Renew the Pact: Time of our Lives, part 22

Log Info

• Title: Renew the Pact: Time of our Lives, part 22
• Emitter: Whirlpool
• Characters: Paenitia, Aryia, Seyardu, Lyme, Fallon
• Place: Goldcoast of Veyshan, Tashraan: the choatic streets
• Time: Friday, November 12, 2021, 8:47 PM
• Summary: The time trippers continue to flee the Void Vulture that has appeared out of time. Oddly, only they can see it, and it seems, interact with it. They struggle to make headway through the crowd, with Fallon pulling ahead only to be held up by Aunt Ethel. Lyme demonstrates that Oruchs are frighteningly bad at acrobatics, and scares the street clear. Paenitia commandeers a wagon, gets it moving and encourages the others to hop on. Finally they are pulling ahead, but where to go? Speculating that the void creature and the Temple of Navos might interact badly, they decide to bring it to Akoniril. She'll either not see it, see it and be able to destroy it, or fail to. Either way, they'll learn things! She'll also have the satisfaction of being their second(?) best first(?) choice the third(?) time around.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Paenitia     3'0"     34 Lb      Halfling          Female    A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery.
Aryia        4'8"     110 Lb     Shadow Elf        Female    A heavily scarred mul with a curious look about her.
Seyardu      5'6"     150 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint.
Lyme         7'2"     435 Lb     Orc               Butch     Black-skinned oruch of suitable stature.
Fallon       5'6"     145 Lb     Half-Elf          Male      A short hooded man.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Whirlpool    5'0"                Otyugh                      I am stinky!
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

Previously

The Time Eater charges the adventurers who bravely run away. Out, into the streets, down alleys, through stores. They are shouting and waving to drive people out of their way.

Yet...

There are no screams of fright. Glancing back into the shop as it's entering and ... no one sees it. It's *only visible to you*.

Now people DID see the murders, but they ...definitely just saw *you* there.

There's a good question as to why they saw it and no one else did. I mean, they saw people EXPLODE IN A MESS, and that's *definitely* not the murder you were apparently accused of from the last time loop. But, hey, if there's another, you'll probably be wanted by the guards for killing guards and that;'s so much better, right? ;)

Well, the murder FARLAND was accused of anyway.

So far, right now, the adventurers have: run down an alley, knocked over some barrels, passed through a street, ducked through a shop, ducked into another alley, broke up a fighting ring, and then ran out onto the next street over.

Causing chaos everywhere they go.

Fruit stands are next on the list.

So far, they adventurers are trapped in an iterating time loop. The consequences of previous iterations were visible, but not to others who couldn't see them. Changes in the past, such as replaced items, which others couldn't, is the thing. They went to the Temple of Navos, and found it corrupted by Void spawn. Then, they traveled back in time, and are now playing through *another* loop, which was revealed to you by the Navosian you previously killed.

Talking to Akorinil, they got access to the 'unaltered' and original auction list.

And decided to steal the items from the auction and bring them to the future so that you can buy them properly and break the loop.

Or not.

Now

Fallon has caught up with the others and is in the alley behind the shop. The one that he was told to cut through while running from the monster. It's possible to go the same way Aryia went, the obstruction has been cleared by Seyardu.

Running into the street, he finds himself beside Aryia. This is a crowded street. There's a wagon getting ready to roll out. It would be possible to hide in it, or alternately, delay it long enough for the rest of the party to get onto. There's an open-air cafe that has a cut through as a potential escape route. There's also a set of steps leading up to a walkable arch to a higher level of the marketplace.

GAME: Fallon rolls acrobatics: (15)+2: 17

Fallon makes it through the cafe without causing a massive disruption and down the street. He has options. He can continue at a dead run down the street, scamper up a rockwall to get to the upper levels. Also, a number of guards could be hassled, causing a scene might slow down the monster.

Or get the guards killed.

Decisions, decisions.

GAME: Fallon rolls acrobatics: (10)+2: 12

Fallon continues his sprint, adamant in his desire to remain out of the Time Eater's clutches. He follows behind Aryia for a short while, then turns and vaults through a nearby cafe. He's nimble enough to manage it without too much of a fuss, just a few startled patrons, but the milling crowd outside manages to slow him.

GAME: Paenitia rolls bluff-2: (10)+12+-2: 20

Paenitia charges down the alleyway, looking at her options. Her charge is more of a hustle for a long-legged person, armour and short legs are holding her back. Lyme easily outdistances her.

She can see some guards, and a wagon. The wagon would be useful if everyone could get on it. The Red Knight only has to clear the crowd around it, and the driver from the frontboard.

She arrives! Clambers up, and shouts, "Run! The wild beasts for the matador fight have broken loose! They run through the streets! You will be trampled."

It's startlingly convincing, perhaps she looks like some kind of rodeo clown, with her masculine mask, her feminine armour, and her peacock feather cloak. She looks like something that shouldn't be ignored.

With everyone having made their way to the alley outside of the shop, at least, everyone gets to hear a large crashing sound from inside the shop you previously cut through.

Very loud.

Seyardu uses her wings to flutter over the heads of the lingering gamblers and brawlers, and make her way into the open area. She looks around and sees several of her comrades around, and Paenitia waylaying the wagons. She runs over, and wastes no time in jumping into the vehicle in question. "The creature is not far behind me, we need to get going now. Make sure that everyone gets here!" She advises the knight, ready to help her up into it.

GAME: Aryia rolls intimidate: (4)+2+6: 12 (+6 Higher Speed average)

Despite waving her arms frantically, most people think the scar'd mul'niessa's a weirdo.

Aryia keeps up the pace as she spills out onto the streets. Spotting her friends loading into a wagon, she dashes ahead of it, giving a sharp, piercing whistle to get people to move the hell out of the way. Instead, she gets weird looks. Mul trying to get attention. Whatever. Aryia pouts, but shakes her head, gesturing for the wagon to 'come on, come on, come on let's GOOO!'

Fallon is outpacing the others pretty good. They're behind, getting into a wagon, which is pointed the way he ran. He might be able to get ahead enough and link up with them as they move.

Well, if it can catch up, he'll get on. Otherwise, he'll keep running.

GAME: Fallon rolls acrobatics: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)

Fallon gets distracted with thoughts of "where are the rest of them? ... did they get eaten?" when he collides headfirst into someone vaguely familar. He quickly apologizes and stumbles back to his feet, eager to continue his flight, when the woman grabs his arm and yanks him back into a hug.

"There you are again, sweetie!" The older woman coos. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

Fallon blinks, having no idea what the woman was going on about. "Um, sorry... whoever you are. Now's REALLY not the ti--"

"Nonsense! You always have time for Aunt Ethel!"

"What? I don't HAVE an Aunt Ethel!"

Lyme had managed to get ahead, and was on the street. Paenitia has waylaid a wagon and is trying to get people into it.

Up ahead, there's a heartfelt reunion between Fallon and the Aunt Ethel he never knew he had.

Aryia is trying to spook the crowd to clear it.

But she is...

... a mul'niessa...

And being told she's a weirdo. A grade A weirdo.

GAME: Lyme rolls intimidate: (13)+8: 21
GAME: Lyme rolls acrobatics: (6)+1: 7

Lyme shouts, clearing the street. He then attempts a front flip and ends up on his face.

Lyme doesn't do acrobatics.

GAME: Paenitia rolls handle animal: (19)+9: 28 (32 if +1/2 Cav levels apply)

"Quickly! Quickly!" The Red Knight shouts, body-checking the driver and grabbing the reins. The driver likely isn't too hurt, she's only 70 lbs in her armour. Enough to move someone, not enjoy to really injure them. She drops into the driver's seat with a loud clank, grabs the reins and snaps them.

The horses whinny! She has a hippogryph that is half-horse, and the horse half is the rump which means she is very experienced with the parts of the wagon team closest to her. She raps those rears with the reins again.

"Move! Clear the way! The wild horses they are coming through." Paenitia shouts, laughing madly, "Aunt Ethel, let the nephew go! He is needed! He will come by for tea and crumpets another day."

<OOC> Paenitia says, "... Stealth Synergy?"
GAME: Aryia rolls stealth: (7)+17+6: 30 (+6 Chase Speed bonus)
GAME: Paenitia rolls stealth: (18)+11-2: 27 (-2 Chase Speed bonus)
GAME: Seyardu rolls stealth +2: (18)+-2+2: 18
<OOC> Stealth Syn: Aryia 41, Paenitia 27, Seyardu 18
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Stealth synergy works for eveyone but Fallon and Lyme."
GAME: Fallon rolls stealth: (18)+10: 28
GAME: Lyme rolls stealth: (5)+1: 6

The beast bursts out onto the street, leaving the door in shambles behind it. Another thing you'll be blamed for, no doubt. You can add potentially vandalism to the legal woes you're facing.

It looks up and down the street, takes a deep breath. A long tongue flicks the air as the vulture-like thing leans forward. It keeps tasting the air, like it can sense your presence, and begins to move in the direction of where the wagon *was*, which all of you have successfully ducked inside except for Lyme and Fallon. Gonna have to pick them up next. The wagon's owner, and driver, is blissfully unaware of your true urgency.

The wagon is coming Fallon's way. CAN THEY SAVE FALLON FROM AUNT ETHEL?

OR IS HE DOOMED TO CHEEK PINCHING FOR ETERNITY?!

Lyme is still bulling his way through the crowd towards Fallon and Ethel. He reaches out, one big, black hand closing on Fallon shoulder. "Lover!" he booms in his outside voice, "You didn't tell me you liked older women! Who is this?!"

GAME: Lyme rolls bluff: (14)+2: 16

Fallon sees the incoming wagon amongst the crowd. Salvation! Aunt Ethel had a vice-like grip on him now, but Fallon is given a chance to improvise a distraction. Hopefully. He dramatically points dramatically at Lyme when he approaches. "Oh no! An orc!" Then the guy claps him on the shoulder, and Fallon is less than thrilled about Lyme's choice of performance. "Wait, what?" That was not part of the intended distraction. "Oh, um, hi... you."

Lyme puts his finger to Fallon's lips. "Hush, cutie, let's go, we're late." He favours Aunt Ethel with a smile, "We're late, you can catch up another time." stream. Then, he's pulling them both towards the wagon.

GAME: Fallon rolls bluff: (5)+1: 6
GAME: Seyardu rolls bluff: (12)+1: 13

Seyardu squints as they are passing by the people they needed to pick up right that moment. She has enough time to pay attention to what is said. "Yes, now is not the time to be attempting to pick up someone else, so please, get in, we do not have time for it. There will be time later for you to do so."

Fallon stares blandly back at Lyme when he shushes him. "Yes. It'd be a damn shame to miss your dress rehearsal." At this point, though, he was willing to go along with anything if death was the alternative. Then Seyardu joins in, and he can't help but scowl. "I'm not-- you know what, nevermind. I have to go, Ethel." Cue more desperate struggling. The wagon was so -close-...

With the wagon, they're finally outpacing the monster.

"Where to go?" The Red Knight asks, fighting with the driver for the reins. "Keep the movement, it is vital life or death."

Aryia signs, "I really don't know, to be honest" <handsign>

This could be more helpful if it wasn't behind the little knight's back.

"The idea I have is this," Paenitia says, turning to look at the passengers, "take it back to Akoniril. We see if she sees it? This is useful, yes?"

Lyme grins.

Seyardu says, "I don't think we want to be found by it right this moment"

Paenitia says, "Escape is always the possibility."

Lyme says, "Oh, lead it to Akoniril. She can demolish it or she wont, and we'll LEARN THINGS."

Seyardu says, "I've really got no clue what to do now to be honest"

GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/planes: (11)+knowledge/planes: 11
GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/The Planes: (18)+5: 23

Seyardu says, "I don't really want to go there, but the only alternative safe place really isn't much better"

...going back to Akorinil's isn't too hard. It does take a while, but you're able to locate it. She's not thrilled to see you again, since it means the loop is ongoing. She's going to ask for all the details.

...and be smug you came to her instead of went to the Temple of Navos.