Palathadric

"I have done all the work that I need done.

The cat leaps back, hissing at Cree. "Thank you! Thank you very much. I will have food and drink for a few days to come." The cat doesn't understand what Quintessa said, but sees her reprove Cree and give the cookie, and purrs in delight. The party moves on. "You shouldn't have given her gold, you know. Animals like that make their living from ripping others off. Even if she was honestly poor, she should do something useful instead of just sitting there trying to make a living by being cute. Ick! Cats!"

"Hmmm...I'm new to the city, so I can't say I know. What is Madrell's Curiosities? If the Triffid headed that way, it might be making for the Ziegfried Manor. Otherwise, it might be headed towards the marketplace...but Madrell's Curiosities, to me, seems like the place to go. I suppose the academy is a possibility as well. Is it a school for magic training or just a regular academy?"

No.

I'm having a hard time thinking of meaningful gifts to give. My mind just blanks out whenever I go to the thread. I'll try to get some more up anyway. What do you give to a man who has everything?

Erik Tyrvarr -- Juggernaut's Helm: (SP: 5; Grants Immunity to Petrification and Absorbs Rock-Elemental Attacks; Headwear; Suitable to Erik) Nerwen Calmcacil -- Harping Harp: (WP: 13; Causes *Enamoured*; Instrument) Thormanil Nihai -- Mask of the Demonic Jester: (Gives Wearer the Appearance of a Demon Jester; Demons, Dark, and Undead Enemies are Enamoured with the wearer; Protects from *Hexed*; Suitable to all, Accessory) Mizuki Kimura -- Totem of Rogue Nerfing (User's gold is increased by 25% at the end of every successful quest; Tool) Eric the Nord -- Raw Skin Hide (Gives Wearer the *Scary* effect; Backwear; Suitable to Eric) Alexander Vandangant -- Marksman's Cap (Successful hits have 1/6 chance of insta-killing Enemies whose type is favoured by Hunter; Suitable to Hunters; Headwear) Karie Alderflask -- Steel Drum (WP: 13; Causes *Stunned*; Instrument)

"What a nice lady! My those biscuits smell good." The cat purrs delightedly, nuzzling Quintessa. "For milk. Most people don't carry milk around these days, though some do pour it into this bowl." Hmm...I've worked with Mr Bonaparte for some time, but...um...it's a long story. It's probably best to leave it for another day...or perhaps Bonaparte himself would be able to tell you." "Any spare..." "Ick! What a filthy beast. You heroes really oughtn't trouble yourself with this bothersome creature."

"I think you're onto something, Ezeran. They were all mages, weren't they? It's possible that he eats ether or something like that. In any case, finding the nearest mage, probably one with some influence or power, should likely be our next step."

"All right, then, Kellim 'the Barbarian' you will be the party leader. Unfortunately I have no badge for you to wear at present. Maybe Mr Bonaparte will have one. Let's get going. ...Oh, one more thing, as the party leader, you'll have to cover my hole...unless her majesty wants to do it. Hee, hee!" Once Kellim covers the hole, the party sets out. Cheapy, from Kellim's shoulder, leads the party through the winding streets. Suddenly their path is blocked... "Meow! Any spare change? For milk? Any milk?" What will the heroes do?

"You're a good man, Gabriel! If your brother is half the man you are, I'm proud to have him married to one of our own." Ack, do I really believe that? I stare at Calamity glaringly, as if to get across how inappropriate it was.

"Is that conclusive then? The big oaf will be party leader? What's your name anyway?"

Cheapy sniffs the biscuit suspiciously, before snapping it up, but then resumes his hesitant manner and only cautiously nibbles at it. Those with the cowls on may hear something to the effect of "bribery" coming out of his mouth.

"Thank you!" I beam before downing a Potion and chawing down my Greasy Sausage (as disturbing as that sounds ).

If I get another Tasty Pretzel, I will kill those who suggested it for me!

"Hmmm...a rest would be nice, but I fear that we may not have time for it with this Triffid running about loosely," I say, sheathing my sword. "Somehow I don't know if that patch is so becoming for a knight."

Cheepy scowls at Quintessa, if rats can do that , but goes on anyway. "I am the representative of his lordship, Bonaparte, come to escort you to the place of our meeting, presuming you are the heroes that were supposed to be here at this time. I am sure Mr Bonaparte is dreadfully sorry that he could not come in person, but the situation in the city is dangerous for him right now. He can't just walk about anywhere for fear of being seen. I'm sure in your line of work you understand this sort of thing...anyway, we should be off...I'm not sure if fancy dress over here will want...ah, never mind, I'm sure she could have her own role to play." Cheeky grins. Party: Quintessa of Heartland (Sandy) 67 years old human female Barbarian Level 1 *Immune to fragile* Power: 4 Defense: 5 Health: 8/8 Gold: 60 Equipment: Rolling Pin (WP:3, club), Heavy Armour (SP:5, protects from fragile-effect, suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers, regulators and vindicators; bodywear.) Inventory: Artifacts: Sylvania's Cowl (Grants "Animal Talk", Headwear) Consumables: 5x Potion, 3x Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Smelling Salts, Nostrum, 2x Smoke Bomb Tools: Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass Kheyli (K-Nut) 327 years old female Fairy Level 5 Barbarian Power: 10 Health: 12/12 Gold: 350 Equipment: Gelum Blade (WP:5, Ice-elemental, ignores SP of foes weak to Ice, cannot be disimbued; greatsword), Sylvania's Cowl (Grants "Animal Talk", Headwear) Inventory: Weapons: Rat Club (WP:5, deals Afraid to Vermin-type enemies and Poisoned-by-1 to enemies of all types; club), Electrum Blade (WP:5, Lightning-elemental, ignores SP of foes weak to Lightning, cannot be disimbued; greatsword), Barrager (WP:3 Greatsword) Artifacts: Cultist Cap (regular attacks do damage to Undead; headwear, suitable to anyone) Consumables: 3x Potion, Mead, Poison Bomb, Aeolus Bomb (Deals 100 wind-elemental damage to all opponents when used.) Cree (Pedguin) 27 year old Mopag Level 1 Knight Power: 4 Defense: 2 Health: 10/10 Gold: 0 Equipment: Blade (WP: 3, greatsword), Shield of Defending (SP: 2), Sylvania's Cowl (Grants "Animal Talk", Headwear) Inventory: Weapons: Artifacts: Consumables: Potion, Holy Bomb Tools: Bedroll Keliim "Demon sworn" *Party Leader!*(Mencot) 37 year old male Human Level 12 Barbarian Power: 17 Health: 19/19 SP: Gold: 7 Equipment: Dwarven Orichalcum one handed battleaxe (WP: 5, Axe), Sylvania's Cowl (Grants "Animal Talk", Headwear) Inventory: Weapons and Shields: Order Imperial Longsword (WP: 5), Scarab Shield: (SP: 3, Bearer takes half damage from vermin) Artifacts: Heroic Helm (SP:2, Helm's SP doubles on free hits, Headwear), Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Earth, Headwear), Wolfish Fedora (+5 WP for each standing hero with Wolfgang reputation and Wolfgang NPC in the party, headwear, suitable for heroes with Wolfgang reputation), Королева's Blessing (When equipped the player gains the ability to Animal Speak to Spiders only, and all spiders are Enamored with him for the first three rounds of battle, accessory) Consumables: 9x Potion, 2x Grand Potion, 3x Mead, Smelling Salts, 2x Smoke Bomb, Venom, Dirt Bomb, 5x Holy Bombs, Double Rainbow (Gives the user the encouraged, lucky, poisoned by 1, and confused effects), Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects permanently), 2x Obsidian Shard (may be affixed to a blunt weapon to give the Bleeding 2 effect for one battle), 2x Charion beetle horn. Tools: Shovel "Before we go farther, you should probably elect a party leader. ...So long as it's not Miss High-and-Mighty over there, I'm okay with any choice."

I repeat.

The mouse appears to breathe more freely now that one of the heroes has equipped the cowl. "Good day, heroes. My, you're a strange lot. I would have thought that...never mind. It appears that we have made the mistake of not having any Rangers in the party. That is no good. Hopefully, these will help in our communication. Oh, by the way, you can call me Cheapy...The Cheap Reaper if you like, butCheepy is certainly easier."

A small shriek, sounds from the hole followed by a little face popping out. The mouse springs out of the hole, hands over its head, skittering around a little bit, then pauses, as if realizing no one understand it, and turns back to the hole. Disappearing for a few moments, it returns with a collection of four "Sylvania's Cowls" and gestures for the heroes to put them on. 4x Sylvania's Cowl (Grants "Animal Talk"; Headwear) What will the heroes do?

"I think you know already what you think is the right thing to do. We can advise you as to what we think, but ultimately you are the one who has to make the choice. We will not make your decision for you."

"Fine." I hand Lind the Compass.

As the two male heroes interrogate Quintessa, they suddenly feel dirt and pebbles flick up against their legs.

"Of course, but that doesn't make it not your problem. You have to do your job, but you have to help those who you can along the way. This is your problem whether you choose to make it yours or not."

"And when will it be your problem? Any problem facing someone you meet is your problem in some way or another, whether you like it or not."

A slight scraping can be heard coming from somewhere below the heroes, but nothing of great concern. I'll give you a little while to chat things over. Please check the Group PM I sent out last night and post all Out of Character comments therein. Happy to have you all.