Gaston says, "'allo." Michel arrives, looking for booty. Michel nods randomly Gaston asks, "And with what are you agreeing so stochastically?" Kori has connected. Wilfred says (to Gaston), "the Republican vote, I think." Michel says (to Gaston), "The fact that you exist. Consider yourself priveleged." Gaston says (to Michel), "I have done for some time." Michel says (to Gaston), "It's the only way." Franklin draws a card from the sorte deck. What the heck kind of card *is* that? GM says, "right then" Franklin folds up his newspaper and looks alert. GM says, "so last time we left some of the group in mid-interlude, while the others had been hanging around the chancel and/or gossipping with other nobilis" [interludes] GM says, "you guys, as you recall, were busy falling" [interludes] Raul asks, "how could I forget?" [interludes] Wilfred asks (of GM), "as in, Raul can't jump that far with his eyes closed?" Gaston says, "I will be happy to pursue further gossipping opportunities." [interludes] GM says, "just that he's been struck blind mid-jump" [interludes] Wilfred exclaims, "I lasso a rocky outcropping with a length of red tape!" [nobilis] Gaston says, "I assume there's #interlude stuff going on right now --" Raul says, "" Franklin has been supervising the clean-up on the library stacks, assessing what volumes were destroyed and what others were damaged but can be repaired or restored. [interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "excellent" Gaston says (to Raul), "" Penny has been randomly flitting back and forth and surreptitiously purchasing stocks to replace missing stuff Michel says, "hmm. reality is particuarly erratic tonight" [interludes] GM says, "Your tape whips out of nowhere and wraps around a convenient outcropping, bringing your fall to a halt just below the ledge" [interludes] GM asks (of Michel), "meanwhile, were you still leaping for the guy?" [interludes] GM says, "(who is, you recall, on bird-back)" [interludes] Michel says, "using mantis legs to kick off, then transforming midway and riding inertia, yeah" [interludes] Michel says, "(I am such a fucking munchkin)" [interludes] Wilfred breathes a sigh of relief and slides down the rest of the way to the ledge ... releasing red tape because, as we all know, red tape cannot be cut. [interludes] Raul feels the ledge and holds on tight. [Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of raul), "you have flight, don't you?" [interludes] GM says (to Michel), "you manage to just grab hold of one of the bird's claws" [interludes] Michel says, "" Raul says, "" [Crows-Nest] Raul says, "I don't." [Crows-Nest] Penny says, "hunh" Michel says, "" [interludes] GM says, "causing it to dive downards, the guy on its back cursing all the way" [interludes] Michel asks, "if I burn an AMP, can I claw up to its back?" [Crows-Nest] Penny says, "oh well" Franklin says, "I am still concerned -- not just that the chancel was attacked in general, but concerned at how it was attacked so specifically, by a creature that liked to lick the ink right out of books." [interludes] Raul asks, "Can I tell what's going on by sound? Locate people, that sort of thing?" [interludes] GM says, "being aspect 3 I assume you can get a reasonable idea of your surroundings, yeah" [interludes] GM says (to Michel), "go for it" [interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "" Gaston says, "Well, we are not exactly secret." Penny says, "well, it was deliberate" Franklin says, "I'm not sure who'd even know something like that could be be summoned into existence. But they knew, and then they managed to get it in here." Penny says, "and someone wanted to attack us, so" [interludes] Raul says (to Wilfred), "" [interludes] Wilfred says, "" Gaston asks, "Earlier I wrote a little defence plan for the chancel. Would you care to take a look?" Franklin says, "Of course it was deliberate, that's what I find so disagreeable about the business. It was dead blatant." [interludes] Wilfred swings red tape at Rafe(?). [interludes] Raul turns his head to follow the descent of the bird, sightless eyes blinking. Franklin says, "I'd love to take a look." [interludes] Michel burns an AMP, hauls himself onto a more secure position. Tearing out as many feathers as he can. [interludes] Wilfred says, "(I feel like a Chinese fighting fantasy movie hero(ine).)" Gaston says, "It involves armed monks on little buggies, strong barriers which can be closed in emergencies, and an alarm system." Franklin asks, "Little buggies?" [interludes] GM says, "The bird squawks and shrieks and dives -- Rafe sees you coming and kicks at you" Penny says, "go-karts" [interludes] Michel grabs Rafe's leg and breaks it. Penny says, "or golf-carts, if you really want" Franklin looks puzzled, but not negative. [interludes] Michel says, "(if I can)" Gaston says, "I have not yet finished the design. They must be small and nimble to zip between the stacks." Franklin says, "I see." [interludes] GM says, "he's doing an aspect-2 kick, so I think you'll need a 3 to grab it and a 4 to break it" Franklin asks, "The barriers and the alarm system are good ideas. What type of alarm system?" [interludes] GM says, "(or a 2 to block it)" [interludes] Michel says, "someone punches you, he has given you his arm to break. someone kicks you, he has given you his groin to elbow..." [interludes] Michel says, "okay, 4 to break" Kori has disconnected. Kori has connected. Gaston says, "I was thinking of something very loud, activated by buttons at various points." Franklin says, "Good, good." [interludes] Raul says, "" Michel says, "" [interludes] GM says, "You grab onto his leg and bend -- there's a snapping sound and he cries out" Gaston says (to Michel), "" Franklin says, "It should have multiple redundant circuits, so it can't be easily sabotaged." [interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "" Michel says, "" Michel says, "" Wilfred says, "" [interludes] Raul yells at the crack, "Don't kill him!" Franklin asks, "What will the barriers be made of?" [interludes] GM says, "Meanwhile, Wilfred's tape settles onto the bird -- yanking it to a halt and halfway pulling Wilfred off the cliff" [interludes] GM says, "(were it not for the other loop of red tape attached to him)" [interludes] Wilfred says, "" [interludes] Michel says, "" Gaston asks, "Strong metal?" [interludes] GM says (to Michel), "I think you might want to look for that yourself too -- the two of you are tumbling off the bird" [interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "" Gaston says, "I don't think we can cover all the entrances, is the problem." [interludes] Raul says, "" [interludes] Wilfred asks (of GM), "How swiftly can I make a tape net?" [interludes] Michel says (to GM), "okaaay, preservation of emptiness just beneath us" [interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "" Franklin says, "No, we can't. Also, we need to have the ability to evacuate, should it come to that, knock on wood." Franklin raps on a desk. [interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "reasonably swiftly with a creation, I think" [interludes] GM asks (of Michel), "are you adding any penetration for his auctoritas?" Gaston asks, "So, if we can't stop people coming in, and we don't want to stop ourselves from getting out...?" Gaston says, "Perhaps the barriers could seal off any section of the library." Franklin says, "What I don't like is that none of these precautions -- sound though they are -- would have done any good against that magical ink dragon." Gaston says, "But I don't think that would have stopped the ink dragon." [interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "" Franklin says, "Internal bulkheads, that might be useful." [nobilis] Gaston says, "(It was inky's suggestion to use technology rather than magic, since that's a strength of our chancel.)" [interludes] Michel says, "His? Hell, if he falls to his death it's his lookout- he's got auctoritas, he can deal with the drop with his own powers" [interludes] Raul says (to Michel), "though I want to know how he blinded me, since that keeps me from doing anything with paths." [interludes] Wilfred creates a net of red tape floating under the Rafe ... if he falls ... instant Rafe-in-a-sack. Franklin says, "There is probably a way to construct effective defenses with what we have, but it's hard to predict how exactly we'll be attacked next." Gaston says, "Hmm. The monks claim their technology is some decades ahead of that we are used to. Perhaps we can design something more challenging for them." [interludes] Michel says, "look, if you were a power of any significance you'd be able to cope with a death-dealing fall. I mean, it'd only hurt you a little bit, and you'd walk away from it. He'll be fine." [interludes] GM says, "ok then -- Michel slows as the air thickens; Rafe keeps going (and sliding through the tape, too)" [interludes] Wilfred asks, "*through* the tape!?" [interludes] Michel says, "Though if it's a preservation, I can cope with 2 free penetration... enh" [interludes] Raul says (to Michel), "in that case I'm worried about the 'walking away' bit" Franklin says, "We can perhaps assume any new attack will be just as tailor-made for our realm here as the last one." [interludes] Michel says (to Raul), "he'll walk away whether I stop him or not" [interludes] Wilfred says, "Bloody anarchists, always slipping through the red tape...." [interludes] GM says (to Michel), "incidentally, from up here you see the small camp you guys saw on the ground level -- with a few lights starting to filter out from it" Franklin paces grumpily around the room, rubbing his forehead. [interludes] Michel asks (of GM), "you mean they're turning out the lights, or I can see individual ones?" Gaston asks, "Some kind of aggressive paper, then?" Franklin asks, "Was anyone actually in Lo's chancel when it was relocated?" Gaston says, "Lo's sibling Nobles, I assume." [interludes] GM says, "meaning it looks like some people carrying lights are going out of the structuring" [interludes] GM says, "(er, structure)" Franklin says, "I'm sort of already expecting a direct attack on my own domain to appear. It's the anxious anticipation that's killing me at the moment." [interludes] Michel says, "" [interludes] Raul keeps holding on to Wilfred, trusting in the eternal power of red tape. Franklin says, "I'm just wondering about the potential for this chancel to be ripped from its moorings all of a sudden, while we're sitting around in it wondering what to do next." [interludes] GM says, "(and Rafe drops away into the darkness)" Kori says, "We can't worry about every kind of thing at once, though" [interludes] Michel lights a cigarette and stands idly on thin air [interludes] Wilfred says, "" [interludes] GM asks (of Michel), "so now what?" [interludes] Raul says, "" [interludes] Michel asks (of Wilfred), "need some help?" Kori says, "Well. Maybe you can. It gives *me* a headache." Gaston says, "A defence involving paper sounds interesting." Franklin says, "I don't get the sense from the little reports sent by Raul, Michel and Wilfred that it remained happily populated afterwards." [interludes] Wilfred lets go of the bird tape. Kori says, "papier-mache your victims into immovable statues." [interludes] Wilfred says, "" Gaston says, "We could have large paper planes for transportation." Franklin stops pacing and sighs. [interludes] Michel asks, "can I still see Rafe?" Franklin says (to Kori), "It gives me a headache, too." [interludes] Michel says, "mmm, actually, no." Raul says, "" Franklin sits down and tries to unfurrow his brows. Penny says, "" Kori says (to Raul), "" Franklin says (to Raul), "" Raul says, "" [interludes] Michel asks, "would it be a blatant abuse to move where the pres. of emptiness is?" Penny says, "hmm" Raul says, "" Kori says, "" Penny says, "" Michel says, "" Franklin says, "" [interludes] GM says, "hmm, so you could walk across it back to the cliff? I guess that'd be fine if you move slowly" Kori asks, "So what would that be under? Blindness? Or Telling People Things That Then Come True?" Raul says, "" Penny goes off to look up the latter of Kori's suggestions Kori says, "'Cause I'm guessing the latter would be harder." [interludes] Michel says, "nah, I was wanting to head downwards after Rafe" Raul says, "" [interludes] GM says, "yeah, that'd be ok too" Michel says, "" [interludes] GM says, "(but again, probably slowly)" [interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "You remind me of a certain comic book hero ... who was it..." Kori looks up blindness spells. [interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "Oh yeah. The Invisible Girl." [interludes] Michel says, "right, I'll do that." Franklin says, "" Gaston says, "" [interludes] GM asks, "ok, Michel's dropping -- are the other two of you hanging out on the ledge, or?" [interludes] Raul says (to Wilfred), "I'd like to head down, assuming that was Rafe's direction." Gaston says, "" Kori . o O ( I had a professor who was always going on about Speech Acts, but I bet this isn't what he meant. ) [interludes] Michel says (to Wilfred), "you'll be the Hollow Man if you don't watch out. Heads full of straw..." Franklin says, "" Gaston says, "" [interludes] Wilfred says, "Heh" Franklin says (to Gaston), "" [interludes] Wilfred lets the tape reel out until they're back on the ground. Michel says, "" [nobilis] Gaston asks, "Hey, that's a good question -- doesn't auctoritas protect against outright offensive miracles?" [nobilis] inky says, "yes" [nobilis] Penny says, "enough penetration, and that makes no different" [nobilis] GM says, "(er, window)" [nobilis] Penny says, "er, -ence" [nobilis] Gaston says, "Ah. So maybe he had to spend points to do it, which might explain why he didn't take out the others too." Franklin says, "" [interludes] GM says, "The two of you drop down to the ground, joining Michel -- you see a dent in the ground and scuff-marks leading off into the darkness" Gaston says, "" Raul says, "" [interludes] GM says, "and lights coming out of the darkness like will-o-wisps" Franklin says, "" [interludes] Raul lets go of Wilfred and stands, listening intently. Gaston says, "" [interludes] Michel asks (of Raul), "I reckon I can run pretty fast across this terrain. You?" [interludes] Raul says, "I can, though this blindness could be a problem." [interludes] Michel says (to Raul), "Oh." [interludes] Raul asks (of GM), "what would it take to give me sonar-like capabilities?" [interludes] Michel says, "Umm... hmm." [interludes] Wilfred says, "Um." Raul says, "" [interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "You can see." Franklin says, "" [interludes] Wilfred says, "(worth a try)" Gaston says, "I think I will get the monks to start installing bulkheads." [interludes] Michel says, "How we tackle the blindness really depends on where it takes effect" Gaston says, "That will help us to trap intruders, and contain fires." Gaston says, "Which seem like the two main threats." Raul says, "" [interludes] Michel says (to Raul), "track the path of light through your eyes to your cornea" [interludes] GM says (to Raul), "I think as an aspect-4 miracle you can get bat-level sonar; I don't know if that's enough to run with" Franklin says (to Gaston), "Good idea." Franklin says (to Raul), "" Kori asks (of Gaston), "(wistfully) could we get something with knockout gas?" Gaston does that, then. [interludes] Michel says, "and then the path of neurone activity from there to your brain" [interludes] Raul says (to Michel), "No can do. I'm without my domain." Kori asks, "or other poisons-for-people-that-aren't-us?" [interludes] Michel says, "we'll work out- ooooh, shit" [interludes] Raul says (to GM), "Better than nothing. It lets them fly. one amp burned." Gaston says (to Kori), "A good thought. I can survive without breathing, so gas sounds good." [interludes] Michel asks, "you can't track paths if you're blind?" Franklin says, "Maybe we need Kori to help us get the edge on our enemies." Kori says (to Franklin), "Har. Har. Har." [interludes] Raul says, "Right. As long as I can't see, I'm cut off from all paths." Franklin says, "I wasn't being entirely sarcastic." [interludes] Michel says, "if this guy knows all our weaknesses I am soooo fucked" Gaston says, "Ah, now, here's a thought -- we could impregnate all the air in the chancel with some invisible marker." Gaston says, "So that we can later identify people who have breathed chancel air." [interludes] Michel says, "Okay, enough talking, gotta chase" Franklin says, "Hmmm." [interludes] Michel says, "he can't have gone far with a broken leg" [interludes] Wilfred says, "Well, *I* certainly have no weaknesses above and beyond the normal, average noble." [interludes] Michel sprints off. Gaston says, "The monks can probably come up with something subtler than mere radioactivity." Kori says, "what, like a radioactive substance or something? Sounds --" [interludes] Wilfred doesn't consider his "ceremonial" thing a "weakness". [interludes] Wilfred exclaims, "Hey, wait for us!" Gaston says, "Some harmless but recognisable molecule, perhaps." [interludes] Raul says (to GM), "(actually, if I throw in another can I also sense air currents against my skin to aid in navigation?)" [interludes] Michel considers "using quotation marks" a "weakness", "however". [interludes] Wilfred takes Raul's hand and leads him after Michel. [interludes] Raul says, "(another amp)" [interludes] GM says (to Raul), "sure" [interludes] GM says, "right then" [interludes] Raul says, "I do that, then, and take off after Michel." Gaston asks, "And while the monks are adjusting the air filters to do that, we can install some knockout gas. How does that sound?" Penny says, "sounds okay to me" [nobilis] Penny asks, "is our researchturning up any helpful information?" [interludes] GM says, "You see a half-dozen figures emerging out of the darkness, carrying torches (like, actual fires) and guns" Kori has disconnected. Kori has connected. Franklin says, "Might as well." [nobilis] GM says, "well, it's not a spell" [interludes] Wilfred asks (of GM), "ae their guns licensed?" [nobilis] GM says, "as franklin points out" [interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "they seem to be missing serial numbers" [interludes] Michel says, "oooh, boy" [nobilis] Penny says, "hmm" [interludes] Raul says, "What? I can sense people, but that's about it." Penny asks, "is there a noble who's-who type book here?" [interludes] Michel says, "whips out four more automatics" Franklin says, "If we have areas we can seal off and fill with gas, we've at least taken a sensible precaution." [interludes] Michel says, "and emotes" [nobilis] GM says, "which suggests it's either a nobilis, an imperator, or excrucian power" [interludes] Wilfred asks (of GM), "Faugh. Can I therefore confiscate them, since they officially (on paper) do not exist?" Michel says, "" Kori says (to Penny), "I'm sure there must be." [interludes] Raul hears Michel's thought and groans. Penny asks, "can we look to see is jack is darkness, and, if not, who is? or who sight is?" [interludes] Michel says (to Wilfred), "empty magazines are more fun" [nobilis] Penny says, "right" [interludes] GM says, ""Who are you, strangers?" the lead one calls out" [interludes] Raul keeps swivelling his head to track everyone. [interludes] Michel says, "We are searching after an enemy who has taken refuge here" Franklin says, "I wonder if there's some way in which we could all be using our powers to better purpose." [interludes] Wilfred says, "Good evening. The name is Wilfred Owen Edwards." [interludes] GM says, ""An enemy, eh?" He pauses. "An enemy of the Silver One?"" [nobilis] Raul says (to Franklin), "One thing I was interested in looking in to was the ability to make preserved miracles which could later be triggered for defense." [interludes] Michel says, "The Silver One? I do not know any by that name" [interludes] Wilfred asks, "I beg your pardon?" [interludes] Michel says (to Wilfred), "" Franklin says, "For example, if Gaston could super-reflect on everything that has happened so far, and draw some conclusions we're not seeing otherwise, some portrait of who's behind this and why." Franklin says, "There are layers of distraction and deception, but there must be an overall pattern." Gaston says, "Hmm, interesting idea." [nobilis] GM says (to Penny), "and, further, it doesn't have the feel of nobilis power -- it's too, hrm, direct" [nobilis] Gaston asks (of GM), "Can I do what Franklin said?" [nobilis] Penny says, "hmmmmmmmm" [nobilis] Franklin says (to Raul), "I like that idea." Penny asks, "another suggestion: have we even *tried* contacting Vona yet?" [interludes] GM says, "They glance at each other. "You do not know of the Silver One? Then how did you come here?"" [Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Clearly what we need is a Power of Solutions." [Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Yay." [Crows-Nest] Raul says, "if nothing else, we could dissolve our problems away then" [Crows-Nest] Kori says, "damn, I accidentally got the Power of Colloids" Gaston says, "I can certainly draw pictures of everyone we have met since becoming ennobled." [interludes] Michel says, "We came after- er, we followed upon the dread trail of one called Rafe" [Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hee hee." [nobilis] GM says (to Gaston), "um, you can do some kind of analysis, sure" [interludes] Michel says, "who had done us much injustice and for his crimes shall penance do" [nobilis] GM says (to Gaston), "obviously any kind of give-away of the plot would be outside the realm of your powers" [nobilis] Gaston says, "This does smack a little of desperation." [interludes] Michel says, "" [Crows-Nest] Wilfred details the fellow's full name and social security number. [nobilis] Franklin says, "heh heh" [interludes] GM says, "(I am totally laughing here)" [nobilis] Gaston asks, "Also, are there any useful rites we could be doing?" [interludes] GM says, ""Rafe? Done you an injustice? Come with us, please."" Kori says (to Penny), "I assumed she... just sort of knew." [interludes] Wilfred details the fellow's full name and social security number. Penny tries contacting Vona. [interludes] Raul says, "" [interludes] Michel says, "" [interludes] Wilfred takes Raul's hand. [interludes] GM says, "The men circle out to surround you -- two heading behind and two to the sides and two in front" [interludes] GM says, "They glance nervously out into the darkness, thrusting out their torches for extra illumination" [interludes] Michel says, "First we'd kind of like to make sure that you're not his cronies, though. Forsooth." [interludes] Wilfred says, "" Franklin asks, "When was the last time we saw Vona? Was it when she dispatched us to Las Vegas, or was it after that?" [interludes] Raul says, "" Penny says, "it might be worth a try. this does seem like an extreme enough situation to justify contacting her" [interludes] Michel says, "" Gaston says (to Franklin), "She also sent us to recover the manuscript." [interludes] Raul says, "" Vona says, "as it happens, there is a lull in the War at the moment" Franklin says, "Oh, that's right." Vona asks, "how have you been getting on in my absence?" [interludes] Michel says, "" [interludes] Wilfred says, "" [interludes] Michel says, "" Gaston says, "We have been harried somewhat." Gaston says, "Not that we didn't miss you." [interludes] GM says, "The men tramp on, silently, heading towards the base (the only other source of light on this plain, besides the moon)" [interludes] Raul says, "" Penny says (to Vona), "My lady, we have fended off an attack, but, as Gaston says, we have been somewhat harrassed" [interludes] Wilfred says, "" Penny asks, "would you happen to have heard of a Rafe?" [interludes] GM says, "As they get close, one of the men waves his torch in some kind of signalling manner, around in two loops and then up and down, before proceeding onwards" Gaston says, "Also Jack, a Noble." [interludes] Michel says (to Wilfred), "" [interludes] Wilfred asks (of GM), "can I figure anything out about the protocol involved here?" [interludes] Michel says (to Raul), "" GM says, "Vona says "Well, of course I know of Jack -- Duke of Shadows, he styles himself, but his interests extend to more than shadows."" [interludes] Michel says, " edges -> loser cat lady>" GM says, ""The other name means nothing to me. In what context has it appeared?"" Gaston asks (of Vona), "Does he have, well, accomplices?" [Crows-Nest] Wilfred exclaims, "Heee hee hee!!" Penny says, "Rafe is apparently the one who has just blinded Raul" [interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "well, you can tell they're some kind of military or quasi-militay organization; but clearly undersupplied or away from the main base since they're using torches" Franklin asks, "What besides shadows?" GM says, ""Really? How interesting. Do explain -- where is Raul?"" [Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks (of GM), "and the hierarchy?" Gaston says, "Oh, we found the chancel of our friend Lo." GM says, ""That is also very interesting. How did you find it?"" Penny says, "Raul, Michel and Wilfred have found the Lost chancel, but it appears to have been.. corrupted somewhat" Penny says, "they followed Rafe on a demon goat" [interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "is military, yes. you can see who the leaders are here, and that they're taking you to meet their leader" [Crows-Nest] Raul says (to Vona), "I was ashamed of my blindness, and I hid." Kori . o O ( as you'd expect from any chancel that had got Michel in it ) [Crows-Nest] Wilfred relays all he can divine about the camp's bureaucracy to the others. Michel says (to Kori), "" Gaston asks, "Hmm. I wonder why Rafe is in that chancel, though?" GM says, ""A demon goat? My goodness. You have been up to a certain amount these last few weeks."" [interludes] Wilfred relays all he can divine about the camp's bureaucracy to the others. Gaston says, "Unless it is a trap -- and a rather poor one if so." [Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "I like a channel." Kori says (to Michel), "" Gaston asks, "What business could he still have there?" Michel says, "" Penny says (to Vona), "we have been trying to defend our estates and our chancels" [Crows-Nest] Penny says, "chancel, singular." [interludes] GM says, "And indeed they do -- they usher you into a room full of soldiers, with a man on the other side of a desk, his white uniform surprisingly gleaming in the torchlight" Kori says (to Michel), "" [interludes] Michel chews on an antenna GM says, ""That is industrious of you. But tell me more about this lost chancel that you found?"" [interludes] Wilfred looks spiffily nondescript. Kori says (to Michel), "" [interludes] Raul works hard not to stand at attention. Gaston says, "Well, we'll have to wait for the others to return with the information." [interludes] GM says, ""Greetings," he says. "Please, have a seat." He gestures, and chairs are brought." [interludes] Michel folds one pair of arms, uses another arm to stroke where his chin would be if he had one, and flicks ash from a dogend with the fourth Penny says, "it appears all the inhabitants have been twisted to be aggressive" [interludes] Raul feels for the chair and sits. Penny says, "and they have sideways avalanches" Michel says (to Kori), "" Penny says, "aside from that, *we* know very little" [nobilis] Franklin asks, "all the inhabitants have been twisted to be aggressive?" [nobilis] Penny says, "as far as I could work out" [nobilis] Franklin asks, "what inhabitants? furry animals?" [nobilis] Penny says, "mmhmm" [nobilis] Franklin says, "I thought those were native to wherever-it-is-now" [nobilis] Penny says, "that was the impression I got from ghogg's comments" [nobilis] Franklin says, "oh" [interludes] GM says, ""We are the last survivors of the 3rd. Are you our relief?" There is a pause and then the other soldiers in the room laugh." [nobilis] Penny says, "possibly I am wrong, though" [nobilis] Franklin says, "I must have missed those comments as I went through" Kori says (to Michel), "" GM says, ""Ah -- so they are still there, then? Raul, and Wilfred, and Michel?"" [nobilis] Penny says, "he did say that 'the inhabitants don't seem their normal selves'" Michel says, "" Penny says, "they are under attack right now" Gaston says, "Yes." Penny says, "or were a few moments ago" GM says, ""Hmm."" [interludes] Wilfred says, "I'm afraid not." GM says, ""Perhaps we had better bring them back, then."" Kori says (to Michel), "" Michel says, "" GM says, "Vona gestures to one of the monks, and gives him some instructions." Michel says (to Kori), "" [interludes] Raul asks, "3rd what? Where is your former regiment from?" Penny says (to Vona), "thank you" [interludes] Michel asks, "The 3rd?" Kori says (to Michel), "if you've been trying to stalk me in your spare time, you're even more pathetic than I had previously dreamed." Franklin asks, "You do realize a magical creature was let loose inside the chancel recently, and caused a great deal of natural and supernatural damage?" [Crows-Nest] Raul says, "It's a good thing nobilis are able to split their attention to handle both the important and the excruciatingly banal." Michel says, "" Franklin asks, "We haven't been here that long. How do our enemies know so much about us?" [interludes] GM says, ""You have not heard of the Silver One's armies? Surely there is some mistake. We are the 3rd, left here to guard the base -- for a year, damn him to hell."" [Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "it's a gift" [interludes] Michel asks, "Does the name Lo mean anything to you?" [Crows-Nest] Raul says, "I wish it had cost them more points, leaving them with less to put towards Bickering." Gaston says, "Indeed -- they also knew about Raul's vulnerability." GM says, "Vona glances around at the books. "The word-eater was a pity, I agree -- somebody was careless in bringing him in."" Franklin gapes. Gaston says, "I might suspect that Bronwynn knew about mine, but luckily I was able to resist the figure-hugging blue dress." [Crows-Nest] Michel says, "s." GM says, ""But they aren't particularly common either; were any of you around unusual books, perhaps?"" Franklin asks, "You mean you know what that creature was?" [interludes] Wilfred likes a military operation ... everything so orderly and neatly filed away.... [interludes] GM says, ""Lo? I don't believe so."" [Crows-Nest] Michel says, "s/able to resist/unable to remove" [interludes] Wilfred says (to GM), "(can I divine the nature of their orders from the paperwork of the past year?)" Penny says (to GM), "possibly I was" [interludes] Raul says, "Clearly we need a history lesson, as we're working blind here. Some of us literally." [nobilis] Penny says, "er, ..vona" Franklin asks, "It came in here inside an unusual book?" [interludes] Michel asks, "Who is this Silver One? And what do you know of Rafe?" Kori says (to Michel), "<*mental shrug* how should I know how your tastes run? you're the one who appears to be wasting mental energy on the topic of my social life>" Penny says, "but I didn't bring any to the chancel, so" [interludes] GM says, "One of the other soldiers in the room (there are about forty, looks like) raises a cautious hand. "Sir? I believe Lo was one of the .. originators"" Penny says, "there *was* the manuscript we picked up for Shagapir's chancel" Michel says (to Kori), "" Penny asks, "can anyone think of any others?" GM says (to Franklin), ""No, but they often are found around them; and then, if you were to travel suddenly to the chancel, it might have been brought along."" Franklin says, "Yes, there was that one." Gaston says (to Kori), "" Kori says, "Hmm. Unless there was some sort of word-eating power attached to the destroy-this-note note" Kori says (to Gaston), "" Penny says (to Kori), "the one in execrucian script? hmm" Gaston asks, "The destroy-this-note note?" [interludes] GM says, ""So he was. You must pardon me -- it's been some time since that was useful information."" [interludes] Michel says, "We're friends of his." Kori says (to Michel), "" [interludes] Raul says, "A long time, assuming we are discussing the same Lo." Kori says (to Gaston), "the one that wasn't destroyed." Michel says (to Kori), "" Kori says (to Michel), "" [interludes] GM says, ""But I digress. The Silver One is - was - the leader of our armies. He led us to victory here when we surged into this land and conquered it, promising us rich rewards, and then abandoned us here to lead the rest of the troops onwards."" [interludes] GM says, ""Every day we curse his name."" Kori says, "The one we found in the dorm room. Also, I doubt it has any relevance, but you never know." Gaston says, "A booby trap sounds plausible, though." Franklin frowns to himself, then walks out as if going to search the stacks for something. Michel says, "" Gaston says, "Just the kind of thing a cunning villain might do if he suspected we were on his trail." GM says, ""But in any case, I am pleased you managed to dispose of it -- they have a certain amount of miraculous power on their own and are not easy to affect directly."" Kori says (to Michel), "" Gaston says (to Vona), "Our solution was not entirely elegant, but effective." Michel says, "" Kori says (to Michel), "<...>" [interludes] Michel says, "Weeell." Penny says (to vona), "we have been trying to bolster our defences should another attack take place" [interludes] Michel asks, "Can you tell us more about what the Silver One was like?" [interludes] Raul says, "So you were an invasion force. What did you do on your march in? This place has been lost to the rest of the world." [interludes] GM says, ""Rafe, then, is a lieutenant of the Silver One. He would often come to pass on orders, especially near the end."" Michel says (to Lo), "" Penny says, "but we are curious about why our defences were penetrated so easily in the first place" Gaston asks (of Penny), "What defences?" Penny says, "well, we have the giant" Wilfred says, "" Penny says, "and, er, not a lot else, to be fair" GM says (to Michel), " Lo says." [interludes] Michel says, "the fact that it's nighttime makes my life a little tricky" Gaston says, "I forgot all about the giant." [Crows-Nest] Kori says, "'why was the giant penetrated so easily' is not a good leadin question" [Crows-Nest] Raul says, "unless you're another giant" [Crows-Nest] Penny says, "tsk tsk gutter minds" GM says, ""An excellent point."" GM says, ""I will have to take it up with him."" [Crows-Nest] Kori says, "it's the effect of talking to Michel over there" [Crows-Nest] Kori points [interludes] GM says, ""When we invaded, we did what you might expect -- our orders were to take and hold the base of the mountain, there, and keep reinforcements from rushing to it."" [interludes] Michel asks, "Who were you fighting?" [interludes] GM says, ""Others of our number, Rafe among them, headed up to the top of the mountain."" Penny says, "I wonder if this is all tied in with the ceremony to steal the power of a noble" Penny says, "somehow" Penny says, "I very much doubt that college boy thought up the trap for me all on his own" [interludes] GM says, ""There were strange creatures, here -- animals that talked like men and hippogriffs and I heard tales of a dragon"" Gaston asks, "What was the point of that ceremony?" Gaston asks, "Just for a mortal to assume your power?" GM says, ""Ah yes, that. It was to cut out the noble's heart, was it not?"" Penny says, "that was it" [interludes] GM says, ""But not half as strange as what came after the mountain fell."" [interludes] GM says, ""These damn two-headed snakes and sideways avalanches and other things -- and us trapped here."" [interludes] Raul asks, "When the mountain fell, the exits went away, then?" Penny says, "at a certain time, and mortal would assume powers, etc" [interludes] GM says, ""I believe so. Once we decided we'd been abandoned, we scouted out the path we'd taking up here -- it was back off in the hills. But now it leads nowhere at all, just vanishes into the ground."" [interludes] Michel says, "" [interludes] GM says, ""So, our interest in you. How did you get here?"" GM says, ""There is entirely too much heart-cutting going on these days for my liking."" [interludes] Michel says (to soldiers), "On a goat. From hell." [interludes] Raul says, "Though you are cut off here, there is apparently a way in. Rafe got in by riding a demonic goat. We followed him on another." [interludes] Michel says, "Called Joyce." [interludes] Raul says, "We want to bring this land back into the world." Penny asks, "this is a common occurence?" [interludes] Raul says, "which would let you leave." [interludes] Wilfred tries not to snicker. [interludes] GM says, "The soldiers look a bit dubiously at you, but then get interested at Raul's statement." [interludes] GM says, ""Really? Do you have a plan for doing this?"" [interludes] Michel says (to Raul), "" GM says, ""An attempt was made to do the same to Shagapir's chancel, was it not?"" GM says, ""Again, fended off, but nevertheless"" [interludes] Michel says, "We can do this sort of thing." Penny says, "hmm" [interludes] Wilfred says, "" [interludes] GM says, ""He's been sighted here again? Where?"" GM says, ""...Yes."" [interludes] Raul says, "He fell down from the mountain shortly before we descended." Penny asks, "so, is it possible to get Raul and the others back here?" [interludes] Michel says (to Raul), "" GM says, "Vona turns to look at you all. "I think some explanations must be offered, but first, yes, Raul and the others should return for it."" GM says, ""Where are those monks?"" [interludes] Raul says, "" Penny grabs a monk and asks him to hurry along the first lot. GM says, "Right on cue, a dozen monks emerge from the stacks, some carrying books, others staggering under incense burners and a blackboard." Kori has disconnected. Kori has connected. GM says, ""Right then."" [interludes] Michel says, "" [interludes] Raul says, "" GM says, "" GM says, "(sends Vona)" [interludes] Raul says, "With your help, we might be able to find him and get some answers from him." Raul says, "" Michel says (to Vona), "" GM says, "Vona gives more instructions to the monks, and they start setting up the two incense burners to either side of the blackboard." Wilfred says, "" GM says, "" GM says, "" Wilfred divines the regimental roll. Wilfred says, "" [interludes] GM says, "(42, it appears, including the leader.)" [interludes] Raul . o O ( I knew they were the answer. ) Wilfred says, "<42>" Michel says, "" GM says, "" [Crows-Nest] Kori says, "hey, it's a giant Star Trek transporter" GM says, "Vona opens a case one of the monks provides her, and removes a long, glowing piece of chalk. She begins sketching out equations on the blackboard." GM says, "As she reaches the end of the first line, the incense burners begin glowing with heat" [interludes] Michel says, "" [interludes] Wilfred says, "Speaking of cursing this Silver One, incidentally ... we'd be rather interested in gaining information for direct action." [interludes] Raul asks, "Our compatriots are making a way for us all to return. But we need Rafe. Can you help us get him?" [interludes] GM says, ""In exchange for leaving here? We would gladly do whatever you asked."" [interludes] GM says, "The soldiers in the room lean forwarded expectantly. "A year, we've been here -- to see the sun!" one whispers." [interludes] Michel says, "We can do it." Franklin wanders back into the room, jotting down notes to himself on a pad. Kori hangs well back out of the way. GM says, "Vona continues to write, and the incense burners start pumping out smoke. Eventually she reaches the bottom of the blackboard, and a monk hurries over and wipes it clean, and then she starts over at the top again." Raul says, "" [interludes] Wilfred says, "" [interludes] Michel says, "If you can help us catch Rafe alive and of sound mind..." [interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "I doubt if he's of sound mind now." [interludes] Michel says, "" [interludes] GM says, ""What do you wish of us?"" [interludes] Raul asks, "We need to track him. Do you have patrols out right now?" [interludes] Michel says, "We've seen him here. We know his leg's broken. Find him." GM says, " Vona says. " Raul says, "" [interludes] GM says, ""We have one patrol out there now." "Do they have a walkie-talkie?" he asks an aide." [interludes] Raul says, "Meanwhile, we will need some of your men to create circles for us all. When the time comes, there must be no light save that of the moon." [interludes] GM says, ""Yes, sir. I'll raise them and let them know."" [interludes] GM says, ""Er -- circles?"" [interludes] Raul describes the layout Vona described to them. [interludes] Wilfred says, "It's part of the return procedure." [interludes] GM says, ""Ah. Hrm."" [interludes] Raul says, "We each will stand in these circles when the time comes and be returned to the world." [interludes] GM says, ""It's dangerous out there, but it seems like it'll have to be outside; I don't think there's space anywhere inside our building."" [interludes] GM says, ""Can we keep our guns?"" [interludes] Michel says, "um" Raul says, "" [interludes] GM says, ""And in the meantime, you wish to locate this man? We will send out two more patrols, then." He nods to his aides, and more men leave." GM says, "" [interludes] Raul says (to Leader), "Keep them in walkie-talkie contact, since we'll need them to hurry back when the time comes." Michel says, "" Raul says, "" [interludes] Wilfred says, "Rafe might be more dangerous than you think, too ... I'd advise them to be well-armed and careful. And prepared." [interludes] GM says, ""You others, start sketching those circles. I want two groups to draw and two to guard."" [interludes] Raul says, "You can certainly have your guns for now. When the time comes, we may need to throw them clear of the circles." [interludes] GM says, ""Very well."" GM says, "Vona continues to write, and soon is surrounded by a haze of chalk dust, to say nothing of the incense still pouring out of the burners." [Crows-Nest] Wilfred exclaims, "and when the dust clears, Vona is gone!" GM says, ""We'll need to clear a space someplace for them to come in," she says." GM says, ""And sketch out equivalent circles here."" Gaston says, "" Michel says, "" Raul says, "" Raul says, "" Gaston says, "" [Crows-Nest] Wilfred is just wondering how Rafe cut through the red tape. [Crows-Nest] Michel says, "he's a nam vet, he's got combat knives for teeth" Franklin finishes scribbling, sticks his pencil behind one ear, and starts clearing a space. Franklin says, "" [Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Hey, I was a nam vet, and all I got was empty space for feet." [Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "heh" [Crows-Nest] Michel says, "enh, read Rafe as Raul" [interludes] GM says, ""No sign of him, sir," the reports come back." [Crows-Nest] Michel says, "next I'll be sending them out to hunt down a hispanic geriatric with shiny boots" [interludes] GM says, ""Wait, there's some motion --" the call breaks off with the sound of gunshots." [Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "also, when you get back, we can play a game of 43-man squamish" [interludes] Raul says, "Where was that patrol? We have to get there." [interludes] GM says, ""Sorry, sir, false alarm. Scorpion-bear."" [Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "" [Crows-Nest] GM says, "I'll always laugh at squamish" [interludes] Michel twitches [interludes] Raul sits back down, trying to look nonchalant. GM says, "