#rivervale_lodge

Connor is looking at the paper, and then gives Brogan a big smile. "I'm everyone's friend, a PAL-adin. I have a halberd and I am 8 feet tall and my name is Dogmar Jammybite."

Brogan says "Your loyalty does you credit." he looks over the character sheet to make sure they're on the same page though "Don't forget your Paladin edicts... that's like a code. Gods are optional"

Lyane smiles "I LIKE your concept, Connor. We need more friends " Then she says "I have two options that aren't taken... a healer priestess of Spectra, goddess of rainbows and cheer, or Sneakhug, the Trif Rogue for traps and stealth"

Connor has filled in 20s for all of his stats, down the line.

"I rolled well." He says, tail wagging.

Brogan LOOKS at him "How? It's a point buy system"

Lily fusses protectively, "Really, Squire Brogan, must sidhe even control math now?"

"Control math?" Brogan boggles

"There IS a die rolling option in character creation" Cleo says having read the books MOST religiously

"The highest stat you get that ways is an 18, okay maybe ONE twenty" Brogan admits "Depending on your ancestry"

Layne sees what's going on, and says "Connor... even your liege had to work Her way up to 20s in everything... maybe Dogmar is starting just a bit lower in some areas?"

"Can I have all twenties too?" Jack perks up

"No," Brogan says to Jack

"But 20s LOOK nicer." He insists. "The graceful curve of the twos, the satisfying roundness of the Ooos. We should ALL have 20s!"

Cleo looks at her own sheet "Do we have to have perfect characters to do it right?" she seems a bit distressed by the notion

"All twenties would be even" Lily sides with Connor... just because. Yes. Perhapss to annoy the sidhe. Yes that's it

"As long as we have fun..." Layne starts to say to Brogan

"No no no," Brogan says, "Connor, you may have ONE stat at 20. One. that's it. It will have to be 'nice' enough for the other stats" A stubborn jaw set

“THREE 20s.” Connor counters!

"How about a single 20 and a whole bunch of zero twos, it's the same graceful curve and satisfying roundness but flipped " Brogan offers a bit dryly

"Wow, that would make even Brokus look smart" Jack realizes

“Okay, I’ll settle on 6 twenties. One for me, one for Jack, one for Layne, one for Lily and one for Cleo.”

“ and that’s my final offer!!”

Brogan looks ready to swear an oath of GM's Vengeance, but a GM must be cautious at swearing such, for he who swears it often ends up playing with himself, a phrase that makes wilders laugh for some reason

"Everyone can have ONE 20 for each character" he says

A winning smile from Connor “ well why didn’t you say so in the first place? That sounds great.”

Brogan makes a mental note to sic a Gazebo mimic on Dogmar later in the story "Right, now, anyone have a preference of the two concepts Layne has?"

"Why not both? She could be a snuggly healer. Who heals... by SNUGGLING!"

"I don't think that's possible" Layne says 'Rules wise"

Connor looks to Brogan. "Do the rules SAY you can't snuggle?"

"Oh, it totally is, and legal too" Cleo blurts "I could help you do it. Can I Help her, Brogan?"

Brogan holds up a hand "Sure... and you can do it, it might slow advancement in both areas at a cost but she'd certainly be well rounded"

"Good! The rounder you are, the better you can cuddle."

Cleo smiles "Score one for boggans on that" And she gets to helping Layne

It doesn't take long, and there are snacks and drinks

Folks adjust their characters to include the single twenty, but in an act of Daireann charity, AND because she's a much easier player to deal with, Brogan gives Layne 2 18s instead... which Connor may or may not over hear depending on his keep pup ears, for Brogan says it quietly. Lily's eyes light up

Connor's ears twitch, and he tries to decide if he should be offended on her behalf. Math is not his strong suit.... so he looks to Lily questioningly.

Lily whispers "She asked for it, so she can do both parts well. It's okay, Connor. Fear not. Dogmar 's friends are not cheated"

Brogan takes his place and speaks, "Things have been dire in the great Lands of the Mac Feely... its greatest warrior, Keshan of MIghty Leaps, has gone missing. Normally he would be the hero the lands turn to put out the winter fires of the West, warm the Blight Freeze about the lochlands.... .and bring magic books to stop the Fog of Stupidity in the Southlands.. but with him gone, other heroes are sought out, and even a few villains who know how to place nicely with others. A group of adventurers are needed... to find the lost Keshan, a group will have to find the most powerful scrying device ever invented... the Romping mirror... it can see ANYONE"

Connor leaps up. "We should go on a quest! Into the dreaming! And save the real Keshan of Mighty Leaps!"

"Then he can put out the fires in Hollywood!"

"Let's go! Shadowpaw, ASSEMBLE!"

"We're supposed to be playing others?" Lily hints "No shadowpaw here in game"

"But... why would we play when we could be saving lives?" He looks puzzled.

Brogan sighs

"I guess we're not gaming then?" He asks

Connor pats Brogan on the arm. "Maybe not gamemaster, but you can be Questmaster if you like?"

"Well," Brogan puts things away "Let's go get Ylva and Swilla, we'll need the muscle. We'll also need to use a few trods to get there because NO adult is going to give us a car ride to fight fires"

Connor beams! "I have a friend who knows all the trods like the backs of his hooves."

At that the kids get curious, but nod..soon they are gathering essential stuff... food, care packages, water balloons