrong.
* Miriamele whispers back.
[Miriamele] I dunno... Something about these people is bothering Will, I think.
[Audrey] Ah...
* Will looks at the chef expectantly, waiting for an answer.
[Cook] Oh um me? Not long. I'm from Reza. I'm visiting my um, aunt.
[Salah] Something's definitely wrong... This... This just doesn't feel right. Doesn't anyone else think so?
* Will glances at Salah quickly.
[Audrey] What's going on?
* Lynna stands around undecidely... she's never liked people being too nice...
[Will] Oh... um... sorry about that, it's just I hadn't seen you around before... do you know the Dosyani family? Are they around?
* Chef pours a flagon of ale for Cassandra too.
[Cassandra] About time, you jerk!
[Audrey] Cassandra! O_o
* Audrey looks at her.
* Audrey asks the chef for some beef stew and water... with bread. =D
* Cassandra takes her drink and food and sits down next to Criz. She begins to pick at everything, tasting it to see what tastes good.
* Salah sits in a table, her chin resting on her hand.
* Lynna sits next to Salah... also a bit skeptical...
[Storyteller]
* Chef gives the priestess lady her food.
[Will] (w) Something's definitely not right... Salah senses it too... what-what's wrong? I need to go check on father and mother... agh, what should I do?
[Audrey] Thank you Sir. :)
* Criz notices how Cass eats.
[Criz] Hey... are you gonna finish that?
* Audrey sits down and eats her food near the others.
[Audrey] This is... good. O_o
* Will looks around quickly, scanning the bonfire area for his parents.
* Miriamele goes and sits in a warm corner of the square.
[Cassandra] Maybe...
[Audrey] This is great! ^_^ Try some, Criz!
* Salah stands up and looks at Will.
[Salah] Will, are you okay? You look a bit worried.
* Criz smiles at Cass and walks up to Audrey.
[Criz] Try what?
* Will backs away a few steps, seeing smoke coming from a familiar chimney...
[Audrey] This beef stew! It's great!
* Cassandra looks at Criz as if he were crazy.
[Criz] Ok...
[Will] I... uh... I'm all right, Salah, thanks! I'll just be a minute. ^^;
* Audrey holds out her spoon filled with tender, juicy beef bits and carrots... and other fine veggies.
[Criz] Well let me use my spoon.
*tries some of the soup
*
* Lynna looks at Criz's beer and food, realizing she does need some sustanance. ^^
* Will smiles at her and shoulders his pack, quickly moving towards his house.
[Audrey] ^_^ You can use my spoon... as long as you don't have a cold... or a flu.
* Miriamele watches Will.
[Miriamele] You sure you'll be fine? It's like you've seen a ghost, or something.
* Audrey whispers to herself.
[Audrey] Or her--ahem!
[Lynna] Hey chef! Who does a girl have to kill to get some service around here... :P
* Salah nods and walks over to the chef.
[Salah] Uh, hello! Can I have a glass of water?
[Criz] Not bad Audrey...
* Audrey goes back to eating.
[Criz] But after soom stew, you should always carry around some of this
*takes out his ale and smiles
* want some?
[Audrey] ... I don't drink. Sorry.
* Will turns around quickly, trying the handle.
[Will] !?
* Salah looks around.
[Salah] Did anyone see where Will went to?
[Storyteller] About half an hour passes, you all eat your fill. Criz eating three or four of your fills...
[Audrey] Criz... you... eat a lot. ^_^;;
* Audrey giggles.
* Cassandra cleans off her plate and puts it in her bag.
[Storyteller] You relax around the fire with the villagers, not even noticing that the quiet inventor boy is gone until Salah brings it up.
[Criz] And I still look good too. :)
* Miriamele has kept her seat all that time, watching where Will went...
* Lynna is actually surprised by the quality of the food, but didn't indulge too much. ^^
* Audrey rolls her eyes.
* Salah sighs.
[Cassandra] What, Salah?
[Salah] Did anyone see where Will went to, he's missing.
* Miriamele hops up and goes to see where Will went.
[Salah] And I have a bad feeling that something is very wrong.
[Cassandra] I thought I heard him say something about his parents.
* Lynna sighs, and looks at the fire... thinking to herself...
[Criz] This fire feels good, the warmth from it is making me sleepy.
[Storyteller] Uh huh... In fact, you all feel sleepy... Except for Miri, for some strange reason...
* Audrey yawns.
* Criz stretches and yawns, which is then cut short as he burps loudly.
* Salah closes her heavy eyelids and falls to the ground with a thud.
[Audrey] ... you know... we're very...
*yawn
* gullible...
*thud
*
* Lynna finds herself getting sleepy... slumping over by the bonfire...
* Cassandra yawns and lies down, using her bag as a pillow. She hits her head against the plate and rubs her head, but then falls asleep.
[Lynna] Damn... it... poison...
[Criz] Scuze me... well I think it's time to hit the sack.
[Storyteller] One by one, everybody except Miri nods off to sleep...
* Criz dozes off and begins to sleep like an angel as he gets into the fetus position.
* Miriamele watches the others dose off... :/
* Lynna has one last moment to notice Miri before going to lala land...
[Miriamele] It's only seven-thirty...
* Salah mumbles something.
* Audrey snoozes.
[Storyteller] The people around the fire ignore the sleeping party. The cook looks at Miri funny, but doesn't say anything.
* Miriamele looks back.
[Storyteller] Cook goes back to stiring the stew, keeping it evenly warm.
[Miriamele] ...
[Red-Head] Your friends look tired... Wanna come over here and join the rest of us by the fire?
[Miriamele] Well, uhm... Alright, I suppose... for just a little bit.
[Red-Head] Cool... Here...
[Storyteller] She picks up a second glass, and pours half of her drink in it.
* Miriamele hops to her feet.
[Miriamele] So... this bonfire thing happens here often?
[Red-Head] Have some of this. It's from one of the Shrine's vineyards.
[Storyteller] She holds up the silver cup to you.
[Miriamele] I've been from one end of the Frontier to the other, and I must say this is the first time I've seen a gathering like this.
* Miriamele takes the cup, looking at the liquid inside.
[Red-Head] Oh yeah, we do it all the time.
* Miriamele pokes at fluid with her finger.
[Miriamele] What is it?
[Storyteller] There doesn't appear to be anything special about the liquid.
[Red-Head] It's wine. From one of the Shrines. Great stuff.
* Miriamele takes a careful sip, but trying to look casual.
[Storyteller] The wine is just fine.
* Miriamele looks at all the other people casually, yet intently, looking for mannerisms that aren't normal...
[Miriamele] So... what's the reason behind this gathering Miss... miss, uh... ?
[Storyteller] There's nothing really extraordinary about any of them... although none of them really resemble Will in any way. They're all sturdy, weather beaten folk, unlike the pale little inventor guy Will is.
* Will closes his eyes, the light blinding him painfully.