February 17th: Marblebush

"...I am not sure, but even a small Tusker should be a problem for us."

He thinks, uncertainty on his face.

"You guys have an idea of what we should do before heading into the ruins?"

*Z looks shocked and turns to Araiguna.*

"... You've... meet a tusker...?? What for the love of all the elements made you decide to go to the DIRES! *he/she pauses for a moment* ... wait.. did you say spoke with..."

"well, I think it may be a fairly safe assumption that the tusker may be living in the ruins. it would be a good idea to be fairly cautious"

Spoiler:

"ah yes, that was a rather eventful day! The large oaf was about to stomp all over us and snarg luckily threw his water sack down in disgust, yet the tusker picked it up and took a swig, then proceeded to thank him for the drink. Apparently he was just a little thirsty."

Z wrote:*Z looks shocked and turns to Araiguna.*

"... You've... meet a tusker...?? What for the love of all the elements made you decide to go to the DIRES! *he/she pauses for a moment* ... wait.. did you say spoke with..."

Rory huffed. "What business is it of yours where we've traveled? We've made no effort on our part to find out anything about you."

*Z looks even more shocked*

"He... thanked him.... *she shakes her head turning to Snarg.* What were you doing in the Dires?"

"Well, we weren't in the Dires. The poor guy was trapped in a cave with a mentally shell shocked elf woman, and a horribly grotesque creature that was supposedly feeding off of the elf's emotions. If I recall correctly we broke the Tusker out and set him free"

*turning to Rory.*

"Oh get your panties out of a wad. If you knew the geography of this place you'd understand my question. No one goes to the Dires. It's suicide."

Araiguna wrote:"Well, we weren't in the Dires. The poor guy was trapped in a cave with a mentally shell shocked elf woman, and a horribly grotesque creature that was supposedly feeding off of the elf's emotions. If I recall correctly we broke the Tusker out and set him free"

"You set it free! What in god's graces were you thinking!"

"Have you heard of any horrible tusker attack lately? besides, I don't think we would have survived if he had decided to fight us..."

Snarg crosses his arms. "There wasn't anything wrong with him. He was imprisoned there and just wanted to get away. He even helped us with the creature after feeding us a meal."

Z wrote:*turning to Rory.*

"Oh get your panties out of a wad. If you knew the geography of this place you'd understand my question. No one goes to the Dires. It's suicide."

"I've heard how dangerous it is. Still, I stopped prodding you further out of respect, and frankly, I grew out of it. Though lately, I've been having difficulty finding reasons to respect you at all," he added, mumbling out loud.

*Z uncharacteristically runs a hand though his/her hair the bangs are now a bit disheveled but makes no move to fix it.*

"You've known me for a matter of days, human. I wouldn't expect your 'respect' just as you haven't earned mine."

"Rory, Z, shut the frell up. If you cannot stop picking on each other, stop talking altogether. Especially when we are discussing a financial arrangement."

Zeiss did not forget about their dispute at Ritholme.

"We are together out of necessity. No need to like each other. Now I will go for these ruins. Not enter it, do not worry. I will simply be on the lookout in case someone comes by. Join me when you are ready..."

He leaves the group and goes towards the ruins.

Snarg turns to Z. "Although I've never been to the Dires, yes, it is strange that one would be intelligent enough not to attack on sight. I think the fact that we're still standing here is proof enough that he wasn't a mindless beast." He gives a quick wink to Z. "It's fortunate someone's told you of the dangers of the Dires and its creatures; that you've never had the misfortune to visit them."

He claps his hands together and addresses the entire party. "If there's a Tusker here, even if it's a small one, then the town's in danger. Its strange behavior makes me think there's something else up, or that someone's even making these tracks to fake something, but I won't be able to tell you more until I do some more investigating."

Spoiler:

*Z stalks off toward the ruins. Ignoring Zeiss and entering them.*

*assuming that at this point in game i know the results of the checks i'm still waiting for I'll go with Zeiss to the entrance of the ruins

"I left that discussion," Rory replied. "I kept my words quiet, too. If our conversation from earlier left any negative impression on that one who fancies herself a Warlord, feel free to blame her," he says, flagging his hand in Z's direction as she leaves, "but not me."

Seeing Z enters the ruins alone, Zeiss says :

"Hey, wait! Frell..."

He thinks for a second, then...

"Stubborn little..."

He follows her.

"Let me go first you. And let's wait for the others."

Spoiler:

Araiguna:
It is immensely more likely the Tusker would be within the Ruins, though you have never seen one nor tracks of one.


As a note: It is currently 8 PM.

"well, since its 8 pm already I suggest we hit this thing tomorrow. the fatigue is getting to me again...."
Araiguna starts to motion in the direction of the house he has been staying at for the past week.

Snarg throws his hands in the air. "Or the usual suspects could just walk off into the night like usual." He cups his hands around his snout and yells to Z and Zeiss. "I'M GOING TO SEE WHERE THESE ARE COMING FROM, DON'T GO IN TO THE RUINS YET!" He turns back to anyone still remaining here, looking a bit sheepish. "Someone might want to get a room. Eh, someone'll have to spot me, I'm broke."

Spoiler:

*Z is standing just inside the ruins looking around.*

"I know how to handle myself, Zeiss, as you should know better than most. Hard to kill something that isn't there anymore."

Spoiler:

"Same," Rory added in response to Snarg. "Let's find an inn. I could use a nap, maybe a hot meal. It's on the group fund, I hope?"

After the entrance in the ruins - Zeiss ans Z-

"As far as I know, Desolates can be killed too. Now, let's go meet the others. I don't want to meet some Tusker that does the bidding of an hostile mage after all we have been through."

He looks around.

Spoiler: