[D&D] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

GM says, "so when we last left our heroes, they'd done some investigation of Cassis's room at the inn, and the next day were up and heading off for the lunch date"

Fincul has arrived.

GM asks, "so who exactly was going? just the three who met Cassis before?"

Kaylee eats a pastry and leafs through her notebook.

[D&D] Kaylee says, "I'm here, but not officially."

[D&D] Onyx says, "I'm going to be nearby, but after the 'seer' incident the other night, I think my presence would harm the party's credibility."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Also, watching for other people showing up early."

[D&D] Arly says, "Well, I definitely think I should go."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Like our friends, or for other people coming with Cassis."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "(also, I keep wanting to type Cassius.)"

[D&D] Fincul says, "Arly, Skalheth, and Fincul are the ones that this Cassis met, so presumably the three of us should be at the meeting proper."

[D&D] Onyx says, "Agreed."

[D&D] GM asks, "and Onyx and Kaylee are where?"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "I'm at another table; have been here since 11, 'studying'."

[D&D] Onyx asks, "Where is the inn, and how is it situated?"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "(We're meeting at a restaurant-type place, right?)"

[D&D] GM says, "yes, Tria's Vintage, at 1pm. in the noble's quarter, a few blocks from the inn"

[D&D] GM says, "although it's actually on the banks of the inner river area, so it has a nice view"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "I've also noted the chandeleirs ;-)"

[D&D] Onyx asks, "are the buildings next to it adjacent (strip mall style) or is there space between them? An alley? All buildings one story?"

[D&D] Arly says, "Hmm."

[D&D] Kaylee immediately checks his character sheet for 'swimming'.

[D&D] GM says, "the inn itself is a single story, although it's got chairs on the roof for when the weather is nice, and presumably has a basement"

[D&D] Arly says, "Arly is not much of a swimmer, unfortunately."

[D&D] Arly says, "Oh wait, he is. Nevermind."

[D&D] GM says, "it's apart from the other buildings, with the closest it gets being at the back, where across the alley you get to the back of another building"

[D&D] Onyx says, "Hmph, neither am I."

[D&D] Onyx asks, "I'll loiter across the street. Is there someplace to hang out?"

[D&D] GM says, "you could plausibly hang out on the banks of the river nearby, I think, where there's some kind of park area"

[D&D] ghira has left the channel.

[D&D] GM says, "complete with a few travelling vendors"

GM says, "the first person to arrive at the inn is Kaylee, around 11"

[D&D] Onyx says, "Perfect. I'll browse, munch, spy, munch, browse, etc."

GM says, "er, at the restaurant"

GM says, "(and I guess Onyx at the park nearby)"

GM says, "about a half-hour later, Onyx and then Kaylee sees one of Cassis's bodyguards walking into the restaurant"

GM says, "he pulls the maitre d' aside and talks to her for a bit"

Onyx makes a note of his build and weaponry.

Kaylee listens.

Kaylee rolls 20-sided dice: 12 | 12 + 2 = 14

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Eh, worth a shot."

GM says, ""... room ... extra ...""

Arly says, "I'll try listening, too."

Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 9 | 9 + 7 = 16

[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "You aren't there!"

[D&D] Arly says, "Oops, sorry."

[D&D] GM says, "I think you're not at the place yet, unless you arrive early, yeah"

[D&D] Arly says, "That's probably the best roll I'll get all day, too."

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

GM says, "The maitre d' nods, and the bodyguard hands over a small purse, and heads out again."

GM says, "(Anyone want to do anything, or skip on til 1pm?)"

Kaylee watches the maitre d'.

Arly says, "I could keep hallucinating about being in places I'm not."

Arly says, "But I'd rather skip ahead."

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Wasn't Arly arriving at the same time as Onyx?"

GM says, "She talks to one of the waiters, who walks over to a side-door off the main dining area and goes inside for a bit. When he comes out, he hangs a 'reserved' sign on the door"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "If it looks like she's going to talk to the manager/owner, I'll head over to where they are to order something ."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Ah, gotcha."

[D&D] Fincul says, "(WHo herself may not necessarily be there yet, I dunno.)"

[D&D] Onyx says, "I'm still spying, munching and browsing."

GM says, "(skipping on .. )"

Kaylee says (to waiter), "(after a few minutes have passed) Can I change table to over here? The light's a little better."

Kaylee says, "Oh, and some more tea, please."

Kaylee <tip>

GM says, ""No problem," says the waiter. "The lunch rush hasn't started yet.""

Kaylee says, "Thanks."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "I'm moving to the table closest to the door."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "And if anyone goes in or out, I try to look inside."

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Does it lock?"

GM says, "A waiter ducks in briefly maybe fifteen minutes later with an armful of place settings -- inside you see it's a room with a high skylight but otherwise private; there's a table in there with settings for eight"

GM says, "(or, rather, settings for eight after the waiter finishes laying down his stuff)"

GM says, "(and no, the door isn't locked)"

Kaylee . o O ( Eight? Do they know there's 5 of us? )

GM says, "Meanwhile, around 12:30, somebody jabs Onyx sharply in the ribs"

Onyx spins to see who it is.

Kaylee . o O ( There's the two people that ran away, too. )

Onyx tries to grab whoever-it-is.

GM says, ""Tell your friends we'll be watching," a voice hisses in her ear, but there's nobody there, except the people walking nearby, enjoying the park."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Hmm."

Onyx puts her fist through the 'voice'. Is there any resistance?

GM says, "It's not quite clear where the voice was coming from, but there's no resistance in the air nearby, no"

Onyx mutters under her breath. Its a good thing you can't make out the words.

GM says, "around fifteen minutes later, at 12:45, the same bodyguard shows up again, wanders upstairs to check out the roof, then down to talk to the maitre d' again and peek in on the room; he doesn't seem to recognize Kaylee"

Kaylee listens again.

Kaylee rolls 20-sided dice: 19 | 19 + 2 = 21

[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Woot!"

[D&D] Onyx says, "whoo"

GM says, ""Is the room ready?" "Yes, just as you asked, sir. With settings for eight.""

Onyx is a little nervy since the poke in the ribs, so is watching more, and munching and browsing less.

GM asks, "and what time are the rest of you showing up?"

Arly says, "Uh..."

Arly asks, "1:00?"

Fincul will show up more or less on time.

GM says, "okey doke"

Fincul will also approach slowly, to see if Arly or Skalheth are waiting around outside before going in.

GM says, "the three of you show up at about the same time; the maitre d' is there to greet you"

GM says, ""Ah, and are you here to meet Cassis?""

Fincul nods, "Indeed."

Arly nods curtly.

GM says, ""Right this way, sirs.""

(From Fincul) Skalheth says, "Hurr."

Kaylee ignores the group as they walk by.

GM says, "The maitre d' conducts you past Kaylee (now being somewhat stared at by the waiters, after 2 hours through their busy time) and into the room"

Kaylee orders more and tips decently.

GM says, "Cassis is leaning against one wall chatting with one of his bodyguards, but he looks up and smiles as you come in. "Ah, gentlemen, do have a seat"

GM says, ""Is this all of your party who will be joining us today?""

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "I take it only the three of them have entered?"

[D&D] GM says, "yeah"

[D&D] GM says, "(the two remaining ones came in to the restaurant about five minutes til, then all three entered the room)"

Fincul raises an eyebrow curiously.

[D&D] Arly asks, "What kind of chairs are we being asked to sit on?"

Fincul says, "We were the only group you hired for the delivery..."

Fincul asks, "Is there someone else we know that you were expecting as well?"

[D&D] GM says, "reasonably fancy ones"

[D&D] Arly says, "I'm just wondering if it looks like it's possible they might be trapped or something."

GM says, ""Well, the innkeeper did say there were the five of you staying there, but never mind -- lunch will be here in a minute or two""

Fincul has a seat of course.

[D&D] GM says, "if you would like to roll a search check you can do so, although it'll be a little hard to be inconspicuous about it"

GM says, "Skalheth says "hurr" and takes a seat"

[D&D] Arly says (to GM), "Being inconspicuous is not exactly one Arly's strong points."

Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 5 | 5 + 7 = 12

[D&D] GM says, "true, true"

[D&D] Arly says, "Especially with a roll like that."

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

[D&D] GM says, "you don't see anything as you casually pretend to be adjusting your boots and kneel to look at the chair"

GM says, "Meanwhile, the door swings open and a procession of waiters come in bringing food"

GM says, "First a selection of light fruits, then a soup, then some breads, then a few kinds of meat, spiced mutton and fish from the lake, and finishing off with a salad and some cheeses"

[D&D] Arly asks, "So, Emily is the cook, then?"

GM says, "The whole accompanied with various matching wines"

GM says, "The bodyguards sit quietly on either side of Cassis and don't say much; he, on the other hand, presents a sparkling flow of conversation about gossip in the courts, the weather in the city, and the amusing incident with the street vendor he saw the other day"

[D&D] Onyx says, "afk, ellric just walked in here sobbing, for no discernable reason. not like him at all."

[D&D] Onyx says, "back"

[D&D] Arly asks, "Is he okay?"

[D&D] Onyx says, "seems to be. a warm bottle and lap can work wonders. :-)"

[D&D] GM says, "heh"

[D&D] Arly says, "It must be a +1 Warm Bottle of Ellric Calming"

GM says, "The waiter clears away the last dish (leaving only the rest of the wine), and Cassis coughs. "Now then, to business.""

[D&D] Onyx says, "hee! and a good Parenting Knack."

Fincul raises his glass. "To business!"

GM says, ""...Yes.""

[D&D] Fincul says, "(Sorry, couldn't resist...)"

[D&D] Kaylee laughs.

GM says, "He rolls the wine around thoughtfully in his glass. "Gentlemen, I'm afraid you have me in a somewhat uncomfortable position, which forces me to explain more than I'd like.""

Arly stares at Cassis with unblinking eyes.

GM says, ""The situation is this: I am a, what is the phrase -- agent of a foreign power.""

GM says, ""Mor's End is ideally suited to meeting with other diplomats for quiet negotiations on neutral territory.""

GM says, ""Unfortunately, the very fact of this being suited for quiet negotiations makes impersonation a possibility -- I am afraid that the day before I left Execks, somebody took the liberty of stealing my horse and attempting to make it to the city to take my place.""

Fincul says, "My."

GM says, ""I presume it was him you met in the swamp, where he must have given my name and handed over some package from my saddlebags with some story about it being top secret in an attempt to allay your suspicion""

Fincul asks, "Fascination... did you eventually overtake him?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "Er, fascinating, even."

GM says, "Cassis glances at you. "I am afraid he never emerged from the swamp; there must have been some accident.""

[D&D] Kaylee says, "That'd be interesting, if true."

GM says, ""But as I said, this puts me in a somewhat uncomfortable position -- by their nature, my negotiations here are threatened if there is a large public outcry, such as one you might make if you still misunderstood the facts.""

Fincul asks, "Misunderstood?"

GM says, "Cassis shrugs. "Tell me truly -- didn't you assume up until now that I had somehow murdered this man and taken his place, or the like?""

Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 17 | 17 + 7 = 24

[D&D] Fincul says, "If we had a tape recorder running, we could just cut out everything up to '...until now that' as well as 'or the like', and have a perfect confession."

Fincul shrugs. "I was surprised that you seemed so different from before, but I personally try not to jump so hurriedly to conclusions."

Fincul says, "I can see how, given enough time to worry the question, one could eventually consider that possiblity, though."

GM says, "He chuckles. "Thoughtful people are so rare -- have you ever considered a career in politics?""

[D&D] Arly says, "Wait, everyone stop for just a minute. Hold on."

[D&D] Arly says, "Okay, sorry about that."

[D&D] (from Fincul) Arly says, "This man is just a puppet, being manipulated by some God-like Man or Greater Manipulator or something."

Arly begins coughing heavily.

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

Arly reaches for the goblet of wine nearest him and knocks it straight over onto his chest in a coughing fit.

Fincul asks, "Never -- it would l-- er, Arly, are you alright?"

GM says, "One of the bodyguards half-stands, looking suspicious."

Arly says, "Confound. I need to clean this wine off right away."

[D&D] Arly asks, "Is there somewhere I can go to do that? A water trough outside, perhaps?"

GM says, "Cassis looks over at Arly. "Oh dear," he says, "You seem to have spilled.""

[D&D] Arly says, "ILAMRR."

Arly stands up, trying to brush the wine off his front, only making a bigger mess.

[D&D] Onyx asks, "what is ILAMRR?"

[D&D] Alex says (to Onyx), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that ILAMRR is I Like A Miskatonic Reading Room."

[D&D] GM says, "oh yes"

Fincul says, "I suggest vinegar and powdered extract of soda, if the kitchen can spare any."

Arly says (to Fincul), "Good idea."

GM says, ""Oh, a wash-place? Yes, of course -- Frenholt, go help him arrange something.""

Arly says, "No, that's <cough, cough> quite all right, I can find it on my own, I'm sure."

Arly coughs some more as he moves toward the door.

GM says, "The half-standing bodyguard starts to stand fully, and then shrugs and sits down again."

Arly says, "I'm sorry, this shouldn't <cough, cough> take but a moment."

GM says, "Arly emerges out of the room into the main room, passing by Kaylee again."

Fincul asks, "So, er... where were we?"

Arly says (to Kaylee), "Come with me, quick, there isn't much time."

Arly coughs conspicuously loudly.

Kaylee gets up.

GM says, ""Ah yes," says Cassis. "Anyway, I was thinking perhaps something could be arranged -- some sort of quiet proof of my bona fides to you, and then we could ensure that all the confusion had been cleared up.""

Fincul nods, "That seems logical."

Kaylee asks (of Arly), "Something wrong?"

[D&D] Onyx says, "where "quiet" does not equal "silenced""

Fincul looks thoughtful for a moment.

Arly whispers to Kaylee. "Just come with me, I'll explain on the way."

GM says, ""I admit, however, I'"

GM says, "er"

[D&D] Onyx says, "this guy is makin' me twitchy, and I'm not even there. hrrm.."

GM says, ""I'm somewhat at a loss for what sort of proof this could involve -- I could attempt to get a note from Lady Kianna, perhaps, but it might take some time to arrange that.""

Kaylee leaves enough for her food plus some on the table, comes with Arly.

Fincul says, "Mmm. Your papers having been lost to the swamp with your saddlebags, I imagine."

Arly grabs Kaylee and begins walking outside and around the building.

GM says, "He nods. "Mine, at least -- my men still have theirs, but as all they say is that they are bodyguards in the service of Cassis, that may be of little use.""

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Did I see any mention of Cassis' name, when I was looking into the nobles and the government and all that?"

Onyx notes the activity, and starts heading in that direction, attempting to "walk casual."

Kaylee asks (of Arly), "Geez man, what is it?"

Kaylee asks, "And did you know you have wine all over your shirt?"

Arly says (to Kaylee), "Something's happening around the side of the building. We're being spied on or threatened or something."

Arly says (to Kaylee), "And we're going to stop it before it goes any further."

[D&D] Onyx asks (of GM), "When do I get there?"

Kaylee asks (of Arly), "Like, the people we met earlier?"

[D&D] GM says, "no, I don't think so, although you recall Kaylee did see his symbol"

Kaylee asks, "Who said they'll be watching?"

GM says, "meanwhile, Onyx looks up at sudden motion on the wall of the inn, as a man drops from the side to the alley below"

Arly says (to Kaylee), "I don't know yet, and that's what bothers me. Come with me. Just around the side of the building."

Kaylee watches.

GM says, "inside, there is a corresponding noise and Cassis looks up."

Onyx abandons her attempt at casuallness, and breaks into a sprint.

GM says, ""What's that?" he says, looking up at the window."

Fincul says, "It does seem that proving one's identity in this modern era of large cities and distant travel is no easy task."

GM says, ""Frenholt! Go see!""

[D&D] Fincul says, "Back in the olden days, we didn't used to have these kinds of problems with 'identity theft'..."

Arly runs around the side of the building with Kaylee.

GM says, "Meanwhile, Arly and Kaylee charge around the building -- just in time to see a man running off, some sort of long tube in his hand"

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

Kaylee sprints after him.

[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Yay running!"

Arly runs after him, too.

Fincul asks, "Is there someone outside that window?"

[D&D] Onyx asks, "can I head the guy off?"

Kaylee asks (of Arly), "Was that the guy you met?"

GM says, ""I don't know," Cassis says, "But I don't like it.""

[D&D] Fincul says, "I'm enjoying imagining that Skalheth has been spending this entire time gnawing on a large bone, which he only retains after having to fend off multiple waiters attempting to clear his place."

Arly exclaims, "I don't know. I couldn't see him. But we need to catch him!"

GM says, "Onyx and Arly and Kaylee should all make strength checks, I guess"

GM says, "I'll give Kaylee some largish bonus"

Onyx rolls 20-sided dice: 8 | 8 + 2 = 10

[D&D] Kaylee says, "I have run and endurance and faster-than-normal movement."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "But given that:"

Kaylee rolls 20-sided dice: 6 | 6 + 1 = 7

Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 13 | 13 + 4 = 17

[D&D] Onyx asks, "Does the Fast Movement feat help here?"

GM says, "Cassis's other guard stands and hustles him into the main room. Skalheth looks up. "Hurr?""

[D&D] GM asks, "oh, do you have it?"

[D&D] Onyx says, "yup"

GM says, "In that case, Arly and Onyx and Kaylee all hurry to keep up with the man, Arly going strong out of the gate but starting to flag slightly behind the other two"

Fincul says (aside, to Skalheth), "This meeting is oddly not going at all as I expected."

[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "How much ground do we have to make up?"

[D&D] Onyx asks, "Are there many people around?"

GM says, ""Hurr," says Skalheth, definitely."

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Are Skalheth and I the only ones left in the dining room?"

[D&D] GM says, "he's charging into a main street filled with people, but you're all gaining on him"

[D&D] GM says, "yes"

[D&D] Arly says, "Man if he hides in a basket and then goes into a bazaar, we're screwed."

[D&D] Onyx says, "I left my gun back at the inn."

Fincul recorks the wine bottle and stashes it in one of his spacious robe pockets. It's already paid for, no sense in letting it go to waste.

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

Arly cries, "Halt! Hold!" (H-words being the only ones he can form correctly while running so fast.)

Fincul looks around to see if Cassis or his men may have left anything behind in their haste.

[D&D] Onyx says, "hee"

[D&D] Arly says, "That's an h-word too, see? IT'S CONTAGIOUS."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Heh."

[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "There I go, too!"

[D&D] Onyx winces.

[D&D] Arly says (to Kaylee), "HA."

GM says, "The man draws up suddenly, and spins around. "Oh, it's you .. where are Cassis's men?""

[D&D] Arly says, "Perhaps we should all write the Ad Verbum sequel."

[D&D] Onyx exclaims, "help!"

[D&D] GM says, "hooray"

Kaylee stops short. "Uh, back at the restaurant?"

GM says (to Fincul), "there's nothing in the room -- except, wait, something small in the corner. It's like a stylized quill pen made of gold."

Kaylee asks, "What's that tube?"

Onyx tackles the man.

Fincul picks it up and looks it over.

GM says (to Fincul), "flat and about three inches long."

[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "Do I recognize the tube as anything special?"

GM says (to Onyx), "go ahead and make a to-hit roll, I guess"

Fincul says, "Hmm. Peculiar."

Onyx rolls 20-sided dice: 2 | 2 + 2 = 4

GM says, "The tube is about eighteen inches long, and hollow, to judge by how he hits it."

GM says, "er, holds it"

Onyx tackles the dirt *next* to the man.

GM says, "The man jumps out of the way. "Working with him, are you? I thought as much!""

Onyx says, "Hhooomphh. ouch."

Kaylee says (to Arly), "(as he catches up) "This is the guy you met?""

GM says, "He hurls a packet from his pocket onto the ground, and a cloud of blue smoke billows up."

Arly asks, "What were you doing there?"

Arly tries to tackle him.

Kaylee leaps back.

Kaylee climbs the nearest building.

GM says, "(everyone roll a reflex save vs dc 15, please)"

Onyx makes a grab for his legs/ankles.

GM says, "(unless you would rather ignore it and grab for him)"

Kaylee rolls 20-sided dice: 16 | 16 + 7 = 23

Fincul puts away the 'pen' and looks out the window.

Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 20 | 20 + 8 = 28

Onyx continues her grab.

Onyx rolls 20-sided dice: 13 | 13 + 2 = 15

[D&D] Onyx says, "hang on, Lucian is contesting my base attack."

GM says, "Arly and Kaylee draw up short as the cloud billows in front of them; Onyx rolls to the side as it flares up right by her: her eyes sting but nothing else happens"

[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "But he's still there, right?"

[D&D] GM says (to Arly), "I dunno, there's a cloud of smoke -- he can't have gone far, though"

[D&D] Arly says, "Oh, I see."

Kaylee looks for the guy from on top of the building.

[D&D] Arly asks, "Where is he? Where did he go?"

[D&D] Onyx asks, "I'm not sure how my unarmed fighting goes - Barbarians are proficient in all weapons, does that include unarmed fighting?"

[D&D] Arly says, "ILAMRR."

[D&D] GM says, "yes"

Arly asks, "Where is he? Where did he go?"

Fincul shrugs, assuming the interesting stuff is nowhere near enough the window to see, and peers out the doorway into the main room.

Arly asks, "Can anyone see anything?"

[D&D] GM says, "you're always proficient with your natural weapons, although in most cases they aren't that effective without training"

[D&D] Onyx asks, "then my bonus is 4, not 2, and my 15 should be 17. Does that make the difference, or does he still get away?"

GM says (to Fincul), "I'll get back to you in a sec"

[D&D] Onyx asks, "plus strenght is another +2, so total of 6?"

[D&D] GM says (to Onyx), "oh, sorry, I didn't realize you were grabbing instead of trying to save"

[D&D] GM says (to Onyx), "roll a fortitude save then, please"

GM says, "Onyx grabs around frantically in the cloud as Kaylee is running up the building and Arly is leaping back"

Onyx rolls 20-sided dice: 8 | 8 + 8 = 16

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Yay cloak! ;-)"

GM rolls 1 20-sided die: 11 | 11 + 3 = 14

GM says, "Onyx's eyes and throat burn but she holds onto the grab she made firmly"

[D&D] Onyx exclaims, "yay!"

Arly staggers around blindly in the smoke. "Can anyone see him? Where is he?'

GM says, "After what seems like a long time, a breeze whips up, and the sparkling bits of smoke vanish"

Onyx exclaims, "Got 'im! Got <cough> something!"

GM says, "Onyx is holding onto the ankle of a corpse"

Arly asks, "Good job, Ony... Wait, what happened?"

GM says, "meanwhile, back at the restaurant"

[D&D] Arly asks (of GM), "Is this obviously the same guy?"

[D&D] GM says, "(yeah)"

Onyx exclaims, "Oh, coprolite!"

GM says, "Fincul and Skalheth emerge into the main room to see a mess"

Arly says (to Onyx), "We should take the body back to the restaurant and get answers."

GM says, "specifically, a table's been overturned, waiters are in a fluster, and the front door's swinging wide -- outside in the street you see Cassis and one of his bodyguards, though the latter is on the ground"

GM says, ""Hurr?" says Skalheth"

[D&D] Fincul says, "'Alright, sit down. Have some coffee. Now, what's going on here?' '<decompose>'"

[D&D] Arly says, "Ha ha ha."

GM says, "There's more noises from the streets, and some shouting"

Fincul strides forth, to see what's going on outside.

Fincul exclaims, "What's happened here? I fear you have have been safer to stay inside!"

Onyx examines the corpse, trying to figure out what killed him.

Kaylee tries a heal.

[D&D] Kaylee says, "And sort of a diagnose, I suppose."

Kaylee rolls 20-sided dice: 16 | 16 + 5 = 21

[D&D] Onyx says, "If the sparkly smoke only burned my eyes and throat, it oughtn't have caused this dude to keal over like that."

[D&D] Onyx says, "keel, rather."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Maybe you made your save and he failed his."

GM says, "Cassis is bending over his bodyguard, shaking him frantically. "He cast some spell -- I don't what it was -- Frenholt just toppled.""

GM says, ""He went off that way [Cassis points down a side street] I don't know what the hell's going on but I intend to find out.""

[D&D] Onyx says, "possible. I find it odd that he would use a weapon on us that could harm him so badly. That would require a great deal of idiocy."

Arly picks the man up and begins walking back to the inn.

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Can Detect Magic work on a recently cast spell?"

Arly says (to Onyx), "Come on, Cassis has some explaining to do."

GM says, "Meanwhile, folks take a look at the collapsed man -- his face is covered with faint sparkling dust"

Onyx asks (of Casis), "It was some sort of sparkly blue smoke. Any ideas?"

[D&D] Arly says, "I love all this corny dialogue Arly gets to use. It's just like I'm in an action movie."

[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "yeah, for a bit"

[D&D] Onyx asks, "is Cassis by the dead guy I tackled, or back in the restaurant?"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Also, does the bodyguard look alive?"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Which fallen guy has the sparky dust on his face?"

GM says, "Kaylee prods him and checks his vitals, but there's no response"

[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "yeah, just unconscious"

Fincul casts the spell.

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Can I tell how he died?"

[D&D] GM says, "Cassis is back at the restaurant, with the unconscious bodyguard; Arly and Onyx and Kaylee are in the alley, with the dead guy you'd met earlier"

GM says (to Fincul), "some kind of low-level enchantment spell, you decide, after concentrating"

[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "there's no obvious cause of death, except of course the dust on his face"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Can I use Spellcraft or Lore to try to identify it?"

Kaylee sighs, looks at the tube.

Onyx says, "I'll stay w' th' body. Can one o' you get Cassis? He ought know what happened. Poor bastard."

GM says, "The tube is empty -- just a hollow tube"

[D&D] Fincul says, "(By the appearance of the body, residual scent in the air, other non-aura info.)"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Any residue in it?"

[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "yeah, go for it"

[D&D] Onyx asks, "would Onyx have any familiarity with blow-guns?"

[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "no, doesn't look like it"

Kaylee looks for the bag from which he pulled the powder.

[D&D] GM says (to Onyx), "I dunno, s'possible"

Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 20 | 20 + 10 = 30

GM says (to Kaylee), "there it is on the ground"

Kaylee picks it up, looks inside, is careful not to inhale.

GM says (to Fincul), "you don't recognize the spell, but it seems like it must be similar to your Little Death spell"

Onyx says (to Arly), "Civilized folk don' like the drama much, I reckon. They too civilized."

GM says (to Kaylee), "there are still faint traces of dust on the inside of the bag"

Kaylee pockets the bag.

Fincul says (to Cassis), "He appears to have been paralyzed -- but I believe it should wear off soon."

[D&D] Arly asks, "Wait, so where is everyone now in relation to everyone else?"

[D&D] Arly says, "Because I thought I was taking the body to the restaurant and I thought Cassis was coming this way, but neither of these seems to be right."

Onyx asks (of Kaylee&Arly), "Are one o' you gonna get him, or do I hafta do it meself?"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "There's the three of us (you, Onyx, me, corpse), and everyone else at the restaurant."

Fincul looks around for any other magic in the area, while he has it active.

GM says, "Cassis looks up at Fincul. "I hope so -- I don't suppose you could help me move him back to the inn?""

Kaylee says (to Onyx), "I can help, but you'd better do the heavy lifting."

Arly says, "I can lift him."

Arly says, "He's small and not heavy. I've dragged animal carcasses bigger than him."

GM says (to Fincul), "well, you can casually study Cassis and his bodyguard"

Kaylee says (to Arly), "Excellent."

Fincul, and presumably Skalheth as well, help carry the bodyguard.

Kaylee asks, "Where to? The inn?"

Arly says, "Yes. The inn."

Kaylee asks, "Or inn, or Cassis's?"

Kaylee says, "ississ"

GM says, "Back at the inn, Frenholt is waiting impatiently in the lobby"

Arly says (to Kaylee), "Cassis was at the inn, last I knew."

Kaylee says, "OK, there, then."

GM says, "He looks susprised and alarmed to see you carrying the other bodyguard"

GM says, "Cassis hastens over to talk to him"

GM says, "He nods and goes over to heft up the bodyguard and carry him upstairs with Cassis"

GM says, "then Onyx and co arrive with the body"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Did I notice anything, while casually studying Cassis and his bodyguard?"

GM says, "The receptionist looks at the succession of bodies in some alarm"

[D&D] Fincul says, "(Which, I imagine, I'd have had trouble *not* look at while helping with the carrying.)"

Onyx exclaims (at Kaylee), "I meant go get Cassis, not get the body!"

Kaylee asks (of receptionist), "It's a shame how early people start drinking, isn't it?"

Fincul says (to Receptionist), "You may want to consider contacting the city guard."

[D&D] Onyx says, "Oh, well. So much for investigating the crime scene."

Fincul says (to Receptionist), "They probably won't be able to do anything to help, but it will make you appear to be a nominally more responsible individual."

[D&D] GM says, "well, you noticed they had a selection of magic, basically -- Cassis had some sort of charm around his neck and another in his pocket, plus something at his belt; the bodyguard had his sword in his sheath and something worn under his shirt"

Arly drops the body somewhat uncermoniously on the floor of the lobby.

GM says, ""Er .. right, yes.""

GM says, "The receptionist calls over the knives-and-boots boy and sends him out to fetch a guardsman"

Fincul glances over. "Oh, you've got one too? Is yours just paralyzed, or is it...?"

Arly says (to Receptionist), "And get Cassis here. Right away."

Onyx says, "Hey! Show some respect fer the dead, mister."

Arly says (to Onyx), "I reserve my respect for those who don't spy on me and then try to kill me."

GM says, "Luckily Cassis is just coming down the stairs again. "My thanks," he says, "And as for the rest -- oh, my.""

[D&D] Arly says, "Which means I don't respect many people."

[D&D] Fincul says, "So the normal sort of magical accoutrements for someone fairly wealthy and/or politically important in this sort of society, I take it."

[D&D] GM says, "yeah"

Arly exclaims, "Cassis!"

GM says, ""Er," he says. "And who is -- no, how about if you bring him up to my room.""

Arly says, "No, we'll discuss this here."

GM says, ""Send the guards up when they come, please," he says to the receptionist."

Fincul says (to Cassis), "You seem to be a nexus of improbable and inconvenient circumstances..."

Arly says (to Cassis), "There's a lot you're not telling us, and that changes now."

Kaylee says (to Arly), "Er, his room might be a better place than the lobby."

GM says, ""Actually," Cassis says, "I am in fact going up to my room. You can come along if you like.""

Fincul says, "Should we, er, bring..."

Kaylee helps bring the body upstairs.

Fincul looks over at the body.

Arly seems somewhat deflated, but follows Cassis anyway.

[D&D] Fincul asks, "The body was recognized as someone at some point while I was not there -- was it anyone I'd know?"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "One of the two folks originally being arrested."

[D&D] GM says, "yes, it's one of the two -- right"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Oh, does he still have the ring?"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "And is it too late to figure out anything about the sparkly magic dust on his face?"

[D&D] GM says, "the one who didn't say much, to be specific; it was the other guy with the ring"

[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "it's not too late, but it's not magic"

[D&D] Fincul says, "Clever."

GM says, "You bring the body upstairs."

[D&D] Fincul says, "I strongly suggest that someone take the ring before we bring him to Cassis."

Onyx carries the corpse, this time.

[D&D] Fincul says, "Preferably without being noticed."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "This is not the guy with the ring."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Oh, I misunderstood."

[D&D] GM says, "right, sorry"

[D&D] Fincul says, "I thought 'it was the other guy with the ring' meant 'this was the other guy, who also had a ring'."

GM says, "Cassis looks down at the corpse. "So, er -- do you have any idea who this is?""

Kaylee searches the body, once it's in Cassis's room.

Arly says (to Cassis), "We're expecting you to answer exactly that question."

Fincul says, "Mmm."

GM says, "Cassis coughs."

Fincul asks, "Didn't we see the city guards chasing someone who looked vaguely like that?"

Kaylee says, "One of the guys you tried to have arrested earlier."

GM says, ""I believe you had mentioned something about me being a nexus of improbable events -- it seems like the charge could equally be applied to you.""

Arly says, "Perhaps, but it's a bit of a coincidence he knew where we were meeting."

Arly says, "Too much of a coincidence, rather."

[D&D] Fincul says (to Cassis), "Yes, but we're PCs."

[D&D] Arly says, "Hee hee."

Kaylee looks oddly at Arly.

GM says, "Meanwhile, Kaylee goes through the man's pockets. He has a pair of daggers at his belt, a small sealed pouch, a flask containing some kind of dark-colored liquid, a dagger in one boot"

GM says, "and a flat gold object, vaguely shaped like a quill"

Kaylee opens the pouch.

GM says (to Kaylee), "it appears to be similar to the empty one you have -- also filled with blue sparkling dust"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Unless it's sealed with wax or something."

Fincul looks to Cassis. "If the guards were chasing him, presumably they had some reason to suspect him of crime. If we knew what crime he was suspected of, perhaps it would help to explain why he was here today."

Arly says, "Yes, start talking, Cassis."

Kaylee says, "Careful with this--it appears to be the same stuff he tried to kill us with--and what killed him."

Kaylee says, "Hmm, unless..."

GM says, "Cassis studies the man's belongings carefully as Kaylee looks them over."

Kaylee checks the inside of the man's mouth for broken capsules or the like.

GM says (to Kaylee), "not that you see, but the inside of his mouth is also coated with the same dust"

Onyx says, "Possible that he coulda been dosed w' something that combined w' the blue stuff woulda kilt him. May not ha' been the dust by isself."

[D&D] Fincul says, "If DM is still on, I'll look over the goods as well."

[D&D] Fincul says, "(If not, I'll wait for the Kaylee Report later.)"

[D&D] Arly says, "The Kaylee Report sounds like an investigative news show."

[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "hmm, I think it's about run out by now"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Deet dee deet dee dee, deet dee deet dee..."

Kaylee also looks over the stuff for markings, etc.

Arly paces irritatedly.

GM says, "Nothing has any particular markings on it, except one of the belt daggers, which has a bird's wing device on the hilt"

[D&D] Fincul says, "Completely and entirely unrelated thought..."

[D&D] Fincul asks, "We never did use that holy water at all, did we?"

GM says, "Cassis rubs his chin thoughtfully. "You say you saw these men get arrested by the guards?""

Kaylee says, "For being in a certain place at a certain time, yes."

GM says, ""Interesting.""

Kaylee asks, "Why?"

GM says, ""I had, in fact, been assuming these were enemies of yours, but I suppose it's possible --""

Onyx says, "Could also be somethin' else entirely kilt him, he just happen to be hit w' it at the same time. Coulda been done."

Kaylee nods.

GM says, ""The fake Cassis did have some information about associates of his he was to meet, with a place to leave notes for them -- I thought it best to arrange for them to be put out of the way for a few days until I could complete my business here.""

GM says, ""So I asked a friend of mine in the guards to check them out for, ah, larcenous dealings and conspiracy against the local government, and put them in jail for a few days, and sent a note arranging for them to be on the spot.""

Fincul frowns. "So this other Cassis was more than the random horse thief you had allowed us to believe."

Onyx asks, "Dee-vee-uhs, aincha?"

Arly studies Cassis carefully, saying nothing.

Onyx says, "Whose yer friend in the guards? Useful guy, I 'magine."

Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 11 | 11 + 2 = 13

Kaylee asks, "And were they indeed conspiring against the government?"

GM says, "Cassis sighs. "Yes, I am afraid I misled you slightly -- the circumstances have changed, and, as a matter of fact, I thought you'd been snooping in my room last night""

GM says, ""But I see now it must have been this man or his friend.""

Fincul says, "So... it seems there is more missing to this story..."

Onyx asks, "Misled us, huh? A'purpose?"

GM says (to Onyx), ""One of the captains in the guards was a great friend of my father's; I had a letter of introduction which, thankfully, was not carried off with my horse.""

Fincul asks, "If the imposter had this information about his associates, but he was lost in the swamp before you could catch him, how did you come to acquire it?"

GM says, "Cassis coughs. "As I said, he met with an accident and didn't leave the swamp.""

Arly rolls his eyes.

GM says, ""But it is not the case that I didn't catch up with him.""

Onyx says, "Uh, I thought you said you *thought* he had an accident, but now yer sayin' ye know fer sure."

Arly says (to Cassis), "Do tell us if we can ever believe anything you say."

GM says (to Arly), ""You forget, my good man, that I am a diplomat.""

Fincul asks (of Cassis), "An accident which relieved him of his secrets, but not of your papers?"

Arly says (to Arly), "That's a fancy word for 'liar' where I come from."

Arly says, "(Er, that's to Cassis, by the way.)"

Onyx says, "Mebbe we should jus' kill 'em. The dead are less confusin'."

Kaylee looks down at the corpse. "Hate to tell you this, Onyx..."

Onyx looks at Kaylee quizzicly. "Yeah?"

GM says, ""As I said, circumstances have changed since I thought you broke into my room. If you would care to see my papers, I would be happy to show them to you.""

Kaylee stage-whispers, "He's already dead."

Onyx says (to Kaylee), "Not 'im." Onyx points at Cassis. "Him!""

Kaylee exclaims (at Cassis), "[brightly] Sure!"

Kaylee says, "Oh, right."

Fincul says, "While I do not condone the rash suggestions of the lady, I do hope you udnerstand if we do not hurry to a conclusion supporting the veracity of your story, given the confusion thus far. Papers or none."

GM says, "Cassis turns to look at Onyx. "If you would rather engage in violence, however, I am sure the guards will be here any minute.""

Arly says (to Cassis), "Now now, there's no need for threats."

Onyx asks, "Speakin' of the guards, why ain't they here now? We already got one dead body - Whazit take?"

GM says, ""Go fetch my papers, please," he says to his bodyguard, who heads into the other room."

Onyx says, "That looks funny on top o' everythin' else. Today jus' ain't right."

Arly says (to Onyx), "I guess, around Cassis, they're so used to dead bodies, it takes more than one."

Kaylee . o O ( If I missed his papers, I'll be very put out. )

Onyx laughs aloud.

Onyx exclaims, "Mebbe we ought provide one!"

Onyx winks at Arly.

Kaylee says, "Now, now, suicide is never the answer."

GM says, "A short while later the bodyguard comes back in (from the master bedroom, those of whom were yesterday note), with a folder containing some pages."

Kaylee looks over the pages.

Arly peers over Kaylee's shoulder.

Kaylee says, "Of course, you've already admitted to taking papers off of another guy claiming to be Cassis, so..."

Kaylee looks for things in the papers mentioning identifying marks.

GM says, "Cassis flips through them and pulls out one which he hands to Fincul, which reads "The bearer, Cassis Montver, is an accredited agent of the Free City of Elwain, permitted to make diplomatic treaties and act on behalf of the leadership of the Free City in all events, subject to his position.""

Onyx asks, "Can you magicly follow the paper's histr'y, like you did w' the crate?"

GM says, "Cassis sighs. "There is that, yes.""

Fincul nods, a wise suggestion.

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Is Elwain the place I was reading about the property in the other day?"

[D&D] GM says, "that was Execks"

Fincul asks (of Cassis), "Would you mind?"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Do I know where Elwain is?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "(AFK a moment.)"

[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "I don't think so, since you've teleported here from goodness-knows-where"

[D&D] GM says, "somebody else might, though"

Kaylee asks, "Hmm. Where's Elwain?"

GM says, ""East of here," Cassis says. "Perhaps a week by caravan.""

Kaylee says, "Aha."

GM says, ""What exactly is this spell supposed to do?" he asks Fincul."

Kaylee says, "It traces the history of an object. This is the one you had with you the whole time, right? So he'll be able to tell if it was handed to you from this Elwain guy, or if you took it off a horse."

Onyx rumbles menacingly, "Objections, mister?" to Cassis.

GM says, ""No," says Cassis. "As I said, I recovered the papers in the swamp.""

Kaylee asks, "You said you still had a letter of introduction with you?"

GM says, ""I have to say, though, you seem quite threatening for someone in a rather difficult position.""

Onyx says, "Yeah, that wasn't stolen from ye."

Onyx exclaims, "Yer bluffin' tactics ain't gonna work, mister. Truth!"

GM says, "Cassis shrugs. "If you like, though I am afraid it will have no more personal information about me than the other.""

[D&D] Fincul says, "Back."

[D&D] Fincul says (to Kay), "I think the History spell would be more useful to determine whether or not it had been stolen from this man by the other, before the 'accident'."

[D&D] Fincul says, "(And whether or not the previous owner had been the proper owner.)"

Kaylee says, "Hmm. Actually, the paper you recovered might be better--Fincul could indeed see if it had changed hands twice."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Also, while I'm looking at the letter, can I do a Forgery check? I imagine it's probably genuine, but still."

GM says, "Cassis shrugs. "However you like.""

GM says, "He hands over the paper."

[D&D] GM says, "you can't do a forgery check unless you know what it should look like, I think"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Ah. Not just a -2 penalty?"

Fincul nods. "This will take me a few minutes."

Fincul sits down with the paper and his spellbook to prepare.

GM says, ""Go check on the guards, would you?" he says to his bodyguard (the other one, at last, has begun to stir)."

Kaylee asks (of stirring_bodyguard), "You OK?"

GM says, "He looks around dazedly. "Wha-- what happen?""

Kaylee says (to bodyguard), "You were paralyzed by some sort of spell, we think."

GM says, ""You were attacked by some sort of spell," Cassis says. "You collapsed, and the man who cast it escaped. I sent Frenholt after him, but he was unsuccessful.""

Kaylee says, "You may have injured something when you fell--tell me if this hurts."

Kaylee checks the man over.

GM says, ""These people slew his companion, however, and brought his body back.""

[D&D] GM says, "well, I dunno"

[D&D] Kaylee takes 10 on a heal check for 15.

Arly raises an eyebrow but says nothing.

[D&D] Kaylee says, "(I assume he's fine)"

[D&D] GM says, "I guess if you would like to make a check we can see -- it doesn't seem to me like you can really find any contradiction or whatever, since you don't know if this is a correct signature and don't know what the wording should be like"

Kaylee says, "Hey, another bit of magic that might help would be a 'Speak with Dead' on this guy."

GM says, "(just a little bruised, yeah)"

Kaylee says (to bodyguard), "Looks like you're none the worse for wear. Try to dodge, next time."

Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 3 | 3 - 1 = 2

GM says, ""I guess so," he says, getting himself to his feet."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Heh. No worries about that, then."

Kaylee asks (of Cassis), "So, what was the deal with the scroll he had them deliver? Did you get it back?"

Kaylee says, "Or scroll case, I guess."

[D&D] Arly says, "Oh no no no, I wish Kaylee hadn't asked that."

GM says, ""Yes, they delivered it to me at the guild -- quite helpful, since it contained some documents I had promised to deliver to Lady Kianna.""

[D&D] Fincul says, "I'm kinda curious why he knew to give us a load of platinum for it without having seen what it was, though."

Kaylee asks, "Why do you think fake Cassis wanted them to take it through the swamp?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "Given that he's claimed the other guy only asked us to deliver it as a red herring."

[D&D] Fincul says, "(But I'm busy studying, so.)"

GM says, ""It's true it's somewhat strange," Cassis said. "I was quite put out when he didn't have the documents on him, so it was a pleasant surprise when they were returned to me.""

GM says, ""I suppose it's possible he wanted them to get to his associates here even if he didn't make it himself.""

GM says, "And at last the guards show up"

GM says, ""What's all this, then?" they say"

Kaylee asks, "But how would his associates get it if he didn't get through?"

GM says, "Cassis shrugs. "Perhaps he expected they would call for them at some pre-arranged -- ah, hello officer.""

GM says, ""I'm not exactly sure what's going on, but these three found the body, so perhaps you should speak to them first.""

GM says, ""When you're done I'd like to make a complaint about someone else.""

Kaylee says, "Well, this guy was lurking around the alley where some friends of mine were meeting Cassis."

Kaylee says, "He ran away, so we chased after him."

Arly says, "We have reason to believe he was attempting to kill someone in the meeting."

GM says, "The guard nods. "Was he doing anything suspicious? Or just lurking?""

Kaylee says, "Then he turned around, and threw this powder into the street, but Onyx here managed to grab him, and when the dust cleared, he was dead."

Onyx says, "His lurking involved jumpin' off the roof."

[D&D] Arly says, "Did we bring the tube with us? I can't remember."

GM says, ""That's quite some lurking," the guard says."

[D&D] GM says, "uh, probably"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Yeah, I have the tube."

Arly says (to Guard), "We also have reason to believe he was attempting to kill someone in the meeting."

Kaylee says, "He also turns out to be a guy who was almost arrested a few days ago."

Kaylee says, "But got away."

GM says, ""Interesting -- arrested on what charge, do you know?""

Kaylee points at Cassis "This man made the charge."

GM says, "Cassis nods to the guard. "I spoke to Captain Winter about this -- I had reason to suspect they might be plotting something against Lady Kianna, and suggested he take them in.""

GM says, ""Ah, yes," says the guard. "I think I heard something about that.""

GM says, ""But it looks like he was undone by his own poison. Well, it just goes to show you.""

Kaylee says, "Crime Does Not Pay."

GM says, ""Absolutely.""

GM says, ""Well, I think that's enough for now -- I suppose I'll take the body to the pauper's morgue, and let it wait a few days and see if it's claimed.""

GM says, ""You said he had an associate? Can you describe him?""

Kaylee asks (of Cassis), "You saw him cast a spell at your bodyguard, right?"

Kaylee says, "Assuming it's the same two, the other was also almost arrested at the same time."

GM says, ""Yes, though I'm afraid I didn't get entirely a good look at him -- he seemed to be in his early thirties, brown hair, perhaps a bit short, skinny, inconspicuous clothes, with a fancy cloak on.""

GM says, ""True," says the guard, "I'll be able to check the report.""

GM says, ""Well, I'll just be going -- oh, unless you wanted to file a complaint against the other, sir?""

GM says, ""Absolutely", Cassis says. "Frenholt, help the man carry the body.""

Kaylee asks (of Fincul), "(after the guard has gone) Ready with that spell yet?"

Fincul nods, "Just finished."

GM says, "Cassis and his other bodyguard seem to be preparing to go with the guard."

[D&D] Onyx says, "If they want to leave us here, that's fine with me. We can explore."

Fincul presses the paper over a printed page from his component pouch, rubbing it and chanting quietly to himself.

GM says, "Actually, Cassis hasn't handed over the paper."

GM says, "He coughs. "I think I'd better take this with me as I go to the station," he says"

GM says, ""If you'd like to come by my room later I'd be happy to let you look at it then.""

Onyx holds out her hand to Cassis for the paper.

Kaylee chuckles. "Good idea."

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Maybe fast-forward to after the station? Unless something happens then?"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Didn't he give us the paper to look at earlier?"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "So we could pretend we could tell whether or not it looked genuine?"

[D&D] GM says, "yeah, but I assumed you'd given it back before you started preparing the spell"

GM says, "Cassis is going to take the paper and usher everyone out of the room, unless somebody objects."

Fincul frowns, but doesn't object. No need to antagonize. That's Onyx and Arly's job.

Kaylee leaves.

[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "hee hee"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "If it'll be a while before we get to speak privately to Cassis again, I head over to Raz's to see if there's some priest there willing to cast 'Speak with Dead' on the dead guy."

[D&D] Fincul asks, "What happened to the guy's possessions?"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Also, have we seen anything that was written by now-Cassis yet?"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Are they in the room, in Kaylee's possession (since she searched the body), in Cassis' possession, still on the body...?"

[D&D] Fincul asks (of Kaylee), "His note inviting us to dinner?"

[D&D] GM says, "I think the guard took anything Kaylee didn't pocket"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "The city guard?"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Or the bodyguard?"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Because if Cassis didn't want anything, I guess I pocketed it all."

[D&D] GM says, "the city guard, as evidence"

[D&D] Arly says, "Right."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "If he wanted it as evidence, I'd give it back, though."

[D&D] GM asks, "so just for the record, did you hand over anything/everything to the guard?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "If it was pocketed before the guard arriverd, he probably wouldn't know."

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Did he ask?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "Arrived, even."

[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "no, I don't think so"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "OK, then I suppose I still have 'em."

[D&D] GM says, "(although probably because he doesn't know you searched the body until Cassis/you mentions it)"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Were they checked for magic?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "Not yet."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "I'll follow Cassis' lead here."

[D&D] Fincul says, "But we can do that if we regroup later."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Mostly I'm interested in the marked dagger and pouch."

GM asks, "ok, so what are you guys doing?"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "I'll give the guard the empty bag, though."

Fincul will head in the general direction of our inn.

Kaylee arranges to meet Cassis again this evening.

Arly will go with Kaylee.

[D&D] GM says, "alrighty"

Kaylee heads over to Raz's, then.

GM says, ""Stop by just before dinner, perhaps," Cassis says. "I have an appointment for dinner but this shouldn't take too long.""

[D&D] Arly asks, "Wait wait. What meal were we eating before this all started?"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Which, again, we don't have to RP. I forget what level Speak with Dead is, so don't know how likely it is as a favor."

[D&D] GM says (to Arly), "lunch"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Lunch."

[D&D] Arly says, "Ah, okay."

[D&D] GM says, "it's around 3pm now"

[D&D] Arly says, "Before hanging out with Kaylee, I'm going to wash off the wine stain before it sets completely."

Kaylee says, "Sounds good. Thank you."

[D&D] GM says, "ooh, good thinking"

[D&D] Kaylee laughs.

GM says, "The older priest thinks for a minute. "It will be difficult, but I owe you much -- I will meet you at the mortuary tomorrow at noon, if that is okay, and with Raz's blessing you will be able to speak to him.""

Kaylee asks, "That would be great. Thank you so much. Anything you need help with right now?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "Perhaps chaning the candles in a chandelier hanging out of reach..."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Changing, even."

[D&D] Kaylee laughs.

[D&D] GM says, "hooray"

GM says, ""At the moment we are still engaged in the clearing of the path to the shrine in the swamp, and the regathering of the faithful.""

GM says, ""It's possible that we will run into problems -- once we sighted an ogre, and several times goblins -- but at the moment we are secure.""

[D&D] Fincul says, "I wonder if we've wiped out many of the worst low-lifes preying on swamp travellers, or if news about how dangerous we are has simply spread along the swampberryvine."

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

Kaylee says, "I'll help with the patrols tomorrow morning, then."

[D&D] Fincul says, "I picture goblins setting up ambushes, and then hearing a 'hurr' in the distance, and scattering to the winds."

GM says, ""That would be very generous of you," the man says."

Kaylee exclaims, "No problem!"

GM says, "meanwhile, we skip on to 5 or 6pm, when you arrive back at the inn"

[D&D] Kaylee laughs.

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Which inn?"

GM says, "Where the receptionist reports that Cassis isn't in his room."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Ah. That in."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Inn, even."

Fincul asks, "Has he come back at all since several hours ago?"

GM says, ""Just the once, an hour or so ago," the receptionist said. "He went out again in a hurry.""

GM says, "You wait around for a while longer, and eventually a messenger lad shows up, with a hastily-dashed-off note from Cassis. "My apologies," it reads. "Unavoidably detained at earlier meeting -- please call tomorrow morning.""

Kaylee says, "Well, hmm."

Fincul says, "Not the most reliable fellow, is he."

Onyx says, "He's dodgin'."

Kaylee says (to Fincul), "Since you have that spell prepared and all, you could cast it on the blank paper I took."

Arly says, "I knew we couldn't trust him."

Arly says, "He hasn't said an honest word to us since we met."

[D&D] Kaylee says this out of earshot of others, of course.

Kaylee says (to Arly), "Maybe."

Fincul asks (of Kaylee), "To what end?"

Kaylee says, "I presume that this paper was with the original Cassis."

Fincul asks, "Hmm. Any reason to expect that?"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Also, any reason not to return to our inn to continue this?"

Kaylee says, "If so, it'll have a direct line from Cassis's place to his room."

Kaylee says, "And maybe it will have been with the stuff that was stolen, too."

Fincul says, "It's possible."

Kaylee says, "For that matter, we could hunt down the scroll case cap and cast it on that."

Arly says, "Possible, yes."

[D&D] Fincul asks, "And can we just assume we're there now?"

[D&D] GM says, "yes"

Kaylee says, "That might detect the original stealing."

Fincul says, "I suspect that a scrollcase -- or even a blank sheet of paper -- is more likely to have a muddled and sordid history than a letter of identity or the like."

Kaylee says, "Right, but hey--you have the spell prepared and all."

Fincul says, "Mmhmm. I was actually wondering about an item you found on the corpse..."

Kaylee says, "Oooh, good point."

Kaylee asks, "Dagger? Pouch of poison?"

Fincul says, "Did you, er, retain it? It was a gold model of a quill."

[D&D] Fincul says, "(Although the dagger would be a good thing to cast it on as well.)"

Kaylee says, "Yeah, I think so. I was holding it when we all left..."

Kaylee rummages around.

Kaylee says, "Here it is."

Fincul takes out the one he found, and compares the two.

GM says (to Fincul), "they're very similar, yeah"

Fincul says, "I found this one in the room where we were dining."

Fincul says, "I don't know who dropped it -- possibly Cassis, or possibly someone else who might have been in the room at some point."

Fincul says, "I could consult the history of one of these two objects, or of the dagger, if you think that would be more helpful. Or of the blank paper, if you think that would be the best choice..."

Arly says, "Hmm."

[D&D] Onyx says, "bye, all. I'll see you next week."

Kaylee says, "Let's go for the one you found."

Fincul nods.

[D&D] GM says, "bye onyx"

Kaylee says, "It'd tell us how it got there, at least."

Onyx has disconnected.

Onyx goes home.

Kaylee says, "And if Cassis did indeed drop it."

Fincul wraps the sheet of paper from his pouch around the quill and chants.

GM says, "The most recent thing that happened to it was it dropped from somebody's pocket, yeah -- before that, it was carried around for a long time, occasionally being removed to show as a pass-sign, it seems like"

GM says, "The person carrying it travelled a long distance, though this was a while ago"

GM says, "and then before that it was forged along with others"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Accidentally dropped, I take it... can I tell if it was dropped before or after Cassis got to the room that day?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "(Er, today, I mean.)"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Also, how long ago is 'a while ago' -- before the Casses arrived?"

[D&D] GM says, "I don't think you can tell who specifically dropped it, but I think the room was empty or nearly empty when it happened, and the while ago was probably more than a few weeks, yeah"

Fincul says, "Hmm. Whoever dropped this has been in town for some time."

Arly asks (of Fincul), "You weren't able to deduce anything else?"

Fincul says, "And it wasn't dropped during the confusion outside the window -- so presumably someone else was in that room before -- yes, Arly, I was."

Fincul says, "...before our lunch meeting."

Kaylee says, "Huh. Didn't expect that."

Arly frowns.

Fincul says, "It appears to have been some kind of pass-symbol, perhaps by a member of a secret society or the like to identify himself to other members."

Fincul says, "It was made, along with others, some distance from here and some time ago, before it travelled here."

Kaylee nods.

Kaylee says, "Hmm, let me see that note from Cassis again."

Kaylee looks.

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Is it the same handwriting as was on the list of secret society symbols and to-do list I found under the bed?"

Fincul looks around for some kind of glass, cup, flagon or the like.

Fincul says, "Hmm. We shouldn't have sold those silver goblets."

Fincul eventually locates a tin cup in Arly's pack, extracts a bottle from one of his pockets, and pours himself a drink.

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

[D&D] GM says (to Kaylee), "you can make a forging or other appropriate skill roll, or just a straight roll with int bonus"

Kaylee rolls 20-sided dice: 5 | 5 + 1 = 6

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Heh."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Actually, I was mostly checking to see if it was obvious. I suppose that's a take 10, but maybe I'll try that later."

[D&D] GM says, "it's not obvious without the two sheets both here"

Kaylee says, "So there's some form of secret society."

[D&D] Kaylee nods.

Kaylee says, "And our current Cassis is against this society."

Kaylee says, "And there's this disk."

[D&D] jnc says, "Eek, was this today? I thought it was tomorrow."

Kaylee says, "Which nobody--Cassis and the society both--don't seem to know about."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Indeed."

[D&D] GM says, "although I think Fincul dug up something about it"

[D&D] Fincul says, "(to JNC)"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Fincul read us the history of the disk, right."

Fincul says, "Ah, right, secret societies."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "But it's unclear whose it is."

Fincul says, "I did some looking into those."

[D&D] jnc says, "...which is moot, since I didn't remember (wrongly) that it was tomorrow until after I'd made movie plans for that day..."

Kaylee asks, "Oh, and?"

Fincul says, "It seems that not all of them are secret as one might suppose."

Fincul pulls out his notebook and starts paging through it.

Fincul says, "Let's see... thieves... assassins... goblins..."

Fincul says, "Ah, here we are. 'Mor's Elders' -- it would appear that at one time, the city was ruled by a sort of plutocracy."

Fincul says, "The oldest families of the city owned most of the valuable land and property, and thus were the de facto nobility."

Kaylee nods.

Fincul says, "But then other people started to get rich, and were unhappy that they didn't get to be nobles too, what with 'money' being equivalent to 'power' in any proper society, so they overthrew the old and set up some sort of new council and leader and so forth."

Arly ponders this.

Fincul says, "Some of the old nobles got to stay on, but even they were stuck having to be equal to the new people on this council thing. And a number of people -- from the old families, of course -- were decidedly not happy about all this."

Fincul says, "Supposedly, 'Mor's Elders' is made up of some of these not particularly happy people, who'd rather prefer to see the old system back, what with them -- or their parents or grandparents or what have you -- having been at the top of it all."

Kaylee says, "Hmm, OK."

Kaylee says, "So they'd be against the current city guard, which would make them the folks arrested, like the dead guy."

Fincul says, "Although this could all be a wild goose chase, and the quills might have actually belonged to the urban goblin sub-class attempting to wrest control of the swamp from the rural goblin over-lords."

Kaylee says, "Not that the dead guy seems to have had much money."

Kaylee says, "Maybe the poison was expensive."

Fincul says (to Kaylee), "It's not unlikely that, after the shifts in power, the old families may have lost some of their financial standing."

Kaylee nods.

Kaylee asks (of Fincul), "You don't reconize this symbol, do you?"

Kaylee shows him the symbol from the dagger.

Fincul looks.

Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 15 | 15 + 10 = 25

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Wa-hoo."

[D&D] Fincul says, "I won't likely know anything unless it's either Arcane or mentioned in anything I turned up in this morning's research, though."

GM says (to Fincul), "it's probably some kind of arcane mark relating to the function of the dagger -- since it's a wing, that means perhaps it flies farther or truer"

Fincul says, "Hmm. It may indicate an enchantment on the weapon."

Kaylee says, "Oho."

Kaylee says, "Maybe you should check to see if any of the rest of the guy's stuff was magical."

Fincul says, "Possibly to improve its path if thrown."

Fincul nods. "A wise suggestion."

Fincul asks, "Er, are there any other magical effects you'd like me to attempt to prepare at the same time?"

Kaylee asks, "Hmm. Want to know any more histories?"

Fincul says, "I can do that, if you like."

Kaylee says, "They're all fascinating, even if not particularly enlightening ;-)"

Kaylee grins.

[D&D] Fincul says, "I should note that I also have a spell that lets me see if two things have ever touched before."

[D&D] Fincul says, "In case you want to request that at any time."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "You could mention it--I've never seen you cast it."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Not that I can think of anything."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Yeah. I couldn't think of a good excuse to mention it, since I didn't see anything to use it on."

Kaylee asks, "What other options are there?"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "What was the list of items from the now-dead guy, again?"

Fincul flips through his spellbook. "There are basic attack and defensive spells... one to test if two objects have ever touched... the ability to detect magical effects, or poisons... various simple visual or auditory effects...

[D&D] GM says, "pair of daggers, sealed pouch with powder, flask with liquid, boot dagger, gold quill"

Kaylee says, "Oh--poisons. You could check the pouch powder."

Kaylee says, "And this flask."

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "The boot dagger had the wing?"

Fincul says, "Inscribing a personal rune... reading magical writings... dazing, fascinating, paralyzing, or, er, trickling people... destroying magical items..."

[D&D] GM says, "I believe one of the belt dagger did"

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee trickling"

Kaylee says, "That reminds me we should probably see about destroying that evil staff."

Fincul says, "As well as concealing people from sight, partially or completely."

Kaylee says, "Instead of just using it as a walking stick."

Fincul says, "Er. Or we could attempt to see if it's possible to use its powers for good, perhaps. Maybe..."

Kaylee says, "I suppose."

Kaylee asks, "Can you change alignment on a staff?"

[D&D] Fincul asks, "So that was Detect Poison, Detect Magic, and History that were requested?"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Yeah, sure."

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "It's evening, right? Any non-cast spells are wasted anyway?"

Fincul asks, "I, er... did we determine that the staff had an alignement of any sort, aside from necromantic magics?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "I think it's dinnertime."

[D&D] Fincul says, "So we've got time to do other stuff tonight if we want."

Kaylee says, "You did the ID, but I think it was just beyond you."

Kaylee says, "It just seems evil, and figured prominently on the murals."

[D&D] Fincul says, "(Also, coincidentally, the three spells I'm about to prepare are the same as the only three I've already cast today.)"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Heh."

Fincul says, "Mmm." as he starts studying.

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "You cast detect poison?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "At lunch, before eating."

Kaylee says, "I'll go get some food while you study."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Aha."

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Detect poison also tells you what it does?"

[D&D] Fincul says, "It lets you attempt to tell what it does."

Kaylee and Onyx head out and pick up some food for the group, then head back, arriving just as Fincul finishes his studies.

[D&D] Fincul says, "blinks as he looks up. "Food? Where did that come from?""

Fincul blinks as he looks up. "Food? Where did that come from?"

Kaylee says, "Well, this bread came from wheat. You could cast your 'history' on it if you wanted to find out which field..."

Fincul nods, "Oh. Mmm. Ah."

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

Fincul says, "Wheat. I think I read about that once."

Kaylee says, "I only know as far as the bakery down the street."

Fincul asks, "The wavy stuff, looks like grass, but yellower and intentional?"

Kaylee grins. "Right!"

Arly rolls his eyes.

Kaylee says, "At any rate..."

Fincul nods. "Let's gather together everything that we think might possibly be magical or poisoned..."

Kaylee spreads out the items from the man.

Fincul says, "We can put them in the middle of the room, where it should be easier to see them all."

Fincul adds the other quill.

Fincul looks around. "Is there anything else?"

Kaylee asks, "You checked the disk already, right?"

Fincul says, "I believe so, yes."

GM says, "(yeah, it wasn't magic)"

Fincul ensorcels his vision to see into the octarine.

Fincul says, "The dagger and the potion, as expected -- but that is all."

Kaylee says, "Well, the potion could have been poison."

Fincul picks up the dagger and, as a test, tosses it gently across the room.

Kaylee asks, "What kind of potion is it?"

Fincul says (to Kaylee), "It creates some sort of an illusion, I believe."

Kaylee asks, "Hmm, potion of invisibility?"

Fincul nods, "A definite possibility."

Kaylee says, "Appropriate for a skulking type."

Fincul says, "Hmm."

Kaylee asks, "And the type of magic on the dagger?"

GM says, "The dagger thunks into the far wall."

Kaylee says (to Fincul), "Nice shot."

Kaylee says, "I take it you didn't throw it that hard."

Fincul says, "No. It's an alteration of some sort -- perhaps making it fly further or faster or truer."

Fincul says, "But probably something-er."

Kaylee grins.

Kaylee says, "OK, poison time."

Fincul nods, and return the things to where they were.

Kaylee says, "I suppose the daggers might be poisoned, too."

Fincul casts again, without disguising his mutterings with a careful napkin this time.

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Heh."

Kaylee says, "Oh, right."

GM says, "The powder is the only thing that a poison; you can try with a wisdom and/or alchemy check to identify it"

Kaylee pulls out the crate from under the bed.

Kaylee says, "Check these weapons, too."

[D&D] Fincul says, "I'll try alchemy first, then Wis."

Fincul rolls 1 20-sided die: 18 | 18 + 3 = 21

GM says, "The weapons aren't poisoned or magical, no (beyond the ones you already identified)"

[D&D] Fincul says, "Or maybe I'll skip Wis."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Heh."

[D&D] Fincul says, "(Actually, Wis would have been useless anyway.)"

[D&D] Fincul says, "(I can't make a 20 on a 1d20-1.)"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Maybe if you try *really hard*,"

[D&D] Arly laughs.

Kaylee pushes the crate back under the ed.

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Er, bed."

Fincul's eyes glaze over for a moment as he appears to sense something. Then he's overtaken by a look of utter surprise.

Fincul exclaims, "Ha!"

Kaylee asks, "Yes?"

Arly blinks.

Fincul says, "A small dose of this will just cause burning in the eyes and throat of the person breathing it in."

Fincul says, "A larger dose -- what constitutes a larger dose depending on the health of the individual -- will cause the *appearance* of death."

Kaylee blinks.

Fincul says, "For about a day, and then the dead person gets better."

Kaylee exclaims, "To the mortuary!"

Kaylee opens the door and sprints out.

Fincul says, "At which point I suppose they return to ask for their daggers back."

[D&D] GM says, "(you don't hear someone saying that one very often)"

(From Kaylee) A few seconds later, Kaylee opens the door again.

Fincul asks, "Er. Should we follow her?"

Kaylee asks, "Uh, where's the mortuary?"

Fincul says (to Kaylee), "Just follow your nose."

Kaylee exclaims, "Right. Let's go!"

Kaylee turns and runs out again.

Fincul shrugs. "If you wish."

Kaylee runs back in, picks up her piece of bread. "Didn't finish dinner."

Kaylee runs back out, eating along the way.

Arly rolls his eyes and follows the others.

Fincul carefully picks up after them, putting things away and tidying up after the spellcasting.

Fincul eventually follows. With food.

GM says, "You get directions to the pauper's morgue, on the far west side of the city."

GM says, "The front door is closed, but there's a small cottage nearby that probably belongs to the morgue-keeper."

Fincul says, "You know, that bit about being a nexus of improbably and inconvenient events..."

Fincul says, "My life didn't use to be this interesting."

Fincul asks, "Yours?"

Kaylee runs the whole way. It feels good to get some exercise, after sitting around in the restaurant all day.

Kaylee knocks on the door.

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

GM says, "(no answer)"

Arly says (to Fincul), "I have a feeling Cassis makes most people's lives interesting if they hang around him enough."

Kaylee asks, "Hello? Anyone here?"

Arly mumbles under his breath, "orhemakestheirlivesend..."

GM says, "There's a light burning inside, though (you can see through the window by the door)"

Kaylee asks, "Would it make a difference to you if I said you had someone who wasn't actually dead in there? Hello?"

Fincul says, "We'd like to make a withdrawal, please."

[D&D] GM exclaims, "ha!"

Kaylee tries the door.

[D&D] Arly exclaims, "Hee hee!"

GM says, "(still no answer, although there's a faint noise from inside)"

[D&D] Kaylee chuckles.

Kaylee listens.

GM says, "it sounds like a groan"

GM says, "interspersed with thumps"

Fincul says (to Kaylee), "Now that staff that you call evil..."

Kaylee exclaims, "Do you need help? I'm coming in!"

Kaylee kicks open the door.

Kaylee exclaims, "Wo-pah!"

Fincul says, "For all we know, it might enable its bearer to cast a 'Detect Death' spell."

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

Fincul says, "Which could ahve saved us all this trouble."

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Do I need to roll an attack?"

GM says, "lying on the floor is an old guy, arms tied to the table"

[D&D] GM says, "no, I think you can probably hit the door"

Kaylee exclaims, "Gracious!"

[D&D] GM says, "especially if you shout 'wo-pah!'"

Arly says, "What is this."

[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Yay!"

Kaylee runs to the man, unties his arms.

GM says, "He seems still somewhat dazed"

Kaylee asks, "What happened?"

GM says, ""Oh, my head," he says."

GM says, "(and indeed, there's a lump on it)"

[D&D] Fincul says, "That's not to say that the SRD doesn't have an *entire file* on 'Breaking Items & Attacking Objects'."

[D&D] GM says, "well, true"

[D&D] Kaylee laughs.

GM says, ""Somebody came in -- wanted to get in and see a relative of his -- I told him the morgue was closed""

GM says, ""Then he said 'look, what's that behind you?' and that's the last thing I remember""

Kaylee says, "Oh, you poor guy."

Kaylee asks, "What did he look like?"

Fincul asks, "Was there a three-headed monkey?"

Kaylee, as she chats, bandages the wound.

[D&D] Kaylee says, "(just taking 15)"

GM says, ""Uh .. shortish -- brown hair -- young -- kinda patchy clothes""

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Does that match our man with the ring?"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "IOW, our friend?"

Kaylee asks, "Was he wearing a ring?"

[D&D] GM says, "yeah"

GM says, ""I think so," the man says. "I wasn't really paying attention.""

Fincul asks, "So where do you keep the recent initiates?"

Kaylee asks, "Arly, do you think you can track him?"

Kaylee says, "He would have been carrying a heavy load..."

Arly says, "I'll give it a shot."

GM says, "The man gestures over out the door. "Just over there -- oh, my keys are gone.""

Fincul checks the door.

Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 1 | 1 + 8 = 9

[D&D] Arly says, "Gah."

GM says, "The front door is locked, actually."

Fincul would be unsurprised to find the keys still in it.

Fincul says, "Mrm."

Fincul says, "How inconsiderate."

(From Arly) Arly tries to go outside to track and hits his head on the door, knocking himself out.

Fincul looks at ARly.

Fincul says, "We'd like to make a deposit."

[D&D] Arly says (to Fincul), "Yay."

[D&D] GM says, "ha"

Fincul asks, "Would you like us to open that door?"

Fincul says, "My friend here likes kicking things."

[D&D] Arly says (to Fincul), "I was just joking. Or trying to, at least."

Kaylee looks around in the area for a discarded key ring.

GM says (to Kaylee), "ah, there, tossed off the side of the path"

Kaylee says, "Here we go."

Kaylee says, "No sense *always* kicking."

Kaylee says, "Though I admit to a twinge of disappointment."

Kaylee unlocks the door.

Fincul says, "I imagine we'll find something else to kick before the night's through."

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Can Arly try again later?"

[D&D] Kaylee asks, "Or can one of the rest of us try?"

[D&D] GM says, "he can try again if you find more trackable evidence"

[D&D] Kaylee nods.

GM says, "The man shows you through the little waiting area here and into the back room, which is cold but smelly, and full of bodies on pallets"

[D&D] Arly says, "How much longer are we planning on going? I'm going to have to head out soon."

[D&D] GM says, "five more minutes"

Fincul says, "You should have gotten a new one this afternoon, around three..."

GM says, ""Yes, I remember," says the man. "The city guard dropped it off, and I put it -- he's gone!""

GM says, "The pallet is indeed empty."

Fincul nods. "That's the trouble with the dead nowadays."

[D&D] GM says (to Arly), "you can go ahead and roll again for tracking, starting from here"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Also, we know he went by where I found the keys."

Fincul says, "Oh, what we could tell you about the dead. No respect for the living, let me tell you."

Arly rolls 1 20-sided die: 18 | 18 + 8 = 26

[D&D] Arly says, "THAT's more like it."

[D&D] Kaylee exclaims, "Yay!"

Fincul says (to Man), "We'll try to find him for you. But I should let you know from the start, even if we do find him, I can't guarantee that he'll be willing to come back."

GM says, "Arly notices a bit of muddy footprint on the ground, with the mud not too dry yet, and follows that to a marking where somebody scuffed against the wall, and from there to where a chair was pushed slightly out of the way."

GM says, ""Er .. I -- I guess in that case he shouldn't come back, yes," says the man."

Kaylee says, "If you file a complaint against the man who attacked you, tell them you think he was an associate of the guy who was stolen--they'll know who you mean."

GM says, "Arly leads the way out from the mortuary and a block or so into the main part of the city, where the trail abruptly dives around a corner and into a sewer grate (recently moved)"

Kaylee says, "Sorry about that lump--if you keep cold on it, the swelling should go down."

Fincul says, "On the other hand, if you're afraid of getting involved with the sort of people who rob mortuaries, you could pretend this was all a bad nightmare."

Fincul says, "Your choice, really."

GM says, ""I -- er -- I'll have to sleep on that one, I think>"

GM says, "He waves and heads back to the mortuary."

Kaylee says, "Here's your keys back."

Kaylee tosses them to the man.

Kaylee exclaims, "Thanks!"

GM says, ""Oh, er, yeah, thank you!""

Arly waves.

Fincul asks (of Kaylee), "Did you see which way Arly went?"

Kaylee exclaims, "This way!"

Kaylee runs off.

Fincul sighs, follows.

[D&D] Kaylee says, "And, <scene>."

[D&D] GM says, "yeah"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Or </scene>"

[D&D] Arly says (to Kayle), "Yay."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Very good game this time."

[D&D] Arly says, "Lots of stuff happened."

[D&D] GM says, "cool"

[D&D] Fincul says, "I'm starting to suspect that there aren't any good guys in this one."

[D&D] Arly says, "Unfortunately, since detergent won't be invented for a couple of hundred years yet, Arly couldn't get all the wine out, but his shirt was red anyway, so it didn't matter."

[D&D] Arly says (to Fincul), "Except us."

[D&D] GM says, "I admit I am not exactly clear how much combat I should be putting in these things"

[D&D] GM says (to Arly), "hee hee"

[D&D] Arly says (to GM), "Well, it's been two weeks without any real combat, if that bothers you."

[D&D] GM says, "right"

[D&D] Fincul asks (of GM), "Do you have a random encounter table?"

[D&D] Arly says, "It doesn't necessarily bother me as long as there's plenty of other stuff to fill the gap, and this week there definitely was."

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Do they have wandering monsters in cities?"

[D&D] GM says (to Fincul), "no, I just stick stuff in when it looks like you guys are getting bored"

[D&D] Fincul says, "If not, you can just contrive to get us in the sewers."

[D&D] GM says, "hee hee"

[D&D] GM says, "ok, anyway, I will check in about next week as usual, I guess"

[D&D] Arly says, "Cool."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Okeedokee."

[D&D] Fincul says, "Oh, BTW, I've gradually realized that Fincul's personal sense of justice is more of a straight Neutral than a Neutral Good. Not that this will affect anything unless we try to Detect Good or something."

[D&D] GM asks (of Kaylee), "how are you guys doing schedule-wise?"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "I know Saturday's going to be busy for us during the day--we have a garage sale until 2-ish."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "And maybe something that evening, though not for sure yet."

[D&D] Arly says, "Oh wait."

[D&D] GM asks, "but at some point you're going to be busy moving, right?"

[D&D] Arly says, "Next weekend is 100% completely undoable for me. I'm busy all day both days."

[D&D] GM says, "whoops"

[D&D] Arly says, "Unless it's reeeeeeeally early morning, which I'm guessing would be hard for our west coast GM."

[D&D] Fincul asks, "Which both days?"

[D&D] GM says, "ok, we'll see what we can schedule, or else skip next weekend"

[D&D] Arly says (to Fincul), "Saturday and Sunday."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Right--we drive away the 28th."

[D&D] Fincul asks, "How about Friday evening?"

[D&D] GM says, "but, anyway, schedule-wise I think I'm going to bring this game to an end (or a stopping place, anyway) at the end of the month"

[D&D] Arly says (to Fincul), "Actually, maybe. But it would be later. Starting 9-10 or something, I think."

[D&D] Fincul says, "That would work OK for me."

[D&D] GM says, "since I'd like to give Ghogg a chance to run 7th sea, and eventually run a nobilis followup"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "So, that weekend will be busy, and after that I don't know exactly how/wheter we'll be able to game--Sara'll be at a friend's house, and I'll be in Seattle."

[D&D] Kaylee nods.

[D&D] Fincul says (to inky), "Mm, yeah."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "And Sarge's Vodacce, if he wants."

[D&D] GM says, "yeah, exactly"

[D&D] GM says, "so it looks like we can (maybe) play next week, and maybe the weekend after that, and that'll be a wrap"

[D&D] Fincul says, "That works."

[D&D] Fincul says, "(Was Friday evening 9/10ish good for lps and Sara?)"

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Weekend after that I know we'll be busy."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Friday evening will probably work, I think."

[D&D] GM says, "ok, we'll see how it goes"

GM has disconnected.

GM goes home.

[D&D] Kaylee says, "Though we'll have to be up early the next day."

[D&D] Kaylee says, "OK, I'm off to the park--this was fun."

Kaylee exits stage left.

[D&D] Arly waves.