Session 19, July 28th, 2007

Deladriel: Can I find an animal trail nearby?

DM: nope, don't find any nearby...

Deladriel drags the corpse off the road and into what she believes to be a place when predatory animals will find it

Dianysia: I say, let's hit the tree

Deladriel Kicks a large amount of dirt over the blood spots

Bethany: "I agree, we should go to the tree," Bethany says, watching Deladriel.

Dianysia: "Are you done playing in the dirt?"

Deladriel: "Best to not have curious ones follow us"

Dianysia: Oh, why didn't you say so? I can make the spot disappear if you need."

Deladriel: "Please"

Bethany: "Paranoid one, aint you?" Bethany says t o Deladriel

Dianysia casts prestidigitation, clearing the area of blood.

Dianysia: "Probably how she's survived so long on her own out here."

Deladriel: "We should go...to tree you say...then go to tree"
Deladriel shifts to Eagle and takes off

Dianysia: "Lead the way, my dear."

Bethany: "Eh, paranoia is more dangerous to others," Bethany says, shrugging.

Dianysia leads towards the tree, keeping an eye out for hawkses

DM: a'ight... getting to the tree

Deladriel: "Something else was here"

Dianysia: "Something else?"

Bethany: "And what might that be?"

Deladriel: "Do not know...something take pains to cover after itself"

Dianysia: "Sounds like someone else I know," Dia says with a smile. "Perhaps the assassin? It's the only thing I can think of that would need to hide itself."

Bethany: "Perhaps this is not the best camp then..."

Dianysia: "If I'm right and it is the assassin, then perhaps it won't roost in the same place twice."

Jefferson Harco: "If we are trying to catch him though, should we keep moving?"

Bethany: "If it is not the assassin, it might roost in the same place, and catch us by surprise..."

Dianysia: I've got a spell for that too...

Deladriel: "You think assassin is big bird?"

Dianysia: No, I don't. Why do you ask?"

Deladriel: "You all speak of 'roost'...thought maybe you know something I not"

Dianysia: "Nah. Sorry, I spent most of the morning with the falconer."
Dianysia: "So, what's the group consensus? I see no problem sleeping in the tree. It's no likelier to sneak up on us than it would in the open, anyways.

Jefferson Harco: well im fine to stay watch

Deladriel: "Can sleep here...Will be careful"

Bethany: "Up to you guys, I don't we are in a good way no matter what way we go."

Dianysia: "Would a yes or no really hurt you, Beth?" Teases Dia, feeding the falcon some meat.
Dianysia: So, sleep here it is. FIne. What shifts shall we take?"

Jefferson Harco: I'll take the first watch

Bethany: "Well I am imclined to say no, but I think you guys have made your mind up, so my objection is moot."

Dianysia: "I'll take last."

Deladriel: "It getting dark quick...you have other idea that we get to before night catch us?"

Dianysia: "Other than my spell, not really."

Bethany: "Well us not sleeping at night aint going to kill us, and I need to stand first watch if Dia is standing last."

Deladriel: "Move around at night like ask for trouble"

Bethany: "Heh, I tended to prefer moving at night, yeah can't see, but other things can not see you as well either."

Deladriel lets out a small chuckle..."You not meet the cats that I mimic"

Dianysia: "Except for most nocturnal animals," Dia countered, unloading Jayde, and placing all of her cargo within the tree. "Hm... I don't know hat Jayde like the tree much. Maybe I should keep her down here... but then, she'd be in danger..."

Deladriel: "And many things here, like the centipedes we fought, that not even NEED to see us...feel us instead"

Dianysia: "Well, that's wonderful to know. Anything else that we might need to know about?"

Deladriel: "This wood ancient...means that some ancient animals too"

Dianysia: "Wonderful." Dia looks at Jayde, still trying to figure out what to do with puppy. "You wanna come up with us girl?"

Jayde cocks her head, obviously COMPLETELY unable to understand the question.

Bethany: We could do what we did last time...

Deladriel: "Any ideas Jeff?"

Dianysia: "I think we'll leave Jayde down here tonight, see how she likes it. When on watch, let's keep an eye on her though, all right?"

Jefferson Harco: Well how did we do it last time?

Bethany: "Hoisted her in," Bethany says.

Deladriel: "I no remember" Del says as she smiles coyly

Jefferson Harco: Can we work that again?

Bethany: "We still have all the peices, but I think Dia said to keep the dog out."

Jefferson Harco: Dia? Do you not want Jayde in?

Dianysia: "Well, she seemed uncomfortable last time. I just want her to be comfortable."

Jefferson Harco: how about this, ill stay down here with Jayde.

Dianysia: "Oh, would you? You're so sweet." Dia favors him with a hug.

Jefferson Harco: Ok, well I'll take the first watch, with Jayde....ok girl?!

Deladriel shifts to Cat and climbs the tree again

Dianysia climbs into the tree, casting Alarm. centered just outside the tree.
Dianysia: Mental.

Bethany: "Well, I need uninterupted sleep, so unless we want to share a watch, I need first Jeff."

Jefferson Harco: well ill take a quick nap with jayde

Dianysia climbs in the tree after casting alarm, pulls out a book, and casts amanuensis as they discuss guard.

Deladriel is cuddled up firmly upon her branch

Dianysia: After that, she stuff the sjournal back in her bag, and takes a nap.

DM: okay... sun has set, it's getting dark...
DM: it's a cloudier night than previous... so visibility is 5 ft. for human-quality eyes
DM: unless you've got a light source

Bethany: Takes a stick from her pack, and cracks it, then shakes it as it begins to glow, and tosses it a short distance away, then repeats and spreads a total of four out, giving light at about 10-15ft away.

Dianysia: ((Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)))

Bethany: After setting up the glowsticks, I also pull out a flashlight, leaving it off most of the time, but scanning it every so often.

DM: okay... midway between nightfall & midnight

Jefferson Harco: zzzzz

Deladriel flicks her tail

Bethany: After about an hour, I wake up jeff, and climb into the tree, laying my parka down and going to sleep.

Jefferson Harco wakes up, pets Jayde, and starts taking watch

DM: okay... then Jeff, you can see 5 feet... what are you gonna do for light on your watch?

Jefferson Harco: im gonna focus mostly on my hearing.
Jefferson Harco: i nudge jayde, hey girl, do you see anything?

Jayde yawns, coming slowly awake

Jefferson Harco: hey girl, do you see anything, i think i hear something...

Jayde just looks at you uncomprehendingly

Jefferson Harco shouts "Heads up!! I think we have a visitor!"

Dianysia: "Definite visitor," Dia says, rising quickly and grabbing her crossbow as she exits the tree.

Jefferson Harco: "I hear someone approching...."

Deladriel JUMPS up at the sound of Jeff's voice

Dianysia: They're within twenty feet of us.

Jefferson Harco: "How can you tell?"

Bethany: Sits up from her Parka, and grabs thw two dorjes from her pack, and looks out the tree hole.

Dianysia: "I told you I cast a spell."

Deladriel shifts to Eagle form

DM: the rustling noise gets louder... and a small blurry form comes lunging out of the darkness at Jeff, biting hard at his leg
DM: there's still lots of chittering out there

Deladriel lifts off from the branch and heads in the direction of the nearest critter sound
Deladriel finds her target and dives for it...at 5 ft from it she shifts to Cat form with claws bared and drops onto it

DM: it drops dead

Jefferson Harco readies his action to attack the next who attacks him

Bethany: Beth summons a construct in front of Dianysia (Estimating based on the fact I can see the back of her head... (I did poke my head through the hole).
Bethany: The construct, having darkvision, has little need to worry about light and charges the one directly in front of it.

DM: that's a hit and it drops
DM: the enemies' turn... still shadowed, as forms come lunging out of the night.
DM: okay... both Dela & the Construct have the chance to swing at some of them.

DM: Del misses... and the construct drops one

Bethany: Del justs sees a blade of astral material appear on the side closest to her of one of these things.

Deladriel has no idea what that was...but it worked

Jefferson Harco: i can see one now and i take my action

Jefferson Harco: Unarmed Strike

DM: that's a hit
DM: but does NOT drop it
DM: okay... so Del is getting attacked by 4, and the construct is getting attacked by 5...
DM: so one manages to bite the construct pretty hard...

DM: then one manages to bite Del in the shin.

Dianysia casts dawnburst

DM: okay... then everybody can see, these things are very LARGE rats (about the size of a collie)

DM: (( and for those of you who've seen 'The Princess Bride,' think of these as a swarm of ROUS's... ))

Dianysia smiles. "I've got a spell for them too," she whispers, loading her crossbow.

Deladriel attacks one of the adjacent rats fiercely

DM: hit
DM: and it drops

Bethany: Beth moves out of the tree and over to one and stretches out her hand to manifest something...
DM: right... the rat lunges forward, biting Beth's ankle quite annoyingly.
Bethany: the construct swings at one of the rats

DM: the rat dodges out of the way

Bethany: Beth closes her eye briefly, feeling the bite, but then a massive cone of shards fly out from her hand, hitting the two in front of her, the one slightly off to the right.

DM: all the rats caught in the cone drop

Jefferson Harco: 5-ft adjust
Jefferson Harco: full attack
Jefferson Harco: Flurry of Blows

DM: lol, you exact your revenge on it for your last pitiful hit by bashing it into a bloody pulp

DM: four of 'em left... and they go
DM: one each on Jeff, Del, Beth, and the construct
DM: the others are fairly ineffective, but the one attacking Beth manages to bite her kneecap through the denim skirt.

Dianysia: Shoot the one directly in front of me.

DM: nope, misses completely, flying into the night

Dianysia directs Jayde to attack.

DM: her attack hits... and it drops the thing, biting the rat's neck and severing its spine

Deladriel attacks the one directly in front of her

DM: hit... and it drops

Bethany: Bethany focuses her look on the next to last rat, and subtly causes the rat to recall all the pain and suffering it has suffering over its entire life span.

DM: lol... it EXPLODES

Bethany: The construct turns to the last one, and swings away.

DM: hit & drop

Jefferson Harco: "What were those things Del?"

Bethany: "Well if that is all the excitement for the night, I am going back to bed," Bethany says, dismissing the construct, and heading back towards the tree.

DM: it's a little less than an hour before midnight... about a 1/4 of the way into the 2nd watch

Bethany: If no one stops her, she gets into the tree and falls back asleep.

Dianysia nods. Me too, I need some extra sleep if that's not a problem...”

Deladriel: "Rats" is the only thing Del says before shifting to Eagle and heading back to her branch

Jefferson Harco: we'll back to just me and you Jayde.....

Dianysia: "You tired, Jeff? If so, I can take the watch and wake you up later.."

Jefferson Harco: Na I should be fine.

Dianysia nods uncertainly, climbing back in the tree and watching him for a few minutes before hitting the hay herself.

Jefferson Harco keeps his composure and stays watch with Jayde

DM: okay... 3am, just prior to waking up Dia for her shift (that takes into account the 1 extra hour she requested)

Dianysia wakes up on her own once she's rested.

DM: (so what're you doing, now that you're awake?)

Dianysia: Keeping watch, encouraging poor Jayde to rest, and bringing out the bird, feeding her.

Jefferson Harco finally passes out...

Dianysia: After a while, I'll also grab my spell book and study it

DM: the bird resists being woken up while it's still dark out, and unless you're actively prodding it, will tuck its head back under its wing

Dianysia: Nah, I'll let it sleep, more than willing to let everyone rest as much as needed (and I mean EVERYONE)

DM: okay... and for the sake of speed... I've decided you have 3 more days of uneventful hiking, 3 more uneventful nights, and a fourth partial uneventful day before you hit the halfling settlement... but let's get any RP from the trip out of the way tonight, so we can start next week as arriving...

Dianysia: I will study and just watch

Dianysia: "Hey, Beth, can we talk?"

Bethany: "I believe we can," Bethany says, smiling, putting her hands in her pockets (having changed back into her normal denim skirt, and a loose, rugged, blouse.) "What about?"

Dianysia hands Beth back her journal. "This."
Dianysia: "Jeff, think you can handle Jayde for a bit? She's easy going."

Bethany: "I had forgotten I had given that to you, finished it have you?"

Jefferson Harco takes Jayde for a stroll around the tree.

Dianysia: "Yeah. It's rather sketchy for the most part, though. It alludes a lot to things not quite in there."

Bethany: "The one I started writing when I was twelve or so, I gave away about a year ago, this is only a summary, and the last year or course."

Dianysia: "Well, it does mention some stuff in it...like alluding to the fact you're not human, but not what you are."

Bethany: "Because I am still not sure what exactly I am," she says with a masked smile, "The Church called me an Elan, but there is no record of them, at least that was made available to me, of them in the Church library, and well the Orcs consider me an aberration, so I doubt others like me have survived."

Dianysia: "How much do you know about Elan?"

Bethany: "That I live a really long time, and am natural skilled in psionic, and that my teacher was always envious of that."

Dianysia: "I could see why. You live longer, even, then elves. I don't know much about them myself, other than that elan children don't mean elan parents. There are some on my home plane as well."

Bethany: "Yes, that concept I am very aware of, one man I ever loved was left behind almost a century ago, and I've aged, what four years since I met him."

Dianysia: "Sorry I don't know more, but if we ever make it back home, there'd be others like you. I can't begin to pretend I know what that's like, I'm only 20 myself, but I can kinda get the whole being different thing."

Bethany: "But that doesn't matter, it was a century ago after all," Bethany says, "I'm not just different though, I'm an outsider everywhere I go."

Dianysia: "Only if you make yourself one, actually. You wouldn't be an outsider where I come from though. There are others like you, and everyone's accepted by what they are."

Bethany: "Acceptance is not something I seek, I really just want to live without being bugged, or hunted, just alone and in the same place. God I would love not to have to move around anymore," Bethany says, then looks over to Dianysia, "Trust me, a hundred years of living on the outside of society, popping back inside is not something you just do. I'd like to go the rest of my life without changing my name, or moving, that is a dream."

Dianysia: ""And you could do that where I come from. Or, if you'd rather, you can be Jill Jones who lives in a goat hut by the stream and rarely sees anyone. You can be whatever you want to be there."

Bethany: "You may be right, and I do hope you are right, we'll see," Bethany says, "By the way, I guess you'd like to know my real name, not just the name I happened to be using at the time I ran into you."

Dianysia: "Your choice. Names are only identifiers. They're not who you are. Most of my people have several names, though not those in my family."

Bethany: "Names are a big deal to me, my name is Mary Ann Toulese, my mother was Bethany."

Dianysia: "Why do they matter so much to you?" (This is said in a curious, not judgmental, tone)

Bethany: "Names are the one thing that can never be taken from you, they are the only thing that is truly yours and yours alone. When you die, your body goes, your bones go, but your name stays," Bethany says with a slight smile, "With my name being immortal, it is important to me, because later on down the road, I want my name remembered with a smile, if remembered at all."

Dianysia thinks about that for a moment. "If your name is so important to you, then why'd you give us a false one to start with instead of your true name?"

Bethany: "When I met you, you were an orc as far as I was concerned, so I put up my act as if you were.

Dianysia: "I still don't get how you confused me for an orc. I mean, we look nothing alike."

Bethany: "Yeah you do, strip the muscle, and fair up the skin, make them a little shorter, and we have you," Bethany says with a smile, "Maybe not quite as pretty, but orc men always liked human women more then their own women, so I figured you were just the result of cross breeding."
Bethany: "Plus you attacked me, which is normally the response of an Orc when seeing a human in that region."

Dianysia: "Now THAT was an image I didn't need."
Dianysia: "I only attacked because you came into a battle not making any sense."

Bethany: "So, do you miss your husband?"

Dianysia: "MY what?"

Bethany: "You're married, right?"

Dianysia: "Not by a long shot. Never given it much though. I spent the majority of my life holed up in a lab doing experiments. Not too conductive to courting, really. Not to mention most the guys my age that I knew were psions and couldn't understand why I chose not to be." Dia says, looking a little lost as she talks about it.

Bethany: "Heh, I had three suitors when I was your age, just I had to wait for a physician, or at least a surgeon, before I could marry. Which is why I never married, and now, who would marry a 150 year old."

Dianysia chuckles. "Anyone you didn't tell? And why'd you have to wait? My mother would have celebrated had a guy looked twice at me."

Bethany: "If I married, I would of had to leave my fathers practice, and that practice was the only thing keeping my town alive..." Bethany said, "I had to sacrifice my responsibilities, and my happiness, and run the clinic. I would've loved my own children, and husband, plus it is what I should've done anyways, but can't change it now."

Dianysia: "Well, you've got plenty of life ahead of you. When you get a chance to settle, do it. I doubt it's in my future. The only guy I've ever been slightly interested in went insane, ran off in a foreign plane, and was never seen again."

Bethany: :At least you didn't watch him die of old age," Bethany says, "Although I guess you could argue insanity is just as bad, either or, they still forget your name."

Deladriel comes walking out of the tree line next to the party carrying a loudly squawking, wriggling sack **
Deladriel: "You want be very careful with this...it still very young"
Deladriel hands Dia the sack

Dianysia looks at Del, more than a little surprised. "I've never had a squawking sack before... I didn't know they aged..."
Dianysia looks uncertainly at the bag."

Deladriel laughs slightly. "Be very careful with it...I normally no believe in disturbing nature like this...but you treat it well and it be ok"

Dianysia realizes that it's not the sack itself squawking and squirming, and relief floods her face. She quickly opens the sack to discover a bird which she immediately recognizes as a hawkling. "Del, I don't know what to say...."

Deladriel: "Just say you treat it well...no more needed" She smiles at Dia and Beth. "Sorry for disturb your talk...I go now" She shifts to eagle and takes off again

Bethany: "Planning on opening a petting zoo?"

Dianysia laughs. "Nah, but animals are great companions, and helpful in other fashions too. For example, this falcon can attack."

Dianysia: "Jayde can carry things as well as attack."

Bethany: "So can this one," Bethany says, throwing her had up as if she was tossing something, and a blob of astral material flies up, taking the shape of a fairly large eagle.

Dianysia laughs again. "Surely, but I never focused on my psionics skills. Mother always wanted me too, ever since I destroyed half the dishes in her kitchen in a rage. I never wanted to, though.

Bethany: "My mother just wanted me to get married and have babies."

Dianysia: "My mother wanted me to be normal. She's a changeling as well, but she always feared coming out. When it became obvious I had the ability to be a psion, and enter the church, that was the most normal thing she could hope for. Instead, she got me.

Bethany: "It happens I guess," Bethany said, "I never thought twice about becoming a psion, but then again, it came so natural to me."

Dianysia: "Yeah, it was natural for me too, but not what I was into. Magic has always been my passion. In fact, I was learning that before I had a mentor. Impressed my Master with my control of a couple cantrips, hence the reason he took me on as an apprentice to start with.

Bethany: "I've heard of magic, but it is so very rare back home, of course it is not as needed back home. Anyone can beat a wizard with a grenade."

Dianysia: "Learning magic can be as intense as psion work can be. I don't know why I like it so much, but I do. And it has served me well."

Bethany: Bethany smiles, "I prefer to just bend minds, instead of bending the arcane, less esoteric and more predictable, plus you don't tamper with the well of souls."

Session 18, July 21st, 2007

DM: alright... where is everybody gonna be at this point, in each room independently, or are y'all gathered in one of the rooms? (which would be fairly crowded, since all the rooms are pretty small)

Dianysia: Me and Sian are in my room
Dianysia: Del is in cat form, obviously

Bethany: Beth would join Dia

Chuckie D: I guess im by myself

Dianysia let's Beth in. "I know it's a bit crowded, but do we needa grab Jeff?" **

Bethany: "If you'd like," she says, moving over to the bed and sitting down on it, leaning against the wall, adjusting her new 'native' dress. "How can you guys wear these things, this fabric itches the hell out of me, and I am not talking about the dress, but the understuff that is supposed to prevent the itching."

Dianysia grins. "If it's all you've known, it's not that bad."
Dianysia goes and knocks on Jeff's door.

Jefferson Harco answers the door

Jefferson Harco: Hey how are you today?

Dianysia: "Good... we're kind of doing a group huddle in my closet... wanna join us?"

Jefferson Harco: "You got a closet? I just got a tiny room..."

Dianysia: "The tiny room was what I referenced as my closet..."

Jefferson Harco: "oh....hahaha..."

Dianysia leads Jefferson back to her room, also taking a seat on her bed.
Dianysia: "Okay, so I guess it's a bit of sit and wait, eh?"

Bethany: "Like being a human Dia?"

Jefferson Harco: "What have you girls been up to?

Dianysia: "Not so much. Nothing against humans in the least, but this isn't what I'm used to. So long as I avoid a mirror, I should be fine."
Dianysia: ""Well, I've been helping Del terrorize the barkeep."

Jefferson Harco: He was giving me trouble as well

Bethany: Bethany smiles at Dianysia, then over to Jeff, "Just rustle some bushes, setting some bait, and ensuring the local home repair store gets business."

Dianysia: "Well, he's considered lower class then elves, and as I was a sun elf normally, I'm above rank."
Dianysia: "Del had a little too much fun insulting him, though, I think."

Bethany: "Well anyways, if that priest has the ability to send a hard time our way, we will soon see. Wouldn't wait more then a day or two though," Bethany says, taking a bit more serious tone.

Dianysia smiles. "Yeah, at least one. Um, we're still going to need sleep, though. We should still get some sleep... Shifts or separate bedrooms? "

Bethany: "Lets combine the two? Jeff, and takes the room closest to yours and sleeps, and we stay in this room. That way we at least can sleep in a civilized manor, and still be fairly well grouped together?"

Dianysia rolls eyes. "Hold on, lemme see something..."
Dianysia: "I have a spell, but it won't work, as spread out as we are..."
Dianysia: "It looks like we're buddied up regardless. Sorry about the discomfort on your part."

Jefferson Harco: well i should be fine on my own.

Dianysia: "You are in a completely separate wing."

Jefferson Harco: "I'll come back as soon as I wake"

Dianysia: "All right."

Bethany: "I guess I should sleep first then, so as to be awake when he returns," Bethany says, looking around to see if there are objections

Dianysia: Well, as long as I get my eight hours, I couldn't care less.

Deladriel curls up in the corner

Jefferson Harco leaves to his own room in the other wing...

Bethany: Pulls her overdress off, folding it up neatly and tucking it under the bed (leaving the actual dress on) and lies down on the bed, quickly letting herself fall asleep.

Jefferson Harco upon entering his room, falls on the bed and subsequently falls asleep

Dianysia casts alarm (mental) on the room and dresses down to just a basic tunic and pants, and goes to sleep.

DM: right then... y'all get a good night's sleep, no interruptions...
DM: so... it's morning now... what's next on the plan?

Jefferson Harco goes to Dia's room as soon as he wakes

Dianysia wakes. "Looks like nothing happened.

Deladriel begins meticulously licking her fur clean

Bethany: Wakes up slowly, pulling her overdress out and back on, and nodding, "So it seems, it was a long shot anyways."

Jefferson Harco knocks on the door
Jefferson Harco: "You guys up?"

Dianysia: "Yeah, come on in," Dia says, not concerned her minimal clothing.

Jefferson Harco enters, upon seeing Dia scantaly clad, Jefferson looks discreetly at the floor....

Jefferson Harco: "um, hey there Del, how are ya doing?"

Deladriel purrs in Jeff's direction then goes back to cleaning

Dianysia: "Well, obviously nothing happened. And is everyone that shy? I'm dressed, hello."

Deladriel starts licking her southern regions

Dianysia: "Okay, so what are our plans for the day?"

Jefferson Harco: Well, maybe we should quickly check out the city

Deladriel shifts to elf..."We should head to the halfling camp"
Deladriel coughs up a hairball

Dianysia: "Well, I've got a little shopping to do before that."

Bethany: "The halfling camp, or return to the caves that brought us here, either or is fine with me," Bethany said, looking around the small group.

Dianysia: "It wasn't the cave that brought us here."

Deladriel: "Whoever kill here would not use elven town as base...would seek support from non-elfs"

Jefferson Harco: well then based on that the halfling camp it is.

Bethany: "You know what I meant Dia, and it is probably safe to give the caves credit, lest over ears take more interest in us. From my talking with the priest, moving between worlds is not something the church... likes to admit..."
Bethany: "Best to keep our means secret, no?"

Dianysia: "Who cares what the church likes or doesn't like? Or the other elves for that matter."

Bethany: "An old proverb, in times of peace, fewer enemies are better, for in times of war, it means more possible allies."

Dianysia: "I'm not saying we go create a mess, just don't care what they say."
Dianysia: "Either way, I still needed to go pick up a bird before we leave. They're great for tracking."

Bethany: "The point I was making that our means should remain our own knowledge, and should not be spoken of, lest they take an interest."

Deladriel shifts to bird
Deladriel squawks

Dianysia: "Need me to throw you again?" Dia asks with a grin

Jefferson Harco: "Well sitting here isn't doing us any good, let's go see if we can get any info on anyone new in the town."

Deladriel shifts back to elf..."No...think I can do it now. 'Caves' you come from in a fairly remote place"
Deladriel shifts back to cat so as to be able to leave without any strange looks from the arrogant half-elf

Dianysia: "I gathered a good deal of information already, on what is being said about the assassination. It's obviously the hottest topic of conv since they aren't releaseing information."
Dianysia: "Either way, I'll meet up with you here in around lunch. I'll make sure Dia has the room upstairs reserved."

Deladriel nudges Dia in an attempt to leave

Dianysia leads the kitty from the room and to the front desk. "My mistress would like to make sure the room above is reserved for her and her entourage."

DM: there's a different half-elf at the bar this time... he simply nods. "As you wish."

Dianysia: "Thanks." She leaves, leading Del from the inn and locating a nearby alley that appears quite empty.

Deladriel shifts back to elf and heads back into the Inn

Bethany: Bethany returns to her room, gathering her gear, and makes her way up to the 'meeting room' and waits for lunch.

Deladriel heads to the innkeeper..."Will need room held for me. Will return at midday"

DM: "Yes, Lady."

Dianysia shifts also, reverting to her her Dia form.
Dianysia follows Del.

DM: okay... so as to NOT take up all of today's game in the city... who's planning to do what before sundown?

Dianysia: Birdie!
Dianysia: (Other than that, I'm good....))

Deladriel: (( Del will spend some time today high in the air perfecting her flying skills ))

Jefferson Harco is seeing if he can help out the poor and those not as lucky as he was in his previous life. **

Bethany: (Bethany just hung around the inn)

Jefferson Harco: I'll buy food for visually poor children, and then older up. Then purchase equipment for people that may need it, like new shovels for workers, or new bedding for the poor. stuff like that

DM: y'all are meeting up in the audience room once more at this point

Dianysia shows up , a falcon perched on a leather gauntlet. As I wait for the others, I spend time working with the bird, trying to learn its temperament.

Jefferson Harco enters, releived that he made a difference in this world.

Bethany: Bethany sits up a little straighter in the chair she was in, nodding at the new feathered member of the party, "Quite a zoo you are forming there."

Dianysia: "What's a zoo?"

Bethany: "A place that houses a collection of animals."

Dianysia: "I'm not a place...I'm a person..."

Bethany: "You could also use zoo to refer to a collection of animals, or people who behave in an animal like manor."

Dianysia looks at Beth uncertain to whether she was referring to the two animals or saying Dia behaved like an animal...

Jefferson Harco: So now are we heading to the halfling camp?

Dianysia: "After a bit to eat, sure."
Dianysia eats and then is good to go

Bethany: "I've been ready," Bethany says, standing up once everyone finishes eating

Dianysia: "Nice job not eating," Dia joked. "Let's go.

Jefferson Harco: "The jokes on you, I do not require food."

Dianysia smiles. "I know. We talked about this yesterday while you two didn't eat. I was trying for light-hearted, but apparently failed. Let's go."

DM: as you hit the city gates, you're met by the old guy w/ the onyx staff again
DM: "So, ready to set out and prove yourselves?"

Jefferson Harco: Anything to prove our innocence

Bethany: Bethany disregards the man, adjusting her pack, and continuing towards the gate.

Dianysia rolls eyes. "Nothing to prove, just a geas to fulfill."

DM: "Well before you set out... I have a few 'gifts' to help you. And despite whatever you might believe of me, I do truly mean help."

Dianysia covers a disbelieving laugh with a clearing of the throat."

Deladriel shifts to Elf in respect to the old man

DM: The old guy dips his hand inside his robes, pulling out a small dodecahedron about three inches in diameter, presenting it and offering it to whoever will accept it. "I have three of these for you. Please do take care of them, as they're quite valuable, and I'll want them back when you return. By bringing them with you, I feel that return is far more likely."

Dianysia takes it.

Dianysia: "What are these?" Dia asks cuiriously, examining it.

DM: The old guy reaches into his robes again, producing two more in turn and handing them out.

Deladriel takes one

Jefferson Harco: "I thank you but I cannot take this."

Bethany: Takes her thing, and puts it into a pocket in her pack.

DM: "These are magical items of my own devising. Once per day, you may invoke the magic by casting the device to the ground, and it will summon an ally to aid you for ten minutes, before your ally returns from whence he or she came."
DM: "One odd quirk that I have not been able to resolve yet, however... there is no way of determining before the summoning who will come to your aid."

Dianysia grins, somehow un-surprised at the brokenness of the box. "Maybe when we get back I could help you with that? I'm great with theory..."

DM: "We shall see."

Dianysia shrugs. "Any other ideas on how to find the Beth-wanna-be?"

DM: "You are free to pursue the assassin in whatever way you deem most fitting."

Dianysia: "Know nothing, gotcha. Sorry, reflex. So, you said you prefer the assassin alive, right?"

DM: "If possible, yes. I would care to... interrogate... her, if at all possible."

Dianysia: "Interogate, eh? That's not what they usually call that where I grew up...Sorry. I'm working on that..."
Dianysia: "See ya when we get back." Dia says, then turns her attention on the bird waiting for the others to be ready

Deladriel: "Who most comfortable with directions?"

Dianysia: "Umm... I write everything down, so I guess it'd be me?"

Deladriel gives Dia directions to the camp..."Will be as bird above...if you lost, follow me"

Dianysia: "Works for me. Let's go."

Bethany: Bethany sets out next to Dianysia, touching her slightly to tell her she was there, "Shall we go?"

DM: hokay... it's about mid-afternoon, you can get part of the way back to where you spent the night after fighting the creepy-crawlies before nightfall...

Deladriel shifts to eagle form and takes off

Dianysia sighs, trying to figure out how to make it any further before nightfall. "We don't want to be stuck in the forest itself when dark hits without any form of protection."

Dianysia: "Any suggestions anyone?"

DM: okay then... it's roughly 2 hours before sunset...
DM: Jeff, you notice Dela cruising off to the side of the path above you, no longer flying in the same direction she had been

Jefferson Harco: "Hey, where's Del off too...."
Jefferson Harco begins to follow underneath his feathered friend

Deladriel: after about 10 seconds, you see Del diving straight down towards the party...about 5 feet off the ground and 5 feet ahead of the party, she flares and shifts to Elf, landing on her feet...

DM: Jeff, you would've seen her fly forward a ways, then turn around and head back to the party... since your speed & her speed are identical, assuming you continue to follow her you'd be back with the group at the same time

Deladriel: "We are being approached" She points into the forest

Dianysia notes Del's comment, then moves forward, to meet with Del.

Deladriel shifts to cat and prowls just off the path

Dianysia: "All right, guess I'm leading the party, then..."

Bethany: "Her slinking off just before we something bad is about to happen is starting to get annoying..." Bethany said as she dropped her pack, pulling out her Dorjes, and sticking them into the belt of her over dress.
Bethany: "I say wait here until see returns..."

Dianysia: "We don't know that it's trouble, just approaching... let's try and be diplomatic?"

Dianysia takes the point for the group.
Dianysia waits for the approach, speaking with her bird, and checking on Jayde.

Deladriel prowls back out of the trees at the party...
Deladriel shifts to Elf..."Goblins...six of them"
Deladriel: "Don't know we here...they cross path to south"
Deladriel: "If we wait, they pass and we go on"

Dianysia: "As in the intend to return or they're moving on?"

Bethany: "They shouldn't be a threat anyway," Bethany says, "Never met a goblin I didn't get along with." She picks her pack back up, throwing it onto her back.

Deladriel regards Beth with shock..."Goblins not good...Goblins here very violent"

Dianysia: "As they are almost anywhere."

Bethany: Shrugs, "Yes they are more violent then humans, but they are perfectually fine outside of that. Their language is a little annoying, but thats just fine," Bethany says, "Lets go, they may be heading the same direction, and I am sure we could use a few more companions."

Dianysia laughs at the concept.
Dianysia: "Okay, well, let's move on and wait for the impending attack?"

Bethany: "Let me try and talking before we resort to hitting, I'd rather not kill an intelligent being," Bethany says, "If they attack, then fine I will concede to your kill first mentality."

Deladriel shifts to cat

Dianysia: "Wait, you mean to wait?"
Dianysia sighs as she notes cat form. Wonderful.

Bethany: "No, I mean going to them, and trying to see if we can get information of the area, that is up to date, possibly about the passage of our 'friend' and maybe even some grunts to help us in a fight."

Deladriel shifts back to Elf..."They not known for listening...they kill first too...would prefer to let them go and move on without having to kill"

Dianysia: "No, I was talking to the cat. Now I sound like Jeff. I think we can skip the goblins if we wait?"

Bethany: "When was the last time anyone tried to talk to them?"

Deladriel just laughs..."They not known for waiting long enough to listen to talk...please, try, but if we forced to kill them, we no better than the assassin"

Dianysia: "I don't see the point in wasting spells that I don't need to."

Bethany: "We wont need to waste spells or kill them, if you approach in the right way, they wont attack, if you approach with drawn weapons, and bared teeth, of course they will attack, just follow me lead, and stay quiet, sound good?"

Deladriel: "All yours"...*Shift to cat*

Dianysia rolls her eyes. "Whatever. But if we get attacked, you're responsible."

Bethany: "I will take responsibility," then she heads south, yelling softly in Goblin, "An ally wishes to speak, seeking information on the area, here in peace."
Bethany: (Loud enough that anyone in the immediate area will hear, but not to far off. Enough of a distance where they will know we are coming.)

DM: right... you get no response

Bethany: Continues on, this time mentioning a monetary reward.

DM: okay... so the second call goes out... and there's still no response

Dianysia whispers in Common (Beth's home)) "What are you saying?"

Bethany: "Wait here for a few," Bethany says in common, then says again, "We seek information on travelers and such in the area, and we are aware that you are probably the best source in the area for it. If you do not wish to talk with us though, that is ok, we only ask to pass in peace if that is the case."
Bethany: Whispers to Dia, "Just 'hey we aint going to kill you' and that kind of stuff."

DM: you get a response this time, also in Goblin, from somewhere down the road and off the path somewhat. "Who you, ask for peace, and what you give?"

Bethany: "I am willing to offer gold, or other proper tribute that I am able to provide," Bethany responds.

Deladriel vanishes into the brush

DM: "You smart offer tribute. Come forward, no weapons. Show gold."

Bethany: Takes a few steps forward, hands empty, then pulls ten coins out of a pouch in her pack, and holds them in her hand. "Is this proper tribute?" she says in Goblin.
Bethany: (gold)

DM: after you stop moving, a goblin steps foward cautiously onto the road, about 100 feet further down than Beth, javelin in hand and obviously very wary. "That enough for you. Need same from man. Double from her," here the goblin gestures with his javelin at Dia, "elfs worth more."

Dianysia: Common (Shetaq) : Why is he pointing at me?

Bethany: "I will pay that price, but can I ask if you have seen a woman riding a horse recently, leaves no tracks?" She says, pulling a paper roll out of her pack, after putting the gold away, and breaking a portion of the roll off and counting out 6 platinum, "An extra 20 gold for the information." then puts the roll back into her pack.

DM: The goblin's eyes go wide at the sight of the money roll. "No questions. Give that, or we kill!" The goblin gestures fiercely w/ his javelin.

Dianysia: "Once more with the pointing."

Bethany: Sighs slightly, "The rest is copper," Beth says, "You have more then you will ever make in a raid right here, just take it, ok?"

DM: "Give! Give now!"
DM: he's obviously getting agitated
DM: (and btw, I don't keep saying goblin, but that's the ONLY language this bugger knows, so assume it)

Dianysia: "Mind telling us what is going on, because you're obviously ticking the little goblin off."

Bethany: "He's a greedy little bugger is all." then Bethany says in goblin, "Please then, I would rather not see your brethren killed, and it took me a lot to get them to agree to not out right hunting you. There is more gold in it for you just by taking the offered amount. Surely you know of many stories were greed caused the fall of great warriors."

DM: "You weak, we strong! You offer tribute! You give now, or we kill!"

Bethany: Bethany drops the 6 platinum on the ground, and steps back from it, "That is my tribute, accept it. Do not mistake my generosity for weakness." Both of her hands grab her dorjes, but leaves them in the belt.
Bethany: In common, "See if you can figure out where the other five are?"

DM: The goblin moves forward warily, scooping up the coins on the ground... and suddenly flinging his Javelin at Beth, which grazes her arm scoring a shallow but definitely noticeable wound.

Bethany: "Don't fight back yet," Bethany says.
Bethany: Bethany watches the wound seal quickly behind the javelin.

Deladriel: ok...charge out of the underbrush....

DM: you tear the goblin's head off, it goes bouncing down next to the goblin's body a couple times...

Dianysia: "Admirable"

Dianysia goes for the coins that the goblin no longer needs. "Guess you'll be needing these back.'

Bethany: "To the rest of you, we know you are there. Run, and remember the cost of greed," she says in goblin.

DM: y'all hear some crashing in the growth as the other 5 start running...

Dianysia: "Well, Beth, this is going well. And why exactly did he attack us?"

Bethany: "Because I wasn't giving him fifty platinum," Bethany said, "Like I said, greedy little bugger."

Dianysia: "You pulled out the roll and goblins are greedy. What did you expect?"

Bethany: "Used to them being a little wiser, but it is ok, no harm done, lets continue on."

Dianysia loots the body.

Deladriel shifts to elf and crouches over the goblin's body
Deladriel: "No harm done? Tell that to goblin's family"

Dianysia: "So, Beth," Dia says, still searching body, "why did he point his stick at me?"

Bethany: "I did tell you not to harm it," Bethany said, "He was telling me it was going to cost 20 gold for you to pass in peace."

Session 17, July 14th, 2007

Deladriel heads to the guard Captain

Dianysia stops Del just a moment. "What is your mental issue?"

Deladriel looks startled..."I have mental issue?"

Dianysia: "Maybe i should have said mental malfunction, but I didn't want you to choke on the big word. What was that back there about Lying?"

Deladriel hisses at the comment..."You deny what you are...try to have advantage you no earn...what else you hide?"

Dianysia: "I haven't tried to take advantage of anything. And I've not hidden anything. This," gestures at herself, in sun elf form, "Is what I am."

Deladriel: "No...you are not elf, you lie yourself too...blinded by own desire"

Dianysia: "Blinded by my own desire to what? Be an arrogant, self-centered, pointy eared loser with a superiority complex to match the massive ego? Not a chance. But this is what I was raised to be."

Deladriel: "At least pointy eared loser not a murderer"

Dianysia: "That's great to know. If I see a murderer, I will let you know, just as I told the guard. Beth is not a murderer any more than Jeff is or I am."

Deladriel: "I not know how you deceive Bethany and Jeff, or if they with you too. Why you want kill?"

Dianysia: "What in the seventy-th level of the abyss are you droning on about?

Deladriel: "I see rider other night, thought you a noble, come back to tell you what I saw. Was told that I no could talk you when I return. I think you were no there, I think you actually off killing"

Dianysia: What in the abyss are you talking about? What other night? What rider? If you're going to lose your mind, at least make sense in the process.

Deladriel: "You have perfect disguise after all...can look how you wish...where you go that night?"

Dianysia: "What night? You aren't making any sense. The only thing I can tell is that you've lost your mind and are jumping to assumptions based on the fact I'm different than you."

Deladriel raises her voice a bit..."Night in the tree! You have only be around me for one night!"

Dianysia: "True enough on that. I've been traveling a lot lately. But as for where I was, I was sleeping. You know, where you rest, heal, recuperate? For that matter, how do I know you didn't do it? You can shapeshift yourself. But I choose to trust you, despite your obvious lunacy."

Deladriel: "Sleep? You ask an ELF about sleeping? No, I not know about sleep...that more show you not one of us. You no have your life on line here, you no have make pact like me. You leave when you like...One thing different though. I know I am Elf, not cat, I like cat, but not claim to be one"
Deladriel: "But yes, you right, I never check in tree for you, but very strange, rider headed toward odd shape stone you came from"

Dianysia: "No, you would go into trance. You'd go into trance for eight hours, to rest, since you cast spells. And you know what, maybe on your backwards little backwater world, it's okay to be such a speciest, but not anywhere else. I come from a place that it's not what you are, but who, that matters... you'd never survive in such a place because you'd actually have to prove yourself on something other than the fact that your ears are naturally pointy, you obnoxious little prick."

Deladriel draws her sword
Deladriel: "I make one thing clear...I may been wrong about suspecting you, and I apologize. I no have proof you actually murderer. We no see your kind here. But your mouth big enough swallow entire orc. I not the one you should talk like that to"

Dianysia: "Yeah, I have a big mouth and am more than willing to express my opinions... but I will do it one-on-one when I have the choice. I will not go around spreading half-cocked truths about you because you're not what I think you are. And I could care less what you think about me being a murderer. The issue I have with you is of race. I am not used to being treated like a lesser person simply because I was born different."

Deladriel: "That is you...I raised in world where elf is noble...we both come from different places, but now you on THIS world...*Del sheaths the sword*...you may wish use caution with your actions...this world very hard for those who rebel."

Dianysia: "Yeah, apparently we'll be punished, whatever that is supposed to be."

Deladriel: "You be removed from society...left to die in woods to horrible monsters, like my parents..."

Dianysia: "What? But why? You're an elf..."

Deladriel: "My parents make same mistake I do...they trust too much...they go against nobles to help other race...they thrown from city where they torn to pieces by wild animals of the woods...left me alone"

Dianysia: "That's horrible. How old were you?"

Deladriel: "Very young still...by elf year...15...sorry, I not know how many human year that is"

Dianysia: "I understand the age. As I said, I was raised an elf. I was not raised to be a changeling. I can alter my appearance, but I'm not comfortable with any other form that this. Whereas you go between cat and elf, I stay elven. This is who I am, a sun elf, with apparently more honor than many of your people, no offense intended."

Deladriel: "You have own honor...that you call honor is not accepted in this world...we have different kind of honor"

Dianysia: "To be born a specific race is not honor. To accuse wanton strangers of murder is not honor. To kill people for thinking for themselves is not honor. Now, on my own honor, not the kind of honor possessed by nobles here, I intend you no harm, nor anyone else. But I will not be treated as a second-class anything. This is what I am, a sun elf. I will be treated accordingly, despite what the guardsman said. I have no fear in being put out of society, as it would just further my journey home. You, however, are stuck in this mess with us, which is why i stick about."
Dianysia: "And if we're both to keep out of trouble, I must know everything you can tell me about this world, as I will not play your shadow all day."

Deladriel: "You know what you say? You have spell compulsion upon you, if you thrown out of society, you be doomed with pain until you die because you no able to fulfill mission"

Dianysia: "I have quite a bit of knowledge as to what I've had cast on me as well, given that I am too a caster. But I'm not afraid. I've nothing to lose."

Deladriel: "You play with your own life...that fine, but I no will assist you to deceive...for that, you must not be with me"

Dianysia: "Didn't ask for help in deception. I need to know the world I'm living in. You're my only source of information. To assume any guise currently, elven or not, and ask for basic information would be folly.

Gurin: "But to give you that information would be assisting in your deception, miss."
Gurin: "Hard to make a convincing lie when you don't know your way around a world."

Deladriel: "You seem have our world figured out, as you say yourself...you not need my help." (With that, Del heads to the captain)

Dianysia: "As opposed to risking an entire party for not knowing the intricacies of the plane on which we are? Thank you, deception or not, we all need to know the rules by which we play. Del, come back here for heaven's sake."

Deladriel stops for a moment..."You no wish to be shadow, remember?"...then continues on.

Gurin: "True enough, I was just pointing her position out, ma'am."

Dianysia: "I didn't ask to be your shadow. I asked you to wait just one moment. We are your responsibility, as per your pact. Therefore, treat us as such for a moment and give us the info we need to survive. Or are you like the rest of your people?"

Deladriel ignores you and keeps going

Gurin: "Come on, Miss Dia. She's made her decision for the time being."

Dianysia: "Guess she is just like the rest of her people. FIne, she doesn't want to deal with us.... Oh, gosh.. wait... did Jeff say he was going to get us rooms? Oh no..."

Gurin: "Oh no?"

Dianysia: "He doesn't have money or, bless him, the common sense god gave a goose..."

Gurin: "Right. Well, we should probably go help him, then."

Dianysia heads quickly back towards the inn, hoping Jeff hasn't got himself into too much trouble.

DM: okay... the inn is a two-story building... three walls are facing streets, and are primarily arched windows with benches, creating a very airy & open atmosphere... inside, a large staircase leads up to the second floor, and a passage leads off behind the main room under the stairs. A half-elf tends the bar, occasionally wiping it (apparently unnecessarily, because the bar is already spotless)... more than a few humans are sitting at tables, talking quietly, and a group of halflings are playing dice off to one side by the benches
DM: the three of you are now at the inn... no sign of Jeff anywhere

Deladriel: "So you want know how my world works? First, let me talk to inkeeper"

Gurin: "Hm. Well, I'm not going out and looking for him. Why don't we leave a message at the front desk telling him where we'll be?"

Dianysia: "As you wish."

Deladriel: "Hope Jeff no try to get room"

Dianysia: "He said that was his goal."

Deladriel: "Then Jeff's absence explained"

Dianysia whispers, "Jeff, like you, is human, with no common sense... if he spoke to the innkeeper without due respect, well...

Deladriel: (To innkeeper) "Where did human go that I send here for room?"

Gurin: "Right. well, he'll find a way to contact us if we stay here."

DM: The half-elf behind the bar bows slightly. "You sent an advance party, m'lady?"

Deladriel: "Yes...I sent Jefferson Harco ahead for room...which room we in?"

DM: "I'm afraid I don't recognize that... wait. I think that was perhaps the name of the raving lunatic I had evicted not long ago. A scruffy human in tattered rags, claiming to be a Lord?"

Dianysia: "Oh, not again.. we've been traveling and he oft goes a little mad when away from the city too long."

DM: "If I may be so bold, m'lady, I would suggest not sending an emissary so... feebleminded, in the future."

Gurin chuckles

Deladriel: "Perhaps it not the emmisary that so 'feebleminded'. I go to retrieve him, best you have room for us upon my return"

DM: "As you wish, m'lady. May I ask how many in your party?"

Deladriel glances at Dia
Deladriel: "3 humans and 2 ladies"

DM: "Very well, m'lady. I can show any that you wish to their rooms immediately, should you choose."

Deladriel: "That up to them...I go to bring Jeff...might you offer him some apology when I return"

Deladriel mutters something in Druidic about 'half-breeds'

DM: "No offense intended, m'lady... but when a human identifies himself as a Lord and claims to not be of this world as his evidence... I fail to see how he can merit an apology for being turned away."

Gurin: "Hey, as long as his money's good."

DM: "The varlet failed to offer any currency either, goodman."

Deladriel: "Perhaps you no understand companion...we on travel for many days...you do well not be so stuffy"

Gurin grunts

Deladriel: "Also...sir" (The 'sir' was said with a poison in her voice) "It appear you miss a spot" *Del licks her finger and drags it across the bar*

Gurin chuckles again

Dianysia looks highly amused.

Gurin: "So, are we ready to retire?"

Deladriel leaves the inn to retrieve Jeff

DM: "As you say, Lady." The half-elf merely wipes up the streak, without a comment and his face carefully schooled to betray no emotion.

Dianysia looks expectantly at the half-elf.

DM: "Wait here, goodman, I will see to you shortly." The half-elf turns away from Gurin, bowing to Dia. "If you will follow me, Lady." The half-elf leads the way up the stairs.

Dianysia follows.

Gurin mutters"that's right, you'd better respect me, prick."

Dianysia: "I expect to be informed when my other servants arrive. There is another female, human, I await."

DM: you're led to a hallway that stretches in a general "U" shape, with doors at regular intervals along the "outside" edge... he takes you down one leg, and opens a door part-way down, showing you into a fairly spacious room, with a comfortable-looking divan and plenty of hanging silks... yet absent of any bed. A desk is off to one side, and while the half-elf obviously takes question at your dog's presence, he doesn't actually say anything about it.
DM: "As you wish, Lady."

Dianysia is done until the others arrive.

DM: gotcha... the half-elf returns downstairs, nodding to Gurin essentially as an equal. "Follow me." He leads you down the passageway beneath the stairs, where the corridor branches off to either side as well as continuing straight... you're led down one of the side paths, which has doors on both sides, and he opens a door into a plain room... large enough to not be claustrophobic, but not much larger... a simple wooden bed with a thin mattress takes up the whole of one wall, and a simple lamp provides the only light in the room

Gurin: "Thank you."

DM: "I or one of the others shall summon you should your Lady have need."

Gurin closes the door and practices pugilism and knifework

DM: a'ight... let's just say that Del comes across Jeff eventually, sends him back, and he's in a room similar to Gurin's...
DM: and Dia, you're informed of this
DM: Del, whenever you return, you'll be shown to a room nearly identical to Dia's, next door
DM: Beth, you're returning from the Church

Bethany: Bethany walks into the inn, dropping her bag next the bar as she waves over the half-elf keeper.

DM: "Can I help you, good dame?"
DM: The half-elf is... obviously puzzled by the appearance and bag, but he's too well trained to say anything about it outright

Bethany: "I'm supposed to meet with my party here, one was sent ahead to secure rooms, and I hope the rest have arrived by now."

DM: "I see. I presume you would be the third human accompanying the Ladies?"

Bethany: "I guess, I am supposed to meet them here, although I do not see them, can you take me to them?"

DM: "Er... I'm afraid that would not be proper. If you would care to wait here, your mistress left word to be informed of your arrival in any case, and I can inform her you wish an audience... or I can see you to the room they have reserved for you."

Bethany: Bethany rolls her eyes slightly, then leans forward over the counter, "Want to know a secret? I am delivering a message to them, so yes you can delay me by making me play your games, and risk reprisal, or you can take me," Bethany said, finally getting tired of the bs of this world, oh so familiar to her.

DM: The half-elf obviously bristles at this, the equivalent of a cat's fur standing on end. "If your message were that urgent, I am sure the Lady would not have chosen to remain in her room in this establishment. We are known as a place that lets Lords and Ladies escape the... common rabble, such as yourself. Should I accede to your demands, I would certainly lose my position, if not suffer more drastic consequences. Threaten all you like, but you shall not be shown upstairs."

Bethany: "You know, I have just about had enough of this, I will find the room myself, what number is it?" Bethany asks, picking up her pack, and putting it back on.

DM: "You misunderstand me. You shall not go upstairs. There is no discussion, it simply is."

Bethany: Bethany just smiles, then leans on the counter again, "Your life, your hands," then he leans back. At the same moment, the half-elf hears a voice in his head telling him, "You need to let her up, she carries a lords summons."

DM: The half-elf narrows his eyes, somewhat confused, but shakes his head. "I AM sorry, but I cannot take you upstairs, regardless of the tricks you can produce. I can alert your Lady that you are here, and your insistence at avoiding delay by going yourself has already cost you more time than that would take... or I can show you to your assigned room. Outside of those possibilities, you have no further options here."

Bethany: "Fine," she says with a very angry tone in her voice, "Do as your self requires, but be ready for the worse."

DM: "Very well. Wait here." The half-elf quickly disappears up the stairs, to alert Dia to your arrival, by knocking on her door, and stating his message on Dia's response: "The final member of your retinue has arrived, Lady. She awaits downstairs, insisting that she carries an urgent message and that she be allowed upstairs, although of course you recognize the impossibility of her demands. Shall I carry her a response for you, or shall I inform her to await your appearance?"

Dianysia: "My, you are a fool, aren't you. She does carry such a message and one that I do not desire to have overheard by many common folk. Perhaps you can be successful at leading me somewhere private, and fetching the rest of my servants as well? I shall also grab my friend. This isn't too difficult for you, now is it?"

DM: "Of course, Lady. I suppose you are perhaps unaware of this establishment's reputation, but we have a strict policy that Lords and Ladies are not to be disturbed by the presence of servants, theirs or others, while enjoying the hospitality. I shall ready the audience chamber for you immediately. The door immediately at the head of the stairs, Lady."
DM: the half-elf leaves, heading back downstairs to nod at Beth. "Your lady will see you shortly. I must fetch your compatriots first, and then I will lead you to the audience chamber."

Dianysia knocks on Del's door.

Deladriel opens the door

Bethany: "Lead first, fetch later," Bethany replies.

Dianysia: "Would you mind joining me in the audience chamber? Beth has come back and demanded to see me. The half-elf seems a little frazzled. I doubt he knows what to do with such an unconventional party," Dia says with a smile.

DM: "Afraid not. Your Lady requested otherwise." He heads off down the passage under the stairs to fetch the other two before returning with them, to lead the three of you up the stairs to the room immediately at the top, which is a small room with cushion-covered stone benches along one wall, and immaculately tiled floor. Not finding Dia there yet, he waits at the open door.

Deladriel: "Poor man...he is model citizen, me never liked him much though...let us go"

DM: as soon as the elves arrive, the half-elf will bow out, shutting the door behind him

Dianysia leads Del tot he audience chamber. Upon seeing the half-elf, Dia rolls her eyes, and then watches him expectantly, obviously waiting for him to leave.

Dianysia: "So, the nitwit said you had a message?"

Bethany: "I have the distinct feeling the Church was behind it, and knows a lot more about what is going on with us," Bethany says in draconic. "The Father seemed to know more then he was willing to share, and I would not put it past them that we are the next target for the assassin we have been asked to find."

Dianysia: D - Perhaps we should discuss this where everyone can understand you?

Bethany: D - “Honestly, the fewer people who understand what is going on the better I think," Bethany replied, "That priest seemed really touchy when it came to information, and alls I know is that he knows that there is more then one world, and that he knew of the assassin."

Dianysia: D - and yet we all have a stake in this. Or we can discuss this later.

Gurin: "Would you mind speaking so I can understand you, miss Beth?"

Bethany: D- "If you want to tell them, that is fine, but I am going to minimize the damage I do. I am really afraid of what is going on here, and I want to make sure someone else knows in case that assassin comes for me. I was told that the information I know and wanted was dangerous."

Dianysia: D Fine, we can discuss this later if you wish.

Gurin sees her anxiety and becomes frustrated, looking from speaker to speaker

Bethany: Back into common, "It is all I have to say, take it or leave it as is."
Bethany: "It is all I know for sure."

Gurin: "It's damn hard for us to help you when you won't share what's bothering you."

Dianysia: Okay, so on to matters at hand. She just wanted to point out that this assassin we seek may also seek us, so we should keep our eyes open.

Bethany: "Gurin, you are better off not knowing I think."

Dianysia: "Okay, can we not be having this argument? If we do, there is a great chance that the halfwit will return.

Gurin: "Just tell me what I've got to be on the lookout for so I can hit it when it comes."

Dianysia: Okay, let's get this figured out. We have an assassin to find, who we hope doesn't find us first, and we must set out by tomorrow evening. What do we suppose to do in the meanwhile? I have plans, but we need to figure out how to stay in contact.

Gurin: "If we decide to split up, which I do not suggest, I say we meet back here every couple of hours or so."
Gurin sulks

Bethany: "If we stay in this building, or near it, I can kind of be a dispatcher for us," Bethany says.

Gurin: "Well, then I'll be doing it, too. Whatever's got you worried, I'm not letting it get near you."

Dianysia chuckels. "That might be worth it just to harass the barkeep, but I do intend to get some research done. I've not had any chance to gather any information on this world or on magic as of late. I must." **

DM: okay, here's what I'm gonna do to help speed things along... any INDIVIDUAL stuff that wants to be done... we can RP that out time permitting later... I don't want to tie up any more of the group's time with individual RP

Bethany: "If that is all, I am going to get some clothes that fit in better," Bethany says, heading towards the door.

Gurin: "What, don't you like all the attention your clothes get now?"

Dianysia: "Perhaps we could both go shopping in a while? Find something suiting to our surroundings."

Gurin: "Well, believe it or not, I could use a change of clothes, too."

Bethany: "Not if what I think is going to happen, happens, I need to blend in," Bethany said, and since we are all going now, perhaps Dianysia should lead."

Gurin is ruffled again as she mentions "the secret."

Dianysia: "Undoubtedly, Um.. I might recommend a finely fitted tunic, narrower at the waist... I think maroon might be your color..."

Gurin: "heh."

Dianysia: "That is why I mentioned shopping together. You'd have additional defense, and gather clothing that is suited to this place."

Bethany: "Shall we go?"

Gurin: "Not much stopping us, is there? Not as long as we've got a couple of 'Ladies' with us."

Dianysia: Fine by me unless anyone has anything else to add... I suggest we check in with each other this evening at meal-time... perhaps we can find a tavern that we can eat together?
Dianysia: "Would you have any suggestions, Del?"

Bethany: "I say we do it here, nothing said you can't join us downstairs, and it would probably rile up that fool downstairs."

Dianysia: "Only thing I fear is drawing attention to ourselves as is. I was thinking we could get a decent meal, then come back to this room and discuss anything we find out. I for one could use a good meal and don't want to be bothered by nincompoop barkeeps
Dianysia: "Fine, perhaps we can all meet in this room, I'll be sure to reserve it, and maybe have it catered?

Bethany: "Fine with me, not to picky really," she says, looking around at the party.

Gurin shrugs.

Dianysia: "Well, I see this is about as close as we'll get to agreeing... I'll see you in a few hours, here, at meal time.

Gurin nods and heads out to look for clothes.

Dianysia: "Del, would you like to join us in shopping?"

Deladriel: "I can go with you, yes. I only must stop to get new journal"

Bethany: Follows Gurin out the door, and heads downstairs where she waits at the foot of the stairs.

Dianysia: "I will need to pick up more parchment and ink myself. SO, let's go face the world."

Gurin: "Well, this one, anyway."

Dianysia leads the way down the stairs, then heads to the half-elf, reserving the room and ordering GOOD food.

DM: The half-elf merely bows, assuring you that it will be delivered

Gurin: Gurin gets another two sets of traveler's outfits - leather vests, wool breeches and shirts, and cloaks and boots

Dianysia: While we're out, I keep an ear out for any information, especially regarding assassins... maybe should be heading to seedier taverns, lol

Gurin: might as well describe beth to 'em too and see if anyone's seen anyone similar

Dianysia: "Okay, well the info I have is that apparently the apprentice was beheaded, but no weapon was found nor was the assassin carrying one... the descriptions vary, but some say the attack was from within a cloud, others say a woman in silk... I heard about 15 variations..."

Deladriel: "Interesting...was that all you find?"

Bethany: "Did I miss something?"

Deladriel insists that she say a dedication over the stag before dinner

Bethany: Bethany pushes away her pretty much untouched plate, "Well, that doesn't sound like to much to go on."
Bethany: ^the fruit on Bethany's plate is gone though.

Dianysia: "It's more than we had before... It sounds somewhat similar to that shadow user we met in the temple.

Bethany: "A church assassin is probably psionically trained," Bethany says, "Plans for such should be made."

Deladriel: "What plans need we make?"

Dianysia: "Psions, as we all know, are powerful."

Bethany: "How to pull it into a fight on our terms I would presume," Bethany says, "My teachers always said, 'If your forced to fight, you are more powerful when you pick the ground, otherwise it is a short fight, especially when fighting others of like abilities.'"

Dianysia: "I don't see that we have any actual defense against them..."

Gurin: "So is five feet of steel. I hope we can handle whatever this assassin is, but we don't have much of a choice but to tarry."

Bethany: "And I think I know how to pick the ground."

Gurin: "But how would we pick the ground to fight on? It's not as if the assassin is coming after us" - he looks at Beth suspiciously

Deladriel: "I like fight in the wood. Make use of cover for attack"

Bethany: "If the assassin were after us, it would be easy to pick the ground, the danger in how I know how to get her to come to us would be that if my suspicions are right, she wont be the last, and if they are wrong, she wont come anyways."
Bethany: "Does anyone want to take the risk, or does anyone have another idea?"

Gurin: "I don't feel like setting any assassins on us. I say we look for the one and continue to not do whatever it is we're not doing to make her come after us."

Deladriel: "If you have way to bring her to us...then good...I only want know where we fight"

Dianysia: And it has to be done tonight.. we leave tomorrow

Gurin: "But on the other hand, I don't feel like spending all my time looking for the one in a whole other world. In a way, I wouldn't mind picking a fight."

Bethany: "If we are going to use my knowledge as bait, then I am going to need your help Dianysia, I need to write a letter in elven," then turning to Deladriel, "We want a small clearing with a good tree line, one that even a rhino would have trouble not hiding in."

Dianysia: "I don't personally care how it's done. Either we seek this assassin... which is probably the same one... just make a decision... my head hurts..."
Dianysia: "Yeah, sure, I can scribe for you..."

Deladriel: "The Rider from last night on road, head back the direction we come from. We may try follow?"

Bethany: "Know where it was heading?"

Deladriel: "No...but it follow the road"
Deladriel: "Could make good guess though"
Deladriel: "A few towns in that direction...may find her there"
Deladriel: "Military outpost there too"

Bethany: "That is like finding a needle in a haystack, and once she finds we are looking for her, the advantage goes to her," Bethany says.
Bethany: "To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't mind fighting right here... we have the watch as a back up, and alls we have to do is spring the trap."

Deladriel: "Also a wood elf city...they might have seen something"

Bethany: "Might being the operative word."

Dianysia: "No, staying isn't much of an option. If she hasn't returned by tomorrow eve, we HAVE to leave."

Gurin: "No we don't. Laying a trap for her still falls within the bounds of the geas, right?"

Bethany: "Well, lets see if I can bait her here tonight, and if I can't then we follow Deladriel?"

Deladriel: "Fine...how we help?"

Bethany: "After I send out this letter, I am going to need as many down in the 'servant' quarters as we can get, Dianysia, could you tell the tender you have another servant coming, then shapeshift into a human or something, so that we will at least be close. And Deladriel will go cat, and follow you in as human?"

Dianysia bites her lip as she thinks, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "If I absolutely have to..."

Bethany: "We all need to be down there, and I am going to go pay the priest a visit again," Bethany says, "I don't need the letter, that idea would only endanger more."

Gurin: "I'm going with you. We don't want her coming after you when we're not there."

Deladriel leaves the room

Bethany: "Ok," she says, then pulls out a journal from her pack and gives it to Dianysia, "In case I don't make it back, that is everything about me from the laster 15 years. I gave away the journal with everything before that, but I did summarize the hundred or so years before that," then turning to Gurin, "Lets go."

Dianysia: "Do not take this the wrong way, Gurin, but have you many dealings with the church..."

Gurin: "I'm a pretty lay worshiper."

Dianysia: "Just one moment... what are you?"

Bethany: "Special."

Deladriel re-enters the room

Gurin has a pained look, and he breaks eye contact. “I was a knight, protecting a noble family. I failed them.”

Dianysia: "Just be careful, both of you, okay? And Gurin, they tend to to be know-it-alls and some are elitists... just be careful amongst the church... "

Bethany: "Failure is only failure when you learn nothing from it and wallow in it," Bethany said, and "We will be careful."

Dianysia: "Oh, no, I meant what was Beth. I bet you did your best. There's nothing you can do now to change that. Trust me."

Gurin: "Heh, it fits the rest of this world. Don't worry, I'll keep my sword on my back unless I need it."

Dianysia waits for the two to go.

Gurin: "Shall we, miss Beth?"

Deladriel: "Come with me outside after they go to their rooms" Del says to Dia

DM: right, so... Beth & Gurin headed to the Church

Dianysia waits for those two to leave the goes and catches up with Del.

DM: okay... so you quickly find your way back to the chapel

Dianysia stops at the desk on the way in and informs them I'm awaiting another servant, and can Jayde please be stabled?

Deladriel: "You will need know my Cat name once we perform this deception"

DM: *nods* he'll do so

Bethany: "Gurin, I need you to stay out here, ok? Only one of our necks needs to be at risk, ok?" Bethany said, lightly touching him on the face.

Gurin: "I'll be right outside the door."

Bethany: "Alright," she says, then opens the door and steps inside.

Dianysia: "Yeah, what is your cat name?"

DM: The chapel is just as empty as before, with a few small oil lamps around the edge providing just barely enough light to avoid running into things, without really giving enough to see.

Bethany: Continues on to the Fathers 'office' doors, where she knocks, waiting for an answer.

Deladriel: "Siannodel...means Moonbrook...you must remember, you will be regarded as hunter, I your companion. Must have true name"

DM: no response

Dianysia: "Umm... one issue... don' t hunters use bows?"

Bethany: Tries the door.

DM: the door is locked

Deladriel: "They use range weapons of many kind"

Dianysia: "I'm not used to seeing them with a light crossbow, though..."

Bethany: Takes a few steps back from the door, and summons an astral construct, which proceeds to ram the door until it comes down, or until someone comes out.

Dianysia looks at Del... shall we find somewhere to shift? We don't need to bes seen.

Deladriel: "Over here" Del leads them to an alley

Dianysia follows and, after checking to see nobody around, shifts into a blond female human with startling green eyes. She remains thin, but not so frail, and shortens to 5'6'. She removes her outer tunic and replaces it with another, then pulls on a skirt that matches the tunic before slipping out of her previous bottoms.

DM: okay... the first blow creates cracks... the second cracks the door and sends it flying open to the inside... and around the construct, you can see the Priest hurrying out of the door from deeper in his quarters

Deladriel starts the swift shifting process as usual...but this time something goes awry...
Deladriel shrinks down to a small form and very quickly you see feathers, a curved beak, and wings...

DM: Priest - "What is going on here!?!"

Dianysia a look of horror, then amusement crosses Dia's face. "Umm.. you didn't give me you're bird name..."

Bethany: Bethany walks in the door and smiles at the priest, having the construct stick to shadows in a vaguely humanoid shape, and says, "I am sorry, he saw I wanted in, and broke the door down, so so sorry," then pauses a moment, "But since I have your attention, I was wondering if we could speak again?"

Deladriel the shift finishes with Del becoming a full grown adult Eagle

Dianysia cracks up

Deladriel looks back and forth at herself then up to Dia

Deladriel jumps a few times and flaps her wings a bit

DM: The priest splutters somewhat, before scowling at Beth. "Since you have the poor grace to break down my door - and don't think you can fool me, child, I know it will follow all your instructions - I suppose that talking would be better than trying to throw you out on your ear, much as you might deserve it based on your present behavior."

Deladriel then tries to take a running start down the alley and take off, only to roll a few times and end up on her back

Dianysia starts laughing harder. "Do.. you n need.. that I ... should... throw you...?"

Deladriel hops over to Dia and squawks

Gurin: Gurin keeps a vigilant watch

Bethany: "I'm so sorry," she says with a smile, somewhat enjoying being the problem for a change, and sits down in a chair, "I just wanted to make one more pass at trying to get information from you the proper way before I began to research it on my own. I could care less about your murderers, but I am interested in others like me, even if they are on other worlds. I figure, hey if you know about them, then there has to be other ways to learn about them, short of traveling to them all, which obviously I've figured out how to do."

Dianysia is still laughing, but picks up the brid and taosses her as hard as she can up and away...

Deladriel is now flying through the air and starts trying many different styles of wing flapping very quickly

DM: The priest sighs, shaking his head. "I urge you to reconsider, my child. This is not a safe course of action."

Deladriel finally finds one that seems to be working and concentrates on it...finally finding herself able to maintain level flight
Deladriel squawks as she is approaching a building

Bethany: "Neither is being forced to chase an assassin who got caught, one way or the other, I have figured the Church will become my enemy, so I wanted to at least get some information before resigning myself to that fate, but if that is not going to happen, then I will cease to waste your time."

Deladriel combines wing angles and manages to figure out turning
Deladriel now realizes that she does not know how to land

DM: "The Church is no one's enemy, daughter. We seek to serve, and to guard the creator God's work... nothing more."

Deladriel flies off into the night with a squawk

Bethany: "If you had no enemies, you would not need assassins,
Bethany: Bethany said standing back up, "Come Charles," she says as the construct falls in line and follows her out the busted door.

DM: "I told you before, Mary Ann. The Church does not condone murder."

Bethany: "Uh huh," she says turning around, "Then why am I in danger?"

Deladriel eventually returns and performs a sloppy, yet successful landing before Dia

DM: "I said they are dangerous questions... which is why I ask you to turn away. No good comes from such questioning."

Deladriel shifts back to Elf..."That was fun!"

Bethany: "I am done questioning, at least you. Some good will come of these questions, and I will chase that good. Farewell father."

Dianysia laughs again. "Certainly. Funny too."

Deladriel laughs..."Shall we?"

Bethany: Bethany turns back around heading for the door, this time not even pretending to pay attention to the priest, and stepping outside, "Gurin, Charles, Charles, Gurin," she says with a beaming smile, and continues on back towards the inn.

DM: The priest sighs heavily. "Fare well, daughter. My that creator God protect you." He mutters under his breath.

Gurin looks from Beth to the construct and grins ruefully.

Deladriel shifts to cat form

Gurin: "Well?"

Bethany: "Cheese is in the trap, lets go."

Gurin nods and follows

Dianysia leads her animal companion to the inn. She moves with certainty as she heads to the desk. "Hello, name's Jaynel. I'm part of Lady Dianysia's party and would like a room."

Deladriel sits at her side as if trained to do so

Bethany: At the same moment, Bethany and Gurin come into the tavern, and Bethany gives a sweet smile to the half elf.

Dianysia: "Oh, there you are Bethany. I'd been wondering where you'd gotten off to."

Bethany: "Had to visit father again," she says, and gives Dia a quick hug. "I see you caught up with us."

Dianysia: "And how is your father doing?"

Deladriel begins cleaning herself

Bethany: "Needs a new door I suspect."

DM: half-elf just shows you to rooms

Dianysia: "Ah, that old hinge still giving him trouble? Perhaps I should head that way later on.

Bethany: "Don't think the hinge is a problem any more."

Dianysia: "Oiled it, I see. Well, I got tired of the hunting.. nothing good locally, too close to a city..."

Bethany: "Ahh, well, lets see if something finds us?" Bethany says, before giving Dia a hug, then Gurin, then nodding to the half-elf and slipping inside of her room.

Dianysia pets the kitty. "Come on Sian," she says, opening the door to their new room.

Deladriel heads in

Gurin looks at Beth like she's crazy, but chalks it up to nerves