[rpg] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Horath sends an updated sheet for Horath.

[rpg] schep says, "I can never remember what my other character is called"

[rpg] GM says, "Russet, looks like"

Russet has connected.

[rpg] Russet says, "ah"

GM says, "okay then -- having come, on a previous adventure, across a treasure map purporting to show the location of the ancient City of Shards in the north-western deserts, the two of you headed out to the desert at an opportune time, hired a native guide, and started the trek"

[rpg] Russet says, "I've decided Russet needs 'air of superiority' or something along those lines as his Fault"

GM says, "Balio, the native guide, shades his eyes to stare at the hills off to the side as you ride on past on your camels"

[rpg] GM says, "ha, excellent"

GM says, "He shakes his head. "It is an inauspicious day to be travelling -- the horizon has been too clear for too many days.""

Russet asks, "Bad weather, you think?"

GM says, "His camel shakes her head side to side vigorously. "Perhaps -- the desert is prone to sandstorms in this seasons -- the more clear days, the larger the storm when it arrives""

GM says, "Balio pets the camel's head to calm her. "Ssh, Maria, there is still much travelling ahead.""

Horath says, "Horath never saw a sandstorm before."

GM says, "Balio laughs, a bit grimly. "You had best pray you never do, then -- such blowing of wind and whipping of sand as to half-blind you, and choke you besides -- if you do see one, cover your face to keep out the sand or else you may perish there -- and find some shelter!""

GM says, "The three of you continue on for some hours, checking the map occasionally, until it just starts to dip to early evening"

Horath looks around, trying to guess what out here would qualify as shelter.

GM says (to Horath), "it's mostly trackless desert, but there are hills off to one side, a short ride away"

GM says, ""We should make camp soon," Balio says. "It grows dark.""

[rpg] Russet says, "hmm, and I guess a Figuring Gift would be appropriate"

GM says, "He turns his camel towards the hills. "If we are lucky, there will be a place to shelter there.""

Horath frowns. "Horath forgot to ask what Horath's camel's name is."

Russet says, "Stinky"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"

Russet says, "no, wait, that's mine"

GM says, "Balio grins again. "Turtle, I gave you -- the strongest of the herd.""

GM says, ""Ah, here we are -- look, two caves in the hill.""

Horath strokes the camel's neck. "Good Turtle. Like Horath, you are strong even if you are not quick."

GM says, "Balio hops off Maria and moves his blanket into the smaller cave, and then starts preparing a fire."

GM says, "Maria and Stinky and Turtle he tethers in a cleft in the hills by the caves (Stinky, naturally, nobody wants inside), and puts out some feed for them"

Horath exclaims, "Bye, Turtle!"

GM says, "There is a brief meal of some sort of dried meat and bright spices, and then Balio relaxes by the fire with a pipe."

GM says, ""So," he says. "What brings you to seek the City of Shards?""

Horath says, "A map."

Russet says, "It seemed to be worth a try. But I don't expect to find much."

GM says, "He laughs. "I have seen others with maps, coming to the desert to seek it out -- they returned empty-handed or not at all. But it is true your map seems more ancient than the others I have seen. Where did you come across it?""

[rpg] GM says, "(feel free to make something up here)"

Horath says, "There was a very bad man who hurt doggies. He had the map, but he is gone now, so we have the map."

Russet says, "He seemed to be something of a collector. Quite a few hobbies."

Russet . o O ( Why is it always animals? )

GM says, "Balio nods, and blows smoke rings, dimly visible in the fading light."

GM says, ""The City of Shards was not a city at all," he says. "But rather it was the men who lived among the treasures of an earlier age. They--" a puff of wind interrupts his narration as it kicks across the fire and throws up sparks."

GM says, "He stands up and scans the horizon. "Quiet a moment, I fear--""

GM says, "The gusts of wind come again, harder."

GM says, "He bows to Horath. "I think your sandstorm has come at last.""

Horath asks, "This is for Horath?"

Horath gets up, to see it better.

Russet looks over the cave opening, frowning.

GM says (to Horath), "even in the dark, you see something huge and churning coming through the sky"

GM says, "and surrounded by a distant roaring"

Horath asks, "Are the camels safe outside?"

Russet asks, "Are we safe inside?"

GM says, "Balio kicks out the fire and grabs the scattered cooking supplies."

GM says, ""Take your mounts into the cave with you -- put them by the entrance to keep the sand out -- if we survive until morning it may die down by then, unless it is a storm-of-three-days""

Horath leads Turtle in.

Russet asks, "Three days?"

GM says, "Balio is following his own advice, tossing stuff into his cave and then pulling and cursing and dragging Maria into his cave"

Russet does as he's told, disappointed to share space with the camels, but glad there's something to block the opening after all.

GM says, ""In that case, there is nothing to do but pray," Balio says. "I will repent of my sins -- that will give me some entertainment to pass the time.""

GM says, "and as his voice dies away the storm hits"

Russet gets under his blanket.

GM says, "It is like standing in a raging river, or by a waterfall, only instead of water it is sand that cuts at exposed skin and gets into every crevice and makes you cough and the camels shriek and rage and all around is the roaring of a pack of lions"

Horath tries to soothe the camels.

GM says (to Horath), "with your skill and (more importantly) strength, the camels stay calm enough (thankfully, since it's a small cave), but they still lash their heads back and forth with eyes closed against the sand"

GM says, "after some amount of time -- impossible to tell how much -- you hear Balio shout, but it's lost in the storm"

GM says, "and then, at last, the wind drops, the sand falls, the storm ceases; it is a new day"

Russet says, "I think I see why not much lives out here."

Russet says, "Actually, I'm not so sure I'm alive."

GM says, "you're at least very sandy"

Russet says, "ptuh. I suppose a bath is out of the question."

Horath asks, "How did the men in the City of Shards live in the desert?"

GM says, "Time passes, but Balio fails to come to your cave. The camels mutter restlessly."

[rpg] Russet asks, "he was in the other cave?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

Russet goes out to look around.

Horath goes too.

GM says, "it seems -- different out here"

GM says, "the storm has left it somewhat revitalized, I guess"

GM says, "but there even seems to be a bit of small scattered greenery"

Horath asks, "Was that bush there before, Russet?"

Russet says, "No, I don't think so."

Horath looks for Balio's cave.

GM says, "it's not there -- there's indentation in the rock, but not really deep enough to be called a cave"

Horath asks, "Maria...? Mariaaaa?"

GM says, "Your voice fades into the desert air"

[rpg] Russet says, "He calls the wind Maria"

[rpg] GM says, "hooray"

Russet says, "Well, this is strange."

Russet says, "But I guess I've seen stranger."

GM says, "Balio was carrying much of the supplies, too, although you have your personal items and some food and water -- but not a lot"

Russet looks at the crisp shadows on the sand and tries to figure the time.

GM says (to Russet), "early morning"

Horath asks, "Where are we on the map?"

Russet says, "I wonder if there would be anything worth seeing from the top of the hill."

[rpg] GM says, "you're about three-quarters of the way there, on the map, for what that's worth"

Horath climbs up, to try to answer Russet's implied question.

[rpg] Russet says, "I'm trying to picture this map. Desert - more desert - City of Shards!!1 - even more desert"

GM says, "you scramble up the hill -- it's not that high, but the desert is fairly flat: off in the far distance, you see something shining brightly"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] GM says, "there are a *few* terrain features, but yeah."

Horath says, "Shiny."

Russet asks, "Shiny?"

Horath nods. "That way."

Russet says, "We'd best take a look."

Horath says, "OK."

Russet says, "We need to get somewhere halfway civilized, and quick, and I'm not sure we can get back where we came from ourselves."

Horath prepares Turtle to ride, trying not to forget which way they came from.

[rpg] Horath says, "Er, which way they're going. Russet's statement infected my brain while I typed."

GM says, "The two of you saddle up and move on out towards the shiny thing"

Horath says, "It might be water."

GM says, "After an hour or so, you note that it's definitely more green here than it was before, although still not actual non-desert"

Russet says, "Huh."

GM says, "Your camels are either not surprised or don't care and content themselves with taking occasional bites"

Horath says, "Or maybe really big diamonds."

Horath says, "Or a bald giant buried in the sand up to his eyebrows."

Russet says, "Those spiny plants are more encouraging than more sand, at least."

[rpg] GM says (to Horath), "ha ha ha"

GM says, "another hour passes, and you climb a small rise, and you have your first signs of civilization"

GM says, "The shiny thing resolves itself into something very large that actually rises above the ground -- perhaps like a greenhouse"

Horath says, "Wow."

GM says, "But, much nearer, there are other signs -- you see a patrol of what look to be six soldiers coming vaguely towards you, separated by several hills"

GM says, "and between you and the soldiers, you see a dozen nomads lurking on the other side of the hill, readying bows to fire on the soldiers"

GM says, "(neither of the other two seem to have noticed you, and the soldiers don't appear to have seen the nomads)"

Russet says, "Interesting."

Russet says, "Might be best for us if we don't make a big scene just yet."

GM says, "The soldiers ride camels, although it is really getting fairly vegetated here"

Horath says, "If you say so, Russet."

GM says, "The soldiers get closer to where the nomads wait, and then there is a shout, and a hail of arrows flies towards the soldiers; two drop from their camels and fall to the ground, the rest race on ahead, and the nomads come rushing down from the hill"

GM says, "Some draw swords and run down to where the fallen soldiers are, the others run after the fleeing soldiers"

Horath says, "They already made a scene without us."

Russet says, "Exactly. I wouldn't want to be down there."

GM says, "The four nomads who went to the fallen soldiers move quickly, dispatching them with sword-thrusts; meanwhile, the other eight have managed to surround the fleeing soldiers, and that has turned into a pitched battle"

[rpg] GM asks, "are you going to wait for things to resolve themselves?"

[rpg] Horath says, "That seems genre-appropriate."

[rpg] Russet says, "if nobody sees us, I guess Russet would wait"

[rpg] Russet says, "I'm sure we'll get to try the combat rules later."

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

Horath asks, "Should we go around them?"

GM says, "a handful of the nomads are downed, but the rest manage to subdue the soldiers; they tie up one and leave the others on the sand, and then head onwards, some riding the soldier's camels and the others walking"

GM says, "They're heading sort of perpendicular to the line between you and the shiny structure"

GM asks, "so which way?"

Russet asks, "Wonder where they're going?"

Horath says, "We could ask the ones on the ground."

Russet shoots Horath a desparated look.

Russet says, "I'm really more curious about the, uh, city or whatever."

Russet says, "But rather than get involved in politics, we can pretend to have come after this battle."

Horath says, "I think that's over there."

[rpg] Russet says, "asking Horath to be subtle. This should be fun."

Horath asks, "If we came after this battle, would we not stop to see if the people on the ground are OK?"

Russet says, "Of course we would."

Russet starts off toward the battlesite.

Horath follows Russet, slightly confused.

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

Horath says (to Anyone breathing), "Hello."

GM says, "You quickly survey the six men -- they are dressed as soldiers, with uniforms that have a silver K sewn onto them"

Horath says, "Russet and Stinky and Turtle and Horath have come after your battle. I am Horath."

GM says, "All are dead, save one, who Horath sees is breathing shallowly, with a large cut in his side"

Russet gets off Stinky and begins mashing some leaves from one of his pouches.

GM says, "On inspection, he's wearing a thin shirt of mail, which probably saved his life"

GM says, "although it must be ridiculously hot in this heat"

GM says, "(that said, it's not as hot here as it was by the caves; the heat's faded some as the greenery has appeared)"

[rpg] Horath says, "We need a thief, so we'll have someone to loot corpses for us."

GM asks (of Russet), "are you bandaging his wound here?"

GM asks, "or talking to him, or?"

Russet says, "I'll try my best to fix him up."

Russet rolls Fair (0) +2 + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 0 | Fair (0)

[rpg] Russet says, "oh well"

[rpg] GM says (to Russet), "that's a bare success -- go ahead and narrate something barely sucessful, or successful with a drawback"

Russet manages to stop the bleeding, but the soldier still has difficulty breathing and little strength.

GM says, "He gasps in a breath, and then lets it out slowly, wincing. "I am Toth," he says. "Who are you?""

[rpg] (from Horath) Russet says, "I'm sorry, Mr. Smith, but your X-Rays reveal that this small plastic figurine has been left inside you after you were stitched up."

Horath exclaims, "I am Horath!"

Horath says, "This is Turtle. And that is Russet. And that is Stinky."

Russet asks, "And I'm Russet. We were travelling by and found you here. What happened?"

GM says, "Toth takes another shaky breath. "My patrol .. we were out doing the long ride, when bandits attacked.""

GM says, ""They -- they must have been waiting for us, though I know not how.""

Russet says, "I see. Well, we'd best get you out of the sun."

GM says, ""They felled two of my men with arrows, and then the rest of us were outnumbered--""

GM says, "He smiles faintly. "That would be very kind -- I don't suppose I can beg a drop of water as well?""

Horath hands down a waterskin to Russet for Toth.

Russet helps Toth to a sip.

GM says, "Toth sighs. "You are very kind -- if you could continue your kindness enough to take me back to the city, I will see you are rewarded""

Russet says, "Hmm."

Russet says, "Maybe we can make a transom out of coats or ... hrm, no coats here."

Horath says, "If Toth can sit on a camel, there is room of Stinky, if I take your pack, Russet."

[rpg] Horath says, "s/of/on/"

Russet asks, "I suppose we can risk it. Can you get up?"

GM says, "Toth winces, but says "I will have to.""

GM says, "With some assistance he stands"

GM says, "and with more he's on the camel"

[rpg] Horath says, "Ads, even."

[rpg] Horath says, "(Ilaw.)"

GM says, "It's a rough journey for Toth but as evening is falling you make it to the shiny structure which, as you get closer, turns out to be a great city, blazing red in the sun, and surrounded by lush greenery"

GM says, "What you saw from a distance was the central temple, but the rest of the city is nearly as elaborately decorated"

GM says, "with polished metal and the like, to catch the light and shine"

Horath says, "Night comes fast in the desert."

Horath asks, "What is the name of this city?"

GM says, "This is the City K, Hoth says. He seems faintly surprised. "You have not heard of it?""

GM says, "(er, insert other quotes there)"

Horath says, "Horath has never come to the desert before."

Russet says, "I'm not sure even the City of Eyes and Hands has heard of it."

GM says, "Toth shrugs. "I have not heard of this place you name, but I have lived in this city all my life, so perhaps I am a bit insular.""

GM says, "As you reach the gate, Toth calls to the guards. "Reyos! Tarven! Call your captain!""

Russet says, "Tsk. You shouldn't be shouting."

GM says, "Toth winces. "I will pay for it later, but I must notify the other guards now.""

GM says, "The guards conduct the three of you into the nearby barracks, where another physician is called for Toth, and their captain is called over."

GM says, "Toth explains about the attack on his patrol, and directions are made to put the gate-guards on higher alert and to send out another patrol tomorrow"

GM says, ""Here," Toth says. "The physician insists I must go home to bed now, but I would hate to be a poor host. I have sent for my friend Jomia who will show you around the city, and then you may come back to my house to sleep.""

Russet says, "Thank you. Sleep well."

Horath says, "Thank you. You are a good host, Toth."

GM says, "Jomia arrives soon after -- she's a merchant, Toth explains, with a carvan leaving the next morning."

Russet asks (of Jomia), "Where is the caravan headed?"

Horath says, "Hello, Miss Jomia. I am Horath."

GM says, ""We head south across the desert -- the barbarians on the other side pay richly for the metal and glasswork done here in the city.""

GM says, ""Well, there is no shame in that," Jomia says. "You have behaved above your station.""

GM says, ""Where shall I take you first? The city is best in the evening as it begins to cool. The Great Well? The Chime? The marketplace?""

Russet asks, "Sorry, whose station?"

Horath asks, "No shame in... being Horath?"

Horath says, "Horath never ashamed to be Horath."

GM says, "Jomia frowns. "Perhaps I have assumed rashly -- here in the city, the length of one's name reflects one's station in life.""

Russet says, "Interesting."

GM says, ""Toth is the younger son of High Lord Ba, for instance.""

Horath blushes.

GM says, ""Is that not the case where you are from?""

Russet says, "No, but it seems there is much different to me in this desert city."

Russet asks, "A merchant must hear many different tales of the empire?"

Horath doesn't catch that last question, as he's busy counting on his fingers while mumbling "Ho-rath... Jo-mi-a..."

Russet pokes Horath

Horath asks (of Russet), "Huh?"

GM says, ""The empire?" Jomia looks surprised. "Where is this empire of which you speak?""

Russet says, "No? We must have travelled farther than I thought."

Russet says, "Anyway, I'm eager to see more of your fine city."

GM says, "Jomia is walking onwards with you as you talk, and eventually the road leads into a large open area. "Well, here is the marketplace - perhaps this should be our first stop, if you wish something to eat.""

Russet blushes. "I'm afraid I don't have much to trade...."

GM says, "Jomia waves a hand. "Toth said he would pay for it, of course.""

GM says, "She walks over to a vendor and has a short conversation, ending up with three wooden-appearing spheres"

GM says, "The vendor pounds what looks like a nail into each, but it's hollow like a reed"

Horath asks (of Russet, quietly), "Should we ask her if she knows about the City of Shards?"

GM says, ""You put your mouth on this part," Jomia says, "and drink in the liquid""

Russet tries it.

GM says, "on the sweet side, but refreshing, especially after a hot day"

Horath does too.

Russet says, "Very nice."

Russet looks around the marketplace.

GM says (to Russet), "it's a little weird, to be perfectly honest"

GM says, "there are lots of people wandering around chatting and drinking from these spheres or eating little things on sticks"

GM says, "which is normal enough"

GM says, "but the entertainers they're watching are doing things like elaborate pantomimes to the sound of chimes, or some kind of complicated thing involves beams of light and the placement of small crystals, or one man is playing an instrument composed of a series of crystal vases partly filled with water"

Russet sighs.

GM says, "the conversation you overhear is strange also, mostly -- "Low Lord Dis will lead things tomorrow" "I had to get front-tier seats for the Chiming; I'd better find some ear-plugs and a cloak" "been working all day finishing the art on our processional""

GM says, "Jomia, meanwhile, finds some meat on sticks for the two of you to eat. It appears to be some sort of small fish, cooked whole, with fresh fruits stuck on the sticks as well"

[rpg] Russet says, "I wanna try a linguistic comparison of what I'm hearing to what I know of old languages, common, our guide's accent, etc."

Russet rolls Fair (0) +1 + 4dF: -1 0 0 0 | Fair (0)

Horath asks (of Jomia), "Why is that man moving the little gem things in the light?"

[rpg] GM says (to Russet), "the words are clear enough, but it's true that some of the phrasings are ones that are only seen in very old texts"

GM says (to Horath), ""He is a crystaleer," Jomia says. "The crowd sets him arrangements of crystals, and he solves them -- sometimes people bet on how long it takes or whether it can be done at all.""

Russet suddenly realizes how hungry he was, not having eaten since a small ration at morning.

Russet asks, "It's a game?"

GM says, ""More of a puzzle," Jomia says, "Although there are games when two crystaleers meet to set each other successively-more-difficult puzzles.""

GM says, ""Some," she adds, "Just do the arrangements to produce elaborate patterns on the ground nearby.""

Russet . o O ( These people have lots of time on their hands. )

Horath asks, "Do you know where we can get a new guide, Miss Jomia?"

Russet says, "Uh, to cross the desert, I think he means."

GM says, ""A new guide? It seems like your best chance would be to sign on with a merchant caravan -- there are some that leave every few days.""

GM says, ""If you would like to leave with mine you are welcome to come tomorrow morning, but I am sure Toth would be very disappointed for you to not stay for the Chiming.""

Russet asks, "You said we would see the Chime? What is it?"

GM says, "Let us walk over and see it, then."

Horath says, "OK."

GM says, "Jomia leads you out another street in the marketplace, towards what turns out to be the tall structure in the center of the city."

GM says, ""This is the center of the city -- inside are the great well, that gives life to the desert here, and above it the Chime that sustains us""

GM says, ""Tomorrow is the annual ceremony where the Lords sound the Chime""

GM says, ""They must alternate each year, as the chime can only be sounded once a year -- this is a special year as High Lord Ba will be doing it""

Horath asks, "It is a magic bell?"

GM says, "Jomia nods. "It is the finest construction of the city's crystal-workers, enchanted with the greatest magicks. Rung once a year, it brings prosperity to the city and all its surrounds, and combined with the Great Well, it makes the desert green.""

Horath says, "The green is very nice."

GM says, ""It is the life-blood of the city.""

Russet asks, "And how was the Well made?"

GM says, "Jomia leads you inside the temple, and into the central room -- it turns out that in fact the temple is open to the sky, and the center is a giant stadium, with a short tower in the center of the stadium on which the chime hangs (it is like a giant gong made of glass, with markings all over it)"

GM says, ""The well was here long ago at the founding of the city, but not as great as it was now -- it took much labor and sorcery to bring it to where it is today""

Horath asks, "Where was it before?"

GM says, "Jomia laughs. "Here, only smaller.""

Russet stares at the distant markings.

GM says, ""Would you like to go closer?" Jomia inquires. "The guards there will prevent us from touching it, but we can go down to the stadium floor.""

[rpg] Russet exclaims, "How many guards? We kin take em!"

Russet says, "Yes. This is amazing."

GM says, "The chime, as you get closer, turns out to be fully four feet across"

GM says, "and covered with circles of words, like rings on a tree"

GM says, ""The three blessings: peace, prosperity, and the city to last forever," they say, written over and over again in successively-smaller script"

Russet says, "It seems the city is due for a blessing of peace."

GM says, "Jomia nods. "We can but hope.""

GM says, ""Well," she says, "It grows late. Did you want to ride with me early tomorrow, or stay to see the Chiming and the feast afterwards?""

GM says, ""If the latter, Toth will find you another caravan in a few days.""

GM says, "She starts walking you all back out the temple and through the city as she talks."

Horath asks, "Can we stay and hear the gong, Russet?"

Russet says, "I ... don't see why not."

[rpg] GM says, "he came for the gong, he stayed for the feast"

GM says, ""Ah, here we are," Jomia says. She knocks on the door, and a woman answers, with a boy peeping shyly out between her legs."

GM says, ""Hello Vist," Jomia says. She reaches down to ruffle the kid's hair. "And Kufiy.""

GM says, ""Are these the two men who brought Toth back?" Vist asks. "Yes, I've been showing them around the city," Jomia says."

GM says, "and after a few similar pleasantries, the two of you are delivered into the house."

GM says, "Jomia waves, says how much she enjoyed meeting you, and tells you to look her up next time you're in the city."

Horath exclaims, "Bye, Miss Jomia!"

GM says, "Kufiy hides behind Vist as Horath comes in"

Russet asks, "How is Toth doing?"

GM says, "Vist smiles. "I'm afraid he won't be going too far for the next week or two, but he's insisted on going to the chiming anyway.""

GM says, ""It's not every year that my father rings the Chime!" Toth calls from the next room."

GM says, "Vist brings you into the airy living room, where Toth is sitting on a chair, a fresh bandage visible as a lump under his shirt."

GM says, ""Well, would you care for anything else? Or are you ready for bed?""

Russet says, "Thank you for your hospitality, but I'm rather tired already."

Horath says, "Horath will sleep too."

GM says, ""Right this way, then," Vist says, leading you to another room."

GM says, "There are two hammocks set up there, and a miniature waterfall pool set in the floor against one wall"

Russet says, "oo."

GM says, ""Sleep as late as you like," Vist says. "Toth will come in to let you know when we must leave for the Chiming, if you would like to come.""

Russet says, "Very kind, thank you again."

Horath waits until Vist leaves, then talks to Russet.

Russet tests the water, and if it's not too cold uses a bit to try to get the leftover sand off his face.

Horath asks, "Russet, do you think this is the City of Shards?"

GM says, "it's cool but not actually cold-- nice to wash with"

Russet says, "I think so, yes."

GM says, "it also has a glowing crystal set at the bottom that seems to act as some sort of night light"

Horath asks, "If Miss Jomia's caravan goes back to the cities outside the desert like that, how can this place be lost, then?"

Russet asks, "Remember the bushes that appeared?"

Russet says, "The bushes shouldn't be there, and from what we know of this city, it hasn't been here for a long time."

Russet says, "I don't know what's happening."

Russet says, "And Jomia hadn't even heard of the Empire. Which makes sense if this city prospered before the Old Empire came about."

GM says, "Outside the city gradually gets quiet, voices and faint music and so on fading away"

Russet gets in his cot and tries to forget the thoughts racing around.

GM says, "and gradually you drift off to sleep"

[rpg] GM asks, "hmm, ok, it's 6pm eastern now -- how are you guys doing on time?"

[rpg] Horath says, "I think this is a suitable place to break."

[rpg] Horath says, "Since I am assuming there is a goodly amount of plot coming still."

[rpg] GM says, "not that much plot, but I suspect that with combat and all it'll be another hour"

[rpg] GM says, "which is kinda bumping into dinner and so on"

[rpg] Russet says, "hmm. I can go for another hour or so"

[rpg] Horath says, "If we know it's just another hour, I'm OK with continuing."

[rpg] Horath says, "If it might stretch into two hours, I'd rather not."

[rpg] GM says, "ok, let's try and finish, and we'll break after an hour if we're not finished"

GM says, "The next morning you're awakened by a footsteps in the hall, and then Kufiy peers in through the curtains in the bedchamber"

Horath says, "Hello, little one."

GM says, ""Eek!" he says, ducking back away."

Horath sighs.

Russet says, "heh"

Horath says, "Horath is better with animals."

GM says, "But I guess he's brave, since he reappears a minute later. "Are you awake?" he says. "I want to hear stories!""

Russet asks, "Stories? What kind of stories do you like?"

GM says, ""Stories about far away places! Where have you been?""

Russet tries to think of a story that wouldn't terrify a child.

Russet asks (of Horath), "Why don't you tell about your favorite animals from faraway places?"

Horath says, "OK."

Horath thinks.

Horath asks, "Have you ever seen a tiger?"

GM says, "Kufiy shakes his head."

Horath says, "A tiger is like a kitty-cat."

GM says, ""Is it scary?""

GM says, ""Oh, that's not scary.""

Horath says, "But it's all orange, and stripy."

Horath reaches out his arms. "And it is *this* big."

GM says, ""That is scary!""

Horath exclaims, "And has *big* long teeth, and claws!"

Horath is about to go RAR, when he catches himself.

GM says, "Kufiy backs away from Horath towards Russet."

Russet laughs.

Horath says, "An elephant is big, too."

GM says, ""Uh-oh," says Kufiy"

GM says, ""Does it have big teeth?""

Horath says, "It is grey and wrinkled, with legs like tree trunks."

Horath exclaims, "It does -- two of them are almost as long as Horath's arm!"

Russet says, "They're nicer than tigers, though."

Russet says, "Why, elephants never ever eat people."

GM says, "Kufiy looks relieved."

Horath says, "And it has ears like ship sails, and a nose like a boa."

GM says, ""Can you ride them?""

Horath says, "Uh. A boa is a really big snake."

Horath nods. "In some places, people ride on elephants like people in the desert ride on camels."

GM says, ""Ooh. What about--" but just then Toth comes in."

Horath says, "Horath even once saw an elephant with a big chair with a roof on it all on top of the elephant's back."

GM says, ""Oh, dear, I hope he's not bothering you," Toth says."

Russet says, "Not at all."

GM says, ""That's good," Toth says. "Kufiy is, ah, anxious to have a chance to get out of the city.""

GM says, ""I want to ride patrols just like you!" "Well, there'll be time for that later -- I wanted to see if the two of you wanted to come with us to the Chiming. We should leave now to avoid the crowds.""

Horath says, "OK."

GM says, "The five of you set off to the stadium, then, Vist carrying Kufiy and Toth moving a bit slowly, but you arrive in time"

GM says, "Toth apparently has good seats because of his connections, which turn out to be in a section off to the side and midway up"

GM says, "This is unfortunately one of those things that takes a while -- crowds pour in steadily, but it's an hour before anything happens"

Russet settles in, wondering if there will be entertainment before the big event.

Horath asks, "Toth, have you ever heard of the City of Shards?"

GM says, "It's surprisingly short, as these things go. There are some speeches about the city's past and hopes for the future, some sort of presentation with the pantomime but it's hard to figure out what is going on."

GM says, ""Shards? I don't think so -- where is it located?""

Horath says, "In the desert, Horath thinks. Horath and Russet were looking for it before."

GM says, ""Strange," Toth says. "So far as I know, this city is the only one in this desert""

[rpg] Horath says, "(Did the hour before anything happens already end? I didn't mean to talk over the event.)"

[rpg] GM says, "no, it's fine, feel free to keep talking"

Russet is listening, but staying out of this conversation.

Horath asks, "Have you heard of <city we hired the guide from>?"

GM says, ""Sandsedge? It's a little village on the edge of the desert, isn't it? I don't think there's much there except a few farmers.""

Horath grunts thoughtfully.

GM says, "and then a request for silence, and a man walks forward. "That's my father, High Lord Ba," Toth whispers. "There's High Lord Zi, and Low Lords Dis and Man.""

GM says, "Lord Ba walks towards the chime, holding a ceremonial scepter, and gently strikes it."

GM says, "He's wearing some kind of special helmet, too, and the reason why quickly becomes obvious -- the tone that hums out from the chime sweeps across the stadium, and to stand next to it must be unbearable otherwise"

GM says, "It's like being electrified, or shaken, or -- but at the same time it is cleansing -- you can feel the abrasions from the sandstorm healing and your skin feels warm"

GM says, "Toth sighs and touches his side."

GM says, "and other sighs sweep across the stadium following the humming"

GM says, "and then it fades away and there is silence once more"

GM says, ""Tonight we feast!" calls Lord Ba. "The City K will last forever!""

GM says, "The crowd cheers, and folks stand and start filing out."

GM says, "Toth smiles, and touches his side again. "I picked a lucky day to get injured, I suppose -- I still don't know why the bandits attacked us. Things had been quiet for a few months now.""

GM says, "You can tell his wound is doing better from the way he stands, although clearly not all the way healed."

GM says, "You go back to Toth's house and relax a bit for the afternoon, and then the time for feasting approaches."

GM says, "This time the five of you head for the marketplace, where tables have been set up, and the place is crammed with even more food vendors than before, but this time it is all free and richest quality, courtesy of the lords of the city"

Horath says, "Horath likes feasting."

GM says, "Toth and Vist go off to talk to some friends, leaving you to your own devices"

Horath exclaims, "Russet, we should buy something to bring back with us to show that we found the City of Shards!"

Russet says, "There's an idea."

Russet looks around for something made of glass that looks like nothing he's ever seen before.

GM says, "There are vendors selling exotic crystals twisted into shapes and fine elaborately done metalwork"

Horath says, "I wonder if there is something that will not break if it falls."

[rpg] GM says, "hrm, ok, I think actually we'd better call it here -- I'm not making quite the time I expected, and we'd be in an annoying place if we stopped in fifteen minutes, I think"

[rpg] Russet says, "okay"

[rpg] Russet says, "it goes strangely slow with just two"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I dunno, I guess there is some critical mass that has to be hit"

[rpg] Horath says, "It might be different in face to face games."

[rpg] Russet says, "that too"

[rpg] Horath says, "Online, you can't really tell if everyone else is waiting around for everyone else to do something."

[rpg] GM says, "heh"

[rpg] Russet says, "until a few minutes have passed, at least"

[rpg] GM says, "it's true I wasn't always sure when you guys were waiting for me and when I was supposed to wait for you"

[rpg] (from Horath) Jota says, "I *tried* to make, 'OK. I'm fine with that' facial expressions, but you just ignored them."

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"