GM says, "So, to recap, you are on a beach. Directions south generally lead to ocean; directions north to trees."
[oneshot] Lydia says, "If I'm slow today it's because I'm somewhat ill."
[oneshot] Erich says, "Oof."
Dana stares out over the ocean a bit
Kestrel examines the papers on the desk.
GM says, "There is something that appears mountainous a ways to the north. Nearby is a lab table,somewhat inappropriate to the tableau."
[Crows-Nest] Erich asks, "But not to the table-au?"
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "Ack! ;-)"
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "(yarg)"
GM says (to Kestrel), "You find the pages that were missing from the journal. You also find some notes about them, although they're mostly in the form of musical notation."
Erich says (to Dana), "good of you to join us"
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "So when you say 'notes', you mean literally."
GM says (to Kestrel), "It appears that whoever wrote this thought as you did that the strange markings were music, and was trying to translate it into a more understandable form."
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "It's bad pun day here at the 7th Sea"
Dana asks (of Erich), "I couldn't expect you to look after yourselves, could I?"
Lydia searches any desk drawers for anything the Guild would probably want back.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "What were the names of the escapees, again?"
[oneshot] GM says, "John Banther and Samuel Dollen."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "And it was Banther who disappeared first, or Dollen?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Banther being the older gentleman whom you met, and who was working on the bowl. Dollen being the one who went in to see what was going on after Banther disappeared."
[oneshot] Kestrel nods.
Kestrel asks (of bowl), "Do you know if Banther played some sort of intstrument, or if he was using an instrument when working on the bowl?"
GM says (to Lydia), "You find nothing of great significance -- a ruler, some paper, some wire brushes, a pen."
Dana keeps a lookout to the north, hunts about for signs of company
Billings asks (of Kestrel), "Mmm, yes, yes... I believe there was something, or other. Was it on the table? A... pipe of some kind?"
Kestrel looks for a pipe on the table.
Erich checks to see if the pipe was blown off the table.
GM says (to Kestrel), "It's not on the table, but..."
GM says (to Erich), "You do find something half-buried in the sand a short distance away."
Erich says, "aha"
Erich digs out the something.
GM says, "It's a small set of pipes. Five of them, with holes along the tops."
Lydia unfastens the rock from its broom.
GM says, "Bound together, of course."
Erich shows Kestrel the pipes.
GM says (to Lydia), "The rock is rather bloody, and sand is stuck to its now sticky surface. You're able to untie it without too much trouble."
Kestrel says (to Erich), "Ah, these must be what John was using."
Kestrel tries to clean out the sand from the pipes, blows experimentally on them.
GM says (to Kestrel), "Too-twee."
Kestrel says, "Hey, they still work."
Kestrel asks (of GM), "How many notes will they play?"
GM says (to Kestrel), "Roll Wits + any wind-instrument knack."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 3k3: 2 4 1 | 7
GM says (to Kestrel), "You have no clue."
Kestrel asks (of GM), "But more than one per pipe?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Also, that was an unskilled roll, right? So it would have been 2k3."
GM says (to Kestrel), "Probably."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Um, I dunno."
[oneshot] GM says, "Not that that it would have affected anything here :)"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Does it fall under the 'artist' skillset or the performer skillset?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Artist."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "And would it be advanced or basic?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Mmm. Probably Advanced, actually."
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to GM), "You're making this up as you go along, aren't you ;-)"
[oneshot] GM says, "I know it's Artist. I don't remember if the book explicitly says if a given instrument is an advanced or basic knack, but either way, I think I can trust Kestrel doesn't know how to play it... :)"
[oneshot] Kestrel looks it up, and discovers that artist doesn't *have* any advanced knacks.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "At any rate..."
[oneshot] GM says, "Oh, alright. Basic, if you want. But I still let you roll it."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Right."
Kestrel asks, "Anyone else want to try to play these?"
Dana looks at them with an arch expression on her face. "No one wants to listen to me try, believe me."
Kestrel grins.
Kestrel looks around.
Kestrel asks, "So, why *here*? A spot on the beach?"
Kestrel says, "Everything came through in exactly the same spot, too."
Dana scans along the treeline for any sign of people having passed here before
Erich says, "the ancients move in mysterious ways"
Lydia says, "Perhaps there are other Syrne ruins somewhere nearby."
Kestrel asks, "Maybe there's something under the sand? Should we try digging?"
Erich says, "there were no tracks when I came through"
Kestrel looks around at the indent marks in the sand from where people landed, estimates the radius.
Kestrel asks, "Does the tide come up this far?"
[7thsea] Dana rolls 3k3: 1 7 1 | 9
Kestrel looks for a line of driftwood.
Erich tries to figure out whether the tide is going out or coming in based on where it was when he arrived.
GM says (to Kestrel), "Maybe ten-twenty feet. Maybe a bit more, or maybe that's just scuffling from your walking around."
GM says (to Dana), "You don't notice anything unusual."
GM says (to Kestrel), "Yes. It looks like the tide is more out than in right now."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks (of GM), "Does it come in as far as the table?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Yes. In fact, it looks like it goes most of the way up the beach."
Lydia says, "Well, underground ruins or none, I think we'll have to find out where we are and find a way out of here eventually."
GM says (to Erich), "Mmm. It's ahrd to say, but it's probably coming in."
Kestrel says, "Let's carry this table up the beach so it won't get washed away, and so we'll know where we landed if it becomes important later."
Dana says, "good plan"
Erich nods and steps to one side of the table.
Dana pitches in
GM says, "Working together, it's no trouble to move it."
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "It's a table, but you move it."
Kestrel looks around for any trail or any trail signs at the tree line where they've moved the table.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "I have both track and trail signs."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Anyone else have 'em, too?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Let's call it Tracking."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Wits?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Or you can roll both, if you want to check both."
[oneshot] GM says, "Yes."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "I'll check both, track first."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 2 2 10+1 6 | 19
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 9 6 1 10+1 | 26
GM says (to Kestrel), "You can see where someone has been through there, although the trail isn't fresh."
GM says (to Kestrel), "No one seems to have left any deliberate markings near the treeline, or at least none you're familiar with."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "No intentional signs?"
Erich says (to Kestrel), "If you think you can track them, we should try to find the two scholars who came before"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(timing)"
Kestrel says, "Yeah, I can at least see where someone cut into the trees right there."
Kestrel asks, "Shall we follow, or shall we explore the immediate area first?"
Dana looks up and down. "Is there anything to explore here other than a lot of beach? I'm for following."
Lydia says, "Let's look for the bold Explorers."
Kestrel says (to Dana), "Well, I still think there's gotta be something nearby to pull us to this place."
Dana asks, "Something that could take us back, perhaps?"
Erich says (to Kestrel), "very possibly, but with any luck it will still be here later"
Kestrel says, "But maybe we could try digging where we landed just as the tide is going out; give us more time."
Erich says (to Kestrel), "I have no such faith in the two bookish Explorers"
Kestrel marks at the treeline in a couple places distance/direction to the original table spot.
Kestrel says (to Erich), "Right, then."
Kestrel says, "Follow me."
Dana follows.
Kestrel, after making sure the notes and other perishables are safely stowed away, follows the trail he found.
Erich follows as well.
GM says, "You follow the old trail into the woods. Since it's not fresh, it's sometimes ahrd to follow in places, and doesn't seem to be a clear, simple line. Whoever left it may have been lost."
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "Food is ready; I will be semi-idle for the next bit."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel throws Erich in the sea.
GM asks, "There are points where it appears that it may cross itself, or it may be crossed by a different trail. Would you like another Tracking roll to sort it out?"
Kestrel leaves behind trail signs so he can backtrack easily.
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "rolling tracking:"
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 10+6 7 9 7 | 32
[oneshot] Kestrel exclaims, "Woo!"
GM says, "There are at least two distinct trails in this area. One of them seems to be from someone without much experience, by the mess they've made. Broken twigs, mussed underbrush, and so forth."
GM says, "The other one is more recent. It looks like it may have been made by animals, or possible animals and people together."
Dana asks, "A tracking dog?"
Kestrel tries to identify the animal.
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 2 2 4 6 | 12
GM says (to Kestrel), "You're not sure."
Kestrel says (to Dana), "Not sure."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Do the trails follow each other?"
Dana asks, "ah well. shall we continue along the bumbly one?"
Erich says (to Dana), "I'd think so."
Kestrel nods.
[oneshot] GM says, "There's some interaction, where the later one seems to take interest in the older one, but then it leaves it behind and goes west."
[oneshot] GM says, "The older ('bumbly') one goes more or less north."
Kestrel notes the animal one with more markers, continues on the bumbly trail.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Also, just one trail, not two?"
[oneshot] GM asks, "What do you mean?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Like, one person, or two people?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(for 'bumbly')"
Lydia asks, "Can't this Explorer walk in a straight line?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "I guess I could roll for it..."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 3 7 1 10+2 | 22
[oneshot] GM says, "Looks like just one."
[oneshot] Dana says, "I suppose there's no guarantee that everyone wound up in the same palce"
[oneshot] Lydia says, "well, they didn't come at the same time."
Kestrel says, "Hmm, this older trail was made by just one person--maybe the other guy headed along the beach, and this one headed toward the mountain."
GM says, "As you go north, you can see the mountain rising above the tops of the trees. You're getting closer to it."
Erich says, "or the end location of what brought us here wanders over time."
Erich holds up a hand. "Hsst!"
Kestrel freezes.
Dana looks around, listening
Lydia stops and listens.
Erich beckons everyone close and mouths, "Hear thomthing in woodth"
Dana nods, "me too"
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "Get down--thee bettter."
Kestrel nods.
Kestrel tries to ID sound.
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "yay"
[oneshot] GM asks, "Does anyone have woods-sound-identification skills?"
Erich listens harder, trying to locate the sound.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Keen senses and tracking.."
[oneshot] GM says, "Hmm. Perceptions for everyone."
[7thsea] Lydia rolls 4k3: 5 5 1 4 | 14
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "That's keen senses + wits?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Right."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 5 10+10+3 10+9 3 | 47
[7thsea] Erich rolls 4k3: 9 6 5 2 | 20
Lydia points eastward.
[7thsea] Dana rolls 3k3: 10+5 3 4 | 22
Dana looks east
Erich says softly, "may be people"
Dana nods
Kestrel points east-northeast, holds up 6 fingers, then points to his chest.
Dana raises her eyebrows in silent surprise
[oneshot] GM says, "Anyone talking or moving much should do stealth rolls, if you're aiming for quiet."
Dana has one hand on her knife-hilt
Erich bows shallowly to Kestrel.
Kestrel nods at erich.
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k3: 7 6 7 9 9 | 25
Kestrel continues to watch.
GM says (to Kestrel), "That'd require moving to see around Erich."
Kestrel points again east-northeast, moves his finger slowly south.
[oneshot] Erich says (to Kestrel), "if you tap me on the shoulder, I can crouch down."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks (of GM), "Eh, what?"
[oneshot] Dana asks, "do they seem to be approaching or moving away?"
Lydia says (softly), "We should talk to them."
Dana says (also softly), "maybe I should try to climb a tree, see if I can see them"
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 5 8 3 4 6 | 19
Kestrel turns slowly to the south, watching something unseen through the trees, until he's looking at Erich. He taps Erich on the shoulder and points down.
[7thsea] Lydia rolls 2k3: 1 5 | 6
Erich looks at Kestrel for a second, then nods. He hunkers down.
Kestrel looks exasperatedly at Lydia, holds finger to his lips.
GM says, "The sound just stopped."
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 9 3 1 2 4 | 16
[7thsea] Dana rolls 6k3: 1 6 1 3 5 7 | 18
[oneshot] Dana says, "(that was stealth, climbing respectively)"
[oneshot] Erich asks (of Dana), "do I hear a 7k3?"
Lydia shrugs innocently.
Dana vanishes quietly up a tree.
Kestrel peers intently through the trees.
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 8 3 7 10+7 | 32
Erich, while he's down visiting his waist and toes, checks his sword and pistols.
[7thsea] Dana rolls 3k3: 6 7 7 | 20
Kestrel points at the sounds again, then at his eyes, then at the group.
Dana shimmies back down out of the tree
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 1 5 9 9 2 | 23
[7thsea] Dana rolls 6k3: 6 9 8 2 4 10+1 | 28
Lydia looks to the east, still concentrating on not moving much.
Kestrel points at the other group once more, begins drifting south once more.
Dana says (quietly but urgently), "five or six, they're armed with spears"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Also, once more."
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 8 4 10+1 7 4 | 26
Dana says, "I think they know we're here"
Dana has her knife in hand now
Kestrel, noting how quiet Dana was, points at her, then at the group, then raises his eyebrows questioningly.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(er, the other group, that is)"
Dana nods
Dana begins to creep towards the other group
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 9 3 8 4 2 | 21
GM says, "They're getting further away."
Erich takes it upon himself to uncrouch and follow, slowly.
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k3: 7 3 9 10+4 1 | 30
[7thsea] Dana rolls 3k3: 5 5 1 | 11
GM says, "Dana and Erich move off into the woods, more or less in the direction the others went in."
Dana scans through the woods looking for where the other group is
GM says, "At this point, they're too far away for Kestrel or Lydia to see or hear where they are exactly."
Kestrel exhales slowly.
Kestrel points up a tree, raises his eyebrows questioningly again to Lydia.
Lydia says, "I could. But I'd make a huge racket."
[7thsea] Dana rolls 3k3: 10+1 3 3 | 17
Dana looks around to see if Erich is still nearby
Kestrel says (quietly) They're pretty much out of range now, I think. Let's give them three minutes, then climb up. I don't want to be surprised by them circling around.
[7thsea] Erich rolls 4k3: 6 4 9 2 | 19
Lydia nods.
Kestrel adds, "They heard us, looked this way, talked amongst themselves a bit, then continued south."
Kestrel says, "I don't know if that means they knew we were here, though."
Lydia asks, "Did you see them?"
Kestrel nods. "But only vaguely. Dana said they carried spears, and that's a better view than I got."
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k3: 3 10+8 1 8 2 | 29
[7thsea] Dana rolls 3k3: 7 5 4 | 16
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 1 8 3 8 3 | 19
Kestrel says, "They're probably just local hunters."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "is getting inordinately curious about Dana's 3k3 rolls."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "ILA:"
[7thsea] Dana rolls 3k3: 3 6 8 | 17
[7thsea] Dana rolls 1 die: 3
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "And even more curious about spending drama dice ;-)"
Erich mutters some very nasty words and follows behind, drawing pistols.
GM says (to Kestrel, Lydia), "You hear something else in the woods off to the east."
Dana moves with considerably more speed than grace at this point
[interludes] GM has added Dana to the channel.
Kestrel looks with alarm
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k3: 9 9 9 9 10+9 | 37
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Perception:"
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 10+3 5 10+10+9 9 | 51
Lydia says, "I'll try to get a view from the tree."
[7thsea] Lydia rolls 4k3: 7 4 10+9 9 | 35
[interludes] GM says, "One more Perception, while you're running."
Lydia swings up a good large tree.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "We're rolling amazingly right now. As soon as we get in combat, watch the 1's."
Lydia peers to the east.
[7thsea] Dana rolls 3k3: 9 10+4 9 | 32
[7thsea] Lydia rolls 4k3: 1 1 2 1 | 4
[oneshot] Lydia says (to Kestrel), "..."
[interludes] Dana says, "(why couldn't I have rolled like that earlier?)"
[interludes] GM says (to Dana), "You hear voices up ahead. Not very far away."
Lydia exclaims, "There's so many leaves in the way!"
[interludes] Dana says, "wait, it occurs to me that I rolled stealth wrong"
[interludes] GM says, "Possibly even facing you."
[interludes] Dana says, "but ok, maybe it's too late (I should've rolled 5k3 instead of 3k3)"
Kestrel exclaims (at Lydia), "It's Dana!"
[interludes] Dana says, "(but c'est la vie)"
[interludes] Dana says, "okay"
[interludes] GM says (to Dana), "Yeah, too late at this point. Sorry."
[interludes] Dana slows down and moves more quietly
Lydia comes back to the ground.
[interludes] Dana says, "(my fault getting mixed up)"
[interludes] Dana says, "(all the perception/stealth rolls)"
Lydia says, "If they're making that much noise, I suppose we'd better follow."
Kestrel exclaims, "Yeah, let's go!"
Lydia starts off through the forest.
Kestrel runs forward, towards where he heard Dana.
[interludes] GM has added Erich to the channel.
[interludes] Dana tries cutting around quietly to change her angle of approach slightly from the one they'll be expecting
[interludes] GM says (to Erich), "You catch yp with Dana, just as a group of five strong men, wearing primitive clothes and carrying spears step out of the woods."
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "(panting) She was running towards the group, and then stopped."
[interludes] GM says (to Dana), "At this point, unfortunately, there's no escaping them. They heard you coming too clearly and well."
[interludes] Dana comes out into the clear very slowly
[interludes] Erich asks, "Any chance for me to circle around, out of view?"
[interludes] GM says, "You also hear the others in the woods somewhere behind you."
[interludes] GM says (to Erich), "Yes, I think so. Stealth."
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k3: 10+6 8 4 4 4 | 28
[interludes] Dana bows to the strangers and holds out one hand, palm up (the one withOUT the knife in it)
[interludes] GM says (to Erich), "OK, you manage to get into position behind them while they're looking at Dana, sizing them up..."
[interludes] Dana says (to Strangers), "hello"
[interludes] GM says (to Dana), "They say something to you in a language you don't recognize. It may be a question."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(tell us when/if we catch up)"
[interludes] Dana points to herself, says "Dana"
[interludes] Erich . o O ( did he say 'fa ben lase'? )
[interludes] Man says (to Dana), "Ka Dana kibon pre."
[interludes] Dana nods, points to man. "Who are you?"
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 3 4 6 4 | 14
[interludes] GM says, "You hear Kestrel and Lydia approach from behind."
Lydia upsets many twigs and rocks and such as she races on.
GM says, "You reach where Dana's standing. She's facing a group of five men who appear to be armed and possibly dangerous."
Kestrel exclaims (at men), "(brightly) Hi!"
Lydia stops and looks over the group.
Man asks (of Dana), "Oo wah rue. Dekaba, wahrue?"
Dana points to each of the others, says their names slowly for the Strangers.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Nothing I recognize?"
[oneshot] Kestrel exclaims, "Also, yay Strangers!"
Whizzard arrives, looking for booty.
Dana asks (of Man), "wahrue?"
Dana laughs, nodding
Dana points to herself. "Dana." Points to man. "Who?"
GM asks (of Dana), "Hoo wahr ueh?"
Kestrel tries speaking to them in Crescent, then Naditi, then Fhideli, "Do you understand this?"
Man points to himself. "Landa."
Dana nods.
Man points to the others. "Landaka, min ganrex."
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "How are they dressed?"
GM says, "The men look at Kestrel oddly, when he goes through his litany of languages. There could be some recollection."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "What language are we speaking in general? Avalonian?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Right, so I assume."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Like, if 'hoo wahr ueh' is 'Who are you?', that would be Avalonian?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Right."
[oneshot] GM says, "As was 'Dana'."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Heh."
[oneshot] GM says, "(Which is what they said before you arrived)"
Dana points to the whole group of Strangers. "Landaka."
Man says, "Lika, kin muka."
Kestrel tries the rest of his languages, just to round stuff off (Ussuran, Teodoran, Montaigne).
Man nods. "Landaka min ganrex. Kin ab mul prin."
Dana repeats, "ganrex?"
Dana thinks of something. She points to her own friends. "Landaka?"
Dana says (to others), "I'm not sure whether they're telling me their name, or the word for 'people' in their language"
Whizzard goes to hamstring some zombies.
Man nods, gesturing in the air with a fist. "Ganrex, tele mul prin."
Erich stays quiet behind the strangers, but puts his pistols away.
Kestrel tries speaking Avalonian with Fhideli inflections.
Man asks (of Dana), "Landaka? Landa min drop?"
[oneshot] Man says, "(Go slowly here; this isn't easy to keep up :) )"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Heh."
[oneshot] Dana says, "(heh :)"
GM says (to Kestrel), "They do seem interested."
Man asks (of Kestrel), "Drop li? Dero nab li?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "I personally can't piece that out. Can Kestrel?"
Lydia asks, "drop?"
[oneshot] Man says, "Not really."
Man says (to Lydia), "Drop mu? Mu Haran."
Man grins.
Man asks (of Lydia), "Drop li?"
Dana points to the man. "Haran?"
Kestrel asks (of Man), "(in Fhideli-fractioned Avalonian) I still don't understand. Dero?"
Man points to himself. "Haran. Linda min ganrex. Tak min karel.
Dana says (to Man), "drop mu Dana"
Man says (to Kestrel), "Dero ro?" He looks around. "Ro ro." He appears slightly confused at the question."
Dana says, "I think he's asking where we come from"
Dana says, "and I think 'ro' just means 'here'"
Man asks (of Dana), "Mu pa sek. Dana lil opon?"
Dana says (to Man), "Dana min opon"
Man asks (of Dana), "Dana paros?"
Dana shrugs and shakes her head to indicate not understanding.
Man says, "Kin ab mul prin."
Man gestures at your group, inclusively.
Man points, roughly northishly. "Prin."
Kestrel squats to the ground, picks up a stick, starts drawing in the ground.
Dana says, "Ocean."
Dana makes whoosh-whoosh noises.
[oneshot] Erich says (to Kestrel), "you act as if you have done this before"
Dana points south.
Man asks (of Dana), "Shushi? Daral shoshu?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to Erich), "Not from this side! ;-)"
Man looks south, then brightens. "Porone?"
Dana says, "Ocean"
Man mimes moving his arms rhythmic in front of him -- swimming?
Dana makes wave-motions with her hands, then nods
[oneshot] Man asks, "What's Kestrel drawing?"
Lydia asks, "Dero John Banther? Samuel Dollen?"
Man says (to Dana), "Porone."
Dana says, "kin ab porone."
Man asks (of Lydia), "Pa sek. Drop Jon Banter Samwel Dolin?"
Man asks (of Dana), "Kin tan lil?"
Man looks at the others. None seem to be objecting to the idea.
Dana holds up two fingers. "Landaka. John Banther opon. Samuel Dollen opon."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Dana's doing pretty well, I'll wait."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Can I figure out what Dana's saying, at least? ;-)"
Dana says (to Kestrel), "I am trying to tell them that there are two men"
Dana says, "I think 'opon' is 'name'"
Man asks (of Dana), "Jonbanta pe Weldolin, odonka lil?"
[oneshot] Man says, "Oponka, I mean."
Dana (to Man) nods
Kestrel exclaims (at Dana), "Oh, let me show them his trail!"
Man asks, "Jonbanta pe Weldolin paros, tan Dana?"
Dana says (to Kestrel), "if you can explain that, be my guest"
Kestrel looks around. Are we still near bumbly trail?
Man says, "Kakika odonka lil paros. Kika elam."
Dana says (to Man), "ah--" Shakes her head. Points to herself. "min opon Dana. Dana Kayskull.""
Man looks confused.
Kestrel asks, "Dana pe Kayskull?"
Kestrel says, "Er, no."
Man asks, "Dana *pe* Kayskull?"
Kestrel says, "'pe' is and."
Dana says, "John Banther landa." Makes figure of person walking with her fingers. "John Bantha kin ab porone.""
Dana says (to Kestrel), "Yes."
Man asks, "Jonbanta pe Weldolin pe Dana pe Kayskull, paros?"
Dana says (to Man), "John Banther pe Samuel Dollen pe Dana Kayskull"
Man says (to Dana), "Ah."
Man shakes his spear.
Man asks, "Jonbanta, landa?"
Dana says, "John Banther --" Makes walking man again. "Prin.""
Dana points north
Dana asks, "Pero?"
Man says, "Jonbanta pa daname."
[oneshot] Man says, "Slowly, slowly..."
Kestrel says (to Dana), "It's like they're speaking Avalonian, but with strong Fhideli accents."
Man points north, like Dana. "Prin. Mul prin."
[oneshot] Dana says, "(hell, I'm way more confused than you""
[oneshot] Dana says, "er, could possibly be)"
Kestrel says (to Dana), "Here, let me try."
Dana says (to Kestrel), "ok"
Kestrel draws a line in the ground, puts fish-figures on one side.
Man hunkers down to watch.
Kestrel points at the fish-side "Porone?"
Man points south, then points to the picture. "Porone."
Kestrel nods.
Kestrel draws some trees to the north of the line, then a big mountain north of that.
Kestrel points to the trees, then gestures around the group.
Kestrel points to the mountain, then points north.
[oneshot] GM says, "If you get too complicated, I'll call you on a Drawing roll, to warn you :)"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Stick figures only ;-)"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "If I had some sort of drawing program, I'd use that ;-)"
Man points to the mountain, points north, and then says, "Gapra."
Kestrel says, "Gapra! Good."
[oneshot] (from Dana) Kestrel draws a princess and a pauper in love, followed by the king wearing a wizard hat and casting them into the eighth circle of hell, from which an eight-armed goddess rescues them and takes them to the island of Mercy. "Porone?"
Kestrel draws a stick figure on the beach. "John Banther"
[oneshot] Erich laughs.
[oneshot] Kestrel exclaims, "Yay!"
GM says, "While you have engaged the leader in conversation, by the way, the other four men seem mostly bored."
Kestrel draws an arrow to the trees from John.
Dana looks through her stuff to see if she has any food
Man points to the picture. "Jonbanta. Opon?"
Dana nods to Man.
Man nods.
Kestrel says, "John Banther came to the beach. He walked to the gapra."
Kestrel erases the stick figure, re-draws him in the trees.
Kestrel draws a dotted line from where he was.
Kestrel makes the line curly.
Man asks, "Jonbanta kin ama. Kin ab gapra?"
[oneshot] Dana says, "(what's Stranger for 'bumbly'?)"
[oneshot] Erich says, "('booth')"
Kestrel says (to man), "Maybe. We don't know. But that direction."
Kestrel draws three stick figures on the beach.
[oneshot] Dana says, "so boothaisle is pretty aptly named, then"
Kestrel points to one, "Dana" (points to dana)
Kestrel points to the next, "Kestrel" (points to me)
Kestrel points to the next "Lydia" (points to Lydia)
Man points to Dana. "Dana?" He looks very confused now.
Man asks (of Dana), "*Li* Dana?"
Dana says (to Man), "mu Dana"
Dana says (to Kestrel), "(maybe I've been telling him Dana was the name of my horse or something, all this time)"
Man nods slowly. "Edra pic Dana paros?"
Dana asks, "Paros?"
Kestrel says (to dana), "You fooled me ;-)"
Man picks up a small rock, and holds it in the palm of his hand.
Kestrel asks, "edra is 'he draw'?"
Man asks, "Pra. Vol pra?"
Dana says, "Rock"
Dana points to it. "Rock."
Man says (to Dana), "Pra. Rok."
Dana nods.
Man covers the rock with his other hand.
Man says, "Dero pra? Pra *paros*. Pa ro."
Man looks around, pretending to be searching for something.
Dana says, "not here"
Dana asks, "paros means not here?"
Kestrel exclaims, "Right! Paros! Lost!"
Dana nods
Dana says, "John Banther paros"
Kestrel covers up the picture of jonbanter.
Man smiles. He seems to think you're getting smarter.
Man asks, "Janbanta paros. Pe Weldolin paros?"
Dana nods
Lydia says, "Samuel Dollin paros."
Man nods.
Erich leans back and waits for Dana and Kestrel to figure out their language.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks (of Erich), "You in view, or hidden?"
Man says, "Kika elam, lil opon paros."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "AFK to help wash baby a minute..."
Dana asks, "elam?"
Man bowls his head, hunches his shoulders, shakes.
[oneshot] Erich says, "I am behind the group, more or less out of view."
Man says, "Elam."
Man rubs his eyes.
Dana asks, "Scared? alone?"
Man asks, "Skaird, alohn?"
Dana nods
Dana says, "elam"
Man nods.
Man smiles. "Niam." He frowns. "Elam."
Lydia frowns. "Elam. Sad."
Man asks, "Skaird, elam?"
Dana nods
Man asks, "Skaird, sad?"
Dana (to Man) nods again, shrugs faintly. More or less.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(back)"
[interludes] Man has removed Dana from the channel.
[interludes] Man has removed Erich from the channel.
Lydia says, "Jon Banther pe Samuel Dollin. paros."
Lydia shrugs.
Dana points at the Stranger group. "Landaka lil opon?"
Man says, "Muka, landaka min ganrex." He shakes his spear. "Landaka!" The other four mimic the act."
Man asks, "Lika oponka min ganrex?"
Dana says, "Hmm. I'm not sure whether he means Landaka is his people, or-- I don't know what opon/oponka is any more. I thought it meant name, but I'm not sure now. And 'ganrex' could be family or tribe or something."
Dana asks (of Man), "Landaka opon lil ganrex?"
Kestrel says (to dana), "Hmm. I think the 'ka' ending is an irregular plural, like Fhideli."
Man nods. "Landaka kara opon. Landaka upronka min ganrex."
Dana says (to Kestrel), "yeah"
Dana points to Kestrel and Lydia. "Min ganrex Avalon"
Lydia says, "Minka Avalon."
Dana says (to Kestrel), "I think we're getting the essentials, but I don't know how to communicate that we need help finding the others"
Man asks (of Lydia), "Minka Avalon?"
Man says, "Ganrex, nab Avalon."
Kestrel says (to Dana), "I also think '-on' might indicate a person, or actor. 'lan' is a type of polearm--maybe they mean they're the spear people."
Dana says carefully, "Avalonka upronka min ganrex?"
Dana says (to Kestrel), "ahhh"
Man asks (of Dana), "Lika upronka ganrex?"
Dana says, "Hmm, I don't know what 'lika' means"
GM says, "All the men seem interested at this prospect."
Lydia asks, "upronka?"
Dana thinks, "uh oh."
Dana says (to Lydia), "I thought it meant 'means'"
Kestrel asks (of Dana), "What did you tell them?"
Dana says, "or 'indicates', so, like, "landaka means my people' for what he said before"
Dana says, "so I was mimicking his sentence"
Lydia says, "I think 'li' is you and 'ka' is plural. So 'you'."
Dana says, "oh, you-all"
Dana says, "aha"
Dana says, "what upronka means is another question, especially if all the men are so interested"
Man says, "Ganrex klet."
Dana thinks of translations like, "Is paved in gold and has an infinite supply of beer and jennies"
[oneshot] Erich says, "heh"
Man asks, "Ganrex, ra prin. Kin ab prin?"
Man motions with his spear, to the north again.
Kestrel says, "Maybe 'upronka' is 'the people (-on, -ka) of the,... 'up'. Mountain? That's ganrex."
Dana asks (of Kestrel), "so he's trying to take us to his home?"
Man motions with his hand.
Man stands up.
Dana watches Man
Kestrel says, "I guess."
Kestrel asks (of man), "Klet?"
Man gestures to one of the others, saying something quickly and incomprehensibly.
Lydia points to the west, then moves her arm north.
Kestrel says, "Wait, no, mountain is gapra."
GM says, "The other man doesn't look pleased, and tries to argue, but the one who seems like a leader wins out."
Lydia says, "Muka seek John Banther."
GM says, "The second man lies down on his face, in front of the first one."
Kestrel says, "So I don't know."
Man points down. "Upron. Mul upron."
Dana asks, "servant? slave?"
Second exclaims, "Mu pa lil upron!"
Dana laughs
Man kicks second gently, who then shuts up. ANd scurries back tot he tohers.
Man sits.
Dana asks, "so the Landaka are servants to -- wait, ganrex means leader?"
Man gestures to his own group. "Muka -- landaka -- upronka min ganrex.
[oneshot] Erich says, "well, rex"
Dana looks at Kestrel, briefly contemplates pointing at herself and saying "ganrex," decides that might go over badly
Dana (to Man) nods
Dana says, "Muka ganrex paros"
Man doesn't seem to understand you.
Man says, "Ganrex, tele min mul prin."
[oneshot] Dana says, ""You seem to want to talk to someone, but I can't see whom.""
Dana asks (of Man), "lil ganrex landaka?"
Man says, "Muka landaka min Ganrex."
Dana asks (of Kestrel), "hrm. You have any insights here?"
Man says, "Ganrex, tele min lako prin."
Kestrel says (to Dana), "Uh, no. 'us spearfolk my group? Leader?'"
Man says, "Ganrex hon chimur. Honon chimur, tele. Ganrex: tele."
Kestrel asks (of man), "tele?"
Man says to Kestrel, "Tele -- " He stops to thing for a moment.
[oneshot] Dana says, "(afk a second)"
Man climbs up on a rock, and says something to all his men.
GM says, "The men seem particularly displeased at the part they get to play in the education process, but he manages to convince him."
GM says, "Them, even."
GM says, "They all lie down face down around him."
Man beats his chest. "Tele! Mu tele!"
Kestrel exclaims, "King!"
GM says, "One of them throws a rock at him. He laughs, and gets down."
Lydia asks, "Lil tele Ganrex?"
Man says (to Kestrel), "King? Tele, kika lako. kikakika lako."
Man says (to Lydia), "Ta, mul tele Ganrex."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(sorry, was afk)"
[oneshot] Erich says, "Hm. I'm trying to decide what a good time to reveal myself would be."
[oneshot] Kestrel sighs. I am so not following the majority of this ;-)
[oneshot] Dana returns from afk
[oneshot] Erich says, "I think I should creep back around to where everyone is and enter from that side, since my smashing-from-behind skills are not needed."
[oneshot] Kestrel nods.
[7thsea] Erich rolls 3k3: 9 6 3 | 18
Lydia asks (of others), "So, now what?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "What are these 3k3 rolls? Contested stuff?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "wits, in my case. Trying to figure things out."
Dana says (to Lydia), "if we could get them to take us to wherever the center of civilization is around here, it seems we've a better chance of finding the others"
[oneshot] Erich says (to GM), "Also, consider me sneaking back around so's I can step out into the circle."
[oneshot] Man says, "OK, Stealth."
Kestrel says (to Dana), "I'd like to follow the trail while it's still relatively fresh, though."
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k3: 4 7 9 6 4 | 22
Kestrel looks around. Is the bumbly trail nearby?
Man says, "Kin prin? Ganrex klet, roto oponka."
[oneshot] Man says (to Kestrel), "No, but you might be able to find it again later, maybe. It's not like the tracks were carefully hidden."
[oneshot] Man says, "AFK for a moment."
[oneshot] Man says, "Back."
Man gets up.
Man says, "Lika, kin ab prin min muka. Vol Ganrex, pica Ganrex. Ganrex klet lika, roto lil oponka."
Kestrel says (to dana), ""'Take me to your leader'?""
Dana says (to Kestrel), "maybe"
Lydia points north. "Ganrex?"
Dana says, "i'm inclined to consent and see where we wind up"
Man nods, "Ganrex ra prin."
Erich steps slowly out into the clearing, hands down and away from his weapons.
Kestrel says, "Ah, this is Erich."
Erich smiles politely, tries not to show too many teeth.
Man says (to Erich), "Drop li?\"
Dana points to Erich. "Erich."
Man asks (of Kestrel), "Erik? Erik opon min li?"
Kestrel says, "Erich muka. He's with us.""
Man nods.
Man reaches out and grabs Erich's shoulder. "Opon Erik."
Erich is clearly thinking, "Er, uh?"
Man points to himself. "Haran. Opon?"
[oneshot] Erich asks, "I've lost track. What've we decided 'opon' is?"
Man grins at Kestrel, in an 'understanding' way.
Dana says (to Erich), "We think it means "name""
Kestrel grins back.
Dana says, "Probably"
Erich says, "Ah."
Man whispers (aside, to Kestrel), "Erik, pe kaki busi?"
Erich points to himself. 'Erich.'
Dana says, "Or something entirely different and involving wine, women, and song"
Erich says (to Dana), "I am for either."
Kestrel says (to man), "Erich is our Strong Warrior."
Dana says, "yeah, well, just so long as we don't wind up promising them anything we don't want to deliver, it's all good"
Kestrel points to the dotted line track of john in the dirt.
Kestrel asks, "Trail?"
Man asks, "Trail?"
Kestrel points to a broken twig that Erich made when he walked in.
Man pats the ground. "Trail?"
Dana makes walking motion with her fingers againl.
Dana says, "trail.""
Dana points north
Kestrel says (to man), "Muka follow trail of john banther."
Man says, "A, kin."
Man asks, "Kinvo, trail?"
Man walks from one side of the clearing to the other, scuffing his feet on the ground.
Kestrel motions for them to follow over back to where we first stopped.
Man points to the scuff mark. "Kinvo."
Kestrel exclaims, "Kinvo, yes!"
Kestrel says, "John banther kinvo."
Man asks, "Dero kinvo?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "What's 'not' in old Fhideli?"
[oneshot] Dana says, "I'm guessing 'pa' is 'no'"
[oneshot] Dana says, "since 'ro' = here, 'pa ro' = 'not here'"
[oneshot] Man says, "L'epa."
[oneshot] Man says, "(In old Fhi)"
Lydia asks, "Muka follow John Banther kinvo. Lika follow kinvo?"
Kestrel asks, "Muka follow kinvo johnbanther. Johnbanther paros, Johnbanther l'epa paros. pa-paros? Ros?"
Kestrel asks (of lydia), "Kinvo?"
Man nods. "Volma kinvo."
Man says (to Kestrel), "Pa paros, rotos."
Man asks, "Volma a mu. Dero kinvo?"
Kestrel says, "Good, 'rotos' is found."
Lydia says, "or 'here'"
Lydia asks, "I think they want to help. Where was that trail?"
Kestrel says, "Oh, I think he said, "I follow. Where's the trail! Uh, right.""
Kestrel exclaims (at man), "Good! Thanks!"
Kestrel motions for them to follow "Come this way. Rotos Kinvo."
Kestrel says (to others), "(here trail)"
Kestrel walks back to where we left off.
Man says (to Kestrel), "Guhd, tanks. Trail? Muka lika klet. Volma kinvo a muka."
Man follows Kestrel.
Dana follows Kestrel as well.
GM says, "The other, less vocative fellows follow along."
Kestrel asks (of man), "Klet?"
Lydia smiles seeing the strangers come along. "Mu niam."
Erich follows along, trying to watch everyone.
Man (to Kestrel) holds out his hand to Kestrel. "Klet. Oponka klet oponka."
Man trips and falls.
Kestrel grabs his hand, helps him from falling.
Man grins, with a twinkle in his eye as he gets up. "Li klet mu. Klet."
Kestrel says (to man), "Klet it is."
Kestrel grins back.
Man says, "Aban, mu klet lika, roto Jonbanta."
Erich mutters (to Dana and Lydia), "I hope you can translate for me later."
Dana says (to Erich), "I only understand a bit, but I think he means he's going to help us find John Banther."
GM says, "You get back to a place that you think is a part of the trail you followed earlier."
Kestrel picks up where he left off at his last trail sign.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Do I need to roll?"
Man follows, nodding. "Kinvo. Pabka. In, fa torka.
[oneshot] Man says, "Nah."
GM says, "You find one of the places where it crosses itself. The man takes Kestrel's arm and leads him along one of the side tracts."
Kestrel follows.
GM says, "After a little while of cooperative tracking between Kestrel and the stranger, you step up to the base of the mountain you followed earlier. You see a cave mouth not far from here."
Erich says, "ah. caves."
Erich says, "last time there were caves I was shot at."
GM says, "Near the cave mouth is the remainds of a small fire, burnt to ashes."
Kestrel says (to Erich), "No, last time there were caves you went fishing with me as the bait."
Lydia looks at the fire. "Was someone here today?"
Erich says (to Kestrel), "Those weren't caves, those were *artifacts*."
Kestrel says, "Artifact caves, right. And artifact streams, too."
GM asks (of Lydia), "Do you have any knacks that'd help with figuring that out?"
Erich climbs towards the cave, to take a closer look.
Kestrel sifts through the ashes to see if there are any hot embers left.
GM says (to Erich), "You peer inside -- it's rather shallow, actually. Near the back wall is a pile of leaves on the ground, and you notice a few pointy sticks piled up on one spot."
GM says (to Kestrel), "It is slightly warm, but not hot."
Kestrel asks (of Erich), "Anything inside?"
Erich says (to Kestrel), "detritus only, I think."
Erich enters the cave, to look at the leaves and sticks.
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel exclaims, "It's a bundle of gore!"
[Crows-Nest] Erich asks, "They're in the shape of a little man, and there are three of them dangling from the ceiling. Is that bad?"
GM says (to Erich), "The pile of leaves is a couple yards long and a yard wide."
GM says, "There are three sticks. The look like the were sharpened by hand, perhaps with a rock. They're not really strong enough to make good spears, though."
Erich says (to GM), "I'll poke through the pile, see if they're more than a bed."
Kestrel says, "Well, this is where he's been living."
GM says (to Erich), "Under the leaves, there's a flat rock at one end -- where you'd put a pillow. Other than that, just leaves."
Kestrel casts about for another, leaving trail.
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 1 1 9 7 | 17
Man is kneeling by the edge of the woods and sees Kestrel approach. "Karaka kinvoka."
GM says (to Kestrel), "There are several trails leading both toward and away from here. It's not clear which would be best to follow."
Kestrel says, "Hmm."
Kestrel asks (of man), "Rotos kinvo, uh, most recent?"
Man says (to Kestrel), ""Ral kinvoka pabak. Ral arabak.""
Kestrel asks, "Pabak? Arabak?"
Man points to one fresh-looking one. "Mu seki, hal kikakika arabak.
Kestrel says (to others), "There are a bunch of trails here, but I think he's found the most recent one."
Erich returns from the cave. "nothing but leaves and a rock for a bed, and some sticks sharpened to be poor spears."
Kestrel says, "Poor guy."
Kestrel asks (of man), "Volma arabak kinvo?"
Kestrel asks, "muka?"
Kestrel says (to others), "(follow recent trail, us?)"
Man points to the fresh one. "To, volma li. Hal arabak, mu seki."
Lydia says, "One of us should stay here, or we could leave a note."
Erich says (to Lydia), "good idea."
Kestrel asks, "Shall we split in two?"
Dana says, "I'd be willing to wait here."
Kestrel nods.
Dana gets out her knife
Dana says, "(just in case)"
Kestrel says (to man), "Dana, Lydia, pa volma."
Kestrel says, "Erich, mu, volma."
Man looks at Dana and Lydia.
Lydia sits down near the cave entrance.
Man moves away from the trails, trying to block them with his body.
Lydia says, "Mu pa volma."
Man says (to Lydia, Dana), "Pe vol! Pe a lika."
Kestrel asks (of man), "Eh?"
Lydia asks, "Pe?"
Kestrel says (to man), "John Banther might return while we're gone (miming this with walking fingers)."
Man asks (of Kestrel), "Edra pe volma haka?"
Kestrel asks (of dana), "What's 'they'?"
Dana says (to kestrel), "I think 'kika'"
Kestrel says (to man), "Um."
Man asks (of Kestrel), "Akin kinvol?"
Man points to the trail he mentioned earlier.
Kestrel asks (of man), "Akin?"
Man says, "Kinvo. Muka -- " He points to Kestrel and himself, " -- akin kinvo?""
Man says, "Akin -- li kin, arab mu kin min li. Mu akin li."
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "'now we must fight'"
Kestrel says, "Uh, right. And Erich. Erich, mu, li, volma kinvo. Akin kinvo."
Man nods. "Kin."
Man heads off into the woods.
Kestrel shrugs.
Kestrel says (to Erich), "Let's go."
Kestrel follows.
Erich says, "indeed"
Erich follows.
GM says, "So you follow the trail into the woods. It's easier, now, since this trail is more recent than the other. After a little while, you hear a noise up ahead."
Man whispers, "Pila?"
Kestrel shrugs.
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "what about the tagalong men?"
[oneshot] Man says, "Nah, they're just hanging out with you. Sharpening their spears, that kind of thing."
Kestrel listens.
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 8 6 3 7 | 21
TableSaw arrives, looking for booty.
Man points up ahead. "Lako. Jonbanta?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "hrm. sharpening their spears near the wimmin."
Kestrel says (to man), "Maybe."
Kestrel grins hopefully.
Man creeps ahead.
Kestrel moves forward too.
[oneshot] Lydia says, "we can take care of ourselves."
GM says, "As you proceed, you see someone up ahead. He's not one like your new friend -- it looks like he's wearing modern clothes. And you hear him humming to himself."
GM says, "As you get closer, you notice that he's not Mr. Banther, though."
GM says, "He seems to be walking around and around a bush, watching it intently. He hasn't noticed you yet."
Kestrel tries to figure out what's in the bush.
GM stage-whispers, "Daral panil?"
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 9 10+1 6 1 | 26
Kestrel says (to Erich,), "man A rabbit! He's found a rabbit."
Kestrel mimes hopping.
GM says, "The new-found fellow then leaps madly into the bush itself."
Erich's eyebrows raise.
GM says, "A second later, a rabbit comes tearing out of the leaves, heading into the woods."
Fellow says, "Wait, come back."
Fellow jumps up and starts running after it.
Fellow exclaims, "No, I caught you! Fair play, and all that!"
Erich exclaims (at Fellow), "Hold, there!"
Kestrel tries to shoot the rabbit.
Fellow runs into the woods whe-- but stops, when he hears Erich.
Fellow asks, "What, hallo?"
Kestrel asks, "Sam? Sam Dollen?"
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 6k3: 9 8 9 9 3 2 | 27
Fellow asks, "Yes? Have we met, old chap?"
[oneshot] Dollen says, "hit."
Kestrel says, "Ha! Got it."
Dollen says (to Kestrel), "Ah, good show! I was afraid I'd be having pears again for dinner."
[Crows-Nest] TableSaw says, "I was going to as what's going on, but I'm having more fun being confused."
Erich asks, "Dollen, I presume?"
Kestrel says, "The explorer's society sent us. Accidentally sent the whole table, too."
Kestrel asks, "I take it you haven't found John?"
Dollen says, "Yes. That's me. Pleasure to meet you."
Dollen says, "I have! Poor fellow. It's quite awful. Have you seen it? Got to rescue him, poor chap. But there are too many of them, y'know."
Kestrel says, "I'm Kestrel, this is Erich. And this is Haran, someone we met locally."
Erich says, "Slow down, slow down."
Erich asks, "Seen it? A *rescue*?"
GM says, "Dollen is much younger than Banther. He looks athletic and reasonably bright, but he obviously knows nothing about woods and hunting and so forth."
Kestrel says (to Haran), "Sam Dollen."
Dollen says (to Erich), "Oh, you haven't seen? He's been captured. By those what-you-call-thems."
Dollen makes a noise like he's choking. "...I think they're called. Or that's what they sound like, at least."
GM says, "Your guide hitherto is just standing back watching this, possibly bemusedly."
Erich says, "but you were not captured, obviously."
Dollen says (to Erich), "oh, no. Luckiy for me, I know a thing or two about how to handle myself in these situations, you know."
Dollen says, "As at home in the woods as a fish in a fishbowl, you might say."
Erich thinks back to Dollen's behavior around the bush, and contents himself with a simple, "Ah, yes."
Dollen says, "So, yes, I'm Sam. It's nice to meet you. Can't recall having seen you about the Society before."
Erich says, "We are hired on occasion by the Society"
Lydia gets out a bit of cheese and jerky to munch on.
Erich says, "to deal with sticky situations."
Guide asks (of Kestrel), "Hal Jonbanta?"
Erich says, "Billings was most concerned about the thrumming flying sphere, especially after it "ate" you and Banther."
Dollen asks (of Erich), "Oh, yes? Mercenary sort of thing, what?"
Kestrel says (to guide), "Pa johnbanta. Sam Dollen."
Erich says, "yes. though one of our number, who unfortunately couldn't come with us, is a member of your organization. Jemmy is his name."
Dollen says, "Mmm. Yes. Haven't a clue what that was all about, really. But I showed that sphere a what-to. Hasn't bothered me since, I should say."
Kestrel asks (of guide), "Sam dollen, captured?"
Kestrel tries to mimic the choking sound.
Kestrel asks (of dollen), "What did you call them, again?"
Guide says (to Kestrel), "Weldolin? A, mu vol."
Dollen asks (of Kestrel), "The, er, graklrgrarrs?"
Erich asks (of Dollen), "was that your lounge we found in the cave a ways back?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "er, lodging"
Dollen says (to Erich), "Ah, yes. You like it? Quite a little home away from Avalon's shores, you might say."
Kestrel asks (of Dollen), "Wait, you found a sphere here, too?"
Dollen says (to Kestrel), "What? No, they wouldn't dare, after I should them what for, back at the lab. Haven't seen one since."
Erich says, "tell us more about how Banther was captured."
Kestrel says (to Dollen), "Ah. Uh, the sphere's still there. It's what sent us here."
Erich says, "wait, on second thought, if there is nothing of great interest here, let us return to your cave and our companions."
Dollen says (to Kestrel), "Bother. Well, we'll get it next time, I'm sure."
Kestrel retrieves the rabbit carcass and arrow, heads back to the cave.
Dollen says (to Erich), "Alright, lead on MacDougle."
GM says, "It's a short trip back to the cave, since you have a pretty fair recollection of how you got here."
Erich says, "erich. but close enough, I suppose."
Kestrel asks (of guide), "akin, uh, back?"
Guide leads Kestrel back.
GM says (to Dana, Lydia), "Here they come, from the woods. They have a stranger with them now."
Lydia asks, "Hello! You found him?"
Erich says, "yes. he was stalking the wild bush."
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "Well, we found Sam."
Kestrel says, "And the rabbit he was chasing."
Kestrel holds up the rabbit.
Kestrel says, "But he was just telling us that John's been captured."
Lydia says (to Sam), "Pleased to meet you."
Lydia asks, "Captured?"
Dana asks, "By whom?"
Erich says, "by the <gargling noise>"
Dana asks, "and what might that be?"
Dana asks, "a people? a monster?"
Dollen says (to Lydia), "A pleasure, m'lady."
Dana rolls her eyes at Dollen's politeness to Dollen.
Dollen says, "I must admit, I'm not quite sure myself what they are."
Dana says (to Dollen), "Hi, I'm Dana."
Dana asks, "What do they look like?"
Erich says, "actually, to save time: why don't you tell us what happened from the time you arrived here."
Dollen says (to Dana), "Ah, and I am Sam. Lovely to make your acquaintance."
Dollen says (to Erich), "Well, alright."
Dollen says, "It was about a week ago, I think. We were all worried about old John, he doesn't usually tend to run off in the middle of a project and all that."
Dollen says, "So we look in on his lab, and what ho? It's this flying gizmangafalp ball o' who knows what."
Dollen says, "Well, right, what to do but attack it, say? No one else wanted to, so i went in, k-nocked it good, and I must have gone black since the next thing I know I'm lying in a tree."
Erich asks, "a tree? not on a beach?"
Dollen says, "So I climb down, takes a few tries, but I didn't get too hurt. I decided, might as well take a look arouond -- (to Erich) I'm getting there -- and I find the beach over that way, and the trees, and so forth."
Dollen asks, "The beach didn't seem too interesting. It's almost all covered at high tide anyway. I looked around in the woods a bit. The mountain was pretty easy to find, so I made a camp here. That way I can find my way back -- clever, see?"
Kestrel says, "quite."
Dollen says, "Well, I keep looking around. I found the lagoon, off that way. Goes under the mountain, with the old door and all. And I found the village, with those grakrgr fellows, where they have Banther. And plenty of trees of course. There's fruit on some of them. Not bad, but I could use some meat."
Dollen says, "So that just about brings me to where I found you fellows, hunting that rabbit. Had 'im, too, if he hadn't run away like that."
Kestrel asks, "what's this 'Old door'?"
Dollen says, "Hmm? Oh, some ancient something or other, I suppose. All those Syrneth ruins start to look alike after a while. I spent a few minutes trying to open it, but that didn't go anyplace, so i figured it'll still be there later."
Kestrel says, "Must be the destination for the sphere."
Kestrel asks, "So, the grakrgrs. They live in a village? they're human? Not human?"
Erich nods at Kestrel
Dollen asks (of Kestrel), "Ever seen a man who's been out in the sun his whole life, his skins all thick like leather?"
Kestrel nods.
Dollen asks (of Kestrel), "Ever seen a warthog?"
Kestrel nods again.
Dollen asks (of Kestrel), "Ever seen one of those big, whatchers, elefints? From down the Empire?"
Kestrel says, "hmm."
Erich says, "let me guess. the grakrgrs look nothing like any of them."
Kestrel says, "I think I know what you mean."
Dollen says (to Erich), "Well, not so much like the elefints, but I was just wondering since he'd seen the other stuff."
Dollen asks, "Do you know the statues they put on buildings some places -- popular in Montaigne. Ugly sorts of things?"
Erich says, "ah."
Erich asks, "gargoyles?"
Dollen says, "Right. Kinda like a worthog, a man, and a gargoyle. Thereabouts."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "afk a sec."
Erich says, "huh. so not quite human."
Erich asks, "did they hurt Banther?"
Dollen says, "I don't know. They have him in a cage, last time I saw. There were too many of them for me to get too close."
Erich says, "so"
Kestrel asks, "Haran? li ken the grakrgrs?"
Erich asks, "weapons? any tools among the grakrgrs?"
Lydia says (to Erich), "They can build a cage, it seems."
Erich says (to Lydia), "or find one among the ruins."
Guide asks (of Kestrel), "Garka?"
Kestrel mimes being a monster.
Kestrel asks (of Dollen), "They have tusks?"
Guide nods, "Mu sek garka. Garka prin, frema."
Guide he motions west.
Kestrel asks (of Dollen), "Their village is west of here?"
[oneshot] Dana says, "(is this likely to be a lot longer?)"
Dollen asks (of Dollen), "No tusks, no. They're -- which way is west again?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "Hopefully not. I need sleep before dealing with deth laser tomorrow."
Kestrel points.
Dollen nods, "Yeah... I think so, yes. That way."
Dollen says, "They cage looked like it was made of wood -- possibly branches, or possibly poles. I'm not sure."
Kestrel says (to Haran), "A, garka."
Kestrel says (to haran), "Garka rotos jon banther."
Haran says, "Elat. Garka, musleka."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "He says they're gonna eat him like Mueslix."
Kestrel asks, "musleka?"
Haran says, "Musleka, pe panil ugashi."
Haran says, "Musleka..."
Haran points to the rabbit.
Haran bends down, to crawl on all fours.
Kestrel says, "Ah, animals."
Haran gives a bird call.
Haran sits down. "Musleka."
Kestrel nods. "A, musleka.
Kestrel asks, "ugashi?"
Haran says, "Pe lakoka."
Haran makes wild gestures with his hands, and makes crashing noises. "UGASHI!"
Kestrel Nods.
Lydia says, "Muka klet Jon Banther."
Haran picks up a rock, throws it, and makes like it's exploding with his hands. "Ugashi."
Kestrel asks, "Pe lakoka?"
Haran nods. "Mukaka, landaka min ganrex, klet Jonbanta.
Haran says (to Kestrel), "Lakoka..."
Haran points to everyone -- himself, his men, your group, Dollen.
Lydia smiles and nods.
Haran says, "Lakoka. Garka, pe lakoka. Garka musleka."
Kestrel asks, "Uh, pa lakoka?"
Haran nods, "Garka pa lakoka, to."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says (to Haran), "If you can't get your language right, how do you expect us to? ;-)"
[Crows-Nest] Haran asks, "What, you think they teach us proper spelling back at the village?"
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel grins.
[Crows-Nest] Haran says, "Uh, I mean, pa mu sek pic kika."
Lydia says (to Dollen), "I think he said all his people will help us rescue Banther."
Dollen asks, "How many of them are there?"
Lydia says, "We don't know."
Dollen says, "If they have many more warriors like these, it'll be quite a walk in the park. Savages, the grkargl<cough>. No chance, really."
Dollen smiles. "Best sort of battle, eh?"
GM says, "It's getting on into evening, by the way."
Erich says, "we should consider making camp."
Kestrel says (to Erich), "Or going back with the landaka."
Lydia says (to Erich), "Or perhaps the natives will welcome us."
Dollen says, "You're free to spend the night here. I've only one set of leaves, though."
Lydia asks (of Haran), "Ganrex?"
Haran says (to Lydia), "Ganrex, ra mul prin."
Haran asks, "Muka kin ab prin. Lika kin?"
Kestrel nods. "To. Muka volma lika."
Lydia says, "I think 'volma' may be 'understand'."
Kestrel says, "I thought it was follow."
Kestrel'volma kinvo'.
Haran asks (of Kestrel), "*Muka* volma *lika*?"
Kestrel says, "Uh, maybe not."
Haran grins, "Pa seki lika sek dero pin, to?"
[Crows-Nest] Haran says, "Prin."
Lydia points to the sun, then closes her eyes as though in sleep.
Lydia says, "[or the west if it's already set]"
Haran nods. "Hamma ro, lep hamma ra mul prin?"
Kestrel says, "Uh, right."
TableSaw has left.
Haran asks, "Hamma *ro*," he points to the cave, "Lep hamma ra mul prin?" He points north.
Kestrel says, "Er, hmm."
Kestrel asks, "hamma?"
Kestrel points to the cave.
Lydia points north. "Muka ... um, lil prin?"
Haran points to Lydia, "Hamma." He closes his eyes, mimicing what Lydia did.
Haran says (to Lydia), "A, niat. Akin."
Haran gathers his men, and starts off to the east (around the mountain).
Haran looks back. "Lika akin?"
Lydia starts to follow, making sure she's invited.
Kestrel asks (of Dollen), "I think we've been invited to their place. You want to come?"
Haran beckons.
Kestrel says (to haran), "A, to."
Kestrel follows, assuming Dollen comes.
Dollen says, "Hmm? Sorry, drifting off there. You go ahead. I've got to keep a <yawn> watch on ... here..."
Kestrel asks (of dollen), "What's happening around here?"
Dollen says (to Kestrel), "Mmm? Well. Good point."
Dollen falls in sleepily behind Kestrel.
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel asks, "That sounds like as good a place as any to wrap for the night. How do you all feel?"
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "right"
[Crows-Nest] Haran says, "Let's just zoom ahead a bit to the arrival at the village, if you're going."
[Crows-Nest] Haran asks, "Is that OK?"
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel asks (of Erich), "How are you doing?"
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "sure"
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "yeah, I can be done here"
[Crows-Nest] Erich says (to Haran), "That works for me."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "Sounds good, then."
GM says, "It's getting dark out, but Haran knows where he's going. After a bit of a hike, around the mountain (which is luckily a smallish mountain), you emerge from the woods into a small village."
GM says, "Many small buildings, huts made of poles and leaves fashioned together, are gathered around perhaps a half dozen different firepits."
GM says, "Haran goes ahead of you, apparently announcing your arrival to the others."
GM says, "He runs up to the northwest corner of the village -- a rise, leading up to somethnig of a cliff overlooking the water, where the biggest buildings are."
GM says, "After talking for a few minutes with someone there, he comes back, and tells you to 'kin, kin -- ganrex pon vol lika'."
Kestrel kins.
GM says, "He takes you up into one of the large buildings. By this point, people are waking up, and following behind -- wanting to see what's going on."
GM says, "The building is a alrge room, like a gathering place. At one end, is a tall chair."
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "overlooking what water?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "The lagoon?"
[oneshot] GM says, "The water that is northwest of you."
[oneshot] GM asks, "I'll describe the layout next time, if that's OK?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Sure."
GM says, "From behind the chair, a man enters. The hushed voices whisper 'Ganrex, ganrex' -- everyone bows."
Lydia bows as well.
Kestrel bows, too.
GM says, "The man looks familiar. His clothes, too -- torn, dirty, worn, but not primitive like this. He stares down at you, as he takes his seat."
Leader says, "So," he says in Avalon. "What do we have here.""
Erich bows, but eyes the man closely.
Leader looks down at the group, possibly with recognition.
Kestrel looks at him, tries to see who he might be.
Leader asks, "Why have you come before the throne of Mordigan Rex?"
GM says, "<To Be Continued>"
[oneshot] Erich says, "oh good grief."
[oneshot] GM says, "And we can pick up there next time."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Mordigan?"
[oneshot] GM says, "A couple XP apiece, as usual. Much fun."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Was he the guy from the first episode?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Actually, make it three XP apiece. That was good work with the language."
[oneshot] Kestrel exclaims, "Yay!"
[oneshot] Erich says, "woo"