It is those extra baggage fees, they get you every time!  I told Frodo to take only what he could grab quickly and carry, but he insisted on the extra handkerchiefs.  He just had to go back and get them.  I think it was only the lack of shoes that kept him from being overweight!  

I started typing Fixer's post when I realized I had a question - it is sort of included in the post, but I might need to modify the posting based on the answer.  

Where was Jace last seen?  Was it at the school?  Was he ever seen leaving the school?  I'm asking because if he was never seen leaving the school those Upstairs Downstairs vans seems pretty important to me.  Is it possible to trace the vehicles?  This would mean who was driving them, what their schedule was, and where they went.  Did they reach their next scheduled stop on time?  If jace never left the school these seem like really important questions.  If he did, they are borderline meaningless.  

Fixer went with the others to get some rest.  He was exhausted.  He hadn't realized how tired he was - he was used to running long hours when on a job.  You just kept going on adrenaline until you no longer could.  But the crashes could be long and he couldn't afford that now.  And he'd never been a very big fan of running on extra on the juice.  One type of juice could lead to another type of juice which could lead to another and, well, bad things.  So he tried to avoid it.  Good old sleep was what he needed and if it was only to be 2 hours, then so be it.  The kid probably didn't have a lot more.  

When they got out of their little coffins he stretched and looked at the others.  "As I said, I'm in for checking on Mrs. White.  But we want those personell files.  Names and work schedules.  Plus, you've said a couple of times that only their vehicles came and went from the school.  Was there any video evidence of Jace ever leaving the school?  If not, is that because they don't have cameras at the exits or because he didn't leave?  Those vans would be anothe option.  Can we find plates on which vans left and when?  Who was driving them?  What their scheduled stops were?"  

I will do my best to get a text in within 24 hours, but life is very busy.  As soon as I can . . . 

Kheric did not like the sickly sweet smell of the girls blood.  It seemed doubtful that she would be able to survive, but that was no reason not to try.  He moved quickly forward to help his new colleague struggling with both the smell and the bandage.  Eventually he got the job done.  

Even as he finally accomplished the task 'help' arrived.  The city guard.  

"Asoel, keep both hands on the girl.  We will deal with the guards."  Kheric stood back from the girl as requested and raised his hands - showing both that they were empty and the medallion he had been given by the captain.  He didn't let his eyes waver from her as he didn't want her to either escape or jump him.  "Please, we are not hurting her.  We are working with your captain.  I bandaged her arm where she was drinking her own blood.  She needs help.  Help us get her somewhere where she can not hurt herself."  

If the guards are willing to help and no longer threatening he will quickly begin looking around to see what other attention they have attracted.  

So he was going to join Crowe and Maggie on a side trip?  What the #$%@? Leave the dog and go fatch someone?  But they needed money and they needed time to find their spot in this place.  So it made some sense - and he wasn't about to question the captain.  And if you had to go out with a 3-person crew this would be a pretty good pair.  He just didn't like being dependent on someobody else's boat.  

The meeting, it seemed, was over.  Crowe gave him some time to figure out what he needed to take.  The very idea made him laugh - what sailor needed more than a minute to grab all of their worldy possessions. After a little banter he headed for the door.  He'd give Crowe a little time before he met the others in Crowe's bunk.  He wanted a bit more information on just what they were up to.  

Oh, well, sure, that.  Obviously I'd recognize the structure of a real language over a made up language.  Clearly.  That goes without saying.  

I think you are giving us (or me, at least) much more credit then we deserve.  

Yeah, I get that we can do just about anything, but your comments seemed to suggest something, so I wanted to be sure if that was right.  Anyway, Bory is assuming that they will head for Ghostwood.  (Unless his mentor would be sorta on the way, which I'm really not sure about.)

Bory waited for the others to speak, but after awhile began to wonder how long he would have to wait.  The young half-orc began to look nervous.  Did the others have no opinion?  Eventually two of them spoke in favor of the gates.  Unlike those two, Bory would have had no problem with the tunnels, but then gnomes ahd a bit of the badger in them.  If there was no need to go tunneling, the gates and the sunshine would be a better beginning.  A beginning to what, he still did not know.  

After the others had spoken Bory nodded.  "I know of no reason to fear the gates and agree with the plan to leave by the gates."  He then turned to Girta'a and continued.  "And I am sure to appreciate the addition of some of your families sweets to our supplies.  It is a shame that Lys was unable to join us here, but you have done admirably in filling in for her.  We may not know much, but I think everyone here was chose by Lys for a reason and everyone has a reason to want to see this mission through.  We will do our best to stay safe."  He smiled at the young one.  She seemed nervous and anxious to do the right thing.  "Perhaps these others that are locals have things to take care of before we leave, but I have just arrived in town and am ready to head out again.  Might there be a small corner here that you would allow me catch a nap in while I wait for the morning?"

(OOC:  If Girta'a has a place for him to sleep Bory will take it.  He will talk to her a bit about how she knows Lys to learn more about their (to him) unkown leader.  But he wouldn't push as he suspected she didn't know any more.  Most importantly, after everyone has left he will cast Goodberry so that he has a set of them ready in the morning.  This will be his normal daily pattern - if he has a spell slot still available at night he will always cast this spell before taking a long rest.)

You actually thought we'd recognize Tagalog?  Nope, not a chance I'd recognize it.  I believe Hammer is in the Philipines right now.  When he gets back stateside he would likely recognize it.  I do think it is a cool way to use the langauge.  And the screw up made me laugh, so there is that.  

Lady Dark -

You stated that our options were:  Ghostwood, the animal attacks, Lya's death.

But don't all of those start with going to the town of Ghostwood?  Is there an option other then go out the main gates and head to that town and see what we can find?  Do we have some guess about things beyond just going to the local tavern and starting to talk to people?  You list Ghostwood as if it is somehow separate from the other two options.

Fixer listened to the options.  

"Ok, well, all of that makes some sense.  Certainly Cred-stick should do what he does.  That just makes sense.  It is what he is here for.  I'm for looking into the cleaning staff.  Lets go talk to Mrs. White."

Come on folks!  We need a decision.  Bory isn't from this town, but unless someone from here things we should take the tunnel - why not go by the gate???   Speak up.  

Seeing Asoel run forward and recognize the sad half-elf, Kheric frowned.  It seemed even their group of new arrivals was directly impacted by this stuff.  Could one survive with their blood turned to honey?  The stench made him slightly sick.  He had always liked honey, but now wondered if he would ever be able to eat it again without seeing this young woman's face.  

He stepped forward so that he could help Asoel if needed.  After waiting to see if she responded to her name he spoke.  "Asoel, if you need assistance I will aid you.  If no other location is suitable, a jail cell might at least keep her away from more flux.  Or we can go wherever you think best."

*If the woman responds in some way to Asoel's questions Kheric will avoid interupting the conversation.  If he does end up helping Asoel bring her somewhere, he will suggest that if possible, they could attempt to look like they are also addicts helping a friend home.  There is nothing like getting a reputation.  

Is Asoel going to want to try and bring the girl somewhere for detox?  Or just leave her there?  Kheric would if that was the plan.  Otherwise I assume we are moving on to a tavern or some such.  

While the group waited for the young half-orc to return Bory was not overly surprised that the others hadn’t jumped in to share information on Ghostwood.  Nobody seemed quite certain what was going on and the presence of the Arcaren seemed to put a damper on everything.  His presence particularly bothered Bory.  He was a spell caster – and an unregistered one at that.  It was very likely the other already suspected as much.  Should he worry about it?  If the man was true to the Authority then his life could be forfeit – and who had heard of an Arcaren that was not loyal?  But then, Lys had summoned him.  And Haradaya trusted Lys.  So Bory trusted her.  But he didn’t know if that trust extended to this man. 

When the young half-orc returned she offered up some food and drink to the group.  Bory was willing to fill his stomach and satisfy his thirst while he learned of his mission.  As she started her introduction he opened a bottle of wine and poured himself a glass – silently offering to do so for others if they wanted.  He then sat back with some bread and cheese to listen to the plan. 

He was disappointed.  There wasn’t much to it.  Ghostwood and a few rumors about it and a missing sister.  He already knew as much.  Or as little, it seemed.  It wasn’t much.  Still, it was a place to begin.  They’d probably have to just go and hope they could dig something up years later.  Was that likely?  He wondered as Girta’a finished her hesitant speech and offered them possibilities. 

When she finished with “What else do you need to know?” it was hard not to respond with “something of substance,” but he knew it would do no good.  It seemed clear the young girl had done her best and was a bit overwhelmed.  He wasn’t sure about how they should leave the city.  Was there a reason they needed to go in hiding?  He’d never been a huge fan of horses but given the distance they needed to travel they would shorten the journey significantly. Supplies would be easier that way as well.  In truth supplies didn’t worry him much since goodberry was such a useful spell, but then could he really keep the Arcaren supplied with magical berries?  He liked the idea of it.  But this wasn’t his city.  He was a stranger here.  He’d spoken first before.  This time he decided he would wait and see what the rest of the group had to offer. 

Bory took a sip of his wine and sat back to see what else would be said. 

Kheric stayed in the shadows and watched the ratman talk with the drugged half-elf.  Somehow elves had a way of seeming old, wise and serene when you thought about them.  But then you met one face-to-face and realized they could be as stupid as any other person.  Somehow the age didn't seem to help as much as you would think it would.  This one might only be a half-elf, but she seemed to have inherited plenty of stupid from both sides of the family tree.  It didn't look like the tree would be going much further.  

This was disgusting.  Honey blood?  Even from a distance he could smell it - and it wasn't hard to see what she was doing to herself.  He couldn't help wondering if there was somewhere he could take her for help before she ripped her entire arm to shreds.  He'd wait to see what came of the last question and then see if there was something he could do for her.  This was not normal.  Who in their right mind, after seeing something like this would ever try this stuff??  He wondered how long she had been on flux.  How many hits did it take to get a person to this point?  Or to make your head explode?  Maybe the jail could work as a detox.   

I'm not quite sure what to post for Fixer right now.  

For those of us in the apartment with the teacher, do we have any kind of a plan?  I think the custodial staff might be a lead worth following, but nobody else ahs commented on it.  Short of that, is there anything for us to do besides leave and meat up with others?  

Bory listened as The Lioness and Cas both introduced themselves.  He smiled and nodded at both in acknowledgement.  He waited for the others to introduce themselves as well.  The Scavenger, in particular, was a huge question mark.  It made him nervous, but he would trust his master.  He had never personally met Lys, but if Haradaya trusted her, then Bory would do so.  And it seemed these others did as well.  But the Arcaren Agent still made him nervous. 

Once the introductions were complete he turned to Castien and, still standing on one of the chairs and leaning a bit on the back, he asked about the rumors.  "What are the rumors?  I have heard little beyond general statements of mystery and mayhem, with most of that coming from people who are likely to know less than nothing of substance.  Do we know anything with certainty and, if not, what rumors have you heard?"  He looked at teach of them in turn.  The elf had given the impresson of knowing something, but it was possible that any of them might know something.  Except, he supposed, himself.  He knew next to nothing.  He would feel better if he knew more about what they were getting themselves into - and even what they were trying to accomplish.  

Perhas Girta'a would be able to add something more as well. 

Kheric allowed the others to leave ahead of him.  He would have preferred to work as a group, but that didn't seem to be the plan right now.  However, he did know who these others were and would keep an eye out for them.  At least the Dhampir felt comfortable in the night.  

(Based on the posts above I'm assuming he was close enough to see the others meet up and discuss plans, if not I'll need to change things.)

Seeing the others come together Kheric moved up to hear the discussion.  A rearward seemed like a good idea.  In fact, it almost sounded like what he was doing.  He decided that he would hold back for now and watch the interaction with the half-elf.  As long as something was going on he might as well stay.  But he also had told the others that when this was done, unless information was gained to change the plan, he would go on to one of the taverns near the docks - preferably the one Adamo had been at.  For now he would just hang out alone.  A dhampir alone wouldn't draw too much attention, but might draw some from the wrong type of people.  He woulds see who came in and what they did.  The others were welcome to go to the same place or another - he encouraged the same.  

For now he moved into the shadows to watch the ratman and the half-elf.  

Are the custodians/maids a line of inquiry we should follow up on?  What is the best way to do so?

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