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(Since there is resistance to a change in format, I offer the following alternative: Someone else can take over as gamemaster.
Tamamo has already volunteered. If you would like to be gamemaster or to co-chair the position, self nominate in your next post. You have until next week to self-nominate, at which point we'll hold an informal poll to decide what happens next)
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@TheDarkOne
Sancireph, you notice that the slightly downward path has evidence of ogre activity. More specifically, a smear of the disarmed ogre's blood is on the wall and some of the stalactites are broken.
You turn your attention to the gnomish wizard. However, due to the incredibly low probability that the player he was intended for will use him, on close inspection you find he is nothing more than a CARDBOARD CUTOUT.
You are perplexed by this but decide to write it off as one of life's many mysteries. You lead everybody else down the path that has the evidence of the ogre's passing. However, upon reaching its end you find not your quarry but rather a gigantic piece of gnomish machinery. Some kind of engine, perhaps? What's it doing in the cave here?
What do you do?
@mrz84
Zataka, you take a moment to get to know the two adventurers you've picked up in the pursuit of these ogres. The DWARVEN KNIGHT introduces himself as GRINGHAM. You ask why he's in the region and he explains he was on his way to visit a cousin in the dwarven settlement under this very mountain, but he misplaced his travel visa during the journey and they won't let him in. He also mentions that it's odd there would be a cave that isn't connected to the settlement in the mountain, but writes it off due to its altitude. "We like the deep spaces", he says.
You give the knight a more conscientious examination: he's wearing half plate but it's polished and it doesn't seem to have any scratches. Likewise, his sword looks brand new. You get the feeling this guy has never been in combat before.
Turning your attention to the GNOMISH WIZARD, you notice that he hasn't said a word the entire time you were here. Upon closer inspection you find that he is a CARDBOARD CUTOUT. Is... is that normal?
Sancireph says he found a trail for the ogres and leads you down one of the paths deeper into the cave. Upon emerging in another chamber, you find not your quarry but a great GNOMISH ENGINE. What's this thing doing in a cave like this?
What do you do?
@Xyvol
Malichor, you notice that everyone seems to be turning their attention on the MATH WIZARD. Taking a closer look, you notice that he's not a wizard at all, but a CARDBOARD CUTOUT. When did he make the switch? You're not terribly familiar with math magic, is this one of their tricks?
Sancireph points out evidence that the ogres went down the second passage. You, he, Zataka, and Gringham shrug off the confusion of the gnome and progress down that path. Upon emerging in another chamber, you find not your quarry but a great GNOMISH ENGINE. What's this thing doing in a cave like this?
What do you do?
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@Tamamo
Rossaria, you follow your paramour LADY RED to a catacomb in the depths of the forest. The path is familiar to you, as it is one that you have walked many times before. Once enveloped in the cradling dark, Red explains that the mansion belongs to one of the grand magisters, a HEDGE WIZARD who goes by the name TELIVAR. He comes to the region occasionally for access to the quarry, apparently the dwarves under the mountain to the north excavate to expand their real estate, pass the stones of to the gnomes on the hillside, who then sell it to real estate developers. Of note, though, is that the whole mansion appears and disappears as if by magic. This is intriguing to you, as it would suggest that this wizard is in possession of a great deal of power. Red looks you in the eyes, seeing the inspiration behind them.
"I know what you're thinking, but he's a hedge wizard. We need to find a master of Lycaon magic for our endeavor, Rossaria."
It doesn't seem like those two guys followed you.
What do you do?
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@bigjoe @SUCCESSOR
Jerias and Reven, the twitching branch in the pond rises from the muck. It's a hand. As the mass continues to elevate and defy physics it takes the shape of a woman, red like the night and standing on the surface of the water. Reven, you instantly recognize that this is a VAMPIRE. She walks across the water's surface, leaving tiny ripples as she steps on its surface. She introduces herself as LADY RED. Rossaria asks about the mansion and the forest, and the vampire says that answers wait in her wake. She then wanders off into the dark, a light snowfall following her wake.
You already know about Telivar and the mansion, so you are hesitant to follow. Also, Jerias recounts that the map says you should go west, rather than south. Rossaria leaves, though.
What do you do?
