Jim arrives, looking for booty.

[nobilis] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Pete has connected.

Xaylia arrives, looking for booty.

GM waves.

npc1 has connected.

GM counts who is actually here.

GM waits a bit and goes to get something to eat meanwhile.

Eolo has connected.

[nobilis] Dara wakes.

[nobilis] GM exclaims, "Hi there! I now have a sandwich. Go me!"

[nobilis] Dara says, "W00t"

Ghogg arrives, looking for booty.

Vasya, aka 'Mask', looms on the top of his hill, looking silently down at the group of Nobles.

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Who?"

[nobilis] Jim asks, "Hmm, Pete, Nathan, Dara, Xaylia and me?"

[nobilis] Pete | GM says, "You turn around. There's a figure standing on the hill behind you. It's a dark figure, dressed in full armor and a cloak and some kind of mask or veil over his face."

[nobilis] Jim says, "Oh, I see."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Ah, gotcha."

Nathan asks, "perhaps this is the lord of the castle?"

Dara says, "Hi! I'm Dara."

[nobilis] Jim | Pete says (to Mask), "Hi. You don't have to bow, if you were thinking about it."

GM says, "He's also got a long pole-arm of some sort, with a double blade at the end."

[nobilis] Jim says, "From last session, still funny."

Jim extends his hand.

Jim says, "Hi, I'm Jim."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "(I think we're, like, too far away to actually talk to him)"

[nobilis] * katre has left the channel.

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Oh?"

Nathan starts walking up the hill towards Vasya.

[nobilis] Dara says, "In that case, let's walk up there."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Also, timing."

[nobilis] Jim says, "Hmm, I guess I could *extend* my hand."

[nobilis] GM says, "You're within talking distance but not really hand-shaking distance. More, you know, calling up the hill distance"

Jim waves, feeling foolish.

[nobilis] Pete says, "And even, 'calling up the hill and getting no response because he's too stoic for us' distance."

[nobilis] GM exclaims, "You get my image precisely!"

[nobilis] Dara exclaims (at Jim), "Yay!"

Xaylia clambers up the hill

Jim follows Nathan.

Pete follows as well.

[nobilis] Nathan says (to Pete), "hee hee"

GM says, "Closer, you can see it's a veil or scarf of some sort across his face. You can see his eyes over it; they are a vivid, unreal green. He watches the little one especially as she approaches."

Nathan asks, "(when we get close enough) Greetings, sir, we are visitors in this land. Can you tell us where to find Castle Dedication?"

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "At first I had the image of his eyes being on the other side of the veil."

Pete says, "I don't think he cares to talk to us."

[Crows-Nest] Jim says, "Very anime."

Dara asks (of guy), "Hello?"

Pete says, "Perhaps he's a palace guard who got lost."

Dara asks (of Pete), "What does he want?"

Pete says (to Dara), "Maybe he just wants to stand here and enjoy the serene countryside."

Dara asks (of Pete), "No, I mean: what does he *want*?"

Pete says, "Oh, right."

[nobilis] Pete says, "Sure, lesser divination."

Vasya shifts his weight and then points with his polearm over their shoulders, towards the direction they'd been heading.. Then he says, "To the east of Komaru there is trackless desert, inhabited by those who would destroy Komaru. We are protected by the Minamet. To the north of Komaru are unbreachable mountains, inhabited by those who would assimilate Komaru. To the west of Komaru is an ocean that has already destroyed half of Komaru. To the south of Komaru is a wasteland where only trickster spirits can dwell. So. Convince me you are not enemies of Komaru, and yet visitors in this land.

[nobilis] Nathan says, "ha ha"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "forgot that that isn't rhetorical"

[nobilis] GM says, "he wants to know what you are."

[nobilis] GM says, "Also, he has his eye on this girl in his organization."

Nathan says, "we are not of your desert or of your mountains or of your oceans -- we are of the stars"

Nathan lifts his hand and silver light dances across the fingers.

[nobilis] Jim asks, "Why does this scene remind me of Bill and Ted meeting Socrates?"

[nobilis] Dara laughs.

[nobilis] Nathan says, "ha ha ha"

Xaylia decides to let the adults deal with this, and sits down and plays with her doll

Dara says, "Yeah, you're thinking two-dimensionally."

[nobilis] Ghogg asks, "wait, we have another youngun with the group?"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "ayup"

[nobilis] Ghogg says, "you should do an all-kids rpg"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "currently glowing with the light of a thousand suns, I think"

[nobilis] Ghogg says, "occasionally action is interrupted for a game of pattycake"

[nobilis] Dara says, "'Little Fears'."

Pete says (to Dara), "He speaks true. He wants to know what we are. He also wants to better get to know someone called '<insert name here>'."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "'Li'l Nobs'"

[nobilis] Jim says, "You hit! Throw 4dPog for damage!"

[nobilis] Nathan says (to Xaylia), "hmm, yeah, I forgot we were glowing already; oh well"

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Are we, still?"

[nobilis] Xaylia asks, "I'm not sure; possibly not. Our symbols faded, right?"

[nobilis] Jim says, "*Some* of us are."

Vasya narrows his eyes at Nathan, and Nathan is suddenly aware of a sense of being probed. "I see." His gaze slides to Pete, and he is startled. "I see," he repeats.

[nobilis] Pete says, "We only have half as many kids as last time, though. If the pattern persists, next time there'll just a character who can shapeshift into a child part of the time."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "I want to get glow-in-the-dark clothing, just for those occasions where I have suddenly burst into blinding brilliance"

[nobilis] GM says, "SOrry I'm slow today, guys"

[nobilis] Pete inserts 'Katrina' into that sentence.

[nobilis] GM says, "You glow explicitly when you are using Spirit somehow. Otherwise no, you're not glowing."

[nobilis] GM says, "But you can be the judge of when you're somehow using your Spirit score."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "maybe I can be slowly making my doll into an anchor"

[nobilis] GM says, "That would be cool."

Dara asks, "So, uh, why does everyone want to destroy you? Are you evil or something? Or good? Or is it just politics, nothing personal?"

Jim says, "I'm pretty sure we're good, I should point out."

Jim asks, "We're good, right?"

Xaylia whispers to her dolly, glowly slightly as she does so

Dara says, "Oh, definitely."

Xaylia says, "er, glowing"

Pete says, "I try to be. I'm not sure about Yasmina, though."

[nobilis] Pete says, "Of course, none of her folk are here, so."

Vasya says, "You have no pacts that I can see, but your natures are those of who have been bound to flesh. And you are remarkably... free-spirited. Perhaps you /are/ a gang of kitsune from the south." He shifts position again."

Dara asks, "What were the kitsune? The tricksters?"

Pete says, "I don't think we trick people much."

Pete says, "Although I guess we could if we wanted to."

Vasya shrugs. "It is in their natures, that is all. The Aten conquer and build, the Mer devour, the kitsune love humanity more than is good for humanity, and the northerners... have found different pacts. The Naga keep them away."

Dara asks (of Vasya), "Would it make you feel better if we tricked you?"

Jim says (to Vasya), "You know, you could use a few sessions beefing up your decisiveness."

Dara asks (of Vasya), "Are you a Naga, then?"

Jim says (to Vasya), "How about we all declare a truce, right now? Fair terms, sworn on anything you please."

Vasya reaches up and tucks his veil to one side, pulling back his cowl. He has very fair skin, with totally white hair. "Me? No, I'm a Veiled Guard." He looks wryly amused. "The Naga have the bodies of serpents and the heads of humans; if they appear totally human, they are still as green in their skin as I am in my eyes."

[nobilis] Xaylia says (to GM), "*someone* has been reading Piers Anthony"

[nobilis] Dara exclaims, "PA didn't invent nagas!"

[nobilis] Pete asks, "Piers Anthony has nagas and kitsune?"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "no, but still"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "ha ha"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "on the "any amount of time spent reading piers anthony is too much time spent reading piers anthony" principle"

Dara says, "Ah, gotcha."

[nobilis] Pete says, "Also, we probably shouldn't tell him that in our world, nagas are killed for their hydes."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "groan"

[nobilis] Dara says, "ack"

[nobilis] Jim says, "Heh."

[nobilis] GM says, "I am in fact adapting a pre-created world, but it isn't Piers Anthony. :-)"

Pete asks, "So who are these who are bound to flesh?"

[nobilis] Dara says, "(in Might and Magic VIII, you can kill nagas and get naga hides)"

Xaylia sings gently to her doll

[nobilis] Nathan says, "boo"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg asks, "Dara = lpsmith?"

[Crows-Nest] Pete says, "Mmhmm."

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "Sorry. Only person I know who would make a Might and Magic VIII reference."

[Crows-Nest] Dara laughs.

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "Also 'finger dara' ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "oh, that's no fun"

Vasya tilts his head to one side. "Spirits of the Asura and Deva." He looks down at the little one. "Even her. Though I don't understand how you can be what you are and not be familiar with the process."

Nathan says, "as I said, we're visitors here"

Pete says, "We come from a place so distant that Asura and Deva have no meanings there."

Dara asks, "And we're sort of bored. Any quests around here that need questing? Enemies to smite? Lightbulbs to change?"

Jim says, "Hey, we could change your enemies into lightbulbs."

Vasya's lips tighten. "I see." He leans on his polearm again. "Well then, traditionally, spirits of Asura and Deva are summoned, and then placed into a living vessel. They may be then chained to the summoner as a familiar, or released to their own devices upon the world. I should like to introduce you to somebody. Could you wait here?"

Dara asks (of Vasya), "If you want to chain us to a summoner, you've got another think coming. Who do you want to introduce us to?"

Nathan says, "I think we are more in the released-to-our-down-devices category"

[nobilis] Jim asks, "Released into our down devices?"

Vasya says, "The Consort."

[nobilis] Jim says, "That sounds a little weird, but potentially soft and warm."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Hee"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Hee."

Dara asks, "Is he (or she) a ruler or something?"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Also, this whole 'summoned' -> 'vessel' thing is a bit worrisome for Pete particularly, considering."

[nobilis] GM says, "hee hee hee"

Vasya says, "She is the Consort and sister to the King. She is also more appropriate to interact with the likes of you than I."

Dara says, "Alrighty, then."

Ghogg goes home.

Dara asks (of Pete), "Is that what he actually wants?"

[nobilis] GM says, "gah missing notes"

[nobilis] Pete asks (of Dara), "You realize that if I answer that, I'll be down to one DMP?"

[nobilis] Dara says, "Oh, oops."

[nobilis] Dara says, "I thought you had one domain."

[nobilis] Pete says, "(I am strongly suspecting that spending all those points on Sovereign's Gift rather than Domain directly was a Bad Idea.)"

Pete says (to Dara), "I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt."

[nobilis] Pete says, "(Er, Constant Domain, I mean.)"

Dara says, "OK."

Vasya turns, moves down the hill, ducks behind a bit of stone masonry, and vanishes.

[nobilis] GM says, "er, um, still looking for notes. stupid stuff written at work two weeks ago blah."

Pete peeks around the masonry.

[nobilis] Dara says, "Heh."

GM exclaims, "Nothing there!"

[nobilis] GM says, "Oh yay, I put the name of the King and his Consort in the last game. Go me."

Dara exclaims, "People come and go so quickly here!"

Nathan says, "well, we did"

GM says, "A bit of time passes. A bit more time passes. There's a glow in the sky in the direction of Castle Dedication, and around the same time, there's a tromping from the direction of the stone masonry, though a bit further away. Multiple people are approaching."

Dara *shifts* and becomes a general sense of ease, trust, and relaxation, settling down around the hill.

[nobilis] GM says, "Hmmm."

[nobilis] Dara grins.

[nobilis] GM says, "It's visible when you do that. There's a sort of mist, except not a mist."

[nobilis] Dara says, "OK, cool."

Pete tries not to inhale to much of his sister.

[nobilis] GM says, "This is a trait of Mourn, it seems. People know when external effects are applied to them."

[nobilis] Nathan says (to Pete), "ha ha"

[nobilis] Dara says, "Ah, interesting."

GM says, "In the near distance, Vasya and a number of people dressed like him tromp around a hillside. In the sky, the glow brightens, swirling like a rainbow. Something is moving closer."

[nobilis] Jim says, "Maybe you should turn into an inert mist instead."

[nobilis] Jim says, "You know, a Noble gas."

[nobilis] Pete says, "Although I guess each of us is in the middle of a Dara-free bubble of Auctoritas."

[nobilis] Dara exclaims, "Arrgh!"

[nobilis] Pete says (to Jim), "Boo."

GM says, "It's somebody flying, on rainbow wings of light."

Pete says, "Nice."

[nobilis] Xaylia says (to Jim), "don't make me come over there and kick you"

GM says, "She settles down lightly a few yards away. The Veiled Guard unit hangs around keeping an eye on things."

Xaylia stands, curtseys, then sits again

Chiara_Consort looks to be around 15; when she lands, her wings fade away. She has dark hair and dark eyes; she looks like she'll be a beautiful, curvy woman when she finishes growing up, but right now she's still just a teenager.

[Crows-Nest] (from Dara) Adam says, "rowr"

Pete says, "Greetings. We are ambassadors of Jehiela."

Dara settles into the grass.

GM says, "Her eyes are a liquid gold in color, and she still has a glow around her like you all had when you first arrived. Dara bubbles around her the same way she bubbles around the Nobles."

[Crows-Nest] Pete notices that Chry's notes appear to call J 'Jehiela', while lps' listings refer to J as 'Jeheila'.

Chiara_Consort bows, very slightly. "Vasya tells me you've come from beyond the stars." She bounces in place a little.

Pete nods. "It is so."

[nobilis] GM says, "I can't remember if there's a limit that is the opposite of Unblemished Guise, but if so, she has it."

Chiara_Consort crosses her arms. "Komaru and Mourn are my wards. What do you want here?"

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "Aha."

Nathan says, "only to visit -- we are interested in what lies beyond our gates"

Chiara_Consort asks, "Hmm. May I test you?"

Nathan says, "if that is what is necessary for visitors in your lands"

Chiara_Consort says flatly, "If you wish to be treated as guests instead of enemies, it is. WE have been too troubled by those which seek to break Komaru of late."

Xaylia asks, "what kind of test?"

Xaylia says shyly, "I'm not very good at tests"

GM shrugs. "I will see if you are natural or not."

Chiara_Consort shrugs. "I will see if you are natural or not."

Nathan mutters "I don't think it'll be a spelling test."

Nathan says, "please proceed, then"

Pete says (aside), "Are we 'natural'?"

Xaylia says (to pete), "I don't know"

Nathan says, "there are our bodies, I think, so I suspect yes"

Dara snaps back back into human form, wearing a colorful version of the veiled guards' uniform. "Wait, but we're *not* natural. At least, not for some versions of 'natural'. What do you mean?"

Nathan says, "...and if not, their standards will need some revision"

Chiara_Consort gives Dara a look. "One down." One at a time, each of you are subjected to intense scrutiny from Chiara. It feels like something squeezing around you, but in a sort of warm and cuddly way. Basically, it's the substance of Komaru enforcing its integrity on you. Possibly, if you were something invasive or unnatural, you'd pop out of existence, or otherwise be affected. But you're not. The only person she doesn't subject to this scrutiny is Xaylia. Instead, she kneels down before her.

Chiara_Consort says, "There was another little girl once, who was good at hiding what she was."

Xaylia looks Chiara straight in the eye.

Chiara_Consort says, "When she came into her power, she put out the sun for three days, and for seven years after, a haze hid the sun."

Xaylia says, "I don't think I can hide what I am"

Xaylia says, "I'm me"

Chiara_Consort says, "But though my great-grandfather looked for her for years after he restored the sun, he couldn't find her for a very long time."

[nobilis] GM says, "You do have Unblemished Guise, X."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hmmm"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "sure, but *I* don't know that"

[nobilis] GM nods, just making sure you hadn't forgotten

[nobilis] Xaylia asks, "also it's only got 1 point in it, hasn't it?"

[nobilis] GM says, "Yup."

Pete asks, "Did she like to sing songs?"

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "I forget what Unblemished Guise is."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "I'm wondering if X already knows this story"

[nobilis] GM says, "which means nobles with spirit 1 or less can't see what you are until you reveal yourself by working a miracle."

Chiara_Consort stands up again. "No. She liked to read."

Xaylia asks, "read?"

Xaylia looks wistful, but says nothing.

Chiara_Consort gives Xaylia the same scrutiny, but in response, Xaylia glows quite brightly. Also, she doesn't feel the same pressure I described for everybody else.

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "whu-oh"

Chiara_Consort then drops her shoulders. "Welcome to Komaru."

Nathan asks, "so the test is passed, then?"

Chiara_Consort says, "Please try not to break anything while you're here."

Pete asks, "Does that mean we should try to blend in a bit better?"

Pete says, "People do seem to react a bit oddly when they see us."

Chiara_Consort shrugs. "Yes. It doesn't mean you're good, but at least you're not going to break things just by existing and you're not intrinsically fractured. Which is all I really need to be concerned with, I suppose."

Nathan frowns.

Nathan says, "You don't sound very happy about it"

[Crows-Nest] Pete thinks of the slicer-dicer entity.

Xaylia asks, "people can break things just by existing?"

Pete says (to Xaylia), "We've seen things like that back home."

Pete says, "The... entity of sharp edges, for example."

Xaylia says, "oh"

Xaylia says, "he didn't mean to break things, though"

Pete says, "No. He may have been good, but it didn't mean he was... 'natural'."

Pete decides to try to look more Komaruan.

Chiara_Consort shrugs again. "It's not something in the memory record of any of my predecessors that I can find. But there's something moving around out there." She glances at Nathan. "It's not ideal that I be awakened to Consort with an angry 15 year old twin. It's confusing."

[nobilis] GM says, "Yay guising."

Xaylia says, "I don't think I can make myself look more like I belong here"

Nathan asks, "er.. twin?"

Pete says (to Nathan), "Brother, I assume."

[nobilis] Nathan asks, "wait, brother? has this been mentioned already?"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Vasya mentioned it in passing before leaving -- lemme scrollback."

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "The king's sister."

[nobilis] Pete | Vasya says, "She is the Consort and sister to the King. She is also more appropriate to interact with the likes of you than I."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "oh, aha"

Chiara_Consort says, "My brother Alessan. The King. Our parents were... murdered two years ago." Something about her body language suggests there's a deep horror to this. "He's been angry ever since, no matter what I do to help.""

Dara asks, "What kind of thing is moving around out there?"

Chiara_Consort says, "Something capable of murdering a Consort and Queen without leaving anything behind!" She seems to think the horror in this is self-evident."

[nobilis] Jim says, "Something about the language language, too."

Nathan asks, "the, er, guardian here had mentioned dangers in four directions -- do you think one of those was responsible?"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Dara did ask for a quest and an enemy to smite. I think we've got one."

[Crows-Nest] Jim says, "I wonder if we should tell them about diagonal directions, too, like 'northeast'."

[Crows-Nest] Pete says, "Hee."

Chiara_Consort shakes her head. "No. A Shepherd, as I was before I was awakened, the Aten have taken before. But a full Consort? No. Never. Not without a fight. Not without signs."

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "I know who killed her parents .. ADRIFT"

[Crows-Nest] GM laughs and laughs.

Nathan says, "strange"

Nathan asks, "so there are other, er, Shepherds around here, waiting to become Consorts?"

Chiara_Consort shakes her head, and then blushes faintly. "One day I will bear twins to Alessan, and they will be the next Consort and monarch."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "man, it's like ancient egypt around here"

Nathan frowns.

Nathan asks, "what would happen if something happened to the two of you before that occurred?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Pete) Nathan says, "are you two sure you shouldn't get cracking on that now, just in case?"

[nobilis] Jim says, "This being another dimension and all, hopefully inheritance and genetics don't work in the same way here."

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "ha ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Jim says, "Hee hee."

Chiara_Consort shrugs. "There are provisions. The line has been broken before. Though there would be great chaos until another pair of Royal twins was born."

Pete asks, "And the twins are Shepherds, until awakened?"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "I can't help but think that a bunch of strangers wandering into your lands and saying 'so, what would happen if the line of succession was wiped out' is perhaps a tad suspicious"

[nobilis] Jim says, "We're just, er, insurance salesmen. That's right."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Yeah, that's what I was thinking, too ;-)"

[nobilis] (from Dara) Jim says to Chiara, "Sure is a nice kingdom eyou have here. Be a shame if anything were to... *happen* to it. Need some insurance?"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "ha ha"

Chiara_Consort sits down next to Xaylia. "No, no. Royal twins-- one is born with bloodlines bound to sky and Mourn, just as any child. And one is born different, with a bloodline of light. That one is the Shepherd, bound to love and protect and serve the other. There is only one Consort at a time, each awakening after the previous one has died."

Dara exclaims, "Like the Vampire Slayers!"

[nobilis] Jim asks, "Yeah, this little lot'd go up like firewood was somebody to drop a few copies of the communist manifesto around, where the peasants can find it, accidental like, you see what I'm saying?"

[nobilis] GM cackles.

Dara says, "Er, sorry. Cultural ref."

[nobilis] Xaylia asks, "wait, Jim's a commie?"

[nobilis] Xaylia asks, "wait, Jim's a cockney?"

[nobilis] Dara says, "No, he's a cocker spaniel."

[nobilis] Jim asks, "Well I was trying to think of some book that would convert people to democracy and coming up blank. What *is* supposed to be good about our system, again?"

Pete asks, "Is a Consort like the spirits of Asura and Deva?"

[nobilis] Jim says, "Converting them to conspicuous capitalism might be easier. Just leave some VCRs and copies of Dynasty."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "throw some adam smith at 'em"

[nobilis] Pete exclaims, "Every American knows that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are the founding documents of democracy!"

Chiara_Consort considers. "Not exactly. It is like the strength and essence of the world gathered into human form."

[nobilis] Pete asks, "How can anyone read 'We the People...' without getting all teared up?"

Jim says, "I'm a little unclear on the whole Asura and Deva thing."

[nobilis] Xaylia says (to jim), "but, we drew a diagram"

Jim says, "They're powerful forces like Good and Evil, right? But not present in our own world."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Hey, it worked for Kirk."

[nobilis] Xaylia asks, "how much more help do you want?"

Chiara_Consort says, "It is their striving that creates the universe. Or, well, our corner, I suppose."

Jim says, "Strange to consider what worlds without Good and Evil might be like."

Jim says, "Pretty hedonistic, I bet."

[nobilis] Pete says (to Dara), "Weth epe' opleh..."

Chiara_Consort shrugs. "Good and evil are just words applied to people by other people who agree with or disagree with their methods and goals."

Pete says (to Jim), "I don't think Good and Evil are the same sort of concepts as Asura and Deva."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "I think I need to renounce my claims to geekhood"

Pete asks (of Jim), "Do you mean Light and Dark?"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "Iain just had to explain that joke"

Jim says (to Pete), "Light and Dark are good and evil? I thought they were just fashions."

[nobilis] Dara grins.

[nobilis] GM says, "Try not to poke around in the source directory too much, but here, a diagram of the Cosmos. :-) http://www.wolfandweasel.com/fltd/library/be.html"

Pete says, "Good and Evil are, er, well, we're good... but even if we were Asura or Dark or whatever, we'd still be able to be good. But not, Deva and Dark at the same time. I think. Or something."

Chiara_Consort says, "Deva and Dark meet in Damien, the Void." She points at the horizon. "The dark moon."

Chiara_Consort says, "Also associated with the west, and the Mer."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Wow."

GM says, "So, anyhow, what will you do here? I guess there's a lot to see if you're from a different world."

Chiara_Consort says, "So, anyhow, what will you do here? I guess there's a lot to see if you're from a different world."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "good lord"

Dara asks, "I dunno. Finding out who killed your parents sounds worthwhile. Would you assist us, if we undertook that task?"

Xaylia asks, "what would you recommend, lady consort?"

[nobilis] GM says, "As I said, adapting pre-established material to Nobilis. :-)"

[nobilis] Dara asks, "What was this for?"

[nobilis] GM says, "Originally, a fantasy live action RPG I helped out on."

Pete says, "I think Dara's plan sounds like a good one. Or at least, soemthing to attempt."

[nobilis] Pete exclaims, "Hey, there's a Mitrasama on this chart!"

[nobilis] Pete asks, "Are we allowed to follow links?"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia struggles to express this thought in child-like enough words, but

[nobilis] Nathan says, "we already saw mitrasama when we came in"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia asks, "what do we get in return for helping her?"

[nobilis] Pete says (to Nathan), "Yeah, but I didn't realzie she'd be listed on the map of their universe."

[Crows-Nest] Jim says, "A warm glow in cold nights."

Chiara_Consort glances at Dara. "I've been trying to find that out for two years. I would help, certainly, but... it seems a poor welcome to guests of my forefathers to put you to work immediately upon entering our land." To Xaylia, she says, "Oh, you could try all the attractions. While most of them are dangerous to ordinary people, that you are not. Komaru used to be much larger, extending to the east and the west, before the sand and the sea ate it, and to the south, before the Jitani created the wasteland, all the way down to the ice."

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "yeah, but, y'know, code of the wild here"

[Crows-Nest] Pete exclaims (at Xaylia), "It's a fun game!"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "sigh"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "y'all are so damned heroic"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "hmm, I thought code of the wild people were fine for *doing* favors for other people, since then they owe you"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "just not the other way around"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "well, right"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "I'm just curious mostly as to whether I want her to be in my debt"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "but YMMV, obviously"

[nobilis] GM says, "Basically, while the Nobilis variant diverges some, I am using the LARP stuff as relatively recent history for the current era (~150 years or so). Following links might thus be confusing and also spoil exploring some of the world ICly for you. Though none of it should have direct bearing on current plots."

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "well, she is in charge here"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "mm, I guess"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "but you all are still way too heroic"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "I'm not really volunteering yet"

[Crows-Nest] Dara asks, "What else are we going to do--rob caravans?"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "but it is true I am a little curious what is up"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia asks, "have a look around?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I should note you guys have a gate to this place. It is fine to explore now, and come back and pursue plot threads later."

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "But that would mean spending more RMP's ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "partially because there /is/ a lot of depth to this particular world."

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "at some point I have to go back home and check on the university"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "but that can wait a few days"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "I'm kind of wary about stumbling off on a quest without finding out a lot more about the society, mostly"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Man, I should write up something someday on Nobilis-as-world-hopping game; I was just as excited for you guys to go to the other worlds I offered."

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "but i guess if we go on the quest they will tell us stuff, so"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "also, I am trying to avoid doing Super Infodump Sessions, since those aren't really that exciting"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan asks, "we can also just go hang out someplace -- anyone up for the beach?"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says (to nathan), "ooh, sandcastles"

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "When we first started, I was intrigued by a Nobilis/7th Sea crossover."

[Crows-Nest] Pete says, "Hmm. Since the effective cost of the gateway was 0 with the RMP cost, possibly we could spend another 0 points to hook the gate up to those other places too."

Pete says, "We may as well begin by visiting the city, and trying to accustom ourselves to your culture."

Pete says, "We likely have much to learn."

[Crows-Nest] Dara says, "Maybe we could spend the group XP points on that, or something."

Nathan says, "that sounds like a good idea"

Nathan looks around. "Where is the city?"

Pete looks at himself, and at the others.

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "er"

Pete says, "I think the man we met earlier said the castle was that way -- I imagine the capital city would surround it."

Xaylia says, "good idea"

Jim asks, "So, shall we go off to see the wizard?"

Chiara_Consort kicks a foot into the air. "My King is at Castle Dedication now, vacationing, but the capital is Komaru City. It's in the middle of noble estates and fields of grain. There are also other cities-- Skye along the western coast, Cascade in the north, others.

Jim asks, "Er, I mean, the city?"

Chiara_Consort says, "I will ask Vasya to take you to any city you wish to visit, I suppose. Dedication has no city around it, though."

Nathan says, "Skye, perhaps? I would like to see the coast"

[Crows-Nest] * josh_g has left the channel.

Jim says, "Over the sea to Skye? Almost as good."

Dara says, "Sure."

GM hops to her feet and calls, "Vasya! Take these people promptly to Skye, along the Guard byways." Vasya opens his mouth to protest. "This way you can keep an eye on them." Vasya closes his mouth. Vasya sighs.

Chiara_Consort hops to her feet and calls, "Vasya! Take these people promptly to Skye, along the Guard byways." Vasya opens his mouth to protest. "This way you can keep an eye on them." Vasya closes his mouth. Vasya sighs.

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hee hee"

Nathan grins at Vasya.

[nobilis] Jim says, "The *really* long-suffering Vasya."

[nobilis] Pete asks, "So, now that Nathan's given away his quarter, what will we do for currency?"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "ha ha"

Pete asks, "By the way... what do you use for currency in Komaru?"

Chiara_Consort mutters something under his breath. "Will you come along, Your Highness?" She shrugs. "I must return to my brother soon, but sure." She says to Pete: "Merchants use tokens emblazoned with a cross or a star, or their noble backer's insignia."

Chiara_Consort says, "Vasya mutters under his breath instead."

Pete nods.

Pete . o O ( I'm a Noble. I wonder what my insignia is. )

Chiara_Consort says, "Are you concerned about that? I shall have Vasya give you some coins of the royal household."

Nathan says, "that would be very kind of you"

Pete says, "I would not want to impose on your majesty..."

Chiara_Consort claps her hands. Vasya trudges down the hill to the stonework, touches it, and mutters something. An arch of light flares into existence there. Beyond is a hallway.

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "it's ok, I would"

[Crows-Nest] Pete says, "Hee."

[nobilis] GM says, "Currency: True God of Earth! ahem."

(From Chiara_Consort) Vasya says, "Please follow me through this archway and down the hall." He runs a gloved hand through his white hair. "Don't... touch anything."

Dara grins, follows.

Nathan looks around at the others, then heads in

Pete lifts slightly off the ground before following, so as not to touch the floor.

Dara says (to Pete), "Show-off."

GM says, "He leads you down the hall. After you're all in, Chiara follows, and then the troop of Veiled Guard. Then he stops at another door, opens it, ducks inside the room beyond, and returns with a pouch, which he hands to Pete. Then, a few more doors down and he opens a third door. There's a dusty room beyond. He steps through and beckons y'all through."

Pete peeks inside the pouch. If it contains money, he hands it to Nathan.

[nobilis] GM says, "It contains stuff recognizable as fairly rough metal coinage."

Nathan weighs it thoughtfully in his hand and then stashes it away in his pocket.

GM says, "Once you're through the door, Chiara stops at the entrance, waves, and then closes the door behind you. You're now in a small storeroom of some sort with only one exit. Vasya is here."

Vasya says, "When you are ready, you may open the door again, and you will exit through a shop in Skye. I will speak with the shopkeeper, who is an agent of ours, so he will not be startled."

Dara says, "That's a nice system."

Dara asks, "Is it only available to consort-type people?"

Vasya says, "It's a secret system. It's only available to Veiled-Guard-type-people, and those we want to keep an eye on. If you go around telling people about it, they'll think you're mad. So don't."

Dara says, "Got it."

[nobilis] GM says, "Gah, it's 1 already"

[nobilis] GM says, "I'm sorry I've been so slow today."

[nobilis] Pete asks, "I'm the only guised one at this point?"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "well, we started a little late"

[nobilis] GM says, "I guess I should send in men with guns in the next session."

[Crows-Nest] Dara laughs.

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hee hee"

[nobilis] Pete asks, "Everyone else looking normal, except for Dara, who's dressed like a Veiled Kaleidescope?"

[nobilis] Dara chuckles.

[nobilis] GM says, "Yeah, Pete, though mostly the guising is altering your clothes and very slightly changing your features."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hmm, can I guise? I guess I can"

Nathan inspects Pete. "How did you do that, anyway?"

Pete says, "It's... a physical thing. Like transforming into another shape, but less complicated."

Nathan says, "hmm"

Nathan closes his eyes and concentrates.

Pete says, "Mind over matter, basically."

Nathan says, "hey, look at that"

Nathan closes his eyes and tries again.

[nobilis] Pete says, "It's an Aspect 2 miracle, I think."

Nathan says, "..I guess I can't do it as well as Dara, though"

Dara asks (of Vasya), "Would it be too odd if I went out looking like this?"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "I could guise by spending AMPs, right? I kind of don't want to"

Vasya says, "Yes. It would be extremely odd, even more disturbing than your previous garment. So don't."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "it seems like it would be a little out of character for you"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "right"

[nobilis] Pete asks, "What's Xaylia wearing, anyway?"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "don't worry, we will explain you as our crazy younger sister"

Vasya says, "The shopkeeper might have garments for the little girl. They will be out of fashion, but... probably fit her."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "you will have to deal with having the... right, crazy foreign cousin, I was thinking"

[nobilis] Xaylia says (to pete), "a rather grubby and tattered dress"

Dara *shifts* into a clone of Vasya.

Dara says, "Of course, this would be even more disturbng thatn both of the others."

Nathan says (to Dara), "quit teasing the poor guy"

Dara says, "We could try this."

Dara shifts into another biker-chyk.

Vasya says, "That would get you into trouble. Don't impersonate a Veiled Guard. We don't like it. It makes our babies cry."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "snrk"

Dara says, "Well, we can't have that."

Nathan asks, "well, I think we're ready to go out -- did you want to inform the shopkeeper first?"

Vasya says, "Also, please, if you are capable of doing so, /lie/ about being from beyond the stars. Claim you are from Oroshi instead. It's a distant Minamet holding, near where you first... appeared. Though if you meet any Minamet or Asawa here, unlikely, but if you do... don't claim that."

Dara, using her increidible mental powers of extrapolation, shifts into a typical coastal outfit, deducing what that must be from having seen the shepherd, the guards, and Chiarra.

Jim says (to Dara), "Hey, nice tassles."

Vasya says, "Tell them instead you are associates of Her Highness."

Pete asks, "How do we know if someone's from minamet or Asawa?"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia asks, "who has honesty as a restriction?"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "aside from me, now I check"

[Crows-Nest] Nathan says, "I don't believe I do"

[Crows-Nest] Pete says, "I don't."

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "well, be prepared to slap a hand over my mouth if someone asks me where I'm from"

Vasya says, "Also, I suppose we must find you a townhouse to stay in, unless you prefer one of the merchent hostelries.... oh, well, it will be in their name. Kadamei Minamet, Violaine Asawa. The Minamet are very tall, with dark hair and eyes and a sharp look. The Asawa are small, pudgy, with colorless hair, and an ethereal air about them."

Vasya says, "Well, purebloods, anyhow."

Vasya says, "Her Highness is a Komaru; I am an Issorat."

Pete asks (of Vasya), "Do we look ready to go out?"

Vasya says, "Well, come along." He opens the door and steps into a shop. There's a portly man sitting in an overstuffed chair reading a book, who Vasya goes directly to speak with. The store is a spice shop."

[nobilis] Pete says, "I wonder what he'd give us for somr *really* exotic spices..."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "ha"

[nobilis] Pete says, "'Nutmeg', 'cinnamon', 'black pepper'..."

[nobilis] GM asks, "He proceeds to set up X with antique clothes, and to arrange lodgings for you, and then to lurk around; it's clear he's joined your little party for the time being. We can pick up next week with a description of the city?"

[nobilis] Pete says, "Sure."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "sounds good"

[nobilis] GM says, "The antique clothing are somewhat kimono-like."

[nobilis] Dara says, "Yeah, sure."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "hmm, stylish"

[nobilis] GM says, "X might have trouble walking quickly in them until she gets used to them."

[nobilis] GM says, "I keep imgaining what these scenes would have been like if any of Yasmina's Familia had been along."

[nobilis] GM says, "the monkey, the devil, the centaur..."

[nobilis] GM says, "the iron man"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "they're they funny-lookin' familia"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "ferris is technically here, I think"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "ilac"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "ferris is technically here, I think"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "in that he came through the gate"

[nobilis] Pete says, "I thought he was watching the gate."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "I though he was prodding it when it swallowed us"

[Crows-Nest] schep asks, "Anyone? Bueller?"

[Crows-Nest] Xaylia says, "heh"

[nobilis] GM says, "He is in The Box, which is where characters who vanish partway through something go! Like anybody else, he could magically appear and we'd deal with it then."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "heh"

[nobilis] GM says, "Vasya screams, "Horse-naga! Horse-naga! Augh!""

[nobilis] Dara asks, "Oh, right--next week is the XYZZY's. Should we plan on 2 weeks from now?"

[nobilis] GM says, "Oh, yeah, um, hm."

[nobilis] Pete | Ferris asks (of Nathan), "you're a star guy. shouldn't you be over there?" ;:| Nathan says (to Ferris), "well, somebody's gotta watch this side, too"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "right, yeah, sorry"

[nobilis] Pete | Ferris says, "well, I ain't going anywhere"

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "ah, okay"

[nobilis] GM says, "how do people feel about that? two weeks hence was supposed to be the week off, but I don't know how committed people are to the formal schedule."

[nobilis] Pete says, "Two weeks from now is theoretically our off week."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "I believe I would be fine flipping the two"

[nobilis] Pete says, "But I'm fine with calling next week the off week, and saying we're on the both weeks following it."

[nobilis] Xaylia says, "sure"

[nobilis] Pete says, "But I dunno how the people who felt they were losing their Saturdays feel."

[nobilis] GM says, "Yeah, that's what I'm concerned most about."

[nobilis] GM asks, "Sure which?"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "I believe that was sure-we-can-switch"

[nobilis] GM says, "Okay, sounds good then."

[nobilis] Nathan says, "cool"

[nobilis] Nathan says, "I guess you'd better bb it"

[nobilis] * NewsBoy hollers, "Extra! Extra! Chrysoula has posted message 52, about 'Next Game is March 6th', to the bulletin board! Insert a naughty double entendre here!"

Nathan says, "cool"

Eolo has disconnected.