TDM #3

[calderaevents]

TDM #3

ARRIVAL (new characters only)

It happens in an instant. A heavy weight in your gut, a trembling of your limbs, the world spins and you barely have time to register that you're falling before you lose consciousness. And when you awaken, it's not where you were last. Dark, unadorned oak walls surround you in a tiny room, the only furniture the bed you are currently resting upon, and the bedside table with a folded piece of parchment resting atop it that simply reads:

“The Tavernkeeper is awaiting your arrival downstairs.”

As you exit you find others like yourself emerging from the surrounding rooms. You are indeed in a tavern, but there is no hustle and bustle one might think to hear in such a place. The only person down on the main floor is a humanoid figure wiping down the bar, who smiles when they see you. They're familiar, but not, and you can't quite place their face. For some reason, however, their presence is comforting and warm.

“Welcome, Visitor. I'm sure you have a lot of questions.”

And you most certainly do.

The Tavernkeeper offers more than just answers, of course. This is a tavern after all, and what is a tavern without drinks?

DRINK MENU (new characters only)

PUMPKIN SPICE The second this delectable drink hits your tongue, you have the overwhelming urge to tell someone a story - specifically about something unbelievable that happened to you, be it true or not.

BLACK CAT You finish most sentences with cat-like mewls, trills, and other such sounds.

SINFUL CIDER made from a particular variety of apples with a sharp intense flavor and a smooth caramel finish, the tart sweetness blends perfectly with the spices. Suddenly you feel like you need to confess something. Past sins? A deep, deep desire? A secret? Anything that you simply wouldn't admit under most circumstances, it seems like a fabulous time to unburden yourself.

BEETLEJUICE A Calderan fall delicacy, the drink is made by marinating beetles in a strong liquor reminiscent of malort. drinking 3 of them in a row is a common challenge, if you can stomach it...

HOT CHOCOLATE The standard fare with or without marshmallows. Drinking this makes you want to cuddle up with someone - anyone, really - especially by a fire.

RAMBLER You are prone to rambling and being generally more verbose than usual.

VANILLA BOURBON An aged bourbon with a strong vanilla finish… though be warned, it might make you more… vanilla than usual.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY

As the effects of your drink wear off, the Tavernkeeper speaks once more:

”It is time, my friends, for you to find your new homes.”

You are compelled to walk through the only door leading out of the tavern, finding yourself not outside, but in a deep black, seemingly endless room with five portals arranged in a circle. As the last of you leave and the door closes behind you, gone when you look back again and replaced with nothing but that black void, three of the portals illuminate:

The first portal is surrounded by an almost blinding light, prismatic rainbows shining brightly in the dewy air outside of the tavern. A soft breeze may gently caress you, pulling you toward it. The portal seems to lead to a city in the clouds, airships and winged beings of all sorts soaring through the skies. Of the little bits of visible land, much of it boasts giant waterfalls that look like clouds melting into the land below. The portal calls to those who crave independence and freedom; and especially to anyone that wishes to find the strong bond of a family not forged in blood.

The second portal is encircled by a fairy ring of spotted white capped mushrooms, the faint scent of damp stone and rich earth wafting from within the faint green glow. Peering inside, one can see a sprawling harbor city of gray hewn stone, a melting pot of humanoid beings going about their day, and beyond, rolling green farmland and cottages clustered in small villages. This portal is destined for those who crave stability and solid ground beneath their feet. A simple life, an adventurous one, and everything in between can be found within.

The last portal is adorned with shells and seaweed, the glow of blue around it catching on droplets cascading down the circular opening. Beyond it you see a city housed inside a massive bubble deep under the ocean, spiraling towers encrusted with coral, and a variety of different creatures mingling about the streets. Outside of that bubble, merfolk swim, a massive squid engulfs the view from the portal as it smoothly glides through the water, and schools of fish disperse as it passes. A sanctuary in the sea that calls to those with a hunger for knowledge and a desire to aid those in need. Or perhaps it is the mystery that beckons you - the lure of the unknown in the depths that bids you explore it.

---

Upon following the pull of the breeze through the first portal, you are thrust into the beauty of a lively city that goes by the name of Heaven's Bow. Much of this main city feels exactly as you would expect on a city below, but there are clouds surrounding every direction you look. The walls of buildings are made with light-colored limestone, and buildings are generally built up to heights made even more grandiose by their position in the sky.

The Skyfall Docks are the first thing you notice, with airships sailing in and out across the clouds with shouts that accompany a typical port city. Just outside is a fantastic market with goods not only from the other regions of Caldera, but from what some shopkeepers claim are other worlds--items sold or left behind by Visitors. Almost anything can be found in the markets if one is willing to look hard enough. Transport to other locations throughout the sky and even to the land or sea can be found here, but due to recent events the amount of airships in the docks are limited. Travel is still possible, but there may be some delay while they ferry people back and forth. The locals speak of the day the sky fell and close inspection or further prodding provides new arrivals with some idea of what had happened a few weeks prior: a piece of Heaven's Bow had broken off, leaving many losing family members and friends to the tragedy. Attempts to rebuild are slow going.

If the docks are too lively for you, you may instead find yourself roaming the underbelly of Heaven's Bow and finding brothels and gambling parlors filled with the promise of pleasure and fortune. The guild house for the Sylphs can be found here as well, giving out quests and training to prospective adventurers and guards alike--though none of them seem concerned with the illicit activities that surround them. Perhaps the freedom the Sylphs boast of extends to what others may deem an undesirable activity.

But most curious of all, you find a shimmering opal gemstone in your hand. When placed anywhere on the body, it will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

If it was the second portal that called to you, you will find yourself in the busy city of Grey Ward, with its cobblestone streets and sturdy grey stone buildings. You are in the heart of the city, the Glass Market, so named for the colorful stained glass windows of the surrounding buildings. The scent of cooking food and the sound of barkers fills the air; watchful guards keep an eye out for pickpockets and thieves, and citizens go about their day. From here, one can investigate the rest of the city: the Sundown Docks, where both sea and sky faring skips transport people and goods. The Soot Spire, home of inventors and engineers. The Hearthstill, the main residential area. The Downs, a smaller residential area for those with less means.

Outside the city walls, one can explore acres of farmlands to the east and west, or follow Terra’s Pass to the less settled areas, but take care. Past the Skyward Range, out in the smaller burrows and villages, the influence of the city guard diminishes quickly, and you’ll have to keep your wits about you. Bandits along the road are always a risk, and the wildlife are less controlled by regimented hunting.

Down near where land meets sea, a large crater has formed from the piece of Heaven's Bow that landed there weeks before. Debris still scatters the landscape, and rescue efforts are ongoing even if hopes of finding people alive are slim to none these days. Broken columns of once majestic buildings lay in pieces, and the earth itself seems to be weeping with molten rock that has been unearthed by the impact.

In your hand is a gemstone, a brilliantly green emerald that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

If the last portal beckoned you through it, you find yourself within that bubble covered city beneath the sea, the city of Salt Spire. Your ears pop with the change in pressure, and the smell of the salty sea fills your nostrils. All around you buildings made of dark stone encrusted with coral and seagrass tower high above your head, the backdrop outside the dome a deep blue, seemingly endless sea filled with fish and merfolk and all other manner of creature swimming through the water. You stand in the heart of it all, surrounded by people with gils on their necks and scales upon their vibrantly colored skin, all of whom seem intrigued by your arrival. You have many options of where to visit in the city under the sea, but where oh where will you go first?

The Salt Spire Library is right before you, an impossibly large building housing thousands upon thousands of books of all genres. Fiction, non-fiction, romance and mystery and all between. You may even find books from your world and others! Oddly enough though, no Calderan history books are to be found, and if you ask for them, the librarians and locals all choose to ignore your questions.

If scholarly pursuits aren't to your interest currently, perhaps a trip to Bluetide Market would be more your style? The marketplace is host to every manner of shop one might ever need: artisans of all varieties, apothecaries and healers in the Shimmer Quarter, the most in fashion undersea clothing shops, food stalls, and all between can be found in Bluetide. There are also the Tideshore and Fogbottom docks on either end of the city. The former allows transport to the surface via large, magical bubbles for those that cannot hold their breath or make the swim themselves yet. The latter allows people to venture further into the sea. Those without their underwater abilities are offered rebreathers for travel that last for four hours before needing to be replaced.

Much like the cities above, transportation is a little delayed. Much of the manpower usually kept for upkeeping the docks has been diverted to repairing pieces of the bubble that have started to leak. Not enough to truly worry the inhabitants of Salt Spire, but enough that it's slowing down a lot of other areas of the city while people work to fix it.

In your hand is a gemstone, a shining sapphire that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

Visitors in all starter cities are offered a standard home with basic necessities provided (your choice in design, etc.) that can house 1-4 people if they so choose. Home upgrades can be purchased via rewards.

THE SPIRIT OF FALL

With everything that's happened recently, Calderans are ready to fall into autumn. Harvests from Dryad territories are coming in strong with pumpkins and apples overflowing the markets--the harvests have been particularly bountiful this year, and the locals are certain it has something to do with the Visitors' efforts.

Given the extra bounty, a temporary café has opened in Grey Ward. Wander in with a good book and experience the aromas that will greet you at the door: apple crisp, pumpkin bread, cider donuts... the smell of all sorts of sweets and deserts with an autumnal twist. The pumpkin spiced latte seems to be a favorite drink among the locals.

Of course, it's not only Grey Ward participating in the fall spirit. Head to Heaven's Bow for tastes of all sorts of soups to warm yourself as the days grow cooler, especially where the winds are strong. Everything from pumpkin to roasted red pepper, most served with hot cider--spiked, of course, with a cinnamon-based whiskey upon request.

Far below in Salt Spire you can expect to find the market stalls serving hot pot and oden, a savory stew full of tofu, daishi, and a variety of vegetables and noodles. You might even wish to purchase sake that has been aging since the spring, its flavor a perfect complement to any meal--though steamed buns seem to be a favorite for social gatherings.

Whatever you might like to celebrate the comforts of autumn, the harvest is bountiful and Caldera seems to be healing--at least for the moment.

SHADOWS IN THE SEA

There's a buzz in Salt Spire that something is happening at the Fogbottom Docks. Upon investigating, Visitors will find lines of people waiting to hop onto the crystalline ship docked there, the side of it etched with the words: Princess Harriet's Haunted Boat Tours. Princess Harriet herself, a middle-aged Undine with wild curls of coral atop her head and a billowing dress of blue and green seaweed stands at the head of the ship, ushering people aboard.

"Welcome Calderans and Visitors alike to Princess Harriet's Haunted Boat Tour! Come and see the spirits that haunt the deep dark seas! Hear tales of romance, adventure, and tragedy like none you have ever heard before! Just 10 Bones apiece and we shall set sail once the seats are full!"

The seats are full quickly, but should you manage to get on board, the inside of the ship is large and dimly lit, blue flame candles casting odd shadows along the rows of seats and the others along for the tour.

The ship sets off out of Salt Spire and into the sea. Each landmark is met with a new tale of a different ghost.

"And here," Harriet chimes in. "In Cordelia's Rest. You know, it's said that those that perish at sea will often find their way here, following the light like a beacon. With it dimmed by unknown forces, who knows how many poor souls will be lost forever..." She weeps theatrically into her hand, stopping a few seconds later to continue speaking of the local spirits.

More stories are told with each stop - the tale of the Sylph and Undine lovers that tragically ended when the sylph tried to dive into the ocean to be with their lover and did not anticipate the fall (a story that, given Heaven's Bow's disaster a few months prior, unsettles many in an unintended way). Then there are the ghosts that haunt the Violet Drop - yet another with unpleasant implications given recent events concerning a certain Cult. But that did not stop Harriet in the slightest, who went on and on until the boat started to jerk wildly when they neared too close to Anchor Wash and its dangerous currents.

"Fear not, folks! I am sure that is just the thousands of ghosts of dead sailors that have- gods above, what is that!?" There is true terror in her voice as the ship shook and rattled, a massive shadow passing along the outside of it - large and indiscernible in its shape. For a moment, whatever it was seems to pass by without issue. But just as Harriet begins to speak again, the ship jerks violently, sending passengers flying into the sides of the vessel, into each other, and onto the floor. Harriet's assurances fall on deaf ears while everyone is shaken about like a toy in a dog's mouth, the ship creaking ominously. The helmsman shouts for aid through the bird-shaped communication device, but who knows how long it will be before help arrives.

They did not confiscate your weapons upon boarding, and there are rebreathers on the ship. Harriet shouts that someone has to help, because she's pretty sure ghosts aren't this strong. If you choose to assist and venture outside the vessel, you are met with the odd sight of shadowy tendrils wrapping themselves around the ship with the intent to crush it, the source of the arcane energy coming from a crack in the ocean floor below. Thankfully, the shadows seem to be corporeal enough to hit with mundane weapons - although magic ones seem to dispel them faster. Take them out and make sure you get back on board before the ship sails back to Salt Spire, those tendrils are dangerous, and being around them too long makes you feel dizzy and disoriented.

DECEASED BY DAWN

In the darkness of night, you feel... something. It claws at the edges of your mind and fills you with a feeling of dread, ice cold fingers wrapping around you as it pulls and pulls... You wake up in a strange, dark forest; the trees are too dense to see the sky, and there is no moonlight to peak through the leaves. There may be others near you or there may not, but as you wander it's clear that this is no place for mortals. You feel eyes on your back no matter where you go, your heart races because of this immense unknown and the strange situation at hand... What happened? Why were you sent here?

You are powerless. You could hide. Or you could fight.

A face you may recognize seems to duck behind a wall of bricks--was that there before?--and you hear a soft growl nearby.

You, and anyone you've found yourself with, are being hunted.

You have a sense that you need to escape the forest before the sun fully peeks over the horizon, or you may find yourself at the receiving end of a hag's hunting. Escaping the forest is straightforward enough: a portal that needs to be activated by collecting various items of import from your past, scattered throughout the forest.

Just make sure not to fall into any of the hag's traps, or you may find yourself deceased by dawn.

MURDER MYSTERY

The full bounty of the Dryad people’s harvest is on display, particularly the wide, colorful assortment of gourds from, you guessed it, Gourdmill. Loading up in a hay cart and touring the patches to select the perfect pumpkin is a long standing tradition–just don’t make too much noise about carving one where the locals can hear, because Gourdmillians get persnickety about that particular tradition (why waste a perfectly good pumpkin when a nasty old turnip from the Burrow is right there.

Speaking of the Burrow, the Berry Bakers are selling their famous hand pies in nearly every flavor of fruit tree and bush berry imaginable, and are trying something new to bring more attention to their little corner of the land: an escape room! Billed as “The Haunting of Hollow Barn”, it costs only a few bones for entry, and participating groups must uncover the truth behind the disappearance of Old Farmer Kelly, who vanished this very month, from this very barn, long long ago.

The barn itself was in disrepair and had an eeriness to it already, but has been decorated with flickering lanterns, thick cobwebs, and scatters of bones (animal bones, but play along!). The first clue is easy to find: a cracked leather bound diary which seems to detail the farmer’s last night alive. Following these cryptic clues will lead the group to a hay bale, beneath which is a small compartment in the floor. This compartment contains a second clue: a puzzle box with a cylindrical lock. The symbols and the order they must be placed in harken back to an old nursery rhyme. Once unlocked, the puzzle box is found to contain four colorful, glowing stones, which, when held up, emit a light that reveals hidden messages painted on the walls. Following these messages and instructions will lead to uncovering four lanterns, each one the same color as the stone that revealed its location. Once the stone is placed inside, and the lanterns are placed on the right hangers, the group will hear a click, as the cellar door opens.

Descending the dark, musty stares, they will find the ghost of Old Farmer Kelly (definitely not a poor, bedraggled farmer whose wife talked him into this, doused with flour that puffs softly every time he tries not to cough), who recites a riddle: “Take me out of a window, and I leave a grieving wife. But stick me in a door, and I can save the poor man's life. What am I?” With the correct answer given, the ghost will declare that you have freed his tormented soul and as such you are free as well, and produce the key to the barn door.

Should one fail to solve the puzzles in time, one is doomed to perish in the barn and their spirit will haunt it forever (or, Miss Maisie Weston will retrieve you at the end of the time limit, and you don't get a prize). Any questions as to what actually happened to Old Farmer Kelly, and what the riddle has to do with anything, will be met with blank stares, a vague muttering attempt at a ghostly sound, and puffs of flour dust as he ushers you out; one must remember this was an elaborate mystery thrown together by a farming community, so please just take your prize (one free hand pie!) and move along.

QUESTBOARD

Settled in? Good. It's time to make your way to the Questboard located in every city in numerous, easy to access locations. That is, if you want to make any kind of impact on the world or just get some Bones for anything you might wish to purchase. Visitors are given a very small stipend in which to survive every month, but all it does is keep you fed and housed. These quests will assure you greater wealth, and they're the main reason you're here: each finished quest helps the Calderans fix their shattering world.

Quests can be accepted at the questboard via magically signed parchment upon the board. Just sign your name to accept and the paper will be whisked away... somewhere. You're not actually sure. Probably nothing to concern yourself with.

Once quests are completed, earned Bones will be dropped off at the character's residence by Bonita, the mysterious artisan who has supposedly handcrafted every Bone circulating in Caldera. Please do not speak to her, she startles easily.

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Caldera's third TDM! All characters awaken in a strange tavern with nothing save the clothes on their backs, all of their powers stripped, and a piece of parchment directing them downstairs to the Tavernkeeper. There is a thread of all questions answered by the Tavernkeeper here, and if you have more, feel free to ask there for what would be offered ICly. The tavern and the offered drinks are currently only accessible to new arrivals.

For OOC questions, please direct themhere.

All locations are available to be explored!

The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.

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Comments

[odare]

Finnick follows Aymeric off the ship, with their new archaeologist friend Leofard in tow.

Immediately, that sound puts Finnick on high alert. He nods, smoothly taking his trident off his back and holding it at his side. Slowly, he moves toward the general direction of the crying.

"That can't be good... Do you think it's a trap?"

It's the kind of thing a Gamemaker might do to lure tributes to a certain part of the map before unleashing something deadly there, but Finnick isn't sure how common that sort of thing is in this world.

[serenraelover]

[Serenrae preserve him from those who act as though their injuries are nothing. It’s not impressive, it’s foolhardy.]
You are limping. I am not. I simply wanted to examine your injury, if you had not been so pissy about it, I would not be so irritated. I even said I would wait until we were out of these woods, but you disliked even that idea.

[odare]

Finnick holds his breath and stiffens as whoever (or whatever) that is runs by them.

Once he's sure it won't see them, he exhales.

"No. You think there's more?" As his eyes continue to scan, they catch on something out of place, and he walks toward the item.

[somethingveryspecial]

[Kainé doesn't prod, but she does notice the other women shivering.

And she's not heartless.

Not to mention, she's feeling it as well after losing Tyrann upon her arrival, she had to get used to feeling human things again.]

You're right. It's fucking freezing.

[Especially with the way she dresses.

Kainé hesitates a moment before moving next to the other woman. She wouldn't mind huddling together for body heat, but like hell she's going to suggest it!]

[dreamflowers]

[The choice attire certainly didn't go beyond Jade's notice, either... but she's remiss to judge or make assumptions.

[Instead, she pays more mind to the fact that she's not the only one suffering in this cold, before struggling to get onto her feet with a grunt.]

C'mon, let's get below deck... see if they have anything we can use. At least then we'll be somewhere dryer.

[Jade isn't holding out hope for a spare change of clothes for someone of her size; towering when she stands up and reaching out a hand for Kainé to take, should she want the assist.]

[somethingveryspecial]

[Kainé reaches out to take the offered hand when she realizes something and retracts, getting to her feet on her own.]

Don't be stupid. Aren't you the one about to topple over?

[She raises a brow and offers her own shoulder instead, should Jade want the support as they move below deck.]

[dreamflowers]

[Sighing, Jade pulls back her hand and shrugs.]

Meh. I've had worse.

[That's probably not as comforting as it should be, but it doesn't stop her from leaning on Kainé a little once offered as they make their way down a set of stairs. There's a flicker of a moment where her vision blurs and she stumbles on the last step, but Jade is used to that. Concussion, maybe. Nothing she hasn't endured before.]

[odare]

"Sorry," he murmurs with a sheepish grin. He knows better than to laugh at someone's cock, no matter what species they are. He continues to stroke Angel's cock and massage his balls, rolling his own hips into the demon's hand with a pleased groan. The number of hands they have at their disposal is certainly proving... Handy. He cranes his neck up to kiss the other man again.

[closeyourfist]

It is not an injury. I am not injured. What I am, is aggravated. [ Even if he were interested in talking the stupid capriciousness of his own body with a stranger, this is neither the time nor the place. He continues to follow the path. ] So can we please finish this so that we can collect our payment and part ways? Because I would very much like to not be anymore.

[holdshisown]

Maedhros simply meets the scrutiny with a long look of his own, letting Loki make of him what he will. Either he'll find what he's looking for or he won't and there's not much Maedhros can do about that. He just hopes whatever he sees will make him more likely to co-operate a bit until they find a way out of this place.

"Yes," he says. "Though the one I saw has been dead for quite some time now... so the trick was rather obvious. An illusion conjured to cause us to grow fearful and unceartain, no doubt."

He gives Loki a sympathetic look. "This place does unfortunately strip us of both our belongings and our powers, I'm afraid. Given time you'll be able to work your way to buying them back... supposing, of course, that we escape these damnable woods first."

[serenraelover]

[Ethlund surfaces first out of sheet desperation, while Gabriel takes a bit longer before surfacing and heading to shore.]
His wife will certainly be happy. We found him, and the necklace. I’m glad we are able to reunite them.

sorry this got SO lost

[captainjeralt]

"Good to meet you both," he smiles warmly at Estelle. She's cute. "Beef works for me."

The utensils on the table are not something he recognizes. It's simply a pair of sticks- no prongs or curves. He picks them up, eyeing them curiously.

I love walls of text give me all of them

[lost_and_foundry]

He gives her a long, thoughtful look. He's met a few drow here and there, mostly in a business context. None have ever threatened him in Baldur's Gate, though he's hard pressed to say they've all been friendly. This woman has not just called him a friend, but also, already, expressed regret for her past. That's extraordinary.

"I happen to have some experience with building bridges," he says. "Well...rebuilding, technically, but with considerable improvements."

"Seven." He confirms with a wry smile. It's an unusually large family for a deep gnome. "My parents are clearly very deeply in love. Most of us left the nest, though, in order to keep the population of our settlement low enough to stay hidden. That's why I came to the Gate. I'm hoping my youngest brother will join me soon."

His expression grows serious again as she continues. It doesn't seem right to ask for details like where he is now, how they were separated. She's worried enough already. The gnome looks back at the cat, which is still hanging around him but seems to be dozing off now, tail waving idly in the sun.

"I'd help you find him," he says. "If you asked me. If we were, you know, back in Faerun. I don't think there's anything that can be done now, but...keep it in mind for later." He's known her for less than an hour and already concluded she's more than trustworthy. Whatever version of himself she's known and guided through the Grymforge and the Shadowlands, he's sure he'd do the same.

He smirks faintly at the nudge. "It's possible I'll get in more trouble with additional encouragement, you know. I lived a very respectable life in Baldur's Gate before I ran off looking for Wulbren."

[lost_and_foundry]

Tymothee latches onto the hem of his rescuer's tunic, needing the stability of something to cling to after so long alone in the darkness. He's very visibly shaken up, but he's surprisingly cooperative, murmuring only a 'yes sir' when Maedhros looks to his injury. He grits his teeth, already in pain, but he's a farm boy, and there's inherent calm and practicality in his constitution.

"A-all right," he says. "I'll...stay still. Is there, um, do you have water? I'm really thirsty."

Up at the top of the rope, Barcus doesn't dare wander far, needing to be within earshot in case something happens, but he finds himself peering into the dark all around him, trying to listen for something other than the soft trickle of red water. It's eerie, and it may be his imagination, but for a moment he fancies he hears distant whispers.

[lost_and_foundry]

In point of fact, most deep gnomes have names that reference some sort of natural material: gems, stone, minerals and the like. He's probably known a few gnomes with 'Ash' as a component within their first or last names.

"Really?" He's intrigued. "I'd almost say it's poor luck for two separate worlds to each have their own Underdark. It's a dangerous place, though I called it home for a long time, and my family still lives there. I wouldn't exactly recommend it to tourists."

"Do you have drow in your world? Not that they're the only creatures that make the Underdark dangerous, but they're certainly, um, noteworthy."

[lost_and_foundry]

Barcus seems to hesitate for a moment, studying him as if to try and parse whether it's a serious offer of a mere pleasantry. After a moment, he says, "If you mean that, I might take you up on it. My weapons skills are awfully limited. I can handle a dagger, or a slingshot, and that's fine for hunting but not so much for self-defense."

"I'm a gnome. A deep gnome, specifically, as opposed to a forest gnome or a rock gnome. Most gnomes are miners and tinkerers and metallurgists, but deep gnomes, especially, know the underground."

[lost_and_foundry]

"Sentient mushroom folk," he tells her with mild, but genuine, enthusiasm. "Some of them are enormous, up to four or five times my height. Usually the biggest don't walk about, though. The ones closer to your size move on two or three limbs, glow in the dark, and speak with a kind of telepathy."

"They're usually very peaceful, as long as you don't disturb their offspring. I wasn't allowed to get too close to the colony alone, but I used to like to sit on the cliffs that overlooked it and watch their lights flicker. Pinks and greens and turquoise, like a party that never slept."

"I thought the city would look more like that, actually," he muses. "Before I got there. They say things about the nightlife in surface cities, but it's not the same thing. Just lanterns and liquor, and they're fine in and of themselves, but they don't quite match the silence and the spectrum of light in the darkness."

[lost_and_foundry]

"Well, there are forest gnomes where I'm from, but I wouldn't call them particularly fairy like." Theoretically they all have distant fey ancestry, but he's pretty sure that's not what she means.

He grins. "I love the idea of having funny looking miniature gnomes in hats in my house, yes. I'll name them after my friends."

He sobers a little, made curious by the way she talks about the gods. "I think as long as honoring the gods includes general civil behavior and living in peace with the people around you, it's hard to go wrong. What do you mean it's weird for you now, though? Something happened?"

[shark_girl]

The idea of the lawn gnomes was great, but the other topic was harder to ignore. She frowned a little and fidgeted before finally sighing. "Never meet your gods. They absolutely aren't good at living up to expectations." A snort. "But yes. Hospitality and being true to one's place in life is basically the long and short of it. What that means varies, but I've always taken my real dad's attitude. Leave a place better off than it was when you got there."

"I don't need squabbling brats with power to tell me to do that." She was capable of being respectful to some of them, but boy howdy was she salty towards most of Olympus.

[shark_girl]

[She kept pace with him, pulling the rebreather back so she could speak more easily. It just felt weird.]

All in a day's work, if you ask me. And ya don't look too bad off there, bucko.

[He was a bit more embarrassed than anything, for which he should count his lucky stars.]

[inherentrage]

"Gods. I hate these things." Sun Spear grumbled. Estelle, however, picked hers up without issue and clicked them together. "They're chopsticks! You hold then like this!" She motioned to Jeralt.

[lost_and_foundry]

Barcus is not a city leader, but he's studied infrastructure enough to notice when something's unusual. Extra housing is weird. Extra money and food in a mercantile system is equally significant. It could mean they're producing more than their population needs, and that's only good up to a point.

"I don't think we're going to get the entire picture of this place up front. Even if they're not trying to deceive anyone and have the best of intentions, they won't be telling us everything right off the bat."

He nods slowly, meeting the man's eyes for a moment. They're on the same page, it seems, or at least close enough. "Same. Won't know what's out there for sure until we see it for ourselves. I'll let you finish your drink now and get your head together, but I'll be keeping an eye out for you. In the least ominous way possible, I promise."

Mind you, Barcus figures he's not very ominous to begin with, but it's better to make his intentions clear. Truce.

[odare]

"Thought you wanted your gills to work again?" He asks, a brow raised. Isn't that why she's doing this? Either way, so long as she'll help him with this he doesn't really care.

"No, you're not. I'm sick of losing sleep worrying about the kids on my beach."

Finnick hops up onto the bow of the boat gracefully, offering his hand to pull her up with him so they can dive off the front. He checks that he has what he needs- really, all he needs is his trident and the backup water-breathing potion. Anything else will slow him down. He takes off his shirt.

"Ready."

[holdshisown]

Maedhros let's the boy cling to him, he is as gentle as he can be as he sets the leg but a broken bone will hurt no matter how gentle the hand that treats it is. The best thing he can do for the boy, however, is to keep himself calm and composed during the entire ordeal. He hums a soft and sothing melody as he works, there is no Power in it of course, but it is hard to shake old habits and Song was so often used in healing among his people that he barely even notices that he does so.

"Of course," he says as he hands his waterskin to the boy. "I have some bread as well, in case you are hungry."

Once he's satisfied with his work he contemplates the best course of action to get the boy up the rope. "Now," he says at length. "It is very important that you awnser me honestly, child, and not try to take on more than you can handle just because you think it is what I want to hear. Do you think you feel strong enough to keep hold of me as I climb up the rope or would you rather my friend come down and secure you to my back so I can carry you up that way?"

If Maedhros hears the whispers he is quick to put them out of his mind until he's got this part of the task done with. He'll do the child no favors by acting like there's something to concerned about, even if it might be true.

the spirit of fall

[holdshisown]

The unexpected invasion of his personal space makes Maedhros stiffen until he forces himself to relax again. His face, once he turns to face Angel fully, is not entirely friendly and he makes a rather obvious show of putting some distance between them. He really does not like when people get that close to him without warning.

"I think you'd have better luck finding a tavern for such things," he says. Trying his best to keep his tone polite. "Places like these don't tend to serve anything to potent because it'd be bad for buisness to have a bunch of drunken individuals making a mess of things."