BastardJack says, "Well, going afk anyway. I'll be quick. Start w/out me."
Eolo says, "copying them"
GameMaster says, "Well, we'd left off with the two knights on horseback."
Cadiz pokes Giovanna. "You awake?"
Giovanna squirms.
Giovanna says, "It's not seemly to poke ladies, sir."
GameMaster says, "Hee."
Cadiz says, "Ahem. Pardon me."
GameMaster asks, "And you agreed to come with them, yes?"
Giovanna says, "Yes."
Eolo says, "we did"
Eolo says, "explaining we had gotten lost and taken shelter in the cave"
Eolo says, "when it collapsed"
GameMaster says, "Right...trudging along as they lead you..."
GameMaster asks, "Anyone care to talk?"
Cadiz shrugs.
Giovanna's teeth chatter.
(From GameMaster) Trudge trudge trudge
Giovanna says, "I hope there is a fire, where we're going..."
GameMaster says, "You round a hill...and see a mansion before you."
Cadiz takes off his outer cloak, and wordlessly hands it to Giovanna.
Giovanna thanks him with a nod.
Eolo says, "nice place."
GameMaster says, "It's not of extravagant size, but quite so of decoration....carvings filling every space possible"
GameMaster says, "Windows indicating there are two floors"
GameMaster says, "Also, a complex curved roof."
(From GameMaster) Trudge trudge trudge
[aboveground] (from Cadiz) Gamemaster says, "54x^3+22x^2-8x+23, to be precise."
GameMaster says, "The knights lead you to a front door...sculpted ironwork."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "your math skill isn't that high"
BastardJack whistles. "Ostent'ious place."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Drat."
GameMaster says, "One of the knights unmounts and knocks"
[Crows-Nest] BastardJack struggled for a bit with the spelling, then realized it would be more in-character to abbrev anyway.
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "Is there a road that goes by the place?"
[Crows-Nest] Jota asks, "Should I mute?"
[Crows-Nest] markm says, "Yeah, bastardize the language."
GameMaster says, "A man in his 20s with blondish hair opens....he looks like a servant."
[Crows-Nest] BastardJack says, "Hee."
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "and/or a city we could plausibly have been travelling to to get here?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "You didn't pass by a city."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "This is rural-land."
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "yeah, but someplace we could say we were heading to?"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "could we have gone on a picnic expedition or something and gotten lost/out late?"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "something local and relatively innocent to look at?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "Hey, I'm not making up your lies for you :-)"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "A fishing expedition, at night, through eel-infested waters..."
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "yay"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "mm, eels"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "if someone has area knowledge of Montaigne I'll considering giving information on a roll"
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "I've been kicking around wandering the place."
[aboveground] Cadiz asks (of GM), "Is there a road, though?"
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Er, Montaigne that is."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Emily's been here a while."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Er, Giovanna."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "There's a road, yes, although you weren't travelling on it to get to the mansino"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "that's good enough."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "Emily was in sourthern Montaigne"
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "is the servant waiting for us to talk?"
[aboveground] BastardJack asks (of GameMaster), "Do I get a role for my general wander-knowledge?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "anyway, to continue..."
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "We're in the north?"
GameMaster says, "The servant talks quietly with knight..."
GameMaster says, "Glancing at you from time to time."
GameMaster says, "The unmounted knight walks over to the mounted one, who nods and takes the other horse by the rein, galloping the two off to presumably some place around the other side of the mansion"
GameMaster says, "Servant says, "Please, you may enter.""
Giovanna steps into the house gratefully.
Eolo looks around, then follows.
Cadiz hesitates. "We really should be getting on our way..."
Giovanna says, "Thank goodness someone came to rescue us from that cold..."
GameMaster says, "The front foyer is decorated tile floor, and a painted ceiling."
Giovanna frowns at Cadiz.
BastardJack steps inside, looking horribly out of place in his worn clothing.
Cadiz looks at the knight, sighs, and steps inside.
GameMaster says, "It's something with creatures of a mystical variety flying around each other"
GameMaster says, "Also some elegant carved tables...there's an assortment of bells on them."
GameMaster says, "Also, a flowerpot."
Giovanna looks closely at the flowerpot.
GameMaster says, "One staircase leading to an upper balcony where you can see several doors in a hall...also passageways going ahead, left, and right."
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "Musical bells, or, uh, functional bells?"
[aboveground] BastardJack asks, "Functional?"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "(musical as in a bellchoir would use 'em or something)"
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Ah"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "decorative, although you could presumably use them"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Or decorative, I suppose."
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Timing!"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "Is the servant going to announce us to anyone?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "I'm still fielding description questions"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "ah"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "do I notice anything interesting about the flowerpot or furniture?"
Eolo's gaze wanders up the staircase.
[aboveground] BastardJack asks, "Is the tile a crest of any sort (or related to the mansion's symbols) or is it unrelated art?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "you can do wits if you want. if you have a skill you think is applicable do wits + that skill"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "The tile is abstract and generally artistic"
[aboveground] GameMaster says (to Giovanna), "also tell me what skill you are using if you do that"
[aboveground] Cadiz tries to identify the creatures.
[7thsea] Cadiz rolls 3k3: 2 8 2 | 12
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "I'm not sure I have any applicable skill per se, but I do have Keen Senses"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Ack, wrong wroll."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Pppft."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "That should have been 2k2--first 2 are 10."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "Keen Senses is not applicable here unless you are searching for secret catches"
[aboveground] GameMaster asks, "are you searching for secret catches?"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "sure, why not?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "or more for..ok."
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "I'd be interested to know if there are secret catches"
GameMaster says, "The servant nods to you. One moment please, the marquis is in his sitting room."
GameMaster exits to the north...the knight remains here, watching.
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "roll, then"
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Left alone without the GM! Woo-hoo!"
[aboveground] GameMaster says (to Cadiz), "Also, you recognize a unicorn and a kobold"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "just Wits, since I have no skill?"
BastardJack shifts uncomfortably, staring around at the furnishing.
[aboveground] GameMaster says (to Cadiz), "some of them are too exotic to be sure"
[aboveground] Cadiz nods.
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "wits"
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 4k4: 6 2 1 3 | 12
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "nothing you can see"
GameMaster says, "The servant returns."
Cadiz says (to knight), "So, who is this Maquis... uh, never mind."
GameMaster says, "'He's waiting for you...if you will follow me please."
Giovanna follows the servant.
Cadiz, too.
Eolo ditto.
GameMaster says, "You head northward....beyond there's a gallery of some sort."
BastardJack hangs back, following a far back as he can.
GameMaster says, "Classical sculptures are placed in a row here."
GameMaster says, "Also various landscapes hanging on the wall."
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "oooh. What kind of classical sculptures?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "There's various athletic and contemplative poses."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "Including something with a discus."
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "Any landscapes we might recognize?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "There's also a rather small bronze one on a table set off in the corner"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "hard to tell from this distance, but it looks like someone has fallen and is in pain"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "recognize landscapes wits"
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 3k3: 10+10+6 5 4 | 35
[7thsea] Cadiz rolls 2 dice: 2 1
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 4k4: 3 6 9 4 | 22
[aboveground] Cadiz laughs.
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Also, if any historical landscapes:"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "Mostly Vodacce imports"
[7thsea] Cadiz rolls 4k2: 6 7 7 8 | 15
[aboveground] (from Eolo) Cadiz says "Um, I see, um, grass"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "(wits+history)"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "A couple are of fantastic nature...that is, they contain creatures like you saw in the foyer"
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "I see he has excellent taste in art."
Giovanna nods. "Very nice."
GameMaster says, "5 doors...southwest, northwest, north, northeast, southeast"
GameMaster says, "and you had entered in from the south"
GameMaster says, "also, if someone can be whipping up a map while we are strolling through it may be helpful in the future"
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "Which south?"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I'm doing some mapping"
GameMaster says, "ok, good."
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I assume there's actually 6 doors, or at least 6 entrances"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Gotcha."
GameMaster says, "6 entrances, although the south one isn't a door, it's just a rectangular entrance"
GameMaster says, "The servant walks over to the southwest door and opens..."
GameMaster says, "'Please come in.'"
Giovanna follow servant.
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "er, followS"
GameMaster says, "[actually, servant waiting for everyone else to enter before he does]"
Eolo walks in.
Giovanna goes in, then.
Cadiz looks around, nods, then goes in.
BastardJack nods and enters.
GameMaster says, "The drawing room looks like one of the popular salons"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Hey, variety."
GameMaster says, "There's a keyboard, bookcases, comfortable-looking couches"
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "keyboard?"
[aboveground] BastardJack asks, "Er, keyboard? You mean, like, an organ?"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Harpsichord, I'd assume."
GameMaster says, "Clavichord"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Or that."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Also, a MIDI."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "hah."
GameMaster says, "Sitting at one of the couches..."
JeanClaude has entered from behind the curtain.
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Is a GIANT FLAMING HEAD!"
GameMaster says, "He's in his thirties, moustached"
GameMaster says, "Elegant noble fashion clothes, lots of purple"
JeanClaude says, "Do please have a seat."
Giovanna sits.
BastardJack heads for the most comfortable chair.
Cadiz sits on a couch across from Giovanna.
Eolo sits, cautiously.
[aboveground] (from Cadiz) Diego draws his sword, and charges!
JeanClaude turns to his servant, who just entered: "Could you please stoke up the fire again? I believe our visitors may be cold."
[aboveground] BastardJack exclaims, "Hey! That's my role!"
Giovanna says (to JeanClaude), "So it is to you that we owe our rescue? I am very grateful, sir."
GameMaster says, "You notice, off in the corner, there's a fireplace, although it almost doesn't look like such"
GameMaster says, "More like a sculpture than a fireplace, although there is a pipe that heads to the ceiling"
JeanClaude says, "Ah. Rescue."
Giovanna smiles winningly. "It is not a pleasant night for spending outside."
JeanClaude says, "My first question is: where are those who accompanied you in trespassing on my land? I only see half the group my knights originally counted."
Giovanna blinks, appearing startled. "Sir...?
JeanClaude says, "Please do not try to lie to me."
Eolo asks, "half?"
JeanClaude says, "I detest liars."
BastardJack says, "Aye, there were more of us."
Cadiz raises an eyebrow.
JeanClaude says, "You came directly on my land and made a direct path towards the hidden cave."
JeanClaude says, "Which has been hidden for probably several thousand years, so don't tell me that it was an accident, please."
[aboveground] Eolo says, "*cough*"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "yikes"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "so much for the Bluffing approach"
BastardJack straightens, loses his habitual slouch, and leans forward.
(From GameMaster) The servant gets the fire going again
Eolo says, "not entirely accidental, your lordship, I admit"
BastardJack says, "I see you are not a man to underestimate, sir."
BastardJack's manner has suddenly become elegant and educated.
Eolo says, "if truth be told, it was to settle a bet"
JeanClaude says, "Well, please explain the entire circumstances."
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 3k3: 1 5 2 | 8
Cadiz waves at Eolo. "It was he that got us into this."
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "we'd heard it was haunted?"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "mrf."
JeanClaude glares at Eolo. "Ah, you must be Vodacce. No wonder."
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "and were trying to spend the night there? or something?"
JeanClaude says, "Quite a good people, but they have this annoying habit of making up stories."
Giovanna's eyes flash, but she looks down quickly.
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "I don't think channel-chatter is a good place to try to collaborate--cheating, and all that ;-)"
BastardJack smirks, and settles back in his chair.
[aboveground] Giovanna says (to Cadiz), "ah, sorry"
JeanClaude asks (of Giovanna), "Also, you look familiar...perhaps I have come across you in my travels?"
JeanClaude says, "I do some collecting of art."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Yeah. Whisper where the gamemaster can't hear."
[aboveground] Cadiz laughs.
JeanClaude says, "So I travel quite a bit."
Giovanna says (to JeanClaude), "I have been staying with friends in the south."
JeanClaude says, "No, no, this was a while back."
JeanClaude says, "hmm...hmm..."
Giovanna says, "It's possible that there--"
JeanClaude says, "Ah! You were the young one."
JeanClaude says, "I knew your father."
Giovanna shakes her head. "I think I would remember..."
JeanClaude asks, "How is he?"
Giovanna stiffens.
Eolo looks on, interested.
Giovanna says, "As I said, sir, I have been visiting friends in the south of Montaigne."
Giovanna says, "I have not seen my father for some time."
BastardJack drops his courteous act, his plan forgotten, and hopes nobody took note.
JeanClaude says, "Ah? Oh well, then. I didn't know him well, it was just in the matter of business."
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "(full rules about what we were allowed to discuss not explained to me, sorry. didn't mean to violate them.)"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Eh, no problem."
JeanClaude asks, "Now, can I hear the true story, please?"
Cadiz sighs.
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Don't think there are full rules. Just - in general, don't talk about stuff your characters don't know."
Giovanna says, "I'm afraid it was really my fault."
Giovanna says, "They are being gentlemanly about it, but it was a foolish lark that I insisted on."
Giovanna says, "I -- haven't seen much of Montaigne, and wanted to travel around the countryside a bit, and they were generous enough to accompany me."
Giovanna says, "And we heard of something unusual -- peasant chatter, overheard in an inn -- not really realizing, I suppose, how far it would be or how dark it would get."
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 4k4: 9 7 6 9 | 31
[aboveground] Eolo says, "now we're talkin'"
JeanClaude says, "Do continue."
Giovanna says, "Well, sir, to make a long and tiresome journey much shorter in the telling --"
Giovanna says, "these men argued with me, but I was insistent"
Giovanna says, "being a bit impetuous, which is a fault my mother tried to correct in me, I suppose --"
Giovanna says, "so we arrived there, and found -- nothing particularly interesting. A damp hole in the ground."
Giovanna says, "And as you are aware if you've traveled much, we have plenty of THOSE in Vodacce."
Giovanna smiles a little ruefully.
JeanClaude asks, "And what happened with the other people accompanying you?"
Giovanna says, "But as for the people who were with us, they --"
Giovanna stops, biting her lip.
Eolo says, "were bored, and turned back"
Eolo says, "but the lady insisted on continuing inwards"
Giovanna says, "We hope they're well, of course. I feel a bit guilty now about dragging everyone so far."
Eolo says, "then the rockfall, and we rushed from the cave before we had taken more than a short step in"
JeanClaude says, "Someone should really get down and teach you all a lesson in convincing lying."
[aboveground] Eolo says, "practice, practice, practice."
JeanClaude says, "I assure you my interest is not in clapping you in chains."
JeanClaude says, "Although I presume any of my neighbors would have been eager to do so. I have more civilized pursuits than that."
Giovanna wilts a little, as though extremely tired.
BastardJack grins, but says nothing.
Eolo says, "..civilized.."
JeanClaude asks, "Now, where, truthfully, did you find of this cave? And what was your plan with the artifacts?"
BastardJack says, "A week ago we interrupted a bandit attack on a lone traveller..."
Cadiz sighs.
BastardJack says, "A member of the Explorer's Society, it turned out."
[7thsea] BastardJack rolls 3 dice: 2 1 4
JeanClaude laughs
JeanClaude says, "You are all so transparent. Excuse me."
Cadiz interrupts. "Gracious! Are we to keep this gentleman up all night?"
JeanClaude says, "I have had to guard against my neighbors for so long that the work of amateurs surpises me."
Cadiz says (to JC), "A man, unknown to me, promised us wealth, and a share of the profits."
JeanClaude asks, "Can you describe this man?"
Cadiz frowns.
[aboveground] Cadiz honestly forgets. Shall I look up the transcript?
Cadiz spreads his arms. "About yea tall..."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "make something up"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "I'll take it for now"
[aboveground] JeanClaude has joined the channel.
Cadiz says, "Uh, wait."
Cadiz puts his hand about 5 1/2 feet above the floor.
Cadiz says, "About *yea* tall."
Cadiz says, "Dark hair..."
JeanClaude asks, "Erm, I don't suppose any of you have artistic skill?"
Cadiz says, "Did he have a moustache? I totally forget. No, I think he was clean-shaven."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "I seem to recall mustaches."
JeanClaude says, "A quick drawing would be easier."
Cadiz says, "Yeah, I could do a quick sketch."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Aye, 'about 30, with a moustache', it says in this transcript."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "that would be wits+drawing"
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Also, #belated Excellent. Now we have him underestimating us."
Cadiz says (to JC), "You have a piece of paper? I believe I have a quill."
markm yells, "Sorry about the channel death just now. I've fixed the problem. It happened because I was too addicted to aliases and I had to add them in to the current codebase. No more hacking for me tonight. :-)"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "test"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "woo"
GameMaster says, "roll, please"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "I'm going for a slightly generified version of the guy."
[7thsea] Cadiz rolls 4k2: 6 1 9 3 | 15
(From GameMaster) Scribble scribble scribble
Cadiz draws on a moustache, frowns, erases it, frowns, then draws it on again.
[aboveground] Eolo says, "heh"
JeanClaude says, "Hmm."
JeanClaude says, "No. Not him, then."
JeanClaude says, "Well, let me tell you --"
Cadiz asks, "Him?"
JeanClaude says, "After my discovery I made contacts that I knew were associated with the Explorer's Guild"
JeanClaude says, "This was roughly six months ago."
JeanClaude says, "In any case, I was setting up to do an expedition quite soon."
JeanClaude asks, "What story did this man tell you?"
[Crows-Nest] Cadiz says, "Sara just walked in and said, "I'm going to bed. I've seen some Men's Gymnastics, some Men's Swimming, and some Men's Heartwarming Stories.""
[Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "hee hee"
Cadiz says, "That he and his associates had found the place..."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "gotta love the heartwarming stories"
JeanClaude asks, "his associates?"
Cadiz says, "But were afraid to explore it themselves."
Cadiz says, "Probably (now that we know) because it was on your land."
Cadiz sighs again.
Cadiz says (to JC), "He didn't elaborate."
JeanClaude asks, "No clues to who his link might be, then?"
JeanClaude says, "Also..."
JeanClaude turns to his servant again
[Crows-Nest] markm says, "heh"
JeanClaude says, "'Could you bring some tea for our guests?'"
JeanClaude says, "I picked up the habit travelling in Avalon, quite good if you haven't had it before."
(From GameMaster) Servant leaves
Cadiz says (to JC), "No, no idea, really."
JeanClaude says, "In any case, you are not experienced liars and so you are not criminals. But yet this man was able to lure you into a criminal act. I still want to know why."
Cadiz asks, "Is it criminal to explore a cave?"
JeanClaude says, "Without permission, on my land, yes."
Cadiz says, "Well, there you go."
Cadiz taps his pen on the pad ruefully.
BastardJack murmers, "But you have much experience with liars..."
Cadiz says, "Left that bit out of his story."
Cadiz draws little horns on the guy.
JeanClaude says, "<ahem>"
[aboveground] Giovanna exclaims, "yay!"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "hee hee"
JeanClaude says, "I trust I am not confronted here by idiots who have been living in a box."
BastardJack says, aloud, "I don't suppose ye'd believe he used evil magic te cloud our minds?" He smiles innocently.
JeanClaude says, "You knew full well it was criminal."
[7thsea] BastardJack rolls 3k3: 1 10+6 8 | 25
JeanClaude says, "Hmmm...."
JeanClaude says, "Still, I presume it more likely he told you some horrid story about me."
JeanClaude says, "That I deserved to be hanged by my entrails, or some such."
Eolo murmurs "well, not your *entrails*."
Giovanna looks embarrassed.
BastardJack nods. "'A cutthroat and a pig' are the words he used, if I remember aright."
[Crows-Nest] Cadiz says, "Yay transcript! ;-)"
BastardJack says, "Though it may have been, 'prig'."
JeanClaude says, "Ah. That's a new one."
[Crows-Nest] Cadiz says, "Er."
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Yay transcript!"
JeanClaude says, "Well, I assure you--"
(From GameMaster) Servant reenters
GameMaster says, "Servant says, 'Sir, someone else for you.'"
JeanClaude says, "Let him in, Pierre. Perhaps he can enjoy our little session."
(From GameMaster) A dusty, ragged man enters.
Eolo raises an eyebrow.
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "Not Umberto, I presume?"
Charles has entered from behind the curtain.
Charles says, "Ah, my apologies for the brash entrance, sir, but this is important---"
Charles glances at everyone sitting around
Cadiz waves happily.
GameMaster says, "He's fairly short, also fairly young"
GameMaster says, "Cleanshaven"
GameMaster says, "Also looks very out of breath"
BastardJack raises his tea to the newcomer, then sips.
JeanClaude says, "Don't worry about them. I believe they may be relevant to what you have to say."
JeanClaude says, "(to everyone) Charles here is a member of the Explorer's Guild."
JeanClaude says, "One of my contacts."
Cadiz idly adds a forked tail to the man.
JeanClaude asks (of Charles), "Do you recognize...this man---?"
Giovanna acknowledges the introduction with a nod.
JeanClaude points at the drawing and pauses
Cadiz starts, and shows the sketch embarassedly.
JeanClaude says, "Ah, without the, um, additions."
Charles says, "Agggh."
Charles says, "That's who I came to warn you about, sir."
JeanClaude raises an eyebrow. "Indeed?"
Charles says, "He's a Vodacce adventurer. Trying to get as rich as possible, I imagine."
Giovanna's mouth compresses slightly, but she says nothing.
Charles says, "In any case...these..."
Charles looks around
Charles asks (of Cadiz), "Where did you see him?"
Charles asks (of Cadiz), "Is he here? Already? Am I too late?"
Cadiz says, "He, uh..."
JeanClaude coughs
Cadiz looks around at the others.
JeanClaude says, "Our friends here were steered towards a life of crime by this fellow."
JeanClaude says, "There were 12 of them to start, including your adventurer friend..."
Eolo says, "innocents misled."
Charles asks, "Where are the rest of you?"
Cadiz says, "Well, not far."
Cadiz says, "But behind a bunch of rock."
BastardJack says, "Th' rest of us are lost. Lost beneath the earth."
Charles asks, "How...?"
Cadiz says, "The roof caved in."
Charles says, "Hmm."
Cadiz says, "Dividing the group."
Charles asks, "How did it cave in?"
Cadiz says, "A trap."
Charles looks ready to topple over
Cadiz says, "Sprung, as I now recall, by our devil friend here."
Cadiz points at the sketch.
Charles asks, "Excuse me....Umberto....walking into a trap?"
Cadiz says, "*triggering* a trap."
Charles says, "I'll have you know he's one of the finest minds when it comes to traps. I don't mean that as a complement."
Cadiz says, "Probably though there were too many of us."
Charles says, "But..."
Charles asks, "How did there get to be too many?"
Eolo shrugs.
Charles still remains standing, obviously very agitated
Eolo says, "more than he expected were looking for work"
Cadiz says, "I'm a little shaky on that myself."
Eolo says, "and he had gathered some others beforehand"
Charles says, "Still...I find his actions mysterious..."
Charles paces
Charles says, "How did he mean to get out? He's not a sorceror."
Charles paces some more
Eolo says, "he did say the tunnels led underneath this very building"
Cadiz asks, "Could he have known of another entrance?"
Giovanna says, "Unless there's a back way..."
BastardJack laughs at the confusion of voices.
JeanClaude looks surprised at the mention it goes under the building
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "It isn't clear to me he meant an exit -- but I was a bit confused by that."
Charles asks, "Also, how, exactly, did he know stepping on the trap would split you?"
JeanClaude is looking as agitated as Charles now
Cadiz says, "He gave us a specific marching order before we entered."
Giovanna says, "He made us go into the tunnel in a certain order"
Charles does fall over
[aboveground] Cadiz says (to Giovanna), "HA ha."
Charles stands himself up again
Charles says, "My apologies"
Charles asks, "A....marching order?"
BastardJack says, "Ye see, people? Lie in concert - that's the secret to lying well."
Giovanna says, "Which was to go first, which second..."
Charles says, "He has a more insidious mind than I've even seem him as"
BastardJack says, "I mean..."
Cadiz says, "A behind B behind C behind D..."
Eolo says, "it did seem a trifle forced and implausible, I admit."
Giovanna says, "He seemed so certain, though"
Giovanna says, "I suppose none of us questioned his judgment..."
[aboveground] BastardJack says (to Eolo), "Hee."
Charles asks, "The people...underneath...who are they?"
[aboveground] Cadiz says (to Charles), "But we just thought it was the Hand of the GM."
Charles says, "Please, please, this is important."
Cadiz says (to Charles), "Some friends of ours, and a friend of this lady."
Giovanna says, "Two were companions of mine from before."
Eolo says, "and Umberto"
Charles says, "I don't know how much of criminals you are, or those people underneath, but there is no way you can be as bad as him."
BastardJack smiles.
Charles asks, "Yes, but more specific, what types were they?"
Cadiz says, "Charles, Bjorg, Federico, Era, and Pyotr"
BastardJack says, "Ye'll forgive us if we decline to answer."
[aboveground] Eolo laughs.
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Oops."
Charles says (to BastardJack), "Sir, if you want to see your friends -- or at least presumably -- alive again you will answer."
Cadiz says, "Avalonian, Vendel, Castillian, and two Ussurans."
BastardJack says, "Ye talk much finer than Umberto, I'll admit, but the others below were friends, and I'd not give away more than I must 'til I be convinced of yer good intentions."
Charles says, "Umberto, fortunately, is squeamish and a coward. He won't kill them directly."
BastardJack looks aghast at Cadiz. "Father! Have ye no sense at all?"
Charles says, "He may, however conviently forget to tell them about other traps when it amuses him.."
Eolo asks, "are you saying he has explored the caves before?"
Charles says, "He must have wanted others for a reason..."
BastardJack asks, "We've been fooled once, it seems, and now you blindly trust the first man who speaks with a sweet tongue?"
Charles says, "So he's not going to want them to be hurt badly until he's ready..."
Cadiz says (to Jack), "Well, he seems more trustworthy than the other."
Charles says (to Eolo), "I'm saying he has a sharp mind and the likelihood of him missing a trap is close to zero."
Charles says (to Eolo), "If there's a trap ahead, he will see it."
Eolo says, "ah."
Eolo says, "but then, as you say, I see no use for him to have others along"
Charles says, "Yes, I'm not sure about that either."
Charles says, "He must have scouted ahead, knew something dangerous about, wanted company."
BastardJack says (to Cadiz), "A word once spoken canna' be taken back. Take care, is all I say."
Cadiz says (to Jack), "I find it more convenient to trust people first, until they give me cause to distrust them. It has failed me in the past, true, but it has also served me in good stead."
Charles says, "Several mysteries..."
BastardJack turns back to the main conversation, muttering, "I hope yer lordship takes no offense."
Charles paces
Charles says, "Lordship...oh...no...no."
Charles says, "Just a scholar."
JeanClaude is still looking somewhat rattled
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Dagnabit. Should have taken Cold Read."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "No, that was aimed at the Marquis."
Charles asks, "In any case...how dire was this cave-in?"
[aboveground] Cadiz says (to BJ), "You can esplain that IC."
Charles asks, "Can it be dug out?"
Eolo shrugs.
Cadiz says, "Well, that entrance seems to be unusable."
Eolo says, "we had not much time to examine it"
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "It would have been obvious from the way I was facing, I think. Regardless..."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Right, but he's not paying that much attention."
Eolo says, "if the cellars of this place are truly above the tunnels, we could explore the basement"
Charles says, "Time is critical here...we've got to catch him before he bolts again...I won't let him escape again, not this time."
Eolo says, "but I am unsure we could locate any passages from this side"
Giovanna says, "Then presumably you need to find his bolt-hole."
Charles paces
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "True, but then -- the way we tried to go in is now, I think, quite thoroughly impassible."
JeanClaude says, "<ahem>...if I may interject..."
Cadiz makes a gesture as if to say, "Well, it's your house..."
JeanClaude says, "It sounds like a great deal of my suspicion was just confirmed."
Eolo asks, "suspicion?"
JeanClaude says, "The whole nature of this affair. I presume this Umberto fellow got word of the cave from one of my contacts."
JeanClaude says, "Or perhaps a contact of one of my contacts."
JeanClaude says, "I asked for the sketch because I thought I could pin down the loose tongue."
JeanClaude says, "In any case, I extend an invitation for all of you to stay here and try to rectify this situation. Although..."
BastardJack sits straight again. All trace of his earlier surly behaviour is gone.
JeanClaude says, "I do retain possession of artifacts, if they are recovered from this criminal, or perhaps more criminal elements of your group who I have not met."
JeanClaude turns to Charles
BastardJack says, "My thanks for the invitation, milord. We've been travelling long at this blackguard's heels..."
JeanClaude asks, "Can you stay as well?"
BastardJack says, "Duped, betrayed if you speak true, narrowly escaped death, and then ridden here at swordspoint by your guards."
Charles says, "I'm afraid I must rush word of this to some of my colleagues. I will return at some point, however."
Eolo asks, "you wish to commission us to track down and bring Umberto to justice?"
Charles says, "Do not trust Umberto. He is a very dangerous man."
BastardJack says, "In the circumstance, I think a meal would be a kindness. And perhaps I could trouble you for some new clothing? What I am wearing is getting a tad travelworn."
JeanClaude says, "Well, consider it payment for not clapping you in chains."
[aboveground] BastardJack asks, "wits+mooch?"
JeanClaude says, "Which, of course, I can still do."
[aboveground] JeanClaude says, "sure"
[7thsea] BastardJack rolls 5k3: 3 2 2 3 5 | 11
JeanClaude says, "Yes, I'll make sure Pierre attends to your personal needs. We are not savages here."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "I didn't really care if it worked, I just want a chance to use Mooch."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Yay! ;-)"
JeanClaude says, "In any case, there are some events going on here soon you should know about..."
Eolo says, "you are too kind, sir."
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "can I see anything with sorte about JeanClaude?"
JeanClaude says, "There's an acting troupe coming here soon."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Damn, should've tried for more..."
[aboveground] JeanClaude says, "you need to use a sorte deck for that. which you can try later"
[aboveground] Cadiz says (to Giovanna), "Oooh, good idea."
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "you do?"
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "Er, really?"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "I thought there was some basic stuff you could tell just by looking"
[aboveground] JeanClaude says, "you read tarot cards"
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "I thought you could just, like, visualize it?"
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "I thought you could just see lines in the air?"
[aboveground] JeanClaude says, "well, sortof"
[aboveground] JeanClaude says, "the manual is quite ambiguous, really"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "hrm, you're right"
[aboveground] JeanClaude says, "I'm presuming equipment must be used, at least with a beginner"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "mm, okay"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "it does say "see strands using a sorte deck""
[aboveground] JeanClaude says, "experts may be able to gaze into the soul immediately and all that"
JeanClaude says, "That should be some time tomorrow....also...I have a party scheduled..."
[aboveground] Eolo says, "but, like, it also says you see the strand stretching off into the distance if the other person isn't around"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Yeah, it does say, "How to observe the strands using a sorte deck""
JeanClaude says, "With, admittedly, some of my less savory neighbors invited. I do have to keep common courtesy alive."
Eolo asks, "less savory?"
Giovanna nods at this sad but true observation about noble life.
[aboveground] boucher has left the channel.
JeanClaude says, "Cutthoats and pigs, if you prefer the term."
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "heh"
BastardJack attempts another mooch. "In that case, for your guests to reflect well on your house, you'll have to be sure we have at least the appearance of wealth..."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "This get get annoying real fast... I'll try to contain myself."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Er, 'could' get..."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "But I would deem the skill as quite less powerful if you have to use a deck of cards and a layout each time you use it."
[aboveground] JeanClaude says, "well, it's not an instant personality spotter"
[aboveground] JeanClaude says, "every skill is meant to have counterbalances built in"
JeanClaude says (to BastardJack), "I'm sure I have clothes that will do enough for that...although you may want to work on your act if you plan to imitate a noble."
JeanClaude says, "I noticed some rather amusing antics earlier."
Eolo asks, "do you suspect your neighbors know of another entrance to these tunnels?"
BastardJack grins. "I'll study hard, milord."
JeanClaude says (to Giovanna), "I'm afraid we don't have much in the way of dresses...but for someone as lovely as yourself I'm sure we can find something to accomodate you."
JeanClaude sighs
JeanClaude says, "I don't what to suspect. My head hurts."
Cadiz frowns.
Giovanna says, "Thank you, sir. I brought nothing suitable with me, as you can imagine."
Charles says, "I must be off...my apologies"
Charles steps behind the curtain.
Cadiz says, "I don't suppose we could search the cellars tonight, on the off chance..."
JeanClaude says, "Good luck, Charles."
JeanClaude says (to Cadiz), "Well, it's just wine, but if you feel it appropriate. Don't touch anything."
JeanClaude says, "I have a couple valuable imports, and I am not as rich as L'Empeurer. I will not be able to replace broken bottles easily."
Cadiz nods.
Eolo says (to Cadiz), "I think they are far enough ahead that there is little use in following tonight."
Eolo says, "or, more likely, in attempting to follow"
Cadiz says, "Still, it is only wealth, and we are talking about the lives of our friends."
JeanClaude says, "In any case, there may be some helpful people at the party..."
Cadiz says (to Eolo), "Presumably, any entrance here would be far from where they are now."
Cadiz says, "We could hopefully meet halfway."
JeanClaude says, "Oh, an official from the Order of the Rose and Cross is coming to speak to me, but that needn't concern you."
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "does the rose&cross have any public position on the explorer's society?"
JeanClaude says, "The knights are for my protection, but that's another story altogether."
Cadiz asks, "Are you sure that story is entirely separate from ours?"
JeanClaude says, "Yes, quite. It's my affair."
Cadiz says, "As you say..."
JeanClaude asks, "Ah, well...my head does hurt quite a bit now....I will sack out....does anyone have anything more to add?"
JeanClaude rubs his temple
Eolo says, "not for tonight, your lordship."
Cadiz asks (of Eolo), "Will you accompany me to the cellars? With whomever else wishes to search?"
Eolo says (to Cadiz), "of course."
BastardJack asks, "Should we decide to search for this hidden entrance, are there any other likely places on your lands?"
BastardJack asks, "Outbuildings, or the like? Or anywhere you wish us to remain clear of?"
JeanClaude says, "Ask Pierre. I really must lie down."
JeanClaude stands up
Giovanna looks at JeanClaude in concern.
Cadiz says (to JC), "You've been more than kind. Thank you for your trust."
Giovanna asks, "Have you medicine for that ailment, sir?"
JeanClaude smiles at Giovanna
JeanClaude says, "Ah, I'm afraid not, m'lady."
BastardJack frowns, "I hope you are alright, milord. Sleep well."
JeanClaude says, "I was merely planning to sleep until it passed."
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I'm not sure I'd trust any preparations giovanna mixes up"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Heh."
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "I don't have poisoning."
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "Yet."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "muahahahah"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Still, I'd hide the Drano."
JeanClaude says, "Good evening, then."
JeanClaude departs
JeanClaude steps behind the curtain.
Pierre has entered from behind the curtain.
BastardJack whispers to Cadiz, "This worries me. If he takes ill, the servants may blame us..."
Cadiz asks (of Giovanna), "You fear him ill?"
Giovanna says (to Cadiz), "He did not look at all well, to me."
Pierre waits patiently
Cadiz frowns.
Giovanna looks as though she has something to add, but turns her attention to Pierre.
BastardJack says, "We arrived under somewhat mysterious circumstances, an' we're a bit of a motely bunch, ye must admit."
Eolo asks (of Pierre), "can you direct some workmen on the morrow to begin excavation on the cave-in?"
Cadiz says, "Well, I am trained somewhat as a physician, though I must admit I've mostly treated peasants. Perhaps he will let me examine him in the morn."
Eolo asks, "or request your lord do so?"
Pierre says, "I will try, yes."
Pierre says, "I'm afraid we are not as well staffed as you might think."
Pierre says, "Although we may be able to spare someone."
Pierre says, "Hard to find good help these days, really."
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "How much would it cost to hire, say, 5 workers for a couple days?"
BastardJack continues his whispered conversation. "That may make it worse, if he takes a trun after ye're alone with him..."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "I can't answer that one offhand. you have enough cash if you brought your loot with you"
Cadiz whispers to Jack, "I'll be sure others are there."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "if you left it back in Criuex it might be more of a problem"
[Setting the zoned flag.]
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Well, I didn't bring it all, but I have some."
[Unsetting the zoned flag.]
Flag cleared.
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "I actually hadn't decided."
[aboveground] Eolo says, "anyway"
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "can we cut on to searching the cellars? or is there more to discuss here?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "I'm having Pierre await your orders patiently :-)"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "no more for me to say"
Cadiz presses a [insert appropriate number here] guilders into Pierre's hands. "If this will help hire a few more, spend it."
Pierre says, "I'll try my best to see to it, sir."
Giovanna asks, "And now, if you could show us the cellars?"
Cadiz says, "In the mean time, if you can lead us to the cellars, we wish to see if another entrance can be found there."
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Timing!"
Pierre says, "Eager, I see. Well..."
Pierre proceeds out...
BastardJack stands. "Well we're off to see t' the cellars. See that beds are made up and clothes laid out for the morning, will you?"
Cadiz follows.
Giovanna wonders to whom Jack is speaking, and follows Pierre.
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Need to work on that Etiquette skill..."
[aboveground] Cadiz laughs.
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "heh"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "nah, you're just going insane and talking to yourself"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Hubris: Stark Raving Mad."
[aboveground] Eolo says, "if you score enough raises, maybe you won't drop letters when you talk ;)"
Pierre says, "Anyway, the servant heads north..."
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "if Jack thinks Giovanna has ever made a bed in her life, he has another think coming"
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "that's Reality (inverted) right?"
GameMaster says, "heh, wrong window"
[aboveground] BastardJack asks, "All of us Inishmen are mad, don't ye know?"
[aboveground] BastardJack exclaims (at Eolo), "Hah!"
GameMaster says, "Pierre heads to the north door"
GameMaster opens and goes into a hallway
Eolo follows Pierre to the cellars.
Giovanna goes also.
GameMaster says, "3 doors on each side"
GameMaster says, "wall at north end"
GameMaster says, "Big window"
GameMaster says, "Dark outside"
GameMaster says, "Pierre takes the northeasternmost door"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "feel free to ask about decription stuff. I'm just trudging through"
GameMaster says, "You follow into a kitchen"
[aboveground] Eolo's still mapping
GameMaster opens a door in the back, revealing stairs
GameMaster says, "Er, pierre"
Pierre says, "We will need light..."
Pierre says, "More than this candle, at least."
Pierre asks, "You are explorer types, I don't suppose any of you have a large light source?"
Cadiz says, "I have a lantern."
Cadiz lights it.
Eolo says, "I, also."
Pierre says, "I usually just go by a single candle and touch, I've been here for so long, but a concerted search will require something with more punch, if you understand my meaning."
Pierre says, "Right, good."
Pierre says, "Onward, then."
Pierre says, "Please don't touch anything without asking."
Pierre heads down the steps
Giovanna follows, holding her skirts out of any possible dirt.
GameMaster says, "hm...I maybe better do a quick ASCII map of this one..."
GameMaster says, "One moment. Do idle chit chat for s ec"
Giovanna turns back to see whether any of her companions are following.
Eolo says (to Cadiz), "I'm not sure if there is any great hurry on this"
Cadiz asks (of Giovanna), "Tell me, are nobles like the Marquis known to keep pets?"
Eolo blinks.
GameMaster | *********** GameMaster | - * - GameMaster | - * - GameMaster | ==== - GameMaster | - * - GameMaster | - * - GameMaster | ***********
GameMaster says, "= is stairs"
GameMaster says, "* is part of a wine rack"
GameMaster says, "- is a wall"
Giovanna says (to Cadiz), "Hunting dogs, perhaps; I don't know if you'd call that a pet."
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "and the win racks are against the walls?"
GameMaster says, "Well, there's a divider"
Cadiz says (to Eolo), "The sooner we find them, the less time Umberto has to try to kill them off."
GameMaster says, "That also has wine"
GameMaster says, "There's also racks against the walls, yes"
Eolo says (to Cadiz), "ah yes. I was forgetting."
GameMaster says, "Those or the north and south ones"
GameMaster says, "In any case, it's not all that dusty...Pierre must clean it once in a while."
GameMaster says, "No sinister cobwebs."
Eolo steps down into the cellar.
Eolo starts the usual procedure of tapping on the floor stones, listening for hollow sounds.
GameMaster says, "perception check"
Cadiz examines the racks themselves, and tries to discern their support structure.
[aboveground] Eolo says, "assuming, of course, that there are floor stones."
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 4k3: 4 2 8 7 | 19
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "Wits?"
BastardJack starts scanning the racks, looking for expensive^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hloose bottles.
Pierre says, "You know, I first thought of going out, seeing the world, being an adventurer..."
[aboveground] Cadiz chuckles.
Pierre says, "Never got round to it, I guess. I am fond of secret passages and such. Never thought to look in my own wine cellar."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "wits+keensense if you have"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "keensense gives one unkept?"
Cadiz asks (of Pierre), "You know this place pretty well. If you were going to put in a secret passage, where would you put one?"
[7thsea] Cadiz rolls 2k2: 4 10+3 | 17
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Wa-hey."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "also, next time someone asks what you use on a perception check, someone else besides me tell them wits :-)"
[aboveground] Cadiz laughs.
[aboveground] Eolo says, "if they aren't witsy enough to know it's wits, they shouldn't bother ;)"
Giovanna examines the walls.
Pierre says, "Quite frankly, I don't think one is here."
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 5k4: 6 3 7 6 8 | 27
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "I think it's a forlorn hope that I might be able to roll panache ;-)"
[7thsea] BastardJack rolls 3k3: 7 4 10+10+2 | 33
[aboveground] GameMaster exclaims, "Searching for hidden doors...with flair!"
Cadiz says (to Pierre), "Well, that's the most likely. But *if* there were..."
[aboveground] Giovanna exclaims (at Jack), "way to explode them dice!"
BastardJack sighs guiltily, and starts examining the racks in earnest.
GameMaster says, "[nobody found anything yet...just solid rock behind]"
Eolo asks, "nothing, hmm?"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "'You find nothing, but you look good doing it.'"
Pierre says, "Hm..."
Eolo yawns.
BastardJack says, "If there was aught here, I'm certain I'd have found it by now."
BastardJack says, "Er, *we'd* have found it. We."
Giovanna smirks.
Cadiz says (to Pierre), "Or, even, in some other room in the manor. Perhaps the one closest to a nearby hill..."
Pierre says, "I'm afraid I can't think of anything useful, sir."
Pierre says, "Perhaps something will come to me later."
BastardJack says, "Well, let's spread out an' continue the search."
Cadiz says, "Well, keep it in mind, is all."
[aboveground] BastardJack annoys the GM by attempting to split the party once more.
Pierre says, "Also, I do believe my lordship gave you permission to search the wine cellar but said nothing of other environs"
Eolo yawns again.
Pierre says, "I'm sure such delving can wait until the morning."
Eolo says, "I agree."
Giovanna looks relieved. "I'm vastly tired, myself."
Pierre says, "Out, then? I'll have one of the maids lead you to your rooms."
Cadiz says (to Pierre), "Correct, but it would be worth bringing it up with JeanClaude, at least."
Giovanna says, "Please."
Pierre says, "I'm certain you can ask him about it at the morn."
Pierre walks up
Giovanna goes up
Pierre heads south to the gallery
Pierre heads further south into the foyer
Cadiz feels a strange compulsion to leave something significant behind, but can think of nothing, so he goes up, as well.
Eolo is of course tagging along.
Pierre says, "One moment..."
Giovanna asks, "Yes?"
Pierre pokes his head into the west room and says something to somebody hidden from sight
GameMaster says, "A maid enters"
Pierre says (to Pierre), "Please find rooms for these good people."
Pierre says, "Ack."
Pierre says (to Maid), "Please find rooms for these good people."
[aboveground] Cadiz asks (of Pierre), "Someone inverted your reality again?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "now pierre is going insane"
GameMaster says, "The maid leads you upstairs"
GameMaster says, "There's alot of doors"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "He's just flustered around the pretty maid, and has to practice."
[aboveground] (from Eolo) Pierre says (to Maid) "Gotta go, cat's on fire"
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Yay!"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "heheh"
GameMaster says, "Ok, top floor is sort of an H shape"
GameMaster says, "Remember the manor? Sort of like that :-)"
GameMaster says, "But not as big."
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "where do the stairs come up?"
GameMaster | - - GameMaster | - * GameMaster | - - GameMaster | ------------ GameMaster | - - GameMaster | - - GameMaster | - - GameMaster | "One moment.. GameMaster | - - GameMaster | - * GameMaster | - - GameMaster | ------------ GameMaster | - = - GameMaster | - ==== - GameMaster | - -
GameMaster says, "There, added stairs"
GameMaster says, "Also, the * is more or less where your rooms are"
Giovanna asks, "All our rooms are together?"
GameMaster says, "next to each other and across from each other, yes"
Giovanna goes into her bedroom.
Eolo does so also.
Giovanna says, "Hey, there"
[aboveground] Eolo laughs.
Eolo goes into *his* bedroom, that is.
GameMaster says, "It's fairly plush...nice wooden bedtable, chair, bed with red sheets"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, ">LOOK UNDER BED."
GameMaster says, "Well-cleaned. No dust."
Giovanna says, "I inspect all the furniture carefully, checking for anything that looks like a spring, trigger, or other trap."
GameMaster says, "There's also a clothes trunk."
GameMaster says, "perception roll, or alternatively, wits + traps"
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 5k4: 3 6 9 10+8 6 | 39
GameMaster says, "All safe"
Eolo opens his clothes trunk.
Giovanna says, "I open the clothes trunk"
Eolo checks out his clothes for the next day.
GameMaster says, "It's empty"
Eolo frowns.
[aboveground] Cadiz says (to Eolo), "You're going naked, I guess."
Giovanna pokes her head back into the corridor to see if the maid is still about.
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I hear pantsfree is all the rage in montaigne"
BastardJack shrugs. "Do ye mind if I take a walk around the grounds? I'm not that tired yet, and I feel the need for some night air."
GameMaster says, "Maid says, "Still making arrangements, madam."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Woah, odd - my connection stopped working, but I didn't get disconnected. It just buffered everything."
GameMaster says, "If you'd please be patient we'll having something for you."
Giovanna nods and withdraws.
Eolo shrugs.
GameMaster says (to BastardJack), "We've already locked up, sir, although we can open for a bit."
BastardJack says, "Nah, don't trouble yerself."
GameMaster says, "Very well then, sir."
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "are there windows in these rooms?"
Cadiz takes a room with a window, and leaves it open a bit.
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "yes"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "er, wait"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "oh, yes, actually, the east ones have balconies"
Eolo goes out on his balcony and surveys the landscape.
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "excellent"
Giovanna does likewise.
GameMaster says, "It's rather dark out...."
GameMaster says, "The mountains are very close."
Cadiz emerges to see his friends down the row on other balconies. He waves.
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "but a moon, right?"
GameMaster says, "You can't see much of anything else, although there's a building down to the northeast"
Giovanna waves to Cadiz.
GameMaster says, "Yes, moon"
Eolo says, "this is an odd situation in which we find ourselves"
Cadiz says, "Quite."
GameMaster says, "Two maids, (one of them you already saw) come in with a trunk"
GameMaster asks, "Would you like to choose your own selection?"
Eolo looks around.
Eolo says, "I would, yes."
Giovanna says, "Of clothes? Yes."
BastardJack points at the building. "Can anyone make that out?" he calls.
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "do we get to roll fashion?"
Cadiz leans on the railing, looking in the direction of the cave. He sighs.
GameMaster says, "trunk opened...lots of stuff"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "if you want to be as fashionable as possible, yeah"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Panache plus fashion? ;-)"
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "wits or panache?"
[aboveground] Giovanna definitely wants to be as fashionable as possible.
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "panache, I guess"
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 4k3: 5 4 10+4 10+6 | 35
[7thsea] BastardJack rolls 4k3: 3 3 8 6 | 17
[7thsea] Cadiz rolls 4k3: 6 8 10+3 10+4 | 35
[aboveground] Eolo says, "don't all swoon at once, ladies."
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Woo!"
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 3k2: 4 9 4 | 13
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "grm. I clearly need more panache"
[aboveground] BastardJack says (to Eolo,), "Cadiz Should've Raised."
Cadiz frowns at giovanna's selection.
[aboveground] Cadiz raises for his next selection:
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Er, that was meant to be to both."
[7thsea] Cadiz rolls 4k3: 10+4 10+6 10+9 10+3 | 49
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "<snort>"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "good lord"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "yow."
Cadiz says (to Giovanna), "I think this will do nicely."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Pity about the vow of chastity. What a waste..."
Giovanna accepts Cadiz's suggestion with a smile.
[aboveground] Eolo says (to Jack), "more for the rest of us."
Cadiz winks.
Giovanna chuckles faintly.
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Oh, if he was choosing for her, then it's not a waste after all..."
Eolo takes his selection and goes in to bed.
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "clearly my Vodacce ideas of what's stylish don't quite work here..."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "woo. not often you get to have a raised fashion roll in 7th Sea :-)"
[aboveground] GameMaster asks, "are y'all done picking?"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "yup"
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Yay!"
GameMaster says, "the maids bustle out again"
GameMaster says, "Leaving you alone"
GameMaster says, "[If you want to talk strategy/read sorte cards/make bad puns now is the time]"
Cadiz asks, "Well, what shall we, friends?"
Eolo shrugs.
Giovanna breaks out her sorte deck, in that case.
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "wait, we aren't all in one room, right?"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "so I can do a reading for JeanClaude without him in the room?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "no, but I was clumping together the clothes selection to make it easier"
[aboveground] Giovanna says (to Eolo), "Maybe we meet up."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Yeah, we met up to go through clothes."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "right, you don't need JeanClaude in the room"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "ok, works for me"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "okay, I want to do a reading for him, then."
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "is she doing the sorte reading with us in the room?"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "er, s/is she/are you/"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "oh, hmm. maybe I would wait until later"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "but it seems useful info for us all to have"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "well, you can roll now and I'll calculate out what the answer is and tell you when you do the actual reading :-)"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Depends on what you want us to know."
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "also, if she does a sorte reading, is it obviously magic? I assume not, right?"
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "Are Vodacce males skittish about that kind of thing?"
[aboveground] Giovanna says (to Eolo), "Seems like it would be pretty obvious to YOU, at least"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "also, you need to decide which of your sorte skills to you"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "use"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "well, I don't know. if you look the same as any non-magic person doing sorte"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "so I'd be rolling, what? wits + arcana?"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "(that's what I'd want to use)"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "or at least what order you are rolling it"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "it's resolve"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "ah"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "resolve is always the stat for magic use"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "okay"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "you can see his main strand without rolling, see his virtue/hubris for arcana, I think, and see if a strand exists between two people with that skill"
[aboveground] Eolo asks (of GameMaster), "wait, really?"
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Woah. There's that 'Welcome to ifMUD' banner again."
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 4k3: 4 4 8 5 | 17
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "she needs an Arcana roll to get the right Arcana"
[aboveground] GameMaster asks, "what kind of roll was that?"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "arcana + resolve"
[aboveground] Giovanna asks, "right?"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "right"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "(or do you mean, what kind of crappy numbers are those? Cause I'm wondering the same thing...)"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "he's got an inverted Terra. Abit different than normal, somehow."
[aboveground] Eolo says, "heh"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "hmmm"
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "So you are indeed doing this in front of us?"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "(which is Greedy, btw)"
[aboveground] Giovanna says (to Cadiz), "No, but for the sake of simplicity we're dealing with this business now"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Just wondering if I'd react IC to this."
Cadiz says, "So, a party tomorrow with some less-than-savory neighbors."
Eolo says, "I am not quite sure what he wishes to accomplish by keeping us around"
Cadiz asks, "Do we presume one of them contacted Umberto?"
Eolo says, "perhaps he thinks his neighbors are responsible for this expedition and would know another way in"
Eolo shrugs.
Eolo says, "he mentioned they were making ventures to the caves, and he did have guards."
Cadiz says, "Or, even, that one of them would know another entrance on their own property."
Giovanna says, "One thing troubles me -- and that is that Umberto came to me with my aunt's recommendation."
BastardJack says, "He probably just wants us as a smokescreen..."
Giovanna says, "Artemisia is strange, but she suffers neither fools nor blackguards."
Cadiz asks (of Giovanna), "So he may yet be trustworthy?"
BastardJack asks (of Eolo), "Did you not know him as well?"
Giovanna says (to Cadiz), "So I do not know what to believe."
Eolo says, "he was the instructor at my school, yes"
Cadiz sighs.
Eolo says, "people take their own paths after school, but"
Eolo shrugs.
BastardJack asks (of Cadiz), "Is that enough sign for you to be untrusting, priest?"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I wrote that as "take their own pants" first, of course"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "yay"
Cadiz frowns.
Eolo says, "on the other hand, we of course have no choice but to seek for another entrance and follow them"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "taking other people's is so much more entertaining"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I'm waiting til you guys fall asleep for that one"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "I'm a light sleeper."
Eolo says, "in that respect, our goals are clear, regardless of who we believe"
BastardJack says, "Aye."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "also, she's probably rigging the door"
Giovanna says, "That -- and to give away as little as possible, and learn as much as we can."
Eolo says, "that is always my goal, m'lady."
BastardJack says, "Well, I'm for bed - I get the feeling we'll have to get up early to put one over on our host."
sea1 has disconnected.
sea1 steps behind the curtain.
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "That's right. I'm not letting anyone get near that gown Cadiz picked out for me."
Cadiz raises an eyebrow.
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Woo!"
[aboveground] Eolo says (to GameMaster), "fine by me. I've got rope, she's got a balcony."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "heheh"
[aboveground] (from Cadiz) Eolo says, "I can hang myself as well as the next guy, rigging or no rigging."
Cadiz says, "I don't see that we need to put anything over on anyone."
Cadiz says, "Merely keep our eyes and ears open."
Eolo grins.
Eolo says, "as you say"
BastardJack says patiently, "A figure of speech, Father."
Cadiz says, "I, at least, know so little it would be hard for me to give much away."
Giovanna exchanges glances with Eolo.
Giovanna says (to Cadiz), "That much is unfortunately true."
Eolo says, "hopefully our host will have recovered from his headache by the morrow"
Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "Hopefully?"
Giovanna says, "I for one would not mind a few hours when our host is abed and the servants busy tending to him."
Eolo says, "a marquis with a headache is an ill-tempered marquis"
Cadiz asks, "So, stay for the party, and then scour the countryside if naught shows up?"
Giovanna says, "I don't begrudge him an eventual recovery, of course."
BastardJack looks at Giovanna and raises an eyebrow. "I like the way you think, milady."
Cadiz asks (of Giovanna), "To accomplish what?"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "also, law of movies #232 is "anyone who sneezes is going to die of pneumonia""
Giovanna says (to Cadiz), "Sounds sensible."
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "true"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I don't know if this applies to headaches and brane explosions"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "ew"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "don't try to predict the evil mind of the GM"
[aboveground] BastardJack asks, "Sneezes seem more related to brane explosions than headaches, anyway. Aren't headaches caused by the brane shrinking?"
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "His headache means that *our* heads esplode!"
[aboveground] GameMaster asks, "also, who has a transcript?"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "I do."
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Here"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "perrysimm, I assume"
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "you can post and announce on this channel"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Gotcha."
[aboveground] GameMaster says, "also tell Sara to post hers :-)"
Cadiz asks, "Nobody recognized Charles, I presume?"
GameMaster says, "No."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "That was actually me ;-) I didn't read, but it's posted."
GameMaster says, "Charles is some butler you don't know"
Eolo says, "he presented no credentials for belonging to the explorers' society"
GameMaster says, "Er, wait"
Cadiz says, "I wonder what his connection to JeanClaude is..."
Eolo says, "but then, neither did Umberto"
GameMaster says, "Sorry, mixing characters"
GameMaster says, "Pierre you don't know. Charles you don't know."
Cadiz asks (of eolo), "Did you know of Umberto being involved with the Explorer's whilst in training?"
Eolo shakes his head.
[aboveground] Cadiz says (to Giovanna), "Also, that was a hint to read Charles' sorte, and maybe for his connection to the Marquis ;-)"
Eolo says, "but he was the kind of school-master who'd give you detention or a lashing for making excessive personal inquiries"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "good idea"
Eolo says, "as I found out to my peril"
Cadiz nods.
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "I'll read Charles' sorte too, whenever I go off and do these things. arcana + resolve again"
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 4k3: 1 1 6 7 | 14
[aboveground] Eolo says, "clearly the fates aren't with you"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "yeah, plainly not"
[aboveground] Cadiz asks, "Do I need to come over there and pick cards for you, too?"
[aboveground] Giovanna laughs
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "if only it were so simple."
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Heh."
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I didn't realize you did sorte based on fashion"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Well, that's the way *I* do it."
[aboveground] Cadiz exclaims, "Oooh, look at the pretty hierophant!"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "(yes, I've seen it [but not played])"
[aboveground] GameMaster exclaims, "tarot readings...by picking the prettier card!"
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "er, iLac"
[aboveground] Eolo says, ""this fool looks so *adorable* next to Death!""
BastardJack goes to bed.
Eolo says, "it is time to retire, I agree"
GameMaster says, "also, GameMaster go now."
GameMaster has disconnected.
GameMaster exits stage left.
Cadiz nods.
[aboveground] Ghogg asks, "any OOC comments?"
Giovanna goes to bed.
[aboveground] Ghogg says, "you do see why communication between parties is not allowed, yes? :-)"
[aboveground] BastardJack asks, "Er, wait - is that for the night?"
Eolo goes into his room, shuts the door, stacks his clothes, puts knives under pillow, oils crossbow, puts it on floor, and goes to bed.
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "yup"
[aboveground] Ghogg says, "yeah"
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "I just meant going to bed IC..."
Eolo puts a chair in front of the door before going to sleep, to make noise if anyone opens it.
Cadiz stays up a bit before retiring, writing down the events of the day, plus some idle speculations about the Marquis, Charles, Umberto, and the caves themselves. Finally, he crosses himself, prays for wisdom, and goes to bed.
[aboveground] Ghogg says, "heh"
[aboveground] Ghogg says, "well, I was planning to use that as a stopping point anyway"
Giovanna hears scraping furniture in the next room, gets out of bed, pushes the bedside table in front of HER door. And locks the window.
[aboveground] Ghogg says, "also, this was a bit of change from fighting pirates, eh? ;-)"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I expect the marquis was a pirate when he was younger"
BastardJack prowls around the room restlessly for a while, examines the door lock, shuts and bolts the window, reconsiders and opens it again, climbs into bed, tosses and turns for a bit, gets up and shuts the window, puts his dagger within easy reach, goes back to bed, gets up and BOLTS the window, and finally sinks into sleep.
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "I find it interesting that bits that we kind of went along with earlier 'for the good of the story' turned out to be things we should have paid more attention to IC."
[aboveground] Ghogg says, "well, the questionaire was a bit of a hoax"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "heh"
Cadiz gets a much better sleep than all these distrustful people down the hall.
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Yeah. I point out that I wasn't THERE during the prologue for this, but that's my fault..."
[aboveground] BastardJack exclaims (at Cadiz), "HAH!"
[aboveground] Ghogg says, "or least meant to misdirect you into thinking this was all just the GM trying to get the first part over with"
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "So there was OOC deception involved? Diabolical."
[aboveground] BastardJack lags horribly. If you get this, pray for me.
[aboveground] BastardJack says, "Er, wait - that came through immediately. It's just that nobody *else* is saying anything..."
Cadiz adds a prayer for distrusting Jack.
[aboveground] Giovanna says, "some of us are getting tired"
[aboveground] Eolo says, "I guess we can turn the log off"
[aboveground] BastardJack asks, "Time to quit then. See you next Saturday?"
Eolo has disconnected.
[aboveground] Cadiz says, "Sure."
[aboveground] BastardJack waves.
Eolo has connected.
BastardJack has disconnected.
[aboveground] Ghogg says, "hopefully with everyone this time"
[aboveground] Eolo asks, "er, right. 8pm next week?"
[aboveground] Ghogg says, "yeah"