[ussura] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

GM says (to Perry), "Oh, note that we're one number ahead of what you guessed last week."

[ussura] Era says, "Greetings and hallucinations."

GM says (to Perry), "due to Alix's solo session."

[ussura] Charles says (to GM), "Oh, whoops."

[ussura] GM says, "No problem."

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "so what are we up to?"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Remind me at the end of the session?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i couldn't update my log correctly"

[ussura] Era says, "about 5'7", IIRC"

[ussura] GM says, "This session is #12."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[ussura] Era says, "thanks - couldn't help myself. :-)"

[ussura] GM says, "Hey, we started *last* week with a discussion of how tall people were."

[ussura] Maxwell says, "that's a long act."

[ussura] Era asks, "??"

[ussura] GM says, "So, right."

[ussura] GM says, "In our last adventure, we had snowshoes and a damsel."

[ussura] GM says, "And horsemen, but those are gone now."

[ussura] Era says, "a few damsels, actually, but only one in distress."

[ussura] GM says, "Oh, and several of you were injured."

[ussura] GM says, "And Era just came back with a couple horses."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "none of them wanted to fight me. I am disappointed"

Pyotr starts a fire, since we seem to be staying for a bit.

GM says, "So, Pyotr sets up a tent and builds a fire (it being fairly easy to start one) and by the time Era makes it back, you all have stopped bleeding, at least."

Charles asks (of Pyotr), "A bit small, isn't it?"

Charles says, "Relatively speaking,t hat is."

Pyotr says (to charles), "Feel free to go stand by that thing if you get chilly."

Sebastien sighs, and looks mournfully at the rip in his shirt.

Era says (to Sebastien), "If it troubles you so much, I will mend it for you."

Sebastien says, "no one back at court will believe the hardships we have faced on this journey"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "there are still falled bad guys on the field, right?"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "Don't worry, you'll get used to that sort of thing."

[ussura] GM says, "Hmm, yeah."

Raelynn binds her wounds best as she can

Pyotr takes some rope and starts tying up the downed enemies.

Pyotr asks, "No one understood thei tongue?"

[ussura] GM says, "Having seen Electra, I am posessed with the urge to claim they all disappeared in a cloud of green smoke."

Raelynn says, "i hope i don't scar"

Pyotr says, "Too bad, I wondered what was on the other side."

Charles says, "I don't think I own a shirt that hasn't been cut, ripped, pierced or torn by some sort of weapon."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "hee hee"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "you are the GM, you know you can do that"

Era hunts through her pack for a fine needle, and a matching embroidery thread.

[ussura] GM says (to Raelynn), "I don't cherish the need to explain it later ;-)"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Are these euphemistically 'fallen', or is it still useful to tie them up?"

Pyotr says (to Sebastian), "The scars are the mark of manliness. The women love to see a man with deep dark scars."

Era says (to Pyotr), "As long as we can see them while you are still dressed, mind."

Pyotr says (to Era), "I've known a few... well, I'm not drunk enough to tell those stories to you."

[ussura] GM says, "Hmm."

Era says (to Pyotr), "I'm grateful."

Charles ties a piece of cloth around his wound.

Raelynn approaches the horses, and notices they are lathered and breathing heavily

[ussura] GM says, "The rules say that pretty much nobody dies in 7th Sea, but that seems a bit hard to keep track of."

Era says (to Sebastien), "Speaking of being dressed, you'll need to remove your shirt if I'm to mend it. I wouldn't want to stitch it to your skin by accident."

[ussura] GM says, "Let's at least say that they are out of commission for the rest of the story."

Raelynn starts rubbing them down with a very thick and rough woolen sock while talking to them

[ussura] Pyotr says, "heh"

Sebastien says, "that seems like a sensible course of action"

Sebastien steps into the tent briefly and emerges wearing a slightly dirtier and less fashionable but at least not ripped shirt

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "The rules also say it's the GM's call whether brutes and henchmen die when knocked out."

Sebastien hands his old shirt to Era.

Sebastien says, "do be kind to it"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "how many horses did smart Era recover?"

[ussura] GM says, "2."

Era says (to Sebastien), "Thank you. I'll do my best for it."

[ussura] GM says, "(of 4)"

[ussura] GM says, "Er, was it 4? I think so."

Charles examines the knife that was melted before packing it away carefully. Now that's a memento.

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "so, what, we're waiting for Punctuation Girl to wake up?"

Raelynn finishes rubbing down one, and starts on the other, while whispering softly to it

GM says, "The horses respond positively to Raelynn's ministrations."

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "we are in the middle of snow drifts, so there is no grass. what do horses eat?"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "did you bring oats for them?"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to pyotr), "supplies and provisions were your job, old man"

Sebastien asks, "so, er, how do we find our way to Breslau?"

[ussura] GM says, "The snow is melted next the the wall, but not a lot is growing there. Some scraggly grass and bushes, though."

Pyotr says, "Perhaps once night falls we can find the light of someone living nearby and ask directions."

Raelynn leads the horses over to the scraggly grass and bushes, and tethers them to keep them from wandering

Charles asks, "Does this mean that we're close to it?"

Sebastien says, "I believe it is relatively near this wall"

Pyotr says (to Charles), "The fire wall is fairly long, and as far as I know we could be on any part of it."

Sebastien says, "though I don't know if we are at the correct location along the wall"

Charles says, "Perhaps we're meant to return to the egg."

Era proceeds to mend Sebastien's more fashionable shirt with nearly invisible stiches, and adds a line of embroidery around the neck closure for good measure.

[ussura] GM asks (of Era), "You sewed the neck shut?"

Raelynn says (to Charles), "i like that plan"

Raelynn says, "i don't want to get fried by this wall"

[ussura] Era says (to GM), "<thbbbb>"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

Raelynn asks, "can't we just take this girl back with us?"

Pyotr says (to Charles), "From the stories I've heard, we won't find that spot again."

Charles says, "Most of the passers by we've seen haven't been very communicative."

Sebastien exclaims (at Pyotr), "but what of Alixandre? I would be extremely distressed if we have carelessly misplaced him!"

Charles says, "Although, this could just be a consequence of their being unconscious."

Era exclaims, "Or they've been shouting helpful pleasentries, like "Die, Fiends!"

Pyotr says (to Sebastien), "I am sure that Matushka will protect and cherish him."

Pyotr says, "But it might be worth checking for the egg, anyway. It's a direction to go."

woman rubs her head, sits up.

Charles asks (of Pyotr), "Do the stories you've heard generally involve being temporarily dropped off at various intermediate locations?"

Sebastien says, "if new snow has not fallen I suppose we can retrace our steps"

Pyotr says, "I remember one story, of a man who was taken to Matushka's realm. He fell asleep, and woke up 100 years later."

Charles says (to Woman), "Ah, welcome back."

Pyotr offers a piece of jerky to the woman.

Raelynn starts sketching, including the wall, the woman and horses, all around the little fire

woman gratefully accepts the food, and muches on it.

Charles asks (of Pyotr), "How long ago was this?"

Pyotr says (to Charles), "Oh, hundreds of years or some such."

Charles asks (of Woman), "Do you understand Ussuran?"

Sebastien says (to woman), "I regret to say our linguistic barriers may present some difficulty in you rendering an explanation of your situation to us, or contrariwise our explaining the same to you"

Pyotr asks (of Sebastien), "what did you say?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

Sebastien says (to woman), "still, perhaps some sort of gesticulation-based communication could be arrange"

Sebastien says, "d"

Raelynn sketches a map of ussura and shows it to the woman

Era asks (of Woman), "(in Fhideli) Do you speak Fhideli?"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "We likely have several languages between us."

woman perks up.

Charles says, "So long as we take care ot to all ask at once, we could likely keep her busy answering 'no' in her own tongue for quite some time."

Raelynn makes an X indicating where she thinks we are, and sees if the woman agrees

[ussura] Era says, "I've managed to stun the GM with my knowledge of Fhideli. <big grin>"

woman says (to Era), "Fhi-de-li? Yes! Bits."

woman asks (of Era), "Haimati, yes?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "awesome"

woman looks over at Raelynn's map.

[ussura] GM asks (of Raelynn), "Where *do* you think we are?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "hopefully near Breslau"

Era says (to Woman), "<era points at self> "Not Haimati, Era"

Era proceeds to point to each person and say their name.

[ussura] Raelynn says, "near Breslau, yeah"

Era asks (of woman), ""And you are?"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Can we tell from the sun which side of the wall we're on?"

woman says (to Era), "Yes, Haimati... >gestures around her<."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i was guessing that it's in the mountain bit near the wall, towards the nw"

[ussura] Charles says, "Or, y'know, a compass. That'd work too, come to think of it."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "if Matushka put us here, we are by definition on the Ussura side, I think"

woman points at herself. "Yin".

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i got navigation i could do the sun thing i think"

Era says (to woman), ""Ah, yes. Haimati brought us here."

Raelynn asks, "so where's yang?"

Yin rolls her eyes at Raelynn.

Era asks (of Yin), ""I'm glad we have met you Yin. It seems to be Matushka's will to have you safe. Who were those men?"

Raelynn says, "whoo. humor crosses all language barriers"

Charles says (aside), "You know, I'm beginning to think Era is getting an answer other than 'no'. Or else this lady's language is more elaborate than I thought."

Pyotr walks behind Raelynn and then whispers, "Er, I don't get it."

[rpg] RogerCarbol asks (of baf), "A miniature of what?"

[rpg] * Pyotr has left the channel.

Sebastien says, "I believe that the Fhideli are natives of Ussura, so it is not out of the question that Era might have some passing acquaintance with their language"

RogerCarbol arrives, looking for booty.

GM says (to Raelynn), "(pointing at X) "!!.!..<. mmmm, Breesloo?""

Raelynn asks (of yin), "breslau? yes?"

Charles says (to Pyotr), "I would suppose 'Yin and Yang' are likely some sort of Montaigne comedic players."

Raelynn asks (of era), "how do you ask a question?"

[ussura] Era says, "I had to justify getting Linguist, so Fhideli is my second language. I can even write it, but for some reason I doubt this woman could read it. :-)"

Yin exclaims (at Raelynn), "Breslau!"

Pyotr says, "Ah, makes sense. I never found those funny. Now, people hitting each other with pies, that's comedy gold."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Era says, "hee"

Raelynn says (to pyotr), "i will remember that"

Yin says (to Era), "Men, mmm, wanted to stop me from !!<<!<."

Raelynn says (to era), "tell her to guide us to breslau"

Charles says (to Pyotr), "Or rolling pins."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "since she seems to know where we are"

Era says (to Yin), "I do not understand !!<<!<."

Yin frowns.

Sebastien says, "in montaigne we generally employ more sophisticated comedic tools such as croissants or creme brulee"

Era asks (of Raelynn), "Why Breslau?"

Raelynn asks (of era), "isn't that where we were headed?"

Yin shrugs helplessly, gestures at the wall, and at herself.

Era says (to Raelynn), "Right, of course."

Raelynn offers her pencil and notebook to yin, in case she wants to draw/write something

Yin bows and accepts.

Raelynn bows awkwardly back

[ussura] Raelynn says, "can we get to a town soon? i need more paper"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Charles wonders if Pyotr got the rolling pin line.

[ussura] Era says, "brb - setting up Spider-Man 2 for El Nino, for the 37th time."

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "Every time those adventurers come to town, the local vendors sell out of sketchbooks, charcoal, and handkerchiefs."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "ah, handkerchiefs"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says (to max), "hee"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says (to charles), "probably not. ussuran wives tend to use axes"

[Crows-Nest] Charles (to Pyotr) | Gamemaster says, "You see Annette burst out of the house"
[Crows-Nest] Charles | Gamemaster says, "She has a rolling pin"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "oh, right"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Charles | Gamemaster says, "She charges towards you, waving it"

Charles meanwhile retraces their steps, to see if the egg really has moved on.

Sebastien says, "will she know the way to Breslau? I am not sure how much time she has spent on this side of the wall"

Yin says (to Era), "I must to Breslau. Trade..." and again, she shrugs."

Yin draws a symbol on Raelynn's map.

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "yay rolling pin"

Raelynn leans over to see what she is drawing

GM says (to Raelynn), "It's a symbol much like the symbols on the metal, the downed men's clothing, etc."

Sebastien asks (of Raelynn), "what is she drawing?"

Raelynn says (to Sebastien), "it's that symbol we saw on that metal bit"

Raelynn asks, "who has it?"

Raelynn says, "maybe she knows what it is"

Sebastien says, "Era, I believe"

Sebastien says, "and Charles, too, when he returns from his trip"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "is this same symbol on charles' locket?"

GM says (to Raelynn), "It's not the *same* same, just the same style."

[ussura] GM says, "I.e. 'also Chinese'."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "thwap. doht"

Sebastien says (to Era), "perhaps when you have a moment you could show her the metal and see if she is capable of identifying it"

Sebastien says (to Era), "or, for that matter, if she knows anything of Dreng or Devoe"

Raelynn says (to Seb), "not exactly the same, but you know, all straight lines and boxes"

[7thsea] GM says (to Charles), "Meanwhile, you retrace your steps, and find the egg where you left it."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I think the boxes are because your browser can't render this character set"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "hee hee"

[ussura] GM says, "Yay"

[ussura] Era says, "hee"

Era pulls the piece of metal from an inner pocket of her vest, and shows it to the woman.

Yin exclaims, "ah!"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "Uhoh, Charles alone with a magical means of transportation."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "hee hee"

Yin studies it a bit. "Melted?" she asks.

Charles asks (of Egg), "If I go back and tell the others, are you going to vanish and make me look like a fool?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

Era asks, "I believe so. What is this symbol?"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Is it still open?"

[7thsea] GM says (to Charles), "Yes, it's still open."

Yin takes a fresh sheet of Raelynn's paper, and begins copying the symbols onto it. As she does, she frowns, considering, and makes corrections as she goes.

Charles climbs inside and takes this opportunity to give the interior a thorough scrutinizing.

Yin says (to Era), "Full message gone, some distorted, this my best."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I guess Era's reading and writing is useful after all"

Era says (to Yin), "Thank you very much - this is very helpful. <x symbols>"

Sebastien asks (of Era), "is she transcribing the symbols there? can she translate them?"

GM says (to Era), "The symbols are the same as they were on the metal, but they've been cleaned up considerably. Some places she's put blanks, and other places she's extrapolated what the full symbol was that was partially melted on the metal."

Era asks (of GM), "Can I read it?"

Yin says (to Era), "Fhi-de-li not right language to say this."

Era asks (of Yin), "Can you tell me what this says? I do not recognize this language?"

Yin says (to Era), "But it talks of the land, of the spirits of the land."

[7thsea] GM says (to Charles), "(be right with you...)"

Raelynn tries copying the symbols on the notepad in the soft snow

Yin points to a series of symbols, "These say warning, of being humility."

Era asks (of Yin), "Of Matushka, and good spirits? Or are these symbols of evil?"

Raelynn asks (of Pyotr), "do you think it's time for dinner?"

[ussura] Era says, "timing"

Yin points to other symbols, "These say of water, rivers, seas."

Pyotr says (to RaelynnTravelling), "through the thrice-tenth land I lost track of time."

Pyotr says, "Let's cook a meal anyway"

Pyotr gets out the pans and the supplies.

Yin says (to Yin), "Haimati? Haimati good, yes, spirits... just spirits."

[ussura] Yin says, "Er, ..Era"

Era supresses the urge to go hunt rabbits.

Yin says (to Era), "These symbols speak of time, of days, weeks, months, seasons."

Era says (to Yin), "So spirits in season, and over many seasons, over many waters and lands, and unity perhaps? Matushka, er Maimati, governs a vast realm."

Yin says (to Era), "Yes."

Yin shrugs again.

Era says, "This is all very mystical."

Era says, "And mysterious."

Yin says, "When we meet next, I explain more."

Era communicates this conversation to everyone else near the fire.

Era asks (of Yin), ""Next? You're going away?"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "Sounds like the sorts of things the Sud'ya were interested in."

Raelynn asks, "so this is some kind of a religious text? since she was able to fill in blanks?"

[7thsea] GM says (to Charles), "The inside of the egg is, again, seemingly made of some sort of one-way glass you can see out of, but couldn't see in."

Raelynn asks (of Pyotr), "what's the meal?"

Charles searches the inside of the egg for any notable features. Is everything perfectly smooth?

Pyotr says, "Looks like roast venison."

Pyotr says, "Since we have venison, venison, venison, and a little bit of coney"

Era says (to Pyotr), "Sounds delicious. I could eat a horse."

Pyotr says (to Era), "I don't doubt it, but we onlt have two."

[ussura] Charles says, "I think we've got some of that too."

[rpg] baf says, "A wizard."

Era says (to Pyotr), ""Well, maybe not a horse, but I'm very hungry."

Pyotr cooks faster, not wanting an overly hungry Era nearby.

[ussura] Era says, "usurra ..Charles Horse meat is not nearly as good as venision, trust me."

Pyotr asks (of Raelynn), "Hey, did you bring any of those funny-smelling powders?"

[ussura] Era says, "that came out wrong"

[7thsea] GM says (to Charles), "Indeed, there is a lever and a couple buttons on the side of the egg further from the door."

Pyotr says, "Maybe some would be good with this venison."

Raelynn says (to Pyotr), "funny smelling? oh!"

Sebastien asks (of Era), "has she heard of Dreng or Devoe, by chance? I wonder if they could have headed past the wall of fire?"

[7thsea] Charles asks, "Are they marked/colored/differentiated in any particular way?"

Era asks Yin abvout Dreng and Devoe.

Raelynn rummages in her knapsack for her precious hoard of cumin and other spices

[7thsea] GM says, "Nope."

Raelynn asks (of Pyotr), "do you know how to use them?"

Pyotr says (to Raelynn), "Nope."

Yin shakes her head.

Pyotr grabs and starts shaking them over the meat.

Pyotr says, "Here you go, thanks."

Raelynn cringes, and hopes Pyotr didn't overuse them as she takes them back

Sebastien says, "ah well"

Sebastien says, "I suppose Breslau is our best chance for finding them now"

Raelynn stands near Yin, looking for a good moment to get her notebook back

Yin points to Era's arm, where she's tied a rag to stop the bleeding. "I help?"

Raelynn says (to Seb), "i hope she can take us there"

Charles stares at the controls, rationalizing to himself. . o ( If we weren't *meant* to continue to use the egg, it wouldn't still be here... )

[ussura] Pyotr says, "bye charles"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "say hi to Alix"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee hee"

[7thsea] Charles asks, "How many are thee, and what position is the lever in?"

[ussura] Charles says (to Pyotr), "Hee."

[7thsea] GM says, "The lever is up, and there are two buttons below it to either side."

[7thsea] GM says, "Like -: tilted up."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "do any of them say "DO NOT PUSH THIS UNLESS YOU REALLY MEAN IT?""

Era says (to Yin), "That would be lovely, thank you."

Charles . o O ( Of course, perhaps the whole group is meant to go... but then, if they are, Matushka wouldn't let me take the egg and leave them stranded, right? That wouldn't be nice, and I'm pretty sure Matushka is nice. )

Yin sets the notebook beside her, and tends to Era's wounds.

Charles . o O ( And clearly she's willing to do things to make sure we don't mess things up, since she wouldn't let us wake up Alix and Sebastien... )

Raelynn grabs the notebook, trying not too look to eager

Raelynn looks disgusted at the pencil stub, and starts resharpening it with her knife

[ussura] Sebastien says, "man, it was nice knowing Charles"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "always so eager and willing to help out, even if he was a bit curious"

Pyotr finishes burning the meat and carves it onto platters.

[ussura] Era says, "theology point - I'm pretty sure Matushka is not nice, but she loves us. Remember Aslan, in the Narnia books? Kinda like that. Not nice, but good."

Pyotr says, "Grub's up."

Sebastien exclaims, "why, this is excellent!"

Raelynn says, "have an extra one for the guest"

Pyotr says (to Raelynn), "She gets to use Charles' plate."

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, that's pretty accurate."

Charles . o O ( If I go back to get the rest of them, then the egg might vanish... on the one hand, if it did vanish, it could mean that we weren't supposed to be using it. )

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says (to Era), "She loves you, sure. You're Ussuran. Now, Charles...."

[ussura] Charles says (to Era), "Hush. I'm rationalizing here."

Era says (to Raelynn&Pyotr), "This is excellent."

Sebastien says, "mm"

[ussura] Era exclaims, "hee!"

Raelynn says (to Era), "kiss the chef, if you dare"

Era plants a big one on Raelynn.

[ussura] Raelynn says, "ha"

Pyotr says, "Rowr."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i was about to make the crack about pyotr being stinky but i was too slow"

Charles . o O ( ...on the other hand, perhaps Matushka helps those who help themselves. This could be an opportunity she's offering. An opportunity that could be lost. )

[ussura] Pyotr says, "Hey, I took a bath just a few months ago"

[ussura] Era asks, "once a month baths, whether you need it or not, eh?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "once a month is far too frequent. probably unhealthy"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "but a few months ago I accidentally fell in a stream while trying to cross on a log, so."

Charles . o O ( In fact, maybe Matushka is intentionally offering *me* an opportunity. Maybe there's something she means for me to see or do, and that's why she's giving me this chance. If I don't take it, I could be refusing her generosity. Isn't that considered especially rude in some cultures? Is Ussuran one of those cultures? )

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Era says, "well, I'm sure that counts. if it was deep enough to need a log to cross it, it was doubtless deep enough to soak you."

[ussura] Raelynn says (to charles), "just go, man. all this introspection is out of character"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "but leave something behind so we know the egg did kidnap you"

[ussura] Era says (to Raelynn), "Maybe he's revealing his secret, inner self, full of questions and doubts. Or maybe he's just kibutzing."

[ussura] Charles says, "Hey, good idea."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "you want kibitzing, I think"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "kibbuzes are those socialist collectives from the early days in israel"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "er, ^t"

Charles writes a note to the others. "Found the egg. If I'm not here, then I have been taken by Matushka. Will return as soon as practical. Charles."

Yin expertly binds up Era's wounds, then does the same for other injured parties.

Era collects everyone's plates (or sticks, or whatever) after they've finished eating, scrubbing the plates with barely-melted snow.

Charles folds it, sets it outside the egg, and weights it with a small stone.

Charles then pulls the lever gently.

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "It's, uh, kind of snowy around the egg."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i guess we don't find the note till the spring thaw"

[7thsea] GM says, "As you pull the lever, the door closes."

Pyotr says, "Hasn't Charles been gone a while? Maybe we should go look for him."

Pyotr says, "It wan't that far back."

Raelynn says, "Sebby and Era can keep talking to Yin. I will come with you"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hmm, maybe we shouldn't have egged him on"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "hee hee ouch"

[7thsea] GM says, "And a panel of the wall goes opaque."

Pyotr says, "Okay"

Sebastien says, "absolutely"

[ussura] Charles says, "I imagine that if the others follow our tracks back to where they end, it shouldn't be too hard to find the note."

Pyotr starts walking back towards the egg drop.

Raelynn straps on the snowshoes again and tries to jog

Sebastien finds a comfortable not-too-snowy spot on a log near the fire.

[Crows-Nest] npc2 exclaims, "Egg drop soup!"

[7thsea] GM says, "A message appears on it, written in Cymru."

[7thsea] Charles asks, "Any markings on the opaque part? Is it stone-colored?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(Fairly black, but kind of glossy)"

Pyotr starts up the hill.

[ussura] Sebastien says, ""if you can read this, you shouldn't have done that""

[ussura] Pyotr says, "yay"

Charles reads the message.

[7thsea] GM says, "'You are brave, young one. Do you wish to help once more, at the Betrayal?'"

Charles says, "Sure. Uh."

Charles asks, "What's the Betrayal?"

[7thsea] GM says, "The message disappears, to be replaced by: 'The Beginning.'"

[7thsea] GM says, "'For your kind, at least. The End, for mine.'"

[rpg] RogerCarbol says, "Cool."

[7thsea] Charles says, "I'm game. As long as I'm helping the good guys."

[7thsea] GM says, "The message fades again. 'So be it.'"

[7thsea] GM says, "*flash*"

GM says (to Pyotr&Raelynn), "You emerge into the clearing just in time to see the (closed) egg begin to rattle and spin."

Pyotr asks, "Oh, no, he messed with it, didn't he?"

Raelynn says, "there goes the egg"

Pyotr runs for the egg.

GM says, "Smoke and steam burst out the top."

Pyotr leaps at it when he is closer.

Raelynn watches curiously to see if Pyotr disappears with the egg

GM says, "You grab one of the spidly legs, and... it settles down again."

[ussura] Charles says, "I'm getting the image of Pyotr as a Morlock, clinging tot he outside of the Time Machine."

GM says, "Slowly, the door opens."

Pyotr looks inside.

Raelynn . o O ( how does he run with snowshoes? )

GM says (to Pyotr), "It's empty."

Pyotr says, "Empty"

Pyotr says, "I wonder if he was inside."

Raelynn follows sedately and reaches Pyotr

Raelynn says, "the egg didn't go anywhere, since you stopped it. he can't have gone anywhere"

GM says (to Raelynn), "Hmm, there's something in the snow."

Raelynn asks, "although, hey, what's that?"

Pyotr asks, "With Matushka, who knows?"

Era blithely continues chatting with Yin, blissfully unaware of Charles solo folly.

Raelynn picks up the soggy piece of paper

Raelynn says, "drat Charles. This thing is soggy and smeary"

Sebastien melts some snow in a cup over the fire, and scrubs at his shirts with a small stone.

Raelynn says, "He was apparently inside, so I guess Matushka took him"

Raelynn says, "he says he will be back when he can"

Pyotr says, "Well, maybe he'll find Alix."

Raelynn says (to Pyotr), "do *you* want to go chasing after him? I guess the egg can take you"

Pyotr says, "Meantime, we can't wait for him. Let's wait the night and then head for Breslau."

Pyotr says, "I'm not touching it."

Pyotr says, "We've already lost a chunk of the group, we can't get separated further."

Raelynn says, "fair enough. let's go tell era that charles is gone"

Pyotr says, "Yeah"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "now I am imagining Pyotr in a call of cthulhu game"

Pyotr starts dejectedly tramping back to the camp.

GM says, "Fou... the egg. If I'm ... ...., then I have been .a..n by Ma..s. Will return .........Charles.""

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "aren't you glad i was able to decipher that?"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell asks, "he's been eaten by Magisi?"

GM says, "As you head back, the egg picks itself up and follows."

Pyotr says, "Um."

Pyotr says (to Matushka), "I'm really very grateful for the help, really, but it'd be nice to know what you want us to do."

Pyotr asks (of Raelynn), "So, do we get in or keep going?"

Raelynn says, "let it follow us back to camp"

Pyotr says, "Okay."

Raelynn says, "we can decide as a group on what to do"

Raelynn pets the egg on the 'head

Raelynn says, "er 'head' as if it was a pet"

GM says, "And indeed, the egg follows peacibly as you make your way back to camp."

Pyotr says (to Era,Sebastien), "Good news, we still have transport."

Pyotr says, "Bad news, we lost Charles."

Sebastien asks, "you lost him? what happened?"

[7thsea] GM says (to Raelynn), "It's a bit taller than you can reach, but you can pat the side."

Sebastien asks, "and what is that egg doing?"

Raelynn says, "it's okay. we still have Pyotr the Madman for protection"

Pyotr says, "Well, when we got there, the egg was spinning and jumping and going crazy."

Yin looks up. "Aiee!"

Pyotr says, "And then when it stopped, it was empty."

Pyotr says (to Raelynn), "Show them the note."

Raelynn asks (of Sebastien), "it followed me home. Can I keep it, please?"

Raelynn hands Sebastien the note

[ussura] GM says, "(BTW:)"

[ussura] GM throws a drama die to charles.

Era stares at the Egg.

Raelynn notes with curiosity Yin's reaction

Era says (to Raelynn), "It followed you."

[ussura] Charles says, "Thanks. Something tells me I might need it."

Sebastien says, ""the egg is crazy"? Charles's montaigne is terrible"

Pyotr says, "I guess since it followed us we are supposed to get in."

Raelynn says (to Era), "yeah. It stood up and followed us"

Pyotr strikes the tent, puts out the fire, and grabs his pack.

Raelynn says (to Pyotr), "let's take the horses and the gypsy with us at least"

Era visibly collects herself, and starts throwing snow on the ashes.

Pyotr asks (of Raelynn), "Is that door horse-sized?"

[ussura] GM says (to Pyotr), "You figure you could get maybe one horse in the egg with the rest of you."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "heh"

Raelynn says (to Pyotr), "i bet if we left you behind, we could get both of them in"

Pyotr points to himself, then to the egg, then looks at Yin and asks, "Come with us?"

Yin asks (of Era), "You came... this?"

Sebastien asks, "do we need to get in the egg? Era, can you ask her how far away Breslau is?"

Pyotr says (to Sebastien), "Matushka wants us in the egg again."

Era says, "I caught the horses thinking we would be walking back. Since we're not, we probably won't need them anytime soon."

Pyotr says, "If we're lucky, it'll reunite us with Alix and Charles."

Sebastien says (to Pyotr), "it is true this seems somewhat suggestive"

Era asks (of Yin), "How far Breslau? A few days? Or more?"

Pyotr says, "If we're not, we'll get separated further."

Pyotr says, "I'll probably go next. It's my bad luck."

Yin nods at Era. Two days, on horse. I must go. I knew would meet you later. You go that?

Era says (to Pyotr), "Maybe if your luck didn't have to work so hard to get to you through all that dirt . . ."

[ussura] Yin says, "Except with quotation marks in there."

Pyotr says, "I doubt we can get even one of the horses in there."

Era says, "Is everyone okay with Yin taking the horses? It seems we will meet her again, in any case."

Pyotr says, "It makes me skeezy and I'm human."

Pyotr says (to Era), "works for me."

Sebastien says, "I don't see why not"

Sebastien says, "I am sure she will make good use of them"

Raelynn pats the horses noses sadly in farewell

Era offers the horses to Yin, and wishes her well.

Pyotr exclaims (at Yin), "Okay, bye!"

Raelynn says (to Yin), "oh wait"

Pyotr goes in the egg.

Raelynn gives Yin a hasty sketch of Yin, as a gift

Raelynn says, "okay, bye"

Yin smiles, bows to Raelynn.

Sebastien waves to Yin.

Sebastien climbs in the egg and sits down again.

Pyotr looks around for any sign of Charles. Boot prints, snow, etc.

Raelynn checks the outside of the egg to make sure nothing has changed on the exterior before entering the egg

GM says, "Yin waves at you, and the door closes. You watch her through the one-way sides of the egg as she waits for a bit, then turns, spurring on the horse she rides while leading the other."

GM says, "A panel of the egg wall darkens."

Pyotr pokes at the panel.

Era says (to Sebastien), "The cream and tan highlight stitching on the neckline really distracts the eye from the mended bit near the shoulder. Its quite fetching, really."

GM says, "And a message appears, written, in Ussuran."

Sebastien says (to Era), "I am sure that I will make quite a splash upon my return to Charouse"

[ussura] Pyotr checks.. yes, literate!

Sebastien says, "I will be sure to credit you if so"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "yeah right"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "it says so right on my sheet. I can read and write Ussuran. barely."

wall asks, "One companion visits his past. One companion visits my past. Your future waits, patiently. Which for you?"

Pyotr reads this, his lips moving with the words.

Raelynn says, "so that's where Alix and Charles went"

Raelynn asks, "so we get to choose which one we want to rejoin?"

Pyotr asks (of Matushka), "Which do you need us for?"

wall says, "Needs there are always."

[ussura] GM says, "And, meta-gamely, you can choose either 2 or 3, since Sarge isn't here ;-)"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "hee hee"

[rpg] inky | Actually, I think sci-fi games are very prone to the problem Shadowrun had (ok, one of the problems) that you get too many situations where the expert snurbler is snurbling like mad, and the other players are all twiddling their thumbs waiting for him to finish snurbling so they can get on with the game.

[ussura] Raelynn votes 3

[ussura] Pyotr says, "well, I have no opinion"

[ussura] Era says, "I'm game."

[rpg] katre says, "yeah, that was annoying"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "only to make life harder for the GM to come up with three storylines"

[ussura] GM laughs.

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ha"

Sebastien says, "I would rather know where Charles has gotten to"

Sebastien says, "which I would guess would be Matushka's past"

Raelynn says (to Sebastien), "i wonder what's so relevant about Alix's past that Matushka took him back"

[backstage] * GM has added Charles to the channel.

Sebastien says, "hmm"

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "should i leave?"

Sebastien says, "I couldn't imagine"

[backstage] * GM has removed Raelynn from the channel.

[backstage] Maxwell asks, "Do I get to stay?"

[backstage] GM says, "Sure."

Pyotr says (to Matushka), "Okay, take us to Charles, please."

[backstage] Charles says, "(What about 'Duchess'?)"

[rpg] schep says, "In much of Jota's rpg, people were doing various independent stuff all at once."

[backstage] GM says, "Yeah, probably."

[backstage] * GM has removed Duchess from the channel.

[ussura] GM asks, "Everyone OK with that?"

wall asks, "And do all agree?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i seem to be outvoted so it's ok"

[ussura] Era says, "yup"

[ussura] GM says, "OK, just a sec while I set up stuff with Charles."

[backstage] GM says, "OK. In the interests of time, lemme summarize a bit, if that's OK."

[backstage] Charles says, "Sure."

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "Man, it's a good thing Federico wasn't along for this one."

[backstage] GM says, "The egg dropped you off in the foothills of a huge mountain."

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "Hee."

[backstage] GM says, "A great number of people are milling about, and one sends you to 'the general'"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "In fact, you should all drop by for a minute in the magic egg just to see him flip out."

[backstage] GM says, "Who turns out to be Montegue."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[backstage] Charles says, "(Am I told this? I probably don't know his face personally.)"

[backstage] GM says, "He's a bit confused himself about what's going on, but it seems Matushka's people are about to be attacked, and you all have been asked to defend the mountain."

[backstage] GM says, "(yeah)"

[backstage] GM says, "He seemed to recognize you and gave you a pendant on a chain 'for the next time we meet'."

[backstage] GM says, "And then he asked if you could defend a particular valley, and headed off."

[backstage] GM asks, "Good enough?"

[backstage] Charles asks, "Wait, Montegue's asking me to defend the mountain?"

[backstage] GM says, "To be in charge of a particular area."

[backstage] GM says, "But yes."

[backstage] Charles asks, "To help Montaigne against Matushka?"

[backstage] GM says, "OK, let's rp a bit of the conversation, since it's clear I'm being confusing."

[backstage] Montegue says (to Charels), "..for the next time we meet. <hands you pendant> You seemed competent enough--can I ask you to be in charge of something? I'm a little short of lieutenants.""

[backstage] Charles asks (of Montegue), "What's that?"

[backstage] Montegue says, "I'm thinking the valley south by southwest of here. It'll need some snipers, but also a few solid men in the center."

[backstage] Montegue says, "Matushka was vague on the enemy's capabilities, but I think that should suffice for a while."

[backstage] Charles asks, "Who is the enemy here?"

[backstage] Montegue shrugs.

[backstage] Montegue says, "She said, but I can't pronounce it."

[backstage] Montegue says, "Not men, though."

[backstage] Montegue asks, "Come, man, I haven't much time. Can you do this?"

[backstage] Charles says, "I... we are to aid Matushka against her enemy...? I suppose so."

[backstage] Montegue says, "Excellent."

[backstage] Charles . o O ( But... but... Montegue *bad*... Matushka good. How... )

[backstage] Montegue says, "Remember, she needs time. We're doomed, but if we keep them at bay a while, that should be enough."

[backstage] Montegue rushes off to another part of the field.

[ussura] GM says, "OK, here we go."

GM says, "The egg shakes and spins again, and then *flash*"

[backstage] Montegue says (to Charles), "Oh, recruit whoever you need."

Raelynn says, "ow my eyes"

Pyotr peers out the shell.

GM says, "And you all find yourself in the foothills of a huge mountain, the egg nowhere in sight."

Pyotr says, "Wacky."

Era says, "I'm a bit dizzy."

Pyotr looks for tracks.

[ussura] GM says, "Think Mt. Rainier, for those who know it."

Raelynn asks, "why do we always end up in mountains?"

Era hangs on to Pyotr for a second.

Raelynn says, "why can't we end up in valleys? it's such hard work climbing these things"

Pyotr lends Era a hand.

Charles says (to Soldiers), "Alright, I need volunteers to hold the valley."

GM says, "Around you are several people in various forms of dress, many on their way... somewhere."

Sebastien glances around with interest.

Sebastien says, "the air here is quite invigorating."

[backstage] Montegue says, "(just a sec)"

Sebastien says, "though I regret to say also quite chilly"

Pyotr walks over to Charles and says hello.

[backstage] Montegue says, "Eh, never mind. Go ahead."

Charles says, "Who has a good eye? We'll want to place some riflemen in concealed spots on high ground..."

Charles says (to Pyotr), "What? Oh, good... I'm glad you made it."

Pyotr smacks Charles.

Pyotr says, "That's for leaving us behind."

[ussura] GM asks, "Hmm, rifles haven't been made yet, have they?"

[ussura] Charles says, "Oh, whoops."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "bowmen, he meant"

[ussura] Ghogg says, "but rifling through bags has"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "anacronistic slip of the tongue"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Are there longbarrelled firearms?"

[ussura] GM says, "I think just relatively innacurate muskets so far."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I don't think they're real accurate, is the only thing"

[ussura] Era says, "cannon, I believe, but nothing midsize."

[ussura] Charles nods.

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I don't even know what time period we're in"

[backstage] Montegue says, "(bowmen is what you thought of when he said snipers)"

Charles says (to Pyotr), "Thank you for the attempt, but the delusions are still here."

[backstage] Charles says, "OK."

Pyotr asks (of Charles), "What is going on here?"

[ussura] Charles says, "(Anyway, assume I asked for longbows.)"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "Weapons Table says musket @ 80yd, crossbow @ 100, bow @ 150."

Charles says (to Pyotr), "We are apparently in soem strange version of the world in which Montegue claims to be an ally of Matushka."

Pyotr says, "Uh huh."

Pyotr asks, "Against whom, if not himself?"

Charles says, "Apparently, not men at all. Some... people? Things? Whose name he couldn't pronounce."

Pyotr says, "Uh huh."

Pyotr says, "Well, where are they? I'll take care of it."

Charles says, "There is a valley, that way." He points. "He's asked me to defend it, to give Matushka more time"

Charles says, "The enemy is supposed to attack there."

Raelynn says, "wait a minute"

Raelynn says, "this is Matushka's past"

Charles says, "I would believe this all nonsense, but if Matushka has sent us here..."

Sebastien asks, "Montegue?"

Raelynn says, "so it has to be something that has already happened"

Sebastien says (to Raelynn), "I believe we asked to join Charles, not necessarily to go into the past"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "Indeed."

Pyotr says (to Charles), "If this is what Matushka told you to do, we came to help."

Era asks, "But what did Charles ask? Charles . . .?"

Charles asks (of Raelynn), "Past? Is this history again?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "did i misunderstand? it said 'one companion to go to his past, one to go to my past'"

[ussura] GM says (to Raelynn), "No, you're right."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "so i assumed we were in matushka's past, since charles is the second companion"

Raelynn says (to Charles), "i think so"

Raelynn says, "at least, that's what it said in the egg, when we were asked where we wanted to go"

Charles says, "It could not be too far behind us, if Montegue is a general."

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "I can think of two possibilities here. But I'll be quiet, since I'm not there."

Pyotr says, "Let's deal with the invasion first."

Pyotr says, "If we live, Matushka may reveal what is happening."

GM says, "A voice from behind you pipes up. "Do you need help? I don't have an assignment yet.""

Gunther arrives, looking for booty.

Charles looks to see.

[ussura] * Gunther has joined the channel.

[7thsea] * Gunther has joined the channel.

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "Hee. Nice timing."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I thought for a second gunther was the voice"

GM says, "You turn to see a young man--boy, really--with brown robes."

Pyotr turns, grabbing hix axe.

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "sorry about that"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "From Austria."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Yay ;-)"

Charles asks (of Boy), "What are you good at?"

GM says, "Wait, he looks almost familiar--"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "doh, no recap, of course"

Palech says, "I'm good with a staff, sir."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "yay"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

Pyotr puts his axe away.

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says (to G), "that's okay, it's extremely inexplicable anyway."

Pyotr says, "We'll be glad to have you."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says (to gunther), "we've travelled to an alternate universe to help a godess"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "sort of"

Era exclaims (at Pyotr), "There's got to be another way - He's only a boy!"

Charles asks, "Aye. What's your name?"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "we keep getting further and further from the original plot"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Ha ha ha"

Pyotr says (to Era), "If he can hold a weapon, he's a man."

Palech says, "Palech."

Era asks (of Pyotr), "*I* can hold a weapon - do *I* look like a man to you?"

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "He can't be *that* much younger than Charles, even."

Pyotr says (to Charles), "Lead the way, let's go."

Sebastien says (to Pyotr), "careful how you answer there"

Pyotr says (to Era), "Um, well, you are wearing a lot of heavy furs...."

Pyotr ducks.

[ussura] GM says, "Palech, you might remember, you met at the monastery. He was much older, then."

Charles nods. "Right. Let's find a few more good archers, first."

Raelynn boinks Pyotr on the head for Era's sake

Era swings.

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "like, on the order of ten years? twenty?"

Raelynn says (to Pyotr), "thanks for ducking so that i could reach"

Pyotr says (to Raelynn), "Always happy to oblidge a lady."

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, 15-ish."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "do I remember if Montegue could have been in Ussura then? that was before he was in the public eye, right?"

Pyotr asks (of Palesh), "Know any archers around here?"

Sebastien asks (of Charles), "how old did Montegue look?"

[ussura] GM says, "Hmm."

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "hey, i have history. shouldn't i know my own history?"

Pyotr says, "Besides these lovely ladies we brought."

[ussura] GM asks, "How old is Montegue 'now'? 30's?"

Charles says, "I need some good longbows, several good hand-to-hand fighters, and a few muskets, if any can be spared."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I'm not sure we know"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "but 30s or early 40s seems reasonable"

[backstage] Charles asks, "How old did he look?"

[backstage] Montegue says, "He looked like he was in his late 30's."

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "the book describes him as 'young' at the start of his fame"

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, probably. So he would have been 25, tops, 15 years ago."

[ussura] Charles says, "Also, the 'I need some...' was directed at the crowd, by the way."

GM says, "You gather up a few others, and head for the valley."

Charles says (to Sebastien), "Thirty-five, maybe forty."

GM says, "As you go, unusually bright lighting lights up the mountaintop."

Charles asks (of Palech), "Your name is familiar. Were you named after anyone else in your family?"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to gm), "that was a question, by the way"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "aboutwhether or not this would be part of the history books that i would have studied"

[ussura] GM says (to Raelynn), "Which what? I missed it."

Sebastien asks (of Charles), "strange -- so are we not in the past?"

[ussura] GM says, "Oh! No, you've not heard of anything like this."

Palech says (to Charles), "My grandfather had this name, sir."

Era looks curiously at the lightning. Or is it lightning?

[ussura] Charles asks, "Was Palech old enough to be this boy's grandfather?"

[ussura] GM says, "No, probably not."

Sebastien asks, "your grandfather? perhaps we've met -- where did he live?"

[ussura] Palech says, "Now you're going to make me look up Russian maps and stuff."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "Palech has no brothers and sisters, but the man's father is his father's son."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "yay"

Palech says, "In the Caucasus mountains."

Palech says, "In western Molhyna."

Sebastien says, "interesting -- I must be mistaken, then"

Charles, once the valley comes into view, starts plotting out positions for the snipers, the swordsmen, and so forth.

GM says, "And you make it to the valley. The cliffs surrounding it are treacherous, but the valley itself seems quite navigable. There are many loose rocks and crags, with several trees scattered throughout."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "snipers? wow"

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "I hope ye have begun grinding the opticks which allow ye to zoom in on the vile fiends"

[ussura] GM asks, "So, in general, where do you want to position yourselves?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hee hee"

Pyotr starts walking down the valley with his axe out looking for a fight.

[ussura] Era says, "I'll take the right, under whatever cover I can find, and harry the fiends with arrows from the shadows."

(From GM) *lighting flash*

Era grabs Pyotr. "I think single combat would not work against what is coming.

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "better not raise that axe too high"

Charles says, "If the enemy is coming from that direction, we want the rough terrain to be between us and them."

Sebastien says, "I suppose I had best let the archers take action before I do anything"

Sebastien finds a smooth rock to sit on behind some cover and watch the valley

Pyotr says (to Era), "We don't have enough troops for anything else."

Charles says, "Arrows shot from there," pointing, "or there should be able to pick them off while they work on their footing."

Raelynn says, "i guess i will be opposite of Era, to help pin whoever in the middle"

[ussura] Charles asks, "How much cover is there?"

Era asks (of Pyotr), "Instead of attacking them head-on, can you salt this area with caltrops? Or anything else you can think of to make every foot they gain cost them?"

[ussura] GM says, "OK, I was thinking of running this bit in less detail than a normal battle, since that could take forever, and the point of the scene was more to get a general feel for stuff, and to show off special moves and/or tactics."

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "A decent amount of rocks and trees."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "fine by me"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "it's not like I know anything about big battles"

[ussura] Era says, "ah, so subtlety is out, let's just shoot the bastids. :-)"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee hee"

Pyotr starts taking sticks, sharpening them, and sticking them in the ground point up.

Charles says, "If we put some men behind that cover there, but leave some partially visible behind these rocks, then the latter group can try to distract the enemy, letting the former get in an ambush when they approach."

GM says, "From down in the valley, you hear a rumbling. About the same time, there's another *flash* from the top of the mountain, and the sky turns from grey to purple."

Sebastien shakes his head as he looks at the sky. "A most unnatural color -- not to mention unfashionable."

Pyotr says, "That's definitely not usual weather."

Era says, "These flashes do not seem natural."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "at least it's not pink"

[ussura] GM asks, "Any other last-minute preparations?"

Era says (to Sebastien), "I quite agree. The color of bruises is really not anyone's best shade."

Charles says, "I suppose this is the 'enemy' of which he spoke."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I will shine my shoes"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "er, boots"

[ussura] GM says, "Nothing like spit-n-polish."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "and, uh, collect a small pile of rocks in case I feel like throwing some"

Charles says, "Such a display does not seem out of place for those with the power to fight against Matushka."

GM says, "You all take your positions, and..."

Palech exclaims, "There's one!"

GM says, "Good grief. There's a giant... *insect* making his way up the valley."

[ussura] Era asks, "Is Godzilla trailing after Mothra?"

Sebastien is forced to repolish his monocle.

Pyotr says, "Huh."

[ussura] Era exclaims, "ha!"

Pyotr grabs his whetstone and starts resharpening his axe.

[Crows-Nest] Charles asks, "If this is Starship Troopers, who's playing Doogie Howser?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Gunther) GM says (to Sebastien), "Oops, it's just some guy after all"

Era examines the bug, looking for joints and eye-stalks.

GM says, "It's not altogether unlike a giant cockroach, walking on its hind legs and carrying some sort of pistol-like device."

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

Sebastien says, "I must admit this is not entirely what I was expecting"

Charles stays behind cover, waiting on the archers.

insect picks his way up the mountain valley. Behind him, three more emerge from the forest.

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "or Cadian, if he likes Warhammer"

Era digs in her pack for rags and oil, and maybe some embroidery thread used for leather.

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "ilac"

insect, seeing nothing, waves on his compainions, who begin to jog up the valley.

Pyotr puts away his whetstone, raises his axe over his head, and charges.

[ussura] Era asks, "are these cockroaches northern, or southern?"

Pyotr exclaims, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

[Crows-Nest] insect says, "Crap, I can't use !!.!. or it'll sound Chinese."

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell asks (of Era), "You can't tell from the size?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "sorry, but this is what happens if I get bored"

[ussura] Era asks, "I mean, can they fly?"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says (to insect), "ha ha ha"

[ussura] Charles says, "There goes the cover."

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "///<<>>"

[ussura] Sebastien says (to Era), "I guess we'll soon find out"

[ussura] Pyotr says (to charles), "I checked my char sheet and it says I am "hot-headed""

insect exclaims, "<<\\>><><<!"

[ussura] GM says, "Hey, that's right."

[ussura] Charles says (to Pyotr), "Hee."

GM throws a drama die to Pyotr.

Era wraps a few rags around some arrow-shafts, and douses them with oil.

[ussura] Pyotr asks (of gm), "what about all the other hot-headed things, huh?"

Era exclaims (at Sebastien), "(soto voce) come here - I need a light!"

[ussura] GM says, "You've been doing that great ;-)"

[ussura] (from Charles) GM throws an ice pack to Pyotr.

[ussura] Pyotr says, "hee hee"

Sebastien moves cautiously over to where Era is.

[ussura] (from Gunther) Pyotr trips over the die and falls on his face

Sebastien says, "I have always been complimented on my sparkling wit, but I'm not entirely sure how -- oh"

[ussura] GM says (to Pyotr), "Go ahead and roll attack."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "hey, I'll likely need that drama die soon to stop from dying, so"

Era thrusts the arrows at Sebastien. "Can you light these as I use them? I don't want to light myself, just those . . .*tjhings*"

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 6k3: 8 10+6 4 1 7 7 | 31

[ussura] Pyotr says, "(+5, as always)"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "good thing I sharpened first"

[7thsea] Era rolls 4k3: 3 9 4 4 | 17

Sebastien fumbles for his tinderbox, and soon has a little blaze going.

GM says, "As Pyotr's axe slices into the bug, Era's arrow lands between two of the ones further back, exploding in a shower of sparks."

[ussura] Pyotr hopes these are brute-bugs

GM says, "Taking that as a signal, other arrows soon fly at the bugs, felling two of them and causing the others to retreat."

GM says, "Pyotr stands in the gap, dead bug at his feet."

GM says (to Pyotr), "Also, your axe is kinda gross now."

Pyotr hacks the head off the bug, and mounts it on a stake facing back down the valley.

Pyotr says, "Hmm, I think that's the face."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

Pyotr says, "Anyway, it's a warning to the rest of them."

Pyotr walks back up, trying to clean his axe.

(From GM) *pzzzing*

[7thsea] GM rolls 5k3: 3 10+4 9 8 2 | 31

GM says (to Pyotr), "As you make your way back up the hill, you're struck in the back by--*something*. It's extremely painful."

(From GM) *pzzzing! pzzzing!*

Pyotr throws himself behind the nearest rock or log or something.

Charles hisses, "What *is* that?"

Sebastien exclaims, "gracious!"

Sebastien says, "perhaps he has been struck by one of their pistols"

GM says, "Something like lighting engulfs the rock Pyotr flung himself behind, making it glow for a second before disappearing."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "before the *rock* disappears?"

[ussura] GM says, "No, sorry."

[ussura] GM says, "Just the glow."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "whew"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "oh, whew"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Can we see where the shooting's coming from?"

insects exclaims, "Graa!"

Pyotr rolls away from the rock and tries to climb back uphill.

GM says, "A whole gaggle of insects emerge from the woods, charging and waving their pistols."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "uh-oh, it's alien Jearls"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee hee"

Era fires at the bug pursuing Pyotr.

Charles says, "It must be sorcery of some kind."

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "am I just generically injured or should I make a wound check at some point?"

[7thsea] Era rolls 4k3: 6 3 10+6 2 | 25

[ussura] GM says, "Just generic for now."

[7thsea] Charles rolls 4k3: 3 10+6 3 5 | 24

(From GM) *thwap thwap*

[Crows-Nest] (from Maxwell) GM says, "It'll kill you in a few minutes, though."

[ussura] Charles says, "(Occult, to see if anything like these insects or their weapons is heard of in Theah.)"

[ussura] GM says, "Sure."

[ussura] GM says, "After a moment of recovery behind the rock, you were able to shake off the pain due to your superiour Ussuran upbringing."

Pyotr races back uphill.

GM says, "The archers fell several of the insects, but several more pursue Pyotr."

Pyotr turns and fights.

[ussura] GM asks (of Pyotr), "Leading them anywhere in particular?"

Charles says (to Other), "Be ready to ambush them if they get close."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "running seems not to work, so time to fight"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "can i shoot at the insects pursuing pyotr?"

[ussura] GM says (to R), "Sure."

[ussura] GM says, "Just roll attack."

[7thsea] Era rolls 4k3: 8 10+4 3 6 | 28

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "Nothing you can recall right now, no."

Era's arrow *thwaps* into the insect.

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "f+attack for 4k3 right?"

[7thsea] Raelynn rolls 4k3: 4 10+1 7 8 | 26

Palech wedges his staff under a huge rock, and puts his weight behind it, struggling.

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 6k3: 2 1 10+10+7 10+3 8 9 | 49

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I should have taken two again"

Raelynn tries to aim carefully and lets the arrow whiz to the insect

GM says, "Two insects that had paused to take aim at Pyotr are felled by Raelynn and Era, while two more that had just charged are sliced in two by the edge of Pyotr's axe."

insects mass in the valley, struggling up the hill once more.

[ussura] Era says, "I'd say we're kicking ass, but I don't think cockroaches have that feature."

[ussura] GM says, "Anyone who wants to roll attacks at this point can, or you can do something else."

[7thsea] Era rolls 4k3: 9 8 1 4 | 21

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 6k3: 3 4 9 8 7 5 | 24

[7thsea] Raelynn rolls 4k3: 9 4 10+5 8 | 32

[ussura] Charles asks, "How close are they to where we're grouped?"

Sebastien helps Palech heave at the rock.

[7thsea] Sebastien rolls 2k2: 8 2 | 10

[ussura] Sebastien says, "(brawn)"

[7thsea] Palech rolls 2k2: 4 4 | 8

GM says, "Sebastien and Palech, between the two of them, manage to get a rock moving, and it rolls down the valley, insects scattering before it."

Sebastien says (to Palech), "a good thought! though I am not sure if (urf) our combined mass is enough to (urnh) provide adequate leverage"

Sebastien exclaims, "ha ha!"

GM says, "Raelynn manages to take out two more, and Pyotr keeps holding his own."

[ussura] Era says, "A flame-thrower would come in handy about now."

[ussura] Raelynn says (to era), "hmm"

[ussura] GM says, "Or a big can of Raid."

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "do we have a flint or matches?"

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah."

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "GM says, "Meanwhile, Sebastien and Palech are now fully exposed, as their cover has tumbled down the slope.""

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "would setting our arrows on fire and then shooting them help?"

[ussura] GM says, "Some fires are already started, as a result of Era's arrows."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "that's what Era was trying"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "sorry, didn't notice"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "just assume I'm constantly chopping bugs"

Gunther disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[ussura] Sebastien says, "well, more can't hurt"

[7thsea] Era rolls 4k3: 9 1 9 9 | 27

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 6k3: 7 7 8 5 5 10+4 | 29

GM says, "Five insects mass, and all leap on Pyotr at once."

Charles says, "He needs our help."

[ussura] Raelynn tries to shoot them out of the air

[7thsea] Raelynn rolls 4k3: 7 2 9 5 | 21

(From GM) *pzzzing! pzzing!*

Charles exclaims, "Charge!"

[7thsea] GM rolls 5k3: 4 6 3 9 3 | 19

Pyotr hears the "pzzing" and throws himself flat.

Era's arrow *thwaps* into one of the bugs on Pyotr, and this time, the flame catches.

Charles charges on the bugs converging on Pyotr.

GM says, "The sky changes from purple to a dark red."

GM says, "Which causes the bugs to chatter in consternation."

[7thsea] Charles rolls 6k3: 5 6 3 8 10+6 4 | 30

Pyotr rolls clear and tries standing again.

Era exclaims, "Run, Pyotr!"

Sebastien says, "clearly the trend of fashion has turned in our favor"

Pyotr runs back into the scrum.

Era exclaims (at Sebastien), "Can you focus on something important for once? Our friend is being eaten by giant, unnatural insects!"

GM says, "The five bugs on Pyotr are finally dispatched, but not before inflicting deep wounds on Pyotr's back."

Pyotr exclaims, "Ahh!"

Era says (to Sebastien), "Help me pull him clear."

Sebastien says (to Era), "but at least my outfit is more in tune with the color of the sky -- that purple definitely failed to bring out my best side"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I am just not a happy wild man"

GM says, "Sebastien notices a group of 10 bugs congregating, then attempting to make their way up the side of the valley, around the fighting."

Sebastien says, "still, if you think we must charge into the fray, clearly that must be our -- pardon me"

Era charges through the valley to pull Pyotr out of the melee.

Sebastien says (to Palech), "you must ready another rock or two -- I will go down and hold the pass, as it were, until you are ready"

Raelynn tries to give Era cover as she runs

Sebastien says, "do notify me when you are ready"

[7thsea] Raelynn rolls 4k3: 9 5 6 5 | 20

Palech nods and sets his staff under another rock.

Sebastien draws his sword and makes his way down to where the bugs are climbing up.

Sebastien finds a spot where he can keep the high ground and have his sides protected as well as possible before pausing, sword drawn.

Charles fights alongside Pyotr, trying to keep him from taking too much more damage.

GM says, "Raelynn's arrow takes out an insect, just as it was raised to aim at Era."

[7thsea] Sebastien rolls 7k4: 10+10+6 4 7 6 7 9 4 | 49

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 6k3: 4 9 4 7 9 1 | 25

[ussura] GM says, "Er, just as it raised a pistol to aim, etc."

[ussura] Era exclaims, "go Sebastien!"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "perhaps we should be hurling exploding dice at them"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "heh"

[ussura] Era says, "hee"

GM says (to Sebastien), "You find the perfect spot, and burst out on the group, surprising them as they tried to make their way around. Two of them fall beneath your sword instantly."

[7thsea] GM rolls 5k3: 4 4 6 9 6 | 21

Sebastien says (to insect), "I fear we have not been formally introduced -- I am Sebastien Delecambre, fils de feu Antonio"

GM says, "A second pistol attack wings Era in the leg, and she loses her footing and falls."

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says (to Seb), "don't forget "prepare to die""

Pyotr goes to help Era

[ussura] Raelynn asks (of gm), "do i have to reroll every single time i want to shoot?"

Sebastien says, "I am an acolyte of the Gallegos school, which practices the three-circle technique"

Sebastien says, "I am afraid that (slice) you may have entered the (stab) outermost of my circles"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i am not going anywhere near the roaches (the thought of them has me screaming in disgust on this couch) so i want to just be shooting up from the top"

[ussura] GM says (to R), "If you want an average effect, don't roll. If you want the option of failing/suceeding spectacularly, roll ;-)"

[ussura] GM says (to Seb), "Yay"

Sebastien says, "As I am merely (duck) an apprentice, I am unable to (twist) master the inner-most circles, but I feel that (thrust) if I aim for efficient use of the outermost circle it may not matter"

Pyotr attacks the bugs near Era.

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 6k3: 7 1 6 7 6 8 | 22

Raelynn shoots, trying to give cover to those helping Pyotr

Era swears, and pulls out her sword.

[7thsea] Era rolls 6k3: 6 1 7 10+5 6 3 | 28

Sebastien says (to Palech), "not that I wish to rush you, but the situation here is becoming a trifle heated"

Charles tries to disarm one of the bugs, to take its lighting gun.

[ussura] Charles asks, "Normal attack with raises, or something else?"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "I was wondering when he'd do that. The guy's gotta get his souvenirs."

[ussura] Palech says (to Charles), "Yeah, say three raises."

[ussura] Charles asks, "Do I know the normal TN?"

Palech says (to Sebastien), "Yeah, I've almost.. mrff... got it..."

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "Let's say 20 for the one you happen to choose."

Sebastien asks (of insect), "I fear that your lack of reaction to my communication suggests that we fail to understand each other -- I don't suppose you speak Castillian instead? Or Old Thean?"

[7thsea] insects_fighting_seb rolls 6k3: 3 2 7 6 6 10+10+6 | 39

[ussura] Charles says, "OK. Two drama dice to start with, then."

[7thsea] Charles rolls 8k5: 3 4 8 2 2 3 3 4 | 22

Sebastien says, "but clearly we can (swipe) form some (parry) rough communication by means of (whiff) our actions"

[ussura] Charles says, "Gyah."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ouch"

[ussura] Charles says, "I'm not even going to try to rescue that roll with more dice."

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "maybe the weapon of a downed bug would be easier to get"

GM says, "The insects swarm over Sebastien, and one raises a claw to stab him in the face, just as..."

(From GM) *bounce smash crush*

[ussura] Charles says, "Yay, Palech"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "yay"

Palech exclaims (at Sebastien), "Sorry I was slow!"

Sebastien exclaims (at Palech), "I have no complaints whatsoever about your timing!"

armed_insect laughs at Charles' attempt to grab his pistol. **pzzzing**

[7thsea] armed_insect rolls 6k2: 1 7 9 2 10+7 7 | 26

Sebastien pulls himself back from his leaped-to precarious point on the edge of the path.

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 6k3: 9 2 1 9 7 6 | 25

[Crows-Nest] Charles says (to Maxwell), "I was guessing that the downed bugs are behind the standing ones, if they've been advancing."

Raelynn tries to aim an arrow at the one attacking Charles as a intervention

Sebastien climbs back up to Palech to take another survey of the area.

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "is that a drama die? to try to shoot the pistol out of the bug's claw?"

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "Roll a wound check vs. 26 flesh wounds."

Sebastien says, "I fear my attempts at communication were not going well, anyway"

Era swings again.

[7thsea] Era rolls 6k3: 2 1 3 4 10+4 6 | 24

[7thsea] Charles rolls 3k3: 1 5 6 | 12

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i guess i was too slow, oh well"

Charles just stabs it. Better not to complicate these things.

[7thsea] Charles rolls 6k3: 8 3 9 5 2 5 | 22

GM says, "The insect makes some sort of groteque noise you figure must be a laugh, as Charles is surrounded by a crackling glow. His laugh is cut off abruptly as Raelynn's arrow pierces his thorax, and he falls one way, and Charles the other."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "excellent"

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "Sorry, timing."

[ussura] Charles says (to GM), "My mistake; I thought we'd finished that action."

Charles says (to Bug), "You... bastard."

Raelynn jumps up in excitement from her perch and shouts, "YES!"

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, it took me a while to type that ;-)"

[7thsea] GM rolls 5k3: 8 8 3 7 2 | 23

(From GM) *pzzzzing!* A bolt engulfs Raelynn.

[7thsea] GM rolls 6k2: 6 7 6 6 1 4 | 13

[ussura] GM says, "(doing 13 flesh wounds)"

Raelynn says, "OW"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Is it dead now that Rae shot it, or just on the ground?"

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, it's dead."

Sebastien asks, "Raelynn! Are you injured?"

Pyotr keeps attacking.

[7thsea] Pyotr rolls 6k3: 9 2 7 1 1 1 | 18

Raelynn says (to Seb), "a little singed, my dear friend. I am a little concerned that the bug hurt my hair"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ow"

Charles crawls back to the downed bug, stabs it again to make sure it's stopped moving, and takes it gun anyway.

Raelynn checks. Yep, I now have split ends. Grrr

Raelynn says (to Seb), "got any more rocks to shove down? I can help"

GM says, "Pyotr, meanwhile, continues to wreak an ichory swath through the center mass of insects. He continues to accumulate wounds, but keeps shrugging them off and press on."

[ussura] Raelynn asks (of gm), "was that a drama die spent? or did you just give me the action?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha ew"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "this is where Toughness is useful"

Era swings at another insect.

[7thsea] Era rolls 6k3: 4 1 7 5 1 10+3 | 25

[ussura] Charles asks (of GM), "Is the gun simple to use? Basic barrel, trigger, etc.?"

[ussura] GM says (to Charles), "It *seems* so."

Pyotr sees Charles with the gun, and heads that way to stand guard.

Palech exclaims (at Sebastien), "Look out!"

Charles lifts the carcasse of the weapon's previous owner onto its side to use as cover, aims at some bugs near the edge of the fighting (away from his allies), and tries to fire.

Sebastien looks around hurriedly and dodges.

GM says (to Charles), "The weapon begins to beep, and emits a series of strange clicking noises."

GM says, "A nearby insect startles, and runs away."

[ussura] Charles asks, "Is this the sort of beeping that gradually increases in intensity, to an alarming pitch?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[ussura] GM says, "The beeping is starting to be more rapid, yes."

Charles looks at the gun with some concern, then flings it into the midst of the monsters.

Palech leaps at Sebastien just as he turns, in time to stop an insect with his staff.

Sebastien exclaims (at Palech), "very kind of you!"

Sebastien stabs at another insect trying to climb up, sending it tumbling back down.

GM says, "Beep beep beep beep beep beepbeepbeep..."

Palech says (to Sebastien), "Sorry..."

Palech looks down, to see a claw emerging from his stomach.

Sebastien says, "oh no"

[ussura] Charles says, "That's what you get for letting them kiss you."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

Palech slumps, is engulfed in a soothing green glow, and disappears.

Sebastien says, "but --"

Sebastien says, "I hope this all has not been in vain"

GM says, "Bugs, meanwhile, are scattering from the beeping."

Sebastien looks around again at the state of the battle.

Charles exclaims (at Allies), "Fall back!"

Pyotr moves back uphill, hacking as he goes.

(From GM) *BOOOOM*

[ussura] Era says, "sorry, I was away for a minute, wrestling a bad guy, er, I mean, wrestling my son. :-)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

GM says, "The explosion from the gun sends several insects into the air, and the cliffs start to tremble, and shed rocks."

Sebastien gets as close as he can to the edge to see if Charles and Pyotr are going to be safe.

GM says, "Charles, Pyotr, and Era run uphill, and the cliffs behind them tumble into the valley with a roar."

Charles decides that his current priority is not to be underneath any cliffs.

Sebastien makes sure Raelynn is getting away from the cliff edge, and does so himself also, once he sees the others are ok

GM says, "You chase down a few more insects from getting any further, but since the source has been cut off, it gets easier and easier."

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says (to seb), "my hero"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "just being chivalrous -- I assume you are in fact perfectly fine and sensible enough to run away from the edge"

GM says, "Eventually, the sky turns from red to yellow."

GM says, "The mountain trembles again, seemingly from the center of the earth."

Sebastien says, "our situation continues to improve, though I really think a green would do the best for my outfit"

GM says, "You look at each other, and see everyone else glowing green..."

Sebastien wipes off his blade carefully on some nearby rocks.

Raelynn asks, "wasn't palech green before he disappeared?"

Sebastien says, "I worry about Palech's fate, though"

GM says, "And the scene disappears once more, and you're back in the egg."

Pyotr says, "Hmm, this would be good camoflauge while hunting."

[ussura] GM says, "Hee hee"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "timing"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

Raelynn says, "I am getting tired of this egg's tendency to jerk us in and out all over the place"

Sebastien says, "well, this last one was by our own request"

Raelynn says, "true"

[ussura] GM exclaims (at Raelynn), "I'm done! I promise!"

[ussura] GM says, "Heh."

Charles asks (of Sebastien), "Was it?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "heh."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "and it's all Alixandre's fault, anyway"

Sebastien says (to Charles), "well, *our* request -- I'm not sure how you got there"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "Oh, I thought you meant our departure."

Sebastien says, "oh, yes -- I have no idea why we were returned"

Sebastien asks, "perhaps we gave Matushka whatever time was needed?"

Sebastien asks, "I could not say what happened to Montegue -- he never appeared during the battle?"

Charles says, "I personally was hoping to find out what plan Matushka was preparing to enact, for which we were helping to provide time."

Charles says (to Sebastien), "I believe he was handling the fight elsewhere on the mountain."

Pyotr says, "I don't recall ever hearing legends about wars with giant bugs."

Pyotr says, "And I've heard tall tales from every Ussuran fight in the last 30 years"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "You could always ask. Of course, I make no guarantees on behalf of the egg-wall."

Sebastien says, "hmm"

Charles asks, "I do wonder. If Palech left the same way we did, does that mean he arrived the same way as well?"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "Also, Charles says, "So that's what the lever does. What about this button here?""

Sebastien says, "but that wasn't Palech as we know him"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "ha ha"

Pyotr says, "Maybe that's how everyone there arrived"

Pyotr says, "Including Montegue"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "He was younger, but we don't know it wasn't him."

Sebastien says, "precisely"

Sebastien says, "it was not him as he is today -- and by your description, Montegue *was* as we know him today"

Sebastien shrugs

Sebastien says, "I do not see that we have any way of piecing this together at the moment"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "If we were able to defend yourself and Alixandre from bandits during your journey..."

[ussura] Era says, "Ellric has been patiently waiting to play "Attack" (Might & Magic) with the GM . . ."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I guess that means we are done"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee. Yeah, you can chat amongs yourselves for a bit."

[ussura] Charles says, "Is the GM using his proxy to tell us the session's over, afraid to say it himself? :)"

[ussura] GM says, "But I gotta run."

[ussura] Era says, "Sorry, I don't mean to be a party-pooper."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "nah, it is dinner time here nayway"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "this was fun"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "are we no longer doing XP every session?"

[ussura] GM says, "No, I give XP when I remember."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "do we have a time for the next one? we're off next week, right?"

[ussura] Charles says, "Yeah. Very confusing, but fun."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "okay"

[ussura] Era says, "I need to increase my archery skill - I use it all the time."

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, none next week, but probably in two weeks."

[ussura] GM says, "Actually, maybe Alix next week."

[ussura] Era says, "I'm in San Fran next week."

[ussura] GM says, "But I'll bb, etc."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hokay"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "okay"

[ussura] GM asks, "Anyone have something particular that'll keep them away on a Sunday in Feb?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "well, super-bowl sunday is probably out"

[ussura] Era says, "awww."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "since I am planning on going skiing then"

[ussura] Era exclaims, "HA!"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "I thought this was going to be the GM's dream: killing off all the PCs without destroying the plot."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "ha"

npc1 has disconnected.

[ussura] Raelynn says, "not president's weekend, if we can avoid it"

npc2 has disconnected.

[ussura] Raelynn says, "since draft 2 of the thesis is due that monday"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "(rather, draft 2 of owmie)"

[ussura] Era says, "ouch - good luck on that."

[ussura] PerrySimm says, "Log off."