Kintobor

I've been enjoying myself a lot, Legonater! I have lots to say once we wrap up, but engagement is not an issue on my end.

Zaria takes a moment to clean her blade of the muck staining it. She looks to Varen and nods in approval. "Well aimed, Varen. We all did well. Varuth's guidance is with us, surely." She looked to the corpse of the larger Hydra. A challenging foe had been vanquished by her blade. She calmly cleaved the claw from the creature and latched it to her belt as a trophy for later. "<Varuth, guide on the Great Path, accept this trophy as a token of my devotion to you; that you may give me strength and wisdom to lead my friends and I to safety, no matter the perils.>" She turns to attention to the injured woman on the floor and examines her, looking for injuries.

Yelana Insight Check (DC: 2): (1,3,4,5) Two Successes Although Yelana can't quite tell if Teclion's disappearance has anything to do with it, the mayor does look stressed. She looks tense in her shoulders and there is clearly makeup hiding dark circles underneath her eyes. Despite her greeting being amicable, Yelana also feels as if the mayor is suspicious of the party, her voice and consistent looking over of the heroes' gear and weapons suggesting such.

Zaria moves to D4, slicing into the final Sprout. She shouts as she swings her blade into the creature, putting her energy into a cleave she hopes will bisect the scorn-inducing creature.

"The marksmanship contest has been a tradition in this community for decades. It brings hunters, sharpshooters, and other talented figures to test their mettle with a rifle. If any of you are interested, I might be able to squeeze you in for tonight's big event. It's the last big event until the Daybreak Vigil on the final day of Harvest Week: the Day of Solitude." At the mention of Fix-It, Cassandra sighs. "I see his reputation has spread. If you want to see him you better get in the line. He's got a number of people seeing him at his workshop on the edge of town. Needless to say, I hope Knothole treats you well, Polaris; Miles." The man dressed in brown, rugged looking clothes lingers around a stall selling baked goods next to a woman in pilot's fatigues. The man's layers of clothing are accented with a simple silver necklace. He notices Polaris' gaze and looks at her before turning his attention back to his seeming partner, talking to her. It'd be impossible to listen in without getting closer. "Bladers? Can't say I've ever been called such a title before." Cassandra chuckles at Bers' comment regarding her. "Knothole's streets are probably not the most appropriate places for a duel. If you would like we could head back to my home and spar there: it's far enough away from the crowd that I imagine neither of us are going to hurt anyone else. I have a training course on the premise that might be to your liking." Yelana Culture Check (DC: 1): (1,2,5) One Success Yelana can astutely claim that the purple-skinned woman is likely a celestial of human heritage. Cassandra curtly returns the gesture, shaking Yelana's hand. "Sure. Then in that case, I do hope you find Knothole and the Harvest Week festivities enjoyable, Yelana." MM Note: So, I'm not entire sure what you're looking for out of this insight check. Can you be a bit more specific on what the insight roll you wish to make is in regards to? Also, fixing your stats.

There is a long and honoured tradition in Dungeons and Dragons of fungus just being the worst. I don't blame any player who hears a description for a mouldy hallway and decides that discretion is the better part of valour.

"Oh, this?" She pats the rapier n her hip, the glint of the metal reflecting in the sun. "It's served me well when I was in the navy. Now? It's mainly for show." The elf furrows her brow in confusion before nodding at the offer for a duel. "Do you introduce yourself to everyone with a proposition for a duel?" She smirks. "I mean, I wouldn't be opposed to such an offer if you wish to spar. It's been awhile since I've had a need to draw it; it wouldn't hurt to get some practice in. I do prefer knowing the name of my sparring partner, though." "Fair enough." The elf responds, folding her arms. "My name is Cassandra Skyreach. I'm the mayor of Knothole. As such I'm helping keep an eye on the festival as it progresses to ensure things go smoothly." Cassandra eyes the heroes over, looking at their attire and gear before continuing. "All I ask is that you keep your weapons to yourselves and you don't cause any trouble. This is a quiet community, it doesn't need any more excitement."

Squinting in pain as another attack strikes her, Zaria turns around and slashes at Hydra Sprout A. "As long as I stand these creatures will find no respite from my blade; no place of rest or ease of burdens!"

"No no, I do believe your story. There are far stranger, far more curious tales that still happened to be true. The world we live in is at times stranger than fiction." Istifer nods his head. "I will be honest, I am not as knowledgeable about the Snow Queen as perhaps you were hoping for, but perhaps you should divine on her some more. I do not know what powers she might bestow, but communication with her should be dealt with cautiously. Faeries can be dangerous, and if she happens to be one I would not want to see you get hurt." The bus roars to life as the automaton driver takes their seat and starts the ignition. Istifer grumbles before turning to Polaris. "If you don't mind I am going to have call this the end of our conversation. I would be more than willing to talk with you in Knothole, though. I'll be staying at the town's inn if you wish to speak to me again." Istifer bows before taking his seat, the bus lurching forward as the party rode to their destination. --- After a few hours of driving the bus comes to a stop, the robotic driver announcing the destination in a tinny voice and reminding the passengers to not forget any belongings. Stepping outside, the air is cool and crisp, but not unbearably so. The village of Knothole was alive with activity: street performers played music and performed feats of dexterity and coordination such as juggling and acrobatics. The smell of spiced meats, baked breads, and mulling drinks filled the air. The sounds of laughter, cheering, and merriment rocked through the town's streets, all of them paved with dirt and patched with snow. In the distance a large swath of trees sprouted at the hills at the town's edge, beyond that tall mountain peaks. The town was almost picturesque in it's quaintness. The other three passengers step off the bus, Avgustus lugging his trunk behind him as it clanged against each step of the bus. "Well, this is where we depart for now. Polaris, take care. I'm certain we'll meet again. My daughter wishes to partake in the marksmanship contest earlier today after we've visited my brother." "I'd like to test my skill against some of you guys; see if I can't beat a mercenary at their own game." Jessi confidently grins and fires off a pair of pistol fingers at the group as she and her dad leave for the inn. "Ah, heroes!" Avgustus calls out, dragging his trunk behind him. "Well, I'm currently off to the inn and then it's off to see Fix-It. Maybe I'll see you there when you go to visit him yourself, hm? Needless to say, enjoy the Harvest Week festivities, and if you wish to speak to me I'll be staying at the inn! Goodbye for now!" The professor drags his trunk through the snow in the same direction the two elves went, leaving the heroes to mill about the town's gate. A large crowd had gathered around a green building, looking through the fresh pasties, pies, cakes and breads. Coming in behind them was a man leading a large, bipedal lizard. The creatures scales were a mossy green, and it's claws sharp and white. Crowds bustled over the music from a band as vendors shouted and residents and guests walked through the street "Freshly baked pies! Freshly baked bread! All baked in an authentic dwarven forge! Come one, come all!" "Now you listen here- all I care about is the safety of the community! I do not want to see your pistol tricks taking out a window or worse!" The purple skinned woman raises an eyebrow at the dwarf wagging a finger at her. "Sheesh, lay off it, old timer. I got better things to be doing than listening to you badger on all day about what I should be doing with my time." "Old timer!! How dare you speak to me in such a manner!" "Hey, you three." An elven woman approaches the party, a hand resting on the pommel of a glistening rapier attached to her hip. Her blue jumpsuit is similar in style to the ones worn on the Satyr's Song, the exception being her sky blue jacket. "Everything going well? I'm just checking in to make sure you didn't catch the wrong bus by accident. We don't get a lot of people from outside the community around here." -The Heroes- Polaris Ursaring [with M.I.L.E.S.] (samurai-turtle) -PARTY LEADER- 15 cycle old female "Chimeran" Character Points: 0 / 22 Vitality: 8 / 8 Velocity: 2 Strength: 2 Skill: 3 Smarts: 2 Spirit: 2 / 2 Proficiencies: Coding 1*, Engineering 1 (+1, tool), Medicine 1 (+1, tool), Melee Weapons 2, Nature 2, Short Range Weapons 1, Long Range Weapons 1, Spells: Healing Light, Spirit Ally, Credits: 32 Equipment: Mecha Strike (Standard, Kinetic, Melee Range Weapon), Utility Belt (tool) Grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Success, Inventory: Whirlwind Boomerang (Standard, Elemental, Short Range Weapon), Plasma Potion (x5), Pulse Cannon (Calibrated, Energy, Long Range Weapon) Other: Minor Blessing of Lorgothol (+1 Success to the next Medicine Check made by this character. This blessing disappears after the check is made.) Designation: B3R5 - 3rk (Dutch Thriceman) Age: Unknown, Gender: Mechanical, Race: Adamite Character Points: 0 / 14 Vitality: 6 / 6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 3 Skill: 2 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 2, Intimidation 2, Athletics 2 Known Spells: None Credits: 85 Equipment: Chain-Greatsword (Standard Kinetic Weapon) Mecha-Plate (Standard Kinetic Armour) Inventory: Shield Booster, Energy Cell, Nanite Elixer, 2 Plasma Potions, Sawn-Off Shotgun (Standard Short Range Kinetic Weapon) Yelana Fennix (Classic_Spaceman) Unknown age Female Human Character Points: 1/15 Vitality: 6 Velocity: 3 Strength: 2 Skill: 3 Smarts: 4 Spirit: 0 Proficiencies: Artillery Weapons 1, Perception 1, Insight 1, Stealth 1, Sleight of Hand 1 Known Spells: N/A Equipment: Modular Sniper Rifle (Calibrated Energy Artillery Weapon, Ion Scope (Attachment: This Weapon Ignores Obscurement), Radiation Gauntlet (Standard Energy Armour), Farsight Goggles Inventory: Cloaking Generator, Hacking Chip, Translator Cube, Plasma Potion 2x Other: Minor Blessing of Lorgothol (+1 Success to the next Medicine Check made by this character. This blessing disappears after the check is made.) Credits: 60

Tossing the bottle of Plasma Potion onto the floor, Zaria leaps back into the fray. Moving to B5, she strikes the Calyx, looking to end the creature's existence.

Stepping back, Zaria grimaces at the wound puncturing her side. The pain surges through her as she groans. Grabbing for her pouch, she finds and downs a Plasma Potion, moving to C4.

I have had a lot going on in my life at the moment. I run a Dungeons and Dragons campaign on Fridays and I also spent most of my spare time at home preparing for dinner tonight. Tomorrow will see the mission move to Knothole.

Zaria nods at Merei's assistance, continuing her assault as she steps forward to C5, slicing at the Hydra Calyx. "My blade will bring us through to the end of this nightmare!"

"The aether can be a dangerous place." Istifer responds, crossing his arms. "It is both a part of our world and yet so far apart from it. Indeed, I remember when the aethernet went online. That was... goodness, years ago at this point. A century, maybe? Nevertheless, it is good to see you have a penchant for helping those in need. There are many problems plaguing the Arm. We could use more helping hands." "Hmm... there are stories of a nature spirit known as the "Snow Queen". I will be honest with you, as much as I am at home in the outdoors and attuning to the world around us, nature spirits are fickle, flighty beings. The Snow Queen, as her formal name implies, considers herself a ruler of icy realms and a harbinger of winter. There are stories that claim her to be more than just a nature spirit, but that she comes from the realm of the fae, and it is through the use of her snow bees that she sends messages to her followers and prepares for the coming winter. There are clerics of Buloros who refer to her as a patron of winter's wrath; of the destruction and bleakness of the cold, and a renewed hope for spring. Indeed: everything comes in cycles: spring, summer, autumn, and winter; life, death, rebirth; seasons of peace, and seasons of revolution. It is this cycle us priests of Buloros dedicate ourselves to, and we ensure that the world does not stay stagnant. If she is referring to you as a cleric, then clearly she wishes to grant you some spark of her power for praying or divining to her." Removing one of his gloves, Istifer reaches into a bag and grabs a handful of dirt. H clutches his hand, squishing the dirt as clumps escape between his fingers before gently opening it, revealing a small, pudding flower slowly growing upward. "A small pinch of the power Buloros grants me. I imagine if you were to follow this path the Snow Queen wishes you to follow she might grant you some of her power, too." "It should not be too long... a few hours at the most. Hopefully the weather doesn't sour." Avgustus closes the chest and sits with Bers. "Ah well, we can always look out the window and enjoy the rolling scenery!"

Zaria recklessly moves to C4, striking the Hydra Calyx.

Zaria points her khopesh at the Calyx and confidently grins. "That one's mine. Varen, I have your covered." Zaria moves to B2 cast Warding Bond on herself.

"You don't say?" Avgustus responds, a smile forming across his face. "What a coincidence, but a happy one at that. Well, as a professor of history and armed conflict I would love to travel with you. Why don't you take a seat next to me, Bers, and we can chat along the way to Knothole?"

Zaria nods to Alexi after their thanks is given. "It's what I do. You were in danger, and I had the capacity to help." She turned to Merei, concerned. "We need to keep moving. I do not like how... cozy Doctor Greenlaw is getting with this creature. I will take the front, but lead the way, Merei."

"An adventurer with Heroica? Hmm... I cannot say I have heard of them before." Avgustus scratches his goatee as he ponders on the subject before shrugging. "Oh well." As Bers gestures to the trunk, Avgustus turns to his luggage. "Oh, that? Well, I did need something large to carry all of my research notes as well as something big enough to... oh, well, I might as well show you." Avgustus moves to the trunk and begins fidgeting with the locks. After a few moments the trunk's lid opens up to reveal an array of neatly packed items: thick, leather bound journals, holopads, tweed jackets and cashmere pyjamas, and a large, seemingly broken metal device. A large cylinder comprises of most of the device, but a lever, cracked glass piece, and cylindrical rod rest next to it. Avgustus points to the device, taking up a large amount of space in his trunk. "I heard about this Fix-It fellow in Knothole and I am hoping perhaps he can assist me with this device. You see, I heard this Mr. Fix-It can fix damn near anything, and I hope he has a gentle enough touch to help me put it back together. It is an old projector that contains a number of important schematics and diagrams. Of course, I need the device to work before I can analyze theme, so I am hoping this Fix-It chap can help me."

Jessi raises a curious eyebrow at the mention of a dragon. "Huh. Well, I've never been close to a dragon, but there's a few here on Aluriel. Pretty much all of them are given a wide berth of space, but they're not really hostile either." "They are great beasts of nature, the fury of the elements made manifest. As majestic as they are terrifying; they are to be respected." Istifer bows his head in respect before replying in his soothing baritone voice. "A shame that the creature had be burned, truly a creature as big as you suggest would have fed many for some time. Although, I do wonder what could kill such a creature: dragons are quite powerful creatures after all." After hearing Polaris' greeting, the two elves look to her with interest. "I cannot say I've heard of Ne'xo before." "Neither have I, but I have been to Knothole's festival before. It's quite the lively event. They have a Harvest Week market and a number of vendors show up to sell wares. There's a number of contest including marksmanship and log tossing. I think you'd do quite well in some of the games: they're quite the lively events." At the mention of Fix-It, both of the elves look at each other. Istifer turns back to Polaris with a look of concern. "I have not met this Fix-It character myself, but I have heard of him. They say he can fix just about anything: rifles, electric kettles, heaters, tractors, you name it, he can fix it, so to speak. I haven't heard anything about him stealing, but apparently he works damn near for free." "I've heard people from outside Knothole come into town just to have him repair broken stuff." "He's become quite the figure of interest, to say the least. To be honest I've never met the man. My daughter and I are heading to Knothole to visit my brother, Xander during Harvest Week. We debated taking our carnalizards, but I imagine the local stable is booked for the week, so the bus it is." Jessi rolls her eyes at the mention of the carnalizards. "We wouldn't be in this situation dad if you listened to me and sent a request to book room at the stable through the aethernet." Istifer scoffs at his daughter's comment. "Pfft. The aethernet. I don't understand what you talk about half the time in regards to that... device of yours, or even how you can use such an intrusive device." "That's because you're old, dad." Istifer shakes his head towards his daughter's comments. "One of these days that tongue of yours is going to get you in trouble." Jessi shrugs, cheekily grinning. "One of these days you're going to need to learn how to use the aethernet." Istifer continues to shake his head, a smile beginning to form towards his rebellious daughter.

The adamite turns his attention away from the large trunk and towards Bers, his face brightening at the sight of another of his kind. "Ah, indeed it is uncommon to see us, especially these parts! My name is Avgustus Leopold, I am a professor at the University of Ghintara. It is by no means tenure at Northern Heights, but I assure I am expert in mt field. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Now then, who might you be? Clearly not someone as scholarly as myself?" He wryly chuckles to himself as he gestures to Bers' large sword and armour. Perception Check (DC: 2/4): (2,4,4) Two Successes Bers, looking over the large wooden trunk, notices the complex looking locking mechanism built into it. The locking mechanism entails two separate 5-digit combination locks and a flat dial lock, not unlike ones used on safes. "He probably has a dead body in there." The female elf muses to herself with a cheeky grin growing across her face. The older elf shakes his head. "Apologies for my daughter's morose sense of humour. My name is Istifer of Clan Dalrath, priest of Buloros. This is my daughter, Jessi." "Hey." Jessi straightens her posture in her seat as she waves to Polaris. "If it is something dangerous I am certain together we could handle it. I didn't get to my age without getting into a few scraps." Istifer grins to Polaris confidently. "So, what brings you out to these parts? You don't look local- er, no offence. We have quite the eclectic bunch aboard this bus."

Zaria grabs the tendril attaching itself to the nape of the chimeran’s neck and slices the tendril off. ”We are sending this fell beast back to the hell it spawned from! If this creature wishes to obstruct the path, so be it: let it fall to my blade, Varuth willing!” Zaria didn’t care how this tendril felt in her hands. Her disgust and revulsion wasn’t pushing her away from this creature, but closer towards it to end its existence and grip it held on the ship.

Zaria, finished with helping the man from the ceiling down, steps forward to slice the Hydra slithering across the floor. "Merei, get these two out of here. I have the Chimeran." Nothing but disgust and hatred rose in Zaria's conscious for this creature; the Hydra. Looking upon the poor suffering bastard sprawled across the wall was enough to know that this was some blight left her by demons to prey on travellers and insight panic into the hearts of mortals. It would be purged.

MM Note: I'll have a picture of the bus tomorrow. The heroes make their way outside and towards the bus. The six wheeled vehicle's green livery is a sore thumb in a sea of white snow, as it begins to fall into the city's bustling centre. A dwarven service worker steps off the busy and wipes her brow, stepping out of the way of the heroes as they board the warm bus. A robot driver takes his seat as two other groups get settled in. Two elves in clothes dyed in the colours of summer take their seats, looking somewhat out of place in their archaic looking garb. The younger woman places her walking stick down as the older man shakes his cloak down, the lines in his face denoting his age. He places his rifle next to his seat as the woman complains. "Ugh, gods, dad, I hate travelling by bus. It makes me feel claustrophobic." "Patience, sweetheart. We'll be in Knothole soon." In the other column of seats, an adamite takes off his red cloak, placing it over the back of his seat as he steps into the aisle to look over a large wooden trunk in the seats ahead of his own, the large container taking up it's own row. "Best ensure this is secured..."

"I will help you lower the person trapped to the ceiling down, Merei." Zaria eyes the person on the ceiling, wondering if her sword would reach the vines from where she stands.