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)

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.

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."

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."

"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?"

"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.

"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?"

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?

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."

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.

"Yes," Moreton said to Baba, "I could understand that. You could imagine how I felt, coming in alone to notice her laid out - gave me a bit of the stone-wobblies, if you get me." He sighed. "Ah well. So long as no one skewers me, or anything else just as drastic, I'll be just fine.

That fictional early-morning drink I've been discussing becomes nicer-sounding all the time. It's a shame my last flask fell victim to a rude little cutpurse a week or so ago." Moreton tucked his knife back under his waistcoat and frowned. "Maybe I'll look less threatening without the weapon, which is rather a joke, if you get to know me. My cousin Patrick tends to ride me for how lackadaisical I tend to be."

Well, let's get to the bottom of this................
For now, we must assume that Poleaxedgra's attacker is not one of us three.
That leaves Poleaxedgra, Sael, Rhyll and Mordred.
It is my recommendation that we split into two teams so that we can watch each other.
Poleaxedgra wouldn't attack herself, would you My Lady.
So who had............?

Can you tell us anything that can point us in the right direction.

And while you're at it could you tell me what you've done to my telepathic powers?

Rhyll rubs his eyes with his hand and yawns. He feels good, not feeling anything out of the ordinary. With eyes half closed he felt around for his father's sword. The familiar feel of the hilt was comforting, his thoughts drifted on the events of the days before. They claimed to had added the enchantment to the blade, but he really hadn't noticed a big difference ... the color was a bit off and that was about it. Openning his eyes, he thought about Mordred and looked about to make sure none of the sunlight was pouring in.

This is when he first heard the sound of hurried conversation. Something was wrong. Rhyll stood up cautiously, straining his ears to hear what was being said. He remembered clambering into one of the small nooks to make sure Mordred stayed safe. He'd grown a bit fond of the vampire... feeling a sense of commeraderie at suffering similar fates ... at least that's how he saw it with his young eyes.

After insuring that their things were safe, and grabbing a bite from his sack, Rhyll ventured out into the main area of the shack to see what the commotion was about. And so he came upon the three men discussing their host's lack of mobility. "Good morning," he said, with a mix of cheer and inquiry. "What's happened now?"

E'noth replies from the doorway, "Morning Rhyll. I won't say good, because it looks like it isn't. As far as I can see, there is nothing out here but blue sky and way down below ground. Moreton, the Breton, found our hostess with a mean whack to the back of the head, and has tried to revive her. When I awoke I felt strange, and thought it was just this floating house, but now it seems it must have been something more. Baba-John, the Kajit, has just suggested breaking into teams and seeing if our culpret is still around, and I am inclined to agree. But I also think we should all check our stuff to see if anything is missing, or added, just in case." With that, the Nord closes the door, puts 'Ere back on his belt, and starts taking an inventory.

Baba-John returns to their quarters to check his kit.
This mess was getting worse by the minute...............
What was the possibility that one of the group been possessed by the Great Evil that lurked just beyond the Riff.
And if one of them was possessed, what could they do to catch them?
Their first attack had failed but this meant nothing.
His analytical mind was coming into play, and the laws of probability said, that if you did anything often enough, you had to succeed sooner or latter.
They were running out of time....

Oh how he’d love to scout the ruins.......
If only he had the powers of quick swim and breathing water.............
Hang on........aren’t there mages in our group.
The question nagging at the back of Baba-John’s mind though, was could he put his life into someone else’s hands.........

THE LAKE ISLAND UPDATE 2

OOC> There is no Arturius it should be Sael I have edited the first post accordingly.

On Topic

Poleaxedgra opens her eyes and immediately sniffs. "Poison. One of you smells of poison?" She points to Rhyll. "Quick man, take an emetic, make yourself throw up, you have been poisoned. Oh which of you has done has done this and why? Are we not all on the side of good?"

She pulls herself together. "Bah, of course it is not you. It is the magic of Oblivion. But it has one or more of you in its thrall and, though you do not know it, it will work against us all. You must find out who... Then perhaps I can help."

She suddenly seems faint. "I need rest, help me to a hammock please. I will be better later and will tell you more of the shrine. For the momente stablish which of you has done this deed. Do not hurt that person. It is not their fault. Oooh!"

Poleaxedgra passes out. You help her to a hammock and look at each other, especially Rhyll. Now what?

The light played onto Evaeril's eyes and he growled, turned over and promptly fell out of the hammock. Then he remembered. Muttering an elvish curse, Evaeril looked at his new weapon, an ebony blade and a bonemold bow. He sighed and thought to himself. Looks like I'm going to have to improve my marksman skills without the aid of Magick. Hearing voices he drew his sword and crept silently downstairs to a doorway. Peering through he looked around for Blacksteh but didn't see him. A tall human woman who was vaguely familiar pointed at a dumner.

"Poison. One of you smells of poison? Quick man, take an emetic, make yourself throw up, you have been poisoned. Oh which of you has done has done this and why? Are we not all on the side of good?

"Bah, of course it is not you. It is the magic of Oblivion. But it has one or more of you in its thrall and, though you do not know it, it will work against us all. You must find out who... Then perhaps I can help."

Evaeril cleared his throat and the others turned to look at him. He sheathed his sword and stepped through the doorway. "Well that sure is encouraging. If it makes anyone feel better, I just woke up. So I doubt it's me. My name is Evaeril and..." Evaeril briefly scanned the room. "I appear to be the only Khajiit here." He flicked his ear and smiled.

Mordred opens his eyes after listening the past ten minuits to the fuss everyone was making he decided to get up.he jumps out of his hammock and gets his things back where they belong. he grabs a bucket that was lying around there and walkes down to the rest of the group. He gives the bucket to Rhyll and then walks to the cupbord takes out a goblet and sits by the table. he pours some red liqued in to the goblet from a vail on his belt. takes a few gulps and then looks to the other people in the room.
"Oh, hellow there, Sorry that I didn't introduce myself but I don't thrust myself with new people when I'm thirsty, not that it has ever gone wrong." mordred asures E'noth. And then Mordred gets a dirty look on his face."you must be from the Druken Alit. I could smell that even from my sleep. Ever heared of washing yourself with something other then skooma and brandy.I'm sorry I haven't even introduced myself yet."
Mordred stands up and pulls his cap of. "I am Mordred Kaides once a redoran noble now a cursed being with broken theeth." he smiles and opens his mouth. "Oh my, our hostes isn't realy looking well." mordred walks towerd her and examines her. then he turns back to the group. "Doesn't anyone here know proper restoration." Without waiting for an awnser he sits down and starts to heal her wound on her head.

Evaeril grinned and watched Mordred work with mild amusement.

"A healer? Are you sure you should be healing after drinking?"

Then Evearil's nose twitched as he recognized that familiar smell. It was the ugly smell of death. Of slaughter. Of pain. It wasn't alcohol. He hissed and drew his sword.

"Vampire! I dare not trust you with her. Step back bloodseeker before you drink your own!" Evaeril's eyes blazed emerald green as he stepped forward, sword pointed.

Baba-John watched the people around him with utter amazement.
It had been years since he had seen people without the fog of drugs clouding his mind.
What he saw only affirmed the fact that taking Skooma was a blessed thing.

Maybe, he had attacked Poleaxedgra and poisoned another, quite possible if he had been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
But he hadn't been, had he..............

Only time would tell.
So to more pressing matters, I think we should split into groups of three/four, so that we can watch over each other.
The simplest would be an Alit - Moreton, Sael And Baba-John /Abby - Evaeril, Mordred, E'noth and Rhyll split.
Only once we split we have to stick to our group or we may find ourselves in deep water or dead.

E'noth steps up to Rhyll, and lightly places his hand on the Dunmer's shoulder. Taking a deep breath and concentrating, he weaves the cords of magica which are all around into a more usable form, and releasing it into Rhyll he mutters, "That should take care of the poison." He turns to the rest of the group and says, "Baba-John is right, we should search this place, but maybe a group of three and two groups of two would be faster and a more effective use of our resourses. As Evaeril and I have much the same feeling on our undead partner, maybe it would be best if we two teamed up, leaving Rhyll and Mordred as a team, since it will do us no good to be destracted in our search."

Turning to Evaeril, the big Nord says, "We have already been through this once, and Mordred has no teeth, so I think we can allow him to minister to our hostess. Besides, there are enough of us watching that he couldn't bite her even if he wanted to, one of us would likely get in the way."

Turning to Rhyll he asks, "What have you eaten or drunk since getting up? Do you feel any stab wounds or itchy spots where a dart could have entered? I wonder where the poison came from?"

Then he says to the room in general, "Does anyone have any alchemical equipment? I seem to have left mine behind in my haste to fight the evil of Oblivion, and I think we will need a few potions in the near future. Also, it seems our 'thief' was only looking for one type of object in particular, anything that would detect enchantment, so it might be worth it to look for new enchantments."

With that last comment, E'noth turns to Poleaxedgra and rubs his hands together as if warming them, "Now, my dear lady, lets see to that bump." And again he starts to weave the cords.

I still think we should split into groups two of four, so that we can watch over each other. Just decide who goes with whom. Don't forget to check for messages.

OOC> Your last member Hourdann has arrived. He and Evaeril arrived with you and are just as likely to be responsible for hurting Poleaxedgra as any of the rest of you.

On Topic

THE LAKE ISLAND UPDATE 2

Poleaxedgra wakens and glances around her. "I must tell you what I can of the sunken shrine. I fear it is not a great deal but it may be of help when you plan your next moves. I think though that it will be better if I keep the hut in the air until you have discovered which of you is the culprit here.

The shrine is fairly much destroyed above the lake floor, with the door close to the remains of the pedestal on which the ruined statue of Mehrunes Dagon stands. There is nowhere for the daedra to wait to guard the entrance which is I assume why they rely on fish and dreugh. Inside the door stairs lead down to a large open room with two doors one immediately across from the entrance and one to the right. If you take the entrance ahead of you you will be in a bigger hall with three additional exits straight ahead and one to each side. Going ahead again will take you to the Interior shrine bigger again with the full sized statue of the god. There is no other exit from the shrine but the way you came in.

The two side doors from the second room lead to corridors, similar to Ald Daedroth in Vvardenfell if you have been there. The corridors have rooms at each end with statues to other daedra gods, I cannot remember which. The door to that goes off to the right from the first room leads to a cave complex about which I know nothing at all. Even when it was possible to visit the shrine as a tourist this was always considered to be dangerous. I imagine that is where you will need to go.

I can answer a few questions more if you have them. I also have some ingredients and equipment for any who need it but you must use it here. "

Poleaxedgra lies back groggily awaiting your questions.

Poleaxedgra, when will my telepathic powers return?

I suggest we split up into two groups. One can stay and guard over Poleaxedgra. The other should go and explore the Shrine.

If we’re going to the shrine, I’d like to go with that group.
I am a good scout and miss little. I can levitate down to the water, but I’ll need help with Swift Swim and Water Breathing.

Poleaxedgra frowns at Baba -John. "I have no idea why your telepathic power would have gone. Unless you could use it to Detect Enchantment. If that is the problem it will come back when you identify the culprit here and let me remove the curse."

"Don't be foolish."Mordred said to baba-john."You heard what she said no one will leave this place before we know who did this." mordred walks to the door and casts an Illusion that makes it look like a piece of the wall. and then he takes two goblets from the cupboard casts something on them and gives one to baba and one to Rhyll. "If you slam them together before the door the door will reapear but forenow keep it closed.
then mordred walks back to E'noth and helps him with the healing.

Still glaring at Mordred, Evaeril reluctantly sheathed his sword. He turned to look at E'noth.

"I agree with this partner idea. I am unenthusiastic, however, about leaving this "thing" with the witch, but as long as he has his vials of blood I see no harm. A pity."

Evaeril turned to look Poleaxedgra. "It would be good to know if there is air somwhere in this ruin. Perhaps in the inner shrine. If this is so, I require only two water breathing potions. However, if there is no air, I would require four."

Evaeril then adressed the entire group. "I know none of you and none know me. But as it appears there is a traitor in our midst. Normally I would be inclined to believe it was this one," Evaeril pointed at Mordred, "but he has shown no harm and has cured the witch. I do not believe that Rhyll would poison himself. That leaves myself, E'noth, Moreton, Hourdann, Sael and Baba-John."

Evaeril paused at this last one and twitched his nose. "Baba-John, does the rest of the group know of your hidden habits or just I at this point?"

I am not ashamed of my habit so I’ll tell all.
I am a telepathic drug addict, that also happens to be one of the best thieves in Morrowind.

Baba-John started mussing, as older people tend to.
Ok let’s be logical about this.................
I can’t use my power to detect enchantments but I should be able to read everyone’s thoughts.
I definitely can’t read Poleaxedgra’s so that means she has some enchantment about her........Just like Fairgoth.........
But like I said, it’s highly improbable that she attacked herself, so let’s just leave it at that.
As the culprit might not even know they are the guilty party this could be problematic.
Not enough information to process to a conclusion.
On the other hand no one knows that.............voices mmmmmm
Why did it always happen to him...................

I know, It was the butler!

Moreton looked rather confused. "Now, I say, you mean to tell me one of us did this to our host?" He harrumphed and stuck his tongue out. "And the guilty party might not know they did it? Rubbish. This can't end well at all. I would protest that I certainly didn't do it, but no one would believe me, if I gauge the room aright. All I know is I failed at every form of martial endeavor other than throwing things at distant things - as well as shooting things at them. My father often likes to say I've the strength of wounded kwama worm. When he's not lambasting me for my other 'failures,' of course." His voice quieted, and he muttered something about how his father would never had gotten that last ell of land had he, Moreton, not had a hand in the business deal.

He turned to Poleaxedgra. "Miss," he said, "you mentioned equipment. Would you have any kind of light armor, perhaps? I'm worryingly underprepared, apparently. Would you have *any* advice on catching our benighted culprit, maybe?"

OOC> ATM Hourdann is for reaons known only to himself posting in the wrong thread. I think he is inexperienced with rpg and has made a mistake about them. I will allow him the odd newby error. So either he will be reposting here when next on line or he will be leaving the competition.

Sael may not be able to post until tomorrow.

Moreton, slow down. Ah the impulse of youth.
Anyone of us could have, probably did, commit this heyiness deed, and yes they wouldn’t know it,
if they were enchanted at the time.
The question that I ask myself is; not so much who committed the crime but to what end the crime was committed?

For example; If the object of the exercise was to stop Poleaxedgra from further helping us and I was the Enchanted one, we would be without a hostess now.
Why just hit her, on the head? Any reasonable adversary would kill an enemy while he had the chance.................


So we must assume that the object of the exercise was to rob us.
Has anyone checked the ground below for our kit that is missing, as the thief, one of us, wouldn’t take a chance by teleporting away and back again. This would have increased our chances of catching him, 100fold.
Therefore our kit must be around here somewhere, or there was someone waiting below..............




It is said; RPG was for people who didn't know how to deal with reality, but any idiot can see, that it was the exact opposite. I'll be back 17H00 GMT Monday 13March06

Moreton sighed and stood up. "Well, that's good enough advice, I suppose. I would say I chatter when I'm nervous, but that's reasonably self-evident, I would imagine. Hrm." He looked about the room. "Baba is right about one thing, I believe - it's not as though the culprit could step out without a fairly unpleasant landing. Could have taken a potion, or spell, or something, who knows?

"I'm not sure about skill, though. If someone did this while enchanted, they might not have had full access to their learning, skills, et cetera. A bit like sleepwalking. My sister used to sleepwalk - a right terror that was, being woken in the night's depths to hear someone shouting about her, dressed in her slip, wandering about the town. I think she would always mutter something about looking for biscuits.

"Robbery isn't a bad motive, of course. Even somnolent, someone could have killed her, I suppose. Has anyone searched about in the nooks and bits of this place for the missing things?"

Sael oversleeps a bit as normal and awakes looking bleary eyed.

He wanders in and see's mordred cast his illusion,
'Oh i say thats a jolly good illusion, sorry i overslept have i missed anything.'


'What something happened to our host? in the night? what happened?'

'well what would be the point of someone running away if they didn't know they did anything, and even if they did know they did it why should they run away when they could frame someone else, if i were the thief, which of course i'm not i would, maybe plant something stolen on someone else.'

*Saels stomach rumbles*

'Is there any food here or do we dig into our rations'

Sael having woken up properly now gives an enthusiastic smile.
'By the way if anyone gets hurt at all i am rather a good healer and would be happy to help'

E'noth looks up from his ministrations. Turning to face the group, he says, "Baba-John is right, we need to search the premesis, and I suppose two groups of four is the way to go - with a group of two, the posessed one, if I may use that term, could overpower his companion. Although this would expose our problem, it might eliminate one of us, so four will be better. Baba-John has suggested the two groups being those from the Alit and those from the Abbey. This sounds fine, and I think for peace of mind all around maybe Evaeril could join us from the Abbey, allowing him to keep an eye on our undead friend, and helping him to get better aqainted with him. It really doesn't matter who searches where, so if we start on the top floor and work our way down, and you Alit folks start here and work your way up, we can meet in the middle and compare notes."

Having ended his speech, E'noth looks for reactions.

"thats a fairly good plan my big friend."says mordred to E'noth.
"But what if I or another person skilled in the arts of Illusion would have hid them in the open, but still for none to see. still its worth the try." Mordred claps in his hands and stands up straight.
"Lets get going. Or else by the time we are trough, the deadre in the lake have left already."
Mordred takes another Gulp of blood and walks towerds the stairs.

Moreton slid into his best "put-upon" face. "Yes," he said, "that seems fair enough." He looked around. "What am I looking for, exactly?" He wandered the room, poking into corners, opening more cupboards, and eating a bit more. It didn't take much food to finish a decent, if not warm and copious, breakfast. "Would I," he said, grinning in a vaguely irritated, mostly amused manner, know what I was looking for, even if I found it?"

Sael says
'Very true about the illusions, i too am a dab hand at the odd illusion'

'Lead the way and I shall follow'

Sael joins Moreton in rumageing round the place, Looking for anything that may have come from our packs or looks out of place, or feels a different shape to how it looks.
*Sael Hums tunelessly and slightly off key*

to Moreton, 'i'm looking for things that feel different to how they look, or look like they are from our packs or are unusually placed.'

Sael also suggests.
' i say did you happen to notice what kind of thing could have caused the wound to our host, might give us a tad more to go on'

An examination of the wound reveals that Poleaxedgra was hit by a wooden object. The splinters of wood still in her hair are similar to those found in the rafters to which the hammocks are attached. But no weapon was found near the victim. Perhaps it was thrown out but those who glance casually at these rafters cannot see any obvious gap. Perhaps the weapon was replaced. How strange? Maybe the ceiling rafters deserve a closer examination.

The examination of the rest of the hut throws up nothing obvious but all rations have been poisoned whether food or water.

The Big Nord looks at the rafters, rubbing his chin. "There is no way those rafters are going to hold me," he says slightly bemused, "But I am sure I can boost one of you lighter fellows up there, if you wanted to have a look. We could levetate up as well, but that would just be a waste of magica really."

E'noth turns to Rhyll and asks, "You were poisoned when you got up, did you eat any of your rations when you awoke?" Stopping and staring at each in turn he says, "I have seen Mordred drink his blood, and I haven't eaten a thing this morning. Has anyone else eaten anything today?"

(OOC Malchik: were the rations that belonged to Poleaxedgra also poisoned? To the rest of our group, there is an off topic thread where we should discuss strategy)

"Eaten anything?"

Evaeril chuckled. The sound was akin to rubbing sandpaper against bone. "I dare not trust anything unless I have killed it myself."

Seeing the others look in horror, Evaeril quickly clarified. "No that does not include humanoids you fools. Not all Khajiits are barbarians. Besides... I'm special." Smiling a toothy grin Evaeril winked at E'noth, took off a glove and extended a large talon and examined it. "About those rafters...say no more my large hairless friend."

With out a further word he took off his other glove, crouched and with fluid feline agility, sprang into the rafters. Claws extended and he stuck fast. Pulling himself over the large dusty rectangular logs Evaeril immediatly spotted something. Grabbing it he jumped and landed smoothly in a crouch before the others. Standing up he offered it to them for inspection. As he held what appeared to be a large wooden oar, Evaeril spoke with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Anyone care for sailing?"

"Well, now we have our weapon, all we need is our wielder," the Nord says, scratching his head and looking at each one in the room.

Moreton blinked at the oar Evaeril had found. "That's..." He paused for a few moments. "That's different. We saw how you got it down," he said, addressing Evaeril, "but how did it get up there after someone thwacked Poleaxedgra with it?"

The healing from the poison took sometime with Rhyll. He'd kept quiet the entire time that his hutmates searched for answers. He was still in shock wondering how he hadn't noticed that he'd taken poison or that his very stash of food had been poisoned. Thinking of it still made his head spin.

By the time the rafter had been brought down for examination, Rhyll was feeling a bit more himself.
"Ok, let think about this ... Who of us can climb up their with relative ease, with the rafter in hand to replace it. Why replace it?" Rhyll catches his breath a bit with the realization that he could get up there. He's had plenty of experience climbing in the barn at home. Could there be an enchantment that strong? "Which of you can think of an enchantment that would allow this kind of control and memory-washing? --Assuming that we are all being honest and not remembering.

Evaeril shrugged.

"I'm guessing someone either threw it up there or levitated it up to hide it. It doesn't tell us much about the assailent but it suggests that there may be a boat somewhere. It might be a long shot but if we can find the boat then we can perhaps find more evidence of the culprit?
Evaeril sighed and growled.

This enchantment aspect confuses me. If this is what our culprit was hiding, why would he steal all our equipment detecting enchantments? Unless this was enchanted." Evaeril held up the wooden oar. It was dull and rough. "And this doesn't look enchanted."

Evaeril turned and looked at the witch. "Any more suggestions?"

"My knowledge of enchantments is very limited, but aren't there a few charm spells that could cause someone to obey you? I once remember seeing a thief attack a shopkeeper, then charm the man into selling him some very nice glass armour for half price, all in the same afternoon. It was his folly that I saw him do it, as the shopkeeper was a friend of mine, and the thief was not." E'noth smiles a whimsical little grin.

OOC> The piece of the rafter concerned can be reached from three of the hammocks (Sael, Evaeril and Moreton). When you remove it you find any items that had been stolen are behind it (if you had a detect enchantment object you can use it, the spell knowledge does not return) as is an empty vial of poison.

All the food has been contaminated - but that does not mean it might not be decontaminated.

Evaeril dropped the oar jumped on his hammock, climbed and examined the hidden contents of the rafter. Grabbing the vial of poison he tossed it to Rhyll. "Fancy this is yours. The best at alchemy here should probably disinfect our food."

Jumping down he quietly whispered to E'noth. "I trust that witch less and less. It is true that the rafter can be reached by three of us but I do not discount her ability to levitate."

Moreton nodded in an officious, pompous sort of manner, stopped, and laughed. "Yes, E'noth's right, I believe. The 'possessed' person could be enchanted - it would explain the missing items."

He sniffed and settled into a chair. "Is there anything else to eat? What I found was hardly enough to sate my wee little sister's hunger, and she's narrow as a netch's pride."

Evaeril looked up from his soft speaking to Moreton. "Unfortunatly not until we get an alchemist on it. Ho there! People and Vampire. Alchemist. Food. I'm hungry! Don't force me to be a barbarian." Evaeril grinned.

Evaeril turned lazily to Sael.

"Sael! Are you as good at restoring food as you are restoring people? Come now man. This food is suffering. Make it better."