GM asks, "What do you, the hero, want to do next?"
Jemmy exclaims, "let's go look at the north part of the triangle!"
Erich says, "I do not look forward to attacks from more suits of armor."
Erich says (to Jemmy), "That was my thought as well."
Jemmy says, "but first, a muffin"
Jemmy gets one from his pack and eats it.
Jemmy says, "just in case"
Erich says, "the better to ward off flying lights."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "To review: Where in http://www.tiac.net/users/jota/mosaic.gif are we now, and where have we been?"
GM says, "So you make your way uneventfully back to the entry chamber."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "we've been in the left/bottom three triangles that have red triangles in them"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "and are in the top"
Jemmy attempts to open the north door.
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "(now we're in the bottom-most triangle)"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Not the far SW one?"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "we have not been in any of the three corner triangles, in particular, or the right/upper half"
GM says, "It slides open, and the northwest door slides shut. You see Arthur and his associates in the room beyond."
Jemmy exclaims, "c'mon!"
Jemmy hurries through.
Arthur asks, "Ah, well, if it isn't our little friends. Discovered anything new?"
Erich follows Jemmy.
Erich says (to Arthur), "Why, yes."
Erich says (to Arthur), "before you were in a different room; now you are in this one."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Wait, I'm lost again. Sorry. The bottommost chamber has no north door. Northeast?"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "the bottom chamber does have a north door"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(bottom middle, at least.)"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "not shown on map"
GM says, "This room points south, and there are eight pedestals here -- four along the southeast wall, and four along the southwest."
Jemmy looks alertly at the pedestals.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Oh, and no NE door in that room we were just in?"
GM says, "The pedestals are all empty. There are two doors in this room: the one at the south point, where you just came from, and one in the middle of the north wall."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "right"
Arthur says (to Jemmy), "Too late, Jemmy. You should have been here sooner."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Did the North door slide shut as we came through?"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "the doors only slide shut when you open another in the room (generally)"
Jemmy asks, "what, did you find something?"
Arthur puts a circle flute to his lips and blows a note in your direction, before pocketing it.
Erich wanders idly over to the north door.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Right. So, we opened the south door, and if the N was open, it would have shut."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "(what's a circle flute?)"
GM says, "You may have noticed some marking(s) on the flute before he put it away, but couldn't make them out."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "And we would have had a good view of it."
GM says (to Erich), "There are no ridges there like the other doors, but there is a Y-shaped depression in it."
Erich looks nonchalantly in the y-shaped depression.
[oneshot] GM says, "It's, um. Shaped like a a turtle shell, kinda."
[oneshot] GM says, "With two holes in it: one to blow in, one for the air to come out."
DiegoValdez has disconnected.
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "hmm"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "None to cover with fingers?"
[7thsea] Miseri says, "'night, all."
GM says (to Erich), "Not very deep; less than an inch. Each arm of the Y is the same length: about seven inches, give or take."
[oneshot] GM says, "You didn't notice any."
Kestrel scoffs at the flute. "Not a very useful instrument if you can't change the pitch."
Erich asks (of GM), "and each arm is about an inch across?"
[oneshot] Jemmy asks (of Kestrel), "oh, hey, are you a musician?"
Arthur laughs, "Have fun," as he leads his troop south. Shortly thereafter, the south door slides shut behind them.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Aww, I didn't bait him?"
Arthur says (to Erich), "More like two, maybe three."
Erich pokes a finger in the depression.
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to Jemmy), "Yup. Sing 2."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "hmm"
[oneshot] Arthur says (to Kestrel), "He was on his way out the door as you were speaking."
Kestrel looks for marks that others have attempted to open the north door.
GM says (to Erich), "A very slight tingling? Maybe. Hard to say."
Kestrel looks in particular at the dust at the foot of the door where Erich hasn't stepped yet.
Jemmy checks the pedestals for markings (also for markings to see if anything was on them).
Erich pokes one finger in each arm of the y.
GM says (to Kestrel), "There are some marks on one side. Probably from a bladed weapon, probably recent."
Jemmy asks (of Erich), "we could put that white ball in, maybe?"
Erich says, "mmm"
Erich says, "An interesting idea."
Erich says, "I wonder if Arthur's troupe managed to open it."
GM says (to Kestrel), "And the dust is scuffed up. It looks like someone has been walking all around this room, same as you are."
Kestrel points at the scratchings. "They tried, looks like."
Kestrel experimentally pushes the door open.
Erich grins. "Good."
GM says (to Kestrel), "It won't budge."
Kestrel nods.
Jemmy says, "I don't think these doors will just push open"
Jemmy exclaims, "but we have to get through somehow .. Arthur must have more artifacts than us by now!"
Jemmy looks around in distress.
Kestrel says, "OK, let's try to get as many more things from this place as we can, then back here."
Kestrel asks, "To the SE?"
Jemmy says, "I'm sure Arthur's already got everything from there, but we can try"
Erich says, "though this door may let us avoid the armor that's been plaguing us elsewhere."
Jemmy frowns.
Jemmy gets the white ball from Lydia and tries sticking it in the Y-shaped hole.
GM says, "Oh, I forgot to mention one thing:"
[oneshot] (from Jemmy) GM says "A fanged monster is here, attacking you"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, ""...all pointing to the statue, which we will get to in a moment.""
GM says, "The floor tile directly in front of the north door is red."
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to GM), "Like the mosaic says."
[oneshot] Jemmy asks (of GM), "uh, do we remember what the red/blue/purple triangle pieces looked like?"
Erich stands experimentally on the red tile.
Jemmy exclaims (at Erich), "stick your finger in the Y now!"
GM says (to Jemmy), "You can kinda set it on the ledge of the depression, although it tends to roll off. Nothing odd happens."
Jemmy puts the ball away in a pocket.
GM says (to Erich), "No different result from the other red tiles."
Kestrel hums the scale from the bowl.
[oneshot] GM asks (of Jemmy), "At the top of the mosaic?"
Erich says (to Jemmy), "good idea."
Erich leans forward and puts his fingers in the Y
[oneshot] GM says, "Roll Wits to remember :)"
[oneshot] Jemmy says (to GM), "right"
[7thsea] Jemmy rolls 3k3: 9 8 8 | 25
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "My fingers needed some exercise, maybe a swim."
[oneshot] GM says (to Jemmy), "Hmm. All three of the blue ones were glowing faintly, if you remember right."
GM says (to Erich), "It tingles a little."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "grf"
Erich asks, "more than before?"
GM says, "No."
Jemmy says, "there must be some other way to do it"
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to Jemmy), "Also, http://www.bioc.rice.edu/~lpsmith/IF/7thSea/oneshot/ruins1.html ;-)"
Jemmy frets.
[oneshot] Jemmy says (to Kestrel), "good point :)"
Erich says, "well"
GM says, "Oh, er, that's an inverted Y, BTW."
Erich says, "Perhaps we should go onwards, and think on this as we go."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "hmm"
Kestrel says, "This room looks like we won't be able to go north without a variety of items to help us."
GM says, "Pointing up, down-left, and down-right."
Erich says (to Kestrel), "I agree."
Kestrel says, "So, yeah, let's try the rest of the rooms."
Jemmy tries pushing the wall in the corners of the Y
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "(ie, the bits where triangles would be)"
GM says (to Jemmy), "Nothing unexpected happens."
Jemmy gives up, and follows folks south.
Kestrel walks south, then goes NE out of the entrance room.
GM says, "OK. You open the south door and enter the entryway."
GM says (to Kestrel), "The northeast door slides open, and the north door closes."
Kestrel says, "Oh, good."
Jemmy follows Kestrel.
Kestrel opens the SE door. "Let's keep this one open.
Erich says, "so they are coming back this way"
GM says, "The room to the east points south, and is reminiscent of the room to the west."
[oneshot] GM asks (of Kestrel), "Which door?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Is there a SE door?"
[oneshot] Erich asks, "which way do we think the others have been before?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Like, a way into the SE corner of the mosaic?"
[oneshot] GM says, "The entry room has four doors: NW, N, NE, and S."
[oneshot] Erich says, "because we could go into a different room ahead of them and keep that room closed to them"
[oneshot] Jemmy says (to Kestrel), "no"
[oneshot] Jemmy says (to Kestrel), "at least, there was no way in in the other room"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "No, to the east of that."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "there is how ever a little hole in that wall, surrounded by six white holes"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "and we have this little white ball that would probably fit in the holes"
GM says, "In the northeast corner is a shelf, and there are doors in the north and southeast walls, although neither has the usual grooves."
[oneshot] Jemmy asks (of GM), "and arthur is nowhere to be seen?"
GM says, "There is some apparatus on the southeast wall, as well as something on the north wall, near the north door."
[oneshot] GM says (to Jemmy), "Correct."
Jemmy looks at the apparatus.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Er, YM "doors int he north and south*west* walls?""
[oneshot] Erich says, "Okay, I do not understand why the NE door slid open."
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to Erich), "That was the NE from the entryway."
GM says, "(Just a moment: missing file)"
[oneshot] Erich asks, "which entryway?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "Let me back up. We came into the first room we ever entered, through the north door."
[oneshot] Erich says, "Then the ne door opened and the n door closed, I presumed without us doing anything."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Numbering the rooms from the top 1 / 234 / 56789, the entryway's room 7, we're in 8, there are doors to 8 and 4."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Oh, wait."
[oneshot] Jemmy says (to Erich), "the ne door slide open when kestrel opened it"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks (of GM), "When you said, "The north door closes" did you mean the north door of the room we were exiting, or entering?"
GM says, "It's a circle, two or three feet across, with nine translucent gems set in it. (http://www.tiac.net/users/jota/gems.gif)"
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "The north door from the room you were exiting - -the entry room."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Any doors close in the one we were entering?"
Jemmy stares at gems.
[oneshot] Erich says, "Aha. I am now on the same page as everyone else."
Erich tries to turn the middle gem
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Welcome! You have reached: Page 934."
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "You didn't notice any."
GM says (to Jemmy), "They're pretty."
Jemmy says, "ooh, pretty"
GM says (to Erich), "As you touch it, something happens:"
[oneshot] (from Jemmy) GM says "To be continued next week!"
GM says (to Erich), "The center stone begins glowing softly. A moment later, the red gem begins glowing as well, and you hear a tone. Then the yellow stone, and a second tone. Orange and a third tone, then violet and a fourth tone. Then they all go dark."
Jemmy thinks.
Jemmy gets out the musical instrument from the other room.
Jemmy asks (of Kestrel), "can you play this?"
Kestrel says, "I've played stranger things in my time."
GM says, "Also, http://www.tiac.net/users/jota/tones.wav"
Kestrel takes and re-examines the bowl.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Aww, man, I was hoping for Westminster."
[oneshot] Kestrel exclaims, "It's quarter-past!"
GM says (to Kestrel), "You notice the strings and the runes that the others noticed. (Need me to repeat the URLs?)"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "(the bowl has eight strings and, I think, the fifth string might have been odd)"
Kestrel says (to GM), "That would be handy, sorry."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "also some runes on the inside and outside"
GM says (to Kestrel), "On the outside of the bowl, http://www.tiac.net/users/jota/runes-bowl.jpg run across each of the long sides, one rune by each string."
Erich touches the white gem again.
GM says, "http://www.tiac.net/users/jota/bowl-bottom.jpg can be found inside the bowl."
GM says (to Erich), "The same thing happens: the white gem glows, and the tones play, with the same four gems lighting up, and then they all go dark."
Jemmy asks (of Kestrel), "can you repeat those tones, maybe?"
[oneshot] GM says, "(For reference, you have singing, but not musician, right?)"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "What's musician?"
[oneshot] GM says, "I think it's under Artist..."
[oneshot] GM says, "Yes, it's one of the choices for Artist."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "OK, no, didn't take that."
[oneshot] Erich says, "However, 'Wearing Black' is one of the choices under Artiste."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "But I can assume some basic music theory, since you pretty much have to know that to learn to read music and stuff."
Jemmy gives up and attempts to pluck strings until he duplicates the tones himself.
Kestrel says (to jemmy), "Er, sorry, I was trying to figure out these runes."
Kestrel experimentally plucks the strings.
GM says (to Jemmy), "Panache + Musician, with any unskilled penalties necessary."
Jemmy stands back and watchs the gems.
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "(I'm letting kestrel do it)"
GM says, "(Or Kestrel)"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Er, to match notes?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Oh, well."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 2k2: 6 1 | 7
[oneshot] GM says, "Right. Unless you just want to tell me which strings you pluck."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "OK, I pluck string 1."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(there are 5, right?)"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "8"
GM says, "As you play the first string, the red gem begins to glow."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "the 5th string did something a little odd last time, I believe"
[oneshot] Erich says (to Jemmy), "yes"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "the gems glowed red/yellow/orange/purple"
[oneshot] Erich says, "but not consistently"
[oneshot] Erich says, "white/red/yellow/orange/purple"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "well, ok, yeah"
[oneshot] Erich says, "and I'd like to try pressing the red at a suitable break"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "but I think the white is just "start""
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "also, I'm not sure from the diagram which is purple, but I assume it's 8 and not 7"
[oneshot] GM says, "Right. I call 7 indigo."
Kestrel plucks string 3.
GM says, "The yellow gem begins to glow as well."
[oneshot] GM says, "Assuming you're going counter-clockwise from red."
Kestrel plucks string 2.
GM says, "The orange gem starts glowing."
Kestrel plucks string 8.
GM says, "The purple gem lights up. The southeast door slides open of its own accord; at the same time, the southwest door slides shut."
Erich says, "aha"
Erich says, "well done"
Kestrel exclaims, "Bingo!"
GM says, "Then the four gems go dark."
Jemmy looks through to see who's on the other side.
GM says (to Jemmy), "It's another triangular room, similar to the others. This one is pointing north."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "yeah, but is arthur there, that's the important question :)"
Erich walks into that room.
Jemmy follows.
GM says, "There are three pillars, one in each of the four corners of the room. About the size and shape of a floor tile in cross-section (that is, maybe three feet to a side)."
[oneshot] Erich asks, "*four* corners?"
GM says, "Each piller has a series of horizontal grooves, going most of the way from the bottom to top."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "three pillars, one in each of the four corners, right"
[oneshot] GM says, "Three, sorry. Used to square rooms."
[oneshot] Erich says (to Jemmy), "Hey, this is a Syrinth tomb. Time and space may not work right."
GM says, "The tops of the pillars are too high up to see, just a few feet below the iron gridwork near the ceiling."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "good point"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Those darn pillers, always with the pilling."
GM says, "Also, there are no errant red tiles in here."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "there was that AD&D dungeon built in the shape of a hypercube, I think"
Jemmy scratches his head.
Erich asks, "how far-spaced are the grooves in the pillars?"
Jemmy inspects the groove for climbing purposes.
[oneshot] Kestrel is still looking at the runes. Which pattern made the echo?
GM says (to Jemmy), "The look emminantly climbable. Each groove is several inches deep, which should allow a good grip, and probably wide enough to fit your toes into."
Erich takes an experimental climb up one of the pillars.
[oneshot] GM says, "Matching the symbols which were inside this bowl."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Nothing else of note?"
[oneshot] GM asks (of Kestrel), "You know about the other bowl, right?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Oh, we have 2?"
GM asks (of Erich), "Which?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "One without strings?"
Erich says, "the one in the northern corner"
[oneshot] GM says, "No, but Billings showed you a similar one that had been found elsewhere, before you left. That one was without strings."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "And we didn't take it with us?"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "it was found in the other tomb similar to this"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "er, not tomb"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "but you know"
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to Jemmy), "Death is your gift."
GM says (to Erich), "At first it seems to settle slightly under your weight, but then it's fine. You quickly make it to the top. (Just a moment to continue description)"
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "Right, didn't take it with you."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "Lydia did however sketch it"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Did we write down the runes on it?"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "including the runes"
GM says (to Erich), "Set in the middle of the top of the pillar is a small (maybe eight inches per side), yellow, triangular tile. From here you can see the tops of the other pillars, and each has a similar tile in the top, although the southeast one appears to ahve something else on to of it."
Erich asks (of GM), "all the same color?"
[oneshot] Jemmy asks, "yellow, hunh?"
GM says (to Erich), "Also, you have to duck a bit even sitting down, so as not to hit your head on the ceiling."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Oh, those URLs are from the original bowl. The one I'm holding now has exactly the same runes?"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "no"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "the interior of the bowl has different runes"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "the exterior has the same runes"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "And the bottom?"
GM says, "Yes. The other thing sitting on the southeast pillar is also yellow."
[oneshot] GM says, "http://www.tiac.net/users/jota/in-bowl.jpg"
Erich calls (to Jemmy), "Try scaling the southeast one. There is something else atop it."
Jemmy exclaims, "great!"
Jemmy attempts to climb it.
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to GM), "That's the original bowl's runes, according to the transcript."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Right?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "1 4 14 3 3?"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "http://www.tiac.net/users/jota/bowl-bottom.jpg is the other"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Did in-bowl or bowl-bottom cause the echo?"
GM says (to Jemmy), "It shifts slightly udner your weight, but it gives you no trouble. You quickly make it to the top."
GM says (to Erich), "As he starts climbing, the thing on the southeast pillar shimmers slightly, and vanishes."
Jemmy exclaims, "hey!"
Erich says, "Hm."
Erich asks (of GM), "does it reappear on the third pillar?"
GM says (to Erich), "In fact, it looks like it has."
Erich says (to Kestrel), "I believe we require your assistance."
Erich says (to Kestrel), "there is an item atop these pillars which vanishes the moment someone starts to climb the correct pillar."
Kestrel dutifully climbs the last pillar.
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "Yes, in-bowl is the original bowl, and bowl-bottom is the one you have now. bowl-bottom caused the echo. And I don't know what 1 4 14 3 3 means exactly."
GM says (to Kestrel), "You also notice the shifting."
GM says (to Erich), "It vanishes once again."
GM says (to Erich), "Appearing at your side a moment later."
Erich says, "aha, I have you."
Erich says, "er, whatever 'you' is."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "'I have you now.'"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "[shots]"
GM says, "It is a block of some kind of pottery, colored yellow."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, ""What?!?""
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Yee-haw! Go ahead, kid, you're free and clear!""
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(ahem)"
[oneshot] Jemmy blinks.
[oneshot] Erich says, "We now bring you back to the 'real' world."
GM says, "Its shape is like a slat from a picket fence -- sort of an elongated pentagon."
GM says, "Not very thick. Maybe half an inch, or a bit more."
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to Jemmy), "Sorry, just went to see the Star Wars exhibit at our museum ;-)"
[oneshot] Jemmy asks, "how long is it?"
[oneshot] Erich asks (of GM), "does it fit in the yellow spots atop the pillars?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Mmm. Maybe eight inches or so."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "(and how does it compare length-wise to, eg, the Y-shaped hole)"
[oneshot] GM says (to Erich), "Yes. It appeared on the yellow area on your pillar when it materialized."
[oneshot] GM says (to Jemmy), "Favorably."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "hmm"
[oneshot] Jemmy asks, "it'd match one of the arms, you mean?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "This length is *much better* than that ol' Y-length."
Erich picks up the yellow pottery and puts it back in the yellow spot of the pillar.
[oneshot] GM says, "It's entirely possible, although you'd need to try it to be certain."
[oneshot] Erich says, "'Is that an elongated pentagon or are you just happy to see me?'"
GM says (to Erich), "Nothing happens at the moment."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "hrrrrm"
Erich takes the yellow slat and carefully climbs back down.
Jemmy climbs down also.
Kestrel waits to see if anything new appears, then climbs down. Then climbs back up, checks again.
GM says (to Kestrel), "Nothing new has appeared."
Kestrel climbs back down yet again.
Jemmy looks at the pillars to see if anything is new around the base.
GM says (to Jemmy), "Footprints."
Erich gives one of the pillars a careful shove.
GM says (to Jemmy), "Matching your own shoes, even."
Kestrel exclaims (at Jemmy), "Watch out for heffalumps!"
Jemmy says, "there's something familiar about these marks"
Jemmy scratches his head.
GM says (to Erich), "Pushing towards the wall? It doesn't move."
Kestrel asks, "So, are we done here?"
Jemmy says, "I think so"
Kestrel says, "OK, onward, then."
Kestrel heads NW.
Erich follows.
Erich says, "We should try the room opposite this one on the south."
GM says, "OK, you're back in the room with the gems on the wall."
Kestrel asks, "We haven't been north yet, have we?"
Erich says, "since Arthur and his merry men seem short on tasks requiring brainpower."
GM says, "It still has a closed north door (with no grooves, but markings on the wall next to it), and a shelf in the northeast corner."
Kestrel tries to open the north door.
Erich looks at the markings next to the door.
Jemmy inspects the shelf and then the markings.
GM says (to Kestrel), "Without the vertical grooves found on other doors, there's no way to get a grip."
GM says (to Erich), "There's a small hole in the wall; it's surrounded by a ring of six black circles."
Kestrel exclaims, "Fingerprints, don't fail me now!"
Jemmy says, "rr"
Jemmy says, "Arthur said he found some black balls"
Jemmy exclaims, "curse him!"
Erich says, "ah, yes."
GM says (to Jemmy), "The top of the shelf is rounded, like a bowl. It's also empty. Just above it is a hole in the wall (the north side of the corner, to be technical)."
Jemmy says, "if only we had five more of these white balls"
Kestrel says, "Just for grins, let me try something with this bowl."
Kestrel plays the tune from the original bowl back at the office.
Kestrel says, "(first, third, seventh, second, second)"
GM says (to Kestrel), "At the last note, the strings play a pleasant glissando of their own accord."
GM says, "You hear some kind of muffled noises from the bowl."
Kestrel asks (of bowl), "So, what do you do now?"
Voice from the bowl, "Hrm? What is, oh my... most unusual..."
Jemmy says (to Kestrel), "ssh"
Jemmy says (to Kestrel), "it transmitted noises from the mosaic"
Kestrel asks, "Uh, billings?"
Jemmy says, "or --"
Erich says, "my goodness."
Billings asks, "Er, yes? What is this? Dresden, is this another, er, prank of yours...?"
Erich says, "you seem to have have discovered tele-voice."
Kestrel says, "No, this is Kestrel. We're in the ruins."
Erich says (to Bowl), "Billings, these bowls allow us to transmit our voices to each other."
Kestrel says, "I believe I have discovered how these bowl work."
Billings asks, "What? If you're in the ruins, what are you doing in this, er, thing?"
Erich sighs.
Billings says, "Ah. Mrm. My."
Kestrel says, "We found another bowl."
Billings asks, "You're in the other bowl? Am I, er, in this one, then?"
Kestrel says (to Billings), "Just the sounds."
Billings asks, "Oh, ah. Mmm. Fascinating. How does it work?"
Kestrel says, "Each bowl is keyed to a musical scale, as indicated by the runes on the inside."
[Crows-Nest] Erich says, "It's Voice Over IB"
[Crows-Nest] Jemmy says, "ha ha ha"
Kestrel says, "The one you have is designed to have musical strings across it that fit in the grooves, like a banjo."
Billings says, "Oh? Ah. Oh. Ah! Lovely. That's wonderful. Yes. Just the thing for, er, parties. Musical bowls. Mmmhmm."
Kestrel says, "Well, that and they transmit voices over vast distances."
Billings asks, "Oh, right. That. How did you say that worked, again?"
Erich sighs once more.
Kestrel exclaims, "Here, let me try an experiment. On three, clap. One, two, three!"
GM says, "A moment later, you hear a clap."
Kestrel says, "Hmm."
Billings asks, "Hello?"
Kestrel says, "So, not instantaneous, but pretty quick."
Billings says, "Sorry. Had to set down the bowl and all."
Kestrel says, "Of course, even attuned to itself, it wasn't instantaneous."
Kestrel chuckles.
Erich says (to Kestrel), "we are working at the speed of Billings."
Billings asks, "Hrm? What's that?"
Kestrel asks, "OK, let's try something else. Count *with* me to 10. Say the numbers at exactly the same time as I do. Ready?"
Erich says (to Billings), "I was merely assuring you that we were working as fast as possible here."
Billings says, "Ready, yes, I think."
Kestrel supresses a snort.
Kestrel says, "OK..."
Kestrel counts to 10, evenly and slowly.
Billings counts to ten, evenly and about one number off from Kestrel.
Kestrel says, "About half a second each way, then. Wow."
Kestrel asks (of Billings), "OK. Do you think you can get that bowl fitted with strings?"
Kestrel examines the strings on his on bowl, to see if they might be easily duplicated.
Billings says, "Mmm, yes, I imagine so. Banther probably knows something about that sort of thing, I believe. Mmm."
GM says (to Kestrel), "They look typical, some kind of gut or hide most likely, although it's unclear how they managed to remain intact and in tune for this long."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "What time of day is it?"
Erich says, "We should experiment with that as we press onwards."
Kestrel nods.
[oneshot] Billings says, "At a guess, late afternoon or early evening, but it's hard to gauge how many hours you've been down here. It was late morning when you first entered the cave."
Kestrel asks (of Billings), "I'm going to turn this off for now, but we might need you later. Can you keep the bowl with you?"
Kestrel asks (of Billings), "And incidentally, what time is it?"
Billings says, "Is there, uh, any way to, er turn this.. um... to deactivate the, uh, 'device'... oh? Ah. Good."
Billings says, "It's about four o'clock, I think. I should be going home in about an hour."
Billings says, "Just have some paperwork to finish up, you know the sort of thing, filings and, er, requisitions..."
Kestrel asks, "OK. Can you either keep the bowl with you tonight or give it to someone there who could help in an emergency?"
Billings says, "Mmm? Alright. I can add, that is, make out a requisition for it. No trouble there, I have the form for that right, er. Somewhere."
Kestrel says, "Thanks! If we need you, we'll holler. Things are going OK, though there is indeed another group here. No altercations yet. Guy by the name of Arthur--someone Jemmy used to know."
Billings says, "Arthur? Mmm. I know an Arthur."
Jemmy exclaims, "don't trust him!"
Billings says, "Why? He's a very nice fellow. Well, was. Died two years ago. A shame, that."
Jemmy says, "oh"
Kestrel . o O ( Though he's 75 miles away. Not much good in an emergency, at that. At least someone will know how to get my body to bury it. )
Jemmy says, "probably a different Arthur then"
Kestrel describes this Arthur to Billings.
Kestrel asks (of Jemmy), "And where did you say he was from?"
Billings says, "Ah. No, different Arthur."
Jemmy says (to Kestrel), "I know him from school"
Kestrel asks (of Jemmy), "Where was that? And did you know where he came from originally?"
GM says, "As you're chatting, you hear something of a 'zhrooomph' from the south corner of the room, circa the red tile."
Kestrel exclaims, "Ack!"
Jemmy looks around.
Jemmy exclaims, "not again!"
GM says, "A solitary figure in purple armor stands facing you. He draws a gleaming sword."
Erich exclaims, "scheisse!"
Erich pulls out his sword and charges as fast as possible.
[oneshot] Jemmy asks, "we've only seen blue armor before, right?"
Kestrel exclaims (at Billings), "We'll be back! Check on this Arthur for us, if you can!"
Billings asks, "Er? Is there something of, a difficulty there?"
Billings says, "Ah. Oh. Um. Alright."
Kestrel plays the tune again.
Jemmy draws sword also, yells and charges at the knight.
[oneshot] Billings says, "Initiative."
[7thsea] Jemmy rolls 2 dice: 6 5
[7thsea] Erich rolls 3 dice: 6 3 9
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 3 dice: 10 7 10
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Heh."
GM says (to Kestrel), "At the first string, the connection cuts out."
[7thsea] GM rolls 3 dice: 1 2 2
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "grr"
[oneshot] Erich says, "This should be fun."
[oneshot] Erich asks, "Shall we sit around while he whomps up on us for a bit?"
GM says, "The markings on his chest, like those of the earlier armored figures, glow. Three violet spheres drift outward from him."
[oneshot] Erich says, "I'll take that as a 'yes'."
[oneshot] GM says, "(Phase two -- BTW, you can interrupt if you choose)"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "this is true"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "I'd like to interrupt"
[oneshot] GM says, "Alright. Then Jemmy's first in phase two."
[oneshot] Erich says, "hang on one sec."
Jemmy continues yelling, charging.
[oneshot] GM asks, "Unless Erich also interrupts?"
[oneshot] Erich asks, "having never done that before: I choose two dice to sacrifice for an earlier action?"
[oneshot] GM says (to Erich), "Right."
[oneshot] Erich says, "Well, hey, I'll give it a try."
[oneshot] Erich says, "take my 6 and 9, please."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "hee hee"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(rimshot)"
[oneshot] GM says, "OK. Then Erich is first in phase three, since he has a higher total showing."
[oneshot] Erich asks, "Is the armored fellow a TN of 15?"
[oneshot] Jemmy asks, "first in phase 2, you mean?"
[oneshot] GM says, "I'll tell you after you make an attack."
[oneshot] GM says (to Jemmy), "Yes."
[oneshot] Erich says, "H'okay."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "(and also phase 3, I suppose)"
Erich growls and swings his broadsword about at the armored figure.
[oneshot] GM says (to Erich), "Since you don't know how hard he is to hit until you try to hit him."
[7thsea] Erich rolls 6k3: 4 9 7 7 9 10+6 | 34
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "How purple is this guy? Same purple color as that gem?"
[oneshot] GM says, "TN 20, and you hit just fine."
[7thsea] Erich rolls 8k2: 8 10+7 6 5 7 1 8 7 | 25
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "he is probably same purple as the mosaic top triangles"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "maybe also the gem"
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "More or less. He's not one uniform color."
[7thsea] GM rolls 3k3: 3 7 4 | 14
[oneshot] GM says, "I mean, not one uniform shade."
[oneshot] GM says (to Erich), "One dramatic wound."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "But more purple than 'indigo'?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Right."
Erich follows through on the swing, hitting in the joint between hip and leg.
[oneshot] GM says, "Then Jemmy's next with his interrupt."
Erich says, "Take that, hollow man."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "guess I'll raise, since I have the raise from the sword"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "(raise once)"
[7thsea] Jemmy rolls 6k3: 5 8 5 1 1 6 | 19
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "dammit"
Jemmy charges past the knight, barely missing him.
Armour lurches to one side as Jemmy passes.
Armour swings his sword at Erich.
[7thsea] Armour rolls 6k3: 2 9 5 4 3 3 | 18
[oneshot] Armour asks, "You're TN 20, right?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "right"
Erich ducks, moving faster than you might expect.
[oneshot] Kestrel is amused thinking of the armor actually saying that.
[oneshot] Erich says (to Kestrel), "I expect the voice would be all deep and hollow"
Armour follows onward, swinging back across.
[7thsea] Armour rolls 6k3: 9 4 6 6 10+5 6 | 30
[7thsea] Armour rolls 5k2: 1 5 1 2 7 | 12
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k5: 6 9 1 1 9 | 26
[oneshot] GM says, "Twelve flesh wounds."
[7thsea] GM rolls 3 dice: 8 8 10
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Holy schmoly."
[oneshot] GM says, "Phase three is Erich's."
Erich yells, blood flowing from his left arm. He brings his sword up in a swing at the underside of the armor.
[7thsea] Erich rolls 6k3: 6 6 7 5 9 10+5 | 31
[7thsea] Erich rolls 8k2: 4 5 8 6 2 5 4 8 | 16
[7thsea] GM rolls 3k3: 7 2 4 | 13
[oneshot] GM says, "Another dramatic wound."
Erich smiles grimly as his sword tip slides into another chink in the armor.
[oneshot] GM says, "Then no one until phase seven, when it's Kestrel."
[oneshot] Jemmy says (to Kestrel), "you could try and take out some of the spheres before they attack"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "the other spheres, at least, were brutes"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "I assume the spheres are the 8 8 10?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Right."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Can I get off one pluck of the bowl before attacking? That's the last thing I was doing."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Or would that count as a full action?"
[oneshot] GM says, "I think it'd be an action, since it'd eman your hands would be full of not-weapon."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Sigh. Well, it's worth a shot."
[oneshot] GM says, "(But I'll let you get several plucks as one action, if you want)"
Kestrel plucks the eighth string.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "('Purple', in the other room)"
GM says, "The purple gem on the wall flashes momentarily."
[oneshot] GM says, "Phase eight..."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(SE door still open, right?)"
[oneshot] GM says, "Yes."
GM says, "The three spheres descend on Erich."
[7thsea] GM rolls 5k3: 4 8 8 8 8 | 24
Kestrel plucks it a few more times, then gives up.
GM says (to Kestrel), "Each time, the gem flashes, but to no other effect."
GM says (to Erich), "One strikes you in the back, delivering a sharp shock."
[oneshot] GM says, "Six flesh."
[7thsea] Erich rolls 5k5: 10+5 1 2 4 5 | 27
[oneshot] GM says, "(18 total so far)"
Erich says, "I fear I am paying for my good blows early on."
GM says, "The other two continue to harrass the hapless Eisen."
[7thsea] GM rolls 4k2: 3 8 4 2 | 12
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "How did you get so brawny?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "Brawn of 4, plus I am Large."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Wow."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "he ate his vegetables like a good boy"
GM says, "But to no additional pain."
[oneshot] GM says (to Erich), "Also, Tough."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "if you eat your vegetables, you can grow up big and strong just like him"
[oneshot] Erich says, "yes"
[oneshot] GM says, "Phase ten, Kestrel is first."
[oneshot] Kestrel swallows a can of spinach, gets 3 extra brawn.
[oneshot] GM says, "Also, if you eat your muffins, ..."
Kestrel pulls out his bow, shoots the armor.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Free raise can either mean lower TN or extra die for damage?"
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Or only the latter?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Effectively the former."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "OK, one called raise, then, lifting the TN back to 20."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "free raise = +5 to your die roll"
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 6k3: 3 9 10+9 3 10+5 3 | 43
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "woot"
[oneshot] Erich says, "hot diggity"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "That's a hit ;-) Any extras for me? ;-)"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Also, ;-)"
[oneshot] GM asks (of Kestrel), "With the raise, I think that makes damage 3k2?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "No bonuses for getting the raise + 20, then, I guess."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 3k2: 10+9 5 8 | 27
[oneshot] GM says, "Well, no. Playing by the book, for that."
[7thsea] GM rolls 3k3: 5 6 2 | 13
[oneshot] GM says, "Like it matters, since that's another dramatic wound, and enough to take it out of the fight completely."
[oneshot] GM grins.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Heh."
[oneshot] GM says, "(Go ahead and play that, and then the next action is also yours)"
Kestrel Would the TN be higher to shoot the spheres, or might I actually hit one with an arrow?
[oneshot] GM says, "Um. Normal TN, I think, but you can't take any raises."
Kestrel shoots the armor, lodging the arrow straight through the faceplate. The armor staggers, falls back, and disappears.
Kestrel reloads.
GM says, "As the armor dissipates, the arrow drops to the ground where it fell."
Erich says, "Ah, good. I wondered what might happen there."
[oneshot] GM says, "Ah, forgot reloading actions."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Darn, should have taken my shot ;-)"
GM says, "The two spheres charge at Kestrel, spinning around his hands while he reloads."
[7thsea] GM rolls 4k3: 2 8 10+5 1 | 25
[oneshot] GM asks, "TN to hit you is 20?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Yup."
GM says, "Both of them embed themselves painfull in his hands and arms."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Both?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Twelve flesh."
[oneshot] GM says, "Both."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 2k2: 3 3 | 6
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "Oh, should I drama?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Grr."
[oneshot] Erich exclaims (at spheres), "Hey! Over here! It's me, the walking damage sink!"
[oneshot] GM says, "If you don't want a dramatic wound."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Oh, what the heck."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 1k1: 5 | 5
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Pfft."
[oneshot] Kestrel nudges the die on the table over so it shows '6'.
[oneshot] GM ahems.
[oneshot] Kestrel sighs, rolls it back over.
[oneshot] Erich says (to GM), "hey, this is *drama*"
[oneshot] GM says (to Erich), "Hee."
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Eh."
[7thsea] Kestrel rolls 1k1: 6 | 6
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "That was the one I *meant* to roll."
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "Ah, no lasting injuries, then."
[oneshot] Kestrel takes back his 5, gives the 6 to the GM.
GM says, "And with that, you are again alone."
Jemmy says, "oof"
Jemmy asks, "are we going to meet two next time?"
Erich stands up, shaking his head.
Erich says (to Jemmy), "That would follow what little pattern we have witnessed so far."
Erich walks to Kestrel. "How are you?"
Kestrel gets zapped painfully, but grits his teeth, grabs the shelf, and shakes it off.
Kestrel says, "That took a lot out of me, but I think I'm OK."
Jemmy looks around.
GM says (to Jemmy), "You are in the room with the gems."
[oneshot] Jemmy asks, "back to the Y-shaped door room to try sticking the piece of yellow clay in?"
[oneshot] Jemmy asks, "or back to the room with the white holes to try and open the secret door with the one white ball we have?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says (to Jemmy), "No, let's try for SW room first."
[oneshot] Erich says, "what Kestrel said"
Erich flexes his left arm, trying to work out any kinks.
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "flesh wounds are now gone?"
[oneshot] GM says, "Enh, they will be in a bit."
[oneshot] Kestrel asks, "How long's a 'bit'?"
Jemmy asks, "where to now?"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "I spent some precious dice to make these go away, I'll have you know ;-)"
[oneshot] GM says, "Long enough that, unless you find a way to get hurt really quickly, you can assume they're gone now."
[oneshot] Kestrel leaves, trips, takes a dramatic wound.
[oneshot] GM says, "I mean, soon enough that."
[oneshot] Jemmy says (to Kestrel), "hee hee hee"
[oneshot] Erich says (to kestrel), "heh"
[oneshot] GM says (to Kestrel), "I would advise against, y'know, jumping down spiked pits or picking fights for another ten or fifteen minutes, at least."
[oneshot] Erich says, "and no swimming for thirty"
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "OK, important safety tip."
[oneshot] Kestrel has fun storming the castle.
Kestrel says, "OK, let's go."
Kestrel heads to the SW room.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "West 2, I guess."
Erich follows along.
GM says, "As you open the southwest door, the southeast door closes. You notice several people in the other room, as you enter."
Arthur says, "...probably related to the fl-- oh. Hallo."
Jemmy frowns.
Kestrel eyes what they're holding, if anything.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "Like, if they're examining stuff."
Erich says, "ah, the armor hasn't finished you off, then."
GM says (to Kestrel), "One of them is picking his fingernails with a knife; Miranda is holding a flute like the one Arthur blew earlier."
Arthur asks, "Armour?"
Arthur looks you over.
Arthur says, "Let's see it."
Arthur grins.
Kestrel says (to Miranda), "Ah, there's another one of those useless flutes."
Erich says, "bide your time and I suspect you will"
Miranda puts away the flute. You notice that it had the 'B'-shaped rune from the bowl on it.
Miranda asks (of Kestrel), "It is true, then, that your people have no music appreciation?"
Miranda sighs, sadly.
Kestrel says (to Miranda), "We prefer instruments that actually vary their pitch."
Kestrel says, "As opposed to singing merely the first note of Arthur Bagginswell's 'Mad about the Queen' over and over again."
Arthur asks, "Have you seen that game, back there?" he gestures over his shoulder with his thumb, indicating the northwest door.
Jemmy asks, "game?"
Miranda asks (of Kestrel), "Then it rather is a good thnig we found eight of them, isn't it?"
Arthur says (to Jemmy), "Ah, you'll lovev it. Haven't the slightest clue how you play, though. A shame that we couldn't prise it out of the wall."
Kestrel says, "Ah, for all that octatonic music. Right."
Kestrel exclaims (at Miranda), "Or perhaps you can get eight people all singing the same note at once!"
Miranda scoffs, wordlessly.
Erich says, "hm. eight flutes"
Arthur says, "Well, you folks may be able to stand about chatting all day, but we have ancient mysteries to solve."
Erich says, "unusual, since most of this place is built on the number nine."
Erich says, "perhaps one is missing."
Kestrel exclaims (at Erich), "Shush!"
Erich looks surprised, then abashed.
Arthur asks (of Erich), "Perhaps. Do let me know fi you see the ninth pedestal, then?"
Arthur grins dismissively.
Kestrel opens the NW door.
[oneshot] Kestrel says, "(we're in the entryway, right?)"
GM says (to Kestrel), "The northeast door closes."
[oneshot] GM says, "Yes"
[oneshot] Erich says, "Off we go, then."
Erich walks through the northwest door.
Kestrel says (to Jemmy,), "Lydia After you."
Jemmy follows along.
Arthur politely waits for you to pass, before your door closes behind you.
Kestrel exits last.
Kestrel takes a closer look at the SW wall.
Kestrel says (lowly) "You realize, of course, that this will almost assuredly come to blows."
Kestrel says, "They know we're more clever than they, so are waiting for us to solve the locked doors before taking everything from us."
Erich nods.
GM says (to Kestrel), "Actually, something does appear to have changed."
Erich says, "and I suppose I should not tweak them so."
Jemmy exclaims, "that Arthur's sneaky!"
GM says, "There is the windowed recess, with the open recess above it. But your lamplight refracts oddly from the area behind the glass -- it seems to be filled with water."
Erich says, "Odd."
GM says, "To support the suggestion, the area at the bottom of the upper one is partially filled with water, as well."
Jemmy says, "we were talking about filling it with water before"
Jemmy says, "but I thought we took everything out of it"
Kestrel says, "Hmm. Arthur's group has done what we were thinking of doing."
GM says, "Aside from that, the hole by the door (with the white circles) is as it was."
[oneshot] Kestrel goes to look up the original room description.
[oneshot] Erich asks, "How much longer do we intend to play?"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "it is getting a bit late"
GM asks, "Anyone doing anything?"
[oneshot] Erich says, "Sorry, I was waiting for more discussion of my plaintive cry for sleep. :)"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "I'm wondering how much longer we're playing"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "(or, I suppose, if this is a good stop point)"
[oneshot] GM says, "It's an OK stop point, if you want."
[oneshot] Erich says, "I would like that, as I must get up early for church tomorrow."
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "alrighty"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "hrm"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "good game, but much to think about"
[oneshot] Erich says, "yes"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "also, bet to regret making"
[oneshot] Erich says, "also yes"
[oneshot] GM says, "One XP each, since we started rather late today. Plus an Arthur point for Jemmy."
[oneshot] Erich says, "but I'm a sore loser, and not above cracking skulls"
[oneshot] Jemmy exclaims, "ha-HA!"
[oneshot] Erich says (to Jemmy), "use it to up your Wits"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "hey, they're 3"
[oneshot] Jemmy says, "but sheep-and-muffin-obsession is 5"
[oneshot] Erich laughs.
