[nobilis] Aisleen says, "let the prisoners talk amongst themselves. i can eavesdrop on them, or stella can hang out and listen in"

GM says, "right then"

GM says, "when we last left our heroes, they had just fought off a multi-front attack on the chancel"

Davey asks, "can we send messages to our vanished guests to see if they're all right?"

GM says, "Gerry and some of the chancel mages had blocked off an enemy in the maze, while Tyoka and Davey's biker gang kept off the paratroopers, and everybody else fought it out with some people trying to do some kind of ceremony in the Chancel's Heart"

Davey says, "the timing of this (zepplins and all) suggest the attack may have been arranged to take advantage of their being here"

Davey asks, "since, why attack a chancel when you know all the Powers are home?"

Chaz says (to Davey), "Hmm."

Tyoka says, "to make sure you get them all"

[nobilis] Chaz asks (of GM), "Right, and Cecily had helped take down a zepplin. Is she OK?"

Aisleen says (to davey), "knock off several powers at once"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I deposited her safely on the ground"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "last thing I know about that"

[nobilis] Chaz nods.

GM says, "(the powers of interest being Cecily, who was in the duel; Franklin and Lo, watching; Drake, judging; mysterious guy down below, watching)"

Tyoka says, "of who Drake and Mysterious suddenly vanished"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "Oh, and are Cecily's horses still around?"

GM says, "Cecily hooked up with Davey's biker gang to help ward off the paratroopers, I guess"

[nobilis] GM says (to Chaz), "they're huddled in a corner of the highway, looking distressed"

[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "we know nothing about Mysterious, do we?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka asks, "would it be hard-assed to challenge her to finish the duel now?"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says, "Hee! Actually, it was done. Drake was just about to declare a winner."

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says (to Aisleen), "Except that Drake recognized him."

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says, "(er channel)"

GM says, "but yeah, currently Cecily is walking over to the group as they emerge from the Heart. "Who were those people?" she asks."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "Drake, IIRC, had a "what-the-hell-is-he-doing-here" expression when he saw Mysterious"

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen asks (of chaz), "okay. And Drake is in chacnel? can we ask him?"

[nobilis] Stella says, "<sigh> ellric WILL NOT go to sleep."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "(this is right after last week, right? so wounds haven't healed?)"

[nobilis] GM says, "not yet, right"

Davey growls, "We're gonna find out."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "ok, so I'm probably limping and stuff"

[nobilis] Aisleen asks (of inky), "my healing won't work on nobilis, would it?"

[nobilis] Stella says, "I think we're all feeling a bit puny after that fight."

[nobilis] Davey asks, "so, anybody know how to read minds?"

Ghogg materializes.

Ghogg waves

[nobilis] GM says, "mm, I don't know what we decided there -- I think the answer is no, you can't use your powers directly even on willing nobilis"

[nobilis] Stella says (to Davey), "Kinda like tea leaves? Stir them around in the bottom of your drinking cup, and see what they say."

GM says, "ah, and there's Lo now"

[nobilis] Aisleen says, "ah. okay"

GM says, "looks like he made it through the confusion ok also"

Chaz . o O (to drake) ( Hey, are you OK? Things seem to have settled down here again. )

[nobilis] Stella is feeling unusally bloody-minded after the Chancel-Heart attack.

Ghogg goes home.

Aisleen asks (of Tyoka), "Need to sit down and rest a bit?"

[nobilis] Davey asks, "did we kill all the Heart attackers?"

Tyoka says, "Indeed"

[nobilis] Davey says, "there was that explosion"

Lo materializes.

[nobilis] Chaz says, "The suicide-bombed."

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Er, they."

GM says, "Drake flashes a brief thought to Chaz. "Please apologize on my behalf for running off -- I need to look into something. I should be back soon.""

[nobilis] Davey says, "bah, so we're down to cannon-fodder"

Chaz . o O (to drake) ( Glad to know you're OK. See you in a bit. )

Chaz says, "Drake's OK, and 'needs to look for something'. He'll be back."

Aisleen says, "I hope it's related to that mysterious guy"

Lo blinks and glances around.

[nobilis] GM says, "in terms of personel, you've got some paratroopers and some of the maze army to talk to; in terms of Stuff, there's, I think, a zeppelin or two, the rituual equipment in the Heart, and people's personal items"

[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "where are the personal items?"

Chaz says, "Well, we might be able to get some info out of them anyway."

[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "scattered through the chancel?"

[nobilis] GM says, "well, stuff that's on people if you search them, I mean -- and, yes, probably scattered across the chancel in some cases"

Chaz gets the resident carny-mystics to work on summoning the spirits of the dead for forced and/or willing interrogation.

Lo says, "What happened, exactly? I was leaving and I sensed some personal philosophies that had an uncomfortable amount to do about killing."

Aisleen says (to chaz), "I can interrogate humans in their sleep/dreams...their subconscious would probably have less to lie, if that's what we want to look at"

Stella says (to Lo), "Led Zeppellin attacked."

Chaz says (to Aisleen), "Oooh, neat."

Lo nods and eyes the bodies

Stella says, "Or rather, lead Zeppelins, and we're trying to discover who the leader is/was."

Chaz asks (of Aisleen), "Does being dead count as sleep? Like, before they get reincarnated?"

Lo says, "Are they all dead? It's trickier to interrogate in that case."

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "People do get reincarnated in nobilis-verse, right?"

Chaz says (to Lo), "The leaders are."

[nobilis] GM says, "yes"

Davey does a sweep of the Heart area. No, gets a Polaroid camera first and snaps what's left of the ritual area

[nobilis] GM says, "unless they end up in heaven or hell"

Stella says, "I think we still have some storm troopers around, though."

[nobilis] GM says, "but that's rare"

[nobilis] Chaz nods.

Lo thinks

Lo asks, "Are they mortals?"

[nobilis] Aisleen says (to chaz), "I don't think death would work. if they were hallucinating or dreaming...I don't know how a dead one can have thoughts."

Stella says, "Well, they died, so I assume they were mortal."

Chaz gathers up a couple other mages to go visit the heart to see what was going on there. He then realizes he can't find it again, gets help from Alison.

GM says, "the carnival's (surviving) mages start working on the rites to summon back the spirits of the dead"

[nobilis] Lo says, "oh, whoops, read that backwards"

[nobilis] Chaz says (to Aisleen), "Well, they have to go *somewhere*."

GM says, "while others take a look at the Heart, with Davey and Chaz"

[nobilis] Aisleen says, "true. if GM gives it an OK, I will be willing to enter the land of the grey and find out what they were thinking"

Davey says, "I wanna get these flowers and doo-dad's away from the Big Head, but I'm makin' sure we can describe what they were doing. Maybe we can look it up in that library."

[nobilis] GM says, "I don't think dead is the same as dreaming, no. but there are survivors whose dreams you could look at"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "there's always Dead But Dreaming"

Chaz says, "Oh, right--I recognized that flower that exploded. It was a...hmm."

Aisleen asks (of davey), "any intersting personal effects you see?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "Alyssym"

GM says, "the mages stroke their chins and/or honk their rubber noses thoughtfully as they stare at the remaining runes inscribed on the floor and burned-out candles and so on"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "symbol of Excellence and Vanity"

Chaz says, "Alyssym! That was it."

[Crows-Nest] Chaz exclaims, "Hee!"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka tries not to fall over.

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen laughs

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "I'm just looking forwards to the prospect of any of you trying to find anything in our library"

[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "flowers are associated with various nobili, right?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "now inky must choose his own quote as best quote"

GM says, ""It's hard to figure out exactly what was going on," one says. "But it seems to have been some kind of attempt to block off? or cut away? this part of the chancel.""

Tyoka asks, "Just this part?"

Tyoka says, "Not that it's not the most important one"

Lo frowns deeply

GM says, ""I do not know enough of the ways of the nobilis to say what the effect would be of cutting out the Chancel's Heart, but it would likely be bad.""

Davey asks, "hrrm, strand us away from the Heart? or steal the Heart? what would that have done to us?"

Lo says, "Well, one possibility is it would make the chancel inaccessible."

Tyoka asks (of Mages), "Where do we find out?"

Aisleen asks (of davey), "would it have affected our ability to talk to our imperator?"

[nobilis] Davey says, "I thought the Heart was where the Imperator lives. But Shaggy's away from home."

Chaz asks (of Lo), "Inaccessible?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "it is where his body is buried"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "from what I gathered"

[nobilis] Davey says, "weird"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "what that *means* I don't know"

Lo asks, "Have I told any of you before who my Imperator is?"

[nobilis] Stella says, "It means Badness."

Tyoka says, "No"

Chaz shakes his head.

GM says (to Tyoka), "the mages give you a "don't ask us, *you're* the nobilis" look"

Lo says, "The Imperator of the Four Winds. Our chancel is -- was -- in the Himalayas."

Aisleen asks (of lo), "Was?"

Lo says, "Well, you see, I tend to have very long missions."

Davey says, "we need to talk to someone who knows a lot about Noble rituals"

Lo says, "Deep philsophical questions, that sort of thing, where I am alone for as long as 20 years."

Stella says (to Lo), ""Was" implies the unthinkable. I wonder if these perpetrators were attempting to create another Chancel that *was.*"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "damn, I want an imperator like that"

Lo says, "So I only communicate intermittently. And I was returning with an answer, when I found the chancel was no longer there."

Tyoka asks, "not... there?"

Aisleen says (to lo), "did it move? or was it *ulp* destroyed"

Lo says, "You wouldn't be talking to me if it was destroyed."

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "doh. right"

Chaz says, "And you think the heart may have been cut off."

Lo says, "I also am unable to contact the other Nobilis in my chancel."

Chaz asks, "Do you know if they live?"

Michel fills the null-field.

Lo says, "I do not know. The Deities of Prophecy and Programming both are quiet types to begin with, especially Programming, but a message like "the chancel is gone" would warrant a response, you would think."

Chaz says, "And people are still programming. And I guess prophesying."

Tyoka says, "Right"

Tyoka says, "So we should find someone to answer our questions"

Stella says, "Questioning our attackers must be a priority, so we can learn how to defend against future attacks."

Lo says, "Indeed. And I now have a new idea how to find out what happened, but first we should see to your matter."

Chaz nods.

Tyoka says, "But at the same time we will not want to leave t"

Tyoka coughs.

Tyoka says, "this place unguarded"

Stella asks (of Aisleen), "You mentioned traveling to the grey realm?"

Chaz searches the bodies, starting with the flower guy, trying to reconstruct any stuff that has been blown to smithereens.

Aisleen asks (of stella), "yeah. if any/some are asleep, i can go there, while tyoka works on the awake ones?"

Tyoka worriedly looks at the blood he just coughed up.

Aisleen says (to stella), "or rather, let the poor guy get some rest"

[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "are we in the heart or walking to the heart?"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "I assume we've been wandering around, communicating by thought if necessary."

Stella says, "I think taking some time to plan and recuperate might be wise. Rushing off badly injured is risky."

Lo asks (of GM), "How far along is the spirit-summoning?"

[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "are we surrounded by dead? or are there live (possibly sleeping) prisoners where we are?"

[nobilis] GM says, "there are live prisoners in the chancel someplace"

[nobilis] GM says, "you can hunt them up if you want"

Davey says, "yeah, let's regroup. If Aisleen's up to it, we can let the prisoners stew, and hope they'll chitchat while they're awake, or dream while they're asleep, and she can eavesdrop"

Chaz nods.

Davey asks, "we got a secure place to stash them?"

GM says (to Lo), "one of the mages is just coming to find Chaz"

Chaz asks (of mage), "Yes?"

Aisleen asks (of davey), "Would one of the carnival booths be secure?"

Chaz says (to Aisleen), "I think we should just seal off a bit of the maze."

GM says, ""We have managed to bring up a few of the spirits, sir -- three of the paratroopers, one of one of their lieutenants, and two of the spirits of our deceased comrades""

Lo says, "Let me soften up the spirits first before you ask questions. I have a particular talent that can help."

Davey says, "I'll head back out of the Heart, get the boys to work building a nice chainlink pen out in the sun"

Stella says (to Davey), "And I can make sure they enjoy PlentY of sunlight."

Davey says, "heh"

[nobilis] GM says, "har"

Aisleen says (to davey), "that sounds great."

Aisleen asks (of chaz), "what did yu have in mind with the spirits?"

Lo follows the mage back to where the spirits are

Lo asks, "What do they look like, out of curiosity?"

[nobilis] Davey says, "aw, poor mage guys. We oughta just thank them and let them go on"

Chaz says (to Aisleen), "I had hoped to get one of the leaders, but hey."

Chaz says (to mage), "Thanks. Let me talk to our own first."

Chaz follows the guy.

GM says, "there's a single pentagram in the middle of the room, with candles burning at the corners and others in between those -- most of the flames are tiny at the moment"

GM says, "As the mage comes in, he walks over and speaks to some other mages who are there already, chanting, and the candle flames change -- some shrinking and some growing -- as the spirit of one of the mages appears in the pentagram"

Aisleen runs to catch up to see the spirits with Lo

GM says, "it glows a faint white, visible only because the room is dimly lit"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "sorry, gotta AFK doing something about stomach, so just assume I lapsed into unconsciousness or something; I'm sure inky can think of something in-character"

Lo smiles radiantly.

GM says, "the spirit bows, slightly, within the pentagram. "I apologize that I have failed you, my lords.""

[nobilis] Lo asks, "can I turn on my Serenity here?"

Chaz says (to spirit), "Not at all, my good servant. With your efforts, we repelled the invaders. The chancel is safe."

[nobilis] GM says, "yes, although it's not clear what it'll do to ghosts -- but it's worth a shot"

[nobilis] Lo says, "Well, that wasn't my major idea anyway, but I'll try"

Lo turns on Serenity full blast.

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "talk about not paying attention. I didn't realize these spirits were on our side"

Lo compensates a little so Chaz doesn't get unnerved

Chaz says, "I called you back for two reasons. Uh..."

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "What's this Serenity thing?"

GM says, "the ghost's expression shifts into one of distress, and then it calms. "I am glad my sacrifice was not in vain...""

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "We have paratroopers, and comrades"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "actually I think Serenity is the total opposite of madness, so"

[nobilis] Lo says, "it's his glorious"

[nobilis] Lo says, "You have Madness, he has Serenity"

Tyoka suddenly slumps over unconscious.

[nobilis] Lo asks, "Cool, eh?"

[nobilis] GM says, "you can choose to be affected by Lo's emotional radiation or not"

[nobilis] Lo says, "Er, Tyoka does"

Chaz . o O ( Woah. )

[nobilis] Lo says, "Sorry"

Davey saw saw saw hammer mix pour

[nobilis] GM says, "but on mortals, it (in this case) calms them"

[nobilis] Lo says, "Totally mixed ya up, sorry"

[nobilis] Lo says, "On Nobilis, it really doesn't do much, but it does affect his appearance still"

GM says, "meanwhile, outside, Davey and his merry men are building fences and (I guess) herding guys into it"

Chaz asks (of spirit), "For one, I wondered what it was you saw when we burst in on the group. Someone said "They're trying to cut..."?"

[nobilis] Lo says, "theoretically, it should work on anything without an auctoritas"

GM says, "some of them stand around sullenly, staring out at the biker gang, but most lie on the ground and collapse, exhausted"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "(Stella afk, but reading)"

Aisleen . o O ( ..chaz hey, I am going to head out to the pen Davey is building and start on some of the more tired ones )

[nobilis] Davey says, "thanks the boys and lets them take off if they want"

Aisleen walks out to Davey's pen

[nobilis] Davey says, "urr, meant to emote"

Chaz . o O (to aisleen) ( Sounds good. I'll let you know if I need you. )

GM says, "The spirit stares at Chaz, trying to remember. "Ah, yes -- I am the master-mage of the group, you know, and I had been studying this kind of rite as part of my researches into creating confusion.""

Chaz nods.

Aisleen asks (of davey), "hey, davey, do we have all the living ones secured?"

Davey whispers to Aisleen, "Can you do your thing from a distance? I want to let them think they're not under surveillance

GM says, ""Or, at least, a similar rite -- to create confusion in the mind, one method is to block off the reasoning portion. This was not dissimilar -- it seemed to be an attempt to block off or cut out the Chancel's Heart, cutting its connection to the rest of the chancel""

Davey says, "this should be all of 'em, unless there are still some lost guys in the maze"

Lo leans on his staff

Chaz says, "Hmm."

Chaz asks, "What do you think would have been the result had they succeeded?"

Aisleen whispers to Davey, "Good thinking."

Aisleen finds a shaded tree and closes her eyes and concentrates on finding a dream by one of the unconscious prisoners

Davey . o O ( to Aisleen hey, maybe you could give 'em a cool breeze, set 'em at ease, while they think I'm the nasty bad cop )

[nobilis] Davey says, "doh, syntax"

Chaz . o O (to davey) ( They don't have to imagine that last part. )

GM says, ""It is hard to judge; I am--was--not that inclined to research the nobilis specifically, my lord, since my spells are generally ineffective against those of your kind""

Chaz nods understandingly.

Davey wanders away from the pen, gets a refreshing beverage, and sits down to glower at the prosoners from a distance

GM says, ""But I think it is likely it would be bad -- perhaps the chancel would dissolve entirely into mist, or be cut free from earth entirely""

Davey says, "-o+i"

Aisleen opens eyes, since none of them seem to be asleep yet

GM says, "meanwhile, Aisleen, just about to give up, finds a dreaming mind"

Chaz says, "Hmm."

Lo runs his hand over his chin

Aisleen smiles, ooh!

Aisleen visualizes a small road, and starts walking, and enters the dream

Chaz asks, "OK, a different question: How could they have found the Heart in the first place? Did you even know where it was? Could it have been treachery by one of our own?"

GM says, "it's not a pleasant dream -- there are, hrm, marching footsteps, all in unison. and white walls and a white light up above. somebody speaks in a voice you cannot understand (you could, but the dreamer can't) and in the dream you turn and march and climb some steps and -- then you're back in white walls, and the dream repeats, again and again"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Nice."

GM says, ""That is very strange, my lord. It is possible for us to locate the Heart with our spells, but only briefly -- sometimes we must tap into its power for our more powerful magics. I would not think any outsider's spells could do the same, however, let alone reach it physically.""

Chaz asks, "Is there something the Heart powers? Something that it links to?"

Aisleen tries to look at the marchers

GM says, ""It is possible that treachery was involved -- somehow the invaders must have gotten into the chancel in the first place.""

GM says (to Aisleen), "you turn your head, fighting against the marching crowd; they all have the same face, you suddenly realize -- yours."

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "this is creeepy"

GM says (to Aisleen), "but then you shake your head, and realize that is yours-the-dreamer, not yours-Aisleen"

Aisleen tries to listen to what that voice is saying with Aisleen-ears

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says (to gm), "thanks for the clarification"

[nobilis] Lo asks, "is this a special power for dream-reading?"

GM says (to Chaz), ""The Heart is -- well, it is the Heart of the chancel. It powers some of our magic and provides physical stability for the place as well. It is, I am told, where Shagapir the Great stood when he called All into being, and then he sank into the earth and buildings sprung up""

[nobilis] Stella exclaims, "I'm back Ellric is finally sleeping yeah!!"

Chaz nods.

Chaz says, "So I guess *he* would know. I hope he hasn't been captured by Excrucians or something."

GM says (to Aisleen), "you concentrate, and begin to piece it together -- "Captains, gather your troops -- the drill will begin at 1300 hours -- we have a month -- we have a week -- we have a day -- the way is clear -- Jenson will instruct you -- remain invisible -- recall the anti-confusion rites ---"

[nobilis] Davey says, "he's soul-twisted"

[nobilis] GM says (to Lo), "yeah, she bought it as a gift"

[nobilis] Lo says, "excellent"

Aisleen . o O ( ..davey can you be my note taker? this is too much detail )

[nobilis] Davey says, "hmm, but if he were *convinced* to turn"

Davey . o O ( beam it on over )

Lo asks (of Chaz), "Lieutenant, now?"

Chaz says (to Spirit), "I have another question, but first give me a minute."

[nobilis] Stella exclaims, "but why destroy himself? that's more than turning, its suicide!"

Aisleen . o O ( ..davey Jenson will instruct you -- remain invisible -- recall the anti-confusion rites )

Davey says, "hmm"

GM says, "the mage does the local equivalent of crossing himself. "Were that to happen, surely we would all feel its effects soon -- there would be little hope for us""

Lo says, "(That was beamed, but my goofy client is messing with me)"

Davey . o O ( we'll do a whole 'name, rank, serial number' routine on these guys later...give 'em a meal, too, I guess. Maybe some have weaker conditioning than others' )

Chaz asks (of guy_that_got_him), "(quietly) Is there any way to link a spirit to an object? Either willingly or unwillingly? So if Henderson here wanted to stay, he could?"

Aisleen looks around as the marching army goes up the steps

Aisleen asks, "do i see anything up these steps?"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Since sara is confused, you might be too--guy that got me is the mage that fetched me here, Henderson is the name I just made up for the spirit."

[nobilis] Lo says, "I'll be right back, need to make a phone call"

Lo goes home.

GM says (to Aisleen), "there's what looks like -- hrm, up the steps, then a short ramp, then a room with benches -- and barely, you can see people sitting on the benches, then suddenly standing up and jumping over the other edge"

Aisleen leaves the marchers and joins the people on the benches.

Aisleen looks over the edge

GM says (to Chaz), ""He could be bound to a room or an area, yes -- it would be easier if he were willing but not impossible even if he were not""

GM exclaims (at Aisleen), "they're jumping into a roaring fire!"

Lo materializes.

Tyoka stirs and moans.

Michel arrives, looking for booty.

Aisleen . o O ( ..davey what a nightmare. endless marching, jumping in to a roaring fire )

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to aisleen), "you can use "think person=stuff" for direct thinking"

Aisleen returns to the marchers, and tries to talk to one of them. (they are all the same people)

Lo . o O (to Tyoka) ( How are you feeling? )

Davey . o O ( freaky. I bet we can charm some of these poor schlubs to our side. )

Chaz says (to Spirit), "OK, my other question is: Would you like to stay? Your soul is immortal, and would be reincarnated again, but you would likely retain no memories of this life. But you have proven yourself worthy, and your skills would be greatly appreciated here, still. If you like, your compatriots tell me there are ways to let you stay in the chancel."

Tyoka . o O (to Lo) ( What the heck did you do there? )

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "ah right. i kept forgetting the syntax"

Davey strolls to the carnival cafe to arrange some cornbread and stew at sunset

GM says, ""I would .. I think I would like that, my lord -- but I do not think I would like to be bound forever""

Lo . o O (to Tyoka) ( Hmm? )

GM says (to Aisleen), ""March!" they say. "March!""

Chaz nods. "Give the word, and we will release you once again."

Davey says, "not your A-game stew, sugar, not till we pick some out for good behavior."

Stella joins Davey in the carnival cafe, and attempt to shoot the breeze with him for a few minutes.

Tyoka . o O (to Lo) ( You did ... something with the spirits, and my lights went out )

Davey says, "Aisleen's got a dreamer. Looks like the troops are conditioned, suicidal even."

Aisleen asks (of marcher), "Do you know where you are marching to?"

Davey says, "They used spells against our confusion, and they knew invisibility tricks. They may have been in the chancel for awhile before the duel"

[nobilis] Lo says, "uh, Tyoka, nothing should have happened, it doesn't affect Nobilis really ;)"

Chaz says (to surrounding_mages), "When we're done here, see what you can do about binding this man to the chancel. Free reign while here would be nice, but see what you can do. If he has any opinions about specifics, see what you can do to fulfill them."

Stella shudders. "Sounds awful. Does she have any idea yet who did the conditioning? That must be hard on her, poor thing.

GM says, ""We have our mission! We must conquer! For glory!""

Davey says, "there's a 'Jenson' -- sounds like an under-commander."

GM says (to Chaz), ""Of course, lord. Did you wish to speak to another spirit?""

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "then maybe it was something else :)"

Chaz says, "Yes. There's another of ours, right? Let's talk with him."

Chaz says (to Spirit), "Thank you again for your fine service."

Aisleen asks (of marcher), "who is your leader?"

[nobilis] Lo says, "Now, if you want to majorly confuse a non-Nobilis, we could both turn on at once"

[nobilis] Lo exclaims, "I'm angry *and* happy!"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "(I'm just tying things together RP-wise)"

GM says, "The marcher stares at you for a moment. "The leader is -- the leader is --" His eyes grow wide and he seems to gasp for breath for a moment, before tearing himself away and pulling back to the marching squad. "March!""

[nobilis] Michel says, "serene insanity. it's what happens when they hand out the pills in the asylum"

[nobilis] Chaz laughs.

Aisleen . o O (to davey) ( i am going to be aiming for a new dream soon if i don't get any more answers. )

GM says, "The mage's spirit bows, and slowly fades as the other spirit replaces him"

GM says, "she is also a mage, although younger and not as experienced as the previous one"

Davey . o O ( okay )

Davey returns to eyeshot of the pen

Chaz asks this one the same questions as the first, to see if she can add any new information.

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Unless you want to RP the conversation explicitly."

Davey . o O ( if we don't get info quick, here's what we'll do. Take a man out at random, give him shade and better food, wait for others to suck up to us. )

Lo . o O ( to everyone at the prisoners Oh, and if those other prisoners are still giving you trouble after a while, I can do something about it, although it will take a major expenditure of domain. )

Aisleen asks (of marcher), "where are you coming from?"

GM says, "she doesn't know anything more about what they were trying, although she can add that she seems to recall some spell for finding the chancel's heart if you have some token from there"

Chaz asks (of spirit), "Oho! What kind of token?"

GM says, ""Any sort of physical object from or near the heart, I believe -- I never used the spell myself, but I seem to recall coming across it in my research here""

GM says (to Aisleen), "the marcher keeps his eyes fixed firmly forward, and marches onwards silently"

Chaz asks, "Do you remember the name of the spell, or where you might have read about it?"

GM says, ""It was -- hrm, there must be some details back in my study. I'll just -- oh, I can't anymore, can I?""

Chaz smiles.

Chaz says, "Well, we might be able to do something about that."

Chaz asks (of mages), "Hey, you said a room or an area--what about a sufficiently magical object?"

Aisleen leaves the dream.

GM says, ""It seems possible, yes.""

GM says, ""We would have to research it.""

Aisleen opens her eyes, and exhales deeply. How unfun

GM asks (of Davey), "did you want to do direct interrogation?"

Davey says, "yeah, just name, rank, serial number, 'who do you work for' first."

Davey says, "I'm not going to start grilling people one-on-one till I get my thoughts in order"

GM says, "(I'll just summarize, first, and if you want to directly interrogate people we can do that after)"

Chaz says (to woman), "You have served us well, and have proven yourself worthy. How would you like to stay here? We can bind you to the chancel, your study... But it you might have more fun hanging out in my skateboard. Or I have an idea about making a living cartoon character, too."

Tyoka asks (of Davey), "do you want me to come along?"

Tyoka is suddenly on fire from head to foot.

Davey says, "okay. I want to treat these guys minimally humanely, starting with a meal at sunset, get their basics, and then start the headgames"

Tyoka grins evilly.

[nobilis] Davey says, "oh, all this so Chaz has a free soul to play with"

Stella says (to Davey), "Feed them, yes, but don't let them sleep."

[nobilis] Lo says, "Free soul in the bottom of every box"

GM says, ""A living cartoon character?""

Aisleen . o O (to davey) ( the dreamer has been conditioned to not think about who he is, who his leader is )

GM says, "they give their names, all insist that their army has no ranks, and that they work for the greater glory of The Leader"

Davey says (to Tyoka), "I figured you'd be more efficient at this stuff than me. I got no experience getting stuff outta people's heads"

Tyoka says, "neither do I"

Tyoka says, "but I learn quickly"

Aisleen walks wearily over to Stella and Tyoka

Chaz says, "Yeah. We got some living ink from the power of Writing that can move around on its own. I've researched it a bit, and I think if I can get you drawn by an expert cartoonist, you could actually move around on your own."

[Crows-Nest] (from Michel) Tyoka says, "a chisel should be a good start. and a hook"

[nobilis] Lo says, "we need jnc's character"

Aisleen asks (of stella), "what next?"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Anime? Heh."

Stella says, "I have a feeling more clues are not going to be forthcoming."

Davey says, "what do we do with'em, then? if they're all like the one Aisleen probed, they're just meat machines"

GM says, ""Interesting .. I'm not sure I -- what would happen to me then? Would my mind be the same?""

Davey says, "we gotta know who this Jenson is, though. That's the only lead"

Stella says, "My 'don't let them sleep' idea was based on the possiblity of them knowing something, and that would get their guard down. But if they don't know anything, questioning them is pointless. Let's just send them to counseling, and be rid of them."

Chaz says, "Uh, I haven't gotten that far in my research. But if it wouldn't, I'll retract the offer."

Davey says, "maybe the dead lieutenant will be useful"

[nobilis] Lo says, "there's two lieutenants"

Davey asks, "did anyone search a deader's stuff?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "Harvey Keitel in Bad Lieutenant 2: Dead Lieutenant"

Chaz says, "Why don't you think about it, and I'll continue my research, and for now, we can get you bound to the chancel. Assuming you don't want to go off and get reincarnated where your mind *would* change."

Stella tries to recall if the book of etiquette and power mentioned, even indirectly, who Jenson might be, or with whom he may have been affiliated.

Raul has connected.

Aisleen says (to davey), "Chaz searched the flower guy a while back, I think"

Aisleen asks (of davey), "or was it someone else?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "hiya raul"

GM says (to Stella), "hmm, you don't recall a Jenson in the book -- but hang on, the name sounds a bit familiar"

[nobilis] Lo says, "he, it'sa raul"

[nobilis] Raul says, "Afternoon"

Chaz . o O (to aisleen) ( I was about to, but was called away. )

[nobilis] Raul says, "Thought I'd drop by for a bit"

Davey asks, "another thing to find out. How long were they here, were they here invisibly?"

[nobilis] Lo asks (of Raul), "How long is a bit?"

[nobilis] Stella exclaims, "Hey there, foot-less and fancy-free!"

GM asks (of Stella), "wasn't Jenson one of the mages here you worked with researching that flower miracle-magic a while back?"

[nobilis] Raul says (to Stella), "boo, hiss"

[nobilis] Raul says (to Lo), "Depends on if I'm needed or not. :)"

[nobilis] Lo says (to Raul), "well, if we ever get to where Lo proposes his mad scheme Raul will be useful, but I dunno if we're getting that far"

[nobilis] Stella says (to gm), "if you say so; I (Sara) don't recall, but I (Stella) might."

[nobilis] Michel says, "ooo, mad scheme"

[nobilis] Michel says, "I like the sound of that"

[nobilis] Raul says, "everyone loves mad schemes"

[nobilis] Raul says, "especially Tyoka"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "rarr"

Aisleen goes to search the flower guy Chaz never finished searching

[nobilis] GM says (to Stella), "(this was not mentioned until now, no)"

Stella has an epiphany. One can almost see the lightbulb go off next to her head.

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says (to Stella), "Might as well make it literal."

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen laughs

Stella says, "Hey, I think I remember Jenson researching the blindness flower miracle with me."

Stella creates the image of a light-bulb brightening right next to her.

[Crows-Nest] (from Tyoka) Unfortunately, it's a 50.000 Lux bulb. So much for blindness miracles.

GM says (to Aisleen), "the flower guy (at the realm's heart) is mostly reduced to ash, as are his comrades"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, ""Comb the ashes! I want all the ashes combed!""

[nobilis] Stella asks (of Tyoka), "50.000 Lux bulb? What's that?"

Aisleen asks, "sigh. is there any point to sifting through the ashes to find any items?"

[Crows-Nest] Lo asks, "what's that from?"

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says (to tyoka), "that sounds eerily Spaceballs-ish"

[nobilis] Tyoka says (to stella), "very very very very very bright"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "lux is a measure of luminous flux"

GM says (to Aisleen), "sifting through, however, you do see something salvageable -- well, or partly so -- it's some kind of melted silver piece of jewelry"

GM says, "perhaps a thick bracelet"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to aisleen), "it was supposed to be"

Chaz . o O (to aisleen) ( I *might* be able to reconstruct something. I'm prety nimble. )

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "AAGH"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "and I'm assuming by 50.000 he means 50,000"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, ""fifty thousand""

Aisleen takes the melted silvery piece of jewelry

Stella says (to Aisleen), "I bet Cecily could help with that."

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "Can I assume I've been kept updated by thought-reports?"

[nobilis] Aisleen says (to chaz), "with me, sure"

[nobilis] GM says, "I assume"

Chaz asks (of spirit), "Hmm. Do you recall working with a Jensen?"

Stella . o O (to Cecily) ( Are you here? )

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "a ... JANE Jensen? (I'll stop now)"

Aisleen pockets the bracelet to give to Stella later

Aisleen finishes her search of the ashes

[nobilis] Aisleen asks (of inky), "i am guessing there is nothing else to find?"

Michel fills the null-field.

GM says, ""Jensen? Yes, of course -- Tare Jensen -- he is on vacation at the moment, but normally he is one of the researchers in the mage's group""

[nobilis] GM says, "yeah, that's it -- this only survived because it was away from the main blast, looks like"

Aisleen returns to where Stella is with Davey and Tyoka

Chaz asks (of spirit), "Where did he take his vacation?"

GM says (to Stella), ""Yes?" Cecily says. "I was about to leave for my chancel, but -- ah, it's you.""

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "man, I'm completely confused today... is Jensen a good or a bad guy?"

[nobilis] Lo says, "He's a TRAITOR"

[nobilis] Lo says, "or so we think"

Aisleen says (to stella), "I am curious about this. It looks like it used to be a bracelet"

Aisleen says (to stella), "If Cecily recognizes it as part of a set, or if there is some insignia on it pointing to a group, that would be our next clue"

GM says, "The spirit frowns, trying to remember. "I believe he was being sent to Hawaii -- the chancel has some kind of outlet there""

Chaz asks, "Sent?"

Aisleen asks (of davey), "have you done the 'rank/file/serial number' thing yet?"

[nobilis] Lo asks, "Notice how every time we visit Earth, it's somewhere sunny?"

Davey says (to Aisleen), "yeah. They're all brainwashed"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Except Seattle."

[nobilis] Lo says, "Well, we *started* in Seattle"

[nobilis] Lo says, "WHich might explain why we keep going to sunny spots"

GM says (to Chaz), ""Well, given the opportunity, I suppose. We're still working out the vacation process, but he'd been working hard and I believe requested some time off.""

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Heh."

Chaz says, "Hmm."

Chaz asks, "Who was he working with?"

GM says, ""Hmm -- I don't believe he had any particular assistant at the moment; he was more of a theoretical research mage than an applied practical one.""

GM says, ""But Henderson, of course, would know -- have known -- something about him""

Lo . o O ( Anyone want to take a trip to Jensen's study? )

Chaz nods.

Stella asks (of Aisleen), "And she may be able to put it back together, or question it about its history, or, well, who knows?"

Aisleen says (to stella), "i will give you the bracelet for safekeeping. I am going to join Lo on the trip to Jensen's study"

Davey says, "I don't have a lot of hope for this, but after we feed 'em, (if they'll eat), I want to sit down with them one on one and ask them to talk about the Leader"

Aisleen asks, "unless Davey needs help here?"

Lo . o O ( Erm, I'm still needed here when we get to the more hostile spirits, I was just thinking it'd be a good idea. )

Davey . o O ( don't forget about asking Cecily about the bracelet )

Chaz says, "Well, thank you very much. Again, if you want to stay around a while, we can bind you to the chancel. And think about the cartoon character thing. Henderson is in the same situation as you--he'll be staying. So you'll at least have someone to talk to."

Davey says (to Aisleen), "I think we're okay"

GM says, ""Ah .. that would be nice, I think .. I think I need to think about things for a while""

Chaz nods. "Thank you again for your service."

GM says, ""Of course, my lord""

Chaz says (to mages), "OK, let's get Henderson back again."

Aisleen . o O (to lo) ( does that mean i am on my own at the study? )

GM says, "Henderson reappears. "Were you going to perform the binding ceremony now, my lord?""

Lo . o O ( Unless you want to wait until we're done with the spirits. )

Aisleen . o O (to lo) ( do we know where the study is? )

[nobilis] Stella asks, "did Cecily ever answer my call? did I miss that?"

Lo asks (of mage), "Where is Jensen's study?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "she did"

[nobilis] GM says, "yeah, she said "Oh, hi, I was just about to leave -- oh, it's you, er...""

GM says (to Lo), "the mage gives you directions"

Chaz asks, "Quick question. We have a name for one of the intruders--Jensen. Since there was a Jensen who worked for us, and who is now on vacation, we think it might have been him. What can you tell us about him?"

Lo transmits the directions

Stella takes the bracelet Aisleen offered her, and shows it to Cecily. "This was found on the body of one of the attackers. Can you help us figure out who they may be?

[nobilis] Davey says, "herm, maybe Stella wasn't the best one to ask her for a favor"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Better to get it out of the way now ;-)"

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "this is etiquette, not treasure, no?"

[nobilis] Stella says, "hopefully after our duel she can respect me now. ;-)"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "No, Cecily is Treasure."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "or maybe not"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I give up"

GM says, "Cecily looks, in fact, a bit friendlier than before, although somewhat embarrassed. "This bracelet, hunh?""

[nobilis] Lo says (to Tyoka), "I've lost track a *long* time ago"

GM says, "She takes it into her palm and caresses it slightly, her eyes slipping closed."

[nobilis] Stella says, "yay! Friendly Cecily, nice Cecily."

[nobilis] Raul says (to Davey), "that's why we keep Gaston around"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to Stella), "quick, hit her NOW!"

Lo says (to mage), "Also, let us move on to the other spirits."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "oh wait"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz laughs.

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "Now, now."

Chaz . o O (to lo) ( Wait just a sec. )

[nobilis] Lo asks, "um, aren't the other ones bound now?"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says (to Lo), "No answer back from Henderson, due to GM busyness ;-)"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Right, but I got Henderson back to ask him about Jensen."

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Since he was the head mage."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "one mage at a time please, don't crowd, ..."

Lo . o O (to Raul) ( Do you happen to be busy? I have a question. )

GM says, ""I see -- hrm, darkness, but I hear a voice speaking. It sounds -- not quite natural. The voice is saying "for meritorious service against the four winds, I put this round your wrist, to guard and bind you. For the greater glory of the chancel, we conquer." "For the greater glory of the chancel, we conquer!" repeats a second voice.""

Raul says (to Lo), "<Oh, hey. No, this mole sauce can wait.>"

Lo . o O (to Raul) ( I'm wondering, if you saw the Platonic essence of something, would you be able to find a path to the real thing? )

Davey says, "yow. A serial chancel-cutter"

GM says, "meanwhile, Henderson is thinking. "Jenson, eh? Quiet type -- seemed like a good enough fellow, but he kept to himself. I think he was focusing specifically on research into confusion spirit summoning and binding, but he was always willing to look into something else if you suggested it.""

Davey says, "and they're rogue Nobles. Unless the Excruciaters have chancels of their own"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says (to lo), "oooooooooh"

Raul says (to Lo), "<Hm. Interesting. I could certainly try. Where are you now?>"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "let's see Raul find a path through our maze"

Stella asks (of Cecily), "Hmm. That is certainly suprising. Does that sound like anyone you've heard of?"

GM says, ""He applied for some vacation time about a week ago -- I know you'd asked us to concentrate on these confusion spells, but he'd been working hard and seemed to really want it, so I approved it -- was that a mistake?""

Lo . o O (to raul) ( I'm in Shapagir's chancel. I was visiting with Franklin during a duel, and they were attacked. )

Davey says, "The Four Winds is a lost chancel"

Raul says (to Lo), "<Yikes. Give me a minute to clean up and I'll be right there.>"

Stella says (to Davey), "Right. I meant did Cecily recognize the voice, or might she recognize who might want to destroy Chancels."

Chaz asks (of Henderson), "In retrospect, perhaps. Did he say where he was going?"

GM says, "Cecily thinks. "Well, fanatic loyalty among chancel residents is not unheard of, especially if you're training them as a strikeforce. We have had invasions of other chancels, but not like this that I've seen -- the attempts previously have always been attacks on the physical nature of the chancel, either magically or with force of arms.""

GM says, ""I don't recognize the voice, but it seemed to be, hrm, a bit off. Perhaps someone purposely disguising it.""

Stella asks (of Cecily), "Would this kind of attack aid other Nobilis? Or would it only benefit Excucians?"

GM says (to Chaz), ""He just asked for some time off to relax. I suggested Hawaii and he seemed fine with that.""

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "sorry, was away"

Chaz asks (of Henderson), "Also, Camille said she remembered a spell to find a chancel's heart if you had a token from it. Would Jensen have been able to procure sucha token? Or anyone else, for that matter?"

Stella . o O (to Chaz) ( don't make him feel guilty. I doubt he coujld have predicted this. )

Tyoka mutters, "just good he didn't suggest cambodia or south africa or somesuch"

Chaz . o O (to stella) ( Right, of course. )

GM says, "Cecily coughs, slightly. "Well, conflict between nobilis is not unknown -- I suppose I should just come out and ask -- *did* you kill my anchor?""

Stella asks, "Kill your anchor? I don't recall killing anyone, or anything. What was your anchor?"

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "is the GM to busy to handle yet another location if i go to Jensen's study? or should i justwait"

Raul appears beside Lo. "You do seem to have the most interesting vacations."

Lo . o O (to Aisleen) ( After you're done with the study, I could use your help with something. I need Raul's help as well, he should be coming soon. )

Lo says, "Raul "Ah, hello."

Chaz asks (of Raul), "Hey there. Who are you?"

GM says (to Chaz), ""A token from the realm's heart? Hrm. It is possible -- I believe in our stores, we had one or two, collected with laborious magic and carefully sealed away.""

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "give me a little bit"

Lo gestures, "Chaz, meet Raul. Raul, meet Chaz.

Raul says (to Chaz), "Oh, I remember you. You were that skateboarding kid back in Seattle. I'm Raul Miera."

Tyoka limps Raulwards and greets.

GM says (to Stella), "Cecily's lips tighten together for a moment. "Mel Fisher. If you claim not to know him, it seems a bit odd you were on his ship, breaking into his -- my -- safe.""

Chaz nods. "Raul, this is Henderson, our arch mage."

Raul says (to Tyoka), "Yikes, you look like you've had a rough day."

Davey . o O ( whew, I thought a tokan could be something as simple as a ticket stub from the tilt-a-whirl. Glad to know they're not so mundane )

Chaz exclaims, "Hey, you're the wheelchair dude!"

Tyoka says (to Raul), "Blowing up Zeppelins will do that to one, yes"

Raul shakes Henderson's hand.

Tyoka says, "Fun, though"

Raul says (to Chaz), "Tha's me. Or was me."

Chaz nods approvingly.

Stella says (to Cecily), "I never met, and certainly did not kill, Mel Fisher."

Davey says, "hey, we didn't kill noboby for Shagapir, never"

[nobilis] Stella says, "If I recall, I didn't meet anyone on the ship. I was avoiding everybody."

Raul asks, "What happened to your chancel?"

Aisleen . o O (to lo) ( i am on my way to the study now. )

[nobilis] GM says, "that is correct"

Aisleen follows the mage's directions as transmitted by Lo to Jensen's study

Lo . o O (to Aisleen) ( Ok. Raul's here. )

Chaz says (to random_mage), "Go find out if the tokens from the heart are still in storage."

Chaz says (to Henderson), "OK, thank you. Just a bit, and we'll do that binding ceremony."

Chaz says (to mages), "OK, let's try that lieutenant."

GM says, ""Mm, well, I will just assert that I have a record of you opening his safe, and later on the documents he found in the wreck whose location was held only in that safe led him into an ambush, where he was shot to death.""

Stella says (to Cecily), "My sincerest condolences for your loss."

GM says, ""...I hope so.""

Davey loses jaw control for a second

Chaz . o O (to stella) ( Oh, wow. )

[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "is there any trouble with my entering the study? ie. Is there any reason why nobilis should not be seen entering a mage's study?"

Lo makes sure his Serenity is on properly, and adjusts his voice tone to be in the most somber-wise-man version he can handle

[nobilis] Davey says, "he's our mage"

Tyoka . o O ( oh crap )

Stella colors slightly. "Cecily, Shagapir ordered us to find something for him, and while that did involve Mr. Fisher's safe, we certainly had no designs on his life, nor any plans, nor even knowledge of any plans, to do him harm.

Davey . o O ( we shoulda read that stuff. what are we into now? )

Chaz . o O (to stella) ( Shagapir hinted at some past offense. )

Aisleen enters the study, looks around, and continues to listen to Stella and Cecily's conversation

GM says, ""Ah. My apologies, then, for challenging you to the duel -- I appear to have misunderstood your motives.""

GM says, "meanwhile, Aisleen is looking around the study"

Lo says (to Tyoka), "Could you put on a touch of Madness, too? Just to give that little edge."

Tyoka turns on Madness.

Stella says (to Cecily), "Think no more of it. It seems we have both been ambushed."

GM says, "which is mostly full of notes, the sort of thing you'd expect to find in a research mage's study -- descriptions of the varying effects of toad eyeballs versus frog eyeballs versus snake eyeballs"

GM says, "but, curiously, about two weeks ago the notes slow and then stop entirely"

Aisleen says aloud, "Shoot. who is the one with the photographic memory here?"

Raul exclaims, "Yikes!"

Raul says, "That's as unnerving as Franklin is soothing."

Lo says (to mage), "Go ahead."

Aisleen . o O (to chaz) ( when did Jensen go on vacation? )

Chaz . o O (to aisleen) ( I'm pretty good with that. I'll be over after this. )

GM says, "the last notes appear to have been some kind of "personal research", which you deduce from other notes to have been summoning-related"

Tyoka asks (of Raul), "WhO, mE?"

Chaz . o O (to aisleen) ( About a week ago. )

GM says, "there is a reference to a planned experiment on the motto that should prove it all"

GM says, "er, on the morrow"

GM says, "and then the notes end"

Lo says (to Raul), "You haven't seen what he looks like full-blast."

GM says, "but in the laboratory portion, on the other hand -- actually, that's quite odd"

Raul says (to Tyoka), "Yes. Brings back some bad memories."

Aisleen . o O (to stella) ( cecily had no idea who might own the bracelet? )

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka asks, "so do we know yet how Treasure found out?"

Raul says (to Lo), "I'll just imagine it, thanks."

GM says, "the laboratory portion looks like it's been cleaned up, except for a small pile of ashes in the sink"

Aisleen pockets the notes on summoning to show chaz

Davey says, "hey, I wanna look at the enemy zeppelins. Maybe there's more eveidence. Maybe there's a big button marked "TURN INVISIBLE""

Aisleen sifts through the ashes in the sink

GM says, "paper ashes, clearly, but no signs of what was written on them"

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "i will never be a good police officer with my search methods. Maybe I should join the LAPD"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "man, nobody thought of being the noble of time-travel"

[nobilis] Raul says, "for $70 I figure we could borrow him or her"

Chaz says (to Raul), "Hey, while we're waiting, we were thinking of a proposal with your chancel. We send you some of our confusion mages, and you send us some monks with guns."

[nobilis] Lo says, "Nobles can time travel"

[nobilis] Lo says, "Without the power of Time, necessarily"

Aisleen looks at the chemicals in the laboratory

[nobilis] Lo says, "Davey could do a major creation and have a road leading to the past, for example"

[nobilis] Davey says, "huh."

GM says, "the only other thing of note in the laboratory is a small vial of powdered silver mixed with something reddish"

Raul asks (of Chaz), "Confusion mages?"

GM says, "it had rolled under a cabinet, which is probably why it wasn't removed by whoever cleaned up the lab"

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "so we could kill Jensen two weeks ago?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "that sounds like it's loopholey to the extreme"

[nobilis] GM says (to Lo), "that is not the case in this game, at any rate"

Chaz says (to Raul), "Our mages are paricularly adept at confusion spells, designed to repel attackers. It kept a lot of the folks attacking us at bay."

[nobilis] Davey says, "watching who he sold us out for could be enough"

[nobilis] GM says, "there *are* ways to get into the past/future, but they generally require imperator-level powers or to find an existing road"

Raul says, "Oh, clever."

Chaz says, "But we could use a bit more oomph on the offensive front."

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I think that would fuck up every possible game"

Raul says, "We went for a more direct approach, yes."

[nobilis] Lo says, "Well, it's supposed to be a mythic scale thing, not Mess With Things That Just Happened"

Raul says, "That might could be arranged. I'd want to check with the others."

[nobilis] Lo says, "From what I have read it'd be easier to visit medieval days than it would be last week"

Chaz nods. "All righty."

Aisleen strains and reaches under the cabinet

Aisleen . o O ( Sigh, I need to lose some weight )

[nobilis] GM asks (of Chaz), "ok, so what were you doing with the spirits now?"

Lo says (to Chaz), "Given some time I could teach a few of your clowns hand-to-hand combat techniques"

Aisleen pockets the vial as well.

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Call up the lieutenant guy."

Chaz exclaims (at Lo), "That would be great!"

Tyoka asks, "Kung-Fu Klowns!?"

Stella says (to Aisleen), "No, that's all Cecily knew."

Aisleen wanders back to the non-laborary part of the study.

Lo says (to Tyoka), "There are two ways to be stealthy. One, to not be seen. Two, to be seen so much nobody suspects you."

Lo asks (of mage), "How's the summoning coming?"

GM says, "the lieutenant sneers as her ghost materializes in the pentagram. "Not content to let me rest in peace, eh?""

Tyoka mutters, "More like in pieces."

Chaz says, "Peace! Ha, that's a good one."

Lo smiles warmly. "Hello, hello. If you could listen to a few words of mine it would be appreciated."

Lo says, "I'm spending a domain point for lesser creation for this."

GM says, ""...I suppose.""

Tyoka fine-tunes the add-on Madness for better effect

Chaz . o O (to lo) ( Go for it. Let me know if you need me to ask anything. )

Lo says, "Now, I know you have always had your own views on honesty, but now, at the time of release, your philsophical outlook may take a new path. After all, after you're dead, why not? You know you want to be honest with me. You can feel it swelling as an inescapable urge."

Aisleen . o O (to chaz) ( I am guessing the other mages had no idea about Jensen's planned experiment that should prove all about his research on summoning? )

Raul . o O ( These days I spend my time talking to scary books and watching people summon ghosts. How unexpected. )

Tyoka glances over his shoulder surreptitiously to see whether Raul is affected negatively.

GM says, "the ghost stares at Lo, a bit confused"

GM says, ""I-- I--" she starts"

[nobilis] Raul says (to Tyoka), "I had my flashback with the explosives a bit ago. I'll be fine."

Lo says (to spirit), "Now, doesn't that feel better? I'm sure your honest outlook on things will get you a better place in the afterlife. Now, my friend here has a few questions to ask...and I'm sure you'll be honest with him, too."

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "flashback to war?"

Aisleen pockets all notes relating to summoning

Davey . o O ( she'll be destroyed. They've been deeply conditioned )

Lo . o O (to Chaz) ( Your cue )

[nobilis] Raul says, "Minor one, yeah. I'm not a fan of explosives."

Chaz . o O (to aisleen) ( He was on experimental research patrol. Going to try to summon confusion spirits. Looks like he got more than he bargained for. )

Chaz smiles.

Aisleen . o O ( remind me to come back later and put these notes back in the study after we are done with them )

Aisleen strolls out of the study with the notes and the vial and returns to where Davey is guarding the prisoners

Chaz says, "So. Tell me who you worked for."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "I'm picturing "a voice like honey and ashes" here"

[nobilis] Davey says, "actually, I strolled over to an enemy zeppelin. I don't know if any Nobles are still watching the pen"

GM says, ""I ah ..""

Lo gives a serene, encouraging glow.

Aisleen reaches the pen and finds Davey gone, so sits and waits, and guards the pen

[nobilis] Raul says (to Lo), "I thought that was Stella's department."

GM says, ""I was selected from the others for showing signs of talent, physical performance and magical ability. At first I did not know who I served -- I was busily engaged in training, athletic and magical.""

[nobilis] Lo says, "Lo does metaphorical glows"

Chaz smiles, nods.

[nobilis] Raul says, "Ah. He's pregnant."

[nobilis] Davey asks, "he's a seahorse?"

[nobilis] Lo says, "Actualy, pregancy can give literal glows, because it affects the secretion of some oil in the skin"

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "WTH?"

[nobilis] (from Chaz) Lo says, "And that oil is phosphorescent."

[nobilis] Stella says, "pregnancy is more likely to give literal glowers, due to uncomfortableness and hormones."

GM says, ""Eventually one day I was called up -- "Your day has arrived!" I was told. My objectives were given -- a small squad of twenty or thirty; I was to lead them into through a tunnel on a particular day, and then do direct strikes and sow as much confusion as possible when we emerged; at the signal, we were to converge on a particular place in the new chancel""

[nobilis] Raul says (to Stella), "heh"

[nobilis] Aisleen says (to tyoka), "i think your madness is on too high"

GM says, ""They had drilled us on the chancel's layout beforehand, given us maps and locations of places""

GM says, ""I don't know how -- The Leader's spies are everywhere, it seems like""

GM says, ""And then she--""

Davey . o O ( this isn't adding up. Jenson was gone a short time. These guys have been trained for much longer )

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "of course it would totally rule if the human body could be made to secrete luciferase"

GM says, "the spirit wavers, for a moment. The mages around her redouble their chanting"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "WHAT WAS THAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE CHANTING"

Chaz asks, "She?"

Aisleen . o O ( davey Jensen wasn't the major leader. Maybe these guys were trained and then Jensen pulled in for finetuning ? )

Davey . o O ( sure. )

Chaz does a lesser creation of whimsy: "What the heck, might as well tell 'em what I know. What's the harm now? I'm dead!"

GM says, ""Today's raid was supposed to be the same; I was given the command of a zeppelin due to my service in earlier -- she -- I -- the next step I was told and the Leader told me""

Stella . o O (to Aisleen) ( or maybe he just delivered the focus item, so they could find the heart. )

[nobilis] Lo says, "It's sort of like the evil bad guy at the end cackling"

Chaz asks, "Neat! What's her name?"

[nobilis] Lo says, "And out of sheer whimsy he tells the heros what he's up to before he tries to kill them"

Davey . o O ( yeah, 'follow Jenson' could have been literally, 'follow Jenson' )

GM says, "and as she talks her figure bleeds away into the air and disappears, leaving only two words in the air "So white....""

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "Snow White? Damn that Disney!"

Chaz asks (of mages), "Hey! What happened?"

Tyoka asks, ""So white"? Now was that the "light at the end of the tunnel", or a clue?"

Raul asks, "Hm. Is that normal?"

Davey . o O ( I wonder if anyone has *seen* the Leader? I heard Excrucians have weird eyes )

Chaz grumbles. "No."

GM says, "The mages halt their chanting and look back at you. "Something drew her back," one says. "I don't know how it could have happened -- unless there was some preexisting tie on her spirit, made during life - that could be stronger than our summoning now""

Davey . o O ( the dreamer remembered white walls )

Lo says, "Chaz "I'm not sure if finding out the leader's name will help us much, anyway. What the leader looks like and where she is located would be more useful."

Lo says, "Chaz "If they're just conditioned not to say the name we can work around that."

Chaz nods.

GM says, "meanwhile, Davey has searched the zeppelins. They seem fairly sparse on the inside -- lockers for guns, benches to sit on, ropes dangling down to climb down and launch yourself from"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka asks (of lo), "MUD client acting up?"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "abit"

Lo says (to mage), "Bring the next one."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka asks, "let me guess, it tries to go into every direction when you type '.'?"

Davey says, "benches...to jump into fire from. I guess that's what happened to the guys up against Tyoka"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "it does some goofy character dropping stuff"

GM says, "there are cockpits at either end, for, I guess, two pilots -- each one has not only the normal controls, but also a flat platform in the middle on which some kind of circular runes are inscribed, along with a small, flat silver token"

GM says, "which rests on the platform and can be slid around"

Davey says, "oho"

Tyoka smiles worryingly, again. Even more so with Madness on

Lo says, "grm, gotta make another phone call. On the next one Lo does the same routine again"

Lo goes home.

Tyoka says, "(what's that behind his teeth? Was it... or...)"

Davey . o O ( look at what I'm seeing, guys. Somone doodle these runes and show'em to the mages )

Chaz says, "Wait, if something pulls the next one away, I want to be ready."

GM says, "it seems to be some kind of warding -- perhaps the cause of the invisibility, or the confusion, perhaps"

Davey . o O ( mystical steering )

Davey says, "can I take a token"

GM says, ""There was just the one lieutenant, my lord," one of the mages says. "Three of the paratroopers, if you would like to speak to them.""

Davey says, "?""

GM says, "sure"

Chaz says (to mages), "Get Henderson here, bind him to the chancel. Have him help you figure out how to follow something pulling a ghost away--finding that link."

Davey goes to bring the token to the spirit interrogators

GM says, ""At once, my lord.""

Chaz says, "Might as well talk to a live paratrooper, for now."

Aisleen tries to understand the notes she had taken from Jensen's study

Davey . o O ( I wonder if we can seal them off from this binding somehow )

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "I pity the mages"

Stella . o O (to Davey) ( think that symbol over to Cecily - see if she recognizes it, or know anything helpful about it. )

Raul says, "If necessary, I could check our chancel, do a little research on this."

Lo materializes.

[nobilis] Davey says, "yeah, they need perks"

Raul says, "Or see if someone's awake in the chancel that could do it for us."

[nobilis] Stella says, "symbol=silvery thing in zeppelin."

[nobilis] Lo asks, "ok, I miss something?"

Davey . o O ( Miss Cecily, if you're not busy, have you ever seen one of these [image] )

Davey shows the doodad around

Davey says (to Raul), "yeah, that would be good"

Chaz says (to Lo), "Lieutenant's gone, we have ghost paratroopers, but live ones, too, so we're getting Henderson back, bound, and helping trace that link back to its source."

GM says, ""I haven't seen something exactly like it," Cecily says, "But it seems likely that it's used in warding or tracking, since it's made of silver.""

Davey . o O ( thank you )

Lo nods.

Chaz says (to Lo), "Feel free to work out whatever it was you wanted to do with Raul, or you can help in the interrogation of the real guys in the pen."

Alexandra arrives, looking for booty.

Chaz goes to find Aisleen. "Hey, there you are. You had something for me?"

Raul says, "<Anyone awake in the library?>"

Alexandra says, "<What's up?>"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "All this mental communication must play hob with naps."

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says, "That's why I took 'immortal' ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "The Library of Alexandra? Get it!? GET IT? It's FUNNY"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "hee"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "har"

Aisleen hands Chaz the vial of silvery powder with a reddish tint

Aisleen says, "i found that in the laborartory, under the cabinet"

Raul says (to Alexandra), "<I'm helping Lo and some others out here in Locus Carni. They were talking to a ghost who got dragged away all of a sudden.>"

Aisleen says, "and here are the notes on the personal research that Jensen did"

Raul says (to Alexandra), "<We're wondering how that's possible.>"

Aisleen says, "the research is related to summoning, but I have no idea how they relate"

Lo . o O (to Raul & Aisleen) ( Ok, I'm done with interrogating for the moment )

Aisleen says, "the powder may or may not be mentioned in the notes"

Alexandra says, "<Dragged away? Strange. Want me to see if there's anything on that in our books?>"

Lo . o O (to Raul & Aisleen) ( I'll be waiting outside, once you're done with things if we could meet up I'd appreciate it )

Raul says (to Alex), "<Yeah, that'd be great.>"

Aisleen . o O (to lo) ( there was something you needed? )

[nobilis] Alexandra says (to GM), "Alex is digging 'round, then"

Aisleen says (to chaz), "the study had nothing for the last two weeks...someone's cleaned up the lab."

Aisleen says, "i will be with lo outside."

Raul says (to Lo), "I'm at your disposal."

Aisleen joins Lo

Chaz scans through the notes, memorizing them, and looks for anything pertaining to the powder.

Lo says (to Aisleen), "You actually gave me the idea for this, earlier."

Stella spends some time chatting it up with Cecily, getting to know her fellow Nobilis.

GM says, "eventually Alexandra comes up with some notes, or at least some theories -- that book about Ye Rites offe Ye Noble Ones being helpful"

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

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "snicker"

Lo says, "You asked me if the answer is blowing in the wind. And while I know of no answers, but there are questions."

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Yay cameo by Ye Rites"

Tyoka mutters very quietly, "You've GOT to be kidding me"

GM says, "it seems like there may be some kind of bonding ceremony that can be performed, as with a spirit but for a human -- it links the person to a spot, so that they sicken and die if away from it for too long, but if they die, their spirit can be called back to it"

GM says (to Chaz), "the red powder mixed with the silver turns out, on closer inspection, to be dried blood of some kind"

Tyoka asks, "Could Raul find the path there?"

Chaz sniffs to determine if it's human.

Lo says, "500 years after Vyasa, a great teacher by the name of Sussmayer came up with four questions of deep philosophical connection to Creation. He scattered them among the Four Winds, and out of that my Imperator was born."

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says, "Aspect 3 means I should be at least as good as a dog..."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "reasonable enough"

Raul says (to Tyoka), "It'd be easier if I knew the end of the path, but yes, I should be able to."

Lo asks (of Aisleen), "Following?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says (to raul), "and I hope you don't disapprove of our highjacking of your entire group :)"

Aisleen . o O (to chaz) ( eew )

Davey says, "hrm, so our prisoners will die and go home. Bha"

Aisleen fllos lo

Alexandra passes on the wisdome gleaned from the books

Aisleen says, "er follows"

[nobilis] Raul says, "heh"

Aisleen says (to lo), "not really"

GM says (to Chaz), "it does appear to be human blood, yeah -- which is a bit worrying, since generally mages aren't supposed to be doing those kind of rites"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "wisdome? sheesh. Ye Rites is infecting my brane"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "offe course."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "eeeaghe"

Lo rubs his chin

[nobilis] Stella laughs.

[Crows-Nest] Chaz asks, "And it's mixed with silver?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "that can only mean one thing"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "werewolf"

[Crows-Nest] Stella says, "I wonder if it involves werewolves."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "wait, wrong rpg"

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

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "mixed with powdered silver, yeah"

Aisleen says (to lo), "wait. sorry. i think i get it"

Raul says, "Now one possibility would be for me to follow a spirit back to wherever it goes."

Lo says, "Aisleen "The wind was the mere conveyance of the questions, so my Imperator's nature is not of the wind, he just formed that way."

Davey says, "I think I'll get started with the feeding and interrogating. We don't have a lot of time with these guys"

Davey says, "anyone else into it, just pick a soldier"

Chaz . o O (to raul) ( You were here when it left. Can you follow an old trail? )

Aisleen asks, "so as my power is with wind, I can listen in to what is out there?"

Raul says (to Chaz), "<Not sure. It's worth a try.>"

Lo says (to Aisleen), "No, that's not what I'm asking. What I propose...is to recreate the circumstances of my imperator's birth."

Aisleen . o O (to chaz) ( the silver in the bottle and the silver token davey has...relation? )

[nobilis] Raul asks (of GM), "Is it possible for me to discern the path the spirit took, even at this somewhat-late date?"

Lo says, "As ghost images. Not the real thing."

Aisleen says (to loo), "ooh"

[nobilis] GM says, "hmm"

Davey . o O ( silver is apparently for warding and finding )

[nobilis] GM says, "yeah, sure"

Lo says, "But we may....*see* what happens...and Raul says he may be able to trace a path based on a Platonic essence."

[nobilis] GM says, "it'll be a major divination, though -- level 5"

[nobilis] Stella says, "Woah."

Chaz . o O (to aisleen) ( Could be, but this seems a lot more ritualistic in nature. )

[nobilis] Aisleen asks (of GM), "for me? or for Raul?"

[nobilis] GM says, "for Raul"

Lo says (to Aisleen), "This is asking a lot of you. It will require a major effort of domain."

Tyoka says, "That is insane. I like it."

[nobilis] Lo says (to Aisleen), "for you it'd be a level 7 Major Creation, what he's asking"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Can we donate some chancel mana to Raul? ;-)"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "!"

[nobilis] Aisleen says, "gack"

[nobilis] GM says, "I'm not sure what Lo is trying to do"

[nobilis] Lo says, "He'd need to do a Level 7 Creation as well"

[nobilis] Raul asks (of Lo), "What the hey do you have in mind?"

[nobilis] Chaz says (to GM), "I think he's trying to find where the Imperator was formed. That might be the site of the chancel heart."

[nobilis] Lo says, "Aisleen makes a miniature fascimile of the Four Winds. Lo makes a miniature fascimile of the Four Questions."

[nobilis] Lo says, "A miniature spirit-imperator forms, and try to use it to trace the real imperator before the ghosts fade away"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "(cue inevitable four coffees joke)"

[nobilis] Davey says, "wacky"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "fantastic"

[nobilis] GM says, "hmm"

[nobilis] Stella exclaims, "That's so crazy, it just might work!"

[nobilis] Tyoka says (to stella), "tell ME about it"

[nobilis] Raul says, "My willingness to do a level 7 creation will depend on if this falls effectively before the end of the last story, when my MPs reset. :)"

[nobilis] GM says, "ok, yes, you can do this, but it'll take some days of working out the ritual (ie, not this week)"

[nobilis] Lo says, "I did say it was a mad scheme"

[nobilis] Lo says, "Well, yes"

[nobilis] Lo says, "I wouldn't expect this to be a short operation ;)"

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "can Raul use our Mana Mine?"

[nobilis] Aisleen asks (of GM), "How many DMPs does a level 7 creation cost me?"

[nobilis] Raul says, "Meanwhile, I can follow the spirits for 2 DMPs, if people are interested."

[nobilis] GM says, "Raul, on the other hand, will need to do a level-5 divination (and this is the evening of the day, so it's *after* points reset) to find the path, and then he can think about doing a creation of a path to the other end"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Awwk! You betcha."

[nobilis] Tyoka says (to Aisleen), "7 - domain"

[nobilis] Stella says, "Um, before the reCreation story takes place, I suggest we fortify our own chancel to prevent a repeat of this morning."

[nobilis] Davey says, "we should learn a ritual for giving MPs to each other"

[nobilis] GM says (to Aislin), "do you have a level 4 domain? if so, 3"

[nobilis] jwalrus asks (of gm), "4, surely?"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Except that you have to spend--right."

[nobilis] jwalrus says, "cause you can't do a 3-point miracle"

[nobilis] GM says, "ah, good point"

[nobilis] GM says, "and she has a 3 domain anyway, so"

[nobilis] Aisleen says, "i am a 3. so I will need 4"

[nobilis] Raul says (to GM), "Now, I should only have to do the creation for others to walk, right? Since I have the strange boots, I'd think I could follow once I know the path."

[nobilis] GM says, "mrm, I think your boots would require a physical path to walk over, since they're aspect-based"

Stella takes a light-stroll about the chancel to see if any other unexpected visitors are on the horizon.

[nobilis] Raul says, "Mmm."

[nobilis] GM says, "however, once you know what the path looks like, you can go hunting around for an existing chancel entrance"

[nobilis] Raul says, "In that case, this'd take a while, since 2 for the divination + 4 for the creation = more DMPs than I have available"

[nobilis] Lo says, "You could use a Rite to get a MP from some other category"

[nobilis] Lo asks, "What's your Spirit?"

[nobilis] Raul says, ";1"

[nobilis] Lo says, "You can convert 4 MPs into 1 in a different category"

[nobilis] GM says, "like I said -- you've got wayfinder and worldwalker, so you can presumably go hunting in the spirit world for an existing entrance to the chancel once you work out which chancel it is"

[nobilis] Raul says (to GM), "Yeah."

[nobilis] GM says, "(or where it is on earth)"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "I like how we now know it's a chancel ;-)"

[nobilis] Raul says, "Okay, so I propose I burn 2 to find out where these spirits are going, and see about finding a non-spirity route."

[nobilis] GM says, "(picky picky)"

[nobilis] Chaz says (to Raul), "Sounds good to me."

[nobilis] Raul says, "Going IC, then."

[nobilis] Lo asks, "Also, is it just me, or does anyone else think this is all going to lead back to Jack's chancel anyway?"

Raul says, "I think...yes, I think I can see..."

Raul stares off into the really, *really* far distance.

GM says (to Raul), "you dip first into greyness, which shades gradually to black"

GM says (to Raul), "the temperature shades with it, dropping from the relatively balmy chancel weather here to cool, and then cold, and then icy"

Aisleen whispers to Lo, "This is a bit frightening, but I will be ready and waiting whenever you are ready."

GM says, "it feels like you're slowing, too -- the air around you is freezing, almost sticking to your skin like metal in metal"

GM says, "er, metal in winter"

GM says, "but, just as you are about to come to a halt entirely, you curve upwards"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "#tmi No one lick me right now."

Lo nods.

GM says, "the shading reverses itself, black-violet to black to grey to brown to green"

[nobilis] Lo says, "I need to go, but I don't think I'm needed for the rest of the session anyway"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz laughs.

[nobilis] Lo says, "take care all"

Lo goes home.

[nobilis] Davey says, "this would be freaksome if the place is on another world"

GM says, "you look down on a vast expanse of forest and grasslands, and in the center, where the spirit resides, a black city with tall towers"

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "emerald city covered in soot!"

GM says, "and then the spirit shrinks and vanishes and the path breaks, but not before you grab the feel of the chancel and store it away"

[nobilis] Davey says, "I shudder to think of how we'd have sorted this out had Raul not decided to hang out in our crisis"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Alison could have mimicked it, since she has 3 realm, I think."

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "followed the large sign that says "CHANCEL LOCATION 102° 43' N 44° 52' W"?"

Raul pinches the bridge of his nose. "That is going to hurt for a while. Advil, anyone?"

Raul says, "The good news is, I think I've got a preliminary fix on the spirit's location."

Tyoka wonders if a Minor Destruction of Madness would mimic advil

Aisleen fishes advil, tylenol, generic acetaminophen out of her puse

Aisleen says, "er purse"

Tyoka says, "there we go"

Aisleen says (to raul), "take your pick of your drug. I never go anywhere without my painkillers"

Raul takes four advil and dry-swallows them.

Raul says, "Thanks."

Tyoka says, "Yow"

[nobilis] Davey says, "iron stomach"

[nobilis] Raul says, "After thorazine, you get used to drugs"

[nobilis] GM says, "hee hee"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Heh."

[nobilis] Stella says, "hee"

Chaz . o O (to Raul) ( Excellent. Glad you were here for this. )

[nobilis] GM asks, "ok -- anyone want to do any more short-term investigation? or do we wait til next week when the major stuff happens?"

Raul says, "I'll see about tracking down an accessible route."

[nobilis] Chaz says (to GM), "Just to ask Henderson about the blood-n-silver."

Raul says (to Chaz), "<glad to help>"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "And maybe send it to Chancel Boring Library Research for sequencing."

[nobilis] GM says, "right-o"

Davey says, "I want to ask one random goon a couple questions"

[nobilis] Stella says, "chaz is too young to know about sequencing - that's college level, at least."

[nobilis] Chaz says, "I've been studying ;-)"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Also, I was captivated by the OJ trial."

GM says, ""This is a bit distressing to see," Henderson says. "We have always forbidden research involving human components without special permission -- this is not to say they're not easy to get illicitly, but still, I am surprised our wards did not pick it up. Perhaps he never actually used it in a spell? Or perhaps not for long.""

[nobilis] Stella says, "You weren't speaking yet when OJ was on trial."

[nobilis] Raul says (to Stella), "Way to make someone feel old."

[nobilis] Raul says, "Where's Franklin? I need a codger to talk to."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "I wonder if our thought-messages are compatible"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "seeing how we use think *=* and they use ..* <*>"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "I hear yours with a slight tinny echo, like from a cheap cordless phone"

Chaz says, "I don't know. The place was cleaned up. There were ashes in the sink. Too bad we can't reconstruct... hey, wait."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "high time for UMTS Thoughts then"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "Could Alison recontruct the paper from the ashes?"

GM asks (of Davey), "was there anything specific you wanted?"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "Or should we send 'em to CBLR?"

[nobilis] Raul says, "and Franklin, specifically"

[nobilis] Aisleen says, "yay reconstruction. That's the reason I didn't disturb those ashes"

Davey says, "'Have you ever seen your Leader?'"

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "why Alison?"

GM says, ""Only in my dreams -- she is tall and golden-haired and her eyes glow like suns and burn me to ashes and then draw me back whole -- awake, all I have heard is her voice""

[nobilis] Tyoka asks, "isn't she Impulse?"

[nobilis] GM says, "Alison or Franklin could probably do something, yeah"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "She has the highest Realm, for miscellaneous domain-related miracles."

Davey asks, "what's your home like?"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, "ah oh"

[nobilis] Raul says, "I'd think Impulse would be better at burning stuff to ashes than the other way around"

[nobilis] Davey says, "hey, Franklin."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "oh man, this description sounds like the Lady of Pain"

[nobilis] Raul says (to Davey), "We did have him recreate paper from ashes a while back"

GM says, ""My -- my *first* home was so long ago -- my home is all white and lights in the ceiling; dining with others at benches, training, always training""

Davey asks, "How long have you been a soldier?"

Aisleen . o O (to davey) ( first home? )

Davey . o O ( yeah, I think they may be Chancel orphans or something )

Chaz . o O ( Oooh. )

Chaz . o O ( Maybe they cut off chancel hearts and steal the inhabitants. )

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen says, "i am thinking lord of the rings"

GM says, ""All my -- I remember games, as a boy -- but I fought with sticks then. Now I fight with guns, for the glory of the chancel.""

Davey asks, "do you remember a city of black towers, in a green land?"

[nobilis] Raul thinks to see if his chancel has made any Ghostbuster guns, just in case.

[nobilis] Chaz exclaims, "Yay!"

GM says, "The man covers his face with his hands, shrinking back a little. "I remember the towers rising -- splitting apart the earth, burning the land, screams -- and then it all went back to the way it was before, on the outside""

Tyoka . o O ( or maybe they were just taken away and ... re-educate )

Aisleen asks (of chaz), "Should I go get the ashes and send them to Franklin to recreate? or will Franklin be unable to if we move the ashes?"

Tyoka . o O ( d )

Davey . o O ( a Breakthrough. This is bad )

[Crows-Nest] Aisleen asks (of tyoka), "hey, are you recovered?"

Chaz says (to Aisleen), "They're already burned and soaked. I hardly think moving them will hurt them further, though we should take care to make sure we get 'em all."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "I invested 2 AMPs, so I should be full well the following day"

Chaz says, "Oh, wait--duh."

Chaz shifts to mythic sight.

Davey says, "thanks. I'll take you back to the enclosure. We'll provide some more amenities."

GM says, "The man suddenly looks up at Davey. "I felt the cutting -- it was my soul being torn out.""

Chaz asks (of vial), "Hey you! Who did you come from?"

Davey asks, "the cutting? then the towers came?"

GM says, ""And the earth ripped open.""

Davey asks, "and since then you've served the Leader?"

Davey says, "s/then/when/"

GM says, ""Since the men came and took me to the towers -- I was a boy, then. I fought with sticks. Now I fight with guns, for the glory of the chancel.""

Davey asks, "do you know the name of your chancel?"

GM says (to Chaz), ""I came out of a cabinet, empty. It is my job to contain things, and so I was pleased when the silver went inside me, and joined by the blood -- he put it from his own arm, carefully collected""

Aisleen says (to chaz), "eew"

Aisleen asks, "huh wait. does that mean we can summon Jensen?"

Chaz asks (of vial), "What does he look like?"

GM says, ""Name?" The man has to think about this for a while. "It has no name since the towers came. But before? There was, I think -- the place with the boy was Locus Astara.""

Davey says, "okay. thanks, buddy"

[nobilis] Tyoka says, ""Astara" is a name for Azerbeijan"

Davey . o O ( I'm putting this guy back before my questions kill him )

Davey returns the man to the pan and arranges cots and things

GM says (to Chaz), ""I do not look that high, only at what is put inside me. His arm was bare, he contained the blood, now I contain it.""

Davey says, "Knowing they'll all probably die in a few days makes me feel like making them a little more cofortable"

Davey says, "I can't spell today woth my life"

Chaz asks (of vial), "That's great. What was happening when you rolled under the cabinet?"

Stella . o O (to Chaz) ( ask it what color the arm was. )

Davey . o O ( so. My theory is, these guys are from a chancel or chancels taken over by an Excrucian )

Davey . o O ( the ripping of the earth and the bolack towers. )

Chaz . o O ( Could be. Though could also be just a greedy imperator. )

GM says, ""There was, I recall, the noise of burning -- I longed to contain some of the smoke, but I was tightly capped -- there were things being washed before, I think -- and others destroyed. Then he went out again and turned off the lights.""

Davey . o O ( sounds like whoever took them over, took all the residents over simultaneously )

Chaz asks (of vial), "The same guy whose blood you contain?"

[nobilis] Raul says, "This makes me wonder what plans might be in store for Lo."

GM says, ""I think so -- he contained his blood, as I do""

[nobilis] Stella asks, "can we do a divination to find the location of the blood's owner?"

Tyoka . o O (to stella) ( good idea )

Chaz asks (of vial), "True. Was the arm white? Hairy?"

[nobilis] GM says, "you can try, yeah"

Aisleen asks (of chaz), "i am going to get the ashes then, and send them off to Franklin. Maybe we will know in a few days what Franklin was able to find?"

Davey . o O ( we should see if Astara has surviving Nobles, see if it's a 'lost' Chancel or if its death is recorded )

Stella . o O (to Chaz) ( did it look male, female, human, other, anything! )

[nobilis] Raul says, "I have to run. Enjoy the rest of hte session."

[nobilis] Davey says, "these things can be done next session though"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "this is like the Lost Dutchman"

Chaz says (to Aisleen), "Sounds good to me. Chat with them first, though."

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "Flying even"

Raul has disconnected.

[nobilis] Aisleen says, "another question for the library"

[nobilis] Aisleen asks (of GM), "do we have time to chat with the ashes, or should we do that next session?"

GM says, "the vial describes Jensen's arm, yeah"

[nobilis] GM says, "next session, please"

[nobilis] GM says, "since that'll probably be a bit extended"

[nobilis] Aisleen says, "okay."

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Heh."

[nobilis] Stella exclaims, "gotcha - library ho for research! See y'all next week!"

[nobilis] Chaz asks, "The session or the chat?"

[nobilis] Aisleen says, "i am going to go and get it, keep it with me, to ask next session then. i don't want to lose the ashes"

[nobilis] Aisleen asks, "actually, i guess we can assume the study will remain undisturbed?"

[nobilis] GM says, "you can seal it off and post guards outside it, if you want"

[nobilis] GM says, "seeing as how you're in charge here"

[nobilis] Chaz says, "Eh, send the ashes back with Raul."

[nobilis] Aisleen says (to chaz), "okay"

Aisleen returns to Jensen's study and carefully collects every bit of the ashes in the sink in to a small envelope found on Jensen's desk

[Crows-Nest] Davey says, "but that envelope is addressed to EVIL"

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

Aisleen checks every spot and when satisfied that she has found and stored all the ashes, she returns

GM asks, "okay, anything else?"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "it just might be!°"

Chaz says, "Only this one thing that'll take another half an hour."

Aisleen says (to GM), "the envelope goes to Raul to pass to Franklin for him to reconstruct"

Chaz says, "(j/k)"

GM says, "next session, mystic rites and, I expect, some action"