[Game Thread] Chapter 1: The Wastelands

[Explosionguy]

Basementicus peeks his head around the corner of the tent, arms full of the cultist's armor.

"Cult, you say?"

He steps into full view.

"I'll bet if you're want to find them you could gather something from the equipment that guy had. Maybe see where it's been. I don't really know this area all that well, but you've probably been around long enough to recognize something from around here when you see it."

Something makes him think twice.

"Ah, but he did have that ring Reynard has on. He may have come a long way."

[Aarroun]

"I'm glad we were able to help though it's only fair since we tripped that alarm. I'm sorry for the men you lost today." Reynard considers leaving it at that but curiosity pushes him to ask, "I was wondering about the spells you were using against the ravens earlier, maybe once things have settled down I could beg a moment of your time?"

[Angarato]

After picking up the remaining items and placing them in the parties loot bag, Angarato follows Reynard toward the Digmaster's tent arriving just as Elear was beginning to speak. Echoing the sentiment of loss expressed by Reynard, Angarato says to the digmaster "We truly are sorry for those you lost today, I know how that burden can weigh on anyone with your responsibility. If there is anything we can do to assist, please don't hesitate to ask."

Angarato hesitates for a moment, then continues speaking to Elear, "We will probably be heading out in the next day or so, and we have some business to wrap up with you in terms of traps and some of the items we found. I am a little unsure of where things are right now, because i was paralyzed for a time, so I think we will need to coordinate amongst ourselves. I am pretty sure the items are of little value, a painting, some figurines, an amethyst trap gem like the one Kryla was asking us to find at dinner last night. Give us some time to get organized and maybe the team can meet with you again later this evening or in the morning, whichever works best for you?"

[Aarroun]

"Like I said, when you have the time, Digmaster." Reynard turns and starts making for the mess tent, "I'm going to go see what's for lunch."

[Valistar]

The digmaster nods at Reynard's question about his spells then turns to address Angarato. "The painting and figurines are mostly considered to be art or culture which is one of the main things we are looking for. We will be keeping those. The trap you can give to me for the standard amount or you can keep it if you'd like. Otherwise I'd say we are settled. Now, I've got to go write a few letters to families and send some other messages."

Kryla, who had been standing right next to the digmaster frowned at Angarato when he mentioned the amethyst gem trap, but kept her mouth shut for the time being. She does, however, address Basementicus' question. "This is a barren wasteland. Nothing really lives out here. The wastelands have forests on the east and west sides, an ocean to the north and a volcano range to the south. You'd be better off asking the elves of either of the forests than us."

[Angarato]

Angarato says to Elear, "As always, we appreciate your time. I am sure one of us will follow up before we leave."

Angarato turned away and started walking toward Thomas, he was a little concerned that he had seemingly turned himself into a statue. He was always silent, but usually when the **** hit the fan he was quick to move into action. As he approached he noticed Thomas still standing there, alive but still a statue. With a look of concern on his face, "Are you ok in there? Anything I can do for you?"

After a few moments of waiting for a response, Angarato decided to retrieve the book we came here to get from Thomas's bag. Both he and Reynard were interested in looking it over, and we were preparing to leave and head back to the mercenary camp. Angarato carefully placed the book in a side pocket of his new haversack. Angarato turns to head back to camp and turning back to Thomas he says, "Not sure if you can hear me in there, but we are probably going to head back in the morning. I am sure I speak with everyone when I say we hope you will be able to join us. I will check back on you in the morning if we don't hear from you."

Like Reynard, the idea of lunch was appealing, but now that he had the book he was so curious about he decided to head back to his tent and begin studying it. If he could get through it before night time, he could pass it off to Reynard this evening.

[Explosionguy]

Basementicus goes off to the mess tent. There doesn't seem to be much else to do right now. He also wants to see if the chef is interested in the sauce he discovered in the library.

[DraconigenaArma]

Thomas blinks for the first time in a while. "Just thinking. Be careful with that book. It'll destroy your mind."

[Dizzy]

Willowick meanwhile sets off on his own, deciding to take care of some much needed grooming, cleaning his scales, trimming his claws, that sort of thing. He may eventually be found in the corner of the lunch room, seemingly splashing about in a bucket. He decides to wait until his party really needs him.

[Valistar]

In the mess tent it turns out that the chef is quite interested in the sauce that Basementicus brings him. He mutters something about a long lost recipe for dragon style barbeque sauce before offering a trade to Basementicus. The Chef's offer is a one-gallon stoneware jug with white glaze, black birds painted around the middle, and a cork stopper tied about the neck with a hemp cord. He calls it a Tengu Drinking Mug which he claims can purify liquids and even cool them when needed. Obviously the mug is far more valuable than the barbeque sauce, unless the adventurers plan to figure out how to make it and sell it themselves.

Luckily the rest of the day is mostly uneventful, though Reynard isn't found at all for the rest of the night. Angarato makes an attempt at reading the book in his tent, but it doesn't take long before he's out and about in the camp again. Willowick entertains himself around camp and even manages to get himself quite clean despite the dusty camp.

The group stays one last night before starting to break down camp. Reynard, who hadn't been around all night seems to appear just in time to start helping tear down the tent and clean up camp. If there are any last minute items that should be taken care of, now is a good time to do so.

OOC: Tomorrow evening (most likely) I will be moving the game forward. Likely to the Mercenary Camp. If there is any dialogue with NPCs I will delay long enough to close out those conversations.

[Explosionguy]

Basementicus passes on the long lost art of secret sauce to the chef. Jug in tow, he sets down for lunch with a couple of dwarves.

As the day passed and night came around he contemplated the days events in silence. He would have to see about getting that new set of armor on in the morning.

"Hey Reynard, can you help me get this suit of armor on? I can't seem to manage it properly by myself."

[Aarroun]

After the camp is picked up, Reynard helps Basementicus into his new armor, adjusting the support straps for a more comfortable fit as directed.

[Angarato]

After packing up his belongings, Angarato walks upon Reynard assisting Base with his armor. "I attempted to read the book and it attacked my mind. I was fortunate enough to fend off the attack and stop reading before any damage was done. Not only did it seem reading it would make you mad, but that only someone truly insane could read the book. I went looking for you last night, but you were no where to be found. "

As Base finishes putting on the last piece of armor, chuckling Angarato says "Base, that is a fine looking set of armor, you clearly wear it loud and proud! That sure is a lot of red. At least, the blood stains won't show very well. "

Angarato turns to leave, "I need to find the Digmaster so we can get paid for the last set of traps we disarmed."

[DraconigenaArma]

"Told you." Thomas chimes in about the book.

[Valistar]

After putting the armor on, it shrinks down slightly so as to perfectly fit Basementicus' smaller frame (or at least smaller than the man wearing it before). The only problem now is hiding the armor. With the helm on it might hide the fact that he is a drow, but the armor is obviously made by the Raven Cult and would draw unwanted attention at a distance.

After finding the Digmaster and giving him the traps, the Digmaster hands a reasonable sized back of gold to Angarato. Inside the bag are 500 gp and the trap gems that had just been handed to the Digmaster. "Keep them, I'm sure you can find a better use for them than us. I'm just glad they are no longer a threat to my people." After this the group collects any raven beaks that are available around the archeology camp. Turns out to be around 20 by the final count.

At this point the group begins the trek back to Lartran so as to reach the portal to get back to the mercenary camp. Luckily it is a mostly uneventful trip. Lartran is as remembered, large and busy. The beaks can be turned in at a local constabulary. It is early evening right now, but it might be possible to find a clerk at the constabulary to pay you. Otherwise you will have to wait till morning. As before, you still have a travel expense fund which will pay for a stay at the inn and food in the small mercenary complex outside the city.