Last time, the prophecy! This time! Fufillment! YEAH!!

The Evil Saga! ~ Chapter 20: Water You Doing Here?!

The Drufle:

so i need to remember where we are right now

The Drufle:

The temple has landed in East Chronis, yes?

The Drufle:

Somewhere near the large lake.

The Drufle:

The party is currently on the lookout for the guardian of the Gem of Water.

The Drufle:

Where that is, nobody really knows.

Brass has connected.

The Drufle:

Ah, there's number three.

Ezra:

We were looking for a settlement of some kind.

The Drufle:

Right, right.

The Drufle:

Well, from what you can see from the temple, there aren't any settlements immediately nearby.

The Drufle:

Remember that the lake is surprisingly barren of life.

Seishi Honekawa:

why isnt it full of feesh

The Drufle:

Good question!

Ezra:

Are we near this lake

The Drufle:

You do see a fish here and there, but there are very few.

Seishi Honekawa:

"I'll try detecting the magic."

Ezra:

We should go investigate.

The Drufle:

The temple is currently landed on the shore.

Seishi Honekawa:

*investigation music*

Ezra:

i hope there isn't a water temple

Ezra:

they're never good

Seishi Honekawa:

ooh i need a drake pog

Seishi Honekawa:

keep talking and carry on

The Drufle:

Well I need a moment to draw the lake shore.

Ezra:

when is brass getting his psicrystal pog

The Drufle:

When I remember to do that.

Seishi Honekawa:

that's in bestiary 2 right

The Drufle:

It isn't a bestiary thing, I think.

The Drufle:

Since it's psionics.

Seishi Honekawa:

you had ONE million jobs

Seishi Honekawa:

no i meant drake

The Drufle:

Oh.

The Drufle:

I think so, yes.

Ezra:

what about josh ahewhrhrhh

Ezra:

i did it

Seishi Honekawa:

lol

Seishi Honekawa:

oh i should check for the fucking bestiary 4

The Drufle:

Yes please.

Seishi Honekawa:

i forgot about that

The Drufle:

So at the moment, the party has walked out of the temple onto the shore.

The Drufle:

There is water.

The Drufle:

Because drawing is not my strong suit, let me explain what you see.

The Drufle:

The water is very pale in color.

Seishi Honekawa:

i see the earth

Seishi Honekawa:

we're huge

The Drufle:

Most water you've seen is a deep blue-green.

The Drufle:

This water is more like a sickly periwinkle.

Seishi Honekawa:

like hallowed water

The Drufle:

There are no reeds or seaweeds in the water.

Ezra:

"Hmm..."

The Drufle:

The plant life on the shore stops abruptly near the water.

Seishi Honekawa:

"I miss seeing clear water..."

Ezra:

"This water doesn't look drinkable, to say the least."

Ezra:

I throw some grass into the water or something.

Seishi Honekawa:

"You'd think something linked to the plane of water would live in extremely pure water."

The Drufle:

The grass instantly vaporizes as it hits the water.

Seishi Honekawa:

"But nope it's magical pink death water."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Oh god what"

Ezra:

"Yikes. Maybe we shouldn't touch this stuff."

The Drufle:

The water is, at least, incredibly dangerous to plant material.

Seishi Honekawa:

I dip the tip of a shuriken into the water.

Hina Takahashi:

"How could such a huge lake get so contaminated?"

The Drufle:

The shuriken sizzles a bit, but is otherwise fine.

Ezra:

"Some form of magic, I suspect."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Sizzling. It can make metal sizzle!"

Seishi Honekawa:

"Maybe I should summon a dolphin into it."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Fuck dolphins."

Brass:

Hang on a second.

Brass:

On something in a different game.

Ezra:

"I suppose this is why there are no settlements around here."

The Drufle:

Alright.

The Drufle:

Well, that's the thing.

The Drufle:

Now that you're off the temple, you do see tracks and pressed grass around.

The Drufle:

So while there are no settlements, something has been moving around here.

Seishi Honekawa:

Perception Check At-Will • Wis Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + Perception + WisBonus = 9 + 2 + 3 = 14 »

The Drufle:

These tracks don't seem like a typical human's tracks.

The Drufle:

They're significantly larger, and that's about the most you can tell.

Ezra:

"Tracks?"

Seishi Honekawa:

"Can you identify these tracks?"

Seishi Honekawa:

i think survival can be used to track tracks

The Drufle:

Yes.

Ezra:

"Well, they look...human."

The Drufle:

They are heading both directions, however.

Ezra:

"They're very large, though."

Seishi Honekawa:

"But significantly larger."

The Drufle:

As in they walked by here.

Seishi Honekawa:

yes that

The Drufle:

You can't tell which direction they were going.

Ezra:

"Other than this, the land is virtually untouched."

Seishi Honekawa:

Survival Check At-Will • Wis Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + Survival + WisBonus = 2 + 0 + 3 = 5 »

The Drufle:

The tracks are heading west.

Ezra:

"They're...going in all directions. Um...I can't really tell where they're going."

The Drufle:

You are very certain of that.

Seishi Honekawa:

is west left

The Drufle:

Yes.

Seishi Honekawa:

or

Hina Takahashi:

"Those tracks are seriously frightening. How big does something have to be to do that?"

Ezra:

"West? You're certain?"

Ezra:

here i thought crows were talkative

The Drufle:

Normally, yes.

Seishi Honekawa:

"West."

Ezra:

"Lead the way, then."

Seishi Honekawa:

move me drufle

The Drufle:

?

Seishi Honekawa:

i dont really know where to go

The Drufle:

You go left.

The Drufle:

Along the coast.

The Drufle:

Whatever made these tracks was walking right by the water.

Seishi Honekawa:

gottta go fast

Seishi Honekawa:

Perception Check At-Will • Wis Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + Perception + WisBonus = 6 + 2 + 3 = 11 »

The Drufle:

The tracks seem to be leading to the water's edge here.

The Drufle:

The line of tracks head straight for the water and then vanish.

The Drufle:

You can barely see similar tracks squished in the mud under the water.

Seishi Honekawa:

"They went into... that water."

Ezra:

"Anything under there?"

* Ezra rolls: 1d20+7 => 2 + 7 = 9

The Drufle:

Perception?

Ezra:

yes

The Drufle:

You can kinda see depressions in the water.

The Drufle:

They might be the same size as the big tracks? It's hard to tell.

Ezra:

Any structures under the water, maybe?

The Drufle:

Nope.

The Drufle:

Not that you can see, at least.

Tokens dropped onto map 'Grasslands'

The Drufle:

There isn't a whole lot there.

Seishi Honekawa:

oh good that works

The Drufle:

Oh, the drake is coming with you.

The Drufle:

Good to note.

Seishi Honekawa:

"We can always fly over."

Ezra:

"No one normal would just walk under the water like that, we must be on the right track."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Now that those beetles are alive."

Ezra:

"Where would we fly, though, the other side?"

Seishi Honekawa:

"To the center, maybe."

Ezra:

There's nothing in the center, from what we can see, is there?

Seishi Honekawa:

oh good i left an empty spell slot

Seishi Honekawa:

maybe i can find something useful

The Drufle:

Dude, the center is so far out.

Seishi Honekawa:

"I should meditate on this."

The Drufle:

I don't think you quite understood how big this lake is.

The Drufle:

You can't see the other side from where you're standing.

Ezra:

Oh, okay.

Ezra:

Yeah okay I' remembering how big it was on the map now

The Drufle:

Yep.

The Drufle:

So whatever this thing is, it must have some reason to be in the lake of horrible water.

Ezra:

"Well, we've been underwater before..."

Hina Takahashi:

"Yes, but that was normal water."

Hina Takahashi:

"Boiling water, but still normal."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Yes. but we have a magic bus."

Ezra:

I find a rock and drop it in the water.

The Drufle:

It sizzles for a good minute or so, shrinking in size before it dissolves.

Ezra:

"Okay, so that's one plan shot down."

Hina Takahashi:

"Well, the wagon is magic, but I don't want to risk that."

Ezra:

"I don't think the gemsteeds have magical protection, either."

Seishi Honekawa:

nope there

Seishi Honekawa:

's nothing useful

Ezra:

"Urm, any ideas?"

Seishi Honekawa:

I cast detect magic on the water

Hina Takahashi:

"Follow the tracks the other way?"

The Drufle:

This water is, like, super magical.

The Drufle:

So much magic.

The Drufle:

It is actually a kind of magic that hurts your head a bit.

Seishi Honekawa:

Knowledge Arcana Check At-Will • Int Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + KnowledgeArcana + IntBonus = 1 + 4 + 1 = 6 »

Seishi Honekawa:

what school of magic

The Drufle:

Illusion.

Ezra:

Illusion?

The Drufle:

Yep, Seishi is absolutely sure that this is illusion magic.

Seishi Honekawa:

"Illusion?"

Ezra:

"I'm not sure that makes any sense."

Hina Takahashi:

"If that's an illusion, it's a very good one."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Is the water just hiding everything that enters it?"

The Drufle:

Also brb.

Seishi Honekawa:

"Who wants to... touch the water."

Ezra:

Okay, then I dip a bit of rope into the water.

Ezra:

I keep hold of the rope, though.

Bernard Blackbrass:

I activate Detect Hostile Intent. (Why not.)

Seishi Honekawa:

"Oh that's a better, nondangerous idea."

Ezra:

(i do totally have rope bythe way)

Seishi Honekawa:

omg me too

Seishi Honekawa:

rope buddies???

Ezra:

lets tie our ropes together

Ezra:

just the tips though

Seishi Honekawa:

thats knot a bad idea

Ezra:

i rope you like it

Seishi Honekawa:

a hyuck hyuck

Ezra:

tienk you

Seishi Honekawa:

I should've just dipped the zombie

Ezra:

nonsense, we can't waste a perfectly good zombie

Ezra:

we need that to kill things later

The Drufle:

Sorry, got pulled away.

Ezra:

by wallmasters

The Drufle:

So you dip your rope in there?

Ezra:

yes

The Drufle:

How long?

Ezra:

like, an inch, maybe

The Drufle:

No, I mean.

The Drufle:

How long are you keeping it in the water?

Ezra:

Until I see it dissolve

Seishi Honekawa:

one lightyear

Ezra:

then i pull it out again

The Drufle:

It takes about 10 seconds for you to see the rope dissolve.

The Drufle:

When you pull it out of the water, you have one less inch of rope.

Ezra:

"There you go."

Seishi Honekawa:

"This illusion magic is fizzy."

Ezra:

"Unless we have any other ideas, we'll follow the tracks the other way and see what we can find."

Seishi Honekawa:

the party spends 4 hours determining which substance isnt dissolved in the water

Hina Takahashi:

"Yeah, I'm not too comfortable with being near this water."

Ezra:

the secret must be...chalk!

Seishi Honekawa:

"What about that mask..."

Ezra:

im not wasting good chalk though

Ezra:

lets surf on the mask

Seishi Honekawa:

"Shouldn't it resonate or something"

Seishi Honekawa:

"SOmething like that would normally glow, or vibrate."

The Drufle:

Where is Brass?

Ezra:

"Hmm, that's a good idea. Brass, try it out?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

(huh)

Seishi Honekawa:

"Try pointing that mask into the water."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"..."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"I'm not removing it."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Then go face the water."

Seishi Honekawa:

"See if you feel or hear anything."

Ezra:

has sneaky read back does he know what is happening

* Bernard Blackbrass smiles, though that might not be seen, it is felt.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Nope I haven't.

The Drufle:

I can explain quickly, if he needs it.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Sure.

The Drufle:

This water is super magical.

Bernard Blackbrass:

(I won my other game thrice.)

Bernard Blackbrass:

oh god

The Drufle:

Seishi is very sure that the magic is illusion magic.

The Drufle:

The tracks that you've been following seem to go into the water.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Have we tried touching it?

The Drufle:

You've dipped lots of things into it.

The Drufle:

They keep dissolving.

Ezra:

even a rock!!

Bernard Blackbrass:

"We got a stick?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"What is this, acid?"

Ezra:

we put grass, a rock and some rope in

Bernard Blackbrass:

"This scares the crap out of me."

Ezra:

so you know see what the mask does

The Drufle:

It is kind of terrifying, yes.

The Drufle:

And Brass does feel... something with the mask.

The Drufle:

It's kind of hard to describe.

The Drufle:

The mask is kind of compressing against his face without actually moving.

Seishi Honekawa:

its having an orgasm

The Drufle:

It doesn't hurt, but it'd kind of uncomfortable.

The Drufle:

it's*

Bernard Blackbrass:

"This place isn't safe."

Ezra:

What if you get closer

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Definitely not dipping my face in it. Maybe a shadow rift. Sure. Not this."

The Drufle:

Will Brass step closer?

Bernard Blackbrass:

If someone asks him I suppose.

Seishi Honekawa:

"You don't have to dip your face in. Just get closer."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"..."

* Bernard Blackbrass pulls out his deck.

* Bernard Blackbrass draws one card... and immediately hurls it into the water, fast as he can.

The Drufle:

I

The Drufle:

Really?

Bernard Blackbrass:

It's blank I presume.

The Drufle:

It is, yes.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Toss it in.

The Drufle:

One moment.

Ezra:

the deck explodes

Bernard Blackbrass:

Most artifacts can't be destroyed that easily.

Seishi Honekawa:

we all die

The Drufle:

Ok, you're fine.

Ezra:

the water draws the card

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Watch the water everyone."

Bernard Blackbrass:

Brass is metal enough to let the water draw.

The Drufle:

The card dissolves rapidly, but you suddenly see a card appear out of nowhere and return to the deck.

* Bernard Blackbrass steps closer.

The Drufle:

This deck does not enjoy you screwing with its cards.

Bernard Blackbrass:

That's cool. We know it enjoys screwing with us.

The Drufle:

As Brass nears the lake, the compression from the mask increases.

The Drufle:

It still doesn't hurt, but you feel really annoyed for some reason.

* Bernard Blackbrass mutters

Bernard Blackbrass:

"...the fuck am I doing here..."

* Bernard Blackbrass groans, still walking closer.

The Drufle:

Yeah, alright.

The Drufle:

Once you're on the edge of the water, the compression is getting unbearable.

The Drufle:

Again, it doesn't actually hurt.

The Drufle:

You are just really, really angry.

Seishi Honekawa:

I want to push him so bad

* Bernard Blackbrass tries manifesting Entangling Debris on the water.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Make some of it rise and agitate maybe.

Ezra:

"If it's hurting, you can stop."

The Drufle:

There isn't enough stuff in the water to target.

The Drufle:

You do manage to make the water spurt a bit.

Bernard Blackbrass:

*nods* Good.

The Drufle:

The water doesn't really seem to respond.

The Drufle:

It's just water.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"You know... I can't stand that we still have no idea..."

* Bernard Blackbrass turns on his heel smartly

Bernard Blackbrass:

"...no fucking idea what we're doing here!!!"

Seishi Honekawa:

"How about those tracks on the other side..."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"I don't even remember!", Brass roars. "I just meditated and just sleptwalked here!"

Hina Takahashi:

"Are you alright?"

Ezra:

"..."

Ezra:

"Brass, step back here for a moment?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

" 'Are you alright' I'm /peachy/! Don't *you*...", walking toward Ezra with a finger outstretched "/dare/ tell me what..."

Ezra:

"...what?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"...to do... you of all people!"

Bernard Blackbrass:

(To edit out, I was hoping he'd say something about my annoyance.)

The Drufle:

Note that you feel much less annoyed as you leave the waterside.

Bernard Blackbrass:

(Yeah, that.)

Bernard Blackbrass:

"..."

Hina Takahashi:

"You should probably stay away from that water. All of us should, I think."

* Bernard Blackbrass drops his finger, away from Ezra's face.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Whoa."

Ezra:

"That's...very strange."

Ezra:

"Since we can't go through the water, let's follow the tracks the other way."

Hina Takahashi:

"I agree."

The Drufle:

You return to the place where you first found the tracks.

The Drufle:

They're still there, same as ever.

Ezra:

They start here?

The Drufle:

About where you are, yes.

Ezra:

"How can they just start here?"

The Drufle:

They head off in the east.

The Drufle:

No, they don't start there.

The Drufle:

Sorry, I misunderstood that.

The Drufle:

They went in both directions.

Ezra:

On we go then

The Drufle:

Right then.

The Drufle:

The shore continues similarly east, with little difference in landmarks.

The Drufle:

More death water, more pallid plant life.

The Drufle:

The tracks keep moving, though.

Ezra:

Then we keep following.

The Drufle:

Very well.

Ezra:

forever

The Drufle:

One moment.

Ezra:

they loop around the planet

The Drufle:

Drawing.

The Drufle:

Interestingly enough, the lake branches a ways down the coast.

The Drufle:

A thin stream flows into the lake, the color significantly less awful.

Seishi Honekawa:

"What is going *on* with this lake?"

Ezra:

Let's run the usual tests, then

Seishi Honekawa:

CSI: Cosma

Ezra:

rocks, throw rocks in

Seishi Honekawa:

Chronis

Seishi Honekawa:

something something

The Drufle:

With the river water?

The Drufle:

Alright.

The Drufle:

The rock hits the water and sinks to the bottom.

Ezra:

"Okay, so the magic ends here."

Seishi Honekawa:

"What are we going to do *now*?"

The Drufle:

The tracks go along the river.

Seishi Honekawa:

oh

Seishi Honekawa:

why didnt you say so

The Drufle:

Nobody asked.

Seishi Honekawa:

what this

Ezra:

Continue following!

The Drufle:

Alright then.

Seishi Honekawa:

"I should've brought the centipede."

The Drufle:

The party starts walking along the river, probably relieved that the water is normal.

Seishi Honekawa:

is it still in the dojo

Ezra:

it is

The Drufle:

Yes.

Seishi Honekawa:

i wanna bring it out

The Drufle:

What?

The Drufle:

Why?

Bernard Blackbrass:

"I think we should stick another rope in the water and begin trailing it back that way."

Seishi Honekawa:

it's alive??

Bernard Blackbrass:

"No, you should not have, I think."

The Drufle:

Well yes, but why.

Seishi Honekawa:

protection.

The Drufle:

Alright, I suppose.

Ezra:

-we- are our protection

Seishi Honekawa:

and giant fucking centipede

Seishi Honekawa:

cmon

The Drufle:

Just know that having that out will increase your encounter difficulty by a significant amount.

Seishi Honekawa:

i dont want to summon dolphins

Seishi Honekawa:

i want a centipede bridge

Ezra:

we don't have to cross the river!

Seishi Honekawa:

ok

Seishi Honekawa:

pffft

Ezra:

also we could -jump- that cmon

Seishi Honekawa:

follow the track things

The Drufle:

Alright.

The Drufle:

The tracks are easier to follow now that they aren't in weird grubby mud.

The Drufle:

Also, you can see that the tracks seem to be boots of some kind.

Seishi Honekawa:

"And the things are wearing clothes."

Ezra:

are we there yet

The Drufle:

One moment, I need to draw things.

Seishi Honekawa:

can we skip to the end of the tracks

Seishi Honekawa:

survival says one mile

The Drufle:

Yes, that's why I'm drawing.

Ezra:

hey no skipping cutscenes man

The Drufle:

Actually, quick check.

The Drufle:

Golurk, roll another survival check.

Seishi Honekawa:

Survival Check At-Will • Wis Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + Survival + WisBonus = 9 + 0 + 3 = 12 »

The Drufle:

Alright.

Seishi Honekawa:

is the dc 5 or 10

Seishi Honekawa:

i assume 5 because it's muddy

The Drufle:

You're fine, don't worry.

The Drufle:

You also realize that you were following the tracks the wrong way.

The Drufle:

Whatever made these tracks is walking the same direction you are.

Seishi Honekawa:

nande

The Drufle:

As you continue following the tracks, you reach an odd point in the river.

The Drufle:

The water seems to be different again.

The Drufle:

It isn't like the acid water, nor like the normal river water.

The Drufle:

It seems kinda... sparkly.

The Drufle:

Really, this water is weird.

The Drufle:

There's not much else I can say without a check of some sort.

Seishi Honekawa:

water test!

Seishi Honekawa:

"Ezra, if you may."

Ezra:

I drop a rock in.

The Drufle:

It doesn't seem to do anything.

The Drufle:

It looks sorta... wavy though.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"No, seriously, trail a rope through it all."

The Drufle:

Not a bad idea, Brass.

The Drufle:

Which of the party has rope?

Ezra:

I do.

Ezra:

I'm not entirely sure what you're doing though

The Drufle:

Would you like to just drag some rope then?

The Drufle:

He wants to pull the rope through the water to see where the waters change.

Ezra:

Can't we tell by the colour though?

Ezra:

or appearance i guess

Seishi Honekawa:

yeah there's a line

Seishi Honekawa:

I cast detect magic on this sparkly spring water

The Drufle:

Well yes, I suppose.

Seishi Honekawa:

that we should bottle and sell to the highest bidder

The Drufle:

It isn't as instant as I show though.

The Drufle:

This water is just.

Seishi Honekawa:

Knowledge Arcana Check At-Will • Int Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + KnowledgeArcana + IntBonus = 20 + 4 + 1 = 25 »

The Drufle:

Magic.

The Drufle:

So, so, so magic.

The Drufle:

You're pretty sure this water is literally just a river of water magic, and not just water.

Seishi Honekawa:

what school

The Drufle:

It isn't a school you recognize.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Where's the rope bro

Seishi Honekawa:

why isnt school pronounced shool

* Bernard Blackbrass triggers Detect Psionics.

The Drufle:

Unfortunately, this super magic is not psionic.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Spellcraft Check At-Will • Int Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + Spellcraft + IntBonus = 8 + 4 + 5 = 17 »

The Drufle:

You aren't really sure what this water is either, Brass.

The Drufle:

It is some sort of magic that neither of you have ever encountered before.

The Drufle:

So, there isn't much else you can know.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Rope."

The Drufle:

This water isn't actually water, you're fairly sure of that.

Ezra:

"Rope?"

Ezra:

I give Brass my ropes

The Drufle:

Alright then.

The Drufle:

What is Brass doing with this rope?

Seishi Honekawa:

"Now why is there normal water between these two bodies of weird water?"

The Drufle:

Very good question!

The Drufle:

Also, you all notice something odd.

The Drufle:

The water is becoming less sparkly.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Taking part of the rope, dragging it across the surface, with the highest-wisdom team member watching for when the rope changes.

Bernard Blackbrass:

And where.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Of course, i'm watching too, just 'more eyes' while the rest cover this area.

The Drufle:

Right.

The Drufle:

Well, there seems to be a wave of change at the moment.

The Drufle:

The shiny water is progressively becoming less shiny, and turning into what appears to be normal water.

Ezra:

"The effect is fading."

The Drufle:

True!

The Drufle:

Also, the rope isn't doing anything where you're standing.

The Drufle:

As you pass it into the shiny water, though.

Seishi Honekawa:

"Are the two bodies of water cancelling each other out?"

* You roll to yourself: d20+7 => 6 + 7 = 13

The Drufle:

You note that the rope gets very... wavy.

Seishi Honekawa:

the rope turns into pancakes

The Drufle:

As if the rope itself is turning into water.

The Drufle:

It turns right normal as you pass it back into the regular river.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Whoa check it out."

Ezra:

It's fading in that direction, so maybe we should head that way.

Ezra:

And the tracks are still going that way, right?

The Drufle:

Correct.

The Drufle:

The water is still sparkly down in this direction.

Seishi Honekawa:

follow it forever

The Drufle:

How fast is the party moving?

Seishi Honekawa:

skip all the cutscenes

Ezra:

Walking speed, I guess?

The Drufle:

Leisurely stroll, brisk walk?

Seishi Honekawa:

this mystery is getting a little drawn out

The Drufle:

Run?

Seishi Honekawa:

overland travel

Ezra:

I mean, Hina can't move very fast, so as fast as her.

The Drufle:

Alright.

The Drufle:

It takes you about 5 minutes, but eventually you believe you see someone off in the distance.

The Drufle:

Everyone should roll perception.

Ezra:

"What's that...?"

* Ezra rolls: 1d20+7 => 3 + 7 = 10

Hina Takahashi:

Perception Check At-Will • Wis Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + Perception + WisBonus = 2 + 0 + 0 = 2 »

* You roll to yourself: d20+13 => 1 + 13 = 14

The Drufle:

Ah.

The Drufle:

Interesting.

* You roll to yourself: d20+5 => 5 + 5 = 10

The Drufle:

Right, none of you can really see this person.

The Drufle:

But whoever they are, they are tall.

Seishi Honekawa:

Perception Check At-Will • Wis Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + Perception + WisBonus = 11 + 2 + 3 = 16 »

The Drufle:

Seishi can kind of make out some features.

The Drufle:

For instance, this person has a large chest strapped to their back.

Ezra:

we're all short sighted aren't we

The Drufle:

They are probably about 7 to 9 feet tall.

Seishi Honekawa:

is that

The Drufle:

You can't see much else than that.

Seishi Honekawa:

man

Seishi Honekawa:

oh god it's man

Ezra:

what!

The Drufle:

Will the party try and catch up with this person?

Seishi Honekawa:

very yes

The Drufle:

Alright.

Ezra:

"Could the effect be centered on him?"

The Drufle:

Picking up their pace, the party manages to catch up to the large person.

The Drufle:

They can see the person much better now.

The Drufle:

It is a very tall man with short, scruffy hair and a thick black beard.

The Drufle:

He has a toughened plaid shirt on, with various things strewn throughout his many pockets.

The Drufle:

In addition to the chest on his back, there are what appear to be two small canoes strapped to his sides.

The Drufle:

As you approach, he turns to face the party.

Some Big Fella:

"Well, what 'ave we here?"

Seishi Honekawa:

fcking

Seishi Honekawa:

the end is nigh

Seishi Honekawa:

take out your cyanide pills

The Drufle:

You notice now that this man has a beautiful blue gem embedded in one of his pockets.

The Drufle:

It is glowing wildly.

Some Big Fella:

"I don't get many people 'round here!"

Ezra:

"Who are you?"

Seishi Honekawa:

"I... um... you're big."

Some Big Fella:

"Aye, I'm part giant! Good for the bones, ya see."

Some Big Fella:

"Ah, my name is Man. Man O'Barksmasher!"

Some Big Fella:

"Pleasure to meet the lot of you."

Ezra:

he's going to KILL us

Some Big Fella:

"So, what's a group like yas doin' here?"

Ezra:

"We were wondering what's happening to the water here."

Man:

"Ah, sorry, that's probably be'in me."

Man:

"Can't really control it, not sure what's goin' on."

Ezra:

"It's that gem there, isn't it?"

Man:

"Oi, this thing 'ere?"

* Man looks down and pokes the sapphire on his chest.

Man:

"I dunno what it tis, I found it a few years ago. Brings me good luck, though!"

Ezra:

how does he drink water

Seishi Honekawa:

"Where exactly did you get that rock."

Man:

"I found it whilst takin' my daily swim out in the lake, ya see."

Man:

"Decided to go a wee bit deeper that day, felt adventurous."

Man:

"There was a big ol' rock, much bigger than others."

Seishi Honekawa:

now i have a naked Man in my brain images

Seishi Honekawa:

help

Man:

"So I took it wit' me, and when I dropped it on the shoreline it broke!"

Seishi Honekawa:

"D:"

Man:

"This wee little rock was hidin' in there."

Seishi Honekawa:

":D"

Man:

"Brought me great luck ever since!"

Ezra:

"Sounds incredibly dangerous to me."

Bernard Blackbrass:

hm

Man:

"A wee bit, yes."

Seishi Honekawa:

"What have you been doing on the shoreline recently?"

Man:

"Oh, just the usual, ya know."

Man:

"Canoin'."

Bernard Blackbrass:

OH SHIT

Bernard Blackbrass:

CANADA GUY

Seishi Honekawa:

of COURSE

Ezra:

"Oh uh, like canoeing?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Hey, can I see that rock?"

Ezra:

(he's in a canoe as well)

Man:

"Sorry, wee man, this rock is very special to me."

Man:

"Haven't taken it off since the day I got it!"

Seishi Honekawa:

"But it's in your pocket."

Seishi Honekawa:

does that mean he never changes clothes

Seishi Honekawa:

hmm wait well

Ezra:

do -we-

Seishi Honekawa:

were not ones to judge

Seishi Honekawa:

were like cartoon characters

Man:

"Well, it was nice ta meet yas. I've got plenty of canoin' to do, ya know."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Can we go canoin with you?"

Ezra:

We need that stone!

Bernard Blackbrass:

"You know some of this water will kill yo' ass dead right?"

Man:

"What? The water's all fine 'round here."

Man:

"Ain't none of it ever hurt me, ya know."

Man:

"Wee bit shiny, but it don't hurt yas."

Ezra:

Maybe zombie can test that theory

* Bernard Blackbrass focuses Detect Psionics on the guy. Why not.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"...what..."

Seishi Honekawa:

is that token from that webcomic

Seishi Honekawa:

oh yeah it is

Seishi Honekawa:

the one with the guy in the canoe

The Drufle:

He's psionic!

The Drufle:

Just a bit, but Man here is actually psionic.

Seishi Honekawa:

"Would you consider trading for that stone?"

Man:

"Pah, you'd have ta pay up some serious things to take me stone."

* Bernard Blackbrass is losing his shit.

Seishi Honekawa:

someone hold him please

Bernard Blackbrass:

yes please

Seishi Honekawa:

tie him up if we need to

Bernard Blackbrass:

put that back there

Ezra:

"It's really important that we have that stone. The world is in -danger-!"

Ezra:

-dramatic-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-So, what, do we attack him?-

Seishi Honekawa:

"What do you want for that sapphire?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Or recruit him?-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Are you sure that's for this mask?-

Ezra:

-He fits the prophecy perfectly.-

Seishi Honekawa:

"Do you want a magic canoe?"

Man:

"I cannae give up this stone without much of an offer, ya see."

Ezra:

-Even his name. I mean, Man? Come on.-

Man:

"Hm, magic canoe ya say?"

Seishi Honekawa:

-holp-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-I'm gonna fuck him up.-

Man:

"Tempting, but I quite love me stone."

Bernard Blackbrass:

(No one said Brass /likes/ other psions.)

Seishi Honekawa:

"How about candles."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Or chalk?"

Seishi Honekawa:

"Or just money."

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Come on Hina you know you wanna gut him.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-One of you does.-

Seishi Honekawa:

"I'm loaded!"

Hina Takahashi:

-I really don't like this. He seems really strong.-

Man:

"Aye, I can believe that."

Seishi Honekawa:

his power level

Seishi Honekawa:

is over

Man:

"But money means nawthin' to me! I gots all I need!"

Seishi Honekawa:

+9

Ezra:

"The -world-! It's in -danger!!- The very -balance- of the planet itself!"

Seishi Honekawa:

"But a magic canoe!"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Surely there's something you haven't seen yet."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Listen."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"We uh, you're not gonna believe this"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"...but we've been to strange places. Like... as far as Malor."

Seishi Honekawa:

"We know a guy that can make magics. And probably canoes!"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"The sights, not much, but the inhabitants... there are actual elementals."

Seishi Honekawa:

"How about an *animated* canoe"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"And not just earth and water, they got 'mud'."

Man:

"Aye, aye, slow down ya lot. So much talkin' at once."

Man:

"What kind of danger could the world be in, hm?"

Man:

"Everytin' is nice and calm 'round here."

Ezra:

"Wormholes are opening up on Malor, it's only a matter of time!"

Ezra:

I'm gonna bluff check him on this

Seishi Honekawa:

"Explosions. Death. Shattering of the planes themselves."

* Ezra rolls: 1d20+14 => 2 + 14 = 16

Ezra:

i am just awful tonight

The Drufle:

Man doesn't really believe you.

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Guys, calm down!-

Man:

"Nae, I would 'ave heard sometin' like that."

Bernard Blackbrass:

-You have to play to their self-interest.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-That is how Humanity works.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-We are Tieflings and we have to adapt.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Mister Barksmasher."

Ezra:

be the diplomat

Man:

"Yes, little man?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"I go by the name of Bernard Blackbrass..."

* Bernard Blackbrass pulls out his giant axe. "And check this out." Mostly, he's showing off his Massive Arms.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"We are absolutely no strangers to venture."

Seishi Honekawa:

Diplomacy Check At-Will • Cha Roll: (GM Only) « d20 + Diplomacy + ChaBonus = 1 + 4 + 4 = 9 »

Man:

"Of course, of course."

* Man glares at Seishi.

Man:

"Now that ain't much of a look, miss."

Seishi Honekawa:

i rolled a negative 0

Man:

"I'd ask you to keep such gestures to yourself."

Seishi Honekawa:

"caw okay"

* Bernard Blackbrass effortlessly glides in front of Seishi, not /quite/ cutting off her line of sight or Man's, but taking prominence.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Have you ever been to Malor?"

Man:

"Nae, I hear its a terrible place."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"It is, but it does have its sights."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"It's not somewhere i'd send my worst enemy, to be honest."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"But we have braved it, and it was actually a little invigorating. Nutritious, almost."

Man:

"Ah, ye be adventurers yourself! Very good."

Man:

"Well, whatever ye be, I'm afraid I can't quite part with my stone. It's too precious to me."

Man:

"Not withoot some kind 'a real trade, at least."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Well, there's more of us, one of you... more eyes. More weapons. But that's not a threat."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Rather, madness tends to follow us a lot."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Which includes treasure, sights, monsters."

Man:

"Oh, I wouldn'a recommend we fight."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Really it's like... some kind of cosmic multiplier."

Man:

"Dinnae think that would be quite fair."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"No... I think we're done with brawling. You are just going on your own way, so are we."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"I just recommend we merge."

Ezra:

fuuu shun ha

Seishi Honekawa:

yes

Ezra:

its Mass

Seishi Honekawa:

Bran

Man:

"Merge? I dun think that's a very good idea."

Man:

"I like being meself, ya see."

Seishi Honekawa:

canoe canoe

Seishi Honekawa:

do we have canoes

Bernard Blackbrass:

"To see what no one else has seen."

Seishi Honekawa:

anything that looks like a canoe

* Bernard Blackbrass waves his axe about.

Seishi Honekawa:

-i said all that in my head-

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Targus."

Seishi Honekawa:

-i can't really talk to him with that glaring-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Then look aside. Don't look him in the eye.-

Targus:

"Yes?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

-...-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-...I lost my train of thought. I realize Targus probably won't know what to tell him either.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-But, I need you to say something to win him over.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Oh.-

Targus:

"Well, sir Man, I must ask that you comply with the party here."

Targus:

"They mean well, truly."

Ezra:

-Are you suggesting he travel with us?-

Man:

"Is that axe talkin'?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"This is just one magnificent treasure we've found. The soul of an outstanding adventurer has returned to aid us.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Hehe. I do tend to talk out of my axe."

Seishi Honekawa:

-Ninja, ask him if we needs help for anything-

Seishi Honekawa:

*he

Bernard Blackbrass:

-No, he's self-sufficient.-

Seishi Honekawa:

-Maybe he can trade that stone for a service-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Whet his taste for adventure and he will be all over us.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-We will befriend him.-

Man:

"Well, I'd rather keep this to myself."

Seishi Honekawa:

-Hmm yes befriend him witha friendly show of "there are more of us"-

Man:

"If the world really is endin', then my stone will help me beat it!"

Seishi Honekawa:

-Tell him there are three more of those-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Seishi. Shut up.-

Seishi Honekawa:

-YOU shut up

Seishi Honekawa:

-

Bernard Blackbrass:

"This is the time to bind together."

Seishi Honekawa:

streak where are you

Seishi Honekawa:

are you ded

Man:

"Bind? Nae, I kin do well meself."

Ezra:

no

Bernard Blackbrass:

-I am tempted to tell him about the mask's part in this.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-However, I heavily suspect he will try and take it from us.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-We cannot let that happen, and yet he may very well attack to take it.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Do we take this risk?-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-I will know when he has turned hostile instantly.-

Seishi Honekawa:

-We can always trap him in the demiplane-

Seishi Honekawa:

-If it comes to that-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-What, so he can smash my rock collection? Fuck that.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-First we have to get him to trust us to enter.-

Ezra:

-We can ask him if there is anything we could do to obtain the stone.-

Seishi Honekawa:

-You don't even have a rock collection.-

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Shut up Seishi.-

Man:

"Y'all are staring at each other real intently-like."

Man:

"Could ya' stop thinkin' to each other and talk?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Telepathy."

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Yes... that might work.-

* Bernard Blackbrass tries inviting Man.

Seishi Honekawa:

let's make fuck

* Man enters the collective easily.

Man:

-Ya know, this really ain't necessary.-

Man:

-We can talk normal.-

Ezra:

-He's always doing this...-

Seishi Honekawa:

"Gah I'm sorry I offended you, Mister Smasher."

Seishi Honekawa:

"I think we should start over."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Do you live nearby?"

Man:

"Nae, I wander here and there."

Seishi Honekawa:

"You look like a cottage person."

Bernard Blackbrass:

hmmm...

Bernard Blackbrass:

Let's see Unearthly terror.

Seishi Honekawa:

"The path of the nomad, I see."

Seishi Honekawa:

"What's in that curious chest on your back?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

Okay.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Okay.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Fuck this shit.

Man:

"Oh, many things."

Seishi Honekawa:

"You're free to ask about me, Mister Smasher."

Bernard Blackbrass:

Five points into Unearthly Terror.

Man:

"Whatever I need, ya know."

Bernard Blackbrass:

Frightened.

The Drufle:

?

Bernard Blackbrass:

No save.

Seishi Honekawa:

'Hold him down, dragon."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Pin him."

Ezra:

Brass seems to have sprung an attack without telling us.

Bernard Blackbrass:

(Well)

Man:

"Well, I was nae expecting a fight."

Man:

"But if yas want one, ye can have one!"

Seishi Honekawa:

i meant brass

Seishi Honekawa:

brass

Bernard Blackbrass:

Well

Bernard Blackbrass:

I haven't done it yet.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Just OOC musings.

The Drufle:

Well, Seishi did just tell the drake to pin him.

The Drufle:

That is an act of aggression regardless.

Seishi Honekawa:

am i lagging too much

Ezra:

guys be specific when you say -things-

Seishi Honekawa:

i think i'm lagging

Seishi Honekawa:

ban pronouns

Seishi Honekawa:

pronouns sow confusion

The Drufle:

Alright, alright.

Bernard Blackbrass:

But think about it

Bernard Blackbrass:

Frightened, and he can't attack for a bit.

Bernard Blackbrass:

All we'd have to do is corner him, then I hit him one more time

Bernard Blackbrass:

and he's panicked.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Then we take the stone and run.

Seishi Honekawa:

is that thing earlier canon

Seishi Honekawa:

im gonna ask him about canoes

Ezra:

Corner him. In a plain.

Bernard Blackbrass:

I can just talk to you guys if I want.

Bernard Blackbrass:

I can outrun him and spring the power twice.

Seishi Honekawa:

"Heyyyyy! Why are you wearing canoes?"

Seishi Honekawa:

"two of them, even."

Bernard Blackbrass:

It's gonna be a bitch on PP but I can do it.

Ezra:

I think Drufle needs to explain where we are

Ezra:

because im confused

Ezra:

have we attacked? is someone pinned??

Bernard Blackbrass:

Yeah I wanna see the greater terrain.

Ezra:

are you actually doing this or just talking about it

Bernard Blackbrass:

I'm -thinking- it to everyone that isn't Man.

Ezra:

i think drufle's been stolen away again

The Drufle:

No, I'm just watching.

Seishi Honekawa:

drufle are you ded

The Drufle:

Seeing where this is going.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Drufle we want to see a bit more of the terrain.

Seishi Honekawa:

let's make fuck

Man:

"These are my canoes! Great things, ya see."

Bernard Blackbrass:

Which way is the temple, and how do we escape this spot?

The Drufle:

Uh.

Bernard Blackbrass:

And where's Man likely to run if we terrify him?

The Drufle:

The temple is about 10 minutes walk west-northwest of here.

Bernard Blackbrass:

-Heck we could spring the Psicrystal's teleport function if need be, get away with it.-

The Drufle:

Through some thick forest, if a straight line.

Seishi Honekawa:

"Why do you have so many? For your friends?"

Bernard Blackbrass:

-It might actually be worth it, but i'd rather not.-

The Drufle:

Man probably wouldn't run if he had to.

Bernard Blackbrass:

But he will have to.

Man:

"Nae, they're mine!"

Man:

"Good for combat, ya see."

The Drufle:

Well if you say so.

* Bernard Blackbrass pauses his evil planning.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"...combat."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"You mean you got a cannon somewhere."

Man:

"A cannon? Nae, I just use the canoes."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"..."

Man:

"Much better at hitting things."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"... ..."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"You pick up the canoe... and hit people with it."

* The Drufle rolls: d20+20 => 13 + 20 = 33

Bernard Blackbrass:

Drufle: The big issue is us cornering him when he runs.

The Drufle:

You are all very worried by the fact that he uses only canoes as weapons.

The Drufle:

Oh, you won't corner him.

Bernard Blackbrass:

Otherwise we can't do shit if he's running.

The Drufle:

Don't worry about that.

Man:

"Aye! They make like big ol' clubs."

Bernard Blackbrass:

I guess we could take cheap shots but really.

Ezra:

I'm much faster than everyone here, remember.

The Drufle:

Yep.

Man:

"Good for cuttin', too, if ya carve 'em right."

Ezra:

"...what."

Ezra:

"Couldn't you just use an axe?"

Man:

"Aye, but canoes are so much bigger!"

Seishi Honekawa:

"What's your dream-canoe"

Man:

"Much more weight behind 'em."

Man:

"Oh, I already got my best canoe."

Seishi Honekawa:

damn you

* Man swings a large, about 10-foot long canoe out of his chest.

Bernard Blackbrass:

"Can I... try this... canoe?"

Seishi Honekawa:

dream harder you fuck

Bernard Blackbrass:

"I'll let you hold the axe."

Seishi Honekawa:

stop being CONTENTED

Bernard Blackbrass:

"...just..."

Bernard Blackbrass:

"I have to /try/ this."

* Bernard Blackbrass draws closer.

Seishi Honekawa:

life is horrible

Seishi Honekawa:

people need ASPIRATIONS

Ezra:

man won't hold other weapons

Seishi Honekawa:

like CANOES

Man:

"Nae, I don't let anyone touch ol' Treekiller here."

Ezra:

thats a thing

Bernard Blackbrass:

"You have more though."

Man:

"Aye, but this is me best. Nobody touches me best."

Seishi Honekawa:

thats what she said

Ezra:

he sounds serious!

Seishi Honekawa:

"So you have zero problems at all right now."

Seishi Honekawa:

"Not even monster problems?"