BarneyGaler says, "yeah, swordsman. also, a new name" Eolo says, "Heinz" Berthold says, "ha" Eolo says, "57 varieties of PAIN" Berthold says, "hee hee" Name set. Rodrigo asks, "I'm going to take the Castillian Priest sample character from the book. Is it worth twiddling the skills?" Eolo says, "all the sample characters suck but it probably doesn't really matter" Berthold says, "we should play with stats and stuff as little as possible, of course" [Crows-Nest] Berthold says, "arr test" [Crows-Nest] Berthold says, "ok" [7thsea] Berthold says, "ook" schep disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again. Giancarlo asks, "Is everybody who's playing here?" Berthold asks, "what about jw?" jwalrus says, "I was just gonna watch" [7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 1 die: 3 Eolo says (to jw), "aw, you should play" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "two players? hrm." Berthold says (to eolo), "So should you" Giancarlo goes alphabetically .... "Our story opens in Eisen...." [7thsea] Giancarlo rolls 1 die: 2 Eolo says, "I am still at work" jwalrus says, "mm, I don't know how to play, and more importantly I don't know enough about the game world and stuff" Berthold says, "oh ah" Berthold says (to jwalrus), "neither do i" Eolo says, "the game world is like in swashbuckler movies" Berthold says, "but it's about pirates and stuff" Eolo says, "it doesn't make a lot of sense beyond that anyway" Rodrigo says (to jw), "Renaissance Europe is close enough." Giancarlo says, "...in the principality of Heilgrund." Rodrigo says, "schep played Masquerade without any clue, and that was easy enough (until near the end)" jwalrus says, "hmm" [7thsea] Rodrigo says (to jw), "pick a country and character type and you're in." [7thsea] jwalrus asks, "what are the choices?" [7thsea] Berthold says, "NO SHOES NO COUNTRY NO SERVICE" [7thsea] katre asks, "new game starting?" [7thsea] Rodrigo exclaims (at katre), "SpeedRPG!" [7thsea] katre says, "erm" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "Avalon (UK), Castille (Spain), Eisen (Germany), Montaigne (France)...." [7thsea] katre asks, "tonight?" [7thsea] jwalrus says, "right now, it seems" [7thsea] katre says, "um" [7thsea] katre says, "tonight no good. tonight i was gonna hack" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "Ussura (Russia), Vendel (Holland/Scandinavia), Vodacce (Italy)" [7thsea] katre says, "otoh, I have a montaignese fencer I haven't used in a while..." [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "yay" [7thsea] jwalrus asks, "is there a set list of character types, or can I be anything?" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "pretty much anything, yeah." [7thsea] katre goes looking for the char sheet [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "anything swashbuckly, yeah." [7thsea] katre says, "yay, Remy" Berthold says, "AFK another 2 minutes, but feel free to start" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "there are skills you can pick to match that, but I guess we're not even doing that." [7thsea] katre asks (of rod), "can i play my Valroux swordsman from ender's oneshot?" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "sure" [7thsea] Eolo says, "avalon is all king-arthur-ish, albeit with a queen; castille is religious and invaded by montaigne; montaigne has severed from the church and is ruled by the sun king; eisen was torn apart by the equivalent of catholic/protestant battles and is ruled by a bunch of warring princes; ussura is ruled by Mother Russia, an evil Mother Nature; Vendel is half egalitarian traders, half angry norsemen; Vodacce is all treachery and cool stuff like that" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "(matushka is evil?)" [7thsea] katre says, "matuska is not evil" [7thsea] katre says, "pyotr will beat you up for saying that" [7thsea] Giancarlo says (to Rodrigo), "He's Vodacce-Vaticine. He's a little biased." [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "oh, I forgot." Berthold says, "BAK" [7thsea] Eolo says, "hee hee" [7thsea] jwalrus asks, "ok, I'll be, um, an old Ussuran mercenary?" Giancarlo says, "Okay. We're in Heilgrund, one of the principalities of Eisen." Remy arrives, looking for booty. Remy says, "Arr" Berthold exclaims, "Remy Martin!" Remy says, "er, waitasec" Giancarlo says, "Okay. We're in Heilgrund, one of the principalities of Eisen." Remy has disconnected. Remy goes home. [Crows-Nest] (from Berthold) Giancarlo cries! Giancarlo says, "Some miles east of Gottkirchen, the capital." Remy arrives, looking for booty. Eolo says, "(at work I am currently restarting the remy web server)" Remy says, "netter" Giancarlo says, "Some miles east of Gottkirchen, the capital." Remy says, "better" Giancarlo repeats stuff for Remy's benefit. Remy says, "Thank you, kind sir." [7thsea] Remy asks, "and who do I email my char sheet to?" Giancarlo says, "Muddy fields, muddy roads. Sunset." [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "nah, don't bother. I trust ye." [7thsea] Remy says, "cool" [7thsea] Berthold says, "most of us do not have char sheets Sir" Giancarlo says, "There's a signpost up ahead." Giancarlo says, "(How are you all travelling?)" Berthold says, "(wait, are we all... timing)" Remy reins in his horse and examines the signpost. Berthold halts his horse next to Remy's. [7thsea] Remy asks, "also, who are we all?" Giancarlo says, "Two miles to Marienburg. Beware falling kobolds." [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "erm, still trying to think of a reason to be here." [7thsea] Giancarlo asks, "You got lost?" Berthold asks, "Falling kobolds?" [7thsea] Remy asks, "we're in eisen?" Giancarlo says, "The signpost points down a muddy road that makes a wide-ish detour around a sad, limp-looking forest." [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "ja" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "I rolled dice and went by alphabetical order." [7thsea] Remy quickly switches his literacy from Vodacce to Eisen, so he can read signs [7thsea] Yuri asks, "do we all have a common language?" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "assume so" Rodrigo rides up behind the others. Yuri stops a little way past the signpost and glares impatiently back at the others. Berthold says, "I wonder ..." Giancarlo says, "It begins to rain." Berthold says, "...we should seek shelter in this town." Berthold says, "Unless kobolds hit us first. Whatever that means." [7thsea] Yuri asks, "were we on the way to anywhere in particular?" Rodrigo asks, "Kobolds?" Rodrigo crosses himself. [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "assume it was all explained in the preceding twelve episodes, which you missed." Remy says, "Indeed, let us look for a dry inn to stay at." Berthold asks, "what are these "kobolds"?" Yuri spits and mutters something under his breath. Giancarlo says (to Berthold), "you say teasingly. Yeah, they're nasty critters that roam around in the darker forests." [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "I'm going to see a friend, met you guys on the road, and travelled along with you." [7thsea] Remy says, "I can't go home, might as well go to Eisen" Giancarlo says, "It rains harder. Lightning flashes." Remy exclaims, "Let's go!" Remy heads down the road. Berthold exclaims, "hurry, folks!" Yuri says, "Well, if you're all frightened of a storm, we'd better get moving." Rodrigo rides off. Berthold rides off. Yuri follows. Berthold exclaims (at Yuri), "Frightened? Nay, but I don't want to get wet!" Giancarlo says, "Marienburg turns out to be a mostly-deserted town, all ruins and stuff. Some buildings still appear to be occupied, though." Remy says, "Mmm, promising." Yuri asks (of Berthold), "You'd rather be ambushed by kobolds?" Giancarlo says, "You arrive in time to see some poor schmuck get tossed out of one of the bigger buildings." (From Giancarlo) Angry female voice shouts, "...and don't come back!" Giancarlo says, "Door slams." Remy asks (of schmuck), "Greetings, neighbor. Where would the inn be in this town?" Giancarlo says, "Guy on road stands up and wipes some of the mud off himself." (From Giancarlo) schmuck says, "Inn? Maybe. There's no real inn anymore, but sometimes the baroness takes in guests. [Crows-Nest] (from Berthold) Giancarlo says, "Suddenly, a goblin drops on him!" [Crows-Nest] Remy says, "not goblin. kobold. keep it straight" (From Giancarlo) schmuck points at the building he was just tossed out of. [Crows-Nest] Berthold says, "darn" Remy says, "Thank you for your assistance." Remy throws a small coin to the schmuck. (From Giancarlo) schmuck shrugs. "you might be better off trying one of the other houses. No-one's going to stop ye. [Crows-Nest] Berthold throws some closing quote-marks to the schmuck. (From Giancarlo) schmuck sniffs disdainfully and tosses the coin back. "I don't need your charity, sir." Remy watches the coin fall to the ground, then turns to the group. Remy asks, "Shall we try this bar, or try our luck?" Giancarlo says, "Actually, he doesn't look too badly off, despite the mud. Warm cloak, sword, good boots." Berthold says, "let's try here, first" Giancarlo says, "(guy turns on his heel and trudges off to where a horse is thethered)" Yuri asks (of Berthold), "Try, then. Or would you rather stand in the rain after all?" Berthold knocks on the door. Rodrigo dismounts and steps up to the door. Remy ties up his horse and follows. Giancarlo says, "The door swings open before you finish knocking and you almost get beaned by a frying pan. The woman with the pan stops herself just in time." Berthold mumbles to rodrigo, "I think you better do the talking" (From Giancarlo) Woman says, "Oh, you're not .... what do you want?" Rodrigo says, "Greetings. We are travelling through and were told you might take guests." Giancarlo says, "She's maybe 19 or 20 years old. Quite pretty." (From Giancarlo) woman says, "really...? How can I be sure you're not lying?" Rodrigo says, "I beg your pardon. I am a priest. And if that doesn't convince you, there are our horses." Remy says (to Woman), "Do we live around here? I'm certain i'd remember having met you before." (From Giancarlo) Woman says, "Oh alright, come in. You can dry off by the fire, such as it is." Rodrigo says, "Thank you Fraeulein." (From Giancarlo) woman says, "Call me Gerda." [7thsea] Berthold says, "that looked weird" Berthold says, "Thank you" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "sorry" Rodrigo asks, "Is there somewhere we could put the horses?" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "Inside. Great hall. Large fireplace, old hunting trophies. Trophy case in the corner." Giancarlo says, "Inside. Great hall. Large fireplace, old hunting trophies. Trophy case in the corner." Remy goes to inspect the trophies. [7thsea] Berthold says (to Rodrigo), "not your problem, mine :)" Yuri sits down by the fire. (From Giancarlo) Gerda says, "You could put them in the stables around the back, I suppose. I'll have some hot soup prepared. Giancarlo says, "Fire, warm. Trophies, old." Remy suddenly realizes there are no stableboys, and goes to take his horse around to the stable. Rodrigo goes back out to take the horses to the stable and returns. Yuri sighs and begins to put his boots back on. Berthold examines the trophies. Giancarlo says, "Remy arrives at stable to find a group of people sneaking in." Remy puts his hand on his rapier and asks, "Who goes there?" Giancarlo says, "One of them is the guy who was thrown out earlier. They're carrying a large bundle of something." (From Giancarlo) Guy says, "curses! We've been spotted!" Giancarlo says, "Meanwhile, back in the house." Remy draws his rapier. [7thsea] Berthold asks, "do we hear anything?" Remy says, "i think you'd best leave, neighbors." (From Giancarlo) Gerda says, "Make yourself at home. Nothing's been quite the same since the War, unfortunately...." Yuri joins Remy. "Who are these ruffians?" [7thsea] Remy goes looking for his cheat sheet on fighting (From Giancarlo) Guy smiles, "Yes, of course. We were just leaving. Er, some of my friends here, however, need to get their horses." Remy says (to yuri), "One seems to be our friend from earlier. I'm not sure what they're up to, but it can't be good." Remy says, "If you can prove to my astisfaction that it's your horse, you're free to." Berthold says (to Gerda), "why, thank you" Yuri sizes up the group. (From Giancarlo) Gerda says, "Hmm ... I wonder where Old Hans has disappeared to. He was just going to get some firewood from out back...." Berthold jumps to his feet. "I shall have a look, ma'am." [Crows-Nest] Remy asks, "someone's working off an old D&D module, aren't they?" (From Giancarlo) Guy says, "Of course they're our horses. See, my me ... er, friends are even wearing livery matching the horses' bridles. [Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "I didn't realize Gerda was actually a lizardman until you mentioned that" [Crows-Nest] Remy says, "hee hee" [Crows-Nest] Yuri says, "hee" [Crows-Nest] Berthold says, "yay" Berthold goes out back to the stables, of course. (From Giancarlo) Gerda says, "Oh yes, thank you. He's getting on in years." (From Giancarlo) Guy looks a little nervous at the arrival of reinforcements. Remy says, "Perhaps you should come get your horses later" Berthold asks, "Aha! What's going on HERE, then?" Remy says, "Your... friends look like they could use the exercise of walking." (From Giancarlo) Guy says, "We were just getting our horses so we could go home. Now, may we get our horses?" Berthold asks (of Remy,Yuri), "What's going on here?" (From Giancarlo) The men mutter a little. Guy finally shrugs, and says, "Fine. We can walk... I, at least, have my own horse outside." Remy says (to Berthold), "these men claim to be getting their horses, but they've been acting very suspicious." Berthold asks (of men), "what's the big bag you're carrying?" (From Giancarlo) Guy ushers the other men out. They all leave. Guy doesn't answer Berthold's question, walks more quickly. Remy asks (of berthold), "what brings you out here?" Remy resheathes his rapier. Berthold says (to Remy), "Gerda's butler, Old Hans" Berthold asks, "Have you seen him around?" Remy says, "No, no one but...those fellows." Yuri goes to the door and watches the group leaving. Berthold says, "I think we should have a look at their bag, IYKWIM" Remy says, "indeed" Remy goes over and opens the bag. Giancarlo says (to Yuri), "They sling the large bundle across the horse's back in front of Guy, who begins riding off." [Crows-Nest] Remy says, "oops" Berthold shouts, "STOP RIGHT THERE!" [7thsea] Remy asks, "I hadn't managed to unsaddle my horse yet, right?" Giancarlo says, "Guy spurs his horse on to a gallop. Gerda comes out of the house at the sound of Berthold's shouting." [7thsea] Remy says, "cause they were here when i entered" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "right." Remy leaps onto his horse and follows the guy. Berthold too Giancarlo says, "Men move to block you." Rodrigo says, "Oh dear." Giancarlo says, "Gerda's shouting, 'what's happening? Where's Hans?'" [7thsea] Remy asks, "acn i ride them down if i have no riding skills?" [7thsea] Yuri asks, "what kind of weapon am I likely to have, btw?" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "sure, they're brutes." [7thsea] Remy makes note: get ride skill [7thsea] Eolo says (to Yuri), "a big axe" [7thsea] Yuri says, "excellent" Remy draws his main gauche, prepares to ride down the men. [Crows-Nest] Berthold asks, "howboutme?" [Crows-Nest] Berthold says, "LAC" [7thsea] Berthold asks, "howboutme?" Giancarlo says, "#7 assume you have a sword" Yuri realises he left his axe inside. Rodrigo swings onto his horse to be prepared to ride. [7thsea] Eolo says, "a broadsword and a steel gauntlet, I guess" [7thsea] Rodrigo asks, "how about a big heavy broadsword?" [7thsea] Berthold says, "IM riding" Giancarlo says, "Men look at you all, then suddenly focus their attention on Rodrigo." [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "Sure, assume anything." [7thsea] Yuri asks, "is rodrigo here?" Berthold draws his broadsword with a loud RING [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "by now, at least." [7thsea] Remy says, "someone should stay and help rodrigo" Giancarlo says, "Half the men are going to try and slow the swordsmen down. The other half are surrounding Rodrigo." Rodrigo exclaims, "Theus above!" (From Giancarlo) Brute says, "Not so fast, pater ... we'll be needin' ye soon enough." [7thsea] Berthold says, "I am with rodrigo" [7thsea] Berthold says, "or so I thought" [7thsea] Yuri asks (of bert), "are you mounted?" Rodrigo spurs his horse, trying to break away or lead the men farther from the escaping abductor. [7thsea] Berthold says, "no, actually, not yet" [7thsea] Berthold says, "but I wanted to" Yuri says (to Remy), "You stop the one with the bag. We can take care of these thugs." [7thsea] Giancarlo asks, "What are Remy, Berthold and Yuri doing?" Remy says (to Yuri), "Will do." [7thsea] Berthold says, "mounting horse to get to guy" [7thsea] Remy says, "chasing bagman" Yuri prepares to charge into the men surrounding Rodrigo. [7thsea] Berthold says, "no, wait" [7thsea] Berthold says, "i help yuri" Remy spurs his horse on. Berthold screams, "ATTACK!" and charges. [7thsea] Remy asks, "is the guy close enough to shout at?" Giancarlo says (to Remy), "the men you charge go over like ninepins. It only takes a minute, then you're off after the guy with the bag." Yuri runs at the brute who spoke to rodrigo. Giancarlo says, "Berthold & Yuri knock down several of the remaining men, but three remaining brutes pull Rodrigo from his horse." Berthold exclaims, "we must needs help him!" Rodrigo flails around and screams. Berthold charges the three Berthold says, "+at" Yuri grabs at Rodrigo. Rodrigo kicks Yuri in the arm accidentally. Giancarlo says (to Remy), "Hard riding through the rain. You seem to be catching up, though, until the guy turns a sharp corner and disappears into the forest." Remy says, "Damnation" [7thsea] Yuri says, "I try to get rodrigo over beside the stable wall where I can defend him more easily" Giancarlo says (to Remy), "(unless, of course, you want to follow him, kobolds notwithstanding)" Remy examines the area, then heads back for reinforcements. Berthold cuts down anyone in his path. Giancarlo says, "You manage to get Rodrigo back against the wall. The remaining brutes are a little at a loss." Giancarlo says, "With Berthold slicing/dicing, they decide that maybe they should be elsewhere." Rodrigo regains some of his composure and looks around repeatedly. Giancarlo says (to Remy), "You arrive back to see the remaining brutes scattering." Giancarlo says, "Still some men lying unconscious in the mud." Yuri has disconnected. Yuri has connected. Berthold pants heavily. Remy says, "He lost me in the forest, the blackguard." [7thsea] Yuri asks, "dammit, what did I miss?" Rodrigo says, "Thank you, friends." [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "You all won. Your plan worked." [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "the guys who grabbed me ran away." [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "except that the guy with sack escaped." [7thsea] Berthold exclaims, "tarnation!" [7thsea] Remy says, "yes" Berthold asks, "now what?" Berthold says, "do we try and follow the other one? Surely one of these brutes knows the whereabouts of their hideaway." Berthold says, "s/brutes/miscreants" Remy says, "Excellent thought." Rodrigo looks to the wounds of the fallen brutes. Giancarlo says (to Rodrigo), "You find a note on one of them." Rodrigo asks, "Oh! What's this?" Yuri asks, "What's it say?" Rodrigo asks, "Ah, can someone read this?" Berthold says, "I guess" Remy says, "I read Eisen" Giancarlo says, "Note says, 'My dear Baroness. I think I have something you're missing. Do please pay me a visit at St Gottschalk's Cathedral tomorrow ... and bring a priest.'" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "oohh, I see what kind of story this is..." [7thsea] Yuri asks, "is gerda still inside?" Rodrigo says, "Bring a priest? Whatever . . . hm." [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "she's still around, yeah." Berthold asks, "A priest? Does he want to marry her?" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "she came out earlier because of all the racket" Giancarlo says, "(lightning flashes)" Remy asks, "Shall we chase now, or find this Baroness?" (From Giancarlo) Gerda says, "Ach! Blackmail! The cowardly swine!" Berthold says, "we know who the baroness is" [7thsea] Yuri asks, "was it gerda's voice we heard yelling at the schmuck earlier?" (From Giancarlo) Gerda says, " I *am* the Baroness." Berthold says, "the guy said so" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "yes" Remy says, "My Lady, I didn't realize" Remy says, "My humblest apologies." Yuri asks (of Gerda), "Who was that man?" (From Giancarlo) Gerda says, "It's no consequence. After the war, there's precious little difference between the classes." (she says this in a tone that suggests that, however small, there are still differences and she likes it that way) Rodrigo says, "Let's go back to the fire and discuss this." (From Giancarlo) Gerda says, "He's a villain from the Vendel islands. He's been trying to get his hands on my property since the War ended two years ago." Remy says, "he's long gone by now." (From Giancarlo) Gerda nods and leads the way back inside. Remy says, "Allow me to properly stable my horse this time, and a fire sounds excellent." Yuri asks, "What do we do with these pieces of filth?" Yuri kicks one of the fallen men. Rodrigo says, "Their wounds would heal better inside." (From Giancarlo) Gerda says (to Yuri), "oh, just prop them up in some dry corner of the stable." [7thsea] Yuri asks, "how many of them are there?" Berthold says, "we should interrogate them" Berthold cracks his knuckles. Yuri grins. [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "They're brutes. They don't matter a huge deal. You interrogate them, but they're not too bright and don't know too much." Yuri says, "Let's bring the one who had the note in with us and tie the others up out here." Rodrigo asks, "Why should they be tied up?" Giancarlo says, "Meanwhile, inside, Gerda's preparing food for the four of you." Yuri says (to Rodrigo), "If you'd sleep safer in your bed knowing that we let a bunch of men who tried to kidnap you back out on the streets, I don't object." Rodrigo says, "I don't expect these cowards to try anything soon." Remy says (to Yuri), "We beat them handily once. i doubt they'll come near here again." Yuri shrugs and goes back inside. Rodrigo goes inside and tries to dry off. Remy stables his horse, and goes inside for some dinner. Giancarlo says, "Mmmmm ... warm fire." Giancarlo says, "also, hot dinner." [Crows-Nest] Berthold exclaims, "now begins a merry feast of cross-dressing in order to foil the plot!" [Crows-Nest] Eolo says, "hee hee" [7thsea] Berthold says, "ok, this is fun but I seriously need sleep now" [7thsea] Berthold says, "really sorry about this" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "aww. bye" [7thsea] Remy says, "aww" [7thsea] Remy says, "later" Berthold has disconnected. [7thsea] Giancarlo asks, "should we continue some other time with Berthold, or finish this now?" [7thsea] Remy says, "I'm cool to wait, really" [7thsea] Rodrigo asks, "this is just a quickie, right?" [7thsea] Remy says, "this has been fun, tho" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "or sure, that's good." [7thsea] Yuri asks, "how much longer is this likely to be?" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "enh, we took 1 hour to get this far, so I figure the rest will take another hour." [7thsea] Yuri says, "hm, that's 2am. if everyone else wants to finish some other time, that's cool" [7thsea] Remy says, "a bit late for the european contingent" [7thsea] Remy asks, "also, am i the only one with an actual character?" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "yeah, well...." [7thsea] Remy says, "if i had known, i wouldn't have grabbed a pre-made" [7thsea] Remy says, "and just joined the fun" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "heh" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "I think Rodrigo pulled one of the sample sheets from the book." [7thsea] Remy says, "ah ha" [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "yeah, that." [7thsea] Rodrigo says, "(was on phone)" [7thsea] Giancarlo says, "ah well. let's finish this up some other time, then." [7thsea] Remy says, "cool" [7thsea] Yuri says, "sounds good"