First Five Written Out

Nicola, who was riding at the front starts to slow down, holds up her hand, “Hold up, hold up, something ahead,” she says, leaning into her squint.

DM: Todd rolls a “1”

Everyone slows down and now can see, in visual range, something ahead on the road. As they trot closer, it looks like an overturned cart, and some people standing along the road a few leaning down.

“Son of a bitch, they are still doing it,” Chance says, jumping off his horse. “Khamyra and I encountered the same thing a year ago. Bandits, tipping carts, threatening people and getting their coins.” He grabs his sword and dagger.

Velencia scowls a bit, “What do you think you are doing?” she says, raising an eyebrow.

He looks at her somewhat surprised, “I am going to go help them, they need our help,” he says, a matter-of-fact like.

The Priestess, blonde flowing locks, sits on her horse, shaking her head, “No, we are not. It is none of our business and we have too much to lose by getting involved. I am surprised at the Warlock for letting it happen before hand.”

Both Nicola and Clay nod their head in agreement. “Yeah it sucks my man, but if they figure out who Clara over here is,” Clay thumbs in the direction of Velencia, “that would pretty much deep six the entire operation.”

Chance stops and thinks, sighs. “Then why are you even in a costume or disguise then? Fuck it, then I alone will go, it’s just a few bandits, they will shit themselves…” he couldn’t get out another word.

“No,” Velencia says in a way of concern and not her usual bitchy self, “we just can’t risk it. It is not worth the risk, to save a person or two. If they figured out who you were, then I wouldn’t be too far behind with speculation of who I was and the ramifications could be catastrophic.”

“There are a lot of people who know who I am, what difference is a few other people going to make?” Chance retorts glancing back down the road, “I change in battle all the time!”

He watches as a scuffle ensues, and someone falls and a few other figures run off. “God-dammit, guess the decision was made for us while we had our thumb up our ass. Probably some poor farmer just had his ribs played like a lyre with a dagger, and I could have stopped it.”

“There is a huge difference between warriors on the field of battle, and commoners watching some glowing idiot walking up, fighting or even healing someone,” the High Priestess says, hoping what she says gets through to the naive child tasked with being a Champion of one of the biggest powers on Legon. “Not usually a lot of bystanders when you are fighting Gnolls in the plains of Del Rosa…”

Frustrated, he jumps on his horse, and the group starts to move on. Velencia glances to Nicola and they both exchange a worried look.

As they pass there is an older woman balling her eyes out, a man over top of her holding her in his arms, tears streaming down his face. Underneath them appears to be a young man, lying motionless on the ground, blood surrounding him.

The five of them trot bye, and after about 30 feet Chance can’t take it. His heart is breaking, and he jumps off of Toby and heads for the 3 people.

Velencia did not notice at first, she was relieved that he actually listened for once until Nicola alerts her. “Chance, that is not a good idea,” the Onyx Elf yells trying to get his attention.

Velencia wheels her mount around, and jumps off the horse, “Goddammit Chump, I am not kidding with this, get back to your horse NOW!” she yells down the road but the Champion was already at the three people, and worse yet; he was transformed.

Clay jumps off his horse, “I’ll go get him, I am the least intimidating of the three of us.” He starts to jog over to the three people on the road that Chance is helping. But before he could reach them there was this blinding flash of light. Everyone covers their eyes.

When they refocus, Chance is passed out next to a young man, who is now leaning up putting his hand to his head. The couple, wide eyed, half in fear, the other half over-joyed.

“Well… Shit,” is all Clay could say, dropping his shoulders.

It was evening when Chance woke in bed, in a darkened room. He felt groggy, hungry and thirsty. He leans up, stretches and looks about the room. He finds Velencia in a chair far across the room. All he could really see at first was her big eyes, reflecting in the soft light of the candle on the table. Glancing over to the far corner is the blonde girl working on some sort of repair of Velencia’s clothing.

The Champion blinks a few times, then speaks, “So is the boy OK? I figured I could heal him really quick, took a bit more out of me than I thought” he says sliding to the edge of the bed. Looking around the room he raises an eyebrow, “Wait, I passed out?” he asks now confused.

Velencia stands up, her eyes glowering at the Champion. “I didn’t think it possible, but I should never doubt Brown Eyes, (Khamyra)” the Priestess starts, “You resurrected the boy, he was dead according to his parents, I am guessing that is who they were.”

A quick smile washes across his face, nods his head, looking a bit full of himself.

“Chance. Champion. Fucking, dumb, motherfucker…” Velencia says, getting the quarter elfs attention, “You performed the miracle of all miracles in front of people. Without thought of the consequences. I told you not to, Clay even explained why. But yet, there you were, exploding in light, raising people from the dead.”

She stands right in front of the Champion, tapping her Kukri in her hand, staring at him. “Something like that doesn’t stay quiet” she continues, “it’s one thing to be all glowy on a battlefield, but what you did today is how rumors, myth, legends and revolutions get started.”

“Ok, ok, I won’t do anything like that again,” he says with a sigh, “I just couldn’t let the boy die.”

The woman takes a deep breath, “let him die? He WAS dead Chump, big difference, but probably the same result. I can’t even imagine the ramifications it could of spawned, I don’t even want to think about it,” she responds.

Velencia turns and walks to the window, looks out to see a subtle sunset in the distance.

“You are far to young and naive for any of this really. But it is about consequences you dolt, consequences. Just remember what happened today when you think of doing these things again,” she finishes and turns to him.

His brow is furrowed, slowly looks up to the High Priestess of Finster, “what do you mean, remember what happened?” His heart starts to race, anger starting to rise.

“They are dead you idiot, I had to kill them,” she says without hesitation, without any remorse in her voice. She then tilts her head, “All because you couldn’t follow simple…”

It is all she could get out.

Velencia’s eyes widen when he slowly starts to look up at her, she sees the power flutter in the Champions eyes. Streaks of veins of pulsating blue starting to form across his face, down his neck. “Oh fuck,” she says to herself.

In a sudden burst of speed, Chance runs at Velencia, grabs her shoulders and wanted to slam her into a wall. He misjudged it, by a lot. He ends up sending them steam rolling through a window, crashing through the glass, down three stories and hard to the ground.

Both land with a thud and an exhale of pain on the ground, glass raining down on them, some debris following. Chance landed mostly on his feet, avoiding any real damage. He rolls over and jumps back to his feet, all in one fluid motion; his years of thief skill kicking in. His eyes start to flutter with power, despite the necklace still on.

Velencia, is gasping for air, completely taken by surprise. She is still flat on the ground, leaning to one side coughing. The situation making everything numb and a bit blurry for her.

“How DARE you preach to ‘me’ about consequences, after what you have done in your life, you are PATHETIC!” Chance screams at her, starting to circle her, with the open space behind the Inn. He instinctively takes off his necklace, and his power is in full throttle, on the verge of frenzy, “you are a stain on the face of Legon, you do nothing but cause pain and destroy lives!”

The champion continues to circle the Priestess, his breathing sounding like a lions growl. All the hatred he has for her, returning full force; the face of Ferellus and his sister flashing in his mind.

Velencia has finally got her feet under her. Clay looks out the window from the 3rd floor, peering down with curiosity to the events happening below. “Fuck me, guess this is happening,” he utters with a bit of muse to it, curious to see who will come out on top.

Nicola is racing down the stairs, pushing people out of the way on the stairs and through the entrance. “Nothing to see, nothing to see,” she yells at those who heard the commotion, “Clay!!! Get your ass down here!”

“Are you fucking insane?!” Velencia spits out, rubbing the back of her head, trying to keep this crazy creature in her line of sight. She is in pain, almost dizzy. Her attempt to focus and figure out what to do next is fruitless. She looks and watches as he is circling her like a prowler circles its prey. “I did what had to be done you mindless dolt! You don’t have a clue…”

She gets interrupted when Chance bullrushes her again and slams her against a shed that is just on the edge of the Inn’s property. It was with so much force, she again lost her breath. The shed creeks and sways from the power.

“You don’t have a clue of what I am capable of… Priestess, I think maybe I am insane. Insane to think you are anything but a curse upon these lands, is that clue enough for you?” he says in such a low guttural growl, putting his nose right up to hers, and it makes the Priestess shiver. Velencia’s eyes big, the Champion in full throttle, veins ripping through his skin, eyes so bright and powerful and his strength was unquestionable.

Her head starting to throb, she can feel some blood trickle down her neck and back, from the assault.

“Don’t make me eat your soul, Chump” Velencia says with a cough, still trying to catch her breath. Then with as much sincerity and power as she could muster, though she felt her body starting to give a little, she continues with her bluff; “existing in the void for eternity, isn’t something you will like.”

The Champion’s eyes grow to slits and he says, slowly and precisely, “go ahead Priestess, do your worst,” calling her on the bluff.

Velencia’s heart drops, knowing that her adversary has her where he wants her. He knows she can’t do a damn thing.

By now, Chance is on the edge of flipping his “frenzy” switch, the Priestess can see he is just about ready to snap. Her current condition is not helping, pinned against a shed and in a lot of pain.

Nicola has made it to the back and is looking over the situation. She is trying to get Chance’s attention but it is not working. Slowly walking towards the two, “Chance! Put Velencia down… Chance!”

Suddenly Chance puts his face so close to the Priestess, their noses are touching, she can smell his breath and feel the power emanating off him, “You can’t eat what I don’t have,” the glowing man says to Velencia growling. He is starting to smell blood in the water, and continues “in a minute I will be sending yours to Finster you skank!

The Priestess’s eyes bulge finally realizing why half her tricks don’t affect Chance. Finster has his soul; son of a bitch, she says to herself. “How did I not know that!” she screams in her head.

She still has one card up her sleeve. Velencia slowly takes the one Kukri she has left, presses her lever for the poison, and jams it into Chance’s stomach with all the strength she has left.

Velencia goes to snarl, and maybe lay out a creative quip of an insult, but she was only able to get out, “get, off me, you overgrown… lantern.” She looked over the Champion, and realized he did not even flinch. His grip tighter, his force stronger than ever, as though he was forcing the dagger to go deeper himself.

Her last hope, she waits for the poison to take effect as she is eye to eye with the lighted freak, pain shooting through her body from him. His eyes almost blinded her, her arm starting to feel the pressure of digging into this very large man in front of her.

Chance finally steps back, more curious than anything, releasing her and looking down. She gasps a moment, leans forward, drops her dagger, and puts her hands on her knees. Velencia looks at Chance, expecting some kind of reaction; pain hopefully.

A soft look and a smirk washes over his face, glancing down to the wound and then back to the disguised woman called Clara.

The Champion raises an eyebrow, wipes the blood from the wound, and with a little flash of light he essentially heals himself. “Overgrown Lantern?” he says with an obvious snark, then looks up at the Priestess, who now has a look of fear on her face.

Chance smiles wide, it was such an evil smile. He knew he had her, it was all over for this nasty bitch, he thinks to himself.

The look makes Velencia shutter. She realizes just how dangerous this man can be now, and how much she has underestimated him and the carnage he will be able to do in the final battle. He holds his hand up, a black substance swirling around his hand.

“What the fuck is this now?” the Priestess sarcastically mumbles to herself, squinting to try and see better.

“Bad move, bitch,” he lunges and puts his hand to her face, the palm slamming into the bridge of her nose. Taken by surprise again, the Priestess tries to move, but is far to slow. The poison that was once in Chance is now seeping into her. To add insult to injury, with the power transfer between the two disciples of Finster, it also sends Velencia flying backwards with such a force, banging her body and head hard against the shed with a loud thud. It breaks her nose, giving her what has to be her 3rd concussion and opening even more wounds on her back. All focus is lost, she blinks her eyes to try and see but all she can comprehend is pain and the stars.

The shed wavers a bit, some dust flying off it. The Priestess tried anything to get her feet under her, but it was no use. She slowly slides down the wall of the shed, her head flops down and is motionless. The last thing she remembers is hearing Nicola yelling at Chance and the Onyx Elf running for him. Everything becomes quiet and fades to black.

Velencia wakes up, and she feels her entire body racked with pain. She coughs, sits up and looks around. She is in a bedroll, by a campfire somewhere off the path, she thinks.

Nicola walks over to her, kneels down. The blonde servant girl hands her a skin of water. Velencia stays quiet for a moment, takes a long drink from the skin. Coughs a bit, rubbing the back of her head. The Priestess realizes her disguise is now off. She glances over to see most of it, including her blonde hair sitting on the ground next to a bag. She sighs loudly and looks at the Onyx Elf.

“Where is that son of a bitch,” she starts in but Nicola shuts her down quickly.

“My Priestess, he is still at the Inn with Clay,” she says, “your disguise took one hell of a beating, so I pulled you out of there. Found this little grove and brought our things here for the night.”

She puts her hand on the Priestesses shoulder expecting her to be seething and ranting, but finds her solemn and reserved instead. “What else happened?” Velencia asks quietly, looking at her outfit, brushing debris out of her hair and wincing in pain at her wounds.

“Clay took over the crowd control, keeping people away from the back of the Inn. I ran to where you two went out the 3rd story window. Only to find Chance with his hand in your face and some black substance swirling around,” she starts to explain, “I just ran full throttle and tackled him into the brush. He went to retaliate, but took one look at me and had his tongue down my throat in an instant.”

She shakes her head, and her brow furrowed, “I was able to bring him back from those crazy eyes. He told me that my Onyx Elf heritage snapped him back and that was enough for him, reminding him of his fiance?” The dark elf says in a questioning tone, pauses a moment, frowning a little. “That was weird, really really weird.”

Velencia sinks her head for a moment, “when I woke up this morning, getting thrown out a window was not on my to-do list,” she says in some sort of sarcastic revelation, “I fear that this Champion, is not going to be strong enough to make it to the eve,” she says, trailing off.

“I don’t know Velencia, or Clara. If he can bring you down, I think he is definitely strong enough. Nothing you did affected him, and he threw you around like a rag doll…” Nicola said, without thinking. She glances at the Priestess who was now staring at her, burning a hole through her soul. “Sorry my Priestess, not what you meant I think.”

A loud sigh comes from the raven haired, tattooed woman, “No, you are right, I did not have an answer for him,” she admits, then groans a little, “in my defense, he took me by surprise. But next time…”

Nicola stands up, interrupting and is looking down at her, “With all due respect, there shouldn’t be a next time, at least right now. Our Lord needs us to find this gem, and we need Chance’s help with that,” she says in the middle of her rant, “so we can all take the next step for Finster, get back to our life and, well, get paid, you know.”

“Yes, yes, get paid, I got you,” she retorts quickly and annoyed, “I mean, he is not strong enough to make the hard decisions, the ones that go against his morals, the ones that will haunt his dreams. I thought he must have moved past that when he killed his best friend’s sister, but obviously, I was wrong. Dead wrong.”

Nicola nods her head, giving Velencia an agreeable look.

The Priestess, full of cuts and bruises realizes just how exhausted she is; the bedroll feels comfortable and she tires of the discussion. “I am going to sleep now, wake me before cry time.” She drops back into the bed, pain shoots a little through her body, especially her arms that were abused by the Champion, they are bruised and gouged.

‘Have to get the moron to heal me tomorrow, I do not want all these scars,’ Velencia says to herself, but she has little time for any more thought; she falls fast asleep.

After some impressive bullshitting and negotiating, Clay hands the Inn owner 5 platinum pieces in a room with a closed door. He leaves the room, walks along the hallway and looks in his hands; it’s a coin purse he found hangingin the Inn owners room. Smirking to himself he heads up the stairs. The Artificer gets to a room on the 2nd floor this time, and goes in. The Champion is just sitting there, rubbing his hands, staring at the floor.

“I am unsure what to do anymore, she is just too much,” Chance confesses after a few moments, “I want to rip her limb from limb and just watch her scream in pain every second.”

Clay sits in a chair, smirks a bit, taps his fingers on the table. “Well, I will tell you this, and you best not repeat it” he says with a slight chuckle, “You fucking had her on the ropes, she had no answer for you. I was thoroughly impressed. I thought she hated you, but damn, you, you… “really” hate her.”

The Artificer looks to the Champ, “I am not an evil man, I don’t want to see anyone suffer. Not going to lie, it was not easy to ride by those people today. But I know enough to let sleeping Ogres lie.”

He pauses, gathering his thoughts, “and I do not have a horse in this race, I have no favorites, as long as I get paid,” he continues, “but Velencia is right, as much as you don’t want to admit it, you know it too.”

Chance stands up right away, giving Clay a little start. “No, no, the day that we thoughtlessly whisk away a life, is the day we start our downfall,” he says in response, goes to continue but Clay interrupts.

“It wasn’t thoughtlessly whisked away Chance, though Velencia probably could care less about them,” he says, standing up looking at the quarter elf. “He was already dead. This was letting fate be fate, allowing the timeline of life to move on, whether it is terrible as the death of a kid or as simple as stubbing your toe.”

The blonde haired man continues, running his hand through his hair; “Unfortunately I will have to refer to ‘the greater good,’ of this situation. You raised the dead, changed his destiny, changed fate. He was brought back to life, by you. Not only would that have a rippling effect across the lands if word got out, not to beat a dead horse, it also just changed destiny, that boys fate. That does not go unnoticed. By anyone… or anything.”

Chance then backs up, plops his ass back down on the bed. He is staring at the wall in deep thought, but still listening to Clay.

Clay sits back down, moves his chair to face the quarter elf. “Talk to me Chance, I mean really talk to me.” He says with sincerity, but his hidden agenda comes out right away, “we have a minimum 4-5 days left in this journey if everything goes right. I really don’t want it to be this super tense, awkward experience.”

The Champion bows his head and sighs. “How did my life get to a point, that saving someone’s life is a terrible thing,” he mumbles, trying to find any positive in this mess.

The beguiler leans back with Chances coin pouch in his hands and shakes his head, not the time or place. He puts it back on the table. “You have to understand something, saving someones life and raising them from the dead are quite different… so you did not save anyones life,” he says, pauses, “I know I am repeating myself, but you have to start understanding how this works.”

It is quiet for a few minutes. Chance in deep thought, Clay is fidgeting hoping to get something more out of the quarter elf.

“I have spoken with my lord many times, and the one thing he has emphasized,” Chance starts, “be true to yourself and you will be true to me. So what am I supposed to think or do? I am acting on the words of my lord.”

Clay waves his hand, “whoa, whoa, you actually speak to Finster, like face to face,” he says in some amazement, eyes big.

Chance nods his head, “yes, in a manner of speaking, I do. Sometimes he possesses people, other times it is in his realm.”

Both of them sit there, thinking, in silence.

Clay then responds, “You will have to stay true to yourself then. But that does not mean black & white Chance. Compromise and maturity need to be part of it. If everyone stayed true to themselves, the world would be overpopulated and filled with venereal diseases. ” The blonde man finishes, giving the Champion a look – smirk on his face.

He then starts for the door, opens it and looks over to Chance.

“I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, or…” he glances out the window, “I think maybe it’s this morning already. Please, do not kill the Priestess. She still owes me some money and I kind of like fucking her,” he finishes saying, walking out of the room with a smirk.

Chance shakes his head and sighs, for what seems like the millionth time. The door closes, he falls back into the bed. Before he knew it, he was asleep.

---

STARLAY (Sunday) 6:30AM

---

The Champion wakes to Nicola kicking the bed. Chance sits up, sore from sleeping weird. Nicola looks like she didn’t sleep at all.

“Awake lover, yeah?” she says in a heavy sarcastic tone. “We want to get going early, it’s Starlay, and it should be clear sailing to that weird named place that ends in the word hair.”

He shakes his head a moment, stretches and jumps out of the bed. He notices Nicola standing there, the door still open, looking like she wants to say something.

As he ends the day with one, he begins it with one; he lets out a big sigh. “Out with it, I don’t stand on ceremony.”

She closes the door and quickly faces the Champion, “I know you two hate each other, I mean we got that. It has been evident for every second of this trip, culminating in that shit show last night,” she starts in on the quarter elf, “I don’t want to take sides, but I have to tell you. Grow the fuck up,” she says with some force and sincerity.

Chance slowly turns to her, eyes wide, surprised to hear that.

“We have a job to do, it’s not for some cobbler down the street finding his lost dog, this is for our Lord, and it is pretty fucking important,” she continues on her rant, “these set backs only makes it worse, and it is starting to take it’s toll on everyone. If you would of just kept riding, we would be in Little Bridge ready to ride to Crux Hayward, and the worst of it would have been hearing Velencia’s over the top insults.”

Chance just stands there, listening, head down. A common theme is emerging and that is “we are here to do Finster’s bidding, not create some in house turmoil,” he thinks to himself.

The Onyx elf puts her hand on his shoulder, making him look her in the eyes. “I have never seen my Priestess like this, and it kind of scares me,” she says, takes a breath, “Just do me two favors; just listen to what she says, for the rest of the trip. It is obvious she is more in line with our Lord than you, and this is too important to keep screwing up. Secondly, she refuses to heal herself, I am sure it has something to do with leaving scars. But she is never going to ask you. Please just do it, for me?”

The champion nods his head in agreement. Since he fell asleep in his gear he had no need to get dressed. The quarter elf grabs his bags and heads out the door with Nicola.

Nicola stops suddenly at the base of the stairs, and Velencia pops up. “I want to get going ok? We can…” she starts to say, softly, but stops when she looks down the hallway and sees the quarter elf walking at her. Nicola goes to grab her but she shrugs her off.

Defiantly, the Priestess stands in the way of the staircase, blocking the entrance. Behind her Nicola is starting to head down the stairs, flashes some crazy eyes to Chance pretty much telling him to ‘just do whatever she says, please!’

The Champion looks over at the woman, bruises across her arms, her eyes are hollowed by dark circles, a split lip and she is not standing as confident as she usually does. Even her fake blonde hair looks flat and defeated.

On the other hand, despite his messy hair, the quarter elf is no worse for wear, purposefully walking with a swagger towards the stairs. Needless to say, this was not going over well with Velencia.

Chance and the Priestess lock eyes, both grinding their jaws, waiting for the other to move. It is really tense, and everyone can feel it including the Onyx elf who stopped walking down the stairs, glancing up.

He reaches for his necklace and instinctively Velencia rips out her Kukri’s. The Champion stops momentarily, gives her a patronizing smirk. He then puts the necklace in his pocket, drops his bags. The Priestess is staring him down, eyes practically on fire.

The quarter elf glances around to make sure no one is in the hallway, then quickly puts his hand on the Priestesses cheek. Sparks fly, a surge of power between the two almost knocks both of them over. Velencia drops her Kukris, one drops a few steps. at the overwhelming feeling. Velencia can feel her throbbing pain just disappear. Chance watches as her black eyes disappear, the scars on her arms slowly close up and the bruises turn back to a her beautiful silky smooth skin.

Hearing the kukri’s drop, the Onyx Elf’s heart drops, ‘I swear Champion if you start something I will…’ she thinks, grabbing the weapons from the stairs, storming back up the stairs. She was about to rip Chance a new one, when she looked around, pleasantly surprised.

By the time she got there, Chance was putting his necklace back on and Velencia, hands on her knees, breathing a bit heavy, started to look at her once scarred and bruised arms. They look like they were never harmed. She stands up straight, dares not look at the Champion, rips teh dagger out of Nicola’s hand and walks down the stairs.

Nicola sees that the Priestess is looking like her old self, she then turns her attention to the Champion with a soft smile, as to say, “thank you.”

Chance gives her a forced smile, nods, grabs his bags that he dropped on the ground and heads down with Nicola.

Turn Based Starts Here

Chance: walking down with Nicola with all the thoughts of everything that has happened in my head, I will head to the horses

DMaster: Clay is down there ready to sit at a table, watching as everyone walks by. He shrugs his shoulders,
CLAY: Guess, we are not eating, Velen… errr Clara, what happened? Your bruises…
She shrugs him off, turns an tosses him a wrapped ration

Chance: shoot clay a half hearted smile, give him a look and a shrug.

DMaster: Took him a second, but he caught on that you must have healed her. You make it to your horses, you are at a shit town in between Clovendale, and Little bridge

Chance: before we get on the horses I will walk over to Velencia and put my hand on her shoulder
Chan: You were right I should have…

DMaster: She glares at you, shrugs off your hand
VEL: Don’t talk to me.
The Priestess is barking orders to her servant girl, who is getting things ready.

Chance: Back up, eyes wide.
Chan: Alrighty then.
shaking my head,smirking to myself and thinking I did really shake her up.

DMaster: DM: Ball-less as always (sigh)
You are gearing up, Nicola hands you a ration. She smiles
NIC: Thanks for trying (quiet)

Chance: give her a small smile, shoulder shrug and start eating the ration as we are gearing up

DMaster: You head out
NIC: It’s only about 3 hours to Little Bridge, we stop there quickly for a bite and tinkle, then on to “whatever-the-hell-that-town-hair” or whatever that town is called.
Velencia looks at her, trying to figure out what she just said, Clay giggles a bit.

Chance: shaking my head and chuckle a bit, as we continue to ride

DMaster: It’s a gorgeous day, sunshine mid 70s, light wind. It is clear sailing for three hours or so.

Chance: as we are riding along, I will keep looking around

DMaster: You make it into Little Bridge, stable your horses. It’s about 10:30 am. Head to an inn, grab a bite to eat, tinkle, head out

Chance: well, I want to ride near Nicola

DMaster: You are next to her the entire way. You know you are heading into the clan lands, its odd, more and more people are on the road. Some dressed in bright outfits, some have their hair dyed crazy colors

Chance: looking at the people as we rode by getting that odd feeling in my stomach. Trying to stay focused and not let my thoughts stray to far

DMaster: DM: odd feeling? OK
Your normal speed has been reduced by half with people in the road, groups at a time. Eventually Velencia stops the group, brow furrowed
NIC: I fear we might have picked a bad day to travel
VEL: Oh? Really? You think?
NIC: Summer Rise Festival, for the elf lands I am afraid.

Chance: Chan: Summer Rise Festival? Just what is that?
looking over to Nicola with a bit of a raised eyebrow

DMaster: NIC: A few times a year, the clans put their differences aside and celebrate. I am sure the town I can’t pronounce will have festivities.
Clay has a big smile on his face, watching some people walk by. Velencia just has a resting bitch face.
VEL: Great.

Chance: Chan: so that means it shouldn’t be as hard getting through the lands right? or am I wrong in my thinking?

DMaster: She shakes her head, looks at you oddly.
NIC: Sure, if you want to run over groups of people at a time… It is starlay, so it should be the last day. It would have started Freya.

Chance: Chan: well as much as I am interested in the festivities, is there a way to by-pass all this?

DMaster: She looks to one side, thick forest, to the other, thick forest. Looks back at you, she shakes her head
NIC: There are plenty of paths to take going east or west, but between the ride east, south and back west, it would probably take twice as long, rather than just camping in that weird town name.
In the meantime the servant girl has jumped off her horse, and has handed the Priestess a water skin.

Chance: pulling up my hood, remembering how I stuck out the last time
Chan: So what is the call here?
looking over at the rest of the group, Nicola in particular

DMaster: NIC: We get to the town and figure out what to do next
She glances over to Velencia, who has been much too quiet, gathering her reigns, looking down. She turns and starts to ride, Clay follows, then Nicola.

Chance: following Nicola as we ride and keeping my eyes moving as we ride by the people. Thoughts drift to Khamyra a bit as we keep riding and wishing she was here with me

DMaster: everyone seems to be having a good time, walking along. You finally get to the town, and its in full blown festival mode. People everywhere, tents, merchants, food, musicians. After about 30 minutes, you get your horses into a makeshift stable, walk into the festival.

Chance: looking around as we walk into the weird town name, just taking everything in with my eyes

DMaster: DM: Never understood that, “with my eyes”, what else would you do?”
You guys are a little dumbstruck, you can see down a side alley there is a play going on, in an opening with grandstands, to the right is all merchants, straight ahead it looks like a lot of musicians playing and dancing. To the far left are some pens marked off, and people sword fighting. Wooden swords, some judges and tons of people watching and cheering.

Chance: my eyes go right to the people doing the sword fighting as I smile a bit. Turn my eyes from that and keep following the group so I don’t stop to watch or get lost.

DMaster: Velencia looks around, spies the Inn with no name.
VEL: Clay, I don’t care what it takes, find me a room to sleep in tonight, I am NOT sleeping in the sticks
She hands him a pouch, but he smirks, shakes his head.
CLAY: Don’t need it, I am all set
He must have lifted someone’s coin pouch as he showed her, then put it away.

Chance: shaking my head and smirk thinking to myself he is better at lifting things than I could be

DMaster: He takes the servant girl with him and they make their way through the crowd, you guys are slowly walking by all the merchants. Food is first, Nicola buys some cheese and some bread, breaks it and gives it to the both of you

Chance: nod my head at Nicola and give her a smile as to say, thank you

DMaster: Clay shows up, eating some sweet bread
CLAY: Two rooms, all I could do, so Nicola and Chance, you have to share… Keep your tongue to yourself chance
Nicola smirks, keeps eating. Velencia just shakes her head.

Chance: Shrug my shoulders and keep eating as I look at what the merchants are selling

DMaster: then it gets to like trinkets and such. You get to weapons, everyone but Clay’s eyes perk up. You are walking looking at a table with some silver tipped arrows and you run into Velencia. She stopped suddenly, held her own, pushing against you a little.

Chance: Oh great, she is going to lose her shit on me now.

DMaster: She has not, you think she is standing there, sniffing. Without looking, she sniffs again.
VEL: Smell that?
NIC: Wasn’t me, honest, not in a crowd… I mean… oh
Clay looks at the Onyx elf and laughs. Then it hits you, a familiar scent, not a good one. It instantly brings you back to the portal room, and over the ever-shimmer.
VEL: I would recognize that anywhere,
Her face turning to disgust.

Chance: looking around, see if I can see anyone unusual.
Chan: Oh yeah, sulfur & ass.

DMaster: Velencia nods her head. Nicola and Clay exchange glances and shrug their shoulders. It’s faint, but enough to get your attention. Velencia slowly looks over to you, then at the merchant you are in front of.

Chance: slowly nod my head and start looking around as well

DMaster: you stand next to each other looking at the items. Nicola’s eyes are carefully watching you two. The Priestess leans into you a bit,
VEL: You don’t think stinky is lost again? (quiet)
Clay overhearing the conversation.
CLAY: I hope that is not a metaphor…
Chuckling a bit, Velencia shoots him a glance and he clams up. Seeing you two together, the servant girl backs up, the last time she witnessed the Champ take both of them on a one way trip through a window.

Chance: Chan: I don’t know, but I caught the smell too. It’s faint but it’s there, if stinky is lost, I mean how or why? (quiet)

DMaster: you two sniff a bit, it comes and goes but you zero in on what looks like some items on the antique merchant’s table.
VEL: I would have hoped she bathed. It’s strongest here

Chance: Chan: well Clara, looks like it’s one of these things.
chuckling a bit remembering to call her by her fake name

DMaster: NIC: Uhhh what are we doing? You two talking again?
You start looking through some of his stuff. The merchant caught onto what Nicola said, assuming you were a couple.
MER: What a handsome couple, Can I help you two?
Clay chokes. Nicola’s eyes bulge, turns and covers her mouth

Chance: looking over at Velencia and my eyes go wide a bit

DMaster: She gives him a look that makes him shiver…
VEL: So where did you acquire all this?
His eyes perk up, starting in on a rant that has been well rehearsed.
MER: It’s a legitimate source, or sources, everything here is legally gained, I assure you.
She rolls her eyes
VEL: I meant, is it one person, a few or…
she is picking them up, sniffs it then puts it down
MER: I have people come in to trade for… money… ummm… is there a problem?
He is watching her sniff items. his eye brow raised. She looks at you, gives you a look like “well, start sniffing” and then back at the items

Chance: I am smelling at the items a bit and then look over to her. Shrugging shoulders.

DMaster: MER: Are you smelling these? Is there something wrong?
Clay just looks around eyes wide, and moves around the tent. Then Velencia’s head snaps back a bit and she scrunches her nose. She hands you a dagger made of a weird stone material

Chance: start really looking this dagger over

DMaster: it smells like the portal room, stinky and the ever shimmer. The merchant frowns,
MER: Yes, that does have a particular odor, I have cleaned it a few times, but the smell remains
VEL: You have no idea
She scoffs and shakes her head.

Chance: Chan: so as you say everything is legally gained. May I ask where you got this from ?

DMaster: He puts a finger to his chin and taps it. It came with a bag of things, I want to say it was a journeyman. I bought most everything he offered. He looked down on his luck.

Chance: Chan: this journeyman did he say where he got it from?

DMaster: He shakes his head
MER: I don’t ask, he didn’t offer.
Velencia looks over his other items, finds a pile of what looks like nice pouches and bags. She grabs one, hands it to you
VEL: Is there anything else here that you bought off him?
He ponders a moment, looks you two over.
MER: Why does this interest you so?
VEL: You don’t ask… and I am not offering, understand?
She says in a guttural type voice. He backs up a step, nods his head knowing his own words just got thrown back at him. Clay steps in
CLAY: since its smelly, 1 copper
The two negotiate and Clay got the upper hand, by a lot. He wanted 5gp but ended with 1sp and a bag to wrap it up in. The group walks over to a slightly less populated area
VEL: Get that in the bag, I am going to toss my oatmeal, if you don’t

Chance: putting it in the bag smirking it a little
Chan: now I am more curious about this journeyman and where he got it from

DMaster: Nicola stops you all
NIC: Care to fill us in?

Chance: Look at Velencia, see if we should tell them.

DMaster: She nods

Chance: Chan: Well, me and the Priestess here met up unexpectedly a while ago just outside of Knightsmoor and… (tell the story)

DMaster: Clay is looking through a book. Velencia looks at him, tilts her head and smirks
VEL: Clay…
The smirk then turns into a smile for the first time since yesterday. He hands it to her, she is looking through it. Looks like its the merchants ledger

Chance: Chan: should have know your quick hands would have grabbed that when the merchant wasn’t looking, you have to teach me that someday

DMaster: He shakes his head, looking on with Velencia
VEL: Here it is, a stone knife, has an asterisk next to it, probably because it smells like donkey balls, Bought a few weeks ago. Some clothes, hmmm oh, A map? He bought a map?
She looks back to the merchant who is busy with other customers. She grabs Clay who was most likely going to go over there and lift it.

Chance: Chan: a map of what is the question? to more smelly stuff?

DMaster: Clay and Nicola giggle.
VEL: God I hope not, here put this back Clay. I’ll distract him and see if the map is there to buy.
She walks over to the merchant, lowers her cleavage a little. The merchant takes a hard swallow and is pretty much staring at her tits (he rolled a 3 for perception) Clay walks back to the tent, places the book back and before you know he is back next to you two.

Chance: just watching Velencia doing this, looking over at Nicola
Chan: Well I would say she is back to her old self, don’t you think Nicola?

DMaster: She shrugs her shoulders
NIC: When she has something to do, it gets done, so who knows.
She beckons for the knife
NIC: Let me see that

Chance: pull the knife back out and hand it to Nicola
Chan: just ignore the smell coming from it

DMaster: She wrinkles her nose, it does have an odor to it
Only about 20% as bad as stinky. She takes it out, pretty dull, its a weird stone, it is almost like metal. She shakes her head. Velencia walks over adjusting her top and boobs.
VEL: Ugg, Nicola, come on I want to eat sometime today
Nicola smirks, hands it back to you. Velencia has a map in her hand, opens it up and shows you all, it is of no lands you have ever seen. A weird language on it, the Priestess sniffs it
VEL: This smells too, but not nearly as bad

Chance: wrinkle my nose and put the knife back in the bag and shake my head
Chan: So Vel… I mean Clara, what should we do? I don’t want to stand around here looking around at items that smell, of, how did you put it? smelling of donkey balls?

DMaster: She nods in agreement.
VEL: Do whatever you want, meet back at the Inn for dinner, we are not going anywhere today
She grabs the dagger, a map and hands it to her servant girl. looks towards the entrance to the town and it is pretty packed. Looks like some higher ups or royalty is making their way in by the way guards are moving.

Chance: nod my head at Velencia and look over to Nicola

DMaster: she is wiping her hand off, frowning, probably regretting handling the dagger. Nicola nudges you

Chance: Chan: well I think I am gonna go take a look around.
look over at Nicola as she nudges me.

DMaster: She is pointing at Clay. He is holding out your coin purse
CLAY: Thanks for the rooms tonight
Gives you a half smile, half shit eating grin. Velencia has a smirk on her face, but is not looking at you

Chance: Chan: damn it Clay!
Grab the bag.
Chan: well…..shit

DMaster: he laughs,
CLAY: Keep a tight grip on it, lots of pocketers out there today
Nicola checks, she looks frantically, then stares at Clay
CLAY: Sorry, force of habit
He hands her coin purse to her. She rips it out of his hands, scowling
NIC: Yes, I might have to start a habit too, maybe a foot so far up your ass you will taste my boot leather?
His eyes big, still smirking a bit, he turns and walks with Velencia. The Priestess is shaking her head at Clay. You and Nicola go over and watch the sword tournament, its with wooden swords and filled with posers. You and Nicola after an hour bore quickly, and in many ways are disgusted. It brings you back to the conversation you had with Princess Amara back when you trained with Helkyr. EP#30 – A Champion Rises.

The two of you watch some musicians for a while, then buy a ticket for a play. While chatting, Nicola mentions your name and it alerts an old friend. Rivka Ravinali greets you, gives you a hug. You exchange pleasantries, and then she moves on. The play was terrible and you did not make it the whole way through. You buy a bottle of what you thought ale, but end up being Dwarven spirits and the both of you partake a bit too much of the alcohol. you two were giggling at the play before it ended, they were forgetting their lines, and it was a bad scene. They were just about ready to throw you two out when you got up and left.

Chance: Chan: The play sucked, but the spirits were good at least? I think we almost got thrown out.
Giggle again.

DMaster: She is giggling as you stop walking
NIC: It was so bad, the drama was a comedy

Chance: Chan: What was the name of it? Well, Shit?

DMaster: NIC: Clay would of done well in it, but everyone wouldn’t have any money left, and probably have half their clothes missing to boot
She laughs, stumbles a bit.

Chance: Chan: just half their clothes? More like all of them. It would have made the play much more interesting…
still chuckling

DMaster: Its about dinner time, so you head to the Inn that is surprisingly half empty, probably everyone out and about in the festival, eating and drinking there. You wander into the dining area, stumbling more like it, giggling with each other. Clay’s eyes light up and so does Velencia’s
NIC: Look… its Clay-rah!
She busts out laughing leaning into you

Chance: laughing looking at them
Chan: I don’t get it?

DMaster: NIC: Clara… Clay RAH? Get it? Oh nevermind!
She laughs.
Even the servant girl is looking around confused.

Chance: You should have seen this play. We saw it would have been a perfect fit for you Clay, it was so bad. It should have been called…

DMaster: She leans into you again
NIC: Well… shit!
She spits a bit, snorts and starts to laugh at herself.

Chance: looking over at Nicola and start laughing harder

DMaster: CLAY: Are you two drunk?
NIC: Oh no, I mean, yes, I mean… are we? We were accidentally served a bottle of dwarven spirits
The two exchange glances

Chance: Burp.
Chan: here is to the dwarven spirits!

DMaster: NIC: Then Chance is getting hugged by some royal woman, what was her name, river canoe?
She spits a bit and laughs, Velencia is staring at the both of you, in disbelief

Chance: Chan: NO… I mean who would name their kid river canoe anyways
busting out laughing

DMaster: The two of them sit, everyone eats a good dinner of stew and fresh bread, and have a few more mugs of ale. Eventually you and Nicola are tired, and the spirits are on their way out making you groggy. Both of you head up to the room, it’s top floor. It was a chore walking them. Damn 4 GP gone now! The room had two beds. You fall almost instantly asleep in just your pants.

---

Mondalay (monday) 6:00 AM

---

DMaster: you get up to take a leak, then back to bed, then wake up, the sky is just starting to get light. Not a terrible sleep and you are just groggy from the drinking.

Chance: stretch as I wake up. Look over to Nicola in the other bed, see if she is still sleeping

DMaster: She is sprawled across her bed, she just has a shirt with her underwear, her butt in the air. Reminded you of Khamyra for a second. The window is open, she must of opened it. There is some nice cool air flowing in

Chance: get up and go look out the window. Covering my mouth not to laugh as I look over at Nicola a second time and my thoughts go back to home and Khamyra. Its a damn nice ass too. Take a bath, get ready for the day.

DMaster: You bathe, get ready, and by the time you make it back to your room, she is up. Gives you a groggy look, still just in a shirt that has her nips poking through and her underwear.
NIC: Bath, now… Eat, later…
She walks out.

Chance: seeing her up I can’t help but bust out laughing. Get my gear on and head downstairs, if I don’t see Clay or Velencia; I will head to the horses.

DMaster: No one is down there right now, its early. So you walk to your horse, gear up to go.

Chance: patting Toby I will reach into my saddle bag and find something for him to nibble on, as I dig around for something to eat as well and take a drink of water

DMaster: you are there for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes and no one from your party. You only saw one person ride by. The town is waking up, people start walking around.

Chance: shaking my head, I head back to the Inn, grumbling a bit as I do

DMaster: Walking in, there they are. You see them eating breakfast, Clay is looking over something he probably stole, Nicola is ripping through the porridge, Velencia is slowly eating looking over the map she bought, the servant girl is quickly eating, awaiting her next orders.
CLAY: Oh, there you are, we thought maybe you were in the bathroom, fiddling with your flopper?
They all chuckle

Chance: Chan: no I was at the stable waiting for you three to get your butts up.
Sit down, grab a bowl and pour the glop into my bowl.

DMaster: NIC: Have to eat you know, and I am glad he was there and not in the bathroom
Clay giggles.

Chance: Start eating.
Chan: hey, I am not the one that had their butt sticking up in the air, as I slept
Looking over at Nicola smirking

DMaster: She looks around
NIC: I… I… was warm, its how I…
She gives you a scolding look
NIC: Are you sure you weren’t fiddling with your wanker in the toilet?
Clay busts out laughing. Velencia half paying attention is shaking her head
CLAY: He might have after seeing that.

Chance: Chan: No, just seems to be a common occurrence with Onyx Elves, Khamyra does it too, and hates the heat.
bust out laughing

DMaster: Velencia gets serious. She barks some orders to the blonde girl, then starts to go over the game plan.
VEL: If we make it there by evening, that will give us time to find Malik’s house. I am sure it will be guarded. We will find a way in, whether it’s distraction, stealth or a dagger in the face. Hopefully, find the necklace, then high tail it out of there. It will be night by then, aiding our escape.
She rolls out a map, pointing at Crux Hayward.
VEL: There is some shit village called Hinstock, a short ride from there, that is where we will stay for the night. We will take shifts keeping an eye out. But first light, we hightail it out of there and head back here.
You finish eating, sweet roll and some cinnamon porridge. It is actually really good. The group makes it to the stable, now, everyone is ready to go, geared up.
CLAY: Crux is about 10 hours from here, so we should make it by… Sundown. Stop at a town in about 4 hours

Chance: Jump on Toby, secure everything and ride!

DMaster: DM: He has rolled three “10’s” in a row.
Clear riding, very little traffic on the road, especially as you make it deeper. You pass a patrol of elves but they oddly, did not seem to be interested in you. Find a small village and grab a bite, tinkle then go. The rest of the ride was great, all the horses seemed fast, and made it there in good time. The sun is going down and you stable your horse. You remember the smell.

Chance: waving my hand in front of my nose, remembering the smell of this place. Stable the horse, the servant girl is holding on to a few horses now.

DMaster: You see a light on Restria’s house, but you don’t think you should bother her. Velencia pulls you all aside
VEL: We are going to stick out like a sore thumb this deep. I know you didn’t go there, Chance, but any idea where he might live?

Chance: Chan: no I don’t. We were taken to an Inn and a warehouse of sorts, but not his actual place

DMaster: CLAY: If he “runs” this place like you said, he probably has everything stashed in one place and heavily guarded. He would also have the biggest abode, you would imagine.
Nicola is not stabling the horses completely. Waving off a stable hand, getting the blonde girl to release the reins of Velencia’s horse.
NIC: Advantage, he has no idea we are coming, especially after Summer Rise Festival

Chance: Chan: an advantage for now. He is a bit crazy, just a warning since he is what is called a Welf.

DMaster: She looks at you with her usual disappointment.
VEL: We know, you’ve told us a few times already. Go find out where he lives Chance, you fit the most in, a bit tall but an elf. I stick out, Nicola is like a beacon and Clay, well…
She looks around.
VEL: Clay? Goddammit, where did he go?
SHe glances at the blonde servant girl and she just shrugs her shoulders.

Chance: looking around as well see if I can find any tracks

DMaster: She pushes you
VEL: Go. We will wait at the Stables, the horse shit is smelling better than this fucking swamp

Chance: Chan: well… shit. Ha! Get it?

DMaster: Both girls’ eyes get wider, they slowly look at you in disbelief.

Chance: Sigh, grab my pack with supplies, picks, etc. Head into town. As I am headed in, I will keep my hand close to my sword

DMaster: DM: Removed the search, it was a bit tedious and boring.
You wander a bit, get turned around a few times, then find yourself in front of what looks like a park. The sun is down now, it’s getting darker. The kids that were once at the park seem to be leaving, heading for home. Even witnessed one mom scolding their child for being out so late.

Chance: I will check the park, then look over the house. Trying not to be suspicious.

DMaster: The park is nice, trees, some objects for kids to play on. A few tables, and a walkway that leads to a big house, two stories, made out of the same things all the other houses are made of, some orange stone, wood, etc

Chance: looking around, are there any type of guards or anything?

DMaster: No, you don’t see any. The walkway that went through the park, also leads to the house. It is well maintained, decent landscaping, to a big double door with torches that are now lit.

Chance: thinking to myself; this has to be it. I make a hasty retreat back to the stables where Velencia and Nicola are

DMaster: Velencia is leaning up against the stables, Nicola is petting her horse. They both are alerted by your presence and walk to you.

Chance: go on to explain to them what I found.

DMaster: NIC: Biggest, nicest house in the town, it has to be his… I agree.
Velencia nods her head in agreement too.
VEL: We really can’t be hanging around the stables too long either, it is going to draw attention.
You see the stable hand, laying on the ground. What you hope, knocked out and not dead.
NIC: Yeah, he started asking questions. I’ll find a place for him.

Chance: Sigh, seeing that.
Chan: I didn’t want to take a chance, no pun intended, to get a closer look. Didn’t want to risk getting caught, though there were no guards that I could see.

DMaster: VEL: Yeah, he knows what you look like too…
Clay pops in, scares Nicola, she jumps.
NIC: Clay, you son of a…
He giggles
CLAY: Yeah, I found his house, it’s…
VEL: Big one, build of shit brick and wood, well lit, nice landscaping?
He looks at her, big eyes
CLAY: Yeah…

Chance: shoot him a big grin and giggle a bit
Chan: yeah we already know, I was out and about

DMaster: CLAY: Doesn’t look like anyone is home except the two guards on the inside.
Velencia looks at you, tilts her head.
VEL: No guards, huh?

Chance: Chan: hey I didn’t stick around to find out. They probably would recognize me
shrugs shoulders

DMaster: Velencia is thinking, then nods her head.
VEL: I will cause a distraction
NIC: Like what?
Velencia pushes her tits up giving her a look

Chance: Chan: those guards wont know what hit them.

DMaster: Clay nods his head while Nicola shakes her head.
VEL: You two look for a way in, window, whatever… Make that weird bird noise when you have a way in
Clay nods his head
VEL: Nicola, have the horses ready to go if and when this all falls apart miserably, we don’t have a very good track record so far. If this all hits the shit skids, Clay, you will be our ace in the hole.
NIC: More like an Ass in the…
CLAY: Hey!? Yeah I’ll sweet talk them.
He says laughing a little. You two start in along the fenced area, residential houses to your south. Velenica, starts down the street then down an alley way. Creeping along making sure not to get seen (both made their stealth roll by a longshot). Its about 500 feet, it opens to a small backyard and Malik’s two story house.

Chance: following Clay as we move along

DMaster: you make it to the back yard of the house. Some well maintained trees, some bushes. at the back of the house, there appears to be a big chimney going up the middle, but there are no windows on the first floor. You look up and see the windows on the 2nd floor.

Chance: make a motioning gesture with my hands pointing to the windows on the second floor, and give Clay a look

DMaster: CLAY: No windows? Only the 2nd floor? Odd… (quietly)
He looks perplexed, walks slowly to the outside wall, behind a bush and looks over the wall. You see it too, the outside wall of the house is not flat, it has divots and crevasses, looks easy to climb if need be.

Chance: Point up, and try to start climbing up the wall

DMaster: He steps back not expecting you to just start climbing. He makes a weird bird sound. Odd enough its not too out of the ordinary, you only noticed it because you knew he made it. You slip once, but make it to the window fine, it is half open.

Chance: carefully poke my head in, seeing inside the building.

DMaster: The window is in front of a iron spiral staircase, looks like the window would put you on the staircase. Past there, you see some light from the first floor, you can see what appears to be a long dining table. The top floor is in mostly darkness.

Chance: look back down at where Clay would be and start to climb back down.

DMaster: His eyes are real big, shaking his head. He is pointing up. You can hear around the front a faint knock on the door.

Chance: stop and and head back up. Try to quietly open the window the rest of the way. Thinking to myself that this little distraction better damn well work

DMaster: You can just hear her “Is Malik home? He said he’d meet me here.” You hear some muffled responses. You get into the house with ease. Clay follows suit right afterwards

Chance: making a gesture with my hand hoping Clay understands, pointing to the top floor

DMaster: He nods, you two head up and it leads to a larger room 20 x 30, rug on the floor, unlit hanging candelabra, some pictures on the wall and a few side tables. There are 4 doors. One that is to the east, one to the west and two to the south (where you are facing). Behind you leads you back down the stairs, in the adjacent corner looks to be another staircase leading down. It is very dark, but Clay seems to navigate it well.

Chance: let my eyes start to adjust to the dark pointing to the west door

DMaster: He nudges you points to the east (he is going there)
CLAY: Let’s make this quick, OK? (quietly)
He half runs, softly, to the door on the east, and by the time you look to what you are doing, he is listening at the door.

Chance: I head towards the west door and listen at the door

DMaster: its quiet up here, and you don’t hear anything. You do hear Velencia’s voice, she seems to still be engaged with the guards.

Chance: carefully check the door before I open it, looking to see if it is locked or any type of traps

DMaster: Clay took a detour after watching your demeanor, and is behind you. You jump a little.
CLAY: (Quietly) we are on the clock Chance, get going. That onewas a bedroom, nothing in it, like nothing, not even a bed.
He creeps over to the west door

Chance: Jump a little.
Chan: fine fine(quietly)
As I open the door I am at.

DMaster: It opens to a bedroom, some stray light is making it’s way into the room. It is 20 x 20, Bed is made, its a huge bed, a dresser and basin to your left. You can barely hear someone walking by the door. You hope it’s Clay. (Chance rolls 17 for investigation, passes) Nothing in this room after a quick once over.

Chance: shaking head thinking to myself, this is definitely not where you would really keep a necklace. Head back, out the door and towards the south doors

DMaster: You both end up at the same door, he smirks and opens it.
It’s 30×30, bed on the far wall, made, two end tables. A table to your left, a wash basin, and a closet to your right. A decent amount of light shining through the window.

Chance: Check room again (rolls a 19, passes) I will check the closet first being as quiet as I can

DMaster: you check it, and something doesn’t add up, the size of the closet doesn’t match the room. It looks like there is a 5 foot difference, either real shoddy craftsmanship or something else. Feeling around, it sounds like a false door on the one wall. Clay is now behind you again, you jump a little.

Chance: Chan: damn it Clay must you do that(quietly). I found something here.
Feeling around the walls of the closet, being very careful as I move my hands along the wall of the closet

DMaster: you can tell its a false door, you move some hanging clothes out of the way. You find a latch at the top and it drops down, pushing the clothes to one side. A large safe is behind it, and a very complicated lock (DC20)
CLAY: Not sure how much time we have Chance, can you pick that? (quietly)

Chance: Chan: I can sure as hell try (quietly) just keep watch for me as I do and give me a minute to study this
taking out my picks, giving the lock a look over

DMaster: He nudges you.
CLAY: Study quick, Just hurry it up. #1 thing in robberies is speed. We are lingering for far too long.

Chance: go to work on trying to pick it

DMaster: Snap! (rolled a 9) The pick goes flying. Clay looks at you, eyes wide.
CLAY: ummm.

Chance: grit my teeth shaking my head, looking to see how many more picks I got, and it’s 2.
Chan: damn this is one tricky lock, I only got two more chance no pun to try this (quietly)

DMaster: He nudges you again,
CLAY: Come on, come on, already (quietly)
(rolls a 15) Your hand jerks and the pick falls out. You curse and pick up the pick. Clay rolls his eyes, crosses his arms. (rolls another 9) Snap! Another fail. You cant try again for a day.

Chance: Chan: Bullocks! (quiet hiss)

DMaster: CLAY: Chance! Enough let me in there.
He moves you out of the way. Fiddles with the lock, then, (rolls a 6) Snap!
CLAY: Well, shit.

Chance: Cross my arms, smirk.
Chan: Come on, come on! (quietly)
Walk to the doorway, listen for noises.

DMaster: He gives you a smirk over his shoulders. You don’t hear anything from outside the room.
CLAY: Damn (under his breath)
He looks it over well, quickly and goes after it again. Ping! (rolls a 22)
CLAY: There! (quietly)

Chance: then head back.

DMaster: Looking at the safe when you walk back over; Its about 3 feet tall, 2 feet wide, bags filled with things, lots of documents, some gems, other trinkets. Clay is pocketing a bag or two. He then pulls out… the necklace, the damn quiet gem, finally.
CLAY: That’s it!
He jams it in his pocket

Chance: Chan: might I suggest we get out of here now(quietly), since she can only distract them for so long.

DMaster: Clay closes the safe up, moves the clothes back in. He closes the closet door, stops, picks up the picks that broke. You two make it just fine to the window, Clay looks down and covers his mouth, then out the window he goes. You glance over and Velencia is on her knees going to town on the guard, while the other one is watching. That is why it was so quiet.

Chance: Shaking my head, taking a breath and stepping out the window.

DMaster: Clay makes it down, starts for the fence (rolls 21 for DC15). You slip (roll a 12), a part of the wall crumbles and you fall 15 feet and land flat on your back. The wind is knocked out of you. (1hp damage)

Chance: Chan: ooff!
Try to get up.

DMaster: Clay crouches over to you
CLAY: Buddy, not a good time to fuck this up okay?

Chance: Chan: well..shit. Not like I told the wall to crumble (quietly)
get back to my feet and follow Clay as we try to sneak away

DMaster: you two make it back just fine, maneuver to the stables. Nicola has the horses ready.
NIC: How’d it go? Did you get it?
CLAY: Went well, except the escape
He chuckles
CLAY: Chance took a Priestess out the window, accidentally.
Her eyes get big looks over to you.
NIC: Where is Velen… err Clara?

Chance: Chan: great, thanks for letting everyone know.
Give him a push.
Chan: Let’s get the hell out of here.

DMaster: NIC: Not without Clara, Where is she?

Chance: Chan: she was, umm, no other way to put this. On her knees giving a favor to one of the guard

DMaster: CLAY: She had her mouth full
giggling ensues, Nicola’s eyes grow big. The blonde servant girl nods, like it’s no big surprise.
NIC: Ok then, damn.
Then Velencia shows up, rubbing her jaw a bit
VEL: That guy was fucking packing, wow. Impressive. Jaw is hurting.
She gives you and Clay a look.
VEL: I pray we have the necklace?

Chance: Chan: well, might I suggest we get away from here because I have had enough of this damn smelly ass place. Don’t know about the rest of you

DMaster: You all mount your horses.
VEL: To Hinstock, it should be less than 45 minutes.
You ride out, it’s about 8:00 – 8:30PM

DMaster: you get to the town, its real small, but there is an inn and a pub.

Chance: Chan: here is to hoping we all get our own rooms tonight

DMaster: You walk in, its about 9:30PM
Velencia pulls up a seat, sits down. Let out a sigh. Clay sits, puts his bag on the table. Reaches in and pulls out the necklace, looks at it.
CLAY: All this work, time, money, sweat, tears, blood…
VEL: Clay…
CLAY: For an ugly necklace.
She starts to say
VEL: Need to put something around it so…
She doesn’t get to finish, he tosses it to her. She jumps a bit catching it, expecting it to go bonkers, or do anything. She stares at it, idle, and static. The Priestess then slowly looks to Clay and you, eyes wide as can be, face becoming flush.

Chance: look at her not quite knowing what to say at first
Chan: Uhh, why is that not… you know?

DMaster: She holds it up a bit higher, her face turning really flush, anger in her eyes
VEL: Did you not check if it was real?!?
She said it too loud, and everyone looked over. Nicola waves and smiles. They turn back to drinking.

Chance: Chan: DAMN IT!
Slam my fists on the table, face getting red.

DMaster: The room looks over again, they are getting suspicious. Velencia rolls her eyes and glares at you
VEL: Sorry, he just learned he has a 2 inch wiener, he is understandably upset.
The room giggles and chuckles and they go back to drinking. Clay pulls out some bags, goes through them.
CLAY: Why would he put a fake in his safe? How do you know it’s a fake anyways? I mean, it looks just like it.
She tosses the necklace to you.

Chance: Catch it, look at it.

DMaster: VEL: Clay, this things should be lighting up, and doing who knows what to Chance here, and it is not doing anything, meaning it has nothing to do with Fin… our Lord (she says quieter)
She stands up, looks at everyone. Her face was still filled with anger. The Priestess tells her servant to go get the horses ready… why?
VEL: We’re going back!