Session Start: Sat Feb 07 12:26:15 2004 Okay, so you can see that the chimerical "garb" of the castle lies over a grand hunting lodge which was built on a rise in the centre of a small mountain lake. There is a stone causeway (bridge to normal human eyes) which is the only way to get to the castle. I described the castle to you before, with its pale walls and spires like some great Gothic cathedral. Here I continue. Pennants hang from the turrets, and they depict all the Seelie and Unseelie house emblems you know, plus some others. There is one whose top is red containing three golden gears with spiders at the centre; under it is a strong black arm holding a hammer on a golden background. There is one with a black bacground containing two crescent silver moons like eyes; under it is a triangle in silver with a large black star in the centre and other markings around it. That one you recognize, for it is Duke Rendarien's banner. Another you certainly recognize, for it is House Fiona's silver lion with its head facing its tail; the whole on a red background. There is another banner with a blue background and a completely symmetrical dead tree in silver and black on it; there is a black triangle or spear head cutting through the tree so that even the branches are damned. There are two green backgrounded banners; one has a griffon depected in gold, its two claws crushing black scorptions. This one you probably recognize as House Gwydion's, because it is the banner of the lost High King. The other green backgrounded banner has a beautiful golden harp on it, with at its centre, choking it, a black rose with many thorns. There is a second black banner which contains a silver dragon with four silver stars around it. Each of the stars has a black circle in the centre. Ther is a grey banner with in marked with a silver sword tip with silver shield edges poking out all along it, and a black unicorn head superimposed on that. Finally there is a purple banner with a golden tower on it. The tower has a red door with a knocker that looks like a serpent. Another serpent, long and black with what looks like rattles on its tale is coiled around the entire tower. Its long tongue mars the centre of the golden tower. Sorry, you know that griffin? It's actually a falcon. It's House Gwydion's banner. Surrounding the castle are formal gardens and a large field, which looks big enough for jousting. There is a stables, a mews (NOT FOR CATS, but for hawks) and a kennel. Everything seems empty and not exactly in poor repair but definitely has the air of being unoccupied. There is one other banner. It is a stylized griffin, one clawed hand holding a beautiful sword whose tip touches a clock-type symbol whose hands stand as follows: little hand at thireen, long hand at 1. The griffin is golden and orange in hue, and it wears a crown. The background of this pennant is a shield looking like stained glass in hues of blue and purple. This banner is bigger than the others and hangs over the double doorway at the other end of the causeway. There is a blur to your eyes as you try to take in the whole of the castle at once, and that blur cuts through the castle in the middle. It is as if the building straddles an area of grey mists. Oh, by the way, there are four dragons sitting on top of the highest tower. They look alive. Now, to save time, I'm going to describe only the geography of what you would see if you actually entered the castle through the double door. First, there is an open area, cobbled and large enough for many horses. Holy Wowwwww!! further along, and the kennels at the end. There is a large archway across this cobbled courtyard from the double door. It is usually protected by a second set of double doors, made of sturdy oak, and possibly other devices. If you went through there, you would see stone passages, with globes of light like will o the wisps hanging from the roof. They glimmer only faintly. You could explore a long way on this floor and find kitchens, pantries, and storage areas to the left. If you went through one of the ordinary sized halls that seems to run parallel to the widest hall (which is rugged with blue and purple), you would find dozens and dozens of bedrooms; probably several hundred people would have lived here. Eventually, you might want to explore the large hallway. This goes in a straight line for a long way before you see any doorways at all, and then there are two. After the second doorway the large, carpeted hall turns left. There is another large double door roughly ten metres from where the corridor turned left. There is one gorgeous door to your left about fifty metres along, which has a carved griffin on it. Right across from that door is a huge double door, studded with gems. The carpeted hall continues in a straight line as far as you can see. Okay, so I've finished the basic geography. The rest you will have to find out for yourselves, if you actually enter. Uhhh.... Dragons?? Do I see DRAGONS??? "Shhh! Dragons hunt people who shout!" * Flora ponders this for a moment. It might be true? * Bunny looks up... up... up.... falls onto her back from looking up too far. * Garland looks up at the dragons as well. "...." [Do they appear to have noticed us?] One of the dragons rises slowly from the turret it was sitting on. It is HUGE. It begins to flap its GIGANTIC wings. Its mouth is open in a VERY toothy grin. "... maybe we should get inside." * Bunny EEPS and jumps up, scrambling to hide behind the biggest person she's close to. "uhh... does anybody know what we should do with these things?" "Don't they seem to be guards, to you?" "Are they friendly?" "They don't seem like they've done a -great- job guarding this place. -Look- at it!" The dragon sweeps to the ground. "Names, house, serial number", it says. [I was kidding about the serial number.] "Well, if they want to flame up and eat us, shouldn't we hide?" * Flora steps forward, gulping loudly "Well?" the dragon says coldly. * Kenken bows to the dragon smoothly. "Kenken, Fiona." * Garland steps up alongside her. "I'm Garland." "My name is Flora. I am loosely attached in service to Duke Rendarion." "Duke Rendarien?" Yes. "Any proof of that?" "I always liked House Fiona," to Garland. The proof is my word. I never lie. I mean to KK. The dragon rolls its eyes at Flora, takes a deep, deep breath. Smoke begins to come out of its nostrils. Anybody have any proof of house affiliation? * Kenken bows and smiles at the dragon. "I'm rather fond of it myself." [Do we have any letters or anything with his seal on it?] [do we have any letters/orders/symbols?] * Ishu rolls over in his sleep, mumbling. [No, I don't know, not really. I was hoping you did. Also, brb, bathroom. I'll get you some tea while I'm up, ST.] The dragon lets the breath go, chokes a bit on the smoke, and says, "House Liam?" "Hey you. House Liam?" He prods Ishu with a claw the size of a pot. A large pot. [The body does not respond!] * Garland lifts his eyebrows and turns to look at Ishu as he is prodded. "*mumble mumble* Don't get on the horse.... zzzz" "Cough, cough, you, Pooka, anything to show me?" * Bunny squeaks quietly. ... fusses over Ishu so he's at least comfertable and doesn't wake up with a cramp, hopefully. Is also hopefully still small enough to be overlooked. Meanwhile, dragon is lightly touching Ishu's sleeping body. A spangly feeling comes over you all. Ishu can wake up now. "MARIAAAAAAAAAAAA! DON'T GET ON THE BLACK HOOOOOOORSE!" * Ishu looks around frantically, a little spaced out "Always did like house Liam." Dragon says. * Bunny falls over! * Garland jumps a bit at that! * Ishu blinks. * Bunny was surprised o.o * Ishu looks at the dragon "Oooooh..." "Well, Mr. Dragon, I don't have anything to prove who I am. So where do we go from here?" "Is that a Boggan, I see? A VERY LITTLE boggan?" * Ishu continues to stare up at the dragon in awe. And the teeth. ... Mostly the teeth. * Garland offers Ishu an arm to help him up. "Ahem, cough, ahem. A GIRL boggan?" * Kenken digs through his pockets. He's presumably got *something* to indicate his acceptance into Fiona... * Ishu looks a little confused, but takes Garland's arm. * Bunny is noticed! Cursies very very very very deeply! "I'm Bunny of house Fiona sir!!!" "psst... Garland...?" "Yeah?" "What's wrong with being a girl??" * Ishu gives Garland the "What's going on? o_O" look "Nothing, dear kinain, nothing at all. I just thought, well, er, cough, if she was a she she might have a pair of scissors with her. I have a thing to cut." "It's a dragon. Don't look too high up, 'cause there's more." "Boggans are so good at crafts." "Ooooh... great..." * Ishu pauses, then says it again, only more sounding convinced of it this time. :) * ST laughs at Garland. * Bunny digs through her apron! Holds up a pair of tiny scissors triumphantly! "Just point me to it, sir! I'll be glad to help in any way I can!" "It's actually on one of my scales. You know, where the bath brush doesn't reach?" "So would you allow me to put you on my back? "He needs proof we're working with the Duke..." He pauses, glancing over as the dragon talks to Bunny. ".. Er, possibly..." Shrugs to Ishu. * Bunny nods! "Uuuuh..." [Bunny The Dragon-Mender!] [Of course she will do it. She is a boggan. No boggan can resist anyone in need.] * Kenken continues to search his pockets. (ST? Does the 'Officially welcome in House Fiona' have a token associated with it?) "Maybe one of us should go up with her? Since it's so high?" [/me feels like the player who spent all their money on going through the equipment section and buying all the mundane things. Soap, needle and thread, etc.] * Garland watches the Bunny/Dragon situation carefully. "Yep." That should have been Yep from ST not dragon, KK. A golden coin with the insignia of the backward looking lion. Garland, as you watch Bunny being lifted on a paw? the size of a backhoe, you notice that the dragon is looking just as carefully at you. * Kenken holds out the Fiona token. [What is Rendarien's House, anyway? Flora doesn't know.] "... Can I go up with her? I don't want her falling down." Frowns a little. [Eiluned.] * Ishu whispers a quick thanks to Garland! * Ishu looks like he has had enough of heights for one day. [Wait a minute... Isn't Eilunedd a black background with a silver crescent moon?] [Yah. 2 moons, and a black star in a triangle. It's one of the banners here.] Dragon frowns thoughtfully at Garland. "You killed a weredragon." * Garland stops, frowning a little deeper. "... Why do you say that?" Do far, KK, the dragon is not looking at your token. "He was a friend of mine." * Bunny blinks! ... But Sir Garland is so *nice*.... "He attacked me and a friend of -mine-." * Flora looks at Garland with new eyes "You stuck an arrow in his eye." [even before the Fellowship of the Ring} * Ishu draws a breath as things get tense. "Wait, so, the were-dragon hit Garland first, with an intent to kill?" * Garland stiffens. "Like I said, he attacked me first. And killed several others even before that. I had to -defend- myself!" "I don't think he was going to kiss me." Aside to KK. [dragon to Garland.] "May I shake your paw, sir?" [Empathy to sense the dragon's intent?] * Flora does a o_O * Garland looks at the dragon warily, but does step forward. [roll perception plus empathy, difficulty 10, Ishu.] [nadda] [Can I do that roll too?] [It's my paw, after all. *G*] [dragon to Garland.] "As I said, that were-dragon WAS my friend, until his mind was totally destroyed by that $2&^$$$!" "... Oh." [How do you spell that? ;o)] Yes, you can do that roll too, Paw=owner. [Dragon-slang!] [1 success!] [You think he's telling the truth and actually wants to shake your paw, Garland.] * Garland blinks at the dragon. "Who? The person in red? ... they were speaking before he attacked!" * Kenken perks up as the dragon and Garland make friendly! Awww! "It was mind-magic that attacked the Stag before we got here, too..." * Kenken thinks, 'Person in red? That sounds familiar...' [Kodak moment! Smile! Smile!] "Yes, yes, the person in red. PERSON. He has many names. His own is secret. If I ever find him..." "Is one of his names 'The Protector'?" [Meanwhile little Bunny is up on the dragon's back, looking for a scale that might be damaged, right?] * Garland watches the dragon a few moments longer, then frowns again. "I'm... I'm sorry, for the loss of your friend." He offers his hand. "Truly." "Yes, pooka, he goes by that name with those of your kind stupid enough to believe him. You are indeed of House Fiona. Good. I feel my judgment has been justified." The dragon gives you a claw to shake. "Aieee, do you have any idea how relieved I am that you're on our side *against* him?" * Garland takes it and gives it a shake. * Ishu grins at Kenken Bunny, there is a scale that looks uneven. "Wait a minute! I don't know who this 'Protector' is. How am I against him, all of a sudden?" * Bunny tries to fix it! [ Bunny, your scissors are now the sharpest scissors that ever were. The dragon has magicked them. They will stay that way for a long, long time. If you use them as a weapon to draw dragon blood you will die, however." * Bunny would never use them as a weapon to harm a dragon! ... Probably wouldn't use them as a weapon, period, and just use them as ubershiney work scissors. So you get to the ragged part of the scale, and you can even it out. But when you do, you will see a clump of hair underneath. It makes you feel almost ill to look at it. Roll perception +enigmas difficulty 8 *3* 10's, and... er, actually those are the only ones that made it past 8, but! You simply know that this clump of hair is something you should take but you don't want to touch it. * Bunny looks upset as she tries to think of what to do. She should take it, but.. icky! Maybe she should ask the dragon about it...?] "Well, Flora, remember how the Headmistress Sara got sick? Would you believe that the 'Protector' - who is, by the way, UTTERLY not starting a war in the Fae, NOT AT ALL - had sent an assassin in to kill her?" "Wait... he was the guy with that writhen blade I heard about?" "... I'm sensing this goes back further than I'd thought. :S " * Garland turns to look more at KK as he speaks. "Oh. OK. That's enough for now, but I would like to hear more later. Yeah, I guess I am against him, too." "Yeah, I'm with you on that one, Flora." Frowning, with a nod at her last words. * Ishu nods "We were told something about a Wizard and a Unicorn..." "I think the idea was to get to this Wizard." The dragon makes a sound that might be a laugh. "I wouldn't advise that," he says ironically. "... Oh." "Why?" "Because he's owned." * Ishu hides his eyes with his hat for a moment "Owned?" "By the Fomorians." "... o_O" "..." "Okay... uuum.... well." "That was about as far as I had planned." * Ishu laughs "Well, exactly why were we going to see the Wizard?" "I don't think we were actually told. :\" "Is there any way you know of, lordly dragon, to get the wizard free from the Fomorians?" "(whispers to Flora) Could be the next step..." "It's best not to think of that. He is so powerful by himself that he doesn't know he is owned. He is EVIL." "... Ooooohboy." "Why did the Stag want to take us to him then?" "Was he being manipulated into doing so? But he seemed so honest... I can't think that's what was going on." "Well, then, sir dragon, who SHOULD we see?" "The stag did not want to take you to him. The stag, as any good soothsayer could tell you, is part of a totally different quest. "He -was- being attacked by mind magic..." "And he resisted. The stag is on OUR side," says the dragon. "Doesn't the answer to Kenken's question depend on why we are here?" * Bunny looks up. "Um, mister dragon sir...?" "Then why -are- we here?" "Yes, childling?" -- to Bunny. "So, who's the unicorn, then-?" "A Purpose. Do we have one?" "There's... there's this clump of hair by the scale... it looks really... icky. I think I should take it, but.. it's... /icky/." The dragon ignores all your questions; he is focussing totally on Bunny. * Garland lifts an eyebrow at Bunny's words. "What colour is the hair, Bunny?" "I thought perhaps there might be something of the sort there. I cannot get it out, myself." "And how big? Is it an animal?" "Or magically-icky? *muses*" "Yeah... er, how is it icky?" * Bunny says what color it is. "It makes me feel all... sick, when I look at it, almost." "Uuuuuuuum. o_O" "That doesn't sound good." [ Do you remember the colour of the Protector's hair? Kenken might, but I don't. Blond? Say, black.] * Garland isn't sure what that means... "Sir-Lord Dragon, could you get one of us up there to help Bunny?" * Flora gets a sudden worry "Bunny, is that fur....metallic?" * Ishu looks up. Waaaay up. "The goat can come up. I honour him." * Ishu nods gratefully. "Free of heights again!" * Ishu grins at Garland. "... Thank you." Starts up to the side of the dragon, to get up. * Ishu pulls out his medicine kit... again! "Bunny... does it look as if the fur is metallic?" [dragon gives Garland a paw to help.] * Bunny waits for the help to arrive! Wishes she could do something, but like she said. Icky. "Iron-fur? Is that what you mean, Flora?" * Garland gets up the side of the dragon, thanks to a helping paw, and looks over to Bunny. "(... like those scrub brushes for your sink? o_O)" * Bunny points to where the fur is, helpfully. "No, just black..." "Dragon, did you meet the so-called Protector?" "Yes. I recently had experience with iron and a fey person. It hurt him while in, and killed him when removed!" * Garland makes his way over to where she's looking, narrowing eyes a bit at the clump. * Ishu shudders. "Yeah, not fond of the stuff myself. :S" The dragon to KK. "Once. I only just got away. I picked him up by his head and he did a spell that I have never known before. I have felt a little ill ever since. I think it might be because of that hair/fur under my scale." "o_O" "Yeah, that's what I thought, probably! Anyone got gloves? Don't touch it-!" "I've got a towel. Do we know what it is?" "If it is iron, I can touch it without harm to me." "There is a box inside the castle, the dreaming half of course. It is a safety box. But of course Morwen won't give it to me. All she wants is the throne!" [Would I be able to pick it out with an arrow? ... or towel. That might be more dragon friendly.] "Morwen? o_O" Ishu is a reporter. Ishu knows about Morwen. "What is the safety box for? How would it help here?" "Do we need this box to store the fur in guys? I'm assuming if it's a spell from this wizard it's a pretty bad thing, but if you know exactly what it is, that would be good too!" [I do? Can I know about Morwen? :) ] [ Morwen is High King David's sister. In former lifetimes she was his lover. She is a bit iffy about that even now. I'll go on... She ruled jointly with him, though deferring to him when his opinion differed from hers. Since he has disappeared she spends all her time at his summer court called Tara Nur. You happen to know it looks something like this place. She is not the Queen. The queen is David's new Wife, Faerilyth.] "Maybe it's some kind of parasite?" "Maybe we need that box. Just to be safe." Frowns. "I'm not sure what's with this stuff..." * Ishu turns to the Dragon "Do you /Morwen/ is in that castle over there? o_O" "Okay, guys, like, he PICKED the protector up by the head. What's on peopleses heads?" "Sorry, My command of syntax is offended." That was the Dragon to Ishu. "It's his Wig? o_O" * Ishu looks confused at the dragon now. * Bunny is confused. "Usually people's /hair/ doesn't make me feel like this." Down to KK. "He's really not a good guy! I grabbed hold of him once and wouldn't let go!" [... Great. Thanks to that wig thing, I can only picture the Protector as Mr. Weatherbee from Archie comics.] "All the more reason to find a safe place to put it!" "So are we saying that we don't want to try to remove this thing until we have what we think is a safe place to put it?" "I think it's a good idea, don't you?" "But if it's all evil and icky, shouldn't we burn it so it won't hurt anything anymore?" "Is it her Highness Morwen in this castle, then, that doesn't wish us to use the box to put the... the toupee in? o_O" "(Sir-Lord Dragon?)" "I like the burning it idea, personally." "I like Bunny's idea!" * Bunny doesn't like the idea of leaving it in there. It's obviously hurting the dragon, after all. "We don't know what's gonna happen if we burn this thing." Frowns, and looks to KK. "What do you think?" "Fire is a pretty powerful cleanser." [dragon says] "You will please remove this thing, not burn it, and put it in the box." "My first instinct was 'burn it', but y'know, the Dragon has a point, and it is technically in his belongings." * Garland is pleased the dragon agrees with him. "But we don't have the box, and it's High King David's sister that apparently has banned its use." "... what? That's who this Morwen is?" "Uuuun-hun." "You know, this is totally like one of those folktales where people wander around and like help out squirrels and then later the squirrel helps them out, but there's like five stages to the simplest plan because of it." * Ishu nods over his shoulder. "The Summer Court." "I think. ^^;; " "She hasn't banned it," says the Dragon, "she just won't get off her chair and help me!" "That's... strange. O_O" "... she's in this castle?" "Okay, well, we should go and... ask her... I guess. o_O" "SO should we go to her to get the box?" "Yeah, some squirrel..." To KK. "Yeah! Let's go." "A new quest!" * Kenken poses. "Two parties, one with toupee, one to the Castle?" "Or all together?" * Ishu laughs "I would like that, if you did it. I think one day the hair will be useful. I cannot say more." "Hrm... There are some magics that are supposed to work better if you have pieces of hair and stuff. This could work." "well let's go get the box then." "All togehter?" "That is, I would like you to take the hair away. I do not want you to separate. There are dangers in the Castle. And the quest you are on is FAR more subtle than the finding of a safe box." * Garland looks down to Ishu. "Well, if I'm pulling this out, I'm gonna need that towel." "So take the hair, wrap it up, go to castle, find box." "Check. Thank you, sir. :) " "How do you know what quest we are on?" * Ishu pulls out his red and white checkered towel and stares at it sadly for a moment, then sighs. "That is a good question, pretty kinain. Do you know I almost didn't notice you for a while?" "I'll buy you a new one! C'mon!" "Okay... I'm throwing it up... catch!" "But..." * Kenken pats Ishu's shoulder. "It's a far, far better thing you do with this towel than it'd ever be used for again." "Yes, I get that a lot." * Garland grabs the towel, assuming I don't have to roll for that and all... * Ishu hangs his head in disbelief "I know what the stag is for. I knew the last Tuathan, you see. I was only a hatchling, then, of course." * Garland goes about wrapping the hair up, pulling it away from the dragon. * Ishu mumbles to Flora "Douglas Adams was an Eshu." * Ishu nods sagely Do you touch it at all, Garland? "Wherever you go, there you need a towel?" [The hair? -Hell- no.] "Yeah. He was kinda weird about that, though. I met him on the Silver Path once when I was over in England for a bit." "I got that from him then! It was like having one signed!" [Well, she's up there with the hair and garland, right? :D] "Whoa, he was *really* an Eshu?" * Garland bundles it up neatly, and tucks it into his belt. "... Want me to help you down?" To Bunny. "Of course. What else?" "Great guy. :D " * Bunny wobbles a little. Nods. "Yesplease." "Flora!" * Garland shakes his head out a little, then puts an arm around Bunny. He pats the dragon a bit. "Can you lend us... uh, a paw please?" "Flora!" "You, kinain!" * Bunny leans against Garland. Looks somewhat ill. "What's happening up there?" * Garland looks likewise. He pats the dragon again. "We need help down, sir." "I think the kinain needs to come up. Unless she is afraid." * Ishu frowns "I knew we shouldn't have let Bunny go alone... :\ " "I'm ready to do whatever is necessary. Obviously I should be the one to carry that thing." That was the dragon speaking. * Ishu looks worried "Bunnnyyyy! Are you okay?!" "Be careful, okay Flora?" The dragon is also looking somewhat green around the nostrils. He does extend a paw to you, Flora. * Flora approaches and climbs/is lifted/ to help [Can I turn on Kenning to see what's going on magically around the dragon and the hair, if it's somewhere semi-visible?] Flora does not feel ill. But it is very clear the other two are unwell. Even mighty Garland is obviously sick. "Here, Garland. Let me have it." * Garland takes the pack out from his belt and hands it over to Flora. "Be careful...." You can't see anything from where you are, Ishu. If you move back, possibly. * Ishu bows quickly and then moves back a few steps, carefully. * Flora takes the packet and secures it on her person... will check it out later. * Bunny calls down, with a little weak voice "I'll be okay Sir Kenken!" Okay, so it's perception + kenning diff 9 "Just remember, if you can't see it, it can't see you!" No successes, right? [yup] [0] * Flora gets down and moves away from the others a bit. [Can I try kenning too?] Immediately Bunny and Garland feel better, though it takes Garland a bit longer. Yes, KK. [Fail, drat] * Bunny feels better! * Garland takes a breath, rubbing his face. Hard roll to win at. The dragon still feels ill. "Your friend, the goat, he is unwell. The little one cannot help him." "OK< you guys seem to be getting better, so I am going to take a look at this thing. Stay back. Mr. Dragon, you may be ill for a while, as you had prolonged contact with this thing." "Garland! Oh no! What can we do!?" "... great." "Flora! Don't lok at it!" "I'll .. I'll be fine." Frowns. "I'm feeling a little better already..." "Thank you." to Flora. to KK: "You can help the poor satyr down." * Kenken goes over to Garland, to help. You will have to climb up or catch him as he jumps, KK * Ishu goes over and offers his staff to help people down. * Garland accepts the help reluctantly, despite the fact he needs it. "... thanks." "I don't think it has anything to do with looking at it, but rather being close to it." [ You know how you could handle the cold iron? Yes. You can handle this, but it doesn't feel the same. It's not manufactured, you see. Can you describe it to me? But it has absorbed evil from the mind that existed under it before the dragon's claw ripped it loose where the wind caught it and stuck it in his scale. If that Was what happened. Possibly the Protector intended it all along. You actually think this, touching the hair. And though you don't feel sick the way a kithain would, you don't like this hair one bit. It's EVIL. I see. So it actually IS a toupe???? No, just a clump of torn out hair. Ouch. Well, good on him, I say. Thanks.] * Bunny looks to see if she can climb down on her own. "Hrm... all this mind-magic... I don't like it. :\ " * Ishu puts down the staff and opens his arms "I'll catch you if you can jump, Bunny." * Kenken climbs up to help move people down. * Flora is looking at the object * Garland is helped down by way of otter. [I am having a lot of trouble imaging how far this fall is guys, sorry...! Whatever works, insert Ishu there. *lol*] [Is that an otterfall?] [*groan*!] * Bunny jumps for Ishu to catch her, then. :O [Oh, boo! *L*] * Ishu (hopefully!) catches her, winks, and puts her down. :) * Bunny smiles! * Ishu grins. "When you're feeling better, I'll twirl you around a couple of times, okay, Bunny? ;) " "Well, guys, I think this actually is a bit of that Protector's ha.......ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh" * Ishu looks up to watch what Flora's doing. * Ishu sighs * Ishu looks at Kenken. * Flora starts drifting, hand to forehead, spaced out look "o_O. You okay?" "Oooh, see? This is what I meant!" * Bunny giggles at Ishu ^__^ "FLORA! Are you alright? Flora! "KenKen???" [... can't be in two places at once! *cries*!] "Uuuuh... falling off Dragon bad." * Flora has done this before * Kenken goes to grab Flora, then? [OOC: I hadn't realized she was on the dragon too.] [Flora IS on the ground] * Ishu starts to wave his hand in front of Flora's face, as before. "Flora? Are you okay?" Everyone is now on the ground. Assume it. * Flora beginds to speak in a weak, drifty voice... * Kenken hops off the dragon and peers at Flora. * Garland would also move to Flora's side, though after KK, in case she passes out again. "Hail to thee, Steppers of the secret way. Hail to the one whose finding is the hardest. Hail to the ruler of winter, whose drinking of the cup shall end all sorrows!" * Flora repeats this a few times * Flora begins to return to you "... Ruler of winter?" Flora will now fall unconscious to the ground. "Flora!" [thud] * Ishu fans her face * Garland moves to catch her... too slowly. Blame it on the wooziness. Ishu you don't feel well. "Uh oh..." Garland, you don't feel well again. [dang!] * Ishu kneels on the ground for a minute. (actually, he stays there) "The horn?" "Maybe?" * Kenken ...wards against the evil eye! [OOC: Just a peasant gesture. Probably of no practical use at all.] "Ishu, shh." "Uh oh? ...." A little wobbly. "I don't have enough medicine for all of us." "Of the horse with Maria... yah." [Oh yeah, not only can't people see me very well, they get sick when they do! Thanks, ST!!!] * Garland moves back away from Flora. [Flora has moved into Drama Queen Hell] "We need that box...." The dragon says, "You must stay away from the hair. The kinain has the hair. It's the hair! Get away!" * Ishu stumbles away from Flora reluctantly [Leper! Leper! Run away!!!!] "Man, you know... I now almost regret biting him." [Is Flora alright, though?] * Bunny looks up to the dragon, worridly. "Who do we ask for the box? Where are they?" "Biting him?" "..... o_O" "Zzzzzzz...." Kay, so there's a minimum distance you have to stay away. It's let's say fifty feet. "Wait! You mean... the visitor? That stepped on your tail??"" "Biting who? ... that jerk from before?" * Garland keeps backing up then, until he can feel better. * Bunny doesn't know anything about any 'biting.' I can't tell you if Flora is all right, Ishu. "Flora. ;_;" [* NPC Whos' Name I Can't Remember doesn't regret stepping on your tail, otter-boy.] "Well this is fantastic..." "Well. He was right there...." "How do you know, KenKen?" "Zzzzzzzzz............" * Ishu cringes "We can't leave Flora there." "One of us should stay with her?" "NO!" roars the dragon. "She's unconcious, if something comes along, she'll be hurt or worse." * Garland jumps a bit. * Ishu just frowns. * Bunny squeaks and jumps behind Ishu! "I will protect her! Once I feel a bit better. That was the dragon. "..." [And empathy that...!] "No, no, biting the protewhoosit. ...hmmm... I wonder how fast we can get the box to save our friend?" [Is it that he doesn't want us watching her, or that he wants us to stick together?] * Kenken looks like his head is spinning with all the new info... Flora's eyes flutter open. She groans. "Flora!" "ZZZZzzzzzzzzzoooooooohhhhhh...." "Flora! How d'you feel??" "o_O" "It happened again, didn't it? What did I say?" "I wonder if it's *that* cup..." "Uh.... short and sweet? Yay, we're good, ack, someone's going to have a tough time, and a winter ruler will drink from the cup." "And make the sorrows go away." * Flora stands up shakily, looks around confusedly, and approaches the others Listen, you guys, nobody had a pen to write it down. So you only have your memories. NO exact quotes. * Bunny waves her arms. "Then let's go get the box right away!" Bunny starts to dart off in one direction. ...... then pauses as she doesn't know which way to go. Even though of course it is in the logs. That is player info, not character info. "Why are you guys all over there?" "What he said." Jerks a thumb over towards Ishu. "The hair makes us sick." * Ishu looks thoroughly unhappy with this situation. [ "What's wrong with my hair?!"] [ XD! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!] * Flora looks truly hurt * Flora then she figures it out "Not your hair Flora - THE hair." "The hair you're carrying! If we get to close we get ill." "Real men wear hats, not toupees. ;P " "OK" * Bunny looks at everyone, trying to see which of the guys are wearing hats or not. * Ishu stands proud. Stands proud. "The sooner we find that box though, the sooner we can get close to you again." * Ishu coughs and looks skeptically at Garland! "What?! I meant -all- of us!" * Kenken has no hat. * Bunny hops from one foot to the next, impaitently waiting to be told where to get the box. "Suuuuure. ;) " "Okay, so, lord dragon! Her Glorious Majesty Morwen is in the castle?" "Of course. Where else?" * Bunny will have to ask Kenken about that, later. "... where in the castle, that might help too." "Try the throne room." "... This castle looks deserted." "If court's in session, where is everybody?" "It is. Except for her, us and the unicorn." "Ah." * Bunny will forget, later, though. "But Kenken isn't wearing a HAT!" o.o "This'd be the unicorn who doesn't like the stag?" * Ishu chuckles "What is the story about the Unicorn? Is it 'owned', too?" "It's true," the dragon says thoughtfully. * Bunny quiets. "That unicorn really doesn't like the stag. * Ishu shifts uncomfortably. "I don't know if it is because it only likes Morwen, or because the stag was given the mission." "Do you think it's jealousy then, oh magestic lord of the gate?" "What mission?" "Instead of the unicorn. Of course, the unicorn feels it is unique. And yes, it is true that it is owned. Morwen was the maiden he lay his head in. That is, her lap." "I still don't like this. Originally, we thought we were going to find a Wizard. Now we know there's mind-magic being used. This weird hair's been put here for goodness knows what, with a spell on it, and now her Majesty the High King's sister is sitting alone in a castle, guarded by a Unicorn who doesn't like our guide." * Garland tries not to laugh. * Ishu coughs and blushes slightly "It does sound a bit like a .... washcloth?" "?????????????????????" "a towel?" * Garland laughs a bit still, then looks up. "... washcloth?" Grins. "Eh?" "a toothbrush?" "Oyo?" "What are you guys talking about?" "... (whispers) tell me this isn't like the randomness with the Stag..." "a thing to make you clean??? I heard an enchanted human once ask for it. OH. SOAP." * Ishu facevaults! "-oh-!" He laughs. "And he said it was also a weird story. I don't know how a thing that can make you clean can be a weird story, but... "Yeah, what were /you/ thinking! ;P" * Bunny doesn't get it. * Flora doesn't get anything for a while, now * Kenken doesn't get it either. Shares a 'huh?' look with Bunny. "Ah well. Weird stories are the best stories. We're not figuring out anything by standing around here." The dragon sighs. "Yes, as the Eshu says, it all sounds like a weird story, a SOAP. That's the way it is, however. "...OH! LIKE ON TELEVISION." * Ishu grins appreciatively. "So we have to go talk to this Queen Morwen, and get her to lend us the box to hide this hair in. Right?" "So are we supposed to just leave Flora out here and go in the front door?" "Yeah! Days of our Lives, All my.... uh. Not that I know anything about soaps and all. ... let's go get that box." "Or do you want to follow behind, Flora?" * Ishu laughs at Garland! "I'm not staying out here by myself!" "Flora can come, she just needs to... stay behind... or in the middle even, with us on either end." "or in the ...lead." Oooh boy. "We can be like an honour guard!" "Middle for Flora!" * Ishu gives her the thumbs up "Do you know," says the Dragon, "I think she should be in the lead." "Think "ninja", Flora. ;) " "After all, many things cannot see her well." "yeah. That sounds good. One hundred feet from front to rear of a party walking in a dangerous land." "... yeah, that is true." "Better if I scout ahead." "Hrm, but you're scouting with the hair." "Isn't there some way to just knock on the front door?" * Bunny giggles. "I might as well use my...talent." "I mean, surely there's some way for her Highness to just let us in, given that it's an emergency of sorts, right?" "Well, there's only two people in there! So, thank you for all your help, magnificent sky-lord!" "oh yeah, the hair." "Yes... Thank you." Bows graciously to the dragon. * Ishu bows gratefully. "Wait. Before we actually set out, could someone please tell me clearly what I said while in th etrance!!" [I think you can not remember word for word. You can remember the gist.] [Okay, well, in that case, it's pretty much as Ishu said, Flora.] "look guys, I can't do magic, but I do get these visions. They probably will turn out to be useful. Somebody's got to remember." "I'll write them down from now on." "Maybe you should start carrying a tape recorder!" "... wait a second." * Kenken turns back to the dragon. "Please, give our respects to your companion as well." "... what?" "DOes the Dragon remember what I said?" "... Nope. Got my laptop on me. The recorder's at home." "We'll get you hooked up, Flora. No worries. :) " "Mr. Dragon, do you remember what I said while in that trance a few minutes ago?" "I remember," says the Dragon, cautiously. "But I think I should not say." "Why? It is important, I'm sure." "You are more than you think you are. I mean, all of you. I knew it as soon as the stag brought you. And the little one, carrying the horn. I do not want to influence you one way or another. It might ruin your quest." "Influence us? But we've already -heard- it! We just need a refresher." "... but someone may be listening." * Bunny wasn't paying attention. "Well, um, thanks for your help, Mister Lord Dragon Sir?" "OOH! Of course! Silly me. All right." "Mr. Dragon, it is my wish to know what I said. It was my vision. That my friends fail to remember is an oversight that will not happen again. If a balance must be maintained, then I will promise you a favour in return." * Ishu pulls out his laptop. * Ishu offers Garland pen and paper. "Backup copy?" "I will say it once, quietly, in a whisper." * Garland takes the pen and paper. The dragon's whisper sounds like a normal person shouting. * Garland blinks and writes down the words quickly. * Ishu clicks open the inch-steel case for the laptop, starts it up. "Hail to thee, Steppers of the secret way. Hail to the one whose finding is hardest. Hail to the ruler of winter, whose drinking of the cup shall end all sorrows!" * Kenken straightens one of Bunny's bobby pins, in the meantime. It came out while she got passed down to Ishu. "Now a word of advice, please." * Ishu nods as his finishes clacking away. "Any is very appreciated, Lord Dragon." * Garland writes down the rest of the words, quickly. And messily. * Garland nods too. * Bunny holds still for the straightening of the bobby pin. * Bunny once again does not pay attention to the vision. "Listen well. You are chosen from beyond the past to achieve something most great. The quest lies on the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and you will fail, to the ruin of us all. So, these ... farseeings... of the kinains must not turn you aside or make you choose differently from what your instincts say." [/me hi5s LotR-fan dragon.] [Do I know it or do I know it?] * Ishu looks a bit uncomfortable as "Chosen from beyond the past". [You so know it.] * Bunny offers some blackberries she picked earlier to Kenken! :D * Kenken thanks Bunny and nibbles! Listening, really. Really! * Garland frowns a little, but nods. "Thanks for the advice, sir..." "Thank you, sir. We will remember it." [... what if it's a female dragon? *LOL*] "Thank you. I appreciate your insight." "I must rejoin my companions. I will give them your good wishes, pooka." The paper is tucked away in his vest, and he offers the pen back to Ishu. He flies up to the turret. * Bunny waves!! "Mr. Dragon, what is YOUR name?" "Thanks." * Ishu facevaults, then laughs! "No NAMES!" * Ishu nods approvingly. * Kenken waves! "... Alright. Let's get that box." "..." [some of us learn the ropes the hard way.] "(very quietly) I'm just going to say this again. We know how the Stag got here. We know what it told us. The Dragon's told us to do the opposite, and to ignore Flora." "I still don't like this." * Bunny doesn't understand. [Well, not giving names at the gate would be less likely to get us entrence.] "......................We need a box." [or even entrance] "Well, the stag was singing kind of funny and crazy, though, and we know its mind was being attacked - what if what it said than was a Protector-comment?" "Yeah. We do need a box." * Ishu looks skeptically at the castle "But if the Protector wanted us to take it to himself or this Wizard, he wouldn't have had to interrupt the flight." "We already would have been going along with it." "We started the journey to this wizard before things got weird." "Maybe the interruption happened because the stag was fighting the influence." "We're not going to find out standing around here debating it, I say we go into the castle." "Hrm. I guess." "Yeah. Nothing for it." "But let's be /really/ on guard." * Ishu strikes his staff twice on the ground, and then grins happily, returning to his normal mind-set. "Besides, the dragon knew of Garland, right? And the castle flies all the houses' banners." "It's a good day for an adventure!" "I will go first, then. Stay as close as you can." "Yes. He knew a lot of Garland, in fact." "What did you... Yes, okay, I'll do my best." rolls his eyes a bit at Ishu, and motions to Flora to go ahead. "He knew how the weredragon had been attacked. Garland also said the red man was there watching." "... I don't know how he knew I was the one who killed his friend. ... then again, I don't know much about dragons." Frowns. "Anyways. Yeah. Let's get going." "Stag said see Wizard. Dragon says don't see Wizard." "this place is freaky." "Yeah." Oh, by the way, you are not in the Dreaming here. * Ishu starts to walk towards the front door on alert "??" * Ishu pulls out his cell. "Don't suppose you guys have numbers? In case we get seperated or something happens?" [...I don't want to imagine the roaming charges from the Dreaming. *G*] The word "Roaming...roaming is on the screen." "Whaaaa, numbers? I have a name, not a number." [two minds with but a single thought] "Nope..." "... It's okay. ^^;; " "Flora? You have a cell?" "(It's like walkie talkies, really!)" * Bunny nods in agreement with Kenken. "Yes. But it won't work once we get back into the fog, will it?" "Erm, no. But, you never know what might come in handy. My number is *spluh*" "mine is *sleck*" "Let's just try not to get lost from each other, how about? ... Now we're looking for the throne room." "Nice. :D " "Follow the biggest hallways?" "Well, throne rooms usually are lead to righ through the middle, in the wide hall." * Ishu nods. "..." "We should have a woman in the lead. :\ " * Ishu looks at Flora and Bunny with a "Doh!" expression. "If the only guard we're certain of is a Unicorn." "PArdon me?" "Well, a woman up front. Unicorns tend to only like females... like in the stories, you know?" "But we really can't put either of you up front, since Flora has the hair and we're supposed to be looking after Bunny." "Right, that's why Flora's going ahead. ... she seems like the type Unicorns prefer, right?" Coughs. "Flora! Go straight up the broad hallways then!" "yes, especially if they are vir...." *blushes* * Bunny blinks. "What's a vir?" * Bunny looks up at Flora, questioningly. * Flora whispers to her "later.." "Red-heads." "Alright, go up ahead through the next set of doors up here." (Assuming they've passed into the cobbled area already.) "French for red-heads." "All of us, or just Flora?" "Flora first, a'course." [Do we see the fancy doors yet?] Yes * Bunny oooohhhs. * Kenken looks about. Gives Ishu a thumb's up. "You know what might not be good? Us making Her Majesty ill." Just a sec. "it wouldn't be you, just me. I don't have to go close to her." "Good point." Nods to Ishu. "That hair's got a good range..." "Kinda like a logistical nightmare." [so the double doors are made of oak. not studded. possibly other devices.] Flora your friends are a fair distance behind you. [Can I use kenning on those doors?] [Everyone turn on Kenvision! *stares at KK* :D ] * Flora thinks we need to go further along the large hallway. What does Garland thin? (Big, manly leader-type Garland) Garland you can use Kenning on those doors. Ishu you can too. So can anyone who has kenning. [What's the diff?] The rest of you are what, 100 feet back? [50] [How much damage does it do to stand closer? What's the penalty?] Try it and see. * Ishu steps recklessly forward. ;) [ Take one off your stamina until the end of the scene. The scene will end when I say so.] [Actually, I think it might be useful to figure out how quickly this thing affects the others. Any idea from our past experience?] [When Ishu bent down to help you he got ill right away, didn't he?] [So... damn quick. *G*] Suddenly Flora stops dead. She isn't moving. She is as if paralyzed. [Kenning.] Thank you. [is also kenning. Difficulty?] Perception + Kenning difficulty 6. Anyone with kenning. [2 successes] [Willpower.] [1 success] [3 successes.] You sense glamour on the doors. Kenning finds glamour. [And is Flora actually touching the doors, or is still a bit before them?] Right. Gremayre finds spells. "... Flora? ...?" ["It appears to be a virgin petrification spell...."] [Flora is not in contact with the doors, just in front of them.] ["Garland! You first!" *LOL*] LOL. KK, what cantrips do you have? [ Two pips in Chicanery, three in Wayfare, three in Discord, three in Dreamcraft, one in Primal. None in Sovereign or anything, obviously. *g*] * Flora continues to stand transfixed before the door * Ishu whispers "I'm already closer than you guys - I can walk ahead. But it's no guarantee I won't get stuck like Flora." * Garland looks between the others, frowning. "Can any of you sense anything with those doors??" "Talk to it!" * Ishu concentrates on listening. Hey, it's not magical, but it could work. :) "Knock knock?" * Kenken looks at the doors. "We request admission with Queen Morwen!" "... talk to it?" "... PLease!' * Bunny is confused, staying at the very back of the group. * Garland notices Bunny. "... Why don't you come stay up here with us, sweetheart? You shouldn't be at the back by yourself." "... Do you think it has a language preference?" "Yes, magical language." "... erm... anyone have... what's it called... that Sidhe magic..." * Ishu blinks, as it apparently has slipped his mind. * Kenken begins to wiggle, doing a bunk for Willow Whisper. "Sidhe magic? ... No." "Yeah, me neither. But KenKen is wiggling. o_O" KenKen draws attention. Purple and green sparklies surround him. He looks kind of intense. * Bunny carefully goes up to the rest of the group. She's trying to stay out of the way and ooooooh, shiny. Okay, I'll walk you through this spell, KK. Could everyone watch, please? Willow whisper is a chimerical spell. The doors are real. So you must call upon the wyrd to cast it on the door, KK. [Gotcha. That costs glamour, right?] Actually more than that. You must spend one point of temp wp and one of glamour, then roll wp with diff = to your permanent glamour. Only one success is needed. Have you rolled? [Sure thing. So I've got 2 willpower left and 3 glamour left after this. So I need to roll four dice, difficulty 4...] [1 success] Good, but do you only have 4 glamour? Doesn't matter now. Check it later. Okay. So you now realize that all chimerical weapons you own inflict real damage, all your cantrips are wyrd, and cost one glamour to cast, and you yourself will take real damage from all types of weapons or creatures. [I have 4 glamour total, yes.] Okay, now add your dice pool up: equals all your pips in prop + all your pips in stamina. Remember that you have to be right in front of the door to whisper. That means, next to Flora. Fortunately, you are as if real, not fae, due to calling on the wyrd, so the hair will not make you sick. [Gotcha, that's 4. I'll move up there.] So your dice pool is four. Now how long did you dance? Bunk of 1 is immediate, bunk of 2 is six seconds, bunk of 3 is twelve seconds, etc. [Bunk of 3, then. Not so long Flora might be harmed, but long enoughto give me a benefit] OK. Now, difficulty. The higher of your or the target's banality. Real objects have banality of say 7 or 8, I'll be nice, say 7. So the difficulty is 7 +4 -3. The four is always added in, the 3 is for your bunk level. So difficulty is 8. You can spend a glamour point (or more than one) to lower the casting difficulty if you choose. [does that include using dross?] [I HAVE to spend a glamour point, which means I'll have only two left, so I'll spend one, to give me one left. I can swallow some lemon drops if worst comes to worst.] [You've got a bag of 30 train tickets, do you not?] [True. Can I burn a dross to get myself two points off the difficulty?] KK's right because now his spell is wyrd and it costs 1 GP to cast a wyrd spell. You can spend up to 5 Dross or GP or combination thereof to lower the diff, but not lower than 4 [I'll spend... three dross, and only the one required GP for the wyrd spell, thus lowering the diff to five. Okay?] KK has already worked out the glamour cost, so now he can cast. Roll your dice pool versus the difficulty. [...I got 3 nines. *g*. Three successes!] Right. Talk to the door, KenKen. Ask it questions. "..oO0Oo.." That's how the spell works. Fortunately your spell takes priority over your pooka nature. * Kenken asks the door, "Why have you trapped my friend?" "It carries bad thing." "<|><|><|><|><|>" The spell is obviously working well. You can keep on asking questions for a bit. I'll tell you when it stops working. "Can you let us in? We need to see Queen Morwen to get a box to put the bad thing away so it can't harm anyone." "0\0/0\0/0\0/0\0/0" "Us is doors. Who is we? Bad thing not go. No Queen. She gone." "We are those of us who stand before you now. Where did the queen go?" "Away. Those two only one good other bad carry bad." "----<=-o-=>----" "Will you release my friend beside me, as long as she doesn't attempt to enter?" "Maybe." "Do so, please." "o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o" "Maybe. Need oil for hinges. Any oil?" * Kenken glances hopefully back at Bunny. * Bunny looks back to Kenken? [ Bunny, you have a tiny tube of WD40 in your pocket.] "Do you have any oil, bunny? The door needs its hinges oiled." "|o:o|o:o|o:o|o:o|o:o|o:o|o:o|o:o|" "oldbloldbloldbloldbloldblo" [ "1110011010101001100101?" ] * Bunny digs through her apron. Scissors, thread, needle, half-melted chocolate, blackberries, lemon drops... OH! Holds out a tube of WD40? "19AF0BB533AD" "Yes! Thank you!" Does Bunny go up to the door to get it? KK you are not feeling well. [Who knows what evil lurks in the minds of paralyzed lepers?] "Bunny, toss it here - I'm closer and I'll finish the walk to KK, okay?" * Kenken sways, swallows. "We are about to oil your hinges, door. Will you then let my friend go, and let those of us not carrying the bad thing pass?" * Bunny tosses the tube to Ishu! :O * Ishu catches, nods appreciatively. * Kenken then vomits! ewww! "Thanks, Bunny." * Ishu leans on his staff and finishes walking towards the door. Bleargh! What that noise mean? * Garland cringes at that. [He feels ill] ["Amazing Grace.... a retch like me.."] [The door doesn't understand vomit.] KK, if you're finished vomiting, you might see if the oil is coming your way... * Bunny worries! T_T "0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55" "Uuuuh..." [infinite series, cut down, add previous two numbers together, gotta do something when paralyzed...] * Ishu shows the WD40 to KenKen. "This is all the door needs? Oiled? o_O" * Kenken blaargh! "Yeah... " [Yes, everything hinges on the oil.] [... boo. *G*] "OK... agghh... you want me to start, then? Everything's good?" "For God's sake, hurry up!" Frowns at all the vomiting. * Ishu nods and starts to oil the door, again leaning on his staff. "Please! Oiiiil!" "I'm oiling! I'm oiling!" [Good thing thwe cantrip wasn't Willow Whiffer. The door would never let any of us through!] * Kenken wonders if the door's going to answer his previous request before the WW runs out. * Ishu squirts some oil on the hinges * Ishu starts to wobble a fair bit. "Uuuugh." * Ishu squirts the last bit of oil and tries to rub it in nicely for the door. "Aaahh," says door in whisper to KK. "Hang in there, Ishu!" "blargiamdead!" [I knew I shoulda showered this morning!] [Not dead] [Just a saying, for the record.] "So, door, will you release my friend and let those of us not carrying the bad thing pass?" [Holy Wow! See how the Eshu found her way to the floor even when she was passed out!] "Like oil. Like funny it with stick and hat. Like you. No like it with bad thing. You go, others go. Not that one. Move far away. Maybe it stop standing still." "... gotta get... moving..." "Flora.... can you move...?" * Flora tries to move "... What... does the door... want?" [I believe you are addressing KK?] [If Kenken had a large family, and they all came together, would it be a meeting of the Ken Ken Klan?] "Door, what do you want? My friend can't take the bad thing away if you won't let her move..." "you move it." "What does he say, KenKen??" [Easiest pickup you ever got, Garland.] "We have to drag her away from the door..." "Do we need through this door...? Where's the box?" "Oh for the love of...!" "Door, do you know where the box is that we can hide the bad thing in?" * Ishu coughs and hacks for a minute What is box? You take it away. Now. Now. Now. NOW" "... I can't carry her, I'll be unconcious when I touch her. >.<" "Drag her away??" Frowns. "... Alright, I'll do it." * Ishu coughs "Be careful..." * Garland rushes in to grab Flora and yank her the hell away from the others. [*tips hat*] [REAL men wear hats! ;) ] If you go really fast, and dump Flora in the mews, you can get away without another point off. [I could probably use a hat now too... to vomit into.] [... you ain't getting mine!] * Garland does just that, as he is quick like Satyr. "Door, where's the unicorn?" * Ishu collapses and works on catching his breath. * Flora tries to move "Where's her Highness? Isn't she here?" What is uncorn? You can't talk to the door. * Garland rushes away from Flora again. "Flora, you hear me??" [KK? To ask the door? He doesn't know he's already asked.] [KK didn't tell us, I think.] [He just asked for oil.] * Flora treis to move Okay. * Flora also TRIES to move A scene between two things is a scene betweeen two things. You can't prompt KK. He is in spell mode. And Flora can't give hints about ropes if she's paralyzed. "The unicorn is a four-legged furry animal with a horn. Was there one with the queen?" * Flora tries to move "Ahh. Oil. Ahh. Handle open now. You go through." This to KK from door. Flora you can move if you are in the mews. "Ohhhh...holy wow... that was freaky. You can't imagine what thoughts went through my head." "weird stuff." * Kenken opens the door. "So I guess I'm stuck out here, huh?" Yes, I know Ishu, he interacted with you. When he turns away from you to the door he's in spell mode. * Garland calls over to Flora. "How d'you feel?" "I'm OK now." [But Ishu doesn't know Willow Whisper. He could still try and ask where the Queen is.] [To KK.] * Garland looks over to Ishu, lifting an eyebrow. "... feeling better?" I'm being pinged at. "Blargh. Yeah, I guess. But I'd like someone to explain what's going on." "I don't like us seperating from Flora." "This hair isn't necessarily part of our Quest. It certainly looks like Flora is." "We should be protecting her and Bunny first." "And we don't seem to be being frozen like she was either..." Frowns. "But you're right, I don't like it either." "It's a Unicorn, right?" "Both the people we should be protecting are girls." "The way this is going, it'd make sense for them to be the front line." "It just doesn't sit well with me." * Ishu stands up. * Bunny looks worridly to Flora. Would offer blackberries to her, but can't get close enough to give them to her ;.; "But if Flora comes back to this door there's another chance she'll freeze up again, and look where that got us." Scratches his head, then looks over at KK. Sorry, guys, I wasn't able to enter anything for a while. Missed it, sorry. Okay, so end of scene for those of you who need to know. The door will not answer any more questions, and those of you who had points off for stamina get them back. Ishu, you see the dazzle leave KK, and know you can talk to him. * Kenken relaxes, wiping his brow! * Bunny rushes up to everyone once she can! "... Sooo... what's going on? Why did we send Flora away?" ".........That was so WOW." * Garland nods along with Ishu's questions. [[thinks everyone went up to do something with the door or Flora, so little bunny was the only one left behind. XD]] And you survived. I LOVE boggans. "The door wouldn't let her pass...needed her away... Would you believe it says that there's no queen here, she went away? Or that it didn't know what a unicorn *was*?" "... The Queen's /NOT/ here?" "So... what, that dragon wasn't telling the truth?" * Ishu narrows his eyes. "....It is just a door." "Or the dragon thought he was, but the queen snuck out the back?" "Doors don't have a lot of room for brains, you know." "I'm sticking with the Stag." * Bunny pauses. Looks at the door. "No offence ment!" "Could have Flicker Flashed." "But it's not the point." Ishu, roll intelligence + alertness difficulty 6. [2 successes] [You're so right, Bunny. No brains. That's the problem.] [It's all wood up there!] "Alright, so the Stag told us to look for the wizard, and the Dragon told us to look for Morwen. ... either way, -someone- has to go be in here that we need, right?" "Or it's a trap." "And we've been rather forcefully seperated from our friend." "I don't see where else we're supposed to -go- though, do you?" Okay, you got two successes. So you remember that you already know that the Queen is Faerilyth, not Morwen. That information was for Ishu. "I vote the wizard." "Not that we have any leads." "But if he's with *them*... We can't get to him. Though the stag didn't say there was a unicorn, so you must be right." "Exactly!" "But if the Dragon has been lying, and wants us to not trust Flora, I'm not leaving her out there." "Buh?" So, just for future reference, if you are asked to roll intelligence + alertness it MIGHT be to remember something and if you don't want to, Ishu, you shouldn't roll it. "Anyways. You guys can decide." "We don't have any leads any other way... and we've got to do -something-, right?" "Okay, idea!" "What?" "Ditch the hair, stick together." * Bunny putters about, looking at things. Adults are talking about complicated thi- OOOH, SOMETHING SHINY. "Quickly, we check out the room I've just opened the door to! If we don't see anything of interest, we hurry to the mews to get Flora, and stick together!" * Bunny peeks in the room that Kenken opened the door to. "Alright, sounds fair." Will KK and Bunny please tell me where you are? * Kenken is at the door, which is open. Ok. Behind the door is what I told you before. * Bunny is probably right next to Kenken's legs, peeking in. Corridors. etc, [If you went through there, you would see stone passages, with globes of light like will o the wisps hanging from the roof. They glimmer only faintly. You could explore a long way on this floor and find kitchens, pantries, and storage areas to the left.] "Nothing there..." "So we go back now?" "So... ditch the hair for now then? There's gotta be a crook or a cranny she can hide it in for now, and then we can all go ahead. Together." "Back to the Mews!" * Kenken heads off that way. Does anyone follow? * Ishu goes very quickly. "Don't get too close, remember!" * Bunny takes a moment to continue to glance curiously through the door they spent so much work opening, before following Right, so its KK, Ishu, Bunny going to get FLora, and you, Garland waiting at the door? [I'll wait by the door, yes.] [ Okay, when they've disappeared into the mews, you hear a petulant voice behind the open door saying, "Well, since you've gotten this far, you might as well come in."] * Garland turns around quickly, looking back into the doorway. "Who's there!" [Uhoh. ^^;; [was gonna have bunny stop and stay with Garland, but figured it'd be easier if his scene could be done in query... is beginning to regret this...]] [Yeah, and I was going to suggest with stick with the stick together thing as planned... :S ] [dooooooom!] * Garland clears his throat and enters into the door. *** You see a gorgeous woman. She has a wild beauty that complements her brother's solid good looks. With her luxurious, honey brown hair and large, hazel eyes, she's got your heart a flutter. She smiles at you. "Come in. I didn't realize it was a handsome satyr." You can say one more thing before you go in in the main box or you can enter without saying anything. But she's got you, Garland. You could use wp to resist if you want, but she seems good to you, if a bit sad. "What shall I call you? My name is Morwen." * Garland clears his throat and enters, grinning slightly. "... Are you..." Laughs a bit as his words collide with hers a little. "Uh... I'm Garland. A pleasure to meet you." She takes your arm and walks you calmly along the passage to the carpeted one. He takes the arm gladly, still smiling. "I've got some friends back there too... I'm sure they'd like to meet you. I mean, we ran into a bit of trouble with that door of yours..." "Well, Garland, do you realize you are the first changeling to enter this castle in weeks? I have been so lonely. * Garland lifts his eyebrows a little. "... Really? ... it does look pretty empty around here. I'm glad I can be of service." Grins. Will you join me in the throne room? I feel so stupid in there, all alone." She is sounding delightfully charming now. She smiles at you. Again, though, you get a hint of great sadness in her eyes. * Garland smiles, softer now. "Of course. Anything to make you not feel so badly." "I opened some wine this afternoon. It's by my stool. I didn't drink any of it because I was so miserable. They say you should never drink alone. I miss my brother so much. Garland, let's drink that bottle to the bottom!" "A lady after my own heart!" Laughs a bit, letting go of her arm and moving more towards the stool. "... where did everyone go anyway, my lady?" "I don't really know. I think Faerilyth took the Red Branch knights with her. She's off somewhere telling everyone she's the lawful heir to Concordia. They all love her, of course. She is lovely. And sweet. But my brother really couldn't love her more than me." "Your brother... that's High King David, right?" He tilts his head a little. "Yes. ANd he's still High King. I know he is. He isn't dead. His sword would not have gone to Sir Seif otherwise." Leads him into throne room. It's very beautiful but I'll get into the description next time, okay? There are two grand falcon thrones in the room. And a small bench. Beside the bench is a tray with a single bottle of wine, open, and no glasses. Morwen smiles. "I was going to drink it from the bottle," she said. I figured no one would see. Should I get glasses, Garland? Or shall we sip in turn?" * Garland grins and makes a waving motion. "Pah, I won't tell anyone if you won't." He moves towards the wine and picks it up. "Wine's made to be tasted straight from the bottle anyway." "A satyr knows these things," Morwen says, laughing. "I think I should go first, though, as the lady." * Garland looks at the wine in his hand, eyebrows lifted, then back to her. "Of course! I was merely lifting it so that my lady would be denied the trouble. Here you are." Offers the bottle to her over one arm gingerly, like a waiter. Morwen laughs delightedly. "A gallant satyr. Some would say I might have poisoned the bottle. Many would say it." She sips. "But I haven't. I don't. I wouldn't. I just try to keep the throne empty, so that my brother will have it safe when he returns." "It's good of you to do so, Lady Morwen, considering the expense to yourself. It's a large castle for a just a single woman, after all." Okay, so we're going to call time here, Garland. FYI, you are not magically charmed. This is the real mccoy kind of charming. And the sadness attracts you as much as the beauty. WHEW. You've got it bad. *** * Ishu pauses "G-man?" The door shuts behind Garland. [Excuse me. Amber needs a moment. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!".] [Done now.] [...AUUUGH! :D] "Two teams. One group grab Flora, one group grab Garland." * Bunny says "Three doesn't divide by two." "... We suck." "One goes and gets Flora." "..." "I hate math." Higher math. "Right. I'll go." "All math. ;) " * Bunny needs to know this kind of thing for cooking, see. "You're getting Flora?" * Kenken nods and heads off that way, quickly. "I'll go get mister Garland!" "Hide the thing, bury it." "Bunny, you're with me. I want you to stay close, okay?" "Okaaaaaay! But we gotta hurry cuz he might be in trouble!" * Ishu holds his staff in fight mode "He doesn't have red hair!" "..." [Oh ho... HO ho ho...] ".... yes." "That's... right... Bunny..." * Ishu laughs * Ishu starts to jog forward. "This was a bad set up, I can't talk to the door." * Bunny can scamper in pace with him. "Well, we can, they just probably won't talk back." "... hope for the best?" * Ishu winks "We could dance for them like Sir Kenken did!" [Can we open the door?] "Uuum... Knock-knock?" [you can try to open the door.] * Bunny tries to reach the handle. * Ishu tries to reach it before Bunny lest it explode. You're just a little short. [Exploding Rabbits! Fun for the whole family!] * Bunny steps back when Ishu has it covered :x;;; [Are we an overprotective bunch or what? ;) ] Nice Ishu. You've got the handle in your hand. "... Hello?" [Exploding Eshu work too!] "Uuum... " "Would it be alright for us to enter, Mr. Door-sir? o_O" [... The door does not respond! *l*] "... I'll take that as a yes..." * Ishu cringes * Ishu turns the handle. (or tries) And the door opens. "... hehehhe.... Go figure..." * Ishu smiles at Bunny. The door likes you. You oiled its hinges. "Guess it doesn't like knock-knock jokes. ;)" * Ishu nods, and wanders in. * Bunny goes through! ... Pauses to pat the door, thankfully, on the way. LOOKS FOR GARLAND! * Ishu grins at Bunny patting the door. :) So you all four are together now? [I'm not there - I've headed to the mews.] "Oooooookay..." * Ishu looks for tracks in dust, if any. "Do you hear anything, Bunny?" "You?" "Eheh." Bunny and Ishu are inside the door, which is still open. KenKen has gone for Flora. There is a lot of dust, but its kind of as if it's been wiped, or swept or something like that. You don't hear anything. "Oooh, not good." Just the sounds of silence. "... definately not good." * Ishu offers his hand to Bunny. * Bunny takes Ishu's hand. "..........Someone needs to dust better." "... Yeah. They could definately use someone like you. :) " Bunny give yourself a point of WP if you've lost any. "But the other's back home are lucky to have you." "... OK." "I've got one way to find Garland, kinda." "... but it will be hard for KK to find us." "Do you happen to have breadcrumbs or something?" [ [walks into walls normally anyway.]] [Buh? o_O KK! Nooo! Why did it have to be yoooooooou?] [Well, since Flora isn't here, I imagine I'll not be back for a while.] "No, but I do have string! And blackberries. And lemon drops. And a crayon. And some chocolate, and..." [bunny will continue to list all the useless things she has in her apron unless told to stop] [ You can have hidden the hair and got Flora and come back by now.] "... blackberries are great, Bunny. :) " * Kenken comes up, holding onto Flora's hand, the hair nowhere in sight. "Phew, that's a relief." "Guys, Garland's missing. No tracks." "Could have been swept recently, but..." So you four are together now. You are all past the door. "No sound, either." Right? * Bunny yays! Everyone is here! Except garland. ".........Maybe he has breadcrumbs?" "MAybe. :)" "(But blackberries are really better, anyways. ;) )" "Well, let's start looking." Okay, so I'm goiing to call time here, since of course we can't actually run the game without Peter to play Flora.