Taking Things Seriously, or Gosh, I Guess Evil Really Is Nasty!

An elaborate Faerie coach stops as near the Gearloose Goose as possible, but still within Seelie territory. Out of the coach steps an exquisite Faerie surrounded by smaller sprites.

You're sort of expecting Melian's sweetness from this beauty, but she regards you with disdain, looking you over from head to foot. She pauses at Pugsy and sniffs. Pugsy sniffs back. This elicits a small curve to the corners of the Fairie's mouth.

"I suppose most of you will do," she allows, "except for him." She points at Morrow, but he backs away.

"Not coming," he sputters, "but no more Unseelie. Went over to the Light Side. Big surprise reversal, right? New twist in storyline?"

At this, the beauty laughs, a sound like bells. "Indeed, and you may come, I suppose. I am Termina, Dowager of the Midmarches."

(Wait a minute? Did she say Dowager? How old? Oh, right, she's a Faerie.)

Morrow bows. "And I am Morrow, simple devoted housegoblin to the Wayward Squirrel."

"Ah, yes, the inn floating above? Quite intriguing. May I have a small tour? We're short on time, but the swan gliders are still behind me, and my pixies have work to do, so I have a few minutes."

Without waiting for a reply from Morrow, she grabs his hand, lifts him, and floats upward, looking down as she does.

"You know what to do," she instructs her assistants." Check the Drows too, will you? Some pass; some don't. I've had my quota of spies for this week. "Oh, and before I forget..."

She claps her hands three times and throws a large ball of shimmering light over your team. The tendrils wrap around your bodies and all weapons and armor with any iron content begin to glow red hot. You're quick to drop them.

"Sorry about the lack of warning, but iron kills Seelie creatures or at least harms us greatly. Thanks to the friends you've made, you've been given Conversion, so they'll be mithril by the time I return. Unless, you have guns, of course, in which case, they'll convert, but be inoperable until you return. They won't be damaged, though. As to those Unseelie vehicles---ummm, such a pity, lovely designs really."

The ball she casts next is a smoky red-orange which splits and then hovers over the crafts of the Midnight Dancers, and the Lone Star. There is a dreadful keening sound like banshees wailing, causing you all to cover your ears.

Termina vanishes inside the inn, leaving only a perfect pumpkin and a single red rose where the two vehicles stood.

"Wotcher?!?" exclaims Pusgy. "Do I really want to be the liaison for this gig? No wonder everyone else decided not to go."

She watches as her wrench swivels uncontrolled at her feet, then picks up the new shimmering version when it stops. She nips it tentatively. "Still, not as bad as yer might think. This one's a beaut, and it should hold up like gangbusters."

You all retrieve your weapons of newly tempered mithril as the pixies buzz around you, paying close attention to any of you with Unseelie heritages. In the end, you all seem to pass muster, and unicorn coaches and swan gliders pull up alongside Termina's carriage.

The illustrious visitor returns happily, waving farewell to Winton and Ertrude. "Such a lovely place!" she says happily. "We must return it to its right surroundings. I'd love to meet the others I missed as well, but maybe next time. All aboard then."

She notices the looks of horror on the Midnight Dancers and the Lone Star.

"Ah, I should fix those." She kisses her fingers and intones: "Malakaboodle, Howsillywooble, Sibbity, Sobbity, Soo!"

Sparks swirl everywhere, and then Lone Star suddenly beholds a shimmering crystal pumpkin carriage decked with sparkling lanterns, while the Midnight Dancers see a clear crystal enclosed bed chamber covered with flowers and several apples.

"Those seven dwarves had so much style," Termina says wistfully. "All right, then, off we go. Tell one of my assistants if you need any modifications to those, won't you? A pixie will accompany each team, and along the way will fill you in on discovering the doppleganger spy among the visiting Faerie princes."

She glides back into her carriage, blowing Morrow a light kiss as she does so. He blushes bright red and clambers up into the Wayward Squirrel in embarrassment.

And you're off!!

As you go, the pixie assistant accompanying you explains the problem:

(OOC: This is the FIRST section of this chapter. It is a difficult logic puzzle challenge. Yes, it is hard! No, it is NOT math! You have until June 19th at 11:59 Subeta time for this portion. More will be posted as we go, including "layout interludes" for upcoming chapter. For these, you need only to read, but many clues will be included, so this is widely suggested. As always, fire away on the OOC thread. :D)

thank you for this puzzle! These are my favorites! ^^

Kenny sighs sadly as he watches the adventure unfold through a scrying glass that Blanko brought to him from the neighboring wizard's tower. That last transmutation mishap was a doozy, and he was stuck in bed until more of his fingers grew back. No adventuring for him for a while.

It was probably just as well though, his father's choice of a human wife had not been looked on favorably by many of the fae. Kenny's stubby half-elf ears would have earned him more than one disdainful sniff from the Dowager. Too bad, she was lovely when she smiled.

Studying the beautiful Faerie closely, Laurie gasped inwardly as she watched two of the Protectors vehicles being destroyed right in front of them. There must be a reason, she thought to herself, trying to keep her face as emotionless as possible. Dowager of the Midmarshes Termina looks as I had imagined, but man. Talk about being off the mark as far as first impressions go. This most certainly is NOT how I thought they would treat invited guests. At least not at first. I wonder if I can get a closer look at that mithril wrench of Pugsys..

Outwardly she called out to the rest of the as she stepped into the swan glider "Shall we, ladies?" Once the glider gets underway, they're given a list with some perplexing clues and a puzzle to solve. "Oooh look! Something to do while we travel!"

(OOC: Off to the Lodge we go Angels!)

When the pixie got to the rose mix up, Juana had to put her chin in her hands in order to physically hold her jaw from dropping to the floor. Our adventures have always produced... odd types, but seriously? These guys are pretty much claiming to have no brain function. If it were up to me, I would label them all co-conspirators and throw them in the labyrinth! Hmph!

Flint took a seat on her slumped shoulders as he eavesdropped her thoughts. Well maybe it's a good thing you didn't marry the prince! I'm not so sure that is the regal path to take here.

Perhaps not... Maybe it's just my trust issues popping up again. Either way, those poor princesses! I certainly wouldn't want a man that is this brainless! Though I suppose it is better than a brainless man who still thinks he's a genius and is too proud to admit his shortcomings... Or one who wants his woman to be beneath him in every way. She seethed at the memory of her betrothed.

Flint saw the darkness clouding her face and zipped up to hover in front of her upside down. She cracked a smile and sat back into her seat, holding her hand out for Flint who alighted onto it. In any case, I'm sure our Misfits will have this sorted in short time. Certainly before we ever reach our destination!

They turned their attention back to the pixie only to find her concluding her account, "We really need this!"

Juana sighed, dropping her arms and flopping her head back in frustration. Flint spiraled down to splay across her leg in like dramatic fashion. Hopefully they were actually listening. I sort of zoned out... Me too! I'm sure Anna wrote it all down. She's awesome like that!

starts getting out the chains and locks to put Fresh in, but notices Gryffindor seems pleased about this logic puzzle so holds off for a moment

Frieda snickers as she carefully slips her precious 'lurking device' into its dainty silk holster near her bosom. She sure got some great photos of to add to her collection that she would reference in her study of comparative anatomy.

sorry...the camera giggled...I mean Jiggled...

Zephy is briefly overcome by a flashback of a similar problem proposed to her by one of her logic and reasoning tutors. Memories of that homework assignment still give her migraines. Cursing the convention of royals marrying their first cousins, she turns towards the other members of and beseechingly begs for a prophylactic headache draught.

double post ftw

Been trying to work on the puzzle some and got stumped, who is Vanity? They are mentioned for one clue and one alone, and would make the sixth prince.

((NVM)) had a major brain fart and somehow didn't see Vanity was one of the princesses :P

I both love and hate these puzzles :P

Looking over the coach i backed up and got a side stance to what was about to come out...the faerie stepping out looked very nice but i got a cold feeling all at once.I kept my eye on the sprites zinging around.Then when she spoke she sounded arrogant and cold as my first impresssion was correct.Being around animals for so many years gave me a sense of things around me and i was usually right.Then feeling the power around us and all the weapons dropping to the ground...I didn't expect that at all, then the crafts being changed into a rose and a pumpkin....this was just too much..Looking at the rest of our group i just shook my head,i had no words to say....we all just watched it seemed there was nothing any of us could do,we just wondered what's next? Looking over the sprite speaking to us i remembered the cookie gaven me and so i pulled it out and munched on it as we traveled.I broke off a piece for cooper.

Meanwhile, Back at the Gearloose Goose

As the adventurers depart, the saloon settles down into a lazy afternoon, with Tony and Jedro preparing for the later night crowd. Winton and Morrow are busy reparing the minor dings and dents in the Wayward Squirrel floating above, Ertrude has gone over for a teatime chat with Ms. Miranda, and Thorson is in the Goose's basement with Hayao rigging a makeshift lab, since both are afraid to create anything explosive in a floating structure. Lucien has joined Izzy in the Vixen for a wide border sweep, while Nancy and Jack have done much the same in the inner boundaries, observing from the Caroline.

This leaves Kelian and Tanaka to patrol the immediate areas in shifts. Right now, on his off time, Kelian has wandered out behind the Goose to find Larianne concentrating on throwing knives at an abandoned motorcycle.

For a moment, he admires how fetching she looks in those suede pants, fringed vest, and a blue tunic that matches her eyes. Then he can't help chuckling at just how bad she's doing.

"You're one gorgeous view, Ms. Lari, but you really can't hit the broadside of a barn."

She stops and smiles at him sweetly. "I know, but I have to try," she replies. "I can't be the only one hanging around like a hothouse flower."

"Mistress shows courage," puts in Lappy, earning a scratch behind the ears from Larianne. The little dog then cocks his head at Kelian. "You seem to rely more on the power of that crossbow."

"Jillie's served me well," Kelian replies with a smile.

Lappy nods. "It's good to honor those who serve you well. It shows character."

For a moment, Kelian regards Lappy with a strange expression. Then, he smiles even more widely at Larianne.

"You're holding the hilt wrong. Would you like me to show you?"

"Oh, yes, please!"

He crosses behind Larianne and pulls her back against his chest. He picks up her arm and flexes it back, then forward in a sweeping motion.

"That's it, keep it slow and steady, then snap as you follow through for power. Relax into me for stability, and try again."

Larianne tries to follow what he's saying, but her aim is still widely askew.

"I'm still off!" she laments.

"You are, but you have more power. I'd really like to stick around and help you more, but it's my shift now. See you tonight?"

"Oh, yes. I'll buy you a beer!"

Kelian smiles. "I'll count on it." He reaches over to scratch Lappy, but the pup slides out of the way. Kelian shrugs and strides off.

"Lappy! That was rude!" Larianne scolds her pet.

"Sorry, Mistress, but he was a bit familiar with you for my tastes. I consider myself a good judge of your safety. Besides, I'm trying to figure out what's so odd about several things, like the page from this book."

He taps a torn page of a book laying under one side of a barrel. Larianne looks over with him and sees:

"Just a book scrap. Doesn't seem odd to me, Lappy."

"But it is, Mistress. it's very odd, indeed."

Larianne sighs, then picks up a knife and turns back to behold Takana sitting casually on top of the motorcycle. Lappy's tail wags happily while Larianne's explosion meter revs up.

"What are you doing there? That's my target!"

"Yep! Makes it the safest place around."

Larianne sputters, then proceeds to use the tip Kelian gave her and flings the knife as hard as she can.

Tanaka nearly falls off the bike leaning to one side, but manages to catch the blade and fling it back, burying the tip of it into the table holding the other blades. Larianne shrieks and jumps back.

"Hey, girlie, never point any weapon at any opponent unless you intend to use it, and use it well."

"You almost hit me!"

"If I'd wanted to hit you, you'd be dead. Now, if you really want some blood from me for saving your life, have at it, but I'm not moving."

Larianne grabs a knife again, but then pauses..."Well, I don't necessarily want to kill you. I'm not a murderer. I just want my three years back!"

"Sorry about that, but I really had no idea. I just wanted to stop you from dying. Besides, I hear it made you less stupid, although that's harder to tell."

"I wasn't...."she starts, then pauses. "Okay, maybe, but you only wanted to save me because I look exactly like the girl you loved."

"Frankly, no you don't. You never did. The resemblance was strong enough to fool a bunch of people in a picture, and in person once your hair was dyed and DeWinter slapped a bunch of makeup on you, but it was always more like sisters than twins. And I still love Vee; probably always will in a way. But I can't be in love with her any more. That went away with my childhood, and it hurts, just like losing yours hurt you. But we're both alive, and that's the point, I guess."

Larianne stands in silence for a minute, then nods. "All right, I'll let you off the hook for that injection. If nothing else, it will make my mother happy. But I'm not going to like you just because she does! Now, get off my target! I need to be able to hit those riders!"

"If you really want to do that, you need to focus on where I am. You have no sense of that, nor of that blade. Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Close your eyes and see me sitting here in your mind. Then feel the blade in your hand. Watch it leave your fingers and head into me. Close them, and focus, focus..."

"What if I hit you?"

"Let's see what happens. Close them; aim for my voice; aim for the sound. Feel the blade; see the bike..."

Larianne shuts her eyes, draws back her arm and throws; nothing. She tries again, then again, each time concentrating more on the feel of the blade, the reach of her fingers tossing. Again...and, suddenly, there is a hiss of a tire!

"I did it!"

She opens her eyes to see the blade stuck in the rear tire, and Tanaka standing over to left of the front wheel.

"You moved!"

"So will the bikes. They're not going to just stand still and let you hit them. But we'll work on that next time. It's dusty out there on patrol and I need a shower."

He ruffles Lappy's ear and heads into the Goose.

"By the way," he calls back over his shoulder, "Vee's are grey, not blue. So don't get too confused."

(OOC: Just an interlude for your reading pleasure...what, Lappy? No, no, there's nothing here. Nothing odd enough to figure out and send Rowan an smail or comment about---no, no, nothing at all that would be a hidden bonus. 100 points!! Oh, heavens no! Here, Lappy, Rowan will throw your ball and play Fetch with you---here's a good boy!)

((gives the 'stink-eye')) What a nice little story. There's absolutely nothing to figure out about this episode... uh--huh... Do you have cookies?

my cat ate the last one. sowie!

: Heehee!

As you enter the Seelie court, a flutter of lovely lilac wings explodes as Vibrissa comes soaring at you to give you all hugs. Even Grumpus manages a smile, and that's saying a great deal!

"Oh, you're all here! I feel so much more hopeful for our realm!"

You are happy to see your old friends, but the Seelie court is so full of all the wondrous creatures of light that it's enough to leave you in awe. At the head of the splendor sits Selwyn, the current Seelie King. On his right sits a lovely creature not much more than a child, clearly the Princess Eilwynn.

"Pretty thing for a humanoid," Grumpus informs you, "but the wrong temperament for a ruler. Better she sticks to enchanting."

"A correct assumption," Selwyn agrees, evidently able to hear across the room, "and there's where we have the issue." He beckons you closer, and you proceed.

"As you can see from the fortified state of our immediate surroundings, the Unseelie are growing bolder each day. The longer we have no rightful heir to succeed me, the balance cannot right itself, and our realm is threatened beyond measure.

"Still, while they hover near us, they do not directly attack our citadel, so we can only surmise they are held back by missing factors. One of these we know they are searching for at your Wayward Squirrel, but who it could be, we have no idea. Our oldest prince, Delgar, was stolen as a changeling from his crib by his own nurse, and we can only presume him dead.

"That leaves Caniel. We know that Caniel is somewhere in the Borderlands, wanting to gain his own life away from what he calls our 'stifling' atmosphere, but we cannot cross into those lands without risking our lifespans. To gain safety from this, Caniel must consume an elixir made only by an Unseelie alchemist, and sooner or later, it will turn him into one of the Possessed, as it has with those who wandered too far and were captured or seduced by the Unseelie.

"Our realms must be saved, or all of us, and your inn, are lost to the Unseelie forever. So, to that end, we must count on you."

"Please save us!" puts in Eilwynn. "We will aid you as we can by making your healing faster and your spells stronger, but only you can truly deliver us!"

"But come," Selwyn attempts to lighten the mood. "Enjoy our hospitality. Feast among us and let the night pass. You cannot look for Caniel and return him without your full strength, and the forest is too dangerous during the time when the Unseelie are strongest."

(OOC: This is an RP and battle challenge. Obviously, it is going to take a collaborative effort from your teams on all fronts to defeat these creatures. Those of you riding in your own Faerie vehicles MUST fight from those crafts. (If you are Lone Star or Midnight Dancers, you may make any modifications you need or want to your vessels, EXCEPT returning them to their Unseelie state--to do so would result in your own possession. Termina did know what she was doing.

If you are in a Faerie vehicle, only that can be damaged, as your teams receive a "battle bonus" for this challenge, and all members of your team will escape unscathed. Pusgy will also be hard at work keeping you in working order. (This will be true of all teams at some time--right now, it's the Faerie ones.) Please pick a TEAM number between 1 and 10 to use for your damage factor as well as Pugsy's success at repair.

Those of you now on foot should EACH pick a number between 1 and 10. You may choose the same number as another team member. These numbers will be given to the wing-women/cheerleaders, (three of you PLEASE volunteer!) who will head to Random.org to decide your fate. Remember that you cannot die, but you can get pretty banged-up. :D

Berate and curse Rowan, as well as ask questions, on the OOC thread. This challenge is due Friday, June 26th at 11:59 Veta/Subeta time.)

read the post above this one,the part where it says OOC,thats what GR was talking about for a random damager.

Team : You will find our post on page 3.

I'll volunteer. Sorry it took a while, I had to step away from the computer. I finally got up the courage to open what is the last card I will ever get from my mom. We found it after she passed and I'm having a bit of a moment right now.

Thanks, I was over thinking it. :)

Laurie had been trying to figure out how to take notes without being obvious and/or obnoxious since the moment they had arrived at Seelie Court.  Even dressed all fru-fru like she had her trusty no.2 tucked behind her ear and had even managed to slip a few scraps of notebook paper up her sleeve for recording such a momentous occasion.  She had the tools but there was so much to take in she was afraid she might forget something but at the same time if she tip-toed off to jot something down, she might miss something.  Not to mention that after meeting with Selwyn, the Seelie King, the opportunity simply refused to reveal itself.  (Even when the festivities came to an end thanks to her bed being equivalent to a fluffy cloud.)  

By the time it did, recording all she had observed inside the realm of Seelie was the last thing on her mind.

((OOC: Editing this so Im not posting all over the place on the official thread - it's time to get things put together for the Battle RP, please head to the Lodge when you can))