The Nightstar Zoo

[21:26] <DarkDM> *Session Begins*
[21:26] <DarkDM> It is dawn, the first official day of the existance of the First Expeditionary Party.
[21:27] * Vargas makes a point of stopping by Archibold for munchies along the way.
[21:27] <DarkDM> Archibold, alone of all the faculty, seems relaxed and much like normal, lacking the business-like mannor of the surprisingly large amount of people awake at this hour.
[21:28] * Gerrod washes up and straps into his armor.
[21:28] * Myriam is packing her stuff once more for another trip out there, beyond that great wall...
[21:28] <DarkDM> Archibald cheerfully provides a sampling of breakfast, as well as a bag of provisions. "Sealed in a wax packet, I call them 'Meals- Ready to Eat!"
[21:29] <Vargas> "MRE?"
[21:29] <DarkDM> There's two dozen MREs in there. And indeed, it's stamped on the wax.
[21:29] * Vargas snags'em well at least as many as Archibald will allow.
[21:29] <DarkDM> Archibald provides only what he gives.
[21:30] * Weaver sits in her room and does her morning studies before heading out to find breakfast
[21:31] <DarkDM> The other people in the wing appear to be discussing something. Shortly afterwards, stewards gather nearly everyone into the dining room hall, which is then shut. Notably, the primary and secondary level kids aren't there...
[21:32] * Gerrod polishes a part of his helm with the edge of his sleeve.
[21:33] <DarkDM> The faculty members aren't there either. A serious looking man dressed in leathers, flanked by two similiarly dressed members of the Patrol are waiting. A simple breakfast is layed out, and then the stewards usher themselves out.
[21:33] * Weaver gulps
[21:33] <DarkDM> You notice that Violet Chebager has apparently returned to school, sitting amongst the people.
[21:34] * Vargas nods to the patrol members.
[21:34] <DarkDM> The man with grey streaks in his hair appears vaguely familiar.
[21:34] * Calli has joined #darkic
[21:34] * Myriam serves herself a good breakfeast in preperation to the trip, and joins by Vargas' side. "What do you think's happening?"
[21:34] * Weaver squints at the man through her glasses
[21:34] * Calli is now known as Violet
[21:35] <Vargas> "I am not entirely sure but we'll find out."
[21:35] <Vargas> "Good day gentlemen."
[21:35] <DarkDM> "I am Colonel Nevin, head of the Patrol." He says without preamble.
[21:36] * Weaver eats her meal, steathily slipping food into her cloths to take Frankie later..
[21:36] <DarkDM> "I am now your direct superior."
[21:36] <DarkDM> He glances at a scroll he holds.
[21:36] * Gerrod drums his fingers on the table and stares blankly at the Colonel.
[21:36] * Myriam blinks curiously.
[21:36] * Vargas suddenly stiffens a bit more to attention.
[21:36] <Vargas> "Yes sir!"
[21:36] * Violet , short and small for a human, busily shoves down enough food for a person three times her size. Then chokes and reaches for water.
[21:37] * Weaver glances at Violet and whispers, "You okey?"
[21:37] * Violet nods, and coughs a bit while trying (and failing) to retain some measure of dignity.
[21:38] <Violet> "The announcement just *hack* startled me, 's all."
[21:38] <DarkDM> "The members of the First Expeditionary Party are: Chebager, Violet; Ekaren, Gerrod; Salem, Myriam; Tamias, Weaver; Vannold, Vargas."
[21:38] <DarkDM> "The members of First Expeditionary Support will be..." He glances at the names and does a quick mental headcount. "The rest of you."
[21:39] * Violet blinks and does a quick mental headcount as well.
[21:39] * Gerrod waves his finger around in a circular motion.
[21:39] <Gerrod> "Joy."
[21:39] <Weaver> "Pardon sir... but what do you mean Support?"
[21:40] * Vargas glances at Gerrod.
[21:40] <Gerrod> "Think he means in case we have to get ourselves out of the frying pan, they make sure we don't wind up in the fire."
[21:40] <DarkDM> "The First Expeditionary Party is responsible for initial breach and exploration. Their support is intended to ensure they have a secure area to retreat to."
[21:40] * Myriam blinks, and takes a bite of breakfeast. She looks at Violet, tiltign her head. "She's with us?"
[21:41] * Gerrod helps himself to a few items for breakfast as well.
[21:41] <Weaver> "Thank you sir..."
[21:41] <Violet> "In other words, they're keeping house. Er, tent."
[21:41] <Violet> "Good to know."
[21:41] <Myriam> "Great..."
[21:41] * Violet takes another long drink and lets out one last feeble cough.
[21:42] <DarkDM> "You will all remain unranked civilians, and technically under Patrol command. You will find that your interactions with the Patrol will most likely be the trickling down of orders from...others."
[21:42] <Vargas> "understood."
[21:43] * Violet furrows her eyebrows a bit at the mention of 'others' but remains silent.
[21:43] * Myriam rolls her eyes. "Riiight..."
[21:43] <DarkDM> "As unofficial members of the Patrol, you are now authorized to know that we have a functional base at the Observatory. While Militia presence there is publicly maintained as a means to keep the publicly accessible tower secure, we have a limited teleportation device in an underground bunker."
[21:44] <DarkDM> "That, in essence, is Patrol Headquarters."
[21:44] <Weaver> "a functioning teleportation d-d-evice"
[21:45] * Weaver eyes widen with joy
[21:45] * Myriam gives a low whistle. "That coudl save us some time."
[21:45] * Gerrod glances at Weaver.
[21:45] * Vargas sideglances weaver and eats breakfast.
[21:45] * Violet coughs again and takes another drink and nodnodnods.
[21:45] <DarkDM> "Our orders are simple. You will, over the course of an hour, assemble at the southern edge of town. There, a Patrol will direct you to the tower, and the base."
[21:46] * Myriam eyes Weaver. "What's got you that exited?"
[21:46] <DarkDM> "At that time, you will proceed with your individual tasks, and Dr. Serpenhelm will provide further information."
[21:46] <Gerrod> "Do we get any operational fees? From what I gather from this lot," he jabs a thumb in Vargas' direction, "I'd probably need a proper axe down there."
[21:46] <Weaver> "It's a teleportation device! Have you even studied the magic theorums behind such a construction?"
[21:47] * Gerrod makes a face at the mention of magic.
[21:47] <DarkDM> "My best guess is you'll spend the coming night there, then be sent towards the West, towards our encampment there."
[21:47] <Weaver> "to examine one.... nay to even experience the magic it must chanel..."
[21:47] * Weaver sighs wistfully
[21:47] <Violet> "Whoa whoa whoa. Save your awe for the real deal."
[21:47] <Vargas> "If a hatchet and longsword is good enough for us your arms will do."
[21:47] * Myriam ponders... "Not exactly... But if it gets you like that, it must be something..."
[21:48] * Weaver blushs, "Sorry I just really love powerful magic devices..."
[21:48] <Violet> "And yer legs!"
[21:49] <DarkDM> "The Patrol maintains a functional connection to the Academy. However attempts to transfer life has been...messy. Any gear you can aqquire here, you can aqquire at HQ. You may receive a small stripend in exchange for your services, and you will have access to our mundane armories."
[21:49] <Weaver> "The majority of our studies is just mimmicking things that already occur in nature to suit our needs after all"
[21:49] * Gerrod sighs and resumes eating his breakfast.
[21:49] <DarkDM> "Of course, that is up to the Quartermaster."
[21:49] <Violet> "That's all right and all, Weavie, but you were starting to drift off into the Astral there, you were so starry-eyed."
[21:49] <DarkDM> "This is all. Enjoy your breakfast. I will see you in an hour."
[21:49] * Gerrod salutes with his fork and continues eating.
[21:50] * Myriam sighs. "Why do I feel liek we've just joined the army all of the sudden?"
[21:50] * Weaver looks left... then right and whispers to Myriam, "Psst... what did he say I wasn't paying attention"
[21:50] * Myriam blinks, and giggles.
[21:50] <Vargas> "Understood, and thank you."
[21:51] * Weaver gives Myriam a serious look and smirks, "Im serious! Your not helping"
[21:51] <Myriam> "He said we shoudl all meet up at the southern edge of town in one hour. Then they'll lead us to the tower, and then to camp."
[21:51] <Weaver> "Ooooooooohhhh..."
[21:52] <Weaver> "I can't believe they are gonna let us play with a teleporter!"
[21:52] * Gerrod coughs.
[21:52] * Weaver giggles and rushs through the rest of her breakfast and asks to be excused
[21:52] <Violet> "I didn't think teleporters had much to play with."
[21:52] <Gerrod> "I don't think they're going to let you near the teleport thing with a ten foot pole, the way you're going on about it now."
[21:53] <DarkDM> Your fellow students are rather subdued, including even Maraga.
[21:53] * Myriam sighs, a bit bored. "It's probably like all teleportation there is..."
[21:53] <Violet> "Now, give me something with a bit more oomph..."
[21:53] <Gerrod> "And didn't he just say it gets messy with living things?"
[21:53] * Myriam looks at Violet. "And what about you? You do knwo where we're going, and what you're suposed to do, huh?"
[21:53] <Vargas> "you did hear the part about living matter teleportation getting messy, correct?"
[21:54] * Gerrod finishes eating and tucks his helmet on.
[21:54] * Sammi has joined #darkic
[21:54] * Myriam shruggs. "Whatever..."
[21:54] <Violet> "Um...sorta? I wasn't there when it -happened-, granted."
[21:54] <Violet> "It seems a bit too much...ooh, the shinies..."
[21:54] <Myriam> "They're the bosses... They're the one tellign us what to do..."
[21:55] * Sammi is now known as Weaver2
[21:55] <Gerrod> "Vargas, how much we got left from selling the lizard to Archy?"
[21:55] * Myriam sighs, and follows up with a grin. "Untill we go past the end of the world again."
[21:55] <Weaver2> "Maybe we could test the teleporter using Gerrod.."
[21:55] <Violet> "And we fall off! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeee!"
[21:55] * Gerrod raises an eyebrow at Weaver.
[21:55] <Vargas> "We split it up 200 each."
[21:55] * Myriam giggles.
[21:56] <Vargas> "I do not know what you did with your share."
[21:56] <Gerrod> "Guess I'll check my room."
[21:56] <DarkDM> Ian wanders off with some of the others, and pauses to ruffle Weaver's hair. "Guess you don't get a makeover anytime soon, huh?"
[21:56] * Weaver has quit IRC (Ping Timeout)
[21:56] * Weaver2 is now known as Weaver
[21:56] * Weaver blushs a bit and shakes her head "Guess not"
[21:56] <DarkDM> Kris and Big J remain behind, eating.
[21:56] * Gerrod pushes away from the table and heads out of the hall.
[21:57] * Weaver goes to get her backpack, and Frankie..
[21:57] * Myriam resist the badger tune trick...
[21:58] * Violet meanders back to her dorm room and gets her stuff.
[21:59] <Vargas> "She's a spell slinger isn't she Myriam?"
[21:59] <DarkDM> Collecting their gear, the various students inconspiciously head south in their own groups, looking like yet another group of foolhardy young'uns off on some wild adventure.
[22:01] <Myriam> "With that kind of size, she's not waving a sword around..."
[22:01] <Weaver> "I dunno she might be fast"
[22:01] <Vargas> "She in any of your classes...."
[22:03] <DarkDM> There, a standard sized half-dozen Patrol members escort the fifteen students towards the observatory.
[22:03] * Myriam ponders for a minute. "Magic casting, yes."
[22:03] <Weaver> "Yah she's in some I think"
[22:03] <DarkDM> As always, the abrupt progression from Forest terrain to Mountainous terrain goes unoticed and uncommented on.
[22:04] <DarkDM> The observatory, no matter how often seen, still remains an awe inspiring sight.
[22:04] <DarkDM> It stretches straight up in the air, without any sort of slope to its round walls.
[22:04] <DarkDM> Truely a marval of arcane engineering.
[22:05] * Weaver rubs her arms and looks all a twitter, "Do you know how long it took them to construct the tower?"
[22:05] <DarkDM> The top, as most will know (this being a public area), is a simple open air platform, seemingly unfinished. It is almost as if the tower was placed, section by section, until they gave up and added a railing.
[22:05] * Gerrod shades his eyes as he looks up.
[22:05] <Gerrod> "Way too long."
[22:06] <Violet> "I'm sure I could find the duration, but yeah, I'm going with him on this one."
[22:07] <Myriam> "Who cares how long it took them to build? I want to know how long it'll take to scale it..."
[22:07] <DarkDM> The area is surrounded by an iron fence, with a small Militia base within to the side. To the other, a building intended for visitors to rest and other activities.
[22:07] <Weaver> "My dad took me to the top once.."
[22:07] <DarkDM> The Patrol leads the group into the Militia base, and down a flight of stairs.
[22:07] <Gerrod> "So the plan is we stay here overnight before heading to the edge, right?"
[22:07] <Vargas> "I think everyone's dad took'em to the top once."
[22:07] <DarkDM> The Militia let the group pass without comment.
[22:07] <Gerrod> "Never saw the top myself."
[22:08] * Weaver looks abashed and goes silent just following the group down the steps
[22:08] <Violet> "I think Dad did something naughty at the top once...or was that Mum...."
[22:08] <DarkDM> The base is smooth walled, made of grey stone blocks from the quarry.
[22:08] * Vargas quirks a brow, "Naughty?"
[22:08] <Myriam> "... Violet... Too much information."
[22:08] <DarkDM> (And that's another reason they have law enforcers stationed here
[22:09] * Violet shrugs. "They go all quiet when I ask. So it's gotta be that."
[22:09] <DarkDM> The Patrol members are replaced by some others, who show each group their rooms.
[22:10] * Vargas quietly observes.
[22:10] <DarkDM> They are simple affairs, a desk, a bed, a chair, a closet. Unlike the dorms, there is no common room, and all rooms open into corridors. Also unlike the dorms, the furniture are of considerably higher quality...so that's where the tax dollars go...
[22:11] * Gerrod flops onto a bed and begins sharpening his axe with a newly acquired whetstone.
[22:12] <DarkDM> No sharing bathrooms either, though that means they're smaller than back at the dorms...
[22:12] <DarkDM> ...the tradeoff of privacy.
[22:12] * Vargas grins like a fiend.
[22:12] <Violet> "Oooooh..."
[22:12] <Violet> "SHINY!"
[22:13] <DarkDM> The layout of the base is simple. There is a barracks, a storeroom, a mess hall, and operations, which is connected to this mysterious secret teleporter.

_________________
"How dare you! I know evil is bad, but come on! Eating kittens is just plain... plain wrong! And no one should do it! EVER!"

* Weaver puts her gear away and peeks out of her room devlishly wondering where the teleporter is..
* Violet debates testing whether the theory for the tower's height is true...and decides the chance to see NEW SHINIES is better than possibly getting kicked out.
* Gerrod tucks the whetstone back into his beltpouch.
* Myriam admires the room, setting her stuff up. "Now this is much beter..."
* Weaver tries to give herself a tour...
* Violet flumps onto another bed.
<DarkDM> Everyone is intercepted by a Patrol member who directs them towards the ops room. It's late now, and as the party approached the tower, the sun was beginning to dip...
[22:18] * Weaver goes to the ops room with Frankie..
[22:18] * Gerrod follows shortly after laying out his weapons on his bed.
[22:18] * Myriam follows...
[22:18] * Violet shuffles along to the ops room too.
[22:18] <DarkDM> The dean, as well as the Colonel and a few other members of the Faculty and Patrol are there.
[22:19] * Vargas pokes his head out and follows, "Careful not to get in their way."
[22:19] <DarkDM> The escorts gesture for the party to join the others around the conference table in the briefing room.
[22:19] * Weaver edges up to the table..
[22:19] <DarkDM> The ops room itself appears to center around a map, though it appears the Patrol are trying to think of a way to create a new one.
[22:19] * Myriam gulps...
[22:20] * Gerrod saunters up to the table and tugs off his helmet.
[22:20] * Vargas procedes to the conference room, hat in hand.
[22:20] <DarkDM> "Ah, there you are." The dean finishes his discussion with the Colonel, and gestures at the 5 empty seats.
[22:20] <DarkDM> "Sit down."
[22:20] * Gerrod flops into a seat.
[22:20] * Vargas has a seat.
[22:20] * Myriam sits down quickly.
[22:20] <DarkDM> He holds up the two keystones.
[22:20] * Violet sits.
[22:21] <DarkDM> "The diffrence between these, apparently, is that the marked one is aligned only to a particular gate."
[22:22] <DarkDM> "This is somewhat disturbing, as that would imply other connections to our fair world."
[22:22] * Gerrod raises an eyebrow.
[22:22] * Vargas forrows a brow thoughtfully.
[22:22] <DarkDM> "Thus, for now, you will use the limited keystone to open and explore beyond the West. The Patrol will circle our world and see if any other gates open."
[22:23] * Myriam raises an eyebrow...
[22:24] <DarkDM> "Do not get used to these living quarters. It is hardly large enough for our purpose...we are in the process of upgrading the connection from here to the Academy, and you well be back in your own rooms soon enough."
[22:24] <Gerrod> "What about ways to seal the gates?"
[22:24] <DarkDM> "That is beyond our comprehension or abilities. This is why you are going to explore."
[22:24] * Weaver blinks, "If we seal them we can learn nothing eh?"
[22:24] * Myriam frowns at Gerrod...
[22:25] * Vargas nods.
[22:25] <DarkDM> "As it is, the current connection has...become unstable with our recent tinkering. It's possible we will have to shut it down and begin anew."
[22:25] <Gerrod> "I'm being a realist here. If we open up a gate to something unpleasant, I'd rather not be sung as one of those who brought ruin the the world."
[22:25] <Violet> "Sealing the gates? Well, I can see sealing all but the ones that are being scouted...but just cutting ourselves off from something like this?"
[22:25] <DarkDM> One of the other faculty members, a man with wild hair and unkempt appearance mutters under his breath.
[22:25] * Weaver tilts her head at the man..
[22:26] <DarkDM> The dean frowns at him and says sharply, "Yes, that is possible, Trevor, but unlike HEL, we cannot risk rebuilding this facility again and again."
[22:27] * Vargas bites his tongue on a comment.
[22:27] <DarkDM> He shakes his head. "In anycase, at dawn tomorrow you will depart through the teleporter, and arrive at the West encampment. There, you will go through and attempt to reach the end of the tunnel. Once again, if you are in trouble, lead them back to us."
[22:28] <DarkDM> "Your fellows will be securing the tunnels on this end.
[22:28] * Myriam nods...
[22:28] <DarkDM> "That is all. You're free to join the others at the mess hall for dinner now."
[22:28] * Vargas nods.
[22:28] <DarkDM> The Colonel adds, "Unless you have questions?"
[22:29] * Gerrod shrugs.
[22:29] <Weaver> "S-s-ir.."
[22:29] * Weaver raises her hand
[22:29] * Vargas glances at weaver.
[22:29] * Myriam looks at Weaver
[22:29] <DarkDM> The some of the people around the table are easily some of the most important people in the population, and the others are probably of some import as well.
[22:30] <DarkDM> "Go ahead."
[22:30] * Gerrod drops his face into his palm.
[22:30] * Violet murmurs to Vargas and Gerrod "Three guesses, and the first two don't count."
[22:30] <Weaver> "Should we setup a signaling device at the entry, incase the situation becomes more than we or the support group can handle?"
[22:30] * Violet blinks in surprise.
[22:30] * Gerrod looks up in surprise as well.
[22:30] <DarkDM> The Colonel looks amused.
[22:30] * Myriam blinks in surprise.
[22:30] <Violet> "And I thought you were going to request permission to drool over the transporter! Say, that's a pretty good idea, the signals."
[22:31] <Weaver> "Hey... thats a private question..."
[22:31] * Weaver looks down
[22:31] <Myriam> "... Okay, who are you, and what did you do with the real Weaver?"
[22:31] <DarkDM> The dean speaks. "The Patrol have had remote communications devices for at least two generations now. Unfortuntely, our recent tests show that going the slightest bit beyond the edge of our world causes them to cease to function. We are working on a solution back at the Academy."
[22:32] * Weaver nods slightly, "So someone with the patrol will be able to relay if the situation is dire.."
[22:32] <DarkDM> "Unfortuntely, given our current inability to interface with the mystery material, we may never be successful techniques."
[22:32] <Violet> "Another question, sir."
[22:32] <Weaver> "If its about the teleporter I got dibs"
[22:32] * Violet sticks out her tongue. "No. It's about the communicators."
[22:32] <DarkDM> Dr. Doogle, the wild haired professor, looks about to say something then thinks better of it.
[22:32] <Violet> "May I?"
[22:32] <DarkDM> "Ask."
[22:33] * Weaver mutters, "You just dont appreciate fine magic devices"
[22:33] * Myriam sighs, and crosses her arms, a bit bored now...
[22:33] <Violet> "It's known that the communication devices don't work between here and groups beyond the 'edge.' But what about between a group and a relay person or group located just past the edge, which could then make it back within our borders and send to you?"
[22:34] <DarkDM> The dean is looking impatient, though the Colonel maintains a somewhat detached, amused mannor.
[22:34] <DarkDM> The Colonel coughs, and glances at the assembled mages next to him.
[22:35] <DarkDM> "Two devices, an inch apart, with one beyond the edge, fails to function."
[22:35] <Gerrod> "Tell ya what, we make a little pouch for the stone, tie it around the badger's neck, and at the first sign of trouble we send the little bugger scampering back to the support team while we die painful and gruesome deaths."
[22:35] <DarkDM> Dr. Doogle snaps "You think we're stupid?"
[22:35] <Violet> "What about two devices, one a mile in, another an inch in?"
[22:35] <Weaver> "One other question s-sir... "
[22:35] <Vargas> "I am NOT sending my key back to this realm out on a badger."
[22:35] * Vargas glances at Gerrod.
[22:35] * Myriam facepalms...
[22:35] <Violet> "And then the group with the closer one goes back in, since it's quick?"
[22:35] <DarkDM> He's shushed by Prof Droverson (female) next to him.
[22:36] <Weaver> "how many days should we be out in the beyond, before returning to check in?"
[22:36] <Weaver> "I assume varied lengths the earlier ones being shorter?"
[22:36] <Weaver> "I just want to know how long we can be gone.. before we are deemed lost"
[22:36] * Gerrod throws his hands up and sinks back into his chair.
[22:37] <DarkDM> The dean looks somewhat annoyed, though his voice is as calm and emotionless as always. "Our communications device cease to function beyond the border."
[22:37] <DarkDM> "The way they are created causes them to fail."
[22:37] <Violet> "Oh..."
[22:37] * Violet looks around sheepishly.
[22:38] * Myriam sighs...
[22:38] <Gerrod> "Right, looks like time for dinner then."
[22:38] <DarkDM> The Colonel nods at Weaver. "You have two weeks for this initial expedition, a week in, a week out. Beyond that, we will send in re-enforcements." He looks about to say more, but doesn't.
[22:38] <Violet> "Uh, yeah, right. I'm starving!"
[22:38] * Vargas glances at Gerrod.
[22:39] * Gerrod spins out of his chair, gives everyone a quick salute, and escapes out of the room before any other questions are raised.
[22:39] * Violet is glad for the change of topic, and focus.
[22:39] * Weaver nods "Thank you sir... nothing further from me..."
[22:39] <Violet> "Yes sir-- HEY! You better leave some for MEEEEEEE!"
[22:39] * Weaver drops into a quick curtsey, holding her overweight badger rather clumsily and heads out of the room..
[22:39] * Violet pounds down the hallway after Gerrod.
[22:39] * Myriam giggles.
[22:39] <DarkDM> The various people around the table regard the party, waiting for them to leave before resuming their discussion.
[22:40] * Vargas stands and nods.
[22:40] <Vargas> "Thank you."
[22:40] * Vargas steps out.
[22:40] * Myriam stands up, and bows to the superiors in respect before turning around and running after the others.
[22:40] * Weaver says to Vargas, "You do realize, after that they think we are completely and utter nincomputs"
[22:41] <Myriam> "and who do we have to thank for?"
[22:41] <DarkDM> As you pass, you notice some Patrol members around the ops table apparently organizing the neutralization of what, from the looks of the figurine, to be one horrendous monster.
[22:41] * Gerrod begins piling the food onto his plate.
[22:41] * Vargas responds, "You do realize my father was in this job."
[22:41] <Weaver> "what?"
[22:42] * Violet has already piled food on and is busy stuffing her face. Brings new meaning to 'fast food.'
[22:42] * Gerrod starts to eat and drink his full.
[22:42] * Weaver picks at her meal, and feeds Frankie plenty..
[22:42] * Myriam eyes Violet. "Carefull, sweetheart, your food's not gona run away, you know?"
[22:42] <Gerrod> "You know," he says between mouthfuls, "you really should consider what I said."
[22:43] <DarkDM> The mess hall consists of a dozen or so small tables (enough for about a half-dozen people) scattered about, with a cutout in a wall forming a counter to the kitchen.
[22:43] * Vargas eats in a sedate fashion.
[22:43] <Weaver> "What was that?"
[22:43] <Vargas> "Lt. Vannold."
[22:43] <Vargas> "That was my father."
[22:43] <Vargas> "and this..."
[22:43] <DarkDM> The food is not good. Plain, balanced, healthy diet.
[22:43] * Myriam raises an eyebrow...
[22:43] <DarkDM> Kris and Big J are argueing with one of the cooks about being allowe seconds.
[22:44] * Vargas pulls out his shortsword, "Was one of his."
[22:44] <Violet> "I wonder, if I find...*snarf* a neat familiar over there, can it come back *glrobmh* over here with me?"
[22:44] <Violet> "'Ey...no weapons at'ta dinner table..."
[22:44] * Myriam 's face turns at the look of the food, suddenly wishign she was back where she was, testing new receipees...
[22:44] <Gerrod> "If and when we run into something too big for us, the support team, and whatever Patrol members are guarding the gate to handle, we should get the key as far away and back onto this side as quickly as possible."
[22:45] <Myriam> "And what if we beat the things, and get stuck on this side?"
[22:45] <DarkDM> On a nearby table, 4 Patrol members laugh. Just some people unwinding. Notably, there's a chipmunk eating a cookie on the table.
[22:46] * Gerrod points a fork at Weaver.
[22:46] <Gerrod> "Can't you talk to your badger or something? I've seen some of the other guys do trick with their pets along those lines."
[22:46] <Vargas> "He has a whole lotta them."
[22:46] <Vargas> "At least it won't be boring."
[22:47] * Myriam starts hummign the badger song to herself, eating the good slowly, trying to ignore the taste (or lack of taste).
[22:47] <Weaver> "I talk to Frankie all the time, but I dont know if it'd be wise to let him have hte key"
[22:48] <Weaver> "He might think it's a game.."
[22:48] * Vargas gets down a fair fill and leans back in his chair, washing it down with a drink.
[22:48] * Gerrod shakes his head.
[22:48] <Gerrod> "Right, fine, we do this the sloppy way and hope we don't run into the lord of all evil while we're at it."
[22:49] <Violet> "You seem to like worst-case scenarios."
[22:49] <DarkDM> Kris and Big J give up, rejoining Arabeth, Maraga, and Jan at a table. Maraga glances up as they do, and gives Violet a little wave.
[22:49] * Violet grins and waves back
[22:49] * Gerrod nods at the others.
[22:49] <Vargas> "What sort of song is that? It sounds like the same bars over and over?"
[22:49] <Myriam> "Gerrod is paranoid. Next thign we'll know, he'll starts tellign us green headed creatures tried to suck his brain."
[22:49] * Vargas quirks a brow curiously.
[22:50] <Gerrod> "I prefer to be pleasantly surprised."
[22:50] <Violet> "Paranoid."
[22:50] <Vargas> "It would be unfashionable to wear a great thing on your head, even if it was a monster...."
[22:50] <Weaver> "anyway usually in battles.. Frankie gets cranky and attacks bad people.."
[22:51] <Gerrod> "We're running past the end of the world, what do you expect?"
[22:51] <Vargas> "I expect to go down in history."
[22:51] <Vargas> "that's what."
[22:51] <Violet> "Me? A cliff, and a biiiiiiiig drop. But it sounds like that's not the case."
[22:51] * Gerrod stares at Vargas.
[22:52] <Violet> "...now, if there's something at the bottom..."
[22:52] <Vargas> "Badgers."
[22:52] * Weaver looks up rather wistfully, "What if somewhere on the other side, there's a nother group just like us?"
[22:52] <Weaver> "I mean what if they are gonna explore to and they are just like us wouldn't that be something?"
[22:52] * Weaver glances around
[22:53] <Gerrod> "We're about to go where no other soul before us has gone before, warned against unknown perils and a possible threat to everything we /do/ know, and you're concerned about fame?"
[22:53] * Myriam shakes her head at Violet. "It's nothing liek a drop.. more liek a pure white corridor that goes very far."
[22:53] <Violet> "Or maybe we're going where every other soul has gone before?"
[22:53] <Violet> "Or..."
[22:53] * Violet grimaces. "What if we end up in the Abyss?
[22:54] <Weaver> "what'd be really creepy is if we went through the corridor the whole way and came back through the other side.."
[22:54] * Vargas asides to Myriam, "Talk about a blessing, she'll keep Gerrod's mind to locked to obsesses about certain furries."
[22:54] <Weaver> "Professor... uhhh whatshisname had a theory that the world is cubed"
[22:54] * Myriam shakes her head. "You guys worry too much."
[22:54] * Gerrod grunts and stands up.
[22:54] <Violet> "...just thinking about that makes my head hurt."
[22:55] <Gerrod> "I'm retiring for the night."
[22:55] * Gerrod leaves for his quarters.
[22:55] <Myriam> "Sleep well, crazy man! Don't let the bed bugs eat you alive!"
[22:55] <Weaver> "you know... if he doesn't like my theorums he could just say so"
[22:56] * Vargas gets up and says to Myriam, "yeah yeah, insert obligatory facetious pickup attempt and witty counters."
[22:56] * Vargas goes off to his room.
[22:57] * Myriam giggles, and shakes her head. "Good old Vargas..."
[22:57] <Violet> "Yeah, I'm going to go lay down. Theorizing is making my head hurt. And tomorrow's a big day."
[22:57] * Myriam gets up and heads to her own room, hummign a tune. "Sleep well then."
[22:57] * Violet takes care of her dishes and then toddles off to bed.
[22:58] * Weaver sighs and heads off to bed as well, holding Frankie up to her face, "you dont think my theories are stupid, do ya?"
[22:58] <DarkDM> The night passes uneventfully, though light sleepers will realize that the Patrol never seems to have an inactive period.
[22:59] <DarkDM> Dawn, err, dawns.
[22:59] * Vargas gets up early and waits outside his door for the others after freshening up.
[22:59] * Weaver prepares her spells, and gets her gear ready..
[22:59] * Gerrod rises early to wash up and strap on his armor.
[23:00] * Myriam stretches, and does her mornign routine, enjoying the private bathroom.
[23:01] <DarkDM> The party assembles in the ops room after a quick breakfast, and are met by Nerisatris, who is bright and cheerful. Her bright and cheerfulness seems to be wearing down on the Patrols in the ops room, who rightfully feel no one should be so chipper this early in the morning.
[23:01] * Violet washes up, checks that everything's in order, and otherwise prepares for the day before going to the ops room.
[23:01] <DarkDM> "Hullo! My, how nice you all look. Isn't this exciting? Now, I just have to do one thing..."
[23:01] <DarkDM> She pats herself over, searching for something in her gown.
[23:02] * Gerrod frowns at Nerisatris' attitude.
[23:02] * Vargas quirks a brow.
[23:02] <DarkDM> "Aha!" She pulls out five necklaces. Simple twine affairs with a small crystal hanging on it. There appears to be something in the crystal.
[23:02] * Weaver tilts her head feeling curious
[23:02] * Myriam eyes her. "Hum... Right..."
[23:02] <DarkDM> "One each! And then you get to see the teleporter!"
[23:02] * Violet peers at the crystals
[23:02] <Vargas> "Interesting...."
[23:03] <Weaver> "Oooh the teleporter.... I've always wanted to examine one.."
[23:03] * Myriam raises an eyebrow.
[23:03] * Gerrod takes a necklace and examines it in the light.
[23:03] * Weaver takes the necklace offered her and puts it on without question, knowing she has plenty of time later on to examine it...
[23:03] <DarkDM> She hands them out. "Just something to log your progress with. And, err, identify your bodies, but let's not dwell on that. Let's go to the teleporter room!"
[23:03] <DarkDM> Gerrod finds that it's a fine crystal, nothing in it at all.
[23:04] * Vargas pops it on.
[23:04] * Violet exchanges worried glances at that 'identify your bodies' bit. If the others have glances to exchange, that is.
[23:04] * Violet loops it over her head.
[23:04] * Weaver rubs her hands together, barely able to contain her excitement over the teleporter
[23:04] <DarkDM> The pretty young professor leads the way to an attached room.
[23:04] * Myriam takes the pendant, and eyes it. She mutters to Vargas. "What do you mean 'identify our bodies'? To make sure we have the rigth names on our tombs?"
[23:04] * Vargas grins wryly.
[23:04] * Gerrod loops the necklace around his belt and follows her to the teleporter.
[23:04] <Vargas> "Means don't go boom."
[23:05] <Violet> "If I go boom, expect there to be several singed corpses to be ID'd along with me. Not you guys, I mean."
[23:05] <Gerrod> "Better not wear it around your neck, in case something takes your head."
[23:05] * Gerrod makes a cutting motion across his neck.
[23:05] <Violet> "I'M not going down without a fight."
[23:05] <Violet> "And can't wear it around your arms or legs, in case you get dismembered."
[23:05] * Myriam frowns, and puts it aroudn her neck nonetheless.
[23:06] <Violet> "And around the hips? And someone chops ya straight through?"
[23:06] <Vargas> "I'll give'em plenty of badges before they take that."
[23:06] <DarkDM> Beyond the secure door, it sloops downwards rapidly. The room itself is three stories high, and the teleporter appears to be the large stone dias in the center of the large room. Three arches, symetrically arising from the dias, soar two stories above and over the dias, their tips nearly touching. A faint globe of glowing blue energy hangs there in midair.
[23:06] <Violet> "Badges for what? Honorable discombobulation?"
[23:06] <Vargas> "Red badges."
[23:06] <DarkDM> The dias is large enough to comfortably hold two dozen men. This must be how they got the Patrol over to the West so quickly with the initial opening of the edge.
[23:06] * Gerrod whistles at the sight.
[23:07] * Weaver tries to examine the device as much as she can, eyes wide
[23:07] <Violet> "Ah. I prefer nice, crispy, burnt-black badges myself, but we do what we can, eh?"
[23:07] * Myriam eyes around. "Wow..."
[23:07] <Violet> "...gleep?"
[23:07] * Vargas asides, "Ok, that's sufficiently fancy."
[23:07] <DarkDM> There's one or two serious looking wizards working over what would most likely be the controls, a massive console attached to the far wall.
[23:08] * Weaver slinks over to the wizards and peers over their shoulders
[23:08] <Violet> "....Shiny."
[23:08] <DarkDM> There are small, strange devices, eight in total, on what would appear to be a rotating base, pointed at the teleporter.
[23:09] * Violet has a sudden lightbulb-moment, and pokes Weaver.
[23:09] <DarkDM> The controls are incomprehensible, and half the time they appear to be manipulating nothing in midair.
[23:09] <DarkDM> "Almost done, be patient." One of them chides Weaver.
[23:09] <Violet> "Didn't they say that none of their communication stuff worked on the other side?" she murmurs?
[23:09] <Weaver> "Oooohhh what does that one do"
[23:09] <Weaver> "Whats that mean"
[23:09] <DarkDM> The Colonel is talking with an aide, and then glances at the Party.
[23:09] <DarkDM> "Ah, you are ready?"
[23:09] <Weaver> "Wow.. I Hope I get to operate one of these someday"
[23:09] * Violet facepalms, and repeats, except with Vargas instead of Weaver this time.
[23:10] <Gerrod> "Yeah, they're just dropping us near the edge. We're doing all the footwork."
[23:10] <DarkDM> "I'll be going with you to check on the forward base. Your friends will follow shortly afterwards to re-enforce us."
[23:10] <DarkDM> "Let's go."
[23:10] * Myriam gulps. "Ready as anyone, I guess..."
[23:10] <DarkDM> "Oh...one more thing..."
[23:10] * Gerrod checks his gear one more time.
[23:10] <Myriam> "What?"
[23:10] <Vargas> "Alright."
[23:11] <DarkDM> He holds up a small, metallic object. "A watch. Clockwork. Keeps track of dates as well. We don't know how time passes, if there is a sun or not. So keep track of time with this."
[23:11] <Violet> "....SHINY...."
[23:11] <Vargas> "Thank you."
[23:12] <DarkDM> "Smaller than what's commercially available of course, and somewhat tough. Just don't go hitting people with it."
[23:12] <Vargas> "That's what pointy objects are for."
[23:12] <DarkDM> The wizards suddenly stop, one of them waves at the Colonel.
[23:12] * Gerrod takes the watch.
[23:12] * Myriam giggles lightly
[23:12] <DarkDM> "Right, let's get on before time runs out."
[23:12] <DarkDM> He strides to the center of the dias.
[23:12] * Gerrod holds it out to Vargas.
[23:12] <Weaver> "So how do you know when its calibrated correctly?"
[23:13] <Weaver> "Does it work backwards? Can you teleport someone here?"
[23:13] <DarkDM> "If it's not, we end up at a random location. Nothing to worry about."
[23:13] <DarkDM> "No."
[23:13] <Weaver> "Or is that too specific cause you'd need exact coordinates"
[23:13] <Gerrod> "Never let the front liner keep the important stuff," he says with a grin.
[23:13] <DarkDM> The Colonel shrugs.
[23:13] * Myriam sighs. "Can we just get it over with?"
[23:13] <DarkDM> "I'm a soldier, not a wizard."
[23:13] * Gerrod sighs and tosses it to Violet. "Catch."
[23:14] <Violet> "OOOH!"
[23:14] * Weaver looks up with a blank expression, "You mean we have to leave already?"
[23:14] * Violet hugs it to her chest and then puts it in her belt pouch. "My shiny!"
[23:14] * Gerrod steps up to the teleporter.
[23:14] <Violet> "I'll take good care of it!"
[23:14] <Gerrod> "See that you do."
[23:15] <Vargas> "Eh, she wants a shiny she can have it, I'm sure she'll part with it over her dead body."
[23:15] * Vargas grins wryly.
[23:15] * Violet tra-la-las up to the teleporter.
[23:15] * Weaver sighs looking disappointed and walks over to the dias with Frankie...
[23:15] <DarkDM> When the party assembles, the wizards do some wizardy things, and the ball os blue light appears to decend rapidly, it's radius increasing, following the arc of the arches.
[23:15] <DarkDM> A cool sensation envelopes the party, and everything is blue.
[23:15] <Weaver> "oooh... I wish I had a scroll and quill!"
[23:16] <Vargas> "Go ahead Violet, say it."
[23:16] <DarkDM> Your voices are dead in your ears.
[23:16] <DarkDM> There's a hum, a vibration that seems to go all through your body...
[23:16] * Myriam simply watches curiously as everythign happens...
[23:16] <Violet> "Shiiiiiiineeeeeeeeeyyyy.....!"
[23:16] <Myriam> "Woooaaaahhh..."
[23:16] <DarkDM> And a sudden, abrupt, extremely fast feeling of movement.
[23:17] <DarkDM> And quite suddenly, everything turns green, and the world lurches.
[23:18] <Vargas> "Woah."
[23:18] <Violet> "WHEE!"
[23:18] * Vargas ever so slightly lurches in balance briefly.
[23:18] * Weaver goes for a series of nearfalls, spinning out of control before she gains her footing..."WHOA!"
[23:18] * Violet turns a slight stagger into an ecstatic spin.
[23:19] <Gerrod> "Urp, I can see why we weren't given time to eat breakfast."
[23:19] * Weaver laughs, "We almost bit it there Frankie"
[23:19] * Myriam tries to keep her balance, but tumbles down, and falls down headfirst. "Ooowwww..."
[23:19] <DarkDM> Nevin doesn't appear to notice, apparently using the change in momentum to walk forward. He blinks at Myriam.
[23:19] * Violet flops on the grass next to Myriam.
[23:20] * Vargas helps Myriam and violet to their feet.
[23:20] <Violet> "That was fun, wasn't it?!"
[23:20] <DarkDM> "Oh, I should have warned you about that."
[23:20] <DarkDM> The forest, after the violent appearance of the party, resumes it's foresty sounds.
[23:20] <Myriam> "Oooohhhh..."
[23:20] <Myriam> "If you call falling on your face fun..."
[23:20] * Gerrod unslings his crossbow and slips a quarrel into the groove.
[23:20] <DarkDM> The clean white nothingness is next to the party, far too close.
[23:21] <Vargas> "good thing I'm good on my feet."
[23:21] <Weaver> "hehe... I wanna do that again.."
[23:21] <DarkDM> "Hmm, we should be a bit further back. They need to recalibrate." He waves back into the forest, and a Patrolman waves back.
[23:21] <DarkDM> "Right, the camp is there..."
[23:21] <DarkDM> He looks curiously at the wall, and takes a step towards it.
[23:21] * Myriam rubs her head softly.
[23:21] <DarkDM> A spherical opening blooms upon the wall, opening into the familiar corridor.
[23:22] <DarkDM> "Fascinating."
[23:22] * Weaver heads forward
[23:22] * Myriam follows in...
[23:22] <DarkDM> He hands off the stone to Weaver, then heads back into the forest.
[23:22] <DarkDM> "Good luck! Don't die!"
[23:22] <Gerrod> "Yeah, it's veritable candy store."
[23:22] * Violet follows, a little dazed by the -closeness- to the Wall.
[23:22] <Weaver> "You sure you dont wanna come with us?"
[23:22] <DarkDM> "We all have a job to do."
[23:22] * Vargas follows.
[23:22] <Violet> "...I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to come with us."
[23:23] * Gerrod starts heading down the corridor.
[23:23] * Weaver nods...
[23:23] <DarkDM> A chipmunk waves at the party as you head down.
[23:23] <Weaver> "I dunno I have a feeling he does.."
[23:23] * Myriam takes a deep breath. "And here we go again."
[23:23] <Weaver> "Chippy?"
[23:23] * Gerrod nocks the crossbow.
[23:23] <DarkDM> The chipmunk disappears back into the forest.
[23:23] * Weaver waves back
[23:23] * Myriam pulsl otu her longsword and places on her shield.
[23:23] <Violet> "So! .....whadda we do now?"
[23:23] <Weaver> "We go in..."
[23:24] <Myriam> "Keep going forward, of course."
[23:24] * Weaver heads through into the white scary beyond.... again
[23:24] <DarkDM> Once again, the whiteness closes behind the party, and after a few more steps, it becomes difficult to distinguish how far the tunnel stretches (though it's obviously known to only be a dozen feet or so)
[23:24] <Vargas> "And now for the funky bit."
[23:24] <Vargas> "Not even a proper echo for whistling."
[23:24] <Vargas> "How do you like that?"
[23:24] <Weaver> "If there is another ugly statue thingie this time..."
[23:24] <Violet> "It's kinda creepy."
[23:25] * Vargas carefully walks forward.
[23:25] <Myriam> "You8 get used to it after a while."
[23:25] <Myriam> "Trust me"
[23:25] * Gerrod stays ahead of the party, crossbow at the ready.
[23:25] <DarkDM> In front, a slight change in shading serves to show where the still open doors are.
[23:26] <DarkDM> The formerly burnt room is now only slightly grey, while the broken furniture and corpse in the other are gone.
[23:26] * Gerrod raises his crossbow and sweeps the room.
[23:26] <Gerrod> "Dull room."
[23:26] <Myriam> "It wasn't dull the first time we came here..."
[23:26] <Vargas> "You know.... I wonder how long our bodies would last aorund here, even with the crystals."
[23:26] <Vargas> "We may just vanish."
[23:27] <Gerrod> "I'm not keen on finding out, where to?"
[23:27] <Myriam> "I don't wana find out..."
[23:27] <Vargas> "We just keep going forward until we hit something."
[23:27] <Violet> What makes you think their magic -- whatever it is -- will work? I mean...how will they KNOW we died?"
[23:27] <Vargas> "or we go for a week."
[23:27] <DarkDM> The party continues. Up ahead, unlike where you entered, you can make out an insignia engraved on the wall. It's circular, with the strange birdlike figure splayed out in the center. It's just like the one on the keystone.
[23:28] * Myriam raises an eyebrow...
[23:28] <Myriam> "Does that look familar to you too?"
[23:28] <DarkDM> In total, you guess, given the even nature of how this strange area has been laid out, it's almost exactly 100 feet away from where you entered.
[23:28] <Vargas> "Bird time."
[23:28] <Vargas> "Let's rock."
[23:29] <Vargas> "Who's got the bird key?"
[23:29] * Gerrod kneels.
[23:29] <Violet> "I got the watch, so it's not me."
[23:29] <Gerrod> "Give me a clear shot, okay?"
[23:29] * Myriam looks at Weaver.
[23:31] <DarkDM> The party crosses over the predictable threshold, and the walls slide smoothly open.
[23:31] <Vargas> "Alright then."
[23:31] <DarkDM> Beyond is green, right up to the edge of the opening. A wild chaotic mess of foreign vegetation.
[23:31] <Vargas> "If I die a horrible gory death turn around and run."
[23:31] * Gerrod blinks.
[23:31] * Myriam raises an eyebrow. "What the hell?"
[23:31] * Vargas dashes and tumbles out of the hole.
[23:31] <Violet> "And make sure you make history, right?"
[23:32] * Myriam follows Vargas through...
[23:32] * Gerrod steps forward after Vargas.
[23:32] <DarkDM> Vargas tumbles out, and seems to hit almost a solid wall of hot, humid air.
[23:32] * Vargas lands and quickly scans the surroundings.
[23:32] <DarkDM> Whatever climate control is inside the connection, it isn't present here.
[23:32] <Gerrod> "Pfah, it's humid!"
[23:32] * Weaver follows looking around with interest
[23:32] <DarkDM> Strange noises are everywhere, testament to an area teaming with life.
[23:33] <Violet> "...safe?"
[23:33] <DarkDM> Up above is a sky, and to the left and right, the white wall of nothingness stretches presumably around.
[23:33] <Vargas> "As safe as I can see."
[23:33] <Myriam> "Hopefully..."
[23:33] <Gerrod> "A bow won't last a week here without proper care."
[23:33] <Weaver> "This is kinda interesting"
[23:33] * Weaver glances around the vegetation
[23:34] <DarkDM> Strange, unidentified plants abound.
[23:34] <Vargas> "Kinda interesting?"
[23:34] <Vargas> "that's an understatement."
[23:34] * Myriam puts on her red hat, waving at her face slightly for soem air. "What kind of place is this?"
[23:34] <Vargas> "I'm surprised Weaver hasn't collapsed in an siezures."
[23:35] <Weaver> "Well... I"ve never seen anything like these before... remind me on the way back we should gather some for the academy.."
[23:35] * Violet finally crosses into the foliage and practically gets smacked by the humidity.
[23:35] * Vargas collects a few plant samples and tucks it in his pack.
[23:35] <Weaver> "Why would you say that?"
[23:35] * Gerrod removes his helmet and secures it to his backpack.
[23:35] <Gerrod> "Damn it's hot."
[23:36] <Vargas> "All the new samples."
[23:36] * Weaver glances at the trees, taking out one of her academy books
[23:36] <DarkDM> Through the canopy, you spot some sort of flying creatures. Their spread wings resemble the engraving.
[23:36] <Vargas> "You were in Reed's class, extra credit."
[23:36] <Violet> "Are we supposed to stay in here the WHOLE time?"
[23:36] * Weaver eyes widen at the flying creature.... "Wow... what is that.."
[23:36] <Myriam> "No... probably deeper..."
[23:37] * Gerrod raises both eyebrows.
[23:37] <Violet> "What's what?"
[23:38] <Weaver> "Let's catch one of those..."
[23:38] <Vargas> "Just as long as they don't want to take bites out of us."
[23:38] <DarkDM> The foreign sounds of nature's cycle resound.
[23:38] <DarkDM> A dragonfly with a wingspan of 2 feet buzz by.
[23:38] * Weaver blinks at the dragonfly
[23:38] * Myriam eyes the dragonfly. "Woah..."
[23:38] <Gerrod> "Geez, look at the size of that thing."
[23:38] <Weaver> "Think we can catch one of those"
[23:38] <Vargas> "Something's nearby!"
[23:39] * Vargas tenses and draws his sword.
[23:39] <Myriam> "If those are the bugs... I don't even wana see the humans around here."
[23:39] <Weaver> "shh... Vargas Im trying to catch this thing.."
[23:39] <DarkDM> Almost a dozen small creatures suddenly burst out of the undergrowth.
[23:39] * Gerrod loosens his battleaxe and raises his crossbow.
[23:39] <Violet> "Well, yeah, it just went b...oh, not the big buggy?"
[23:39] <Gerrod> "What th-!?"
[23:39] <Violet> "....OH."
[23:39] <Weaver> "what are those?"
[23:39] <DarkDM> Bright green, bipedal with small clawed arms, they resemble some sort of variation on what was encountered before.
[23:39] <Weaver> "aw.... they are kinda cute..."
[23:40] <Gerrod> "Now I /know/ you're crazy!"
[23:40] <Violet> "In a...strange kind of way, maybe."
[23:40] <DarkDM> Their coloring matches the undergrowth quite nicely, and the speed and feriocity of their attack takes almost all of the party by surprise.
[23:40] <Violet> "And by strange I me--"
[23:41] <DarkDM> They creatures split into pairs and attack their prey.
[23:46] <DarkDM> The creatures bit at the party, their rather weak fore claws serving only to distract as they swipe at eyes.
[23:47] <DarkDM> Some of them chomp at sensitive, and painful places.
[23:47] <Violet> "OOOOOOOOOOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!"
[23:47] <Gerrod> "Ow, damn!"
[23:47] <Myriam> "Bad buggers, BAD!"
[23:48] <Violet> "HE BIT MY BOOBS!"
[23:48] <Weaver> "I dont feel so good"
[23:49] * Vargas cuts and weaves back and forth wildly twisting and making a lunge at the boob biter.
[23:50] <Vargas> Winces slightly as he takes a scratch and makes his stab.
[23:50] <DarkDM> One of the creatures manage to catch Vargas a nip in the ankle.
[23:51] * Violet practically has steam coming out of her ears. No, wait, it's the humidity.
[23:51] <DarkDM> With the blending in of the coloration, Vargas stabs a bush instead.
[23:57] <Vargas> "Confound it!"
[23:57] * Violet starts muttering darkly, hands glowing, then brings them together, thumb-to-thumb, and roars "EAT HOT DEATH YOU LECHEROUS MUTT BASTARDS!"

[01:04] <DarkDM> The lizard creatures duck some of the blast.
[01:04] <DarkDM> The squeel angrily.
[01:04] * Myriam keeps focussed on the buggers in front of her, and tries to swat them away with a swing of her sword. "Go AWAY!"
[01:05] <DarkDM> It dodges, then they all break away to focus on Violet.
[01:05] * Violet looks quite cross, after seeing the weaker-than-anticipated effects of her magical flamethrower.
[01:06] * Myriam tries to strike at them again as they turn.
[01:06] * Gerrod squeezes the trigger of his crossbow and fires a bolt at a passing lizard.
[00:14] * Gerrod tosses his crossbow aside, swapping out his axe, and lunges forward to slash down at one of the creatures.
[01:07] <DarkDM> Myriam's blade meets with the creature's neck and it beheads itself. Gerrod's bolt skewers one of them in the back of the head...
[01:09] <DarkDM> The others reach their intend firespewing target...
[01:10] * Violet shrieks as she is taken down
[01:10] <DarkDM> Violet goes down in a violent frenzy, red blood splashing everywhere..
[01:10] <Weaver> "VI!"
[01:10] <Myriam> "VIOLET!"
[01:11] <DarkDM> They look up and consider the other morsals once this one stops twitching.
[01:11] <Gerrod> "Damn!"
[01:13] * Gerrod tosses his crossbow aside, swapping out his axe, and lunges forward to slash down at one of the creatures.
[01:14] <DarkDM> Gerrod swipes through 2 of the creatures, hacking them asunder.
[01:14] <DarkDM> The creatures appear to re-evaluate their targets.
[01:16] * Weaver lets Frankie down, drawing a dagger and pointing at the lizards on Violet "KILL!"
[01:16] <DarkDM> Frankie ponders and then attacks the closest lizard thingy.
[01:16] <DarkDM> It's smaller than the things humans usually fight...
[00:16] <DarkDM> Vargas is clawed in the back.
[00:18] <DarkDM> Frankie instinctively goes for the weaker pray, and succeeds in gutting it with a lucky hit.
[00:19] <DarkDM> Frankie is facedeep in warm reptillian guts.
[00:19] * Vargas tumbles around the one blocking his way to violet.
[00:21] * Vargas takes a swipe at the bugge as he passes.
[00:22] <DarkDM> Nobody hits anybody...
[00:23] <DarkDM> ...heroically, Vargas twists his blade and cuts one of his attackers' mouth off.
[00:23] <DarkDM> It spurts blood and falls.
[00:24] * Vargas comes to a poised stop over violet's body.
[00:25] * Myriam frowns, and rubs her fist into her palm, chanting a few warm words as a soft white light apears. "The blood is precious, the wounds, our fear. Let us heal these cuts and carry on." She nods, seeign the spell form, and runs toward violet, reaching to touch her with the healing spell.
[00:27] <DarkDM> Myriam gets nipped on the thigh as she runs in, but shrugs it off.
[00:28] <Violet> "....huuuurt..."
[00:28] <DarkDM> The creatures seem to realize that most of their number is down, and their food started breathing again.
[00:28] <DarkDM> They dash off into the underbrush.
[00:30] * Gerrod wipes his forehead and sighs in relief.
[00:30] * Weaver holds her dagger at ready for a moment to be sure they are truly gone...and then rushs to Violet's side
[00:30] <DarkDM> It seems strangely peaceful now, and only seconds seem to have passed.
[00:30] * Vargas rubs some wounds.
[00:30] * Violet looks quite white, and fatigued, but at any rate is very much alive.
[00:30] * Myriam gives a sigh of releif. "Talk about a pack. SHEESH!"
[00:30] <Vargas> "Damn bastards are fast....."
[00:30] * Gerrod slides the axe back into its loop and picks up his crossbow.
[00:30] * Weaver casts a healing spell on Violet..
[00:30] <DarkDM> The area is now stained with the lifeblood of many, though dispite the corpses piled around, quite a large amount was from Violet.
[00:31] * Vargas munches a cookie.
[00:31] <Violet> "...cookie?"
[00:31] * Violet reaches toward Vargas's cookie
[00:31] <Weaver> "Should we gather their bodys and head back?"
[00:31] * Myriam eyes Vargas for a moment, and shakes her head. "Tsk tsk tsk."
[00:31] * Gerrod checks his scratches and frowns.
[00:31] * Vargas suddenly swallows, causing 2 large cheek bulges to vanish.
[00:32] * Vargas rummages and procures a potion and hands it to Violet.
[00:32] * Violet sits up and looks around, then down at her robes in dismay. "Oh no...I never did learn how to get blood out..."
[00:32] <DarkDM> Frankie paws at, and then munches on a piece of a lizard.
[00:32] <Weaver> "Thats why most mages wear red I think"
[00:33] * Violet nods and takes the potion, and tucks it away. "I think I'll need this later."
[00:33] * Myriam smirks, waves her hands a little bit, casting Presdigitation. "There there, I'll get these stains rigth out."
[00:33] <DarkDM> These creatures much be only around 50 pounds each, at most.
[00:33] <Violet> "...did you get the pervy one?"
[00:33] <Vargas> "They are like the size of game hens...."
[00:33] <Gerrod> "They all looked the same to me."
[00:33] * Myriam passes her hands over the bloodied clothes, cleaning off the blood. "They've really got you good there."
[00:33] <Weaver> "He got away..."
[00:34] * Vargas gulps one potion himself.
[00:34] <Myriam> "We got his familly too. And if he had a little doggie, we'll get it too,"
[00:34] * Gerrod nocks another quarrel in the crossbow and eyes the jungle.
[00:34] * Weaver casts a cure minor wounds on herself, and sips on a potion
[00:34] <Vargas> "That hit the spot..."
[00:34] <Vargas> "Ugh..."
[00:35] * Weaver limps over to check out one of the corpses "Hope these things weren't venomous"
[00:36] <DarkDM> They appear to be simple, reptillian carnivours.
[00:36] <Violet> "I think we'd know by now if they were."
[00:36] <DarkDM> Extremely cleaver, no doubt they rely on numbers to succeed.
[00:36] <Violet> "Hey..."
[00:36] <Violet> "What sorta stuff d'they have?"
[00:36] <Weaver> "Skin bones and muscle?"
[00:36] <Myriam> "Maybe we should brin a few at the academy?"
[00:37] <Vargas> "May as well bring a few back for Archibald."
[00:37] <Weaver> "IM wonderin if we should haul it back through to let the rangers take to the academy"
[00:37] <Weaver> "They are nice and fresh"
[00:37] <Weaver> "And we aren't so deep yet that we'd be losing time"
[00:37] <Gerrod> "They're small enough. We should probably head back and report about this area's geography as well."
[00:37] <Violet> "No, I mean -- equipment. Local goods. Shinies."
[00:38] <Myriam> "We have a week and plenty of supplies."
[00:38] <Myriam> "Relax, Gerrod."
[00:38] <Weaver> "They are animals, what do you expect?"
[00:38] <Gerrod> "It's not a hundred feet back to the other side. We won't be losing any time dropping off the samples and report."
[00:38] <Vargas> "got a new small critter to fear now Gerrod?"
[00:38] * Weaver sees about gathering the bodies, and a few plant specimens
[00:38] * Gerrod frowns.
[00:39] <Weaver> "Leave off Vargas, he did a good job..."
[00:39] <Violet> "Well, if they have collars, then they belong to someone. But more than that, they're pretty shrewd for animals."
[00:39] * Weaver smirks at Gerrod, "Cripes Frankie you didn't have to gut this one.."
[00:39] <Myriam> "Yeah, but he's still being a scaredy squirel."
[00:39] <Gerrod> "I don't recall them calling this the First Grandstanding Force, Vargas. We're on a expedition."
[00:39] <Weaver> "What collars?'
[00:39] <Gerrod> "But if you want to press ahead, fine."
[00:40] <Vargas> "Well on the plus side this field experience is a learning experience, I think I'm getting the hang of stabbing things...."
[00:40] * Violet shrugs at Weaver. "Just a guess...in case they belong to someone, y'know?"
[00:41] * Weaver puts away another sample
[00:41] <Weaver> "They dont have collars..."
[00:41] * Gerrod frowns.
[00:41] <Weaver> "They are just animals.."
[00:42] <Vargas> "Dead animals."
[00:42] <Weaver> "Many animals behave in this manner"
[00:42] <Vargas> "Glad we got that badger around though."
[00:42] <Weaver> "But if oyu dont believe me feel free to check the bodies"
[00:42] <Violet> "...tonight's dinner?"
[00:42] <Vargas> "He's going to need a bath though."
[00:42] <Gerrod> "If we're going to be spending any amount of time here, I would suggest you collect samples on the return trip."
[00:42] * Myriam shakes her head. "How about we just bag them, and go on?"
[00:42] <DarkDM> The bodies are about the same weight. They're skinnier than they first appeared, and rather frail looking, but surprisingly dense.
[00:42] <Weaver> "Let's go take these back, if you folks dont want to take them back I can take these bodies with Gerrod"
[00:42] <Weaver> "We'll be back in no time right Gerrod?"
[00:42] <Gerrod> "I don't think they'll be interested in rotting samples."
[00:42] <Violet> "It's just a short way, I say take what we have, give it to the base, and then go back."
[00:43] <Vargas> "Works for me."
[00:43] * Gerrod snorts.
[00:44] * Weaver starts leading everyone back so they can drop off the goods.
[00:44] * Violet does her best to help lighten the burden.
[00:44] * Gerrod climbs a tree and watches over the entrance while the others head back.
[00:45] * Vargas stops.
[00:45] <Vargas> "Gerrod, are you staying here alone?"
[00:45] <Myriam> "Gerrod, come on down! You're not planning on staying there, are you?"
[00:46] <Gerrod> "Better company by far, and it's not going to take any time, now is it?"
[00:46] * Vargas tosses his samples to Myriam.
[00:46] * Myriam blinks.
[00:46] <Vargas> "If he's staying i'm not leaing him alone yet..."
[00:46] <Vargas> "I do NOT like this."
[00:46] <Vargas> "If you get attacked in the corridor."
[00:47] <Vargas> "it won't be pretty."
[00:47] <Gerrod> "Escort them, Vargas."
[00:47] <Vargas> "And you?"
[00:47] * Myriam opens her mouth... And shuts it.
[00:47] * Violet grimaces
[00:47] <Gerrod> "I'm the paranoid one, remember? I'm not going to die before any of you do."
[00:47] * Gerrod grins.
[00:47] <Violet> "...well, I'd offer to help, but I'd just be a liability, judging from earlier."
[00:48] <Myriam> "Gerrod, if you stay here, we're not leaving you alone! Vargas can stay, it shouldn't be too long, right?"
[00:48] * Weaver hands the stone to Violet, "You carry this..."
[00:48] <Weaver> "If anyone can watch over tinman it's me and Frankie"
[00:48] <Violet> "Okay."
[00:48] * Myriam starts heading back.
[00:48] <Vargas> "Wait a second!"
[00:49] * Myriam stops.
[00:49] <Vargas> "Gerrod."
[00:49] * Gerrod raises an eyebrow.
[00:49] <Gerrod> "Yeah?"
[00:49] <Vargas> "Probably nothing will happen but I STRONGLY SUGGEST, we stick together."
[00:49] <Vargas> "If you are insistent on staying there I will stay with the larger group and with the healers."
[00:50] * Weaver draws her composite bow and knocks and arrow, "Vargas. Go."
[00:50] <Vargas> "Weaver, what are you doing?"
[00:51] * Gerrod shoos everyone away.
[00:51] <Gerrod> "Go, go. I'll keep watch."
[00:51] * Myriam facepalms. "We'll be here all day."
[00:52] * Weaver sighs, "Will you flipping go already, I need to talk to Gerrod"
[00:52] <Violet> "She's not moving. We should probably listen."
[00:52] * Gerrod climbs down and shrugs.
[00:52] <Gerrod> "Fine, fine."
[00:52] * Gerrod wanders back into the corridor.
[00:53] * Weaver follows
[00:53] <Vargas> "Point an arrow at one of us and I'll crack you upside the head with my pommel, no offense."
[00:53] * Myriam sighs, and follows. "Finally..."
[00:53] * Vargas goes out.
[00:54] <Myriam> "I swear, some of you take this WAY too seriously."
[00:54] * Vargas mutters to Myriam, "tell me about it, it's like dealing with teenagers."
[00:54] <Violet> "...I think I don't take it seriously enough, sometimes."
[00:55] * Myriam mutters back. "You're givign yourself waaayyy too much credit, boy."
[00:55] <Vargas> *-scratch the pommel line-*
[00:58] <Myriam> "I swear...."
[01:00] * Gerrod slips his helmet back on.
[01:01] <Myriam> "If we spent less time arguing, and more time exploring, we might be done already."
[01:02] <DarkDM> The party returns to the camp with no further incident, though they look surprised at the speed of return. They quickly pack up the bodies and samples, label them, and send someone off.
[01:02] * Vargas chuckles.
[01:02] <Violet> "Less talking...means more energy...to move."
[01:02] <Myriam> "That's the point."
[01:02] <DarkDM> The Colonel, who hasn't left yet, shakes his head at your appearance and hands you a pair of potions.
[01:02] * Gerrod shrugs.
[01:02] <Vargas> "Bonus points to Myriam and violet."
[01:02] <Vargas> "Dinner's up!"
[01:03] * Vargas holds up the lizard.
[01:03] <DarkDM> Arabeth and Ian and the gang are there. Arabeth quietly and gently heals the party before the Colonel shoos them off to look for civilization, the source of the two strangers.
[01:03] * Weaver smirks
[01:03] <DarkDM> The apple flavoured potions Cure Moderate Wounds when drunk.
[01:03] * Violet seems a little less eager to chow down, this time.
[01:04] <Gerrod> "Hm, I guess I can't fault anyone for the Colonel's reaction, since I was the first to suggest sending the samples back early."
[01:04] <DarkDM> The camp is friendly, but the Colonel sends the party off once they're done, along with another half-dozen MREs.
[01:04] * Myriam shakes her head...
[01:05] <Gerrod> "Not that anyone agreed with me, mind you."
[01:05] * Weaver rolls her eyes, "I said it was a good idea.."
[01:05] <Myriam> "Since when does anyone agree with you?"
[01:06] * Gerrod snorts.
[01:07] <Myriam> "Even your stomach has trouble agreeing with you sometimes. I'm amazed it hasn't started a strike already."
[01:07] * Gerrod waves dismissively.
[01:07] * Violet waggles a hand, and a rather loud noise comes up...that sounds rather like many, many crickets chirping.
[01:08] <DarkDM> The party casually strolls back along the corridor.
[01:08] * Myriam snaps her fingers. "Bad delivery, isn't it?"
[01:08] <Gerrod> "Let's get going. The sooner we get this over with the sooner I'm done with this responsibility."
[01:08] <DarkDM> It's probably safer to scout out the area, and spend the first night in the corridor.
[01:08] <Vargas> "you did see those huge flying things right?"
[01:09] <Vargas> "You were like a nice ripe shiny fruit up there."
[01:10] <DarkDM> The party once again stands before the door to the thunder-lizards...
[01:10] <DarkDM> *end session*