[Malchik]

E'noth, Rhyll, Mordred, Moreton, Hourdann, Evaeril, Sael and Baba-John arrive disoriented and trembling after an unpleasnt teleportation. They are in a lush green meadow, seemingly a park, with clumps of trees in the distance. Sunlight is glinting on distant water. In front of you, somewhat of an eyesore in the pleasant surroundings, is an ugly wattle and daub shack standing on what looks suspiciously like oversized chicken feet. It stretches to three storeys and is quite unlike anything you have seen before.

A tall woman comes striding from it. She has raven black hair except for a pronounced white streak. Seeing your stares she waves her hand at the hut. "Oh it's not mine. I borrowed it from Babayaga, Terrible to look at but at least it can move around when I need it to. Now you'll be needing to rest after your trip I can see. But first let me tell you why you are here. A tricky assignment I fear. I hope you are up to it. You will need a very clear head each of you."

She eyes Baba-John. "And if you get withdrawal symptoms you may get everyone destroyed including me. Have this potion. It will mean that skooma will hold no attraction for you at least until after this problem has been dealt with."

The potion flies through the air and pours itself down Baba-John's throat before he can stop it.

"Now this spot is quite delightful in many ways. It is a peaceful uninhabited island in the middle of a lake. People used to use it as a park as it is only a two hours walk from Cyrodiil City."

She glares at you to make sure you are keeping up. "They no longer use it because the lake is no longer safe. There is a submerged Daedric ruin in the centre, very like the sunken Shrine of Boethiah on Vvardenfell if any of you has been there. But this is a shrine to Mehrunes Dagon."

She pauses for dramatic effect. "When the rift opened no one thought to consider this shrine a risk because it is totally submerged. And yet something very powerful has moved into the site. It has the power to grant all its minions the ability to breathe water for as long as they wish. The minions seldom leave the bowels of the shrine but they have somehow stocked the lake with slaughterfish and dreugh. We believe they are building an army here for a direct attack on the Imperial City itself. We think this because from all reports the leader is an aspect of Mehrunes Dagon himself. There will be little chance to deal him a serious blow but if we can find and disable the water breathing device or caster of the spell whichever it is, they would have to abandon the site for one further from the city."

She finishes with "I will tell you more of the shrine when you awaken. And now to your accommodation."

You climb steps into the shack which is dark and cramped. Poleaxedgra takes you to the top floor where some twelve hammocks are slung across the beams. You are too tired to argue with her and rapidly prepare for sleep. As she leaves you she says: "Don't worry if things get a bit bumpy. I will take the hut high in the air for protection. Just don't walk down the steps without checking where the ground is first."

(OOC> the thread is locked now for about an hour to mark the passing of time)

[Malchik]

THE LAKE ISLAND UPDATE 1

The group awakens completely refreshed feeling wonderful. The sensation lasts for a matter of seconds. Physically you are still fine but something is troubling your mind. You cannot tell exactly what it is but something is different. It will not take you long to discover that every enchanted item item, potion or scroll that helped you detect enchantment has been taken and those among you who knew any spell to that effect has suddenly forgotten it. Someone has been into your room. Who? And is stealing the items the only thing they have done?

The obvious answer as to 'who?' is the Poleaxedgra but when you go to find her she has been knocked unconscious. She is alive but weak, a healing potion or spell will revive her and perhaps she can tell you something of what happened.

As well as one of you doing this, everyone must perform such natural bodily functions as all creatures do (off the thread please) and then deal with such nuisances as hunger and thirst.

And so you do - or do you?

Please note that the hut is currently high above the ground.

[cuchlann]

The mood of the shack wasn't the best he'd ever seen, but Moreton felt well enough when he woke, tucked into his trembling, swaying hammock. "Right," he said, "I feel dapper as a dervish." He swung to the floor; everyone else seemed to be waking as well. "Morning," Moreton said, "or whatever time of day it is, I guess."

He trundled downstairs, hoping for a bit of a meal - bangers, perhaps, or several leaky sausages. Poleaxedgra was lolling about as he looked for food. Anything he found in the cupboards he sampled, humming mindlessly. Poleaxedgra still lolled, though it didn't look quite as comfortable as that might imply. "I say, miss," Moreton said, "should I ask after your health?" After a few moments he knelt beside her and found a fairly nasty spot of bother on her head. "I'd say that's no good, myself. Rather wool and cotton, if you understand me." He pulled a potion from a pocket and prodded the neck into Poleaxedgra's mouth. "There," he said, "it's just a bit of the old medicine, if you know - bit of a healing potion, really, though some of the stronger waters wouldn't be amiss, once you're well and standing again." Moreton waited, head tilted, on Poleaxedgra to waken. He looked for a moment toward the vasty heavens, obscured though they were by a daubed ceiling. "I'd appreciate something for helping out - not really as payment, but as good sense. That was my only healing potion, and I had to trade an excellent feather from my long-gone hat to procure it."

[phawk69]

E'noth opens one eye, slowly. "What a wonderful rest," the big Nord thinks. He hasn't felt this good in years. Slowly opening the other eye, he turns his head to better take in his oh so peaceful surroundings. He sees other beds, some of which have obviously not been slept in, and others with the occupants showing the initial signs of stirring as he is. Giving a great yawn and stretch, he clambers to the floor. Upon reaching his destination, he again stretches, this time his back giving a loud 'crack' as it readjusts itself. Feeling better, he has a closer look at his surroundings, and sees two unfamiliar faces, "Must be from one of the other gathering points," he says to noone in particular, "Wonder if it will be enough to do what we need?" One bed has obviously been recently used, but the occupant is missing. Gathering his things, he makes his way "quiet as a mouse" down stairs, which, if you have ever had mice in your house, sounds a little less distracting than a herd of Netch in rut, and finds his way down to the lower level. Upon arriving he sees the hag that met them after being teleported from the abbey with a Breton. The Breton seems to be helping the witch to stand, so ever the gentleman, E'noth steps up to lend a hand as well. Looking at the Breton he says, "Fine morning to you, sir Breton. I hope you rested as well as I did. Now it wouldn't be quite right to not introduce myself, as it seems events have transpired to throw us together. My name is E'noth R'tym, and what may I call you? Have you found anything to eat in this wonderful establishment, or do we starve on our own? And lastly, has our host had a little too much to drink? It does seem a little early in the day for that."

[cuchlann]

"E'noth," Moreton said, "good morning." He wrestled the witch into a chair standing nearby. "I found a few edibles hereabout - mostly I looked in the cupboards. I'd make something more substantial, but the last time I tried, my father had to buy a new house." He coughed. "Oh, right. Sorry - I'm a bit distracted by everything, you understand. My name is Moreton Fairfax." He smiled in his disconcerting, "I've never met you but I'm sure you're a fabulous person and it would be just awful to dash my hopes, wouldn't it? smile."

Moreton peered around, tugging at an earlobe (his, one should imagine). "I would normally agree with you, about the early hour and the poor timing of the more flattening sort of drink, but if something showed its head just now, in these circs, I'd be well-enough-pleased. I don't think our host has been hitting the waters, if you will - I believe she's been attacked, really."

Moreton looked back to E'noth. "Would you have learned more about these straits, dire as they are, than I have, by the by?"

[phawk69]

"Attacked!" E'noth bellows, "By who? The last time I checked we were floating nicely in the air!" He heads for the door to the outside world. About to fling it open and thrust his head out, he stops in a rare moment of forethought, and pulls out his throwing hammer. Then causiuosly taking the handle of the door, he slowly opens it, and peeks out to assertain their current situation.

[cuchlann]

"In the air?" Moreton watched E'noth rush to the door and draw his weapon. "Well, that does add a certain sense of mystery to the affair, doesn't it? Hrm. It seems quite safe here, anyway. Well, it's safe now, I should say." He drew a knife from under his waistcoat and quivered just a moment.

He looked to Poleaxedgra. "Lady," he said, "are you awake just yet? It might behoove everyone if you could let us know a bit about what's going on here - are we still safe? Were you robbed? Attacked? Snookered? Did you just fall over while puttering about?"

[Baba-John]

There was no need to do that says Baba-John to himself as he awakes.
I have my addiction under control..............
I'm not a child that needs pampering.
All the time realizing, that he was no more master of the Skooma and Moonsugar, than he had a choice in been here.
They said it was fate, but Baba-John knew better.
Every year there were less people willing to take a stand against evil and the more often you did, the greater the chance that this would be your last.
Baba-John did not so much fear dying as he did, fear not living. He still had so much to do.........

Listening to this woman yesterday, Baba-John's hopes were dashed...... word by word..........
He hated swimming........
Long Bows not much use under water............
Sneak.............
He slept.

The voices.............
What had happened to the voices, He couldn't hear them..........
What had that woman, Poleaxedgra, done to him........Baba-John set off to find her.......
This was something he had to sort out with her personally.

When Baba-John found them, Poleaxedgra was lying on the floor surrounded by Moreton and E'noth.
“What have you two done to our host?” Baba-John shouted at the two.
She may have annoyed us all but there’s no need to attack her.
My lady are you alright? Can I get you something? A healing potion perhaps?

[cuchlann]

Moreton sighed and wilted visibly. "Yes, of course, because I did something to her - that would make a bit of sense, at least." He turned back to E'noth. "Do you see anything out there? I'd come over as well, but it's rather far to the ground, I think, and I wouldn't want to risk knocking you out the door."

He turned back to his erstwhile accuser. "And no, I didn't do this to her. In fact, I've already given her a potion, and it would be an excellent turn of events if she were to tell us what happened. Her attacker could still be around, after all, snuffling in a dark corner, or grasping with claws to the chicken feet under these floorboards. We could be in terrible danger. Or something.

"Also, I'm still quite hungry, and I think she knows where the food is."

[Baba-John]

That was one was his compatriots, that had traveled with him from The Drunken Alit.
Perhaps they hadn’t attacked her. But if not them then whom......
Wasn’t this shack still floating?
His stomach told him so.................
Sorry Moreton...................
That’s just how it looked when I stepped into the room.