Session Start: Sat Jun 07 17:09:57 2008
Session Ident: #castlevania
* Logging for #castlevania started
<Holmes> [Our intrepid party stands in the back chamber of the main
building of the jungle elf village, collecting its thoughts.]
* Nyyx has her eyes fixed on the dead old man, and she looks grimly
thoughtful.
<Nyyx> Skip, is this anything like what you'd seen in your village?
* Rudyard is now known as Skip
* Demota is now known as Charlotte
<Charlotte> Any idea what happened here?
<Skip> No, this is not what I remember.
<Biff> Demonic possession?
* Nyyx takes out her journal and jots down some notes.
<Charlotte> Are there any more villages that might be okay?
<Nyyx> I've never seen anything like this before.
<Biff> Ffft.  I sure hope you haven't.
* Nyyx adds a few diagrams, then shuts the book closed and stuffs
everything back into her cloak.
* Olivia sighs and stands up from her crouch. "I was hoping for
something almost like a real bed tonight. It's a cruel world."
<Nyyx> Real beds are hard to come by in our line of work.
* Nyyx laughs.
* Olivia half-smiles at Nyyx. "Then it's a cruel line of work, too."
<Nyyx> That it is.
<Biff> You can sleep here if you want.
<Biff> But I'm sure as hell not gonna.
* Nyyx prods the dead thing with her boot. "No, thanks. I think I've
had quite enough of these boneless elves for one night - or a
lifetime, for that matter."
<Nyyx> Gregor's changing his methods, I guess.
* Skip grunts, "Well, there were a few villages to the south.
Halflings, mostly. I would like to go there, and we might find some
information."
<Charlotte> Yeah. Defintiely.
* Nyyx blinks. "Actually. This may not be Gregor, for all we know. If
you look at these runes--"
* Nyyx takes out her journal again and copies the carved words at the
dead man's feet into its pages before pocketing the book again.
<Nyyx> "...and in the arc of time, even death may die." Gregor
supposedly made that demi-plane to collect the dead to whom the
afterlife was supposedly closed.
* Olivia looks at these runes, then over at Nyyx. "Tough to collect
dead when they're not dying. More like collecting undead."
<Nyyx> We're far from figuring out what's happening with this
afterlife business, but barring the dead from passing on would seem
to be this "death of death" we keep hearing about.
<Nyyx> The Pelorites seem to think the afterlife is functioning just
fine, even if Brother Lucas somehow didn't make it there. It's a
mysterious business.
* Olivia smiles slightly. "There's little like a good mystery. I
suppose those are the clues so far?" She nods at where the book is
stored.
<Biff> Let's go find us some halflings, eh?
* Nyyx nods. "It used to be my personal diary and herbology log, but
it's since been filled with notes and sketches of boneless elves. We
should probably search this area quickly before getting out of here.
I wouldn't say I'm easily spooked, but this place is giving me the
creeps."
<Charlotte> Creepy
* Nyyx returns with Biff from searching the place. "Nothing."
<Nyyx> Let's get out of here.
<Biff> Seconded, toots.
<Biff> This place has bad mojo.
<Nyyx> No joke. Skip?
* Skip nods, "Are we traveling straight through the night, then?"
<Holmes> [As the party walks out of the main building, they notice
that the boneless creatures are gone.  Laughter can be heard in the
trees.  It fades over the next several minutes and the normal sounds
of the jungle slowly return.]
<Charlotte> Ugh
<Biff> Oh THAT's just wonderful.
<Biff> how about we just burn this whole damned jungle to the ground.
<Nyyx> If we can keep it to this area and not get ourselves cooked,
I'm all for that.
* Biff hops back up into the waiting arms of his pet.
* Olivia frowns a little and says, "I'm not sure it'd catch anyway."
She scratches her cheek.
* Nyyx rubs her face. "Let's hope imaginary boneless halflings aren't
next."
<Skip> Ordinarily, I'd say we should make shelter in the trees for
the night, but I'm almost sure no where is safe in this Gods forsaken
place.
<Biff> We've got humans, so we can't exactly travel at night.
<Nyyx> How far is your village, Skip?
<Skip> Being cautious, it will take us at least four days. Which
means we're going to have to sleep at some point, but I suggest we
figure that out once we're far from this village.
* Nyyx nods. "Let's find somewhere to rest away from here, then."
<Holmes> [The party marches into the jungle, eyeing every tree and
shadow.]
<Holmes> [Over the next several days, Charlotte guides the party past
several natural traps, dangerous animals and in one case, another
certainly unnatural beast.  The party in within a few miles of Skip's
village.]
<Nyyx> Are we getting close?
* Charlotte treads carefully
<Biff> I could hide us, but I doubt a tribe of savage, twitchy
halflings is going to be pleased at that.
* Nyyx smirks.
<Skip> If things are as I remember them, we should be within two
hours of the village.
* Nyyx nods. "What's the best way to approach?"
<Skip> Slowly, with our weapons sheathed. We must be deliberately
peaceful. If the Panther Tribe still lives here, we will soon be
discovered by scouts - my old job. Odds are, they have seen us
already.
<Charlotte> I see.
<Biff> What, no sneaking in to prove how badass we are?
* Nyyx nods. "All right." She slips her hat from her head, letting it
hang at her back, and pushes back her cloak, leaving her hands
deliberately visible.
* Olivia smiles a little to herself, and says, "That seems to be a
pattern in these parts. Not surprising, giving the dangers."
* Nyyx continues to walk. "You have friends left alive in the
village? Family?"
<Skip> You have to remember this is the jungle. We never had many
visitors, and the few we had were mostly up to no good. Oh, and Biff,
my tribe loves cats, particularly, their tails.
<Charlotte> Uh oh
* Skip pulls back his cloak to reveal the large, striped cat tails
woven into his belt. "I'm not sure how they'll respond to a talking,
intelligent thing such as you. Perhaps, you will be as a god."
<Holmes> [The party advances to within a quarter-mile of the village.
It is set along the southern side of a cliff face with communal areas
near the bottom and residences set into cave higher up.  Ropes and
carved walkways connect the various levels.]
* Skip turns to Nyyx, then looks away, off into the dense foliage.
"Some were left when I fled; I'd suspect they are dead."
<Holmes> [No one can be seen from here.]
* Nyyx nods silently.
<Nyyx> Anything look out of place?
* Skip examines the area.
* Skip looks confused, "The homes aren't in the greatest shape, but
they aren't falling apart, either. I would think halflings still
lived here. But it's odd; it's strangely quiet."
<Nyyx> Boneless halfings?
* Nyyx smiles humorlessly. "Shall we take a look?"
* Skip turns pale.
<Skip> If I saw someone I knew like that...well...I just can't
imagine it.
* Charlotte nods..
* Nyyx walks slowly into the village in the same empty handed pose.
* Charlotte steps along
* Biff follows along, with his pet.
<Biff> It doesn't really LOOK like a plague town.
<Biff> Unless, y'know, you jungle folks just toss the corpses into
the swamp.
<Nyyx> Or eat them.
<Biff> ...I'm pretty sure eating a diseased corpse is a bad idea.
* Olivia mms quietly as she flips an imaginary dagger in one hand.
"Very."
<Biff> But, y'know, that might be a cannibal halfling thing.
<Biff> I suppose.
<Nyyx> I would think so too, but the old man in that other village
didn't seem to mind.
<Biff> If that happens again, I swear, I'm gonna burn down the entire
jungle.
<Biff> I'll find a way. 
<Holmes> [The party reaches a bowl-like depression in the ground at
the base of the cliff that serves as a kind of common area.  Baskets
and other items are strewn about and a fire pit in the center is long
since burned down.  A single figure sits next to the ashes wrapped in
a dark cloak and hood.]
* Nyyx nudges Skip. "Is that anyone you recognize?"
* Skip speaks to the figure in his native tongue.
* Skip leans over to Nyyx, "We'll know soon. Be ready."
<Holmes> [The cloaked figure's turns its head and speaks in jungle
halfling.]  "Who is this?"  [Its voice sounds like falling sand.]
* Nyyx nods and stands at the ready.
<Holmes> Figure: "The fire is dead, but do as you please."
* Charlotte stays alert and watches the exchange
* Skip walks around to the opposite end of the ashes and finds a
seat. Again, his Halfling language fills the air.
<Holmes> [The figure's face is hidden beneath the cloak.  It is
wrapped head to foot.  You are reminded of Greycloak, strangely.]
* Nyyx frowns at this reminiscence.
<Biff> Didn't we already kill that guy?
<Holmes> Figure (in jungle halfling): "You already have, young one.
A few more is no trouble."
<Nyyx> Looks like him, doesn't he? Maybe he had a brother.
<Biff> Well, at least I'm a hell of a lot more powerful now.
* Nyyx nods. "I have no idea what they're saying. Do you?"
<Biff> Nada.
* Olivia looks at the rest of the group a moment, then back to the
figure with a slight shake of her head.
<Charlotte> Same
* Skip nods, <Jungle Halfling> "Pardon my rudeness. Would you like us
to rebuild the fire? Perhaps it would make you more comfortable, and
make up for our interuption."
<Holmes> Figure: "As you wish."
* Nyyx stands and waits.
* Skip calls to his waiting friends, "This man would like a warm
fire. Could we build one, then share a meal?"
* Skip turns back to the cloaked figure, <Jungle Halfling> "Are you
hungry?"
<Charlotte> Sure, no rpoblem
* Nyyx nods and joins Skip in building the fire. She whispers, "Do
you know him?"
* Charlotte starts helping out
* Skip walks by Biff on his way to gather up the firewood, "Keep an
eye on him." To Nyyx, "No. He's either very sick or not of the
living."
* Olivia lets the experts handle building the fire as she glances
around, still flipping that invisible dagger.
* Nyyx nods and tends the beginnings of the fire within a cautious
distance of the unknown figure.
* Biff mutters, "Oh, sure, leave the guy with nothing but illusions
and mind control to deal with the undead."
* Nyyx murmurs to the figure, "Do you speak Common?"
<Holmes> Figure: "I do, yes."
* Nyyx nods. "What brings you to this village? It seems deserted."
<Holmes> Figure: "I live here.  It is not deserted, I am just the
only one outside right now.  Most of us stay indoors, but I prefer it
down here."
* Nyyx raises an eyebrow. "Are you a member of Skip's tribe?"
<Holmes> Figure: "Skip?  There are a whole family of Mudskippers here
if that is what you mean."
<Nyyx> Ah, yes. We call him Skip, but he is a Mudskipper. How has
your village been faring these days?
<Holmes> [The figure pulls back its hood.  It was obviously a
halfling at one point.  Its black skull is visible surrounded by jet
black dirt were flesh should be.  It even speaks with a tongue made
out of flowing black sand.]
<Holmes> Figure: "We endure."
* Skip drops the pile of firewood he brought over and takes several
careless steps back.
* Nyyx keeps herself from stepping backward, but she is visibly taken
aback.
* Charlotte steps back.
<Nyyx> What happened?
<Holmes> Figure: "The plague happened.  It did not consume us like
the elves.  We are blessed by our Goddess to have been made strong,
but we have been cursed."
<Holmes> Figure: "Before you ask Murdock.  While you use of the name
'Skip' is somewhat shameful, you will not be attacked for being an
exile."
* Nyyx blinks and looks to Skip.
* Olivia 's eyes finish scanning around to return to the guy, and
then they widen visibly and her empty dagger hand twitches.
<Holmes> Figure: "Rather, the other will kill you for still being
whole."
<Charlotte> Other...?
<Holmes> [The figure points up to the cliffs.]
* Nyyx glances up.
<Nyyx> What's up there?
<Holmes> Figure: "More like me.  Not everyone.  Some died and others
got away to the deserts to the east."
* Nyyx nods. "Is there a way we can help you lift the curse? The
source of the plague has already been destroyed."
<Skip> Which path did my clan take? Death, desert, or curse?
<Holmes> Figure: "Can the child outlive the father?  Destroying the
source means nothing."
<Holmes> Figure: "Your clan?  We were all your clan.  Some died, some
fled and some remain."
<Nyyx> Do you know how we can stop the "child," then?
<Skip> My family. The Mudskippers. Not a single one met us at the
borders. Not a single one approached us in the jungle. Do they no
longer stalk these jungles?
<Holmes> Figure: "IF I KNEW THAT, then I would have done it."
<Holmes> Figure: "No, Murdock.  They wait above and use their arts
out east."
<Nyyx> I meant no offense. What do you know of the curse, then, that
could help us lift it?
<Holmes> Figure: "It is alive.  The curse calls to us.  It calls us
south."
<Nyyx> Further into the jungle?
<Holmes> Figure: "Yes."
<Charlotte> What's there?
<Holmes> Figure: "Some older ruins and the lairs of a handful of
powerful predators.  Beyond that, I do not know."
* Nyyx nods. "Do you know what it plans to do if you follow its call
south?"
<Holmes> Figure: "No.  Take what is left of us perhaps."
<Nyyx> We wouldn't want to put any of you in more danger than you're
already in, but perhaps we could go south to investigate the root of
the curse. Would one of you be willing to lead us there?
<Holmes> Figure: "I would.  The others... don't move much anymore."
* Nyyx nods. "We appreciate your help. We'll do our best to destroy
whatever is perpetuating this curse."
<Biff> If we can find it.
<Charlotte> Definitely.
<Holmes> Figure: "You will almost certainly die."
<Nyyx> Why do you say that?
* Skip has been and continues to stare at the movements of the
sand-tongue.
<Holmes> Figure: "Something that can kill all of us so completely
will not die easily."
<Biff> We've killed things that wouldn't die even when people killed
them.
<Biff> Relax.
* Nyyx eyes her multitude of shadows. "We'll find a way."
<Holmes> [The figure is silent.]
<Nyyx> Speaking of which - have you ever seen or heard this phrase?
"And in the arc of time, even death may die."
<Skip> Would you tell me your name?
* Skip seems to be coming out of his trance.
<Holmes> Figure: "I have never heard that.  My name, Estivan."
<Nyyx> I was curious because we passed through the Shadow Elf village
before we made it here, and we encountered that phrase carved into
the floor.
<Holmes> [The figure does not say anything.]
<Nyyx> We fought slithering, boneless figures that later vanished as
if they'd never existed. There was an old man with sharp teeth that
summoned them.
<Nyyx> I'm still not sure what happened there. I'm not sure it was
real. Does any of this sound familiar to you, or similar to anything
you experienced with the plague?
<Holmes> Figure: "I affects different creatures differently.  That
sounds possible."
* Nyyx suppresses a shudder and nods. She pulls her cloak around
tighter, despite the mugginess.
* Skip becomes less tense and sits across from Estivan. "That
explains why you prefer it down here." Skip turns to Nyyx, Charlotte,
and company, "He was the keeper of the flame, our lore master or
historian, as you would call it."
<Charlotte> Ah..
* Nyyx nods again. "An honor, Estivan. My name is Natalia."
<Skip> Master Estivan, I have missed your stories. I have missed the
glory of our tribe and the honor my name once brought.
<Holmes> [The figure does not say anything.]
* Olivia replies, quietly, "I don't think it is of his inclination
to... consider the past." She smiles faintly at Skip. "Even if it is
for you."
<Nyyx> Let's focus on the present and future, then. Olivia, if you're
anything like Roland, I'm guessing you have access to Boccob's Great
Library...?
* Olivia smiles slightly and replies, "I'm afraid I'm not too much
like Roland, but let me in on what you're looking for, and I might
well be able to help you know more."
<Nyyx> Ah, okay. I'll keep that in mind. Does Boccob have anything to
say about this plague - or about those boneless things we saw in the
other village? The toothy man?
* Olivia puts her fingers to her lips a moment, hrms thoughtfully,
then says, "Well, it's mainly a mystery, which is why I think your
notebook might be an interesting read. But it's definitely not just
in the middle of the forest. There's been attacks on the settlements
up north as well."
* Nyyx raises her eyebrows. "Where, up north?"
* Skip wonders, "Do you think the Mercykiller knows more about this?
Maybe we should have questioned him more..."
<Nyyx> He may. The time we met him last, he was working with Gregor.
* Olivia replies, "Settlements inside the forest, still. So it could
be worse, mmm?"
* Skip nods. "It could. If we keep going south, we'll probably find
out just how worse it gets." Skip turns to Estivan, "Will we be safe
staying here the night? We'll need our strength for the journey."
<Holmes> Estivan: "I belive so, yes."
* Nyyx bows. "Thank you, sir."
<Skip> It would be best to stay below. Use the first house we passed.
I'll take first watch with Biff. I'd like to sit here with my old
lore master for a while longer... 
<Holmes> [END OF SESSION]
Session Close: Sat Jun 07 23:27:30 2008