[margaret wakes up the next morning, rested from the dream but also not. her mood this morning is concerned, a little less optimistic than she was the previous morning. but she'll still gather their rations and set out breakfast, though she keeps to herself as she eats, the book close at hand.
she looks all of them over - guy, sidon, owner - a frown on her face, but she eases again into a smile.]
Listen, I think the disease laboratory is just too dangerous for us. We should head the other direction - better opportunities, and less potential to get cursed.
[but she will also at some point try to pull guy aside without the others around.]
Hm? Well, if you are sure, Margaret. You always know best.
[ owner will pack away his loot that he robbed, taking care to put them away neatly. he glances at margaret, before looking over to sidon. he whispers to him, ]
It would be nice if she let someone else hold that book, wouldn't it? We should maybe see if we can take turns, I am getting worried she is too obsessed with it.
[ he's stretching out as owner approaches, greeting him with a smile. he's rested, he had a nice dream, he's injured but today will be better.
except this is a little concerning. ]
Really? [ also should they be taking this stone or just leaving it, he'll pack it away safely if it's their travel companion now. he looks torn, speaking quietly. ] I have my concerns with Margaret, but... I don't wish to doubt her.
[ still, wouldn't hurt to pass the book around a little, probably. ]
.... I do think we should start with the Dawn Crucible, like Margaret said. But there might be useful potions in the Disease Laboratory, so let's keep it in mind for later, okay?
[ guy also wants to talk to margaret privately, so it's not hard for the two of them to meet up in a quiet corner or something ]
Hey, Margaret? I need to talk to you about something.
Of course, anything. But first, I just - [she looks conflicted, to even bring this up, and there's a glance towards sidon and owner.]
Look, I can trust you, right, Guy? I hate to even say something like this, but it's Sidon. He's been acting so weird lately. I'm not sure if he's just going through a rough time or what, but I'm a little worried.
[it's sidon, he's the nicest and friendliest guy in the group, but he's also so much bigger and stronger than any of them.]
I just need to know that if something happens, I can count on you.
I think she is just too caught up in her work. Which is fine, for the kind of job we are doing, but these kinds of things that we are looking into... they can mess with your head. I am worried. Taking turns with it really will be for the best.
[ is margaret looking over here? he pretends like he did not notice her looking over here. ]
I am not sure if Guy would be able to help us, as he tends to lag behind and let us get hit by rocks.
[ but he will keep finishing getting ready to make it not seem like he is only gossiping ]
...No, you're right, of course. It must be weighing on her. Otherwise I don't think she'd usually be as... callous as she has been, lately.
[ her scruples seem to be slipping? it's kind of not the margaret he knows and adores, maybe it'd be good for her not to have to carry their incredibly important book all the time.
he doesn't comment on guy, but he does finish packing up. ]
Let's try to bring it up. Truth be told, I actually wanted to go to the disease laboratory, so we ought to try communicating more.
Of course you can trust me, Margaret. [ putting a hand on her shoulder and giving it a little squeeze with a reassuring smile. yes, you can count on him! ] And I hear you. I think we're all under a lot of stress.
But... there's something else I wanted to ask you. Do you remember last night?
[ he's a little restless at how this morning has gone, the decisions made and discussions to be had, but he grins when owner pats him. they're still a team. even if there's some fraying, that's natural with how nearly they've dodged death—things will improve. ]
Yes, all sorts of... diseases! We'll get there. Thank you for talking with me, Owner—I feel better knowing we're looking after one another.
After that... in the middle of the night, I found you awake with the journal. Just... sitting there, staring into space. I tried to snap you out of it, but it didn't work. Nothing could budge you. You don't remember that?
[ wow. what a terrifying thing guy just said. well. it's probably fine?
you all can walk and talk, talk and walk. The Dawn Crucible is quite the hike away it seems like - the map made it seem so close! What a goddamn liar it is.
It seems like endless hallways of nothingness and ice for a long time, maybe you pass the time chatting or arguing or singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall. You’ll figure it out. Eventually, you realize that you’ve passed into another Ward - the architecture changes, and looks … extravagant. Rich. More arcane lights seem to remain flickering on in this area, their warm yellow glow illuminating the way. It’s even verging on warm in here it seems like.
Eventually, though, as you’re quietly walking along … you hear something.
Voices, in the distances. Three, maybe four. Speaking … Xhorhasian … ? ]
[she frowns when guy speaks, and gives him an uncertain glance.]
No, of course I remember that. I was just really focused - reading isn't that easy. Sorry to have worried you.
[anyway, off we go. sounds like it's time for our charm skills to come into play. she'll hide the journal in her bag and then approach. can she speak business xhorhasian?]
[ it's a little easier to lighten up when they get to chat about nothing in particular on the way here, like how charles and arthur might be doing. also, it's warmer here? this is nice.
he gives whoever is up ahead a wave and warm, relieved smile, though he does place himself a little ahead of the others just in case their reception is less than friendly. ]
[ before they set off, he has one private aside to margaret ]
No, don't apologize for that. But please, Margaret.... don't push yourself too hard. I'm here for you. I know you're worried about Sidon, but... even if he is acting strange, you mean a lot to him. Owner, too.
[ like sidon, the chatting about nothing puts him a little more at ease..... it's a bit nostalgic, even, to be walking and talking just like charles and arthur. ]
[ he similarly gives the three approaching a bright smile ]
[ As you turn the corner. Three very heavily armored Drow turn to face you. They are decked out in full armor, lined with fur, and two of them have fucking enormous swords. A third holds a staff, and looks ... magicky.
They are immediately levelling their weapons at you, but I will say between how UTTERLY charming you all are, and Margaret's Business Xhorhasian, they don't immediately attack.
[the walk does set her at ease a little, though after a while it stops seeming to work. you can hear her muttering he would not fucking say that at one point.
but the charm is on with these xhorhasians. she will hold out a hand for a shake.]
Oh, absolutely.
[oh you guys brought weapons and magic? losers.]
I get it. You know, if I ventured to the bottom of a spooky ruin with armor and weapons and I encountered a group who made it here with none of those things, I guess my first thought would also be "uh-oh, those guys are probably insanely dangerous," so I might also get a bit defensive. But it's not like that, we're actually a really nice bunch. No trouble here, either. Big fan of Xhorhas, actually.
Anyway, nice meeting you! We just need to squeeze on past you guys.
Yes. We just need to keep moving, if you do not mind.
[ he smiles, full of charm, which is his stat, that he can use.
... before taking a step forward, and it is very neat that he now does have some spells, because sometimes you obtain access to fireball, which is pretty cool. and sometimes you are very suddenly going to use it, aiming it at the one with the staff. ]
[ they are doing their best to keep their spirits up! it's fine! just kidding, it's not, this is a charthur shaped band-aid on a growing wound, but it's okay. they're talking to these guys now.
he keeps an eye on the weapons, at once friendly and ready to draw his own if it turns out these guys are more trouble than they say. ]
Plenty of wealth around for all of us! Stay safe out—
Well the thing about fireball is you don't really target one guy with it. You kinda target all guys within a 20ft radius, which is at the very least the three of them and Margaret, who is reaching out to shake hands politely.
You also rolled a 33 on the wild magic surge, which means that your spell does ... max damage. All those sweet, sweet d6s pumped into these actually rather polite and nice adventurers. The guy with the staff goes down fucking immediately - burning alive with a horrible scream. The other two, perhaps a bit sturdier are still upright but very horribly burnt and in pain. But not enough to stop them from immediately swinging into action.
Margaret, you were standing close enough that the fireball absolutely catches you in its path - leaving at least your hand and arm burnt horribly, flesh sticking and crisp.
Sidon ... in a weird, uncanny way ... you can see a sword swinging towards you and somehow find yourself stepping out of the way before it can hit. Odd.
One brings his sword down again Owner, for castin', and the other against Guy, for being unlucky. ]
[well. she screams! because she's burning and that hurts a lot! it takes a moment, of the pain throbbing, her damaged hand, not able to focus on anything but the intensity and the voice in the back of her mind telling her that that was on purpose, owner has been being an asshole this whole trip, and her weakness is something she can't trust them with.
still, they're supposed to be a team and they're in danger. so with her other hand she'll take out her pistol and fire at the guy swinging towards guy.]
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she looks all of them over - guy, sidon, owner - a frown on her face, but she eases again into a smile.]
Listen, I think the disease laboratory is just too dangerous for us. We should head the other direction - better opportunities, and less potential to get cursed.
[but she will also at some point try to pull guy aside without the others around.]
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[ owner will pack away his loot that he robbed, taking care to put them away neatly. he glances at margaret, before looking over to sidon. he whispers to him, ]
It would be nice if she let someone else hold that book, wouldn't it? We should maybe see if we can take turns, I am getting worried she is too obsessed with it.
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except this is a little concerning. ]
Really? [ also should they be taking this stone or just leaving it, he'll pack it away safely if it's their travel companion now. he looks torn, speaking quietly. ] I have my concerns with Margaret, but... I don't wish to doubt her.
[ still, wouldn't hurt to pass the book around a little, probably. ]
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[ guy also wants to talk to margaret privately, so it's not hard for the two of them to meet up in a quiet corner or something ]
Hey, Margaret? I need to talk to you about something.
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Of course, anything. But first, I just - [she looks conflicted, to even bring this up, and there's a glance towards sidon and owner.]
Look, I can trust you, right, Guy? I hate to even say something like this, but it's Sidon. He's been acting so weird lately. I'm not sure if he's just going through a rough time or what, but I'm a little worried.
[it's sidon, he's the nicest and friendliest guy in the group, but he's also so much bigger and stronger than any of them.]
I just need to know that if something happens, I can count on you.
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[ is margaret looking over here? he pretends like he did not notice her looking over here. ]
I am not sure if Guy would be able to help us, as he tends to lag behind and let us get hit by rocks.
[ but he will keep finishing getting ready to make it not seem like he is only gossiping ]
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[ her scruples seem to be slipping? it's kind of not the margaret he knows and adores, maybe it'd be good for her not to have to carry their incredibly important book all the time.
he doesn't comment on guy, but he does finish packing up. ]
Let's try to bring it up. Truth be told, I actually wanted to go to the disease laboratory, so we ought to try communicating more.
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But... there's something else I wanted to ask you. Do you remember last night?
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[um.]
Of course I do. We read the journal, looked at the map...
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[ he pats sidon sympathetically. ]
We can try to get to the lab after. I am sure the diseases there will be quite useful to us.
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Yes, all sorts of... diseases! We'll get there. Thank you for talking with me, Owner—I feel better knowing we're looking after one another.
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After that... in the middle of the night, I found you awake with the journal. Just... sitting there, staring into space. I tried to snap you out of it, but it didn't work. Nothing could budge you. You don't remember that?
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you all can walk and talk, talk and walk. The Dawn Crucible is quite the hike away it seems like - the map made it seem so close! What a goddamn liar it is.
It seems like endless hallways of nothingness and ice for a long time, maybe you pass the time chatting or arguing or singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall. You’ll figure it out. Eventually, you realize that you’ve passed into another Ward - the architecture changes, and looks … extravagant. Rich. More arcane lights seem to remain flickering on in this area, their warm yellow glow illuminating the way. It’s even verging on warm in here it seems like.
Eventually, though, as you’re quietly walking along … you hear something.
Voices, in the distances. Three, maybe four. Speaking … Xhorhasian … ? ]
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No, of course I remember that. I was just really focused - reading isn't that easy. Sorry to have worried you.
[anyway, off we go. sounds like it's time for our charm skills to come into play. she'll hide the journal in her bag and then approach. can she speak business xhorhasian?]
Hello there?
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but owner doesn't want to be annoyed with margaret, so he will follow her lead. charm! use your charm points!! ]
Is there someone else here? We are so lucky to have found you, this has been quite a journey.
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he gives whoever is up ahead a wave and warm, relieved smile, though he does place himself a little ahead of the others just in case their reception is less than friendly. ]
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No, don't apologize for that. But please, Margaret.... don't push yourself too hard. I'm here for you. I know you're worried about Sidon, but... even if he is acting strange, you mean a lot to him. Owner, too.
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[ he similarly gives the three approaching a bright smile ]
Hey there.
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They are immediately levelling their weapons at you, but I will say between how UTTERLY charming you all are, and Margaret's Business Xhorhasian, they don't immediately attack.
`... Move along and we'll have no trouble.` ]
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but the charm is on with these xhorhasians. she will hold out a hand for a shake.]
Oh, absolutely.
[oh you guys brought weapons and magic? losers.]
I get it. You know, if I ventured to the bottom of a spooky ruin with armor and weapons and I encountered a group who made it here with none of those things, I guess my first thought would also be "uh-oh, those guys are probably insanely dangerous," so I might also get a bit defensive. But it's not like that, we're actually a really nice bunch. No trouble here, either. Big fan of Xhorhas, actually.
Anyway, nice meeting you! We just need to squeeze on past you guys.
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[ he smiles, full of charm, which is his stat, that he can use.
... before taking a step forward, and it is very neat that he now does have some spells, because sometimes you obtain access to fireball, which is pretty cool. and sometimes you are very suddenly going to use it, aiming it at the one with the staff. ]
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he keeps an eye on the weapons, at once friendly and ready to draw his own if it turns out these guys are more trouble than they say. ]
Plenty of wealth around for all of us! Stay safe out—
[ anyway a fireball happens ]
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We're just passing through, so---
[ and then a fucking fireball happens ]
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Well the thing about fireball is you don't really target one guy with it. You kinda target all guys within a 20ft radius, which is at the very least the three of them and Margaret, who is reaching out to shake hands politely.
You also rolled a 33 on the wild magic surge, which means that your spell does ... max damage. All those sweet, sweet d6s pumped into these actually rather polite and nice adventurers. The guy with the staff goes down fucking immediately - burning alive with a horrible scream. The other two, perhaps a bit sturdier are still upright but very horribly burnt and in pain. But not enough to stop them from immediately swinging into action.
Margaret, you were standing close enough that the fireball absolutely catches you in its path - leaving at least your hand and arm burnt horribly, flesh sticking and crisp.
Sidon ... in a weird, uncanny way ... you can see a sword swinging towards you and somehow find yourself stepping out of the way before it can hit. Odd.
One brings his sword down again Owner, for castin', and the other against Guy, for being unlucky. ]
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still, they're supposed to be a team and they're in danger. so with her other hand she'll take out her pistol and fire at the guy swinging towards guy.]
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DAY 3
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