% Resuming TinyFugue.
[nobilis] PerrySimm says, "log on"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Crap, looks like I'm the tie breaker."
Penny wanders around the chancel, vaguely wondering where everyone else has been for the past two weeks
[whiz-games] Whizzard thinks about it.
GM says (to Penny), "actually"
Michel asks (of Penny), "it was just a REALLY GOOD PARTY, okay?"
[whiz-games] schep asks, "well, what does the skeptic do, really?"
GM says (to Penny), "for reasons which will be explained shortly, it's still the evening everyone left"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "A skeptic fits the theme better. But a priest is more visually appealing."
Penny says, "oh, good"
Penny practises with the whip a bit more
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Well, in either case the ability is more or less the same."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Repels weak monsters with faith/skepticism."
Michel examines the mist in aesthetic rapture
[whiz-games] inky says, "right"
[whiz-games] inky says, "well, visual appealing is probably better"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Yeah, I'd have to agree. I'm voting priest."
[whiz-games] schep says, "nobody expects a board game that's silly in the first place to make sense."
[whiz-games] Whizzard asks, "Any other votes?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Ok, the priest it is."
[nobilis] Aisleen says, "not a problem"
[nobilis] Aisleen says, "er ilac"
GM says, "so, last week ended with most of the saturday group going out to dinner"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Oh, and the researcher will be a short fat woman."
Kori says, "boy howdy"
[nobilis] Penny asks, "is Raul showing up?"
GM says, "and, when they finally left the restaurant, finding out that the outside was not as it had been when they entered"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Does she have funny goggles?"
Raul has connected.
[whiz-games] katre says, "coke-bottle glasses"
[nobilis] GM says, "I'm -- hey, there we go"
[nobilis] Kori says, "yes"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "yes"
[nobilis] Penny says, "*bing*"
[nobilis] Kori says, "HA ha"
[nobilis] Penny says, "now *that's* a @summon"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Maybe a book of lore tucked udner one arm."
[nobilis] Raul exclaims, "Beware! I am at the docks!"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Big glasses, yeah. And a boo-right."
[whiz-games] katre says, "big shoulder bag full of mouldering books"
GM says, "but before we find out what happened to them, we go back to Vona's chancel, where Penny is sitting around practicing her, ah, whip skills and wondering vaguely why nobody's back yet"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Maybe a little hand-held gizmo with lights and buttons and an antenna dish at the end of a little arm."
Penny says, "*crack*"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "like hell she's wondering"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "she's utterly oblivious by now, I'll warrant"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "The priest probably has gray hair, a strong (possibly pointy) chin, and a big silver cross hanging around his neck."
Penny asks, "hmm, I wonder where everyone else is?"
GM says, "Marcus comes in, looking around warily"
Penny says, "I hope they haven't got drunk and let Kori at the kareoke machine again"
GM says, "Possibly glaring at John when he thinks nobody is looking"
GM says, ""Er .. m'lady?""
[Crows-Nest] Kori asks, "...again?"
Penny asks (of Marcus), "yes?"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "heh"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "call me a kareoke machine again and you are getting slapped"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "heh"
GM says, ""I, um, hatetointrundwhenyou'rewithyournewcurrentguyforwhomyoudumpedmeandnoI'mnotbitterbut ..""
[Crows-Nest] Raul laughs.
Penny (to Marcus) raises an eyebrow, sighs.
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "poor guy"
Penny asks, "yes, well, what is it you have disturbed me for?"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, ""(coughing fit)"
GM says, ""Er, one of the other monks has reported that, um, one of the chancel exits seems to have some weird branches going in it""
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Marcus rocks so much"
GM says, ""And, er, the floor of the main courtyard is rumbling""
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "also, Michel deserves all the serious ignoring he can get since he was insulting Kori BEHIND HER BACK at the last session when she was NOT EVEN HERE to kick his ass"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I can't believe you dumped him."
Penny says, "my"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "har har har"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "dude, HARRISON FORD"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Ok, here we go..."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Penny), "CALISTA FLOCKHART"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "plus, hey, you don't know about it"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Researcher - Short fat woman with coke bottle glasses and a book under one arm. In her other hand is a 'ghost sensor' with a dish antenna and lights."
[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says (to gaston), "gack, don't make me cry"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Reporter - Tall attractive woman dressed for the 6 o' clock news. She has a microphone in hand."
[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Michel), "word got back to me.  Through mutual friends."
Penny says, "well, let's check out the courtyard first, but send some monks to stand guard by the exit"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Priest - Middle aged male priest with collar. Handsome. Hair graying at the edges. Strong chin. A big silver cross around his neck."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "superb."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Wolfhound - A large wolfhound, ears perked up, in a tense stance."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Camera Man - Big muscular heavyset guy. Leather jacket and jeans. A bit of a biker. Filming with camera on his shoulder."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "though I'd find it slightly odd for you to suddenly remember and start ignoring"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "well, no, it just took me this long to find out"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "see"
GM says, ""I er .. " Marcus plays with the collar of his monk outfit nervously. "I think the monks the branches have grabbed are keeping a good eye on it""
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "it all makes sense"
[whiz-games] Whizzard asks, "How does that sound?"
Penny struts out to the courtyard, wiggling slightly more than usual, as both John and Marcus are in the room.
[nobilis] Gaston says, "*those* kinds of branches? Hrm."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "oh, actual branches"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Sounds good to me. The researcher is the low-low, right?"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "yeah yeah, you just can't stop thinking about me, I understand"
[nobilis] Penny says, "yeah, hmm"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Right."
[nobilis] GM says, "sorry, right, didn't realize it was ambiguous"
[Crows-Nest] Kori stares pointedly in the opposite direction, perhaps humming a cheery tune
Penny asks (of Marcus), "hmm, haven't they tried using flamethrowers on the branches?"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Won't be the first time monks have been rooted in our chancel."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "...er, I mean, they're very loyal."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Her special ability ought to be something that stays useful throughout the game, then."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Ok."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "*AHEM*"
GM says (to Penny), "the floor is vibrating somewhat in one particular spot -- it's making the water in the pools dance and ripple"
GM says (to Penny), ""I'll, um, see to it at once, m'lady""
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Ok. So, abilities..."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "maybe it's the giant"
Penny says, "hmm"
GM says, "Marcus leaves you in the courtyard and hurries off"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Wolfhound - Can't pick up clue counters or items."
Penny throws one end of the whip sp it lands on the vibrating spot
Penny says, "er, so"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "I *bet* she does."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Priest - Weak monsters can't enter the priest's current location."
[Crows-Nest] Kori asks, "yeah, but what are you going to do about the floor?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I am not going to *stand* on the bloody thing"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "sigh"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "arr"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "y'all are flithy-minded"
Penny says, "also, filthy"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Ideas for the others? I'll be afk a sec."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I wasn't!"
GM says, "The whip-tip bounces around a bit. As you watch, the ground cracks ever so slightly."
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "If the dog's the last one, do they automatically lose?"
[nobilis] Penny says, "someone buy me new hands, please"
[nobilis] Penny says, "I can't type today"
Davey arrives, looking for booty.
[nobilis] Michel says, "I have some spare"
Penny says, "hmm"
GM says, "Whistling air blows up from below."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "the flithy toves did gimble and gyre"
[nobilis] Raul says, "I thought the new hands were going to go with whipping the vibrating spot"
Penny finds a rock and lobs it into the crack
[nobilis] Penny says, "FEH"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "The researcher should either be able to acquire or to use magic items more easily."
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "yipes, sorry I'm late. Thought this started at 6:30"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "no problem, the warehouse crew is still on hold"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "we're watching Penny first"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "we're just watching Penny deal"
GM says, "It bounces -- way, way down"
[whiz-games] schep says, "I thought Priest was Low/Low and Researcher was high Search low Combat."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "s'okay, I've probably just brained out friendly giant"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "(I guess if zombies keep helping the Investigators, then non-humans can carry stuff for the dog.)"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "er, our"
Penny says, "oh, dear"
Penny flags down a monk and asks him to get a periscope
[whiz-games] Jota says, "The priest's medium/medium, I think."
GM says, "The rumbling seems to change tone -- possibly becoming more obvious with the opening of the crack. "Ooooooooouch.""
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "The chancel is going all Day of the Triffids on her."
Penny flies up above the crack
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Branches, cracks in the ground."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "mmm, isle of wight breeding policies"
Penny says, "hello?" while looking down the crack in the ground
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Dear lord this episode is turning into something for Storme's other character, Nobilis Dover."
GM says, ""Yaaaaaaaaaaajpellllapelll""
Penny says, "<Geez, OTHER PEOPLE BEING HERE would be good about now>"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Blimey, it is the giant after all."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I like how she now has to specify 'in the ground' to prevent jokes"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yes"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "'You're 80 feet tall, eh? And are you... in proportion?' 'Well, actually, no.'"
Penny waits in mid-air to see if anything more is said
Michel says (to Penny), "<your fault for being a homebody>"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "'If I was I'd be 120 feet tall.'"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Sorry."
[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to Gaston), "my goodness"
GM says (to Penny), "there is, weirdly, no answer -- it feels like your thoughts are having to fight their way out through thick mud"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Maybe the biker has a better carrying capacity, or can assist other characters with their actions, or something."
[Crows-Nest] (from Penny) Penny says, "bye John!"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Or maybe he can move heavy things out of the way."
GM says, ""Chancelll threaaaaaaatened ... callllll meeeeee""
[nobilis] Penny says, "this is the giant whose name I forget, then"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "he just said it"
[nobilis] Michel says, "yajpelapel"
[nobilis] Penny says, "yes but I dunno how many of those letters I actually need... there"
[nobilis] Michel says, "um, maybe yaaj"
Penny says, "Oh, whew, it's you"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "If he was a welsh giant some of the extra l's would stay, maybe."
[nobilis] Franklin says, "he's from Vegas"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Hmm. What special ability would the reporter have?"
[nobilis] Michel says, "with some additional c's and y's and th's randomly strewn in for good measure"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "so maybe some rhinestones"
[whiz-games] Jearl says, "satellite phone"
Penny says, "The chancel is threatened?  Well, I suppose this has to do with the branches appearing from the chancel exits"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Do characters with a High in one area need a special ability, actually?"
GM says, "Another monk comes into the courtyard. "Um, m'lady? Marcus apologizes for not coming himself but he says he's all tied up at the moment. Also that the flamethrowers don't seem to be working.""
Penny says (to monk), "ah, right"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Also, hmm. Is it a Bad Thing that the two female characters are the two characters with low fighting ability?"
Penny says (to Yaajpelapel), "um, so, er"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "I suggest calling him"
[nobilis] Raul says, "Yeah, he may require activation by explicit summoning"
Penny says, "I call you, Yaajpelapel"
[nobilis] Penny says, "man, this is like Pokemon"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Yajpelapoo, I choose you!"
GM says, ""I ammmmm summoned.""
[nobilis] Michel says, "yeah, I hope someone calls me soon because my nobiliball is filling with smoke"
[nobilis] Penny says, ""quick, fight branchasaur!""
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Yaj), "Now, if she asks you to come inside a little ball, RUN AWAY"
[nobilis] Alison says, "I'd hate to see what Yajpelapoo evolves into."
[nobilis] Michel says, "yajpelaturd"
GM says, "The rumbling increases, and the crack in the ground splits out into zig-zag ohter cracks; the dirt around trembles and falls in and vanishes"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "I think everyone gets a special ability."
Penny keeps hovering in mid-air
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "But yeah, the folks other than the researcher don't need a great one."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I AM SO GLAD I HAVE FLIGHT"
GM says, "And then a hand pushes its way out of the earth, grabs onto the side of the fountain, and hauls the rest of itself upwards. And upwards, and upwards."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Except for the dog, right? Unless you count 'no opposable thumbs' as an ability."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "(reads scrollback)"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "this has been like the most useful gift ever"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I love how the special effects budget always gets bigger for the last episode in the season."
GM says, ""I am Yajpelapel," the giant says, more or less at eye level with Penny but only because she is way off the ground."
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "BTW, can you trade off items and clue points with your teammates?"
GM says, ""The chancel is threatened -- I go""
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Do you have to be in the same room?"
[nobilis] Raul says, "We can look forward to many car chases and explosions"
Penny follows the giant
[nobilis] Kori asks, "ooh, can I drive?"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "it's that old dramatic rule, where if you see a giant in act 1, it'll come into play in act 3"
[nobilis] Penny says, "imagine I am a taxi, if you like"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Raul), "*Zeppelin* chases."
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "wait, he'd bound to the chancel and still needed summoning? I want to be iin his union."
[nobilis] (from Kori) Penny says, "call me a cab"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "You can trade while in the same room, yeah."
[nobilis] Michel says (to Raul), "and mindbending warp sequences, but that's just the wine they serve at my restauraunt"
GM says, "It turns and strides off heavily in the same direction Marcus went before -- the bookshelves under its feet seem to slide out of the way just in time to avoid being crushed"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to Franklin), "I thought the giant had to be hanging above the mantel"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Franklin), "Yay."
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Any carrying limits? Are there hitpoints?"
GM says, "Penny zips after, but it's clear where they're going before they get there -- the whole corner of the chancel is choked with smoke and you can hear the feeble cries of monks"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "I'd say carrying limit for items, but not clues."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "aw"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "I dunno if there are hp yet."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "penny is used to the feeble cries of monks"
GM says, "and snaking out of the smoke are long thorn-covered branches"
Penny zips ahead to try and pull monks out of the wreckage
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Michel), "only *one* monk"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "This is the most freudian attack on the chancel yet."
GM says, "some blackened and burnt"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "that we know about, sure"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "that *I* know about, thank you"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Carrying limit, max hp, and fighting skill could all be the same stat, really."
GM says, "Penny zooms down into the smoke, seeing that Marcus seems to indeed be all wrapped up inside a branch, flamethrower dangling sadly in one hand"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Although that'd be unfortunate for the researcher, so maybe not."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "even more freudian"
Penny finds a sword and tries to hack the branch off
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "woo woo, this looks like it's leading to smoochies"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I decided not to mention that his flamethrower's fuel was spent"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "*cough*"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston cackles.
[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "finds a sword?"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "On the other hand, maybe your fighting ability is your health, and being injured makes you a less effective fighter."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to franklin), "STOP EXPOSING PLOT HOLES"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Franklin), "It's one of those dream things."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "ok, ok.."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I figure one of the monks must have something sharp and sword-like.  perhaps a machete"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and no filthy jokes"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "..."
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "... ..."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Also, every time Michel staggers back late of a night he drops six tons of weaponry over the floor while fumbling for his key."
GM says, "Penny hacks at the branches with her machete. "Penny! You came for me!" Marcus says, right before the branch breaks through and he tumbles to the ground."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Kori), "well done for restraining yourself"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "aww"
Penny flies marcus to safety, then zips back to help another monk
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(yet another phrase she's used to from the monks)"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Gaston), "true, but mainly there's only one sword and about twenty high-calibre automatics"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "and those are just the ones that his girlfriend tried to kill him with"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Hmm. Ok."
[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to GM), "HA"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to GM), "OI"
GM says, "(THUD) (THUD) (THUD)"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to GM), "HA HA HA HA"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Kori), "nah, she generally can't restrain her bile long enough to look for a weapon"
[Crows-Nest] Penny sighs heavily
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "But the camera man's ability then is that he always uses his original Combat skill."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "That sounds good."
[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Michel), "you sure do have a way with women"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to Penny), "for someone who's all tweedy and whatnot you seem to get all the kinky adventures"
GM says, "Yajpelapel tromps across the chancel as Penny flies in and out of the brambles, avoiding the thorns"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Raul), "I blame the GM"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "if there's nothing heavy or sharp in the area, nails suffice"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Kori), "with psychopathic feminist poets, sure"
GM says, "She pulls another few monks to safety, but the branches are forcing themselves further into the chancel"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "I wonder which exit this is"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "but if a lady considers you to be the lowest form of scum merely because you possess a Y chromosome, one is getting off on the wrong foot"
GM says, "so it is good that Yajpelapel finally gets there, reaches into the smoke and plantlife, and starts pulling stuff out by the root"
Penny asks (of Yajetc), "do you know what is causing this?"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "I like to wait until people *know* me before they consider me scum"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "I'd rather not have carrying capacity as a stat, so everyone can just carry either 3 or 4 items."
[nobilis] Penny says, "mm, maybe it might just be.. the SEATTLE ONE"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Except the dog"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "the question at that point is what form of masochism prompts you to remain in her company, but I can't really complain, since it keeps you away from the rest of us"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Seems like it'd be difficult to disentangle those events."
[whiz-games] Jota nods.
GM says, "Yajpelapel shakes his head in confusion. "Invasion -- must stop --""
[nobilis] Franklin says, "it'll be the dang university library one again"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Man, our chancel gets some mean-ass kudzu"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Kori), "it would require some explanation"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "And combining HP and combat skill works well, I think."
Penny says, "<HEY FAMILIA, WHERE ARE YOU?>"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "none of which I expect you wish to hear"
Kori says, "<zzt silence zzt zzt>"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "naturally not"
Penny says, "<DAMN YOU ALL>"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Hey, by the way, what time is this in Penny's universe?"
[nobilis] Penny says, "the night you left"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I was going to do '<eerie silence'"
GM says (to Penny), "your shouts, finally, seem to be going somewhere -- or maybe it's just that he's pulled away some of the brambles"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "She hasn't been whipping the monks for two solid weeks? -- aha."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, ">"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Hmmm..."
GM says, "everyone in Seattle can faintly hear Penny's shouting"
Penny says, "<HELP NEEDED HERE>"
[whiz-games] Whizzard asks, "Maybe the researcher gets 1 clue counter every turn?"
Penny says, "<OR AT LEAST AN EXPLANATION>"
[nobilis] Franklin asks (of GM), "from two weeks ahead?"
[nobilis] GM says, "(where, incidentally, it is the night-of dinner and about the time folks have arrived in the warehouse)"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "walking in mist?"
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Can't quite hear you. Can you speak up?>"
[nobilis] GM says, "and yes, two weeks ahead"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "so are we outside?"
[nobilis] GM says, "yes"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "In addition to any others discovered? That sounds useful."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "That would let her power items pretty easily."
Kori says, "<hic>"
[nobilis] GM says, "ie, it is just-where-we-left-off-last-time time"
Penny says (to Gaston), "<WE'RE BEING INVADED BY VEGETATION>"
Raul says (to Penny), "<What's up? I'm headed for the Seattle docks with some of the folks from the carnival chancel.>"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "It could make her a clue-dispenser for the others, though."
Penny hacks at more branches
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "And she could still start with an item and a few clues."
Franklin says, "Uh oh."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "True."
[whiz-games] Jota nods. "Starting with an item is definitely good."
GM says, "It seems like Yajpelapel is fighting the branches to a draw, but not more than that"
Penny says, "<Who dropped a gro bag when they left?>"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "And is modelled by the card (the book and the detector)."
[whiz-games] Spinster asks, "Give her untradeable clues?"
Franklin says, "I predict the end of the world for months on end with nothing happening, then we go out for a nice dinner..."
Michel says, "<it was for shiitake, I swear>"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Nah, that would be an extra rule."
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Is that another one of your double entendres?>"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Hmm..."
GM says, ""Find .. stop .. protect chancel .." Yajpelapel rumbles, his face colored even darker by the smoke from the fires burning among the branches"
Penny says, "<evil twisted shiitake that want to conquer the chancel?>"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Maybe all activation costs are reduced by 1 for her."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "(minimum 1)"
Raul says, "<I only work with beans and the like. Honest!>"
Franklin stares at the mist.
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "So you'd give her the big guns."
Penny says, "<remember that giant? he's the only other person here to help me>"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "That sounds better."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Of course, even then she's not going to be finding clues. Hrm."
Franklin says, "<I somehow don't think we'll be able to get back to the chancel anytime soon.>"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Because of her low Search?"
GM says, "Meanwhile, back outside the restaurant, the mist is lifting slightly to reveal dark plains and hills"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "The trick is that her low Search skill is messing her up."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "She'll still find some, just not as many. People will want to give *their* clues to her."
Franklin frowns. "We shouldn't have left the chancel."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Hmm."
Aisleen asks (of raul), "what is going on?"
Franklin says, "Hmm, neither should we have left Seattle."
Gaston says, "It would be ironic but inconvenient if this were Kansas."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "So she'd suck solo, but would be good if she had support crew."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "And there's no searching for bait counters, you just find them."
Gaston says, "But I understand that place has few hills."
GM says, "as Michel concentrates it lifts more, revealing some scattered clusters of what look like normal Seattle buildings, placed oddly against the landscape"
Michel says, "Hmm. You know, this is somewhat preferable to Seattle"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Her and the dog would work well together."
[nobilis] Franklin says, "hrm, we don't have any flying people here"
Michel says, "but something tells me there is more going on here than pretty scenery"
Raul says (to Aisleen), "Penny is fighting some kind of...well, I'm not sure. Possibly a giant mushroom or plant."
[nobilis] Penny asks, "alexandra, no?"
Franklin asks, "Can anyone fly up and get a look around?"
Raul says, "It's a direct attack on our chancel."
GM says, ""Let me try," Alexandra says."
[nobilis] Penny says, "in theory if not in actual logged-in-ness"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "who isn't -- aha"
Gaston looks around for any kind of animal life, preferably birds.
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Of course, I'm beginning to see her as Velma."
Michel lights up a cigarette rather hastily, and offers the pack around
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "That's fine. I see her as the woman in Poltergeist."
Franklin says, "No thank you."
GM says, "She concentrates and lifts off the ground, vanishing soon into the mist."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "I already saw the wolfhound as Scooby, and it won't be long before I see the reporter as Daphne."
Michel does a divination of emptiness to see if this place is otherwise deserted and without use
Franklin grips his walking stick in a white-knuckled fashion.
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "So, the camera man must either be Fred or Shaggy."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Or some weird gestalt of the two."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "But I'm somewhat frightened that before this is all over, the cameraman will turn into Fred, and we'll all be confession to Father Shaggy."
[nobilis] Franklin asks (of GM), "is the sky visible?"
GM says (to Gaston), "there are some stray scurrying things, and a few dark things which fly: they could be birds or bats"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Hmm, oh right, the priest."
[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "no, the mist gets thicker above and hides the sky"
[whiz-games] Whizzard exclaims, "Haa!"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "rats"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Father Shaggy O'Hare."
Gaston says, "Okay, time to become a bat-thing."
Franklin squints upwards, but can't see any stars.
Gaston does the shapeshift thing.
GM says, "Shortly thereafter there is a cry from above and Alexandra drops down again, nursing a cut on her arm."
Franklin asks, "Are you okay?"
[nobilis] Michel asks (of GM), "anything?"
[nobilis] Alex says (to Michel), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that anything is unbelievable and I don't believe in it, do not, do not."
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "hm, physical harm? what's her auctoritas strength?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Ok. We just need the reporter now."
Gaston says (to Alexandra), "skwee skwee <oops wait that's not helping>"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "She gets lots of clues but is weak in combat."
GM says, ""I don't know what the hell that was," Alexandra says. "I was flying up and then it was like I broke through something and my arm got sliced.""
Franklin asks, "Something like glass?"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Maybe she has some advantage in dealing with bait somehow."
GM says, "She looks around, nervously. "And Karin was saying there's some kind of weird bush thing in her room too, and she's been trying to reach me for a few days-- what time is it, anyway?""
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Maybe, if she grabs bait alone, she gets a free clue at the same time."
[nobilis] GM says, "(she's aspect 1, spirit 2)"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "I suppose there's no sign of the restaurant any more"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Eep."
[nobilis] Michel asks, "well, is there?"
[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "no, it's there behind you, as an isolated building"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Assuming I am able to change, I'll cautiously fly up and scout around a little."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "That sounds like a recipe for dead Daphnes galore."
Franklin stares back at the restaurant.
GM says (to Michel), "meanwhile, no, you can see there are still some things left here"
Michel says, "hmm"
Franklin asks, "Why is the restaurant still here?"
GM says (to Michel), "the buildings don't appear to be deserted, althogh they're mostly empty"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Yeah, well. I never did care much for Daphne... :)"
Franklin says, "The whole building must have gotten transplanted while we were having dinner."
[whiz-games] Whizzard asks, "Maybe she can't be targeted by monsters if there's another person with her?"
Michel says (to Franklin), "presumably because that's where we were, or where the sphere was"
Franklin asks, "What does the sphere look like now?"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "s/person/investigator/"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Thus the House would always be trying to get her off alone to kill her."
GM says, "like a burned-out lightbulb"
[whiz-games] Spinster says, "Or she gets a clue if she's alone."
Franklin says, "Blast."
Michel says, "oookay"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "I'd rather have the investigators mostly trying to stick together."
Kori mutters, "too bad it wasn't still in Michel's stomach when all this occurred."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Well, do we want to encourage her to split away or -- OK."
Franklin says, "Well, fuff. What are our options? Besides staying together for safety."
Gaston flappety flip flutter flap.
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "And the House trying to split them up"
GM says, "Gaston swoops upwards into the mist -- and then he too slams into something, which crunches like glass"
Michel asks (of Kori), "as opposed to your lap?"
[whiz-games] josh_g says, "they've gotta split up into two groups at some point"
Gaston says, "<OW>"
Franklin asks, "Are we INSIDE the sphere?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "They've already got the clue rule to split them up."
Michel asks, "How far can we see?"
Franklin says, "Help, we're trapped in a snow globe."
Wilfred has connected.
Gaston says (to Franklin), "<skwee skwee distinct skwee possibility ow ow ow skwee>"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Hmm. So something tells me we're going to see Researcher/Dog together, and either Reporter/Cameraman or Reporter/Priest, with the odd person running around alone."
Kori says, "I wonder if I could create a hole in it"
Michel pulls out a submachinegun
GM says (to Gaston), "pressed against the glass, looking down at you, you catch a quick glimpse of something before the mist swirls hide it: two people, possibly a man and a woman, horribly burned over most of their bodies and staring at you with silver eyes"
[whiz-games] Spinster asks, "Maybe she has a chance to pick up clues other people miss?"
Franklin says (to Gaston), "Maybe fly a little more carefully and see what kind of dimensions this barrier has."
[whiz-games] josh_g says, "Daphne should get some kind of bonus when she's alone with Fred"
Michel says (to Kori), "allow me to test this first"
Kori says, "somewhat more subtly"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Oof.  sorry i'm late ... movie longer than expected...."
Gaston says, "<The silver ones!>"
[whiz-games] josh_g says, "wink wink nudge nudge"
Kori says, "<eek>"
Gaston says, "<*Two* of them?>"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Although maybe the Priest will sorta float between the two groups, ferrying objects and clues in a Mobile Zone of Relative Safety."
Gaston says, "<I am just an innocent little evil bat-thing, nothing Noble about this little bat, no...>"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "J: Hmm. Seems likely."
[whiz-games] katre says, "but Velma gets a bonus when she tags along and plays chaperone"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "ok, I need a refresher on the silver ones"
[whiz-games] Spinster asks, "Are the rules to this available anywhere?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "There aren't really any yet."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "We're making them up still."
Michel snaps into mythic vision
[whiz-games] Jota says (to josh), "If 'Fred' is the cameraman, then she sorta does. In the sense that their strengths/weaknesses complement."
Franklin says (to Michel), "Careful that you don't spray us with ricochet bullets."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Same way the wolfhound and the researcher's do."
[nobilis] Michel says, "when in doubt, whip your mythic out"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Amusingly, Daphne and Velma are the choicest targets for secret passages."
GM says (to Michel), "chancels, and places on earth, should have a mythic view. this doesn't seem to."
elf arrives, looking for booty.
elf says, "Greetings."
Michel says, "uh-oh"
josh_g arrives, looking for booty.
[Crows-Nest] josh_g says, "yarr"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Just like in the show."
[nobilis] Raul says, "You should give that advice to Penny's monk"
elf asks, "Is there something horribly wrong with my presence?"
[whiz-games] Spinster asks, "So whenever Shaggy and Scoob back up onto each other, they run away scared?"
[whiz-games] Jota asks (of Whizz), "How's that?"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "yarr"
GM says, "no, but please talk on #crows-nest"
Michel says, "this would seem to imply we're either in a dead chancel, excrucian space, or the Spirit world"
Davey says (to elf), "non-players can watch and interact on #crows-nest"
Penny says, "feel free to spectate, commentary should be kept to #crows-nest"
[Crows-Nest] elf has joined the channel.
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "You'll want to split the researcher and reporter off alone quickly to kill them."
[nobilis] Penny says, "*cough*"
[whiz-games] Jota says (to Spinster), "The Scooby resonances are mostly coincidental at this point."
[Crows-Nest] elf asks, "I gather it is already too late to join?"
[nobilis] Gaston asks (of GM), "How high up was the glass?"
[whiz-games] Jota says (to Whizz), "Ah, right, yes."
Kori says, "um"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Otherwise they really enhance the team's clue-gaining power"
[Crows-Nest] josh_g asks, "is there such a thing as a brief description of what's happening?"
[nobilis] GM asks, "a hundred feet, maybe?"
Kori asks, "I wonder if we are now inside a sphere?"
Michel says, "or possibly some random Other place"
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "we're actually in the throes of the finale"
[Crows-Nest] josh_g says, "woo woo"
Gaston says, "<If this is a sphere, it's only a couple of hundred feet across at most.>"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "this is the next-to-last session of something that's been going on for months"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to elf), "Today is the next-to-last game in this story"
Michel says (to Kori), "I wonder if we did some digging..."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "this weekend is the last one"
[Crows-Nest] elf says, "Oh."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "one session today, one tomorrow."
[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says (to josh), "you can always check the lpsmith site for transcripts :)"
[whiz-games] Spinster is just being silly
Franklin asks, "If Alexandra cut herself, does that mean she left a crack in it? Which would be an edge for Kori to work with?"
[nobilis] Raul says, "I'm beginning to wonder if y'all are in a sphere similar to the one that was nestled in Kori's lap"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "BTW, how does one go about gaining a clue?"
Gaston says, "<Hmm, this fluttering is hard work.>"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Is there a die roll?"
[nobilis] Raul says, "or perhaps the same one in a terrible klein-bottle-like way"
Gaston drops back down and changes back.
GM says, "meanwhile, Gaston continues to flutter along the glass-like thing -- if it's a sphere, it's not obviously curving"
[whiz-games] Jearl restrains her snickers
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "You make a die roll, add your Search, I think."
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Can you do it repeatedly in the same room? Are there penalties?"
Gaston says, "Oops, timing."
Michel says (to Vona), "<Hey. You there?>"
GM says, "(but then he drops down again)"
[nobilis] Penny says (to Gaston), "Fake eyelashes make it much easier... oh, that type"
[whiz-games] Jota says (to Jearl), "Yeah. I've been wanting to ask that for years, but have been too embarrassed to ask."
Franklin says, "Oh. Hmmm."
[nobilis] Kori says, "that's what I meant"
GM says (to Michel), "there is a very, very brief sensation of a presence <Keep going. Don't blow it. And don't let them close the-->"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Only 1 clue per turn in the same room."
Michel says, "oh joy"
[whiz-games] Jota asks (of Whizz), "But can you just stand around in the same room gaining more clues every turn?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "The bait counters are the real incentive to keep moving around and exploring."
Kori says, "oh, goody, she wouldn't want to actually EXPLAIN anything"
Michel says, "it appears there is an element of urgency involved here"
Franklin says, "Close the... the... hm."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Sure."
Gaston asks, "Borders?"
Kori exclaims (at Michel), "well, gosh, I am really surprised to hear that!"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks, "umm ... what have I missed?"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Okay, I have some spare AMPs here."
Franklin asks, "Gap?"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "not much"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "a lot, I guess"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "heh"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Also, I imagine you'll need to remember who's 'first', so you know when a turn ticks over."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "you're still just wandering around outside the restaurant"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "How many do I need to burn to run stupidly fast?"
[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "do Raul and I know what is happening the the people in the sphere?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "but not much in terms of real knowledge"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "I'll just have to make sure that there are reasons for the investigators to keep moving."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "The House is always first."
Michel says (to Kori), "I am fond of stating the obvious. It gives people the illusion that I have some grasp of reality"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "penny fought an attack on chancel for a few minutes, we just picked up outside the restaurant"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Hmm. Unless you just start counting 'a turn' from when a clue is found."
[whiz-games] Jota says (to Whizz), "Aha."
Kori raises eyebrow
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks, "so, uh, where am I and what do I know?"
[nobilis] GM says (to Aisleen), "Raul can hear the rest of his chancel <>ing to each other, yeah"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "found out that much of the city has been replaced by dark hills and plains, and there's a glass barrier in the sky"
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Wilfred), "you're outside the restaurant with them"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "and that's all there is to know"
[nobilis] Penny says, "(I idle for a bit)"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "If there's a set rotation, then A will always get to search before B..."
[nobilis] Raul says, "I've been not doing much commenting since I don't know how the timing works wrt us at the warehouse"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Which may or may not be a good thing."
[nobilis] GM asks (of Gaston), "um, probably 2 -- how fast do you want to run?"
[nobilis] GM says (to Raul), "you've just come in and seen Jack & Drake"
Michel asks (of Gaston), "How far can you see when you fly up? Is there any obvious boundary to this place apart from the glass ceiling?"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to GM), "Sonic booms would be fun."
[nobilis] GM says, "(and I will settle things there in a minute)"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Hmm, still need a reporter ability. I'm leaning towards can't be attacked if in the same location as another investigator."
[whiz-games] Spinster says, "Well, once one player vanishes, the other players should go search for that one."
Michel asks, "In addition, is there any good reason why you should not show the Silver Ones a pressed ham?"
Gaston says (to Michel), "I didn't see past the huge figures, sorry."
[whiz-games] Jota nods. "It's good enough to put down for now, I think."
mus arrives, looking for booty.
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Although it sorta overlaps weirdly with the Priest one."
[nobilis] Raul says (to GM), "right, wasn't trying to rush you. Just didn't know if Aisleen and I would be talking while the others were dealing with Drake and Jack"
Michel says (to Gaston), "I meant along the ground"
Wilfred says, "<are we inside a snowglobe?>"
Michel says (to Wilfred), "if so, it isn't obviously curving"
[whiz-games] Spinster asks, "Which is the Priest one?"
Gaston says (to Michel,Wilfred), "I think we should try to find the walls right now."
[nobilis] GM says, "it looks like Mach 1 running would be aspect 5"
Wilfred says, "<oh, a glass ceiling, then?  I know about those."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Weak monsters can't enter the priest's room."
Michel asks (of Gaston), "shall we run?"
Franklin says, "If it's only a hundred feet high, the curvature would be more pronounced."
mus has left.
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Though the priest can enter theirs."
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "4 AMPs? This will last a while, right?"
Michel says (to Franklin), "it might be mostly rock with a thin layer of glass"
[nobilis] Wilfred asks, "Can I send out tape "feelers" to feel for walls?"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Are they penalized if he does?"
Franklin says, "Unless it's a mammoth globe, with a diameter of a hundred miles, and we're near the top."
[whiz-games] Spinster says, "Aha"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "A reduced fighting ability?"
[nobilis] GM says, "you can sustain it as long as you like, and as long as you don't do any other miracles"
[nobilis] Kori says, "arhrm"
[nobilis] Kori asks, "and I can't just tell where the edges are?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "mach 1 running, cool"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Maybe."
[nobilis] Franklin says (to kori), "yes please"
[nobilis] Michel says, "good idea. try it"
[nobilis] GM asks (of Kori), "would you like to do a divination?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Maybe he's on his own if he confronts them."
[nobilis] Kori says, "yes please"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Okay, the ability to run away might come in handy."
[nobilis] GM says (to Kori), "it looks like -- hrm"
[nobilis] Gaston burns 4 AMPs.
[nobilis] GM says (to Kori), "you can feel a fuzzy boundary about a hundred feet above, and another about two hundred feet below"
Gaston dashes off like greased buggery.
[nobilis] Kori asks, "fuzzy?"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "I'm forgetting basic stuff. how many MPs do I have in each category to use?"
[nobilis] GM says, "(it's a boundary, rather than just an edge)"
[nobilis] Kori asks, "and where are the horizontal limits?"
Kori communicates this to the others
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Franklin), "Initially 5, I think."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Oh, I think the House can play cards facedown on its turn."
[nobilis] GM says, "er, rather, it's a boundary rather than an outer edge)"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "for each?"
Michel asks, "below?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Then turn them over to spring traps, possess characters, etc."
[nobilis] GM says, "above that it seems to go up some distance -- you can't see a boundary above"
Michel says, "I reiterate the point that we may want to dig here"
Franklin says, "Mhmm. I was suspecting that, for some reason."
Kori asks, "ever wanted to be pressed into a slide?"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Turn them over on anyone's turn?"
Kori says, "now's your chance"
[nobilis] GM says, "and to the sides, it feels like it goes for miles -- not as far as above, but a good distabnce"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Something like that."
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Can the house leave a card in place for the rest of the game, or are there limits?"
Wilfred says, "Dammit, I worked very hard to not be specimen material."
[nobilis] Kori asks, "any discernible gaps we could go for?"
[nobilis] Franklin might have to do some Aspecty things for the first and last time ever.
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "I keep thinking that the 'gang' has a sort of combined turn."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I should be running a mile every 5 seconds or so."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "So they all move, then all search, etc."
Michel says, "so long as they use an alcohol preservative I shan't worry"
Kori says, "you come already pickled and colored"
Franklin says, "Digging isn't a bad idea."
[Crows-Nest] (from josh_g) GM says (to Gaston), "You fall off of the edge of the turtle."
Michel says (to Kori), "quite"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to josh_g), "Eagh!"
Franklin asks, "Anyone with Aspect to spare want to shovel some earth?"
Michel says, "but you need to use alcohol to wash away the excess pigmentation"
[nobilis] Penny says, "gaston should be making sonic boom noises"
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "So effectively they get to pick which order they act in?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Maybe."
Michel says (to franklin), "hand us the spade"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "In these shoes?"
[nobilis] GM says (to Kori), "it feels, roughly, like you're near the outer edge of a big circle -- there are some gaps in the edge of the circle but they don't feel like they're one-way in exits"
Michel says, "or I could just empty a big hole"
GM says, "meanwhile, Gaston tears off"
Franklin says, "Say, there's an idea."
Michel creates some emptiness in a big pit
[whiz-games] Jota asks, "Will the number of ghosts/cards/whatever that the house gets depend ont he number of investigators?"
GM says, "there is no sound for a moment, and then a BOOM"
[nobilis] Kori asks, "could we make for one of those gaps?"
GM says, "and crystal shards fall from above like snow"
Franklin says, "Ouch."
[nobilis] Wilfred asks, "has anyone tried going back in the restaurant or exploring around it?"
Franklin creates a paper umbrella.
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "The House probably gets bait counters equal to the # of investigators."
Gaston says, "<Hmm, I hope I'm wearing resilient pants today.>"
GM says, "(they're sharpish -- is anyone going to do anything about it?)"
Kori dulls the edges of the ones above her
[nobilis] Franklin says (to Wildfred), "I've been thinking about that."
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "So starts with fewer cards and draws cards more slowly."
[nobilis] Franklin says, "but no one's done it yet"
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of kori), "just above *you*?"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "okay, above everyone but Michel"
Franklin says, "(a thick one)"
Wilfred opens his umbrella
[whiz-games] Jota nods.
GM says, "they tinkle down -- it's not fun to have them fall on you, but it's better than having them be sharp"
GM says, "Franklin and Wilfred deflect the blunt glass with their umbrellas"
Wilfred says, "Always knew this would come in useful one day."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I'm generally probing the boundaries of this region here."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Also working off that paunch."
GM says (to Gaston), "as you run, you catch flashing glimpses of darkness, buildings at odd angles, and, off in the distance, a large complex of buildings"
Michel allows the broken glass to bounce off his skull; live with Rebecca long enough and you get used to it
[nobilis] (from Kori) Franklin says, "I sense there was something evil in the creme brulee"
GM says, "(the odd-angled buildings being mostly solitary or in small groups)"
GM says (to Gaston), "ahead of you is what seems to be the edge -- a tall black wall that curves upwards into the mist and seems to have no breach"
Michel dig dig dig
Gaston approaches the buildings at a cautious 100m/s or so.
GM says, "Meanwhile, Michel digs down"
GM says, "vanishing earth as he goes"
Gaston says, "<I've hit edge.>"
Wilfred releases a length of tangled tape down into the pit alongside Michel.
GM says, "until eventually he reveals a shiny crystal barrier at the bottom of the pit"
Michel says, "<Hey, I hope one of you bastards will help me out once I've - thanks>"
Franklin inspects a couple of crystal shards.
[whiz-games] Whizzard asks, "Ok, what are some ideas for magic items, and how do the investigators win?"
Michel says (to Kori), "<if you cut that tape when I'm halfway up, you will never eat out in Seattle again>"
GM says (to Franklin), "they look somewhat scratched and not all that nice, like cheap crystals"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "meanwhile, back in the chancel, I hopefully have a chainsaw by now"
Franklin says, "Hrrmm."
Gaston inspects the black wall.
GM says, "meanwhile, back in the chancel, Penny is trying to decide what to do"
Wilfred says, "<relax.  No-one cuts the red tape.>"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Health-restoration."
Penny whirr slice chop
Franklin asks (of Michel), "Is the barrier flat down there?"
GM says, "Yajpelapel is working on the branches but isn't really successfully forcing them out of the chancel, just keeping them from coming in more"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Temporary Search/Fight improvement."
Michel says (to Franklin), "looks that way"
GM says, ""Stop .. find source .." he says. "Helllp.""
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Ghost summoning. Monster-paralyzing."
Penny says, "<Vona?>"
Michel says, "although I don't have a representative sample here"
GM says, "Vona, as is so often the case, isn't being communicative"
Penny says, "damn, no response"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Teleportation."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Clue-creation."
Wilfred says, "<personally, I'm finding this fog a little damp.  I'm heading back inside the restaurant.>"
Michel pokes the barrier forcefully with his sabre
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "is there a way through the branches?"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Peek at the house's cards."
[nobilis] Penny says, "what I said on crows"
[nobilis] GM says, "hrm, you could try and wriggle through, maybe -- it wouldn't be fun"
Wilfred turns and marches back inside the restaurant and looks around.
Penny inspects the branches
[nobilis] GM says, "although enough has been cleared away that you can confirm this is the familiar seattle university exit"
[whiz-games] Spinster says, "Player summoning"
Michel says, "<If this is one of those irritating science-fiction type prisons, where we can move in any direction so we just move back in time or something pathetic like this, I am going to have Words with the arbiters of reality>"
GM says (to Michel), "it shatters as you strike it"
Penny says, "looks like seattle is the root of the problem here"
GM says (to Wilfred), "it's a restaurant, yeah"
GM says (to Wilfred), "the waiter is standing by the window, looking out in confusion"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Maybe a weird, shapeshifty thing -- discard this and draw a different item, *or* spend N clues, discard this, and draw two different items."
[nobilis] Raul says, "feed those plants on Starbucks and they go crazy"
GM says (to Wilfred), ""What happened?" he said"
[whiz-games] Spinster says, "Monster scaring."
GM says, "er, says"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "The Fight improvement could be a weapon."
[nobilis] Michel asks, "What's on the other side? Just more earth?"
Penny sends monks to fetch industrial weed-killer
[nobilis] Gaston says, "If this is just a featureless black wall, I'll follow it round a bit to see if it's circular or whatever."
Wilfred asks (of Waiter), "Excuse me.  Is there a back entrance?"
[nobilis] GM says, "sorry, right"
Wilfred says (to Waiter), "This entrance does not appear to be in working order."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Maybe one or two (rare) negative items that you couldn't get rid of, but could pass from one person to another."
GM says (to Gaston), "it is indeed a featureless black wall"
[whiz-games] Spinster says, "Chandelier, pipe, rope..."
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Items that counteract traps."
GM says (to Gaston), "and, tearing around the outside, it looks like it is circular as far as you travel it"
Gaston follows it round, trying out a few sonic booms.
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I have no idea what to do here except keep hacking"
GM says, "The waiter looks over at the kitchen exit. "The kitchen's not there anymore," he says."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "well, like I said, you can probably crawl through the branches if you want"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "(If you have this item, you can spend N clues to keep the house from springing a 'separate you from the group' trap on you.)"
Wilfred asks (of Waiter), "No? Well, what is there?"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "if it's a weed, I'll be able to kick it's ass as soon as I get back"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "or if you just want to get to seattle there are other exits"
GM says, "The waiter walks over and opens the door to the kitchen, revealing another view on the same dark terrain. "Not a kitchen, I'll tell you that much.""
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hee hee."
Michel clambers up out of the pit
[whiz-games] Jota says, "Possibly the players win by killing/exorcising/trapping/etc. all N ghostly agents of the house."
[nobilis] GM says (to Michel), "sorry, 1 sec"
Michel says, "Hmm. Something tells me physical barriers are not the problem here"
Michel says (to Kori), "You still have that sphere>"
Michel asks, "?"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Roughly how wide is this circle, by the way? A few miles, as Kori's divination suggested?"
[whiz-games] Jota says, "(Ghosts being what's actualyl haunting the house, separate from the other, more powerful monsters that the house summons.)"
Wilfred walks out through the kitchen door and sees if he can walk around the building to the front door ... checking out the walls, etc..
[nobilis] GM says, "maybe a bit more than that, but yeah"
Penny leave yaj and the monks to deal with the branches, and heads out into Seattle via a diffrent (hopefully unbranched) exit
Gaston hassles the GM some more, along with all the other players.
Franklin hears a shattering noise and peers down into the pit.
Gaston says, "<Shouldn't take too long to check the entire circumference of this wall.>"
GM says, "Penny climbs through an exit down by the waterfront, and arrives conveniently near Raul and Aisleen's warehouse"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "whoa, lag-burst"
Gaston spends a couple of minutes looking for gaps or non-featureless bits generally.
Michel asks (of Kori), "Now, I don't know much about topology, but every closed surface has an inside and an outside, right?"
Penny says, "<Hey, anyone hear me from here?>"
GM says (to Penny), "there is a weird twisting sensation as you go through the gateway"
Kori says (to Michel), "you'd think."
Michel asks, "Would it be possible for you to reverse that?"
GM says (to Penny), "not the thing that usually happens when you head through"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "see, the GM knows exactly how to make me think 'uh-oh'"
Kori asks (of Michel), "put everything inside, out, and vice-versa?"
Michel says, "Sort of like turning a jumper inside-out, but with the globe, or with this place"
Michel says (to Kori), "pretty much"
Penny checks the exit in mythic from this side
GM says (to Penny), "and then the arrival point isn't usual either -- the water is there, and since it's nighttime it's easy to miss some of the changes, but there should definitely be more buildings here"
Kori says, "that sounds kind of dangerous"
Michel grins
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Wait, pick up some spare clothes for me before you -- damn, too late.>"
Penny says, "wow, seattle, got, um"
GM says (to Penny), "there is no mythic sight here."
Kori says (to Michel), "you really want to have your inwardmost parts splattered-- oh"
Kori looks as though an extremely pleasant thought has just occurred to her
Penny says, "<Whoa.  What happened to this place?>"
Raul says (to Penny), "<What's up now? More plant troubles?>"
GM says, "(and, if it's any consolation, Penny can now be heard clearly by the others)"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Or hey, would my auctoritas protect my clothes while I'm zipping around?"
Michel says (to Kori), "and any time you want to be a hollow, empty shell, just call on me"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Hmm. Let me bust out my copy of Black Morn Manor and make sure we're not too similar here."
[nobilis] GM says, "yes"
GM says, "Meanwhile, Gaston finishes up his circuit of the area"
Penny says, "<well, I assume we're still being invaded back inchancel"
Kori says (to Michel), "I've seen the job you've done on yourself"
Penny says, "<but the plants were coming from here>"
Michel says, "I could do a major creation of emptiness, or we could just date, it'd have the same effect"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "so much for super-streaking"
GM says, "Some miles across, mostly desolate night, scattered buildings, piles of rocks for no good reason, the complex in the center-ish, and a black wall around it all"
GM says, "and fog above"
Gaston says, "<Hmm, these shoes will not be the same, but my clothes are undamaged. Phew.>"
[nobilis] GM says, "well, I'm not going to stop him if he wants to take his pants off"
Michel says, "But seriously, I think we need to do something rather rapidly here"
Kori says (to Michel), "I think I'll try out the internal/external thing before I go with either of those options, thanks."
Penny flies towards wherever the others are
Wilfred says, "<well, what do we know about this place now?>"
Michel says, "it was implied there was an exit or an entrance or something that we need to find, first and foremost"
Gaston asks (of GM), "Where are the others in relation to this complex?"
GM says (to Penny), "Raul's (closer and) by the warehouse, the others are by the restaurant"
Kori says, "there seemed to be gaps in the wall, but I'm not sure how to find them"
Penny heads to the warehouse first, then
GM says (to Gaston), "the complex is roughly in the center; the others are within a half-mile or so of a wall"
Gaston says (to Kori), "<I didn't see any gaps.>"
GM says, "meanwhile, back in the warehouse"
Kori says, "I sensed-- but maybe not."
Kori says, "it was sort of hard to tell"
[nobilis] GM says, "(finally getting back to the patient warehouse people)"
Michel says (to Penny), "<Hey. I just thought of something. Do we have anyone to spare outside? I think the portal to the Vortex Ice Queen Prison might be worth a check-up just at the moment>"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Hmm. Kind of similar, but mostly in theme."
Raul's stunner keeps wandering between Jack and Drake. Jack...Drake...Jack...Drake...choices, choices.
Penny says, "<outside?  outside where?>"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "The mechanics are nice and crappy though."
Penny says, "<WE'RE ALL IN HERE>"
[nobilis] Aisleen can I unfreeze from surprise
Davey stands around like the confused mook he is.
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Yikes, I didn't read the Sunday transcript."
Penny zips in to find the others
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "But it sounds like that episode of Star Trek with the two Kirks."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Well, one of the five or six that were like that."
GM says, "when we left off there, Jack was standing, Drake was lying at his feet, and a dozen or two men are standing around them in a semicircle, starting to advance menacningly"
Raul says, "Penny?" as she enters, but keeps watching Jack and Drake.
Aisleen says, "oh no, drake."
[nobilis] (from Franklin) GM says, "some things are beyond even the powers of the Hollyhock God to prevent"
Franklin says, "Well, it seems as if we might as well go to the complex of buildings Gaston spied."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "argh, lag"
Aisleen asks, "is he ... ok?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard asks, "Is inky running a game right now?"
[whiz-games] Rob says, "yes"
[whiz-games] Rob says, "the big climax"
Michel is starting to get worryingly sober
GM says, "They look up as you guys enter, and Drake takes the opportunity to stagger to his feet, using a crate for support."
Penny lands next to raul, and draws her trusty pistol
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "k"
Raul draws a different stunner. Two targets, two guns.
Davey asks, "well, let's take care of these thugs, shall we?"
Michel fishes around in pockets for some sort of alcohol
GM says, ""It is good to be back in contact with the ground again," he mutters."
Wilfred says (to Franklin), "<sounds good to me.  Here, everyone grab some tape so we don't lose each other.>"
Gaston says (to Wilfred), "Here, let me --"
Davey unlimbers his trusty shotgun
Penny also draws her whip
Raul's eyebrows go up. "Whip?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "next book: With whip and flintlock across America"
Gaston, quietly so as not to distract the warehouse people, grab's Wilfred's tape and drags it out to indicate the direction to the complex.
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "aww, you guys get to be where all the shooting and violence is, we get cruddy glass to fight"
Aisleen asks (of davey), "who is the thug?"
Penny says (to Raul), "new skill I learned"
GM says, "One of the uniformed men says something, and some of them head towards the people who have just entered (ie, you guys), while the others continue on towards Jack & Drake. All of the uniformed people are unholstering their weapons."
Raul says, "Ah, good, this clears up my ethical dilemma."
Raul zap zap zap zap zap
Davey asks, "hi! Could you tell us who you are before we shoot, please?"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Raul), "Yay!"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to davey), "NOPE"
Davey shrugs
GM says, "Raul starts shooting fractionally before the men do"
Wilfred says, "right-o, follow that tape."
Davey says, "BLAM. *chkk* BLAM."
Penny says, "<anyone we don't want to hit?>"
GM says, "and Davey fractionally after"
Raul says, "<WATCH JACK AND DRAKE>"
Penny coils the whip around jack and drake to tie them together
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Wow"
Penny expends some AMPs to fly them up off the floor out of harm's way, too
Raul dives forward, under any pesky bullets, still shooting.
GM says (to Penny), "they're some distance away, still"
Penny says (to Gm), "then I fly forward to try and do that, anyway"
GM says, "(right)"
[nobilis] Davey asks, "anything in this warehouse?"
GM says, "Raul and Penny dive forward"
[nobilis] Raul says, "a whole bunch of whoop-ass, near as I can tell"
[nobilis] GM says (to Davey), "crates, a loading crate, some hand-trucks"
Aisleen shimmers to wind, belatedly
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Wait, how many nobles are in this warehouse?"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I pity for these henchlings."
Davey empties his shotgun and makes ready to shift into something more uncomfortaqble
[nobilis] Raul asks, "do the Feriarum folks still have the spirit protection thing going, by the way?"
GM says, ""I--" Drake starts. "I am Competion's Regal, and here is my power." He stares out at the men surrounding him. "Before you strike me, you will suffer what I have suffered, and then we will meet on equal grounds. Do you still dare?""
Wilfred follows the tape in the direction indicated by Gaston
[nobilis] GM says, "yeah"
[nobilis] Davey says, "We've been keeping it up, but mine isn't going to protect me from light arms."
[nobilis] Raul says, "yow, Drake"
[nobilis] Aisleen says, "as wind i am tagging behind drake"
[nobilis] Davey says, "hopefully I can take them from being Durant though"
GM says, "The men look around, nervously, and take a step or two backwards."
[nobilis] Raul files that under 'Things to Remember About Drake.'
Gaston resists the temptation to pull Wilfred along at 500mph and leap into the air.
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Gaston), "mm, noble kites"
GM says, "One man screams as he does so"
GM says, "The others spin around to see what happens -- and then they scream too"
GM says, "You watching can see them actually pulled back into the shadows and vanishing"
[nobilis] Penny says, "yikes"
Davey says, "brr"
GM says, "There is the brief sensation of teeth and claws and darkness"
Penny says, "<let's all be friends with Drake, please?>"
Davey asks, "they just get sent where Drake was trapped?"
GM says, "and then Drake collapses back down again, and Jack slumps back against the wall"
GM says, "while Davey goes chk-chk-BAM"
GM says, "and the last of the soldiers over by your half of the warehouse drop"
Penny says (to Davey), "I think you can stop firing now"
Davey says, "well then."
GM says, ""Ah, good," says Jack, looking over tiredly. "You're here.""
[nobilis] Gaston says, "The toothy shadow thing would be Jack, presumably."
Raul turns his dive into a forward roll to end standing once more.
Penny lands carefully.
Raul asks, "Okay, I'll admit I'm a little simple, so can one of you fill us in on what's going on?"
GM says, "Drake nods to Raul and Penny. "I don't believe we've met.""
GM says, ""Davey I remember.""
Davey nods
Raul says, "Oh, right. Raul Miera, Marquis of Paths."
GM says, ""These others are in the other chancel," Jack says. "Vona's.""
GM says, ""Ah," Drake says. "Relatives, then.""
Aisleen shimmers back and waves shyly
Raul says, "This is Penny Sutcliffe, Viscontessa of Language."
GM says, ""And Aisleen, there you are.""
Penny curtseys slightly.
Raul belatedly remembers to holster at least one of his stunners.
GM says, "Chaz rolls over on his skateboard, and Gerry manipulates the crates to bring him over."
GM says, ""Right, um," says Jack."
GM says, ""Explanations. Yes.""
[Crows-Nest] (from Franklin) GM says, "but suddenly the universe explodes! [the end]"
GM says, "He turns to look at Drake. "I don't suppose you feel like .. no, I didn't think so.""
Penny carefully puts away the whip, but still holds the pistol casually.
GM says, "Jack adjusts his cloak carefully, takes a deep breath, and looks around again."
GM says, ""This is Jul-Ven-Ti," he says, "popularly known as the Lost Chancel.""
GM says, ""It is also my former chancel, and Jack's, and Bronwynn's.""
GM says, "(er, and Drake's)"
Penny asks, "Bronwynn's?"
Aisleen asks, "these uniforms are from your chancel?"
Penny asks, "I thought she was from the pacific chancel?"
[nobilis] Penny says, "(oh, wait, was that the correction?)"
GM says, ""When our sister Yndelle sacrificed herself to cut off this chancel and trap Ghin-aj inside our imperator was brought to death and we were split off""
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Yeah, Bronwynn is in Pacific, Drake was in Olympus, Jack in Style."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "But maybe they found other chancels."
[nobilis] GM says, "no, he should have said "my and Drake's and Bronwynn's""
[nobilis] Penny says, "aha"
Raul's eyebrows go up again.
GM says (to Aisleen), "no, actually -- those uniforms, I think, were developed by an excrucian shard masquerading as Drake's new brother Rike"
Penny says, "It must have been a relief to be adopted by other chancels, then"
GM says, ""or possibly Amanda. In point of fact, I'm not sure exactly what's going on there.""
GM says (to Penny), ""Well, as the alternative was discorporation -- yes, yes it was.""
Aisleen wants to pull her hair out in confusion
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "heh"
GM says, ""I think--" he sighs"
Raul asks, "Why was your imperator brought to death?"
GM says (to Raul), ""That's an interesting question -- I do not know for sure, but I think that any imperator whose chancel is cut off and its heart removed will be badly hurt, perhaps slain""
GM says, ""Yndelle always did come up with bright ideas.""
GM says, ""But as the alternative was to let Ghin-aj free to rampage over Earth, I can't say she was wrong.""
Penny says, "and the obvious follow-up question:"
GM says, ""Drake and Bronwynn and I set ourselves to watch over the prison here and make sure he did not escape""
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "this warehouse is the lost chancel?"
Penny asks, "why was your imperator attempting to rampage over earth?"
[nobilis] GM says, "this warehouse is in seattle"
[nobilis] Penny says, "this little snow-globe"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Franklin), "Well, that's more believable than it being in Kori's lap."
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Also, are the two burned figures I saw Yndelle and Ghin-Aj, I wonder?"
[nobilis] Raul says, "You can't use mythic vision in Kori's lap? I'm very confused"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Raul), "I've tried it, but -- er, um, nothing."
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "what was he referring to when he said 'this is the lost chancel'?"
[nobilis] Penny says, "on Kori's behalf, *cough*"
GM says, "Jack grins. "What you mean to ask, I think, is what was an excrucian like Ghin-aj doing in our chancel.""
[nobilis] Penny says (to franklin), "this has come up several times"
[nobilis] Penny says, "but I'm still not clear on the details, so"
Penny says, "aha"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to GM), "Yay infodump."
Penny says, "and yes"
GM says, ""And the answer is, I have no idea -- attempting to destroy it, I assume, but how it got in or why our imperator did not notice, I wish I knew""
GM says, ""But, as I was saying, we set ourselves to watch over the chancel here""
[nobilis] Franklin says, "er"
GM says, "Bronwynn went into the ocean nearby to guard"
Penny asks, "so, what happens now? has the lost chancel been opened?"
[nobilis] GM says, ""The Lost Chancel" has been reffed a couple times"
GM says, ""My dear, we are in it now""
Penny says, "yes, but it seems somewhat closed to me"
Raul says, "And here I thought we were in Seattle"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "I know that"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "We have seen a bunch of references to some kind of leader known as 'the silver one' -- which I assumed was Ghin-Aj."
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "what is he specifically referring to as 'this' in this current conversation?"
GM says, ""Imperators had taken the heart, split it into two, and enchanted the halves to disguise them, guard them, and prevent them from being recombined""
[nobilis] buzzard says (to Franklin), "The snow globe world, presumably"
Penny says, "what I mean to say is, 'has ghin-aj been released?'"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "why? is the snow globe sitting here?"
Aisleen asks, "but we have put it together, didn't we?"
[nobilis] Penny says, "you're inside it"
GM says (to Penny), ""If not now, then he soon will be.""
[nobilis] Franklin says, "hrm."
GM says, "Jack frowns. "Yes.""
[nobilis] Franklin says, "everyone is talking at cross-purposes"
GM says, ""If our imperators had a reason for this, I would like to know it soon.""
[nobilis] Penny says, "you are inside this snow-globe"
[nobilis] Penny says, "which is the lost chancel"
[nobilis] Penny says, "and is also seattle"
GM says, ""But things have been confused all along -- I think because there have been two shards at work""
Penny says, "yes, Vona did provide us with *some* information"
Davey says, "they encouraged us, but they didn't explain why we needed to do it."
Raul says, "How did we end up inside the chancel? And Vona has given her usual cryptic hints indicating that this was necessary."
Penny says, "mainly that we were decoys to distract attention from the real aim"
GM says, ""One infiltrated Drake's chancel to strike from the inside -- the other worked with it to try and conquer other chancels and either force a method of recombining cut-off chancels, or to drain their hearts and use them to replace this one's""
Davey asks, "Fake-Rike and Fake-Some Woman?"
Davey asks, "Silver and Bright?"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Who's Fake-Some Woman?"
[nobilis] Davey says, "dunno, thinking out loud"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "I don't remember Bright -- where did she crop up?"
GM says, "Jack frowns. "Maybe. I had thought that perhaps one was Amanda -- but perhaps she is also a masquerading shard.""
[nobilis] GM says (to Gaston), "sunday only"
[nobilis] Davey says, "the army called the female excrucian Bright Lady"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Aha."
Penny says, "hrmm"
[nobilis] GM says, "as one of the two rulers of the chancel that the sunday group explored"
Penny tries to recall details from the secret library
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "Of course it turns out that the PCs are the only nobilis, and every other nobilis is a masquerading shard"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to buzzard), "You think we're all good guys? Muahahaha."
Penny says, "(namely, the known traitors bit)"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to buzzard), "actually, it'll shortly turn out that there are *no* nobilis at all"
Raul also thinks through everything he read in the center of the library.
GM says (to Penny/Raul), "this all seems true enough so far -- there are mentions of Yndelle's sacrifice, and a note "if anything can be done for her in return, it must be""
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred will have you know he is Lawful Evil.
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "actually, this is a D&D campaign and you all have been drugged"
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "timing"
[nobilis] Penny says, "I was thinking more in terms of hints to whom the other chards are"
GM says, "the notes must be referring to a traitor in Olympus, and it seems likely that it's Rike, but they aren't clear on if it's two or one"
[nobilis] Penny says, "er, shards"
[nobilis] GM says, "(but then, Jack seems to be saying that the other shard may just be running around, not impersonating someone)"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "By the way, http://diden.net/nobilis/familia.png is a little out of date, but may still be helpful to anyone trying to make sense of all this."
Raul says, "I'm still not sure how we all ended up inside the lost chancel. I thought I was just headed for waterfront Seattle."
GM says, ""Yes.""
GM says, ""This is what worries me the most.""
Penny says, "Hrm"
Penny asks, "is there anything we can do to prevent Ghin-aj from escaping?"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "let me try again. when he says, 'this is the lost chancel', does he mean, 'seattle is the lost chancel'?"
GM says, ""To bring the entire city forward in time two weeks -- I think it could only be imperator magic. Or Excrucian magic.""
Aisleen . o O (to Raul) ( what proof do we have that jack is telling the truth? )
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Which chancel do you mean, the chancel or the chancel?"
Penny says, "preferably something that doesn't involve a sacrifice along the line of Yndelle's"
[nobilis] Penny says (to franklin), "yes"
GM says, ""I don't know -- if we assume that this is all part of Ghin-aj's plottings, it is all doomed to failure.""
[nobilis] Penny says, "we are all in seattle"
Raul says (to Aisleen), "<Well, Penny and I got a look at some of Vona's books hidden inside our library. A lot of what he's been saying matches up with what Vona had written, about Ghin-Aj and the sacrifice made to trap him.>"
[nobilis] Penny says, "which is the lost chancel"
[nobilis] buzzard says, "He means 'the place where everyone is now'. The nature of Seattle as a city vs. a chancel is intentionally unclear I think"
GM says, ""But if this is, er, Vona and Shagapir at work, then if you keep on doing whatever you're doing it will come out right.""
Penny says, "I hope Vona and Shagapir are aware of the situation"
GM says, ""I very much do too.""
Penny says, "Vona is being uncommunicative again"
GM says, "Jack reaches out a hand to Drake, and helps him to his feet."
GM says, ""There are two shards here -- one must be in the chancel with us now, directing things.""
GM says, ""If he has not freed Ghin-aj yet, he will soon.""
Aisleen . o O (to shagapir) ( um, we can use your input right about now )
Penny asks, "a shard, here with us?"
[Crows-Nest] josh_g asks, "shards are bad nasty things, I take it?"
GM says, ""I would suggest you find your familia and see what you can do to stop him.""
Penny says, "<okay, so, other nobles>"
Aisleen adds the obligatory "O Wise imperator of all imperators" bit to her thought message
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "excrucians : shards :: imperators : nobilis"
Penny says, "<anyone you don't recognise around?>"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to josh_g), "Avatars of the excrucians."
Michel says (to Penny), "<I get the impression that one of us may be suspect>"
GM says, "Drake and I will see to the other."
Penny says, "<oh, *good*>"
[Crows-Nest] josh_g says, "ah, ok"
Penny says, "<that makes life so muchmore damned complicated>"
Davey says, "er, hmm."
GM says, "Drake sighs. "I am still drained. I don't feel entirely -- we'll talk about it later.""
Davey scratches his head
Michel says, "<there's a waiter, but I doubt it's him. he makes too many tips to be an excrucian>"
Aisleen hands Drake a Nutri Grain power bar
Penny says (to Drake,Jack), "I think I shall return to the others of my familia"
GM says (to Aisleen), "There is a quiet voice in your ear. "Do as he says, now -- just don't let them close the--""
Aisleen asks, "close the... what?"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "So if Drake, Jack and Bronwynn are the three ancient nobilis, where's Bronwynn?"
Michel says, "<Not wanting to get paranoid here, but... if there was something we could do in order to categorically ascertain that none of us are shards, I'd feel a lot more secure>"
GM says, "Drake holds Jack's arm, and the two of them head for the warehouse door."
Penny says (to Raul), "<(on a very thin private band) two shards.  Note how the only two nobles we don't know are... in this room>"
Davey sticks his head out the door of the warehouse
GM says (to Davey), "outside it is -- different than when you came in."
Davey says, "hmm"
GM says (to Davey), "it looks like the warehouse has been picked up and put on a different shore, or else all the other buildings have been removed"
Penny follows Jack and Drake discreetly
Davey feels the roads.
GM says (to Davey), "the air is chill and there is a mist above"
GM says, "and the roads are cracked and torn."
Aisleen asks (of wind), "where are we?"
[nobilis] Davey asks, "do roads connect this to the highway system?"
Franklin asks, "Where are we in relation to the others?"
Raul follows as well.
GM says, "Jack turns to look at Penny, and grins. "Even now, shadows cannot hold me.""
[nobilis] Davey asks, "or are we cut off?"
Raul says (to Penny), "<(similar thin band) Interesting point.>"
GM says, "He steps out and the two are gone."
Penny says, "<oh, damn>"
[nobilis] GM says (to Davey), "you can feel them running out for a few miles and that is all"
Davey says, "hrrr"
Wilfred says, "halloooooo...."
Penny heads for the other nobles
Davey says, "we're not attached to the world like normal"
Wilfred is still following Gaston.
Franklin says, "<We must only be a few miles from each other.>"
GM says, "meanwhile, back at the restaurant crew"
Raul says (to GM), "I'll feel for paths into our out of the chancel as well."
[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "no wind?"
Gaston asks (of GM), "Are we all in the same weird misty realm here?"
GM says (to Raul), "you can feel a few paths in, and none out -- it's not clear where Jack was going"
Aisleen shimmers to wind and tries to check out the outdoors
GM says (to Aisleen), "there's a faint breath of wind -- "We are all alone here," it calls. "The chancel Jul-Ven-Ti is all alone.""
Davey says (to Bessie), "<darlin', the world's about to have one of them dramatic moments I told you about... if I don't see you soon, take care of yourself and watch out for the apocalypse.>"
Franklin says, "So as I was saying, we might as well head for the complex Gaston spied. It seems like the logical destination, and yet it also seems extraordinarily foolish as a destination."
Gaston says, "<Follow the red tape road.>"
Franklin says, "But events seem to be moving with their own momentum."
Davey says, "tally ho then. Beats me standing around with my heart in my fuckin' throat."
GM says, "to recap for the warehouse people, the area here is night-time and misty above, with scattered black plains and hills, a few stray buildings, and a complex of buildings in the center"
Franklin follows, making sure people stay together.
Gaston asks, "Are they in a stray building?"
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "oh, whoops, not sure who's present and who's not"
Franklin says (to Raul), "<Can you find your way to us?>"
GM says (to Davey), "<I'm taking care of myself> Bessie says. <After that mixup with the police paperwork and me not going to jail, it's all good.""
[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "we are in the sphere now, too?"
[nobilis] Penny says, "yep"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "It seems to be more of a lozenge than a sphere."
Aisleen asks, "close what? what is it we can't let be closed?"
Raul says (to Franklin), "<Sure thing. We're on our way.>"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks, "There was a mixup in paperwork?  Why was I not informed?"
[nobilis] Michel says, "more of a circle than a -yeah"
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "I was sure she wasn't going to be able to hear me"
Raul asks (of Penny), "I'm headed to the others. Care to join me?"
Aisleen asks, "is there a portal in/out?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Davey), "it's faint and echoey, but it's there"
Penny follows Raul
Raul says (to Aisleen), "I can feel paths in, but not out."
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "pretty sure it was your doing, pal."
Kori has disconnected.
Kori has connected.
Gaston inspects this central complex.
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "but I forget."
Penny angsts briefly about the chancel.
[nobilis] Davey asks, "so, are we converging?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(right, Wilfred took a hand in making sure she was ok)"
Raul asks, "So where was Jack going?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "trying to"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "only favour I remember pulling for you guys was over the question of the bill outlawing bikes."
Penny says, "I have no idea"
Raul says (to Penny), "<(private) I'm really beginning to worry about Jack.>"
GM says, "Raul leads the way for the warehouse bunch, and eventually you meet somewhere in between the warehouse and the restaurant"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "then again, my memory's not too good either."
Penny says (to Raul), "<yes.  and drake, in fact>"
Franklin says, "Ah, here we are."
Michel says, "Evening."
Penny says, "ah, you lot"
Wilfred says, "Good evening."
Raul says (to Penny), "<Hrm. Drake talked about being drained, but wouldn't go into it.>"
Aisleen keeps an ear cocked, listening for any conversation happening anywhere
Franklin says, "Gaston's done a run around the place. There is a complex of buildings somewhere in that direction, and a giant wall all the way around."
Penny says (to Raul), "<mm.  he was rather, um, vicious to those guys back there>"
Penny says, "oh, nice, fenced in"
Penny asks, "any way out at all, so far?"
Michel says, "Big circles tend to have significant epicentres."
Franklin says, "I wonder if we'll have a chancel to go home to went we get back. Assuming any of us survive."
Raul says, "<(to just the PC nobles) Do any of you know anything about a Noble being drained, or -- alternately -- a shard? No talking about this one, it could be important not to be overheard.>"
Michel says, "I advocate heading to the middle."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "s/went/when"
Gaston says, "noIdidn'tseeanygapinthewallthoughadmittedlyIwasmovingwithsomehaste"
Penny says, "incidentally, there's an execucian shard in here with us"
Franklin says, "Oh, swell."
Penny says, "at least one, that is"
Wilfred says, "nice to know."
Michel says (to Penny), "We haven't noticed anyone else, so I'm inclined to suspect... hmm"
Franklin says, "<Drained?>"
Raul says, "I can feel ways in, but not out, unsurprisingly."
Penny says, "also, ghin-aj is probably going to escape"
Michel says, "But Vona tells us we should stop something being closed."
Raul says (to Franklin), "<Drake didn't go into any details. In fact, he talked about feeling drained, and then stopped himself.>"
Franklin says (to Penny), "That's been preordained for some time."
Gaston says, "So, um, this complex."
Penny says, "just thought you should all share in the happy delightful news"
Penny says, "while I go cry"
Michel says, "So I get the feeling she wants him to escape."
Gaston looks it over. Mmm, complicated.
Franklin says (to Gaston), "Let's go."
Gaston says (to Franklin), "<Already there.>"
Penny says (to Michel), "given that he wants to 'rampage all over the world', that seems odd"
Michel says, "That, or excrucians work by some evil excrucian antilogic where you can only enter things that are closed, and so on"
Michel says (to Penny), "maybe she wants to whack him on the head as he comes out, weakened and so forth"
Penny says, "meh"
Michel says, "but that could be a long shot"
Franklin says, "All we need to do is not let them close the something-or-other."
Penny says, "anyway, this is the odl chancel of drake and jack and bronwynn"
Penny says, "er, old"
Michel says, "I mean, she's made it very easy for him to escape so far"
Wilfred says, "Or maybe once he gets out, we could encapsulate the world nicely and neatly in."
Gaston says (to Penny), "<It's a fixer-upper, at the very least.>"
Raul says, "Oh, right, you haven't heard the latest on our friend Ghin-Aj and how he was trapped."
Penny says, "they all found new chancels when one of the other nobles here sacrificed herself to trap ghin-aj"
Davey says, "<so, any ideas about finding a shard? I assume his auctoritas will mess with our regular divinations.>"
Raul relays what he and the others had heard.
Michel says, "she's allowed us to get hold of the components for letting him escape, praised us and told us to keep going when we make advances towards letting him escape..."
Penny says, "I am so not volunteering to follow in her footsteps"
Franklin says, "Oh, I'd do it, if it'd really work."
Raul says, "It would be nice if he could be killed or completely banished, instead of merely trapped."
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Oh, wait -- if you fly up, you may see two strange burned figures.>"
Penny says (to Davey), "<yeah, I suspect so>"
Gaston says (to Penny), "<It occurs to me that they may be trying to get *in*.>"
Wilfred asks, "Hm.  What do Oceans, Competition and Shadows have to do with each other?"
Penny says (to Gaston), "hmmmmm"
Franklin says, "But somehow I doubt he's planned revenge for thousands of years only to fall for the same trap twice in a row."
Penny flies up carefully
Franklin says (to Wilfred), "Hmmm."
Michel asks (of Wilfred), "Smuggling?"
GM says (to Penny), "The mist closes around you. Perhaps a hundred feet up, there is a barrier, which you avoid slamming into only because you're being careful."
Penny flies around a bit looking for these figures
Wilfred says (to Michel), "Ah, there's a thought ..."
GM says (to Penny), "as you pause next to it for a moment, something appears on the other side of the glass -- a man, dressed in army fatigues and with his face crawling with worms"
Penny says, "<EWW>"
GM says (to Penny), "his lips twist into a half-grin"
Penny says, "<I am so glad there is glass between me and this guy>"
Franklin says, "So basically, when we went out to dinner, what we did was bring the restored chancel heart back inside the chancel."
Penny says (to Franklin), "<yep>"
Wilfred exclaims (at Franklin), "Oy gevalt, so much for "keeping it safe and away from danger"!"
Penny watches the man, keeping a hand on her pistol from habit.
Franklin says, "Well, we had the right idea with staying in the Andes, I guess."
Aisleen asks, "who had the sphere?"
GM says (to Penny), "he continues grinning at you as his image fades away"
Franklin says, "We did."
Penny flies around a bit more
GM says, "(or else he's backing away from the other side, perhaps)"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "so what's Gaston getting from his reconnaisance?"
Penny says, "<I think you may be right about the breaking *in*>"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "also, in my mind, we're walking towards the complex"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Hey, I'm moving at superspeed. These things take time."
Davey says, "<can you see anything, like is there a room we're all in?>"
Wilfred says (to Penny), "<what?>"
[nobilis] GM asks, "sorry, I missed the bit there -- Gaston is running towards the complex as everyone else is walking?"
Raul says (to Penny), "<Oh, hell. Let me see if I can feel movement along the paths in, and where those paths are.>"
[nobilis] Raul says (to GM), "(as I said to Penny, when you have a moment)"
Michel asks, "Okay. If this is the chancel, and we've restored the heart, we need to find where the heart's normal location is. There should be some sort of connection between it and the sphere - Raul?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "something like that"
[nobilis] Penny says, "I'm just floating about near the glass, for now"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Yeah, I ran there and played out a line of red tape so the others could find it."
Michel says, "The locus of the heart must have changed at some point from the sphere (where it's obviously not now) to some other place. Odds on that's where the interesting stuff is going on."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Also so that they can drag my violated body back after Cthulhu is finished with it."
Franklin asks, "Is there anything that looks like the University of Seattle around here?"
GM says (to Penny), "this time when you bump up, it's a man in a nice suit, a bloody slash down his sides"
GM says (to Penny), "and mad, mad eyes"
Franklin says, "Because that place seems like ground zero for inexplicable situations."
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Okay."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "because ONE MAD IS NOT ENOUGH"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks, "That's us up there, no?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I just thought that"
GM says (to Franklin), "let's see -- now that you mention it, the complex would be more or less where the university of washington would be were this still seattle"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "Urk"
Raul says (to Michel), "Hang on, I'm checking for movement along the paths into here."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston asks, "Huh?"
Franklin says, "Okay, no surprise there."
Penny tries to work out if these people resemble the familia
[Crows-Nest] Michel asks, "what, we've had a guy in fatigues, a guy in a suit - who were the earlier two?"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Army fatugues guy is Raul.  Man in nice suit, Wilfred."
GM says, "Everyone continues walking towards the complex/university"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hmmm, yeah."
[nobilis] Raul says (to Penny), "The guy in army fatigues -- if it isn't me, describe him to me."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "a woman and a guy... tum tum tum..."
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Michel), "burned people with shining eyes"
[nobilis] Penny does so
[nobilis] Raul asks, "that way I can put another request in the GM's queue -- do *I* recognize him?"
Franklin says, "Whatever freakish growth was going on that was breaking into our chancel is possibly still growing, and is two weeks larger and stronger."
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Reminds me that Michel was supposed to be blown up at one point, and I was set upon by something with claws."
Aisleen asks, "the guy in the army fatigues, it didn't look like the guy that we got from the invasion on olympus and helped us find the tunnel to greece, did it?"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "hmm. okay, doesn't seem specific enough. unless those eyes are Gaston's mirrored ones"
Raul says, "Oh hell. Oh hell."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks (of wilfred), "wait, what?"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hey, and I walked into the burning building."
[Crows-Nest] Michel asks, "and I seem to recall someone else having odd eyes... Penny?"
Raul says (to Penny), "<I know the man you saw. Knew him, I mean.>"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "mine are dark grey"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says (to Franklin), "the cat-lizard thing."
Penny says (to Raul), "<who?>"
GM says (to Gaston), "up close it looks like a university that's taken medieval architecture to the extreme"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "ohh, right. I was reading with a different interpretation"
GM says, "(so for someone from Europe it's not that out of place)"
Penny says, "<are we talking about anchors here?>"
Raul says (to Penny), "<Guy in my platoon. Took most of the mine that removed my legs, and died a couple of hours later. So definitely *not* an anchor.>"
Penny says, "<hrmm>"
Wilfred says, "<but someone close?>"
Raul says (to Penny), "<except in the sense that I expect he's here to drag me down.>"
GM says (to Gaston), "you can see what looks like a tree sprouting in the center, just visible over the walls -- a tree or a maze of thickets, anyway"
Penny waits for the next body
Michel says, "<Fuck... okay, so there are people here who we used to know but are now dead?>"
Penny says, "<people who we owe our lives to, perhaps?>"
Raul says (to Penny), "<or who we failed>"
Michel says, "<Someone who can fly - take me up>"
Penny says, "<right>"
Gaston says (to Raul), "<Oh dear.>"
Michel goes mantis
[nobilis] Raul asks (of GM), "Do I feel anyone moving along the paths into the chancel?"
GM says (to Penny), "there is a long pause, and then Darren's screaming face slams into the glass, bounces off again, and is lost in the mist on the other side"
[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "back to thought eavesdropping. is the thought passing a chancel only thing, or can i/davey hear raul and co  hear this?"
[nobilis] GM says (to Raul), "very faintly and slowly, yeah"
Penny says, "argh"
Gaston says (to GM), "I'll get a bit of a run-up, and hop onto the wall."
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "Darren?"
[nobilis] GM says, "if they want to broadcast to you guys it is ok"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I assume I know him, but hey"
Wilfred shoots some tape upwards, has the end glue itself to the barrier, and uses it to draw him up.  (or attempts to, anyway)
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "cult-of-eternal-darkness-flunkie darren"
Michel clambers on Wilfred's shoulder as he does
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Ohhhh"
[nobilis] Raul says, "I've been assuming I'm broadcasting to all PC-nobles here."
Penny says, "<hm, wait>"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Same here."
[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "PC?"
[nobilis] Alex says (to Aisleen), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that PC is Player Character."
[nobilis] Aisleen says, "ah ha"
Penny says, "<this guy would be someone who tried to kill me"
[nobilis] Aisleen says, "okay"
GM says (to Gaston), "you soar up and land on the wall"
Penny says, "<so unless I failed him by not being a willing sacrifice...>"
Gaston says, "<These could just be mortals who would generally be not displeased to see us dead.>"
GM says (to Gaston), "hulking figures come out of the gatehouses on the ends of the wall to investigate"
Wilfred says (to Penny), "<wait, who?>"
Gaston says, "<Merde!>"
Michel says, "<or, at the lowest end, just dead people we know>"
Penny says (to wilfred), "<remember cult-of-eternal-darkness-heart-sacrifice-guy?>"
Gaston says, "I can always run away. I'll see if they look hostile."
Raul says (to Gaston), "<That doesn't sound good.>"
Penny shudders, then flies down to find the others
Wilfred says (to Penny), "<Oh, him.  Yeah ... I had him play decoy for John and he got himself killed.>"
Aisleen asks (of penny), "you alright?"
Raul says, "<And I almost forgot: there are people or things moving slowly along the paths into this chancel.>"
Michel says, "I need to see this."
Penny says (to Aisleen), "sure, just, um, creeped out"
[nobilis] Michel asks, "how's Wilfred getting up?"
Aisleen says (to penny), "i don't blame you"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "sort of the batman climbing trick"
Penny says (to Raul), "<oh, *now* you tell us, after I've done a sixth sense thing>"
Aisleen asks (of michel), "want me to fly you up?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "the GM has turned the tv screen sideways so he can walk up"
[nobilis] Wilfred says, "I was thinking, shoot tape at barrier, stick tape to barrier, retract tape thus pulling me up."
[nobilis] Michel says, "hmm, if wilfred's managing it i'll be okay"
GM says (to Gaston), "they grumble and stumble towards you -- it's hard to pick out in the darkness, but it looks like they've got genuine antique crossbows"
[nobilis] Michel says, "if not, a lift with Aisleen would be much appreciated"
[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "hee hee"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Michel), "It's all in the Laws of Dramatic Necessity -- section 7b, subsection 42, paragraph iii."
GM says, "Wilfred and Michel head up"
Franklin mutters, "Yes, this is a good time for us all to split off in crazy separate directions. Good idea."
GM says (to Michel), "the man in the fancy suit appears again, touches the wound in his side, waves his hand, and pushes off again"
Michel says, "hmm. nobody I recognise"
Raul says (to Franklin), "We can stay here and wait for everyone else to get in trouble, at which point we can gloat and say 'we told you so.'"
Gaston says, "<By the way, I may be involved in a battle in the near future.>"
Franklin says (to Raul), "Sounds good."
Raul says (to Gaston), "<Do you need help?>"
[nobilis] Wilfred says, "Oh, the burned man and woman ... the butler and maid from Devereaux's place."
Gaston says (to Raul), "<Not yet.>"
GM says (to Michel), "a short time later, a young woman appears -- she's dressed in skimpy clothing and seems to be posing intently, as her brow is furrowed and her arms tremble to hold her impossibly-stretched position"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "ooh."
[nobilis] Raul says (to Wilfred), "good call"
Gaston says (to GM), "<HMMMMM>"
[nobilis] Raul says, "And there is one of the missing models"
Michel beams that image to Gaston
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Wilfred), "Bingo!"
[nobilis] Penny says, "sigh"
Kori has disconnected.
Kori has connected.
[nobilis] Franklin says, "hm."
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "arr, my connect keeps folding up like a wet paper bag"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "some people got killed on our Florida expedition, way back"
Wilfred says, "<I do believe this is a Guilt Trip."
[nobilis] Penny asks, "does it seem to anyone else like we have had a high body count in the short time we've been nobles, all of a sudden?"
[nobilis] Michel says, "have seen no policemen yet"
Penny says (to Wilfred), "<indeed>"
[nobilis] Aisleen says, "our chancel sent a lot to the hospital"
Gaston scans the maze carefully, while also preparing to dodge the hell out of the way of any crossbow bolts.
GM says (to Gaston), "the crossbows are being pointed in your general direction. one of them shouts something -- it's, curiously, not a language you understand."
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Er -- help!>"
GM says, "from here, you can see the thing in the middle is a twisted tower of thorns"
Gaston repeats what was said to Penny.
Penny zips towards Gaston, but asks him to recite what they've said..
GM says, "like a blackberry hedge but going straight up the height of a building"
Davey marches on doggedly
Michel preserves emptiness just beneath himself, and sits cross-legged just under the glass
Franklin limps on like an old soldier.
Wilfred asks (of Michel), "Well?  Are we feeling guilty yet?"
[nobilis] Penny says, "and I do a divination to find out what language and what was said"
Michel says, "<Okay, something going on down there?>"
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Davey), "you could, you know, provide some better transportation"
[nobilis] GM says (to Penny), ""declare yourself, intruder!""
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "oh, I like walking"
Gaston puts his hands up, hopefully.
Michel says (to Wilfred), "...until I actually feel moral culpability, nah"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "don't mind me"
Wilfred says (to Michel), "Good man."
Penny says (to Gaston), "<'declare yourself, intruder', I believe>"
Gaston says (to Penny), "<How do I say 'friend!'>"
Penny also divines how to say 'friend' and passes that on to gaston
Wilfred says (to Michel), "I'm heading back down."
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Uh, and maybe 'I bear important news from the Master!'>"
[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "why not "Savior!""
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "hah"
Davey says, "are we all goin' to that tower? I can jeep up. Give us a machine gun, too."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "c'mon, he's a scruffy artist"
GM says, "They advance closer to Gaston. One of them gets right up next to Gaston and snuffles at him, while the others stand back with their crossbows"
Michel says (to Wilfred), "good with me. I'll come down too"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "they won't believe him"
Penny translates for gaston back and forth
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Also, if you're having me insult their mothers' chastity as a joke, I'll not be amused.>"
Franklin says, "Make it WW2-era and we'll be in business."
Gaston repeats what Penny tells him to say.
Penny says (to Gaston), "<I'd be tempted if I weren't so creeped out by this place>"
Davey says, "I'll do what I can."
Gaston asks (of GM), "Wait, are they on the walls too?"
Wilfred plays out tape and lets them back down to the ground.
Michel strides in the general direction of the tower
Gaston says (to GM), "I thought they were in the maze."
GM says (to Gaston), "right, they're broad castle-style walls"
Gaston says, "Aha."
Davey morphs into something as old-school as possible without predating the Interstate Act
GM says, "the 'maze' is a maze of thorns -- ie, a bush"
Raul gets in.
Gaston says (to GM), "Okay."
[nobilis] Franklin says, "hm, that's eisenhower-era"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks, "Wait, who's where now?"
[nobilis] GM says, "and how"
Davey says, "all aboard"
Franklin climbs in.
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I'm talking to these guard dudes in the central complex."
Franklin says, "Ahhh."
Michel hops into the jeep
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I believe Gaston is on the wall of the complex, Penny is flying towards him, and everyone else is getting into the Davey-tank and heading for the complex"
Davey says, "brum."
Franklin saves his strength, figuring he'll need it.
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Which seems to be high walls surrounding a weird thorn hedge thing."
[nobilis] Wilfred says, "How about an Amish horse-and-buggy?  They were around then."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "tank or jeep?"
GM says, "The guards add something else, which Penny helpfully translates as "he is funny-looking and probably useless""
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Gaston), "I'd say it's likely to be chancel heart territory"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "snrk"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "heh"
Gaston says, "<So, um, are we attacking or defending this thorny thing?>"
Aisleen says, "doesn't seem smart to be going to wherever the chancel heart should go to"
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "I meant a jeep, I don't know how many people fit in a tank"
Wilfred joins everyone....
Raul can't stop thinking about the dead people over his head.
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "maybe that's literally how you translate 'frenchman' in excrucian"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Ha!"
[Crows-Nest] Raul laughs.
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "hee hee hee"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "actually, I dunno which language this is"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I did divine it, but..."
Raul says, "You know, in a lot of ways, becoming a Noble was the best thing that could have happened to me."
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "I'm sure tat's what all the shards ssay"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "oooh heh"
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "(Raul's comment, I mean)"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin becomes paranoid of EVERYONE
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Penny), "it's very, very old and not even related to anything that's spoken now -- it must have branched off a long time ago"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "hmm"
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "I'm in so far over my head I wish I had the brains of a jeep too."
Raul says, "I mean, there wasn't much I was doing with my life. Nothing useful, anyway."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "does the counting system go 'eeny, meeny, miney, mo?'"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to GM), "Pig Latin, then."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I think that counts as related"
Gaston says, "<I am still trying to decide whether or not to liquidate these guards.>"
GM says, "The guard seem to be trying to decide the same thing about Gaston."
Franklin watches the skies in case evil decides to rain down from overhead.
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "also, I idle so just assume I am still in flight and translating for gaston"
Gaston says, "<Luckily I am thinking at mach 1 and they are thinking at roughly the speed of a snail.>"
GM says, "One of them shrugs, and says something to his buddy. ("Perhaps we can eat him.")"
Franklin says (to Gaston), "<Maybe don't start anything we're not quite prepared to finish.>"
GM says, "They take a step forward with the crossbow, and indicate you should walk into one of the guardhouses on the wall"
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Okay, let's try -- 'the Master requires a status report immediately!'>"
Gaston gets translation, says this.
Wilfred says (to Gaston&Penny), "<here, let's see if I can't divine some sort of Proper Procedure here.>"
GM says, ""Gor org prok knor zork," says Gaston"
Gaston says (to Wilfred), "Good thought."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "'What was so fun about Zork, anyway?'"
GM says, "The guards look at each other, and say something. ("What 'Master' is the funny-looking-one talking about?")"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "'the scientologist division to which Al Gore belongs requires Knorr brand pig soup and an early IF game'"
GM says, "They urge you on again with the crossbows."
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, ""perhaps we should kill him for the last lousy point""
Wilfred divines entrance and identification procedure
Raul closes his eyes for a while. "Wake me when we get there."
Gaston repeats-after-asking-Penny, "You are not the duly assigned guards, of the owner of this place?"
Michel hunkers down in the jeep, smoking feverishly
GM says (to Wilfred), "your bureaucracy-sense tells that there doesn't seem to be anyone in charge here -- this is some kind of random tribal society that doesn't seem to do anything except live in this castle and fight off neighboring tribes that come to take it"
GM says (to Wilfred), "sometimes they throw people into the brambles"
GM says (to Wilfred), "and this pleases the gods"
Gaston says, "<Hooookay, looks like I took the wrong approach.>"
[nobilis] Michel says, "sounds like ass-kicking time"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Woo yay and I was here first."
[nobilis] Michel says, "or demonstrating that you are a god, either way"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "hm, that's good"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "better than a centrally organized army"
Penny says, "<hm, a thought>"
[nobilis] Raul says (to Michel), "better get Davey to drive faster so you don't miss this bit of whoop-ass"
Wilfred says, "<I think this is some sort of tribal anarchy here.  About as much bureaucratic procedure as a mushroom.>"
Penny says, "<perhaps this entire thing is actually just to... hmm>"
[nobilis] Michel says (to Davey), "Drive faster. I don't think there are going to be many more toe-to-toe brawls and I'm sure as hell not missing this one"
Gaston repeats after translation, "THE MASTER IS ANGRY"
Penny says, "<I shall withhold speculation, I think, for now>"
Franklin holds onto his hat as Davey bumps along.
GM says, "Davey chugs across the landscape"
Davey bumps over the broken road with more urgency and jouncing
Gaston says, "Okay, ass-kicking time."
Raul says, "Been a while since I was in a jeep."
Franklin inexplicably smiles, finding it all somewhat bracing for some reason.
Penny wonders how much further it is to where Gaston is
Michel says, "wow, the shocks on this are almost as bad as the ones on my bike"
GM says, "The guards shrug. "Perhaps we take him down there," one says."
Gaston grabs all the crossbows in about an eighth of a second.
GM says, "Several seconds later, they notice."
GM says, "(Meanwhile, Penny arrives at the castle, and the others have it in sight)"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I have an Idea"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "Flash! ahhhhhhh"
Gaston says, "Also, the biggest guard who it looks like I could manage to pick up is getting thrown into the brambles."
GM says, ""Rarr!" they say, needing no translation"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "differnt Flash, but hey"
GM says (to Gaston), "it's not reachable from here -- it's in the middle of the castle"
GM says (to Gaston), "but you can chuck him off the wall"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to GM), "okay, that *has* to be the quote for the session"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "eeagh Gaston in his underwear, mind you"
Gaston says, "Okay, I'll just throw him outside."
GM says, "they grab for Gaston, very slowly, except one, who falls"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I should burn 4 AMPs more often. This is like the Matrix."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I was just about to add it to the nobilis quotebook"
[nobilis] Raul says, "until you need to use your reflection powers"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "do so"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Raul), "NEVER"
[Crows-Nest] Davey asks, "where is the quotebook?"
Penny lands in the midst of the guards to confuse them even more.
[Crows-Nest] Alex says (to Davey), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that qb is quotebook."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "quote nobilis"
[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "thanks"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Somehow I expect that's a translation of 'My goodness, what just happened? I am most put out.'"
GM says, "The guards look around. "More of them! What's going on?""
Gaston, in bullet-time, rearranges some of the guards into compromising positions.
GM says, "They hastily put their pants back on."
Gaston says, "<Hmm, if only I had some very quick-drying watercolours...>"
GM says, "while staggering back into the guardhouses"
Michel says, "<man, I hope we get there in time to prevent an orgy>"
GM says, "and finally Davey arrives"
Raul says (to Gaston), "<Now is not the time to give them literal blue balls.>"
GM says, "everyone piles out by the castle gate, which, annoyingly, is shut"
Aisleen sails out of the car
Penny says, "mm, I think you guys missed the fun"
Michel asks, "Anyone fancy knocking this down?"
Gaston says (to Wilfred), "If you throw up a rope, I'll tie it to something."
Aisleen says (to davey), "turn in to a big tank thingy to knock down the gate"
Gaston says, "Or Penny could fly you up."
Michel says, "I like Aisleen's solution."
Franklin clambers out and finds his land legs.
Davey says, "okay, pile out, I'll shift"
Aisleen says, "enter with a bang, you know"
Gaston says (to Michel), "Pfeh, violence."
Michel piles
Wilfred says (to Gaston), "be my guest."
Raul gets out quietly.
Wilfred hands Gaston the end of a reel of tape.
Davey gets bigger and heavier and more modern.
Gaston says (to Wilfred), "...I suspect this might be redundant."
Davey clanks for the gate.
Wilfred shakes his head at everyone and looks for a bell pull.
GM says, "rrrrr"
Penny flies up anyway
Gaston dashes round to a section of wall not directly above the gate.
Wilfred will just knock if there is no bell.
Davey says, "<uh, if you got another plan, say so.>"
GM says (to Wilfred), "it's a big gate with no bell"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Wilfred), "newb"
GM says (to Wilfred), "and no answer to the knock"
Wilfred knocks on the gate like a civilised individual.
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "then a tank runs over hi,"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "er, him"
Davey slows down.
Gaston says, "<There's probably a lever or something for the gate around here, but be my guest to knock it down instead.>"
Aisleen says (to wilfred), "move and let the man do his job"
Wilfred shrugs and slips a calling card under the gate.  "Okay, I think we can break in now."
Gaston searches the guardhouse for a gate control, in fact.
Penny inspects the thorny bush thing
Davey says, "<I could just fire a warning shell>"
Michel says, "oh break the door down already"
Davey backs up for momentum
Davey clanks forward.
Wilfred steps out of the way.
[whiz-games] Whizzard asks, "Anyone awake?"
[whiz-games] Dan_Wood says, "No."
GM says (to Penny), "as you get closer, you see the top of the branches seem to stretch into the fog and vanish"
GM says (to Penny), "and that they're swaying and twisting"
Penny says, "oh, good. branches.  I wonder if they lead into OUR CHANCEL"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I love how we all get confused when there's plot and intrigue and stuff, but where there are dumb guards to beat up and gates to crash we all leap in enthusiastically."
Aisleen says, "let's cut it off at the source"
[whiz-games] Jearl asks, "zzz huh?"
GM says, "Davey slams towards, into, and through the door"
Penny carefully flies up, keeping out of reach of the branches
Franklin shouts, "Ready or not, here we come!"
Michel charges in after
Aisleen flies behind davey
Aisleen shimmers in to wind as she does so, in case
Franklin asks, "Hmm, what's so special about our chancel that the tree is growing from here into it? What's Vona got stashed there?"
GM says, "there are scattered guard-like people around the courtyard -- maybe a few dozen"
Raul runs after Davey.
Wilfred asks (of Franklin), "the wisdom of ages?"
GM says, "they look up in surprise from their cooking fires"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "guards, meet MANY NOBLES"
Franklin says, "I'm thinking Vona wanted the giant there to protect something secret of hers, not for our safety. Which sounds really obvious in retrospect, I guess."
Wilfred says (to guard-like_people), "Oh, pardon us."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "guards, wave goodbye and join the masses on the OTHER SIDE OF THE GLASS"
Franklin wanders in last.
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "because we need a LARGER pile of dead bodies to our credit"
GM says, "some of them yell and grab up weapons -- curved swords and clubs"
Gaston says, "<Hey, should we be attempting to climb these thorns? Or maybe to burn them down?>"
Penny says (to franklin), "<currently, the giant is hacking at branches.  I hope>"
GM says, "others run and hide"
Penny says (to Gaston), "<I am flying up to see where they lead>"
Penny says, "<so, does this place look like the seattle library to you, anyone?>"
[nobilis] Raul says (to GM), "What I'd like to do is change the vines' path so they are now growing back towards its roots, if that's possible"
GM says (to Penny), "they fade out into the mist"
Davey rotates his barrel around the courtyard a bit.
Penny flies back down.
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "I think I've got art for the characters."
GM says, "the guards pause as they see Davey and are clearly trying ot figure out what the hell he is"
Michel sprouts extra arms, jumps up on top of the tank, and hauls out various weapons with a maniacal howl
GM says, "as Raul concentrates, the branches groan and curl down"
Wilfred has disconnected.
Wilfred has connected.
[whiz-games] Jearl asks, "for the mystery game you were talking about earlier?"
Aisleen flies out of the way of the branches
GM says, "length after length bends as the pillar turns into an inverted U"
[whiz-games] schep asks, "Already? How do you do it?"
[nobilis] Franklin says (to Raul), "dude"
GM says, "the guard creatures shout -- the ones that weren't running already are running and hiding now"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "you didn't tell us you could do that"
[nobilis] Raul says (to Franklin), "I wasn't sure I could."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "meanwhile, Jack and Drake have released Ghin-ah.  The end."
GM says, "and then the vines start forcing their way into the ground"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I keep making that joke, but it keeps being funny to me"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Google image search,"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "And he re-establishes the universe so that his cat is the supreme deity."
[Crows-Nest] Aisleen asks, "can't we stop it from growing?"
GM says, "which cracks and writhes itself"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "And yeah, The House."
[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "er ilac"
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "(oh wait, that's ghira)"
[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "can't we stop it from growing?"
Gaston asks (of Wilfred), "I have an idea -- can you give me another nice long stretch of red tape?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to franklin), "well, wehave one session and the rest of this to RESOLVE ALL THIS"
Wilfred says (to Gaston), "Sure ... lots more where that came from."
Wilfred asks (of Gaston), "what are you attempting?"
Wilfred passes some tape over.
Franklin asks (of GM), "Does this courtyard have exits leading anywhere?"
Gaston says, "We can wrap it around this thing, and pull it out of the earth."
GM says (to Franklin), "yeah, it has other gates on other sides similar to the ones you came in"
Franklin says, "Hrm."
Wilfred says (to Gaston), "Tie it up in red tape?  That's my specialty, rather."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "if it doesn't end with a 'suddenly, you lose', I will be amazed"
Raul says, "What I'm doing is probably just a stopgap measure"
GM says (to Franklin), "there are what look like ruined buildings near some of the walls, but basically the outer walls encompass a big open courtyard"
Franklin waits for Michel to shoot everybody, or whatever he intends.
Raul says, "unless it drives through to the center of the chancel and rips the whole thing apart."
Aisleen asks, "can davey as a crane pull it out of the ground?"
Davey says, "<Penny, now that we've got all these guys crappin' their pants, maybe you can talk to one about this shard? Or Ghin-Aj even?>"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "how big is big?"
Michel says (to Franklin), "<I'm waiting for them to panic and run away, or rush me>"
Aisleen says, "i mean, we do have a man who can change in to trucks and stuff"
Gaston says (to Davey), "<They didn't seem very bright, or to know anything about any leader.>"
Penny flies into the guardhouse, drags out a guard and starts questioning him, anyway.
[whiz-games] Spinster says, "cool."
[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "it's maybe a quarter the size of a large university campus, -- so pretty big"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "aha"
Gaston says (to Aisleen), "On second thoughts, that might take an awful lot of power."
Michel switches to mantis head, as well
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "is the tree thing in the middle of the courtyard?"
Wilfred throws red tape around the branches.
[nobilis] GM says, "right"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "okay"
GM says, "Penny asks a guard what the hell's up"
Davey says, "<heck, though, if we get that desperate, maybe I could just pave the whole area.>"
Wilfred says (to Davey), "<Do you have a construction license?>"
GM says, ""The Thorns," he says, "They're turning!""
Aisleen . o O (to davey) ( i like that idea )
[Crows-Nest] Franklin stands around wishing that paper would somehow come in handy.
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "You could give it a nasty paper cut."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "perhaps a giant post-it note"
Penny says, "<hrm.  Anyone want to see if there was anything concealed in the centre of those thorns?>"
Raul says, "Oh, great. Never mind killing them, I'm ripping giant holes in their cosmology."
[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Or turn it into paper-mill pulp."
Davey says, "<call me crazy though--this place reminds me of the Big Tree. I don't wanna deswtroy it without understanding it a little better.>"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I was practicing on slicing trees down, but they were kind of birch sized"
Gaston says (to Davey), "<*The* big tree?>"
Penny asks the guard about the gods
Aisleen . o O (to Davey) ( the big tree, like the tree of life in viking mythology? )
GM says, "Somebody wraps tape around the big U"
Davey says (to Gaston), "<yeah, a little.>"
Penny says (to Gaston), "<yggdrasil>"
Franklin says, "<A similar thought ran through my mind a little while ago.>"
Michel gets bored with the dervish act, and has a cigarette instead
Wilfred asks, "<so, we *don't* want to uproot this?"
GM says (to Penny), ""To please the gods we stick sacrifices in its roots -- the bush is calm and the sacrifices do not return""
Franklin says, "Ohhh."
Gaston says (to Wilfred), "I'm very unclear on what we do want."
Penny says, "<mm, check the roots of the tree, someone>"
Franklin says (to Raul), "<Yes, I think we want to look in there.>"
Penny says, "<I hear we may have 'sacrifices'>"
Gaston does what Penny says.
Penny asks (of Guard), "and, do you know who these gods are?"
GM says, ""The gods hate us and must be bribed with sacrifice else they destroy us all""
[nobilis] Michel asks, "Is this a specific sort of bramble?"
GM says (to Gaston), "hrm -- it's hard to tell. There may be space down there."
Penny asks (of Guard), "how do you know his?"
Penny says, "er, this"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Good question."
Franklin asks, "Hmm, where do they get these sacrifices from?"
Davey says, "<what gods?>"
[nobilis] Michel says, "I should be vaguely capable of knowing species of weed and stuff"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "I'll say"
[nobilis] Raul says (to Michel), "I doubt this is *that* kind of weed."
[nobilis] GM says, "I don't know enough about brambles to tell you, I am afraid -- it has long, thorn-covered branches and is quite tangled"
Penny says (to davey), "I'm guessing ghin-aj"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Raul), "Best to be sure of that before we set it alight, though."
[nobilis] GM says (to Raul), "well, the monks tried to smoke it before and that didn't help"
Aisleen flies through the branches and hovers over the roots and tries to see if there is space between the ground and the tree
Wilfred says (to Peny), "why not just tell them that we *are* the gods and we're getting annoyed at having people chucked into our living room?>"
[nobilis] Michel says (to GM), "hmm. so not a Flower sort of plant, then"
[nobilis] GM says, "right"
Penny says (to Wilfred), "because I want to know if they've ever *seen* these gods first"
Michel says, "hmm."
Michel walks through the arch
[nobilis] Raul says (to GM), "unless Yaj is right now on the floor of the chancel giggling and wondering if the Chee-toh tanker trucks deliver to chancels."
GM says (to Penny), "The guard shrugs. "This is how we live.""
Gaston says (to GM), "Optimist."
Penny says (to Guard), "have you ever seen these gods>"
GM says (to Penny), ""I am told before I was born this did not happen, and the gods rained down smoke and ice across the land""
Gaston says, "<Oh, wait -- sacrifices! Doesn't it take 100 sacrifices to establish a chancel?>"
Penny says (to Gaston), "mais oui"
GM says (to Aisleen), "the tree continues to stretch more as the top part burrows into it -- it looks like there's a gap underneat the tree"
Raul says (to Penny), "Also see if the, uh, thorns have always grown like they have been recently."
Michel says, "<hoo boy>"
Aisleen peers closer at the gap without actually getting inside
Penny asks (of guard), "has the tree always looked like it did just before it turned?"
Michel says, "<Also, look for any remains of these sacrifices.>"
GM says, ""So far as I remember," the guard says. "But it has been growing taller these past few weeks.""
GM says (to Aisleen), "just darkness, and whistling wind"
Penny says, "<it's been taller in the past few weeks, I gather>"
Penny says (to guard), "hm.  you may go rejoin your comrades."
GM says, "The guard stumbles away gratefully."
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Hmm, what kind of divination might help us find bodies?"
Aisleen asks (of wind), "what is in here, o friend?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "if Chaz were here, he could smell them out"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Ew."
[nobilis] Davey asks, "are we toting his plucky little body?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "well, he could."
GM says, ""Rot .. dust .. decay .. fire and bright metal""
[nobilis] Davey says, "Gaston can smell well now"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "he was at the warehouse, wasn't he?"
[nobilis] Michel asks, "so, hmm, nothing happens if I walk through the arch?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "true, he is Aspect Man"
[nobilis] GM says, "Chaz is tagging along, yeah"
Aisleen . o O ( rot, dust, decay, fire and bright metal )
[nobilis] Raul says, "I could do as well, since I'm aspect 3. Lemme come over and take a look."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Oh, I'm high-Aspect in every aspect? I thought I just god speed."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Er, got."
[nobilis] GM says, "(Gaston's aspect boost only applies to his running, but Chaz is still sustaining his smelling)"
Franklin says, "Fire and bright metal? Hmmm."
Aisleen . o O ( there is something down here )
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Ah, fine."
Aisleen . o O ( if someone can make sure the tree doesn't collapse and trap me down here, i want to go in )
Franklin asks, "Can anyone plough us a space down in there?"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "plugh, Y2"
Michel does his emptiness-digging thing
Raul says (to Aisleen), "<I'll keep the tree growing out and away.>"
Aisleen flies (still as wind) in to the gap
GM says, "Michel rips away some of the dirt beneath the tree"
[nobilis] Raul says (to GM), "I do what I can with the branches to keep them out of peoples' way."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "and I will make paper hats for everyone to wear"
GM says, "This seems to be the last boost it needed -- with a creak, the bush bends and rips out of the earth -- the top is now rooted in the ground and the roots dangle free in the air"
Davey says, "<I can be any earth-mover you need, just let me know.>"
Gaston picks up a discarded sword and hacks away at any thorns which venture near.
GM says, "and in the gap below where the roots where a hole leads down"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"
Davey says, "<oh, dear.>"
Franklin says, "Great scott."
Michel says, "hoo joy"
Franklin says, "Well, I'm game."
Michel says, "well, I'm all up for investigating."
Wilfred asks, "<I think we have literally turned someone's world upside-down.?"
Raul says, "Look, it has everything but a large neon sign saying GO HERE"
Wilfred says, ">"
GM says, "(as big as the area the branch left, so fairly large)"
Michel trots towards the pit
Franklin says, "Just remember, don't close the --- dot dot dot."
Michel says, "Hmm."
Franklin asks, "Do we need a light down there?"
Michel asks, "Kori, could you do a preservation of edges on this?"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Google image search is probably the greatest thing ever, prototype-wise."
[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "am i already inside?"
[nobilis] GM says, "(Kori seems to be idle, but we will assume that is a yes)"
[nobilis] GM says (to Aisleen), "sure"
Franklin asks (of Davey), "Headlights?"
GM says, "Aisleen heads down and in"
Gaston heads in also.
Raul goes in after Aisleen, walking down the sides of the hole.
Michel says, "I'm carrying a big-ass searchlight."
Michel wanders into the pit
Franklin says, "Oh, okay."
Wilfred ties an end of tape to the tree and descends.  "we might need to follow the tape back."
Gaston says (to Wilfred), "Good thought."
GM says, "it drops some distance and then bends sideways -- it's a bit of a scramble but with the tape you're ok"
Aisleen looks at the sides of the wall
GM says, "(or if you're Raul, you're ok)"
Gaston says, "<Someone's staying outside, I hope -- Penny?>"
GM says (to Aisleen), "earth"
Michel has to use two hands for the searchlight, but maintains two weapons pointing about
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Hmm. I need to decide whether I'm going for a bloodier game or a sillier game."
Davey shifts into a sassy yellow number with a backhoe and bright headlights.
GM says (to Aisleen), "tinged with red soil as you descend"
[nobilis] GM says (to Davey), "hee hee"
Michel says (to Gaston), "<and Kori, I think>"
Penny says (to Gaston), "<no, I *always* get left behind>"
Penny flies down.
Gaston says, "<Kori, then.>"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "hm, how easy would it be for franklin to walk here? or is davey something rideable?"
[nobilis] Aisleen says, "chaz on remote too"
Davey says, "there's room in the cab"
Franklin climbs in again.
Franklin wears a seatbelt, if there is one.
[nobilis] GM says, "I'll say other sunday folks hang out upstairs, so Kori can be along if she unidles"
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Franklin), "hee hee"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "On the one side I could make 'dying' send the character back to the start with no items, in which case the House is basically trying to stall them for a number of turns. On the other hand I could make 'dying' actual death, or it could even turn the investigator into a monster."
GM says, "a curious mixture of smells hits you as you continue down the tunnel"
GM says, "on the one hand, rot and dust"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "this is like transformers: the next generation"
Aisleen takes  a sample of red earth as she descends
Michel says, "mmmm.... dust"
GM says, "but then also the scent of something burning"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "In which case they'd either be removed from the game or start helping the House."
GM says, "and, as you continue, the clash-clash of metal striking metal"
Gaston resists the temptation to zip on ahead.
Wilfred thinks about mineral rights and mining permits.
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "Then the House's goal would be to kill or recruit all the investigators."
GM says, "until finally you emerge into an open chamber"
Penny flies slowly, with whip and pistol in hand
[whiz-games] Jearl says, "ooh."
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "oh great, we all die to make way for the new line of nobilis toys"
GM says, "it looks like an abandoned library"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hee hee."
Aisleen asks, "clang of metal in a library?"
Franklin says, "Yawp."
Gaston says, "<Books!>"
Michel says, "....oh shit"
Raul says, "well, fuck me."
[nobilis] Davey says, "it's our bleak future"
Penny says, "hmm"
GM says, "a fire burns across a pile of shelves and books"
GM says, "while another pile of books rots sadly on the table"
Penny flies around cautiously
[nobilis] Davey says, "Octavo. Ya chancel.. It's on *fiya.*"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "In most cases, I dislike designs that remove players from the game early."
GM says, "and from the shadows the clash of metal"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "hee hee"
Michel aims searchlight at the shadows
Gaston asks, "Does this look like Octavo, in fact?"
[nobilis] Raul laughs.
Penny says, "<you know, if our landlord were here, he'd say 'MY PAPERS!'>"
[whiz-games] Whizzard says, "So reset or recruit seem like the two likely choices."
GM says (to Michel), "something glints"
Michel heads that way
GM says (to Michel), "there is a swish"
Raul scans the area, senses as heightened as possible given aspect