[IC] The Wild Beyond Witchlight

[Lurking Krog]

The flash of geometric and mathematical formulas caught Aurora of guard. She realized after a fashion that the formulas were showing the best arc for an arrow to travel and strike the massive beat. Quiclky knocking another arrow, the elf pulled back the string lining the bow up with the formula. With a slight exhale Aurora loosed the arrow, watching it soar towards the giant snake.

Not wanting to be the snakes next target Rory backs up though still keep am eye on the snake.

My OOC

After attacking Aurora moves 20 feet away from the tower to her right. To the east if we are treating the top of the map as north.

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

Between the wounds it had already sustained and the disorientation it had been left with by the balloon occupant's sneeze, the final snake didn't stand a chance as Brutrumukk leaped onto its back and finished it off by pulping the section of spinal cord just below its head. With the job done Brutrumukk lifted his morningstar to the sky and let loose one last bestial bellow before his rage finally faded. "Well that was fun." Brutrumukk commented chipperly as he put away his morningstar and pulled out his handaxe. "Anyone else in the mood fer some sliced snake after that fight? I know I am!"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

Slanty Tower

Before Brutrumukk starts hacking the snake corpse that didn't turn to stone, the voice from the basket calls out to them,

"A Ha! You have my most sincere gratitude, Good Sirs and Ladies! However, I'm afraid my troubles do not end with the demise of those serpents,"

He continues and informs them, "I, Sir Talavar, as one of the Summer Queen's loyal servants, ask that you free me. You see, I was in the midst of a daring escape from the vile Bavlorna Blightstraw when our balloon was set upon by an ill wind and sent plummeting to its current unfortunate location. My pilot, the honorable Wigglewog, did not survive. I've been trapped up here for a while now. Please, Help me. I must tell my Queen of the fall of Prismeer!"

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

When the voice spoke up, Brutrumukk paused just as he was about to behead the snake he had killed. Looking up at the tower, it seemed to Brutrumukk that reaching the balloon would be as simple as making his way up the interior and onto the roof. "I'll be up in a moment." Brutrumukk called back as he sheathed his handaxe. Leaving the dead serpent where it lay, Brutrumukk slowly made his way up the tower, all the while looking about for anything worth taking from the place.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

Slanty Tower

Brutrumukk walks up the spiral staircase to see that there is nothing of value in the tower. It seems like any possessions it had were taken a long time ago.

Once he reaches the roof, he is easily able to peer into the basket of the deflated hot air balloon. Brutrumukk sees a corpse of a frog humanoid lying at the bottom of the basket, wearing pilot's gear. Brutrumukk then finally sees the source of the voice speaking to them!

There, within a silver birdcage lying on its side on the floor of the basket, is a small, violet draconic being. He is wearing knight's gear and carries a sword by his side. He looks to you and greets, "Ah, there you are, Good Sir!"

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

"Good?" Brutrumukk asked, eyebrow arched in curiosity. "...I suppose I can be somethin' like that when it suits me... Stay put fer a bit. I'll be right with ya." With that said, Brutrumukk grabbed the frog corpse and searched it for valuables. Once he was done looting, Brutrumukk reached back into the basket and picked up the bird cage holding Sir Talavar. "So, you want some 'elp, do ya?" Brutrumukk asked. "An' what's in it fer me, eh? What do I get out o' that what would make me efforts worthwhile?"

[XxFellsingxX]

Jub the Peculiar

Jub gingerly approached the petrified serpent, reaching out and prodding it with his index claw before quickly retracting his hand, as if expecting it to spring back to life. He waited for a moment, arms over his face in a somewhat feeble attempt to shield himself. When the snake didn't seem to move or react, he slowly lowered his arms and shuffled closer to the constrictor. "How..." He looked over at the constrictor Brutrumukk had just slain and then back at the statue. "How in the hells did I...?" He trailed off and just looked down at his hands, blinking at them incredulously.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

Slanty Tower

Brutrumukk doesn't really find anything of value on Wigglewog's body. Sir Talavar looks somewhat concerned with a raised eyebrow as he watches the bugbear loot the corpse first. He rights himself as Brutrumukk lifts up the cage and asks his question.

Composing himself, he clears his throat, and begins his answer, "Ah, yes! Don't you worry, Sir Bugbear, I am not one to snub any of the Rules established in Prismeer. Especially not the Rule of Reciprocity!"

He continues, "Upon freeing me from this cage, I will give you my prized sword, blessed by the Summer Queen herself,"

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

Brutrumukk eyed the sword that was sheathed and hanging from the tiny dragon's belt as he speculated its value. After a moment, the bugbear shrugged his broad shoulders. "I suppose that's a good enough payment fer openin' a birdcage." Brutrumukk said. "Alright then. I'll 'ave you out in a jiff. Keep back from the door." With that said, Brutrumukk grabbed the birdcage by its door and dragged it from its hinges.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

Slanty Tower

Brutrumukk attempts to open the birdcage, but finds that the birdcage isn't budging. When he tries to use his full strength to open the cage, it still doesn't budge! Even when it feels like his eyes are bulging from the effort, the birdcage still doesn't open.

Sir Talavar explains, "The birdcage is enchanted to be indestructible and lock picking will do no good. Magic or the key to this cage is needed to open this cage,"

He then tells Brutrumukk, "From what I've heard, Jingle Jangle at Telemy Hill should have that key! She's a friendly goblin, so there should be no problem asking her for the key,"

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

"Get some key off o' some goblin?" Brutrumukk asked. "Sounds easy enough. D'you know 'ow to find this 'ill what she's livin' on?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

Slanty Tower

Sir Talavar answers Brutrumukk's question, "Telemy Hill shouldn't be too far off from here. If you're willing to take this blasted cage with you, I can certainly point you in the right direction,"

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

"Sounds good." Brutrumukk said with a nod. "We'll 'ead off in that direction once I've got me breath back an' 'ad somethin' to eat." With that said, Brutrumukk carried the birdcage back down the tower and rejoined his companions. "Found this guy in the balloon." Brutrumukk said. "Says 'e wants outta this cage 'e's in but we need to get a key from a goblin on some 'ill to open the cage 'cuz magic an' stuff. Either way, I don't plan on goin' nowhere 'till I've sat down fer an hour an' eaten some o' this snake I killed. If anyone wants some snake too, let me know an' I'll cook some fer you as well." Brutrumukk then handed off the birdcage to the nearest party member and began to carefully gather up bramble branches to make a fire with.

[Dark Cloud]

G A B R I E L

"Now hold on," a bead of sweat trickling down his brow Gabriel sheathed his rapier after wiping it down with a cloth from his belt, a huff escaped him as he made his way over glaring at Brutrumukk "As a man of the sword I must object to this, we owe this..." he glanced askance at Tavaler "Gentleman?" the half-elf shrugged "Anyways, we owe him nothing nor he us. We helped him through no gain of our own."

Gabriel crossed his arms "I will not sully my honor as a swordsman, we will ask nothing in return."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

Slanty Tower

Sir Talavar speaks up in response to Gabriel, "I am a knight, Sir! And even if you asked nothing from me in return, I would still give you my sword in return for freeing me from this cage, in accordance with the Rule of Reciprocity,"

He continues, "Everyone, denizen or visitor, would do well to follow the three golden rules established here: The Rule of Hospitality, the Rule of Ownership, and the Rule of Reciprocity,"

[Dark Cloud]

G A B R I E L

"A kindness done is a kindness in return." the half-elf recited "Was what my mentor once told me," Gabriel's muscles relaxed and his expression less intense "Reciprocity, Ownership and Hospitality." he repeated genuflecting, a hand tapping his rapier as he thought about Ser Talavar's words "A fine and honorable trio of codes to live by." he nodded appreciatively.

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

"Recipe City...? 'Orse Spit Tall Itty... Ownership...?" Brutrumukk asked in confusion at the mention of concepts he did not have a particularly good grasp of. "Could you say that all again? Maybe this time in common or goblin though?"

[XxFellsingxX]

Jub the Peculiar

"'Reciprocity', the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit," Jub said, still staring down at his hands in befuddlement. After moment he added, in case Brutrumukk needed it further simplified, "We scratch his back, he scratches ours, basically. Hospitality, meanwhile, is basically doing nice things for others because they're a guest in your house, domain, what have you." He finally raised his head to look over at Talavar, surveying the mustachioed dragon up and down with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "Where exactly is 'here', while we're at it?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Hither

Slanty Tower

Sir Talavar adds after Gabriel makes his comment about the three rules, "Yes! And quite dangerous to neglect here,"

He tilts his head at Brutrumukk's request to repeat the words in Common or Goblin. Thankfully, Jub had explained what a couple of the words meant to the bugbear. Sir Talavar answers Jub's question, "This is the Domain of Delight, Prismeer. Unfortunately, I cannot say that this is the wondrous plane it once was. It has fallen, and been split into three. This splinter plane is Hither,"

[rush99999]

Brutrumukk

"Split into three? 'Ow did that 'appen?" Brutrumukk asked. "An' 'ow is it dangerous to break any o' those rules?"