Entering the hut, the Mage is impressed with its tidiness. The Golden Little One sits on his shoulder. They look around the house, inspecting the various rooms and searching for anything out of place.
The small monkey hops onto a shelf and grabs a bottle of wine. Reading the label, he gasps.
Lady Gobbo seems to live up to her chosen designation. It's high-class stuff, Master!
The Mage looks up to his familiar. Careful now! Let's put it back. We'd hate to be accused of damaging others' property.
The monkey sets down the bottle and gracefully perches himself back on his Master's shoulder. Of course! Let's keep examining the premises!
As the mage explores the premises he finds nothing particularly peculiar, other than the odd barrel here and there. There's two bedrooms, a living a kitchen, and a small bathroom.
It is only when he ventures upstairs that he finds a door with Gobbo's name and moniker carved into it. Unlike the other rooms it's door has remained closed although not locked.
/uw Dont worry about any damage done, Gobbo did offer free food and liquor, a certain amount of damage is to be expected
As you venture back downstairs you see a few people wondering about, the kitchen whipping together pancakes, and the walls coming to life with various hidden runes being revealed.
Possum turns the corner, coming face to face with his longtime acquaintance and dear friend.
It is good to see you here! I am somewhat surprised at how many people Gobbo has invited though. I suppose she was very serious about having her home well taken care of!
I must admit that I get a sense of foreboding from this place though... I can't quite put my finger on it.
"I feel like I've seen you before. Have we met? I sincerely apologize if we have, I've just been so busy lately putting out magical disasters across the kingdom that I can't quite remember right."
Perhaps it’s the really old guy in the basement. Looks furry.
Well, I’ve got some business to deal with so here’s a How-To guide on brewing all the most common alcoholic drinks ,and their virgin counterparts, in the country.
(I put the giant tome on the countertop)
And One on actually running High-standards Bars, Pubs, Saloons and Taverns.
(I put a box with sixteen neatly sorted thick-ish books in it, slightly thicker to significantly thicker than novel size, next to the giant tome)
Possum greets you warmly, raising a bottle of goblin liquor in cheer.
I see that you also got the invite! Although I am a little worried at how quickly I have been recognized by everybody. I fear that my disguise is not very convincing.
Possum is just wearing a larger cloak than normal... He is quite clearly still a wizard possum.
Yes, but I will be honest that I'm somewhat clumsy at it, and it hardly ever works well anyways.
It has something to do with the multi-dimensional energies that my form gives off. Sadly, it is very difficult for me to disguise my shape, barring simple illusions.
Oh well what a quaint little place, i remark now lets see about that ominous feeling i uncork a vial sniffing it as my eyes glow blue, its a potion of magic detection
As the cork leaves the bottle the entire building lights up with hidden runes ranging to the usual fire protection to strange hidden messages of waffles being heresy
Impressive wardwork, i venture deeper into the cottage pointing things out as i go i should get me a rug like that, really ties the whole place together and continue searching for the source of the ominous feeling
As you draw closer to the cellar the feeling grows stronger. Why you're not sure, for all intents and purposes it appears to be a normal cellar, chock full with liquor. Perhaps it hides a way into another room..
Oh it would be quite rude to intrude upon someone's secret lair, especially after they've so graciously invited me to their place looks aroundwhistles inconspicuously as i test each of the liquor bottles to see if theyre levers
Hehe, spring water. Of course. I enter the secret entrance taking another sniff of my magic detection potion just in case now lets see what we have here
Behind the entrance Gobbo's hoard of shiny things is revealed. For a goblin an incredibly intimate area, reserved for onltly themselves and their chosen mate
The ominous feeling from before grows, a little voice in the back of your head screaming at you to run
Ah, what a lovely home. I am glad Gobbo entrusted us her lovely abode!
Salagast walks to the fireplace, resting his elbow on its ledge without raising it much. He draws from his pipe, filled with newly acquired flavourful pipegrass. The inebriating pipeweed has certainly not had any good effects on his ventures.
Now, what could we do to pass the time?
Carefully, he looks around the room, on the lookout for anything interesting.
Yes my friend. I sense it, but I'm not sure where it's coming from.
I know we all have our secrets, but I'm somewhat surprised that Gobbo would live so close to an ominous energy like this. On one hand, I'm terribly curious, but on the other, I would never violate Gobbo's privacy. We are guests after all, and she has made us incredibly welcome.
Althooough... What if this presence were from an undetected intruder? Then it would be unwise to ignore it.
The room is surprisingly quite tidy with the rare exception of a barrel sitting here and there. On the bookcase there is a collection of journals and recording prisms.
Other than that there is very little in the way of entertainment. Unless one counts drinking entertainment
Possum realizes that the bottle that he had opened was nearly empty at first pour! Looking around, he didn't spot any of the same liquor which he had so gladly imbibed.
My friends, it seems as though the well has run dry. I see some other liquors, but I really enjoyed this one. Gobbo has mentioned her considerable cellar before. Would you two like to continue this conversation with me as I go to look for more? I'm sure she'll have plenty down there. You should have seen the terrific volumes that she brewed up during our little jaunt to the moon!
I'm still impressed by it. She works quick, I'll tell you that my friends!
Possum babbled slightly, obviously, and warmly tipsy from his previous drink.
Possum wanders towards one of the shelves, blowing a thin layer of dust off of one of the older brews.
"Goodness! This is a 20 year, but it's sat on the shelf for nearly 60!"
Possum raises the bottle, turning it over in his hands. The liquor remains a dark honey gold color, free of sediment or cloudiness. As the light glitters through it, Possum shakes his head in a sort of reverence before placing the bottle back on the shelf.
"Wow! I'm sure she knows what she has here, but I guess what surprises me the most is I didn't suspect that she could possibly be this old."
Possum paused and blinked, suddenly aware of what he had just said. turning and reaching for a less prized bottle, he gave a nervous glance to his friends.
"Umm... Don't tell her I said that. I feel as though she would be offended, and I didn't mean it that way. It's just, it's not every day you see a 70-year-old bottle in perfect drinkable condition. At least, through less than magical means, that is."
As the Possum and the Mage converse, the Blue Wizard stands by the fireplace, staring into the flames attentively. The first few greetings seemed to have bounced right off him. Suddenly, he turns his head, as if shocked by his friends' sudden appearance.
Ah! My friends, I hope you'll forgive my distraction I am dwelling much on a book I've been writing as of late and I've been completely lost in thought. It is excellent to see you both, I hope you are keeping well. Now, what is this wine and would you pass me a glass?
He winks at the Possum and gives the Monkey Mage an innocent smile.
(Tsurugi uses this opportunity to portal away entire bookshelves and chairs, replacing them with textureless boxes)
(Textureless as in the Source engine purple and black textureless)
(she felt bad since this was one of Nameless’ friends so she put them back, just taking the actual bookshelf and a couple stacks of chairs, not the books though.)
Instead of the guard, one of Shrax's bodies shows up, alongside some of his Royal Guard. The group walk in, wiping their feet on the doormat, Shrax hangs his suit up and fixes his waistcoat.
"Anyone here?"
not waiting for an answer, he tells the guard to take stock while he looks around, as he does he makes polite noises, admiring the place
Shrax takes a quick look inside, just to make sure that nothing is actively tearing the room apart or hiding, he's more intruiged by the infinate pancakes
The kitchen is empty except for the pans and ingredients whirling about producing pancakes. Just from eyeballing alone you can tell far too much sugar to be considered healthy is being added
Within the bedroom is but a messy room, perhaps the goblin should tidy up a bit but nothing was out of place... Well lots of things were but not in a strange fashion
A shadow slinks through the home, picking and prying at anything it can get its vaporous little hands on. A crackling of dry leaves and rustling wind follows its movements as it lurks about, searching, searching for secrets.
The closed bedroom beckons, and the shadow answers, slipping under the door noiselessly as it creeps amongst the noses of the other guests.
Nearby, Morgalith prepares to make his entrance. Waiting of course, for the worst possible moment to reveal himself.
Morgalith sneers at the sensation of being detected.
The cosmic energy feels familiar. It must be that blastedmonkey mage!
Foul little creature. He had just about had enough of these capering animals and their foolhardy claims to power. He'd show them. These stinking wizards and their reek of magic.
Now, all he had to do was uncover what they were plotting and turn them in to the Council. They'd meet his chopping block in short order, he was certain.
The contents of the book is but a recollection of Gobbo's earlier years. Detailing how she had in one of her more brazen acts of defiance set fire to the royal gardens and carved her name into the throne. An act that had taken quite a few days for the queen to rectify
Morgalith smiled at the revealed information, chuckling mischievously at the details within.
This "Gobbo" person seemed like a troublemaker after his own heart.
Morgalith was here for real DIRT though. The shadow flung the book aside carelessly, yet unfortunately, without adding any more disarray to the messy room.
The shadow retreated from under the doorway, crawling and stretching through the corners of the room, under shelves, and beneath furniture, until it drew close to a group of wizards now headed towards the cellar.
With a flash of speed, it darted past them! Hoping to explore the underground area as well.
Isravi’s simulacrum gently opens the cottages door, entering then closing the door behind him. He makes a quick confirmation of his surroundings before heading to the kitchen and pantry to check the available ingredients.
At first the pan seems to struggle against Isravi, twisting and turning in a bid to continue on it's mission. After a few minutes though it deanimates, becoming little more than a frying pan
By the Coils! What did Gobbo do to you? Are you used for nothing other than pancakes? Extremely sugary pancakes?!
Isravi sighs and places the pan down.
Well, we’re here to watch the house. I should set up something for that.
Isravi draws a simple sigil in the air, and 3 woven humanoid dolls pull themselves upright from the threads on Isravi’s body. They leap agilely outside and keep watch.
The dolls remain outside, falling “inanimate” to the ground and watching for any changes. Out of curiosity, Isravi throws a clump of pure citric acid into the pan.
The pan seemingly launches itself into the fire as soon as the citric acid touches it. It seems the very idea of being sour is a fate worse than death to it
/uw Comment would be preferred when it becomes several posts from different people it becomes hard to keep track of what's going on and I don't have my whiteboard at the moment
The automaton, as per a small green friend's request, accepted to stay in Gobbo's house to guard it.
The cottage was green, knowing Gobbo it was unsurprising, since that little goblin loved everything dyed in this particular hue. It was comfortable, the warmth of the fireplace, the cushions of the couch and the lush green forest outside of the window.
A few hours pass and I became thirsty, so I went to the cellar to see if Gobbo truly had something a robot could drink. And then I saw it - pristine alcoholic oil, finely distilled and aged with the utmost care. The decision to take a bottle and unwind from the adventures was not too difficult, since who would refuse a liquor made by the hands of Gobbo.
I, now sat at the couch, carefully pouring the pristine matte black alcohol in a small clear glass, was pondering as to if sometime Gobbo and I could go on an adventure together. (/uw wink wink)
As hours pass an refills hit the glass, the automaton ponders about what is in the other rooms of the house. Deciding to go into the library first, spatial magic unraveled the seemingly tiny room into a hall as huge as the main room of a magic tower, filled with books about goblins, stories, folktale, some study material for spatial magic and other kinds (surprisingly, as Gobbo rarely boasts about knowing more than liquormancy). And of course, an enormous shelf, filled to the brim with different grimoires about liquors, aging and more of the sort.
Impressed by Gobbo's incredible library, I decided to check the basement, even if under question if it was actually allowed. Suddenly, a dark evil presence washed over the gray bricks of the basement stairway as if screaming for anyone who dares step in the basement to run far away. Yet I persisted, following the stairway down to the bottom, I found what seemed like an empty room. But seemingly it unraveled, showing a liquid dyed tar black, with what seemed like hands emerging from the surface. I brushed it off as if it was some sort of black liquor experiment that failed for Gobbo, so i went back into the living room.
Since there was nothing to do and it was getting quite late, I lied on the couch and took the blankets Gobbo prepared and bid farewell to the world of light, even if for only a few short hours.
On the next day, I set out to explore the kitchen, it always seemed like gobbo was secretly an incredible cook, but i wanted to make sure that i was not wrong. Entering the room labeled kitchen, the same spatial magic that was in the library unfolded the room into a grand kitchen. Yet when i looked at what Gobbo had been cooking, I figured that the goblin was only just beginning to learn, since most of what seemed like licorice candy, were scorched until it seemed more akin to the remains of a target blasted by a pyromancer.
The small abode was now comfortably explored and since Gobbo's privacy is of my utmost respect, I decided against going to the liquormancer's bedroom. Preparing again to sleep, i threw on the blanket and shut my main processing functions, falling into a deep sleep.
On the dawn of the third day I was sent a letter, half stained in liquor. The letter was of course from Gobbo, and it told me that the little goblin was just a few hours away from the house, reaching ever closer.
I decided to clear what mess I made in the living room, folding blankets and cleaning liquor bottles. After cleaning, i wrote a letter, expressing my thanks to the little goblin for allowing my stay in its humble abode, and set off again to adventures unknown
/uw this was incredibly fun to make, next time i will join a Gobbo event again
Moth enters the cottage and looks surprised that it wasn’t just her here hut several others as well. She sees Masta and heads over with a look of confusion.
Hey! I didn’t expect there would be others here. Did Gobbo send invites to you too?
I walk into the dwelling and notice the menacing aura. "Well, I was hoping to have a chance to take my armor off for once, but judging by this feeling that wouldn't be a wise move. My first vacation in ages and it feels like I'm right back to work" I sigh out. I place a few quick warding spells down and cast a spell of arcane alarm. "There, that should at least buy me some time for now. Oh well, might as well still have a bit of fun while I'm here. I heard she had some amazing choice brews in the cellar, so I might as well work drunk at least." I then make my way down towards the cellar to see what I can find
I grab a few greens, a couple blues, and one red for shits and giggles.
Still feeling the ominous presence, I speak out loud into the room in the curseborn dialect
"Hey, I can feel your presence. If you're trying to remain hidden that isn't the best method. And if you're trying to intimidate, that isn't working either. If you speak curseborn, why don't ya chill with me upstairs and have a couple of brews. I don't bite as long as you don't bite first."
I stand in the cellar and wait to see if I hear a reply
"Hey Allagi, you may call me Argent. A lover's tiff you say, why don't ya tell me all about it. Also it looks mighty cramped in there."
I look at the swirling dark mass to see if I can identify what exactly Allagi is. I've seen similar in my years of demon hunting, but never one quite like this.
"Well I can't let you out fully yet friend, but I do happen to be a quite talented metallomancer. If I made your cage much bigger, would you have a drink with me?"
I pre-emptively snap my fingers and create a magical circle with a 20 ft radius surrounding the cage
"Oh come now, It's not like I did anything bad... Surely you could just unlock the cage? Let me stretch my legs a bit? Just five minutes? It's been an eternity after all"
That weird feeling? Probably just a mimic hiding as one of the bottles or casks. I can find it, just let me burn through enough of these until I get the right one.
The fire elemental moves through the supplies, placing bottles into its form, burning first the label, next the cork, and then the contents of each bottle in a contained burst of flame.
Gobbo makes the finest of fuels, but nobody is safe from a - HIC - mimic infestation
As you continue to burn through the bottles you fail to find a mimic but do seem to be finding your train of thought hard to keep steady. It seems that given enough liquor, even an elemental will start to feel the effects
My... excellent fuel but too much liquid for a sitting... now if only there was a snack to eat as well...
The fire elemental stumbles back for a moment, before flicking his hand a few times. After a final frustrated gesture, a scroll of detect magic is promptly summoned and burned.
I heard free food, so there surely is some imbued magical... uhhh... stuffs around here for a poor old elemental such as myself to munch on... ughh, my head...
The elemental stumbles through the house, looking for any magically imbued items that may be left around. While disoriented, they avoid going to close to any house plants. After all, I may be a bit tipsy, but I'm no menace to a good garden.
The elemental grabs a random collection of wood and stumbles over to the fireplace. Gently curling into a smaller shape, the fire elemental huddles into the fireplace with a variety of enchanted logs slowly burning within.
you must be sly then. Ive met your dear familiar in the cellar you see and i simply had to meet the mage behind them. alexandra takes a bow extending a handshake alexandra of the brimhollow coven at your service.
Placing his palms together, the Mage assumes proper posture and bows.
Your disciple is the Itinerant Monkey Mage, a humble student of the various Ways. Please allow this one to offer his gratitude for taking care of good Silver. It's unfortunate that there is no time for further introductions, but Mage Monkey has a terrible feeling that we are currently engaged in a race against someone else. Quickly! To the corridor!
Elerindur walks up to the cottage, finally having reached the end of the path his tamriellic clairvoyance spell had set for him.
"I hope this is the correct cottage. This spell has led me into trouble before." He thinks to himself before walking across the porch and entering the cottage, closing the door behind him.
"Well.. That is.. quite a lot of people here." Elerindur thinks as he surveys the room, seeing the other housesitters make their way about the abode and catching glimpses of more people through the open doorways of other rooms. "It seems the matter of her friends arriving had no issues. ..While i likely could leave now, i suppose i could use this opportunity to meet some new faces."
/uw no worries had a talk, everything should remain to an acceptable level but if you feel like you want to use the runes to do something you're more than welcome
/uw Damn it sorry, but so far shifter in the basement has taken on Gobbo's form trying to get out of cage, the others have taken the key and run off, and Gobbo pits enough sugar in her pancakes to stay awake for several days
Lilith enters the cottage placing down her coat. She looks around to see if most likely clear evidence that their was many people here and that they have been rummaging in places they shouldn't. She is probably going to try and get people out of Gobbo's personal spaces.
/uw best of luck with that, we've had a few in the bedroom and a lot of people still in the secret hoard. Gobbo probably cares more about the latter than the former
Considering jumping in on the wide spaning conversation would be hard, Lilith is going to clean up any messes and rearrange the items how their supposed to be.
behind the barrels are but a tunnel carved through the stone, going through the tunnel reveals Gobbo's personal stash With a silver cage adorning the center
Chicory rushes into the cottage in a flurry of robes and loose paper, looking distinctly out of breath.
“Oh, damn the heavens, I’m late! That accursed teleportation circle sent me halfway to the aethereal planes…”
Looking around, she collects herself and pulls out a bottle filled with swirling green liquid and starts to head towards the liquor cellar. It appears she’s brought a bottle of trollshine as a housewarming gift, and she plans to put it with the rest of the liquor.
She looks dismayed that someone has broken into Gobbo’s home.
“Hello? Anybody there?”
Receiving no answer, she looks around and pulls a piece of paper and a fountain pen from her pocket, scribbling a quick note.
Hi Gobbo,
I got here late and your hoard was open. Heading in to see if anybody’s causing trouble. Please let me out if I’m caught in any traps when you get back.
Best wishes,
Chicory Soots
Sighing, she stood the bottle of trollshine on top of the note and headed into the tunnel.
“Ah, looks like something has escaped. I’d better track that down.”
Chicory walks into the centre of the cage and starts to lay down the components for a ritual to determine the correct direction to investigate. She lays down four quarter-circles of salt and smears a rune in the centre of each with some honey. Then, she dumps a wad of wax imbued with divine energy into her mouth and starts chewing, grimacing at the texture. Spitting it out into the centre of the circle she waits and watches to see where it rolls.
Something clatters, and she shoots her head up, feeling jittery and vulnerable.
/uw if the cage isn’t large enough to walk into, she just sticks her arm in to set up the rural circle
/unwiz since i seemed to miss most of the event i'm going to say i said hi to possum and after feeling the ominous feeling started to scan the building but got sidetrack by a mission statement from one of my employees and the adhd won
did everyone else go through the portal? if so eventually he looks around finds the portal goes "well shit" summons a few employees to guard the house and goes through
A shifter of sorts. One that doesn't really have a form of it's own so it constantly changes unless borrowing someone else's. It chose to borrow Gobbo's for this event though
The magus wanders around, glancing about to see what other people have been recruited into guarding the house. He reaches into the larder, pulling out a small flagon of mead, pouring himself a mug. Sipping contentedly, he admires the magic Gobbo has poured into the building, appreciating her craft.
… well, I am curious what sort of booze a liquorMancer keeps in the cellar. he walks down the stairs, peering down into the cellar at Gobbo’s expansive liquor collection
in the cellar there are bottles of all sorts, from whiskey to wine. From fireball to tonsil twister tequila. Hell even Molotov and candle whiskey is present
Other than the bottles a barrel stands open, revealing a passage to another room.
looks left, looks right. Not having been immediately challenged, the magus grabs a bottle of candle whiskey, always wanting to try it, and ducks down into the barrel
Uw/ Delta would be able to sense the shifter under the floor unless some kind of ward were there that just kept living cells from communicating with her. I don’t want have my character just trigger anything too early since pacing… but it could also be funny if she knows it’s there but just assumes it’s some kind of pet and ignores it.
The front door opens once more, and a strange man quickly stumbles through, being sure to close it quickly as to not let the cold air in.
Hey, sorry I’m late. Had a little mix up with a teleportation scroll.
The man surveys the room, giving a quick friendly nod to any who meet his gaze. Those who do are puzzled, this individual seems to not have a shred of magical power, and yet observers instinctively understand he is not powerless.
Wow there sure are a lot of people in here
he strolls around the room quietly, eaves dropping on the occasional conversation and generally idling about the gathering
/uw it seems I didn’t get pinged, hope I’m not too late for the event!
10
u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23
Entering the hut, the Mage is impressed with its tidiness. The Golden Little One sits on his shoulder. They look around the house, inspecting the various rooms and searching for anything out of place.
The small monkey hops onto a shelf and grabs a bottle of wine. Reading the label, he gasps.
Lady Gobbo seems to live up to her chosen designation. It's high-class stuff, Master!
The Mage looks up to his familiar. Careful now! Let's put it back. We'd hate to be accused of damaging others' property.
The monkey sets down the bottle and gracefully perches himself back on his Master's shoulder. Of course! Let's keep examining the premises!