In the Yaleson house...
Niklas keeps showering the skeptics with his dialogue.
"Heat? Cast a cold spell."
"Sorry, none of us are in that branch of magery, either."
"Quite a pity, that."
However, before the sad lack of energy manipulators can be lamented further, Sigmund interjects!
"So, this thing grows in places where blood has been spilled, but it isn't the true origin of it's name, isn't it? I mean, a mushroom with these properties, when eaten, would grow inside it's host and devour him, while feeding in his bodily fluids, am I right?"
"Actually, no. When placed in heat and humidity, they do indeed grow, but the unfriendly climate of the human stomach is rather good at limiting its growth, particularly if it's chewed up well. If eaten raw, it may cause significant discomfort for several hours, but it is not life-threatening unless you try to just eat one whole, which would probably clog up your esophagus before even reaching the stomach. Then you really would be in trouble. The main danger of the murdercap is its spores, which will cover anyone unfortunate enough to approach it when it's truly ripe and ready to release a cloud of the stuff. And from what I know, they're very difficult to get off. And if one inhales them, they are usually pretty deadly, exploding the lungs in about an hour or so."
Sigmund nods and turns to the Artiste.
"In the port there are many boats that can fulfill your desires, sir. Unfortunately, as I think that nobody here know anything about sailing, we will have to rent one, instead of taking it by force. As I don't think you have any means of generating gold, I created a plan to acquire it. I just wanted you to know, sir. Oh, and, before I forget, you will probably get in a ship, if I manage to get one, under the name of a Duke, a Duke's son, nephew, brother or even a bastard son. I'm just telling you in case we have to depart quickly."
He scratches his chin.
"And where do you want to go, anyway?"
"Oh, an island in the Sea of Death. Horizon Isle, to be exact. And renting a boat sounds like a sound plan. I wouldn't know the difference between port, starboard and a mizzenmast, if asked. I'm sure the rest applies to us all. Well, maybe except the chef."
Niklas pays them no mind, walking up to Mark and slicing a mushroom from his body. Mark seems to have taken this rather badly, as he immediately considers immolation.
[Mark fire making roll: 5]
He grabs all sorts of junk nobody will miss from some of the dusty old rooms and constructs a handy pyre in the living room where the jester used to be. He then steps into this fire!
He quickly heats up, and mushrooms begin to grow all over his body, including his tree-face, as it rises in temperature. Some of the lower ones blacken soon enough, falling off in a short while. The others don't look quite as eager to do this, and when his tree-head starts to feel rather uncomfortable, he steps out of the fire, stumbling slowly over to the dead boar and punching it several times with two heated, mushroom-covered fists of justice!
It elicits curious gazes from the mages, but little else.
Morton and Kevin, lacking in paper, yet determined not to be put down by it, have one last chat before leaving.
"Well, I suppose we're out of paper then, truly sad. I hope we can find you some in the times to come, assuredly it can't be that hard to come across. Either sir, shall we, as they say, get a move on? The road is calling, I believe. If you have anything else pressing, I shall wait for you outside, if not, however, let us get to walking then."
Since Kevin remains silent, Morton assumes he really doesn't have anything pressing at the moment. And so they're off to a grand adventure. They wander down to Shriekpot, stopping several times along the way to appreciate the scenery like true hikers, reaching it within the hour.
Ah, delightful Shriekpot. City of wharves, city of magic!
In Shriekpot...
Scott, stroking his Gary-sheet lovingly, goes about the wharves and looks for suitably luxurious ships. Sadly, it doesn't look like luxury is a high priority in this part of the docks. There are several boats in the area, most of them low-grade cargo vessels. There is, however, also a strange-looking affair with three words emblazoned on the side in golden letters - "The Festive Pelican". Looks like a cargo vessel, but something's unusual about it.
Back in Emlocke...
Darren tries to smash the water jars of the belligerent man!
[Telekinesis roll: 4]
As the slightly blushing man draws a jar, Darren smashes it into tiny bits in his hand, covering his arm in the stuff! Oddly enough, the water burns away part of his robe sleeve, revealing a strange arm seemingly made of tiny little cubes there. Huh. Well, gotta run!
[Darren quick escape roll: 4]
Darren rapidly disappears into a wall, the dog still looking on curiously.