<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Day 85, Race of Eight Winds Prelude</span></span></div><br/>Lillin flew towards the Sun Tower, swerving about to try and seize on new angles.<br/><br/>"Oooh, this one is just<em>perfect!"</em>she exclaimed. "Hold on while I get my...Kleris, your arm's in the way-"<br/><br/>So ecstatic was the tiefling's need to draw that she lost her aerial footing. The pair spun about, although to Kleris' point of view it seemed like the very heavens were spinning instead.<br/><br/>"Oh no, I'M SORRY!!!" Lillin screamed as she hugged her friend close, hurtling through the sky.<br/><br/>And then they landed after a crash and tumble. Seemingly on a square building out of nowhere, but in fact was quite real. The Ignes School of Illusion, which was now just visible now that the pair touched it.<br/><br/>"Ouuuuch...Kleris you okay?"<br/><br/>Once Kleris' state of being was confirmed safe, she looked over the side, down to the ground, five stories below.<br/><br/>"Oh damn. I didn't prepare<em>feather fall</em>today."<br/><br/>And then suddenly Lillin burst into tears. "I'm such an idiot! I ruined this nice little outing because I didn't think ahead and took a stupid risk! I...if you're mad at me, I understand."<br/><br/>"Hey, is someone crying up there?"<br/><br/>(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ee/57/60/ee5760e0645b305bf9c07a7d76dd5772.jpg)<br/><br/>It was Marcus, whose horned visage peeked out of a top floor window.<br/><br/>"Looks like you two could use a little help."<br/><br/>...<br/><br/>After the pair were safely inside, Lillin dusted off her skirt and shook the minotaur's rather large and muscular hand.<br/><br/>"So ummm, talk about timing! Good thing you were there and all to help us!"<br/><br/>"After the play, I got a lot more free time to catch up on my homework," Marcus explained as he conjured an illusory songbird in his hand. "Been taking some<em>Art of Illusion</em>classes on the weekends, or during holidays. I guess I found a greater appreciation for simulated worlds during time in theater. It's made my idle time a lot more entertaining, too."<br/><br/>Marcus gave a bit of a snort and a laugh. "Anyways, what were you two doing on the roof?"<br/><br/>"Well, it's kind of silly..." Lillin said, averting her eyes and twiddling her fingers. "Kleris and I were flying in the air and partaking of Redhurst from above, and then well...I kinda wanted to...sketch the Sun Tower, from an aerial angle..."<br/><br/>"That's not silly at all!" Marcus said. "But next time, if you need a bit of vertical viewing, just ask me for help!"<br/><br/>The minotaur grabbed Lillin by the waist with little effort, eliciting a laugh from her.<br/><br/>"Your turn Kleris!" he did the same with Kleris, but...with his big strong hands around her slender waist, feeling the rush of air soar from the lift...Kleris couldn't help but appreciate how firm, how<em>manly,</em>he held her. And he looked kind of hot, too. The thought of being grabbed by Marcus caused lewd thoughts to enter Kleris' mind, of other ways he could grab her...<br/><br/>And then her feet were back touching the floor again.<br/><br/>"Well we're really glad you were here, Marcus. I think we can find our way down without falling now, haha."<br/><br/>"Wait."<br/><br/>Lillin looked up at the minotaur, her curious expression reflected in his eyes. "Yes?"<br/><br/>"I...well, we had lots of time to hang out during play rehearsal, but...are either of you free later this week? I finished my studies today, and wanted to know if you were planning on doing anything sometime. Maybe study together, you know, or go see an opera or..."<br/><br/>Marcus scratched the back of his head. "...or whatever it is you two like doing."<br/><br/>"I'd be up for anything really, and i should be free this weekend<em>[Day 90]</em>." Lillin looked over to Kleris. "How about you?"<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Relationship and Experience</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>Gain Relationship Level 4 with Lillin! Gain Relationship Level 1 with Marcus! Gain 500 Experience!</strong></div></div><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Day 86, the Race of Eight Winds</span></span></div><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">“Hmm, secret, warded, extraplanar catacomb.  That is definitely suspicious.  Plus some mysterious spy poking around.  I was doing my own investigation before, and a homonculus stole a five-book series on evocation magic.  I think there may be more to discover here.  I recently… discovered, I suppose, a letter my father left for me.  An explanation of what he was looking for.  It basically boils down to a multiverse conspiracy of death cults, or at least some connection between an inner circle of those worshipping the various gods of death.  That explains what he was doing looking for research materials and Redhurst.  And it makes me wonder if some of those materials or something else is hiding in the catacombs, too secret to even be kept in the school itself…”<br/>Kleris let Rensha examine the ring, listening to Zull’s report, when Horishkad itself spoke up.  “Yeah, um, everyone, this is Horishkad. Horishkad, this is everyone.  Apparently dad found him, or this ring, and left it to me years ago, and now it’s kind of an advisor and protection, since it can’t go home.  And it goes without saying that, like everything else in CUMS, Horishkad is top secret information.”<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>The entire group was silent upon hearing Kleris' information. Then they all responded with "Hi Horishkad."<br/><br/>"Tell him we're grateful for him picking me up out of danger back in Allain," Lillin said.<br/><br/>"Ugh, necromancy," Rensha said with a shiver. "I<em>hate</em>the idea of folks doing stuff with bodies long after their soul can do anything about it."<br/><br/>"Barring hot vampires, that I'm okay with," Zull said with a wink.<br/><br/>"I'm most interested in the homunculus, actually,"Carson said. "It would half to be a creation of someone here in Redhurst. Every such entity is owned by the school, and I doubt a rogue one would have gotten far inside. But...if it's stealing tomes, perhaps it's using the catacombs to hide..."<br/><br/>"Sounds like our best lead is this secret underground space in Redhurst then," Rensha said. "There's a chance it may not...oh who are we kidding, it<em>won't be safe.</em>But I get the feeling something bad will happen in the future if nothing's done."<br/><br/>"We should fill in Arturon on this when we can," Zull said. "And plan such an expedition when we have the time. Although unlike Allain, it'll be closer to school itself...barring extraplanar shenanigans."<br/><br/>Lillin appeared reserved. "Actually...I'm kind of worried about doing this. Allain we got out by the skin of our teeth. Maybe...maybe we should ask a teacher for help, who we can trust?"<br/><br/>"But can we really trust any of them?" Carson asked. "Even if they don't have an evil aura, they can still be manipulated, found out, or enchanted. The more folk we bring into this, the wider the net we cast and thus the more holes the fish can escape through."<br/><br/>"I hate to say it, but I agree with Carson," Rensha said. "Well, anything else to ask or bring up before we close today's meeting?"<br/><br/>"We'll need to raise funds to outfit ourselves for delving, too," Zull added. "Unless one of us has rich parents, we may need to chip in some more time at the various small businesses around campus."<br/><br/><em>If Kleris broaches the subject of Rachel's calendar idea, she can roll 2 Diplomacy checks for Zull and Rensha today as part of Calendar Hunt sidequest.</em><br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Calendar Hunt</span></span><br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/3y1ChkY.jpg)</div><br/>This is handled as its own section, as it's not a single day per but more a list of context-sensitive challenges for setting up Rachel's bikini calendar.<em>Make rolls for Day 85 through 89 for a response to this post.</em><br/><br/>It is a 3 step process, with each step requiring one day per roll. Step 2 is an exception, as multiple rolls may be made for each girl Kleris seeks to recruit. Girls who can be gained automatically do not count, but do count if rolling to convince them for<em>Secret Nudes.</em><br/><br/><strong>Contacting Lillin:</strong>Automatic as you mentioned it earlier.<br/><br/>"Bikini calendar? Well, that could be a good idea. Even better way to raise some funds on the side without doing hard work. I Think that Elmira would be open; she's still finding ways to supplement her income. Asma too, as she's still in her 'funtime' phase."<br/><br/><em>Lillin grants Kleris a +2 aid another bonus for all checks.</em><br/><br/><strong>Step 1, Scouting for Talent:</strong>A full calendar will require more than just Kleris' circle of friends. The image club also wants group shots and wants a diverse assortment of girls for each month of the calendar to keep things interesting. Looking around school for the prettiest girls requires a DC 15 Perception check. Use of<em>Disguise Self, Alter Self, Invisibility,</em>or a similar spell imposes a +2 bonus per spell level as this allows Kleris opportunity to get undressed near them and scan their bodies for blemishes and imperfections.<br/><br/><strong>Step 2, Convincing:</strong>Whether by playing to their greed for coin, pride for flaunting their bodies, trust as a friend, or whatnot, Kleris has to use good old-fashioned Diplomacy. Most Redhurst girls are Indifferent and pretty (12 Charisma) so the base DC is 16. It counts as lengthy and complicated aid (enduring bright lighting, poses, photo club ogling them, etc) for +5 so the DC is 21. Volunteering for a<em>Secret Nudes</em>model counts as dangerous aid ("don't you know how many perverts are out there?!") for a DC 26. For certain NPCs, particularly ones Kleris is a good friend, they are Friendly and thus the DCs are 16 (standard) and 21 (Secret Nudes).<br/><br/>Relationship bonuses with specific NPCs can be added as a bonus.<br/><br/><strong>Aikaterne (Indifferent):</strong><em>I never understood the two-legged need for bikinis. They hardly cover up anything, and it's easier to swim in the buff. But I won't protest if you think it may be fun.</em><br/><br/>Already goes around school topless, so can automatically be part of<em>Secret Nudes.</em>But said topless nature sort of demystifies her body, so more creative means of eroticism is required, imposing a -2 penalty on Spellcraft checks for photoshoot.<br/><br/><strong>Asma (Indifferent):</strong><em>Sounds fun, but I hope that the calendars don't make their way back to the Jeweled Islands! I don't think my dad would approve, that ol' fuddy duddy.</em><br/><br/>White hair and tattoos adds to a distinctive appeal and may generate more money, but the runes aren't as photogenic (add +2 to spellcraft DC).<br/><br/><strong>Elmira (Friendly):</strong><em>Hmmm, maybe I can become a model. I know this figure will help pay off my tuition!</em><br/><br/>Needs no Diplomacy to recruit or for<em>Secret Nudes.</em><br/><br/><strong>Evgenia (Indifferent):</strong><em>It may be difficult getting into this two-piece. My talons are rather sharp and all...</em><br/><br/>Very photogenic (-2 spellcraft DC) but her wingspan and talons cause girls to subconsciously keep their distance from her in group photos (+2 concentration DC).<br/><br/><strong>Filomena (Indifferent): </strong><em>Is this part of Redhurst protocol? Hmmm, there's nothing against it in the rules, but you're going to share the proceeds fairly with the models, right?"</em><br/><br/>As a prefect it is DC 31 to convince her to take part in a<em>Secret Nudes</em>edition. But her ethical standards ensures that everyone involved gets fair wages and no short-shifting, thus more money for Kleris.<br/><br/><strong>Lillin (Friendly):</strong><em>There's already quite a bit of nudes of me circulating...although I suppose having strategically placed cloth can have its own sort of sexiness.</em><br/><br/>Requires no DC to talk her into it, or to do a<em>Secret Nudes</em>edition.<br/><br/><strong>Miscellaneous Girls (Indifferent): </strong><br/><br/><em>Hey Firstie!<br/><br/>You want us to do WHAT?<br/><br/>Hey, it might be fun!<br/><br/>I think Raheem's in the photo club. This could be your big chance, Maria!</em><br/><br/>No particular special circumstances. This counts not as individual, but Kleris recruiting various girls he does not personally know. Succeeding on this check is a requirement for going to Step 3.<br/><br/><strong>Naila (Indifferent):</strong><em>Sounds fun but...I'm kinda nervous when put under the spotlight. And maybe...we can get a female photographer, or a gay boy? I dunno, that would make me more comfortable in posing, although I realize a lot of boys are gonna want that calendar for, you know...</em><br/><br/>Diplomacy DC is 5 lower (16/21) but requires Kleris to take<em>captured images</em>of her instead of the photo club.<br/><br/><strong>Rensha (Friendly): </strong><em>Eh...I'll do it for raising funds for the next CUMS mission, but I don't like the idea of guys slobbering all over my body...</em><br/><br/>Trusts Kleris enough that Diplomacy for normal shoot is automatically successful. But DC 31 for<em>Secret Nudes</em>edition.<br/><br/>Is actually quite good at<em>capturing images,</em>so imposes a +4 aid another if not a model.<br/><br/><strong>Utari (Indifferent):</strong><em>I should probably ask Arturon first. See if he's okay with it.</em><br/><br/>As a prefect it is DC 31 to convince her to take part in a<em>Secret Nudes</em>edition. But as a diviner she's excellent in predicting ideal scheduling for all the girls, granting a +4 bonus on Spellcraft checks for the photoshoot.<br/><br/><strong>Zullinat (Friendly): </strong><em>Oh wow these samples are pretty! Will Naila be there too?</em><br/><br/>Grants a +2 aid another on concentration checks when Kleris herself poses due to instructions and moral support.<br/><br/><strong>Step 3, Posing for Shots:</strong>And when said talent is found and gathered, now comes the<em>image-capturing.</em>Although the photo club handles the brunt work, things need to be just right. If Kleris herself poses, she needs to succeed at a DC 15 concentration check to remain still despite distractions.<br/><br/><strong>Step 4 [Optional], Help Take Pics: </strong>Kleris can fill in for a photographer and<em>capture images</em>of girls, in which case it's a Spellcraft check (DC 15 average, DC 20 good, DC 25 amazingly photogenic, +2 from aid another).