Idran1701 (12:50:34 PM): Hey!
NebbieQ (12:50:37 PM): Yo!
Idran1701 (12:50:47 PM): What's up? :O
NebbieQ (12:51:11 PM): Nothing much, just a bit tired.
Idran1701 (12:51:18 PM): Oh? Everything okay?
NebbieQ (12:54:16 PM): Yeah, I just didn't get enough sleep last night.
Idran1701 (12:54:21 PM): Ah. *nod*
Idran1701 (12:56:58 PM): Hey, do you work/have class today?
NebbieQ (1:00:20 PM): Yeah. I had one class today, and I'm going to work at around 6
Idran1701 (1:00:43 PM): *nod* You know when you're getting off work?
NebbieQ (1:04:17 PM): I'll be back between 10 and 10:30
Idran1701 (1:04:46 PM): *nod* Cool. When you get back, think you'll be up for the side deal with Marty?
NebbieQ (1:06:58 PM): Sure
Idran1701 (1:07:06 PM): Awesome.
NebbieQ is away at 2:57:47 PM.
NebbieQ signed off at 7:06:42 PM.
NebbieQ signed on at 7:06:44 PM.
NebbieQ returned at 7:25:56 PM.
Idran1701 (7:55:44 PM): Oh, hey. Just noticed you got home. :D
NebbieQ (8:01:05 PM): Hey!
Idran1701 (8:01:38 PM): You caught me in the middle of Psychonauts, but give me about a half-hour, and I should be good to pick up the sidequest with Marty.
NebbieQ (8:01:57 PM): Sure
Idran1701 (8:33:20 PM): All right, we can start if you're ready. How long you think you'll be on for? :O
NebbieQ (8:33:37 PM): Probably til 1:30 or 2?
Idran1701 (8:34:07 PM): *nod*That should be plenty of time, then. It's nothing big, just a little side scene.
Idran1701 (8:34:19 PM): Want to go to a chat room, or stay here?
NebbieQ (8:34:28 PM): Hmn! Stay here for now.
Idran1701 (8:34:40 PM): *nod* All right. Then whenever you're ready.
Idran1701 (8:47:06 PM): Neb?
NebbieQ (8:47:10 PM): Ready
Idran1701 (8:48:01 PM): <Then we shall start!>
Idran1701 (8:51:18 PM): *Wishing to clear his mind, El Martillo has made the short trip to the first shrine befitting his world view that he can find; a small structure of devotion to Cyrrollalee, the halfling goddess. After a brief talk with the shrine's sole priestess, he is given to work fixing up one of the two neighboring shelters, fighting a losing battle against the slow decay of the structure and doing his part to postpone its final collapse ever further.*
Idran1701 (8:54:08 PM): *After some hours of repair work, the workers are allowed to take a brief break. And as Martillo rests, the priestess - Calantha Gardner - calls him over, back to the shrine proper.*
NebbieQ (8:55:05 PM): *Is tempted to remove the mask, so he can wipe the sweat from his brow, before Calantha calls him over. He looks up, and walks over towards her.*
NebbieQ (8:55:07 PM): Yes, madame?
Idran1701 (8:56:34 PM): *smiles, staring up at him* Well, first, I wanted to thank you. There are precious few here in the Hive that'd be willing to work like this purely out of the goodness of their hearts.
NebbieQ (8:57:12 PM): I must say, it's hardly a trouble! In fact, I consider this an honor.
Idran1701 (8:57:37 PM): As do I, Mr. Dorado.
Idran1701 (8:59:37 PM): There doesn't seem to be much more we can do for the shelters at the moment. But there is another task I could use your help with, if you're willing.
NebbieQ (8:59:46 PM): Oh? And what would that be?
Idran1701 (9:02:14 PM): Well, we're low on supplies for tonight's dinner. If it wouldn't be a bother, could you go to the meat market and purchase us some for tonight?

*she holds out a pouch* It's not much, but it should be enough for tonight's meal. We need at least 25 pounds to have enough for all.
NebbieQ (9:03:06 PM): *nods, and takes the pouch* A simple enough task. I shall return swiftly.
Idran1701 (9:06:49 PM): *she nods* You'll want to go to Orsmonder's Meats. It's in the middle of the Hive, so you might have a little trouble. But hopefully not too much.
Idran1701 (9:07:11 PM): I can give you directions...*finding a quill, she begins scribbling down on a slip of old parchment*
NebbieQ (9:11:42 PM): *Waits patiently for her to finish, and idly tosses the pouch in the air, only to catch it.*
Idran1701 (9:12:09 PM): *she smiles again as she hands the directions over* Thank you again.
NebbieQ (9:12:54 PM): *Smiles back at her* And again, it is no trouble. *Takes the sheet, and looks over it*
Idran1701 (9:15:19 PM): *On the paper is a list of street names! Easy enough to follow; the streets might not have signs, but there's bound to be people along the way to point him right, yes?*
NebbieQ (9:16:40 PM): *Indeed! And so, he heads out, clutching the paper in one hand and the coin purse in the other*
Idran1701 (9:20:46 PM): *He heads out, making his best attempt to follow the directions given. Though he has to be pointed along the right course by a fellow sitting alongside the road or coming out of a building now and again, he makes fairly good progress, traveling deeper into the Hive.

The quality of the buildings slowly declines along his route, with fewer and fewer solid structures and more barely-standing shanties as he travels. Walking along, the sight of people sitting out grows more common, while the quality of dress drops. The street paving becomes more unstable, with a number of standing pools of water in the road before him.*
Idran1701 (9:21:02 PM): *...And oddly enough, if he's not mistaken, one of them seems to be ever so slightly glowing...*
NebbieQ (9:23:00 PM): *...do they seem relaxed about it?*
Idran1701 (9:23:39 PM): (Oh, heh, misspoke. It's one of the puddles that's glowing, not one of the people.)
NebbieQ (9:27:26 PM): Hmn?
NebbieQ (9:27:40 PM): *Pauses in front of the offending puddle, if it won't block the flow of pedestrian traffic*
Idran1701 (9:27:56 PM): *There's pretty much no traffic at all here, so no worries about that.*
Idran1701 (9:28:32 PM): *Much like any of the other puddles, it's resting in a divot of missing , broken, and crooked cobblestones. Besides the ever-so-slight glow, it looks unremarkable.*
NebbieQ (9:28:48 PM): *Is there anything inside the puddle?*
Idran1701 (9:29:15 PM): *He can't tell in this or any other puddle, the water's so dirty.*
NebbieQ (9:29:39 PM): ... *kicks at the top of the water with his boot*
Idran1701 (9:30:04 PM): (d20. :D)
NebbieQ (9:31:05 PM): (15!)
Idran1701 (9:37:49 PM): *Martillo kicks the surface of the puddle, and the first thing he notices is it's oddly sticky for water, even dirty water.

The second thing he notices is the pair of tiny, clawed hands made of muck that shoots from the portal's surface, grabbing at his foot. Luckily, he's quick enough to pull it back before it can get a grip on him.*
Idran1701 (9:38:06 PM): *The arms feel around, obviously looking for any sign of what it was that intruded on the puddle.*
NebbieQ (9:39:05 PM): *Blinks, steps back, blinks some more, stuffs the diretions in his pocket and wrapst he pouch string around a belt loop, and squats down*
Idran1701 (9:42:22 PM): *As he squats, the arms pull themselves back in, and the puddle once more looks like any other in the street.*
NebbieQ (9:51:03 PM): (Have you been getting my messages?)
Idran1701 (9:51:23 PM): (I have not. Not since my last one, at least.)
NebbieQ (9:53:23 PM): *Pokes the edge oft he water, and immediately draws his hand back*
Idran1701 (9:54:31 PM): *A similar event occurs! As he pokes the surface, the arms once more emerge from the puddle, attempting to get hold on something nolonger there, and failing yet again.*
NebbieQ (9:55:11 PM): *Hmn. Is there any garbage or refuse around? What about a nice large stone?*
Idran1701 (9:55:58 PM): *Plenty of garbage, and he could pry up a cobblestone if need be.*
NebbieQ (9:58:36 PM): *HMN*
NebbieQ (9:58:50 PM): *Tries to pick off one of the loose cobblestones close to the puddle*
Idran1701 (9:59:14 PM): *Picked!*
NebbieQ (9:59:48 PM): *Dips it into the edge of the water*
Idran1701 (10:00:47 PM): *The instant it makes contact, it's sucked in with a "SCHWOOP", vanishing into the puddle in but a moment.*
NebbieQ (10:01:05 PM): *Well! So much for that grip of his*
Idran1701 (10:01:38 PM): *Oddly enough, he couldn't even feel it pulled out. It was so fast, it might have well simply vanished.*
NebbieQ (10:02:47 PM): IM: I shudder to think what would happen if someone stepped into this by mistake...
NebbieQ (10:02:55 PM): *Stands up, and looks around. Is there anybody nearby?*
Idran1701 (10:03:34 PM): *A few half-drunk-looking sorts sitting around here and there.*
NebbieQ (10:03:47 PM): (brb)
NebbieQ (10:12:52 PM): (back)
Idran1701 (10:12:59 PM): (Hey, welcome back.)
NebbieQ (10:13:00 PM): *ARe they getting close tot he puddle?*
Idran1701 (10:13:14 PM): *They are not! They don't seem to be giving much care to what's going on at all.*
Idran1701 (10:13:27 PM): *One of them doesn't even seem to have noticed Marty's there.*
NebbieQ (10:14:45 PM): *Frowns, and decides to continue his way to the market, while keeping an eye out for someone more sober*
Idran1701 (10:20:07 PM): *Sidestepping the odd puddle, he continues ahead. Unfortunately, the population of this area of the city seems to be largely divided into two parts; those who are too lost in their problems to notice him, and those who avoid him after a glance.

Unfortunately, this doesn't bode well for his directionalism. But thankfully, he spots a person that seems to be an exception to either sort not too far ahead. A fellow just under his height, about average in build, dressed in shabby, tattered clothes, walking along what seems to be aimlessly. He gives Marty a look, but it doesn't seem to impact his ambling path any.*
NebbieQ (10:24:30 PM): Ah, excuse me, sir.
Idran1701 (10:24:47 PM): ...Eh? What is it?
NebbieQ (10:25:22 PM): Do you...
NebbieQ (10:25:39 PM): *Pauses, for just a moment.* IM: No,t his poor soul has enough problems.
NebbieQ (10:25:48 PM): ...do you know where I can get some lumber?
Idran1701 (10:27:08 PM): ...Wood? Here? You see any trees anywhere around here, berk?
NebbieQ (10:31:01 PM): *Shakes his head* Nevermind.
NebbieQ (10:31:06 PM): IM: The things I take for granted...
Idran1701 (10:32:17 PM): *does he press on?*
NebbieQ (10:33:55 PM): *He does! More quickly this time. He has another idea in mind*
Idran1701 (10:36:59 PM): *Pressing on, the lack of street signs begins to grow more troublesome for him. Radagast Street, Two-Lamp Lane, Whisper Way...one street's the same as another to him. Before long, he'll need to find someone to help him along.

He begins to pass by what seems to be a tavern, as a pair of ruffian-looking sorts stumble out, full to the gills with bub. They give Marty a look and begin chortling, pressing on past him as they stumble down the road.*
NebbieQ (10:42:07 PM): *Brushes past them, and walks inside.*
Idran1701 (10:44:56 PM): *Inside! It's a fairly rough-looking establishment, with the fellows stepping out seeming to be par for the course for this place. People of ill repute fill the tavern, and the remains of a shattered table suggest things aren't always so calm here as they are tonight. An elderly ogre keeps bar at the moment, glancing to him as he enters with a quizzical look.*
NebbieQ (10:45:53 PM): *Nods to the ogre.* You know your way around here?
Idran1701 (10:46:42 PM): ...Depends on where you want to go.
NebbieQ (10:48:46 PM): Orsmander's Meats.
Idran1701 (10:49:28 PM): ...Hmm. I might know how to get there. My mind's not as sharp as it used to be, though.
NebbieQ (10:49:47 PM): Oh?
Idran1701 (10:50:56 PM): *some of the barflies snicker at Marty's reply*

Aye. I might need a bit of a nudge to give you th' dark of that path.
NebbieQ (10:55:10 PM): *Glares at the source of the snickering, before giving a somber look to the ogre and crossing his arms.* So that's the way it is, then.
Idran1701 (10:57:08 PM): You have something t' say about it?
NebbieQ (10:58:24 PM): *Shakes his head* It's dissapointing, but...it does not surprise me.
NebbieQ (10:58:27 PM): And that ist he most dissapointing part.
Idran1701 (10:59:29 PM): *hard chuckle* Lots o' things disappoint lots o' people. Nothing I can do 'bout that.
NebbieQ (11:01:42 PM): ...isn't there?
Idran1701 (11:02:12 PM): You wanna know how t' get to the meat shop or not?
NebbieQ (11:03:20 PM): *Snorts, and shakes his head again* And what will it take for you to give the smallest bit of assitance?
Idran1701 (11:05:28 PM): Well, hard t' say for sure. All this talk from you, it's giving me a headache. Can't think so good when my head hurts, and it's probably be at least a silver for my medicine.
Idran1701 (11:05:32 PM): *it'd
NebbieQ (11:06:11 PM): *Grits his teeth, but pulls out a silver - from his own coin purse, not the money given for the meat*
Idran1701 (11:07:53 PM): *he takes it with a grin, dropping it between his fingers as he talks* Head down the road to the left when y' step out, and keep going. You'll see th' sign once you hit the next cross-street.
NebbieQ (11:08:23 PM): (One question: how large is the puddle?)
Idran1701 (11:08:59 PM): (About a foot, foot and a half across.)
NebbieQ (11:10:03 PM): *Nods sharply, before turning around and heading towards the exit. Quickly, he glances at the ruined table.*
NebbieQ (11:10:11 PM): (How large are the shattered bits of wood?)
Idran1701 (11:10:19 PM): (Large enough!)
NebbieQ (11:12:14 PM): *Pauses, and grabs one of the splintered patches of wood*
Idran1701 (11:12:52 PM): ...Ah, hey now, that's mine. I'll have t' charge you for that too. You wouldn't want to steal from our fine establishment, would y'?
NebbieQ (11:13:35 PM): *Beams widely* This is hardly stealing, sir. Why, I'm performing a common courtesy.
NebbieQ (11:13:41 PM): Garbage collection doesn't come by often, you see.
NebbieQ (11:13:45 PM): I am merely doing a good deed.
Idran1701 (11:15:58 PM): Not garbage 'til I say it's garbage. But if y' really want it, I won't stop y' from nicking it from me. If y' can be happy 'bout doing it, o' course. *grins back*
NebbieQ (11:16:44 PM): *Picks it up, and makes a show of looking it over.* ...no, I would not be happy with that arrangement. But I can give you a few coppers for this.
Idran1701 (11:17:13 PM): That's good wood. Hard t' come by here. I'd have t' say another silver for that.
NebbieQ (11:17:50 PM): Hard to come by, but in such terrible shape!
NebbieQ (11:17:56 PM): Five copper seems like a fair price.
Idran1701 (11:17:59 PM): 7.
NebbieQ (11:18:06 PM): Six.
Idran1701 (11:18:36 PM): If y' need it that bad, I think y' can part wit' 7.
NebbieQ (11:21:57 PM): Hmph. Can you really find anyone else who'd give you more for this?
Idran1701 (11:23:55 PM): Maybe. Like I said, wood's hard t' come by here.
NebbieQ (11:24:21 PM): *Sighs dramatically, and pulls out 7 coppers. He leaves them on one of the intact tables, and walks out.*
Idran1701 (11:28:35 PM): *stepping out from the bar, he takes them* Stop back any time. If your jink pouch's always that free, we might even get y' loosened up a bit.

*a few laughs from customers join the barkeep's chuckle as Marty leaves the tavern*
Idran1701 (11:28:44 PM): (Did you tell Shini we were having a sidequest? :D)
NebbieQ (11:29:20 PM): (Yeah.)
Idran1701 (11:29:27 PM): (Heh. *nod*)
Idran1701 (11:31:59 PM): *And with directions newly "purchased", Martillo presses on, finally finding his target; "Orsmonder's Meats", currently open for business.*
NebbieQ (11:32:14 PM): *Ignores the laughter, and heads straight in.*
Idran1701 (11:33:34 PM): *Inside! The stench of blood fills the room, far more than any butcher's he's ever been in. It's neither pleasant nor especially clean, but it looks to be the right spot. A sign on the wall proclaims his prices:*
Idran1701 (11:34:08 PM):
Chicken: 1 lb./6 cp
Horse: 1 lb./5 cp
Goat: 1 lb./3 cp
Cat: 1 lb./1 cp
Street meat: 3 lb./1 cp
Idran1701 (11:35:06 PM): *A man dressed in a well-stained, once-white apron stands behind the counter across the room, sharpening a butcher's knife and glancing up to Martillo as he enters the store.*
Idran1701 (11:35:21 PM): Buying or selling?
NebbieQ (11:35:34 PM): Buying, good sir.
NebbieQ (11:35:50 PM): I need about...ah.
NebbieQ (11:35:51 PM): Hmn.
NebbieQ (11:35:56 PM): Twenty five pounds of goat.
Idran1701 (11:36:27 PM): *nods* That'll be 7 silver, 5 copper.
NebbieQ (11:41:12 PM): *Pulls out the money from the bag she gave him, and gladly hands it over*
Idran1701 (11:41:38 PM): *Martillo reaches into the pouch...and finds it just short. Inside, there's but...6 silver, and 2...3 copper.*
NebbieQ (11:41:55 PM): *Frowns* Just a moment, sir
NebbieQ (11:42:24 PM): *Assuming he has enough to cover it (he should! He's a brave, noble adventurer!), he pulls out some coins from his own bag*
Idran1701 (11:42:30 PM): (He does!)
Idran1701 (11:43:12 PM): *Making up the difference from his own funds, he hands the total over to the butcher, who nods* I'll wrap it up for you. It'll be a bit for this big an order.
NebbieQ (11:43:42 PM): I can wait.
Idran1701 (11:43:53 PM): *nodding again, he heads into the back!*
Idran1701 (11:44:06 PM): *And Martillo can soon hear sounds of cutting and general butchery!*
Idran1701 (11:44:17 PM): *No screams, which is always a good sign.*
NebbieQ (11:44:22 PM): *Indeed!*
NebbieQ (11:44:30 PM): *All he can do is hope that it's actually goat*
Idran1701 (11:45:22 PM): *After a half-hour's delay, with the stench of blood growing ever stronger with each passing minute, he returns with a leather satchel* 25 pounds. Do you want me to weigh it for you out here?
NebbieQ (11:45:40 PM): Yes, please.
NebbieQ (11:45:52 PM): IM: Ugh, the smell...
Idran1701 (11:46:30 PM): *Nodding, he begins pulling paper-wrapped packages from the satchel, weighing each before Martillo. A pound apiece, some minutes later the confirmation is complete.* Anything more?
NebbieQ (11:46:37 PM): That is all.
Idran1701 (11:47:02 PM): *he hands over the satchel* Come back any time.
NebbieQ (11:47:12 PM): Of course, of course.
NebbieQ (11:47:31 PM): *Holds the satchel in his spare hand, and begins walking back, trying to follow the same route where he passed by the puddle*
Idran1701 (11:48:35 PM): *Yet another 20 minutes' travel, and he arrives at the puddle once more. It takes him some time to find the exact spot, since the glow doesn't look to want to show itself at long distances. But eventually, he locates the culprit.*
NebbieQ (11:49:29 PM): *Looks over the size of the puddle, and his piece of wood. Will it be large enough to cover the puddle?*
Idran1701 (11:49:41 PM): *It will!*
NebbieQ (11:50:13 PM): *Well then! He sets the table scrap over the water, and searches for a cobblestone to weigh it down.*
Idran1701 (11:51:01 PM): *Easy enough to find, though it requires a number of them to be heavy enough.

Unfortunately, nothing keeps someone from absconding with his efforts, but he's still doing his best for the Hive.*
NebbieQ (11:51:35 PM): *Hopefully natural sloth will keep people distracted long enough for him to find a more permanent solution*
Idran1701 (11:52:13 PM): *His task complete, does he wait any longer? :O*
NebbieQ (11:52:22 PM): *No! He heads straight back to the temple*
Idran1701 (11:53:38 PM): *He returns! His journey is easy enough this time, the path fairly well-cemented in his memory on his return.

And he enters the shrine...only to spy that same, tattered-clothed man that was so curt to him before speaking to the priestess.*
NebbieQ (11:53:55 PM): Hello?
Idran1701 (11:54:36 PM): *he looks over, still frowning, dismissing Martillo with a turn of his head*
Idran1701 (11:55:06 PM): *Calantha, however, smiles at his reappearance* Oh, Mr. Dorado, you're back! Did you get the meat?
NebbieQ (11:55:19 PM): Twenty five pounds of goat. Will that do?
NebbieQ (11:55:41 PM): I apologise for taking so long, there was a bit of a, ah problem in the streets.
Idran1701 (11:57:01 PM): *she nods* Oh, that's perfect, thank you.

Oh, Mr. Dorado, have you met Mr. Sangiorno? He's been one of our most devoted volunteers, ever since I opened this small shrine to the Hearthkeeper.
NebbieQ (11:57:21 PM): I saw him, but I'm afraid I forgot my manners.
NebbieQ (11:57:31 PM): Forgive me for not introducing myself properly.
Idran1701 (11:57:53 PM): Hmph. A name's a name. One's as good as another.
Idran1701 (11:58:45 PM): ...*quietly* I know he can be a little...harsh, but it's the way of his faction. And there's few more charitable than the Bleak Cabal.
NebbieQ (12:00:05 AM): *Merely nods to her, and hands her the meat*
Idran1701 (12:00:42 AM): *she takes the meat with a grin* Can I count on you to help out at dinner tonight?
NebbieQ (12:01:53 AM): *Smiles* I would, but I should return to my companions.
Idran1701 (12:02:26 AM): Ah...a shame. Well, I hope to see you return soon, Mr. Dorado. I can always use another pair of hands here.
NebbieQ (12:02:40 AM): I'll do my best.
Idran1701 (12:02:53 AM): *she nods, shaking his hand with a smile*
Idran1701 (12:03:01 AM): (And this seems like a good place to cut. :D)
Idran1701 (12:03:22 AM): (Sorry for keeping you up later than you'd thought.)
NebbieQ (12:03:56 AM): (S
NebbieQ (12:04:01 AM): (S'okay, I was a bit slow.)
Idran1701 (12:04:10 AM): (Anyway, XP!)
Idran1701 (12:04:32 AM): (350 base. 200 bonus for covering the portal, and 200 bonus for handling things well at the bar. :D)
NebbieQ (12:05:37 AM): (Woo!)
Idran1701 (12:06:16 AM): (That brings him to 22967/36000.)
Idran1701 (12:06:40 AM): </RP>
Idran1701 (12:08:43 AM): Want me to send you a current copy of his sheet?
NebbieQ (12:09:39 AM): Sure.
Idran1701 wants to send file D:\Games\Dungeons and Dragons\My Other Campaign\Characters\El_Martillo_Dorado.html (12:10:08 AM).
NebbieQ (12:10:18 AM): Thansk!
Idran1701 (12:10:23 AM): No problem. :D
Idran1701 (12:10:27 AM): Enjoy the sidequest?
NebbieQ received D:\Games\Dungeons and Dragons\My Other Campaign\Characters\El_Martillo_Dorado.html (12:10:29 AM).
NebbieQ (12:10:53 AM): Yes!
NebbieQ (12:10:59 AM): Martillo will continue to help clean up the slums
Idran1701 (12:11:19 AM): *nod* Awesome.

And good! I was hoping this would be enough of a hook to potentially hang future sidequests off of too. :D
NebbieQ (12:13:49 AM): Now we just need a cordoroy and leather blazer, and a teaching degree for him
Idran1701 (12:14:09 AM): Haha.
Idran1701 (12:14:12 AM): Welcome Back Martillo?
NebbieQ (12:14:27 AM): ...yes
Idran1701 (12:14:58 AM): And afterwards, he'd move on to being a professional poker player. :D
NebbieQ (12:15:03 AM): ...perhaps.
NebbieQ (12:15:06 AM): And now, sleep. Naito!
Idran1701 (12:15:10 AM): Night!
NebbieQ is away at 12:15:16 AM.