Today, we will return to the exploration of Emerald Soup forest by our brave and oh so benevolent explorers. Madeline, Laudable, & Rudolf. Madeline was done laughing with the other two after they had just gotten done with the topic of magic. Madeline took a long and appreciative look at Laudable. Not quite the one you might be thinking. She simply asked: " Darlin', make it clear now, you got any...business, around Halthoum?"

Laudable paused and raised an eyebrow: "Halthoum? I've heard of that area. The faith that they deal in there...I wonder if it is dead or not. But no. I have no dealings with that area."

Madeline smiled. "That's a fine answer. I hope to God it's true. What they do in Halthoum...that ain't for the faint of heart ❤️ to speak on."

"Ha ha heh ha heh ha...." Rudolf began to laugh. "You two are absolutely spectacular to spend an eveing with. Especially if your bringing up a topic like the city of sins and virtues. Well...that's the bad name some bard gave it, buuut I wouldn't really like bringing up that area in polite conversation. But ours doesn't have to be that polite does it?"

"Dear brother, please speak clearly." Laudable said.

"Always wanting to get in the way of my enjoyment! So...I guess, before we get into my little idea for our next steps, Madeline you have got to tell me where did you get that little bauble?"

On the hip of Madeline, chained to her belt, was an orb of pure crystal.

"Oh this? Just something I picked up in a toy store. I always love going around to those places. Seein' what kind of stuff you can pick up. Darling you really gotta understand one thing; even though I may may be a magi, even though I may be a magic user, and, a cer-ti-fied absolute genius when it comes to the garage, it's now, it's always, always, gonna be the truth that you can never really match up to what a free mind can bust out. & Luckily, kids come automatically free. Getting to hit up a place like that and see what kind of stuff they build in there is always perfect fuel for whatever new thingamajig to rough up. also, it is absolutely delightful to bring a bunch of kids in, tell e'm they can get whatever they want, if, if, they can win some sort of silly game and look at them all run through the store! Screwing acround with the shopkeep...all that is oh, so precious."

Lauable spoke up: "That seems...very entertaining. I do hope you made sure no damage was ever done to the estab-"

"Ah ah ah-hey, obviously, we are in the presence of a spectacular individual. Let's be real here. Our, blessing on earth, Madeline, would never allow something like...property damage to occur, just to have a good time." said Rudolf.

"You...have a better opinion of me than I think I do, Rudolf. But! I ain't gonna say that ain't well deserved. Thanks a bunch hon'."

Rudolf snickered, but quickly sobered up. "Okay, little jokes to the side for later, have either of you two ever head of-oh..."

Madeline raised an eyebrow. "Something thick on you're tongue honey?"

"We have got some absolutely splendid company coming in!"

"Oh?" said Laudable.

"Oh indeed. Sis." "Yes?" "Get ready." Rudolf picks up his scimitar leaning against the wall, and he grips in his other hand his axe. He looks around carefully. There seem to be strange creatures popping in and out of existence. They appear to be ghouls of some kind, and they appear to be tricks of the light. One minute they're there, then they aren't in Rudolf's eyes. Madeline & Laudable don't notice anything-he on the other hand notices at the very edge of his vision, if he straing himself hard enough, he can juuuust make out the faint outline of one of these creatures. There are only 3 of them in the bar, and the strange thing is, they seem to be...non hostile. But he can see more outside coming in to gather, and he notices, the positions they're in are all perfect for an assault.

In his mind, he guesses, these are either creatures from another realm, or magical entities or animals that are just flittering through that nobody else can notice. Or, someone important wants to make a really, REALY big impression. At the tune of having every person in this bar asa hostage. Or it could be informations gathering. All sorts of different possibilities float through his mind. And after assuring himself that his lovely sister & their equally beloved partner Madeline are ready for action, he decides it would be better to know for certain what's going to happen, than simply let things play out. The true nature of the situation is something Rudolf has always been incapable of holding himself back from reaching for. In a swift slice he cuts off the head of one of the creatures. Which normally wouldn't do anything to a being made out of, from what he can now tell as it's out of it's cloaking spell, stone, but his instincts never lie.

The Primeval Sense he has a Ranger informs of the fact that for some reason, these creatures are a mix between organic organic and stone. Which makes them sturdier, but also supplies the same fundamental weaknesses.

With a shout he employs a rangers second tool; a unique magic which dispels the mystic cloaking over each of these creatures. most of which are still outside. Panic ensues, and it's just the kind of scene Rudolf can't keep a smile off his face from when he's in the middle of it. Laudable is done casting her spell, and casting a spell, which coats every person in the room in a protective shelling enhanced further by her piety. Keeping them safe from immediate harm and granting them healing capabilities to the point of regeneration. Madeline at that point is already taking shots, and in the space of about 5 minutes all of the patrons have brought out their weapons and begun going to town on the intruders while Madeline has shot about 5 by the time Laudable is done with her next spell.

After the battle, in which all of the creatures inside are swiftly put down and the one's outside are engaged, each monster is dead and not a single patron of the fine establishment is in disrepair.

Rudolf pretends not to notice a magic user of some stature running away. One of his original guesses was correct. He makes sure to note the scent and the heartbeat and the footstep patterns. His training has granted him an immaculate array of tools. In his mind at least. Our two ladies of the night are quite refreshed by this event. Madeline has quite heavily enjoyed the opportunity to cut loose with her gunplay a bit, and dear sweet Laudable enjoys deeply the sensation of her blood 🩸 running hot after rebuking a vile enemy. After the fight our explorers are praised for their martial prowess. And as a result, they get to spend the night in the local inn completely free. Happy but not entirely satisfied, Rudolf leaves. Our two girls decide to go and nap the rest of the day away. The responsible thing to do.

Rudolf is a responsible man only on paramount subjects. On anything less than that, he has this...tendency. Rudolf spends the night carousing. He talks with children and tells them stories. He enjoys buying hot food and chatting people up. He searches, and he finds what he needs. He finds a woman. With the light caramel skin of one from the desert. Given the nature of the realm, finding someone born far away in your own neighborhood is never an odd sight. For the benefits of travel often outweigh any form of trouble from it. Rudolf goes up to the woman. She's the perfect image. An absolute bombshell! Her breasts are enormous. Large and soft, perfectly shaped. Huge, soft, bubbly. Other adjectives!...She seems to be some kind of iconic depiction of sensuality in living form. Rudolf has no chance of even thinking about staying away. No our man of the hour decides to chat her up. Go back to her place, and there he sinks his hand into her warm massive globes and sucks on her nipples.

-oh, your narrator for the night cannot believe he's doing this....it is what it is.-

He starts motorboating and biting her boob. She moans a bit, but he doesn't want to be a poor partner. So using a bit more magic a gust of warm winds spills in through the window and forms a hand. First one, then two, then four, then eight...which all begin caressing and enveloping her body. One focuses all of it's attention on her clitoris while another two start fingering her. the others are rubbing her thighs, legs, toes...one even transforms into a tongue which begins to kiss her. Once our good man of the hour has thoroughly enjoyed getting her inverted nipples to pop out and lathering them up as he sucks them down hard, he moves towards her face and the tongue changes from one made of wind to one made of energy. As it ties itself around hers they kiss deeply, passionately, and the rest of the night is our good man exploring the bodies of one of the stunning woman he's ever met. Oh he's in love with her body and Rudolf makes it clear to her. She quite enjoys having it...'appreciated.' Oh they spend so long making love it's deep in the morning by the time they're done. They've enjoyed each other's company so badly that our dear ranger friend leaves behind a bit of a marking, right over her navel. To make sure he can always find his way back to her. she says she awaits the day when he comes back. She also tells him he can't expect her, no matter how amazing this night was, to simply stay chaste for his sake if he's form 'those' areas of the world. rudolf simply replies: "Oh we've barely even met! I've no such intentions. However, if when I come back, if it is revealed to us that we have an affinity for each other and love genuine is something we choose to make, as a result, even then I've no issue with you having other partners. So long as none of them are male." She laughs and Rudolf makes his exit with a smile wide on his face. As his thoughts turn eventually to the plan he has for the sea of gold spires, Heinbruthyrr, that grin only widens. It was time for a great event! A delectable phenomenon, to finally begin.

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"Hmmm, brother." Laudable said.

"Hm hrmph, ha ha! What is it, my delightful sister?"

"Are you sure it was the best idea to burn your energy overnight? You'll have a harder time flying during the day on our way to Heinbruthyrr."

Rudolf chuckles at first. "I agree! Some rest would've been more productive, but! I can still push myself, and, we never intended to enter the forest straight on our journey. No, we always intended to rest outside the forest the day before our delve truly begins. Gathering a bit of info before we fully entered...oh, I think I'll be fine. If it will be so, it will be so....this place, this village...perhaps we may need to return one day. That mage, I'm curious about his intent."

"You and me both, but..." interrupted Madeline "we've got our plan. Our goal is aaaaaaall the way up north. We could stay awhile here to investigate if you're really certain that'll end up being something we ought to look into now. But if not, we fly, and we fly oh so far away. To save and empire."

"True true." came Rudolf. "Although...I simply wouldn't know what to do with myself if we left things where they are and trouble brewed it's ugly head. Even if I'm aware we can't save everyone."

"Hm, that's certainly the truth of the matter." Came Laudable.

"What er yall gettin' on about now?" Madeline said.

"Is that your morning voice?" replied Rudolf, chuckling.

"You'd best believe it partner." she yawned. "I do indubitably declare, that was a fine act. And from you buddy, that was some fine swordwork. I expected you to be the mainstay with the blade but what things you did with that axe 🪓 ." Madeline gave a sharp whistle. "Makes' a girl turn her head. You could extend the thing, plus...mind explaining to me partner, why your axe can fly?"

"What can I say? I knew a guy when I was in the corps who had a particular affinity for the dance of wind. Wasn't gonna pass that up. Learn how to fight with the elements and bow and a martial weapon all in one? not the kind of package a guy like me can let go of. This endsong magic...whew. It's certainly, what's the word...uh...somebody who's really detailed oriented?"

"That's fine. You're the kind of guy who likes to focus on the fine details when it comes to stuff like fighting huh?"

"You can't afford to be lax when it comes to stuff like this. Not when it's your life on the line. Our clergy taught us that lesson veeeery well."

Madeline smiled. "Y'all are making this clergy sound more and more interesting. Ya gotta let a girl in on the knowledge here!"

"That is a topic, we will inevitably broach." Came Laudable. "But, for the moment, I believe another subject has our attention. Firstly, I'm in need of resources to ensure our travels proceed as splendidly and as successfully as possible. Brother?"

"Yup?"

"We are packed for the trip, it's true. But I believe there might be some opportunities in this village worth our time."

Rudolf gave a side glance to his sister. Then simply worked his mouth into a small, relaxed smile. "Alright, alright, opportunities."

"Okay. I think I'd like an inkling what that means. Care to let a girl in on the knowledge?"

"This? Yes. We've already got the supplies we'll need to head to the forest and do some really amazing work. But she's talking about making the trip a bit safer by seeing if there's nothing that we can't scrounge up here-at least that's the vibe I'm getting?"

"You've got it mostly correct brother. That is, more or less the extent of my ambitions."

"Those goal's of yours sweetie, mind sharing with the group?" came Madeline.

"I honestly don't know if it would be more interesting to or to not tell you...I'll ere on the side of not. Simply...understand this. It will indubitably be worth your time my dear."

"So the holy mother says it, so it shall be." came Rudolf.

"Thank you."

"You getting up to muck around with that whole sister of the cloud thing always puts a smile on my face! Okay. Let's get out with it."

"Alright." came Laudable.

First, our merry band had to establish what village they were in, in the first place. Intent to leave the next morning, they hadn't gone out of their way to do it. They noticed that the land around them wasn't very fertile. Yet the people still heartily enjoyed a very pleasant sort of life. The kind that comes with easy access to water and food. They soon found that the name of the settlement was Eiseingourd. Eiseingourd was a delightful young town, and as they sooner found out, it had an interesting history with a group of mages. A long loooooong time ago, roughly 217 years ago, a mage, a student at the time named Niles Verada, had come to an interesting conclusion about a nearby mountaintop. He had discovered that under it laid a vast amount of a particular ore called iridium. Iridium, better known as 'the luck of the lass' is a strange kind of metal not particularly useful in building things, but as an alloy; it is particularly potent in applying and strengthening certain magical enchantments. It has no particular effect on any material or enchantment related to naturalistic forces. Niles wanted to sell the material, but, alas! He couldn't dig it up himself. He was...the closest you could call a mage to a metaphyscist. He dealt in abstract concepts. He knew the theory it would take to construct a spell that could uproot the metal but it not simply outside of his wheelhouse and power but diametrically opposed. However, like any good mage (which depending on your view there is either few or many of) he decided to hold back from simply powering through and trying anyway. As tempting magic with a free meal is like expecting a glutton to hold back when given the option of having a 5-star buffet. So, alternatively, our good fellow decided it to just ask for resources in the nearby town. & he got them in exchange for access to his psychological magic. Which they engineered to eventually create a well of everlasting water. Thus, despite the fact that the land around them does not naturally produce what they need, through a different usage of nature herself, they were able to thrive. Now...our intrepid adventures eventually discovered that the man they were looking for, the magi who'd summoned all of those invisible guests into that bar was part of a rather interesting contingent of the magi of the town who maintain the mining activities in the nearby mountain. Like they'd suspected, they had been in a state of civil conflict with the mages who maintain the wellsprings of everlasting life for this village.

The reason became apparent as Madeline talked with people and Rudolf snuck around behind the people she talked too long after she'd left them, and with Laudable flexing her holy authority that the kerfuffle that had led a man to bring in many mining tools that could double as extremely capable weapons into a bar of all things was monumental, soon to be, at least. So, they simply decided to diffuse the situation before it became untenable.

With a little help from the locals our adventuring group was able to persuade many, many members of the ming group to NOT...what's the word for...decide to 'softly' terrorize the populace. It was made very apparent that was what needed to happen when Laudable opted to expunge a damned soul of one of the mining crew due to the depth of his crimes. He was only different from a demon in terms of the flesh he wore. with that business taken care of, they were able to return to Eiseingourd lauded and appreciated. And, Rudolf got to get more intimate with his lady; a woman by the name of Willow. A lady who owns a small shop that sells tea, which instantly made her one of Laudable's best friends, and she cursed the fact her brother had gotten to Willow first; otherwise she could've tried to steal her away and make her her wife. But, what happens happens.

After, our intrepid adventures left the town with many interesting gifts 🎁 from the locales. Books on magic, as well as not simply food but potions the work of some premier alchemists. More than that, they brought home a guest. 3 in fact. First was the young man who'd summoned those golems. Apparently a servant of that demon-man in the mines had ordered him to send over those golems. To make a show. A demand. As part of a larger scheme to secure certain privileges in terms of authority within Eiseingourd that were...ah...a bit to find outside the hands of a king in these kinds of governmental situations. They brought him along, but who else? Not Willow. One was a serving girl. Someone to take care of their supplies and learn. Adoption by any other name. Their logistics officer and collective daughter. Finally was a boy of the cloth who'd been amazed-for more than one reason-by our immaculacy Laudable. He hadn't had that much going on back home, so he'd told his parents he simply wanted to follow his diety's guidance. It was very obvious to his parents that the guidance of the faith was hiding between the buttocks of Laudable in their son's mind, but they saw this as a good opportunity for their son to actually learn something from a reputable holy figure, and getting into danger would teach him discipline. Put all of his potential to work. They decided to let him do it once they were convinced he'd be safe enough with the group. 14 or no.