Washed Up Secondary Hook

Submitted by Elaine O. on Fri, 7/10/2015 at 1:45pm

Forum is closed (see comment at the very bottom for follow up)
 
It's midday in Jastery, the heat and sun bearing down on the local residents, some, however, are not quite so local. Just on the shore of the Lake lay a freshly beached human, of all things. He's laying flat on his stomach, his whole back taking the worst beating from the sun one might have ever seen; near a gnome's cheeks red and blisters are starting to form around the shoulder blades and back of the neck. He doesn't appear to have moved by his own means (the lake waves still rolling on and off of his calves) but he does seem to be breathing given the slow rise and fall of his back. When standing in a close proximity, one can easily hear a bit delusional mumbling, none of which is being spoken in Common.
 
(House rules! First of all, I'd like to thank everyone in advanced for being patient with responces if it comes to posts being delayed, I'll respond as best I can when I can. Alright, biggest thing, anyone and everyone is welcome to post!! You are not obligated to go on the adventure if you make a post. If you find it's not to your taste, but you're in anyway curious, I highly encourage you make a post!! Please don't be afraid of making mistakes or posting short posts!! If you can't make the words go pretty, that's fine too! If this forum is swamped but you want to get in on the action, make a post! Go go go! -End Pep talk.- Another big thing, all story actions and beneficial actions are allowed. Just no fighty ones. I will send PMs to those who use any action that wouldn't be heard/seen visibly by everyone. I'll clarify or adjust rules as I see needed, but this should hopefully be all that's needed to be said.)

The Ixifar healer pauses, holding her mace and shield in her left hand as she raises her right to wipe the sweat from her brow.  Frowning, her gaze falls upon the prone figure by the water's edge.  Carefully, with full caution, she approaches, glancing over her shoulder as she does so.  She is concerned this may well be a trap, however she more concerned for the human.  Nearing the figure, she pauses, stooping slightly to stare down at the blistering back.
 
"By the Radiant Maiden's Grace," she whispers, holding out her free hand to reach out and touch the human lightly on the back of his head, "share with me your self." (Diagnosis - sense status).

Still frowning, the healer set her sunburst faced shield down, laying her mace upon it.  Gathering her flowing shirtsleeves, she settled closer to the man, staring at him.  He was obviously suffering from several afflictions, and she was certain she detected more than one compulsion set upon the man.  Glancing back over her shoulder, she moved even closer, she reached into her packet and pulled free a couple of bandages.  Carefully, she wiped down his back before applying a bandage to the blisters.  Then, just as carefully, she rolled the man free of the water, gently laying him upon his back.
 
Settling back on her heels, the Ixifar studied the man, taking note of any further injuries, items of clothing, weapons or other belongings that may yet remain upon the human.  (What does she see?)

Hidden from sight in the bushes nearby, Peleus was crouched. Waiting to see if there was a trap or if the man would stop breathing. Noticing the ixfars efforts, he decided to stepped out from hiding. 
"I wouldn't get too close those things if our you. I believe there's a reason why you don't see many of them around here."
Still keeping his distance Peleus observes the man on the shore. (Inspect secret)
"Good thing you got him out of that water, likely he'll start having pieces of him starting to fall off."

So intent on her administrations of the injured male, the Ixifar jumps, startled, at the chirova's approach.  Grimacing at the dark creature, she does not move away from the human, but does turn slightly to keep the chirova in her sights.
 
"He is injured," she states softly, turning back toward the man who is the subject of their conversation.  "And, thus, in need of aid.  It is my duty as a devotee of Rhalanna, and follower of Istensia, to offer aid."  
 
Appearing calm, she turns back toward the human, hoping the chirova will remain where he stands.  she raises her hands level to the body before her.  "By the Radiant Maiden's mercy and grace!" She intones, "I offer you the restorative love that is always her's!" (Ixifar Mercy - burst recover)

You find that the young man is remarkably unscathed, perhaps a little water logged, but there are no visible injuries(cuts, bruises, etc.). It's now much easier to see be is in fact breathing. His eyes are loosely closed and crusted over, mostly with sand; you can also see his eyes frantically moving underneath his eyelids. When the Ixifar lays her hands on him, the areas she touches twitch once before calming, as if a nerve was struck. His murmuring continues, still not in the Common tongue, about as quiet as it was when he'd been laying on his stomach. Oh, he's also not wearing a single article of clothing.

(OOP: I'm currently at work, so my responses will be some what delayed until sometime after 10, sorry and thanks!!)

Peleus walks closer to the two and holding a stick in hand. Once in reach Peleus begins to poke the man with the stick. 
"Maybe we should just go through his pockets and leave him here."
 

The briefest of scowls crosses the Ixafar's face before she swats the stick the away. Glaring up at her unwanted companion, she states in a tight voice, "We shall do no such thing." She turns back to the young man, beginning to pull healing power forward.  "If you have no desire to offer any assistance, I would suggest you leave."
 
 

With a smirk on his face replies, "Maybe I'll just hang around for a bit and see what he has to offer. Perhaps move him into the shade and out of the sun."
 

Biting back a retort, the Ixifar glances down at the young man.  Nodding, she rises, taking with her her shield and mace.  Turning back to the chirova, she gives him a nod, gesturing toward the unconscious human. "Very well," she says as she steps back.  "If you would kindly move him into the shade, it would make my healing efforts far easier." 
 
With those words, she steps away several feet, never taking her eyes from the chirova.

Peleus grabs the mans slippery wrist and pulls him into the shade near the shore as the man continues mumbling.
Peleus replies, "Oh shut up, I'm possible saving you. More then what I was planning on doing to you."

A little ways from where Althena and Peleus are on the shoreline where the dock rests the Lucky Dice, a former pirate ship, that was used by the town of Jastery to sail from place to place about a mest ago. 
 
The dark elf is in the crow's nest, scribbling some letters and practicing the language of his people. Every few sentences he rewards himself with a bite from his... well, no one knows what it is. But it's green, elvish, and an edible dish. He's been hearing some familiar voices down the shoreline but wanted to finish up his scripts before investigating.
 
Finished, he stands up from the crow's nest and sees a woman with red hair, a man in black leather, and a man with red flesh being carried into the shade. He squints to get a closer look and sees that it's Peleus, Althena and some ... nude... person. Not seeing that there are empty clothes around, he guesses Peleus isn't robbing him. And Althena's presence... they must be merely helping the poor man. He decides I'll just ask about it later. They have it handled. Then continues with the next script.

Hear movement from the shore line, Peleus looks over to the ship just off shore. Seeing faint movement in the crows nest Peleus Propels himself from the shore line to ships deck then the crows nest. Now standing on top of the mast staring down at the dark elf, "Get a good look? I need to speak to the captain, where might he be?" 

The sudden disappearance of her companion startles the Ixifar momentarily. Then, with a bemused expression, she turns back to the unconscious human and, once again, attempts to cast a recovery over the injured man.

Weylyn was taking a stroll on the shore, he found himself wandering around town much of his free time, but in this case it seemed there was something more to see than just the old boat and the water lapping against the shore. He recognised the Ixifar Althena and walked over. "What do we have here Miss Althena?" He asked stopping and leaning on his staff. "Find a body or some-" He started to say before pausing as his ears swiveled around towards the pair "He's alive? Lucky for him a healer found him." He said listening to the man's mutterings it wasn't common, that was curious.
 
[story action: translate]

Receiving no response from the elf jumped down to the main deck (tumble). Then propelled back to the shore and slowly walked back to the body. "Any change in condition? Or pants?" 

The dark elf finishes writing his thoughts down before turning to address the voice that was now closer. His delay in responding causing the subject to leave. Thinking to himself I should probably, not keep putting things before people...
 
He quickly stows his papers in a compartment and stands up to see the energetic uordeq bound back down the ship as quickly as he leapt up it. With a sigh realizing he should probably see if he can assist, the dark elf takes a rope and lets the pulley and gravity take him to the deck. He tumbles off the side and then walks up to the three silently waiting on a cue.

Concentration furrowing her brow, the Ixifar looks over at the approaching Ulf.  Giving the feral creature a smile, though she all but ignores the approach - and question - from the chirova,  she replies, "This young one was washed upon the shore.  He is fortunate; he is alive, and with few visible injuries."  She does frown down at the youth.  "However, I have sensed a great many afflictions, and compulstions, upon him.  I am unsure I have the skill and strength to ease his suffering."  She looks over at the Ulf.  "You would not happen to be a healer, would you now?"
 
Then, taking a breath, she turns from the feral before he can reply, holding her spellbook, fingers clutching the sunburst bookmark dangling from the well-worn pages, and intones.  "By the Radiant Maiden's grace and mercy, I cast upon thee a healing." (healing wind 6)
 
Taking a step back, she fixes her careful gaze upon the young human, hopeful.

He shook his head "Unfortunantly for him, no." He crouched down, steadying himself with his staff and cocked an ear towards the man "He might have heat stroke. He's making some odd ramblings." He glanced at Althena "Compulsions?" as she tried to heal him he turned his attention to the man seeming to zone out for a bit his gaze focusing on a point shortly behind the man.

[inspect magic and inspect aura]

Void

The dark elf overhearing afflictions and compulsions tries to remember some spells he may have learned from his spiritual journey a few mestrun back. "I tink... I may 'ave jus da ting. May I?" The dark elf rubs his hands together and they start to glow dimly with light from the prime.

Relief is plain upon the Ixifar's face at the dark elf's words.  Nodding, stepping aside, she allows room for Corellus to approach.

The young man's grumbling seems to lessen as he's moved to the shade, his eyes still frantically moving about under his eyelids. As the Ixifar lays a heal on him, one of his hands twitches and an uncomfortable groan cuts through his murmuring. 
 
(OOP: Again, thank you everyone for being patient!! I really appreciate it)

Gasping, Althena steps back further, anguished that her attempts at healing the young man seem to be causing him further harm.  Wringing her hands, she turns to the dark elven paladin.  "Do you know of any who can remove afflications or compulsions?" She gestures toward the human laying prone upon the ground.  "I have not the power to do so, and I fear that any further attempts at healing him may cause further unrest for the lad."

The dark elf takes note of the poor man's reactions, and then standing about 3 steps away makes a hand gesture and speaks, "Revitalize dis poor soul" casting Cleanse (Cure) on him. A white light drifts towards the man and and touches him spreading through his body before disappearing. The dark elf tilts his head to see if that did any good. "You're more of a medic dan I am, Alt'ena. Can you check 'eem?"

Nodding to Corellus, Althena stoops beside the unconscious human, reaching over and placing fingertips to the man's forehead.  "By the Radiant Maiden's Grace," she whispers, "share with me your self." (Diagnosis - sense status).

"Maybe if we cover him a bit, he may be more comforted? A least can we find the human some pants? I'm sure Marlof would appreciate me pushing this...."  As he looked at Althena. 

The young man's groans and murmuring cease. He now lays still, breathing well enough, any twitching he might have been doing earlier has also stopped and as a whole just appears more relaxed. He still does not move, however, and remains unconscious.

Althena lets out a breath, sighing as she pushes herself to her feet.  "The afflications the lad suffered seem to be cured."  She bows slightly to the paladin. "My thanks, Correlus."  Frowning, she turns her gaze back to the human, who now rests easier upon the ground.  "However, whatever compulsions were laid upon him still cause him harm."
 
She then turns to Peleus.  "Peleus, should you have an extra garment to lend the lad, I am certain his modesty would very much appreciate it.  I had not wished to cover him when he yet threatened to suffer from the heat."

double post.

"Sorry, no speare pants." Peleus looked around and grabbed a large leaf and covered the man a bit. "Should we maybe give him water?"

With a sigh of exasperation, the Ixifar carefully unpins her silken cloak, draping it over the man.  "We will not be forcing any liquids down his throat at this moment," she scolds Peleus.  "We got him onto dry land.  Why drown him now?"

The dark elf's mouth pulls slightly upward into a smile, then it fades back to the solemn bereft expression constantly on his visage. "Dat is da extent of what I am able to do. I can heal my own compulsions but for othas I am of no use. You may 'ave to find a more experience 'ealah. Or a seer, 'opefully a sane one." He turns to Peleus now. "Also, dere is no captain, but no you can no 'ave da ship." With that the dark elf begins to walk back towards the docks. "I geet some leftova rags from da cargo."

"Thank you, Corellus," Althena calls out as the paladin saunters off.  She glances at Peleus, and sighs heavily as she bends to adjust the cloak that now rests upon the human.  "I do not suppose you would know of any healers or seers?"

"Not within walking distance, I've been meditating in a caver for two months and have no idea where everyone is. I just happened across you as I'm making my way back to jastery."

(OOP: Everyone currently posting has gone to bed so if anyone else wants to post, you are free to do so, just know that anything your character might do to cause a reaction that would be seen by everyone will be postponed to sometime in the late morning or early afternoon. Thank you!! c: )

Weylyn's jaw dropped in surprise "By the ancestors... what is this commoner?" He asked softly as the elf moved him out of the sun. He straighted up and looked to the other 3. "It's almost like this person is made up completely of magic." He said sounding rather confused.

A squeaking wheel can be heard coming down a path leading to the water.  Soon the image of Taklinn pushing a wheelbarrow full of what appear to be bags full of soil and rock can be seen coming out into a clearing not far from the Lucky Dice.  Taking a box with a fine mithril mesh as the bottom, Taklinn fills it with soil and dips it into the water, shaking it and every few moments pulling it up to see what the water has washed away.  Every so often he pulls a stone out and places it in a pouch, or discards one back into the water.

Turning fully to Weylyn, concern and confusion furrowing her brow, Althena asks, "What do you mean?" She looks down at her patient, still unconscious, seemingly unaware of all that has transpired around him. "He seems but a simple human.  Although," she pauses, tapping a finger to her chin.  "if I have learned anything from my homeland, appearances are not always as they seem." She looks back at her companion. "What sensed you, my good Weylyn?"
 
She glances briefly over at the dwarf, some distance away, kneeling at the water's edge.  She is certain she has seen this one before.  Frowning, trying to recall who the dwarf is, she turns back to Weylyn, patiently awaiting his response.

Weylyn shook his head as he tried to come up with a way to explain it. "Um... he's... well I can sense a LOT, of magic on him. And his Aura isn't like any I've every seen. If I had to try and explain it I'd say it's like the magic is holding his very being together..." He said hesitantly.

Wishing Marloff were there, Althena gives the Ulf a brief nod. "Thank you, Master Weylyn.  I appreciate that."  She frowns, her gaze shifting toward the water's edge, where the dwarf still stooped.  "I wish I understood magic a bit better."
 
Then, giving a determined sigh, she stoops to adjust the cloak settled over the prone male's form.  Straightening, she says, "I am going to go over yonder and see if Sir Dwarf will be able to assist us."
 
With that, she turns, and starts walking toward the dwarf.

"Be careful, those thing bite. Specially if they haven't had their 10 meals." gesturing over to the dwarf. 

At the chirova's words, Althena pauses, glancing back nervously between the darkling and human.  Deciding that, thus far she had trusted the chirova as much as could possibly be, she turned back to resume her pace toward the dwarf.

Following at somewhat of a distance behind Taklinn with visible determination, Falkrunn comes bumbling down the path towards the water. Normally she wouldn't be this close to the shore, but she had Stormbringer business to discuss.

The Gobl'nsmasha dwarf catches the sight of what she believes to be an unfortunate night at the Shady Corner. (Seeing several characters surrounding a near naked man.) This distracts her for the moment and she changes course. She's not so busy that she can't laugh at some poor soul who doesn't know how to hold his ale.

Coming upon the party she lets out a giggle and spouts out between snorts, "what's the matter, wee 'bahbies', your man try a stout his wits couldn't handle?"

Once again distracted from her course toward the dwarven prospector, the Ixifar healer turns toward the female dwarf, clutching her shield and mace in her left hand as she settles her right upon a hip.  She has definitely seen this character - one who seemed rather brusque and taciturn - within the borders of Jastrey, although she had never interacted with her prior to this moment.  Rolling her eyes, glancing back toward the prospector, the Ixifar responds.
 
"'Tis not some drunkard from the dark corners of the tavern," she responds, exasperation and impatience heavy in her voice, "but some unfortunate, seemingly enspelled and cast within the waters of the lake."  Shaking her red head, she takes one step nearer, remaining at a distance for she is well aware of how unpredictable the Stone Children can be.  "If you have any means of removing magical afflictions or compulstions, we would welcome any aid.  If not," she shrugs, "I shall go yonder to ask the prospector at the water's edge."  She begins to turn, adding, "If you do not seek to aid us, I would suggest you return to the Shady Corner.  We've no use nor room for those who wish to inhibit rather than assist."

"Oh I've got a way of rousing your laddy there, but I don't think yur' gonna like it."

Falkrunn grabs the seemingly lifeless man by the shoulders and without shame proceeds to headbutt him. (Rouse)

An old empyrean makes an appearance at the wooded edge. His gaze runs from one side and then down the length of the sand. "Seems to be some goings on here." He starts towards the dwarf working stones in the water, with engaged interest. But turns abruptly when he recognizes Althena's form. "Aww, Althena, she'll have a fine tale to tell." His pace  quickens as he makes his way to the ixafar. "Hey !" He shouts. "What are you doing in the hot sun? You seem..." A look of concern hits Marloff. "What is the matter,  young one?"

"Well, I've done all I can do." The rouse benefits the man in no way, so Falkrunn begins to walk off. She leaves with these parting words, "what you need is a finger waggler."

And with that, Falkrunn makes her way back towards Taklinn.

Althena stares, dumfounded, at the departing dwarf's back.  If only...shaking her head, she begins back toward the prospecting dwarf, as she had earlier planned - and attempted - to do.  Then, hearing an oh-so familiar voice, she glances towards the woods.  At the sight of Marloff, she breathes an audible sigh of relief. 
 
"Marloff!", she calls out.  "Please! This young one is in need of magical assistance!" 
 
Not liking to shout, she falls silent, turning back to kneel beside the youth.  The rowdy dwarf (she never did catch her name) will fetch the prospector, she is certain.  She reaches over, placing a hand upon his forehead to feel his temperature.  Magically afflicted he may be, but she is a healer, and still concerned with how long he has been in the water as well as the time still spent in the heat, despite having been moved from the tortures of the sun.

"By the heavens !  Who is this man?" Marloff wastes no time. "These rags you have on him should be dampened to help cool his skin." He places a palm to the man's chest, feeling for the soft rise and fall. (inspect magic)

Frowning at the description of her cloak as a 'rag', Althena glances down at the unconscious human.  "I suppose you are correct," she turns toward the empyrean.  "About the dampened cloth.  Not about my cloak being a 'rag'." She offers him a smile as she bends to remove the cloak, stepping to the water to dampen it with the cool waters of the lake.  Wringing the material so that it is not dripping wet, she turns back toward the small group near the human they just recently pulled from the lake's waters.

Marloff waves a hand at the now wet cloth.
"With the cool of a new day"    [ 'One Ice' ]

The once wet cloth on his back ices over to help cool his sun burn and blisters.

(OOP: I'll allow the damage in this case since it's for rp flair, but try sticking to beneficial and story actions, thanks!)

Satisfied the cloak was cooled by Marloff's spell, Althena gives it a shake to reduce the stiffness before laying it across the poor youth's back.  Settling it down his legs to his ankles, she steps back, leaning against Marloff.

The dark elf emerges from the cargo hull of the ship with folded rags that would be worn by crewmembers aboard the vessel. A shirt and a pair of short pants. He makes his way onto the dock and looks up to see that now there is much more company than he is acustomed to seeing within that area and starts to feel abnormally cagey. With his obligated eye roll the moment he hears a dwarven accent he continues makes a subtle avoidant arc away from the two dwarves and proceeds toward Althena, and Marloff who his expression lightens a little bit towards.
 
"Ere, clean rags. Or as clean as jou'd find on an ol' ship." He hands them out to either one of them. "As da lad's condition grown any bettah?"

"No, Corellus, it would seem the magics within him have a tight hold. I know not what more I can do for him. We need a much wiser mage than myself."

Void (double print)

After sitting in the shade watching everyone go back-and-forth Peleus comes to his feet and re-enters the group of people circled around the young man now. "I agree with Marloff, maybe we should move him to the mages tower and see what we can find?"

"I do not think moving him is a wise choice. His body is weak and the travel could kill him." Marloff turns and stares into the distance to consider further options. "Something needs to be done, for sure...  We must find a way to make him more comfortable here."

Weylyn shrugged "Well we could send someone for help." He suggested before turning to Marloff "I don't suppose you can tell anything off those magics? About all I can tell is that they seem to be holding his aura together..." He added bending down and checking him for anything that might identify him. As he started rumaging though the mans pockets he continued, at first he hadn't put much stock in his mutterings but now he wasn't sure. He listened for a moment "Sounds like he's from Nastal... maybe, he's using an older dialect. Something about a staff, contract, trapped, a barrier, dwarves and ant-men. Maybe Taklinn might know something when Althena gets him." 
 
[inspect secret]

"Master Weylyn," Althena says as she turns from Corellus, the clothing the dark elf had so thoughtfully provided held tight in her arms. "Those pockets you are searching through are mine," she gestures toward the cloak covering his form - the only article of clothing currenty upon the poor lad. "All you will find therein are my bandages, tonics and a couple of epoxy."

"Maybe if we just teleport him... He's in a stable state now so we can move him... Anyone around teleport?"
 

"Perhaps one of younger males could walk up & down the waters edge. Try and find something that may have washed ashore with him." Marloff suggests thoughtfully.

Weylyn was checking the man for any identifyable markings, tatoos, birthmarks and so on. Finally moving to check his eyes to see how out of it he really was he stopped, his ears perking up in surprise "Well that's something you don't see everyday." He said to himself before motioning Marloff over "Um, Master Marloff? Have you ever seen anything like this?" He asked refering to the multiple colors swirling around the man's irises.

The dark elf squints and tries to ascertain for himself what the ulf is talking about.
[insect secret]

"Jou're right, dat is odd. Eet's a vexing amount of hues dere... I want to try someting..."
The dark elf does another hand gesture, with his hands glowing, and proceeds to touch two fingers to the man's forehead. "May the pure light cleanse your soul"
[Purge]

As the glowing light disapears into the unconscious man's forehead, all is silent and still. And then it isn't. His hands and arms begin to twitch before his whole body is in a convulsive frenzy, a gargling noise rises from his throat and bubbles foam at his lips. After a moment, his body calms, he's still breathing, but now has silvery blue liquid dripping from the corners of his mouth. 

"What the hell?" (Inspect secret & spirit)

Weylyn looked surprised and feel back on his ass before getting back up. "That isn't natural..." he added

[inspect secret, aura, and magic :P ]
 

Weylyn looked surprised and feel back on his ass before getting back up. "That isn't natural..." he added

[inspect secret, aura, and magic :P ]
 

"Well it's not poisonous, maybe I'll leave this to you guys."
Peleus gets up form a knee and turns toward the shoreline, "well I guess I should give this a try. "
Chirova Hearing (Explore)- shoreline 

Suddenly he notices some drift wood over by the shores edge that looks out of place. "Elf, check out that drift wood. It seems out of place, all neat with no one around?"
After taking a step back notices a floating leather sack up the shore line. Peleus walks over and pulls out a blade and lifts it up. (Inspect secret)

(Void: Problem was fixed.)

As peleus looked through the bag all he could find was wet papers with smeared unlegible words and other writing utensils. 
"Seems this man was some kind of bard or something..."
"Marloff, think you can do anything with these?" As he gestures to him.

Weylyn stood up and stretched "That about all I can do for him I guess. I guess it's all up to Althena now." he sees Peleus  coming back wit papers in hand. "Oh? What did you find?"

"A sack on the shore, with these writing utensils and destroyed papers."

Althena steps near the human, mindful of the others' find along the shoreline, concern etched upon her face as she kneels beside him.  Taking a cloth from her pouch, she gently wipes the liqiud from his lips, quickly whispering a prayer of healing.  (healing aura 6)

The healing magic only causes him to cough violently and groan, spitting up more silvery blue liquid. Beyond that, he doesn't move.

Weylyn shrugged. "Might as well."  He said and wandered off to the indicated item to check it out.
 
[inspect with all the things]

Disheartened, the Ixifar healer adjusts the cloak, feeling it to  make certain that it is still cool from Marloff's spell.  Her healing magic obviously not helping, she settles for simple medic-style care.  It would seem to her that what was needed now was a powerful mage.

A musical tune could be heard being whistled within the woods. Only a few moments later, Pelle can be seen stepping out to the lake, only a few yards away from where everyone was gathering around what seemed to be a dead body. A croked smile stretched across his face as he began to saunter over. "May I ask why you are prodding at this corpse? I'm sure it was perfectly fine out in the lake where he was." The riven looked over the assumed corpse, determining if it was of any use (Inspect Corpse). An almost surprised look flashed over Pelle's face once he realized the corpse was still alive. "So, whch one of you failed at drowning this poor man?" he asked. "Was it you, Master Correlus? I'm sure paladining around must be soo stressful, but atleast finish the job."

After a few minutes Peleus was unable to make out anything on the papers found in the bag. Turning his attention to the pile of wood. Peleus gave it a good once over. (Inspect secret)

Weylyn picked up the driftwood and carried it back over to the group. "Well, our friend here will probably be disheartened to learn that he broke an artifact doing whatever he did." he paused realising someone else had joined them "Ah, good afternoon Pelle."

Glancing up over at the Riven, the Ixifar healer frowned slightly.  "Any drowning of the lad would be the work of others.  Most certainly not us."
 
Turning toward the Ulf, Althena asks, "What artifact, Master Weylyn?"  She glances downward as she adjusts the cloak once more.  "I admit to not paying attention to your search along the shoreline."

"The drift wood I found on the shoreline was once a staff and its unfixable."

Marloff snaps back to life from deep thought. "Damn, I drifted off there for a bit. And wha... oh, no, no those eyes are a new one to me. Surely a magic beyond my comprehension." He glances towards the satchel of parchment. "Perhaps I could discern more from those papers and perhaps not. Hand them here I will give it go."

The riven took a step closer, getting a better look at the boy. "Artifacts you say? What kind of artifacts? Also, who stole the lad's pants? Wasn't attempted drowning not enough?"

Frowning, Althena simply shook her head, remaining quiet. 

Weylyn started to answer before Pelerus partially answered for him. "Yes." He held out the broken remenants of a staff. "As far as I can tell the magic's been gone a bit. Possibly when it was broken. The surprising thing is that I'd hazard this staff is- was over 600 years old if I'm reading this aura correctly." He waved a hand to indicate their unconcious friend "And the really suprising thing is that while our friend here appears to have used it, he was not in fact the master of said staff.' he added 
 
"I'd almost wonder if we had a theif who crossed a powerful wizard if his ramblings didn't talk about a master and a staff as well as what sounds like an expedition of some kind." He finished.

Impatient, Marloff reaches for the loose parchment thumbs through what  there is and studies it. 
Looking for even small amount of information to piece together.
[empyrean xenoglossy]

Staring at the body Peleus thinks out loud.
"It's some kind of ive wood. The way I see it one of 3 things possibly happened.
1. He's a thief 
2. A low or wanna be Mage used a staff too powerful for him.
3. A grand maze lost a big fight to something bad."

The riven nod's his head, letting the Uordeq man know he was graced with Pelle's attention. "Well, let me just ask him what it was, shall I?" he said, a smile creeping across his face. He kneeled over the the unoccupied side of the boy, kneeling beside him. And, closing his eyes, he places his hand on the boys forehead and whispered a quiet incantaion into the boys ear. (Commune Dream)

"This will be interesting." Weylyn added to the Urdeq as Pelle went to work "He could be a thief, but based on his mumblings I'm more inclined to lean to a mix of your two, and three. If I had to guess I'd say he's an apprientice to your powerful mage and they ran into something they couldn't handle. He was blathering something about 'ant men'.

As Falkrunn draws near, Taklinn asks "What's all that about over there?  can't even go down to the water ta' wash the dirt from yer mana without havin' a party about.  Been tellin' people fer years ta' stay away from the water, and they never seem ta' listen!"  He finally looks up to Falkrunn as he puts another large piece of mana into his sack.

While Pelle is inside the young man's mind, the lad begins to convulse again, only for a moment, more silvery blue liquid gurgles from his mouth.

"Oh aye!", Falkrunn gives a laugh, "oh that, that be a convention of the worst kind." She pulls her helmet off, clips it to her belt, and wipes her brow with her sleeve. "I was coming to see you when I saw'em. Thought I'd have a laugh at the sight, but I ruffled some feathers", she lets out a giggle-snort at her own joke and continues, "some laddy got himself in some trouble. Nekkid as a wee bah'by. I thought he was feeling the spirits, but that shehawk tells me otherwise." Falkrunn tugs her beard in the direction of the group. "That ixafar woke up on the wrong side of the coop, demanding help of the finger wagglin' persuasion."

Falkrunn digs down the front of her shirt for her flask, but instead pulls out a bit of sand. "Would'ya'look'at'that"... distracted she trails off about how much she detests every single grain of sand and how shite the weather is.

"Oh, right, back to that featherhead! She asked if I knew how to cure compulsions or feel magic, or some shite", Falkrunn snorts again, "I bet you can guess what happened next!" She slaps her leg in excitement and cackles in between snorts. "I picked that peasant up by his shoulders and gave his noggin' a knockin'!" A smile crosses her face, she wipes her brow once more. Very pleased with herself.

"Strange thing though", in a more serious and hushed tone, "when I tossed him back down, I swear I saw the prettiest swirl of color sweep across his eyes." "Looked like labradorite when the light catches it just right."

Marloff gives himself a few moments to be sure no more could be gleamed from the parchment. He lets his eyes glance the small crowd, to be sure he has at least a portion of their attention.
"One of these pages is clearly a map of sorts, see here." Marloff's finger drops to near center page.  "I believe it shows a clearing with three distinct paths leading to it."  His finger traces each of the paths as he speaks.
 Pffft, he scoffs. "These few pages are useless to us. Damned ink has run a muck. But they were once journal entries. I can not say for certain that they were his from his quill."
-
There is a long pause as he pulls one page to the top. Marloff's mind starts to wander off again as ponders the drawings on it.
-
"This one, yes, this one could hold the answer to man's afflictions. It would seem to be a rather complex design for..." Another extend pause falls to his words. "Some sort of... facial equipment, near as I can tell.  Judging from the crazy colors moving about in his eyes, I dare say it has connections to this contraption."
A devilish grin covers his face. "Now we need an engineer too. We shall have all of Jastrey involved if we keep this up."
-
He rolls the damp pages and pokes one end down into his bag.

Hearing the word engineer, peleuss ears perked up. Having studied a little engineering back in the monastery.
"Marloff let me take a look at that."
(engineer 15)

The riven's eyes open up as he steps away from the child. "Don't mind trying to decypher that blueprint, Master Uordeq. I know exactly what it is. In fact, Master Taklin there was with me when we had to build the breathing contraption thats drawn on it. Ladies and Gentleman, meet Alastor, the once lifeless bag of bones now Comatose boy. Marvelous."

A confused look stretched across before Pelle realized what had just transpired. "Oh no, no NO! Get the pit out of my head, you little shit, and back into your worthless husk! You are trespassing!"

The dark elf looks at his former patchwork ally with confusion and slight concern. "What did dees Alastor do, try to counterpoke jour brain? I t'ought you were too good for dat?"

" Well he's not lying, these appear to be some sort of face apparatus."
Peleus turns the page and left and right trying to see it at a different angle he could see more.
"not much more on this I can see. "

At the Riven's words, Althena jumps to her feet, putting as much distance between herself and the unconscious creature laying upon the ground.  "A golem?" she whispers, frowning at the creature she had just recently been attempting to keep alive.  Then, sensing the Riven's distress, she turns, her frown deepening.  "Whatever is wrong with you, Master Riven?"

Weylyn wandered over to Peleus since everyone else seemed to be occupied with the riven. Whatever was wrong with him wasn't in his ability to help. but this might be something he could help with. He looked over the urdeq's shoulder to read what he was looking at.
 
[translate on all the papers.]

(OOP: It's come to my attention that some times people are not able to post as frequently as others, I ask that you of those who post frequently to give others the chance to respond to requests you make of them and not assume that they would have done so. I.e. don't assume you were given papers if the player had not handed them over to you yet. If you have any questions or concerns, please pm me. I'll be off work at 10. Thank you! (: )

The riven scowled at somebody who appeared to not be there. "Look, I don't know how you followed me out of your head, but you are not staying here. Oh, I'll bring you to consciousness. JUst long enough to make you unconscious angain and dump youback in that lake where you belong." The riven began walking about. "I can do that. It better work, and so help me, if you mess with a single thing up there I will end you, chop you into pieces and sew yu back as a toad before feeding you to a snake!" The riven grumbled as he stumbled over to the boys still comatose body. "Break the bonds of this enchantment!" the riven incatned as he (Dispelled) the magic in the body.

TO BE CONTINUED AT GAME. 
 
The forum is now closed. Everyone that participated within the forum, please be ready to meet Saturday morning (in character) even if you do not plan on going on the mod(unless you're monstering, then you're excused :P). This will be the first mod run in the morning, so it shouldn't interfere with anyone elses story hooks. The hook will continue right here where it's been stopped, as if it were freeze framed. Thank you to everyone that participated, I hope you guys enjoyed yourselves! When feedback shows up after the event, please comment your thoughts on the use of forum seeding.