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Chapter 1: The Whispering Cairn


bwatford

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Chapter 1: The Whispering Cairn Part One: A Face in Darkness


Riffraff raced towards the metal cylinder, its sides smooth, and its hollow interior slightly larger than the average human.

Thodin journeyed north to meet Alatia in the green alcove. Upon inspecting the floor, he noticed a circular crack roughly the same size as the cylinder that had emerged earlier in the yellow alcove. It was logical for the dwarf to conclude that a similar one was concealed beneath the floor here.

Allera stepped nearer to the cylinder, a theory forming in her mind. She pulled a golden orb from her pocket and flung it into the cylinder. It landed with a metallic clank against the cylinder's floor. She paused, anticipating a reaction, but there was none.

Riffraff scrutinized the doors. Where had they disappeared to? It seemed that the cylindrical doors retracted into the cylinder itself, unlike conventional doors. The ratfolk inspected the area around the opening thoroughly. There were no tripwires, tubes, or markings; it was utterly smooth, with no indication of a pressure plate or any other mechanism—just smooth, curved metal.

Sunny walked toward the cylinder as she continued her ramble and passed by her colleagues to enter the cylinder itself as if this was a normal everyday act for her. As she stepped in, the doors sealed shut and the cylinder descended with a whoosh, sinking back into the floor and taking Sunny along. The stone cap secured itself once again, becoming flush with the floor.

Alatia stepped back towards the sarcophagus, gesturing for assistance with the lid.

Meanwhile somewhere below......

Sunny's stomach fluttered as the doors shut and darkness enveloped her while the cylinder descended rapidly. Moments later, as the sensation eased and the doors opened, she was greeted by an even deeper darkness, now separated from her companions. She paused to listen but detected no movement. The absence of light in this place left her at a significant disadvantage.
 


The Whispering Cairn
Cairn Hills (About two hours outside of Diamond Lake)
7:21 pm, Moonday the 9th of Reaping, 595 CY



Scene Information:

I have disable the lighting limitations at this time so you can see the room fully.

Notes
We are on a map (see Active Map spoiler) please use directions (N,S,E,W,NE,SE, etc) when moving. (i.e. I move 2 squares N and 4 E).

Show Active Maps


WHISPERING CAIRN


spacer.png

 

Show Bookkeeping

PASSIVE PERCEPTION SCORES

Alatia 18 | Riffraff 15 | Armando 13 | Sunny 12 | Thodin 12 | Allera 11

INITIATIVE

Not in Use!!

MECHANICS

Not in Use!!

CONDITIONS

Alatia
Light Spell (44 minutes remaining)

Armando
Torch (29 minutes remaining)

DESCRIPTIONS

Not in Use!!

ALATIA CARNWHEAT

Hit Points: 10/10
Hit Dice: 1/1
Warding Flare: 3/3 *L
Spell Slots: (+5, DC 13) *L

  • 1st Level: 1/2

DM Inspiration: 1/1

ALLERA LORABELIS

Hit Points: 8/8
Hit Dice: 1/1
Arcane Recovery: 1/1 *L
Spell Slots: (+6, DC 14) *L

  • 1st Level: 2/2

DM Inspiration: 1/1

ARMANDO RAILWALKER

Hit Points: 9/9 (gnome cunning)
Hit Dice: 1/1
Pact Magic: (+4, DC 12) *L

  • 1st Level: 1/1

DM Inspiration: 1/1

RIFFRAFF

Hit Points: 9/9
Hit Dice: 1/1
DM Inspiration: 1/1

SUNNY

Hit Points: 15/15
Hit Dice: 1/1
Rage: 1/2 *L
DM Inspiration: 1/1

THODIN EVERSHARP

Hit Points: 13/13 (RESIST: poison SAVADV: poisoned)
Hit Dice: 1/1
Divine Sense: 3/3 *L
Lay on Hands: 5/5 *L
DM Inspiration: 1/1

 

 

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Sunny Suel Barbarian 1image.png.79a14e4028f6c8fa7eae9968324330f6.png


16.14.16.8.10.10 | init +2 | AC 15 | HP 15/15 | HD 1

Animal Handling +2, Athletics +5, Intimidation +2, Perception +2, Performance +2

Rage: OX


Sunny was immediately confused as to why the treasure did not appear. Then she remembered light was required for vision. Fumbling for her tinderbox, the Suel created a strobelight of strikes to better get a sense of the riches (or peril) she now found herself within.


 

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PC

Thodin Eversharp Dwarven Paladin 1Thodin.png.94f4c89b43ed50684ae363f0c135b859.png


AC: 18 (chain mail & shield) | HP: 13/13 | Initiative: +0 | Passive Perception: 12 
Lay on Hands: 5/5 | Divine Sense: 2/2 | DM Inspiration: 1/1


After examining the floor, Thodin exclaims, "Aye, the seams in the floor are just what we saw in the other alcove with the cylinder rising from the floor."

Then, he hears the doors slam and cylinder sink in the other alcove. The dwarf jumps up and dashes into the yellow alcove. Looking around at everyone, he asks, "Why did it snap shut and close?"

When Riffraff and Allera point out that the trigger was Sunny entering the cylinder, "Oi! It's a trap! Everyone, let's turn the dias all the way around again to open the cylinder! We cannae let her alone down there for long!" His short legs pound toward the dias again and readies for enough people to assemble to push the dias again all the way around.

Mechanics

Main Hand: empty
Off Hand: Shield


Action: Strength check
Bonus Action: -.
Move: -.
Manipulate: -.

     
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Allera Lorabelis   Half-elf Wizard 1 Allera Lorabelis


AC: 15 (Mage Armor) | HP: 8/8 | Initiative: +2 | Passive Perception: 11 
Spell Slots: 1st 5/5 | Spell Attack: +5 | Spell DC: 13
Arcane Recovery: 1/1 | DM Inspiration: 0/0


"No, wait!!!" Allera's plea rang out, though she knew her words alone wouldn't halt the determined stride of the towering woman. Still, she hoped to at least sway her toward safety. That hope dimmed as the "doors" abruptly sealed shut once more and the cylinder descended into the floor with an ominous finality.

Allera was staring at the floor in shock and only Thodin's words returned her to life. "Yes, let's try to turn that thing around!" This time Allera was pushing the sarcophagus with everyone else. It felt like every ounce of help was needed and provided a welcome distraction from the haunting images that danced in her mind's eye - the cylinders rising one by one, revealing the grim fate of previous adventurers who had succumbed to their curiosity.

Mechanics

Main Hand: Empty
Off Hand: Empty


Action:
Bonus Action:
Move:
Manipulate: Your one free object interaction goes here.

     

 

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Riffraff

 Ratfolk, Scoundrel - Rogue 1image.png.5ef1191979de0d01f9f98f3d1d0feefe.png
image.png.30b924e658ca3da1577a1e996d5a58f6.png


AC: 15 | HP: 9/9 | Init: +3 | PP: 15

Sneak Attack: 1d6 | DM Inspiration: 0


Riffraff barely had time to finish his examination before Sunny stepped into the cylinder and the whole thing dropped back into place. "Well, well! Seems like it needed something heavier than a coin!" he exclaimed as the lid sealed back into place.

As Thodin and Allera rushed to try to raise the cylinder once more, the rat-boy dashed over to join them and help push...after all, if Sunny came back, then that coin might reappear as well!!!

Mechanics

Main Hand: Empty
Off Hand: Empty


Action: Push
Bonus Action: none
Move: to the sarcophagus
Manipulate: Stow tools

     
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Armando Railwalker Gnomish Warlockimage.png.3addf472ab702bf61916a9a2a03fa8d7.png


AC: 13 (leathers) | HP: 9/9 | Initiative: +2 | Passive Perception: 11
Spell Slots: 1st 1/1 | Spell Attack: +4 | Spell DC: 12
DM Inspiration: 0/1


 
If it had been meant for Armando to join his new companion in the stone cylinder, he'd not learned of it until it was too late. Instead he watched. He'd done well to follow her down to the dead end and listened as best he could to her announcement, but he was afraid he'd not quite understood it and thus had lost the nuance of what she had to say. He stood, as dumbfounded as some of the others, and watched her march forward and into the cylinder. Until she was in it, he'd not even been able to guess where her destination ultimately had been. As she stepped inside, the mucky waters of Armando's mind cleared and he realized his earlier task of torch-bearer would be called forth in a matter of moments. He took a single step forward before the entire stonework shut down before his very eyes. He shuttered as the whole thing looked to have swallowed the woman whole.
 
"I didn't know." He apologized, effectively to no one. "I saw them wizard traps on the other thing, but not on this'un." The gnome shrugged in earnest before the heightened stress of the others broke him from his self-imposed remorse.
 
"Oh!" He exclaimed, hopping up and down in some sign of excitement. "Yes! Go do's it!" He waved the torch at them as if scaring them away from the yellow lantern alcove.
 
For his own efforts, he stood watch within arm's reach of the cylinder with his torch held high.

 

Mechanics

Main Hand: Empty
Off Hand: Empty


Action:
Bonus Action:
Move:
Manipulate:

     
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image.jpeg.30077a7bb406753e072efacee7dc0b72.jpeg


Chapter 1: The Whispering Cairn Part One: A Face in Darkness


Sunny groped in the dark for her tinderbox, retrieved an oil-soaked cloth, and a playing card from her deck. Striking the fire steel, she set it alight. The flame provided brief illumination, but as she emerged from the cylinder, she started to survey her surroundings.
 

Architect’s Foyer

The walls are adorned with bas-relief depictions akin to the slender figure on the sarcophagus lid above. About a dozen androgynous, hairless figures are positioned in deferential stances, seemingly paying tribute to the onlooker. Numerous figures reach out with hands in veneration, their expressions filled with reverence. Some statues are missing hands, arms, heads, or other parts, likely removed by tomb robbers long ago.

Approximately fifteen feet to the south, a shadowy corridor emerges from an intricately carved archway. However, visibility is limited, as a substantial stone slab conceals much of the passage.


Shortly after, the doors of the cylinder behind her sealed shut, and the cylinder retracted back into the ceiling. That's when Sunny spotted a small red button on the wall close to where the cylinder had ascended.

At the upper level, Sunny's companions hurried to the sarcophagus, trying to rotate it once more. However, before they could act, the cylinder in the yellow alcove reappeared, the doors opened, yet there was no trace of their friend.

 


The Whispering Cairn
Cairn Hills (About two hours outside of Diamond Lake)
7:31 pm, Moonday the 9th of Reaping, 595 CY


Scene Information:

I have disabled the lighting limitations at this time so you can see the room fully.

Notes
We are on a map (see Active Map spoiler) please use directions (N,S,E,W,NE,SE, etc) when moving. (i.e. I move 2 squares N and 4 E).

Show Active Maps


WHISPERING CAIRN


spacer.png

spacer.png

 

Show Bookkeeping

PASSIVE PERCEPTION SCORES

Alatia 18 | Riffraff 15 | Armando 13 | Sunny 12 | Thodin 12 | Allera 11

INITIATIVE

Not in Use!!

MECHANICS

Not in Use!!

CONDITIONS

Alatia
Light Spell (39 minutes remaining)

Armando
Torch (24 minutes remaining)

DESCRIPTIONS

Not in Use!!

ALATIA CARNWHEAT

Hit Points: 10/10
Hit Dice: 1/1
Warding Flare: 3/3 *L
Spell Slots: (+5, DC 13) *L

  • 1st Level: 1/2

DM Inspiration: 1/1

ALLERA LORABELIS

Hit Points: 8/8
Hit Dice: 1/1
Arcane Recovery: 1/1 *L
Spell Slots: (+6, DC 14) *L

  • 1st Level: 2/2

DM Inspiration: 1/1

ARMANDO RAILWALKER

Hit Points: 9/9 (gnome cunning)
Hit Dice: 1/1
Pact Magic: (+4, DC 12) *L

  • 1st Level: 1/1

DM Inspiration: 1/1

RIFFRAFF

Hit Points: 9/9
Hit Dice: 1/1
DM Inspiration: 1/1

SUNNY

Hit Points: 15/15
Hit Dice: 1/1
Rage: 1/2 *L
DM Inspiration: 1/1

THODIN EVERSHARP

Hit Points: 13/13 (RESIST: poison SAVADV: poisoned)
Hit Dice: 1/1
Divine Sense: 3/3 *L
Lay on Hands: 5/5 *L
DM Inspiration: 1/1

 

 

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PC

Allera Lorabelis   Half-elf Wizard 1 Allera Lorabelis


AC: 15 (Mage Armor) | HP: 8/8 | Initiative: +2 | Passive Perception: 11 
Spell Slots: 1st 5/5 | Spell Attack: +5 | Spell DC: 13
Arcane Recovery: 1/1 | DM Inspiration: 0/0


Allera looked back on the way to the sarcophagus at the sound of the raising cylinder.

"It's back! And it's empty." Allera's voice dropped to a sad whisper once she saw the cylinder empty. She looked down at the floor of the cylinder checking if the coin was still there. Even summoned the transparent hand to check it (and pick up the coin should it still be inside).

She paused in front of the trap (for that was an obvious trap) looking for any signs that could tell something about Sunny's fate.

 

Mechanics

Main Hand: Empty
Off Hand: Empty


Action: Investigation
Bonus Action:
Move:
Manipulate: Your one free object interaction goes here.

     

 

Name
Investigation:
8
1d20+3 5
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Sunny Suel Barbarian 1image.png.79a14e4028f6c8fa7eae9968324330f6.png


16.14.16.8.10.10 | init +2 | AC 15 | HP 15/15 | HD 1

Animal Handling +2, Athletics +5, Intimidation +2, Perception +2, Performance +2

Rage: OX


When it became clear she was not about to die instantly, the spacey barfly double checked just to be sure there were indeed a solid count of 'zero' diamonds, sapphires, and whatever the red ones were called in the immediate vicinity. The hairless warriors made her giggle and snicker, but she didn't like being alone with them.

In the end, Sunny stood helplessly in the recess and, as promised, gave a knocking rhythm matching her old bar song to let the others know she was 'Ok'. She felt the words stumble back from a long ago memory, from happier days when her mind was less clouded...when it didn't tell her lies and see enemies where there weren't any. A time when visions from the space between stars wouldn't steal her night away. A time when she had pride in herself, and didn't need to lean on the easy companionship of drunks and wastrels.

~All my past silhouettes on the wall...~ her voice cracking in the encroaching darkness, her strong arm beating thunder cracks in musical time ~...with you, I'm a beautiful mess...~

...before watching the Suicide King burn his last light. It mocked her "Good Lord! You're not very bright, are you? Stepping into a stone cylinder like that and expecting treasure?! And do you call that a C#? I can't bear to witness this..." the King of Hearts' little daggers putting an end to it all, and leaving Sunny only the company of her cursed imagination.


 

Edited by Cointhief (see edit history)
Name
Performance
19
1d20+2 17
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PC

Thodin Eversharp Dwarven Paladin 1Thodin.png.94f4c89b43ed50684ae363f0c135b859.png


AC: 18 (chain mail & shield) | HP: 13/13 | Initiative: +0 | Passive Perception: 12 
Lay on Hands: 5/5 | Divine Sense: 2/2 | DM Inspiration: 1/1


Right as he is ready to turn the dias, Thodin sees the cylinder return. He relaxes and breathes a sigh of relief. But then, he forgets to inhale for a bit when the open doors revealing an empty chamber.

"Uh. That's good and bad." The dwarf starts thinking aloud. "It's good that the cylinder returns and opens, so we don't have to rotate the dial. And, it opens as if its a form of conveyance, as opposed to a chute where you place garbage." He pauses for a bit before continuing.

"That's bad, because we don't control when it opens and closes. And, uh, if it takes us to certain death. Someone needs to go in there to look for Sunny. I'll go unless someone else really wants to go." He looks around at his new companions.

Mechanics

Main Hand: empty
Off Hand: Shield


Action: Strength check
Bonus Action: -.
Move: -.
Manipulate: -.

     
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PC

Alatia Carnwheat Human Cleric 1 b7f305c560c4add2995ae335bd1cbd2f.jpg


AC: 15 (scale mail and shield) | HP: 10/10 | Initiative: -1 | Passive Perception: 18 
Spell Slots: 1st 1/2 | Spell Attack: +5 | Spell DC: 13
Warding Flare: 3/3 | DM Inspiration: 0/1


Places the continuous flame on top of the unopened sarcophagus. Trying to catch up with the rest of the party she then moves towards the stone cylinder.

[OOC] If the group are heading down through the cylinder, Alatia will take her turn in the order that's decided and follow the group.

Mechanics

Main Hand: Mace
Off Hand: Shield


Action: -
Bonus Action: -
Move: -
Manipulate: -
Reaction: If attacked within 30ft Alatia will use her reaction to cast Warding Flare in order to impose disadvangate on the attack.

     
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Armando Railwalker Gnomish Warlockimage.png.3addf472ab702bf61916a9a2a03fa8d7.png


AC: 13 (leathers) | HP: 9/9 | Initiative: +2 | Passive Perception: 11
Spell Slots: 1st 1/1 | Spell Attack: +4 | Spell DC: 12
DM Inspiration: 0/1


 
Even though he'd been prepared for the cylinder to potentially return, it's sudden arrival was unexpected. The others hadn't even made it to the sarcophagus yet. The gnome startled and yipped in surprise. The torch in his hand made a similar whoosh as he waved it about.
 
In that half a moment before the slab opened, Armando's heart knew the bright-haired, wild woman would be just on the other side and he'd be free of the guilt of getting her squished. When it opened and she was nowhere to be seen, the gnome's innards turned to rotten eggs in the afternoon sun. He opened his mouth to speak of apologies and profess it would never happen again but no words came out. He heard the footsteps of his host coming back down the corridor and he braced for the reprimand.
 
She side stepped him and peered into the cylinder and made a similar observation as his own. But no whip lashing came immediately after. Still, he huddled beneath the torchlight and tried not to be seen as best he could, which made for an awkward stance as he still kept it high above him so that she may see. The dwarf soon followed step and now the dead end was getting crowded.
 
Armando felt trapped there. The urge to bite and scratch and scream and runaway filled his mind and echoed off the rock hewn walls. He barely heard the whole bit by Thodin, but he did distinctly hear the last part. Instincts kicked in and they shouted louder than all the fears and doubts that were bubbling up within him.
 
His feet were already moving him toward the cylinder when he thought to actually say words. As he stepped inside, brushing past Aletia's as she continued to inspect the strange hollow monolith, he uttered, "I have's her torch."

 

Mechanics

Main Hand: Empty
Off Hand: Empty


Action:
Bonus Action:
Move:
Manipulate:

     
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Riffraff

 Ratfolk, Scoundrel - Rogue 1image.png.5ef1191979de0d01f9f98f3d1d0feefe.png
image.png.30b924e658ca3da1577a1e996d5a58f6.png


AC: 15 | HP: 9/9 | Init: +3 | PP: 15

Sneak Attack: 1d6 | DM Inspiration: 0


Riffraff squeaked nervously as Thodin told the group what the rat-boy had already concluded...someone was going to have to follow Sunny into whatever trouble she found herself in.

He squirmed slightly, knowing that his comments about being the groups trapfinder had backed him into a corner. That was no place for any rodent to find themselves! It felt like all eyes were upon him, and the little fellow began to sweat more than a poker player with a pair of twos!

Finally a defeated kind of sob came from somwhere deep within his chest. "Okay, okay!!!" he declared. "I'll go in after her. If I find her safe, I'll send...hmm...a copper coin back. But I'll need her torch. My eyes are fine in the gloom, but I doubt she'll be able to see anything much...if she's still...you know...and not....well...here's hoping!!"

Reachng out for the torch held by the little gnome Armando, Riffraff walked gingerly up to the cylinder, whispering a silent prayer, to no-one in particular and hoping that his judgement about the absence of traps had been correct.

Mechanics

Main Hand: Empty
Off Hand: Empty


Action: none
Bonus Action: none
Move: into the cylinder
Manipulate: take torch

     
Edited by MysteriousMiller (see edit history)
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Chapter 1: The Whispering Cairn Part One: A Face in Darkness


Allera came back to the open cylinder, searching for any trace of Sunny, but found none. However, the coin remained on the ground, accompanied by the tracks of Sunny's boots.

As the group congregated around the cylinder, Armando made his way through, stepping into the cylinder while brandishing the torch aloft. The doors sealed shut with a whoosh and descended back into the ground, the stone cap sealing the space once more.

Riffraff arrived just a moment later, attempting to halt the little gnome; however, the gnome had already been swiftly carried downward by the cylinder.

To Sunny's astonishment, the cylinder descended once more into the chamber, the doors opening with a whoosh to reveal Armando... and her torch. Indeed, she could see again, all thanks to her diminutive companion.
 


The Whispering Cairn
Cairn Hills (About two hours outside of Diamond Lake)
7:37 pm, Moonday the 9th of Reaping, 595 CY


Scene Information:

I have disabled the lighting limitations at this time so you can see the room fully.

Notes
We are on a map (see Active Map spoiler) please use directions (N,S,E,W,NE,SE, etc) when moving. (i.e. I move 2 squares N and 4 E).

Show Active Maps


WHISPERING CAIRN


spacer.png

spacer.png

 

Show Bookkeeping

PASSIVE PERCEPTION SCORES

Alatia 18 | Riffraff 15 | Armando 13 | Sunny 12 | Thodin 12 | Allera 11

INITIATIVE

Not in Use!!

MECHANICS

Not in Use!!

CONDITIONS

Alatia
Light Spell (33 minutes remaining)

Armando
Torch (18 minutes remaining)

DESCRIPTIONS

Not in Use!!

ALATIA CARNWHEAT

Hit Points: 10/10
Hit Dice: 1/1
Warding Flare: 3/3 *L
Spell Slots: (+5, DC 13) *L

  • 1st Level: 1/2

DM Inspiration: 1/1

ALLERA LORABELIS

Hit Points: 8/8
Hit Dice: 1/1
Arcane Recovery: 1/1 *L
Spell Slots: (+6, DC 14) *L

  • 1st Level: 2/2

DM Inspiration: 1/1

ARMANDO RAILWALKER

Hit Points: 9/9 (gnome cunning)
Hit Dice: 1/1
Pact Magic: (+4, DC 12) *L

  • 1st Level: 1/1

DM Inspiration: 1/1

RIFFRAFF

Hit Points: 9/9
Hit Dice: 1/1
DM Inspiration: 1/1

SUNNY

Hit Points: 15/15
Hit Dice: 1/1
Rage: 1/2 *L
DM Inspiration: 1/1

THODIN EVERSHARP

Hit Points: 13/13 (RESIST: poison SAVADV: poisoned)
Hit Dice: 1/1
Divine Sense: 3/3 *L
Lay on Hands: 5/5 *L
DM Inspiration: 1/1

 

 

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Sunny Suel Barbarian 1image.png.79a14e4028f6c8fa7eae9968324330f6.png


16.14.16.8.10.10 | init +2 | AC 15 | HP 15/15 | HD 1

Animal Handling +2, Athletics +5, Intimidation +2, Perception +2, Performance +2

Rage: OX


Just as Sunny's heart was about to give over to despair, the orange flicker cut through the dark from above. Her worried anxiety melted and reformed into a strong smile. "Oh good, you heard my knocking. Bad news..." the tall blonde explained "No treasure down here unless you like very bald men...and I think the way is blocked." 

Sunny also pointed out the mysterious button, and referred to how the stone conveyance (or as she called it the 'Scoot-Room') returned upwards on its own in a short time.

Her speech was the kind of half-sniveling act that was easy to see though, the kind someone makes when they are acting tougher than they actually are. Her hair was looking a bit disheveled and torn out in places, as every corrupt system in her Suel physiology cried out for a drink.


 

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