[nobilis] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Franklin arrives, looking for booty.

Tyoka has been using off-time to learn all sorts of stuff from the circus artists.

Tyoka has disconnected.

Tyoka has connected.

Tyoka walks the plank to adventure. Arr!

Tyoka arrives, looking for booty.

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "sigh"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "this already starts reeeally well"

Tyoka has been using off-time to learn all sorts of stuff from the circus artists.

GM says, "as we recall, last time our heroes recovered things from the Atocha, found some living ink, and Davey set up a biker gang"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "I'm afraid you'll have to expect frequent pauses and/or disconnects from me"

GM says, "it's now perhaps two weeks later"

Davey threw a party for his brother, 'Beardog' and has been sleeping for a few days. He has strange new tattoos.

Alison played Wack-A-Mole. She's getting pretty good at it, so long as she's not distracted.

[nobilis] Chaz says, "I think I spend the week (2 weeks? Is this happening in real time?) actually anchoring a couple people, learning some of the chancel magic (esp. any that would help with skateboarding), borrowing Stella's book to memorize it, and watching cartoons with Alison, and wondering what it would take to make a cartoon character sentient enough to be an anchor."

Tyoka juggles flaming clubs.

Gerry has mastered the "Cover the Spot" game.

GM says, "in the meantime, Stella has been attempting to contact various important military nobilis, and generally getting responses like "uh, kinda busy right now -- I'll have my secretary get back to you in a few months""

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "draw him in living ink, of course"

GM says, "and she's also been leading the chancel folks in working on their defensive spells and improving the new rite she's developed"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Oh, duh."

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Oooh. Good idea."

Davey says, "anyone who wanted to attend a biker birthday party was invited, and may well also elect to be hungover"

Davey says, "except for Alison"

Tyoka, if he was invited, certainly didn't drink - it's against his religion

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Has Shagapir gotten back yet?"

Davey says, "you might still be sore from the Manly Feats of Strength"

[nobilis] GM says, "I think that'd be a good start, yeah -- and it will of course have to be drawn by an expert cartoonist, and, last, you'll need to dig up a spare soul to put into it"

Davey says, "or whatever goes on. Maybe we all just watched Cheech & Chong"

[nobilis] GM says, "no -- Shagapir (and Vona, for those playing along at home) both said they'd be gone for some months"

Tyoka says, "I'd be burned all over from juggling these flaming cones"

Tyoka says, "if it weren't for being a Nobile that is"

Alison asks, "Aw. I missed a birthday party?"

Tyoka says, "cones? clubs"

[nobilis] GM says, "(making cereal, 1 sec)"

Alison asks, "Was there cake and candles and songs and pin the tail on the donkey?"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "'spare soul' like someone who died but is still hanging around?"

Tyoka says, "Well, there were songs"

[nobilis] Alison says (to Chaz), "Maybe you can lift one from someone with MPD."

Tyoka says, "and I can assume candles were used by some of the people there"

Davey says (to Alison), "'s'okay, darlin'. It was all yucky boy stuff"

Tyoka says, "But not on cakes."

[nobilis] Chaz asks (of inky), "Is this roughly real time? It's somewhere around July 14th now?"

[nobilis] GM says, "it's roughly lagging a month behind real time"

[nobilis] GM says, "so mid-june"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Ah, OK."

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Whew, I haven't missed Bastille Day!"

GM says, "anyway, it is appropriate that we look at what Stella's been up to recently, because this is presumably the cause of the note that is delivered for her by Edmund one day"

[nobilis] Alison exclaims (at Gerry), "They Hollyhock God has done it all in one night!"

Edmund looks around chancel.

Alison exclaims (at Edmund), "Hello!"

Chaz . o O (to stella) ( Hey, There's someone here with a note for you. )

Edmund says, "man, I think I'm getting the hang of this confusion thing"

Edmund asks (of Alison), "hey there, missy -- don't suppose you've seen your pal Stella around here anywhere?"

Tyoka says (to Edmund), "Oh? Time to change it then."

Alison exclaims, "Sure!"

Gerry has also been playing around with living ink to make interactive mazes and crossword puzzles.

Alison exclaims, "STELLA! YOU HAVE A VIIIIII-SITOOR!"

Edmund says, "I can't think what she's done to annoy Cecily, but --"

Edmund says, "ah"

[nobilis] Stella says, "Stella worked with the chancelry to trigger a specific light creation in whatever-is-attacking's visual receptors, so a) they can't see and b) their light receptors now glow pretty brightly."

Davey says, "oww"

Tyoka loses concentration, and the clubs fall to the ground.

Stella says, "Thank you Alison. I'll be right there."

Edmund covers his ears, wincing slightly. "That, I could have done for myself."

Chaz asks (of Edmund), "She annoyed Cecily?"

Stella asks (of Edmund), "Hello, again. How have you been?"

[nobilis] Edmund says, "sounds good -- I'll assume you have a couple of those set up and are working on more"

Edmund says, "not too bad, not too bad. message delivery business always on the rise"

Edmund says, "speaking of messages"

Edmund produces a gilt-edged note with a flourish and hands it to Stella

[nobilis] Stella says, "light receptors include eyes; i was being generic in case there were machines, too."

Edmund says, "I believe a reply may be required for this one"

[nobilis] Edmund says, "mm yes"

Stella opens the note, and peruses it. "Thank you, again. Do you mind waiting a bit? Can I get you a drink?"

Edmund says, "if you would -- that'd be very nice"

Edmund stares idly around the chancel, whistling.

Stella asks, "What would you like?"

Alison stage-whispers (to Edmund), "She makes this lemony thing with a cherry that's really good."

Edmund says, "oh, anything, anything -- a little Perrier if you have it, perhaps"

Chaz . o O (to stella) ( What is it? )

Edmund frowns at Alison. "Aren't you a bit young for that?"

Stella leaves to go get some more beverages, and scans the note again.

Gerry, elsewhere, wearily tries to convince the ink that 'qat' is, in fact, a word.

Alison exclaims (at Edmund), "Hmph!"

Alison turns on her on Edmund, offended.

Stella . o O ( (to Chaz) I'm still reading it - have patience! )

GM says, "the note reads "Cecily Daire, Viscountess of Treasure, her honor having been greviously offended by the actions of Stella Mackenzie, Duchess of Light, does request the Duchess to choose her field of battle for a duel to satisfy this point of honor""

Tyoka sees the clubs have finally stopped burning and ambles over to the rest of the group.

Davey frowns at the squiggles on his forearms -- always make sure the guy with the needle can stand up before you let him at your skin

[Crows-Nest] DavidW says, "yow. A duel."

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Obviously, you should choose a vacuum."

Stella swears a blue streak. Really.

Davey says, "hey, living ink tettoos would be cool. Maybe tickle, though."

Edmund is surreptitiously trying to read it over Stella's shoulder

Tyoka . o O ( 'greviously'? Maybe she should learn to spell )

[nobilis] Edmund says, "(cut me some slack, it's early)"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "just kidding"

[nobilis] Edmund says, "(by which I mean I said "hey, that doesn't look right" and looked it up on m-w, but forgot to follow up on what the right spelling was)"

Davey says, "uh oh. Stella was on the ship. Maybe there were cameras. Or she did one a them rituals"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Heh."

[nobilis] Gerry says (to inky), "It's almost 11! That's not early!"

[nobilis] (from Alison) Edmund takes notes. "Yes? Was anyone else with her?"

Stella informs the group of the challenge-note.

Edmund coughs politely.

Chaz says, "A duel! Cool."

Stella says, "Huh. And I thought politics in the art world were cut-throat."

Alison asks (of Stella), "A duel? You mean, with fighting and stuff?"

Tyoka mumbles something under his breath that you can't quite make out.

Stella says (to Alison), "I assume so. I'll have to read up on it."

Davey asks, "so, uh, a duel. Is that gonna be to the death or just to who's ass is flat after?"

Edmund says, "as you may be aware, the general procedure is for you to propose a choice of location, a chancel or someplace on Earth or some other world, and then you and the challenger agree on a judge and terms"

Stella asks (of Edmund), "Is this sort of thing common? What are the rules?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to stella), "I think you both choose a Nobilmon, and they fight"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "Countechu, I choose you!"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "Ash, Regal of CCGs."

[nobilis] Davey says, "we nee to get tight with the Vona group so we can look up stuff like this"

Alison exclaims (at Stella), "Pick here, pick here!"

Chaz asks, "Some sort of neutral location? Vona's chapel, maybe?"

Gerry says (to Stella), "Such an accusation is a slight to your honor. You should challenge her to a duel."

Stella says (to Edmund), "I assume its not to the death, then, as that would seem to be a waste of Nobilis, and annoy the Imperators."

Edmund says, "well --"

Edmund says, "in all honesty, Cecily tends to exaggerate these slights to her honor"

Tyoka . o O (to gerry) ( well, we DID... )

Edmund says, "and most likely will be happy with a ghost-miracle duel"

Davey says, "flatten her narrow behind"

Tyoka says, "oho"

Alison exclaims, "Noblies don't *die*, silly!"

Edmund asks, "unless it is something serious -- what *did* you do to her?"

Stella asks, "So how dangerous would it be to ignore her?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "heh heh"

Davey exclaims, "we was doing for our boss!"

Gerry . o O (to Tyoka) ( Sure, but we shouldn't just go around saying so. )

Alison adds, more quietly. "They don't, do they?"

Davey says, "oh, them, right"

Tyoka says, "I have this Medusa ghost miracle that's... truly petrifying"

Stella asks, "How long has Cecily been a Nobilis?"

Edmund says, "if you would prefer something else, there are also the duels of three, and the gift-giving duel, and -- well, the judge can probably instruct you on your choices"

Chaz . o O ( alison Don't worry, kid. *I* won't die, and I got your back. )

Gerry says (to Stella), "Well, whatever should happen, I would think you'd want to find an area where it would be difficult if not impossible to shut off the light source."

Edmund rubs his chin. "I believe she celebrated her century-and-a-half recently."

Stella says (to Gerry), "Like a star."

Tyoka tousles Alison's hair. "They want to kill you, over my dead body."

Edmund says, "I'm new on the scene, myself -- I'm only sixty or seventy"

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "here's when I would just apologize, but I always play PCs that are like, "Let's hit each other with chains dipped in brine""

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "yay"

[Crows-Nest] Edmund says, "hee hee"

Stella exclaims, "Well, I just celebrated my first month, so now I really wish Strategy had gotten back to me!"

[nobilis] Stella exclaims, "And I usually play fighters, but no, I had to do something different this time!"

Edmund chuckles.

Alison asks (of Edmund), "What were you before you were what you are back when you were like everyone else is?"

Stella says (to Edmund), ""So it sounds like I have to accept. I guess I'll take the least damaging form of dual."

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "Like dualism?"

Gerry says (to Edmund), "Perhaps, we would consider this matter before committing to a field. Perhaps we could send word another time."

Tyoka says, "The fish-slap duel"

Edmund asks, "generally in a duel, it is your creativity in using the miracle that counts, not your strength of arms -- ah, good, I will carry the message back. what grounds would you like for the duel?"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "Tmg."

Edmund says (to Alison), "a carpenter, in fact"

Davey asks, "and it's just to Stella, right? We ain't allowed to help?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka asks, "Edmund of Arimathea?"

Edmund says (to Alison), "I worked long hours and sanded the wood just right so the joists'd fit -- man, that was a lousy job"

Alison nods to Edmund.

Stella says, "You can give me good ideas before the duel. That wil help."

Alison says, "I bet you like this job better."

Edmund says (to Davey), "generally outside interference is frowned upon, but it depends on the kind of duel"

Edmund says (to Alison), "that I do"

Alison asks (of Edmund), "Did you ever have to duel any body when you were a carpenter?"

Stella says (to Edmund), "I want the duel to take place in 3 days, at noon, in the sky of our chancel."

Edmund asks (of Alison), "saws at 3 paces, eh?"

Edmund says (to Stella), "aha, interesting"

Davey says, "break out the lawn chairs and the Miller Genuine"

Edmund says, "I will deliver the message to Cecily"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "And the duel shall be in te form of a Quidditch game!"

Stella says, "Thank you."

Edmund bows to the assembled, steps around the corner, and goes through a door.

[Crows-Nest] Stella exclaims, "Yay Quidditch!"

[Crows-Nest] DavidW says, "Who's the judge of the duel? (Didn't see that decided yet)"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says, "That gets decided next, I believe."

GM asks, "anyone going to make preparations/do anything? or should we cut ahead?"

Tyoka says, "I will pray for Stella's success"

Stella asks, "Preparations!! I need some ideas, group. Whatcha got for me?"

[nobilis] Alison asks (of GM), "Should we invite spectators?"

[nobilis] GM says, "you are welcome to do so if you want"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Maybe bring our anchors in to watch?"

Gerry asks, "Hm. Cecily is the Power of Tresure, right?"

Alison says (to Stella), "You can make all her gold and jewels and things not sparkly anymore."

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "Can I outfit my skateboard with hover-units so I can watch? Or does 'skating on air currents' already count as an Aspect-6 miracle?"

Tyoka says (to gerry), "that means a gift-giving duel is a BAD idea"

[nobilis] Alison invites her anchors to join the Stella cheering section, if they wish.

Gerry says, "So, this 'Duel of Gifts' might not be the best."

Stella says (to Alison), "I like it."

Chaz says (to Chaz), "Aren't you some sort of dancer? You could do a dance-off."

Gerry asks, "I think the battle will be fought during the arbitration. Are there any nobilis that you feel confident of as a judge?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I am so glad I chose flying"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "There I go talking to myself again. Sigh."

[nobilis] GM says, "hmm"

[nobilis] Tyoka says (to Chaz), "and I thought I was the power of Madness"

Davey says, "umm, geez. I got no ideas. I was thinking you'd, like, wrestle"

Alison asks (of Gerry), "Think Cici will let her pick one of us?"

Tyoka says (to Davey), "In your DREAMS"

Gerry says (to Alison), "No."

[nobilis] Chaz says, "I'm the Power of Impending Mental Collapse."

Davey goes to his happy place

Tyoka grins.

[Crows-Nest] DavidW says, "I suppose I shouldn't suggest anything, since I'm not really there."

[nobilis] GM says, "I think you probably can't realistically outfit it with hover units, since this is a magical chancel, and skating on air currents is beyond aspect 6 -- but you certainly can take impossibly big jumps from the highway that keep you up in the air for long periods of time"

[nobilis] GM says, "which probably comes out to the same thing"

Stella says (to Davey), "We could do that, I suppose, but my talents lie more with light than my own physical strength. That changed upon being enNobled/"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Sounds good."

[Crows-Nest] (from Franklin) (from Adam) Davey says, "And then you'd start kissing"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "or we could run a gigantic zeppelin"

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "CRIPPLING LAG"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "...into the ground! Wahaha"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "Hee. Took me a moment to unravel tht."

[nobilis] Alison says, "Oooh, zeppelin would be fun."

[nobilis] Alison says, "I'm watching from the top of the ferris wheel, I think."

[nobilis] Chaz exclaims, "Oh, the nobility!"

[Crows-Nest] Stella reviews rules for domain miracles

[nobilis] Tyoka laughs.

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "it took me too long to type it because I couldn't figure it out either"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "but once you got the kissing part down, it all followed naturally"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "man, I can only imagine this duel something like one of these anime fantasy things"

Gerry says, "Well, I suppose the best arbiter we could hope for currently would be Edmund, since I don't think we know anyone else on whom we can remotely count."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "two scantily-clad chyks with swirly camera hurling tons of magic at each other"

Gerry says, "Unless there's a Noble of Fairness."

[Crows-Nest] Stella asks, "what's the difference between a miracle and ghost miracle?"

Tyoka says, "It's arbitrary, but it could work."

Tyoka cringes at his own pun.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ghost miracles aren't real and cost no miracle points"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka . o O ( is there a Marquis of Puns? )

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says (to tyoka), "oh, ouch"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "and can simulate any minor miracle"

[Crows-Nest] Stella asks, "so they have only temporary effect?"

Alison says, "I bet the Noble of Fairness gets *real* busy."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "they um"

Alison says, "How about Mr. Gaston? He looked like a nice man."

Gerry asks (of Alison), "Who?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "basically, doing a ghost miracle creates the impression that you've done this miracle without actually doing it"

[Crows-Nest] DavidW says, "Suggestion: light includes lasers and dazzle-burst effects (ala the comic-book character Dazzler)"

Alison says (to Gerry), "He's the one that came to give me that book for Shagapir. But you weren't there then."

Alison asks, "Tyoka met him though -- didn't you, Tyoka?"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "whoa, I can't think of the last time I heard anyone mention the character Dazzler"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "the net effect is you can have a duel without costing anything and nobody gets hurt, but you know what would have happened"

Tyoka says, "Oh yeah, I did"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "at least, what would have happened if cost were no object"

Tyoka says, "He's a strange man. Runs away a lot."

Tyoka says, "No wait, that was the other one"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "so, for example, if I change the nature of light touching her so the particles are the size of a grain of sand, and keep the speed constant, I could erode her away."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "yes"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "!"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "Hmm."

[Crows-Nest] Alison asks, "Would penetration still apply to a ghost miracle?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(although as a minor change miracle, it's not going to last forever)"

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "and she can make your wallet really heavy"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "no, penetration is ignored for the, um, non-physical effects"

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "or maybe send pirates"

Gerry seeing himself of no immediate help, withdraws to play Chromatron for ideas.

[Crows-Nest] DavidW says (to Stella), "Might want to avoid wearing jewelry of any kind during the duel."

Davey says, "hey. Don't wear any jewelry for this"

Davey says, "just in case"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "if Stella did that as a ghost miracle on a normal person, there'd also be the slight sensation of pressure from the photons; that would be stopped by auctoritas"

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "tmg"

Stella says, "Good idea. I'll stick to an old warm-up outfit. I think I have my shoes and stuff here somewhere."

GM asks, "anything else? or do we go on to the day of the duel?"

Alison says, "We need to make banners."

Alison says, "And get music."

Alison says, "And balloons."

Tyoka says, "and the Zeppelin"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] DavidW says, "Trust Alison to remember the important stuff."

Alison says, "And lots of seats, going up really high, like a grandstand."

[Crows-Nest] Stella exclaims, "I contact the etiquette-nobilis again, to see if she has any ideas on what to expect from Cecily, and also ask Edmund if he knows anything else. If all that fails, then yeah, cut to the fight!"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "I am so out of Jota's league of roleplaying"

Alison asks, "And do we have enough popcorn and candy and soda?"

Tyoka asks, "Have you looked around recently?"

[nobilis] GM asks, "are you building the seats on the highway? or?"

Tyoka says, "This IS a carnival"

Chaz says, "We can sell tickets. A chancel-warming party and duel."

[nobilis] Alison says, "That cool. Yeah, we can block off part of the overpass for the event."

Stella says, "So now that I'm enNobled, I've been reduced to a Carnival Attraction. Me, the Artistic Director of Beneroya Hall! <sigh>"

Davey gathers the gang, and shows them how to arrange in a circle facing the fight

[nobilis] GM says, "and I think you can't rustle up a zeppelin in three days non-magically; although someone with a relevant ability could probably create it"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry asks, "We are a rather low-brow group, aren't we?"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Is that a lesser creation of zeppelins?"

Chaz says (to Stella), "Hey, this is no ordinary carnival."

[nobilis] GM says, "I think it'd be a lesser creation, yeah"

Tyoka says, "I'll get the PA set up"

Stella asks (of Chaz), "(with heavy irony) Oh, really?"

[nobilis] Chaz says (to Like,), "say, someone with a 3 domain? ;-)"

Tyoka asks, "Should we invite some local bands?"

Tyoka asks, "Or just DJ ourselves?"

Chaz exclaims (at stella), "Yeah! We have a test-your-strength machine!"

Stella can't stand it any more, and leaves the preparers to the preparations.

Chaz grins.

[nobilis] GM says, "I am laughing and laughing"

Gerry says, "And the machine has heavy iron, too."

[nobilis] Alison says, "Unless it falls under someone else's Domain (does it?), I'll do the zeppelin as a Realm miracle. One MP."

Alison asks (of Tyoka), "What kind of a zeppelin do you want? A purple one?"

Stella tosses over her shoulder (to Gerry) "I thought that was heavy metal!

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hee hee purple"

Davey says, "heh. He wants one that looks like a big squid"

Gerry yells, "You're thinking of Davey!"

Tyoka asks (of Alison), "Red?"

Alison asks, "OK, red with polka dots or without polka dots?"

Tyoka shudders. "Without"

Alison nods, "OK. What color stripes?"

Davey . o O ( but I hate metal )

[nobilis] Tyoka asks (of Alison), "can you use mana mine MPs for that?"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "I thought Davey was playing Metallica earlier."

Davey . o O ( what genre is Steppenwolf, anyway? )

Stella storms back into the fray. "Listen, guys, I'll be able to focus better to some Tchaikovsky. How about Sleeping Beauty or Swan Lake. I promise, you can play it Really Loud!

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Probably -- should I, or should I use my own?"

Tyoka . o O (to davey) ( hard rock )

[nobilis] Chaz says, "We should use our own frst."

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "I don't think so"

Tyoka . o O (to davey) ( Also, if you hate metal, you're gonna have a problem if you let me DJ )

[nobilis] Alison nods, "No problem."

Stella says, "I could even hanlde Rochmaninoff, if you need something really pounding."

[Crows-Nest] Davey asks, "hey, how's that work--can we mine the mana and store it, or do we have to use it right away?"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Then use the mana mine when one gets down to zero, since it's hard to predict which one'll do that first."

[Crows-Nest] Davey asks, "and can we carry it out of the chancel?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "the mana mine is basically a couple extra points per story"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "we need those Harvesters from Dune"

Stella says, "But please, no Rock Music!" Stella gives a slight shudder."

Alison conjures up a big red spectating zeppelin that matches Tyoka's exact descriptions, with the exception of the yellow smiley face on the front end.

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "okay"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(and note in addition you get a dynasty point per session, which can be cashed in for MPs also)"

Tyoka says (to Alison), "Excellent!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(or saved up for 25 and then cashed in for an imperator point)"

Stella grumbles something about the younger generation having no taste in music.

Tyoka glowers at Stella and pointedly wears earphones.

Davey laughs. "That sure is pretty, but I like to keep the tires on the road."

Tyoka says, "(er, dons)"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "they have good taste in zeppelins though"

GM says, "the day of the duel dawns"

Alison asks (of Stella), "You don't like 'This Old Man, He Played One'?"

GM says, "the chancel-folk have been working busily away and have just finished the grandstand"

[Crows-Nest] Stella exclaims, "laugh, laugh, laugh!!"

[Crows-Nest] DavidW waves "Stella" flag.

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "man, we suck. "THERE IS A DUEL TO THE DEATH! WHAT DO YOU DO?" "Conjure Zeppelins""

GM says, "some of the chancel inhabitants fill the stands (Davey's biker gang prominent among them), while others go up and down the aisle distributing popcorn and beer"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "It's just a duel to the humiliation."

[Crows-Nest] Davey probably listens to country, of all things. Those lonely trucking nights.

Chaz entertains the masses beforehand with skateboard tricks.

GM says, "and of course the less 'l33t who couldn't get tickets are down below"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "And Cecily will be humiliated just by having to come here to 'fight' :)"

Stella exclaims, "This isn't a Carnival its a damn Coluseum of Rome!"

Tyoka has somehow found an LP of Tchaikovsky music and is scratching it at full noise.

Gerry says (to Stella), "Home-court advantage. It's one of the few you're likely to have."

GM says, "and the most l33t are in the zeppelin, although presumably this is reserved for your high officials and other favored folks"

Davey is sober and ready for a dust-up should there be any cheating

[nobilis] Chaz says, "We presumably invited people from Cecily's chancel, too. And vona's, while we're at it."

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Anyone else want to join Alison on the ferris wheel, or should she join the zep crew?"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "this is absolutely hilarious."

[Crows-Nest] DavidW says, "So, how many of these duels has Cecily won? (Since she calls for duels so often and all)"

Ghogg arrives, looking for booty.

GM says, "when Cecily rolls in on the highway in her gold chariot (pulled by rather nice white horses, yellow ribbons in their mane) her eyes seem for a minute like they're going to pop out as she takes it all in"

Gerry stands in the zeppelin sipping a Long Island Iced Tea.

Tyoka does the old chariot-to-pumpkin trick in his mind.

Tyoka grins for no apparent reason.

Alison waves to Cecily.

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says (to Lo), "Want to join us for a duel!"

GM says, "she gets out of the chariot and curtseys deferentially to her passenger, and then opens the door for him"

Drake steps out and has a look around, not quite able to hide a grin.

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg asks, "Drake and Cecily are duking it out?"

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "yay Lo"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "Cecily and our own Stella."

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "ooh, Drake"

Stella is finally getting into the spirit of things, and is doing the most amazing ballet moves (rather jazzily) you've ever seen.

[Crows-Nest] Alison asks, "Is Drake her guest?"

[Crows-Nest] DavidW asks, "Maybe Drake is the judge?"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "Who's Drake, again?"

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "he's fitting"

Drake, by the way, is a bit over six feet, wears a thin gold circlet around his forehead, and is possibly the most regal person you have ever seen.

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "Both parties have to agree on an judge, I understood."

[nobilis] Gerry asks, "Drake is shadow, right?"

Cecily mutters "bloody hell"

Tyoka lets the music die down.

[nobilis] Cecily says, "(that's Jack)"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "D'oh."

[nobilis] Cecily says, "(Drake is Competition's Regal, although I don't know if anyone here's met him)"

[nobilis] Ghogg says, "Drake is the fellow who sent the invitation to Penny, but you don't know that"

Tyoka says, "(you're rather relieved)"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "That's right--yeah, that."

Cecily says, "I didn't realize it was going to be --"

[nobilis] Ghogg asks, "Also, where is this group in time relation to ours now?"

Cecily sighs and looks around. "Stella, where are you?" she calls.

[nobilis] Cecily says, "roughly the same day. if you want to have attended this it can be a few days later than yesterday's game."

Gerry says (to Alison), "Perhaps you would be able to amplify the voices of the contestants, for the viewing public."

Stella beams down to where Cecily is standing. Her pale-yellow warm-up outfit looks even more shabby next to Cecily's rich-looking outfit.

Alison says (to Gerry), "Oooh, good idea."

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "This is so strange."

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Can I do that with a preservation?"

[nobilis] Cecily says, "(yes)"

Stella says (to Cecily), "Greetings. My fellow Nobilis have invited a few of their friends; I do so hope you don't mind."

Cecily, now that you mention it, is dressed rather nicely, complete with various bangles

Cecily did have the sense not to wear a dress, however

Alison cranks up an imaginary volume knob in the air in front of her.

Cecily glances around. "Apparently I will have to not do so."

[nobilis] Ghogg asks, "oh, all right then. Everyone else on the zeppelin?"

Tyoka cedes the DJ pult to a local DJ great. Deafening music begins.

[nobilis] Davey says, "I'm on the ground"

[nobilis] Alison says, "Most of the VIPs are on the zeppelin, except for the ones that chose not to be."

[nobilis] Gerry says, "The zep is the happening place. We've got an open bar."

Cecily, turns, half to the crowd, half to Stella. "For judge, I nominate Drake, Competition's Regal! Do you accept?"

Ghogg goes home.

Lo materializes.

[nobilis] Cecily asks, "yeah, can we get it straight where everyone is? are you all in the zeppelin except Davey?"

Tyoka says, "Hel Lo"

Franklin appears behind Lo.

Stella says (to Cecily), "I say we have two judges, for fairness. I've invited Edmund."

Lo sashays in the zepplin, still sporting his shades.

[nobilis] Alison says, "I seem to be, as it turns out."

[nobilis] Chaz says, "I'm on my skateboard."

[nobilis] Davey says, "I'm with the gang, on the disty field, ritually astride our bikes and watching"

Alison exclaims (at Lo), "Hi!"

[nobilis] Davey says, "dusty"

Edmund says, "whoah .. uh"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I'm flying up and into the Zeppelin"

Tyoka says, "Frank, Eddie, nice you could make it!"

Lo waves to everyone.

Alison exclaims (at Frank), "Hi Hi!"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "I think Edmund just got summoned to the field, not the zeppelin."

Edmund gently pulls Stella aside for a sec. "Go with Drake -- he's, like, the mercedes-benz of judges, and he'd die before he let a competition become unfair."

Franklin says, "Why hello there."

Lo says, "'lo everyone. I figured I'd take a day off."

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "oh, then that's fine."

Stella says (to Cecily), "Drake will be fine."

Gerry introduces himself to various mingling guests as Gerry of Puzzles.

Lo says, "Some treatise on ethics in France -- it's always France for some reason -- causing abit of trouble, but it just took a few nudges."

Drake steps forward. "Then I am to judge."

Stella says, "We start at noon, precisely."

Tyoka says (to Lo), "I hear someone tried to assassinate the French president"

Drake asks (of Cecily,Stella), "and what sort of duel is it to be? will a duel of ghost miracles be sufficient, or is that not enough to settle this question of honor?"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry asks (of Tyoka), "We're a month back, remember?"

[Crows-Nest] DavidW asks, "Do the particulars of Cecily's complaint get announced at all?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says (to Gerry), "doh!"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "and doh again, because ILAC"

[Crows-Nest] Lo asks, "Yeah, I boggled a second, how contemperaneous are we?"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "sorry about the lag, Ellric has decided Dad just isn't good enough right now."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "mid-junish"

[nobilis] Davey asks, "also, how much does the game world resemble the real one?"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "According to what inky said, we're at about June 17th, by now."

[nobilis] Drake says, "it resembles it exactly except where I change stuff"

[nobilis] Davey says, "all righty"

[nobilis] Drake says, "for instance, there aren't really nobilis"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "D'oh! My sense of reality is shattered, now"

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "(nobody's asked about Cecily's complaint)"

[nobilis] Davey says, "aw. Next you'll say the world is round and hangs in space instead of Yggdrasil"

[nobilis] (from Gerry) Regal of Retribution has @toaded inky.

[Crows-Nest] Stella exclaims, "Okay, I think i can focus for a few minutes. El Nino is so demanding sometimes!"

[nobilis] Chaz laughs.

[nobilis] Drake says, "hee hee"

[nobilis] Tyoka says (to Davey), "IT DOESN'T?!"

[Crows-Nest] Drake asks (of Stella), "ok, so Drake is asking if you want a ghost miracle duel or something else?"

[Crows-Nest] Stella exclaims, "I challenge Cecily to a duel of Mothering!!"

Lo says (to Waiter), "Double scotch, on the rocks, please, and a scone if you have one, any flavor."

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "One of these days, someone should make up a chart like the one for Vodacce."

Stella says (to Drake), "Ghost Miracles should suffice for me."

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "Listing who's who, whom their associated with, and (perhaps via color coding) which group knows about what."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka asks, "you mean my who's who?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "timing"

Drake says, "very well then"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "I'd like to see a copy of the Duchess of Etiquette's who's who, that would be rather amusing"

Drake asks, "and how many miracles shall each side use? the traditional 6?"

Waiter hands Lo a drink and napkin, along with an oddly pink-colored cotton-candy scone.

[Crows-Nest] Alison says (to Tyoka), "Very much like."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I wonder if there's anywhere to sit on this zeppelin. I'm picturing alison filling it with bean bags or something"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says, "We have one, you know."

Tyoka grins, looks at Alison

[Crows-Nest] Alison says (to Franklin), "Hee."

[Crows-Nest] Stella asks, "six miracles, or six miracle points?"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "(Also, yay cotton candy scones!)"

Lo nibbles and raises his eyebrow

[Crows-Nest] Stella asks, "what is her domain, spirit, anything?"

(From Tyoka) DJ puts on some Conjure One

[Crows-Nest] Drake says (to Stella), "they're all 0-cost ghost miracles, you realize."

Alison gets the waiter to bring her a ginger ale with a whole bunch of cherries in it. And a pink plastic toothpick, for plucking the cherries out with.

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "so it's six miracles. her domain is viscountess, so presumably 2, and her spirit seems fairly bright, but neither ofthose are going to be relevant if it's a ghost miracle duel"

Tyoka shudders and sips some ice-cold mineral water.

[Crows-Nest] Stella asks, "okay, then I don't understand how the duel is won. how do you determine a winner?"

Waiter hands Alison a bowl of cherries (rather like life) with a pink plastic minature sword. The cherries may have something fizzy around them.

Lo sashays over to a beanbag, tosses his staff to one side, and lounges

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "it's like, for purposes of the duel, you are using real (but free) miracles. once the duel is over, the effects go away"

[Crows-Nest] Stella asks, "so I'm supposed to kill her with illusions?"

Alison exclaims (at Waiter), "Thankyou!"

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "or force her to yield"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "Or blind her with science!"

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "or (as we'll see in a minute) force her to leave the area of the duel"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "It's supposed be like if they were real, it would kill her"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "If she can't make an illusion that would effectively counter your illusion, I think that means you win."

Tyoka asks (of Lo), "So, what is it you do?"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "And vice versa."

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "okay, so the duel is to the fake death. Or I push her out of the playing field."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "stone-scissors-paper with miracles"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "It was starting to sound like points were given only for creativity, not effectiveness."

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "right, it really is like a regular duel, only healthier"

Lo says (to Tyoka), "Master Lo, Viscount of Philosophy, at your service. With side hobbies in jujistu and Mongolian wrestling."

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "got it."

[Crows-Nest] Chaz asks, "Does shifting to elemental form count as a miracle?"

Franklin says, "He turns invisible and gives people karate chops."

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "I believe it's a simple miracle, and hence counts as one, yeah"

Alison asks (of Lo), "Is the answer really blowing in the wind?"

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "automatic miracles count as normal actions"

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "(and, incidentally, you can do a normal action and/or a miraculous one per turn)"

Tyoka says (to Franklin), "Ooh, nice"

Drake asks (of Cecily,Stella), "six miracles each, then?"

Lo thinks.

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "unless otherwise noted, I'll be doing the entire duel in elemental form."

Tyoka expresses surprise at Alison knowing that song.

Stella says (to Drake), "Right. Stella bows slightly to Cecily."

Lo says (to Alison), "I think you need to talk to the Deity of Lyrics about that one"

Tyoka says (to Lo), "It looks like our realms are compatible, then --"

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "sorry, but to Chaz's question, it doesn't count as a miracle for purposes of the six"

[Crows-Nest] Drake says, "so there is some advantage in doing so"

Tyoka asks (of Lo), "-- for all important philosophers were mad, were they not?"

Drake says, "very well then"

Drake gestures, and a large circle comes into existence in the air (or, rather, a cylinder, as hazier circles are stacked below and above it, fading up and down)

Lo says, "Tyoka "Well, I try my best. Wittgenstein sort of got out of control."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "duel of towers of hanoi"

Tyoka says, "Ah, Wittgenstein, man of random numbers and paragraph breaks."

Franklin says, "Shh, I think it's starting."

Drake exclaims, "the duel is to be six miracles each! it will be decided when one contestant is forced to leave the circle, or yields to their opponent!"

Stella beams into the circle, and for a moment, gleams as a rainbow.

Lo says (to Tyoka), "And France again...oh dear. I had to stay there permanently in the 60s just to keep track of it all."

Drake says, "contestants, please enter the circle -- I will give the note to start"

Davey and the gang roar

Tyoka asks (of Lo), "Oh, you've been ennobled for long?"

Tyoka says, "Hm, I guess it's starting -- we shall continue later"

Cecily rises into the air herself, a bit unsteadily, and flies into the circle. A few moments later, Drake's voice calls "The duel begins!"

Stella the rainbow runs around the circle for a moment.

Gerry grabs a box of Cracker-Jack, but gets distracted by the toy surprise.

Alison cheers Stella!

Lo says, "Tyoka "Nietzche was just starting. You can imagine it was abit of a shock, working with that on first go."

Stella turns the light into sand grain sized particles, and and rushes them at Cecily.

Cecily cries out and throws a hand up to protect her face -- a few seconds later, a thick wall of gold interposes itself in the stream of particles.

Franklin says, "Ooooh. Ahhhhh."

Gerry says, "Mm. Stella has the offensive."

Alison exclaims, "Get 'er, Stella!"

[Crows-Nest] DavidW waves "Stella" banner.

Lo nibbles his scone some more, somehow forgetting its cotton-candy-ness

[Crows-Nest] Cecily says (to Stella), "we're alternating here, so it's your turn unless you want to wait for Cecily"

Stella transmutes the light into warm, heavy syrup, wraps it around Cecily and her gold, and pulls her and her treasure to the ground.

Gerry says, "She's pretty good at this."

Franklin says, "This is terribly impressive."

Tyoka says (to Alison), "look, honey"

Gerry says, "Bahdumbum."

Alison exclaims (at Tyoka), "Cici's a waffle!"

Cecily ignores the fall for the moment. In the meantime, the air in the circle is suddenly filled with tiny, sparkling, light-scattering crystals.

(From Gerry) The crowd cheers!

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "Grr. Timing."

Cecily is still falling, however.

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Does the Arena reach to the ground?"

[nobilis] Cecily says, "yeah, I think so"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Presumably not, since the chosen field was the sky."

[nobilis] Cecily says, "and is, I dunno, 20 yards across"

[nobilis] Cecily says, "nevertheless -- possibly it's against the rules to actually touch the ground"

Stella turns the bright sparkles solid, making light-caltrops.

Davey says, "jeesh"

Alison exclaims, "Go go Stella!"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "what's a caltrop?"

[nobilis] Cecily asks, "hmm, interesting, but what about the scattering effects on you, since you're in light form?"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "Spiked thing"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "what he asked"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "Um, ninjas use it"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka asks, "throwing stars?"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "Basically it's for placing in an area on the ground"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "Scattered on the ground to stop horses."

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "Like jacks, but pointy."

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "people step on them, and hurt themselves"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "ok"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "There are larger ones for horses"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "Four-pointed things you'd leave on the ground to pierce soldier's boots and horses hooves."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I never knew they had a name"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "I also like Alison's description"

[nobilis] Stella asks, "I dunno - would I turn into a rainbow, or break apart?"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "This duel has been brought to you by the Council for Defining Strange Words in Many Different Ways."

Lo stuffs the scone in his mouth and asks the waiter for another.

[nobilis] Cecily says, "you are a rainbow right now, no? I think hitting a crystal would start to distort your form/motion around the area if you're in light form"

Tyoka says (to Lo), "Impressive."

[nobilis] Stella says, "right. true. <stella thinks harder>"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "cunning"

Cecily, meanwhile, seems to have managed to cut her way free of the syrup with a bright silver pair of shears (which vanish soon after) and then flies upwards again, bumping painfully into some of the caltrops.

Waiter presents Lo another scone. This one is seems to be orange and nacho-flavored.

Lo says, "Tyoka "Hm? I am always one to experience new tastes. Perhaps the next one will be..."

Lo nibbles.

[nobilis] Stella asks, "would it take an action to reassemble?"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "actually, that flavor might be good on a scone"

[nobilis] Alison says, "You'd also have to get rid of the prisms, I'd think."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "mmmm"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka asks (of lo), "has your directed speech stopped working?"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "No, I'm just for some reason thinking I'm using a different conversation system"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "(i.e. a different MUD format)"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Well, the prisms are gone, but she's out of shape, if I understand it."

[nobilis] Cecily says, "I think the prisms have now been nullified by the light around them"

Lo breaks off a piece and offeres it to Tyoka.

[nobilis] Cecily says, "but yeah, Stella is out of shape"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "(Alsa, an Yu Yu Hakusho viewers in the audience? 'The Prism of Seven!')"

[nobilis] Cecily says, "(which is funny, since she's a dancer and wearing exercise sweats)"

[nobilis] Chaz snorts.

Tyoka tries.

Tyoka says, "...not bad"

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "PRISM STORM OF TORMENT"

Gerry says, "Halfway through. Cecily has taken more hits, but Stella may have taken more damage when distorted."

Lo asks (of Alison), "I don't suppose you had any part in choosing the recipes?"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "Also, this could use some Monday Night Football-style commentary"

[Crows-Nest] Alison exclaims, "Yay!"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "We couldn't plan for everything. Next time We'll get the Marchioness of Narration."

Alison exclaims (at Alison), "Nuh-uh. They already *new* how to make cotton candy and nachos without needing *any* help at all!"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "the music's too loud anyway"

[Crows-Nest] Lo exclaims, "She...could....go...all....the....way!"

[nobilis] Alison says, "(Er, (to Lo))"

[nobilis] Cecily says, "(Stella going to do something? or is she minding Ellric?)"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "alison is so excited she's beside herself!"

Tyoka . o O ( People talking to themselves... do I have my madness off? )

Stella forms a ball of light in the center of the circle, which rapidly expands and solidifies as it rushes towards Cecily.

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to Franklin), "WHAT A DRAG"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "It's hereditary, I see"

Lo checks the action that just occured on the Instant Replay-cam

Cecily makes a large circle with her hands, which flashes out into a silver mirror, set to deflect the ball out of the circle

Franklin says, "Ooooh."

Crowd says, "Oooh!"

Alison says, "What they said."

[Crows-Nest] DavidW says, "I wondered when a silver mirror might come into play."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka asks, "where is the marquis of reflection to dull it?"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I was just thinking that"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "Toldja we shoulda brought him."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "I think Stella's ahead"

Stella sneaks behind Cecily, still in elemental form, wraps her "arms" around her, and shifts to human.

[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "sneaks?"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I thought this was a rushing ball of light situation"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "It's very sneaky light"

[Crows-Nest] Stella asks, "dims my elemental self to blend in with ambient light?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to Franklin), "it's not her who is the ball of light"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "Also, I'm guessing you can be any color of light you want to, including things out of the color spectrum"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "I wasn't the ball. I've been working with non-me stuff."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "got it"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "Oh! I misunderstood that too."

[Crows-Nest] Cecily asks, "oh, you weren't the ball?"

[Crows-Nest] Cecily says, "oh well -- anyway"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I see I wasn't the only one."

Cecily's bracelets and anklets and earrings suddenly sprout big spikes, jabbing painfully into Stella

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "sorry if that wasn't clear. I didn't think I could turn into weaponry light stuff. If I can, then I haven't been burning my miracle points as quickly as I thought I needed to."

Lo winces.

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I think I assumed this because the problem at hand was that you were bent apart by the crystals and needed to solve that, and the next thiing you said was that you formed a ball of light in the center. which I read as formed AS a ball of light in the center."

Crowd says, "Ouch!"

Alison asks (of Tyoka), "How many miracles does Stella have left?"

Davey brr

Tyoka asks (of Alison), "hmm, two?"

Franklin says, "That's GOTTA hurt!"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "I was confused why the crystals damaged me, but I didn't question it."

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "erk, gotta go"

Stella grits her teeth, and hangs on.

Lo goes home.

(From Gerry) She's taken damage, but it looks like she's looking for a big play here.

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "I have no idea why I emitted that."

Stella carefully judes when she and her opponent will impact the ground, and tries to shift Cecily under her. She shifts to light form a hair's breadth before impact.

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "(Is Cecily falling?)"

[Crows-Nest] Cecily says, "I don't think Cecily is falling here"

[Crows-Nest] Cecily says, "(so you can redo that if you want)"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "Falling was my intent, but I take it it didn't work. Okay, next plan."

[Crows-Nest] Cecily says, "since she's flying by magic, I think it has to be something intended to take her down to make her drop, not a side-effect"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Can we shout out suggestions to her IC, or is that bad form in a duel?"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "back to the jewelry-stabbing reaction, then."

[nobilis] Cecily says, "I think it's allowed, although there are times when you won't want to distract her"

Davey hollers, "Blind her, Stella!"

[nobilis] Cecily says, "but the crowd is probably shouting anyway, so"

[nobilis] Cecily says, "also, when you have the grandstand and PA system and clowns selling beer, I'm not sure good form is on top of your list :)"

Stella shifts back to light, and sucks all light from Cecily's vicinity. She is enveloped in utter, impenetrable darkness.

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hm, presumably the crowd only sees blackness too"

GM says, "meanwhile, back on ground level, someone dressed in an equally dark cloak grins up at Stella's move and applauds, slightly."

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "The envelope is centered on Cecily, so yes, everyone only sees a dark pocket."

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "Blackness on one side, brightness on the other."

Drake turns to look at the man, with a what-the-hell-are-you-doing-here look on his face, and paces on past the spot where the man was sitting.

Tyoka . o O ( who's that? )

Davey peers at the stranger

Cecily is, apparently, waiting to see what happens next.

Stella says (to GM), "is Cecily momentarily incapacitated? (and no, I can't spell that)"

Alison exclaims, "Zap! Zap! Zap!"

Cecily says, "(well, you can't see either, but she's in a dark cloud and (apparently) just hanging there)"

Stella shoves the pocket of darkness/Cecily out of the duel ring.

Gerry asks, "Why isn't Cecily doing anything?"

GM says, "the stranger grins in Davey's direction, as if he's felt the glance, then goes back to watching the duel."

Davey says, "hrrm"

[nobilis] GM asks (of Stella), "how are you doing that? physically?"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Flying tackle when she's not expecting it?"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "featuring Christopher Lee as the mysterious stranger"

[nobilis] Stella says, "Beaming into the dark at the speed of light, shifting at impact and shoving her out."

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "Mmmm... Dooku-flavored scone."

[nobilis] Stella says, "I'd shift again before I left the circle so I'd stay in - kinda like what I was planning when I wanted her to fall."

Davey grits his teeth as he watches Stella set that up

GM says, "Stella's form blurs as she shoots towards the darkness -- almost at the same moment, there's an explosion and cloud of smoke from within the dark"

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "she's probabaly wrapped in gold"

Franklin gasps.

Gerry says, "I hope that Cecily isn't just laying a..."

Gerry asks, "...trap?"

Alison asks, "...Stella?"

GM says, "the darkness fades away as Stella switches miracles, revealing -- a pirate cannon? -- firing a ball in Stella's incoming direction"

GM says, "but the rockback from that is sending Cecily flying backwards"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "and stella is light form, isn't she"

Gerry asks, "What kind of treasure is that?"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Hey, how'd she see where Stella was?"

GM says, "and the crowd is on its feet cheering"

[nobilis] Stella says, "It's probably a valuable, antique cannon."

GM says, "and Drake steps up, gestures, and starts to shout "And I--""

GM says, "and then a shadow falls across the grandstands"

Stella switches to light and beams out of the way of the cannonball

Davey guns his engine and starts over to Mysterious Stranger

Gerry . o O (to Stella) ( Is that your darkness? )

Alison is just watching with her chin several inches below her face, agape at the spectacle.

GM says, "there is the sound of another explosion, much larger than the one from Stella's cannon, and something plows into the grandstand"

Chaz, mid-leap, thinks, "What?"

[nobilis] Stella says, "and I still have a miracle point left."

[Crows-Nest] DavidW says, "um. There's something non-duelish happenin'."

[nobilis] GM says, "I counted the speed-of-light thing as your last miracle -- but something else appears to be up"

[nobilis] Stella says, "and no cannon - that's Cecily's."

[nobilis] Alison asks, "What's happening?"

Tyoka immediately leaves the zeppelin, Alison and Chaz under his arms.

[nobilis] Alison says, "Lesser divination if I have to."

Davey shouts, "HEY!"

GM says, "people on the ground are screaming as six *other* zeppelins materialize in the air above the highway"

Alison says, "Hey..."

GM says, "two of them immediately crash into each other, but this only adds to the spectacle"

Gerry takes the *real* Zeppelin down, out of harm's way.

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Do we have time to act while stuff is happening?"

Chaz changes direction mid-leap, aims back down to the grandstand area.

[nobilis] Alison says, "If so, I'll use a Lesser Preservation on whatever's under immediate attack."

GM says (to Alison,Tyoka), "meanwhile, you two are getting ow-realm-under-attack vibes"

[nobilis] Chaz says (to Tyoka), "I was watching from highway-based ramps, actually."

Tyoka says, "oh, Chaz was already gone. Just Alison then"

[nobilis] Stella asks, "did the blinding miracles work?"

GM says, "Alison does her best to keep the grandstand and highway together, and indeed it cracks but does not collapse"

[nobilis] GM says (to Stella), "it's hard to say -- *something* apparently worked, though"

Gerry . o O (to tyoka) ( Madness may not be what we need right now, can you calm down the small-folk. )

Tyoka momentarily loses concentration from the vibes and tumbles a few meters before restabilizing flight

GM says, "Gerry drops the zeppelin"

[nobilis] Gerry asks, "I what?"

Tyoka lands and does some inverse-madness

Davey rallies the gang but tells them not to shoot anybody yet

GM says, "(lowers it, I mean)"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "I'm piloting. I can't fly."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "if that's possible"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Whew."

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Destruction of?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "yikes, now I'm in the middle of all this too"

[nobilis] GM says (to Tyoka), "you can do a level-5 destruction of madness, if you'd like"

Davey says, "also, if the highway needs further buffering, I'll lay it on"

[nobilis] (from GM) Franklin says "Quick! How can I solve this with paper?"

Chaz picks up the whole grandstand, people and all, runs down an off-ramp with it.

[nobilis] Franklin says (to GM), "exactly"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "it's not coming to me"

GM says (to Chaz), "since Alison's holding it together you'"

Stella does the light-to-syrup trick on the zeppelins, this time for real.

[nobilis] Tyoka asks (of GM), "costing me what?"

GM says, "are managing, but just barely"

[nobilis] GM says (to Tyoka), "5 - your domain"

[nobilis] Alison says, "Lesser divination, one point of penetration, to see who's commanding the enemy zeppelins."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "so 2"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "ok, I'm doing it"

[nobilis] GM says (to Stella), "you can do it on one zeppelin at a time as a lesser creation, or all as a greater creation"

Davey asks, "is the stranger still here?"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "(stella is AFK ellric a sec)"

GM says (to Alison), "you get scattered images of troops inside the zeppelins -- maybe a few dozen in each -- and somebody grimly standing in the center. but you can only see who that is in one of the zeppelins"

Gerry escorts the VIPs off of the zeppelin. "Thank you for joining us. As you can see we are currently having some technical difficulties. Any help you might be able to offer would most likely be appreciated. If we find out that you *caused* this, we will, of course, be forced to drain you away to nothingness. Come again!"

GM says (to Davey), "hmm, he seems to have vanished -- for that matter, so has Drake"

Davey exclaims, "where's all our defensive magic?!"

[nobilis] GM exclaims (at Gerry), "ha!"

Davey exclaims, "It was a stinkin' trick!"

Alison says, "Someone, rally the magefolk. Have them confuse the attackers."

[nobilis] Alison asks (of GM), "Who is it in that one?"

Tyoka asks, "where are our built-in defenses?"

Davey asks, "are all the baddies in the zepplins?"

GM says, "the remaining zeppelins are turning, a bit unsteadily, two apparently aiming at the highways and two at the main big top area"

Davey exclaims, "shotguns! at the zeppelins!"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "How many AMPs to carry the grandstand to safety?"

Davey the gang should be aiming bad things at the bad blimps

GM says (to Davey), "you can't tell, but Tyoka and Alison are getting a ground-level vibe as well, plus something else"

Stella focuses light-syrup on one zeppelin, trying to steer it into another zeppelin.

Gerry . o O (to Davey) ( No! They may be kamikaze! )

Davey exclaims, "ghaah!"

[nobilis] Alison exclaims (at GM), "Who is the person that you said I could see who it was!"

GM says, "moving the grandstand is a level-5 miracle, I think"

Davey exclaims, "no shooting!"

Davey exclaims, "dammit!"

[nobilis] GM says (to Alison), "sorry, right -- nobody you recognize"

Alison exclaims, "Aisleen! Wind!"

Gerry runs to the mages Aspect-2 fast to get them to help.

[nobilis] GM says, "he is dressed in a white-with-black-edges uniform like the others in the zeppelins"

[nobilis] GM says, "only his has little gold bars on the sleeves"

Davey says, "don't shoot the zepps but watch for Smokey"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "actually, I suppose I could turn part of a zeppelin's skin to paper, which would rip and let all the helium out, but I don't want to butt in"

[nobilis] Alison says, "OK, if Aisleen isn't here, I'll create a windstorm."

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Yay RoboNobles."

[nobilis] Alison says, "To blow the zeppelins off-course, into the countryside."

GM says, "Gerry runs to the mages -- where he finds they're engaged in holding off some people in the maze"

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "can I rise into the air and puncture the zeppelins by crashing through them?"

[nobilis] GM says (to Tyoka), "go for it"

[nobilis] Davey asks, "what would a Realm miracle to spot Drake, Cecily and the stranger cost?"

[nobilis] Alison says, "(Hopefully crashing them into the ground)"

Tyoka rises into the air and hurls himself at the next zeppelin full-speed

Gerry . o O (to all) ( There's a breach in the maze as well. That's where the mages are. )

Davey exclaims, "raahr!"

Davey directs six bikers to come with him and kill people

[nobilis] Alison says, "(Except, I guess Tyoka's in the middle of them now, so I'd better not. Bah.)"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I can cope"

Chaz carries the grandstand to a safe nook in the mines.

[nobilis] GM says (to Davey), "you'd have to overcome their penetration -- so 3, plus whatever their spirits are"

Davey exclaims, "you others, watch the zepps!"

[nobilis] Alison exclaims, "OK. Lesser creation, windstorm!"

[nobilis] Davey says, "oog"

Tyoka punches through the first Zeppelin's hull and uses fire-breath.

GM says, "Tyoka smashes into a zeppelin, as Alison summons up a windstorm that starts forcing two of them back"

Alison takes a deep breath, and *blows*... at the same time, a wind picks up, whipping at the zeppelins and forcing them off target.

Gerry uses Lesser Preservations to make the maze impassably hard.

Tyoka smashes out the other side as the zeppelin explodes behind him (or does it?)

Gerry also uses a Lesser Divination to see who's in it.

GM says, "meanwhile, we've located Cecily: she's perched on top of the fourth one, slamming an enormous golden spike into it"

GM says (to Gerry), "oh, nice one"

GM says, "this takes the pressure off some of the mages, who begin casting around for other threats"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "Wait, was that 'domain under attack' actually a 'chancel under attack', or are whimsy and madness also being assaulted?"

GM says (to Gerry), ""There's some kind of third group in the realm", one says to you."

Davey turns into a tank

[nobilis] GM says (to Chaz), "oops, my apologies, yes, realm"

GM says, "meanwhile, back at the zeppelins, it's getting ugly"

Davey . o O ( find me a target! )

Gerry . o O (to all) ( Shit. There's a third attacking force somewhere! )

Davey burns RMPs till he finds something to shell

Alison concentrates, trying to divine the location and nature of the Third Attack.

GM says, "one has just exploded in an enormous burst of flame, sending Tyoka flying off until he slams into the one that Cecily's on, which is sinking to the ground"

Chaz . o O (to gerry) ( Third group as in the one that's not us our Cecily's entourage? )

Tyoka oofs.

[nobilis] Alison says, "(With 1 penetration as well, of course)"

GM says, "luckily Alison has knocked them away from the highway by this point"

Stella . o O (to Gerry) ( Where? I'll go slow them down! )

[nobilis] GM says (to Tyoka), "you, by the way, have just taken a deadly wound from being at ground zero (but it was in a good cause)"

Tyoka dazedly flies towards Cecily and offers assistance.

Gerry says (to Chaz), "Third group as in Not zeppelins or mmaze breachers."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I live for that kind of thing"

GM says (to Alison), "good lord -- they seem to be heading for the chancel's heart"

Alison . o O ( The Heart! )

GM says (to Alison), "outsiders (or even people with realm < 2) aren't supposed to be able to locate that at all"

Alison runs for the heart herself.

Davey does a Realm Major Divination, looks up what to spend on it

GM says (to Alison), "since it's, like, where the imperator's body is buried"

Chaz . o O (to alison) ( Uh, where's that? )

[nobilis] Alison asks (of GM), "Did I get any info about who it was?"

Gerry says (to Mages), "Some of you stay here with me. The rest, protect the Heart!"

Alison . o O (to Chaz) ( Follow me. )

[nobilis] GM says, "no, just -- gleaming white"

[nobilis] GM says, "and pain"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "it's zarf!"

[nobilis] Gerry asks, "Was I able to see who's wandering through the maze lost?"

Chaz exclaims (at grandstand_people), "There you go! You should be safe there. Just pray to whimsy if you need anything!"

GM says (to Tyoka), "you grab up Cecily, whose flying spell has apparently failed her and was otherwise going to smash"

Chaz flashes a grin at everyone, skates off after Alison.

Stella races towards the Heart, and envelopes the invaders in darkness.

[nobilis] GM says (to Gerry), "you see troops in gleaming white, much like the others on the zeppelin"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "Zarf AND Stormtroopers!"

GM says, "meanwhile, back at the zeppelins, the two surviving zeppelins are shedding troops in parachutes even as they crash towards the ground"

Alison ducks into an unmarked passage, behind the fortune teller's tent.

GM says, "it looks like about six dozen between them; some of Davey's biker gang is driving towards them, firing"

Tyoka deposits Cecily safely(?) on the ground.

GM asks (of Davey), "where are you going?"

Tyoka starts at the troops and sets as many parachutes aflame as he can

GM says (to Tyoka), ""Who the hell is that?" she asks."

Davey says, "I spend 4 RMPs on the Divination to find the third force"

Tyoka yells (over his shoulder), "I DON'T KNOW, BUT THEY'RE DEAD"

[nobilis] Stella asks, "Did we actually find the third group attacking the Heart, so we can attack them? Or are we still looking?"

[nobilis] GM says (to Stella), "you're still heading there, for dramatic effect"

Davey says, "if that fails, I shell the troops and pray to the others for more targets"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "I'm also glad I took firebreathing"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Lis found them, I think."

GM says (to Davey), "(it seems likely this is the people going to the realm"

[nobilis] Alison says (to Davey), "They're attacking the Chanel's Heart."

Tyoka . o O (to davey) ( Don't shoot me, I'm the one setting chutes on fire! )

[nobilis] Alison says, "Er, Chancel's."

GM says (to Davey), "er, realm's heart. you can head there or stop the paratroopers)"

[nobilis] Davey says, "I DON"T KNOW WHERE THAT IS"

[nobilis] GM says, "Alison is leading people"

Davey says, "oh, if I do, that sounds more important"

[nobilis] Alison exclaims (at Davey), "Then follow me already!"

Davey says, "I think the gang can tie up the troops a bit"

GM says, "the paratroopers are firing at Tyoka as he zooms in, breathing fire"

Gerry uses Lesser Creations to create puzzling trap rooms within the maze, as well as extend it considerably, for safety's sake.

Davey rumbles to the Heart

GM asks (of Tyoka), "are you dodging bullets here? or ignoring them?"

Tyoka asks (of GM), "can I dodge them?"

GM says (to Tyoka), "aspect-4 miracle, sure"

Tyoka says, "I'll just rotate and careen wildly"

Tyoka says (to GM), "mm, with me and aspect 0..."

[nobilis] Alison says (to Tyoka), "4 AMPs."

[nobilis] Alison says, "(If you choose to dodge)"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I guess I'll have to"

[nobilis] GM says, "if you're aspect 0, you have 1 serious wound and 2 surface wounds left, and no deadly wounds"

[nobilis] Davey says, "I thought he was Immortal"

[nobilis] GM asks, "oh, my apologies, are you?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "Eternal"

[nobilis] GM says, "no, just eternal, I guess"

[nobilis] Davey says, "whoops"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "I'm the one that's immortal."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "then I definitely have to dodge"

GM says, "Tyoka miraculously twists his body, as bullets zing past his ears, hair, feet, fingers, arms, legs, ankles, and so on, but never actually manage to hit"

GM says, "meanwhile he is breathing out fiery death"

GM says, "and parachutes go up in flames and the troops fall screaming"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "even for Madness, this is insane"

GM says, "And now, back at the realm's heart"

Alison exclaims, "This way!"

[nobilis] Chaz says (to inky), "There's your LJ quote ;-)"

Davey says, "rummble"

GM says, "the others -- Alison, Davey, Chaz, Stella (and Gerry?) -- charge into the realm's heart"

Davey says, "NOT THE TILTAWHIRL"

[nobilis] Chaz falls over.

[nobilis] Gerry says, "I'm watching the maze. I sent some mages, though."

GM says, "glowing in the center is an enormous fortune-teller's machine complete with talking head; beside it are representations of Alison and Tyoka"

Gerry continues to confound the intruders with cokoban levels and strange markings of primes by the doorway to each room of the maze.

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "er.. sokoban."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "yay!"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Are those representations good things (tht are supposed to be there) or bad things (that weren't there before)?"

GM says, "there is some kind of rite going on here -- about a half-dozen people dressed in white are trying to scribe out runes in the floor and lighting candles and incense"

[nobilis] Chaz says (to machine), "I want to be bigger."

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "we're cuckoo for cokoban"

[nobilis] GM says, "(they're good things -- for people with realm 2+ they have a representation in the heart as part of their connection to the realm)"

GM says, "but you don't have much time to notice this, because there's also about eight people, some with machine guns, who start firing as you come in"

Davey says, "lessee how the like a tank shell in the middle of the squad"

Alison exclaims, "Ack!"

Chaz . o O (to 'Lis) ( Man, I remember *that* haircut. )

GM says, "aspect 4 miracle to dodge, or take a deadly would (or serious, for you durant folks)"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "yay tank shell"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "How many people can I lesser Preserve at once?"

Chaz skates in front of Alison to block the bullets with his body/skateboard.

[nobilis] Davey says, "I doubt I can dodge in this form"

[nobilis] Stella says, "if I can't shift to elemental in time, I take a serious wound."

[nobilis] GM says (to Davey), "yeah, but I assume you don't care for the moment"

[nobilis] GM says (to Stella), "you can shift"

[nobilis] GM says (to Alison), "preserve from injury? well, you can give them effective durant"

[nobilis] GM says, "but I guess the answer is one"

[nobilis] Alison asks (of GM), "Yeah. Can I do they whole group of us at once?"

[nobilis] Alison says, "Oh, OK."

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Down go the mages, I guess."

[nobilis] Alison says, "If Chaz is protecting me, and Stella can shift, I'll protect Davey."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "very belated, we have a nobilis quotebook if you want to add whatever it was anyway"

Davey says, "If they're away from the Heart I fire"

Stella tries the light-to-sand-particles trick on the invaders.

GM says, "Stella shifts to light-form, and the bullets whistle through her"

[nobilis] Alison says, "(Do our mages have time to confuse the shooters at all before they're gunned down?)"

Davey asks, "the guys in white are baddies?"

GM says, "Chaz cries out as he slides in front of Alison and takes the bullets for her (but he's immortal, so it could be worse)"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "(#5245)"

GM says, "Davey's hull is ripped up a bit by the bullets but he's a tank, so it could be worse for him too"

[nobilis] Alison says, "(Oh, he's a tank? Heh, guess that wasn't necessary to protect him then... :) )"

GM says, "the mages start chanting some things, but it's not clear if they accomplished anything before they're dropped by the bullets, except to cry out "They're trying to cut--""

GM says, "then Davey fires"

GM says, "and the world shakes"

[nobilis] Davey says, "oh dear"

GM says, "(I'm assuming Davey doesn't fire right at the realm's heart, because that would be Bad, but it is going to take some fallout damage)"

[nobilis] Davey asks, "are the guys in white ours or theirs?"

GM says, "one group of the eight attackers (ie, the ones not doing the ritual) is blown apart"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Theirs."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "they're the stormtroopers"

GM says, "the other four, on the other side of the room, scatter"

Davey says, "yeah, I was avoiding that. Guess I'll avaiod it more now."

Davey says, "gonna try to run them down"

Tyoka asks (of Alison), "can you Preserve the heart instead?"

Alison says (to Tyoka), "Good thought."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "er, channel"

Davey says, "the ritual guys. Bad. They go squish now"

[nobilis] Alison says, "For my next trick, I will do as Tyoka suggests."

[nobilis] Stella asks, "did the light-sand work on any of them?"

[nobilis] GM says, "(the ritual guys are right by the heart)"

[nobilis] GM says (to Stella), "oh, sorry -- that'll be a level-6 change miracle"

Davey says, "I'm running them over, not shooting them"

Gerry, feeling the shaking, sends four of the remaining mages to the heart, leaving one with himself in case.

[nobilis] GM asks (of Stella), "which are you aiming at? the ones by the heart or the other group of attackers not being shot at by Davey?"

[nobilis] Alison says, "In fact, I'll spend my other three RMPs for a Major Preservation for the Heart."

[nobilis] Alison says, "To protect it from whatever ritual they're doing."

[nobilis] Stella says, "the non-Davey ones."

Davey says, "not shooting any more. Shooting makes earth shake."

Alison reaches out one arm towards the gian head marking the Realm's Heart. A look of peace and serenity falls over her face.

GM says, "two of the remaining attackers are suddenly torn apart by microscopic particles made large"

Davey says, "ouchie"

GM says, "meanwhile, the ones doing the ritual suddenly curse and the air smells of ozone, as if a lightning bolt was grounded unexpectedly"

GM says, "two grab up guns and fire at Alison"

Chaz continues to protect her.

GM says (to Chaz), "ow ow ow ow ow ow"

Alison ignores them, as she's conentrating on the preservation of the Heart right now.

GM says (to GM), "but you stand firm, and so does Alison"

Chaz . o O ( Man, I hope the ripped shirt comes back in vogue. )

GM says, "meanwhile, Davey finally makes it to the heart, and grinds through an edge of the markings on the ground"

GM says, "the air flickers, and the remaining ritual folks look at each other, and start to stand and run"

Tyoka . o O (to davey) ( I really hope you're one of those Leopard speed panzers )

Davey . o O ( uh, I think I'm whatever Eisenhower had in mind when he created the Interstate system )

GM says, "I think the attackers are trying to break for the exit now"

GM says, "they're spreading out along the edges and running"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "(Davey is effectively plowing a new interstate highway through the middle of the heart.)"

Davey turns into a fast car

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "that's the worst pickup line EVER"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says, "Go Infrastructure!"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "you THINK? You're the GM!"

Ghogg materializes.

GM says, "somebody turns and hurls a grenade at Davey as he follows"

Davey exclaims, "eeagh!"

Chaz, finding no more bullets coming at him, does an ollie over a couple dead bodies, then a half-browmeister, which is leaping over someone and whapping them boardside in the forehead.

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg asks, "I see we have had a change of scene?"

GM says, "(aspect 3 to avoid, I guess, aspect 5 to avoid and keep chasing them)"

[nobilis] Tyoka says (to davey), "time to spend some amp"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Is Davey still protected by my earlier preservation?"

Michel arrives, looking for booty.

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to ghogg), "massive attack on the Heart"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "from cotton candy scones to grenades"

[nobilis] GM asks (of Alison), "I think you can only sustain one at once -- do you want to drop the preservation on the realm's heart?"

Stella re-focuses the light-sand at the fleeing troops.

[Crows-Nest] Gerry asks, "Wasn't that their third album?"

[nobilis] Davey asks, "okay, I have Aspect 1. How much does an Aspect 5 miracle cost me?"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "Wait, can I grab the grenade?"

[nobilis] GM says (to Davey), "4 aspect miracle points"

[nobilis] Alison says (to GM), "No, better not."

GM says, "Chaz speeds after Davey, catching up."

[nobilis] Alison says, "Davey might try to shell it again."

Davey spends the 4AMP and chases

[nobilis] GM says (to Chaz), "level 4 miracle"

[nobilis] Davey says, "I switched to a fast, less lethal thing"

[nobilis] GM says, "(and then I guess you can toss it back for free)"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says (to Ghogg), "We assume that Lo left when w landed the Zeppelin."

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "Well, yeah."

[nobilis] Chaz asks (of Davey), "Are you sindeed spending the amps?"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "He's probably with Franklin, wherever he's at."

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Er, indeed."

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "He's got things to do, ethicical systems to rewrite."

[nobilis] Davey says, "yeah"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "(Where's Franklin at?)"

[nobilis] Davey says, "guess that's fair, didn't know you could jump like that"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "Also, better this chancel than the other one, at least you have people with realm points"

Chaz just skates over the grenade, using the force of the explosion to hurl him at the fleeing group.

GM says, "ok, Davey drives up on two wheels, almost flipping over, as he skirts the explosion"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "franklin is cowering in a small igloo like shelter with walls made of foot-thick paper"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to Franklin), "yay"

GM says, "Chaz wobbles a bit unsteadily but stays on his board"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to Franklin), "I hope no burning parachute fallout lands on you"

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

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg asks, "Who won the duel?"

GM says, "two of the attackers died in the explosion -- the half-dozen left are doing their best to get away but not managing"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "we got distracted"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "That's not exactly clear."

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "Heh."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "but I saved the other one's ass, so we win"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg asks, "Got interrupted, eh?"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says (to Ghogg), "We think Stella, but the judge disappeared and we got attacked, so no one knows."

Davey says, "wanna try to hit these guys, hopefully leave one alive for questioning"

Chaz . o O (to davey) ( Right. )

[Crows-Nest] Alison says (to Tyoka), "Unless they say Stella left the circle first, to help defend against the attack."

GM says, "finally, they pause for a minute"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg asks, "Also, what happened to your Hell's Angels?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to Alison), "I'm hoping on Cecily to cancel the duel"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to Ghogg), "they're shooting paratroopers while I set their chutes on fire"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "Last we saw of them, they were holding off ground troops in a firefight."

Michel fills the null-field.

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says (to ghogg), "also, don't get complacent, because our chancel is probably next"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "Hey, it's not *my* chancel"

[Crows-Nest] Gerry says (to Franklin), "His chancel was probably first."

GM says, "one of them removes something from his pocket"

[Crows-Nest] Alison says, "That place would burn like a... like a... like a big wooden building filled with lots of paper."

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "Mine didn't get attacked, it got disappeared"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says (to gerry), "hey, good point"

Chaz dives at the pocket thingy.

Stella dives, elemental form, at pocket-thing-guy, blinding him.

Tyoka says, "(am I the only one left outside?)"

GM says, "he hurls it to the ground, just as you get close enough to see -- it's an Alyssym flower, symbolic of Excellence and Vanity"

[nobilis] Alison says (to Tyoka), "I think Gerry's in the maze, but not in the Heart."

GM says, "and then there is an explosion, and man, even for an Immortal, this is a crappy day"

[nobilis] Gerry says (to Tyoka), "I'm outside, but not near oyu."

Chaz . o O ( Ow. )

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "aha"

[Crows-Nest] DavidW asks, "Flowers go boom?"

Chaz again tries to block the explosion with his body.

[nobilis] Gerry asks, "A delayed miracle?"

GM says, "outside, Tyoka and Davey's gang subdue and/or kill the rest of the paratroopers"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Does that mean they were using the flower for the rite, or that the flwoer was an explosive?"

GM says, "and Gerry does the same to the troops in the maze, using the native magics of the place in addition to his control of soupcans and so on"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "We found out earlier that Stella can cast a delayed-action miracle by tying it to crushing a flower."

Stella's light particles were scattered a bit by the explosion, and it takes her a moment to re-coalesce.

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "YES"

GM says, "and, at least for now, the chancel is safe"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Vanity+Excellence sounds like Competition, but it could be someone else too."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "yay"

[nobilis] Ghogg asks, "Self help?"

Davey returns to human form

Davey asks, "any baddies still here?"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "And we have prisoners?"

Alison is in her peaceful place. Mmm, Heart.

Davey looks over Chaz.

[nobilis] GM says, "yes, some"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg asks, "who was the deity of self help manuals?"

[nobilis] Davey asks, "does he need to be scraped into a shoe box till he gets better?"

[nobilis] Alison says, "Or even Treasure."

Tyoka flies towards the ground as his strength gives out, and he crashes unceremoniously into the ground and lies inert.

Chaz is rather ripped up, but seems happy.

Alison asks (of Chaz), "Is it over?"

Stella is looking quite worse for wear. First a duel, then a war. Its been a long day, and its only midafternoon.

Chaz . o O (to 'lis) ( I think so, sweetie. Good work in there. )

Davey asks, "hey. These baddies, maybe they were after Cecily and the other guy, and figured they's be weaker at our place?"

[nobilis] GM says, "(and that's the end of the session, unless anyone else wants to do something -- prisoner interrogation can wait until next session)"

Davey is suddenly a little suspicious of Edmund.

Chaz asks (of Davey), "But why attack our heart?"

Stella asks (of Davey), "But why (pant pant) attack the Heart?"

[nobilis] Stella exclaims, "timing!"

Chaz . o O (to Cecily) ( Hey, are you OK? )

Davey says, "opportunity. It got most of us over here, and if they'd succeeded, big bonus."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I assume I'll need some care for that serious wound"

Alison smiles back at Chaz. "Thanks" She looks at him. "Mom's going to kill you when she sees what happened to yout new shirt."

[nobilis] Ghogg nominates Alison to do the interrogating

Stella asks (of GM), "Any sustained injuries we need to remember for the next session?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "er, deadly"

Gerry leaves the intruders to sort out his 'One Hundred Towers of Hanoi' room, and returns to the others.

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Are all the guests and not-so-guests still around?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "I am figuring that Franklin would return to his chancel ranting and raving to everyone about what's happened and the need to defend the chancel and how freaky things are and so on"

Tyoka regains consciousness and pulls himself up weakly

[nobilis] GM says, "it'll take a month to heal the deadly wound, although you can spend an amp to heal it in a week, or 2 to heal it in a day"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I only have one left"

[nobilis] GM says (to Alison), "uh, I'm not sure what Gerry did with them -- Drake and the stranger are gone, Cecily is still here"

[nobilis] Davey says, "use the mine, you've earned it"

[nobilis] Alison asks (of GM), "Edmund?"

[nobilis] Chaz says (to Franklin), "Heh."

[nobilis] GM says, "Edmund is no longer here"

Gerry says, "Later, Gerry finds Lo and Franklin and tells them it's safe to go home. "Also, nice igloo.""

[nobilis] Tyoka asks (of davry), "how does that work?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "er, davey"

[nobilis] Davey asks, "are any of us good at getting the Truth out of folks?"

Ghogg says, "[Lo wasn't there]"

[nobilis] GM says, "oh, also, everyone receives a character point"

[nobilis] Davey says, "yay"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Woo!"

[nobilis] Alison says, "Cool."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "even me? yay oh wait"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "yay"

[nobilis] Chaz says (to Davey), "I have a vague recollection of Aisleen taking something like that."

[nobilis] Stella exclaims, "Yay CP!"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "also, fantastic session"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "I'm glad I picked this one to randomly drop in on"

[nobilis] Alison asks, "Does that mean this is an End of Story MP regen point, too?"

[nobilis] GM says, "if you want to buy new thing instead of improving an existing thing, tell me and we'll work out how you do it"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "So we've got troops and Cecily."

[nobilis] Stella says, "Yeah, way cool. The duel was a fun touch."

[nobilis] Alison says, "Yeah, very good session."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "like the best of games, you made me type reallyreallyquickly"

[nobilis] GM says, "yeah, everyone also goes back to full MPs at the start of next session, and the mana mine is refreshed"

[nobilis] Gerry says, "I was planning on going to bed after the duel ended. That didn't happen, obviously."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "in that case, I spend two on healing the deadly wound"

[nobilis] Alison says, "Woo. Whoever's injured should pump the AMPs and drain the mine now then."

[nobilis] Chaz says (to Gerry), "Heh."

[nobilis] Gerry asks (of Chaz), "You did log, right?"

Davey returns to the gang to celebrate and so forth

[nobilis] Chaz points at Perry.

Stella goes to her rooms and collapses on the bed, listening to Swan Lake.

[nobilis] PerrySimm says, "The log is on, yes."

Ghogg scootches

Ghogg goes home.

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Heh. 'Small red light.'"

Alison spends some time giving the attackers and Stella dirty looks.

Chaz watches with fascination as his wounds heal themselves.

Gerry says, "Great game. Night all."

Franklin is called home.

[nobilis] Gerry says, "Also, I was the Waiter."

[nobilis] Alison says, "Really? Yay."

[nobilis] Stella waves good-night.

Franklin arrives, looking for booty.

Davey exclaims, "later. Good game!"

Gerry has disconnected.

[nobilis] Stella exclaims, "See you all next week!"

Davey goes home.

Franklin is called home.