[ACRO/Town] Trog's Tavern 205 (CCV for Citzens of Rome)

[happyturtle]

http://home.centurytel.net/jeffsjunk/TrogTavernAnimated.gif

*Upon entering the tavern you find it to be rustic, dim, cramped, and smelling of spilled beer. Moving through the crowd, half of which seem to be deadtiming, you spot a fireplace with a banjowood carving on the mantle, you also make out through the haze the curving bar and private booths hidden behind ferns. A side door leading to a patio outside reveals a hungry looking dumpster mimic sneaking towards an unsuspecting customer.


Staff:
Owner and Proprietor: Trog
Manager: El Jaspero
Bartenders: Dyna, Phoebe, Ashna
Bouncer: Baby

Trog's Tavern hires only the finest NPC servers:
((Since all are NPCs they are up for communal control. Feel free to say what they do or say to you or any other patron. To a point.))

Nina - A fiesty and vivacious tiefling. Mean, self-centered and completely unavailable. You may have seen her recently on the WotC 4E cartoon.
Paige - A sweet, wholesome, flirty elf working her way through PC school.
Cosmo - A quick-witted and oppressed gnome scoundrel. Truly a monster. RAWR!

DRINK MENU:
Wines:
Chimera Cabernet - A hearty red with a hits of oak and black cherry.
Cormyrian Fireamber - Imported and very good.
Eladrin Carbernet - Official Feywine of the Wild Hunt
Kobold Chianti - Tart. Tangy. Shifty.
Merfolk Merlot - Full-bodied with a hint of rose.
Powerlust Pinot - For those corruptable humans
Shadar-Kai Shadowine - Served in a jagged, broken glass
Spoonake Chablis - Straight from the Underdark!
Warlock Wine - Best served cold
Xorn Zinfandel - Sweet and fruity!

Mixed Drinks:
Aboleth Absinthe - Far Realmilicious!
Black Shadow - A strong concoction guaranteed to send a chill down your spine at any temperature.
Coffee Martini - Buzzzzz.
Djinn and Tonic - Whirling ice cubes, fizzy soda, and one drunk genie.
Dragon Liver Buster - Strongest drink in the house
Dwarf Spirits
Fire Archon Asylum Rum - "FAAR!!!"
Haley's Liquer - Named for the redheaded rogue, a sweet creme liquer, excellent over ice.
Hemo Colada - 100% less coconut, 100% more ichor
Ichor Liquor - Made from a fermented mix of various kinds of blood
Jasphattan - El J's Secret Recipie, vermouth & bitters
Murderita - Wasted away again...
Piña CoLlama - If you're not into yoga and have half a brain.
Rust Monster - Scotch, drambuie shaken in a wooden mixer.
Sneak on the Beach - Peach vodka, cran-pineapple juice, a cat hair
Swampwater - Phosphorescent lemon-lime
White Russian/Wukei - for bounty hunters who dig dairy
Wizard Blizzard - Crushed ice and Bourbon. The effect depends on the spell stored in it.

Beers & Such:
Ales: Archon, Guilders, Balthor's Best
Grim Brewery Ginger Beer - Death-o-licious!
Mind Flayer Mead - Mmm... brains.

Other Fine Beverages:
Darknight Coffee - cream has no effect
Fox Cola - the choice of the furry generation
Llamonade - That cool, refreshing drink for quadrupeds
Oni Tea - From the far east.
Red Minotaur Energy Drink - a-MAZE-ing energy!
Root Beer
Save vs. Slow Slurpees™ - C-c-c-cold
Hot Chocolate - Mmmmmmarshmallows

MUNCHIES MENU:
AbyssalNuts - damned and spicy
Baked Goods - Scones and Muffins and Brownies oh my! We have no cake - the cake is a lie!
Bamhacon - where the ham meets the bacon. Served with eggs.
Court of Stars Salad - Fresh fey greens
Hero Sandwiches - what else? Served with Villain vinegrette
Velvet Elfish - Trogtilla chips and hot meat and cheese dip
Yuan-ti Gyros - Lamb. Or halfling. We're not sure.
Trog's Floor Chili - Don't ask Trog where it came from and Trog won't tell you "the floor"

SMOKABLES:
Dwarven Cigars - From our axe-hewn humidor
Coffin Nail™ Cigarettes - Get Nailed!
Halfling Pipeweed - Bogart™ brand

[XtheYeti]

Anton the four year old, who is newly orphaned is sitting under a table, hungry and crying. He hasn't eaten in days.

Oh hai repost!

[Earl of Purple]

Androthelia, the man with the stitches surrounding his face, fingers, neck, and wrists continues to look up. There's probably more stitches under his battered brown robe and possibly his hair. There are several parts of his body of a differing colour to the surrounding parts of his body. He is also in possession of a metal box with a red cross crudely painted onto the side and a brown paper tag tied to the handle.

***

Sitting in a corner is a regal-looking elven lady wearing a red dress with a black shape made of sequins on the front. She is sipping delicately at a pear cider. Her hair is black and her eyes are green. The sequin shape and the design on the silver amulet around her neck are both of a two-tailed scorpion. There is an elegant longsword lying in a sheath on her table. The leather sheath has a centipede design, and the bronze crossguard has beetles sculpted onto it.

[happyturtle]

The stitched man detects lots of healthy animal organs in the rafters.

Michalson sees some feathered creatures.

The elven cultist might have avian excrement land in her décolletage. :smalleek:

[Morty]

Birds in the Tavern's rafters? Strange. Michalson sends Gink, his rat familiar - who is actually a creature from the Shadow Plane that takes the form of a rat - up there to investigate.

[happyturtle]

How close in form? Does it just look like a rat, while really being made of shadows, or is it actually in a rat body?

[Morty]

It looks like a rat, but is made of essence from the Shadow Plane made corporeal.

[Earl of Purple]

After looking it up on Wikipedia, the elven cultist does indeed suffer that fate. The Reverend Lady Elezibethele screams and jumps up before rushing to the lady's room. She did leave her sword and pear cider behind.

****

Androthelia nods to himself and returns to his drink of chemical tissue preservative to prevent his internal organs from rotting. Because he really doesn't want to replace them again. He has far too many fingers, and most of them have been sewn on at really odd angles. After all, there's only so much space for fingers and thumbs on a human hand.

[Gnrlshrimp]

Felix looks up at the rafters curiously. "Pigeons? Inside the tavern?" He mumbles to himself, "How did they get in? Too many to have just flown through the door. Is there a hole in the roof...and the ceiling?"

[McBish]

Angie keeps sitting there quietly with her eyes closed planning.

But who is this, Phoebe comes downstairs her stick/sword, stuck in her belt. She smiles at everyone and moves behind the bar to do some work.

[Morty]

Michalson and his rat both deadtime, unfortunately, as their player needs to go to sleep.

[XtheYeti]

Anton the four year old, who is newly orphaned is sitting under a table, hungry and crying. He hasn't eaten in days.

Oh hai repost!

This kid is still here. And crying...and hungry...and an orphan...

[happyturtle]

One has to wonder why Androthelia keeps sewing more fingers on than he needs. :smallconfused:

The scream attracts attention, and three of these things swoop down at Elezibethele, meaning to attack with beak and talons.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Barnowl.jpg/220px-Barnowl.jpg

Each is about 18 inches (45 cm) in height, and they scream back (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YvyXu7coXA) at her.

The rat is very lucky it isn't really a rat, as a real rat wouldn't stand much of a chance. Two more of the dire barn owls lunge at the rat with their beaks.

[Gnrlshrimp]

Felix frowns at the sight of the owls. That was a little unexpected, he'd assumed they were mere pigeons, or some other form of mildly annoying bird. He shifts his staff slightly, ready to respond if any of the birds go after him.

Or try and make a nest in him...

He does have a lot of beard after all.

Trying to take bits of beard to use as a nest will be frowned on as well.

[McBish]

Angie just brings up her ignore me aura hoping the birds ignore her.

Phoebe on the other hand frowns and glares at the birds wondering how they got here. She notices the crying then and looks over to see the orphan. She goes out around the bar heading over to him to make sure none of the birds attack him. She pulls out her sword/stick out of her belt.

[XtheYeti]

Anton just sits under the table he's been sitting under for 4 days and cries.

[Earl of Purple]

Androthelia likes having lots of fingers. They make holding things easier, which, as a surgeon (albeit one that regularly utilises necromancy), is rather useful. He also seems to have his back to Elezibethele and paying little attention now he know it's 'just' animals.

****

Elezibethele falls to the floor and produces a dagger from somewhere. She then jabs at the dire owls with it. Not entirely certain where the dagger came from, there doesn't appear to be any where a dagger can be hidden in that dress. The screaming of the owls does mean she cannot concentrate enough to cast a spell.

[UncleWolf]

Wallcroft looks up at the owls when they shriek. "Well, that's a bit odd to see first thing in the morning." Technically not the first, but Lenneth was still upstairs. He isn't concerned about the owls nesting in his beard though. Instead, he takes one of the biscuits he order and tears it apart, leaving a pile of crumbs in his hand. Holding it out, he tries to call to one of them, patting his arm so it can be used as a perch.

Nope, he wasn't too worried about owls. If they proved hostile towards him, then he'll start getting a bit worried.

[happyturtle]

Elelizabethele badly wounds one dire owl, getting blood on her. Sensing weakness, four more owls swoop down on the fallen cultist, to make a total of seven on her.

Angie's 'ignore me' aura is very effective.

None of the owls seem interested in being fed breadcrumbs when there's meat to be had. And since Wallcroft doesn't smell much like fresh meat, he's ignored for now. Androthelia smells even worse, so the dire owls actively avoid him.

An owl swoops down and tries to grab Phoebe's sword/stick in its talons. Another two are trying to get under Anton's table from the far side of Phoebe to nom on a helpless orphan.

A dire owl lands on the bar in front of Felix and screeches at him, then lunges forward to grab a big ole tuft of beard. ZOMGWTFBBQ?!! They can read narrative text?! :smalleek:

[Gnrlshrimp]

"Gah!" Felix whips his staff round, leaning backwards as he does so to try and avoid the owl. However by doing so, he ends up pushing himself further backwards, resulting in the chair falling over with a thump.

"Oww...my spine..." The old man is fine-ish, but his back makes a loud clicking sound as he tries to right himself, flailing wildly with the staff as he does so.

It might be better if people don't try and assist, that staff is dangerous!

[McBish]

Phoebe swings her stick quickly pulling it away fro the one trying to grab it and whack it. If she succeeds it should hurt a lot more then a normal stick, a lot like getting hit by a metal bar.

She sees the owls going after the kid and kicks the table trying to flip it over so it is between the kid and the owls, and she is on his other side.

[Earl of Purple]

Elezibethele tries to fend the owls off some more. Unfortunately, one dagger plus on the floor equals not much defensive value, so there's scratches on her legs and her dress is in tatters. She is also trying to crawl back to the table where she had been sitting, due to the sword there. "Somebody, please, help me!"

****

Androthelia has currently removed his ears so the barn owls don't distract him from examining a brain in a glass pickling jar; the jar even has an old label declaring the contents to be pickled onions. This also means he cannot hear Elezibethele's screams.

[XtheYeti]

Anton curls up in the fetal position and screams in terror.

[UncleWolf]

Wallcroft sees the ones going for Anton and draws his sword, swinging it's glowing blade upwards to try and slice at least one of them in half.

[Earl of Purple]

((I must Deadtime now; I will type tomorrow))

[happyturtle]

And now there are three people on the floor, looking helpless and tasty. Wonderful! At least if you're a dire owl.

Elezibethele is taking the worst of it, as she has 7 owls on her at the moment. She has the choice of curling up under a booth for protection, which would keep her from taking much more damage, or continuing to crawl for her sword, which will leave her open to more attacks. If she's determined enough to endure the owl attacks, she will probably make it back to her sword by her next post. Hopefully.

The nest building owl goes down after Felix, still trying to collect beard tufts, while three more fly down to nom on him.

Phoebe flips the table, causing it to crush one owl, while Wallcroft slashes the other in two. The one that's hit with her sword falls to the ground, stunned.

[Gnrlshrimp]

"Getoff!" Felix shouts, collecting himself for long enough to actually use the staff's powers to send four pillars of rock shooting out of the floot to try and thunk into each of the owls.

He then resumes his flailing attempts to get back upright, seems one of his legs has got caught in the chair at an awkward angle, and the presence of owls is too distracting for him to free it properly.

[McBish]

Phoebe nods to Walcroft glad to see someone else fighting this random encounter. She whispers something to it's sword/stick, and now when it hits it should cut the birds as well. She will continue to fight off birds swinging her sword with some skill.

She makes sure that none get to the boy as best she can.

[Eternal Drifter]

For some unknown reason, a spellbook floats into the Tavern... alone.

Is that right? Nothing holding it up but air and magic?

Yep.

Those who know Eternal Drifter from across the street may reconize it as Drifter's spellbook.

It opens up, and pages start to turn by themselves, slowly at the moment...

[XtheYeti]

Anton, as only a little kid with ADD can, sees the spell book and stops crying, smiles and walks over and tries to grab the spell book out of the air. (he's a four year old who just got orphaned. Play nice Drifter)

[Eternal Drifter]

Anton, as only a little kid with ADD can, sees the spell book and stops crying, smiles and walks over and tries to grab the spell book out of the air. (he's a four year old who just got orphaned. Play nice Drifter)

(Errr... this is unexpected...)

The book falls into the kid's hands, but the pages keep turning... faster and faster... most of the writing on the pages are words that you can't really pause to read at the moment... and there are occasonal pictures that stand out momentarily (including one of a certain Magma Monkey). But those do not stick around as the pages keep turning... and somehow, there are always more pages...

[UncleWolf]

Wallcroft returns the nod and heads over to try to save Elezibethele. If the owls are on her, he'll set his sword to the side and use his hands to try and remove the owls. He's likely to get torn up a bit, but it's a small price.

[happyturtle]

Since Earl had to deadtime, I'll assume Elezibethele curled up for protection. Wallcroft makes a bit of headway against her attackers.

Two more nest building dire owls fly at the spellbook, trying to rip out pages, and possibly wounding Anton if he's in the way.

Phoebe seems to be emerging into hero-dom as she slays another dire owls.

Two of the owls get thwacked by rock pillars and seem to be either dead or stunned. That leaves one more that managed to evade the pillar that now attempts to take a huge bite out of Felix's gut, and then reach in with its talons to grab some nomilicious intestine. The one trying to get beard tufts is probably sitting on his chest now continuing to try and get beard tufts.

[XtheYeti]

(It's a four year old newly orphaned kid with ADD, what do you want from him? :smallbiggrin::smallwink::smalltongue:)


Anton giggles and hold the book up and sorta poiting at on of the owls.

Draw!

(I'[m pretty sure that's his text color...and if not I just changed it

[Eternal Drifter]

Owls attack the spellbook? Suddenly, as the owls approach the book and the kid holding it, a transparent shield appears the pair, blocking the attacks.

Edit: Ninja'd... Continued...



Anton giggles and hold the book up and sorta poiting at on of the owls.

Draw!


Mist flies from the book, surrounding the child holding it and going out the shield, starting to surround the attacking owls...

[Gnrlshrimp]

The owl attempting to peck at Felix's gut will encounter a problem...

Bone armour. As soon as the owl attempts to peck, several runes light up in response, giving off a bright blue glow before unleashing a fireball at point-blank range at the owl.

It'll probably singe Felix a bit, and maybe the other owl, but that's better than having your intestines eaten.

Oh. and Felix takes a swipe at the other owl pecking at his beard...it'll probably go wide, but it's worth a shot.

Well, there's better things he could do, but his leg is still stuck.

[McBish]

((I would expect him to be afraid of the owls trying to eat him.))

Phoebe frowns seeing the little kid get up and walk away from the protection she was trying to provide. She rushes after him trying to grab his collar and pull him some place safe. Stay down.

[UncleWolf]

Wallcroft will attempt to grab the owls and throw them hard into the ground, trying to either knock them out, stun, or kill them.

[Lord Magtok]

As inconvenient timing as it might be, Angie's phone should start ringing. The call doesn't appear to be a number she'd recognize, which means that, chances are, it's precisely the person she's waiting to get a call from.

[McBish]

Meh Angie still has her ignore me aura in effect and it should just keep her from being noticed at all, she picks up. Hello?

[XtheYeti]

Anton isn't grabbed due to whatever bubble shield thing the book is creating. He just giggles and continues pointing the book at the owl.

Hiya! Get 'em! Pew pew pew!

[happyturtle]

The owl attempting to disembowel Felix dies a firey death. Smells like fried chicken.

Between them, Wallcroft and Phoebe manage to eliminate the rest of the Dire Barn Owls.

Except for one. The one that was going after Felix's beard will try to escape out the window with a big ole tuft of hair, if it was successful in grabbing any. Felix might have a bald place on his chin now.

Up in the rafters, someone might notice the PHAT LEWT glinting in the owl nest.

[McBish]

Phoebe will definitely be looking for her Lewt. I mean that is the best part of random encounters. So when she spots it she climbs up to see what is in said pile.

[Lord Magtok]

Over the phone

Yes, I've given him orders to head to Magtok Land. It's an old abandoned amusement park buried several pages back, it'll pop up again once Bal's player po-Oh right, I decided I wasn't going to break the fourth wall anymore.

Anyways, I'm sending you the coordinates where the two of you will meet. Is there anything else you'll need, or is that enough?

[McBish]

That should be enough thank you. Wish me luck. She says getting up and heading outside.

((Does it have it's own thread? Or just outside?))

[UncleWolf]

Wallcroft will simply remove his cloak to put it over the deadtimed Elezibethele to keep her covered and starts to chuck the dead owls outside. If any are still alive, he'll tie cloth napkins to cover their heads as most birds won't do much if they can't see.

But then again, Dire Owls aren't most birds.

[Lord Magtok]

((It has its own thread.))

[happyturtle]

In the nest, Phoebe finds an assortment of lewt.

A pair of matching gold bracelets that deflect spells and projectiles, Wonder Woman style. (Phoebe)
A cornucopia that dispenses food (mostly nutritious with desserts on occasion). (Anton)
An amulet in the shape of a stag-horn beetle. (Elezibethele)
A small bronze box. (Felix)
A dire owl chick, still alive. (Wallcroft)


With Phoebe's feel for truth and rightness, she will probably sense which items are destined for each person. Let's just hope the GM of the random encounter came up with appropriate lewt. >.>

(people in the fight: Felix, Elezibethele, Wallcroft, Anton, Phoebe... did I miss anyone?)

[Eternal Drifter]

Mist absorbs all the fallen owls, and it returns to the large clump of mist surrounding the book and the child holding it.

Anton in the mist can see the book clearly, it's pages turning so fast that he can hardly see anything on them.

Then a voice in his head...

What is thy wish?

(@ Happyturtle: You missed the Spellbook (aka: the Lore Grimore), but it is content absorbing the power of the Owls for later... and fulfilling a wish.)

[McBish]

Phoebe jumps down from the rafters putting on the bracers herself. She takes the other items and starts to give them to the people around who she feels they belong with.

[XtheYeti]

When Anton is handed the copia he digs in and eats till he's full to bursting.

I wish I had a friend.

[happyturtle]

I guess it's hard to think of an object, however animate, as a PC.

That being said, I have... absolutely no idea what sort of treasure one would give a book. :smallconfused:

[McBish]

A magical bookmark of fire resistance.

[Eternal Drifter]

I wish I had a friend.

The Spellbook finally slams closed, and mist starts to surround it, taking on a humanoid shape. The mist shrinks in size then dissapears.

The book is no longer there.

Instead, an girl elf child is next to him (thankfully, fully clad), the same size as he is. She has black hair and blue eyes, and is looking at Anton's food with intrest.

[UncleWolf]

Wallcroft takes the chick with a smile and thanks. He doesn't bother with trying to name it just yet, and holds it close, slipping it some of the breakfast meats from his plate.

[XtheYeti]

Anton holds out some food to her.

Hungry?

[Eternal Drifter]

"Yes!" She says. She takes the fruit offered and eats it. Then, when Anton isn't looking, the remains of the fruit dissapear into mist and vanish.

[McBish]

Phoebe smiles seeing the little kid get a friend and some food. So she just keeps an eye on him for now.

She goes back behind the bar watching everyone waiting to see if anyone needs anything.

[XtheYeti]

Wanna play fort! I got a cool fort!

...under a table...where people sometimes sit...kid still doesn't have a home.

[Eternal Drifter]

Wanna play fort! I got a cool fort!

...under a table...where people sometimes sit...kid still doesn't have a home.

The elf grins. "That's a nice little fort you have there," she says. "You know, I have a bigger one nearby."

[XtheYeti]

Really? Where is it? Does it have a wall and a drawbridge? Does it have a moat? And cool creatures in the moat to eat people?

[Eternal Drifter]

Really? Where is it? Does it have a wall and a drawbridge? Does it have a moat? And cool creatures in the moat to eat people?

The elf grins. "Yes! It has all those things, and far more..." she says. "I'll take you to it! Come on!"

She heads to the door to the tavern and gestures for Anton to follow.

[XtheYeti]

Anton skips off after his new friend.

To his doom?

[Eternal Drifter]

(No, to here. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131051&page=43))

[XtheYeti]

Arkizikal Bandor teleports into the Tavern and waits for Angie to get there.

[McBish]

Angie walks in, her hair still has some blood in it, that stuff is hard to wash out. But other then that a few healing potions a good change of clothes, and she looks pretty normal. She goes and sits at the bar ordering herself a martini.

[XtheYeti]

Ark walks over and sits with her.

Angie...what the hell?

[McBish]

Angie takes her drink as Phoebe gives it to her and sips it. She looks up at Ark, Hello Ark, I'm doing good, how are you? She says smiling.

[XtheYeti]

Ark drops his head onto the bar.

What? What did you do? And...What the hells happened?

[McBish]

What happened Ark? I was kidnapped by your brother, tortured and raped. And despite the lack of support from my friends I took care of him. For now at least, temporarily until we can figure out how to break this Chain of Fate.

Angie says drinking her drink still calm.

[The Bushranger]

And it's at this moment that into Trog's walks a certain white-haired, green-eyed half-ghost, looking around for Angie.

[Eternal Drifter]

And it's this moment Drifter enter's Trog's with a stressed look on his face. He appears to be missing his spellbook.

[XtheYeti]

Ark sighs.

Not going to happen Angie. Bal lives. The balance is maintained.

[Eternal Drifter]

"Has anyone seen my spellbook? It's got a rune on the cover, is rather old... oh, and rather powerful and can think and move on it's own?"

Drifter sounds desperate.

[McBish]

Screw that if you think the world is balanced you haven't lived in it as long as you say. Find a way, you'll do it better then I could.

And then she spots BR.

Ah if it isn't BR, nice to see you.

[XtheYeti]

Ark shakes his head.

Gods Angie. What has he done to you?

[The Bushranger]

BR quickly hurries to Angie, his expression...distressed. "I got your message," he says, quietly. "The DRDs found it. If I'd known how bad it was, I'd have come sooner..."

[Eternal Drifter]

"Has anyone seen that book? Surrounded by mist? Absorbing the fallen with mist? Transforming guises? No, it's not that awake yet..."

[McBish]

Angie downs the rest of her drink. She doesn't respond to BR just yet.

You think Bal did this to me. He was an amateur. A skilled one, but still I was worked over for years by true monsters whose job it was to cause pain. And they trained me. He just woke up that training. His mistake.

And BR I thought I told you to stay with your wife. Everything is under control.

BR who has known Angie for a good amount of time might find her attitude odd. When she is in a rough spot she isn't calm, cold even, like this. But she doesn't seem to be the distressed girl that left that message.

------------

Phoebe speaks up to Drifter. Yeah it turned into a girl and took a kid to it's fort.

[XtheYeti]

Ark sighs.

Where did you leave him? I've got a few ways to keep him out of the loop for a while. I'll handle it.

[Eternal Drifter]

------------

Phoebe speaks up to Drifter. Yeah it turned into a girl and took a kid to it's fort.

Drifter pales. "Do you know where that fort is? Wait. Do you know of any fort around here that was constructed within the last hour that was built by mists in less than five minutes?"

[The Bushranger]

"Yes, and I'm the Manchurian Candidate," BR retorts to Angie as he takes a seat.

He does find it odd - and yet he has a good guess as to what's going on...

"Talk to me, Angie. Or don't. But don't pretend things are alright when they're not. I did that once. It doesn't help."

[McBish]

Phoebe shrugs. Sorry I don't know, I've been here.

-----------

Angie shakes her head. He is out of the loop don't worry about that. You just concentrate on breaking that chain.

She orders another Martini before turning to BR.

Things aren't OK that is true. I am numb though so that is OK I guess. And Bal can't hurt me for a good while now. So you should leave before I distress you too much.

[Eternal Drifter]

"At least I know what to look for... thanks for your help..."

Drifter heads out of Trogs, and then starts down the street.

...Something's really bothering him. Normally he'd be asking for donations!

(Donation glass is on the counter, next to the tip jar.)

[XtheYeti]

No Angie. He's out of the loop till either his goddess girlfriend decides she wants him for something, or until he finds a way to die.

[The Bushranger]

"If I left now," BR says quietly, "I'd be more distressed, with myself. If you don't want to talk, that's fine, but...numb or not, I bet you really don't want to be alone, somewhere deep inside even if that's the only place it is."

[McBish]

Ark he isn't going to cause any problem. Though his girlfriend might. I have him in an anti-magic field which should hide him from scrying. Can you do something better to keep him hidden.

And BR if you want to know the truth I have a hard time looking at you right now. Ark here to. So if I have to choose alone or with you, well I don't know alone doesn't sound all that bad. She says and for the first time a hint of emotion, fear, is in her eyes and voice.

[XtheYeti]

Everything I can do requires me to not only do it in person, but is magic. If you have him in an Anti magic field I can't do anything, and that wont stop his girlfriend...if she actually decides to care about him long enough to do anything about it...

[The Bushranger]

BR hesitates, then makes the connection as to exactly why this might be the case.

And slowly nods, standing, and reaching into his pocket, producing a communications pin (http://s3.hubimg.com/u/915214_f120.jpg) that he drops on the bar in front of Angie.

"If you ever need anything. At all. Call me."

[McBish]

BR. I'm sorry if this hurts you. But I can't do anything about it. She says scooping up the pin and putting it in her pocket.

She then sips her drink looking at Ark. Well what can you do?

[XtheYeti]

I can do magic Angie. Do you want the specific spell names or is the fact that I can guarantee that Bal wont be found by his girlfriend for a long time enough?

(Don't trust him Angie! He's sympathetic to his brother! The voices in my head are yelling at you!!!!)

[McBish]

I would like specifics at how you would hide him. It might screw up how I took care of him.

Also I would need your promise that you would do nothing but hide him.

Oh and Angie already is fairly sure he would let him free if he saw him.

[XtheYeti]

I would cast a whole friggin bunch of very powerful wards on him, and the area, and weave them all together, which will make them stronger.

(He's avoiding the promise! He's not on your side! Voices in your head!!!!)

[McBish]

Hm, well I doubt he is capable of magic anyways. Now for the promise. On your life that you will do nothing to free him from the situation I put him in. Because if he gets free I will have to find a way to stop him from coming back, and will do anything.

She says glaring at him with a mean glint in her eyes.

[XtheYeti]

Hm, well I doubt he is capable of magic anyways. Now for the promise. On your life that you will do nothing to free him from the situation I put him in. Because if he gets free I will have to find a way to stop him from coming back, and will do anything.

She says glaring at him with a mean glint in her eyes.

Ark sighs.

If I free him you may kill me.(And he left many loop holes in that!!! CLOSE THEM!!!)

He shakes his head.

So unnecessary...

[McBish]

Well I will try and kill you, you might fight back. And without the magic dampening, you will win. Promise me you won't free him. Say the words simple.

She says stubbornly and a bit angrily. The fact he is saying what she did is unnecessary is pissing her off.

[XtheYeti]

I wont free him.

McBish...sorry about what's going to happen...Ark's gonna keep his word. his exact word.

[McBish]

Don't apologize, I'm fine with it. Though Angie is going to freak out I'm sure.

Fine I'll take you to him. And you will put up your wards and do nothing else right?

She says glancing only a little bit at BR.

[The Bushranger]

BR. I'm sorry if this hurts you. But I can't do anything about it. She says scooping up the pin and putting it in her pocket.

"It does. But I know you can't help it. Just...remember, anything I can do, any time, just ask."

Looking rather like a hurt puppy, he turns and heads for the door.

[XtheYeti]

Lets get going then Angie. I gave you my word. Lets get this over with

Yeah...but I just feel so dirty doing this...but It's exactly what Ark would do...Chaotic Good...not Lawful...

[McBish]

Angie doesn't respond to Ark till BR is out the door. She finishes her second drink and stands up. Right then let's go. She says dropping some coins on the bar and heading out the door herself.

[XtheYeti]

Ark follows her out.

[The Bushranger]

And the moment BR is out the door, he Folds away, likely with the flash from said teleportation being visible to the two leaving behind him.

[Chas the mage]

The soldier remains at the bar, wearing his scuffed armor. In his hands he has a photograph of some variety, and is looking at it, thinking; and of course to supplement his thinking is a decent amount of alcohol.

The doctor is here, wearing the usual tuxedo and bloody vest. He appears to be sketching something avidly in his book of notes. He also appears as if he hasn't washed himself recently, and in addition he has soot on his face, hands, and fore arms.

The newcomer is here, wearing the same set of clothing as he did last time, only slightly more worn. He sits at the bar, smoking a cigarette, looking apathetic.

[McBish]

Phoebe stands behind the bar admiring her new bracers. She thinks that they are a good addition to her wardrobe.

She sits down to eat a light breakfast herself before returning to work.

[Gnrlshrimp]

Felix eventually sorts himsely out and pulls his chair back up, frowning and rubbing at the bare spot on his chin. Blasted owls stealing it for their nests!

He reaches into his bag, fiddles about, takes out a small bone, and a rune immediately glows with a bright blue colour for second.

And the hole in his beard disappears, replaced by fresh bushy grey hair. The mark on the bone darkens considerably and Felix sighs. Well, apparently he'd already used up all the uses of the "beard regrowth" spell stored in the bone.

Damn birds were always pecking at his beard...and there was that time it got set on fire...and a little child once tried to use it for climbing and tore out a huge chunk...and there was that beard-obsessed dog as well...

Poor old man has had a lot of beard troubles in his life.

[McBish]

Phoebe smiles and waves to Felix. She goes over to him with the small box that should be his from the pile of Lewt.

Hey this is for you.

[happyturtle]

Poor Felix. And he missed out on getting any Dire Owl bones because of Drifter's Spellbook absorbing all the bodies.

On the other hand, he does seem to have acquired a small bronze box, about 5" x 2" x 2". He can probably sense that it's magic.

[Gnrlshrimp]

"Hmm? Oh, there was loot? I suppose I should've guessed. Random attacks, be they from feathered beard pecking fiends or giant golems or any other crazy creature always seem to leave loot behind. Well, thankyou very much!" The old man smiles at her and takes the little box. He examines it curiously, wondering what this new trinket could possibly do.

He's been quite lucky with loot, really...

Will he be lucky again?

[happyturtle]

Inside the box, which is lined with soft fabric, Felix finds a little mechanical man that looks something like the groom in this cake topper (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31785113). He can probably tell that it only needs a tiny amount of magical energy to come to life.

[McBish]

Phoebe smiles and goes to serve some NPC's their food.

[Gnrlshrimp]

Felix looks at the little mechanical man and smiles, "Well, what a wonderfully silly thing! How marvellous!" He carefully lifts it out, puts it on the table in front of him and sends a spark of magic through it to see what happens.

[happyturtle]

The little man gets to its feet, looks up at Felix, and salutes.

[Gnrlshrimp]

Felix grins, his eyes lighting up like a child with a new toy. He salutes back at the little man and offers a hand for it to climb up on.

[McBish]

Phoebe looks around the bar it seems to have gotten a lot less busy, the NPC's all have their food and drink. So she pulls out her lute and goes to her corner to play some. She is actually a decent player now, simple songs only but still much better then before.

[Je dit Viola]

A quite small girl who is nine years old runs into Trog's, with tears streaming down her face.

She has short (shoulder-length) brown hair, and blue eyes.


Moments after her, some (3) tall men wearing dark clothing, with the majority of their body concealed walk in, trying to act inconspicuous. One, for examle, is reading a newspaper, and glances up to look for the girl.

[McBish]

Phoebe stops playing when she sees the crying girl. She tucks her lute behind her back and walks over to her. Hi there, are you OK?

[Je dit Viola]

"Y-yes," she stammers, looking up at Phoebe for comfort. "M-m-my mom, and my brother...they've..."

She can't finish her sentence, because, at this moment, tears stream down her face again and she sobs.

[McBish]

Phoebe goes to hug the girl. Oh I'm sorry. Are you hurt at all?

[Je dit Viola]

"N-no, I'm not hurt," she says, looking down at her hands. "b...but...

Whilst Phoebe's attention is drawn to the girl, the three tall dark-clad men move closer all at the exact same time. Very swift, very abrupt, yet if you didn't see them move you may wonder if they actually moved.

They're all suddenly three seats closer to Phoebe and the girl.

[McBish]

Shush now little one. Come on lets get you something to eat and drink. She says trying to lead her to a chair near the bar. She waves to Nina to get some food and milk for the little girl.

[Je dit Viola]

As they move towards the bar, the furthest man (with sunglasses, of course) stands up, and walks towards them. After the order, he comes up and taps Phoebe on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, miss, but I think you might have dropped this." In his gloved hand, he's holding a golden earring with a small gold bird hanging from it, which has a diamond for the 'eyes' of the bird

The little girl seems too afraid to speak, of the man.

And the other two who look eerily similar (maybe they're (Identical?!?) triplets?) stand up also, after the first starts talking to Pheobe, to come up on their flanks.

[McBish]

Phoebe looks at the man, then at the men and frowns. [color=cyan]No I don't think I did. She keeps between the girl and the man.

[Je dit Viola]

"You sure?" He raises his eyebrow, then looks at the earring in his hand and moves part of it, and brings it close. "Your name is...Oh, gods. I wish I knew how to read...your name is this, no?" He points at some writing etched on the earring.
Unfortunately, he doesn't move it closer to her to read it, so Phoebe will have to lean really close to read it.

Meanwhile, the girl is still too frightened to make a sound, and is surrounded on both sides by the other two men.

[McBish]

No I don't own any ear rings, my ears aren't pierced. She says not looking down at the ear ring. She glares at the men surronding the girl.

Hey there back off, she needs her space right now. Her hand resting on her stick sword.

[Je dit Viola]

"No?" Then, upon Phoebe glaring at the two, the one with the earring swings a punch at her face, in order to distract her from what the other two are doing.

Which is, the other two are teaming up to grab the young girl.

[McBish]

Phoebe is indeed punched and she staggers to the side, drawing her stick sword and swinging it at one of the men trying to grab the girl, if it connects it will be like being hit with a heavy metal rod, swung by someone stronger then Phoebe looks.

[Morty]

Wenomir(or his plot clone) undeadtimes, just in time to see the commotion. He approaches the two men trying to kidnap the litte girl and it's clear that he's extremely angry.

[Je dit Viola]

In fact, in addition to hurting a lot, when it connects with his back then it will make a dull "Thond" sound, which is indeed an odd sound when you hit somebody.
He arches his back and lets go of the girl. However, the other one has successfully grabbed the girl and is now trying to get away from Phoebe, slowed down by the load he's carrying. The load which is now screaming really loud in his ear.

The one who punched her, however, winds up for a second punch, in the arm this time.
He swings at the arm, hoping to give her a dead arm.

And all three of them are at the bar. And none seem to be paying attention to Wenomir at the moment, because he's not involved yet.

[Morty]

Without much ado, Wenomir tries to round-kick the man carrying the girl in the face.

[McBish]

Phoebe tries to jump away though the punch still grazes her. She places her feet and holds her sword in front of her. Let her go. She demands as she steps forward again swinging at the man she already hit hoping to take him down so there will be one less enemy to fight.

[Je dit Viola]

As Wenomir kicks the tall man with the girl in the face, the guy's face falls off and clatters on the floor...
Well, it was just a mask. Beneath that mask (and the broken sunglasses) are brightly colored yellow eyes, a deformed and likely rotting face, and snarls. Sharp pointed teeth, as well. "I would not do that, if I were you."
He growls at Wenomir, but doesn't attack, rather turning away and continuing to head towards the door with the girl in tow.

The one that Phoebe hit collapses to the ground after another odd connection sound.

The third one, the one with the earring, watches his two comrades, and backs away from Phoebe and Wenomir, still clutching the earring.

[Morty]

Wenomir draws his sword. Let the girl go or I'm going to stop being nice.

[McBish]

Phoebe rushes jumping over chairs and running across tables to get to the door before the man does and block his way. At the same time activating her magic cloak, though there is no outward sign of anything changing.

[Je dit Viola]

The unconscious one is still unconscious.
And the one with the gold earring is backing down the stairs right now, to go to the floor below.

However, the one with the girl, and has the hideous face stops at Phoebe blocking the way.
At Wenomir's request, he drops the girl after pricking her with something in his hand - she crumples to the ground. "Fine, have it your way," he snarls.

He bends over now, and his gloves come off, as well, revealing sharp claws that definitely couldn't fit in those gloves. They also might be diseased, in addition to being sharp.

[McBish]

Phoebe steps forward swinging her sword at the clawed man trying to drive it back from the little girl more then actually hurt it right now, and being careful to stay away from the claws.

[Morty]

Wenomir swings the sword at the man's head level, trying to use the superior reach of his weapon to prevent the enemy from getting close.

[Je dit Viola]

He's facing Wenomir. With Wenomir in front of him, and Phoebe behind him, both prodding him in different directions, he doesn't really have anywhere to go. So, for obvious reasons, both of their efforts in moving him fail.

As he's hit across the face (he shifted his size a little), the tall man with lanky arms likely as long as Wenomir's sword has blood ooze out.

Except...it's not really blood. More like purple slime puss, crawling out of his skin and boiling on the surface.

[Morty]

Wenomir's faced things that bled stuff which looked like yellow tar, so he's not phased by what's coming out of this guy. He backs away and tries to drive his sword through the man's chest.

[McBish]

Well then Phoebe tries to whack him in the back of the head till he is laying on the floor and can be dragged away.

[Je dit Viola]

The unknown assailant backs up from Wenomir's attack, only to find Phoebe's swing connect.

He then falls, even though the sword at his gut missed, and collapses onto the girl.

...

The girl is now being squished by the mutant guy with toxic bloodlike junk.

[Morty]

Wenomir tries to grab the guy before or after he falls and drag him away from the girl.

[McBish]

Phoebe reaches down to check the girl to see what is wrong with her.

[Je dit Viola]

The tall and odd guy is successfully dragged away, and is unconscious, like the second one.

However, the first one who has retreated downstairs...is still downstairs, in the basement.

The little girl, on the other hand, is quite fine, except for the small prick in her hand which is quickly festering and has a green disgusting look about it.

[McBish]

Phoebe frowns as she sees the wound. She looks up at Wenomir and then at the stairs down, where the other man went. You should go take care of him. If you need help call for me. She says holding the little girl gently in her arms.

[Morty]

Wenomir looks at the girl, the unconscious guy and Phoebe and says: Alright. Then he heads downstairs.

[Je dit Viola]

The little girl isn't actually unconscious, but rather semi-conscious.

She blurrily blinks her eyes, and looks up at Phoebe. "Wha...where am I?"


Down the stairs, the demonhunter will, if he looks quickly, see the third man climbing down through the secret side-door into the sewers, the door closing just after Wenomir enters.

Should he decide to follow, he'll find himself in the Inside thread.
Should he not follow, he'll still be in this thread with two unconscious of those guys and a little girl. And Phoebe, of course.

[Morty]

Wenomir decides not to follow, as it'd probably mean ending up in the middle of a small army of such guys. Also, his player doesn't have much time. He goes back upstairs.

[McBish]

Phoebe smiles at the girl. Your at Trog's. Are you OK, how do you feel? She says in a gentle voice.

[Je dit Viola]

Well, no, it's not an army of those guys.
But it's a good reason nonetheless.

"I...uh...I...feel numb," says the nine year old girl whose family was taken. The poison has numbed her senses. If one of them would have been hit by the guy, then a similar thing would have happened.

[McBish]

Phoebe nods. Take it easy we will get you something to take care of that soon enough. Did you recgonize those men?

She says trying to think where Trog kept his antidotes for poison around here.

[Je dit Viola]

The two guys up here are still unconscious. One, by the bar, and the other, where Wenomir dragged him to.

"I...maybe? I kinda remember them, a little..." Her mind's also rather cloudy, but that's because of the wound which needs to be sterilized. "Something...something about...taking my mom?"

[Morty]

Wenomir returns to the main room. He got away. He slipped into some secret door and I didn't think it was a good idea to follow him.

[McBish]

Phoebe nods and looks up. Do you have anything to treat her wound? She asks Wenomir.

[Morty]

I have some basic first aid items. Wenomir produces some bandages and such. But that wound looks too serious for it to be of any help.

[Earl of Purple]

At this point, Elezibethele the female elven demon-cultist who'd previously been mobbed by dire owls to the point of clothing damage, undeadtimes. Luckily, whilst undeadtimed, some kind Ogre patron had placed his giant coat over her."Is there anything I can do to help?" She has black hair, green eyes, a large coat over her shoulders that drags behind her and a silver amulet around her neck. The amulet depicts a two-tailed scorpion.

[Je dit Viola]

The young girl with the punture wound on her hand that looks infected and bad, looks up at the kind cultist. "Well, maybe...maybe you could try cleaning it? That's what my mom always did," suggests the girl to those who are talking about her.

[McBish]

Right dear we'll do that. She says getting up and getting a clean rag and some water going over to wash the wound gently.

[happyturtle]

While deadtimed, Phoebe gave Elezibethele her lewt from the random encounter, which is a brooch in the shape of a stag horn beetle. She might be able to tell it's magical.

[Morty]

Wenomir deadtimes at this not particularily convenient moment.

[Je dit Viola]

The wound gets cleaned by the water, but not sterilized, unfortunately. Water doesn't really sterilize, especially tap water.

"Thank you," says the girl, a little weakly.

[happyturtle]

Baby undeadtimes and tries to pour some whiskey on the girl's hand, which should sterilize quite well. And also hurt like boop.

[Earl of Purple]

"Allow me." Elezibethele will then put her hands on the wound, and channel healing energy through her body to seal the wound and prevent further infection. Doesn't do anything about any microbes already in the cut, however. Elezibethele also examines the brooch, trying to identify what it does. "Thank you for the brooch, by the way. Do you know what it does?"

[Je dit Viola]

So cleaned, sterilized, then mended.
That works perfectly.

By the whiskey, she darts her hand back, because it hurts. "Ow!"

And now, it's all better.

...and there's still two unconscious mutant tall guys with sunglasses and black.

[McBish]

Phoebe shakes her head to Elezibethele. She doesn't know what it does. She also frowns a bit at Baby. That seemed a bit mean. But she turns back to the girl

There does that feel better, are you hungry or thirsty?

[happyturtle]

"Whisky fix everything," Baby says. "Make cuts get better and not icky yellow stuff."

Elezibethele could try putting a spark of magic into the brooch to see what happens. :smallwink:

[Je dit Viola]

"Yes, I am, a little," says the young gal, who has forgotten (not really) what has happened to her mom and brother and...

She nods her head, to emphasize what she says.

[Earl of Purple]

After examining it for a while, Elezibethele eventually decides to place magical energy into it. She also shrugs in response to Baby and Phoebe. "Alcohol makes disease-spirits drunk so they cannot produce illness like they are supposed to. Whisky contains a lot of alcohol." Hooray for pseudo-mediaeval explanations that actually make sense and work! Sort of.

((Deadtime, type tomorrow))

[happyturtle]

Magic energy. Yay!

Suddenly in front of her there is a giant stag horn beetle, as big as a horse, and with a special saddle fitted to its torso. Scary! :smalleek: Well, probably not to someone who worships the god of invertebrates. Elezibethele will sense that she can command the beetle by thought, and that it will return into the brooch whenever she wishes.

(Elezibethele gains a demonic mount! Since you know far more about insects than I do, I'll let you decide what a giant stag horn beetle mount would be capable of.)

[McBish]

Sorry, forgot about this.

Phoebe gets up and goes to get some food and milk for the little girl.

[Je dit Viola]

The nine year old girl who is completely human gets the milk and the breadfood. "Thank you," she says to Phoebe, before starting to eat them (after a quick silent prayer, of course) (because her mom taught her to do that)

[McBish]

Phoebe goes and starts to drag the men to one side and starts to tie them up with some rope.

[Je dit Viola]

As she drags them, she'll find that they're rather heavy for their size (thin and tall). And, of course, the first unconscious one is wearing a humanlike mask, just like the other one was.

They, for obvious reasons, don't resist.
However, they will leave Phoebe with the feeling that she needs to wash her hands a dozen times after she does so.

[McBish]

I don't know what you are talking about. Angie isn't here, this is obviously Phoebe who ties up these men things.

She then goes and sits by the little girl watching her eat.

[Chas the mage]

The soldiers sits, wearing the same damaged suit of armor. He seems to be fiddling with a copious amount of hidden compartments in his armor, some bearing weapons. on the bar near him is multiple throwing knives, a dagger, a serrated knife, and 2 pocket pistols; presumably all removed from his armor.

The doctor is here, his apron dripping with blood, onto his shoes, and the floor. He seems rather unaware, as he makes his way to the bar.

The newcomer is here, drowning his troubles in alcohol, mostly stiff liquors.

[Je dit Viola]

The girl continues to eat and make it so that her stomach doesn't growl anymore.
However, she makes a pause while she's being watched, to say, "Thanks."

[McBish]

No problem. Are you tired at all, there are beds upstairs where you can rest if you want. Phoebe says with a smile.

[Je dit Viola]

"No...I'm not tired," she says, shaking her head. She's just worried.

[McBish]

Do you want to talk about whatever happened? Phoebe asks gently glancing at the men things tied up.

[Chas the mage]

The newcomer continues to drink.

[Je dit Viola]

"Well," She glances at the two tied up men, as well. "They came while everyone was sleeping. I woke up, and hid in the closet, and when I came out, everyone was gone."

She looks away from them once again, and back to Phoebe. "And then I tried following them, but they saw me, so I ran away."

[McBish]

I see, we will see if we can find your family, where do you live?

[Je dit Viola]

"Ummm..." She thinks back.

"That way." The girl points in a random direction.

[McBish]

OK then, we'll see what they know and get you your family back OK? She says with a reassuring smile.

[Je dit Viola]

"Okay. Thank you," she says again, giving her a really really big (:smallbiggrin:) smile.

Then, the girl goes back to finishing eating.

[McBish]

Phoebe walks over and will try and wake up one of the men things.

[Je dit Viola]

The one who has the mask taken off is still unconscious, however the one who went down first stirs.

He is also wearing a mask, obviously, and sunglasses.

[McBish]

Phoebe waits for it to realize it is tied up staring at it. Don't struggle or I will whack you over the head again.

[Je dit Viola]

He realizes that he's tied up, as is the other. He releases a deep, throaty growl at Phoebe, and, despite the warning, he starts to struggle to get out.

[McBish]

Phoebe frowns pulls out her stick and whacks him on the head fairly hard.

[Je dit Viola]

Again, he passes out.

You may wonder why they get knocked unconscious so easily. It's because they're unfinished. Their mad scientist creator isn't finished yet.

[McBish]

Phoebe sighs and watches the men.

[Je dit Viola]

They...stay unconscious.

Except for the one whose mask and gloves have come off. He starts to stir, now.

His face is still really ugly.

[McBish]

Phoebe goes over to him. I have some questions for you.

[Je dit Viola]

He snarls, and snaps at Phoebe, while secretly trying to wriggle his hands/claws free from the rope.

So, that's a "Go ahead", I guess.

[McBish]

Who are you and why did you take that girls parents? She says still holding her stick sword.

[Je dit Viola]

He doesn't answer the first question with anything but a growl.

The second question, he answers, though. His voice is really scratchy. "The Doctor requested that we captured some subjects," he says.

[McBish]

Who is the doctor and where is he?

[Je dit Viola]

"Ha. You must think me stupid to tell you where he is," he says in his deep, throaty growl. He has almost gotten his hands free of the rope using a combination of his claws and squirming.

Back to the other guy, he's waking up again - it passes almost as quickly as it happens.

[McBish]

Phoebe frowns. You are probably right, you are just a stupid mook that doesn't know anything. I should probably just let you go. She says with a sigh.

[Je dit Viola]

"Yes," the mutated/diseased person agrees. "You should let me go."

The other one is now awake, and still tied up.

[McBish]

Only if you promise to pass a message along for me. Tell your doctor that he needs to let go of anyone who has been captured or I will come and deal with him personally. She says seriously.

[Je dit Viola]

"And if I don't?" the odd man wearing black, with feline yellow eyes, asks her, with defiance.

His hands are now completely free, and his claws are pinching through the rope behind him so that it'll snap-next post.

[McBish]

Then I'll whack you over the head until you agree to do what I say.

[Je dit Viola]

"But how will you know?"

He nudges the guy next to him with his fetid arm, and they both stand up now, immediately backing up from the lass with the stick.

He bares his claws, and his pointed teeth.

[McBish]

Phoebe frowns and swings at one of their heads, though she is leaving the door wide open for a possible escape.

[Je dit Viola]

Since you didn't say which side she swung on (left or right), I get to choose! :smallbiggrin:

She hits the one with the very humanlike mask and the sunglasses, and shatter his sunglasses, revealing his wild yellow eyes that would make Captain Hook shiver if there was a clock nearby.

However, his eyes abruptly close as he passes out once again, and crumples to the ground.

The other one sees his comrade fall, and bends down, should she swing again.

While bent down, he reaches over to the fallen one and reaches his claws into the chest of the unconscious guy...likely killing him. You'd think this was a stupid move when he could have run, but...you'd be right.

[McBish]

Phoebe swings, at the things leg hoping to hurt said leg but not stop it from running away just yet.

[Je dit Viola]

The leg is swung at with the force of a lion protecting her young! The entire leg tears off, along with the pant leg.

Again, it doesn't bleed, but rather oozes purplish gunk. You had better not touch that if you value your health.

The guy pulls his hand out of the chest of his fallen and decidedly dead comrade.

With only one leg, the beastial man gets on his hands as well, and with the three limbs, darts away from Phoebe, under a table, among other things (people). Rather than going to the door, though, because that way was blocked, he went towards the stairs that go upwards.

...his removed leg lies there. It looks so repulsive that even a zombie would avoid it.

[McBish]

Sad day, Phoebe wasn't blocking the door so she is upset at whoever is. She starts to chase after the thing.

[Je dit Viola]

It was in his mind, mostly. He interpreted a cat as a fierce feline defender.

The three-limbed man-beast starts to scale the stairs with a scary speed, leaving oozing purple poison stuff on the steps of the stairs.

Once arriving at the top, he scans the rooms for one that is open.

[McBish]

Phoebe follows her doing her best to keep an eye on the creature so she can follow it.

[Je dit Viola]

He finds an open door, and darts in. Fortunately, it's empty.

Unfortunately, the window's closed.

So, he stops, and gets ready to start dashing and lunge at the window to break it and leap out.

[McBish]

Phoebe follows in time to watch it jump out the window. She will go and try and jump down herself in a more careful way.

[Je dit Viola]

Without having to shatter the glass with your skull, any way is more careful.

Anyway, this'll continue in the Inside Thread, 'kay?

[KerfuffleMach2]

Talia undeadtimes at the bar, crouched on a stool.

Zel walks in and takes a seat at the bar as well.

[McBish]

K I shall follow you to that thread.

[Xaspian]

"Well, here we go again" Pelgof sighs as he enters Trog's. He takes a brief glance around the room before taking a seat by the bar. "I'll have an apple juice, please. Freshly squeezed."

A male human, late twenties, wearing loose-fitting clothes. Mostly drab colours, save for the sparkling sapphire clasp holding his cloak. He has shoulder length black hair, and dark eyes to match.

As he waits for his drink he takes another look around. Why did he come back here? Sure, he'd had some fun times, but it probably wouldn't be worth it. Too much has changed. But maybe he didn't have a choice. No matter how many times he tries to leave Town, he keeps getting drawn back.

"Here you are."
He takes a sip. The bartender looks at him, and coughs pointedly.
"Oh, sorry. Your money."
He waves his hand, and summons a coin, apparently from the air. A closer eye will have spotted it fall from his sleeve as he shook it, a simple sleight-of-hand. "I hope that covers it."
The bartender accepts the coin, and nods, leaving him to his drink.

[Je dit Viola]

Back in this thread, a woman walks into the Tavern. She has red hair and looks decidedly demonic, especially considering her tail. However, she wasn't born as a demon, so I don't know what that counts for.

She gives a smile to anyone who gives eye-contact with her. Her smile reveals that she has sharp teeth, like a vampire, and two necklaces, one of which is cursed and the other of which is pseudo-magic (technology pretending to be magic).
What else...
She has two whips, one is bladed and the other is made of some nightmarish creature tentacle, and she has a viola. In addition, she has a construct made of two arms (and hands) sewn together at the shoulders. (They used to be necrotic, but are no more).

Violet, for that is her name, sits down, not far from Pelgof, but doesn't order anything yet.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof pulls out a deck of cards from a pocket within his shirt. He takes another sip of juice with his left, and begins shuffling the cards with his right. He took a brief look at the newcomer as she sat down, but doesn't pay her too much attention.
There's no point acting surprise at every freak or weirdo around Town. You'd never get anything done.

Not that he has anything to do. He sighs again. Just like old times, right?

[Je dit Viola]

Violet, sitting on her tail and hoping that nobody noticed it, swivels her bar stool to face Pelgrof.

The woman who looks to be in her upper teens watches him shuffle the cards for a moment, before asking, "So you play cards, huh? I haven't played cards in a while."

[Xaspian]

New people, talking to him. Probably a good idea to respond. might as well get a contact or two while he's here.

"Me either. Mostly I do tricks Stuff I picked up. Helps pass the time." He puts the cards down, the blue back of the deck facing up, and extends a hand.
"Pelgof. Without an 'r'. And you are?"

[Morty]

Michalson is once again sitting in his gloomy corner.

[Je dit Viola]

"Nice to meet you, Pelgof," she repeats so as to not forget his name. She brings her smallish hand out to shake as well, and replies, ""My name's Violet. Violet Nuuitsu." Her last name's just in case he wanted to know about it.

Vi now gives a nice smile at him, which sadly reveal her pointed teeth again.

Oddly enough, though, the arm construct, who has grown bored, starts unbrading and braiding Violet's strawberry blond hair again.

[Xaspian]

"Nice to meet you too, Violet." He grips her hand and shakes firmly, but not too tight. A moment later he releases it again, and picks up the cards to resume shuffling.
"Have you been in Town for long? It's been a while since I was last here... I don't think I recognise anyone here any more."

[Je dit Viola]

"Well," she starts, thinking back about how long she has been here. "I came here a year and a half ago, but, due to some odd time-travel stuff, I've been here for over seven years." The time-travel was a plot that was really large and involved a bunch of people, and was built up of many different smaller plots, all ramming together in one large clash. So she's been here nearly as long as I've been a member of GiantitP.

However, Violet, not wanting all the attention to herself, asks, "How long ago did you leave? I'm sure there's other people here who might remember you."


If noone else wants to throw a character at Michaelson, then I might take a break from my studying and toss one at him. (despite being in the middle of Finals...)

[Xaspian]

"A couple of years, I think. I kinda lost track of time. I might have died a couple of times, but that might have been a different me... it's confusing. Time-travel sounds fun, though."

He pauses a moment, both speech and cards, considering his words.

"Yeah... time-travel... Anyway!" He raises his voice slightly, snapping himself out of a near-daze. "Sometimes, people remembering you can be just as bad as no-one knowing you. Especially with some of the people I've met." He grins.

[Je dit Viola]

"It actually wasn't fun, because I had no way to come back. I think I've died three times, maybe, depending on what you count as 'dying'." Violet shrugs. "In fact, I think I still might be dead..."

Technically, yes, she still is because her body's inexplicably still in its grave despite the rampant necromancers.

"What kind of people have you met?"


Should Michaelson want to interact with someone, there is a rather plotcloned man with long (mid-back length) dark red hair, which is in a ponytail. He's also a little tall, and has a dancer's lithe body.

In addition, he's wearing black (with silver trimming), so it works out perfectly.

[Morty]

((Michalson's player is a bit torn between wanting to RP and knowing someone should be preparing for the finals. :smalltongue:))

Michalson is observing both newcomers idly. The one in black looks a bit like a vampire, he thinks.

[Xaspian]

"Well, when I first arrived, I worked at Saurous' Mage Guild. That was before he left for one of the acronyms organisations, I forget which. Probably the evil one.
I left for a while, after that Guild disbanded. When I came back I hung around with Raril and Artemis, and their Thieves' Guild. I met Judge Draken, too, in Court. Fun times." He's grinning again, recalling a particularly good memory.

"I've got a feeling that I recognise that guy over there, but I can't quite place it. Might be one of my imaginations." He gestures at Michalson's corner, although not too obviously.

A moment later, his face turns serious, and he holds out his right hand, deck of cards spread into a fan. "Pick a card. Any card."

[Je dit Viola]

((Oh well. It's just a (bunch of crazy-hard) test(s)))

William, whose name is the knight's name, looks 'round the Tavern. Hey, Michaelson's in his shadowy corner!
He walks up towards Michaelson, and says, "You know, hanging out in shadowy corners is not good for your health."
Unlike Violet, he does not have pointy vampire teeth, leaving the only possibility that, if he is a vampire, he's a sparkly vampire.


Violet nods, and listens to him speak. She tries to think back if she recognizes any of those names. She's heard of some of them, but has never met any of them.
"Oh, you do?" She glances over at Michaelson. "So it's just not me, then. I was thinking that maybe I was going insane, or something, since I seem to recall his face."

The lady turns back, to see the cards. "Hmmm...how about...this one," she says, picking a card seven from (her) left.

[Morty]

((Just FYI, the Michalson here isn't the Michalson I used to play in Town. Both are half-elven wizards, but that's it.))

Why would you care about my health? Asks Michalson, refilling his pipe. He looks rather unhealthy, of course. A large grey rat watches the man as well.

[Xaspian]

"Okay, take it- No! Don't show me! Look at it, but keep it hidden. Then memorise it."
As she takes the card, he folds up the deck, and shuffles it a few times. The card is a 7 of clubs.

((EDIT: In that case, he can just be mistaken.))

[Je dit Viola]

The knight without armor raises his eyebrow. "Well, isn't that the right thing to do? Make sure people aren't harmed by their own stupidity?" Although, it must be right to let them be harmed if you don't like them so much.

Speaking of harming, Will is armed with a sword, and axe (both bloodred and sheathed across his back) and a silverlike staff.


"Okay...got it," she says, careful not to show him her 7 of Clubs. "Now, do you want me to put it back in the deck?"

[Xaspian]

"You've done this before."
He smiles as he slides the deck back into a fan, holding it out again.

[Morty]

((As you wish, then.))

I'm moved by your compassion, then, says Michalson, lighting his pipe with a match, But my health can't get much worse. Besides, I like being in the dark.

[Je dit Viola]

"Of course your health could be worse," points out the prince. "You could be dead."

"And the darkness is rather harmful. I like the twilight better, myself."


"I've had other people show me it before," says Violet, putting the card back into the deck, somewhere in the middle-left area, "but I could never figure out how it worked. I've tried doing it with a deck of cards, but I was only right half the time."

The musician shifts her position, because her demon tail was going rather numb with the circulation cut off by sitting on it. Now, it's between her legs rather than under her right thigh.

[Morty]

Twilight's fine, yes. Michalson puffs a cloud of smoke from his pipe. I'm a bit sensitive to light, I'm afraid.

[Xaspian]

Pelgof seems slightly distracted by the other conversation, but resolves to just ignore it, focusing on the trick instead.

He shuffles the cards, doing that split the deck then bend it back together thing, and then the one where you flick the deck one card at a time from one hand to the other, really fast. Much of this is just for show, but the deck gets a good shuffling.

He ends up with the deck perfectly straight, lying on the bar between then
"Alright, now... Turn over the top card, and lay it next to the deck. Then, count down the deck the number of cards shown on the first card."

[Je dit Viola]

Will nods, then decides that standing is getting rather boring, so he sits down at a nearby chair. "So...that would make you either a vampire, an albino, or a pregnant woman," he deduces, mostly in jest.


"Alright. Like this?" She turns over the top card (which I don't know what it is), then counts down the deck. "Do you think it's going to work?"

[Morty]

Michalson's eyes narrow at the suggestion he's a vampire. I assure you, I'm alive, male and there's nothing wrong with my skin pigmentation. My aversion to sunlight comes from practicing shadow magic.

[Xaspian]

Shadow Magic? Pelgof's ears prick up again, metaphorically. No, not now. Investigate later.
It's a 3 of Diamonds.
"It usually does. Now, stop there."
He draws the next card down, keeping it facing himself, and looks at it.
"Interesting..."

[Je dit Viola]

Will laughs. "Don't worry. I couldn't have mistaken you for one of those."

However, he now stops laughing. "So, shadow magic?" He scoups his hand at the darkness, making it...less dark. In that hand, is a ball of blackness, writhing around and floating somewhat in the air. "Like this? Or something different?"


"...Oh. Well, this isn't it," she says, turning the 3 of ♦s.

"But...what's so interesting, I wonder?"

[Xaspian]

Sorry, I should've been more clear. The first card was the 3. She counted down 3, and he took the next card, which is the interesting one. My bad.

"Well, I'm pretty sure this is your card. Is it?"
Pelgof holds it out in front of himself, and twists it, to show Violet. It looks like a Queen card, but without a suit. A closer look will show that the queen is, in fact, and image of Violet herself.

[Morty]

Michalson's expression changes from bored to mildly curious. Yes, something like that. As well as drawing energy from the Shadow Plane.

[Je dit Viola]

Oh, so I was totally wrong.
It's alright, though. I just read it wrong.

"Wow," she says, reaching out to grab the card so she can hold it closer and look at it. "Well, it's not the one I drew..." Do I really look like that?


"Hm. Well, I can't do that last one, so you have me beat there," says William casually, tossing the ball of concentrated darkness over his shoulder.

Should Michalson continue watching the ball of shadow, then he'll notice that, after it's thrown, it grows brighter and brighter, until it's a blinding light. Instantly thereafter, it dissipates into the air.
...if he doesn't continue watching it, then it still does the same thing, just not in his line of sight.

[Xaspian]

"No, I think you drew that one."

He taps the card on the table, the one that had been the 3 of diamonds. not it seems to be the 7 of clubs.

"You should hold onto that card, though. You never know when it might come in handy."

[Morty]

Michalson puts his hand in front of his face to shielf himself from the light. Well, I worked hard to achieve this proficiency in my craft.

[Je dit Viola]

Huh. "Really." She doesn't look down or notice the card that has changed, because her attention is still drawn to the card that looks like her.

"How did you do it, though?" Violet asks, setting the Queen card down in front of her. She's hoping she doesn't get the classic "a magician never reveals his secrets" answer.


"Really?" asks Will also. "How long have you been working at it?"

[Morty]

Michalson puffs a cloud of smoke from his pipe. For about twenty years, I'd wager. Perhaps more. I took some risks along the way to speed up the process.