On the morning of January 10th, 1372, Varlen rejoins you, having completed his training at the temple of Forseti. Emm has also finished his business with Gonzo.
John and Ricblane will be another two weeks.
The monk joins you at breakfast. Outside, it is a cold winter morning. The temperature is about 15F, and a light snow is falling.
Suddenly there the sound of breaking glass, as one of the windows shatters.
A rock lands in Occa's corn flakes, spraying him with milk and soggy cereal.
There is a piece of parchment tied around the rock.
Occa says, "That Guido sure has style."
He takes a look at the message.
Occa reads the note and then says, "I am going to go see Guido tonight. Hopefully, he will have some items or some information."
"Occa, would you like some company?" Al asks.
"Ya want some company, Occa? Ya can't trust dem stinkin' thieves, ya know."
"If I take anyone, he won't meet me. Don't worry."
Darian frowns. "I don't like this, Occa. He could have dozens of thieves ready to ambush you. I don't suppose you carry a few of us in your pockets, just in case?"
"Occa, do you have to go alone? I'd feel better if Gil and I went with you. And Gonzo would be a good addition as well."
"I know, but no. Guido gets nervous about company. Anyone have a displacer cloak, I could borrow?"
Darian sighs. "Take just Gil then. Tell Guido, he's your bodyguard. I've got a magical cloak, but I don't think it's a cloak of displacement."
"Just cast Stoneskin on yerself. Maybe a Contingency as well. The cloak yer wearin' now will protect ya like splint mail."
Occa says, "As much as I would like to take all of you, I can't. He won't meet me if I do. The only way I was able to meet him was that I started to try and level his guild. He doesn't like to show himself. Don't worry, if there is any hint of trouble, I will teleport back. Besides, it is over at the graveyard next door here."
Emm approaches John. "Since Niko chose the scroll, the rope goes to one of us two. Let's have a contest. Whoever can toss a stone farther than the other gets the rope. Hmmm?" Emm opens his hand. In it are two, nearly identical, polished stones. "Pick your weapon, John."
"We usually ask a non-biased person to roll a die for each of you and whomever has the higher number gets the item. Much more random. I'll roll the die for you, if you wish. But, it's your choice."
"You choose John," Emm replies. "Random luck or contest of skill." The two stones sit in his outstretched hand.
John picks the left stone and waits for Emm to be ready. Once he is, John says, "Since you are a senior member, you should go first."
Occa says, "No the choice was who got to roll for you. We do it randomly in this group unless it defies sense, id est if you needed something you didn't have and someone did, it would make sense for you to get it, but non-critical items are rolled for...doesn't allow for hard feelings."
Emm smiles and shrugs. "OK."
Darian pulls out a 20-sided die from one of Occa's cabinets. Highest number gets the rope.
"Okay, I'll roll for Emm first." He rolls a 17.
"Now you, John." He rolls a 2.
"Sorry, John, Emm gets the rope."
During this time, Niko will also make 5 more coins with Sepia's Snake Sigil cast upon them.
Niko suggests that Occa should make a few Magic Missile scrolls. 9 Magic Missiles per spell, ya know!
Of course, Occa probably has better spells to put on a scroll than Magic Missile.
"I was thinking to do teleport no error so that you could all get out of hell if I died."
"Are you sure that will work? I mean I know teleport works anywhere on this plane, but can we plane jump, too?"
"Yes. How do you think we got here? It isn't without error crossing planes, but it works."
Darian sighs. "I guess I can spend a FEW hours a day doing this. What do you wish me to pen, Occa?"
"Maybe a stoneskin and then some offensive spells."
Darian nods. "Lightning bolts, magic missiles, fireball and maybe a few cones of cold?"
"Oooh...Stoneskin is a good one, too!"
You spend the day working. Come afternoon, Occa retures to his chambers and Darian goes out.
As midnight approaches, Occa leaves for his rendezvous with Guido.