GM says, "OK, last time we saw our heroes, they had just had a run in with a village full of things best left undescribed. Having wreaked their havoc and escaped, they now pause to catch their breath on the south beach of the lagoon."
GM says, "Back west is the garr village; north is the lagoon itself; east is the mountain, and south is the forest."
Banther says, "Thank you -- it was most courageous of you to do what you did."
Banther says, "I fear what would have become of me if you hadn't."
Erich asks, "How did you come to be in that position?"
Dana asks, "what ARE those creatures?"
Banther says (to Erich), "Several weeks ago, I was studying that artifact your group brought back, the bowl with the inscriptions around it."
Banther says (to Erich), "I discovered how to activate it -- but unfortunately, I was careless, and it became unstable."
Lydia says (to Banther), "Do you think you could make it -- stable again, if we get back to Avalon? We have some of your notes."
Banther says, "It sent me here. I was stunned, and unprepared when those -- I don't know what they are -- those people found me, and took me captive."
Banther asks (of Lydia), "Perhaps... do you have my flute?"
Kestrel walks the plank to adventure. Arr!
Kestrel arrives, looking for booty.
[7thsea] Kestrel says, "Arr."
[oneshot] Lydia says, "just in time. >GIVE FLUTE TO BANTHER"
[7thsea] Banther says, "Aharr."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Do I have a flute?"
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "or are those pipes not a flute?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Oh, pipes."
Erich says, "Those were very strange creatures. Not at all like the people we first met here."
Banther asks, "It's a Crescent flute -- it resembles a set of small flutes, bound together?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Pan flute, I guess."
Kestrel says (to Banther), "That's right--we found it in the sand."
Banther says (to Erich), "Mmm. They seem to be savages, from what I could observe."
Kestrel digs in his pack.
Kestrel gives the flute set to Banther.
Banther says (to Erich), "Their language is nearly incoherent, and their activities suggest a strong superstitious nature."
veek goes poof.
Banther says (to Kestrel), "Ah, thank you."
Erich asks (of Banther), "How tribal are they? Are they likely to attempt to follow us?"
[oneshot] Lydia says (to Kestrel), "Banther was saying he might be able to make the bowl 'stable' again"
Banther plays a short melody, one unfamiliar to you, by way of testing the pipes. He smiles.
Lydia asks (of Banther), "Do you know what the bowl is?"
Kestrel asks (of Banther), "Hey, that's from the bowl, isn't it?"
[7thsea] Banther says, "Argh! BRBG"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "[While we wait, can someone catch me up?]"
[oneshot] Erich says, "We had just started when you arrived"
[oneshot] Lydia says, "basically, what I just said."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Oh, nice."
[oneshot] Erich says, "Banther thanked us, we asked about the strange creatures, Lydia asked about the bowl."
Dana asks (of Banther), "Do you know anything about how Mordigan got here?"
[oneshot] Lydia says, "let's overflow the NPC's question buffer."
[oneshot] Dana says, "rr, sorry"
[oneshot] Dana asks, "what is BRBG?"
[oneshot] Dana asks, "BRB + typo?"
[oneshot] Erich asks, "Be right back <grin>?"
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "BRB + aGain?"
[oneshot] Lydia says, "although I don't think he BRBed earlier."
[7thsea] Banther says, "OK, back. Sorry about that."
Banther says (to Erich), "They're likely to be in a state of utter chaos for some time after what you did -- those stones you destroyed played an important part of their tribal custom."
Erich looks at his singed pants. "Good."
Banther says, "After they get over their shock and confusion, they're likely to either revere you as gods or hunt you as demons."
Banther asks (of Dana), "I apologise for my ignorance, but who is Mordigan?"
Dana says (to Banther), "ah-- then you don't know the story?  He is a man we tangled with some time ago"
Banther asks (of Kestrel), "Mmm? Yes, it is. Do you read music?"
Dana says, "He has an interest in artifacts and very few scruples about how he gets them."
Dana says, "Somehow he seems to have reached this world as well."
Banther says (to Dana), "I see. And he is here? I wonder... perhaps he found another artifact like the one you discovered, that brought me here."
Dana says, "He has made himself revered as a king by some of the native population."
Erich says, "It is more than possible that he does not know how to return to Avalon from here, and is making the best of a bad situation."
Dana says, "I fear the results if he is left here, though."
Erich says, "since he does not strike me as the sort of man who would enjoy being head of a primitive tribe."
Banther asks, "Mmm. These natives are different from the ones we just left, I presume?"
Dana says, "He deserves to meet justice... and he is not someone I would care to know roamed free."
Dana says (to Banther), "they are human"
Lydia says (to Banther), "As for us, we were called to investigate a flying black orb that appeared over the bowl and caused two people to disappear, and we came here."
Dana says, "and quite decent, really"
Erich says (to Banther), "Yes. Human, with a comprehensible language."
Banther says, "And they made him their leader? Interesting. I wonder how he impressed them so."
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "what was that word for the mystery object of power?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "'chimur'"
Erich says, "He had an object of power on a staff."
Erich says, "which the natives called a 'chimur'"
Lydia asks, "On a staff?"
Banther asks, "A key? Is this something he brought with him?"
Lydia says, "I thought we suspected it might be the ring."
[oneshot] Erich asks, "Er, wasn't it?"
Lydia says, "We don't actually know what the object is."
Banther says, "I'm sorry -- 'chimur', it is Syrneth. 'Opening tool'."
Erich says, "ah. I had thought as much."
Kestrel says, "Our friend indicated it wasn't the ring."
Kestrel says, "Though I didn't really understand what he mimed when he was telling us what it *was*."
Lydia says (to Kestrel), "Hmm."
Lydia asks (of Banther), "You know the most about the bowl... do you have any idea about getting back the way we came?"
Dana asks, "Opening tool... like to open the portal?"
Kestrel thinks.
Kestrel says, "He pointed to the end of his spear, then mimed a circle."
Banther says (to Lydia), "Hmm. I suspect it's tied to some sort of anchor. If it had been more stable, it probably would have brought me, and all of you, directly there."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Actually, the text is unclear--did he mime a circle with the end of his spear, or with his finger?"
Banther says, "If we can find that anchor, that might provide the means to return."
[oneshot] Banther says, "His finger, moving around the end of the spear, perpendicular to it."
Erich says (to Dana), "the 'mur' ending indicates an opening, or door, or the concept of passage through a door or opening"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Like, circling the spear point?"
[oneshot] Banther says, "Right."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "gotcha."
[oneshot] Erich says, "I for one have had enough of circling glowing things, especially if they shoot lightning."
Kestrel says, "He may have been indicating the point of his spear."
Kestrel exclaims, "Oh!  And that would make sense!  They call themselves the Spear People!"
Dana says, "hmm..."
Banther says, "Interesting."
Dollen asks, "It is all very interesting, but what should we *do* about it?"
Kestrel asks, "The only question is:  How did the landaka learn Syrneth, enough to call the item by its Syrneth name?"
Kestrel says (to dollen), "Well, I think we should search the ruins."
Lydia says, "Mordigan probably called it that."
Erich says (to Kestrel), "Mordigan, undoubtedly."
Kestrel says, "Hmm."
Lydia says, "Let's continue to this door."
Kestrel says, "Maybe.  That would mean he knows what it does, though."
Erich asks (of Kestrel), "what it does, perhaps. but how to employ it...?"
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "Right."
Kestrel says (to Erich), "And the answer to that may lie through that door."
Lydia asks (of Erich and Banther), "Are you rested?"
Dollen says, "If I remember right, the place where the door was is this way -- it's on the south side of the mountain, where part of the lagoon enters an opening in the rock."
Erich takes stock. "I believe I am ready to continue."
Banther says, "I can travel again, yes."
Lydia says (to Dollen), "Lead on then."
GM says, "You travel east, along the beach. Across the lagoon, through the morning myst, you can see the opposite shore -- where the ground slopes up to a pinnacle to the west. It looks a bit like the human village."
GM says, "Eventually, the lagoon meets the mountain, and part of it splits to continue around it a ways, hugging this side of the rock."
Dollen says, "If we keep following the edge of the water, it'll bring us right to the cave."
Erich says, "I begin to wonder if we will be met once there"
Erich says, "I would not be surprised if Mordigan guesses that that is our eventual destination."
GM says, "True to his word, he finds a place where the mountain face opens up. The water is very shallow here, and disappears into the darkness under the mountain immediately north of you."
Dana says, "Mordigan will know we escaped; it seems reasonable that he'll guess-- indeed"
Dollen says, "Do you think he knows about the door? I only found it by sheer luck, myself."
Dollen wades into the water.
Dollen says, "Not many folks would think to fall off a waterfall."
Erich eyes the water with distaste. "more swimming."
Lydia takes off her boots and wades in.
Erich says (to Dollen), "the local tribe might know."
Erich sighs, takes off his boots, and rolls up the somewhat charred and smoky legs of his pants.
Dana follows, holding her own boots in one hand
Kestrel . o O ( *Think* to fall off a waterfall? )
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "this Dollen is quite a character"
GM says, "It's very dark inside the cave -- the current picks up a bit as the passage narrows; you can fit about three or four abreast."
Erich says, "to complete this tableau we shall have to fight off marauders armed only with our boots."
Dollen says, "Up here, there should be a place where the passage splits into three. We'll want the lowes--whoops!" Splash!
Erich asks, "Dollen? are you all right?"
Kestrel follows nervously.
Lydia moves forward carefully looking for Dollen.
Dollen burbles, "No, I'm fine," splash, splash. "This happened," glug, "last time, too."
Lydia helps Dollen to his feet.
Erich murmurs, "we may need to rope ourselves together."
Lydia asks, "What's up the other two passages?"
GM says, "You find the split -- a left passage, mostly dry, leading up. A middle passage, with little current, leading ahead levelly..."
Dana has a bad feeling about this.
GM says, "And a right passage, which drops off sharply into the darkness, which the current is pulling your towards."
Dana says, "Lovely."
GM says (to Lydia), "You can't actually see Dollen from here. It's quite dark."
[Crows-Nest] Dana asks, "I don't suppose anyone brought Scuba gear along on this expedition?"
[oneshot] Erich asks, "any of us have a lantern or torch?"
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "how deep is the water?"
[oneshot] Lydia says, "oh, use the light rod."
[oneshot] Erich says, "*thwap*"
Dollen says, from the right passage, "Coming? It's not too deep, so long as you're careful."
Erich pulls out the rod what makes light and turns it on to a low setting.
GM says, "Aha! Now you can see much better."
Kestrel says, "Um..."
GM says, "Dollen is swimming in an underground river, just a ways ahead to the right."
Kestrel says, "I did this sort of thing before, and it wasn't pleasant."
GM says, "The middle one immediately joins back up with the right one, and follows the back, about four feet higher than the water level."
GM says, "It's unclear where the left one leads."
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "This is going to be like the A-Team, where we have to knock Kestrel unconscious any time there's swimming. Here, Kestrel, drink this milk..."
[oneshot] GM says, "s/back/bank/"
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel exclaims, "Hee!"
Lydia asks (of Dollen), "You explored this all by yourself?"
Dollen says, "This place certainly looks different with the light..."
Dana asks (of Dollen), "is it absolutely necessary to swim?"
Kestrel examines the walls of the cave to see if they're climbable.
Dollen says (to Lydia), "Sure. I'm an Explorer; it's what I do."
Dana walks along the middle passage
Lydia asks, "Where does this left one go?"
Dollen says (to Kestrel), "It looks possible."
GM says (to Dana), "After a few yards, it joins up with the right passage, following the back of the 'river'. You can see Dollen from there."
GM says (to Dana), "In fact, for the foreseeable distance at least, you could follow the river from there without getting any wetter than you have been."
Lydia follows down the middle passage.
Dollen says (to Lydia, Dana), "Well, alright. I guess you could do it that way."
Dana says, "Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I think it's time to take the high ground"
Kestrel asks (of Dollen), "Wait, to all these go to the same place?"
Dollen says (to Kestrel), "I don't know... I only bothered exploring this one."
Kestrel mutters, "No doubt because it looked the most dangerous..."
Kestrel takes a look down the dry passageway.
Erich says, "I would prefer the dry road."
Dollen has disconnected.
Giancarlo has disconnected.
Dollen has connected.
Dollen says, "After taking a look around the place this one led to, I didn't have the energy to go back and check the others."
Dollen asks, "Um. If that path's going to follow the river... would you lend me a hand up?"
Erich helps Dollen.
Dollen asks, "Thank you -- shall we onward?"
Erich nods, sending shadows dancing across the walls.
GM says, "The path, which is only really wide enough for two of you at once, continues to follow the river into the mountain. Each time the river turns, the path gets a bit heigher above the water level, and a bit narrower as well..."
Erich says, "I know I grumbled about water and swimming"
Erich says, "but I have no love of tight passageways either."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel asks, "This is path 2 or path 1?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "This is path 2 or path 1?"
[oneshot] Lydia says, "the middle one"
[oneshot] GM says, "What Lydia said. The river is the right one."
Erich says, "should we continue such explorations in the future I shall have to eat less."
Kestrel asks (of Dollen), "Hmm.  You said the door was below a waterfall?"
GM says, "You hear a muffled rumbling up ahead."
Erich says, "and have to forgo such fine foods as Avalonian cheddar"
Dollen says (to Kestrel), "Yes, a bit past that -- it's faster going to swim than to walk, as the current is a big help."
GM says, "The rumbling goes more pronounced the further you travel."
Dollen says, "In fact, I think that would be it."
Dollen says, "Just around this next turn, here..."
GM says, "Just around the next turn, the path you're on abrubtly ends, as the ground stops and open air begins. Matching the precipitous drop immediately before you, the river to your right drops off as well, into a pool that's a bit too far away to see right now..."
Dollen says, "Ah, this is the easy part, getting down..."
Erich says, "heights."
Dollen takes a deep breath, and dives into the darkness. A moment later you hear a splash.
Lydia says (to Dollen), "Wait, there."
Lydia says, "Hm."
Erich sits down. "big heights and a big drop."
Dollen calls, from a distance, "The hard part will be climbing back up..."
Kestrel asks (of Dollen), "Hello?"
Dana says (to Dollen), "NO KIDDING"
Erich closes his eyes. "somehow this is much more tolerable with a ladder. or a rope."
Dollen calls, "Hallo-o-o..."
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "did he jump into the air ahead or the river to the right?"
Kestrel looks around for a good place to tie a rope.
[oneshot] Dollen says, "The air ahead of the river to the right."
Erich opens his eyes, looks at the drop, shuts them again.
Dollen says (to Kestrel), "Well. There are plenty of rocks around, but most of them look too light to hold your weight."
[oneshot] Dollen says, "Er, as GM."
Erich says, "I could stay up here, be an anchor for a rope."
Kestrel looks at the walls for crinkly bits.
GM asks (of Kestrel), "Climbable crinkly bits or tiable ones?"
Lydia says, "I wouldn't mind jumping, but I'd have to leave certain things here."
Dollen calls up, "Everything all right up there?"
Banther says, "Oh my."
[Crows-Nest] (from Dana) Lydia says, "Like my body."
[Crows-Nest] Erich laughs.
[oneshot] GM asks (of Kestrel), "Climbable crinkly bits or tieable ones?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Either way, perception."
Lydia looks out to see how far it is to the next dry or wadeable part.
Dana puts her boots carefully down on the ledge
GM says (to Lydia), "With the limited light levels, you can't really see the ground or water down below."
Erich says, "I will offer to throw anyone who would like some help"
Erich says, "though I may have to do so with my eyes shut"
Dana looks scornfully at Erich.
Dana says, "I'm going, I'm going."
Dana jumps
(From Dana) aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
[interludes] GM has removed Erich from the channel.
GM says, "Splash."
[interludes] GM has removed Lydia from the channel.
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "oh good"
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "I was afraid it would be Splat."
Giancarlo has connected.
Lydia sets down her pack and sword.
Erich unholsters his pistols and wraps them in a handy oilcloth before storing them in his pack.
GM asks, "WHo has the light, by the way?"
Erich says (to GM), "I do."
[interludes] Dana asks, "can I still hear the others?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "You splashdown in the water. It's about twenty to thirty feet down from them, and deep enough that you were able to dive in safely."
Erich asks (of the others), "I am about to jump. would you prefer me to leave the light with you?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "You can hear the others, and they can see you, but you can't see them very well -- just the dim light above you."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 10+1 7 9 6 | 27
Lydia says, "Doesn't matter, I'm ready to jump too."
Dollen says (to Dana), "Ah, good to see you."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(that was perception, for crinkly-tiable bits.)"
Dana shouts gurglingly upwards, "Come on in! The water's fine!"
Erich stands, breathing deeply. "waiting will only make this worse."
GM says (to Kestrel), "A little ways back up the passage, you find a bit you passed that you could probably secure a rope to."
Dana shouts, "Come on in, impugner of cheeses!"
Kestrel does so.
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "oh, would I be able to Bring my sword?"
Kestrel exclaims (at others), "I'll just tie a rope here for Banther!  And, uh, test it for him!"
[oneshot] GM says, "So long as you're careful."
Banther asks (of Kestrel), "Oh, good. Is that to climb down?"
Kestrel says (to Banther), "That's the idea."
Banther says (to kestrel), "Many thanks."
Erich takes a run at the abyss and leaps, holding tight to the light. "SCHEISS Scheiss scheiss ssss...."
GM says, "Very big splash."
Dana bobs like a cork in the resulting waves.
[interludes] GM says (to Dana), "A shooting star falls, creating a small tidal wave as it hits."
Kestrel . o O ( Guess it would have been a good idea to have someone up here who could tie ropes. )
[interludes] Dana exclaims, "Blub!"
Lydia leaves behind pack and sword so that things don't get soaked and rusted, and leaps off.
[interludes] GM has added Erich to the channel.
Lydia says, "Eeee..."
[interludes] (from Erich) There is a glow in the water which grows brighter as Erich bobs to the surface.
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "schep did something much like this this summer."
[interludes] Dana says (to Erich), "Greetings, o displacer of volume."
Kestrel ties a big honkin' knot in the rope around the bit he found.
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "involving a rock and deep part of a river."
[interludes] Erich says, "never again will I grumble about having to swim."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Do I need to roll for something here?"
[interludes] GM says, "Now, with the light, you can see much better. There's a deep pool at the bottom of the waterfall, and a ledge to other the three sides of the pool."
[oneshot] GM says, "Nah."
[Crows-Nest] lurd has left the channel.
[interludes] Dana says, "oh, a LEDGE"
Kestrel lowers the rope over the edge.
[interludes] Dana sends herself in the direction of the ledge
Kestrel lowers his stuff, plus any stuff people left at the top.
[interludes] Erich moves out of the way, and increases the light level of the rod, pointing the beam up to give more light to his companions.
Banther asks (of Kestrel), "Should I go first, or you?"
Dana hollers, "It seems there is a ledge of sorts to walk on on this side
[interludes] Erich mutters, "or for them to crack their heads open on."
Kestrel says (to Banther), "Go ahead, and I'll hold the rope."
Kestrel says, "That way only I'm at the mercy of my knotwork ;-)"
Lydia pops back up and starts coughing.
Giancarlo has disconnected.
Banther climbs down carefully...
Lydia says, "ack (gasp) got water in my nose."
[interludes] Banther says, "The bottom of the rope isn't more than a couple yards from the left ledge..."
[interludes] Banther has added Lydia to the channel.
Banther exclaims (at Kestrel), "Good news! I think I can reach dry ground from here!"
Kestrel exclaims (at Banther), "Excellent!"
Kestrel makes sure Banther is safely down all the way, then clambers down behind him.
GM says (to Kestrel), "You see the rope swing a bit, then stop, pulled slightly to the left, before it's left to swing freely."
[interludes] Banther swings himself to the ledge, and lets go of the rope.
Lydia asks, "Er, in that case could someone bring my things?"
GM says (to Kestrel), "The bottom of the rope is no more than a yard or two from a dry ledge, to your left."
Dollen looks up the waterfall. "Hmm. That rope will probably be easier to climb back up."
GM says, "So now that you're all down here, with the light, you can see that there's a dry ledge running around three sides of the room, with the waterfall coming down on the fourth side."
GM says, "We'll call the fourth side 'south'; there's also a passage elading east."
GM says, "(A dry passage, even)"
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "is this 'room' cave-like or unnatural?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Cave-like."
Dollen climbs out onto the ledge.
Erich says, "pardon me if I sit for a moment"
Dollen says, "I suspect that whenever that door was built, it was probably a bit easier to get to than it is now."
Erich says, "my life flashed before my eyes, and much of the more recent bits of it involved underground areas like this one"
Dollen says, "But not as much fun, I'd say."
Lydia grins at Dollen.
Dana checks to see whether her boots are among the things lowered by rope.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(back)"
Erich unpacks his pistols, making sure they have survived unscathed.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(I assume everyone"
Lydia looks back up to the ledge. "I'd leave my pack, except that Mordigan might have sent some people here.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "...'s down, with all our stuff)"
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "Oh, I brought it down with me."
Kestrel hands it over.
Lydia rubs some more of the water out of her eyes. "Oh. Thank you."
Dollen says, "Now, this next part's the complicated part."
Dollen says, "I *think* I remember the right way through."
Kestrel . o O ( Oh, lovely. )
Dollen grins.
Lydia looks at Dollen in disbelief.
Erich grimaces and tilts his head to one side. "I do hope that ear drains soon."
Dana stage-whispers, "I bet Dollen and Jemmy are twins separated at birth."
Lydia carefully starts around the room's edge to the north.
Dollen asks, "Should we head on in, then?"
Dana says, "you lead..."
Erich says, "certainly."
GM says, "Dollen brings you into the passage east, which continues along uneventfully for a short ways, before opening into another natural room in the cave."
GM says, "This room is a bit different though -- it has several passages leading out of it. Over a dozen of them, in fact. Some of them at inconvenient angles."
Dollen says, "Ah, here we are. Now, let's see... that one there, second from the left near the top, leads around to that one over there..."
Dollen says, "This one, right in front of us, will take us into a dead end. The one near the ceiling, I never checked that one. Hmmm..."
Erich murmurs (to Lydia), "do you still have paper? I would feel better if one of us were making a map."
Dollen says, "This... back to... granite... then over.. right, fifth one I tried... no, seventh... from the right?..."
Lydia says (to Erich), "I have some, yes. But I'm not sure how to map something like this."
Lydia finds a pad and hands it to Erich.
Erich says (to Lydia), "I'm willing to give it a try."
Dollen says, "Aha, it was this one right here."
Dollen climbs into one that's about four feet off the ground, fourth from the left, and disappears into it.
Erich orients himself, then sketches the path they took into the room and marks the passages. He finds himself having to do top-down and several side views.
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "be sure to use lots of little boxes and arrows."
[Crows-Nest] Erich asks, "so shall I mark this room as 'Dollen's Folly'?"
Lydia calls into the opening, "You're sure about that?"
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "you wouldn't want to have all the rooms named the same, thoguh"
Dollen calls back, "Of course. I've been here before."
Dana mutters, "of course you have."
Dana asks (of Dollen), "How do you feel about sheep?"
Lydia says, "Wonder if he left some prints or a trail. Hmm, all looks like rocks to me."
Lydia follows after Dollen.
Dana asks, "hmm, anyone have chalk or anything like that?"
Dollen asks (of Dana), "With mint felly?"
Dana asks, "charcoal?"
[oneshot] Dollen says, "Jelly."
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "oh, I have an exceedingly large vocabulary. folly, mistake, error, blunder, bungle, lapse"
Dana says (to Dollen), "Could be, could be."
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "don't forget 'raving mania'"
GM says, "The passage takes you twistingly into another room nearly identical to the last. Dollen is already waiting by one of the exits."
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "I wonder if he likes muffins"
Dana resigns herself to fate and follows Dollen and Lydia
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "probably also with mint jelly"
Erich says, "gah. I begin to despair about my map."
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "this is in fact the secret link that explains all of Jemmy's behavior"
Dollen says, "Just this way, we're almost there."
Dollen ducks into the hole as soon as he's sure everyone else is following.
Lydia picks up a few loose rocks and arranges them in a square in the middle of the room.
Lydia follows Dollen again.
Erich asks (of Dollen), "any other drop-offs we should know about?"
Dana follows as well, with an increasing sense of impending doom.
Erich enters the hole.
GM says, "This time, it takes you into a chamber in the room that loks like it's seen several cave-ins..."
Dollen says (to Erich), "Nope! We're here."
GM says, "That is, into a chamber that looks like..."
GM says, "Rocks are piled haphazardly against the walls, possibly burrying what may have once been other exits from the room."
Dana asks (of Dollen), "Great. Now what?"
Erich asks, "do we get to dig?"
Dollen points to a spot on the wall. "I think this is the door, here. See how the cracks in the stone mark out a roughly rectangular shape, around this hole thingy?"
Kestrel squints, cocks his head.
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 6 4 10+9 5 | 30
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(perception)"
GM says, "Where Dollen is pointing, there's a circular recess in the wall, about ten inches across an maybe an inch deep. In the center of the recess is a smaller circular hole, less than an inch across, and much, much deeper."
Dana says, "hmmmm"
Erich says, "I am not fitting in *there*."
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "You can see the cracks Dollen refers to, but they don't look like a door to you."
Lydia says, "hm. 'chimur'."
Dana says, "I suppose this is where it would be useful to have what Mordigan refers to"
Dana says, "er, has"
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "However, the recess in the middle definitely doesn't look like a natural formation."
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "Oh, drat.  Spear, right."
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "that's funny, the recesses at my elementary school were Definitely Unnatural, too"
Lydia tries inserting her foil in the narrow hole.
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel exclaims, "Boo/hee!"
GM says (to Lydia), "It goes in all the way without reaching the end."
Lydia says, "Hm."
Lydia turns the handle in a circle, trying to see if the width is the same all the way.
GM says (to Lydia), "Seems to be, as near as you can tell."
Lydia resheaths her sword.
Dollen says, "Any ideas how to open it? It stumped me, last time I was here."
Lydia asks (of Dollen), "Did you explore these caves thoroughly?"
Dollen says (to Lydia), "Well, pretty much. There were quite a few passages back there."
Erich asks, "no other features in the cave?"
Dollen asks (of Erich), "Like what?"
Dollen asks, "Huge gemstones lying around, walls of stunning travertine, that sort of thing?"
Lydia asks (of Dollen), "Oooh, really?"
Dana says, "I was thinking of maybe a platinum bar bar bar"
Dollen says, "Nah, none of that stuff here. A bit of a disappointment, really."
Lydia says, "oh."
Erich says, "I was thinking of symbols, writings, carvings."
Erich says, "though I would not turn down gemstones"
Dollen says (to Erich), "Not really, just this here."
Kestrel pokes around in the rubble in this room, seeing if he can find any more openings.
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 4k3: 3 9 7 9 | 25
Lydia says, "So now the only question left is how best to deal with Mordigan."
Lydia says, "That is, aside from how to get back out of here."
Erich joins Kestrel in the searching.
[7thsea] Erich rolls 4k3: 7 4 10+3 4 | 24
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "Right.  Steal the spear, challenge him for it and become king of the Landaka ourselves..."
Kestrel says, "Hmm."
Kestrel pokes around some more.
Kestrel says, "This bit here is kind of reddish."
Kestrel pulls out some rocks to more clearly reveal what he's looking at.
Lydia helps move the debris.
GM says (to Kestrel), "It looks like the wall behind the stones is discolored -- and flaking off..."
Kestrel says, "Huh."
Kestrel assists the flaking off process.
Erich pokes at the wall, picks up a flake and turns it over in his fingers.
GM says (to Kestrel), "There's more reddish underneath."
GM says (to Erich), "Looks like rust."
Kestrel chips away some more.
Lydia puts an ear to the reddish wall and listens, then taps it with her hilt.
Dana says, "it begins to seem as though, if we want to get out of here, we have to go through Mordigan to do so"
Dana somehow fails to sound sad about that.
Erich crubmles the flake. "Is that metal behind there?"
Erich draws a knife and scratches it along the wall.
GM says (to Kestrel), "You can peel off a bit of the top layer, but not much underneath."
Dana watches this process thoughtfully
GM says (to Lydia), "Sounds like steel."
GM says (to Erich), "You see shiny grey underneath where you scratched."
Lydia says (to Erich), "I think so."
Lydia says, "Meaning we couldn't even dig our way in."
Lydia says, "To whereever 'in' is.,"
Erich thumps the hilt of his knife against the wall.
GM asks (of Erich), "The part that looks like rust, or some other part of the wall?"
Erich says, "the part that looks like rust."
GM says, "Clunk."
GM says, "It sounds solid."
Erich thumps the hilt along the wall, listening to the sound.
GM says (to Erich), "The other parts of the wall just sound like stone. Also, solid."
Erich asks, "are there any crevices between where the wall is metal and where it is stone?"
GM says (to Erich), "You'd have to clear away more rock to get a better view."
GM says, "More of the loose stones, I mean."
Erich starts pulling stones away from the wall.
GM says, "You uncover the shape of a door, of rusted steel, set in the rock, a few feet from the recess Dollen pointed out."
Erich says, "aha"
Erich says (to Kestrel), "you have good eyes."
Erich pokes at the door, looking for a handle or some mechanism for opening it.
Dana is still of the opinion we will have to go trounce Mordigan to get the key.
Lydia says, "Two doors? Or, really I'm still not convinced the first one is a door."
Dana says, "I suspect the hole is just a mechanism for this doorl."
Erich says (to Dana), "patience. you'll undoubtedly have your chance."
Erich says, "though I would hate to have to fight the natives as well."
GM says (to Erich), "It seems generally smooth. There is a visible edge betweent he door itself and its frame, but it's too narrow to be of much help."
Lydia says, "If we knew more about the village, we might be able to turn the Landaka against Mordigan."
Lydia says, "with the help of our mysterious arrival from the ocean."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "(afk)"
Lydia says, "I suppose we know now that Mordigan hasn't been into the ruin, or anchor, or whatever it is."
Lydia says, "We can think about what to do later. There doesn't seem to be much else here."
Lydia starts toward an exit. "Wait, we didn't come in from this one."
Erich knocks on the door. "hello? ancient inscrutable syrneth?"
[oneshot] GM asks (of Lydia), "You mean the door?"
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "heeheehee"
[oneshot] Lydia asks, "oh, this isn't a many-exit room?"
[Crows-Nest] GM asks (of Erich), "Wouldn't you be shocked if they replied?"
[oneshot] GM says (to Lydia), "That's back through the passage behind you."
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "I would indeed."
Lydia looks closer and sees that her 'exit' is just a crack in the cave wall.
[oneshot] Lydia says, "looks like another 'everyone is ready to leave but no one types "leave"' situation"
Erich says, "right. back to the waterfall."
Dana is raring to go back and pound Mordigan to a jelly from which only the magic thingy can be extracted.
Erich looks at his map, then grimaces. He says to Dollen, "you'd best lead our way back."
Banther asks, "Does Mordigan carry this 'chimur' with him?"
Dollen says, "Heading back? Alright."
Dollen pokes his way back through the twisty bits of passage.
GM says, "He takes you back to the place with the waterfall, with no hesitation."
Lydia says (to Banther), "I suppose not. Didn't notice anything unusual, anyway."
Dollen asks, "Right... should we go up this way," he points to the falls, "Or just with the rope?"
Banther says (to Lydia), "Hmm. Then I wonder where he keeps it."
Lydia says (to Dollen), "I think the rope this time. You can do as you wish."
Lydia says, "As long as we don't have to rescue you."
Dollen chuckles. "After you."
Erich says, "I will come last, just in case."
Lydia climbs the rope carefully.
Dana climbs too, with a kind of casualness that suggests a lot of time climbing ropes in the past.
Dollen follows the others.
Erich climbs last.
Banther makes it, with a little more difficulty.
GM says, "It's no trouble to pace your way back to the cave entrance. You note that the sun is higher in the sky now; it's probably nearing noon."
Lydia says, "I'd like to explore this other path here."
Erich nods.
Banther asks, "Do you mind if I wait here?"
Banther says, "All this cave crawling is a bit more than I'm used to."
Erich says, "certainly."
Erich says, "you've had a rough time of it recently."
Lydia says, "Okay..."
Lydia starts up the high path.
Dollen follows, letting Lydia lead this time.
GM says, "The slope increases as you proceed; it's a bit of a climb."
GM says, "After a while it reaches a point where it turns and levels out, and then slopes sharply downward for a bit, turning again."
GM says, "It's a little difficulty to keep your footing, but it eventually leads to a room -- specially, a hole high up in the wall of a room."
Erich peers into the room.
GM says, "There's only room for one person to stand in the opening at a time; this place looks very similar to the ones with many passages which Dollen led you through before."
Lydia says, "Oh no, not more of these."
Dollen asks, "What is it? Did you find something?"
Lydia says, "Or actually."
Lydia asks (of Dollen), "Take a look, do you think it's one of the rooms you know?"
Erich says (to Dollen), "we may be looking down into one of the rooms you led us to before."
Dollen edges past the others.
Dollen says, "Hmm... oh, yes I know this one..."
Dollen says, "If you took the bottom right passage from that first room, and then the second tier one, third from the right from that room..."
Dollen says, "That'd put you coming out that hole right down there, on the bottom, by the funny-shaped rock."
Lydia asks, "Since you're up there already, is there anything that looks good for tying a rope?"
Dollen says, "You could also get here by going the long way around, from the second hole in the first room, to the fifth room -- well, fifth one I saw -- which would take you down to the lower level, then -- well, that's the long way, so you probably don't care about that."
Dana rolls her eyes.
Dollen says (to Lydia), "To get down from here? Hmm. Not really... I never tried this passage myself, since it was too high up to get to very easily."
Dollen says, "Well, wait..."
Dollen says, "What about that outcropping up there? If you could throw the rope over it, maybe..."
Dollen asks, "Do you think that would be much help, though?"
Lydia says, "That might be easier than the way by the waterfall. We'll have to consider it when we come back."
Dollen nods, "True."
[oneshot] GM asks, "Are you doing anything right now?"
Lydia says, "okay, good."
[oneshot] Lydia says, "no"
Dana is still for Trouncing Mordigan
Dana asks, "Any way to sneak up on him asleep, or something, and take him prisoner?"
Erich says, "that could be arranged."
Erich says, "let us head back up to the surface."
Erich turns back and begins trudging up the passageway.
Dollen follows.
Lydia says (while walking), "It's probably best to get the chimur first and then deal with Mordigan."
Lydia says, "It must do something, even alone."
GM says, "You find your way back the way you came."
Erich says, "now we get to climb back up."
Dana says, "I'm not convinced we can get the chimur except over Mordigan's severely wounded body."
GM says, "Those of you who normally partake of lunch are feeling a bit peckish."
Erich says (to Dana), "not that you are biased."
Dollen asks, "Anyone else feeling a bit peckish?"
Dana says (to Erich), "He cut me. With a poisonous sword."
Dana says (to Dollen), "I'm always up for a bite, sure."
Erich says (to Dollen), "indeed."
Dollen asks, "Ah. Anyone have any food?"
Lydia says (to Dana), "I don't think he keeps it with him."
Dana says (to Lydia), "no? I would."
Dana says, "unless it's too difficult to move"
Lydia says, "it might be sort of large for that."
Lydia says, "Let's get into the sunlight and have something to eat."
Banther asks, "Did you find anything?"
Erich says (to Banther), "no. the passage led to an opening far above the floor of one of the rooms we went through."
Banther says, "Ah."
Dana breaks out lunch.
Erich says (to Dana), "I humbly rescind my comments regarding that cheese you have there."
Lydia gets out her bread and salted meat and cheese, and offers some to the Explorers.
Dana smirks, but hands Erich a wedge.
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "(back)"
GM says (to Lydia), "They both accept, gratefully."
Banther says, "It is a pleasure to eat real food again."
Kestrel munches some lunch with the others.
Kestrel says, "Well, so."
Kestrel says, "I've been thinking."
Lydia asks (of Banther), "What did the garka give you?"
Kestrel says, "I have a guess--the 'chimur' doesn't go just to anyone who happens to grab it--you have to win a contest of some sort."
Kestrel asks, "But, remember that ring?"
Kestrel says, "I'll bet that let Moridgan win the contest easily."
Lydia regrets asking the question even before hearing an answer.
Banther says (to Lydia), "It was some kind of meat, a sort I don't recognize, personally. Very tough, and very foul tasting."
Lydia asks (of Kestrel), "So you think the chimur has long been the power symbol among the Landaka?"
Lydia says, "Hm, makes sense."
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "Right."
Lydia asks, "But again then, why do they call it chimur?"
Kestrel says, "And could even be why they call themselves the Spear People"
Lydia thinks and munches more food.
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "That, I don't know."
Dana asks, "perhaps they themselves first came in through the portal, long ago?"
Dana says, "or used it for some reason"
Kestrel asks, "Though maybe Mordigan called it that and it caught on?"
Kestrel says (to Dana), "There's a thought."
Lydia says (to Kestrel), "I doubt that. They must have had a name for it."
Kestrel says, "So their ancestors knew what it was, but they have forgotten the original purpose."
Lydia says, "Although maybe Haran assumed the name would mean something to us."
Kestrel says, "Because their ancestors didn't have Dollen with them."
Kestrel asks (of Lydia), "Could be--I forget who we originally heard the name from, though.  Wasn't it the guard translator?"
Lydia says, "Oh, yes. Hm."
Kestrel says, "Same thing there, though."
Lydia says, "But he was speaking the English he learned from Mordigan."
Kestrel thinks back to try to remember if he saw a special spear-like object anywhere either on Mordigan's person or in the throne room.
Lydia says, "[IM Avalon]"
Kestrel nods.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Anything?  Should I roll?"
[oneshot] GM says, "You didn't."
Kestrel says, "If simply holding the chimur isn't enough, it's got to be some sort of ownership claim, instead."
Kestrel thinks back to any traditional Fhideli rituals that are vaguely similar.
Erich says, "I wonder if it has to be blooded."
Dana makes a face
Dana asks, "So what's our approach, then?  Sneak up on the village and try to observe without being caught, until we have some sense of what/where it is?"
Dana asks, "or at least where Mordigan is staying?"
Kestrel says, "Eh, can't think of anything."
Lydia says (to Erich), "I don't think Mordigan could do that."
Lydia says (to Dana), "Sounds good."
Kestrel says (to Dana), "More information about the village is definitely in order."
Erich says (to Lydia), "oh, not "official" blooding."
Erich says, "I do think sneaking is in order."
Lydia says (to Erich), "Well, er, you're welcome to drip blood on it if you want."
Erich says, "if we have to fight Mordigan for it, I may not be able to keep from doing so."
Dana says, "ok"
Dana says, "so sneaking it is, I think"
Lydia packs up again.
[oneshot] Dana asks, "how far are we from village?"
Kestrel says, "I'd like to question Haran about challenging Mordigan for the chimur, too, to find out if that's an option."
Lydia asks, "Where should the less sneaky of us stay?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Depends on whether you want to swim or walk."
Lydia says (to Kestrel), "If speaking to Haran turns out to be an option."
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "Right."
[oneshot] GM says, "If you want to cross the lagoon, not that far, but you won't have any trees to hide behind."
[oneshot] GM says, "Otherwise, it means going around the mountain again."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Are we partway up the mountain?  Can we continue up and over?"
[oneshot] Dana says, "it might not be a totally bad idea to get there at nightfall..."
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "You're not really *on* it, so much, but you could try climbing over if you want. Not really much shorter that way, though."
[oneshot] Erich says, "Night does sound like the way to go."
[oneshot] Dana says, "so let's take the long, dry way (dry sounds good) and then arrive when it's getting darkish"
[oneshot] Erich says, "Works for me."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Okeedokee."
[oneshot] GM says, "You might want to say that out loud, so Banther and Dollen can hear you :)"
Kestrel says, "So, around the mountain once again to the village, watch it, sneak around."
Kestrel says, "Maybe set up camp on the mountain itself somewhere, since people seem to stick to the flatlands around here."
Dana says, "Then Erich will blow our cover noisily, and then we will fight."
Dana looks perky.
Erich says, "bah"
Lydia says, "If you need someone to be noisy, I can help there."
Erich says, "were it not for your generosity with your cheese, I would have to answer you in kind."
Dana smirks.
Dana asks, "Well, shall we?"
Erich says, "indeed"
Dana sets off.
Banther says, "To be honest, I'm not sure how much help I'll be with sneaking around."
Banther follows behind.
Dana says (to Banther), "you can watch our stuff, then."
Dollen says, "Enh, can't be too hard. Just don't make noise."
Kestrel says (to Banther), "You, Lydia, me, and probably Dollen will stay back."
Kestrel says, "And maybe watch from the mountain."
Erich says (to Dollen), "and remember that we are not looking for a 'fair fight' at this point in time."
Kestrel asks (of Dollen), "Are you, ah, skilled at sneaking around?"
Dollen says (to Kestrel), "Can't say I know yet. Haven't done much of it."
Erich says, "mmm."
Erich says (to Dollen), "we might need to keep your fighting prowess in reserve"
Kestrel says, "Well, we don't need everyone sneaking around--increases our chances of getting found out."
[Crows-Nest] Dana exclaims (at Erich), "snork!"
Erich says (to Dollen), "since we do know your fighting abilities."
Erich says (to Dollen), "and this may not be the time to practice your stealth"
Dana trudge trudge trudge
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "I do what I can."
Dollen says, "Fair enough."
[oneshot] GM asks, "Are you being particularly stealthful now, or just trudging?"
[oneshot] Lydia is certainly just trudging.
Kestrel asks, "For this bit, shall we send one of you before us as a scout?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "trudging closer, but not too close."
Dana stands still
Dana nods silently towards the southeast
Kestrel stops.
Lydia stops and tries to be quiet.
Kestrel peers
Erich pulls up short, listening attently.
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel asks, "'attently'?"
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "Intently attentively? ;-)"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "He's got some canvas and stakes in his pack."
Lydia scans the trees and listens.
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "bah. a pox on you all."
GM says, "You hear something moving through the woods, a ways away."
Erich starts moving very quietly in that direction.
Dana follows
Kestrel nods, stays put.
[oneshot] Dana asks, "stealth?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Yes."
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 9 5 1 9 7 | 25
[oneshot] GM says, "Both of you."
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k3: 2 9 3 5 3 | 17
[interludes] GM has removed Lydia from the channel.
[interludes] GM says, "A bit closer now, it sounds like people, probably several of them, moving through the woods."
[interludes] Erich asks, "Can we tell how far away they are?"
Lydia . o O ( hm, neither of them know the language very well. )
Lydia . o O ( Hopefully they'll return when they see how many. )
[interludes] GM says, "Too far to see them yet, but you can vaguely hear voices. A ways away."
[interludes] Erich keeps moving closer.
[interludes] GM says, "Another stealth, then."
Lydia . o O ( mmm, fondue )
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 5 4 8 5 4 | 18
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k3: 4 10+5 4 10+6 2 | 35
[interludes] Dana follows Erich, perhaps stepping on two or three more twigs than he does.
[interludes] GM says, "You're just close enough to see them now -- it's not clear if they've heard you. There are four or five of them there."
[interludes] Erich asks, "Can we tell if they're the humans or the other people?"
[interludes] GM says (to Erich), "They look human."
[interludes] Erich asks, "Anything else we can tell from here?"
[interludes] GM says, "Seem to be moving southward, more slowly than your group was when it was going north."
[interludes] Erich asks, "Any chance of getting a closer look at them, to see if Mordigan's with them, without being seen?"
[interludes] GM says (to Erich), "There's a chance."
[interludes] Erich asks, "uh-huh. how much of one?"
[interludes] GM says, "Well, assuming they haven't heard you already, you'd have to be *very* quiet."
[interludes] Erich says, "Hm. I think I'd be for holding position and trying to figure out where they're headed, then."
[interludes] GM says, "Alright."
GM says, "Time passes."
[interludes] Dana says, "I could attempt another tree climbing"
Kestrel keeps watching and listening.
[interludes] GM says, "They're receding to the south, and are getting further away from you. You can no longer see them easily."
GM says, "The noises are getting quieter, and possibly further away."
[interludes] Dana climbs a tree
[7thsea] Dana rolls 6k3: 5 10+10+7 2 7 2 2 | 39
[interludes] GM says (to Dana), "Stealth and Climbing rolls."
[interludes] GM says, "(Which was that?)"
[interludes] Dana says, "(er, climbing)"
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 3 7 4 1 2 | 14
[interludes] Dana says, "and that was stealth, but i'll drama die"
[7thsea] Dana rolls 1 die: 3
[interludes] GM says, "You make it up there, and get a better view..."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "(ack!)"
[interludes] GM says, "You can see five men dressed similarly to Haran, carrying spears. They're southeast of you, nearer the beach, and are moving slowly southwest."
[interludes] Dana asks, "can I tell whether they're trying to hunt or track?"
[interludes] GM says, "They seem to be tracking, but whether tracking prey or people is unclear."
[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Ack?"
[interludes] Dana climbs back down
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 7 5 4 6 10+8 | 31
[7thsea] Dana rolls 6k3: 6 8 3 1 10+3 9 | 30
[interludes] Dana says (to Erich), "five Haran-like men, tracking something."
[interludes] Dana says, "they're heading southwest"
[interludes] Dana says, "(keeps her voice low, natch)"
[interludes] Erich says, "I wonder if they are tracking us."
[interludes] Dana says, "the thought had occurred to me."
[interludes] Dana says, "if true, we'll want to keep moving, and in a different direction than they're going"
[interludes] Dana says, "let's get back to the others"
[interludes] Erich says, "and hide our tracks as we do so."
[interludes] Dana nods
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "That looked like a drama die."
[interludes] Erich nods and heads back for the group.
[interludes] Dana follows
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "One more stealth, then."
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k3: 2 7 1 9 9 | 25
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 10+2 8 7 6 2 | 27
GM says, "Erich and Dana slip quietly out of the woods."
[interludes] GM has removed Erich from the channel.
[interludes] GM has removed Dana from the channel.
Kestrel raises an eyebrow in question.
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg asks, "Who is winning, the GM or the players?"
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "the players are winning."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "woohoo."
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "and so there is probably an unexpected obstacle to our plan just ahead."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "Geez, don't let the GM hear you say that ;-)"
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Ghogg), "I haven't brought out the teleporting wolves, yet."
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "oh, right. Can't forget the teleporting wolves"
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "The correct answer is 'Everyone's winning!'"
[Crows-Nest] TableSaw says, "TELEPORTING WOLVES! I'm outta here!"
Kestrel asks (of Erich,Dana), "?"
[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "You may have already won $5 in gift cirtificates for a large fry."
Erich says, "a party dressed like Haran was dressed, heading southwest"
Erich says, "apparently tracking something or someone."
Erich says, "or someones."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel exclaims, "Thats-a big fry!"
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says (to TableSaw), "fake disconnect only works on people in the lounge."
Kestrel says, "Hmm."
Erich says, "we may need to begin covering our tracks."
Lydia asks, "Is that where we were this morning?"
Kestrel says (to Erich), "That's what I was thinking."
Kestrel asks (of Lydia), "We walked on the beach, remember?"
Lydia says, "Yes, but we went through forest before that."
Kestrel says (to Lydia), "Well, yesterday."
Kestrel says, "And a little bit on a different part of the island."
Kestrel looks around for places we could walk without leaving a trail, or at least one coverable.
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Lydia), "And real disconnects only work on people not oset mutedisc."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Like, rock (mountain), or if we'd need to go to the beach again."
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "yeah, I know."
GM says (to Kestrel), "You could go up the edge of the mountain a bit if you wanted; there'd be less foliage to leave signs of your passage, but also elss to hide in."
Kestrel says, "Hmm."
Kestrel says, "Well, we risk being spotted all the time, but our trail lasts a lot longer."
Kestrel asks, "I say we go up the mountain a bit to help cover our trail.  Easier to spot us, but less trail to leave.  Other votes?"
Lydia asks, "How many were there?"
Lydia says (to Kestrel), "That sounds good."
Erich says, "five"
Dollen says, "Not a bad idea."
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel asks, "Wait--the GM voted by proxy for my idea.  Does that mean it's bad?"
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "nah. Dollen thinks _everything_ is a good idea."
Kestrel seeing no objections, leads people up the mountain a bit, then stays in the back, covering up the trail.
GM says, "So you continue to work your way around the mountain. From this higher vantage, you have a better angle to see the island around you, and notice when the promontory at the northwest end of the island comes around into view."
GM says, "You're approaching the lagoon from the toher side, and shortly you'll be visible fromt he village."
Erich says, "time to begin sneaking."
Dana sneaks.
Banther asks, "Should we divide up, at this point?"
Lydia says, "Right, I think the rest of us will stay about here."
Erich says, "I think so."
GM says, "For reference, it's mid afternoon now."
Erich says, "though we may want to wait for more darkness."
[oneshot] Dana asks, "but we're still some distance away, yes?"
Erich scowls at the sun.
Lydia starts exploring the immediate area looking for a good place to make camp.
[oneshot] GM says, "You can hear the village, but not see it."
[oneshot] Lydia says, "The village is saying, "Do be do be do.""
GM says (to Lydia), "Unless there's something in particular you're looking for, any place around here would be fine."
Lydia continues exploring anyway.
GM says (to Lydia), "You find a bush with some big red berries on it."
Lydia picks a few berries but doesn't eat them, then continues.
[oneshot] Erich asks, "So how long would it take Dana and me to sneak down there? Do we need to wait for it to get darker?"
[oneshot] GM says, "You could get to the edge of the village in a matter of short minutes."
[oneshot] Erich says, "So, yes, we need to wait."
Dana waits.
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "I think observing it in the daylight is also good."
Dana asks (of Kestrel), "So I should maybe climb another tree?"
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "says the man who is staying behind. :)"
Kestrel says (to Dana), "And watch the village from there?  Sure."
Dana tries climbing a tree to see if she can see anything from here.
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 3 9 2 6 2 | 18
[7thsea] Dana rolls 6k3: 10+7 9 9 7 5 10+10+7 | 53
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "(if that doesn't get me up the tree, I want my money back)"
[Crows-Nest] Erich says (to Dana), "you can climb to the sky on that roll and grab a passing cloud"
[interludes] GM has added Dana to the channel.
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says (to Erich), "Hey, I heard that song."
[interludes] Dana asks, "so can I see anything interesting of the village?"
[interludes] GM says, "You have a good view of the village from here. You can see people walking around, talking to each other."
Lydia comes back to the group after a while.
Lydia asks, "Does anyone know whether these are edible?"
Kestrel asks (of Lydia), "Any good places to camp?"
[interludes] Dana asks, "anything that looks like a sign of Mordigan's dwelling place, or important buildings?"
Kestrel says, "I'm sure Dollen's tried them."
[interludes] GM says, "There's are about five groups of huts, each around a large cooking fire."
[interludes] Dana asks, "how many huts in a group?"
[interludes] GM says, "Three to five. The one where you were held captive is at the northeast end of the village. Your tree is southeast of it."
Lydia says, "There are flat places all around, yes."
[interludes] GM says, "The lagoon itself is to the south. The promontory is to the northwest, and there are some larger buildings there."
[interludes] GM says, "There are also a couple long tables between the village proper (with the groups of huts) and the larger building to the northwest."
[interludes] GM says, "Buildings, I mean."
[interludes] Dana asks, "can I see what's on the tables?"
[interludes] GM says, "At the moment, nothing."
[interludes] Dana asks, "any sign of Mordigan recognizably himself?"
Dollen says, "The red berries? Blech."
Dollen says, "They taste awful. The pears are pretty good, if you can find them."
Lydia tries one of the berries.
[interludes] GM says, "No. He may be out of the village, or he may be in one of the buildings."
GM says (to Lydia), "It tastes bitter."
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "Okay, getting very sleepy"
[interludes] Dana asks, "anything else of special note? shall I do a perception roll?"
[interludes] GM says, "You can if you like."
[Crows-Nest] Dana says, "yeah, if we don't stop in the next ten or fifteen minutes I will be trapped at skool"
[7thsea] Dana rolls 3k3: 3 7 3 | 13
[interludes] Dana says, "pah"
[interludes] GM says (to Dana), "Nothing of note."
[interludes] Dana says, "(yeah, I figured)"
[interludes] Dana climbs back down the tree
[7thsea] Dana rolls 5k3: 7 3 4 1 3 | 14
[7thsea] Dana rolls 6k3: 7 4 3 4 3 4 | 15
Lydia says, "Hm. Not too bad. Wouldn't want to make a meal of them though."
[interludes] Dana says, "hrm, so I guess it wasn't very quiet"
GM says, "Dana climbs back down the tree."
[interludes] Dana says, "but perhaps they're not listening hard"
Lydia says, "At least it's something different."
Dana says (to Others), "it looks as though all the big buildings are on the promentory to the northwest."
Erich nods.
Dana says, "the rest is all huts, like the one we wound up in, around cookfires -- it looks like five or so batches of those"
Dana says, "I could see people, but I couldn't make out Mordigan himself"
Dana says, "also, there were some tables between the promentory area and the main part of the village, but I didn't see anything on them."
Lydia says, "Tables? Hm."
Dana says, "anyway, I imagine our best bet is to wait until dark, and then investigate the promentory"
Dana says, "I'm not sure whether they're for a common meal or what"
Kestrel asks (of Dana), "Any unusual activity, or business as usual?"
Dana says, "it looked like business as usual from where I was"
[Crows-Nest] Dana asks, "do we want to wrap here before the night expedition?"
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "I'd like to, yes."
[Crows-Nest] Lydia says, "I think so"
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel says, "Sounds good to me."
[oneshot] GM asks, "Are you camping to get the sleep you missed out on last night, or just sitting around being vigilant and stuff?"
[oneshot] Dana says, "I imagine at least some should sleep"
[oneshot] Lydia says, "I'm going to sleep. Well, later than the midafternoon."
GM says, "So, you each settle down to do whatever you intend to settle down to do."
Dana is napping since she will be on sneaking duty later
GM says, "Two XP for everyone, plus one more for Kestrel being in the caves and the water and all again."
Erich will also nap.
[oneshot] Erich says, "and say yay to the XP"
[oneshot] Dana says, "woot"
Dana says, "good night"
Dana has disconnected.
[Crows-Nest] Kestrel exclaims, "Woo!"
[oneshot] Lydia says, "yay"
Lydia has disconnected.
Lydia goes home.