[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/534494818479374336/645842717137698827/sand-dunes.regular.png[/img][/center] [h3][color=blue]Discord server recap[/color][/h3] [h2]Market[/h2] Sightseeing for a while now, and with the streets still empty, it wasnt hard for Ingoleth to notice the commotion near the market stalls while he strolled by, looking for something to do out of boredom. He heard people talking and something crackling, all behind a sandstone wall, no doubt created by a spell. Dix phased through the wall and went inside the room without coming out afterwards. That extra bit of information was all Ingoleth needed to figure out what was roughly happening inside. He reached for his harp and begun to prepare for a mana infused tune inducing drowsiness, only for a quick and rough awakening, when no resistance was felt where the stolen strings once were. Great. Mounting the harp back on his belt, he tried something else. He imagined of the most extravagant of gems he had ever seen, locking that mental image in his brain and then projecting it as a palm sized illusion in front of him. Then, he set the condition of it to move forward for 5 seconds -enough to roughly be in the center of the room, if maybe a bit further- before exploding into a miniature sparkling lightshow of all the different colors of the rainbow. It was meant to be incredibly extravagant to say the least. That ought to draw their attention. ----- [color=D82408]"Perhaps,"[/color] Kallen calmly responded to Kistal's suggestion of a language barrier. [color=D82408]"Or it simply could be sh-"[/color] He flinched in surprise at the sudden lightshow. He turned around and knocked down the wall of sand with a simple smack with his staff. A gust of wind could probably tear it down since his spell only formed the shape of the sand using the little water that was available. It's effect was symbolic rather than practical. [color=D82408]"What the hell?! Who the fuck is stupid enough to do something like this?!"[/color] He snapped while scanning the area. ----- Nix seemed to take note of Kistal's actions. She somewhat trusted him after what he has done for her so far, and he didn't seem to be acting aggressive towards this man either. However, she didn't back down, this man's irreverence to her authority could not be overlooked. One false move from him and she would not be able to permit him to try to shame her further. As Kistal tried to soothe her through words, she dismissed them. [color=4169E1]"Not now,"[/color] she simply responded, eyes still locked on Kallen. Could he not see how this was not the time for pleasantries? It was then that the lights flashed before her eyes. [i]Danger![/i] By instinct, Nix leapt towards the only threat she knew, still unable to quite see due to the rapid and drastic change in light levels. Something quickly grabbed her and her first instinct was to bite at the arms that grabbed her. With a snarl she chomped down on the first thing she could sink her teeth into, ice bursting from around where the wound would be and away from her own mouth, causing it to affect an even larger area than what a regular bite would be. However, something didn’t taste right. There was fur, and the scent was that of-, oh no. Nix opened her eyes to realize she had bit down hard into Kistal’s arm, and was instantly taken aback. There was a look of shock and worry for a split moment, her ears perking up in surprise as well. Kistal looked fine, otherwise, the bite being the only wound. Even angrier now that she was stopped and bit him instead, however, Nix’s ears laid back as she growled in irritation, giving Kallen a death glare. She struggled to get out of Kistal’s embrace. [color=4169E1]“DUMB! Why stop Nix!? Now you hurt! Eerrrrr, will tear him to pieces! LET GO!”[/color] she demanded, still struggling. Unfortunately for her, Kistal was quite physically stronger than her, and would be able to keep control even with the frostbitten wound on his arm which still had ice hanging from it. Nix didn’t believe in what she thought was this man’s theatrics. There was nobody else here, so it had to be him that made that light. ----- Dix was getting excited with the chaos unfolding in front of her eyes, like a long scroll yet to be fully unraveled, yet her excitement only visible to Ingoleth as the sandstone wall became dust. "Thats a bit rude of you." Ingoleth chimed in with a sarcastic and smile, standing right behind the would be sandstone barrier. "I put a lot of work on these illusions." Now able to observe the situation, seeing the wolf girl with what seemed to be tundral powers, he figured a lightshow wasn't the best of decisions for this particular situation. But Dix was enjoying herself so it was a win win scenario. He could see, and she got chaos. However, he knew what the right decisions were, through his past. He raised a palm towards Kallen and moved between him and the wolf girl, never directly walking to her but rather around in a circle. He yawned and licked his lips, giving her a side glance, and gave a toothy smile. Finally, he turned to Kallen, his back vulnerable to Nix. All of his actions were calming signals, which he used to trick her primal instincts, effectively using them against herself. Facing Kallen, he warned him, "Friendly advice between one to another, dont challenge her." Right in front of his face and out of Nix's vision, a small illusion of Ingoleth's face appeared to be shushing him. When it disappeared, instead replaced by the bard's ghost sounds of Kallen's voice saying, [i]"Yeah, okay."[/i] It was an approximation of his voice after hearing him speak, but probably good enough to fool an angry wolf's instincts of aggression. ----- Kallen glowered at the stranger's interference as he approached. Under normal circumstances he would be more than happy to engage in dialogue, but this one had chosen a poor route of introduction. [color=D82408]"This is not your business to be involved in, stranger."[/color] He kept a discerning eye on this intruder. Part of him considered use of the Eye of Avarice, but he needed his full attention on this spell caster just in case he decided to continue causing problems. The mana cost of the Eye might prevent him from effectively countering his opponent. He knew all the signs of catalysts. He heard no words, so either it was a gesture or an object. As soon as the unwarranted advice arrived Kallen's irritation reached a peak. As soon as the illusion of the hushing face faded, Kallen slammed his staff into the sand channeling his intent to counter magic firmly declaring. [color=D82408]"Enough."[/color] Any gestures were too small to notice which likely meant the catalyst in this case was an object. Kallen hated countering this type of catalyst. Often times he had not enough time to study his opponent to figure out the tics that go with that particular object. This made countering more guesswork than anything which meant there was a chance he would waste his mana, but he could not allow for this continued annoyance. This situation was between him, Kistal, and the other two within the merchant's stall. ----- Kistal's goodwill resulted in a rather nasty bite, which would normally just be annoying, but the added ice explosion caused him to audibly grunt in pain. [color=f26522]"Nix, it isn't him making the problems!"[/color] Before he could say any more, a hoity toity bard walked in and started to talk about illusions. Kistal responded reasonably for anyone versed in magic, not to trust a single word the bastard said. His first decision was to simultaneously test to see if the bard was actually real or not while getting to vent some of his well earned anger. Kistal used his naturally thick skull in a headbutt towards the back of Ingoleth's head, following up with a haymaker towards the kidney. As he struck, he growled out a rumbling insult. [color=f26522]"You fucking idiotic twat! We were handling it just fine and you practically make a fight happen! Be happy we didn't just try to kill you instantly for putting us so on edge!"[/color] ----- [h2]Tavern[/h2] Allanon gestured towards Bidzil after Maeve introduced herself. [color=50B1B8]"This is Bidzil. Glad to have you working with us, Maeve."[/color] He turned his head to Bidzil. [color=50B1B8]"There are a few options to find the culprit. We have access to a couple magic users, so it's entirely possible that one of them is capable of using tracking magic which if I remember correctly is best effective based on familiarity with the item. Secondly only the best of thieves leave no evidence behind, I'm not the greatest detective, but the skillset is something an old comrade taught me the basics of. Thirdly, we have manpower. Simply put, three bodies can be fairly effective in searching out an area if we can deduce the best places one could hide at a time like this. Places no one would be at this hour. For example the marketplace as Suzune told me earlier."[/color] He glanced around the room. [color=50B1B8]"I'd ask Kistal to help as well, but he already left the building if I remember right."[/color] He had understated his detective skills a bit, but he didn't feel comfortable telling the truth about his hunting down Calabris operations and defeating them in front of strangers and in a public place. Him being open about using his real name in public was simply because he was confident he could defend himself from any bounty hunter, and it even opened opportunities to find Calabris operatives. One of the reasons he introduced himself with his full name to Maeve was to gauge her reaction. If she recognized his name she didn't show it. [color=50B1B8]”Orzhov,”[/color] Allanon mentioned after a few moments of thought. [color=50B1B8]”That’s a Tundral family.”[/color] The last time he had heard anything of his old comrade, Craiv Hallas was when they went their separate ways. [color=50B1B8]”I used to work with a healer by the name of Craiv Hallas. About eight years ago we parted ways. He said he planned to return his family to its former glory. I haven’t heard from him since we parted ways. Perhaps you know something about him?”[/color] ----- Bidzil gave Maeve a nod and a quick wave as he was introduced. [color=F4A460]"The markets? Yeah, I guess that would make sense I would have picked something a bit farther out, but if nobody is there, then it would be a prime spot. Plus who knows what wares might still be locked up in there."[/color] Bidzil made his way to the front door and opened it, holding it to let them through as well. [color=F4A460]"Shoot, when I was a kid, there's no way I would have let such an opportunity pass me by. It's kinda is fair game when you think about it."[/color] At that moment, he could hear shouting that short distance passed the square and looked out from the inn. It was a ways off, but it looked like there was something going on over at the market stalls. [color=F4A460]"Hey, uh.... Either they are reopening the place up, or someone is a step ahead of us."[/color] Bidzil said with a smirk. The commotion started to turn a couple heads here and there that had still been milling about, but for now, they paid it no mind. "A private question, hm? Oh my, maybe I guessed a little too correctly. After we are all cleaned up here, I'll do my best, no promises though," Suzune responded to Chihiro. Luckily, most everything was nearly completed, and it seemed the others were about to make a quick errand, so they will mostly have the place to themselves. As for Tali, Suzune couldn't quite mask the confusion in her eyes. "I... I must say, that is quite the perplexing statement, but nobody in this town seemed against you in any way. Though, we were apparently hosting some of the local bandit tribesmen right under our noses. I’d hate to think it was any of our own.” She started serving the food once it was done, mostly to Chihiro and Tali at the moment. “Oh, r-right. I forgot. You need a supply of mana instead. Well, I hope this at least takes your mind off it for now.” she said as she set plates in front of the other two women. “I’ll just have to keep their food warm till they return I guess. They seem rather fired up.” ----- While the naga woman would have been content to wait in the inn and relax, the commotion in the market stalls grabbed her attention. [color=ec008c]"Ah yes, Suzune, the question is for later, then. It seems I have some more work to do before I can rest."[/color] She slipped out, looking towards the stalls to try and get a better read on where to go. She flicked out her fans and then glanced behind her for any additional allies. Tali smiled at Suzune as she apologized for not being able to restore her mana. [color=92278f]"Oh, don't worry, dear. I got my fill after I woke up. Food and drink will be a nice relaxation for me. But, it might be best for me to join the others. They may need my...unique talents."[/color] She got up, not missing a chance to plant a kiss on Suzune's cheek, then sashayed out the door. [h3][color=blue]End of recap[/color][/h3] ----- [h1]Oasis[/h1] Just a little below the water’s surface, Tyrael would be able to make out Lynn’s silhouette. Upon knocking on the wall of the bathhouse that half sat on the water, Lynn seemed to stir a little, causing little ripples in the water that distorted her face as she looked up to see Tyreal. She smiled and rose from the water, her staff lifting her out as she sat sidesaddle on one of the paddle-like sides. [color=7FFFD4] “Tyrael! Good morning~,”[/color] Lynn greeted as she stretched in a way that seemed a bit more appealing than what one would think possible for someone as innocent as her.[color=7FFFD4] “I am feeling [i]much[/i] better than I was the other day. Thank you so much for helping me get here safely. I don’t know what would have happened if I had come out here on my own.”[/color] In her mind she remembered Gossk’s sacrifice, but she tried to keep things relatively cheerful at the moment. Dwelling on it too much now would only breed negativity.[color=7FFFD4] “With those ladys’ help, uhm… Valia and Maeve if I remember right, got me back to feeling much better again. I almost feel as if I had spent a day pampering myself at home! I had no idea there would even be bodies of water out here, small as they may be, but still amazing!”[/color] Unlike normal, where Lynn would dry herself off by removing water from around herself, she left it so that she could hold onto more water. Out here, she would dry up soon enough anyway.[color=7FFFD4] “Alright, so, what should we do today?”[/color] she started, crossing her arms.[color=7FFFD4] “I still need to ask if they know anything of the trident, but first maybe we should take a look around? Maybe that place over there where people tend to gather for food and drink?”[/color] ----- [h1]Tavern[/h1] Bidzil hesitated going out the door for a moment, waiting on the others to gather up as it seemed that they wanted to go check it out as well, letting the door come back to a close. Once all seemed ready, he swung the door back open, but was surprised when it suddenly met resistance and apparently knocked someone over.[color=F4A460] “Ah! Ohman, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to knock you over! Here let me help you up!”[/color] He exclaimed as he rushed around the door. He leaned over and held out his hand to what seemed to be a young woman in a red cloak. His face had a look of worry and embarrassment, he really didn’t think anyone was there when he had opened the door again. When did they even walk up? He hoped he didn’t hurt them too bad with it. ----- [h1]Sahale's Mansion[/h1] How many hours had passed since Ilren fell asleep? Did it even matter? Upon awakening, Ilren would find herself in a bed of Aliah’s tails, one of the two fox demon sisters that stayed with Sahale. To say her tails were huge were an understatement, that even kept the demon girl from being very active, but the large plush soft fur that adorned all nine of her tails made for a very convenient bed, enough for Aliah herself and two other people to sleep in fact. Speaking of which, if Ilren were to roll to her side, she would see none other than the other sister, Momoki, fast asleep next to her. Perhaps last night saw too many of Vonna’s specialty drinks, and they fell asleep earlier than anticipated. Though all seemed to be fine. Or rather, nobody seemed to be indecent. Aliah usually didn’t drink, so she must have carted them both back to her and Momoki’s room after they passed out before falling asleep herself. Looking around, Ilren would know that she was in their room by the telltale decorations. Unlike most of the rooms, Momoki and Aliah’s ‘room’ was more like an indoor garden fashioned like the cherry tree forest south of the Scar, their original home. There were furnishings and places for storage in spots, even a little stream that went through the middle of the garden.