January 20, 1372


Five days pass. Ric and John continue their training. Darian and Jesse continue to organise their wedding. Occa has not returned from visiting Stiff, Aaargh!, Who Knows and Oh Well in Demon's Neck.

The weather - except for January 17th - has been bitter cold. The last two days the temperature did not even reach -20F, and yesterday a blizzard hit, with high winds and heavy snow. The wind chill was such that even Occa's house was frigid, even with fires burning in every fireplace. This morning, the weather has eased, though it is still snowing.

Once again, you are sitting in the informal dining room, eating a hot breakfast, when the window shatters and a rock sails through, to land on Occa's empty chair.

There is a piece of parchment tied around the rock.

Gilstrock says, absently, his mouth full of vast quantities of hot breakfast, "Occa, phone."

"Can't these people just knock at the door? It must be a plot by the window people to keep in business," Orlon grunts as he keeps eating.

Niko, mutton in one hand and a tankard of ale in the other, looks around and shrugs. Placing the mutton back on his plate, absently wipes his hands and retrieves the rock. He reads the parchment.

It reads - "Meet me in the main market at noon - G"

Niko tosses the rock back out the window and says with food still in his mouth

"Anyone know how ta reach Occa?"

Al goes to the window and peeks outside to see if the stone thrower is there.

There is no sign of anyone. It is snowing quite heavily.

Al looks to see if he sees any footprints.

There are footprints in the snow.

He takes out MC, clears out the glass and exits through the window.

Al follows them over to the wall which surrounds the property, where they stop.

Meanwhile, Darian replies to Niko, "I don't have the spells memorized, but a magic mirror and then a message spell should give me the ability to contact Occa. I'll get started now."

Darian goes off to memorize a magic mirror and three message spells.

Al activates his ring of flight and flies over the wall.

He sees no one.

He asks MC if he can detect anything or anyone in the vicinity.

"Yo! No! Maaaaaan, it's cold!"

Occa suddenly teleports back into your midst. You are just finishing up breakfast.

Darian just has time to rejoin you.

Occa says, "Hi all. Gotta a few errands to run. I am also identifying the entire community chest and hope to have the results soon. Then we can move on."

"Discover anything interesting, Occa?" Al asks as he comes back in through the window.

Occa says, "I will let you know as soon as the DM lets me know!" He giggles and heads to the market square.

It is midafternoon before Occa returns to the house.

"What did Guido want this time, Occa?"

"He wanted to wish you and Jesse well with your wedding. I also wanted to make sure he didn't try to cause any trouble at the wedding."

As Occa says this, his voice goes from normal to a high pitched squeek. He looks down at a ring on his finger and says, "Forgot about this damn cursed ring." He then smiles and blushes a bit.

"Oh. Why would he want to cause trouble?"

"You know how thieves like to turn up at big events. Lots of opportunity to steal."

"So, we should get going soon. How long till the wedding?"

"Four more days, Occa. How much longer will you be away?"

"Not much longer. It is just about done."

"Was there anything in the community chest that might give me a chance in hell?" asks Emm.

Darian chuckles. "Clever, Emm."

"I think so. In fact, anyone who can cast identify should come with me. Learn all of them that you can and we will have a huge identifying session. That will give us access to much more magic."

Darian looks at Jesse. "Do you mind? I don't think there are any other details I need to worry about, do you? I've already been to the tailors for a new outfit. That should be ready in a day or two."

Jesse kisses Darien, "Be careful and have a good trip," the bard says. "Come back soon."

"Jesse should come as well. She is a bard afterall."

Darian shrugs. "As long as she doesn't have another dress fitting tomorrow, why not? Niko should come too, then."

Jesse smiles, "I'll be happy to come. Even if I have to eat that goldfish." she sayhs lightly.

Niko nods, as he polishes off another stack of pancakes "I'll go memorize spells after I finish eating."

The people who are returning to Demon's Neck with Occa rush off to prepare themselves.

An hour later you gather again.

Niko, having finished memorizing all the Identify spells he can, grabs his gear and says "OK, Occa...ready when you are!"

"Youse mights want to identify this here suit o' leather as well... see if it will do me any good in hell" says Gonzo, handing over the leather suit he was planning on checking out.

So, Niko, Darian and Jesse teleport out with Occa.


next day...

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