A Private Party 2 (IC)

[Logain]

Vadis

The rakshasa in disguise smiles, relaxing a little. With all the turmoil in his life, at least Byorson remained uncomplicated and unchanged.

"Aye, friend. I'll be here to watch your back." Vadis says as he watches the other party guests closely, under his breath, he continues, "...and it's good to have you here to watch mine, as well."

His personal musings done, and his scan of the crowd complete, Vadis turns his attention back to the Queen.

Spoiler

Show

OOC, Did I see anything in the crowd as I looked through the gem of seeing with one eye and scanned them normally with the other? Anyone invisible, carrying lots of weapons hidden, or dressed to the nines for death when they should be in party mode?

Vadis Spot Check for bad guys... uhh... worse guys... enemies? in the party crowd at the Queen's reception. (1d20 12=24)

[sun_tzu]

Virox

The wizard smiled at the rakshasa. "Ah, Vadis. I was hoping that you'd show up."

So, he's got this ring that turns plants and stuff into fire and lots of undead. Does that mean that if we catch him somewhere without trees and stuff, and without dead bodies around, it doesn't work?

"I suspect it is not so simple. If his ring can affect such large geographical areas, its range must be formidable indeed."
Also, highly destructive. Damaging to the very world I intend to one day rule.
"Very well, your majesty - I cannot speak for the entire group, but I, for one, find the request and reward to be adequately matched. As for the ring...Beyond ensuring that it is not used against your realm, are there any directives in how to deal with it?"
If it can sap the life-force of a nation as a side effect, how much damage could it be used to do on purpose? Could it be used as a weapon to such the life out of an entire nation, an entire plane? This ought to be investigated...

[HellFencer]

Vadis

Spoiler

Show

Upon scanning the crowd, Vadis found that several of the guests were indeed armed though the guise they covered was that of a guard uniform. It seemed the queen preferred her protection to have a nice outfit, as well as the element of surprise...

Upon looking at his party members, Vadis saw Gelleron in all his gear, though also lacking any weapon.

The queen nodded to Virox's question and in reply produced a small blue cube in her hands. It looked as though it were only a few inches to a side and upon further inspection it seemed partially transparent. "This box was created specifically to hold the ring as it contains powerful anti-magic. As soon as you have the ring, put it against the side of this and it will become sealed within."

A servant took the cube from the halfling woman and brought it over to the group in general, awaiting someone to take it. Gelleron took it upon himself to snatch it from the man and begin to inspect it. "Hmmmmm.... Ahh.. Yes, I see..." he began to say before tossing it to Virox. "It is most definitely blue and a cube," he said as if it weren't a joke. The queen simply shook her head at Gelleron's unintended antics and spoke again, "Unfortunately I do not know where Varghas' castle is located, as it is specially designed to traverse the sands he creates."

As Vadis spoke of poison, Gelleron spat out all the wine he had in his mouth, and stared at the feline. "You... you wouldn't?" he asked. "No, of course not. At least, nothing deadly. 'Member that time you paralyzed my legs? And then we got chased out of town? Yeah, good times..." he said, beginning to speak to himself and reminisce.

[Toliudar]

Byorson

The big man breaks into a craggy grin.

Good times? For you, maybe! I had to strap you to my back to carry you.

He winks at Gwin.

Wasn't the weight, you understand, just the ringing in my ears from all that noodle's yakking.

He nods to the queen.

Okay, so we gotta find this guy's sand-cruising palace on our own.

A sidelong glance at Virox and back to her.

I gotta hunch we can handle that. Once we got this ring, I'm guessing you don't particuarly care what happens to Varghas, or how we get this little box into your lovely hands, do you?

[Torger]

Only slightly phased by the Catman's comments, and sighing at the fey-touched man's antics, Gwin draines his flute, placing it on a servant's tray. Friends, if we are in agreement to this proposal, then perhaps some additional information can be gleaned from my sanctum. I have most of the accoutrement required by one of my talent, as well as several used by the "seers."

[Logain]

Vadis

Vadis shares a smile with Gelleron, and nods at his other companions' words. He watches the Queen's "protectors" with half an eye, listening to the conversation, nodding when he agrees with something.

"If we're accepting this assignment, perhaps we should discuss this in a more private place."

[HellFencer]

Gelleron

Upon mention of Gwin's sanctum Gelleron's eyes lit up and a wide smile grew across his face. "Y'mean the shiny place? Awright! Haven't been there since that time..." he said, suddenly stopping and losing the apparent happiness. It was the thought of Twixelfox that brought him down. He took a moment and smiled again anyways, figuring his lover would want him to continue on despite her untimely demise.

[Toliudar]

Byorson

Grunting disaffectedly at Studly's trip down memory lane, Byorson turns back to the queen.

Any words of advice on this Varghas guy, then, before we go bye-bye?

[Logain]

Vadis

Vadis lowers his head in respect for Gelleron's dead loved on, and he thinks of his own losses. Upon Byorson's request for more information on the opponent they seek, Vadis drops into a low bow.

"Or, indeed Majesty, any information you wish to share about this endeavor at all? As you well know, knowledge is power."

[Torger]

Gwin's own losses have inured him to those of others, at least, for the time being. Standing as he was, with his face blank, he casts out his thoughts to the others.

Virox

Spoiler

Show

Refresh me, again, what accoutrement would one of your skillset require to divine the location of a person? Something of theirs?

Bobb

Spoiler

Show

It is good, once again, to have a competent weapons master at hand. I could have used your help last year...

Vadis

Spoiler

Show

Do you believe the Queen has told us all, Friend?

Gelleron

Spoiler

Show

Yes, my "Shiny Place," though it has changed much sionce your last... visit.

Yes, Dread Queen. Any additional information you might have would be greatly appreciated.

Gwin will study the queen and attempt a sense motive to see if she's holding back.

[Logain]

Vadis

Gwin:

Spoiler

Show

"I believe only a great fool gives up all the information they have... she does not strike me as a great fool, so no, I believe there is much more information than she's offering us."

[Toliudar]

Byorson

The big man's lips move just a little as he responds mentally.

Spoiler

Show

Hey, flattery will get you everywhere, buddy. Wish I could have been there to help. Mind, I had my own crap going on at the time... Anyway, I agree with you. Let's get our answers and blow this party. Hey! I got my ride stashed up on the roof. She going to fit in your front door?

Gwin would recall from their travels here that Byorson is referring to Fallow, the foul-tempered and huge-sized griffon he rode here.

[HellFencer]

The group began to notice that they were able to speak telepathically with one another without the aid of Gwin or the queen. It was a bit unsettling, and confusing, but was useful anyhow.

The queen waved her hand in the party's direction and said, "I care not what happens with Varghas. I care only that you bring me the ring, inside the box. Your methods are up to you. I wish you luck and bid you farewell."

A few of the masked courtiers make their way toward the group and there is a feeling that they are no longer welcome within the throne room. Indeed, a few guards enter from the waiting room to escort the group at the very least back to that very room.

Gelleron turned to look at his comrades and waited until the door was shut and the guards were no longer inside before speaking. "Anybody else get a weird vibe from her? I mean, she may have a lot of power and influence, but she needs to learn something about how to address people, y'know?" This was a bit odd coming from the lips Gelleron. "But at least she's a snappy dresser, huh?" he added with a smile.

[Torger]

Gwin grunts noncomittally at Gelleron's assessment of the Queen. Her politeness, or lack thereof, is immaterial at this juncture. Come, let us quit this place ame discuss strategy. Byorson, if you would be so good as to have your "ride" meet us outside, I can take us to more amicable accomedations. Gwin continues from the Anteroom, heading for the main gate.

[Toliudar]

Byorson

The half-ogre snaps off a precise military salute.

Aye, sir. Meet you in a few minutes.

Back in the waiting room, Byorson shovels the largest single piece of meat he can find into his bag - a treat for Her Nibs upstairs - before heading up to fetch Fallow.

Climbing onto the scraggly-but-majestic griffon, he nods to whichever of the guards he can see from the rooftops, raising his spear in salute. And then guides Fallow down to the courtyard to meet the others.

Old times. It would be just like old times. And hopefully just as messy.

[Logain]

Vadis

Vadis bumps into one of the guards on purpose, changing his appearance to match that of the guard he jostled. A momentary half-muttered apology is all the guard recieves, while Vadis moves up to Gelleron's shoulder and looks as though he's escorting the group out of the palace on the Queen's orders.

[Torger]

Gwin keeps on walking until he is out of Earshot of the gate guards at the Queen's castle. Alright, Gentlemen, and anthropomorphic fusion of disparate and unrelated animals... We need to join... appendages... for our trip.

[HellFencer]

The guard that Vadis bumped into gave the man a strange look, and upon seeing another guard, made a gesture as if to say "Feck off".

Gelleron's eyes lit up at Gwin's statement and said, "Awright! Hey, I haven't held hands with anyone since..." He used the pause in his words to dramatically grab Gwin's hand in a firm handshake. Indeed he had used his right hand to take Gwin's right hand, and would thus be backwards if the group formed a circle. Gelleron simply smiled widely and using his left hand, grabbed Vadis' left hand.

His face scrunched up a second and he added, "Dibs on the extradimensional bathroom!"

[Toliudar]

Byorson

Fearful for the appendages of anyone else trying to take Fallow by the wing, Byorson seizes her neck and extends his other hand to take Vadis'.

Right. Show on the road, boys?

[Logain]

Vadis

Watching the group, Vadis takes Byorson's free hand, watching the surroundings for anyone paying too much attention to the group.

[HellFencer]

Spoiler

Show

If we don't hear from Sun_Tzu soon, let's assume Virox agrees and holds hands for transport.

[Toliudar]

Byorson

Leading a slightly disoriented Fallow into a clear area of Gwin's home,
Byorson retrieves from his bag a slab of ribs to toss to the griffon. Byorson licks his fingers clean of grease.

So, I'm in for the butt-kicking at the end of the process, but I figure it's kind of going to be up to all of you to find this Varghas a-hole first. Who's up first to try that?

[Torger]

Gwin's eyes burn with silvery light, and the entirety of the group is enveloped in a coruscating bath of varicoloured light. When the light clears, the scenery has changed to what seems to be twilight on a midsummer's day in the Northwest of the continent. A stream can be hear babbling nearby, and a rather large manor house is in the near distance. The horizon, and, indeed, the sky, is a uniform purple haze, and there seems to be less than three-hundred feet from horizon to horizon.

There... Much better. Welcome, friends, to Avalon. Once it was my home away from home, and now... well... At any rate, come inside. Gwin begins to walk, and shortly the group is on a well-maintained gravel path.

You'll have to apologize to your... companion... for me, Byorson, but I never got around to importing any Fauna. Gwin leads them up to the door of the house, produces an ornate brass key, and unlocks them. Here we are. Do you need to eat? I can have the house prepare you something...

Gwin doffs his cloak, tosses it negligently over a hood, and leads the way into a comfortable sitting room, taking up position in the only piece of furniture that seems to have seen use -- a wingbacked chair next to the hearth.

[Toliudar]

Byorson

Nodding absently to himself, Byorson wanders up the path after Gwin, leading Fallow by the harness.

Wow. You been...adding on to this, eh? It looks great. Comfy, like. And, don't worry about Fallow. Anything she'd want to hunt, odds are you don't want near your house anyway. But if your house don't mind...yeah, I could eat.

Byorson releases Fallow once the others are inside, then trudges in after them. He looks around for a bench or chair that he isn't likely to break.

[Logain]

Vadis

After the flash of lights, Vadis drops the hands he was holding, eyeing the purple horizon. He's seen this extradimensional space before, but it always unnerves him- how can a place be unconnected from the great cosmic wheel? As always, his thoughts turn toward the more likely connection to astral space- one that anything could stumble through.

In silence, he follows the group up the path, listening to the others talk. It's been too long since he was around this group, and the level of trust they have in each other is... comforting.

At Gwin's offer, Vadis smiles, dropping his human/half-elf disguise. "As always, I'd love to have some human flesh, marinated for twelve hours in rum, and then broiled."

[Torger]

Gwin, having been increasingly distracted since their departure from the Queen's throne room, grunts noncommittally. Hmmm? Oh Yes... Quite right... Across the hall, you'll find the dining room, through the other double doors. Food should be on the table. I need to check on something. I'll be... As he speaks, Gwin gets up and leaves the room, walking across the hall and tossing open the doors to the dining hall and releasing all kinds of pleasant odours, and then heading don over the staircase to a heavy metallic door. He unlocks it and enters, leaving the door slightly ajar and the rest of the party seemingly forgotten.

[HellFencer]

Gelleron

The scintillating lights were a frequent wonder when traveling with Gwin, and this was no exception. As the familiar purple horizon appeared in the distance, Gelleron turned to the others and said, "Man Gwin, you've been redecorating."

Following the others into the house, Gelleron stared at all the things inside. The architecture was unlike anything he'd seen, as this was officially one of the biggest buildings he had been in. He'd been in castles, sure, but this was an actual home. "Nice place, Gwinny. But why do you lock a place only you can get to...?"

Gwin didn't hear Gelleron, as he simply disappeared down the stairs through a metal door. "Guess we're to entertain ourselves. Never a problem when 'ole Gelleron is around, eh mates?" The fey-touched human cracked his knuckles and gained a look of determination upon his face. However, as usual, he became distracted at the wonderful vapor of food wafting down the hall. Even the mention of cooking human flesh didn't bother his appetite. "Woah... care to take this discussion into the food room?" he asked, beginning to walk that direction. He'd always called it the 'food room' for some reason.

"So, what's the battle plan, guys? I've still got all my 'buddies' at bay to call forth," he said, referring most probably to his vestiges.

[Toliudar]

Byorson

Byorson's face lit up at the approaching smell of food, but the smile faded as Gelleron mentioned his buddies.

Oh, yeah. The dead guys. Still creeps me out. Ever worry that all your little imaginary friends are going to start talking to each other in there? Stage a coup, right? I keep figuring one morning we're going to wake up and discover that you've been declared the sovereign state of Vestige-stan.

The big man shuddered, the tip of his seemingly-slender spear tapping on the castle floor as he used it as a kind of walking stick. Entering the dining hall, Byorson ignores the chairs and settles, crosslegged on the floor by the table, the spear sliding under the table next to him. Without ceremony, he begins digging in.

[Logain]

Vadis

Moving into the dinign room with his companions, Vadis casually slides into one of the well-padded chairs, throwing a leg over one arm so he can glance up toward the stairway that Gwin disappeared up without turning his head. With a smile, he notices that the house has prepared his favorite meal, as always. Cutting away a small portion of meat, Vadis takes small bites, listening to the conversation more than participating.

[Toliudar]

Byorson

Between mouthfuls - well, MOSTLY between mouthfuls - Byorson tells of a recent dalliance with a young pastry cook.

She wasn't exactly a cheap date. Had to keep using these potions to shrink down to what she called a more "appropriate size". But the smell on her body, from the baking and all...and I think that, by the end, I was as hooked on the taste of the potions as I was to the sex, eh?

He chuckles, and turns to Vadis.

How about you, Catman? What trouble you been getting into since we saw each other last?