Perpetual Gloom 004

[6:59:18 PM | Edited 7:01:19 PM] Josie: The three of you met Kalanor, a guy at the bar who hired you to rescue his sister. Turns out his sister was kidnapped by Drow, and also that he and his sister *are* Drow, and you've been fighting your way through to the Underdark in a series of caverns apparently meant to tell interlopers to buzz off. [7:00:41 PM] Josie: Along the way, you've collected a couple of people. First, Cira, the sarcastic flying cat smarter than your average human, then Tae Li, a former soldier hellbent on freeing slaves, and most recently, Alain, a good-looking fellow who also happens to be an aranea--sort of a werespider. [7:00:59 PM] Josie: When we left our heroes, Alain was leading them to the entrance of Drow territory.

[7:13:02 PM] Josie: You were just about to move into yet *another* damncave. [7:13:35 PM] Jamaros: ((Am I still poisoned?)) [7:13:36 PM] Khiro: ((To the Damncave, Robin!)) [7:13:46 PM] Jamaros: ((NANANANANANANA)) [7:13:48 PM] Josie: Yep. [7:13:52 PM] Jamaros: ((Poop)) [7:13:59 PM] Josie: That wears off 1 point per day at a time. [7:14:04 PM] Khiro: ((I'm posioned, too, so woot.)) [7:14:28 PM] Jamaros: ((Note to self, buy poison cures at next town)) [7:14:51 PM] Amara: (( and I still have negative effects from...something that tried to kill me...)) [7:15:03 PM] Khiro: ((I got poisoned by a mushroom.)) [7:15:05 PM] Josie: I dunno! Something bad, probably! [7:15:15 PM] Jamaros: ((Spider, I think)) [7:15:17 PM] Josie: Kalanor: All in one piece? [7:15:29 PM] Jamaros: More or less [7:15:49 PM] Khiro: Indeed. [7:15:56 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Let's go, then. [7:16:30 PM] Josie: He stalks off into the darkness of the cave. This one doesn't seem to have any lighting in it, no friendly glowing fungus or mold to light your way. [7:16:51 PM] Khiro: Khiro lights a lantern. [7:17:12 PM] Khiro: Slow down, let me watch for traps before you step on one again. [7:17:25 PM] Josie: It's even hotter in this cave--probably 85 degrees or so. [7:17:29 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Oh, right. [7:18:04 PM] Jamaros: ...Had I known we were going this far underground, I wouldn't've dressed so heavily. [7:18:22 PM] Khiro: Khiro stuffs another layer of clothes into his Haversack. [7:18:42 PM] Amara: Amara fans herself with her hand, miserably and to little effect. [7:19:09 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros offers Amara some water from his waterskin [7:19:27 PM] Amara: Amara accepts, graciously. [7:19:32 PM] Josie: Kalanor is down to a single layer, himself. Pants and a thin shirt. Alain doesn't seem to be really affected by it, but if he lives down here that's probably why. [7:19:54 PM] Josie: Kalanor: We'll have to stop to rest once we get into Drow territory. [7:20:11 PM | Edited 7:20:24 PM] Khiro: Any decent places to rest here? [7:20:11 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Start out the next day fresh. And with disguises. [7:20:15 PM] Jamaros: ...wouldn't it be better to rest outside of Drow territory? [7:20:22 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I know a place. [7:20:27 PM] Josie: He eyes Jamaros. "... why?" [7:20:44 PM] Josie: Alain: He is Drow, I suppose. [7:20:53 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrrrr. [7:20:54 PM] Jamaros: Oh, no reason, except that I would rather be rested entering enemy territory than not. [7:20:57 PM] Josie: Cira licks Khiro's ear. [7:21:14 PM] Josie: Kalanor: If it were enemy territory. [7:21:34 PM] Josie: He lets Khiro go first, and then Alain after Khiro. [7:21:45 PM] Jamaros: ...I'll follow you. [7:21:51 PM] Amara: Amara follows Jamaros [7:22:25 PM] Jamaros: ...Tae Li, you coming? [7:22:27 PM] Josie: Alain: I haven't been this way much. [7:22:34 PM] Josie: Tae Li follows quietly. "Yes." [7:23:00 PM] Josie: Alain: It's easier just to climb, if you know where all the wall traps are. [7:23:23 PM] Jamaros: Sadly, that's not an option for most of us. [7:23:50 PM] Josie: Kalanor: It would certainly be easier. [7:24:14 PM] Josie: Alain: Well, there *are* a lot of traps on the walls of the big caverns, I suppose, but there are a lot of 'em on the floor, too, so... [7:24:36 PM] Jamaros: So, Cira is the only one with no need to worry. [7:24:57 PM] Khiro: Khiro nods. "I'm sure she appreciates that. [7:24:59 PM] Josie: Cira, smugly: Mrow. [7:25:16 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Is it me, or does she sound smug? [7:25:22 PM] Jamaros: Incidently, what are we going to do about Cira and Isis when we get to the territory? [7:25:31 PM] Jamaros: She always sounds smug [7:25:37 PM] Josie: You continue to walk down the corridor. And it *is* down--you're still going further and further down. [7:25:48 PM] Khiro: I'll just say she's my familiar. [7:25:52 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Well, we don't have winged cats but we *do* have plenty of pets. [7:26:00 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrrowwl, mrr, ywrrl. [7:26:14 PM] Josie: Tae Li: She wants to know why you can't be *her* familiar. [7:26:18 PM] Amara: Isis flies off Amara's shoulder where she's been sitting this whole time, to go sit on Jamaros's shoulder.  She kind of looks at him for a moment, before settling done and nestling in. [7:26:39 PM] Jamaros: ...Tae Li...you speak cat? [7:26:54 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros pets Isis [7:26:54 PM] Josie: Tae Li: Tressym have their own language. [7:27:02 PM] Amara: ...Tressym? [7:27:11 PM] Jamaros: Ok, did everyone know about these Tressym before us? [7:27:19 PM] Khiro: I knew about them. you didn't ask. [7:27:37 PM] Amara: Amara sighs. "So it was everybody except Jamaros and I?" [7:27:40 PM] Josie: Alain: I don't think Drow *eat* cats, so... [7:27:51 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Of course we don't. [7:28:03 PM] Khiro: They're not uncommon familiars in Solitaire. [7:28:04 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I don't think we have ... tressym... either. [7:28:41 PM] Jamaros: Do we have any idea how much further down we're going? [7:28:43 PM | Edited 7:29:05 PM] Josie: You reach a dead end! ... but when you get a little closer it turns out to have been a sort of optical illusion, and there's actually a right turn. [7:28:59 PM] Jamaros: ...ask a stupid question [7:29:19 PM] Josie: Alain: It's not much further down. I think we're almost on a level with the upper levels of the city as it is. [7:29:32 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros removes gloves and excess clothing, but keeps his cloak on [7:29:42 PM] Josie: Alain: Of course that's further into Drow territory than I like to go. [7:30:18 PM] Josie: Suddenly the cave opens up, and you find yourselves in a much, much larger cavern. There's a waterfall splashing down from above on the other side of it. [7:30:39 PM] Jamaros: How many of these waterfalls are there? [7:31:06 PM] Josie: Alain: One. [7:31:18 PM] Josie: Kalanor: It's the same one from before, we're just a lot further down. [7:31:29 PM] Jamaros: ...but I thought the last waterfall ended in that lake back there. [7:31:39 PM] Josie: Alain: Oh, it does. [7:31:55 PM] Josie: Alain: That lake *is* this lake. Most of these caverns are interconnected. [7:32:34 PM] Josie: Alain: Not a big swimmer, myself, and the fishmen pretty much make it impossible to swim down there anyway, but. [7:32:56 PM] Jamaros: ...but? [7:33:11 PM] Josie: Alain: But if you could, you could swim all over the place in that river. [7:33:18 PM] Josie: Alain: It even goes clear to the city itself. [7:33:26 PM] Khiro: If not for the violent fishmen. [7:33:32 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... it's the same water? ... interesting. [7:33:39 PM] Jamaros: What keeps the fishmen out of the city? [7:33:50 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Fireballs and swords. [7:34:00 PM] Josie: Alain: Drow are kind of violent. ... no offense. [7:34:10 PM] Josie: Alain: I avoid their territory. [7:34:20 PM] Jamaros: Smart. [7:34:38 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Aranea are an abomination to Lolth. Or so some say. [7:34:52 PM] Josie: Alain, politely: I hope you don't. [7:35:08 PM] Josie: You reach another gap in the trail. [7:35:30 PM] Jamaros: ((Does the lake flow through the gap?)) [7:35:52 PM] Josie: Yep, but pretty far underneath you, yet. 50 feet, maybe? [7:36:17 PM] Josie: Alain: ... I can web this one too, but keep in mind that, well. I *do* run out of webbing. [7:36:31 PM] Jamaros: How long does it take you to produce more? [7:36:41 PM] Josie: Alain: Oh, a good rest should do it. [7:36:51 PM] Khiro: ... I can jump it this one again if it helps, but I"m running out of spells. [7:36:53 PM] Jamaros: How much do you think you have left? [7:37:10 PM] Josie: Alain: Probably two more shots. One after this. [7:37:33 PM] Josie: Alain: It's not a problem, but I don't have any other weapons and my spells aren't... you know. *impressive.* [7:37:45 PM] Jamaros: What spells do you know? [7:38:08 PM] Josie: Alain: Silent Image, Mage Armor, Sleep. A couple of cantrips. [7:38:09 PM] Jamaros: ((Conjure milk, Vague and Mend? :) )) [7:38:12 PM] Khiro: I have two more spells left myself. [7:38:42 PM] Josie: ((Well he is a spider-man, so he can probably do "Drop on you from the ceiling" and "give you a heart attack in the bathtub.")) [7:39:13 PM] Jamaros: ...I guess web is our best shot, but we should hope we hit that rest stop soon. [7:39:35 PM] Josie: Kalanor: It's practically right through the door, once we get there. I used to explore a lot when I was a kid. [7:39:44 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrorww. [7:40:06 PM] Josie: Tae Li: I don't know why you are complaining, you do not even have to walk. Khiro is carrying you. [7:40:32 PM] Khiro: Can you web it, Alain? [7:41:00 PM] Josie: Alain: Yes. It'd be better to have a second anchorpoint, but I think the path is close enough to count. [7:41:35 PM] Josie: Alain: ... actually, give me one end of a rope, would you? [7:41:36 PM] Jamaros: Sounds good...ish [7:41:54 PM | Removed 7:42:19 PM] Khiro: This message has been removed. [7:41:55 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros passes Alain one end of a 50ft rope [7:42:21 PM | Edited 7:42:34 PM] Josie: He takes Jamaros's rope! And eyes the gap, before leaping over it. [7:42:56 PM] Josie: It looks a little odd--he really shouldn't have been able to do that. Apparently spiders break several very important laws of physics. [7:43:18 PM] Josie: He secures the rope on the other side. [7:43:30 PM] Josie: Alain: All right, tie yours off. [7:43:39 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros finds a good spot and ties the rope down. [7:43:48 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... I'm really glad we didn't kill him. [7:44:15 PM] Josie: Alain cracks his knuckles and webs a walkway across the gap! [7:44:35 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros motions to Tae Li "Ladies first" [7:44:46 PM] Josie: Tae Li shrugs and walks across. [7:44:55 PM] Josie: Cira follows her, on *foot*. [7:45:10 PM] Khiro: Khiro goes next. [7:45:14 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros steps onto the web and reaches out for Amara [7:45:33 PM] Jamaros: *out to Amara [7:45:39 PM] Josie: Alain rubs at his wrists on the far side of the webpath. [7:46:12 PM | Edited 7:46:18 PM] Amara: Amara grabs his hand  and follows. (( if I understood that motion correctly)) [7:46:30 PM] Jamaros: ((I think you did...this seemed better in my head)) [7:46:32 PM] Josie: Kalanor goes last, watching. [7:47:10 PM] Josie: And Alain pulls a couple of threads, again, and collapses the pathway, handing the rope back to Jamaros. [7:47:21 PM] Jamaros: Thanks [7:47:30 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros tucks rope back into pack. [7:47:35 PM] Josie: Alain: Happy to help, it's my job, after all. [7:47:41 PM] Khiro: Is it? [7:47:47 PM] Josie: Alain: Sure. I patrol these caverns. [7:48:02 PM] Jamaros: ...wait, for who? [7:48:06 PM] Josie: The path ahead leads straight into the wall--where there's a steel door. [7:48:54 PM] Josie: Alain: My people. There's a small town--part of it's topside, but most of it's down here. Not that far away, so we try to keep an eye on the Drow and the kobolds and the Duergar. [7:49:09 PM] Josie: The door has a padlock on it. [7:49:21 PM] Khiro: Hmm. [7:49:30 PM] Jamaros: ((To Kal)) Is this your rest stop? [7:49:41 PM] Josie: Kalanor: No. This is a roadblock. [7:49:49 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... the entire universe is conspiring against me right now. [7:49:56 PM] Josie: Tae Li: It is only a door. [7:50:02 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrrow. [7:50:09 PM] Khiro: Khiro inspects the door. [7:50:12 PM] Josie: Cira flutters over to Kalanor. [7:50:22 PM] Jamaros: This must have been here a while. I doubt the Drow could set this up so fast. [7:50:43 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros listens at the crack between the door and floor [7:50:45 PM] Khiro: Well, it's not trapped. [7:50:56 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I have no idea. Maybe they just... cast fly and pulled me up there with them before they dumped me. I don't know. [7:51:13 PM] Jamaros: ((25)) [7:51:23 PM] Jamaros: WAIT! [7:51:34 PM] Khiro: For what? [7:51:41 PM] Jamaros: ...I'm hearing something. [7:51:50 PM] Jamaros: ...Sounds sort of...slimey [7:52:06 PM] Khiro: Well, don't shout, I wasn't going to open it. [7:52:37 PM] Jamaros: ...sorry...I'm going to assume it won't fall for the ol' Bardic Knock Spell either. [7:52:50 PM] Khiro: I can unlock it, it's just a padlock. [7:52:57 PM] Jamaros: ...it seems to be moving away now [7:53:14 PM] Jamaros: I can't hear it anymore. [7:53:24 PM] Khiro: Khiro starts on unlocking! [7:53:31 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros moves away from the door [7:54:43 PM] Jamaros: ...any luck? [7:54:59 PM] Josie: Kalanor scritches Cira despondently. [7:55:11 PM] Josie: The padlock comes open in Khiro's hands! [7:55:16 PM] Khiro: Think I got it. [7:55:32 PM] Jamaros: Good, let's approach slowly and closely together [7:55:48 PM] Jamaros: Everyone keep an eye out. [7:56:15 PM] Jamaros: ...is someone gonna open the door? [7:56:24 PM] Josie: Alain opens the door! [7:56:25 PM] Khiro: Khiro opens it. [7:56:43 PM] Josie: The spiderman steps in! [7:56:56 PM] Josie: Light flooooooods out at you! [7:57:10 PM] Josie: Green and yellow and red and white and blue and violet and orange! [7:57:16 PM] Josie: The corridor is quite bright. [7:57:36 PM] Khiro: ...wow. [7:57:38 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros guards eyes, using his hand as a visor [7:57:39 PM] Khiro: Kinda tacky. [7:58:03 PM] Josie: There's glowing mold all over the walls and ceiling, multicolored. [7:58:10 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... I'm so glad I had light-training. [7:58:22 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros puts sunglasses back on [7:58:25 PM] Josie: You all hear a bloop-bloop-bloop sound further down the hallway. [7:58:35 PM] Josie: Tae Li: ... what is that? [7:58:43 PM] Josie: Alain: ... I don't know. [7:58:56 PM] Jamaros: ...sounds like something we wouldn't want to meet. [7:58:57 PM] Khiro: Some kind of slime? [7:59:27 PM] Josie: There's no mold on the floor, for whatever reason, or about six inches off the ground. [7:59:44 PM] Jamaros: ...it appears to be moving on the ceiling. [7:59:53 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros touches at the mold, cautiously [8:00:36 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros takes out a dagger and scrapes some of it off and into a clean vial. [8:01:24 PM] Jamaros: This might come in handy later. [8:01:45 PM] Josie: Kalanor: You'll have to give it some nutrients if you expect it to survive. [8:01:57 PM] Jamaros: ...this is alive? [8:02:10 PM] Khiro: Mold is alive, yes. [8:02:11 PM] Jamaros: ...wait, you know what it is? [8:02:14 PM] Josie: Kalanor: It's mold, isn't it? [8:02:22 PM] Jamaros: Oh...duh... [8:02:31 PM] Josie: Alain: Drow eat mold. [8:02:40 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Not this kind. [8:02:44 PM] Josie: He wrinkles his nose. [8:02:53 PM] Jamaros: ...do you know what this kind is? [8:03:14 PM] Khiro: Hold on. [8:03:15 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Sure. It grows all over the place; we cultivate it as natural lighting. [8:03:19 PM] Khiro: Khiro looks at the wall. [8:03:31 PM] Jamaros: ...what would happen if you did eat it? [8:03:47 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I have no idea. Do I look like the kind of person who randomly eats things they find on the ground? [8:04:11 PM] Josie: He sounds frustrated. [8:04:25 PM] Jamaros: You know, for someone who asked US for help, you've been very snooty. [8:04:27 PM] Josie: More bloop-bloop-blooping from up ahead! [8:04:42 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I'm paying you, not the other way around. You can put up with a little snootiness. [8:04:54 PM] Amara: Amara goes to investigate the source of the odd noise! [8:04:59 PM] Jamaros: A little yes, but you're practically a fountain [8:05:00 PM] Khiro: Khiro triggers it. [8:05:10 PM] Jamaros: You haven't cut us one break this whole time! [8:05:17 PM] Josie: There's a creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaking noise and a very narrow door opens up in the mold to your left. [8:05:31 PM] Jamaros: ...what's that? [8:05:38 PM] Josie: Kalanor: You should be glad you don't know what I'm thinking, then. [8:05:46 PM] Khiro: Khiro pokes his head in the door. [8:05:59 PM] Jamaros: ...what do you see? [8:06:33 PM] Jamaros: ...Khiro? [8:07:02 PM] Khiro: A moldy closet. Hold on a sec. [8:07:06 PM] Josie: Amara moves off by herself forward. [8:07:15 PM] Jamaros: ...Amara? [8:07:19 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros follows her [8:07:37 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Wait, why are we splitting up? [8:07:52 PM] Jamaros: ...Amara...where are you going? [8:08:25 PM | Edited 8:08:29 PM] Amara: Just looking around! [8:08:45 PM] Jamaros: ...we should probably stick together Amara...remember the last time we split up? [8:09:04 PM] Amara: Amara moves closer to inspect the noise and movement [8:09:19 PM] Jamaros: I don't want to have to come save you from another giant spider. [8:09:23 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros follows [8:09:33 PM] Amara: I don't *need* saving, thank you very much [8:09:41 PM] Amara: Do I *look* like a damsel in distress?! [8:10:00 PM] Jamaros: No...but you did scream pretty loudly back there :) [8:10:07 PM] Josie: Alain: If you were, I'd be trying to save you. And not all spiders are bad, you know. [8:10:27 PM] Amara: Amara picks up something off the ground [8:10:44 PM] Jamaros: ...what's that? [8:10:54 PM] Amara: Don't know. [8:10:55 PM] Khiro: Khiro calls out.  "There's more supplies back here." [8:11:02 PM] Jamaros: ...can I see it? [8:11:31 PM] Khiro: ((It's a plain looking gold ring.)) [8:11:58 PM] Jamaros: ...right, well, we should go before all the good supplies are gone. [8:12:04 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros goes back to the main group [8:12:12 PM] Jamaros: What did you guys find? [8:12:30 PM] Khiro: More cloth.  And 200 platinum in spider-bucks. [8:12:41 PM] Jamaros: ...Spider-bucks? [8:12:44 PM] Josie: Tae Li is just waiting in the corner. Kalanor looks as impatient as usual. [8:12:53 PM] Josie: Alain: ... oh, Drow coinage. [8:12:54 PM] Khiro: Khiro flips Jamaros one of the coins. [8:12:58 PM] Amara: Amara casts Detect Magic  on the odd thing she tried to pick up. [8:13:07 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros catches it and inspects it [8:13:31 PM] Jamaros: Huh, well, cut out a share for me, I'll be right back. [8:13:43 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros runs back to Amara and takes a look at the thing she's inspecting [8:14:17 PM] Amara: Amara to Jamaros "It's magic....whatever it is." [8:14:44 PM] Jamaros: ...huh...why would it seperate this bit of Mold? [8:14:48 PM] Khiro: ((She found the Master Ring!)) [8:15:00 PM] Khiro: ((I guess we have our next quest.)) [8:15:08 PM] Jamaros: ...you couldn't pick it up? [8:15:25 PM] Amara: It burned when I tried to pick it up. [8:15:29 PM] Josie: Alain follows the others down the corridor. "Don't pick that up, it's a gelatinous cube." [8:15:39 PM] Amara: Sorry, a what? You know what this is? [8:15:44 PM] Josie: Kalanor draws his sword. "A gelatinous cube! Where?!" [8:15:48 PM] Jamaros: ...it's a creature! [8:15:57 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros draws his rapier [8:15:58 PM] Josie: Alain points. [8:16:16 PM] Josie: Kalanor peers. "... that is way too small to be a gelatinous cube." [8:16:33 PM] Jamaros: ...maybe...it's a baby gelatinous cube? [8:16:47 PM] Josie: Alain: It is kind of cute! [8:16:51 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrrrowww. [8:17:21 PM] Amara: So, what are we going to do with this....delightful...specimen? [8:17:32 PM] Jamaros: ...nothing? [8:17:47 PM] Josie: The cube blorp-blorp-blorps to the side of the corridor and starts blorping along it, catching the bottom edge of the mold. [8:17:47 PM] Jamaros: We can't pick it up, it'll eat through anything we put it in. [8:18:01 PM] Josie: Alain: It's not hurting anyone. ... well, no one but mold. [8:18:10 PM] Jamaros: ...I say we just leave it be. [8:18:16 PM] Amara: Amara shrugs. "I'm fine with just leaving it." [8:18:26 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros holsters sword [8:18:30 PM] Khiro: Huh. [8:18:40 PM] Josie: The little cube pauses in its tracks! [8:18:51 PM] Josie: It blorp-blorp-bloooorps back to you guys. [8:19:03 PM] Josie: Kalanor steps back warily; so does Tae Li. [8:19:15 PM] Khiro: Other than the money and the cloth, there wasn't really anything in there. [8:19:15 PM] Amara: Amara follows suit and steps back, away from the cube [8:19:17 PM] Josie: Alain just watches. [8:19:32 PM] Jamaros: ...can I see some of the cloth? [8:20:06 PM] Khiro: Khiro pulls out a bit from his haversack. [8:20:06 PM] Josie: The cube makes a weird bubbling noise, like a teakettle on the boil. [8:20:24 PM] Jamaros: ...uh, Amara, Alain...I think we should get moving... [8:20:30 PM] Josie: Then it blorps back over to the wall, leaving a little pile of something behind. [8:20:31 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros backs away [8:20:58 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... did that thing just poop at us? [8:21:11 PM] Jamaros: ...well...not at us...exactly [8:21:20 PM] Josie: Alain: ... I don't think gelatinous cubes poop, per se... [8:21:36 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros investigates what was left behind [8:21:46 PM] Josie: It looks like jewelry! [8:21:54 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros picks it up [8:22:10 PM] Josie: The acid left on there burns his hand! Ouch! [8:22:24 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros drops it [8:22:26 PM] Jamaros: YOW! [8:22:27 PM] Josie: Alain: .... oh, they can't digest metal. [8:22:38 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros puts on a glove and picks it up [8:22:41 PM] Khiro: What is it? [8:22:54 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... so it *did* poop at us, more or less. Great. [8:23:02 PM] Josie: Kalanor: This day just keeps getting better. [8:23:16 PM] Jamaros: ...looks like...just some metal...not sure what... [8:23:30 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros shoves it in his sack [8:23:56 PM] Jamaros: Well, we can figure it out after we finish up [8:23:59 PM] Josie: The little cube bloops along the corridor cheerfully. [8:24:01 PM] Khiro: Let me see it. Maybe it's magical. [8:24:21 PM] Josie: Kalanor: With our luck it's cursed. [8:24:38 PM] Josie: Alain: We haven't been that unlucky. I mean, there could have been a flood. [8:24:40 PM] Jamaros: Even if it is magical, would you be able to figure out what it does? [8:24:58 PM] Jamaros: ...why would you say that, Spidey? [8:24:58 PM] Khiro: Possibly. [8:25:02 PM] Josie: Kalanor: He could figure out what it *doesn't* do, which is rescue my sister. [8:25:16 PM] Josie: Alain: Well, when there's a lot of snowmelt sometimes the water does rise a bit. [8:25:23 PM] Jamaros: We already have the necklaces from before, we can work this all out later. [8:25:40 PM] Josie: ((Hopefully someone is keeping track of the treasure, because I'm not.)) [8:26:09 PM] Jamaros: ((I'm only keeping track of my stuff)) [8:26:16 PM] Khiro: I was just curious about the damned thing, but whatever. How old is your sister, Kal? [8:26:37 PM] Josie: Kal: Old enough to know better... come on. [8:26:44 PM] Josie: He stalks forward into the darkness. Alain follows him. [8:27:11 PM] Khiro: Khiro moves on. [8:27:12 PM] Josie: The corridor up ahead takes another turn; there's no mold there and it is darkish again. [8:27:18 PM] Amara: Amara follows [8:27:25 PM] Josie: You come back out into the giant cave. [8:27:42 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros follows amara [8:27:50 PM] Josie: This is about when Kalanor turns around and tries to punch Jamaros in the face. [8:28:04 PM] Khiro: Khiro pulls out his lantern. [8:28:14 PM] Josie: He misses. [8:28:16 PM] Jamaros: ((22 on dodge)) [8:28:26 PM] Jamaros: Whoa [8:28:33 PM] Josie: Dodge wouldn't help! [8:28:40 PM] Josie: You're in Initiative now! roll init! [8:28:41 PM] Jamaros: ((I save my 22 then)) [8:29:07 PM] Jamaros: ((18 on init) [8:29:16 PM] Josie: *Jamaros*! [8:29:41 PM] Jamaros: I wouldn't do that again. [8:29:55 PM] Josie: Alain: ... uh, what are you guys doing? [8:30:21 PM] Josie: *Kalanor* snarls and tries again! ... but also misses. He *is* a bard, you know. [8:30:38 PM] Josie: Tae Li: If he is fighting, *now* can we kill the slaver? [8:30:54 PM] Khiro: No, he's not in his right mind, obviously. [8:30:56 PM] Josie: *Khiro and Amara*, you can do whatever you want. [8:31:15 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Oh yes I am, and I'm going to knock his damn teeth out! [8:31:25 PM] Khiro: Why? [8:31:48 PM] Jamaros: Is this because I found out about your wedding? [8:32:27 PM] Amara: Amara is momentarily immobilized by her own shock of what is going on, but then turns to Jamaros.  "What wedding?" [8:32:49 PM] Jamaros: Kal's wedding to Khiro...I heard him talk about it when he was standing on the trap earlier [8:32:50 PM] Josie: Kalanor snarls! [8:33:12 PM] Jamaros: ...I probably shouldn't've said that... [8:33:13 PM] Josie: Alain grabs Kalanor and wrestles his hands behind his back. [8:33:29 PM] Amara: Amara tilts her head to the side. "Interesting. Congratulations, then!" [8:33:29 PM] Josie: Tae Li: ... I fail to understand the problem. [8:33:47 PM | Edited 8:34:09 PM] Khiro: Khiro scratches his head. "Why are you trying to punch Jamaros?" [8:34:10 PM] Jamaros: ...brides before weddings, am I right? [8:34:11 PM] Josie: Kalanor: He's not allowed to insult *me* and he's not allowed to insult my *sister*. [8:34:35 PM] Jamaros: ...First of all, I've been insulting you since we met [8:34:43 PM] Jamaros: Second, when did I insult your sister? [8:35:03 PM] Josie: Kalanor: You called her a MAN, you son of a bitch! [8:35:13 PM] Jamaros: ...no...that's not...what? [8:35:20 PM] Josie: Alain: ... oh, boy... [8:35:23 PM] Amara: ....Did I miss something? [8:35:29 PM] Jamaros: That's just...cause you're both...I... [8:35:44 PM] Khiro: I know I missed something. [8:35:51 PM] Amara: Oh good! I'm not alone! [8:36:03 PM] Jamaros: It's a...term...with weddings...nevermind...this was clearly a bad joke being horribly misunderstood [8:36:07 PM] Jamaros: I apologize. [8:36:07 PM] Josie: Kalanor struggles to escape, but he's still kind of a skinny Drow type guy and Alain is still kind of a muscular spiderguy. [8:36:31 PM] Josie: Kalanor relaxes. "... good. Good. All right, fine. Apology accepted." [8:36:47 PM] Jamaros: ...do I still get an invite? [8:37:05 PM] Jamaros: I bring the best gifts. [8:37:25 PM] Khiro: Chances are you'll have stolen them from us, so we'll see. [8:37:26 PM] Jamaros: ...they're not always mine to give, but, they're still the best [8:37:42 PM] Jamaros: What?!? I would never! [8:37:50 PM] Jamaros: You guys don't have anything worth stealing [8:37:55 PM] Jamaros: :P [8:37:59 PM] Josie: Alain lets go of Kalanor, who brushes himself off. [8:38:14 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Not anymore. Hmph. [8:38:14 PM] Jamaros: ...also, for the record, I was so winning [8:38:20 PM] Josie: (He really was.) [8:38:34 PM] Josie: Tae Li: And I was on your side. [8:38:40 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Yes, yes, I'm a slaver, whatever. [8:38:52 PM] Josie: Kalanor rubs his forehead. "Can we just get moving again?" [8:38:59 PM] Jamaros: ...No offense Tae Li, but I think I'd of prefered you more neutral. [8:39:03 PM] Josie: Alain: Well, yes, but I'd be careful. This walkway is full of traps. [8:39:11 PM] Jamaros: Right. [8:39:13 PM] Khiro: Let me take the lead. [8:40:00 PM] Josie: Alain: We're almost there now. Just be careful. [8:40:55 PM] Khiro: Stop. [8:41:02 PM] Khiro: Khiro crouches down. [8:42:23 PM] Khiro: All right, it's clear. [8:42:26 PM] Khiro: Khiro continues on! [8:42:47 PM] Amara: Amara follows, cautiously. [8:43:39 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros follows with what he assumes to be everyone else [8:44:43 PM] Josie: Alain: There's more than one around here, I'm pretty sure... [8:44:49 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I don't *see* any more traps. [8:45:04 PM] Khiro: Just keep behind me. [8:45:11 PM] Jamaros: Well, we can't trust your trapfinding skills can we, Kal? :) [8:45:12 PM] Josie: Kalanor sighs, but does. [8:45:21 PM] Josie: Kalanor: No, probably not. I'm only a musician. [8:45:36 PM] Josie: Alain: You never know, either. Maybe they got rid of them. [8:46:01 PM | Edited 8:46:23 PM] Jamaros: Your hope is refreshing, but misplaced, I think. [8:47:14 PM] Khiro: Stop!  Found another one. [8:48:03 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Probably kobold work. [8:48:08 PM] Jamaros: ...So, Kal...when did you propose?  Or was it Khiro? [8:48:11 PM] Josie: Alain: I thought Drow hated kobolds. [8:48:31 PM] Josie: Kal glowers. "What difference does it make? And we do, but they're the best at traps." [8:48:37 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrow. [8:48:59 PM] Jamaros: Would Kobolds head this far down if the Drow are nearby? [8:49:17 PM] Jamaros: Kobolds aren't smart, but they know to stay away from things that can kill them. [8:49:29 PM] Khiro: Could you people please shut up so I can concentrate on not getting us all stabbed with javelins? [8:49:37 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... sorry. [8:49:55 PM] Khiro: This is a tricky one. [8:50:03 PM] Jamaros: ...want help? [8:50:24 PM] Khiro: ((Okay, the damn thing must be bugged.)) [8:50:43 PM] Josie: ((Maybe the javelin is bugged.)) [8:50:50 PM] Jamaros: ((Would it be possible for me to make a roll, just to give Khiro a boost?)) [8:51:00 PM] Khiro: ((You can assist to give me a +2.)) [8:51:02 PM] Josie: You can aid another on disables, yep. [8:51:10 PM] Jamaros: ((Ok, I'll help then)) [8:51:18 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros comes over to help Khiro [8:51:39 PM] Jamaros: ((I'll take my unused 17 from earlier to make a 25)) [8:51:42 PM] Josie: It turns out not to be necessary. The javelin slides out slowly and can easily be removed! [8:51:53 PM] Jamaros: ((Then I save my 17 again)) [8:52:05 PM] Josie: Can't really do that, unfortunately. [8:52:11 PM] Josie: Anyway. [8:52:13 PM | Edited 8:52:20 PM] Jamaros: ((k)) [8:52:34 PM] Khiro: Thanks, Jamaros. Got it. [8:52:40 PM] Josie: You move a bit forward again, and then you're faced with a *massive* set of double doors, lacquered black. They are *covered* with spider drawings. [8:52:45 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Good work. [8:52:59 PM] Jamaros: ...well, that's not foreboding at all... [8:53:06 PM] Khiro: ...I'm not expert, but this seems like it might be your doorway. [8:53:40 PM] Josie: Alain: That it is. Beyond lies Drow territory. [8:54:02 PM] Josie: Well. More like spider reliefs, really, but. [8:54:07 PM] Jamaros: How much you wanna bet it's trapped? [8:54:22 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Is it? [8:54:32 PM] Josie: He turns to Alain. [8:54:58 PM] Josie: Alain: Well... I don't know. Only a Drow can open it. [8:55:02 PM] Khiro: Khiro checks it. [8:55:46 PM] Josie: Kal eyes Tae Li. "And this is why you needed me." [8:55:48 PM] Khiro: Well,t here's no traps I can see. [8:56:05 PM] Jamaros: Is this what you told her back at the room? [8:56:07 PM] Josie: Tae Li: I would have found a way. [8:56:16 PM] Jamaros: ...and you failed to mention this why? [8:56:27 PM] Josie: Kal: Among other things. [8:56:43 PM] Jamaros: Care to mention them now? [8:56:57 PM] Josie: Kal: Because I'm Drow! Obviously we can get in. [8:57:05 PM] Josie: Kal: No! [8:57:25 PM] Jamaros: ...can we go back to fighting? I think I'd like to go back to fighting. [8:57:47 PM] Khiro: Yes, let's definitely do that in front of the evil spider door. I think it would like that. [8:57:54 PM] Josie: ((2 minute pause here....)) [8:58:00 PM] Jamaros: ((K)) [8:58:07 PM] Khiro: ((Allrighty.)) [8:58:11 PM] Amara: ((  I need to take a quick bio break. brb! )) [8:58:15 PM] Jamaros: ((BRB)) [8:59:36 PM] Josie: ((Ooh, let's make it 5 minutes, then.)) [9:02:49 PM] Jamaros: ((well, back when you are)) [9:03:06 PM] Khiro: ((Ditto.)) [9:03:20 PM] Josie: ((I'm back too!)) [9:04:03 PM | Edited 9:04:13 PM] Amara: ((back)) [9:04:24 PM] Josie: Woot! [9:04:48 PM] Josie: Alain: Look, just take it easy, okay? There's no need to fight. [9:05:22 PM | Edited 9:05:29 PM] Jamaros: ...right...so, keymaster...care to let us through? [9:05:30 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... right. [9:05:44 PM] Josie: Alain: I won't be going too much further with you folks, I'm afraid. I wish I could, but... [9:06:05 PM] Khiro: You're very level headed. I wish you could, too. [9:06:11 PM] Amara: Wait, you can't come with? Why....why not? [9:06:31 PM] Josie: Alain: Technically we have an agreement with the Drow to stay out of their territory, and they stay out of ours. [9:06:42 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Doesn't apply if I bring you in. [9:07:21 PM] Jamaros: Right, so you've got to play it safe. We understand. [9:08:19 PM] Jamaros: ...Well, I guess it's time we say good bye and crossover. The sooner we rest, the better we'll feel. [9:09:14 PM] Josie: Alain: I can go into the territory if I stick with him, but not the city itself. That's too risky, I can't risk a war that'd wipe out my whole village. [9:09:29 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... all right. [9:09:40 PM] Khiro: Ah. [9:09:53 PM] Josie: Kalanor reaches out to one of the doors and touches it with both hands. [9:10:17 PM] Josie: It takes a moment or two, but eventually the door swings inward, seemingly without having to be pushed. [9:10:31 PM] Josie: Inside is yet another big, dark cavern. [9:10:39 PM] Josie: Tae Li: I would have found a way. [9:10:54 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Yeah, probably abducting a Drow or cutting somebody's hands off. Maniac. [9:11:00 PM] Josie: He steps in. [9:11:09 PM] Khiro: Khiro follows him in. [9:11:16 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros follows [9:11:21 PM] Amara: Amara follows [9:12:04 PM] Jamaros: ...how much farther til we reach this safe spot? [9:12:36 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... I know exactly where we are now. [9:12:42 PM] Josie: Alain: Good, because I don't. [9:12:53 PM] Josie: Kalanor smiles. "Come on, let's go." [9:12:56 PM] Jamaros: Neither do we, so how far? [9:13:04 PM] Josie: Tae Li: Do not trust him. [9:13:10 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrrrr. [9:13:16 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Not far at all. [9:13:29 PM] Josie: He picks a path and starts walking on it. "Five minutes at most. And there's no traps here." [9:13:59 PM] Josie: It's pitch-black. [9:14:09 PM] Josie: Or would be, without Khiro's lantern. [9:14:12 PM] Jamaros: ...how was your sister taken again? [9:14:51 PM] Josie: Kalanor: We were practicing outside of town when a gang of people came and attacked us. That's how. [9:15:12 PM] Jamaros: How far out of town? [9:15:33 PM] Jamaros: Close to the town you found us in? [9:15:44 PM] Josie: Kalanor: A good half an hour's walk. And no, not at all close to that. [9:16:03 PM] Jamaros: ...huh... [9:16:17 PM] Jamaros: And what was the name of your city again? [9:16:20 PM] Josie: Kalanor: It took me just as long to get to where I found you as it took us to get here. [9:16:49 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Ssin'urn Che'el. [9:17:15 PM] Josie: Tae Li: Beautiful City. [9:17:25 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Yes. [9:17:30 PM] Jamaros: So, you've heard of it, Tae Li? [9:17:34 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Good, you speak Undercommon. [9:17:44 PM] Josie: Tae Li: Yes. I had done *some* research. [9:18:45 PM] Josie: Kalanor takes a couple of turns while he's walking. [9:19:03 PM] Jamaros: How can you tell where your going? [9:19:11 PM] Jamaros: Even for dark vision, this is black. [9:20:10 PM] Khiro: I assume he knows these roads pretty well. [9:20:27 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I grew up here. [9:20:41 PM] Josie: Kalanor: We just weren't allowed to go past the territorial boundaries. [9:20:49 PM] Josie: Kalanor: We were always told the humans would eat us. [9:20:53 PM] Jamaros: But you said you and your sister live in Ssin'urn Che'el. [9:21:13 PM] Josie: Kalanor: We do. I'm not exactly nailed to the floor, though, you *may* have noticed. [9:21:27 PM] Jamaros: Why did you leave? [9:21:45 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I didn't. I still live in the city. ... well, before this happened I did. [9:22:07 PM] Khiro: I'm pretty sure even drow can leave a city to go into the surrounding countryside and then return to the city afterward. [9:22:31 PM | Edited 9:22:36 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I did that a lot. Of course, back then no one would have questioned me... [9:22:50 PM] Jamaros: So, this city we are going to is Ssin'urn Che'el? [9:22:54 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Yes. [9:23:15 PM] Josie: Tae Li: Crawling with slavers. [9:23:15 PM] Jamaros: So, a gang attacks you in the countryside, and takes your sister back to her home city? [9:23:51 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I don't know if she's there now, do I? I don't know where they took her, or who it was. That's the only place I know to pick up the trail. [9:24:16 PM] Jamaros: ...were you two running away? [9:24:51 PM] Josie: Kalanor: No. I told you, we went out that far to practice. [9:25:23 PM] Josie: Kalanor: She's self-conscious about singing in front of other people and my mother keeps throwing suitors at me and I didn't want to be bothered. [9:25:42 PM] Josie: Kalanor: It's perfectly safe. Or it was perfectly safe before. [9:25:59 PM] Jamaros: You know of a room way outside city limits, why leave the cave to the countryside? [9:26:49 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Because I was *attacked,* okay? ... nobody'd even recognize me. [9:27:17 PM] Josie: He stops, suddenly, and looks around. "Besides, they left me outside our territory." [9:27:35 PM] Khiro: Khiro raises an eyebrow. [9:27:46 PM] Jamaros: ...your...family...? [9:27:53 PM] Josie: He grabs a stalagmite and pulls it. [9:28:36 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Yes. My family wouldn't recognize me, and my *attackers* cast some kind of damn spell on me that *changed* me, and beat me within an inch of my life *and* dumped me halfway to the surface, *yes.* [9:28:58 PM] Jamaros: ...oh... [9:29:33 PM] Khiro: ((Brb, phone.)) [9:31:30 PM] Josie: The stalagmite nearly falls to the ground, and there's a grinding sound; a trapdoor opens up in the ground. [9:31:58 PM] Khiro: ((back.)) [9:32:03 PM] Josie: Kalanor heads down it. [9:32:05 PM] Khiro: So, what's this then? [9:32:19 PM] Josie: Kalanor: My own personal hideyhole. [9:32:59 PM] Khiro: Khiro follows him down! [9:33:05 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros follows [9:33:12 PM] Amara: Amara follows too! [9:33:45 PM | Removed 9:34:18 PM] Khiro: This message has been removed. [9:33:51 PM | Removed 9:34:23 PM] Khiro: This message has been removed. [9:33:53 PM] Josie: ((Hi Wednesday!)) [9:33:59 PM] Khiro: ((... yes, that was my cat saying hi.)) [9:34:08 PM] Josie: ((Naughty kitty.)) [9:35:27 PM] Josie: You all head down into a smallish cave. While it's nowhere near as cushy as the succubus lair was, the floor is covered with heavy, thick rugs that are soft underfoot, more of the glowing mold covers the ceiling and there's a set of curtains that obscure part of the room--where there's a mattress on the ground, covered with blankets and more pillows. [9:35:58 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I was a kid when I found this place.... I kept it a secret from everyone but Maya. [9:36:23 PM] Amara: I quite like it. [9:36:42 PM] Khiro: Cozy. Is that the only way in? [9:36:44 PM] Josie: Alain: It seems nice. [9:36:48 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Yes. [9:37:00 PM] Jamaros: Good, that makes it easy to guard. [9:37:05 PM] Khiro: Khiro nods. [9:37:11 PM] Josie: Kalanor: It's not very big, just this one room. ... well. Two rooms, I put up the curtain to make the other, really. [9:37:27 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I used to come here to get away from my mother. [9:38:12 PM] Jamaros: You and your mother not get along? [9:38:23 PM] Josie: Kalanor: She's the head of my house. So no. [9:38:36 PM] Jamaros: ...I can certainly relate to that. [9:38:50 PM] Josie: Alain: Well. Anyone else hungry? [9:39:07 PM] Khiro: A bit, yes. [9:39:21 PM] Amara: Amara nods. "Very" [9:39:28 PM] Jamaros: I could eat. [9:40:02 PM] Josie: Kalanor leans over by the cave wall and carefully scoops up a spider that resembles a tarantula. "Let me just put this out." [9:40:18 PM] Josie: Alain: ... probably for the best. Not everyone likes spiders. [9:40:28 PM] Amara: ....sorry.... [9:40:49 PM] Josie: Alain smiles. "Not your fault. And if it's out, this way it won't get stepped on by accident." [9:41:02 PM] Khiro: Khiro sits down. [9:41:08 PM] Josie: Kalanor disappears through the trap door. [9:41:14 PM] Josie: Tae Li goes behind the curtain. [9:41:33 PM] Josie: Cira senses lap, and sits on Khiro's. [9:41:47 PM] Josie: Alain: I have some sandwiches, if anybody wants them. [9:42:01 PM] Jamaros: What kind? [9:42:06 PM] Khiro: Khiro pets Cira. [9:42:28 PM] Amara: May I have one? It's not something....odd....is it? [9:42:52 PM] Josie: Alain: Turkey and cheese. [9:42:59 PM | Edited 9:43:02 PM] Amara: I'd love one! [9:43:01 PM] Khiro: Exotic. [9:43:03 PM] Jamaros: Sounds good. [9:43:13 PM] Jamaros: ...where'd you find turkey and cheese down here? [9:43:16 PM] Josie: Alain: ... we pretty much eat the same things you guys do, it's why we live on the surface. Also it's much friendlier up there. [9:43:34 PM] Josie: Alain hands out sandwiches to everyone. They're pretty good! [9:44:02 PM] Khiro: Khiro shares turkey with Cira. [9:44:21 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros Gobbles it all down [9:44:32 PM] Josie: Alain: Mostly a matter of bodyweight. While I *could* eat insects and so forth, unless you find an ankheg there's just not going to be enough of them to sustain life. [9:44:47 PM] Amara: Isis searches for some yummy rodents! [9:45:03 PM] Josie: She finds a mouse and catches it, easily! [9:45:18 PM] Amara: Isis enjoys her mouse-dinner! [9:45:43 PM] Josie: Cira devours her turkey and sad-kitty-eyes Khiro for more. [9:46:23 PM] Khiro: Khiro shares his dinner with the cat, his own stomach still churning from the shroom poison. [9:46:44 PM] Jamaros: Greedy cat [9:46:51 PM] Josie: Alain: So, um. Your Drow friend, he's kinda high-strung. [9:47:05 PM] Jamaros: You don't say [9:47:05 PM] Josie: Cira hisses at him half-heartedly, and then goes back to devouring turkey. [9:47:15 PM] Josie: Alain: What's his deal? [9:47:25 PM] Jamaros: You know about as much as we do. [9:47:54 PM] Khiro: he's worried about his sister. I get the feeling that she's the only one in his family he really cares about. [9:48:21 PM] Jamaros: You can't exactly blame him. His family sounds like a bunch of jerks. [9:48:32 PM] Jamaros: Petty, dismissive [9:48:39 PM] Jamaros: Egotistical. [9:48:56 PM] Amara: ....you've basically just summed up *everybody's* family... [9:49:17 PM] Josie: Alain: Sounds like you're speaking from experience. Shapeshifting explains why he's covered in magic, too. [9:49:26 PM] Khiro: Yeah. [9:49:40 PM] Jamaros: ...that's probably his own elf disguise spell. [9:49:58 PM] Khiro: Khiro shakes his head. [9:50:02 PM] Josie: Alain: No, that'd be illusion, if it were a disguise. And he's Drow, sure enough. [9:50:25 PM] Josie: Alain: But if he was Drow before, and he's still Drow now.... what change did they make, and what was the point? [9:50:33 PM] Jamaros: ...he did say they put a spell on him. [9:50:55 PM] Jamaros: But we saw his drow form, it looked pretty normal. [9:51:32 PM] Jamaros: So, it's not like he's scarred or anything. [9:52:16 PM] Amara: Probably the genderswap spell. [9:52:25 PM] Jamaros: ...wait, the WHAT? [9:52:39 PM] Amara: I wasn't supposed to say that. [9:52:46 PM] Amara: I was *NOT* supposed to ssay that. [9:52:49 PM] Amara: I didn't say anything. [9:52:50 PM] Josie: Alain: ... genderswap? [9:52:57 PM] Amara: You didn't hear *anything* [9:53:05 PM] Jamaros: I most certainly did! [9:53:05 PM] Amara: GODSDAMN IT [9:53:14 PM] Jamaros: ...that explains a lot. [9:53:26 PM] Josie: Alain: No wonder he orders you around. [9:53:43 PM] Jamaros: ...you think his mom did that? [9:54:01 PM] Jamaros: If Drow are Matriarchal, then Kal would be next in line, right? [9:54:05 PM] Josie: Alain: ... possible. Their politics get pretty complicated, from what I understand. [9:54:11 PM | Edited 9:54:16 PM] Amara: The people who kidnapped him did it...at least that's what he told me. [9:54:14 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrrrrrrroww. [9:54:28 PM] Jamaros: But his mom could've organized it. [9:54:35 PM] Amara: ....that would be awful [9:54:40 PM] Amara: Let's hope that's not the case [9:55:00 PM] Jamaros: She kidnaps the youngest daughter, and keeps the eldest from moving up. [9:55:27 PM] Jamaros: Pheh, if hopes were nickels we'd all be stinking rich by now. [9:55:38 PM] Amara: That does actually sound like a pretty realistic explanation of events [9:55:44 PM] Josie: (Given the stuff you've been picking up, you may be.) [9:56:01 PM] Josie: Alain: I'd wondered. Drow men usually aren't that assertive. [9:56:24 PM] Amara: He is going to be very upset with me when he finds out. [9:56:51 PM] Amara: Amara sits down and starts picking at her nails nervously [9:56:53 PM] Khiro: The whole issue is very.... sensitive to him. [9:57:04 PM] Jamaros: Right, secret, got it. [9:57:40 PM] Josie: Alain: ... yeah, can't say I'd much like having my gender changed on me. [9:57:47 PM] Jamaros: ...so, Khiro...does this make you the domme or the sub in this relationship? [9:58:01 PM] Jamaros: You know, who really wears the pants here? [9:58:37 PM] Khiro: Khiro ignores him. [9:58:44 PM] Jamaros: ...that saying may not apply here. [9:58:58 PM] Amara: Has anyone else noticed that Kal's been gone for quite some time, for supposedly just taking a spider out? [9:59:13 PM] Jamaros: ...And Tae Li's been gone a while too. [9:59:33 PM] Khiro: ... good point. [9:59:38 PM] Khiro: Khiro climbs the ladder! [9:59:54 PM] Josie: Tae Li: I'm right here. [10:00:00 PM] Jamaros: ...right. [10:00:07 PM] Josie: Tae Li: I can hear you through the curtain. [10:00:12 PM] Jamaros: ...what are you doing back there? [10:00:21 PM] Jamaros: Do you not want a sandwich? [10:00:47 PM] Josie: Tae Li: I'm lying down. After I had inspected the rest of the cave. It's as he said--there are no other entrances. [10:01:06 PM] Amara: Shall we go check on Kal now? [10:01:17 PM] Jamaros: ...I guess we should. [10:01:20 PM] Khiro: Khiro is going up the ladder. [10:01:33 PM] Jamaros: ((I thought you went up already)) [10:01:42 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros follows [10:01:50 PM] Amara: Amara goes up the ladder [10:02:11 PM] Jamaros: Alain, you should wait here, in case it's drow. [10:02:19 PM] Jamaros: You may not exactly be welcome. [10:02:22 PM] Josie: Alain nods, and stays. [10:02:52 PM] Josie: You find Kalanor standing up next to a very large rock, and next to Khiro. "What?" [10:03:18 PM] Jamaros: ...nice to see you too. [10:03:38 PM] Amara: Just...checking to make sure nothing happened...like death or anything... [10:03:46 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I'm fine. [10:03:53 PM] Josie: (feel free to sense motive at any time, always!) [10:05:15 PM] Jamaros: Question, how far up is your mother, powerwise? [10:05:22 PM] Amara: Right....well....you don't *seem* fine. [10:05:23 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... I'm going to stay up here for a few minutes, I just need some air. [10:05:37 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... she's the head of the second most powerful House in the city. [10:06:03 PM] Jamaros: So, you might say she has both a lot to gain and lose from an heir? [10:06:40 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Maybe. She's got three daughters, though, there's enough of us. [10:06:46 PM] Jamaros: Wait, three? [10:06:54 PM] Jamaros: You have another sister? [10:07:00 PM] Jamaros: ...TWO other sisters? [10:07:10 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I have a lot of sisters. [10:07:23 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Only three of us are from the right husband. [10:07:42 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Me, Maya and Katje. Katje's only a baby. [10:08:00 PM] Jamaros: .......................... [10:08:06 PM] Jamaros: ............................................. [10:08:16 PM] Josie: Kalanor: What difference does it make? [10:08:20 PM] Amara: Amara looks at Jamaros. (( he's never this quiet!)) [10:08:35 PM] Jamaros: You uh, listed yourself among the daughter. [10:08:42 PM] Jamaros: I was trying not to make a big deal of it. [10:09:03 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... well I *was* one, all right? Now I'm *this*, and I'm *not* happy about it, so can we please just not talk about it? [10:09:21 PM] Josie: He clutches his harp to his chest. [10:09:44 PM] Jamaros: ...Has anything happened to the baby? [10:10:13 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Not that I know of. You'd have to ask my father, he's the one keeps track. [10:10:33 PM] Jamaros: ...right. So, who's up for some sleep? [10:10:48 PM] Amara: Amara raises hand [10:11:12 PM] Jamaros: So, I guess it's us humans together again? Me, Amara and Tae Li? [10:11:17 PM] Jamaros: :) [10:11:30 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Yes, sure. We'll figure out the watches. Go on. [10:11:35 PM] Josie: He makes a shoo-shooing gesture. [10:11:46 PM] Amara: Amara goes back to the ladder [10:12:00 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros rolls his eyes and follows back to the ladder [10:12:04 PM] Khiro: And Alain.  He might make things weird if you try and start any monkey business. [10:12:14 PM] Jamaros: ...wait, Alain? [10:12:27 PM] Jamaros: But...he's not human...he's a...spider...thing. [10:12:41 PM] Josie: Kalanor: He's pretty human-looking to me. [10:12:50 PM] Jamaros: But...he...I... [10:13:07 PM] Josie: Kalanor: If he were Drow he could pretty well sleep his way up the ladder pretty high, looking like that. Shame. [10:13:24 PM] Amara: Amara giggles [10:13:36 PM] Jamaros: OH COME ON!  He's not that great looking.  I look fine too! [10:13:44 PM] Jamaros: ...This is just...I really big cloak [10:13:48 PM] Jamaros: It covers a lot. [10:13:58 PM] Khiro: Wow, you are super insecure. [10:14:11 PM] Josie: Kalanor: He's a little further up there than just *fine*, I'd say, but whatever you like, I guess. [10:14:30 PM] Jamaros: ...I'm not sure how I feel about that Kal. [10:14:43 PM] Amara: Amara eyes him. "Eh. You're good, he's good.  Let's call it the end of discussion." [10:14:51 PM] Jamaros: ...fine... [10:14:57 PM] Jamaros: Whatever. [10:15:24 PM] Josie: Kal smirks. [10:15:32 PM] Jamaros: Oh shut up! [10:15:38 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I didn't say anything. [10:15:46 PM] Jamaros: You said plenty! [10:16:01 PM] Amara: Amara descends the ladder. [10:16:07 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros follows [10:16:27 PM] Khiro: Khiro shrugs, looking at Kal. "Humans are weird." [10:16:46 PM] Josie: Jamaros and Amara go back down the ladder. [10:17:09 PM] Josie: Alain's taken his shoes off and is walking around on the soft rugs. "Your friend does pick nice furniture." [10:17:38 PM] Jamaros: yeah yeah [10:18:30 PM] Jamaros: ...so...this was a very revealing day. [10:18:35 PM] Josie: Alain: It was? [10:18:53 PM] Jamaros: Well, I learned what Winged Cats are called. [10:19:01 PM] Jamaros: ...I don't remember it, but I learned it. [10:19:08 PM] Josie: Alain: Tressym. [10:19:13 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrroww. [10:19:34 PM] Jamaros: Oh shut up! You think you're so smart, but you're just a cat! [10:19:38 PM] Josie: Cira wanders over to Jamaros and flies onto his shoulder. [10:19:50 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrwwoww, mrr, mrowwl mrrrow mrr. [10:19:51 PM] Jamaros: ...oh, now you wanna make up, do you? [10:20:02 PM] Josie: Tae Li: She's asking if you understand differential calculus. [10:20:57 PM] Jamaros: Well, ha, guess what cat, I learned a great many maths in my day! [10:21:10 PM] Jamaros: You wanna challenge! I will math duel you cat! [10:21:14 PM] Jamaros: Anytime, anywhere! [10:21:32 PM] Josie: Cira: Mewrorlw mrr sss, mrowwl. [10:21:55 PM] Josie: Tae Li: "Which proves I'm smarter than you, because that's a waste of time." [10:22:08 PM] Jamaros: (angry) [10:22:16 PM] Josie: Cira flutters over to Amara and alights on her shoulder. [10:22:55 PM] Amara: Ohh I like you, Cira. I won't try to duel you in math; I know you'd win. [10:23:08 PM] Josie: Cira nuzzles up against Amara. [10:23:08 PM] Jamaros: Oh sure, take the cat's side. [10:23:29 PM] Amara: Amara stares at Jamaros. "Smart cat.  Not choosing sides. Smart cat." [10:23:34 PM] Josie: Alain: ... I'm... not really sure there are sides, per se. [10:23:41 PM] Josie: Cira: Mew. [10:23:56 PM] Amara: Tae Li! Interpret? [10:24:24 PM] Josie: Tae Li: "No." [10:24:33 PM] Josie: Tae Li: "I just win." [10:24:52 PM] Jamaros: Now it's goading me. [10:25:00 PM] Josie: Alain: She, I think. [10:25:07 PM] Josie: Cira purrs. [10:25:39 PM] Josie: And nuzzles Amara some more. [10:25:44 PM] Jamaros: ...you know what? This is stupid. I'm not gonna sit here and argue with a spider. I'm tired. I'm going to bed. [10:25:47 PM] Amara: Amara pets Cira! [10:25:55 PM] Josie: Alain: Good idea. Um. Sleeping arrangements? [10:26:13 PM] Amara: I have a bedroll. I don't mind taking the floor tonight. [10:26:42 PM] Jamaros: ...you sure? It's a big enough bed. [10:26:54 PM] Josie: Tae Li: Anyone may join me if they wish. [10:27:07 PM] Amara: ...I think I'll take the floor... [10:27:27 PM] Jamaros: ((To Tae LI))...I am both tempted and horrified...but also intrigued. [10:27:52 PM] Josie: Tae Li: If you touch me in any wrong way I will rip off your face and feed it to the tressym. [10:28:03 PM] Jamaros: ...right, staying right here. [10:28:21 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros pulls the blankets around himself. [10:28:23 PM] Josie: Alain: Well, I won't touch you in any wrong way, so I guess you're stuck with me. [10:28:55 PM] Josie: Alain: I don't have a bedroll, and the only way I'd be comfortable sleeping on a floor without one is by changing, and I'm not going to do that, so. [10:29:30 PM] Jamaros: WOOOOOOOOOO! [10:29:38 PM] Jamaros: :) [10:29:45 PM] Josie: Alain: ... wooooo? [10:30:03 PM] Jamaros: ...don't worry about it.  Go enjoy your bunk mate. [10:30:17 PM] Josie: Alain shrugs, and wanders back behind the curtain. [10:30:33 PM] Jamaros: ...((whispers to Amara)) you sure you don't wanna share? [10:30:47 PM] Jamaros: I won't do anything without being asked, promise. [10:31:21 PM | Edited 10:31:43 PM] Amara: Amara smirks and lays out her bedroll. [10:31:56 PM] Jamaros: ...right.  Got it.  Well, good night. [10:32:05 PM] Amara: Amara sighs. [10:32:23 PM] Jamaros: ...what? [10:32:52 PM] Amara: Hmm?  Oh, nothing. [10:33:00 PM] Jamaros: You sighed. [10:33:23 PM] Amara: My apologies. I shall breathe quieter so as not to disturb your beauty sleep. [10:33:33 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrrrrrrow. [10:33:38 PM] Amara: Amara pulls out a few marbles and rolls them around on the ground. [10:33:40 PM] Josie: The cat curls up with Amara! [10:33:52 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros smirks "There's more to that sigh, and you know it." [10:34:23 PM] Amara: You're reading into my breathing habits? [10:34:30 PM] Amara: Amara smirks....and giggles. [10:34:39 PM] Jamaros: Oh, and what's that? [10:34:44 PM] Josie: The cat purrrrrrs. [10:34:57 PM] Amara: Oh? Do you have something to add, Cira? [10:35:10 PM] Amara: I really need to learn Tressym. [10:35:12 PM] Jamaros: *mutters* cockblocker [10:35:23 PM] Amara: You say something? [10:35:35 PM] Josie: The cat makes a sound that sounds a *lot* like smug laughter. [10:35:38 PM] Jamaros: Me? No, just loud breathing. [10:36:05 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros slides a deck of cards out of his sleeve and begins to move them around. [10:36:22 PM] Amara: Amara eyes his cards. [10:36:57 PM] Jamaros: ...wanna see something neat? [10:37:15 PM] Amara: Sure. [10:37:26 PM] Amara: Amara comes and sits next to him. [10:37:32 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros pulls an ace out of the deck and shows it to Amara [10:37:34 PM] Josie: So does the cat! [10:37:40 PM] Jamaros: Keep your eyes on the ace [10:37:46 PM] Amara: Amara nods [10:38:05 PM] Jamaros: ((Nat 20 :) )) [10:38:31 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros flips the card around in his hand, seems to throw the card in the air, where it vanishes. [10:38:42 PM] Amara: Amara claps! [10:38:56 PM] Jamaros: ...hold on, not done yet. [10:38:59 PM] Jamaros: What's that there? [10:39:09 PM] Josie: Cira: Rrrrowl? [10:39:09 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros reaches behind her ear and pulls out the ace [10:39:39 PM] Amara: Amara is smiling!  She eyes him curiously. "How did you do that?" [10:39:52 PM] Jamaros: You have your magic, and I have mine [10:40:03 PM] Amara: I like your magic better. [10:40:17 PM] Jamaros: ...well, you'd be the first.  But thank you. [10:40:38 PM] Amara: You're magic doesn't hurt people. [10:40:51 PM | Edited 10:41:00 PM] Jamaros: ...you're not a monster. [10:41:05 PM] Amara: I sure *feel* like it sometimes. [10:41:31 PM] Jamaros: But you're not.  Would a monster be down here, risking life and limb to save a Drow she's never even met? [10:41:54 PM] Amara: ...no....I guess not. [10:42:25 PM] Jamaros: Look, there are...well, sometimes things just happen. [10:42:40 PM] Jamaros: But who we are isn't just what we do, or where we grew up, or what we can do. [10:42:47 PM] Jamaros: It's how we choose to use it. [10:42:58 PM] Jamaros: And you use your gifts to help people. [10:43:12 PM] Jamaros: ...and if that makes you a monster, then we need more of those monsters. [10:43:26 PM] Amara: Amara leans her head on his shoulder. [10:43:47 PM] Amara: She whispers, "I wish it was that easy." [10:44:00 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros wraps his arm around Amara and comforts her. [10:44:07 PM] Josie: Cira purrs. [10:44:24 PM] Jamaros: I think I understood that. [10:44:32 PM] Amara: Oh? [10:44:38 PM] Jamaros: Yeah [10:44:42 PM] Jamaros: Don't you speak cat [10:44:52 PM] Amara: I wish! [10:44:58 PM] Jamaros: Well, let me translate. [10:45:14 PM] Jamaros: Clearly, Cira felt that you were very lonely all by yourself with that bedroll. [10:45:30 PM] Jamaros: And was remarking how much warmer the bed seemed. [10:46:02 PM] Amara: And clearly Cira forgot that Alain and Tae Li are already in it. [10:46:13 PM] Josie: Cira: Rrrrrr. [10:46:23 PM] Josie: She eyes Jamaros, and snuggles into Amara! [10:46:35 PM] Amara: Amara hugs Cira!! [10:46:47 PM] Josie: More purring. [10:46:51 PM] Jamaros: ...ok, now I think the cat just doesn't like me. [10:47:01 PM] Amara: Amara giggles. [10:47:43 PM] Amara: Amara looks at Jamaros. "Cira is pretty cool.  Smart, brave, and very adorable." [10:48:10 PM] Josie: More purrrrring. [10:48:13 PM] Khiro: ((Meanwhile, Amara's owl makes a sadface.)) [10:48:16 PM] Jamaros: You forgot *leans in towards cat and raises voice* smug and self-absorbed. [10:48:47 PM] Josie: Cira puts her ears down and gets big, wide, teary eyes. Then she utters the most pitiful mew *ever.* [10:48:54 PM] Khiro: ((Standing in the rain, putting a sad hand on the glass of the window... "Whooo.")) [10:49:13 PM] Jamaros: Don't try that cute act on me. I had two younger sisters. [10:49:15 PM] Josie: Well, the owl is probably snoozing; it had a very large mousie for dinner. [10:49:31 PM] Amara: (( plus Isis is kind of lazy. She sits on a lot of shoulders. )) [10:49:49 PM] Jamaros: ((So does Cira)) [10:50:02 PM] Josie: Another sad, sad "Mew." [10:50:35 PM] Jamaros: Hmph, well, I guess we should actually get some rest at this rest stop. [10:50:52 PM] Jamaros: You two can sleep wherever you want. [10:51:19 PM] Amara: Amara drags her bedroll over next to Jamaros. "Wherever?" [10:51:28 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros smiles [10:51:37 PM] Jamaros: Wherever. [10:51:50 PM] Amara: Amara plops down. [10:51:55 PM] Amara: "Here looks pretty good!" [10:52:06 PM] Jamaros: ...yeah, it does. [10:52:18 PM] Josie: The cat shifts positions to sit *exactly* between their faces. [10:52:43 PM] Jamaros: ...well, the view isn't everything. G'night. [10:53:03 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros pulls his blankets in tighter and goes to sleep [10:53:10 PM] Josie: She mews again at Jamaros, and then moves away, probably *really* going back to the bed. [10:53:41 PM] Amara: Bye Cira. ....goodnight...Jamaros. [10:53:54 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros smiles but keeps his eyes closed [10:54:26 PM] Amara: Amara kisses him on the check. [10:54:36 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros eyes bolt open [10:54:43 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros smiles even wider [10:54:49 PM] Amara: I thought you were sleeping? [10:55:04 PM] Jamaros: I was. I just had the most marvelous dream. [10:55:22 PM] Amara: If it involved Cira being dead, I'd rather not hear about it. [10:55:34 PM] Jamaros: No no. It went something like this. [10:55:41 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros kisses Amara on the forehead. [10:55:47 PM] Khiro: Khiro comes down the ladder. [10:55:49 PM] Amara: Amara blushes and giggles. [10:56:10 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros looks over at Khiro [10:56:15 PM] Jamaros: So, how's your night going? [10:56:47 PM] Khiro: Uneventfully. Kal is taking first watch, I'm taking second. [10:57:16 PM] Khiro: Khiro gets down and unrolls his bedroll away from the humans and and their cooties. [10:57:31 PM] Jamaros: Why don't you take first watch with him. [10:57:35 PM] Jamaros: Outside. [10:57:37 PM] Jamaros: Not here. [10:57:42 PM] Khiro: Nope, right here. [10:57:51 PM] Josie: Kalanor wanders down the ladder-steps. [10:58:01 PM] Jamaros: Oh gods. [10:58:03 PM] Amara: Is no one keeping watch tonight? [10:58:04 PM] Khiro: Easier to keep watch here. [10:58:08 PM] Amara: Oh gods. [10:58:15 PM] Khiro: We're not keeping watch outside. [10:58:18 PM] Khiro: Why would we do that? [10:58:19 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I'm on first watch, and yes, it's more sensible to be here. [10:58:34 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I don't think you could hear a shout from in here, out there, or vice versa. [10:58:35 PM] Jamaros: So you want us to just sleep here with you two gawking at us? [10:58:43 PM | Edited 10:58:51 PM] Jamaros: I mean...over us? [10:58:54 PM] Amara: This *must* be what hell is like. [10:58:55 PM] Khiro: Have you never camped before? [10:59:06 PM] Jamaros: Not like this. [10:59:11 PM] Jamaros: We had tents. [10:59:18 PM] Khiro: Well, how bout you two go outside and fool around all you want. [10:59:24 PM] Jamaros: ...and a bugbear with a ukelele. [10:59:37 PM] Jamaros: Why Khiro I never! [10:59:49 PM] Jamaros: You have such a foul mind. [11:00:09 PM] Jamaros: *whispers to Amara* Let's go, bring the bedroll. [11:00:14 PM] Khiro: Khiro pulls the covers over himself and trances! [11:00:38 PM] Khiro: ((Go outside and fool around, it works *GREAT* for the kids in the slasher movies.)) [11:00:50 PM] Amara: Out there? With....with...spiders and and and....evil things just waiting to kill me? [11:01:16 PM] Jamaros: ...*sigh* Right. [11:01:35 PM] Jamaros: ...think Alain and Tae Li would be willing to switch? [11:01:51 PM] Josie: Kalanor: If you did anything back there we'd still be able to hear *everything.* [11:02:08 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Besides, we're supposed to be resting. Rest, already. [11:02:08 PM] Jamaros: ...I'm not sure that bothers me too much. [11:02:15 PM] Jamaros: ...fine. [11:02:16 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Well it bothers *me.* [11:02:31 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros rolls over and sleeps, muttering. [11:02:55 PM] Amara: Amara pulls the blanket up and sleeps. [11:03:15 PM] Jamaros: ((So, should we skip ahead 8 hours?)) [11:03:38 PM] Josie: Yep! [11:03:50 PM] Josie: Kalanor takes the first watch, and Khiro takes the second. [11:03:56 PM] Jamaros: ((I guess I'll take next watch)) [11:03:57 PM] Josie: All of you get 1 point of each stat back. [11:04:06 PM] Josie: There only  need to be two watches--elves don't need sleep. [11:04:11 PM] Josie: They trance for 4 hours. :) [11:04:20 PM] Khiro: ((Yep!)) [11:04:28 PM] Josie: So it's always handy having two in the party. [11:04:36 PM] Josie: Anyway. Eight hours later, you wake up. [11:04:39 PM] Josie: Jamaros has a cat on his face. [11:04:41 PM] Jamaros: ((I am back to full, poison all gone)) [11:05:08 PM] Khiro: ((Ditto.)) [11:05:10 PM] Josie: You also get one HP back if you were down any HP. [11:05:22 PM] Josie: (though I think Tae Li took care of most of that.) [11:05:24 PM] Amara: (( ehh I'm still not quite back fully....BUT ALMOST )) [11:05:39 PM] Jamaros: ((I'm still down 1 HP, but it's no big deal)) [11:06:08 PM] Josie: Kalanor is already awake. [11:06:21 PM] Josie: And Jamaros has a winged kitty sitting on his head. [11:06:36 PM] Khiro: Khiro had the second watch, so he was up already. [11:06:44 PM] Jamaros: ...funny, I don't remember my head being this heavy. [11:06:48 PM] Jamaros: Did I get drunk? [11:06:51 PM] Josie: Cira: Mew. [11:06:56 PM] Jamaros: Hey! [11:07:07 PM] Josie: Alain wanders out from behind the curtain, shirtlessly. [11:07:09 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros shooes the kitty away [11:07:14 PM] Amara: Amara is awake, but still laying down - slow getter-upper in the morning. [11:07:17 PM | Edited 11:07:29 PM] Jamaros: ((Seeing Alain))...Oh come on! [11:07:50 PM] Josie: Cira shoos off, grumpily returning to Khiro and headbutting his ankles. [11:07:54 PM] Josie: Alain: ... what? [11:08:03 PM] Jamaros: ...nothing, just...get dressed. [11:08:32 PM] Khiro: Khiro picks up Cira. [11:08:42 PM] Josie: The cat purrrrs again. [11:09:34 PM] Jamaros: Heh, careful Cira. You shouldn't steal people's fiancees. [11:09:46 PM] Khiro: Khiro has his stuff packed up! [11:10:05 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros slept with everything packed up and on. [11:10:35 PM] Josie: Kalanor: It's a business arrangement. And now... disguises. [11:10:46 PM] Jamaros: ...It's a what? [11:11:02 PM] Josie: Kalanor: A business arrangement. Take off your shirt. [11:11:07 PM] Jamaros: ...what? [11:11:26 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Well, you have to be able to blend in. You're going to be disguised as Drow. [11:11:41 PM] Jamaros: ...can't you just magic me into looking drow? [11:11:50 PM] Amara: Amara is now fully awake and watching all of this, in an odd enjoyment [11:11:51 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I'm going to, but you can't wear those clothes down here. [11:12:07 PM] Jamaros: ...fine, but I'm keeping the cloak. [11:12:16 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros begins to undress then looks around. [11:12:19 PM] Josie: Kalanor: You can put it in your bag. [11:12:29 PM] Josie: Everyone watches. Even Tae Li. [11:12:36 PM] Jamaros: You don't understand, I need my cloak [11:12:43 PM] Jamaros: ...and can I get a little privacy! [11:12:52 PM] Josie: Kalanor: You don't understand, no one wears cloaks down here. ... all right, let's go behind the curtain. [11:13:24 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros pulls a knife out of the cloak [11:13:32 PM] Jamaros: *as Kal approaches* [11:13:37 PM] Jamaros: You don't understand. [11:13:44 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros pulls out another [11:13:47 PM] Jamaros: I need... [11:13:56 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros and a bag of caltrips [11:13:58 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... the only other option is for you to be a slave. [11:14:11 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Do you *want* to be a slave? [11:14:25 PM] Jamaros: ...well, I can't say it's ever been in my career plans. [11:14:28 PM] Khiro: Khiro stuffs his cloak into his Haversack. [11:14:40 PM] Amara: Amara shrugs. "He could be my slave, if he does not like the other options." [11:14:43 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... all right, Khiro, you first, then, since he's afraid to do it. [11:15:00 PM] Khiro: Khiro shrugs and takes his shirt off. [11:15:00 PM] Jamaros: ...what kind of slave are we talking about? [11:15:11 PM] Khiro: Khiro 's torso is fairly covered with tattoos. [11:15:14 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I don't know. You're not built enough to be a bed-slave. [11:15:23 PM] Jamaros: ...wow, not what I was expecting. [11:15:29 PM] Jamaros: ...HEY! [11:15:33 PM] Josie: Kalanor yoinks Khiro behind the curtain. "Come on." [11:15:44 PM] Amara: Amara smiles, sincerely. "Nice tattoos, Khiro." [11:15:56 PM] Khiro: Khiro goes with Kal! [11:16:01 PM] Josie: Kalanor: And your hands aren't rough enough to be a worker, either. [11:16:08 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Do you have any useful skills? [11:16:18 PM] Jamaros: ...I know card tricks. [11:16:39 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... you could pass as a jester. [11:17:05 PM] Jamaros: ...can I keep my clothes that way? [11:17:26 PM] Josie: Kalanor: If you don't mind taking orders from every woman you meet. [11:17:37 PM] Jamaros: ...can't I just obey Amara? [11:18:27 PM] Amara: Amara winks at him. "Whatever Kal is doing cannot possibly be *that* horrible.  You could just keep the knives in your bag? [11:18:49 PM] Jamaros: ...fine, but whatever drow outfit I wear has sleeves.  Sleeves are useful. [11:18:51 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Males are subservient in general. Slaves more so. [11:18:58 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Men don't wear shirts down here, it's too hot. [11:18:59 PM] Jamaros: ...And can I keep my boots? [11:19:14 PM] Jamaros: ...Can I keep my boots? [11:20:33 PM] Jamaros: ((...hello?)) [11:20:40 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Yes. [11:20:55 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Only men are ever interested in shoes anyway. [11:21:07 PM] Jamaros: ...Fine.  But I just wanna say, your race is very pervy. [11:21:15 PM] Jamaros: I am not just a slab of man meat. [11:21:20 PM] Josie: Kalanor: ... you have no idea what the women wear either. [11:21:21 PM] Amara: Amara smirks.  "I don't see anything wrong with all of it." [11:21:30 PM] Amara: Wait what do the women wear? [11:21:34 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Besides, it's hot down here. [11:22:18 PM] Jamaros: ...are you two done back there yet? [11:22:30 PM] Josie: Kalanor: No. And the women wear whatever they want, but it's usually not a lot. [11:22:45 PM] Amara: Amara shrugs. [11:23:23 PM] Josie: Kalanor brings Khiro out from the back. He's pretty much wearing a brightly-colored kilt and nothing else, but his skin color and hair have shifted to look like a Drow's. [11:23:37 PM] Josie: Kalanor: All right. Jamaros, your turn. [11:23:39 PM] Jamaros: ...nice skirt. [11:23:43 PM] Khiro: There's a nice airflow. [11:23:56 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Glad you like it, it'll look good on you. [11:24:12 PM] Jamaros: ...the jester option is starting to look better. [11:24:15 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Now get back here. [11:24:35 PM] Josie: Alain: ... now I'm almost glad I'm not going with you. [11:24:53 PM] Jamaros: I concur. [11:25:08 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros begrudingly goes behind the curtain and disrobes. [11:27:27 PM] Khiro: What kind of weapons can we safely carry without setting off red flags? [11:27:50 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Anything. Things from the surface are just exotic, but people still use them. [11:28:03 PM] Khiro: All right, then. [11:29:08 PM] Josie: Kalanor yoinks Jamaros out from behind the curtain! [11:29:21 PM] Josie: Kalanor: And no, there isn't. [11:29:26 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros grabs the hem of his skirt. [11:29:28 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Amara, your turn. [11:29:38 PM] Jamaros: ...I feel very exposed. [11:29:41 PM] Amara: Amara shuffles behind the curtain! [11:29:49 PM] Josie: Alain: Probably because you're a little more than half naked. [11:30:13 PM] Jamaros: And here I thought it was just the morning jitters. [11:30:36 PM] Josie: Currently Alain is the most dressed of you, along with Tae Li. [11:31:16 PM] Jamaros: ...I don't like how it all just hangs there. [11:31:33 PM] Jamaros: ...My boys need a house. [11:31:34 PM] Josie: Tae Li: Now you know how women feel when they have to wear dresses. [11:31:51 PM] Jamaros: Most dresses I see cover more than this. [11:32:02 PM] Josie: Tae Li: Never been to a red-light district, then. [11:32:09 PM] Jamaros: And there's nothing down there to dangle. [11:32:10 PM] Khiro: You didn't keep your shorts on? Why not? [11:32:22 PM] Jamaros: ...well, ok there was this one time, but she was with the Bugbear. [11:32:34 PM] Jamaros: ...I thought we weren't supposed to. [11:32:49 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Nobody's going to be looking *that* close. I hope. [11:33:04 PM] Jamaros: ...can I have those back, then? [11:33:34 PM] Josie: Jamaros's underwear comes flying over the curtain. [11:33:38 PM] Josie: Cira catches it. [11:33:43 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrew. [11:33:44 PM] Jamaros: Hey! [11:33:51 PM] Josie: She launches herself into the air! [11:33:52 PM] Khiro: Good interception, but you sure you want to hold onto those? [11:34:11 PM] Jamaros: You know where those have been, and you've got them in your mouth. [11:34:53 PM] Josie: Cira: Mrrrorwr. [11:35:15 PM] Jamaros: ...Tae Li, can you negotiate my unmentionable back. [11:35:25 PM] Josie: She drops the underwear on Jamaros's head. [11:35:44 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros snatches them and rushes them on...backwards. [11:36:00 PM] Josie: Cira snickers cattily. [11:36:17 PM] Khiro: Heh. Even I understood that. [11:36:22 PM] Jamaros: ...Is it too late to be a slave? [11:36:38 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Yes. [11:36:51 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Besides, do you *want* me to order you around? [11:37:00 PM] Jamaros: If this is revenge for my comment yesterday, I already apologized. [11:37:16 PM] Jamaros: ...I thought I only had to obey the females. [11:37:46 PM] Josie: Kalanor: You have to obey *your* female if you're free, and you're expected to be courteous to the others too. [11:38:03 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Slaves have to obey their masters, male or female. [11:38:24 PM] Jamaros: ...your making me sympathize with Tae Li, I hope you realize that. [11:38:34 PM] Josie: Kalanor: I'm not the one who made the rules. [11:38:38 PM] Amara: Amara darts out from behind the curtain. "Tae Li, your turn." [11:38:47 PM] Josie: Tae Li: No need, I will manage myself. [11:38:59 PM] Jamaros: ((How's Amara look?)) [11:39:14 PM] Amara: (( Amara be looking fiiiiine as always )) [11:39:59 PM] Josie: Tae Li's features shift to become Drowish, and she pulls off her outer layer of clothing to reveal a much less military-looking outfit. She even pulls her hair down. She's actually *very* good-looking this way. [11:40:34 PM] Josie: Alain: ... that's pretty convincing. [11:41:02 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros covers a certain area with his hands. [11:41:03 PM] Amara: Amara is fairly covered up, especially in comparison to the men. Her bright blue eyes are still recognizable, even theough the rest of her features have shifted. [11:41:26 PM] Jamaros: Well, that is one good looking drow, at least. [11:42:06 PM] Josie: Kalanor wanders out. He's wearing a lot more of the draperies than either Jamaros or Khiro, but less than Amara. [11:42:14 PM] Josie: His chest is covered. [11:42:19 PM] Jamaros: Hey, no fair. [11:42:40 PM] Jamaros: How come you get to cover-up? [11:43:12 PM] Khiro: Khiro shrugs. [11:43:22 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Because unlike you, I am *actually* a woman. [11:43:42 PM] Josie: He eyes Tae Li's costume, which pretty much consists of a bandeau top and a miniskirt. [11:43:44 PM] Jamaros: Will the other Drow see it that way? [11:44:22 PM] Josie: Kalanor: No, but this way they'll assume I'm higher ranked than you, which, by the way, I *am*. [11:44:43 PM] Jamaros: Ok, next time I come up with the plan. [11:45:14 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Will it involve charging at dawn? [11:45:45 PM] Jamaros: ...can we just get on with this? I'd like to get my pants back. [11:45:54 PM] Josie: Kalanor: Don't hold your breath. [11:46:08 PM] Josie: ((I think we should probably stop for the night, actually!)) [11:46:16 PM] Jamaros: Jamaros attaches his rapier to his belt.