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* Michelle unlocks the door and announces "Hall's Open!" * Jaret glides in, clad in dark blue and silver attire, his single blade hanging at his side. He bows gracefully to Michelle. "Well met, Michelle." He shrugs off his heavy cloak and hangs it on a peg, and strolls to the bar. * Michelle returns behind the bar. She has her hair tied in two braids. She's wearing a red hand knitted sweater and a green plaid skirt with a matching scarf. <Michelle> The usual Jaret? <Jaret> Please! * Michelle pours Jaret a glass of Arabellan Red and sets it on the bar in front of him. <Jaret> Thank you, Michelle. And how have you been? Keeping warm, I hope? <Michelle> Keeping warm yes, but I'm pretty frazzled over the entire situation with Temire. I can't figure out how she could just DISAPPEAR. * Glossaria bundles in on a gust of chilly wind, leaning on the door with her slight weight to shut it against the draft. A thick grey cloak has been added to her usual repertoire of green-and-tan dress. <Jaret> Disappear? She... last I heard, she was going to be at Zoya's Tower. Did something happen? <Meridith> ::The door opens, and a figure makes it's way in. It is revealed to be an elven woman wearing assorted and mismatched pieces of armor. A shield and a heavy looking backpack are slung across her back and a largish morningstar hangs from her belt.:: * Michelle shrugs, "No one there ever saw her show up. And I can't divine her anywhere." * Glossaria pushes back the hood to show her face and green, straggly-stubbly hair. "Good evening, all. What an amazing night! I nearly flew here. * Meridith makes her way to the bar and smiles hesitantly at Michelle. * Tyl wanders in and sits down at the bar <Jaret> That's rather bad, Michelle. You don't think she's returned to.. to that manor, do you? * Jaret bows to Glossaria. <Michelle> Hello stranger. Can I get you something to drink? * Jaret bows to Meredith (the unknown stranger). "Good evening!" <Michelle> No. Yohko and I looked there just in case. <Meridith> Please. ::eases her backpack off onto the floor and looks around a bit:: What do you have? * Michelle smiles at Meridith, "Everything." <Meridith> ::smiles back at Jaret:: Good evening to you as well, good sir. <Glossaria> ::turns and smiles as she divests herself of the rest of the voluminous cloak, and hangs it on a peg by the door.:: Good evening, Tyl! ::narrowing her eyes:: You *are* the real Tyl, aren't you? I heard you weren't, last time. <Jaret> Who isn't real? <Tyl> I'm as much me as I ever was. Evening, Glossaria... <Meridith> ::blinks:: Everything? * Glossaria dropping a formal curtsey to Jaret:: Good evening, m'lord Malkier. ::smiling:: <Michelle> As far as I can determine. <Tyl> Apparently ::to Jaret:: I wasn't myself week before last. As a matter of fact, I was a vampire week before last, and you have no idea of the amount of trouble it has caused me... <Meridith> Goodness. ::looks hesitant:: I just would like something warm. Perhaps some mulled cider? * Jaret furrows his brow. "A week before last? Do you mean... do you mean the night I walked you home?" <Michelle> Mulled cider, certainly. ::Michelle picks up a mug and fills it from a steaming tap, then sets it on the bar before Meridith.:: There you are. * Glossaria walks over and looks Tyl up and down closely. "Hmmm. Well, I have no evidence to the contrary. You *look* like you. You *act* like you. I suppose you must be you." ::nodding to Jaret:: The vampire-Tyl attacked Mistress Zoya later that evening. You didn't know? <Michelle> That would be the one Jaret. Same night Temire disappeared actually. <Meridith> Thanks you. ::smiles and takes a sip:: Oh, that's good. <Tyl> you did not walk me home, actually. I wasn't here yet. You walked the vampire to my house... * Jaret looks slightly unsettled. "Well. That's rather disturbing." <Glossaria> Oh! ::jumping up and stepping quickly to Jaret's side, notebook and pencil in hand:: That reminds me-- I've been trying to collect information about this new species. Do you recall if, at any time, you actually invited it *into* Tyl's home in any way? <Tyl> ::to Michelle:: Can I get a rum and ice, please, dear? * Michelle shakes head, "Sorry Tyl, I'm forgetting myself here." Michelle prepares the rum and ice and sets it on the bar in front of Tyl. "What would you like Glossaria?" * Tyl picks up the glass, makes a mock toast, and knocks back the rum. <Glossaria> Hmmmm....::scanning the taps for a moment and consulting her notebook:: Something that starts with "At-" please, Michelle. * Michelle thinks, "You would make this difficult..." <Jaret> No, Glossaria. 'Twas not my house. It would have been rude to invite someone into their own house!. <Tyl> Well, he was definitely in there... man, my place is a mess! <Glossaria> ::raises her eyebrows:: I'm trying to make this as easy and methodical as possible, actually. I thought alphabetically would be the most logical course, would it not? ::wilting a little, and speaking in a softer tone:: It works for books.... * Glossaria moves from Jaret's side to Tyl's. "So Jaret didn't invite it in. Did you, perhaps, Tyl? Did you have any visitors, or even delivery-boys, before you left? Has the vampire been in your house before? <Meridith> I didn't come into the middle of something, did I? ::looks around:: I can leave... <Jaret> ::to Meredith:: No no. We are all just previously acquainted. Please stay. What brings you to the Meade Hall? <Meridith> ::looks a bit eased:: I would not wish to interrupt anything. To be honest, I am not certain how I came to be here. <Tyl> ::Blinks a few times:: I think this one was here when Bai burned the walls in the study... * Jaret laughs. "I felt the same way when I first came here. I am Jaret Malkier, a swordsman, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance." <Glossaria> ::blinks a few times and turns to address Meridith:: Well, you came in the front entrance, over there. ::points:: I'm Glossaria, the Tower Librarian. <Michelle> It makes sense Glossaria, the problem is, I only know a finite number of drinks, none of which start with "At"...At least none that I can think of. <Meridith> ::smiles at Jaret and Glossaria:: My name is Meridith, daughter of Tunare. * Michelle snaps her fingers, "Got it! I could fix you an atomic cocktail Glossaria, but I really wouldn't recommend it unless you're sick, and even then I wouldn't recommend on this planet." <Meridith> Would you mean the tower that I saw outside of this town? <Glossaria> Hmmm...At...at...::runs her finger down a VERY long list in a slim, red volume that's appeared from under her jerkin, and looks up at Michelle's comment:: Atomic cocktail? That sounds interesting. Is it very small? <Michelle> It can be doesn't have to be. It is radioactive though. <Meridith> ::smiles and takes a swallow of the cider:: This is certainly an interesting place. <Glossaria> Radioactive? ::looks a trifle concerned:: Is it safe to ingest? <Tyl> ::looks around:: Hey, Michelle, can I do this again? ::indicates her glass:: * Michelle pours some more rum in Tyl's glass and leaves the bottle in front of her, "Depends on who you ask, what exactly is put in it, and how strong you make it. It's usually used either as a diagnostic tool or to fight cancer." * Tyl knocks back a glass of rum <Glossaria> ::nods to Meridith:: My mistress says the Hall is such an unpredictable place, it could almost be a type of wild magic in itself. ::scratching her cheek thoughtfully:: Well, actually, it is, but I think she meant it in a more metaphorical fashion. <Meridith> Wild... magic? ::looks confused:: How can magic be wild? <Glossaria> ::turns back to Michelle, looking even more puzzled:: Crabs? Why would you want to fight crabs? * Michelle smiles at Meridith and Glossaria, "I prefer to think of the Hall as a 'weirdness magnet'." <Meridith> ::smiles softly:: Weirdness magnet? A good term, I think. I feel as if I have been like that myself of late. <Glossaria> ::getting a look of unholy didactic glee:: Oh, "wild magic" is not exactly "wild," in the sense of uncontrolled. More that it is...unpredictable in its effects, to the untrained eye. * Michelle blinks at Glossaria for a moment then shakes her head, "My world had any number of unfortunate diseases that you here have been spared or are mercifully oblivious to. One of them was called cancer, I don't know why. Essentially your body began to think of itself as a disease and would fight the perceived disease accordingly." <Glossaria> Mistress Zoya has been researching the effects of "wild" magic, and has been finding some very interesting patterns, on the broad scale. <Meridith> ::to Glossaria:: I am afraid I do not understand. Where I am from, spells are either performed properly and successfully, or they fail. <Glossaria> ::looking back at Michelle:: Sounds like a shambling corpse, to me. They eat themselves from the inside, and pass on the disease to any they touch. <Meridith> ::looks at Michelle with horror:: Have they no healers of any experience? * Michelle thinks, "No. One of the few mercies of cancer was that it wasn't contagious. Unfortunately it could be caused by LOTS of things, most of which usually effected large areas and thus large groups of people." <Meridith> ::reaches for her backpack:: Where is this place you come from? I will go to help them <Glossaria> Well...::frowning in her attempt to explain more clearly:: Wild magic spells can be performed properly, or can happen spontaneously, but their effect is not always what the caster had in mind. <Glossaria> It's more of a natural field effect, like...well, somewhat like psionics, I suppose. I'm afraid I can't perform any for you as a demonstration-- I'm not a wild mage myself. ::clears her throat:: Just the result of wild magic. <Michelle> I can't really tell you where it is. It's on another plane. And if you're thinking of helping them you'd better forget about using magic. Doesn't exist there. Instead they have science. They do the best they can, and I suspect most of you would find the place wondrous. I know Glossaria would love computers...except for the fact that she couldn't devour books in her usual manner." * Tyl absent-mindedly pours another drink and knocks it back <Meridith> ::To Glossaria:: What has happened to make magic unstable here? I know this is far from the other lands of Norrath that I know, but why would magic work differently? <Meridith> ::settles back down, looking somewhat shocked at Michelle:: Another plane? You mean... ::hushed voice:: like the Plane of Hate? Or Fear? <Michelle> Um...Meridith, Glossaria will have to confirm this for me, but as we used to say in my world, "You're not in Kansas anymore." <Michelle> ::To Meridith:: Basically. <Meridith> Pardon me? <Glossaria> ::shakes her head:: magic isn't unstable. Actually, it's the randomality of wild magic that *keeps* it stable. Or so Mistress Zoya posits. Ummm... excuse me, did you say "lands of Norrath"? ::perking up like a hunting hound:: <Meridith> ::looking a bit lost:: Yes, Norrath... * Tyl looks around. <Michelle> The Plane of Hate is a different plane of existence than the one you were born on. The plane I was born on in yet another one. <Tyl> Oh... I have a meeting with a friend this evening... good evening... ::makes a hasty nod, gets up and exits:: * Zoya comes in, looking exhausted. "Good evening, all!" <Glossaria> That's...::blinks a couple of times, looking distant for a moment [processing...processing]:: ...that's nowhere within Abeir-Toril, or any of the mapped planes. How did you arrive here? <Meridith> I'm not certain I understand. The Planes are the homes of the Gods and Goddesses. Innoruk lives on the Plane of Hate, Cazic-Thule on that of Fear. Are you saying that you are a goddess? <Michelle> Good evening Zoya. Need something a little on the strong side this evening? <Glossaria> Good evening, Mistress Zoya! I was just trying to explain wild magic to this woman, Meridith. ::indicating her:: Apparently ::sounding excited:: It doesn't exist where she comes from. * Michelle shakes her head, "People keep asking me that question. If I am, I don't know about it." * Glossaria pencil in hand, Gloss rapidly jots down all the names that cross Meridith's lips, for later reference. <Zoya> Cider - with brandy, if you'd be so kind, Michelle. ::shakes head:: Next time my friends over at Mystra's temple invite me over for a "friendly debate" I think I need to have Gloss hit me over the head with something heavy. It would be much faster. <Meridith> I do not know how I came here. There are Gates in some places, that can lead you somewhere else. I was battling a Dragoon when I stepped back into.... nothing. When I can to my senses I was in an unfamiliar land... <Glossaria> ::shakes her head:: That's a common misconception. The gods and goddesses *do* occupy a few planes, but most planes are very similar to our own. Just...different. * Michelle pours some brandy into a mug, then fills it the rest of the way with cider, "What were you debating Zoya?" <Glossaria> ::smiling a little:: I could use the Sacred Tome of Clangeddin, Mistress Zoya. I found one two days ago. It's made of stone. I've never seen slate sheets so thin! <Zoya> Whether the nature of offensive magics precedes the casting of the spell, or whether it is the spell that precedes the magic. ::grins:: Something of a chicken-egg discussion. ::takes the mug, swishes it around a bit to mix the brandy and cider, and takes a deep swig. <Michelle> Dragoon, now there's a word I've not heard in quite some time. <Glossaria> Dragoon? Do you mean a winged, lizard-like creature, or a member of an elite heavy shock-troop force? <Meridith> Similar Planes? The only tales I have heard are of fierce places where death is common. <Meridith> It was no drake, but a Dark Elven elite warrior. He was quick to throw off my attempts to Root him, and I cannot face such a skilled combatant in melee. <Michelle> Um...I'm sure this was answered, but, how can a magical effect precede the spell that created it? <Zoya> ::to Gloss:: Clangeddin? Hmm. I haven't tried dealing with Dwarves, much. Do you think they'd part with a copy? <Glossaria> root him? As in the spell to bind someone to the ground? <Zoya> ::to Michelle:: Damned if I know - go talk to Mystrans if you want to debate it. I refuse to consider the idea any further. <Meridith> ::nods to Glossaria:: The same, yes. <Glossaria> ::to Zoya:: They did for someone. There's already a copy in the Library. And a fine one, I believe, though I'm a better judge of paper and vellum than of stone. <Zoya> Really? I wonder how we came across such a thing... <Glossaria> ::to Meridith:: Root spells, and drow, and drakes...your universe must not be too far off of our own. Closer than Michelle's home, at any rate. <Glossaria> ::to Zoya:: Didn't ::pauses reverently:: ERDIAN have a friend who was a paladin of Clangeddin? ::frowns in thought:: At least, I know he was a dwarven paladin... Drachnaerbaen, I believe? <Meridith> ::looking a bit lost again:: I am sorry, I do not mean to be overly difficult, but are you telling me that I somewhere other than on Norrath? <Glossaria> Aye, you are. To be precise, you're in the realm of Cormyr. <Zoya> ::nods thoughtfully:: Yes, I suppose Drachnaerbaen might have given Erdian the book, at that. <Meridith> Faerun... is not just another continent? ::voice quivering a bit:: <Glossaria> ::to Zoya:: It *is* a beautiful work...I think it's a presentation copy. The pages look hand-chiseled, in a very fine hand. <Glossaria> ::shakes her head:: No, most likely another plane, or universe at least. * Meridith leans heavily against the bar <Glossaria> Believe me, I've thoroughly digested the maps of the Realms, and I know there's no "Norrath" in any place-name list I've come across. * Jaret moves to Meredith's side. "If it makes you feel better, it's a rather nice plane or universe. I come from somewhere else, too, and I've gotten used to it." <Glossaria> ::blinks a couple of times:: You do, m'lord Jaret? <Zoya> ::looks thoughtful:: Hmm. I'll have to ask Drach about that, the next time I see him. <Jaret> Oh yes, Glossaria. <Glossaria> ::looking around the Hall, and sounding a bit plaintive:: Am I the *only* native here? <Zoya> ::looks around the room:: I think so. <Glossaria> Hm. Well, what is the standard greeting? "Welcome to Faerun, I hope you come in peace?" <Meridith> ::smiles weakly at Jaret:: Thank you, Mister Malkier. Is everyone here from... somewhere else? Is that why you all seem to understand this so easily? <Jaret> Possibly. Although I was a little disturbed by the idea once I figured out what had become of me. <Zoya> ::laughs:: My greeting was more along the lines of, "Die, foul enchantress!" <Michelle> I find it's easier to just try and fit in. Otherwise people decide to kill you as a demon or saddle you with some saving the world prophecy. <Glossaria> I'm a native to Abeir-Toril, although not of my current species. <Zoya> ::grins at Michelle:: <Meridith> ::looks around at everyone:: Goodness. Thank you all; it does help a bit to understand I am not alone in this. <Glossaria> ::looks speculative:: Perhaps the Hall is somehow a planes magnet...certainly there's a high incidence of...for lack of a better word...foreigners here. <Meridith> What did you mean by "not of your current species"? <Zoya> ::looks suddenly more focused:: That's an interesting thought, Glossaria. I wonder if the flux of... ::trails off into arcane babble:: <Glossaria> Oh...well...I didn't always look ::indicating herself:: like this. Remember my description of wild magic, earlier? Well, my home is a focus for wild magic, and it decided I would fare better in a different form. <Zoya> ::smiles at Gloss:: And a good decision it was. I was about to call in an Exterminator. <Glossaria> ::nods at Zoya:: Or perhaps it's merely Erdian's doing. It would be the sort of thing He'd do. <Glossaria> ::shudders:: Please, Mistress, don't even talk about that! <Meridith> Oh my. Can you... change back? <Glossaria> ::shakes her head:: Not under my own power. ::looks thoughtful:: And, were I offered the choice, I wouldn't want to. I can learn so much *more* this way. <Zoya> ::beams happily, almost proudly:: She's really a very good librarian. <Meridith> Do you mind if I ask what your other form was? <Meridith> Librarian is a noble calling. I remember fondly one at the Hall of Tunare that helped me many times. ::smiles softly:: <Glossaria> ::looks bashful, and mumbles something:: <Meridith> ::looks surprised:: Goodness! ::chuckles lightly:: I think after my recent revelation and this, nothing will surprise me anymore. <Meridith> Has... ::pauses a moment:: Has any of you found a way to return to where you came from? To your... home Plane? And if so, could you help me find my way back? <Zoya> I used to go "home" every couple of years, just to see how things were getting along. But there's not much draw for me to go back any more. But if we could figure out where you came from, I'd be happy to try to take you back. <Jaret> I... I haven't tried too hard, I must confess. I wasn't in the middle of anything back home, and I've been sort of swept up in events here, without a lot of time to look for a wizard who could send me back home. <Glossaria> ::Staunchly:: I couldn't imagine a Marsember without any of you! ::looking around at the old-timers:: * Jaret smiles wanly. "It was here before I was, and it'll be here after I'm gone. Sobering thought, that." <Meridith> Oh dear. I suppose I shall have to learn my way around for now. <Meridith> Is that what this place is called? Marsember? I though it was Toril? <Glossaria> ::brightly:: How are you at reading maps? I could draw you a map of the city...what languages do you read? <Jaret> No, this city is Marsember. The whole world is Abeir-Toril. <Meridith> Languages? Feir'Dal, Common, Dwarven, Barbarian, Thieve's Tongue, Gnoll, Pixie, Faerie, Goblin, Dragon, Erudite, Teir'Dal, Halfling, Ogre, Troll, and Froglok. <Meridith> Oh, thank you! <Glossaria> ::smile:: Froglok? Hm. I wouldn't mind if you taught me some of those. ::tracing a common phrase onto a napkin with her pencil:: Can you read that? <Meridith> ::nods:: It seems a bit different than what I am used to, but no more so than any dialect I have encountered. <Glossaria> ::nodding:: That must mean that our planes aren't too far apart. Usually, language is the first thing to go. Well, you're in the port city of Marsember, the largest in the kingdom of Cormyr, under the beneficent reign of Azoun IV. <Meridith> ::sighs:: I can see that I shall have a great deal to learn. <Meridith> Thank you all for your help. At least I now understand my situation. <Jaret> Of course. ::looks out the window at the alley, and finishes his wine glass:: I fear I must be going. Good night, gentles! <Glossaria> ::brightly:: I'd be happy to teach you! ::sketching furiously on a napkin, after unfolding it:: <Michelle> Goodnight Jaret. <Michelle> Last call everyone. <Meridith> ::smiles to Jaret:: Good night sir, it was nice to meet you. * Jaret bows to Michelle. And very nice to meet you, too. ::pauses as he reaches the door and dons his heavy cloak:: Would anyone like an escort home tonight? * Zoya finishes off her cider and puts the mug on the counter. <Glossaria> ::grinning impishly at Jaret as she finishes up her map:: Are you sure *you* don't want the escort, sir? * Jaret smiles broadly. "I never object to pleasant company." <Glossaria> ::handing the napkin to Meredith:: Here. It's rough, but it should suffice until you learn your way around. <Zoya> ::glances at Gloss:: We're not going to have another discussion on 'ravishing', are we? <Meridith> ::sips away the last of her cider and looks up at Michelle:: How much do I owe you for this? ::pulls out some odd looking and obviously very foreign coins:: <Meridith> ::smiles to Glossaria:: Thank you, dear. <Glossaria> ::looking innocently wounded:: What? I was merely making a reference to the *last* girl he escorted home. Who was a vampire. * Michelle smiles at Meridith, "First hits free kid." <Meridith> ::looks at the napkin:: Oh my! This is exquisite. <Zoya> I know what *you* were referring to. ::grins, and heads for the door:: <Zoya> Goodnight, friends! * Michelle shakes her head at Glossaria, "Maybe we should have let her go with Eljorin." <Jaret> Good night, Zoya. <Glossaria> ::blushing a little:: It's a little rough... I could offer you better from the library, if you wished. <Meridith> ::to Michelle:: Truly? Thank you very much, then. Can you suggest a place that I might be able to stay for while? And if these coins will be acceptable here? <Zoya> ::laughs:: No, Michelle, I *don't* think that would have been a good idea. ::waves as she leaves:: <Meridith> Rough? I've not seen a better drawn map, even by the most skilled in the Bard's Guild. <Glossaria> ::perking up:: Aye, you should have! ::makes a distressed noise:: Hey, Mistress Zoya, wait up! ::grabbing her cloak and hurrying into it:: * Jaret grins and shrugs. "I think everyone is going to manage just fine without me tonight. Good night!" <Glossaria> My thanks. I can duplicate anything I've digested completely. Unfortunately, the original was in full color, on fine vellum. This is a poor copy. <Michelle> We have several empty rooms upstairs. ::Begins examining the coins:: We'll except nearly any form of currency here, but you'll probably want to find someone who's willing to change at least some of these into local currency if you're going to be here for very long. <Glossaria> As I said, you're welcome to stop by the Tower Library... ::frowns a moment:: If the Tower lets you in, that is... I'll ask. But I have to go. Good night! It was so interesting to meet you! ::waves and scampers out the door:: <Meridith> ::to Gloss:: Amazing! I look forward to seeing it. <Meridith> ::to Michelle:: Thank you so much. Can you suggest someone? * Michelle thinks for a moment, "Well you could see the smith Lion. Probably a better bet would be to find Tyl'gainia and ask for her assistance. Course she and whoever she takes you to will both want cuts of whatever money you exchange." <Meridith> Thank you again for you help, ::yawns:: can we discuss this in the morning? <Michelle> Certainly. Let me show you to one of the empty rooms. ::Michelle heads towards the stairs.:: * Meridith follows Michelle upstairs. |
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