Gamard the Grim decided to pass on receiving the 'Cat Nip Toke' that was offered, choosing rather to remain alert with his senses unclouded, if it were possible from the 'Bogart Cloud' that was certain to fill the room, especially with Crow indulging the offer!

Hopefully, this 'Talking Cat' would prove to be a valuable ally, rather than an evil beastie in disguise, luring the party into a trap.

At any rate, the Knight of Holy Anger was of a mind to welcome any new allies who may be hidden in this mad maze, but he would not allow himself to let down his guard in the face of what seemed to be a tranquil atmosphere, especially with the 'Talking Cat' and Crow blowing smoke!

(((Gamard continues to assume an offensive stance with his quarterstaff in both hands, ready to strike at the 'Talking Cat' if necessary, or at any other revealed foe!)))

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! By the gods you be ugly creatures!” the cat shrieks and jumps straight out of the cask to land on top the cask beside this one. Suddenly it becomes aware that everyone is staring at it as it standing on the cask at 2 feet tall on its hind legs.

Quickly the cat drops to all four and says, “Umm. Meow. Meow. Meow.”
“Fascinating!” Alôndas said as he jumped back and stared at the talking feline. He raised an eyebrow when it dropped down and started to Meow and pretend it hadn't just spoke; a faint smile lifted the corner of his mouth just slightly. Before he could respond, others took action to capture the cat.

He stepped back as Wembley attempted to catch the slippery feline, and was unsuccessful. When Crow stepped up and addressed the cat and even offered to take a 'nip' of whatever the cat had lit up to smoke; Alôndas remained silent. This was the same Ranger who had chastised him for picking up a bottle and here he was smoking an unknown substance from a strange talking feline. Who was the reckless one now? But the Syl remained silent, it would do no good to say anything to the Ranger, if anything was going to happen it was too late now.

“Master Ivan is it?” Alôndas spoke up finally as he looked around the rest of the room, “Do you reside here? Or are you just passing through as are we?”

“Do you know if the Master of this House is home?” He asked in the end, it was a question he dearly wanted answered if possible.

(OOC: Sorry I haven't posted already, been a busy holiday season. )

Crow takes a deep inhale on the offered homemade roll but does not find the mixture here gives any pleasant feeling or euphoric experience (nor did it change his form in anyway except a slight greening of complexion). In fact, he is pretty sure this is exactly what the ...cat said it was - dried cat nip rolled into a cigarette. Might be a species thing but to the ranger it is not a good thing.

But the fact that he tried it does seem to make Ivan relax a bit as he takes the burning herbs back and draws on it again. "Mmmm...Good Nip." He says and then returns his focus - or the lack of back to the party in front of him.

“How lucky for us the meet such a fine character…..and talented too. We were cast away on this island then portaled into this dwelling. Perhaps you know enough magic to help us exit safely to a location where we might acquire passage to Portua?” suggested Dudley

"Portia? Never met her." Ivan says looking confused.

Piping into the conversation, Wembley added, "Perhaps, you might come with us?"

“Master Ivan is it?” Alôndas spoke up finally as he looked around the rest of the room, “Do you reside here? Or are you just passing through as are we?”

“Do you know if the Master of this House is home?” He asked in the end, it was a question he dearly wanted answered if possible.

"Well now, see I really don't know. I was at the estate of the Catlord. Yeah, THE Catlord. We were chilling on Nip and enjoy the company of some lovely Mollys when I needed to use the box. Well I wandered down the corridors and entered this doorway and next thing I knew - I was here. So I turned around and went back through the door, only I ended up in some room with ten really ugly dude that wanted to eat me! And I ran because I don't do violence but I don't do lunch either if you know what I mean. It was all a blur after that. Some beast with claws and teeth and fangs in a room full of weapons, some trophy room and then these living dead rats. Ugh! I eventually got myself here where no one was trying to hurt me and I could find a nice place to curl up and nap. Then you ... furless pink things woke me up." Ivan explained, "So I don't know who the host with the most is around here but I really would like to get back to the Catlord. It was a really sweet gig. Thanks for the invite big guy but I'm not really sure I am ready to risk it again. Your out might not be my out if you catch my meaning."

Gamard the Grim surveyed the situation and quickly calculated the possibilities the party may be facing if they did not reach a decision soon.

"Ivan is it?"

He merely stared at the talking cat without making a move offensively, reflecting upon the information the creature had shared with the group mere moments ago:

"Well now, see I really don't know. I was at the estate of the Catlord. Yeah, THE Catlord. We were chilling on Nip and enjoy the company of some lovely Mollys when I needed to use the box. Well I wandered down the corridors and entered this doorway and next thing I knew - I was here. So I turned around and went back through the door, only I ended up in some room with ten really ugly dude that wanted to eat me! And I ran because I don't do violence but I don't do lunch either if you know what I mean. It was all a blur after that. Some beast with claws and teeth and fangs in a room full of weapons, some trophy room and then these living dead rats. Ugh! I eventually got myself here where no one was trying to hurt me and I could find a nice place to curl up and nap. Then you ... furless pink things woke me up." Ivan explained, "So I don't know who the host with the most is around here but I really would like to get back to the Catlord. It was a really sweet gig. Thanks for the invite big guy but I'm not really sure I am ready to risk it again. Your out might not be my out if you catch my meaning."
The Knight of Holy Anger knew they were wasting precious time and needed to make a move ... any move ... that would help the party solve their collective dilemma.

"Well Ivan," the Khord began as amicably as he was able to do under the circumstances, "the living dead rats have been dispatched and are no longer a threat to you or anyone else for that matter."

He paused to register any suspicious reaction from the friendly appearing feline, before proceeding any further with his interrogatory exhortation, while also gauging the reactions of his comrades.

"It would seem to me that you would stand a better chance of survival against ten really ugly dudes that wanted to eat you; or against some beast with claws and teeth and fangs; or for that matter, any other unknown monstrosities lurking about these premises," he leaned closer to make his point clear as he gripped his quarterstaff with both hands, "by sticking with a group of friendly strangers ... namely us ... who may be your only hope of protection!"

Then turning to Crow, the Knight of Holy Anger nonchalantly asked the question, "Which way do you suggest we go next to try to escape this puzzling madhouse maze?"

Then turning back to Ivan, he spoke as indifferently as possible, "You coming with us Ivan? Or are you content to smoke your nip and wait for some evil creature to find you and eat you?"

(((Gamard positions himself between Ivan and the rest of the group, as he continues to assume an offensive stance with his quarterstaff in both hands, ready to strike at any foe; while he waits for a decision from Ivan, Crow and the rest of the group!)))

"Well now, see I really don't know. I was at the estate of the Catlord. Yeah, THE Catlord. We were chilling on Nip and enjoy the company of some lovely Mollys when I needed to use the box. Well I wandered down the corridors and entered this doorway and next thing I knew - I was here. So I turned around and went back through the door, only I ended up in some room with ten really ugly dudes that wanted to eat me! And I ran because I don't do violence but I don't do lunch either if you know what I mean. It was all a blur after that. Some beast with claws and teeth and fangs in a room full of weapons, some trophy room and then these living dead rats. Ugh! I eventually got myself here where no one was trying to hurt me and I could find a nice place to curl up and nap. Then you ... furless pink things woke me up." Ivan explained, "So I don't know who the host with the most is around here but I really would like to get back to the Catlord. It was a really sweet gig. Thanks for the invite big guy but I'm not really sure I am ready to risk it again. Your out might not be my out if you catch my meaning."
"Well Ivan," Gamard began as amicably as he was able to do under the circumstances, "The living dead rats have been dispatched and are no longer a threat to you or anyone else for that matter. It would seem to me that you would stand a better chance of survival against ten really ugly dudes that wanted to eat you; or against some beast with claws and teeth and fangs; or for that matter, any other unknown monstrosities lurking about these premises," he leaned closer to make his point clear as he gripped his quarterstaff with both hands, "by sticking with a group of friendly strangers ... namely us ... who may be your only hope of protection!"

As Crow listened to the conversation between the strange cat and Gamard he had to admit the Khord Knight had a point.

“Ivan, if I may call you that, my friend has a point. I think it would be easier for both you and us to travel together. You wish to get back to your Catlord and we wish to leave this maze of rooms and portals. Also you have knowledge we do not and that could be invaluable for us to escape this place. Lastly I enjoyed your nip and wish to sit with you and enjoy it more and if it is within my power I promise to restock you with the same.”

As Crow awaited Ivan’s answer he was addressed by Gamard

"Which way do you suggest we go next to try to escape this puzzling madhouse maze?"

“Well as I believe in the truth of Ivan’s story it is clear that to use these portals could be more dangerous then is perhaps necessary. Unless there is no where else to go I say we avoid them and for now continue up these steps”

Dudley listened to the cat and what he said seemed most interesting if it is true.

" Well then moving about is just a random act of luck, how wonderful. Wembely old follow you seem to have your wish to explore. It sounds like there may not be a preferred way to travel, by doors, by portals or a mix seems to just put you someplace else and there is no back tracking as you wished check. So to aid our venture I'll dash off a quick prayer:

Oh Sheilin although it's so thrill'n to be chill'n with our new found friend here Ivan.

If you'd be will'n to be fill'n your devoted chill'n with some luck.

Then we'd be behoove'n to be move'n while Ivan's groove'n to places safer.

And with your Grace, find a place to lead us home. "

Ivan listens intently on Crow’s and Gamard words. Either that or he has completely zoned out and is left staring. You can’t be too sure. Finally the orange cat says, “Okay, I see where you are coming from. Just understand I am not a fighter by any stretch of the imagination. No violence will be done be me. You dig? I’m a lover, not a warrior.”

(Assuming some acknowledgement)

"Now this wine cellar is a mind twister if you had not noticed. You can go up forever or down forever and still keep going through the same rooms. Really quite annoying. Now I believe I came in the portal at the top of the stair”, he says pointing up the stairs to the only room you have not gone to yet. “Now that portal lead to where the ten ugly creatures were trying to eat me. There is nothing up in that room to bother you. Whole lot of bottles. I have found so far that every room has four portals. there may be some doors but in the end, the portals are the only way too get from room to room.”

Mal finally speaks, the daze wearing off of him, and suddenly says, "Then our choice be an easy one. If there be 10 beasts guardin the portal above, then they be guarding something in particular. I say we be findin' out what. Ain't much use wanderin' randomly..."
He looks to Gamard for the Khord's opinion, trusting in his battle tactics and wisdom to confirm, or veto the Swashbuckler's declaration. Looking to Ivan, he adds, "I dinne' expect you to join in the fightin'. Simply stay behind us and you'll be safe enough...."

"Aye Friend Mal," responded the Khord Cleric of Solanis to the proposal put forth by the Swashbuckler, "Ivan must be shown that Ten Beasties are no reason to hide!"

Gamard the Grim studied the countenance of each of his shipwrecked comrades, before allowing a smirk of satisfaction to curl at the corners of his mouth.

"What Say Ye Friend Crow?"

The Knight of Holy Anger was agreeable enough to listen to any reasonable plan of search and destroy!

"Ye Have Five Arrows and a Bow Friend Crow," stated Gamard as he lifted his own quarterstaff high and then pointed it in the direction of the stairs and the adventure waiting beyond the beckoning portal, "What Plan of Action Would Ye Propose?"

"Well what if they were just sucked in here like us and Ivan?

It wouldn't be lucky to hurt more folks wanting to get out.
They may think we are a bit too big to eat, so they might talk first."

"Dudley's right," Wembley quipped thoughtfully. "No use killing unnecessarily. Let's just go and see what's up there. Now that we have a lucky cat with us, who knows what good fortune awaits."

He paused a moment, thinking a bit more. "Still... might not hurt to have our weapons close at hand... just in case."

"Now this wine cellar is a mind twister if you had not noticed. You can go up forever or down forever and still keep going through the same rooms. Really quite annoying. Now I believe I came in the portal at the top of the stair”, he says pointing up the stairs to the only room you have not gone to yet. “Now that portal lead to where the ten ugly creatures were trying to eat me. There is nothing up in that room to bother you. Whole lot of bottles. I have found so far that every room has four portals. there may be some doors but in the end, the portals are the only way too get from room to room.”
Alôndas listened to the talking cat and to the others discussing what to do; after listening to them all he made his own suggestions.

“I looks like we will be unable to avoid these portals,” he said as he looked at the nearest one in this room, “if we hope to get out of this place.”

When talk turned to dealing with the 10 nasties that tried to eat Ivan, the mage nodded in agreement with several others, “There is no need to kill, if it can be avoided, but we should be prepared for trouble. I think we should confront these beings to see what, if anything, they know of this place.”

The party (plus cat) move upstairs to the next room. It is very much like the other rooms you have seen here except this one seems dedicated to meads and honey wines. As predicted, there is another portal and another stairs upwards. When one of you runs up the stairs, they find the first room you had entered with the vodka, however the ninja man is gone and the vodka bottle he rescued is sitting upright on the floor where he had laid.

Caught in a corkscrew of weirdness and wine, the portals are once again, your only option. Ivan looks around the room of mead and says, “Yeah. Pretty sure this is where I came in. “

So with no other lead to go on, you prepare yourself for possible combat with the ten ugly dudes that Ivan warned you of, and then go through the portal.

You enter a large, empty room (80x80) illuminated brightly with magic light from the ceiling 20 feet above. There is an enclosed square area in the center which appears to have seams running from floor to ceiling. There is a black opening in each wall and a selection of weapons hanging on the left and right walls. There are some vacant spots on the racks suggesting that other items have been removed – especially the sword rack which is almost bare (one long sword, two short swords, a falchon and a bastard sword remain).

“Oh dear!” Says Ivan with a dramatic air of dread. “Not this room! This is where that thing with the claws and the fangs and the hey hey hey came out of that block there. Better arm yourselves fast dudes because we are going have company.”

As soon as Ivan says that, suddenly all the black portals in the room flicker and disappear, leaving only stone walls where they once were. You have no exits anymore.

OOC: There are a wide selection of weapons in here, except the swords which are as listed above only. Longbows, shortbows, crossbows, polearms, maces, hammers, flails - are all on the racks.

Mal nods in satisfaction as they step through the portal into a room with a wide, some what impressive array of weapons. Finally, everyone could have good, trustworthy steel in their hands...

“Oh dear!” Says Ivan with a dramatic air of dread. “Not this room! This is where that thing with the claws and the fangs and the hey hey hey came out of that block there. Better arm yourselves fast dudes because we are going have company.”

As if on cue, all possible exit portals flicker and diminish, leaving an uneasy feeling in the pit of the Swashbuckler's stomach. Raising his Saber before him, it's weight reassuring, he takes a single step forward. Prepared for anything he could imagine, and hoping it wasn't so bad. After all, Ivan was but a cat... Things would naturally seem scarier to one so small.... Right?

Wembley was excited. A talking cat! "Just wait 'til Uncle Tinder hears this tale," he said to himself, looking admiringly at their new companion. "Ha! That'll top his dancing badgers tale!"

It took the little cidal's eyes half a moment to readjust to the lighting of the new room. Weapons adorned all the walls. "Wow! Master Putnam is quite the collector."

Wembley had been impressed by the fine collection of drinks. Better than even ol' Ayrn's stores at the Tavern.
This armory of weapons was no different. The cidal's heart nearly burst forth in joy when his eyes spotted a neat row of staff-slings to his right. "Now that is more like it!" he exclaimed.

“Oh dear!” Says Ivan with a dramatic air of dread. “Not this room! This is where that thing with the claws and the fangs and the hey hey hey came out of that block there. Better arm yourselves fast dudes because we are going have company.”
"Claws and fangs and hey, hey, hey?" Wembley repeated, his curiousity peaked. "Say more, Master Ivan. How did you escape this creature last time?"