Chpt. 2: In the Palace

[Grognardsw]

Bjorn the cleric tries the pool of murky gray liquid (c) investigated by the ranger. It tastes sweet but seems to have no effect.

Poltux's wounds heal with the magical pink liquid and his wineskin is full of the potent stuff. Ianin too fills his wineskin.

Andover stirs the seemingly yellow water (G). The arrow stirs the liquid easily. It has no scent.

Honnilee the hobbit keeps a careful watch. His and others' observances show a bit of the west and south corridors:

[greyarea]

Shen, monk

Shen smiles knowing that the pink liquid seems to be helping. Not all of these pools are so evil after all. He moves to the pool (B) with the fizzing liquid with the pleasant odor. He will first look at the effervescent liquid and than try touching and then tasting, as long as he doesn't find something that would stop him...

[Zhym]

Andover gets a strange feeling of déjà vu. When Andover sees Shen go for the pool of fizzy liquid, he calls out. "Shen! Wait! That pool is full of acid! As you should know, because you already got burned by it once. Are you feeling well?"

[greyarea]

Shen, monk

Shen backs up. Blinks. Thank you, friend Andover. I must not be in my right mind. He then goes over and drinks some of the pink liquid.

This is what happens when the player doesn't read all of the GM's posts. Doh! Thanks, Zhym!

[Grognardsw]

Wondering if the influence of Chaos is addling his mind, Shen the monk hears Andover's warning and stops in his tracks before touching again the acid pool. With another drink from the pink pool the previous acid damage disappears.

Fully healed of wounds though not of bodily arrangement, Raquinel the enchanter resignedly returns to her spell studies.

[Grognardsw]

The adventurers have filled winesacks with pink healing liquid, sampled several pools, and is now milling about. It is about 12:00 pm. The party can eat lunch and finish study/prayer for spell recovery. Then move on...?

[jdluna]

Any insight on restoring back to our previous versions? Or should I just give up and be a chick?

[Grognardsw]

Bjorn considers her situation. The pink and grey pools tried had no effect. She knows she can sample other pools, but there is risk. She has heard of such "afflictions" being reversed by arcane removal of curse enchantments, though in her current situation such an option isn't available.

[greyarea]

Shen, monk

Shen smiles that the pink liquid healed him. He moves to the pool (C) with the murky gray thick liquid. He will first look at the gloopy liquid and than try touching and then tasting, as long as he doesn't find something that would stop him...

[Grognardsw]

Shen, after seeing Bjorn try the pool of murky gray liquid (C) and not showing any ill effects, also partakes of it. The liquid tastes sweet but seems to have no effect.

[NJWilliam]

Ianin, magic-user

Ianin, content with his limbs in the location they are, decides to not be further involved in the testing of the pools, and sits down to rest his feet a bit, removed enough from the pools being tested.

[NJWilliam]

Poltux

Poltux sees Ianin remove himself from the pools and sit down, and does likewise.

[FreebirdFootbagging]

Raquinel continues to sit in a sober silence, studying her spells and turning the pages with her new neck appendage.

[Zhym]

Andover will poke an arrow into pools G, J, and K.

[greyarea]

Shen, monk

Shen joins Andover by the yellow-liquid filled pool G. Thank you for your assistance, friend. Let's explore this one further. He sticks his hand in the pool.

[jdluna]

Bjorn decides to visit the local parish when he's back in town to see about getting whatever curse this is removed. He/She finds a quiet corner and begins praying and resting to get strength and Spells back.

[tkrexx]

Whispering Flint, Illusionist

The quiet Illusionist busies himself with studying his sacred scrolls. He has no illusions, if you will, of his capacity sans spells. He will make a slight alteration on his list, in efforts to provide a boon to the party.

Updated spell list, when appropriate.
1st: Color Spray, Phantom Armor
2nd: Improved Phantasmal Force

[tkrexx]

Honnilee, Thief

Horrified by the bizarre transformations of the Dwarf and the unfamiliar Human spellcaster, and also wary from the attack from what appeared to be water itself, the Halfling will go nowhere near the pools. She will be content watching the south passage, inching her way perhaps 60' past the opening just to see where it goes. She will report her findings to the group, then squat in the south entrance and munch on a Hobbit mini-meat pie.

[Grognardsw]

Andover the ranger stirs the yellow water (G). It moves easily and has no scent. Shen the monk puts his hand in it; it feels warm and tingly. Moving to the pool of greenish liquid (J), Andover stirs that and feels the liquid is quite thick. Then to the pool with the fish (K). They again spot the ranger looking at them, pause in their swimming, line up, and stare at him with unblinking eyes as if trying to communicate with him. If only one could talk to fish.

The other party members rest, study and pray. Honnilee the hobbit stealthily explores and sees the door in the south corridor. It is a large, ornately carved double door:

[Zhym]

Well, you only live once, right?

Andover tries to figure out a way to talk to fish. He'll put his hand in the fish pool to make sure they don't attack. Then he'll hold his breath and stick his head in the pool. Maybe the fish have a way to communicate.