[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "logging."
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "it wouldn't be the end of the world to reschedule.  starting back a full time work schedule, on top of mothering newborn, resulted in me getting sick.  bed is equally attractive as 7th sea tonite."
[7thsea] Maxwell asks, "It was about bedtime, right?"
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov asks, "and then giovanna starting making inferences about me & deigo.  or was that earlier?"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez asks, "So technically, as far as we're concerned, we're only really missing Rudiger?"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "Giovanna is always making inferences."
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says (to Era), "Heh."
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "era is less subtle."
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "And Diego is mostly oblivious."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "right. so off to the races with you. do anything you want before you leave, then I'll warp you to on the road"
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says (to diego), "Cadiz & I already have a thing.  :-P:::"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says (to Era), "yeah, but that's in Real Life."
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov -P::: anyway.
DiegoValdez says, "Hm."
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "heh."
DiegoValdez asks, "Well, what now?"
Era_Khar'Kov says, "The shopping here is atrocious. I say we leave."
Maxwell says, "Our pseudo-pegleg man seems too ill-timed to be coincidence, but there's not much point chasing him around now."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "The horse market is depressingly slim."
Maxwell says, "Especially given the business we can attend to."
DiegoValdez says, "I agree."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "If dithering about gains us nothing, then the conclusion seems obvious."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "Let's obtain what we need, and depart."
Maxwell says (to Eolo & Giovanna), "If you do go after him while we're gone, do be careful and remember he's expecting you."
DiegoValdez says, "Heh. I think I will get me a few links of these sausages. They seem extremely practical for travel."
Maxwell says, "Most of what we need is still ready."
DiegoValdez says, "Excellent. First thing in the morning, then...."
[7thsea] Maxwell hits the Done button.
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "Time & space flicker . .. ."
Ghogg does some hand-waving
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "<cue 7th Sea theme music>"
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "hee"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "And now a word from our sponsor..."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "nike nike nike"
[7thsea] Maxwell says (to Diego), "Funny, sounds just like Monkey Island music to me."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "And now back to the show..."
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov groans.
Ghogg says, "You are on a road. What do you, the detective, do next?>"
Maxwell rides rides rides.
DiegoValdez is dressed in a fresh suit, swordsman's pin shining.
Ghogg says, "the difficult difficult difficult horse"
Era_Khar'Kov practices horse archery and trick riding en route.
DiegoValdez trots along. Ah, this brings back memories.
Ghogg says, "There's someone travelling opposite in the distance...a modified carriage of sort that clanks and clatters even from here."
DiegoValdez asks, "ah, new travelling companions?"
Ghogg says, "Some odd baubles attached, but you can't really see it very well from this distance."
DiegoValdez slows a bit, watching curiously.
(From Ghogg) clank clank clank
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "If you say that it's a horseless carriage.........."
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "do the horses roll resolve? ;-)"
Ghogg says, "It looks like a travelling salesman of some sort, with a carriage being pulled by a grizzled-looking horse."
Ghogg says, "He's got all sorts of odd glassy and colored items attached to his vehicle."
Era_Khar'Kov examines the carriage in more detail as it approaces.
DiegoValdez says (to Era&Max), "perhaps we should ask if the fellow is on his way to Freiburg as well. Safety in numbers, you know."
Ghogg says, "He clanks into hearing range."
Maxwell says, "He seems to be going the other way."
Ghogg exclaims, "Hail there!"
DiegoValdez exclaims, "Hail!"
Maxwell says, "Hallo traveller."
[Crows-Nest] (from DiegoValdez) Maxwell says, "Heil!"
Ghogg says, "He's a short apple-faced man wearing a turban with scraggly hair running behind him."
DiegoValdez asks, "Buenos dias, senor. How do you fare?"
Ghogg says, "Ah, I might ask the same of you, good sir."
Maxwell says, "Nice day for travel, anyway."
Ghogg asks, "Are you need of any of my wares, possibly something to combat the weariness of the ride?"
Ghogg says, "I have many tonics well suited to the purpose."
DiegoValdez asks, "Oh? What have you got?"
DiegoValdez peers interestedly at the various baubles.
Ghogg says, "Ah, lesse here..."
Ghogg says, "He gets off and opens the door"
DiegoValdez dismounts as well.
Ghogg says, "There's loads of junk and glassy items and green things inside."
Ghogg says, "He rummages."
Ghogg says, "Hmm..."
Ghogg says, "Looking for anything in particular? I have quite a selection."
DiegoValdez asks, "Ah ... we have had some trouble with the wild beasts ... if you happen to have anything to deter them?"
Ghogg says, "Interesting...I had another request like that just down the road."
DiegoValdez perks up his ears. "Oh?"
Maxwell looks more interested.
Ghogg says, "Scraggling fellow, travelling with his wife. 'pparently has some critters howlin' at them."
Ghogg says, "Now, lesse..."
Ghogg says, "He draws out a greenish bottle."
DiegoValdez wonders.
Ghogg says, "Take a whiff."
Ghogg says, "He takes off the lid and waves it under Diego's nose."
DiegoValdez wafts the fumes back at himself cautiously.
Ghogg says (to Diego), "No odor."
DiegoValdez says, "Er."
DiegoValdez says, "I don't smell anything."
Ghogg says, "No scent, right? Now watch this..."
Era_Khar'Kov does not volunteer to test it on herself.
Ghogg asks, "Do you want me to test on your steed, or mine?"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez asks (of Era), "had your fill of scents, I take it?"
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "I'm not much of a perfume person, anyway."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "they know a good eat when they see one"
DiegoValdez looks at the salesman's pitiful-looking creature.
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov (to Ghogg) -P
[Crows-Nest] (from Maxwell) Ghogg says (to Diego), "It looks pitiful."
DiegoValdez says, "I think I'll take your word for it ... no need to distress these good animals."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says (to Era), "On Wednesday nights they have an all-you-can-eat sale"
Ghogg says, "Ah, very good then, sir."
Maxwell asks (of Vendor), "If I might ask, did that couple you mentioned say from where they were coming?"
Ghogg says, "Hm. No."
Maxwell says, "I wonder if other people have been seeing more beasts than usual, besides us."
Ghogg says, "I was just passed the toll passage spot when I came across them, they were heading to Freiburg."
DiegoValdez says, "Aha, where we're headding. Perhaps we could catch up with them and travel together."
Ghogg asks, "ah, well, would you like this product, then?"
Ghogg says, "I establish a policy of no pressure on the customer."
DiegoValdez says, "Oh yes, of course."
Maxwell asks (of Vendor), "How much of that do you have?"
Ghogg says, "So you may name your price."
Ghogg says, "A couple bottles remaining."
DiegoValdez asks, "Let's see ... a guilder, perhaps?"
DiegoValdez has no knack for Haggling.
Maxwell says, "You might be able to sell more of it if you're headed to Lo"wenherz."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg cringes at the o"
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov falls off her horse, and collapses in a snoring heap on the road.
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "I forget what you wanted for those."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "oe if you could :-)"
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "right."
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "I knew I was tired; I was not expecting to have dreams I can remember between reading lines."
Ghogg says, "Pfft."
Ghogg says, "I do mean a reasonable price."
Ghogg says, "These are carefully synthesized chemicals from the finest chemists in Vodacce."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "Sir, I lack a shovel.  A guilder is ridiculous."
DiegoValdez reddens slightly.
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "yay shovel."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "Half a guilder.  No more."
Ghogg says, "Pfft."
Ghogg he gets on his horse.
Ghogg says, "I don't sell items on loss, good lady."
Maxwell says, "Sounds a bit more valuable than that to me."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "Fine, then.  As you will."
DiegoValdez says, "Well, I could afford the guilder."
Ghogg inserts the flask in a compartment on the ceiling and closes the door.
DiegoValdez asks, "Say, a guilder and 50 cents?"
Ghogg says, "Hmm.."
Ghogg says, "If you take all the bottles off my hands, I'll take that price."
Maxwell says, "I don't think we meant to insult you, but I confess I don't know what a reasonable price is."
DiegoValdez says, "But if we take all the bottles, there will none left for Lowenherz."
Ender disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.
Maxwell asks, "Are you heading that way?"
Ghogg says, "Sorry, not passing that way."
DiegoValdez says, "well. alright, then. a guilder and a half."
DiegoValdez says, "not such a bad deal, really."
Era_Khar'Kov says (to Diego), "I think you were cheated.  You are obviously noble, and have money, and he took advantage."
Era_Khar'Kov says (to Diego), "But if its worth that much to you, then it is."
Ghogg says, "Hmf. I will not be insulted in this way."
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "4 potions of Repel Monster for 600 zorkmids. Pay? [y/n]"
DiegoValdez says (to Era), "I don't know. a guilder and a half for his entire stock seems reasonable."
Ghogg says, "Good day to you. I was meaning to warn you about something up ahead, but I guess not."
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "I thought the vendor had left.  I didn't say it in his hearing."
DiegoValdez asks (of Vendor), "Oh? Oh wait, what?"
Ghogg says, "Goodbye."
Ghogg says, "He gets the horse moving again."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "Then I misunderstood.  I thought a guilder and a half per *bottle*.  My apologies."
DiegoValdez exclaims, "Two guilders!"
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "that was the price. You're still not helping."
Ghogg says, "He's already moving down the road."
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez asks, "heh, 's alright ... didn't your character have the 'Rash' hubris anyway?"
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "sho' nuf.  :-)  notice the lack of people skills on the character sheet, too."
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "and I did clarify that i didn't say you were cheated in the guy's hearing."
DiegoValdez exclaims, "Three guilders!"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "after the fact"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "muahahah"
Ghogg says, "He's out of earshot now."
Era_Khar'Kov feels guilty, and contributes a guilder or two.
DiegoValdez doesn't blame Era, really.
DiegoValdez jumps on his horse and spurs it back after the vendor.
Maxwell says, "Hm. Some of that might have been useful later. Oh well."
Maxwell asks, "Say, now what?"
Era_Khar'Kov is quite good at blaming herself, regardless of what other people do.
DiegoValdez exclaims, "be right back...!"
(From Ghogg) ride ride ride
Ghogg says (to Diego), "You are back in earshot."
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "<grin>"
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "afk"
DiegoValdez says, "three guilders."
Ghogg asks, "Hm?"
Ghogg says, "He stops the horse."
DiegoValdez says, "and my apologies."
Ghogg says, "He gets off again."
Ghogg says, "Sounds like a deal."
DiegoValdez smiles.
Ghogg says, "He opens the door and quickly finds three green bottles."
Ghogg says, "These are to be either applied directly to the skin or soaked into a piece of clothing. Animals hate the smell. Don't use it near your horses, and I'd recommend trying a rudimentary scarf as the clothing."
Ghogg says, "He hands over the bottles."
DiegoValdez says, "Si, si, I understand. Gracias."
DiegoValdez pulls out his purse.
Ghogg says, "Watch out for the toll ahead, if they don't recognize you they'll charge an extra guilder."
Ghogg says, "Cost is really a half guilder."
Ghogg says, "Had to hassle them abit on that one."
DiegoValdez asks, "recognise us? now how would we get them to do that?"
Ghogg says, "He gets on the carriage again."
Ghogg says (to Diego), "Just make sure when they try to rip you off, you let them know that."
Ghogg exclaims, "Hey ho!"
Ghogg says, "The horse gets moving again."
DiegoValdez grins and tosses a guilder onto the seat beside the vendor.
DiegoValdez says, "For the information, senor. Buenos dias."
DiegoValdez turns and gallops back to the others.
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez asks, "how much have I just spent? 3 per bottle or 3 for 3 bottles?"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "3 for 3 bottles"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "right. plus the 1, that's 4."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "right"
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "Hey, not bad."
DiegoValdez says (to Era&Max), "Well, I got the stuff. Oh, and he says that the toll up ahead is a half-guilder per person, but they'll try to rip you off."
(From Ghogg) gallop gallop gallop
Maxwell says, "Hope you didn't throw too much money around for an apology."
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "back"
DiegoValdez says, "I? Don't be silly."
(From Ghogg) gallop gallop gallop
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "yay Era."
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov asks, "wha'd I do?"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "you came back."
Ghogg says, "Up ahead you see a rickety carved log of sorts placed across the road."
Maxwell pulls to the front.
Ghogg says, "There's someone on each side, they are wearing mostly plain clothing, although they have dark capes."
Ghogg says, "One woman and one man."
Ghogg says, "Also, perception check, all."
[7thsea] Maxwell rolls 3k3: 1 10+3 3 | 17
DiegoValdez rides just a bit behind Max.
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov rolls 3k3: 7 8 1 | 16
[7thsea] DiegoValdez rolls 3k3: 1 7 3 | 11
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "there's also a skill that would apply, but I don't think anyone has it"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "If it's Cold Read, I have it."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "not Cold Read"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "and I know you have it :-)"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "darn"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez asks, "Fashion?"
Ghogg says, "Halt! Official toll here."
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "if its a social skill, I don't have it.  :-)"
DiegoValdez halts.
Maxwell hands over G1.50. "Good day."
Ghogg says, "It goes to fund the reconstructing of our tattered roads in Freiburg. So do not feel it is wasted."
Ghogg says, "Good day then, sir."
Ghogg says, "Off ye go."
Ghogg says, "He lifts the log, the other person does so on the other end, they take it off the road."
DiegoValdez nods and rides along with Max.
Era_Khar'Kov prods her horse into a brisk trot.
(From Ghogg) trot trot trot
[7thsea] DiegoValdez asks, "Hm. Did I misread the vendor's information?"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "hm? I paid for all of us."
[7thsea] Ghogg says (to Diego), "no"
DiegoValdez says, "Well. That was easier than I'd anticipated."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "but obviously you aren't being very astute at nasty GM tricks :-)"
Eolo has connected.
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "Olah, Eolo."
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "I have a slight suspicion, but don't feel like doing anything about it yet."
Ghogg says, "About an hour down, you see a decorated carved log of sorts on the road."
Maxwell says, "Hmph."
Ghogg says, "There's one person on each side, two older looking men wearing fancy clothes."
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "Yeah, just occurred to me that he may have meant G0.50 for the whole party, not G0.50 per person."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "he meant 'per person'"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "He said per person."
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "right"
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "howdy."
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "Glad to see you could join us."
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "Yay Eolo."
Eolo says, "hey"
[Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "just finished seeing parents, sister out door"
DiegoValdez frowns. Another toll?
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "I pushed the time back an hour so you and Emily wouldn't miss as much"
[Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "yeah, I saw. thanks."
[Crows-Nest] Eolo asks, "am I along for this? are we going to freiburg?"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says (to Eolo), "I was guessing you were staying back with Giovanna and investigating the critters"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says (to Eolo), "since that was your original plan"
Maxwell asks (of Tollkeeper), "I'm afraid to ask, but is this the only toll on this road?"
[Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "good 'nuff"
[Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "perhaps I'll idle a bit then and see if she shows"
Ghogg says, "Halt! One and a half guilder each. And of course it's the only toll."
Era_Khar'Kov asks (of Diego&Max), "Do you think it worth our while to hunt down the previous "toll" keepers?"
Maxwell says (to Tollkeeper), "You may want to inform the law, there are impostors taking 'tolls' on the road."
DiegoValdez says, "Santa Maria! Do I feel like a schmuck."
Maxwell says (to Era), "Bet they're gone by now."
Ghogg says, "Not my department, sorry. I'll report it in, though."
Ghogg says, "One and half guilders each, please."
DiegoValdez says (to Era), "<sigh> Well, it's only money ... it can be earned back."
Era_Khar'Kov says (to Maxwell), "I'm sure they've moved, but that looked like a regular scam.  My money says they are in the area."
Maxwell says, "You mean one and a half guilders for all of us, surely."
Ghogg says, "No, each. This is official instituted for the City of Freiburg."
Maxwell says (to Era), "Maybe on the way back, if the authorities haven't found them by then."
Giovanna has connected.
DiegoValdez asks, "But how do we know you're the real thing, and not the tollkeepers we met earlier?"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez exclaims, "Giovanna! Yay!"
Ghogg says, "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to pay the toll or turn around."
Ghogg says, "It's not my concern if you've had problems arriving."
Maxwell says, "We'll pay the toll. Fifty cents each, and nothing for your own pockets."
[7thsea] Giovanna asks, "am I correct in supposing that this is en route to Freiberg, or something?"
DiegoValdez says, "But it IS your concern if someone's been impersonating you and causing your good office to be discredited."
Ghogg says, "The toll is one and a half guilders each. Pay or turn around."
[7thsea] Eolo says, "we stayed behind to investigate the monsters further"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "ah, okay"
Ghogg says (to Diego), "Sir, I only do what has been comissioned to me by the City of Freiburg."
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "It's fairly discredited already."
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says (to Max), "hush, trying to schmooze here."
[7thsea] Ghogg says (to Eolo&Giovanna), "you can start doing stuff, unless you want to keep just watching this for abit"
Maxwell asks, "Oh, I see. I'm sorry. I don't suppose you have papers explaining the increase in toll?"
Ghogg says, "It's always been this price, sir."
[7thsea] Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "Well? Shall we do stuff?"
[7thsea] Eolo says, "let me idle one sec"
[7thsea] Ghogg asks (of Giovanna), "how was dinner? did you bring me cheese?"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "yes; no."
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "er, I mean, good; no."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "pfft. no drama die for you"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez asks, "Lemme guess ... the vendor was in league with the fake tollkeepers?"
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "yup.  loox that way."
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "!! um... wait, you mean... this cheese??  (produces wheel of brie from a hidden pocket)"
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "I still say no."
[7thsea] Ghogg says (to Giovanna), "always equipped at all times, are we? :-)"
DiegoValdez looks at the tollkeeper, trying to figure out if the man is lying.
[7thsea] Giovanna asks, "what do you think that conceal skill is for?"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "hee"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez rolls 4k3: 3 8 4 7 | 19
Ghogg says (to Diego), "He's not lying."
Maxwell says, "... Hmm. That's not what I heard."
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "Um. Something tells me our information was based on the fake tollkeepers."
DiegoValdez asks (of Tollkeeper), "You realise, of course, that we could easily check this up when we get to Freiburg ... and that there will be repercussions?"
Ghogg says, "Sir, if you don't pay the toll you will have to turn around."
Maxwell asks (of Diego), "What, the vendor didn't pass this toll?"
DiegoValdez is getting out his purse as he speaks.
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "Uh. I have no idea."
DiegoValdez asks, "G1.50, was it?"
Ghogg says, "Guilder and a half each."
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "I think we can take 'em."
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "(jk)"
Giovanna has disconnected.
Giovanna has connected.
DiegoValdez says, "Well, here's 5. G4.50 for all of us, and a half-guilder for your trouble."
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "brf"
Ghogg says, "I only require the guilders for the toll, Sir."
Ghogg says, "He hands the half back."
Ghogg says, "He and the other tollkeeper take the log off."
DiegoValdez says, "No no, have a drink on me when your shift is done."
Maxwell says, "Sorry to be so much trouble."
DiegoValdez says, "We'll be back this way later ... I hope we meet again."
Ghogg says, "Just doing my duty, sir. Move along now."
DiegoValdez nods to the various men, hoping they'll remember him.
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "in case there's trouble here later."
DiegoValdez rides along.
DiegoValdez says (to Max&Era), "sorry about that ... I was sure the fellow's information was reliable. Still, we'd best check when we get to Freiburg."
(From Ghogg) Ride ride ride
Ghogg says, "Eck, need to find something in my Eisen book. Chat for a sec."
Maxwell says (to Diego), "Can't blame you."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "And assist a posse in hunting whichever group was false."
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "oh dear."
DiegoValdez says (to Era), "That too."
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov asks, "yes?"
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov asks, "yes?"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "Eisen book."
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "GM planning anything is a Bad Thing."
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "d@m."
DiegoValdez asks (of Era), "Now, who was this fellow you were looking for in Freiburg?"
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "but it could mean action - that's always fun.  even if you wind up mostly dead."
Ghogg says, "You trudge along and espy some shanties in the distance."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "A man who may have information on my family knife."
DiegoValdez says, "Ah, a matter of La Familia."
Era_Khar'Kov says, "Yes, it is quite important."
(From Ghogg) trudge trudge trudge
Era_Khar'Kov says, "And if I could find it, my family would welcome me back that much more readily."
Ghogg says, "As you get closer you see some glassy-eyed people walking around."
DiegoValdez asks (of Era), "What? Would they not welcome their own blood back just as readily in any case?"
Ghogg says, "Also, father in the distance there's some towers and houses."
DiegoValdez glances about at the glassy stares, somewhat uncomfortably.
Era_Khar'Kov says, "Of course one is always welcome, but it is a matter of degree.  My parents were not best pleased when I expressed reservations about marrying the nice young boy they liked for me."
[7thsea] Ghogg pokes Giovanna&Eolo with a stick
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "I think Eolo is finishing something"
Era_Khar'Kov says, "I object to marrying anyone I can best at riding, fighting and shooting."
[7thsea] Eolo finishes email.
DiegoValdez says (to Era), "I see. Well, I don't know much about that ... my parents never picked out any boy for me."
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "heh"
Maxwell asks (of Era), "I suppose you intend to remain single forever then?"
(From Ghogg) trot trot trot
Era_Khar'Kov says (to Diego), "Doubtless you would have been happy with any sufficiently lacy female."
Ghogg says, "You get closer and you see a dirty street...the glassy eyed people you saw are wandering in circles, moaning."
Era_Khar'Kov says (to Maxwell), "I'm flattered, but no."
Era_Khar'Kov reins in her horse at the pitiable sight.
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "so. the others having set off, perhaps it is now our turn to continue the investigation here"
Maxwell asks, "What's going on? Has someone been enchanting everyone into a stupor?"
DiegoValdez laughs at the 'lacy female' thing, but quiets down at the sight of the street people.
Era_Khar'Kov says, "Or drugging them, perhaps."
Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "Any suggestions about where we should begin?"
Eolo says, "well"
Eolo says, "we found some tracks leading to the forest last night"
Ghogg says, "oogly man gotsa ogga bring droll. death is a'coming. grooba otsa."
Eolo says, "the same man, apparently, with his false pegleg"
Giovanna says, "I see"
Ghogg moans and does a few more circles.
Giovanna says, "Lead on, then."
DiegoValdez says, "this is troubling...."
[7thsea] Maxwell points out that he reminded E&G that the guy will be expecting them.
Eolo says, "when we followed the last tracks, we found that underground room, a trapped pit, and that fairly nasty pet of is"
Giovanna asks, "What good are tracks you don't intend to follow, then?"
Maxwell dismounts and walks up to the group of desolate confused people.
Eolo says, "but, yes, I'm afraid we don't much other choice at this point"
Era_Khar'Kov exclaims, "Maxwell, be careful.  If this is some sort of strange disease, you do not want to catch it!"
Giovanna says, "I suppose it's best to be on our guard, though."
Maxwell asks, "What happened here?"
Ghogg says (to Maxwell), "aaach. ergo soomli."
Eolo says, "my sloppiness yesterday puts me in no condition today to do much fighting unless absolutely necessary, but I fancy some quiet investigation would not be out of place"
DiegoValdez stays put and lets the diplomat do the talking.
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "they realized they were trapped in Dark City, pre John Murdock."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "also, cat on lap"
Giovanna nods
Eolo says, "so."
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "Let us be stealthy, then."
[7thsea] Maxwell asks, "Wait, not really?"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "real life cat on my lap"
Eolo says, "right"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "my typing will be slowed"
Giovanna puts on her quietest pair of shoes
Maxwell turns back. "How odd. We'd better look for someone a bit more coherent."
Eolo checks his backpack, makes sure rope and lantern and so on are secured, touches his cloak quickly, fingering knife-hilts, and nods.
[Crows-Nest] Era_Khar'Kov says, "Giovanna's only noisy shoes are for table-dancing."
Eolo says, "excellent."
Eolo asks, "shall we set off?"
Giovanna gestures for Eolo to lead the way.
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "perhaps we'll find out more in town."
Maxwell nods and remounts.
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov asks, "is everyone we can see like this?"
Maxwell trots onward.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "only three people"
[7thsea] Eolo is forced to check transcript to remember names.
[Crows-Nest] Giovanna says, "but she only does that if there's been a really good wine at dinner"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "aww, my cat is so cute"
Eolo says (to Franz), "we'll be going into the forest for a bit following these tracks. if we aren't back by nightfall, perhaps you could arrange for some investigation."
DiegoValdez trots along behind Max.
Eolo and Giovanna set out into the forest, watchfully following the footprints.
Maxwell mumbles, "Verzwiflung verzweifelt."
Ghogg says, "Franz says, "Aye. Anything else you need?""
Ghogg says, "There's alot of broken shanties"
Ghogg says, "Some grubby people on the street walking by, they seem cohesive."
Maxwell asks, "Hail! What happened to this place?"
DiegoValdez thinks about the clean, well-ordered streets of San Cristobal, feels distressed.
Ghogg says, "You get a glare from one fellow."
Ghogg says, "New in town, eh? Get out of my way."
[7thsea] Ghogg asks, "just out of curiousity, anyone have the Eisen book?"
Maxwell asks, "I don't suppose we could help anything?"
Ghogg says, "They walk by not noticing"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "not I."
Eolo continues to follow the tracks into the forest, looking carefully for splits and side-trails.
Giovanna walks along after Eolo, holding her skirts out of the mud.  Seem to be a lot of occasions for this kind of thing lately.  Time to buy some shorter gowns.
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "Not I anymore, but I think I know what's going on."
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "tracking with resolve"
Ghogg says, "Fortunately, no rain during the night, so you can still see them."
[7thsea] Eolo asks (of Ghogg), "keen senses?"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez exclaims, "Yay, Vodacce ankles!"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "eh, sure"
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 5k2: 4 2 5 6 7 | 13
[7thsea] Eolo says, "beh"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "It seems Diego will be appreciative of shorter gowns"
[Crows-Nest] Giovanna says, "Diego ain't here"
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell asks, "Isn't 'eh, sure' GM for 'you're not gonna find anything on that anyway'?"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "hee"
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "I'm falling alseep again. i better go to bed before midnight.  g'night."
[Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "not if I roll like that, anyway"
[7thsea] Eolo says, "bye era"
Ghogg says, "It goes up to the forest but then gets somewhat confused."
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "aw."
Ghogg asks, "Also, Maxwell and company: what aer you doing?"
Eolo frowns.
[7thsea] Era_Khar'Kov says, "wish I could stay but the sandman is calling . . ."
Maxwell continues on, now looking for coherent, non-grumpy people.
Era_Khar'Kov goes home.
Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "Well?"
DiegoValdez is following Max, presuming that he knows where to go or what to do.
Giovanna arches an eyebrow, surveying the surroundings.  Lovely place to get lost, this...
Eolo shakes his head absently. "Maybe if we step in a bit, I'll be able to pick it up better inside."
Giovanna nods
DiegoValdez asks (of Max), "Perhaps we'll find something at the inn?"
Eolo walks into the forest, looking to see if there's an open bit of earth that'd pick up the tracks better.
Ghogg says (to Maxwell), "well, in this shanty area, you won't find any"
Giovanna goes along
[7thsea] DiegoValdez asks, "also, are we on the outskirts of Freiburg, or is this some random village along the way?"
Ghogg says (to Maxwell), "specify if you want to look for a specific area, or move into Freiburg instead"
Maxwell says, "This isn't quite what you'd call a 'town'."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "I whispered the information to Maxwell"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "he hasn't felt like mentioning it, I guess"
DiegoValdez asks (of Max), "eh?"
Maxwell says, "It's named Verzwiflung, but the name is about all it has to itself, besides these few shanties."
DiegoValdez asks, "you know something about it?"
Maxwell says, "Just that it's a tiny group of buildings. That used to be more normal."
DiegoValdez says, "It's making me uncomfortable. I wish there were something we could do."
Maxwell says, "We might inspect one of the smashed-up shanties, since the people here don't seem too helpful."
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "resolve + tracking"
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 5k2: 10+10+3 1 9 10+1 8 | 34
[7thsea] Eolo says, "but I'm crippled, so no explodes"
[7thsea] Eolo says, "but, still, 20."
DiegoValdez says, "Let's do that, then."
Ghogg says, "You catch the trail again, it's much fainter here, but it does seem to proceed inward."
DiegoValdez rides towards the nearest wreck.
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "here, I think."
Maxwell walks up to the one he's been glancing at. Happens to be the nearest.
Giovanna looks where Eolo is looking, sees nothing.
Ghogg says, "It's got 3 walls."
Eolo follows the trail for a bit.
Ghogg says, "Lots of debris and rubble."
Ghogg says, "No roof."
[7thsea] Eolo asks (of Ghogg), "are we off the forest trail and into the bushes here?"
Ghogg says, "Looks like the 3 walls are just scavenged pieces of wood"
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "If we could even just get some information -- his name, and some effect of his -- I could do a sorte spread and see if we can discover his affiliations..."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "it's in bushy territory"
Eolo nods.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "and I need another resolve+track"
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 5k2: 5 3 9 10+9 5 | 28
[7thsea] Eolo says, "19"
Maxwell says, "It might be easier to tell what sort of damage was done if the place had been more solidly built originally."
Eolo says, "if this trail runs out we'll loose that hawk"
DiegoValdez asks, "You don't think it could have just caved in on itself?"
(From Ghogg) Eolo and Giovanna trudge
[7thsea] Eolo says (to Ghogg), "*creep*"
Maxwell asks (of Diego), "Well, okay. But what about the rest of them?"
[7thsea] Eolo says, "er, as a verb, I mean. not an adjective."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "also, Maxwell seems to have misinterpreted the meaning of the word 'shantytown'"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "shanties are rudimentary shelters put up by people with little or no money that tend to cluster in groups"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "Probably."
Giovanna walks on, occasionally glancing around and behind them
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "falling apart is natural"
Ghogg says, "It's going fairly deep in..."
Ghogg says, "Resolve+track"
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 5k2: 8 7 1 10+6 10+4 | 30
DiegoValdez says, "if they're all as ramshackle as this one seems to have been..."
DiegoValdez knocks on the nearest wall.
[7thsea] Eolo says, "20 again"
Maxwell jumps away from the shanty.
[7thsea] Eolo says, "it's a pity I'm too crippled to really appreciate these 10s"
Ghogg says, "It bends in quite a bit"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "There's nx, you know."
DiegoValdez steps back, lest the house fall on him.
Ghogg says, "perception Eolo and Giovanna"
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 5k4: 3 9 9 6 8 | 32
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 4k3: 3 6 3 8 | 17
DiegoValdez tries to shake this sudden unbidden image of yellow-bricked roads from his mind.
Ghogg says, "You notice a discarded rag of some sort near the tracks"
Giovanna kneels to get a closer look, but doesn't actually touch it.
Ghogg says, "It's smeared with blood."
Eolo says, "what's that? -- ah."
Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "Any reason to think our friend would've been wounded last night?"
Eolo says, "convenient."
Eolo says, "well. there are possibilities."
Maxwell says, "Well, I'm not learning anything from this."
Eolo says, "if he set off the explosion, he may have been damaged."

<reconnect>

DiegoValdez says (to Max), "perhaps we should move on."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "DUFFY, ANALYZE RAG"
Eolo stares at the rag for a bit.
[Crows-Nest] Giovanna says, "HA"
[Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "yay"
Giovanna sniffs carefully in its vicinity
Ghogg says, "It's just a plain white sheet torn abit. There's hand marks where someone smeared some blood."
Maxwell leads the group on, still watching the people they pass.
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "do you think you could, mm, ascertain who this belonged to? if so, it might be best to return to the manor and do so in private"
Giovanna frowns.  "I don't believe I would succeed trying to read an OBJECT."
Giovanna says, "But it's worth keeping, because if we do discover that it belonged to him, it might be a way to tap into his power -- if we had his name."
Eolo nods.
DiegoValdez follows Max, thinking that if the Church were stronger here then perhaps something might be done.
Ghogg says, "You've reached the outskirts of a city proper."
Giovanna puts the rag, with some distaste, into her pocket, muttering something about burning this dress later
Giovanna asks, "Do you see a continuation for this trail?"
Eolo says, "I would suggest a certain amount of caution when speaking in the forest, m'lady. This is not our home territory."
Eolo says, "I can look."
Eolo kneels and resumes looking for traces.
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 5k2: 6 9 5 2 8 | 17
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "so this is Freiburg. I can tell it's not Charouse."
Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "(a little waspishly) I suppose you would prefer I read your mind?"
Ghogg says, "Normal looking sorts are bumbling about their business."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "it keeps going"
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "Hey. We're not to the gates yet."
Eolo frowns.
Eolo says, "(in Vodacce) I would prefer we exercise a little discretion if we are not sure we are alone."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "well, it's not one entrance"
Eolo says, "the trail continues."
Eolo asks, "shall we do likewise, m'lady?"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "and outskirts means you are looking in what you can more or less call a gate"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "not just one entrance"
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "(in Vodacce) Your point is well-taken.  I'm sorry."
Giovanna says, "Very well."
DiegoValdez says, "So this is the Freiburg I've heard so much about."
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "oh, I missed some."
Eolo and Giovanna keep going, more slowly now, eyeing the trail carefully.
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell asks, "Doesn't Freiburg have a city wall though? Or am I thinking of something else?"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "that is to say, Eolo eyes the trail and Giovanna wonders what the hell he's looking at."
Ghogg says, "It leads up to a rocky part where it ends"
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "at some point, I should check in with the Swordsman's Guild and let them know I'm here."
Eolo frowns.
Ghogg says, "The rocks are sort of a minature ravine on a slope in the forest."
Eolo asks, "doesn't miss a trick, does he?"
Ender arrives at home.
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "probably not an important point yet...."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "there's a wall, yeah"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg asks, "do you want me to describe the wall?"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "it's brownish-grey"
Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "I take it we don't know where he's going?"
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell asks, "Not really, just confused. We're just outside?"
Eolo says, "well"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "you are just outside looking in. just go in and end the confusion, eh? :-)"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, ">ENTER CITY"
Eolo says, "I imagine he has another hideaway in this part of the forest"
Eolo says, "this ravine would be a good place for it, in fact"
Ghogg says, "Right. People busy, year hear vendors calling out and the general sounds of bustling trade."
Eolo frowns.
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "(in Vodacce) I am a little hesitant to clamber into a ravine, however, considering that it's a good place to be taken unawares"
Eolo says, "but, even if we have caught him here, we are in no position to capture him"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "just to clarify, there's no 'hidden parts', the ravine more or less dips upward"
DiegoValdez takes deep breath. Wow, this is nothing like San Cristobal, or Barcino, or even Crieux.
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "(in Vodacce) I think you are correct. We would perhaps be best off making more inquiries in the town to see if we can ascertain his name, or some other clue to his identity"
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says (to Diego), "Right, they sell more sausage here."
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "heh"
[7thsea] Eolo asks (of Ghogg), "so it's like a hillside covered in rock for part? or it's just a small v-shaped ravine that we can see all the inside of?"
Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "(in Vodacce) But we failed to find anyone who knew his identity before, did we not?"
DiegoValdez exclaims, "look! A sausage-vendor!"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "also, let's assume that Eolo and I are talking in Vodacce all the time regardless of whether we say so during this part"
Maxwell asks (of Diego), "Don't tell me you ate all the wurst you packed?"
Ghogg says, "A carriage rushes by, nearly missing Diego"
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "Oh, no, but if we want some for the return trip, we know where to get it."
Ghogg says (to Giovanna), "wait, I thought this all was in Vodacce"
DiegoValdez exclaims, "eeagh!"
[7thsea] Giovanna says (to Ghogg), "right"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "but we keep typing (in Vodacce) in parentheses"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "I mean, everything you've said so far this session"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "so I'm volunteering to stop typing that and just let it be assumed"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "mmhm, okay"
Maxwell asks (of Diego), "what?"
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "yes, you are correct. but, frankly, it seems ridiculous he could keep a pack of hounds or a giant monster in the forest and go unnoticed. there must be someone -- a hunter or gamekeeper, perhaps -- that searches the area regularly"
[7thsea] Ghogg asks, "why would two Vodacce talk in a foreign language?"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "no reason"
[7thsea] Eolo says (to Ghogg), "purely to keep everyone on their toes."
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "Crazy carriage drivers...."
Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "but why? this isn't tame territory, is it?"
Maxwell says, "I suppose we should head to an inn and stable first."
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "si."
DiegoValdez looks back at where the carriage went.
Eolo says, "I am not sure how far lowenherz enforces his dominion into the forest; but in any case, I am sure some people must come in here to set snares for rabbits and gather mushrooms and so on"
Eolo says, "the other possibility, perhaps, is to find someone who knows where this fellow came from before he came to this town"
Eolo says, "and trace him that way"
Giovanna mutters something about this assuming an unlikely degree of culinary sophistication
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "Town detail I should mention -- fairly obvious now -- in the center of the city there's a tower about two hundered feet high constructed from the skeletons of several drachen"
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "Ah-- hmm."
[7thsea] Eolo says, "(are truffles found in eisen? they've clearly got the pigs to hunt them out)"
DiegoValdez is impressed.
Giovanna asks, "And are you sure this person is not protected by some arts of disguise?"
Eolo says, "not at all"
Maxwell says, "I know a good little place, been there a couple times."
[7thsea] Ghogg asks, "I don't think that's mentioned anywhere officially. Are truffles in Germany or Austria?"
Giovanna says, "We thought he had a pegleg, but it appears he doesn't; if he's similarly shifty in other regards, it may be hard to get a coherent account of his movements."
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "lead on, then"
Eolo says, "indeed"
Eolo says, "we found last time we investigated that he had been in to town for supplies a few times"
Eolo says, "the pegleg is a little mysterious, I admit"
Giovanna says, "But not very frequently, it sounded like."
Ghogg says (to Maxwell), "feel free to make something up if that's what you are doing, I had no important plot points for that aspect"
Giovanna says, "There's no reason to think he would have talked extensively to people there."
[7thsea] Maxwell asks, "I'm not too good with this feet thing. That compares to medium European cathedrals, or what?"
Giovanna says, "What makes me curious is *why* he chose to attack, however."
Eolo nods.
Eolo starts walking back to the manor as they talk.
Giovanna says, "We stirred up the nest by troubling his hiding place, I realize, but..."
Giovanna follows along, periodically glancing back over her shoulder.
Ghogg says, "Holdon, need to check Eolo/Giovanna's sheets"
Eolo says, "no, the first event was when he brought his creature into town to attack that child"
Giovanna says, "Right"
Giovanna says, "And I don't understand why."
Maxwell finds the place and takes care of stabling the horses.
Eolo says, "indeed, a foolish move on his part, on first appearance"
Ghogg says, "just do straight perception"
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 4k3: 9 6 3 3 | 18
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 5k4: 2 8 3 10+6 7 | 34
Ghogg says, "You pass by a tree you think you've passed by just five minutes ago."
Eolo frowns.
Giovanna says, "It's a sophisticated and difficult system of attack to do something stupid and cruel to an innocent being against whom he could've held no grudge-- hey"
Ghogg says, "Sort of a unique borehole."
Giovanna asks, "did you see that?"
Ghogg says, "Eh, knothole"
Giovanna inspects the knothole.
Eolo asks, "that tree?"
Giovanna says, "Yes, this."
Eolo says, "it does look -- a bit familiar."
Ghogg says, "Just an odd blob shape, sort of like a clover"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "it's Tall."
Giovanna frowns at Eolo.  "Are you leading us in circles?"
DiegoValdez stores his stuff.
[7thsea] Ghogg asks, "Ok, where are Maxwell/Diego/etc. heading to?"
Eolo raises an eyebrow. "Do you think it would benefit me to become lost with you?"
Giovanna looks off into the middle distance for a second.
Giovanna says, "I think it would benefit you highly to find our way HOME"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "Unless Max has other ideas, I'd like to make a quick stop at the Swordsman's Guild."
[7thsea] Eolo says, "ok, here's the plan. we wander around for a bit, then I kick the map into the river."
Giovanna says, "If you are referring to-- to my occasional temper..."
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "Hee"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "Also, want to find out more about Sieger. All the gossip I can get."
Eolo says, "the first thing to do is to make a few trail-marks."
Maxwell says, "Perhaps I should see Traegue alone. I assume the rest of you can find plenty to do in town."
Giovanna asks (of Eolo), "But you followed a trail out here.  Why aren't we following it back?"
Eolo kneels to make the appropriate breaks in branches and move the stones.
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "precisely."
Giovanna watches this procedure dispassionately.
Eolo says, "now, we continue a bit."
Eolo keeps walking.
Giovanna follows.
Ghogg says, "The trail you came in on is nowhere to be seen. You must have gotten distracted and come off track."
Eolo frowns.
Eolo says, "trail seems to have .. vanished."
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "It's a huge town."
DiegoValdez asks (of Max), "You sure you wouldn't rather we stuck together?"
Giovanna asks, "Magic, on the part of our opponent?  Or perhaps merely -- dare I suggest it -- superior woodcraft?"
Eolo says, "the man is clearly my superior in forest-lore, yes."
Maxwell says, "Oh, right. I suppose there will be time for everything."
Eolo says, "it seems, mm, unnecessary to bring in magic as an explanation"
Eolo says, "yet."
Giovanna says, "Very well; so suppose that we're deliberately trapped.  I'll assume that you're sufficiently competent not to have got lost by accident.  (With the air of one making a concession.)"
Maxwell says (to Diego), "You wanted to check in at your Guild, yes? That's on the eastern side..."
DiegoValdez nods.
DiegoValdez asks, "And Trague?"
Giovanna asks, "Could we not simply walk in a straight line?"
Eolo shrugs. "It's not out of the realm of possibility, but unlikely."
Giovanna says, "Forget the trail and choose a direction--"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez asks, "a pair of Vodacce walking the straight and narrow?"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "right."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "This could turn out to be Blair Witch Project: The 7th Sea Version"
Eolo says, "I regret to say I did not anticipate the need for a compass."
Maxwell says, "I should at least let his office know I'm here fairly soon."
Giovanna squints at the sun.
Eolo says, "which makes it a bit difficult to find a straight line in the forest."
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "Well, let's go to whichever is closest first, then."
Maxwell says, "But there's no problem heading for the Swordsman's Guild first."
Maxwell leads a walking tour.
Eolo looks at the sun also, trying to figure out the time.
Giovanna says, "We haven't been walking long; surely it's still morning."
Giovanna says, "So we could just go-- whichever direction-- (breaking off to try to figure out exactly how they came in.)"
DiegoValdez follows Max.
Ghogg says, "You pass by more hawkers and sellers dangling baubles in front of you."
Ghogg says, "You also espy the Rostrom river...down the bend a bit you see a bridge that appears to be made entirely of bone. Carriages pass over it regularly."
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "it's still more or less morning"
Eolo nods.
Ghogg says, "noonish in about an hour or so"
Giovanna says, "I'd rather be walking than standing here like an idiot."
DiegoValdez buys one of the glass globes with the bubbles and pictures inside. Also, a sausage-on-a-stick.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "hee"
Eolo says, "indeed"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "also, that's 'onna stick'"
[7thsea] Eolo asks (of Ghogg), "so can we estimate directions by the sun?"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "heh."
[7thsea] Eolo says, "I asusme we know vaguely what direction we entered"
Ghogg says, "Also, wits roll for Maxwell"
[7thsea] Maxwell rolls 3k3: 7 9 5 | 21
[7thsea] Ghogg says (to Eolo), "yeah"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "so we can just walk out again, more or less, I'd think"
[7thsea] Eolo says, "until the magic kicks in, yeah"
Eolo and Giovanna walk in the direction they estimate is the right one, based on the sun's position.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "well, it's a somewhat dense forest, so a straight line isn't a straight line no matter how hard you try, but more or less"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "and wits for both of you"
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 3k3: 6 9 1 | 16
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 4k4: 1 5 9 5 | 20
Ghogg says, "Maxwell notices a carriage barrel up from behind as you cross a road. He dives out of the way just in time."
DiegoValdez exclaims, "!"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez asks, "I don't suppose it's the same carriage?"
Ghogg says, "Eolo and Giovanna continue trudging."
Maxwell says, "... and right over there is where I was posted as a city Guard for some time."
Ghogg says, "It's fairly thick and Giovanna's gown keeps getting caught on stray branches."
Giovanna swears
Ghogg says, "Someone taps Diego on the shoulder."
Eolo rubs a knife hilt absently as he steps through the bushes.
DiegoValdez spins to face this someone.
Giovanna follows closely to make sure she doesn't get separated.
Ghogg says, "He's a slightly hunchbacked but youngish man, somewhat dirty but with respectable clothing."
Eolo makes occasional trail-marks as he walks.
DiegoValdez asks, "Si, can I help you?"
Ghogg says, "Sir, you look like the handy sort. I've got a bit o' trouble and the guards be brushin' me off."
Maxwell realizes Diego isn't following him after a few steps, and stops and turns.
Giovanna grumbles about how this is taking a lot longer than it took to walk in
DiegoValdez glances over in Max's direction, then turns back to the fellow.
Ghogg says, "Giovanna and Eolo: you hear a yelping and half moaning sound up ahead."
Eolo frowns.
Giovanna stops in her tracks
Eolo says, "(quietly) can't say I'm eager to meet more hounds"
Giovanna asks, "Is that a wolfy sort of yelp?"
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "No, nor I"
Eolo loads his crossbow.
Ghogg says, "Well, it's my sister, see, she's gotten my father mad again and locked her up in the basement. He'll probably be off drunk for a couple days and I'd like to get her out."
Giovanna looks at the trees, trying to determine whether they're climbable.
Ghogg says (to Giovanna), "sort of doggy-ish"
Ghogg says, "The sound is more or less fixed in the same place"
Ghogg says, "He's got the blasted key, too. I ain't got no strength left in my bones."
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "A crossbow is a start, but when Giovanna picks up a Big Branch, then you're ready."
[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "eeagh, lag."
DiegoValdez asks, "Could you not simply unlock the door?"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez asks, "Could I not simply not lag?"
Giovanna attempts to climb one of the trees to get a better from-a-distance kind of view
Ghogg says, "Can't bang it open 'cause of that."
Miseri arrives, looking for booty.
Ghogg asks (of Giovanna), "you have climbing?"
[7thsea] Miseri says, "Diego seems to be lagging."
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "no.  hence 'attempts.'  I imagine I slither back down pathetically."
Ghogg says, "I just lagged myself"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "well, right, finesse then"
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 3k3: 3 9 2 | 14
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "bah"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "It's got alot of branches, you clamber up but tear part of your gown"
[7thsea] Giovanna asks, "can I see anything?"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "lag over."
Ghogg says, "There's some sort of animal caught in a trap"
DiegoValdez beckons Max over.
Giovanna whispers down to Eolo, "You'd better be keeping your eyes on the ground."
[7thsea] Giovanna asks, "no one else around?"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "no"
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "keep an eye out, please."
Giovanna slithers back down the tree and reports her findings to Eolo, in as dignified a fashion as she can manage while trying to reaffix the portions of the gown to themselves.
Eolo says, "interesting."
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "this fellow seems to have a problem ... he says his sister has managed to get herself locked into the basement of his house, the poor girl."
Eolo asks, "what kind of trap? a snare?"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "also, I smell a rat."
Ghogg says, "Eolo isn't in the tree"
Giovanna grimaces.  "I am unacquainted with trap types.  At least, the sort used in hunting animals."
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "Heh. Alright, I suppose I wasn't listening."
Giovanna says, "You're welcome to climb the damned thing yourself, if you like."
Ghogg says, "(oh, thought that was directed at me)"
Eolo shrugs.
Giovanna says, "It didn't look like it was going anywhere."
Maxwell says, "Locked in? Hm."
Eolo says, "well, it seems safe enough to get a bit closer."
Giovanna nods a little breathlessly.
Eolo walks forward, glancing around for anyone waiting near the trap.
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "(just how ripped is this gown, anyway?)"
Giovanna follows cautiously
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "(there is some leg showing. you can use your own discretion as to amount.)"
[7thsea] Giovanna laughs
Maxwell says, "Well, let's see what we can do."
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "scandalous."
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "Nobody else seems to be around"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "yay vodacce ankles."
Eolo says, "right"
DiegoValdez nods. "show us the way.
Giovanna decides that worrying about the gown and worrying about being stealthy is too difficult, and disregards the rip for the time being.
Ghogg says, "Thank ye, sir."
Eolo gets a better look at the animal. wolf? dog?
[7thsea] DiegoValdez asks (of schep), "do you get the same 'we are walking into a trap' feeling?"
Ghogg says, "I'm afraid we live in a slightly less respectable part of town, hope ye don't mind."
Giovanna picks up a stick.  She feels better with a stick in hand, these days.
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "Of course."
Eolo asks, "getting used to that, eh?"
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "it's the same type of animal you were attacked by yesterday"
DiegoValdez smiles. "Oh, not at all.
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "it's left front foot is caught in a bear trap"
Giovanna asks, "Is this how he's getting them? Trap, heal, train?"
DiegoValdez says, "As long as we don't get run over by any carriages."
Giovanna asks, "Or is someone else hunting HIS animals?"
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "(are all the drivers here given to such reckless driving? You could have been killed by that last one.)"
Eolo says, "or, I suppose, this is his trap, but he didn't expect to catch this"
Ghogg says, "He trudges on to the west part of the city"
Eolo sees if the hound will let him get closer.
Giovanna asks, "Any signs of pegleggishness about?"
Ghogg says (to Giovanna), "that's a roll of some sort"
Eolo glances around for traces.
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 5k2: 1 2 7 3 1 | 10
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "I was asking Eolo, but -- right."
Maxwell says (to Diego), "Ah, you just have to be on your toes."
DiegoValdez trudges just a little behind.
[7thsea] Eolo says, "keerist."
[7thsea] Eolo says, "I expect you could do better than that"
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "what's that 2? not wits, surely"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "cold read ... tell me if I have grounds for suspicion....."
[7thsea] DiegoValdez rolls 4k3: 4 5 5 5 | 15
Maxwell says, "Besides, there aren't quite so many carriages in the part of town we're heading into."
[7thsea] Eolo says, "well, assuming I had to roll resolve again"
[7thsea] Ghogg rolls 4k4: 4 8 10+8 8 | 38
[7thsea] Ghogg says (to Diego), "nope"
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls pure resolve, looking around
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 3k3: 7 10+6 6 | 29
DiegoValdez nods.
[7thsea] Giovanna asks, "find anything?"
[7thsea] Ghogg says (to Giovanna), "There are some tracks of some sort, but not pegleg-ish."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "pretty large"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "as if made by giant obots"
[7thsea] Giovanna asks, "do they lead anywhere?"
Ghogg says, "Boots."
Giovanna points these out to Eolo.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "Well, they're too old, really. It's not a trail"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "Dang, robots would have been more exciting."
Eolo blinks.
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "I read that as 'as if made by giant robots'."
Giovanna asks, "I wonder whether this is anything?"
Eolo stares at Giovanna for a moment.
Giovanna says, "I mean, I lack forest lore..."
Giovanna says, "but they look RATHER like LARGE BOOTS to me."
Ghogg says, "It's sort of a short little house on the edge of town. Ragged sheets hung for curtains."
Ghogg says, "But the walls at least seem sturdy."
Eolo says, "I'm glad you're such a quick study as I go half-blind in my old age."
Giovanna stares back at Eolo, wondering what's wrong with him.
Giovanna says, "Just as well, really, considering that I'm not fit to appear in public at the moment."
DiegoValdez looks around.
Eolo raises an eyebrow. "I'd always imagined you were prepared for any occasion."
Eolo says, "I suppose this means this is a regular spot."
Maxwell asks, "This is your house?"
Eolo says, "but about this snare --"
Eolo tries to get closer, seeing if the hound will try and bite or whatever.
Giovanna asks, "Yes?"
Ghogg says, "Yep. In here..."
Ghogg says, "He opens the door and goes in"
Ghogg says, "It glares at Eolo and howls."
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "well, which makes it unlikely our trapper friend doesn't know about it, I would think"
Ghogg says, "It's leg is fairly well caught in there."
Ghogg says, "Its"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez asks (of Max), "okay, who gets to be first to meet the blackjack on the noggin?"
Giovanna looks at the animal.  "I hate those things like Legion, but I still hate seeing anything trapped like that."
Eolo kneels down and talks soothingly to the thing as he reaches for the snare.
Maxwell steps in the door and looks around.
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "Careful-"
[7thsea] Eolo asks (of Ghogg), "is it a rope snare? Could I cut it with a knife?"
DiegoValdez steps in after Max.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "it's metal"
Eolo frowns.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "bear trap = metal things that snap upward on leg"
[7thsea] Eolo says, "ok, it's a bear trap? wasn't sure"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "think I already mentioned that somewhere :-)"
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "could you find another stick like that one? it appears I'll need a lever"
[7thsea] Eolo says, "yeah, sorry."
Giovanna pokes around for a second stick.
Ghogg says, "It's a pretty shoddy looking house, not much in the way of decoration, just some plain furniture."
Eolo says, "hmm"
Ghogg says, "One of the chairs is smashed on the floor."
Ghogg says, "Man looks at it."
Giovanna hands Eolo spare stick, standing ready to hit the animal if necessary.
Eolo sees if he can place the stick into the trap jaws and pry them open.
Ghogg says, "My father, in one of his drunk moods, if you couldn't guess."
DiegoValdez nods. "It is unfortunate."
Ghogg says, "Basement door over here..."
Ghogg asks, "Maggie! You sleeping?"
Ghogg says, "The hound snaps at Eolo as he attempts it."
Ghogg says, "Do a finesse + traps"
Giovanna hisses under her breath.  "Eolo--"
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 6k4: 8 9 3 8 3 7 | 32
Ghogg says, "I'm awake? Father back yet? I'm gettin' hungry."
Giovanna asks, "This could be trouble.  Are you sure--?"
Eolo frowns, jerking hand slightly but then returning.
Ghogg says, "He manages to jam the stick so the bear trap is partially open"
Ghogg says, "The hound shifts his leg out and howls in pain"
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "no, but it seems like a good idea"
Giovanna gets a firmer grip on the stick.
Ghogg says, "The hound walks out of the trap and limps around"
Eolo continues talking soothingly to it and sees if he can get a look at the leg.
DiegoValdez searches his pockets for that lockpick that he got for the Montaigne adventure and never used.
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "(quietly) You didn't see how they were slobbering to finish you off last night."
Ghogg says, "I've brought some people to help. You should be out soon."
Giovanna says, "Nonetheless.  I wonder whether it knows its way to its home"
Ghogg says, "Good. Can't stand waitin' much longer...cold in here..."
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "I would have just caused indigestion, I am sure."
DiegoValdez says, "We'll have you out soon."
Eolo says (to Giovanna), "an excellent suggestion."
Ghogg says (to Diego), "'tis extracted."
Giovanna says, "Probably all gristle anyway."
Giovanna says, "Judging by your general manner."
Maxwell says, "Alright, should be easy enough."
Eolo says, "don't forget the bile, m'lady."
Maxwell takes out a lockpick and wiggles it in the lock.
[7thsea] Maxwell rolls 4k3: 3 8 10+1 4 | 23
Giovanna decides that it will not be necessary to hit the hound in the immediate future, and starts rummaging around for some of the painkilling stuff.
Ghogg says, "The hound howls in pain and walks in circles"
Ghogg says, "More or less ignoring Eolo"
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "A complete list seems excessive. I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings."
Eolo says, "perhaps it is for the best"
DiegoValdez says (to Max), "I didn't know you carried a lockpick around with you."
Ghogg says, "You hear a couple of clicks -- it's a crude lock -- and you successfully pry it open."
Giovanna asks, "Do you suppose there's a way to administer this?"
DiegoValdez quietly drops his own pick back in his pocket.
Giovanna says, "Do you have anything he could eat?  If he were in less pain he might be more useful to us."
Eolo looks in his pack for some rations.
Ghogg says, "It goes down some steps into a dark basement. A grubby short girl, about 12, bursts up."
Ghogg says, "Finally! Out of there..."
Giovanna says, "Something I could eat wouldn't go amiss either.  It looks like lunchtime, here."
Eolo says, "bread, perhaps? I have some dried meat but I don't know that it would take the potion well"
Giovanna says, "no, bread would absorb it better."
Eolo says, "I believe I also .."
Eolo pulls out a half-full bottle of wine.
Giovanna doses the bread very mildly, accounting for the dog's size and the desire not to put it out of consciousness entirely.
Maxwell says (to Diego), "It's -- useful sometimes."
Giovanna exclaims (at Eolo), "Ah!"
Eolo says, "scrounged from Lowenherz's kitchen. I can't really speak to the vintage but it's drinkable."
Ghogg says, "Oh, oh. I left my teddy down there."
Giovanna says, "You are entirely forgiven."
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "oh no."
Ghogg says (to Diego), "Could you get it for me? I don't wanna stay down there no more and brother will trip down the stairs."
Eolo says, "(once again, I am saved from the brink of disaster)"
Giovanna feeds the bread to the dog.
DiegoValdez says (to girl), "of course."
Giovanna smiles winningly at Eolo.
Ghogg says, "It eyes Giovanna suspiciously and snaps at her."
Giovanna drops the bread and backs away some distance.
Ghogg says, "finesse for Giovanna"
Eolo steps back also.
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 3k3: 1 7 1 | 9
[7thsea] Giovanna says, "yeesh"
DiegoValdez walks down.
Ghogg asks (of Diego), "thank ye. Bro, you get me some bread?"
DiegoValdez looks around for the lost teddy.
Ghogg says (to Diego), "It is quite dark, you have a hard time seeing ahead..."
Ghogg says, "Perception"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez rolls 3k3: 6 10+2 8 | 26
Ghogg says, "There's a teddy lying in the corner. Pretty ragged and dusty."
Giovanna says (to Eolo), "He seems disinclined to trust me for some reason.  Maybe you'd have more luck..."
DiegoValdez goes over and picks up the teddy.
Ghogg says (to Maxwell), "Perception."
[7thsea] Maxwell rolls 3k3: 5 1 7 | 13
Ghogg says, "The brother extracts some bread from a cabinet and gives it to Maggie. She eats at it hungrily."
Ghogg says, "Suddenly the door slams shut and you hear a padlock closing."
DiegoValdez turns and heads back up the stairs.
DiegoValdez asks, "...??"
Eolo takes the bread and slowly offers it to the hound, setting it down and then backing away.
Giovanna drinks from the wine bottle
Ghogg says, "A dark figure creeps down the stairway, another one emerges from the corner (basement)"
Maxwell exclaims, "Hey!"
Ghogg says, "Brother is still comforting sister, oblivious"
Giovanna realizes belatedly that this is a bit uncouth if Eolo wanted some of it as well, but oh well.  He'll just have to deal with sharing.
Maxwell tries the door.
Ghogg says, "Hound sniifs at it"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez asks, "both of these people are in the basement?"
Ghogg says, "Nibbles a little at the edge"
Ghogg says, "Spits it out and moans"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "right"
Eolo frowns.
DiegoValdez draws sword, of course. "What is this?"
Ghogg says, "they look at Diego and -- it's abit dark to see -- you think you see them grinning"
Eolo says, "we could force-feed it, I suppose"
Ghogg says (to Maxwell), "the door is shut solid. Maggie and brother are still talking obliviously"
Eolo says, "but I imagine that would hardly get on its good side"
Giovanna says, "true..."
[7thsea] Maxwell asks, "It's wooden? thin, thick?"
[Crows-Nest] DiegoValdez says, "oh man ... For a moment there I thought Eolo's line about force-feeding was from one of the two men....."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "it's mediumish"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "theoretically breakable"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "but not easily"
Eolo says, "we could soak the meat in the wine."
Giovanna glances regretfully at the remainder of the bottle.
Ghogg says, "Also, four men with dark cloaks suddenly burst in the door."
Giovanna says, "Damn good vintage to waste on a hound."
Eolo says, "it seems like a bit of a waste, I admit"
Giovanna says, "But it might work."
Ghogg says, "(top level)"
Eolo listens for running water.
Maxwell asks, "What is this?"
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "preception"
Eolo says, "perhaps we can find a stream."
[7thsea] Eolo rolls 4k3: 1 3 3 8 | 14
Ghogg says, "Nothing in earshot"
Eolo asks (of Giovanna), "can you hear anything?"
[7thsea] Giovanna rolls 5k4: 10+4 3 3 9 8 | 34
Ghogg says (to Maxwell), "ey, you be quiet, you."
Giovanna concentrates.
Ghogg says, "Ok, initiative time for Maxwell and Diego"
Maxwell asks, "Why should I?"
DiegoValdez backs up against a wall, keeping the two men within sight.
[7thsea] DiegoValdez rolls 4 dice: 4 1 10 4
'4': No such channel.
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "1 4 4"
[7thsea] Maxwell rolls 2 dice: 6 4
Ghogg says, "'cause -- one of them takes out a hood -- you can't hear much through this. He grins."
[7thsea] Giovanna asks, "I can't hear anything either?"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "sorry, trying to keep track of everything. no, you can't"
Eolo frowns.
Giovanna says, "Nope, nothing there."
Eolo says, "well, I suppose we're stuck with the wine, then"
DiegoValdez holds his first action.
[7thsea] Maxwell asks, "Where did we leave Ruediger and Era?"
Giovanna asks, "Do you have a bowl or anything?"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "probably at the inn."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "I'm going to arbitrarily say they went shopping for horses, because there's no way at all I could coordinate invisible presences in this"
Eolo says, "the case for the meat, yes"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "right, just wondering."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "also, I'm not sure I can really run the combat right now"
[7thsea] Ghogg asks, "can we save it as a cliffhanger for next time?"
Giovanna says, "That'll do"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "aw"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "there's a bunch of things in sequence that'll take alot of time"
Giovanna pours some of the wine into the case, and a little bit of the painkiller dose
Eolo puts some meat cut into strips into the case.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "well, just think of battle tactics during the week :-)"
Eolo swirls it to ensure the meat is soaked, then puts it down on the ground to wait.
Eolo sits down, back against a tree, also to wait.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "also, just out of curiousity, does Maxwell have Trusting too? I would expect Diego to go full speed ahead, of course..."
[7thsea] DiegoValdez says, "knock the two men out, pick the lock, emerge and gallantly hand the teddy over to the girl. 'no, no trouble at all. just a couple of rats.'"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "hee :-)"
[7thsea] Maxwell says, "I was trying to be cautious, but too late."
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "too bad Era logged off, she would've been more insistent"
Giovanna decides that pacing around is a bad idea, sits down also
Ghogg says (to Eolo), "also, I'll save that for next time as well"
Ghogg says, "Get some sleep and all that :-)"
[7thsea] DiegoValdez is not so much 'Trusting' as 'Guileless'.
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "heh"
DiegoValdez asks, "I don't suppose one of you gentlemen knows (hah!) how to drive a carriage?"
[7thsea] Ghogg says, "Maxwell would've had one turn's worth of action noticing the figure about to close and padlock the door, but he missed the perception roll"
Ghogg says, "Anyway, session is over for now. Move along. Nothing to see here."