Lightning in a Bottle (RP)

- Ezme -

Roald's trail seems to wander all over the place and crosses itself a few times, as though made by blind man. This makes it hard to follow, but probably has the added benefit of meaning is can't be too far away.

The circle of non-mist forces you to move slower than you would like, though, and you worry that the flattened reeds and grass of the trail are springing back and it might be gone if you don't make haste. The, more visible, tail of disturbed water drops is already mostly hidden by new condensation.

Once you are done convincing Albert of your intentions, make a tracking roll, probably affected by your Survival skill. You decide which stat you roll, based on how you describe it.

OOC:

I am setting a 3-segment clock.
On a 6- you don't make progress (don't tick the clock) or progress will cost you dearly.
On a 7-9 you can find the right trail and tick the clock once.
On a 10+ you tick the clock twice and also end up close enough the someone else may be able to finish it (maybe close enough to hear each others' shouts?).
On a 12+ your skills are more than up to the task, you complete the clock and learn something valuable going forward.

Apr 10, 2024 3:45 pm

Ezme nods to confirm the creature's appearance, then grunts with surprise and a bit of respect at Albert's expression of suspicion.

"I am stranger to you," she acknowledges. "I am also tracker and your best chance at finding your friend. Trust me or not; the longer we stand here chatting, the more you risk that man's life," she says urgently, pointing the direction Roald left. "I will say this," she adds, her lip curling into a snarl, "Gods willing, I will lead us to this creature, and we will end this here and now. They tried to mess with my head in those woods. They laughed at me. No one laughs at House Felder." She turns, following the trail and muttering under her breath: "... unless Ezme cracks terrible joke."

Apr 10, 2024 3:53 pm

Albert realizes that Ezme is right. She is his best chance of finding Roald in this mist. One thing was for sure. He will not be laughing at house Felder an time soon. The trapper kinda scared him.

"Very well. Lead the way."

Apr 10, 2024 4:13 pm

Ezmaray tries to work as quickly as she can. In the shadow of the trees, the moonlight is dimmed, and she stops briefly to light a torch to help her detect the lingering hints of Roald's passage.

Rolls

Survival (+WIS) - Tracking Roald - (2d6+1)

(65) + 1 = 12

Apr 10, 2024 4:41 pm

Before long, the crew hears a rustling sound ahead and a loud call of "EZME!!!" The trapper holds up her hand, motioning for the others to keep silent and proceed with caution. This could very well be another trick....

When the man they're tracking pauses to look around himself, she hands Albert the torch and signals to the others to stay a little ways back as she sneaks closer.

Certainly this person moves, sounds, and acts like the fellow she'd met a bit ago...? But even if it is him, she may have to convince him that she is not an illusion...

"...Roald?" she says softly to get his attention. She holds her blade up cautiously between them, ready to defend herself if necessary. As he turns to look at her, she says very seriously, "What do you call snail that is not moving?"

Apr 10, 2024 8:40 pm

This tree looks familiar, I must be on the right path now.
Roald is still wandering around in the mist.
What's that sound?? And is that a light or is my mind playing tricks again?
Roald stops and looks around if he can spot the flickering light again when a voice coming from behind makes him turn around.
It's Ezme, a sigh of relief escapes his mouth.
Before he can say her name she speaks to him: "what do you call snail that isn't moving"

"Ezme? Are you alright? Thank Raynor I found you at last, we should get back to the others. It looks as this mist is finaly clearing"
Roald sheaths his sword and walks in her direction, completely ignoring the weird question.
"Did you find that girl you were looking for? Come, follow me, I know the way! We can talk while we walk."

Apr 10, 2024 9:43 pm

Ezme is confused. "Roald" sheathed his sword and is displaying a somewhat appropriate emotional response to seeing her (though altogether too trusting, given the circumstances!). His verbal response to her cue was incorrect, however. Maybe this was yet another illusion, trying to trick her into lowering her guard....

I mean, surely Roald knew the snail joke? Everyone knows the snail joke... or was that just in her home country? Frack!

Hunting knife still out and heart pounding, Ezmaray backs away cautiously as the man nears, nearly tripping over a root as she steps backward.

"Roald..." She warns him back as she tries to regain her footing. She'd try a different one... "Roald -- Knock, knock."

She gives him a very intense look.

Apr 10, 2024 10:23 pm

''What are you looking at? Is my face bleeding? It sure feels like it." Roald's hand goes up to his face but he manages to suppress the urge at the last moment.

What a strange woman, why won't she move?

'' This is no time for knock, knock jokes Ezme, we really have to get out of this mist. It's dangerous: it's screwing with my head and who knows what creatures are lurking around"
Only when he speaks the words, the meaning of what he just said trickles through.

There is a woman with a drawn knife speaking gibberish staring at you...

His hand goes back to his sword and he takes a step back.
" It is you? Isn't it? Tell me the name of my friend!"

Apr 10, 2024 11:14 pm

Ezmaray's tension eases a little at Roald's comment about the inappropriateness of knock, knock jokes. She lowers her hunting knife and sheaths it, relaxing her stance.

"Albert! Mystic!" she calls over her shoulder. Crossing her arms, she regards Roald without further explanation or commentary, waiting quietly for the others to approach and check on their friend.

Apr 11, 2024 6:32 am

Albert shows up from behind Ezme. "Roald! Oh I'm so happy we found you." He looks him up and down for any wounds. "Are you alright? In Raynor's name, why did you run off? I was trying to tend to Gronk and when I looked up the two of you were gone."

GameMaster

Apr 11, 2024 6:57 pm

Gronk steps forward and looks at Roald and Ezme.

"Looks like the party is back together now- no more running off into the mist! Let's just stay close and find the creature that is making this mist. Honestly, I bet if we just stood here and screamed loudly, it would come to us.

While we're at it, let's establish a secret password so we know we can trust each other since this mist seems to screw with everyone. I think the password should be 'Gronk is awesome.' I'll entertain objections, but I think it's a hit."

With that, Gronk starts yelling loudly, "Hey Mr. Beasty, come over here! We wanna know who is making all this fog. You might as well come see who is disturbing your peace, not to mention who is breaking up the mist here!"

Apr 12, 2024 12:01 am

Roald, finally realizing that he is the one being rescued instead of the other way around, is also glad to see that everybody is ok.
'' yeah... Well... I couldn't let her run around in the mist by herself you see...'' while scratching his head he notices that his face is not itching any longer.

He can't help but releasing a snorting sound when he hears '' Gronk is awesome''

Is this guy being serious? The trick with the mist in the vial was awesome of course, but a little humility wouldn't hurt.

He rolls his eyes at Albert.

'' How about somebody says 'knock knock', the other replies by showing the number of knocks with his fingers.''

Last edited April 12, 2024 12:22 am

Apr 12, 2024 12:40 am

Arms still folded, Ezmaray stares at Gronk as he makes a scene, her expression completely flat.

Her eyes soften ever so slightly after Roald's somewhat bashful explanation for his disappearance, but she shifts her weight and shakes her head after his last suggestion.

"None of you are understanding the situation. The mist creature knew my full title. It would seem they heard every word we said on the bridge, and they are very likely listening to us right now. There is no secret scheming in these woods." She narrows her eyes, looking off into the trees. "It is even possible that they can read minds... How did they know to lure me into the mists with that image of Shireen -- the girl?" The trapper looks... troubled.

OOC:

This is not Ezmaray's special insight into the monster.

Apr 12, 2024 7:10 am

Albert too rolls his eyes at Gronk. It seems to him he doesn't see the seriousness of the situation. Or perhaps he's covering fear with bad jokes. "I'm inclined to go for Roald's suggestion." He says a bit awkwardly. "But if what Ezme is saying is correct, then we just have to keep an eye on each other at all times. And stay out of the mist. As long as we stick with Gronk that should be fine."

"Roald, what did you see when we were in the mist before? Did they try to lure you as well?" He asks.

Apr 12, 2024 3:10 pm

'' I didn't see a lot actually, but I heard whistling, and it came from all different directions. ''

Apr 12, 2024 3:48 pm

Ezme smirks humorlessly. "They can imitate our voices and the sounds we make. Even whistling, apparently." Her eyes study the gentle movement of the mist as it slinks through the forest around their circle of safety. Brow furrowing, she nods thanks to Albert and accepts the torch back from him, then walks up to a large Douglas fir, resting her hand on the soft moss adhering to its furrowed, corky exterior. She looks the tree up and down, then inspects another nearby.

"Moss typically grows on the north side; it is shadier," she notes as she circles a third tree. "In this case, also on the west -- encouraged by moisture carried in by coastal mists." She stops, frowning into the distance. "But these mists are drifting downhill from the northeast. These are not natural coastal mists at all." She turns seriously to the others. "I think we know what direction our source is."

Apr 12, 2024 4:11 pm

"No, no. I mean at the inn." Albert clarifies to Roald. "Didn't you see an illusion too?"

GameMaster

Apr 13, 2024 2:28 am

"Fine, have it your way, we can do the knock thing. But that's lame." Gronk gives Ronald and Albert a silly look of childish annoyance as he says this.

"Come on people, let's follow the mists. Some of us need our beauty rest, and I'm not getting any younger. Ezme, lead the way!"

Gronk sets off at a faster walk, having recovered a little more from his earlier performance. There were more mysteries to be studied tonight, and with a little bit of luck, one more show to perform.

GameMaster

Apr 13, 2024 2:37 am