[Crows-Nest] Brianna says, "Sorry, I don't know how. I'm willing though, if someone can give me instructions. My usual instruction-person is taking Ellric for a walk."

G_M asks, "Yeah, where is Perry?"

[Crows-Nest] G_M doesn't know how to work Perry either.

[Crows-Nest] G_M will keep a personal log, though.

G_M asks (of Alonso), "Um, you know how to operate Perry?"

Alonso says, "I don't. I think you just log into him and have your client do the logging, but I don't know Perry's pwd"

G_M says, "Huh."

G_M says, "Well, my client's logging now. So."

Brianna asks, "Would Alex know?"

G_M says, "I guess not..."

G_M says, "Anyway."

[Crows-Nest] Alonso says (to Brianna), "Not that I can tell"

G_M cues theme music.

G_M says, "When last we left our heroes, they were at a party that was just in the progress of breaking up...."

Alonso exclaims, "We must find that mysterious kisser!"

Brianna asks, "Poor woman. What kind of bizarre ambush is that?"

G_M says (to Alonso), "Yes, and you have been asked to give evidence tomorrow morning."

Alonso says (to Brianna), "One that could get her killed."

Alonso says, "Now, if I can just remember what the man's lips looked like."

Brianna says, "Well, yes, clearly. But a simple knifing could have been much easier."

Alonso says (to Brianna), "But that would leave people looking for the killer. I suspect no one will care about questioning Selva's supposed lover."

Reginald exclaims, "We should try to follow his trail, whilst it is still hot!"

Alonso says (to Reginald), "I agree."

Alonso says (to Brianna), "Could we have your help? I expect you'll be the most skilled at this of any of us."

Reginald says, "We should take lanterns, or torches, or some such."

Brianna says, "That seems wise."

Brianna sets about looking for clues.

Brianna asks (of GM), "wits?"

G_M asks (of Brianna), "Where are you looking?"

G_M says (to Brianna), "(and yes, would be Wits...."

Alonso says (to Brianna), "I saw the man go off this way..."

[7thsea] Brianna rolls 3k2: 9 8 8 | 17

Alonso wanders to where he saw the blond mustached man run off.

Brianna begins looking where Alonso indicates, then requests he fetch a lantern or torch.

Alonso nods and heads off to find light.

G_M says, "In that direction is lush tropical greenery. It's pretty dark, but you can still smell a hint of the sea beyond the trees."

Reginald pops back into Abernethie's house to abscond with a lantern or some such.

Alonso says (to Reginald), "I found these torches."

Alonso hands a torch to Reginald, burning his fingers in the process. "Ow!"

Reginald says, "Ah, excellet."

G_M says (to Reginald), "Abernethie is (almost) passed out over his desk."

Brianna says (to Alsonso&Reginald), "Thank you for the light. It should be easier now that's so bright."

Reginald doesn't bother, now that he has a torch.

Brianna proceeds to examine the ground and the surrounding greenery for foot prints or scuff marks, bruised or broken branches, etc.

G_M says, "Lush tropical greenery illuminated by torchlight."

Alonso looks on, trying to be vaguely helpful.

G_M says (to Brianna), "You do manage to trace a bit of a trail heading directly onward."

Brianna points in the general direction the trail indicates. "It looks like he set off that way.

G_M says (to Brianna), "(fellow was evidently more anxious to make it away with plenty of time than to cover his tracks)"

Reginald says (to Brianna), "Perhaps you should lead, lest we trample any vital clues in our haste."

Brianna says, "Let's continue." She sets out in pursuit, continuing her tracking attempts."

G_M says, "(another wits + tracking)"

Reginald follows.

[7thsea] Brianna rolls 3k2: 6 8 9 | 17

G_M says (to Brianna), "You follow the path fairly easily out onto a sandy beach, a short distance away from the city walls."

Brianna says, "Gentlemen, it looks like he emerged here. <looks for further prints, or evidence of a recent boat launch>"

G_M says, "Anchored some distance off is a ship ... its figurehead is a woman with curiously elongated features. It's a little too dark to make out the nameplate."

Alonso says, "Hm."

Alonso says, "What an interesting figurehead."

Reginald says, "Indeed."

G_M says (to Brianna), "indeed there is evidence of a boat launch."

Brianna sighs in disgust. "Gentlemen, he seems to have eluded us. Tracking a boat across the water in the dark takes more skill than I have.

Reginald makes a quick sketch of the ship in his journal.

G_M says (to Brianna), "You'd guess a small rowboat."

Alonso says, "Unless he headed for that ship out there."

Reginald says, "Surely he did; and surely such a ship would be registered with the harbourmaster."

Brianna asks, "I suggest at this point we pass on our information to the local authorities. Unless you want to chase him in our boat?"

Reginald asks, "Unless... one man cannot row *that* quickly, can he?"

Alonso says, "Hm, hm, hm. Let's go talk to the authorities. I'll be interested to see their reaction."

Reginald says (to Alonse), "An excellent plan."

G_M says (to Reginald), "He might have had just enough of a headstart."

Brianna says, "Desperation can be an inspiration."

Reginald says, "Perhaps, yes."

Alonso sites where they are on the coast, then stumps back into the undergrowth.

Reginald takes a closer look at one of the bootprints in the sand.

Reginald pages: I'd like to try to tell if it's a dressboot, a military boots, a sandal, something else...

Brianna says (to Alonso), "Try not to walk in his trail - I'd like someone else to be able to confirm our findings."

Alonso says (to Brianna), "Oh! Right."

G_M says (to Reginald), "There's more than one set, actually. One of them clearly strikes out across the sand towards the city walls."

Reginald pages: As far as skills go, I've got a 1 in Tracking, 1 in Trail Signs, and 1 in Fashion... oh.

Alonso asks (of Reginald), "Did you find something else?"

You whisper "If you want to tell the sort of boots they are, um, Wits+Fashion." to Reginald.

Reginald pages: So with a Wits of 3, that's, what, 3k1?

Brianna notices her light sources have stopped moving, and comes back to investigate.

Reginald pages: I always forget this mechanic...

You whisper "With Wits 3 and Fashion 1, that's 4k3" to Reginald.

[7thsea] Reginald rolls 4k3: 4 3 5 7 | 16

Reginald says, "Just taking a closer look at these tracks, before the tide erases them."

You whisper "The ones headed city-wards are pretty clearly military; the other is pretty generic." to Reginald.

You whisper "Also, probably both boots." to Reginald.

[colonial] Reginald asks, "Just to be clear: there's one set heading from the shore towards the city, and the other is... what, headed from the party we just came from towards the shore?"

Reginald says, "One will observe, gentlemen and ladies, that there are two distinct sets of tracks, here: these, which appear to head over there, towards the city walls, are probably military issue boots. The other... well, it's hard to say. The sort of boot you'd pick up anywhere, I imagine."

[colonial] G_M says, "One headed towards the city, no return. The other into the woods, and out again. Around where Brianna's determined the launch point, too many prints to really make much sense."

Reginald says, "The plot thickens; this man had at least one accomplice."

Reginald says, "Perhaps we should follow this other set towards the city, since we're heading in that general direction anyway."

Alonso asks, "Oho, he may have had help?"

Reginald says, "And apparently help which didn't row away with him."

Brianna says, "That puts another twist on things. Less likely to be a lover planning an asignation, then."

Reginald says (to Brianna), "If you'd care to take the lead again, as you're better at tracking such things, it seems to me."

Alonso says (to Brianna), "Will you lead the way? I'm better at counselling souls than tracking soles."

Brianna says, "At least, I hope that's what we can convince the authorities. Stoning is a brutal way to go."

Brianna says, "Certainly."

Brianna heads out after the footprints.

Reginald follows.

[Crows-Nest] Reginald says, "Ehhhhveryone must get stooooooned"

G_M says (to Brianna), "They're easy to follow, at least until you get into the harbour area ... then they get lost amidst a multitude of comings and goings."

[Crows-Nest] Brianna says, "The sick thing is, stoning still occurs today. There's a woman in Nigeria awaiting that sentance. The authorities "mercifully" allowed her to ween her child before her sentance is carried out."

Reginald says, "Hmmm."

Brianna says, "Did anyone notice what kind of shoes the Kissing Man wore? If its his trail we're following, perhaps we can find him by his likenes.."

Alonso says, "This is...inconclusive."

Alonso looks for the Mysterious Man with a Moustache.

Reginald says, "It seems likely it's not that man, but his accomplice."

G_M says, "The docks are dark and pretty much deserted, this time of night...."

Brianna asks (of Reginald), "Oh? Whyfor?"

Reginald says, "Still, if he came towards the harbour... perhaps he is taking a different boat out to rendezvous with his ship."

Reginald says, "The tracks from the boat to the party and from the party to the boat were the same, and not the same as the ones we followed here, if you see what I mean."

Reginald asks, "Is there any sign of life, in a local bar or some such, perhaps?"

Reginald asks of the G_M.

G_M says (to Reginald), "A small bar ... more of a rathole, really ... for foreign sailors."

josh_g arrives, looking for booty.

Reginald says, "Our man may have entered there, or perhaps someone there knows of the strange ship anchored off the shore. We're foreign sailors, after all."

Reginald extinguishes his torch.

Alonso shrugs. "I'm willing to go in there."

Brianna says, "True. And I didn't have enough to drink at the party tonight in any case. Let's go."

Reginald sets off with the gang.

[Crows-Nest] Reginald says, "Fast moving plot, tonight."

[Crows-Nest] Brianna says, "Cool."

G_M says, "The people inside are mostly deeply sunk into alcohol-induced melancholy. There are some brawling types, but they've taken it outside."

[Crows-Nest] Brianna says, "I didn't have enough brawling at the party tonight. Let's go. <grin>"

Alonso exclaims, "Ah, lost men in need of cheering up!"

G_M says, "At a few tables, suspicious-looking people huddle around conspiratorially. Way in the back, a drunken sailor is getting a tattoo of the three prophets on his back."

Brianna says, "Father, I don't think a few platitudes about Theus loves you is going to help these men."

josh_g enjoys the +3 Cookies of Yummy.

Alonso says (to Brianna), "That's why I have my staff."

Reginald wanders up to the bar.

Brianna says (to Barkeep), "Whiskey. Strait up."

G_M says (to Reginald), "The barkeep grunts at you. Waiting, apparently, for you to choose a language."

Reginald says, "Oi, a pint, for a ruined man, please."

G_M says (to Brianna), "You get a wooden cup of whiskey. Not that you'd normally give it the dignity of the title, mind...."

(From G_M) Barkeep: aye.

Brianna looks dubiously at her drink.

G_M says (to Reginald), "And you get a pint of grog."

G_M says (to Brianna), "It's strong. Just ... not particularly tasty."

Alonso looks at the suspicious-looking people in the back.

Reginald says loudly, "I can't believe the bastards rowed off without me. They're sailing at morning tide, and without me, at this rate."

G_M says (to Alonso), "The tattoo artist spits a wad of chewed tobacco into a pot (sploosh) and bites off another chunk before continuing. The other people at the tables eye you warily."

(From G_M) Barkeep (to Reginald): So you put up on another ship. Whatsammater?

Brianna sighs, and is grateful this stuff tastes better after a few sips. She tosses back a swig.

G_M says (to Brianna), "You are briefly reminded of the time they painted the barracks."

Brianna asks (of Barkeep), "He gets pissed when he thinks he's been abandoned. Posessive, ya know?"

Reginald says (to Barkeep), "My family's fortune is on that ship! And I doubt it'll be there if and when I catch up with them. If only I could get out there before they sail..."

G_M says, "At the mention of "fortune", several heads look up."

(From G_M) Barkeep (to Reggie): Where's she headed?

Brianna sighs again, and tosses back more 'whiskey,' wishing Reginald had mentioned his plan before they waltzed in here.

Reginald says (to Barkeep), "Why, she's on a straight route to Av... erm, that is, I'm not really rightly at liberty to say. Cap'n is trying to stay ahead of a few folk, if you know what I mean."

(From G_M) Barkeep (to Reggie): Who's her captain, then?

Reginald asks (of Barkeep), "Oh, the men call him Clemm, most of 'em. A few call him other things, you know, when they think no one is listening. Shifty bunch, but I had to throw in my lot with someone, you know?"

Reginald looks over at Brianna and Alonso.

(From G_M) Barkeep (to Reggie): Ain't heard o' him.

Brianna tries to cue in.

Reginald says (to Barkeep), "Then you're a far luckier and no doubt soon wealthier man than I, sir."

Brianna says, "Yeah, a real son-of-a-sow. Keeps trophies, if you know what I mean."

(From G_M) Barkeep (to Brianna): Huh. Ye've described most captains, from what ye'd hear from the men in here.

Brianna says, "They keep ears on their belts? I thought I'd been around, but that was somethin'."

Brianna . o O (to ) ( in for a lamb . . . )

(From G_M) Barkeep (to Brianna): I pays no mind to most o' them. They'll say anything after a few pints.

Brianna says, "Huh."

(From G_M) Barkeep (lowering his voice to Reggie): ...but if you wants help with the trophy-keepin' kind o captain .... find a ship that'll sail east without stopping at San Angelo.

(From G_M) Barkeep winks. Still whispering to Reggie: ...you never heard this from me.

Reginald finishes his grog, and slips a bit extra under the empty mug.

Reginald says, "Bah. I'll swim out there if I must."

Reginald staggers off.

(From G_M) Barkeep shrugs.

Reginald enjoys some of the slightly-fresher air.

(From G_M) Barkeep (to Brianna): Another whiskey? And your, uh, friend over there?

Alonso says (to Barkeep), "Oh, I'll take a beer."

G_M says (to Alonso), "You get a pint of grog."

Alonso drinks the grog carefully.

[Crows-Nest] Brianna says, "Ellric is having his first experience with legos. Kinda fun to watch."

Brianna says, "Nothing for me, thanks. I'll just finish this one."

[colonial] Alonso asks (of G_M), "are the suspicious looking lot still huddled around the back corner?"

[Crows-Nest] G_M says, "I remember the first time I played with legos. I picked them up at my third birthday party ... and didn't put them down until I turned 16."

[colonial] G_M says (to Alonso), "Yes. Occasionally, one of them turns at looks around. You figure it to be two men and a woman."

[Crows-Nest] Brianna says, "lol. Yup, I enjoyed them quite a bit myself. Dragons, castles, and knights."

Alonso says (to Brianna), "Care to back me up? I think I'm going to go bring the word of Theus to those poor men back there."

Reginald circles the building, looking for a back entrance/exit.

Brianna says, "Sure thing, Father."

Alonso wanders over to the suspicious-looking lot. "Evening. Mind if I join you?" He drags a chair over and sits down without paying much attention to any answer.

G_M says (to Reginald), "There is a back alley full of rubbish. Door to kitchen, wide open."

Brianna swings a leg over the bench, careful to keep her weapon in easy reach.

G_M says (to Alonso), "They freeze. One of the men glances over to the woman, and both man and woman look away. The remaining man eyes you carefully before speaking. "Yes...?""

(From G_M) Denizen of Iniquity: (smiling) "I'm not sure what the trouble is, father. As you can see, we are all good Vaticines here." (he points to the man getting the tattoo of the prophets on his back)

Alonso smiles happily. "Oh, I'm a wandering priest, spreading the word of Theus. And it always does my heart good to see the faithful."

Brianna tries, with some success, to avoid choking mid-swallow.

Alonso says, "Though many of the people around here -- well, they've got more gods than they know what to do with. And none of them the true one.""

(From G_M) Denizen of Iniquity: Yes ... quite. We do what we can, no?

Alonso asks, "True enough. What country are you from?"

G_M says (to Alonso), "You can't quite place him ... he might be Castillian or Vodacce just based on colouring, but there's a certain cast to his cheekbones that suggests Ussura."

(From G_M) Denizen of Iniquity: Me? I ... have no real home. This is as close as any.

Alonso says, "That must be tough. I'm from Castille, myself."

(From G_M) Denizen of Iniquity: Ah, the leader of the Crusades, yes? I do enjoy reading about them.

Alonso says, "Ah, a fan of the church's firm approach to the wayward."

G_M says (to Reginald), "Through the kitchen door, you can see the kitchen and the bar. Apparently anyone sneaking through here would have to get past the barkeep first."

(From G_M) Denizen of Iniquity smiles inscrutibly. "You could put it that way."

Reginald heads back in through the front entrance.

Alonso asks, "What of the rest of your companions?"

G_M says (to Reginald), "Alonso is chatting it up with a suspicious-looking group while Brianna looks on."

[colonial] Reginald says (to G_M), "Yeah, I figured that out."

(From G_M) Denizen of Iniquity: "You might say we have a certain interest in history."

Brianna tries to look a little more looming, as Alonso continues conversing.

Reginald pages: From this angle, can I get a decent look at their footware?

Alonso says, "Really? I've not studied much history, really."

You whisper "Easily. They're wearing sandals." to Reginald.

Reginald asks (of Brianna), "(low) May I have a word with you?"

G_M says (to Alonso), "And you are treated to a long, intimate discourse on the events of the Crusades."

Alonso interjects as seems appropriate, either agreeing or disagreeing with the man.

[7thsea] G_M rolls 6k3: 10+10+5 4 7 8 7 3 | 40

[Crows-Nest] Reginald says, "Oh, that's never good."

G_M says (to Alonso), "You do get a very very distinct impression that this fellow is much more interested in the military, strategic aspect."

Brianna asks (of Reginal), "(soto voce) Yes?"

Reginald says (to Brianna), "Let's move on. I think this is a dead end."

Alonso gently tries to steer the conversation to the religious aspects of the Crusades.

Brianna notices the man equalling her in looming, and turns a strategic eye on the situation.

G_M says (to Alonso), "...and that he really has no interest in the religious aspect ... and in fact knows next to nothing about the third prophet."

Brianna says (to Reginald), "And possibly will get deader, at least for some, if anyone makes a wrong move."

Reginald rolls his eyes.

Alonso asks (of man), "You seem well versed in military aspects. Did you ever lead an army?"

Reginald goes back to drinking.

Reginald says (to Barkeep), "Yep, doomed."

(From G_M) Denizen of Iniquity: (blinks) "Perhaps I have said too much. No. I've never led an army."

Brianna says (to Reginald), "Would you care to dissuade our man of the cloth? I'd rather keep an eye on the patrons while you're at it, if you don't mind."

G_M says, "The woman begins speaking softly and quickly, and the man Alonso was speaking to turns to give her his full attention."

Alonso says, "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

Alonso listens to the conversation going on.

(From G_M) Denizen of Iniquity: (a little distracted) Not at all. My name is Demitri ... I might look you up ... one of these days.

Reginald says (to Alonso), "If you're QUITE done, perhaps we should be on our way."

G_M says (to Alonso), "Not a language you recognise, though you hear the odd Crescent expression."

Brianna says (to Alonso), ""Father, perhaps we should be going."

Alonso says, "Oh, of course."

Alonso says (to Demetri), "I'm Alonso Reyes. A pleasure to meet you. I'd welcome the chance to talk to you more about the Crusades."

Reginald leaves the bar, again.

Brianna gently steers Alsonso toward the door.

G_M says, "On your way out, you almost bump into a small servant girl who pulls her scarf closer about her head and (rather timidly) ventures inside."

Brianna says (to ServantGirl), "Oh, excuse me, miss. Didn't see you down there."

G_M says (to Brianna), "She mutters something in a foreign(?) language, bobs her head, and hurries off towards the back of the bar."

Alonso says (to servant), "You're headed inside? That's a rough-looking bar."

G_M says (to Alonso), "She seems scared enough of the place as it is."

Alonso asks (of servant), "My child, are you sure you're okay? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Reginald tries to think calming thoughts.

G_M says, "She's already hurried away from you ... to that table in the back ... she hands a small scrap of paper to Demitri and runs away before he even has a chance to look at it."

Brianna says, "Relax, Reggie, the good man is simply trying to give some comfort. Perhaps Theus will smile on us all for his efforts."

Reginald says, "Yes, I'm sure the next time the sun comes up we'll all be singing hosannas in the streets."

Alonso says (to Reginald), "Why don't you two go on to the harbormaster? I'll catch up."

G_M says, "She does take care to avoid touching Alonso's robes on her way out, though."

Alonso follows the servant girl. "Miss? Miss!"

G_M says (to Alonso), "She's running full speed now."

Reginald says (to Brianna), "I'm sure even he can handle one little girl."

Alonso hikes up his robes and follows, trying to keep her in sight.

Brianna says, "Its not the little girl that worries me."

G_M says (to Alonso), "Finesse, Sprinting"

Brianna lopes after Alonso.

[7thsea] Alonso rolls 5k3: 6 8 7 4 1 | 21

[7thsea] G_M rolls 3k2: 3 10+4 6 | 20

G_M says (to Reginald), "As Brianna and Alonso go running off, you hear exclamations of disgust and anger behind you. Demitri and company stand up and begin arguing."

G_M says (to Alonso), "You keep the girl well within sight. She scurries through the marketplace and into the upper class districts."

Alonso sprint sprint sprint.

G_M says (to Alonso), "She fumbles with the lock on a small door in the middle of a vast expanse of wall (garden wall, it looks like)"

Reginald says, "Hmmm."

[colonial] Reginald asks, "What are the sides? Does it seem to be Demitri against the other two?"

[Crows-Nest] Brianna says, "if it requires me sprinting to keep up with them -"

[7thsea] Brianna rolls 4k3: 9 3 7 6 | 22

[colonial] G_M says (to Reginald), "It keeps shifting. You don't recognise the language, but you can recognise the "I told you so" tone."

G_M says (to Brianna), "You do keep up ... you're just a few feet behind Alonso when he turns the corner."

G_M says, "The girl opens the door and dashes inside."

[colonial] Alonso asks (of G_M), "do I recognize the area?"

[7thsea] G_M rolls 3k3: 1 10+5 6 | 22

[colonial] G_M says (to Alonso), "Yes. You judge this to be part of the wall to the General's estate."

Reginald pages: I'll try to Unobtrusively edge towards them, not really looking at them, but just kinda hanging out.

You whisper "TN on that is 0. They're not paying attention to anything, and everybody else is watching them." to Reginald.

Alonso says (to Brianna), "It looks like she was from the General's. I'm unsure about going in."

Reginald pages: Do you want me to roll, then, or does it automatically happen?

You whisper "It's automatic." to Reginald.

Brianna says, "The general ought to know about it. We could ask him. And if he doesn't know, he may take it upon himself to find out why his employees are patronizing questionable establishements."

G_M says (to Reginald), "They're turning to leave, and they do seem a little miffed. One of them mutters something, and you catch the name "Ludovic"."

[colonial] Reginald asks, "They didn't happen to just crumple up and throw away that piece of paper, did they?"

[colonial] G_M says (to Reginald), "They've torn it up and kicked the pieces under the table."

[Crows-Nest] Reginald asks, "Hello?"

[Crows-Nest] G_M asks, "Um ... what's happening?"

Alonso tries the door.

G_M says (to Alonso), "locked. also, servant's door."

Reginald starts picking up little pieces of paper.

Alonso says, "Hm. Let's find Reginald again."

[colonial] Brianna says, "I had to go watch Ellric and Lucian blowing bubbles in the bathtub water. Very cute, and now they're both soaked."

G_M says (to Reginald), "the barkeep gives you a funny look. The tattoo artist spits another wad of chewed tobacco into the pot (sploosh)."

[colonial] G_M says (to Brianna), "heh"

Brianna says (to Alonso), "I suggest we try the front door."

Brianna says (to Alonso), "Or go find Reginald."

Brianna sets off after Alonso (assuming he's going back towards the bar).

[colonial] Alonso says (to Brianna), "I am. :)"

G_M says (to Reginald), "And you can probably find most of the pieces ... enough to piece together, anyway, but not all."

Reginald stands up, brushes himself off.

Reginald says, "Why, this isn't a five-pound note at all! Curses."

Reginald steps out of the bar, stashes note safely in pocket.

[colonial] Brianna asks, "are we back at the bar yet? or do we have a random encounter along the way?"

G_M says, "Someone is strolling through the docks, whistling absently."

Reginald fades into the shadows. Or something.

[colonial] G_M says (to Brianna), "You can be back if you want to ... this is something you all might see."

[colonial] Brianna says, "afk about 2 minutes"

[colonial] Alonso says, "I'll arrive about now, sure. :)"

G_M says, "It's Captain Percival Corley, presumably going back to wherever it is he came from after dealing with Colonel Abernethie's drunken stupor."

[colonial] Reginald asks, "Am I near this, or is this over where Bri & Fonz are?"

[colonial] G_M says, "He's moving from one end of the docks to the other. At some point, he's going to be right close to you, though I'd say he starts out closer to where Brianna and Alonso are."

[colonial] Brianna says, "back"

[colonial] Reginald says, "Acknowledged."

G_M says, "Corley is strolling slowly, pausing now and then to look at the ships."

Brianna attempts to be stealthily unobtrusive.

[colonial] Alonso says, "Given my unstealthiness, I'll hang back"

G_M says, "He's heading in the general direction of the beach, it looks like."

Brianna attempts to follow at a goodly distance, hugging the shadows.

[colonial] Reginald says, "I should probably roll to see if I see Brianna, under the circumstances, unless you just want to let it go."

G_M says, "Corley steps out onto the beach and continues along, still whistling absently."

[colonial] G_M says, "Ah, I'll let it go."

Alonso tags behind the more stealthy members of the party.

Reginald runs back to the palace, then as stealthily as he can cuts through the shrubbery until he can see the beach from cover.

G_M says (to Reginald), "That would take a while."

Reginald sneaks along behind Brianna.

G_M says, "Corley finally stops on the beach opposite the ship and waves to it. There is a distant splash as a rowboat is lowered."

Brianna . o O ( oh, $%%^ )

G_M says, "Corley waits as the rowboat comes over the water to him."

G_M says, "The rowboat stops on the beach, and Corley steps in."

(From G_M) Corley: "That's it for the night, men. I'm for bed ... we'll set sail in the morning."

Brianna says (to Reginaldinawhisper), "This is getting downright suspicious. Er. Downright suspiciouser."

Reginald says (to Brianna), "(whisper) Make your move, if you want; I think we can take them."

Brianna says (to Reginaldinawhisper), "Take them? To where? We haven't any proof of wrongdoing for this guy."

Alonso joins Brianna and Reginald very slowly.

Reginald says (to Brianna), "(whisper) There's no time for proof. I can probably get him on dereliction of duty, if it comes to that."

Reginald staggers out of the shadows, as if drunk.

Brianna says (to Alonso), "You have the swing vote."

Reginald asks, "I say, Colonel, you have some mighty strong scotch... erm, Colonel?"

Reginald says, "Oh dear, I seem to have found water."

Alonso murmurs, "Evidently Reginald has the stagger vote."

Reginald says, "<hic>"

G_M says, "From the rowboat come a few soft chuckles."

Reginald says, "What manner of laughing mermaid is that? Oh, a boat; I see..."

G_M says, "But they begin to push off."

Reginald says, "Leaving so soon, Corley? That rat we caught mere minutes ago is sure to say it was all your idea."

Alonso says, "oh, Theus."

Brianna grips her forehead.

(From G_M) Corley waves back at Reginald good-nateredly. "I'm not sure what you mean, sir, but I don't see how it matters."

Reginald says, "Enjoy your <hic> posting then... I'll give your best to Abernethie."

Brianna steps from the shadows, and puts a hand under Reginald's elbow.

Reginald says, "Oh, my, well, then. Hello, there."

Brianna says, "Sorry to disturb you, sir, clearly our comrade had a bit over the top this evening."

(From G_M) Corley: "Much obliged. I'll be sailing for Luzon shortly -- tomrrow morning, as a matter of fact. Perhaps we might meet again there."

Reginald says (to Corley), "I was planning a stopover in San Angelelo, but maybe I'll just pass it by... such a lovely night for a swim"

Brianna asks (of Alonso&Reginald), "Shall we go, gentlemen?"

Reginald says, "Mmm, quite."

Alonso says (to Reginald), "You know what I've told you about strong drink being a mocker."

(From G_M) Corley laughs. "As you wish. I personally enjoy San Angelo too much to miss it."

[Crows-Nest] lpsmith says, "[BTW, you activate perry by just logging on as perrysimm in your favorite web client, and logging.]"

[Crows-Nest] Alonso asks, "Right, but password?"

[Crows-Nest] Reginald says, "None of us knew his password."

[Crows-Nest] lpsmith says, "Ah--his name ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] lpsmith says, "Or you can get a wizard to reset it."

Reginald says (to Alonso), "Yes, quite. Also, we've a bit of a puzzle to put together. I'll explain in the house."

Brianna says, "Then let's go there, and we'll get you some imaginary coffee to go with your imaginary drunkenness."

Reginald heads on up.

Alonso laughs as they walk.

[colonial] G_M asks, "The house?"

Reginald says, "While you were chasing after that girl, Demitri and the others had an argument."

Alonso asks, "Really?"

[colonial] Reginald says, "The colonel's house, or some other palce; I don't care."

Reginald says, "Yes, rather heated. I couldn't understand it, of course, but I think Demetri mentioned 'Ludovic' once, which must surely refer to the good Dr. Strange."

Reginald says, "Also, in a fit of rage, he tore up that note. The pieces of which managed to find themselves in my possession."

[colonial] Brianna says, "or we could head back to the Disreputable Bar, if we wanted to end the evening on a brawl."

[colonial] Reginald says, "Or we could go back to our ship; the dock is close enough, it seems."

Reginald says, "Back to our ship, perhaps."

Reginald heads back toward the general dock area, anyway.

Brianna asks, "What did the note say?"

Reginald says, "I don't know. I've not reassembled it yet."

Reginald says, "Let's sit down in a safe area, like our own ship, and piece it back together."

Alonso says, "We need to do it quickly. Selvarathi is running out of time."

Brianna strides along purposefully.

[colonial] Brianna says, "Barring random encounters, lets fast-foward to the ship."

[colonial] G_M says, "No random encounters."

Reginald says, "Alright... this might help."

G_M says, "Back on board ... pieces of paper laid out on a large desk...."

Reginald says, "I may have missed a few, but let's see what we can do."

G_M says, "The words on the note are Eisen"

Reginald uses the amazing power of his BRAIN to solve the problem.

Brianna asks (of Reginald), "Can you read Eisen?"

Reginald says, "Uhhh... nien."

Alonso says, "I can't."

Reginald transcribes the letters into his notebook.

[colonial] Reginald asks, "Any proper names we might recognize?"

Brianna says, "Let me see if I can help make heads or tails of it. Part of it is just letter matching to re-arrange the note itself . . .<fussing with paper>"

Reginald says, "I expect we can match up the shapes of the edges, and the lines themselves, yes."

[colonial] G_M says (to Reginald), "A couple ...."

[colonial] Brianna says, "I can read Eisen."

G_M says, "And it takes only a couple of minutes to put it together...."

[colonial] Reginald says, "YAY"

Brianna says, "At the University we even had to learn to diagram sentances in it. I shudder at the memory."

Not a valid command. Try typing help.

G_M says, "Essentially (plus a little guesswork because of missing pieces): "I have listened in on the conversations between the General and the Rajah ... there is to be an alliance with the Crescent Empire, of course with certain concessions such as the delivery of known criminals (that is the word they used)..."

G_M says (to Brianna), "You would guess that this is not a native Eisen speaker writing ... the grammar is a bit wonky."

Reginald says, "Hmmm."

Brianna says, "Sounds like a local writer. I'd like to know whom they intended this to reach."

[colonial] Reginald asks, "If we had to guess either way, would the writing be in a masculine hand, or feminine?"

Reginald says (to Brianna), "I believe Demitri was the final recepient."

[colonial] Brianna asks, "Its closing in on ten - are we reaching a good breaking point?"

[colonial] Reginald says, "Works for me."

[colonial] Reginald says, "Unless banditos are about to kick down the door."

[colonial] G_M says (to Reginald), "The writing is in very careful block letters. Pretty neatly done, though."

[colonial] Alonso says, "We can end here, sure."

Alonso says, "I think we might want to talk to the General."

Reginald says, "Mmm, perhaps, yes."

Reginald says, "This could be the writing of a child; they make good spies."

G_M says, "Somewhere, a ship's bell chimes the time. 'Tis late."

Brianna says, "I would guess the writer is recently literate, regardless of their age."

G_M says, "And on that note ... <end session>"

Reginald says, "Mmm."

Reginald says, "Yay, fun game."

Reginald says, "Too bad Tymen couldn't make it."

[colonial] Brianna exclaims, "I liked the quick plot - I think fewer people move faster. Definetely much fun!"

[colonial] Alonso says, "yeah"

[colonial] Brianna exclaims, "Till nex time, then. See you in a week!"

Brianna has disconnected.

RogerCarbol waves, too.

[colonial] Alonso exclaims, "Woo!"

[colonial] Alonso says, "It'll be a nice break before my defense"