This board is where we're beginning the roleplay that is our challenge for chapter two:

Our entry so far:

[spoiler="Getting There" or "Squirrel Tales Solves a Mystery"] Later that evening, the group settled in on the comfortable seats of their private lounge on the boat, beverages in hand. It was time to chat about everything going on. Settling into her seat with a drink, Sky looked around at her new team.

"They are different from my friends from last year, but I think we will do well together," she thought. Thinking about what she saw getting on the ship Sky thought, "It's a beautiful ship. I'm not sure how well it would do in battle though... I kinda miss that ship I flew on last year.. but new adventures mean new challenges. And challenges can be fun." Smiling a little, she let her mind drift a bit as she sipped her nutty flavored coffee, and she thought back to what Djoni and Tanaka had told them.

"If it was an assassin, why would there be bite and claw marks?... What if it wasn't a person, but an animal? Maybe they pushed him back as they attacked and he hit his head on the railing? They did say he was draped over a ledge..." Being so used to her ramblings being ignored Sky hadn't realized she was talking out loud. "But if it Was a person, who might it be? And did they have an animal with them? What if..." At this, Sky realized she was being watched.

"The bite and claw marks do seem strange, I have to agree," Raine said between spoonfuls of Pumpkin Mousse, all while looking at Sky. "Have I mentioned how amazing the food is on this ship? But anyway, back to the mystery at hand... I've heard that wolf attacks have been becoming more and more of a problem in the area, so maybe it was something like that? They can be vicious creatures, especially if cornered. But why on earth would a wolf -- or any other wild animal, for that matter -- attack someone who is in a building? And not even that it just got inside, but that it was upstairs?" She paused for a moment to nibble on some Raspberry Macarons and Drizzled Chocolate-Covered Strawberries from a tray settled on the table between the couches. "And no one found any signs of an animal in the building. I mean, if there was one, wouldn't someone have noticed? And then there is the bludgeoning... I mean, if he'd hit his head on a railing or something like that, there would have been blood on that surface. And if a weapon was involved, instead... Wild animals aren't exactly in the habit of using methods like that to kill off their prey. And they certainly wouldn't hide their weapon of choice, or take it with them. I mean, can you imagine a wolf running away with a bloody candlestick, or some other weapon in their mouth?" She picked up a glass of Enchanted Frozen Bubbly in one hand, and a plate with some Pretzel Sticks With Caramel in the other, the pause giving some of the others time to speak up. Max sat on one of the other couches with a mystery drink he had grabbed off the tray. It wasn't bad. It had a strong mint flavor with a hint of brandy. He took a sip before chiming in.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there was a magical wolf that could jump onto a balcony or terrace. At home, we have a ghost that comes around for holidays, and an entire undead city. These realms have fae, fae felines, talking mechanical felines, and other such creatures that don't exist at my home. Anything's possible here." Max paused as he reached for a pretzel, "I can tell you right now, they didn't check everything. Who's going to inspect the one inspecting? The Baron has a bludgeoning weapon stuck to his leg. He can either round-house kick someone with it, or remove it and strike baseball bat style. My bet is Baron, on the balcony, with a peg leg named Smith." Since Max was busy talking over eating his pretzel, Tinker took the liberty of nibbling it every so often without his notice as she sat contently on his lap.

"That's true," Raine chimed in. "I'm sure no one asked to inspect the Baron's leg... I'm sure no one even thought of it, actually. That's an interesting thought, though... Magical creatures. I've spent a great deal of time wandering through many lands, and I've heard all sorts of legends about magical creatures, and curses, and medical conditions that cause strange things... I've heard stories of creatures that can change themselves into animals at will... Cats, dogs, wolves, birds, that sort of thing. Other legends claim that people can be cursed, so that they have no control over changing into an animal, that the change is somehow forced by something else. One legend I heard claimed that people in one village changed into wolf-like creatures every night. Another village claimed something similar, but in their legends, the change only happened when the moon was full, and especially during blood moons. And I met a witch-doctor once who claimed to have encountered an illness, almost an allergic reaction to moonlight, whose symptoms included temporary physical changes, and wild, almost rapid behavior in the subjects. I can't say that I've ever encountered one of theses so-called shapeshifters or werewolves before, but there are legends about them in so many different cultures. And magic -- that is something I HAVE seen. So what if there were something like that in play here? That would change everything."

Anna perked up from her comfy couch in the corner, with a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other hand, "I think I read somewhere about shape shifters and werewolves. I heard that shape shifters use a magic wand to draw symbols on their bodies to perform different tasks. Wouldn't it be cool to be able to do that? I may have to try to remember the book that I read with those creatures in it. I think fairies and vampires were also involved."

"The butler did it." Dahlia's statement was abrupt and it was followed by a long pause as she took a sip from what might have been her third drink of the evening. She broke the silence with a soft laugh, pleased with her own joke and she reclined back in her seat, "I jest, of course."

She took a moment to survey the room and laughed again. They were all strangers to one another and she wondered if her new comrades would not take kindly to her making light of something as serious as murder. Oh, well, nobody seemed to mind when she had invited herself to their table the night before to join in the merrymaking.

"I think that you are on to something, luv," She told Max with a wink. "If the crime was carried out with the Baron's wooden leg, that would make for an exciting twist to this mystery... after all, the evidence was right there all along. However... that does not explain why the victim's body was found in such a gruesome state... if the build

Another year, another adventure, so it was with the Wayward Squirrel. This year was particularly busy thanks to the Trihedge tourney. Unfortunate for Max, his friends were busy this year and their wouldn't be any reunions, but that wouldn't dampen his spirit, especially at a place that served spirits and and other alcohol beverages.
Max stepped through the familiar doorway, Tinker perched on his shoulder, and into bustling tavern. He greeted the Squirrels welcoming party with a tip of an invisible hat and then scratched Tinker on her head. "Shall we find ourselves some new friends m'dear?" Without missing a beat, Tinker was off Max's shoulder and hopping deftly through the crowd of people. "That's not what I....Tinker?...." Max sighed as he carefully followed her through the crowds and tables. Eventually Tinker hopped up onto a table where a young girl ( ) and her bird were and stared at them for a moment. "Are you done, Tinker? I'm sorry m'lady, she's harmless, I promise, she just rude," Max caught up and apologies. Tinker's head turned completely around to glare at Max, then turned back to the girl to analyze her....and expect a head scratch.

(Anyone is welcome to join in :3 )

@ GuardianAngels
Teena Looked at the person in front of her. (that's an interesting coat, and I wonder..why that that owl choose to a seat next to me. This place is crowded. Can't blame them for that,) Teena thought to herself. "Squaakk Squuaakk!!" said Hatchet extending a talon to them for them to shake if they wanted. (A lot can be told about a person hand shake you know,) Teena could hear Hatchet say in her mind. (Yes..but there is still so much to them then just that,) Teena replied back in mind. Welcome, Please Join us and tell us a little about yourselves. I am not talking and using note cards because I cannot speak well. I hope that's alright. I am here because...well..actually I just found this place. I was exploring some of our woods in Gergisin and happened to end up here by chance. Nice drinks they have here, Teena wrote on large paper and showed it to new parties joining them.

Raine stepped quietly into the busy tavern. She paused there for a moment, looking about at the busy tables. "So many people!" she thought to herself. "You can say that again," an echo came in her head. Wait, an echo? Raine made a conscious effort to silence her mind, then carefully looked around. No one was looking her way. Raine took one more glance around the room, and spotted a table with an owl, another bird, and a young girl. She decided that table would be as good as any. There weren't any empty tables in the room. They were all packed, as if some kind of convention was going on or something. And this one had more space than a lot of the tables, so maybe she wouldn't have to meet too many new people... She stepped towards the table gingerly, taking an inventory of her emotions as she went. It wouldn't do to let herself get nervous about the packed tavern, the noise, or anything else. No one wanted a thunderstorm or a tornado in the middle of the tavern, just because she couldn't keep her emotions in check!

"Hello, there. Is there room at this table for one more?" she asked, her voice sounding like a gentle rain. As she stepped closer, she spotted a man with dark glasses standing near the table. Her gaze swept across the table, and she quickly read the notecard the young girl was holding up. "Hmm... Talking through notecards. That's creative. Have you all already ordered drinks?" She glanced around, hoping to spot the tavernkeeper. She was famished! She'd been traveling for most of the day already. Time for some dinner, and maybe a bit to drink... ((((Deleting this... We've been talking back and forth, so as I pull this all together into something we can post, I'm finding some continuity errors that have appeared with all the editing...)

Teena saw the girl approaching them. She read the girls mind and looked down at Hatchet who was squaking and giving the newcomer her talon to shake if she wanted to. (If I read from what the girl said is true..were in this for the long haul,) (Trouble?)Hatchet asked in mind, (I don't know..we just have to look out for now and see what happens. If we are in a fight it might help us to have her,) replied Teena to Hatchet. Teena waves hello to the girl, what are you possibly having, and what might your name be? Teena wrote on a card and handed it to her.

(((((((( Oh eek, this is super complicated already... Okay... Well, we can edit any of that out, if you like... :/ I can see how this winds up taking lots of time! Makes me worried, especially since we're already down to just a few days left... D:))))))

Raine waved back shyly towards the girl, then looked at the talon the bird was holding out to her. "Interesting group," she thought. "That bird seems almost more human than bird!" She gently took the talon in hand, giving it a slight .. though firm -- shake. "My name is Raine," she said out loud. "And I would love a nice glass of honeyed ale, to start. Do they have anything like that here? And food! I'm starved." A rumbling sound came then, sounding a bit more like thunder in the room than a rumbling, hungry stomach.

((((Edit and adding some of that stuff back in down here, where it fits better) As she took a seat at the table, she spotted a man with dark glasses standing near the table. Her gaze swept across the table, and she quickly read the note card the young girl was holding up. "Hmm... Talking through note cards. That's creative. Have you all already ordered drinks?" She glanced around, hoping to spot the tavern keeper. She was famished! She'd been traveling for most of the day already. Time for some dinner, and maybe a bit to drink...

(( @ rainestorme I'm just glad it was me who found it and not someone else on another site. Because sometimes if your new they can be VERY harsh..Sometimes it can be as bad as hello and goodbye. ))

(The handshake was good. She doesn't seem all to bad Teena,) Hatchet replied to her in mind, while shaking Raine's hand. Honestly, I haven't been here..Ever! This is my first time here. My Names Teena and the bird shaking their talon is Hatchet. Teena wrote on a note card and handed it to her.

(((((((((( Yeah, I've never tried role-playing, partly because of that exactly! There seem to be so many rules, and they're complicated ones, usually! But, the recurring characters, we can use, right? Like the tavernkeeper? Winton? Because I think we'll need him to get the holographic watches for our other teammates, because they won't likely be on in time to join much of the roleplay.... Okay, I checked the rules, and it says as long as it's nothing major, that should be fine... So we should be able to order from Winton, and get the watches from him, at least...))))))

(( Okay, cool. ))

Teena wrote on a note card, can you let me know if these words are said? Tea Kettle Brown Mice? She handed it to the new comer and to the boy( ) as well. Then Teena took a deep breath and tried to send those words to the two people to see if they could get her messages through their minds.

Before Raine had a chance to read the words on the notecard, she heard a strange echo in her head. (Tea Kettle Brown Mice), she heard. She looked around to see if anyone had spoken, but no one seemed to have said anything. "Tea Kettle Brown Mice? What on earth does that mean?" she wondered to herself.

Before she had a chance to read the note card the girl was holding out, the innkeeper stepped up to their table and asked if they were ready to order. Raine quickly asked for whatever the special of the day might be, and some refreshing honeyed ale, if they had any.

(((( Is the bit that I struck out in post 4 considered Godding, or okay? Since I don't specify that the voice would be yours?))))))

(( you can keep it. Since you did say she has odd powers and technically it could be anyone's voice. ))

Teena grinned seeing the girl look around. (I think she can hear me Hatchet,) (Really? rather interesting. it would be your first time being able to telepathy with other people,) replied Hatchet. Teena picked up the menu and ordered a drink, meal for self and a meal for Hatchet. Hatchet ate and than when done looked at the owl. She liked its white feathers.

Raine finished her own chili about the same time. [s]Wondering what was going on in the area, and why the tavern was so busy, she turned to the pale gentleman with the owl. "So, do you know anything about what has drawn all these crowds?" [s]

((((As per what I posted in reply to Hannah0s comment, I'm going to work to fast forward us a bit, because we really need to get on that ship... If you've been holding back from posting because of nerves or any other reason, don't worry!! Any post is a good post, because at least it will give us something to work with! We need to get everyone involved in this roleplay at some point! If we don't hear from some people by the end of the day, we might have to edit usual rp rules a bit, and "god" a few of you into this...)))))

((((Okay, I think I have everything up to here added to the first post (so it's easier for us to post on the page as our entry). I've edited a few grammar things, and tried to format it a bit more consistently, as far as how spoken, written, and thought words are shared. I've also tried to shift things around a bit, to fix continuity issues. After all, this has to be a publishable text, instead of a standard roleplay! Let me know if you see anything in the first post that you think should be changed, edited, etc, though.)))))))

(((((Edit: I've also added a quote from Green Rowan to the first post, where she discusses in a bit more detail exactly how this roleplay should go down. Note she mentined how many points we can win, and described the ship we'll be traveling to the event on. Also, we need to make sure ALL of our team members make it into the roleplay at least at one point.)))))

Wondering just what was causing all the chaos in the tavern, Raine decided to flag the innkeeper down for one more drink, and use the opportunity to glean a bit of information. When Winton headed over, she ordered a White Bear coffee, then asked what was up. He quickly informed those seated at the table about how the Wayward Squirrel acted as a gathering point for problem solvers from throughout Subeta. Everyone had been called here to help deal with the escalating turmoil in Crystania. He pointed out Ertrude, too, mentioning how she needed help with the Tri-Hedgewitch Tournament entries.
"Wow, sounds like there is some real trouble brewing," Raine replied. Winton agreed, and commented that they would need all the help they could get to deal with everything going on. "Well, I'm sure all of us would be willing to pitch in, if you think you could use us," Raine offered. While most of the tables seemed to contain collections of old friends, she could see a few people scattered about who seemed more alone. Perhaps some had been involved before, but were returning without their groups, and others seemed new to everything, and as confused as she was. Raine figured that maybe some of those loners would be willing to band together and join her, Teena, the birds, and the owner of the owl... Winton seemed to approve of the idea. Soon, a group had been formed, a Hink Pink had been written, and the Squirrel Tales had begun. The group delivered their entry to Ertrude, then headed down the corridor to the Gearwork Goose, where they were briefed on the situation at the site of the next day's Vernal Grand Ball. And before the group really even had time to process what was going on, they were being herded onto the behemoth of a ship that would carry them to the site of the event.

Later that evening, the group settled in on the comfortable seats of their private lounge on the boat, beverages in hand. It was time to chat about everything going on.

(((Okay, this gets us to the beginning of the official challenge. We are now on the boat (even if not all characters have been introduced). If you log on PLEASE PLEASE post at least some small commentary bringing your character into the story. We now have only a few days to pull this roleplay together, and many of our members have yet to post here...)))))

((((Forgive me if this seems awkward, we didn't rp like this last year (which might explain some things..) so I'm getting used to it.)))) (((Also, I'm assuming you want to skip thoughts during the discussion of the Prime Minister's murder.)))

Settling into her seat with a drink, Sky looked around at her new team. 'They are different from my friends from last year, but I think we will do well together.' Thinking about what she saw getting on the ship Sky thought, 'It's a beautiful ship. I'm not sure how well it would do in battle though...I kinda miss that ship I flew on last year..but new adventures mean new challenges. And challenges can be fun.' Smiling a little, she let her mind drift a little as she sipped her nutty flavored coffee, she thought back to what Djoni and Tanaka had told them. "If it was an assassin, why would there be bite and claw marks?... What if it wasn't a person, but an animal? Maybe they pushed him back as they attacked and he hit his head on the railing? They did say he was draped over a ledge..." Being so used to her ramblings being ignored Sky hadn't realized she was talking out loud. "But if it Was a person, who might it be? And did they have an animal with them? What if..." At this, Sky realized she was being watched.

(((I feel like I should add something about how I joined you guys at the beginning, but I can't seem to make it come to mind at the moment...)))

(((((( No worries, if you think of some introductory bit, we can tuck it into the story... So if you want to join us for dinner, or meet us in some other way, great. And if you don't get to it, that 'll just have to be a bit that we leave hazy. :) )))))))

"The bite and claw marks do seem strange, I have to agree," Raine said, between spoonfuls of Pumpkin Mousse . "Have I mentioned how amazing the food is on this ship? But anyway, back to the mystery at hand... I've heard that wolf attacks have been becoming more and more of a problem in the area. But why on earth would a wolf attack someone who is in a building? And not even that it just got inside, but that it was upstairs?" She paused for a moment to nibble on some Raspberry Macarons and Drizzled Chocolate-Covered Strawberries from a tray settled on the table between the couches. "And no one found any signs of a wolf in the building. I mean, if there was one, wouldn't someone have noticed? And then there is the bludgeoning... I mean, if he'd hit his head on a railing or something like that, there would have been blood. And if a weapon was involved... Wild animals aren't exactly in the habit of using methods like that to kill off their prey. And they certainly wouldn't hide their weapon of choice, or take it with them. I mean, can you imagine a wolf running away with a bloody candlestick in their mouth?" She picked up a glass of Enchanted Frozen Bubbly in one hand, and a plate with some Pretzel Sticks With Caramel in the other, the pause giving some of the others time to speak up.

((Slight back up to add some character responces. Tinker likes Raine and Teena so far, and and gave them an owl snuggle, which is a large, fluffy feathered creature rubbing her head on you. Max is chill with the telepathic talk and introduces himself as being from the city of centropolis on Subeta, but visits here now and then. Now, back to the story. ))

Max sat on one of the other couches with a mystery drink he had grabbed off the try. It wasn't bad. It had a strong mint flavor with a hint of brandy. He took a sip before chiming in. "I wouldn't be surprised if there was a magical wolf that could jump a balcony or terrace. At home, we have ghost that come around for holidays, and an entire undead city. These realms have fae, fae felines, talking mechanical felines, and other such creatures that don't exist at my home. Anythings possible here." Max paused as he reached for a pretzel, "I can tell you right now, they didn't check everything. Who's going to inspect the one inspecting? The Baron has a bludgeoning weapon stuck to his leg. He can either round-house kick someone with it, or remove it and strike baseball bat style. My bet is Baron, on the balcony, with a peg leg named Smith." Since Max was busy talking over eating his pretzel, Tinker took the liberty of nibbling it every so often without his notice as she sat contently on his lap.

"That's true," Raine chimed in. "I'm sure no one asked to inspect the Baron's leg... I'm sure no one even thought of it, actually. That's an interesting thought, though... Magical creatures. I've spent a great deal of time wandering through many lands, and I've heard all sorts of legends about magical creatures, and curses, and medical conditions that cause strange things... I've heard stories of creatures that can change themselves into animals at will... Cats, dogs, wolves, birds, that sort of thing. Other legends claim that people can be cursed, so that they have no control over changing into an animal, that the change is somehow forced by something else. One legend I heard claimed that people in one village changed into wolf-like creatures every night. Another village claimed something similar, but in their legends, the change only happened when the moon was full, and especially during blood moons. And I met a witch-doctor once who claimed to have encountered an illness, almost an allergic reaction to moonlight, whose symptoms included temporary physical changes, and wild, almost rapid behavior in the subjects. I can't say that I've ever encountered one of theses so-called shapeshifters or werewolves before, but there are legends about them in so many different cultures. And magic, that I have seen. So what if there were something like that in play here? That would change everything.

(((@ GuardianAngels Should I write your character response bit up into the story above, then? :P It does currently look rather like you disappear... Or that you remain at the edge of the table for a long time, without ever actually introducing yourself... :O

SqlTales The first post is updated with what is written up until here. Also, for those who haven't posted yet, please make sure you do! As I added to the post, anyone who isn't involved at all, I've been told to boot from the team. I'd rather not boot anyone, but there you have it...

Also, , GreenRowan hasn't added you as a reluctant on the roster. If you want to try to maintain that status, I think you need to email her... Otherwise, I think we have to expect you to participate as much as anyone else, and we can't give you excuses... :/))))

(((( just wanted to let you know I didn't receive the SqlTales ping you made in this board in the post above mine. Also maybe we should just add an additional bit to the intro post about how a few more travelers joined the group at the table during the festivities and merriment? My one last suggestion for the edited RP of everyone together... maybe have a space or a new line whenever it is a new character speaking, to make it a little easier to tell when it's a different person? To be truthful I got very lost reading the intro bit. Anyway - thank you very much for being patient with me. I haven't had time to get a feel for my character so here goes... wanted to try something new from past years.))))

"The butler did it." Dahlia's statement was abrupt and it was followed by a long pause as she took a sip from what might have been her third drink of the evening. She broke the silence with a soft laugh, pleased with her own joke and she reclined back in her seat, "I jest, of course."

She took a moment to survey the room and laughed again. They were all strangers to one another and she wondered if her new comrades would not take kindly to her making light of something as serious as murder. Oh, well, nobody seemed to mind when she had invited herself to their table the night before to join in the merrymaking.

"I think that you are on to something, luv." She told Max with a wink, "If the crime was carried out with the Baron's wooden leg, that would make for an exciting twist to this mystery... after all, the evidence was right there all along. However... that does not explain why the victim's body was found in such a gruesome state... if the building was as secure as they claimed, a wild beast could not have broken in and out undetected... there may be some truth after all to these tales of shapeshifters."

Dahlia paused and downed what remained of her drink, placing the empty glass on the table beside her, "If the cause of death was bludgeoning, why mangle the corpse? Perhaps it is a calling card used by the assassin in question? Or is it simply a scare tactic to add to the chaos?"

(((( Yes, I meant to edit out the space in the call sign thing once I was done editing, but then I forgot.. :O)))

"Well, there might be a bit of a cover up involved... But then the question becomes which part is the cover up? Did someone mangle the corpse to try to cover up hitting him over the head? They might have wanted someone to think it was a wild animal instead of a person. Or is it the other way around? Maybe they killed him by hitting him over the head to cover up the fact they'd already mauled him so severely...

I guess in the end, it comes down to motive... What was the motive for the murder? It could have been political, sure, or personal, a jealous rage sort of situation. But try this theory on for size... What if the crime was an accident to start with? In some of those legends I heard, the creature transformation was specifically triggered by moonlight. No moonlight, no monster. Sudden moonlight, sudden monster. So, what if the crime happened as a completely random act? A cursed or infected creature is walking by the Prime Minister. They think they're safe from moonlight because, hey, they're inside, right? And then they walk by the minister, who is on a balcony. Moonlight is streaming in, and the curse or infection kicks in. They become a raging monster for a few minutes. Then, a cloud passes in front of the moon. The curse clears, and the murderer becomes human again. He looks at the victim and realizes what he's done. And worse, he realizes the man in front of him will tell others what he's done. He decides it would be better if the man was dead, so he grabs the nearest weapon and smashes the minister over the head. After all, dead men tell no tales...

As for the Baron... Didn't someone say he'd been attacked in the woods once? Do we know who -- or what -- attacked him?"