[colonial] PerrySimm says, "Now, log on."

[colonial] G_M says, "if people show"

josh_g arrives, looking for booty.

josh_g says, "I haven't watched a session for ages"

Tymen says (to josh), "Greetings."

Tymen says (to GM), "Mmm. Well, Roger seemed to be aware of it, but I think he also said he might be slightly late."

G_M says, "And if people don't show, there's always the question of what Tymen was doing while everyone else was running about."

[colonial] Tymen says, "Sarge *was* on just a short while ago."

[colonial] schep asks, "any chance of understanding what's going on as an observer?"

josh_g says, "hmm, maybe I'll log on my RPG character so I can skim the lounge now and then"

josh_g disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[colonial] G_M says, "I'm not sure the PCs understand what's going on ... you'll fit in perfectly."

schep arrives, looking for booty.

Bjorg says, "yarrg"

[colonial] Tymen says, "How true."

Tymen says (to Bjorg), "Ah."

Tymen sizes Bjorg up, as if appraising over a historical relic.

Bjorg stretches slowly and loudly, as if he's been asleep for months on end.

Bjorg proceeds to grab an ale and find a seat conveniently behind the stage curtains.

[colonial] Bjorg has joined the channel.

[colonial] Bjorg asks, "do you use #crows at all?"

G_M will wait 5 minutes.

[colonial] Tymen says, "Mmhmm."

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "alrighty then"

Tymen says, "Dunno if it'd do any good to mail Sarge and/or Sara or not."

[colonial] Tymen says, "Y'know, I hope this isn't the sign of an odd pattern beginning..."

[colonial] Tymen says, "One week, only I show up. Next week, everyone but me shows up. Next week, only I show up..."

[colonial] inky says, "RC said he might be a little late because he was looking at apartments"

G_M says, "Well, lpsmith is online."

[colonial] inky says, "I assume Sargent won't be showing up"

[colonial] Tymen asks (of inky), "Really?"

[colonial] inky says, "well, he's defending on thursday"

Tymen says, "A bit idle, though."

Tymen says, "Hrm. WOnder why he's not zoned."

[colonial] Tymen says (to inky), "In last week's transcript, he seemed to indicate that he wanted to be here as a break from the thesing."

[colonial] inky says, "aha"

[colonial] inky says, "ok, perhaps I'm wrong then"

[colonial] Tymen says, "Although I guess it's certainly possible he got distracted, and the thesis made him forget all about it."

[colonial] G_M says, "Okay...."

[colonial] G_M asks, "So ... what has Tymen been up to?"

[colonial] Tymen asks, "When the party broke up, what happened with Selva?"

[colonial] G_M says, "She was taken to the prison."

Tymen follows discretely, to see where Selva is locked up. Perhaps a suite with a window?

G_M says, "Indeed, she has a window. On the second floor."

G_M says, "Presumably one of the classier cells, given her status and all."

[nobilis] Tymen asks, "What would be her title?"

[nobilis] G_M says, "channel"

[nobilis] Tymen says, "Arr."

[colonial] G_M says, "Well, she's the wife of the General. That in itself is something."

[colonial] Tymen says, "What would be her title? (Assuming Tymen knows enough of the local lingo, which he may not.)"

[colonial] Tymen says, "I mean, it's probably not polite to yell 'Hey, Selvie!' :)"

[colonial] Tymen says, "(Not that we likely share a language anyway, but it's worth a try...)"

[colonial] G_M says, "Well ... presumably you can't go wrong with "Ma'am" or "Lady"."

Tymen asks (of Window), "Lady Jayakumar?"

Tymen says (to Window), "Madam? I wish to help."

G_M says, "You see a shadow move to the window, and then guards from further down by the door shout back, er, something back at you."

[colonial] Tymen says, "Darn them guards."

G_M says, "They approach you suspiciously."

Tymen doesn't make any sudden moves.

G_M says, "One of them says something, and they whisper to each other."

Tymen bows to the guards. "Evening, sirs."

G_M says, "They glance at each other."

[colonial] Tymen says, "(I imagine I'm speaking Castillian, since it's geographically the closest language I know.)"

G_M says, "Then they do the universal "you come along-a me" thing."

Tymen says (to Guards), "Terrible, isn't it, that Madam Jayakumar has been accused of such a crime."

Tymen nods, and doesn't object. Act innocent. Haven't broken any crimes yet in *this* country, nothing to worry about.

G_M says, "They take you inside."

[colonial] Tymen says, "(Er, broken any crimes? Must be a Vendel idiom.)"

[colonial] G_M says, "heh"

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "Vendel? no wonder you acted so snooty before"

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "I should've zotted you"

G_M says, "First room in the building is what appears to be an office. An irritable-looking official looks up as you come in."

[Crows-Nest] Tymen exclaims, "Precisely. It's not often you get to meet an antiquated relic of an outdated society!"

Tymen smiles politely at said official.

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "yawn, big words coming from a traitorous backstabber to our proud nationality"

G_M says, "Guards and officials speak quickly, and then the official turns to you."

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "NOT THAT I'M BITTER"

[Crows-Nest] Tymen says, "Hee. I could buy you thrice over, and don't you forget it."

(From G_M) Official: "Guards say you were loitering outside prison, calling to prisoners. Why?"

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "pshaw, I cannot be bought"

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "besides, I'm already rich from my earlier adventures ;)"

(From G_M) Official: Well?

Tymen says (to Official), "I wished to give the general's wife my consolences as to the terrible accusation laid against her. My friends suspect that it may have possibly been made in error, and I intended to offer Madam Jayakumar any help I could, in finding out if this was indeed a mistake."

[Crows-Nest] Tymen says, "Darn. In that case, I'll just settle for sneakily robbing you of your treasure, and then later selling it back to you at a 200% markup over its actual value."

(From G_M) Official: "They are suspecting you might be man who was to be meeting General's wife at party."

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "(at this point in the witty reparte, Bjorg would resort to just wrestling you senseless)"

Tymen shakes his head. "Ah, not at all. I have never met her before now. In fact, this is my first day in your fair city."

[Crows-Nest] Tymen says, "Whoops, gotta run."

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "hee"

(From G_M) Official looks at you suspiciously.

Tymen says, "Yesterday, I was in San Angelo -- but I came here for the Colonel's party, at the invitation of Governor Fernandez."

(From G_M) Official: "foreignors ... every week is more trouble ... you are lucky, I saw you in marketplace earlier today with your friends, I know you are not the one they think you are."

Tymen nods, sympathetically.

(From G_M) Official: "So if now is your first time here, why so eager speak to General's wife? What is she to you?"

Tymen shrugs, "A person of some power. I enjoy being owed favors by people of power."

[colonial] Tymen says, "(Alternately: 'That appears to be the direction the plot is heading. I am an RPG Hero by hobby, you realize.')"

(From G_M) Official: "She is in disgrace, and tomorrow she will be dead. Your own friend, the brahmin, was witness.

Tymen asks, "That is terrible news -- is there no way that she could prove herself innocent?"

(From G_M) Official: "What is to prove? We have witnesses ... a brahmin, and a brahmin from outside the city no less, is witness. (foreignors ... sometimes they have their uses...)"

Tymen asks, "Did Alonso indeed have knowledge of ... of adultery? How could any incidence of such consequence happen so quickly, and yet be witnessed reliably?"

(From G_M) Official: (tiredly) There have been much rumours already. A misplaced handkerchief here, an idle word there ... always, we give benefit of doubt."

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says, "a peeping tom here, a kinky photograph there..."

(From G_M) Official: When there was the murder on the docks last week, I was relieved ... at least it was not another rumour about the General's wife.

Tymen asks, "My. And this man... he just appeared at the party? And kissed her in full view of witnesses? Would he not realize was he was sentencing her to?"

(From G_M) Official: (shrug) Perhaps he thought they would not be seen. Party in front garden, lovers in side garden. The Shudra do it all the time.

Tymen asks, "Shudra?"

(From G_M) Official: Servant caste. Do you not have shudra where you come from?

[Crows-Nest] Bjorg says (to Tymen), "don't even THINK about saying it"

Tymen shakes his head. "Not as such -- there are servants, but only by occupation, not by blood."

[Crows-Nest] Tymen says, "Ha."

(From G_M) Official shakes his head as if not quite understanding what you mean.

(From G_M) Official: You must discuss this with the Brahmin ... me, I take care of the prison, and I should have been in bed with my wife long ago if not for this trouble.

Tymen nods. "I apologise for taking up so much of your time -- but I thank you; I've learned much."

Tymen nods, or bows, or tries to figure out the proper gesture to say 'goodbye' here.

(From G_M) Official: Tell your people to stay out of trouble. I tell you, every week you give me more work.

Tymen says, on his way out, "I will do what I can."

[colonial] G_M says, "um, perception check, quickly."

[7thsea] Tymen rolls 4k3: 8 8 7 6 | 23

G_M says, "A glint of gold catches your eye."

[colonial] Tymen asks, "Inside the room?"

G_M says, "Sitting in a tray beside the table is an oddly familiar gold ring."

Tymen glances at the ring.

[colonial] Tymen asks, "Does it remind me of the ladies Fernandez? Or perhaps someone at the party?"

[colonial] Tymen asks, "(Also, is there anything else in the tray?"

[colonial] G_M says, "It reminds you, actually, of Gina Martinez."

G_M says, "Also in the tray is a broken swordsman's pin."

[colonial] Tymen double checks the logs to verify his memory.

[colonial] Tymen says, "(Ah, right, her.)"

Tymen says, "That's an interesting ring..."

[colonial] Sargent asks, "Gah, there's colonial tonight, isn't there?"

Tymen asks, "I couldn't help but notice the patternon it -- it's vaguely familiar. Was it taken from one of the prisoners?"

(From G_M) Official: That? That was taken off of dead fighter last week. Murder, at the dockside, very messy, and they say the witnesses just stood there and watched and took bets. Why? You recognise it?

[colonial] G_M says (to Sarge), "Yes, but since only Tymen has shown up, I'm right now going over what he was doing while the rest of you were out investigating other things."

Tymen says, "I *think* so, yes -- I may know someone who once had one like it."

Tymen asks, "If I'm right, would you like me to ask them to speak with you?"

[colonial] Sargent says, "Okay. Sorry -- I'm going to be spending the rest of the night doing what I've been working on before I logged on: getting comp stuff ready :/"

[colonial] Tymen asks, "Where was Gina at this point? Back in SA?"

(From G_M) Official: Yes, yes, just finish the case. Man is dead, nothing to do there unless he still wants revenge. But the murderer, him I want.

[colonial] G_M says (to Tymen), "yes"

Tymen asks, "Do you know the identity of the deceased?"

[colonial] Tymen asks, "Would a fighter's pin generally identify its owner in some way, or are they all pretty much the same?"

[colonial] G_M says, "They'd be pretty generic, I think."

[colonial] Tymen asks, "Gotta find a pay phone... how many guilders do I need to ring San Angelo... is it long distance?"

(From G_M) Official: Your people's doctor examined body. He said it was a swordfighter (wait, I have file here) if you want you can go wake him up and ask him.

[colonial] Tymen says, "(I'm *hoping* he means the doctor...)"

Tymen says, "Ah, thank you..."

(From G_M) Official holds out a sheet of parchment covered with weird squiggles.

Tymen accepts it, looks at it, but probably gets no information out of it...

[colonial] Tymen asks, "Did he hold it out in a 'here, look at this, while I have the file open' way or a 'here, take this, get it off my hands' way?"

G_M says (to Tymen), "There is, however, Dr Strange's signature at the bottom."

Tymen nods, "Ah, Dr. Strange. I believe he was at the party."

[colonial] G_M says, "Sort of a "here, this is the report" way."

[colonial] Tymen says, "Mmm. So he'd probably be annoyed if I wandered out with it :)"

[colonial] G_M says, "Presumably, yes."

Tymen gives it back. "I will see what I can do."

Tymen bows again, and makes his departure.

(From G_M) Official mutters the 17th-century far-eastern equivalent of "don't do me no favors".

[colonial] Tymen asks, "Hmm. Is it rather late at this point?"

[colonial] G_M says, "Quite. The party seems to have broken up, and presumably everyone's back on the ship and in bed."

[colonial] Tymen says (to Tymen), "Do you want to wake up the doctor, or find something else to do at this point... you're unlikely to find your friends, since they ran off as soon as the party broke up. And sleeping is boring..."

Tymen tries walking through town for a little while. To clear his thoughts -- and who knows what he might happen to see that could give him ideas.

[colonial] G_M says, "heh"

G_M says, "There are few lights out ... a couple of lamps are burning in what you now recognise as the General's house ... more lights down by the dock areas."

Tymen also makes a point to pass by Dr. Strange's place, in case there's a light on there.

Tymen, if not, will find a nice bar in the dock area.

G_M says, "There's also a lamp burning in the window of Colonel Abernethie's."

[colonial] Tymen says, "Oh? Hmm. Maybe I'll investigate that first..."

G_M says, "There is, in fact, the faint glimmer of a candle inside."

Tymen goes to Dr. Strange's, then. And knocks quietly on the door.

[colonial] Tymen says, "(Loudly enough to be heard by whoever's awake with that candle, but not whoever's asleep...)"

G_M says, "There's some movement. A minute or two later, the door is pulled open."

(From G_M) Strange: What?

Tymen asks, "Ah, good, I was afraid you might be asleep. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?"

(From G_M) Strange is ... rather oddly dressed in what appears to be a calf-length skirt and an undershirt.

[colonial] Tymen asks, "Plaid?"

(From G_M) Strange: At this time of the night? Can't this wait until morning?

[colonial] G_M says, "Printed with lots of curvy lines."

Tymen says, "It could, yes -- I just saw the light in the window, so I thought you might be awake anyway. But I can ask you about the murder tomorrow."

(From G_M) Strange: Murder? What murder? Has someone been murdered?

Tymen says, "The swordsman, on the docks, a week ago -- I believe I may know someone who may have known the deceased. I was told that you examined the body, so I thought you might be able to help confirm that."

(From G_M) Strange: Oh, him. That's old news. Yes, I examined him. Why?

Tymen asks, "Do you have any idea who he was? Or where he came from?"

(From G_M) Strange: Castillian fellow, Sancho Martinez. I gather he got into an argument with another swordsman and failed to back himself up effectively.

Tymen says, "Martinez?" He frowns. "I imagine that confirms my suspicions, then. I'll have to pass on the unfortunate news to her when I return to San Angelo."

(From G_M) Strange: Right, sure.

(From G_M) Strange: Is that all?

Tymen nods, "I think so. Thank you -- I won't keep you any longer."

[colonial] Tymen says, "Hmm. I'm trying to figure out what's reasonable for me to do in the circumstances that Tymen has a motivation for. And would still be interesting."

(From G_M) Strange: And thank the wheel for that. Good night.

[colonial] Tymen says, "In an ideal universe, I'd be with the rest of the party, of course. But given the odd temporal mechanics, I won't be able to meet back up with them until the start of next session."

[colonial] G_M says, "true..."

Tymen heads to the docks. It's been a weird evening. Time to have a drink.

[colonial] Tymen says, "(And, perhaps, to find some witnesses to the swordfight. Or people who've talked to witnesses.)"

G_M says, "There is a rather seedy-looking rathole of a bar."

Tymen goes in, looks around, grins.

[colonial] Tymen asks, "Lots of sailors and other unsavories hanging around?"

G_M says, "Yes. Suspicious-looking individuals cluster around tables in the back. A tattoo artist is just beginning a design of some sort on the back of a drunken sailor. Some people slumped drunkenly over the bar."

[Crows-Nest] schep says, "What shall we do with the drunken sailor? Prick 'im with a needle and draw upon him."

Tymen heads up to the bar. "Harr. A pint of something fresh."

(From G_M) Barkeep: Will ye settle for grog instead?

(From G_M) Barkeep pours you a pint of grog without waiting for your answer.

Tymen nods, takes a swig. "'S grog alright."

(From G_M) Barkeep: (grunt) 'course it is.

Tymen looks around. "It's quiet, tonight, innit?"

(From G_M) Barkeep: Gets to be that way after a few pints.

(From G_M) Barkeep: Unless you're the fightin' kind, and that you can do outside.

Tymen says, "Mmm. I hear tell there was a good one, not long ago. Guess I got here a week late."

(From G_M) Barkeep: What d'ye want to know?

Tymen grins. "Well, who won, for starters."

Tymen drinks s'more grog. Blech, nasty stuff. But you gotta look authentic.

(From G_M) Barkeep: We get lots o' fights around here. Ye'll have to be more specific.

Tymen says, "Well... I think this one had a swordsman... Castillian, he was. And they say the other guy made a *real* mess of him."

(From G_M) Barkeep: How big a mess we talkin' about? We had one last week ended with a dead man.

Tymen nods, "Yeah, I bet that's the one they meant -- you don't see that every day."

(From G_M) Barkeep: (shrugs) Never know ... Think they were with the Running Blades ... they don't care if they kill each other.

Tymen asks, "Runnin' Blades?"

(From G_M) Barkeep: Same as the Swordsman's Guild, only they do take contracts on each other and will do anything for money. Most of them are wanted by the Guild back in Theah. That's why they operate out here.

Tymen nods, "Ah... Mrm. Wouldn't they be wanted here too, though? I mean, if they..."

(From G_M) Barkeep: Aye, but they ain't got trained killers looking for them here, see? And they know better than to take a contract from the governors.

Tymen nods, "Ah... clever." He stops to think. "Must be harder to get contracts, though... if they don't have, y'know, a guild headbuidlingquarters place... how do people find 'em to pay 'em for stuff and... stuff?"

(From G_M) Barkeep: You speak to someone who has his hand in every pie, of course.

Tymen takes another drink. Really, grog doesn't taste as bad after the first couple inches. The nasty part must float to the top.

Tymen nods. "Ah. Ah." He nods again. "Ah."

(From G_M) Barkeep: Anyone who's been here long enough probably knows. By that, I mean someone who's been here a long time, 'cos it takes experience to know these things.

Tymen nods, slowly. "Yeah. Experience. Like, experience in a job where you hear a lot of things? At someplace where people meet people to talk?" He looks around.

(From G_M) Barkeep: (shakes his head) Experience what comes of living here the longest.

Tymen nods, "Ah. Aha."

(From G_M) Barkeep: Me, I know nothing.

Tymen tips back the rest of his grog. Ah... no. No, the nasty stuff *definitely* sinks to the bottom. Bleurgh.

[colonial] G_M says, "hee"

Tymen says, "Thanks... nice place here, y'know? Good atmosphere." He pays for his grog, plus a good tip. He also looks around to see what the tattoo turned out to be of before leaving.

G_M says (to Tymen), "Looks like it's going to be a religious icon. A cross has been traced, and there's the outline of three men in front of it."

Tymen nods, waves, and heads outside.

G_M says, "Quiet night on the docks."

Tymen walks back to the ship, shaking his head and breathng deeply and trying to figure out how much he was acting when he was playing drunk. And how much he wasn't acting.

[colonial] Tymen says, "So, to the ship where I expect I'll happen to meet up with everyone else by sheer coincidence."

G_M says, "Nobody's back on ship at the moment, which is a bit of a surprise. Looking out, you think you catch a glimpse of Alonso's robes ducking into the rathole bar you just left, but the idea of going back there and being close to that grog nauseates you."

Tymen shudders.

[colonial] Tymen asks, "I don't know how you are on time. Do you want to wrap, or should I keep Tymen busy?"

[colonial] G_M asks, "Are you happy with the information you've gleaned?"

[colonial] Tymen says, "I think so. I'd like to research the Blades later, but I'd rather do that on a different day. Preferably after chatting with the rest of the party."

[colonial] G_M says, "Okay"

[colonial] Tymen says, "And Selva's current situation is the most pressing issue, but the rest of the group has the clues to her assailant, not me."

Tymen sits down at the table and decides to take a nap, figuring that everyone else will wake him up if they come back with anything important.

Tymen reminds himself that he needs to go to his bed first. And does so. But leaves his door open.

G_M says (to Tymen), "You dream of jigsaw puzzles and Dr Strange stealing the important pieces every time you think you've got the picture nearly solved."

Tymen says, "Heymph... 'smine... needtha'..."

G_M says, "<end>"

Tymen says, "Cool. Interesting leads. Which I suspect everyone else will see in transcript form before I get a chance to tell them."

G_M says, "(Next session will open with a segue from Tymen's dream jigsaw to Reggie's salvaged note.)"

Tymen says, "Works for me."

G_M says, "cool ... I'll have to send reminders next time."

G_M has disconnected.