(8:22:47 AM) thuryl: Okay. Anyone want to get down with the mad recapz?
(8:24:06 AM) Jack: ...
(8:24:13 AM) thuryl: is that a no
(8:24:20 AM) Jack: Apparently.
(8:24:27 AM) Jack: Off the top of my head...
(8:25:43 AM) Phulax: Umm...we reached Elpis, found the inhabitants had been turned into aquamen-half-beast creatures, and were asked by the local ruler to help him get to a wish-granting temple to sink the island. Someone else asked us to use the wish-granting temple to turn everyone back to their normal forms.
(8:25:46 AM) Phulax: Is that about right?
(8:26:14 AM) thuryl: Yup. The local ruler was King Zellak, and the other guy who attacked you in the night was named Skrass.
(8:26:17 AM) Jack: Jarrox was drunk, Dyen's in a funk, and the king of this land may be a punk. More eloquently, the people that were on this island when it sank are still around as fish-people thanks to the temple, and their king wants us to go into the temple and sink it again for survival. However, all is not well, and a rebel group wants us to keep it above ground.
(8:26:21 AM) Jack: Aww... sniped.
(8:26:47 AM) Meredith: stop trying too hard, Jack. :p
(8:27:01 AM) Lephista: :P
(8:27:15 AM) Lephista: So, at the end of last time, we rested, right?
(8:27:16 AM) Phulax: Oh Jack.
(8:27:22 AM) Jack: Hiya.
(8:27:43 AM) thuryl: You all wake up to a fresh, misty morning. A chilly breeze is blowing into your hut. Between the cold and being attacked in the middle of the night, it's not the best night's sleep you've ever had, but it's better than nothing. Everyone regains 2 HP and 2 Stamina.
(8:28:28 AM) Phulax: "Good morning, everyone!" I smile.
(8:28:30 AM) Jarrox: (I'm at 15/16 and 10/10, right)
(8:28:36 AM) thuryl: (Right.)
(8:28:45 AM) Jack: "What's so good about it?" I ask.
(8:29:01 AM) Lephista: "Well, we're alive. And Jarrox might be sober by now."
(8:29:44 AM) Jarrox: I take a swig from my aleskin.
(8:29:59 AM) Lephista: "So let's enjoy that while it lasts."
(8:30:03 AM) Meredith: I silently pack my gear away.
(8:30:03 AM) thuryl: Jarrox is now slightly drunk.
(8:30:11 AM) Phulax: ...
(8:30:12 AM) Jack: "Possibly. But it appears that might be remedied soon."
(8:30:42 AM) Lephista: I step outside and look around.
(8:30:43 AM) Phulax: "It's the start of a new day, of new opportunities! Come on, think happy thoughts or something."
(8:30:58 AM) thuryl: (In a way, this is my fault for making a perk that required me to keep track of how drunk he was.)
(8:31:10 AM) Phulax: (Ha!)
(8:31:55 AM) Phulax: "Hmm...do you suppose we should here for someone to fetch us, or just wander into the city ourselves?"
(8:32:02 AM) Meredith: "Happy thoughts? I thought we were going to discover if we're being used as pawns for a tyrannical King."
(8:32:47 AM) Phulax: "Well, yeah, but wouldn't you prefer finding out, so you can resist, than to go on blindly being instrumental in the oppression of thousands?"
(8:33:01 AM) Jarrox: "That's not necessarily a bad thing. If he is a tyrant, we can just turn him into soup."
(8:33:16 AM) Phulax: I chortle.
(8:33:38 AM) Jarrox: "And if the King is good and Skrass is just a traitor, we can make him into soup instead."
(8:33:43 AM) Phulax: "But he's not really turtle, remember, so it'd only be mock turtle soup."
(8:33:44 AM) Jarrox: "It's a win-win situation, really."
(8:33:55 AM) Jack: "Resist? I came here to examine archaeological ruins, not get involved in politics."
(8:34:04 AM) Meredith: "Well, I would prefer to find out the secrets of this island before you make lunch, but whatever."
(8:34:17 AM) Lephista: I return to the house. "Come on, guys, we've got a big day to start."
(8:34:50 AM) Phulax: "Where do you want to go first?"
(8:35:06 AM) Phulax: I stroll out of the house.
(8:35:38 AM) Lephista: "Well, we should probably thing of a good, totally non-treasonous reason why we're not helping the king yet, and then go tell it to him. And we need to investigate... stuff."
(8:36:38 AM) Meredith: "We could just say we wish to trade and collect supplies for the journey. That should allow us the run of the city."
(8:37:05 AM) Jack: "You remember what happened when I asked for a weapon, Meredith?"
(8:37:06 AM) Lephista: "Yes. And Dyen needs to meditate before launching any kind of spiritual quest."
(8:37:14 AM) Jack: "He doesn't seem to keen on trading."
(8:37:23 AM) Phulax: "Well, the archaeological types among us should just beg for a chance to explore. This place is SOOOOOO compelling that they can't possibly continue with looking around. Sounds like a good excuse to me."
(8:37:35 AM) Meredith: "...Are you mocking me?"
(8:37:49 AM) Phulax: "No, I'm describing a stratagem."
(8:38:03 AM) Meredith: "Well try to watch your tone next time."
(8:38:38 AM) Lephista: "So, should we do this first, or look around some?"
(8:38:44 AM) Phulax: "I was indicating the emphasis with which we'll express this desire to explore to the king, not demeaning you. My apologies." I bow politely.
(8:39:04 AM) Meredith: I shake my head.
(8:39:07 AM) Jack: "What if we just go with the truth?"
(8:39:18 AM) Meredith: "Well, I suppose we should be making a move, whatever we say."
(8:39:50 AM) Lephista: "The truth might get Skrass killed. Or us."
(8:40:41 AM) Jack: I glance at Jarrox. "Somehow, I suspect someone else will beat us to both of those things."
(8:41:05 AM) Lephista: "I'll keep an eye on him. Now, let's go already."
(8:41:15 AM) Jack: I shrug. "Your call."
(8:41:19 AM) Phulax: "If he's drunk, why should anyone believe him?"
(8:42:14 AM) Lephista: I start walking toward the king's place. "He might just pick a fight, Phulax."
(8:42:31 AM) Lephista: "Or, rather, he might do that if I weren't watching him. Which I am."
(8:42:46 AM) Phulax: "...should I carry his axe again?"
(8:43:02 AM) Phulax: I follow along toward the palace.
(8:43:02 AM) Jarrox: "It's mine. Don't touch it, or I'll hack your arm off."
(8:43:20 AM) Lephista: (Does Jarrox have it? At the end of last session Phulax was holding it.)
(8:43:21 AM) Meredith: "Technically, if you hacked his arm off he WOULD be touching it..."
(8:43:47 AM) Phulax: (I guess I retain the axe, then)
(8:44:57 AM) thuryl: The king's spire is just as you left it. The repair efforts are progressing slowly but steadily: fish-men are hacking away large chunks of unstable coral from the walls and throwing them to the ground, while their frog supervisors call out warnings to those standing below.
(8:45:49 AM) Lephista: I carefully walk inside.
(8:45:57 AM) Jack: I follow.
(8:46:19 AM) Phulax: "Lephista, do you have a plan for why you came here?"
(8:46:27 AM) Phulax: I whisper, just to be safe.
(8:46:54 AM) Lephista: I whisper back. "We're making our excuses to the king. Archeology, meditation, trading, et cetera."
(8:47:03 AM) Lephista: "Unless you've come up with a better idea."
(8:47:23 AM) thuryl: The rickety, makeshift ladder leading to the higher levels of the spire is also just as you left it, except there seems to be more debris and dried blood around the ground below it.
(8:47:35 AM) Phulax: "Oh, those are good, I just wasn't sure if that's what was going on," I mutter back.
(8:48:58 AM) Lephista: I nod, tie up my horse, and climb the ladder.
(8:49:19 AM) Lephista: (roll?)
(8:49:51 AM) thuryl: Yup, roll.
(8:50:06 AM) Phulax: Eager for more practice, I try warping myself to the top again.
(8:50:10 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 9
(8:50:16 AM) Lephista: Lephista rolled 1 20-sided die: 3
(8:50:34 AM) Meredith: "You're going to end up making a fool of yourself with all that teleportation, you know."
(8:51:01 AM) thuryl: Phulax carefully teleports to the top in a series of steps, one floor at a time. Lephista cuts her shin on a piece of rusty metal on the way up, taking 1 point of damage.
(8:51:06 AM) Phulax: (Hey, it was better than Sarachim's attempt to climb the ladder!)
(8:51:13 AM) Meredith: I follow Lephista
(8:51:14 AM) Meredith: Meredith rolled 1 20-sided die: 11
(8:51:18 AM) Jack: I climb the ladder as well.
(8:51:22 AM) Jack: Jack rolled 1 20-sided die: 15
(8:51:27 AM) thuryl: Meredith and Jack make it to the top safely.
(8:51:40 AM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 12
(8:51:44 AM) Lephista: "Godsdamn ladder. . . " I mutter.
(8:51:50 AM) Phulax: I smile at Meredith and shake my shake my head. "Ol' grump-grumps."
(8:52:24 AM) Meredith: "I'm sorry, I'm just not used to show-offs and incompetents."
(8:52:48 AM) thuryl: Jarrox also makes it up safely, although he wobbles alarmingly on some of the steps.
(8:52:49 AM) Jack: "Tell me about it." I mutter.
(8:52:59 AM) Lephista: What's up here?
(8:53:32 AM) thuryl: Same as before. A few mer-elf scribes taking notes, some lobster guards and the archway leading to King Zellak's chambers.
(8:53:37 AM) Phulax: I continue toward the king's audience chamber.
(8:54:02 AM) Lephista: I approach one of the mer-elves. "May we see the king?"
(8:54:32 AM) thuryl: The elf shrugs. "You were the ones who were here before, weren't you? Did the king say you could see him again?"
(8:54:42 AM) Lephista: "I believe he's expecting us."
(8:55:00 AM) thuryl: "Go ahead, then. Not my problem. I'm just a scribe."
(8:55:13 AM) thuryl: The guards make no move to stop Phulax as he enters the throne room.
(8:55:19 AM) Lephista: I suppress a frown and follow Phulax.
(8:55:42 AM) Jack: I follow as well.
(8:55:54 AM) Jarrox: I follow.
(8:56:15 AM) thuryl: King Zellak is sitting on his coral throne, surrounded by guards and attendants and speaking to another turtle who you don't recognise. Zellak dismisses him as he sees you enter.
(8:56:31 AM) thuryl: "Ah, you have returned. Are you ready to do what must be done and save our city?"
(8:56:34 AM) Phulax: "Good morning, O King!" I bow politely.
(8:57:20 AM) Lephista: I bow as well. "We will go, but we are not ready yet. There are several other things we must attend to first."
(8:57:34 AM) thuryl: "Do you need supplies? I fear our resources are limited."
(8:57:39 AM) Phulax: "We are preparing for...the work ahead. But one of our number, Master Dyen, requires time to mediates, to search the currents of fate and ready himself for the attempt."
(8:58:01 AM) Phulax: "We also hoped to seek whatever supplies you could spare, though we understand your difficulties."
(8:58:17 AM) Jarrox: "Stupid fishies and their lack of good alcohol."
(8:58:44 AM) Lephista: "We find it best not to question Dyen about that sort of thing. Furthermore, two of our group are scholars, who came for the express purpose of studying this island. You know, before it sinks."
(8:58:56 AM) thuryl: He glances at Jarrox. "Well, there is a tavern, of sorts. There are intoxicants available, although I fear you may find them... unfamiliar."
(8:59:19 AM) Lephista: I bury my face in my palm.
(8:59:43 AM) Phulax: "The opportunity to see your city, this legend, first hand, is the chance of a lifetime. May we please explore it for a time, while Dyen meditates?"
(9:00:31 AM) thuryl: "Hmm. The city has been suffering great hardship since its return to the surface, but we have survived several weeks so far. I suppose I can spare the city's saviours a day. Is there anything in particular you would like to see?"
(9:01:15 AM) Lephista: I look at the scholars expectantly.
(9:01:25 AM) Jarrox: "The tavern!"
(9:01:56 AM) Jack: "In particular? No... mainly, we just wish to explore. See how the city works."
(9:02:02 AM) thuryl: "It's over to the west -- you'll recognise it by the red star above the entrance."
(9:02:27 AM) Jarrox: "Okay, let's go. Come on, people." I waddle towards the exit.
(9:02:40 AM) Meredith: "I'm most interested in the day-to-day running. For instance, where do you farm your food - I assume you farm? Where do your building materials come from? The history can come after - it's waited these long years, it can wait a while longer. This society may go in a moment, and we need to understand and study that first."
(9:05:09 AM) thuryl: "Well, those are simple enough questions. We relied on coral as our main building material, but coral... well, it has difficulty supporting its weight well enough to construct spires above the surface, as you can see. As for food, we have had to send teams out to the coast to gather fish and other food from the sea. Nothing but moss grows on this island, and that is far from adequate sustenance."
(9:05:48 AM) thuryl: "Food was far easier to come by when we could simply collect whatever swam past the city."
(9:05:56 AM) Meredith: "If you'll forgive me, seeing all this happening, talking to the farmers, the builders... paints a better picture than words, however eloquently put."
(9:06:47 AM) thuryl: "Hmm. Well, you have already seen the limestone quarry to the west where we have attempted to gather new building materials suitable for use on the surface."
(9:07:53 AM) thuryl: "There should be a team returning from the coast with food in an hour or two. They fish at night: our fish-men are nearly blind anyway, and the fish are easier to catch then."
(9:08:34 AM) Lephista: "Are there any noteworthy buildings in your city, other than this one that we're in? And the temple, I mean."
(9:09:03 AM) thuryl: "When the fishermen return, they'll drop off the food in a warehouse we've made for the purpose. You'll recognise it: it's the shortest and widest spire. Try not to take up too much of their time: they need their rest."
(9:10:37 AM) thuryl: "Hmm. Well, this building is the seat of our government, such as it is. The inner circle of spires around it is mostly inhabited by artisans and craftsmen. The outer circle is where the ordinary labourers live, for the most part. I'm not sure what you'd consider noteworthy, but you won't find much out there, I shouldn't think."
(9:12:19 AM) Lephista: "Well, I guess we'll find what we're after by looking around."
(9:12:40 AM) Jack: "What about the temple itself? I'd like to visit it in person before our grand expedition."
(9:12:46 AM) Jarrox: I hover by the door impatiently. "Talk, talk, talk, what is wrong with you people?"
(9:13:03 AM) thuryl: "Very well. Don't take too long. Oh, and stay away from the building made of black coral. It's our prison. It's not designed for visitors."
(9:13:41 AM) thuryl: "The temple is underground. It's... not exactly easy to get there, I'm afraid. And possibly not entirely safe."
(9:14:22 AM) Jack: "To be fair, it wasn't entirely safe getting here either."
(9:14:59 AM) thuryl: "Oh, the ladder? Yes, we're currently working on a more permanent solution. But with your help, we won't need it."
(9:16:01 AM) Jack: "Actually, I wasn't referring to the ladder. But yes, that is rather rickety..."
(9:16:34 AM) Lephista: "Oh, I almost forgot. You mentioned you'd detained another group of pilgrims. Would it be possible to see them before we go? They might have useful supplies or information."
(9:16:45 AM) thuryl: He frowns -- or you think he frowns, anyway. "What were you referring to?"
(9:17:05 AM) Jack: "I got accosted by brigands before I even got on the island."
(9:17:07 AM) Jack: I frown.
(9:17:18 AM) thuryl: "Brigands? There should be no brigands on this island..."
(9:17:28 AM) thuryl: "Why would they be around here?"
(9:17:34 AM) thuryl: "There is nothing to steal any more."
(9:17:43 AM) Jack: "No, they weren't on this island, they were- nevermind, it's irrelevant."
(9:18:03 AM) thuryl: He looks at Lephista. "The pilgrims? We have detained them for now. They are in our prison awaiting further questioning. It would be best if you did not see them. They could be dangerous."
(9:18:21 AM) Lephista: "Pilgrims. Dangerous."
(9:18:31 AM) thuryl: "Their leader was a mage."
(9:18:53 AM) Jack: "'Was' a mage?"
(9:19:08 AM) Lephista: "If he forgot his magic, he's probably harmless."
(9:19:14 AM) thuryl: "Well, he was when we detained him, and as far as I know he still is."
(9:19:34 AM) Phulax: "But if we explain to them the situation, we might be able to calm nerves all around. It might help for us to visit them."
(9:19:48 AM) thuryl: "They were armed, as well. Crudely, but... well, better than anyone in this city besides the lacewings."
(9:19:58 AM) Lephista: "With respect, your majesty, we're dangerous. It's sort of why you took us on."
(9:20:20 AM) thuryl: "True. But I don't want you starting a riot. There are other prisoners in there as well, from our own people."
(9:20:51 AM) Phulax: "It seems unfair to leave the pilgrims locked up over a simple misunderstanding that we might be able to correct."
(9:20:57 AM) Lephista: "If you intend to hold them until we reach the temple, one of us will have to wish them to safety. We need to arrange this in advance, or a tragic mistake might occur."
(9:21:41 AM) thuryl: "Why are these pilgrims so important to you?"
(9:21:42 AM) Phulax: "Your supplies are limited anyway. If we talk to them, and they are free to depart, they will no longer be a drain on your resources, both in terms of food and guards."
(9:22:11 AM) Lephista: "Everyone is important to me. If I were a selfish person, I would not be helping you."
(9:23:38 AM) Dyen: (Howdy)
(9:23:39 AM) Jack: (Hiya Nalyd)
(9:23:42 AM) Lephista: (Hiya.)
(9:24:03 AM) Phulax: I came to this island to see if I could help people. Imprisoned pilgrims who've done nothing wrong deserve help as much as the struggling residents of this island. That is all."
(9:25:23 AM) thuryl: He frowns. "Hmm. So you have no personal relation to these pilgrims?"
(9:25:46 AM) thuryl: As you're talking, Dyen walks into the chamber. King Zellak acknowledges him with a nod.
(9:25:55 AM) Phulax: "No, sir."
(9:26:02 AM) Lephista: "Morning, Dyen. No, sir, we do not."
(9:26:29 AM) Phulax: I turn. "Greetings, Dyen."
(9:26:49 AM) Jack: I nod slightly at Dyen.
(9:27:01 AM) thuryl: "So you want me to let you into the city's prison, filled with its most dangerous inhabitants, to save a group of travellers you don't even know. Is that a fair summary?"
(9:27:10 AM) thuryl: (Everyone trying to persuade the king, roll Composure.)
(9:27:18 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 2
(9:27:20 AM) Phulax: ...
(9:27:21 AM) Lephista: Lephista rolled 1 20-sided die: 18
(9:27:28 AM) Dyen: Dyen rolled 1 20-sided die: 2
(9:27:39 AM) Phulax: "It sounds like all the more reason to save the pilgrims, Majesty."
(9:27:41 AM) Lephista: ("Shut up, you idiots!" :P)
(9:27:55 AM) Dyen: (Woo! Low-roller buddies, Triumph. :P )
(9:28:03 AM) thuryl: He looks you all over suspiciously. "You're hiding something from me. I didn't survive for six hundred years as this city's king without being able to read people."
(9:28:42 AM) Jack: I sigh.
(9:28:58 AM) Lephista: "Are you calling me a liar?"
(9:29:19 AM) thuryl: "No. But I'm not convinced that I'm being told the whole truth, either."
(9:29:28 AM) Jarrox: I take another swig from my aleskin and sigh loudly.
(9:29:51 AM) thuryl: Jarrox is now somewhat drunk.
(9:30:11 AM) Dyen: (Anyone mind if I go and tell the truth?)
(9:30:16 AM) Meredith: "Lephista, enough. Your Majesty, I work for a library, back on another island. I will not bore you with it's history - you predate it by far. One of the pilgrims once worked there. I wish to speak to him. I have asked the others not to say this because we parted on... sore terms."
(9:30:23 AM) Meredith: Meredith rolled 1 20-sided die: 1
(9:30:33 AM) Meredith: (lol)
(9:30:43 AM) Lephista: (Please, no truth. We're in deep enough already. :P)
(9:30:54 AM) thuryl: "Do you take me for a fool? Your voice wavers like a scared child."
(9:31:01 AM) Jack: "oh for..."
(9:31:23 AM) Jack: "What the peanut gallery over here isn't telling you is that we had a little visit last night."
(9:31:42 AM) Jack: "Wasn't a pleasant one, either."
(9:33:30 AM) Jack: "The kind that says, 'sorry to disturb you, but we want to kill you.'"
(9:33:34 AM) Dyen: "A citizen of your fair city told us some troubling things, and we merely wish to affirm our natural suspicions about mysterious midnight visitors with unbelievable claims."
(9:33:50 AM) Jack: I pause.
(9:33:56 AM) Jack: "As in, they wanted to kill us."
(9:34:05 AM) Lephista: "Yes. That was a troubling thing."
(9:34:07 AM) thuryl: "Well, make up your minds. Did this 'citizen' talk to you or attack you?"
(9:34:14 AM) Dyen: "Both."
(9:34:25 AM) thuryl: "And who was this confused citizen?"
(9:34:49 AM) Phulax: "I'm confused now...what about the pilgrims?" I murmur.
(9:35:15 AM) Lephista: (Jesus, people. Keep our story straight!)
(9:36:13 AM) Jack: "I dunno... Serkis, Selos, Samson... something."
(9:36:29 AM) thuryl: He frowns. "Skrass? Was his name Skrass?"
(9:36:36 AM) Lephista: "No, definitely not Skrass."
(9:36:39 AM) Meredith: (haha)
(9:36:41 AM) Jack: "Yeah, Skrass, that was it."
(9:36:42 AM) Phulax: ...
(9:36:49 AM) thuryl: "Well, was it or wasn't it?"
(9:37:01 AM) Lephista: "My associate is mistaken. It didn't have a K in it."
(9:37:09 AM) thuryl: ...
(9:37:13 AM) Jack: (...)
(9:37:14 AM) Lephista: Lephista rolled 1 20-sided die: 17
(9:37:57 AM) thuryl: Zellak seems confused. "Are you sure? I can't imagine who else would want to stop your mission..."
(9:37:58 AM) Jack: "Whatever. Look, I don't care one whit about politics and whatnot. I came here to investigate the temple, and that's what I fully intend to do."
(9:38:27 AM) Lephista: "Yes. We have told you what we were keeping back. Our cards are all out."
(9:38:40 AM) Lephista: "Now, will you do the same? May we see your prisoners?"
(9:39:15 AM) thuryl: "If you must. As I said, they are in the black spire. Please try not to start a riot."
(9:39:36 AM) Lephista: "Thank you. I am glad we are able to trust one another."
(9:39:42 AM) thuryl: "And be careful. If somebody in this city is trying to kill you, then I'm sure I don't need to tell you that you are in danger."
(9:40:09 AM) Jack: I eye Lephista with disbelief.
(9:40:34 AM) Lephista: "We know it." I bow. "See you tomorrow, your majesty."
(9:40:54 AM) thuryl: "Come back as soon as you can."
(9:41:05 AM) Phulax: I nod to the king and turn to leave.
(9:41:18 AM) Meredith: I bow and leave.
(9:41:26 AM) Jack: I nod and leave.
(9:41:36 AM) Jarrox: "Finally!" I waddle towards the ladder as fast as I can.
(9:41:45 AM) thuryl: Okay. You're back at the top of the non-OSHA-compliant ladder.
(9:42:01 AM) Meredith: "Good effort team."
(9:42:09 AM) Meredith: I climb down the ladder.
(9:42:10 AM) Meredith: Meredith rolled 1 20-sided die: 18
(9:42:11 AM) Jarrox: I climb down.
(9:42:15 AM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 12
(9:42:19 AM) Jack: "Yeah, we really knocked that one out of the park."
(9:42:24 AM) Dyen: Dyen rolled 1 20-sided die: 11
(9:42:24 AM) Jack: I climb down.
(9:42:27 AM) Jack: Jack rolled 1 20-sided die: 9
(9:43:02 AM) thuryl: Jack, Dyen, Jarrox and Meredith all make it down safely.
(9:43:07 AM) Phulax: I teleport down in a series of small hops, ledge to ledge.
(9:43:09 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 8
(9:43:22 AM) thuryl: Phulax also makes it down without a problem.
(9:43:28 AM) thuryl: (Rolling on Lephista's behalf:)
(9:43:34 AM) thuryl: thuryl rolled 1 20-sided die: 3
(9:43:49 AM) Jack: "So, have we learned our lesson on lying to 600-year-old kings yet?"
(9:43:50 AM) Meredith: "Well it would help if we didn't contradict one another in front of the possible-tryantking, eh Jack?"
(9:43:57 AM) thuryl: I hate when I have to do this. Lephista cuts herself on the way down for 1 damage.
(9:44:43 AM) Jack: "He was already on to you after you lot finished the spiel. Someone had to keep you from digging yourselves any deeper."
(9:45:55 AM) Meredith: "I only tried that because you and Phulux fouled up."
(9:46:19 AM) Jack: "Excuse me?"
(9:46:55 AM) Meredith: "You heard."
(9:47:12 AM) Meredith: "Now. Where exactly is this prison?"
(9:47:22 AM) Phulax: I shake my head. "We hadn't won him over, but hadn't lied to him either. It's done, and can't be helped. For now, let us explore the city." I exit the palace-spire.
(9:47:35 AM) Phulax: I look about for signs of a black coral spire.
(9:47:38 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 14
(9:47:44 AM) Jarrox: I look around for the tavern.
(9:48:05 AM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 6
(9:48:40 AM) thuryl: The prison isn't hard to find. It's a largish, low building, some distance to the southwest of the central spire.
(9:49:25 AM) thuryl: The tavern is conveniently located not far to the east of the prison. There's a spiny red starfish shell wedged into the coral above the entrance.
(9:49:44 AM) Jack: "...That is one hell of a memory you got on you, Meredith. How you came to be a scholar..." I shake my head.
(9:50:05 AM) Phulax: I walk toward the prison, looking around as I do for anything interesting to observe in the city...particularly signs of discontent. (need another roll?)
(9:50:20 AM) thuryl: (If you're looking for stuff that you wouldn't just see by casual inspection, yes.)
(9:51:00 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 10
(9:51:03 AM) Meredith: "I beg your pardon if all your stupidity sort of blurs into a mass of intolerable ignorance."
(9:52:30 AM) Jack: I open my mouth to respond, then simply turn away, muttering, "Never argue with fools..."
(9:52:31 AM) Phulax: I frown as I look about, and approach the prison.
(9:53:00 AM) Jarrox: I poke Phulax. "Hey, I just realized you still have my axe. Give it back now."
(9:54:10 AM) Phulax: I step back from Jarrox. "Do you promise not to hit anyone with it?" I also look to Lephista for input.
(9:54:27 AM) thuryl: The prison is made entirely of black coral; it seems to have held up a bit better than most of the buildings. There are relatively few holes drilled into the sides to let light in: there's enough light to see inside, but little enough that it's dark and forbidding in there.
(9:54:31 AM) Lephista: "Jarrox, if you're going to visit the tavern, you can't take your axe."
(9:55:03 AM) Jarrox: "Don't be ridiculous. What if I meet some punk lobster or something and need to teach him a lesson?"
(9:55:07 AM) Dyen: "For all this ramshackle construction, they certainly have enough materials for theme coloring. "
(9:55:24 AM) Phulax: I give Dyen a funny look.
(9:55:48 AM) Phulax: "Theme coloring?"
(9:55:52 AM) Lephista: I speak very slowly and calmly. "They probably have a no-weapons rule. Look, I'll give Phulax my axe too, and we'll go together. How's that?"
(9:56:28 AM) Dyen: ("The prison is made entirely of black coral")
(9:56:33 AM) thuryl: Two lacewings stand at the entrance to the prison, eyeing you with suspicion as you approach.
(9:57:10 AM) thuryl: And by lacewings I of course mean the horrible lobster-lacewings you've met so far.
(9:57:26 AM) Jarrox: "All right, fine. But only if I can use you as a weapon when things go bad."
(9:57:41 AM) Phulax: I nod politely to the guards. "Good morning, sirs. The king has given us permission to visit the foreign pilgrims imprisoned here."
(9:57:43 AM) Jarrox: I waddle towards the tavern.
(9:58:15 AM) thuryl: The lobsters hiss at each other in something that almost sounds like Common for a few seconds before stepping aside.
(9:58:23 AM) Lephista: I sigh. "I have earned this drink so hard." I hand Phulax my axe, and follow Jarrox.
(9:58:53 AM) Jack: I watch Jarrox and Lephista depart for the tavern.
(9:58:56 AM) Jack: "Hey, wait up!"
(9:59:01 AM) Jack: I follow after them.
(9:59:39 AM) Meredith: I shrug and head into the prison.
(9:59:53 AM) Dyen: I go with Meredith.
(10:00:17 AM) thuryl: You jerks are going to split the party on me, aren't you. :P
(10:00:20 AM) thuryl: Okay. :P

*** FOR PRISON PARTY REFER TO SIDE SESSION #1 AT END OF LOG ***

(10:02:37 AM) Lephista: "What is it, Jack?"
(10:02:39 AM) thuryl: Jack, Lephista and Jarrox arrive at the entrance to the tavern. Inside, a clientele consisting mostly of mer-elves and a handful of dragonborn chew on wads of seaweed in various colours. A couple of lobster bouncers stand near the entrance.
(10:03:09 AM) Jack: "If I'm going to die, I want to do it blitzed out of my mind."
(10:03:10 AM) thuryl: A mer-elf stands (or, uh, does something approximating standing) behind the bar.
(10:03:28 AM) Jarrox: I approach the bartender. "I want whatever's good."
(10:03:43 AM) Lephista: I tie up Balbus outside, and turn to Jack. "Well, don't do anything stupid."
(10:04:00 AM) Lephista: Then I follow Jarrox inside.
(10:04:05 AM) Jack: "Why not? Everyone else seems to be getting by on it..."
(10:04:09 AM) Jack: I head inside.
(10:04:55 AM) Lephista: "What are you trying to say?" I frown.
(10:05:26 AM) thuryl: The elf scratches his head in puzzlement for a moment. "Well, I don't know if it'll be good for you, but..." He hands Jarrox a wad of bright red seaweed with a thin, lacy texture. "You've got money, right?"
(10:05:48 AM) Jack: "Nothing personal, you actually seem to be intelligent to at least some degree. But the others... and especially Meredith..."
(10:05:53 AM) Jarrox: "Yeah, sure. Will this do?"
(10:06:06 AM) Jarrox: I hand the barkeeper the corroded coin I found yesterday.
(10:06:39 AM) Lephista: "Eh, she's better than Dyen."
(10:06:49 AM) Jack: I address the barkeep. "I'll take whatever is strongest. Preferably something to take away the pain of being caught in a hurricane of stupidity."
(10:07:00 AM) thuryl: He looks at the coin disdainfully. "I guess it's still legal tender."
(10:07:05 AM) Lephista: I whisper. "They don't know what a hurricane is."
(10:07:44 AM) Jack: "Er, vortex of stupidity, then."
(10:08:24 AM) Jarrox: I stare at the seaweed for a moment before stuffing it into my mouth and begin chewing.
(10:08:28 AM) thuryl: The bartender hands Jack a small wad of bright yellow, rubbery seaweed.
(10:08:32 AM) thuryl: "Careful with that, it's strong."
(10:08:48 AM) Jack: "Good." I hand over 5 gold coins.
(10:08:50 AM) Lephista: I watch Jarrox carefully.
(10:09:10 AM) Jack: Then I pop the seaweed in my mouth and start chewing.
(10:09:32 AM) Lephista: "I don't suppose holy women chew free?" I hold out the symbol of Mariona around my neck.
(10:09:38 AM) Jarrox: "Ah, that's better."
(10:10:36 AM) thuryl: He looks at it. "I don't suppose they do."
(10:10:56 AM) Jack: "I mean, I don't even get why they're here. What do they want, a stupid medal or something?"
(10:11:02 AM) Jack: I sway slightly.
(10:11:03 AM) thuryl: He looks at Jack. "But your friend here has bought you more than enough to render yourselves unconscious, at any rate."
(10:11:30 AM) Jarrox: "Ooh, give me some! Maybe it tastes better than that other stuff!"
(10:12:01 AM) Lephista: "Oh, gods. Jack, give me some of yours, will you?"
(10:12:39 AM) Jack: "...okay."
(10:12:51 AM) Jack: I hand over some of my seaweed.
(10:13:01 AM) Lephista: I put it in my mouth and chew slowly.
(10:13:46 AM) Jack: "I mean... what's the point in all this? So some... paranoid... turtle... things can take over or some BS?"
(10:14:06 AM) Jack: "I don't get it. Why would you... try to squander the knowledge... in... whoa."
(10:14:16 AM) Lephista: ". . . what?"
(10:14:17 AM) Jack: "This is good stuff."
(10:14:38 AM) Jack: I chew some more of the seaweed stuff.
(10:14:44 AM) Jarrox: I hold out my hand impatiently. "We're here for knowledge and turtle soup, yes, yes, now give me some!"
(10:15:04 AM) Jack: Then I pass a little more to Jarrox.
(10:15:12 AM) Jack: "Maybe Jarrox has the right idea here..."
(10:15:18 AM) Jack: "This isn't so bad, actually..."
(10:15:55 AM) Jarrox: I sway slightly. "I know, right?"
(10:15:57 AM) Lephista: "Yeah, but did he earn it? No, he didn't, the drunken bastard."
(10:16:48 AM) Jarrox: "Hey, at least my ideas don't involve lying to the king."
(10:16:52 AM) Jack: "Yea... We earned... it..."
(10:17:28 AM) Lephista: "Yeah, when you want to make soup, you tell everybody! You gods-damned saint!"
(10:18:19 AM) Jarrox: "Hey, what are you talking about over there?" I yell as I wander over to a group of elves who are talking and pointing at us.
(10:18:34 AM) Lephista: "Soup, soup, soup, soup, soup!" I stand up mimic Jarrox's waddling. "Soup!"
(10:19:02 AM) Jack: "...What is my life coming to? Three days ago, I'm a... a respected scholar with a close bodyguard friend and now... I'm going to be impaled on a lobster!"
(10:19:14 AM) Jack: I collapse my face into my arms and sob for a moment.
(10:19:51 AM) Lephista: I ignore Jack and watch Jarrox warily.
(10:20:01 AM) thuryl: The elves turn to face Jarrox. "What's your problem? Strangers walking around in this city means trouble. Everything's been trouble since this city rose. You should just get out of here and forget you saw us."
(10:20:38 AM) Jack: "...ah, but no one cares. No one cares about little ol' Jack."
(10:20:48 AM) Jack: I munch on a little more of the seaweed.
(10:21:01 AM) Jarrox: I scratch my head and try to think.
(10:21:53 AM) Jarrox: "What good would that do?"
(10:22:58 AM) Lephista: I walk up behind Jarrox and watch his conversation.
(10:23:07 AM) thuryl: "Strangers mean armies. Armies mean war. Conquest. If strangers find this city, nobody's safe."
(10:23:44 AM) thuryl: "Look at us. Look at us! Do you think we can raise an army? When do you think was the last time a trained blacksmith lived in this city?"
(10:23:52 AM) Jack: "Armies?!?" I bark out a drunken laugh.
(10:24:23 AM) Jarrox: "Okay. If I see any strangers, I'll be sure to... to..." I look around for my axe. "...punch them. Really hard. Yeah."
(10:24:34 AM) Jack: "Like there's any armies left on this pathetic world! Everyone's to busy getting themselves killed and hiding in hidey places..."
(10:24:34 AM) Lephista: I hide Jarrox's axe behind my back.
(10:24:42 AM) Jack: "What do you call hidey places?"
(10:24:49 AM) Jack: "Hidings?"
(10:24:52 AM) Jack: "Hiders?"
(10:26:07 AM) Lephista: "Hidey-holes!"
(10:26:23 AM) Jack: "Ah! A wise man for a desolate time...!"
(10:26:42 AM) Jack: I point vaguely in Lephista's direction.
(10:26:43 AM) thuryl: "Well, point is, now that we've surfaced we're all dead. Look at me. I don't even have legs."
(10:27:15 AM) Lephista: "Hey, I knew a guy with no legs once! Fixed him right up! Now he climbs mountains!"
(10:28:13 AM) Jarrox: "Hey, I've got to ask. How do your kind manage ladders? I know it's hard enough for me, but..." I sway a bit.
(10:30:38 AM) thuryl: "With great difficulty, unless someone wants to take the trouble to winch us up. The ones working on the upper levels of the spires have to have food delivered to them."
(10:30:42 AM) thuryl: "What's it to you, anyway?"
(10:31:23 AM) Lephista: "We and ladders, we, uh, it's not good either."
(10:32:37 AM) Jarrox: I try to tap the side of my nose. "I'm supposed to be gathering... uh... information, yeah, that's what it is. Ow, my eye."
(10:32:59 AM) thuryl: "Yeah. They're going to build a spiral staircase up the centre of each spire, I hear. But that'll take time, and it'll still be hard for us. What with the legs. Or lack thereof."
(10:33:29 AM) Jack: "Gather... information... Yeah, like we could gather information at a tavern. Hah."
(10:33:36 AM) thuryl: "Anyway, most of the fish are too busy getting food or shoring up the spires so they don't collapse."
(10:34:06 AM) Lephista: "Hey! Taverns are dripping with information! Everybody knows that!"
(10:34:34 AM) Jarrox: "So, like, what do you want? I mean, would you rather be back underwater or live on land and have legs and stuff?"
(10:34:41 AM) Jack: "Oh? Yeah? Really?"
(10:34:51 AM) Lephista: "Really!"
(10:35:02 AM) Jack: I stagger slightly.
(10:35:34 AM) Jack: "Fine. I'll show you. OI! WHO HERE KNOWS USEFUL STUFF ABOUT THE TEMPLE OF... THE TEMPLE!"
(10:36:18 AM) Jarrox: "'Cause you can do lots of cool stuff with legs, you know. Like... like..." I stop to think again.
(10:36:31 AM) thuryl: All eyes are drawn to Jack. A turtle near the bar is the first to speak up. "The temple? Is that what you're here for?"
(10:37:04 AM) Lephista: I stop talking and stare at Jack, mouth open.
(10:37:08 AM) Jack: "Ya heard me. The temple."
(10:37:31 AM) Jarrox: "Yeah! The temple!"
(10:38:09 AM) Lephista: "With legs!"
(10:38:29 AM) Jack: (This is awesome. :P )
(10:38:32 AM) thuryl: "That place is cursed. What do you want with it?"
(10:39:21 AM) Jarrox: "Can't tell you. It's a... a... a... secret."
(10:39:26 AM) Jack: "To study... docooment its stuffs... and stuff."
(10:39:46 AM) Lephista: I try my best to concentrate. "It depends. It. . . what my friend said." I put my arm around Jarrox, and keep speaking to the turtle. "What do you want with it?"
(10:39:51 AM) Jack: "Maybe find out how it hics. Er... ticks."
(10:40:40 AM) Jack: "Tick... ticking..."
(10:42:06 AM) Lephista: "I mean, if you had a wish, what would you wish for?"
(10:42:43 AM) thuryl: "Ha! Don't you even know how we got this way?"
(10:43:16 AM) Jack: "King made a wish or sumpin... dinne?"
(10:43:32 AM) thuryl: "Our beloved King Zellak saved us all, centuries ago. He tells the young ones that this is the way it's always been, that we were never any different. But I remember. I remember."
(10:44:01 AM) Lephista: "So you'd wish to be changed back? Into, uh. . ." I gesture to myself to indicate "dragonborn."
(10:44:10 AM) thuryl: "I've lived long enough. If he wants to silence me..." The turtle spits on the floor; his spittle is stained red with seaweed.
(10:44:31 AM) Jack: "Then speak, good turtle, speak!"
(10:44:32 AM) thuryl: "I don't know. Most people think we wouldn't survive being changed back. But I don't care any more."
(10:45:19 AM) Lephista: ". . . why not?"
(10:45:40 AM) Lephista: "I mean, Mariona says. . . " I trail off.
(10:46:32 AM) thuryl: "The turtles, I mean. Those of us who've been around since before the change. We've lived longer than even a dragonborn should."
(10:47:04 AM) Lephista: "Oh, that."
(10:47:09 AM) thuryl: "Those of us who haven't died of unnatural causes, anyway."
(10:48:00 AM) thuryl: "Zellak doesn't like people talking about the times before the change. People talk too much, eventually he finds a way to shut them up. If you catch my drift."
(10:48:42 AM) Jarrox: "So why hasn't anyone, you know, done something?"
(10:49:11 AM) Lephista: "Yeah!" I reach for my axe, remember it's gone, and pat Jarrox's instead. "But that would be wrong!"
(10:49:56 AM) Jack: "Politics." I spit.
(10:50:22 AM) Jarrox: "Is that what he calls his elite bodyguards?"
(10:50:49 AM) Jack: "Thrice-damned politics... always draggin' little guys down..."
(10:51:34 AM) Jack: "But what could Zel-ack not want peoples to know?"
(10:52:11 AM) thuryl: "Why would anyone do anything? Most of the turtles are happy enough to live as Zellak's toadies. After all, as long as they don't make trouble, they can keep living that way for who knows how long. None of us have died of old age so far."
(10:52:36 AM) thuryl: "And as for everyone else... well, they've never known a time when things were different."
(10:53:22 AM) thuryl: "The caste system is natural to them. Hell, we've been living under it long enough now that it's just about natural to us."
(10:53:51 AM) Lephista: I stand up very straight. "But is it right?" Then I stumble.
(10:55:20 AM) Jarrox: If Lephista still has her arm around my shoulder, I stumble too.
(10:56:30 AM) Jack: "Who's to decide right or wrong...?"
(10:56:37 AM) Jack: "Us?"
(10:56:41 AM) Jack: "Them?"
(10:56:57 AM) Jarrox: "We're the ones going to the temple, aren't we?"
(10:57:14 AM) Jarrox: "If our turtle friend wanted to change things, he could go himself."
(10:57:55 AM) Lephista: "Yeah, but he's all alone. And somebody," glaring at Jack, "ratted him out to Zelly, so he's probably dead already!"
(10:58:20 AM) Jack: "Bah."
(10:58:21 AM) thuryl: "You're still going to the temple? You'll pay, you know. Everyone pays."
(10:58:29 AM) thuryl: "Why do you think they sealed it?"
(10:58:31 AM) Jack: "How will we pay?"
(10:58:38 AM) Jack: "Silvers?"
(10:58:38 AM) Jarrox: "He's still sitting here. Doesn't look very dead to me."
(10:58:44 AM) Jack: "There's not a height limit, is there?"
(10:58:59 AM) Lephista: "But he- oh, this turtle friend."
(10:59:01 AM) thuryl: "I don't know. It's different for everyone. But look what happened to us when Zellak tried to save our lives."
(10:59:34 AM) thuryl: "Sometimes I wonder... if he was the one who made the wish, why is it everyone else who's paying the price?"
(10:59:41 AM) thuryl: He spits again.
(10:59:44 AM) Jarrox: "Yeah, you got to live forever. Sounds like a good deal to me."
(10:59:52 AM) thuryl: "Maybe."
(11:00:01 AM) Lephista: I stare at the ground for a moment. "Maybe you all wished for it! Ha!"
(11:00:12 AM) Jack: "Why would they wish for this?"
(11:00:27 AM) Jack: "Why... why would they wish to sink... an island?"
(11:00:51 AM) Lephista: "No, you see, they all wished to survive, like King Za- Zeh- like the king! He was in the temple, but they all made the wish!"
(11:01:23 AM) Jack: "Bu-but wouldn't a simpler route be to simply stabalize the island?"
(11:01:29 AM) Jack: "Why sink the whole thing?"
(11:01:35 AM) thuryl: Dyen, Meredith and Phulax walk into the tavern. Everyone back into the main chat.

*** SIDE SESSION #1 ENDS HERE, PARTY REUNITES ***

(11:01:46 AM) Jack: "...Oh no!"
(11:01:52 AM) Jack: "The idiots are back!"
(11:01:56 AM) Jarrox: "Wha?"
(11:01:56 AM) Phulax: I quietly make my way to their table.
(11:01:56 AM) Jack: "Quick, hide!"
(11:02:04 AM) Jack: I hide behind the bar.
(11:02:06 AM) Jarrox: "I want my axe back now!"
(11:02:09 AM) Lephista: I lean forward, steadying myself on Jarrox. "No, you see, they all wished, but. . . gah, it's so frustrating!"
(11:02:10 AM) Meredith: "Oh, now they're drunk AND stupid. Brilliant."
(11:02:36 AM) Phulax: I turn to Meredith. "What was that you were saying about Jack again? You may have been right." I whisper, then wink.
(11:02:41 AM) thuryl: The turtle sighs. "I don't know why the island sank. I don't know why it rose again. Nobody does. All we know is that Zellak took the credit for 'saving' us all."
(11:02:55 AM) Lephista: "Oh, hi guys. We missed you. I know I said a lot of things, but I think you're all really great."
(11:02:55 AM) Jarrox: "We hafta... hafta... revolt!"
(11:03:26 AM) Lephista: "How was, uh, your thing?"
(11:03:42 AM) thuryl: "You're all fools. If you weren't, you wouldn't be heading for the temple in the first place."
(11:03:51 AM) Phulax: "The pilgrims and the historian and her posse are fine. We promised to ask the king to release them to go back to the ship to wait."
(11:03:59 AM) Lephista: I turn, slowly, and stare at the turtle. "What did you call me?"
(11:04:01 AM) thuryl: "There's nothing you can do to make things better. Just leave. Go back to wherever you came from."
(11:04:27 AM) Meredith: I watch, amused.
(11:04:29 AM) Phulax: I look to the turtle. "Does that mean you like things the way the are right now?"
(11:04:46 AM) Jack: "Who said anything 'bout making better?" I squeak from behind the bar.
(11:04:50 AM) thuryl: He looks at Lephista and spits on the floor in front of her feet. "You're a fool. You're all fools. If you try to fix this city, you'll just find a way to make it even worse."
(11:05:08 AM) Jack: "I just want to observe! Record! Not! Die!"
(11:05:08 AM) thuryl: "I know what Zellak wants from you. He's a fool, too, and I don't care who hears it."
(11:05:16 AM) Jarrox: "Nonono, see he... he wants... to... to... well, die."
(11:05:27 AM) Meredith: "What does he want? Sorry, I'm Meredith."
(11:05:28 AM) Lephista: I walk up to the turtle, and speak right into its face. "Maybe you meant to use another word."
(11:05:33 AM) Meredith: I move to the turtle.
(11:05:58 AM) Phulax: "Why do you think he is a fool? What do you think he wants?" I speak is calm, quiet tone to the turtle.
(11:06:04 AM) thuryl: The turtle lays a big, meaty flipper on Lephista's shoulder with some force. "I think I meant what I said."
(11:06:36 AM) Phulax: I push Lephista and the turtle apart. "Peace, friends. We've no reason to quarrel."
(11:06:37 AM) Lephista: I push it off, and shove him backward with both hands.
(11:07:10 AM) Jack: "Quarrel?"
(11:07:10 AM) thuryl: Roll for the shove.
(11:07:14 AM) Lephista: Lephista rolled 1 20-sided die: 10
(11:07:19 AM) Phulax: ...
(11:07:23 AM) Jack: I peek up from behind the bar. "No one mentioned crossbows before!"
(11:08:00 AM) thuryl: Lephista manages to push the turtle back a step, although he's big and sturdy enough that she has to take a step back herself to brace herself while doing it.
(11:08:11 AM) thuryl: Seeing a fight about to break out, one of the lobster bouncers starts making loud screeching noises, while the other runs to interpose itself between Lephista and the turtle.
(11:08:26 AM) Phulax: I nod in thanks to the lobsters.
(11:08:49 AM) Jarrox: I screech back and run at the lobster.
(11:08:54 AM) Jack: "...my ears!"
(11:09:08 AM) thuryl: Jarrox, are you attacking it?
(11:09:24 AM) Meredith: "Jarrox! Enough!"
(11:09:25 AM) Lephista: I drop Jarrox's axe and struggle with the lobster. "This is between me and him!"
(11:09:41 AM) thuryl: If you are, roll it.
(11:09:52 AM) Phulax: I grab Jarrox' axe from the ground.
(11:10:19 AM) Lephista: I try to push the lobster aside and hit the turtle.
(11:10:19 AM) Lephista: Lephista rolled 1 20-sided die: 2
(11:10:49 AM) thuryl: Lephista stumbles around drunkenly, achieving nothing.
(11:10:49 AM) Jack: "Hey, that's not right!"
(11:10:50 AM) Phulax: I cast teleport on Lephista, trying to transport her back to the house where we spent the night.
(11:10:56 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 18
(9:10:30 PM) Jack: "...Or. Is it?"
(9:10:37 PM) Jarrox: When I realize I don't have my axe, I pull up short.
(9:10:47 PM) thuryl: Lephista disappears. You can't tell exactly where she's gone.
(9:11:06 PM) Phulax: "Meredith, Dyen, let's help Jarrox and Jack back to the hut."
(9:11:13 PM) Meredith: "You know, maybe you aren't a useless show-off."
(9:11:30 PM) Meredith: I speak to the turtle. "What did you mean about what the King wants?"
(9:11:42 PM) Phulax: I try to guide Jarrox out of the tavern, keeping him from getting the two axes.
(9:11:54 PM) Jack: "...Hey! Who stole Lephista!"
(9:12:12 PM) Jarrox: "We can tell you later. We... we got... information."
(9:12:14 PM) Phulax: "She went home to the hut to rest. Come along, Jack."
(9:12:27 PM) thuryl: You hear Lephista's voice calling "Look out, guys!" from somewhere behind the back wall of the tavern.
(9:12:36 PM) Phulax: "Yes, Jarrox, let's go, so you can tell us."
(9:12:41 PM) Jack: "But... this is my happy place... my moron free zone..."
(11:18:03 AM) thuryl: As you all stand around arguing, lobsters pour into the tavern. There are at least ten of them and they don't seem like they're in a mood to talk.
(11:18:26 AM) Lephista: I hide outside.
(11:18:27 AM) Phulax: (I assume I failed to drag Jarrox outside?)
(11:18:42 AM) Jack: "Ooh, Lobster brigade..."
(11:18:47 AM) thuryl: The lobster who was screeching before hisses something to the others, and they move to surround your group.
(11:19:08 AM) thuryl: (Phulax: Yeah, on account of all the lobsters coming in.)
(11:19:29 AM) Meredith: I raise my hands.
(11:19:33 AM) Jarrox: "I need my axe! Now!"
(11:19:35 AM) Dyen: I kneel.
(11:19:44 AM) Meredith: "I'm completely sober, and not an idiot. You want those two."
(11:20:11 AM) Meredith: I point at Jack and Jarrox.
(11:20:27 AM) Jack: "...but why would they want us?"
(11:20:34 AM) thuryl: The lobsters snap their claws threateningly in the direction of everyone who hasn't made a gesture of surrender. The turtle you were picking a fight with gives you all a dirty look before raising its flippers.
(11:20:56 AM) Meredith: "Because we don't."
(11:20:56 AM) Phulax: "No, Jarrox, I say wearily, we're not here to fight, so you don't an axe. Just think happy thoughts instead."
(11:21:36 AM) Jarrox: "My happy thoughts all involve me with my axe!"
(11:21:36 AM) thuryl: "Well, great. Now look what you've done. I'm getting kicked out of the tavern because of you."
(11:21:36 AM) Phulax: I keep the axes away from Jarrox, and hold my hands out peacefully toward the lobsters.
(11:22:06 AM) Jack: "Hey! I just hid from the idiots! I didn't do anything wrong!"
(11:22:08 AM) Jack: "...in recent history!"
(11:22:30 AM) Phulax: I look to the turtle. "I'm sorry sir, that we didn't get here sooner to remove our companions. Can I compensate you in any way?"
(11:22:47 AM) thuryl: "Just don't let me see you around here again."
(11:22:49 AM) Jarrox: "Fine. I'll do it the hard way." I bash at the lobster claws that are nearest to me with my shield.
(11:23:00 AM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 18
(11:23:03 AM) Phulax: ...
(11:23:21 AM) Phulax: I try to tackle Jarrox to the ground.
(11:23:25 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 15
(11:25:05 AM) thuryl: Jarrox whacks a lobster right in its claws, nearly snapping one of them off. Phulax then grabs Jarrox by the right arm from behind and starts trying to wrestle him to the ground as a lobster clamps tightly onto his left arm for 3 damage.
(11:25:26 AM) Lephista: (From my place outside, can I hear what's happening inside?)
(11:25:37 AM) thuryl: (You can hear a melee breaking out.)
(11:25:40 AM) Jack: "Hey... Hey!"
(11:25:45 AM) Phulax: "Please," I say to the lobsters, "Help me get him outside."
(11:25:46 AM) Lephista: I run inside, with my hands above my head.
(11:25:50 AM) Jack: "Wait a minute!"
(11:25:53 AM) Jarrox: "Hey! I can't move my arms!"
(11:25:53 AM) Meredith: "How about everybody just calm the hell down!"
(11:26:03 AM) Jack: "Tell me someone brought peanuts! This is awesome!"
(11:26:06 AM) thuryl: Meanwhile, another lobster, mistaking Phulax's attempt to wrestle Jarrox down for an attack, clamps on to Phulax's right arm for 3 damage as well.
(11:26:19 AM) Phulax: "Augh!"
(11:26:33 AM) Dyen: I shuffle towards the door slowly.
(11:26:34 AM) thuryl: There's now enough shouting going on in the tavern that it's hard to make your voice heard over it.
(11:27:09 AM) Lephista: "Hey! Lobsters! I surrender!"
(11:27:12 AM) Jack: I shuffle over to the bartender. "You got peanuts?"
(11:27:24 AM) Jarrox: I try to headbutt the lobster that has my arm.
(11:27:25 AM) Meredith: I briefly contemplate blowing my brains out.
(11:27:26 AM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 3
(11:27:31 AM) thuryl: Two lobsters see Dyen trying to escape and take swipes at him as he passes by: one hits for 4 damage. Another two stand to block Lephista from running in or anyone else from running out.
(11:28:05 AM) thuryl: Jarrox struggles in vain.
(11:28:10 AM) Dyen: I throw my hands in the air and back away from the lobsters.
(11:28:19 AM) Phulax: I remain as still and unthreatening as possible. "Please, sirs, we don't want a fight, and don't need to fight." I address the lobsters.
(11:28:35 AM) Lephista: I address the two lobsters blocking my way. "I started it! You can let the rest of them go."
(11:29:15 AM) Jarrox: I kick at Phulax wildly.
(11:29:24 AM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 5
(11:29:53 AM) thuryl: Jarrox kicks wildly at Phulax, to no effect. Two more lobsters attempt to clamp on to Jarrox's legs, but he scrambles back in time to avoid them.
(11:29:59 AM) Dyen: I cast Glimpse of Oblivion on Jarrox.
(11:30:12 AM) Dyen: Dyen rolled 1 20-sided die: 19
(11:30:15 AM) Lephista: "Jarrox, don't resist!"
(11:30:24 AM) Jarrox: "Fat chance of that!"
(11:30:37 AM) thuryl: Jarrox reels back, stunned by Dyen's spell. He can take no action for a round.
(11:31:01 AM) Jarrox: "..."
(11:31:04 AM) Phulax: (...P V P...in the second session. At least it took Brigandage the whole campaign...)
(11:31:13 AM) thuryl: He also loses 2 stamina points.
(11:31:30 AM) Lephista: (Technically, if subduing a party member counts as PvP, we had it last time. :P)
(11:31:32 AM) Dyen: "Someone restrain him."
(11:32:17 AM) Lephista: I stands still, with my hands still in the air.
(11:32:21 AM) Phulax: I continue to hold onto Jarrox with my free arm. "I could restrain him better if you let go of my other arm, Master Lobster."
(11:32:40 AM) Jack: "Hehehe! Look at the idiots squirm!"
(11:32:40 AM) Phulax: "Quickly, let us take him out of here while he's stunned."
(11:33:13 AM) thuryl: The lobsters seem to be working out that Jarrox is the main instigator of the current brawl. Now that he's helpless, they let go of Phulax and focus on clamping down on Jarrox's limbs, immobilising him.
(11:33:40 AM) Phulax: I rub my formerly clamped arm, wincing.
(11:33:43 AM) thuryl: The lobsters who aren't busy taking care of Jarrox jab you all roughly in the backs with their claws and point to the exit, hissing irritably.
(11:33:54 AM) Phulax: I exit as soon as I can.
(11:33:55 AM) Dyen: I leave the tavern.
(11:33:56 AM) Lephista: I nod and walk out.
(11:33:57 AM) Meredith: I leave.
(11:34:01 AM) Jack: "Hey! Watch the pincers, buddy!"
(11:34:06 AM) Jack: I shuffle toward the door.
(11:34:19 AM) thuryl: You leave. Jarrox is bodily thrown out after you, still looking somewhat shaken.
(11:34:34 AM) Jack: "That was awesome! Let's do it again!"
(11:34:36 AM) Dyen: I offer him a hand to help him up.
(11:35:01 AM) Phulax: "Dyen, what did you hit him with? Will he need any first aid?"
(11:35:33 AM) Dyen: "He's fine. He's just seen the true emptiness of his existence."
(11:35:47 AM) Jarrox: I get up shakily. "Whatja do that for? I had them, I had them, and then... then..."
(11:35:48 AM) Phulax: "That...would be pretty empty."
(11:36:09 AM) Jack: I continue nibbling on my leftover seaweed.
(11:36:25 AM) Jarrox: I take another swig from my aleskin to calm myself.
(11:36:35 AM) Phulax: "Should we return to the hut to rest? Or go back to the king? Or walk the city some more?"
(11:36:43 AM) Lephista: I spit out my seaweed, and untie Balbus unsteadily. "I think we'd better go."
(11:36:45 AM) thuryl: Jarrox is now very drunk.
(11:37:01 AM) Meredith: "I'm not going anywhere with these idiots."
(11:37:13 AM) Meredith: "At least not until they explain what the hell just happened."
(11:37:17 AM) Jack: "Bah. You're the idijit, Merdith."
(11:37:31 AM) Jack: "Actin' all big and bold when you haven't a damndable clue..."
(11:37:33 AM) Jarrox: "Heh. Yeah!"
(11:37:52 AM) Meredith: I draw my rapier and walk over to Jack, pointing it at him.
(11:37:53 AM) Jarrox: "We were doing just fine until you three arrived and screwed everything up!"
(11:37:55 AM) Meredith: "Say that again."
(11:37:55 AM) Phulax: "At least Meredith's not drunk, and can still speak in coherent sentences," I mutter.
(11:38:16 AM) Phulax: "Oh no, please. Meredith, is now really the best time to kill Jack?"
(11:38:17 AM) Jack: "You're and idiot!" I say happily.
(11:38:24 AM) Lephista: "Hey!" I grab Meredith and hold her back. "No more fighting!"
(11:38:30 AM) thuryl: (I love this party.)
(11:38:33 AM) Meredith: "No, you're right. I should've shot him last night."
(11:38:50 AM) Phulax: I let out a tremendous sigh.
(11:39:15 AM) Phulax: "I'm going to go ask the king to release the pilgrims and historians. You all kill each other if you want."
(11:39:32 AM) Jack: (I love Drunk Jack.)
(11:39:32 AM) Phulax: I walk off toward the palace, nursing my arm.
(11:39:36 AM) Meredith: I put my sword away, and follow Phulux.
(11:39:58 AM) Phulax: As I walk, attempt first aid on my injury.
(11:40:01 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 4
(11:40:07 AM) Lephista: I follow, leaning heavily on Balbus.
(11:40:09 AM) Phulax: (Bah, humbug)
(11:40:18 AM) Meredith: Just before I get out of hearshot, I turn back. "Don't think you're getting off this island alive, Jack."
(11:40:24 AM) thuryl: Phulax manages to massage away the pain of the bruising slightly, restoring 1 HP.
(11:40:38 AM) Jack: "None of us are!" I call back.
(11:41:06 AM) thuryl: You all return to the king's spire. Its central ladder is as rickety and dangerous as ever.
(11:41:21 AM) Phulax: I again practice my teleportion with small warps.
(11:41:24 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 16
(11:41:26 AM) Lephista: "Sweet Mariona, not this again."
(11:41:30 AM) thuryl: Phulax makes it to the top safely.
(11:41:37 AM) Jack: "...I ain't climbing that."
(11:41:47 AM) Phulax: "Anyone want me to try to help you up? Or would you rather wait down there?"
(11:41:50 AM) Dyen: I clamber up it with my monky agility.
(11:41:51 AM) Meredith: I climb. Angrily. :p
(11:41:55 AM) Lephista: "Phulax, please invite his majesty to the balcony, or else tell me how it went later!"
(11:41:56 AM) Dyen: (*crosses fingers*)
(11:41:57 AM) Dyen: Dyen rolled 1 20-sided die: 6
(11:41:58 AM) Meredith: Meredith rolled 1 20-sided die: 18
(11:42:07 AM) Dyen: (Feck.)
(11:42:20 AM) Jack: "Don't matter two ways to me, Phalax!"
(11:42:36 AM) thuryl: Meredith easily climbs the ladder. Dyen also makes it up safely, although he manages to knock down a lot of debris along the way.
(11:42:44 AM) Meredith: (how do you spell your characters name, Triumph?)
(11:42:54 AM) Phulax: "Very well, Lephista."
(11:42:57 AM) Phulax: (Phulax)
(11:42:58 AM) Jack: (Phulax)
(11:43:11 AM) Jack: (I deliberately misspelled it for great drunkeness)
(11:43:29 AM) Lephista: While the others climb, I perform First Aid on myself.
(11:43:39 AM) Lephista: Lephista rolled 1 20-sided die: 17
(11:43:45 AM) Jarrox: I try to follow the others up in my drunken state.
(11:43:46 AM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 8
(11:43:52 AM) thuryl: Lephista is back at full HP.
(11:44:12 AM) Lephista: "After y'all fall, I'll be here!"
(11:44:18 AM) thuryl: Everyone standing at the bottom, roll saving throws.
(11:44:26 AM) Phulax: (Ha!)
(11:44:26 AM) Jack: Jack rolled 1 20-sided die: 10
(11:44:53 AM) Lephista: (You're a cruel bastard, Lilith.)
(11:44:55 AM) Lephista: Lephista rolled 1 20-sided die: 6
(11:45:38 AM) thuryl: Jack barely dodges out of the way as Jarrox's attempts to climb the ladder send shards of jagged metal raining down on his location. Lephista is not so lucky, and takes 1 damage.
(11:45:53 AM) thuryl: Jarrox, miraculously, makes it to the top without injury.
(11:46:07 AM) Phulax: I continue on, to see the king again.
(11:46:13 AM) Dyen: "How long does it take them to build a ladder."
(11:46:18 AM) Jarrox: I waddle-stumble after the others.
(11:46:30 AM) Dyen: "A simple, decent ladder."
(11:46:34 AM) Jack: "Bah. You know what! I don't need any of you idiots!" I call up toward the group.
(11:46:34 AM) Dyen: "Or stairs."
(11:47:12 AM) thuryl: You return to King Zellak's chambers. He looks at you with an expression that's hard to read. "Welcome back. I hear you've been busy."
(11:47:14 AM) Phulax: "Stairs are made of win, though, and there doesn't seem be much winning on this wretched isle."
(11:47:14 AM) Dyen: "They've got a quarry. What are they doing with it?"
(11:47:25 AM) Phulax: "I apologize, your majesty."
(11:47:35 AM) Phulax: "Some of our companions got rather drunk, and cause a ruckus."
(11:47:44 AM) Lephista: "I hate them, Jack. I hate them all so much."
(11:47:47 AM) Phulax: "Hopefully by tomorrow they'll be little more clear headed."
(11:48:10 AM) Phulax: "However, I came to ask about the prisoners."
(11:48:10 AM) Dyen: "I would like to point out that, although you see us as a group, we really all hate each other."
(11:48:15 AM) Jack: "I know. But you and me... I think we got something going here..."
(11:48:24 AM) Jack: "I've got half a brain, you've got half a brain..."
(11:48:31 AM) Jack: "Together, we've got a full brain!"
(11:48:31 AM) Jarrox: I continue on to search the spire for treasure.
(11:48:42 AM) Lephista: "Yeah, but my half counts double, so we've really got two."
(11:48:43 AM) thuryl: "The prisoners? What about them?"
(11:48:46 AM) Jarrox: "Tyrant!" I mutter under my breath.
(11:49:15 AM) Dyen: "We would ask that you release them and allow them to return to our ship."
(11:49:28 AM) Phulax: "The pilgrims promised to return to their ship and wait there. They still harbor...hope...of finding some miracle on this island that would help them. I understand your position, but I believe I convinced they would at least be more comfortable at their ship than locked in a dungeon."
(11:49:33 AM) Jack: "Yeah, you're right!"
(11:49:38 AM) Meredith: "Of course, in light of our comrades foolishness, it's probably wiser to ask that you don't lock us up too."
(11:49:39 AM) Phulax: "They will return to the ship and be no further trouble."
(11:49:40 AM) thuryl: "And why should I do that? They are no concern of yours."
(11:50:04 AM) Dyen: "And they need be no concern of yours, either."
(11:50:24 AM) Jack: Jack rolled 1 20-sided die: 15
(11:50:26 AM) Phulax: "Because, they are harmless, innocent pilgrims who hoped only to help their people. They don't deserve to be locked in a dark dungeon. They'll do you no harm."
(11:51:17 AM) thuryl: "And I should trust you because...?"
(11:51:31 AM) Phulax: "Misguided, perhaps they are, but a wise king knows how to show mercy as well as strength, and surely a ruler with as much as experience as you has much wisdom."
(11:52:42 AM) thuryl: (Phulax, roll Composure.)
(11:52:49 AM) Phulax: "Your Majesty, you trust us to aid you on a mission to save your realm, but do not trust us on the matter of a few pilgrims?"
(11:52:52 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 8
(11:52:54 AM) Phulax: ...
(11:53:01 AM) Phulax: (Oh well, at least it wasn't a one)
(11:53:07 AM) Meredith: (hush :p)
(11:53:14 AM) thuryl: "I would trust you more if you had not just come back from starting a brawl."
(11:53:34 AM) Meredith: "Your majesty, if I may. That was three of our group, none of whom stand before you."
(11:53:49 AM) Phulax: "We three, Dyen, Meredith, and myself, tried to stop the brawl, not start it."
(11:53:56 AM) Meredith: "If it makes you more comfortable, send us three with the pilgrims to the ship."
(11:54:12 AM) Phulax: "And if the brawl causes you to doubt us, perhaps you no longer wish our help in your other matters either."
(11:54:31 AM) thuryl: The king spends a long moment in silent thought. "Very well. I have made my decision."
(11:55:09 AM) thuryl: "You will all return to the ship with the pilgrims and the historian. You will trouble me no more. I will seek assistance from another source in reaching the temple."
(11:55:23 AM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 18
(11:55:38 AM) Jarrox: (Waste of a good roll.)
(11:56:00 AM) Meredith: "You decide this, knowing that another group might not reach these shores for weeks? Months?"
(11:56:03 AM) Phulax: I nod.
(11:56:05 AM) Phulax: "I see."
(11:56:47 AM) Phulax: "You are certain that is best, your majesty?"
(11:57:00 AM) Lephista: I mount Balbus, and ride outside, humming cheerfully.
(11:57:00 AM) Meredith: "We are willing to help you and your people. The issue with the pilgrims is unfortunate, but you can at least see where we come from on this."
(11:57:29 AM) thuryl: "The arrangements I am making are no concern of yours."
(11:57:31 AM) Meredith: (we should just go. shortest campaign evar)
(11:57:51 AM) Phulax: (I don't think the campaign will end when we get to the ship...IF we get to the ship...)
(11:57:58 AM) Meredith: (i was joking :p)
(11:58:05 AM) Phulax: I bow respectfully.
(11:58:16 AM) Meredith: "Of course." I bow, and turn to leave.
(11:58:21 AM) Phulax: "As you say, your majesty. I bid farewell."
(11:58:33 AM) Phulax: I turn and leave.
(11:58:43 AM) Phulax: I also keep alert for any signs of traps.
(11:58:46 AM) Phulax: (Roll?)
(11:59:05 AM) Meredith: (whispered to Phulax:) "He's up to something. Where did Skrass say we could find him?"
(11:59:22 AM) Phulax: I nod silently to Meredith, and gesture toward the exit.
(11:59:46 AM) Meredith: (oh i thought we'd left already :p)
(12:00:31 PM) Phulax: (Have we reached the ladder area?)
(12:01:40 PM) thuryl: (Phulax: Sure, roll if you want.)
(12:01:43 PM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 4
(12:01:56 PM) Phulax: (that was perception)
(12:01:57 PM) thuryl: You return to the top of the ladder.
(12:02:13 PM) Phulax: I teleport myself down again.
(12:02:15 PM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 17
(12:02:27 PM) Dyen: Climbclimbclimb. . .
(12:02:29 PM) thuryl: Phulax safely teleports down. You all notice that Jack and Lephista aren't at the bottom.
(12:02:29 PM) Dyen: Dyen rolled 1 20-sided die: 8
(12:02:56 PM) Meredith: I climb down too.
(12:03:01 PM) Meredith: Meredith rolled 1 20-sided die: 1
(12:03:04 PM) Phulax: I remain watchful as I wait for Dyen and Meredith to descend.
(12:03:06 PM) Meredith: (yay!)
(12:03:10 PM) Phulax: ...
(12:03:24 PM) Dyen: (Don't fall on me. . .)
(12:03:25 PM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 3
(12:03:39 PM) Phulax: ...
(12:04:12 PM) Phulax: "When I came to Elpis, I never dreamed it would be so insane," I murmur to myself.
(12:04:15 PM) thuryl: Dyen climbs down safely. Meredith falls straight down the ladder -- or would, if she didn't keep cutting herself up on bits of sticking-out metal on the way down, taking 2 damage.
(12:05:02 PM) Jarrox: I wait for Meredith to get out of the way before climbing down.
(12:05:03 PM) Jarrox: Jarrox rolled 1 20-sided die: 12
(12:05:16 PM) Phulax: I stand clear of the ladder.
(12:05:18 PM) thuryl: Jarrox somehow climbs down safely.
(12:05:31 PM) Meredith: (heh. "somehow")
(12:05:37 PM) Jarrox: "Woo!" I wobble.
(12:05:38 PM) Phulax: "Come, let's go."
(12:05:41 PM) Phulax: I head outside.
(12:05:45 PM) Jarrox: "Go where?"
(12:05:52 PM) Meredith: "To find the others."
(12:06:00 PM) Jarrox: "Where are they?"

*** REFER TO SIDE SESSION #2 AT END OF LOG ***

(12:06:02 PM) Meredith: "Though I really wish we could leave them here."
(12:06:04 PM) Phulax: "Hither and yon, over hill and dale."
(12:06:08 PM) Dyen: I look around for anyone or anything that I would like to know about.
(12:06:10 PM) Dyen: Dyen rolled 1 20-sided die: 13
(12:06:28 PM) Phulax: I exited the building and wait outside for Dyen.
(12:06:31 PM) Jarrox: "Sounds like a long walk."
(12:06:51 PM) Dyen: Oh, I'm outside when I do that.
(12:06:57 PM) Phulax: (Okay)
(12:07:05 PM) Phulax: (Is there anyone else in earshot of us?)
(12:07:25 PM) Dyen: "Jack and Lephty left to the northeast."
(12:07:43 PM) Phulax: "Let's go after them then."
(12:07:51 PM) Phulax: I begin walking, slowly, that way.
(12:08:03 PM) Meredith: I follow.
(12:08:09 PM) Phulax: As we walk, I whisper to Dyen and Meredith.
(12:08:43 PM) Phulax: "The northeast spire, with a blue ball of coral, is where the turtle said he lived."
(12:08:57 PM) thuryl: Okay. You all see that Lephista and Jack are heading northeast, toward a tall spire with a blue tip. Lephista is riding Balbus at a gentle trot, and Jack is following behind.
(12:09:45 PM) Phulax: "Also, I don't trust the king one bit. His workers seem to be beaten and treated cruelly, he imprisons harmless pilgrims for no reason, and he has generally acted rather shifty. Your thoughts?"
(12:10:06 PM) Dyen: "We've been kicked off the island."
(12:10:10 PM) Phulax: "Also," I continue whispering, "do you suppose he's recruit that group of adventurers we saw on the beach to help him?"
(12:10:14 PM) Dyen: "We don't have to trust the king."
(12:10:15 PM) Lephista: I look back over my shoulder without stopping, and wave to the party.
(12:10:15 PM) Meredith: "We've not exactly acted with dignity."
(12:10:22 PM) Dyen: "We're fugitives."
(12:10:59 PM) Phulax: "We're not fugitives, quite. No one's chasing us, after all. At least, I don't think anyone is..."
(12:11:12 PM) Jack: I wave a rude hand gesture back at the group.
(12:11:17 PM) Phulax: I continue walking toward the two that are ahead.
(12:11:18 PM) Meredith: "Well they'..."
(12:11:27 PM) Meredith: I draw my gun as I see Jack.
(12:11:42 PM) Meredith: "...they're expecting us at the prison to pick up the others, right?"
(12:11:42 PM) thuryl: Okay. The front group keeps going on, and the rest keep following. You're not catching up, but you're not losing them either.
(12:11:59 PM) Meredith: "When they see we haven't been, they'll probably come looking for us."
(12:12:08 PM) Phulax: "Ah."
(12:12:47 PM) Phulax: "Should some of us go to the prison? The others will, ostensibly, go on to the ship separately."
(12:13:09 PM) Phulax: "Of course, if, say, I weren't around, I wouldn't know where they went, and could quite truthfully say so."
(12:13:17 PM) Meredith: "If we do, we risk being captured ourselves."
(12:13:31 PM) Phulax: I frown.
(12:13:35 PM) Meredith: "Of course, not going means that the prisoners will probably be killed."
(12:13:45 PM) Phulax: "I promised the prisoners to try to help them."
(12:13:48 PM) Meredith: "If not now, they'll drown when the island sinks again."
(12:13:55 PM) Meredith: "Yes. And we tried."
(12:13:55 PM) Phulax: "I must go back for them if no one else does."
(12:13:58 PM) Dyen: "I say screw pretending to follow their commands. We get the party, get Skrass, and tackle the temple ourselves."
(12:14:15 PM) Phulax: "...you trust Skrass, then, Dyen?"
(12:14:29 PM) Dyen: "No."
(12:14:40 PM) Phulax: "Hehe. Wheels within wheels..."
(12:14:45 PM) Dyen: "But he needs us more than the King."
(12:15:01 PM) Dyen: "And I'm not saying we don't betray him, either."
(12:15:17 PM) thuryl: You see Jack and Lephista arrive at the foot of the spire. Lephista dismounts from Balbus and leans against him idly.
(12:15:18 PM) Meredith: "However. After our failure earlier, maybe the King has already sent his men to Skrass?"
(12:15:21 PM) Phulax: "I am going to pay a visit to prison. If the king does indeed release the prisoners, good. If he doesn't...I might have a better chance of escaping that some, thanks to my talents."
(12:15:49 PM) Phulax: "If you others meet Skrass, we can rendezvous somewhere after I get back from the prison or from the ship."
(12:16:01 PM) Dyen: "It's possible. But Skrass has men of his own, I think."
(12:17:09 PM) Meredith: "I dont think you should go alone. Not yet. Let's see how this plays out first, Phulax."
(12:17:23 PM) Phulax: "But the prisoners..."
(12:17:42 PM) Phulax: "I cannot abandon them."
(12:17:45 PM) thuryl: While walking and talking, you've arrived at the foot of Skrass's spire. It's not quite as large and impressive as the king's, but it's definitely one of the taller buildings in the city. Instead of being guarded by lobsters as you've come to expect, it's guarded by a pair of frogs armed with long, crude stone cudgels.
(12:17:56 PM) Meredith: "You cannot save them whilst dead."
(12:18:09 PM) thuryl: Lephista and Jack are here, waiting for you.

*** SIDE SESSION #2 ENDS HERE, PARTY REUNITES ***

(12:18:15 PM) Jack: I glower silently.
(12:18:23 PM) Lephista: I look down. "Hi, guys."
(12:18:31 PM) Phulax: "It won't take long to visit the prison and see if they're being released. If they are released, I'll rejoin you here. If they are not...I'll flee and rejoin you here."
(12:19:09 PM) Meredith: "If you like. Just don't give me reason to say "I told you so"."
(12:19:23 PM) Phulax: I head for the prison, keeping watchful for ambushes.

*** REFER TO SIDE SESSION #3 AT END OF LOG ***

(12:19:44 PM) Jack: (...well, on the brightside, at least we didn't split into THREE groups. :P )
(12:20:01 PM) Meredith: I turn and address the frogs. "We're here to see Skrass?"
(12:20:02 PM) Dyen: (There is yet time.)
(12:20:02 PM) Lephista: "So, I guess we'd better talk to Skrass."
(12:20:57 PM) Jack: "And just what do you think you're doing?"
(12:21:08 PM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 5
(12:21:10 PM) Phulax: ...
(12:21:13 PM) thuryl: "Good, good. He told us to expect you. Come on in."
(12:21:35 PM) Meredith: I head inside.
(12:21:37 PM) Lephista: I leave Balbus outside and go in.
(12:21:44 PM) Jack: I follow Lephista.
(12:22:01 PM) Jarrox: I follow.
(12:23:31 PM) thuryl: You enter. It's not too different from the king's spire on the inside, but a bit smaller and less richly decorated. There's a kind of crude rope ladder made from kelp hanging down from the third floor of the spire. It seems considerably less lethal than the one in the king's spire, but it's narrow enough that you'll have to go up in single file.
(12:24:04 PM) Meredith: I head up first.
(12:24:14 PM) Meredith: Meredith rolled 1 20-sided die: 2
(12:24:22 PM) Meredith: (i TRY to head up first*)
(12:24:37 PM) thuryl: No need to roll, you make it up safely.
(12:24:38 PM) Dyen: I call second, and do not feel the need to roll.
(12:24:39 PM) Dyen: :P
(12:24:44 PM) Lephista: I follow the others.
(12:24:50 PM) Jack: I climb after Lephista.
(12:25:44 PM) Jarrox: "Now why doesn't the king just get one of these nice ladders?" I mutter as I climb up. "Does he enjoy watching people fall?"
(12:26:10 PM) thuryl: Okay, you all safely reach the top. Skrass sees you through a nearby archway on the top floor and stands to greet you. "Ah, the travellers. Have you considered my advice?"
(12:26:40 PM) Meredith: "Unfortunately, we've been forced to you. But it's a long story..."
(12:27:09 PM) Jack: "Oh, so did your little meeting with the king not go as planned?"
(12:27:13 PM) Jack: I snicker.
(12:27:39 PM) Lephista: I watch silently.
(12:27:43 PM) Meredith: "Thanks to your complete and utter ineptitude, no, it did not."
(12:27:56 PM) Jack: "MY ineptitude?"
(12:28:03 PM) Jarrox: "Yeah, we considered it. The king's a tyrant! Down with the king!"
(12:28:09 PM) Jack: "I wasn't the one thinking he was smarter than a 600-year old leader?"
(12:28:32 PM) Jack: "You're the one who alerted him to what's been going on!"
(12:28:35 PM) Meredith: "I swear to the Gods, if you don't shut up... The little stunt you three pulled in the tavern got us kicked out of town."
(12:28:51 PM) Meredith: "I am! You were the one who mentioned our visit in the night! Brazenly!"
(12:28:52 PM) thuryl: "Are you here to talk to me or to each other?"
(12:29:11 PM) Lephista: "Please excuse us, Skrass. It's been a very bad morning."
(12:29:15 PM) Dyen: "Skrass, the king knows you talked to us."
(12:29:18 PM) Jack: "Good! It means I don't have to listen to your idiocy any longer!"
(12:30:03 PM) Lephista: "Jack, Meredith, we're still in this together. And from what I gather, Skrass is our only option. Let's hear what he has to say."
(12:30:27 PM) thuryl: "He knows what? How did he find out?"
(12:30:46 PM) Dyen: "Someone here felt the need to tell him."
(12:31:06 PM) Meredith: "And that same person felt it wise to give your name too, sir."
(12:31:15 PM) Jack: "Yeah, well it was either that or get executed for your lot's blithering incompetence!"
(12:31:33 PM) Jack: "He wouldn't have even known something was up if you hadn't conjured that half-assed spiel of yours!"
(12:31:42 PM) Meredith: "Oh, because dealing with somebody who wants to overthrow the monarchy is SURE TO SAVE US!"
(12:31:56 PM) Meredith: "For Gods sake, Jack. Can you be any denser?!"
(12:32:38 PM) thuryl: "Perhaps, since my life is now in immediate danger, you could all stop arguing for a moment and we could work out how to proceed from here?"
(12:32:39 PM) Jack: "That's it. I have had it with you. One... More... Word... I'm BEGGING you..."
(12:33:11 PM) Dyen: I backhand Jack.(?)
(12:33:12 PM) Dyen: Dyen rolled 1 20-sided die: 6
(12:33:21 PM) Dyen: "Stop this idiocy!"
(12:33:46 PM) Lephista: "Skrass, we, uh, hinted that we might have spoken to you a couple of hours ago. If Zellak hasn't acted yet, he may not be planning to."
(12:34:03 PM) Jack: "Stay out of this, Dyen!"
(12:34:10 PM) Meredith: "Or we may be watching us to see if we come here. That'll confirm our involvement with you."
(12:34:22 PM) Lephista: "Huh. That's possible, yeah."
(12:34:35 PM) Lephista: "I think we should depart for the temple immediately."
(12:34:43 PM) thuryl: Dyen takes a swing at Jack, who barely dodges.
(12:35:08 PM) Lephista: "Or we can fight first. Come on, guys, haven't we screwed up enough?"
(12:35:12 PM) thuryl: "So... you're intending to head for the temple after all. And what will you do once you're there?"
(12:35:34 PM) Meredith: "We... haven't decided. But it looks like we will not be helping the King have his wish."
(12:35:43 PM) Meredith: "So I suppose that leaves aiding you."
(12:36:01 PM) Lephista: "Yeah. It seems like going right now and running away are the only choices for us."
(12:36:31 PM) thuryl: "You are willing to aid me, then? There is good in you after all."
(12:37:20 PM) Meredith: "Please don't get the wrong idea. We're helping you because we have no other choice."
(12:37:28 PM) thuryl: "You could walk away."
(12:37:39 PM) Jack: "Like hell."
(12:37:52 PM) Jack: "I came here to do a job, and I'm damned sure going to finish it."
(12:38:01 PM) Lephista: "Speak for yourself, Meredith. I thought Skrass was probably in the right yesterday, and the events of this morning have only confirmed my opinion of Zellak."
(12:38:16 PM) Dyen: "Imaunte has led me here, and my duty is not yet done."
(12:38:22 PM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 19
(12:38:26 PM) Lephista: "It's unfortunate that I had to go about confirming it in exactly this way, but hey, here we are."
(12:38:35 PM) thuryl: With a flash of light, Phulax appears in the room.

*** SIDE SESSION #3 ENDS HERE, PARTY REUNITES ***

(12:38:47 PM) Meredith: I raise an eyebrow. "Well, we're decided at any rate. Ah, Phulax!"
(12:38:48 PM) Lephista: "What's the word, Phulax?"
(12:38:57 PM) Phulax: I blink.
(12:39:01 PM) Phulax: "Cool!"
(12:39:05 PM) thuryl: Skrass looks startled for a moment, but recovers. "Oh, hello. It's you."
(12:39:06 PM) Phulax: "Oh, hi, guys."
(12:39:15 PM) Phulax: "The prisoners are all on their way to the ship."
(12:39:24 PM) Meredith: "Really? He let them go?"
(12:39:27 PM) Phulax: I smile. "So at least that's taken care of."
(12:39:55 PM) Phulax: "Yeah, unless he ambushes them along the way. And can't see why he'd bother to do that."
(12:40:06 PM) thuryl: "Do you need any assistance in reaching the temple? My resources are limited, but I am a mage of some power."
(12:40:12 PM) Lephista: "Now, Zellak either knows or suspects that we came here. If he suspects, he'll know soon. I still say we need to set out for the temple right away."
(12:40:29 PM) Lephista: "Uh, we could use directions."
(12:40:50 PM) Phulax: "We're going to the temple?"
(12:40:54 PM) Meredith: "Yes."
(12:41:04 PM) thuryl: "The temple is far underground, beneath the ruins of the old city -- which are themselves beneath the ruins of the present city."
(12:41:04 PM) Phulax: "Have you learned anything from Skrass I should know?"
(12:41:27 PM) thuryl: "Fortunately, there is a way in. But..."
(12:42:20 PM) Lephista: "But?"
(12:42:27 PM) Phulax: (Before I forget, while we talk, I return Lephista's axe. I hold on to Jarrox's)
(12:42:30 PM) thuryl: Skrass sighs. "The first leg of the journey will be guarded, and the rest may be even more dangerous."
(12:43:06 PM) Lephista: Whisper to Phulax: "Please hang onto it for now."
(12:43:18 PM) Lephista: "Guarded how?"
(12:43:34 PM) Phulax: (I keep the axes then. LOL. )
(12:44:19 PM) thuryl: "The only entrance to the old city is through the mass of coral forming the foundation of the present city -- the Reef."
(12:44:25 PM) Phulax: (Fear not. It is I, Phulax, healer, ambassador, teleporter, and walking arsenal!)
(12:45:05 PM) thuryl: "At the very least, you will have to make your way past the miners in the Reef somehow. If we are lucky, King Zellak will not yet have set any other guards."
(12:45:14 PM) thuryl: He shakes his head. "I do not think we will be lucky."
(12:45:23 PM) Jack: "What of the other dangers?"
(12:47:56 PM) thuryl: "Even if you survive the Reef, few people have dared to travel into the old city since it sank. Much of its structure is still dangerously unstable: disturb it enough, and you could all be buried by a cave-in at any moment. There are also rumours of... other threats. Creatures that lurk in the darkness, lying dormant for years and awakening only when food is near."
(12:48:15 PM) Meredith: "Sounds wonderful..."
(12:48:16 PM) thuryl: "Well, of course, they could just be rumours. Perhaps everyone who went down there and never returned was simply crushed by falling masonry."
(12:48:38 PM) Lephista: "Is there anyone who's been down there and has returned?"
(12:48:43 PM) Phulax: "Right. Doesn't sound like that's what you believe."
(12:50:04 PM) thuryl: "I have been past the Reef and into the old city, although I never went as far as the temple. I cannot say I saw anything, exactly, but... there is danger there. Unnatural danger."
(12:51:18 PM) Jack: "So how can you help us reach the temple?"
(12:51:23 PM) Phulax: "Okey-day. Well, I guess we'll be watchful...but that's about it."
(12:52:15 PM) Jarrox: "If it's alive, I'll kill it."
(12:52:31 PM) thuryl: "I can lead you as far as the Reef. Beyond that, you are on your own. My presence in the Reef would only attract unwanted attention to you."
(12:52:55 PM) Phulax: "What will you do up here?"
(12:53:47 PM) thuryl: "Be killed, I imagine. If I am lucky, the treason charges won't stick and Zellak will have to have me assassinated instead."
(12:54:04 PM) Lephista: "You could try hiding on our ship."
(12:54:09 PM) Dyen: "You could leave on the ship."
(12:54:10 PM) Phulax: "You'd rather stay here than come with us?"
(12:54:18 PM) Phulax: "Yeah, or you could head for the ship."
(12:54:30 PM) Lephista: "Well, if your plan succeeds you'll die anyway, so I guess you might as well be brave about it."
(12:54:31 PM) Phulax: "Although that might draw unneeded danger on the pilgrims."
(12:54:40 PM) thuryl: "Leave? And do what? I am over six hundred years old. I have lived a good life."
(12:54:47 PM) thuryl: "Don't worry about me. Do what must be done."
(12:55:03 PM) Phulax: "If you are going to sacrifice yourself, why come with us? Or try to do something to hinder the king?"
(12:55:08 PM) Lephista: "Okay. Is there more, or can we begin?"
(12:57:33 PM) Meredith: (our party is so unreal. :D)
(12:57:40 PM) Jack: (I know.)
(12:57:47 PM) Jack: (This is awesome)
(12:58:06 PM) Phulax: (This has definitely taken disfunction to a new level)
(12:58:47 PM) Phulax: (I think Dustbowl definitely wins as the least dysfunctional AIMHack party so far - though they have their issues)
(12:58:48 PM) thuryl: "Once you are in the Reef, I will do all I can to delay King Zellak from sending anyone to follow you. That is the most I can promise. You should hurry."
(12:59:15 PM) Phulax: (But we've made a good start on competing for being the most dysfunctional :-) )
(12:59:28 PM) Jack: (Good start?)
(12:59:38 PM) Jack: (Hell, we've blown past it by a mile already.)
(12:59:44 PM) Lephista: "Yes. Hurry. Let's start hurrying now." I walk to the top of the ladder.
(12:59:53 PM) thuryl: (I like how of all the fights you've been in so far, I was only responsible for starting one of them.)
(12:59:57 PM) Phulax: "How long of trip is it to the temple? Will it take a day? Days? Weeks?"
(12:59:58 PM) Jack: I nod to Skrass, then follow Lephista.
(1:00:23 PM) Phulax: (And yet we haven't really had any serious combat yet. :-P )
(1:00:35 PM) thuryl: "Not far. It's right below us, after all. The route is complex, but it should not take you more than a day or two."
(1:00:46 PM) Jack: (Well, most of it tends to consist of lobsters clamping onto Jarrox)
(1:00:54 PM) Lephista: I climb down the ladder.
(1:00:55 PM) Phulax: "Okay. Directly below, you say?"
(1:00:58 PM) Meredith: "Well, lets go."
(1:01:03 PM) thuryl: Skrass follows you ponderously down the rope ladder. It strains visibly under his weight.
(1:01:46 PM) thuryl: "The entrance to the Reef is a pit at the northern end of town, not far to the west of here. I can only hope Zellak has not already sent anyone down into the old city."
(1:02:28 PM) Meredith: "Well, if he has, I'm sure we can deal with them. After all, we're used to fighting on land. They're not. No offence."
(1:02:29 PM) Lephista: "Lead the way."
(1:03:29 PM) thuryl: Skrass leaves his tower and sets off to the west, doing his best to avoid drawing too much attention to himself (which, being as he's a giant turtle, is easier said than done).
(1:04:38 PM) Lephista: I take Balbus' reins and follow Skrass.
(1:04:39 PM) Phulax: I follow Skrass.
(1:04:52 PM) Jack: I follow Skrass as well.
(1:05:06 PM) Dyen: I kill Skrass!
(1:05:10 PM) Dyen: Only not really.
(1:05:32 PM) Jack: "One thing I don't get..."
(1:05:43 PM) Jack: "Why hasn't Zellak acted already?"
(1:06:10 PM) Dyen: "Turtles are slow."
(1:06:31 PM) Dyen: "Or he's waiting for us to clear the temple so he can kill us and use it himself."
(1:06:29 PM) thuryl: You follow Skrass as he leads you to the northern edge of town. The dusty ground of the city, strewn with scraps of seaweed and other litter, gives way abruptly to bare coral, and a wide tunnel set into the coral floor spirals down into the darkness. You hear a faint moaning from somewhere far below.
(1:06:31 PM) thuryl: End session.

***

SIDE SESSION #1 BEGINS HERE

(10:00:33 AM) Jack: (Blame Jarrox. :P )
(10:01:09 AM) Dyen: (Just have the prison collapse into the tavern or something. :P)
(10:01:14 AM) Phulax: "Perhaps we should wait, let Jarrox get a drink to go and visit the pilgrims together?"
(10:01:40 AM) Meredith: "Why can't he wait to destroy his brain further whilst we do something of importance?"
(10:02:00 AM) Dyen: "Or of interest, anyways."
(10:03:46 AM) thuryl: Phulax, Meredith and Dyen enter the prison. It's even darker on the inside than it was from outside. Two passages branch to the left and right, each guarded by a pair of lobsters.
(10:04:24 AM) Phulax: I smile in a friendly way. "Where do these passages lead, sirs?"
(10:04:36 AM) Phulax: "We come to visit the foreign pilgrims."
(10:06:30 AM) thuryl: The guards click and hiss at each other for a while, and eventually the ones to your left stand aside to let you through.
(10:06:47 AM) Phulax: I proceed.
(10:06:56 AM) Meredith: I nod in thanks and follow
(10:07:52 AM) Phulax: I keep alert for danger; the king seemed to think we might get attacked if we visited, after. (Roll?)
(10:11:37 AM) thuryl: (Go ahead.)
(10:11:43 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 6
(10:13:15 AM) thuryl: You walk past several chambers -- cells, you suppose. Prisoners, mostly frogs, approach the entrance of each cell to gawk at you but are held back by lobster guards. Eventually, you come to a cell containing the group of pilgrims you saw before, looking considerably more ragged but with no apparent serious injuries.
(10:13:51 AM) thuryl: One of them, a dwarf, perks up as he sees you. "It's you! You're the ones from the ship, aren't you?"
(10:14:29 AM) Phulax: "Yes. How are you all?"
(10:15:02 AM) Phulax: "We feared you were in danger in here. Are any of you hurt?"
(10:16:39 AM) Meredith: "And have you spoken to the King? What do you know of the situation here?"
(10:18:50 AM) thuryl: "Hurt? No, we're not hurt. Not badly, anyway. I'm afraid there's not much we can tell you, though. We approached the city and were apprehended by these strange lobster-men and brought before a giant turtle. He questioned us about our purpose here, evidently found our answers unsatisfactory and had his guards escort us here."
(10:19:02 AM) thuryl: "Are you prisoners here too?"
(10:19:17 AM) Phulax: "No, for some reason the king thinks we can help him."
(10:19:51 AM) Phulax: "He wants to sink the island, actually. I was hoping we could talk to you and get you released, if you promise to head back to the ship to leave."
(10:20:52 AM) thuryl: "We can't leave yet. We came here because we need a miracle."
(10:21:06 AM) Phulax: "Oh?"
(10:21:25 AM) Meredith: "The only miracle you'll get to witnes first-hand is this island sinking with you still in this cell unless you leave as we've suggested."
(10:21:31 AM) thuryl: "We are refugees. How much do you know about the current situation between Wireld and Pelinora?"
(10:22:22 AM) Phulax: (Roll for knowledge of diplomatic matters, based on what I might have heard from my well-connected family back home)
(10:22:25 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 20
(10:22:28 AM) Phulax: ...
(10:22:33 AM) Phulax: (LOL!!!)
(10:23:00 AM) Meredith: (woot!)
(10:25:17 AM) Meredith: (there's probably awesome stuff going off with jarrox :p)
(10:26:40 AM) Phulax: "Yes, the two cities are struggling over control of a river, because of a dam Wireld constructed." I nod sagely.
(10:27:42 AM) thuryl: "Exactly. The claims of both cities to the river have merit, but all we want is some way for them to find peace. But it seems that these days, even that requires a miracle."
(10:28:19 AM) Meredith: "So you'd waste the powers of this city on that?"
(10:28:32 AM) Meredith: I shake my head.
(10:28:34 AM) thuryl: "Most of us are from Pelinora or the surrounding farmland. We escaped when the fighting began. Ylesk refused to take us in, and so we travelled to Dilegad. All we want is to be able to return home safely."
(10:28:54 AM) Phulax: "A worthy goal sir, but I fear this city does not have the answers."
(10:29:16 AM) thuryl: "It was said to be a city of miracles. Although I must admit, seeing it in person has... shaken my faith somewhat."
(10:29:46 AM) Phulax: "This is a place of powerful magic, but it seems the magic has serious costs."
(10:30:06 AM) Dyen: "Fate takes its due."
(10:31:30 AM) thuryl: "Haven't we paid enough already? We left our homes behind. Some of us still have family in Pelinora, or in Wireld."
(10:31:50 AM) thuryl: "All we want is peace. Surely the gods will have mercy on us."
(10:32:05 AM) Phulax: "The king has no intention of letting anyone reach the temple except himself. He wants our help. There is no chance he'll let you go there at this time. If you promise to return to the ship, and fulfill it, it might generate good will. Perhaps, somehow, we could eventually influence the king to change his mind."
(10:32:31 AM) Phulax: "But for now I do not see how you can reach your current goal."
(10:35:16 AM) Phulax: "If you are going to have to wait for king's permission anyway, would it not be more prudent to so from the ship, if possible? That is all I ask."
(10:35:39 AM) thuryl: "We have little to lose by trying. Perhaps you could arrange our release into your custody?"
(10:35:58 AM) Phulax: "If you assent to return to the ship for the time being, we will speak to the king on your behalf and try to free you."
(10:36:25 AM) Meredith: "Though he doesn't really trust us, either. We shall do our best."
(10:38:19 AM) thuryl: "That is all you can offer us? If we cannot enter the temple, we must return to Dilegad, to a city where there is no place for us. You are our only hope."
(10:40:01 AM) Phulax: "I'm sorry, but as Meredith said, the king mistrusts us as well. You are not meaningfully further from the temple on the ship than you are hear, but you'll safer and more comfortable there. Perhaps we can change things, but the future is uncertain."
(10:40:05 AM) Meredith: "What would you have us do? Demand to the King that you be set free, and end up in the same position you are? These people are proud, and the leader at least, foolish. There are no promises."
(10:41:03 AM) thuryl: He thinks about this, and sighs deeply. "If nothing can be done, then nothing can be done. The historian and her assistants are in the next cell. At least arrange for their release as well."
(10:41:55 AM) Phulax: "We shall do our best." I nod, then move toward the next cell.
(10:41:55 AM) Meredith: "You have my word that we will do everything we can for you."
(10:41:55 AM) thuryl: "And please, if you find yourselves with the opportunity to ask for a miracle, ask for peace between Wireld and Pelinora."
(10:42:01 AM) Meredith: "Of course."
(10:42:37 AM) Meredith: (muttered to P:) "I'm sure Lephista would gladly do such a thing."
(10:43:38 AM) Phulax: I stifle a chuckle. "Perhaps."
(10:43:51 AM) Phulax: "Yet whether we'll even have a chance to do such a thing is uncertain."
(10:44:49 AM) Phulax: "And even if one could make such a 'wish,' could one trust it would come true in the way one meant? Or would something strange happen to them like happened the residents of this island?" I mutter back.
(10:45:34 AM) Phulax: I move to the historian's cell and peek in. "Hello. Everyone all right in there?"
(10:46:00 AM) thuryl: You all approach the next cell and see the dragonborn scholar from the ship, accompanied by nine goblins. She waves at you. "Oh, hello there! Come to rescue me, have you?"
(10:46:30 AM) Meredith: "Not exactly. Say, you're a historian, aren't you? Can I ask your name?"
(10:46:44 AM) Phulax: "We'd like to get you released if we can."
(10:48:34 AM) Phulax: "Are you all right? No one hurt?"
(10:48:51 AM) thuryl: "I am Kekka, and this" -- she points to one of the goblins -- "is my student, Druju. We have been treated well enough, although I can't say the food is very good."
(10:49:12 AM) thuryl: "We came here to study the city. As it turned out, the city was more interested in studying us."
(10:49:33 AM) Meredith: "How so? What have they done to you?"
(10:49:54 AM) Meredith: (also, do i recognise either of the names?)
(10:50:00 AM) Meredith: Meredith rolled 1 20-sided die: 4
(10:51:09 AM) thuryl: Druju stands up. "Pleased to meet you, sirs -- and madam. Our, uh, hosts want to know why we came here and what we wanted to 'wish' for. Apparently there's a legend about the temple in this city granting wishes. Nonsense, I'd have thought. But then again, something strange is going on here, what with all the fish-people and everything."
(10:51:55 AM) Meredith: "Quite. So what are you here for, if not the temple? I know your names from somewhere, but I can't quite place you."
(10:53:09 AM) Phulax: "Hmm...the locals here are very suspicious of outsiders. I will try to speak to the king for you. We'll ask for you to have to permission to look around the city. Failing that, we'll ask that you be allowed to return to the ship. If you get stuck waiting somewhere, you'll at least be safer and comfortable there than locked up in here."
(10:54:23 AM) thuryl: Kekka smiles. "We're here to record what we can of the city's history and bring back artifacts of historical importance, that's all."
(10:54:50 AM) thuryl: "Unfortunately, it seems the present owners would rather hold on to their artifacts. So we'll have to stick with the recording part."
(10:55:17 AM) Phulax: Using my knowledge of speaking (Composure) try to sense if Kekka is being truthful.
(10:55:30 AM) Phulax: Phulax rolled 1 20-sided die: 2
(10:55:33 AM) Phulax: ...
(10:55:36 AM) Phulax: (Nevermind)
(10:55:45 AM) Meredith: "I see. Well as my travelling companion said, we shall do our best for you. And as a fellow scholar, if I find anything not quite worthy enough for the Library of Serrenick, I'll be sure to keep it for you."
(10:56:11 AM) thuryl: "Thank you very much. If there's anything you can do to help, I'd much appreciate it."
(10:56:28 AM) Meredith: I turn away and smirk.
(10:56:41 AM) Phulax: I bow politely. "Do you know of any groups imprisoned here? Besides the pilgrims next door?"
(10:57:24 AM) thuryl: Kekka scratches her chin. "As far as people from the ship go, I think it's just us and the pilgrims. I don't know what happened to those other adventurers."
(10:57:48 AM) Meredith: "Thank you."
(10:58:07 AM) Meredith: (to my party:) "Maybe we should see how much trouble Jarrox has caused for us?"
(10:58:14 AM) Phulax: "Odd." (Do dragonborn have eyebrows? If they do, I raise mine quizzically.) "Farewell then."
(10:58:30 AM) Phulax: I nod to Meredith. "That sounds prudent."
(10:58:30 AM) Dyen: "I fail to see why we would do that."
(10:59:19 AM) Meredith: "I fail to see why we continue to tolerate either him or Jack, but the rest of you insist on keeping them around. We may as well check up on them if only for that reason."
(11:00:17 AM) thuryl: Okay. You all heading to the tavern now, then?
(11:00:25 AM) Phulax: "Jarrox is a sad, frustrating person. You're issues Jack seem to be more in the realm of...professional competition. Look on the bright side. You've seen the inside of the Elpisian prison, and he hasn't."
(11:00:42 AM) Phulax: (Yeah, unless one of the others wants to stay here, I guess we head out?)
(11:01:03 AM) Meredith: "Yes, I'm sure future genertations well relish the notes I'll make on that: "Dark, and unwelcoming.""
(11:01:04 AM) Phulax: "Surely seeing this place is worth a small treatise?"
(11:01:27 AM) Meredith: (we're heading for the tavern, yeah)
(11:01:32 AM) thuryl: You arrive at the entrance to the tavern. Inside, a clientele consisting mostly of mer-elves and a handful of turtles chew on wads of seaweed in various colours. A couple of lobster bouncers stand near the entrance. Inside, Jack, Lephista and Jarrox are talking to a turtle.

SIDE SESSION #1 ENDS HERE

***

SIDE SESSION #2 BEGINS HERE

(11:51:58 AM) Jack: "Hey, Lephista..."
(11:52:01 AM) Jack: "You know..."
(11:52:12 AM) Jack: "We don't need... theeem."
(11:53:00 AM) Lephista: "You know, you are so right. We could wrap this up today."
(11:53:30 AM) Jack: "Yeah! Let's get rid of these politickers... Let's do what we came here for!"
(11:53:47 AM) Lephista: "Yeah! . . . wait, how?"
(11:54:11 AM) Jack: "Let's go to the temple. We get there first. We claim the glory."
(11:54:38 AM) Jack: "You get to help people. I go down as the greatest spelunker in lacewing... come to think of it, lacewings don't have much history..."
(11:54:40 AM) Jack: "But still!"
(11:54:59 AM) Lephista: "You're right. Let's do it and not look back."
(11:55:25 AM) Jack: I smile "Let's do it!"
(11:57:28 AM) Jack: I leave the spire.
(11:57:43 AM) Lephista: I ride alongside Jack. "Okay, which way is it?"
(11:58:05 AM) Jack: "Well... we know it's underground... we'll just have to ask for directions..."
(11:58:31 AM) Lephista: "From Skrass! Let's go visit him!"
(11:58:36 AM) Jack: "Yeah!"
(11:59:06 AM) Lephista: I ride northeast, and look for a big spire.
(11:59:12 AM) Jack: I follow.
(12:05:07 PM) Jack: (Should I roll for looking for the spire?)
(12:05:11 PM) thuryl: Okay, you're both heading off toward Skrass's spire.
(12:05:20 PM) Jack: (Asked and answered again.)
(12:05:37 PM) thuryl: No need to roll, but it'll take a while and I'm resolving stuff with the rest of the party in the meantime.
(12:05:46 PM) Jack: (Understandable)
(12:08:29 PM) Lephista: Can we see them behind us, or are we too far ahead?
(12:09:22 PM) thuryl: You can see them approaching you at a slow walking pace, yes.
(12:09:30 PM) Jack: "Aw, hell no!"
(12:09:37 PM) Jack: "How did they...?"
(12:12:04 PM) Jack: "C'mon, let's pick it up. I don't want to be stuck with these guys."
(12:12:43 PM) Lephista: "Eh, we should probably let them catch up."
(12:12:57 PM) Jack: "Why?"
(12:13:23 PM) Lephista: "Well. . . that stuff in the bar was our fault, wasn't it?"
(12:13:44 PM) Jack: "Well, I didn't really instigate anything... But they didn't help."
(12:14:00 PM) Jack: "And I've had enough of her..." I jab over my shoulder at Meredith.
(12:14:29 PM) Lephista: "Well, okay. It was my fault. You can go on without me if you want."
(12:14:30 PM) thuryl: You've arrived at the foot of the spire. It's not quite as large and impressive as the king's, but it's definitely one of the taller buildings in the city. Instead of being guarded by lobsters as you've come to expect, it's guarded by a pair of frogs armed with long, crude stone cudgels.
(12:14:45 PM) Lephista: I stop, dismount, and wait for the others.
(12:14:48 PM) Jack: "No. You're a good smart person."
(12:15:02 PM) Jack: I stop by Lephista.
(12:15:28 PM) Lephista: "No, I'm not. You're good. I need to be better."
(12:16:06 PM) Jack: "Lephista, you actually stop to question your acts... usually. You admit you have failings. And you're not as high-and-mighty as them."
(12:16:22 PM) thuryl: (I just realised this log is going to be Hell to prepare.)
(12:16:28 PM) thuryl: (Carry on, though. :P)
(12:16:32 PM) Jack: (Heh.)
(12:16:36 PM) Jack: (I know the feeling.)
(12:17:56 PM) thuryl: Back in the main chat now, though.

SIDE SESSION #2 ENDS HERE

***

SIDE SESSION #3 BEGINS HERE

(12:19:43 PM) thuryl: Okay. You double back toward the prison. It'll take you a while to get there, though.
(12:19:55 PM) Phulax: How long?
(12:20:00 PM) Phulax: I didn't think the city was that big?
(12:20:26 PM) thuryl: Not huge, no, but long enough that you'll be sitting out most of the conversation with Skrass unless it goes on for an hour. :P
(12:20:33 PM) Phulax: Okay.
(12:20:47 PM) Phulax: I try to teleport myself there to get there more quickly.
(12:21:06 PM) Phulax: Since I was there earlier, I'm familiar with the location, after all.
(12:21:43 PM) thuryl: Your spell fizzles and you have to resort to going back in a series of short hops. In the end, teleporting doesn't get you there significantly faster than walking would have.
(12:21:57 PM) Phulax: At least I got good practice. :-)
(12:21:59 PM) thuryl: The guards at the entrance watch you warily.
(12:22:12 PM) Phulax: ("Control, control, you must learn control!")
(12:22:17 PM) Phulax: "Greetings, sirs."
(12:22:34 PM) Phulax: "I am here to see about the release of the outsider prisoners, by order of the king."
(12:24:19 PM) thuryl: One of the lobsters nods and jabs a claw toward the cells where they're being held.
(12:24:58 PM) Phulax: "Well, please release them." I smile affably.
(12:26:27 PM) thuryl: It points to you, and then to the cells.
(12:26:56 PM) thuryl: "We... guard. You... go."
(12:27:14 PM) Phulax: "Who will unlock the prisoners, then?"
(12:27:29 PM) thuryl: "No lock. Guards... let."
(12:27:52 PM) thuryl: (There aren't any doors. There isn't any wood to make them out of, after all.)
(12:28:21 PM) thuryl: (Or much decent metal, for that matter. You saw the ladder.)
(12:28:38 PM) Phulax: I nod. "Very well."
(12:28:59 PM) Phulax: I enter, vigilant for ambushes.
(12:29:41 PM) thuryl: Nobody seems intent on ambushing you: you reach the cells safely. On seeing you, the lobster guards at the cells motion for the pilgrims and historians to leave; they eagerly do so.
(12:29:57 PM) thuryl: The pilgrims' leader is the first to reach you. "Thank Sliros! Are we free to go?"
(12:30:19 PM) Phulax: "Yes, you must all return to the ship. The king wants us all to leave."
(12:30:31 PM) Phulax: "Come with me."
(12:30:49 PM) Phulax: I lead them out, trying to answer their questions as we walk.
(12:31:08 PM) thuryl: "Leave? But..." He sighs deeply. "I suppose there's nothing to be done. Our whole journey... wasted."
(12:31:29 PM) thuryl: Kekka seems more upbeat. "Well, at least we saw the city before we had to go. That's more than most people can say."
(12:31:53 PM) Phulax: "Do not give up hope. You may not find your miracle in Elpis, but that doesn't mean you can't learn anything from this journey that you might not find a way to use to aid your peoples."
(12:32:39 PM) Phulax: "The example of the people of your two cities, joining together on a mysterious voyage to this lost island, could be a powerful example, one you might leverage for influence at home."
(12:32:50 PM) Phulax: "Influence you could use to bring peace."
(12:33:05 PM) Phulax: "At least consider it," I say. (Have we got out of prison yet?)
(12:33:30 PM) thuryl: Yeah, you're heading out now. Which way do you want to go? You're not going to lead them all the way back to the ship, are you?
(12:33:43 PM) Phulax: No.
(12:33:50 PM) Phulax: I direct on the way back to the ship.
(12:33:54 PM) Phulax: Then I say:
(12:34:19 PM) thuryl: The pilgrim leader shakes his head. "Perhaps. But as long as the war continues, we cannot safely return. We will simply have to make our way in Dilegad as best we can."
(12:35:00 PM) Phulax: "That direction is toward the ship. For now, I must track down my companions. They wanted to do a little more...sightseeing before they left. I'll see you later. Peace to you."
(12:35:17 PM) Phulax: I bow and head back toward the northeast spire, as they head off to the ship.
(12:35:54 PM) thuryl: "I understand. Farewell. May Sliros guide you."
The pilgrims walk away sadly, followed by the historians.
(12:36:43 PM) Phulax: I assume you'll let me know when I reach Skrass' house.
(12:37:47 PM) thuryl: Yup. You walking or teleporting?
(12:38:18 PM) Phulax: More teleportation practice, I guess.

SIDE SESSION #3 ENDS HERE