[ussura] PerrySimm says, "Log on."

Alixandre has connected.

Alixandre says, "I greet you in the name of l'empereur"

Charles asks (of Others), "Should we tell him?"

Sebastien says, "I have already taken it upon myself to inform him of Louis's vision but, understandably, he takes it a bit hard"

Alixandre says, "Old habits, it is true, are very well ingrained"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

Era has connected.

GM tallies everyone. "Everyone but Raelynn, looks like.

[ussura] Era says, "'Allo"

[ussura] Pyotr says (to gm), "she'll be late"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "said we should start without her"

[ussura] GM says, "Aha."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "(silly classes)"

[ussura] GM says, "Alrighty."

[ussura] GM says, "Wow, that's late."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "class lets out at 9, columbia is an hour and a half from here by subway"

[ussura] GM says, "Aha, OK."

[ussura] Era says, "ouch, that's a nasty commute."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "and then she loiters outside for another thirty minutes"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "right"

[ussura] GM asks, "OK then. Anyone have any unfinished business?"

[ussura] Era says, "I'm sure we all have unfinished business with *something*"

[ussura] Era says, "whether it is game-relevant is another question."

GM says, "When we last left our intrepid adventurers, they were going into the city to talk to the guards. There was also some discussion about in-game commisserating with Raelynn about how Porte worked (which I can fill in for, if you like)."

[ussura] Era says, "I say we wait for the lady Rae."

[ussura] Pyotr says (to era), "she asked us to start without her"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "well, it's pretty late for people on the east coast"

[ussura] Era says, "right. I meant for the Porte discussion, not the gaming session."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "aha"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "oh, okay"

GM says, "Is there anything in particular you wanted to withold from the guards? If not, we'll fast-forward past your statements, etc."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I say we wait on the gaming session but go ahead with the porte discussion"

[ussura] Era says, "sorry - that was unclear."

[ussura] GM says, "Since Duchess actually won't know the answers, and would have to get them from me, there's not too much of a loss there ;-)"

Alixandre says, "It is painful to have my eloquent speeches thus elided, but I bow to the need for expedition."

Charles doesn't have anything to hide. Enemy of your enemy and all that.

[ussura] GM says, "Though presumably she'll want to read the transcript to find out herself."

Sebastien says, "very concisely put -- truly you have a gift for understatement"

Pyotr says, "I tell them everything I heard, and explain about our climbing equipment going missing if they ask"

Alixandre exclaims, "Thank you!"

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "you know, being involved in a game like this (typing a LOT) I find I'm one of the few IMers at work who actually uses complete sentances, punctuation, and semi-correct grammar on a fairly consistent basis. It is really odd."

Maxwell has connected.

[Crows-Nest] josh_g says, "ifMUD and a year of near-solid EQ did that to me as well"

[Crows-Nest] schep says, "yeah, ifMUD's respect for language rubs off."

[Crows-Nest] josh_g says, "although, as you can see, I still lose punctuation every now and then"

[ussura] Era says, "Personally, I have more fun when I can role-play my own character, even if most of it is based on GM-hints (and a lot of BS). Your mileage may vary. :-)"

[Crows-Nest] Charles asks, "EverQuest encourages the speaking of actual English too?"

Daniil asks (of Pyotr), "They took your climbing equipment? Do you know why?"

Pyotr says (to Daniil), "I assume he somehow found out we were looking for him, and wanted to strand us at the monastery"

[ussura] Charles says, "Yeah, I'm with Era. Spinning out GM info can be fun."

Pyotr says, "He probably still thinks we're there"

[ussura] GM says, "Alrighty, then."

[Crows-Nest] josh_g says (to Charles), "well, not really. the attitude I got from ifMUD, and applying that attitude to EQ gave me a helluvalot of practice at typing full sentences really fast."

Pyotr says, "Won't he be surprised soon."

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "Ah, right. Heh."

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "ussura"

[ussura] Era says, "next time, I'll use the remote to change channel. ;-)"

Daniil says, "Heh. Alright, then. Thanks for your information, and you're free to go. Do let us know if you find out anything else."

Pyotr says, "Oh, I will, certainly."

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "are we inside the city now, or did they toss us back out?"

[ussura] GM says, "You're inside."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "woo hoo"

Pyotr says, "Oh, can you point me to a tavern? I'm a bit thirsty after all the travelling."

Daniil says, "The Painted Groat isn't far. Second left down the main street."

Pyotr says, "Ah, thanks."

Pyotr asks, "So, who's with me?"

Era says (to Pyotr), "I could use a pint or two."

Sebastien says, "I would hate to miss such a no-doubt-broadening experience"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "(looks like I didn't miss much other than the spilling of some info to the NPC?)"

Alixandre says, "I must admit that a quick drink would not go amiss. I have been doing a lot of talking of late, even more than normal."

Charles says, "Sure."

Era says (to Alixandre), "Ooooh."

Pyotr leads the way.

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "right"

Pyotr says (to Bartender), "A pitcher of ale for my friends and me! And some glasses too. Give the clean ones to those two."

Laryon says, "Right you are."

Laryon serves you all, and you find a table in the corner of the bar.

Pyotr asks (of Laryon), "You have a kitchen here?"

Charles says, "I wonder if this tavern was founded by an Avalon."

Laryon says, "There's cold leftovers, though you can warm 'em on the oven if you like."

Pyotr says, "Sounds tasty enough for me."

GM says, "(Like most Ussuran households, there's a huge fireplace/oven in the center of the room. A bit smaller than some, since apparantly the weather here doesn't get *too* cold, what with its proximity to the firewall)"

Era asks (of Laryon), "Do you have bread and cheese?"

Laryon exclaims, "Sure!"

Charles says, "We should head back out before daybreak."

Era says (to Laryon), "I'll have some of that, thank you."

Sebastien obtains some roasted meat, and uses a toasting-fork to heat it up sufficiently to eat it.

Era hands the man a small coin.

Laryon gets food for all of you. It's even better than it would normally be, since it's been ages since you ate last.

Charles eats his cold.

Sebastien says, "perhaps if I put this between two slices of bread, it might enable me to eat without getting my hands dirty"

Raelynn arrives, looking for booty.

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr asks, "hmm, we ate last at the monastery?"

Era melts the cheese on her bread near the fire, whilst quaffing a mug. It is quite tasty.

[ussura] Raelynn reads Pyotr's screen for recap

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Heh. Probably."

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell asks, "Shall we have sebastiens for lunch?"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "Ah, so you've heard of Sammich's"

Charles asks, "...invention?"

[ussura] Raelynn is caught up

[ussura] GM says, "Excellent."

[ussura] GM asks, "Any questions?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "nope"

Era says (to Raelynn), "We were hoping you might explain a bit more about your, ah . . ."

Sebastien says (to Charles), "curses, I thought this was original -- I was going to call it the Sebastiawich"

Era says (to Raelynn), "If you were Ussuran, we would consider it Matushka's gift."

Sebastien gives a casual glance around to make sure no one is close enough to overhear.

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "(Now I'm trying to find the transcript where 'Sammich' was mentioned before...)"

[ussura] GM says, "And since she's Montaigne, you consider it Matushka's Bane ;-)"

GM says (to Seb), "(the place is fairly sparsely populated tonight)"

Pyotr notices the conversation has turned to evil, and so starts noisily eating and ignoring.

Sebastien says, "No doubt they have better things to do on the eve of a siege"

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

[backstage] Raelynn says, "thanks"

Era asks (of Group), "Or we may wish to discuss this in greater privacy?"

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

Raelynn says, "perhaps the tavern has a private parlour"

Era says (to Pyotr), "Even taking your background into account, your table manners are appalling this evening."

Raelynn says, "i really don't want people overhearing us to lynch me and burn me at stake"

Pyotr asks (of Era), "Mmmwhartsthat?"

[ussura] GM says, "You find a sufficiently private table--nobody is paying you much mind."

Raelynn asks, "okay, what do you want to know?"

[ussura] Era says, "In the background, you hear the GM "TALK already!""

Era asks (of Raelynn), "How does your gift work? What exactly can you do, and what might we expect of someone with a similar gift, but perhaps greater experience or power?"

[Crows-Nest] Alixandre says, "sorry, got a phone call"

Charles asks (of Raelynn), "Is it possible that Fleur could bring someone else through her... passageway, along with her?"

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "no, right?"

[ussura] GM says, "Fleur would have to be a full sorceror to do so."

[backstage] Raelynn says, "i thought only blooded objects can pass through"

[ussura] GM says, "Heh, channel."

Raelynn says, "I won't be able to, since I am a halfling"

Raelynn says, "But if Fleur is a full-blooded sorceress, she will have the power to pull objects through her doorways"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "but hobbits have remarkable stamina"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr checks Raelynn's toes

[backstage] GM says, "At your level, right--only blooded objects. Next level up, you can walk through yourself to a new place, and next level up, you can bring someone else with you."

[backstage] GM says, "You personally are half-blooded, so can never go up to either level."

Alixandre says, "I have seen such done, mostly as a party trick."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "hmm, she _is_ Small"

Alixandre says, "Mind you, a rather...unsettling party trick."

Raelynn says, "she will have to be very powerful, however"

Raelynn says, "since it takes a lot of skill to just bring herself through"

Sebastien says, "hmm"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "I'm having trouble hearing a Ussuran describe Porte as a 'gift', btw."

Era asks (of Raelynn), "How likely is it that she would be that powerful?"

[backstage] GM says, "Actually, hmm. You saw her going through a portal, so you know that's Level 2."

[backstage] GM says, "Perhaps I should look up the names of these things."

[Crows-Nest] Era exclaims, "Era is trying *really* hard to be diplomatic!"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "heh"

Raelynn says, "we know she can pass through, so she is defenitely not a halfling"

Pyotr says, "Hmm, too bad we can't bring her to Matushka's attention and let Grandmother deal with Fleur and Devoe's plan"

[backstage] GM says, "Adept and Master--there we go."

Charles says, "What I am worried about is what Pyotr head Devoe telling her."

Sebastien asks (of Raelynn), "the conversation Alixandre recounted made it seem as though Devoe had some hold on her to prevent her from leaving -- is there some way he could prevent her from using her powers to leave? or is it likely to be some other sort of hold?"

Raelynn says (to Era), "You realize, I've yet to see her. I have no idea whether she is a master - we know she's more powerful than me"

Alixandre says (to Sebastien), "I fear you have confused me with Pyotr."

Alixandre says, "Oh dear, I feel faint."

Charles says, "That he wanted her to go with him somewhere, and to use her powers. I am concerned that he might be able to use them to escape our grasp somehow."

Louis offers, "When I tutored her, Porte magic was not in vogue, so I did not know she posessed such skill. However, I believe her mother was Avalonian, which would make it impossible for her to be full-blooded.

Louis says, "At least, as I understand it."

Pyotr says (to Alixandre), "I'm sure furs will be fashionable in court sometime soon."

Raelynn says (to Sebastien), "I am more likely to assume that Devoe has ties with her father, or whatever artifact it was that she had that sent her father's minions after me"

Pyotr exclaims, "I'm just avant-guarde!"

Alixandre says, "I am certainly on my guard."

Sebastien says (to Alixandre), "my greatest apologies -- I was distracted by remembering your performance with the guards"

Charles says (to Seb), "As for the hold, I expect it may be the 'knife' he referred to."

Charles says (to Seb), "As he said he would return it after she had done this task for him."

Sebastien says, "true enough"

Era asks (of Group), "Has anyone here seen the knife?"

Pyotr says, "I wonder how he found her."

[backstage] Maxwell says, "from my reading of the PG (for Lydia), Porte doesn't have well-defined levels so much as some other types. It just makes sense to get knacks in a certain order if you want them to be useful, and Walk is one of the hardest, and even harder if you want to bring others."

Raelynn says (to Louis), "hm. so she's more similar to me than I thought, since I'm also half Avalonian"

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "also, hang on a minute, a knife?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "Devoe mentioned returning her knife"

Raelynn says, "in which case, I am thinking that she can't be a master"

[backstage] GM says, "It seems fairly straightforward in the book to me--Master you can go *to* objects, and Adept you can bring others with you."

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "to really confirm. A halfling can't be a master, right?"

Era asks (of Raelynn), "What kind of limits would that place on her?"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "oh wait. now i am confused"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "right"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I'm just wondering -- hmm"

Charles asks, "A half-blood would be powerful enough to pass into our room in the monastery like she did?"

Alixandre says, "I would not have thought so."

Raelynn says (to Charles), "she blooded *my* knife"

Raelynn says, "so she was using my knife as her anchor"

[backstage] Maxwell says, "half-blooded can't even be Adept, looks like."

[backstage] GM says, "Right."

Pyotr says, "Hmm, could she have"

Raelynn asks (of Louis), "are you sure she's half-blood?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "whoops, bad wireless"

Pyotr asks, "Could she have been working with another person with this skill?"

[backstage] GM says (to Raelynn), "So, there's a seeming conflit--half-blooded can't Walk, but you saw her do it. If she's actually half-blooded as Louis believes, something else must be going on."

Charles says, "Perhaps there is a third Raelynn."

[backstage] Raelynn says, "so she shouldn't be able to do half of what she's doing! timing"

Sebastien says, "goodness"

Raelynn says, "okay, i am getting a headache."

Louis says, "It was her mother that hired me. If she was secretly Montaignian, she would have had to have done a good job concealing it."

Charles stands and starts pacing.

[ussura] GM asks, "Anyone have Magic Lore?"

[ussura] GM asks, "Or the like?"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "oh, I think I know"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hush you ;-)"

Raelynn says, "as it stands, we are missing something. if she's a halfblood, she can't be doing what we *saw* her do. if she's full, then she is very very powerful, and we should assume she can do anything - to be on the safe side"

[Crows-Nest] Era asks, "Care to spill?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I have diplomacy"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "spill to me? :)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "the magical art"

[ussura] GM says, "Yay ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "Might she be, um, well . . ."

Era says, "Might she be, um, well . . ."

[backstage] Maxwell says, "it's not Player's Guide information, more of a hunch."

Era asks, "Two parents, two 'gifts'?"

Raelynn says (to Era), "I am not sure I understand"

Era asks (of Raelynn), "You received your gift because one of your parents was gifted, correct?"

Sebastien says, "perhaps her mother was half-blooded thus, if my mathematics are correct, making her three-quarters-blooded"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "(why does my idea give me a sense of deja-vu?)"

Raelynn says (to Era), "Both my parents are. I have both Montaigne and Avalonian magic"

Era says (to Raelynn), "And what if Fleur might, also? But maybe another parent."

[backstage] GM says (to Maxwell), "Perhaps because it was revealed in a previous transcript, but #backstage, and I #spoiler'ed it white-on-white."

Pyotr asks, "Three parents? What are they doing in Montaigne?"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims (at Pyotr), "Ha!"

[ussura] Charles says, "(Oof, got knocked offline...)"

Raelynn goes home.

[backstage] Maxwell says, "Oh, ah."

Era says (to Pyotr), "You need to travel more. Or maybe just pay more attention *while* you are traveling."

[backstage] GM says, "(that would have been months and months ago, at this point, of course)"

Pyotr says (to Era), "I went there, but I somehow missed _that_. I'm fairly sure I'd remember."

Raelynn arrives, looking for booty.

Era says (to Pyotr), "Never mind."

Raelynn paces

Raelynn asks, "Can someone be combining their magical skills?"

Raelynn asks, "and using Fleur as a pawn?"

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "can a person be blooded?"

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "and a master just pulling Fleur wherever he/she wants Fleur to be?"

Pyotr asks, "Devoe is from Montaigne. Would he have these powers?"

[7thsea] Charles rolls 4k3: 4 7 10+6 6 | 29

Sebastien says, "it is certainly possible"

Raelynn asks, "diplomats are nobility, right?"

Pyotr says, "Perhaps he is afraid to go through himself. This is Matushka's land, after all, and he is attacking it."

Alixandre says, "Noble in actions and speech, certainly."

Sebastien says (to Raelynn), "often, but at times the rough sons of the peasantry are taken up to be trained in the ways of diplomacy"

Charles stops pacing.

Pyotr asks, "Could he open a gate and send anyone through, or only another with power?"

Charles says, "Knife... knife..."

Pyotr says, "That would explain why he needs Fleur."

Charles exclaims, "That's right, Fleur had a knife. When she opened the passageway, she used a knife to do it!"

Raelynn says (to pyotr), "a master can pass anyone through"

Pyotr asks (of Charles), "You think that's the knife he mentioned?"

Pyotr asks, "If she had it, why would she go back to him against her will?"

Charles says, "I remember now. At the time, I thought she... you were just threatening me. But now, the way she waved it..."

Raelynn still thinks the artifact is involved

Pyotr asks (of Raelynn), "Would it be dangerous for one without power to go through alone?"

Charles says (to Pyotr), "I don't know. But it would explain how she could travel like that without being a full sorcerer."

Raelynn says (to pyotr), "i don't think so. not if the master is good enough"

Sebastien says, "it is possible that she had other reasons to return, and then he took away the knife and prevented her from leaving again"

Pyotr says, "That would be a very powerful thing to have, yes."

[backstage] GM says (to Raelynn), "You know a possible answer to that--you're only linked to items you've blooded. So she used her link to your knife to go to you all. But there's only a certain number of things you can link to."

Raelynn says, "it's like going from our world, to a middle area, and then back to our world, just a different location"

Charles asks, "Like sailing through the Seventh Sea?"

Raelynn says, "although, she is limited in the number of objects she can blood"

Raelynn says, "we can't mark an infinite number of objects"

Pyotr asks, "blood?"

[backstage] Maxwell says, "Normally, people don't go through on their own, but a very skilled mage can personally lead them by the hand."

[backstage] Maxwell says, "(I think the GM's comment was about why she wouldn't just leave. What if she had nowhere else to go?)"

Raelynn says (to pyotr), "that's how we go through - we mark them with our blood"

Era says (to Raelynn), "That sounds like a very painful gift. Hmmm.'"

Pyotr says, "Yick."

[backstage] GM says, "Yeah."

Raelynn says, "so anyway, she can't just leave devoe. she doesn't have anyplace to go. she had her knife, and Devoe probably had something else that was marked"

Pyotr says, "Hmm."

Raelynn says, "she could pass through only back and forth between the two, with Devoe's help"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "i was getting to that, but yeah"

[backstage] Maxwell says, "sorry, wasn't sure"

Pyotr asks, "So we're thinking the knife lets her make the portal, but she still needs the marked object to go to?"

Pyotr says, "That's not as useful an artifact as I was hoping."

Raelynn says, "and even now, she can't leave without that item Devoe is holding, because we are limited in how many objects can be marked at a time"

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "the real Raelynn could probably use it :)"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "it has to be my blood i thought"

Pyotr asks, "If he's planning on having her use this tomorrow, where can she go that has an item already?"

[backstage] GM says (to Raelynn), "You can give up on old objects and mark a new one, but, obviously, it starts off fairly close to you ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] Sebastien says, "yeah, but you can use the knife"

[ussura] Charles asks, "Is the valley out there generally low-sloped? Or would one need climbing equipment to get to certain places?"

[ussura] GM says, "It is sloped to the west, and a cliff to the east."

[ussura] GM says, "Overlooking the firewall."

Raelynn says, "we are missing something"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I really doubt we had the only climbing equipment in Ussura"

Charles says, "I wonder if they intend to climb the cliff to the east."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I'm having trouble following our conclusions so far"

Raelynn says, "if devoe is powerful enough on his own, he doesn't need Fleur's object to porte"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "me too"

Raelynn says, "he would have his own"

[ussura] Charles says, "No, but you said Devoe said that he needed 'what you got us'."

Sebastien says, "I think our assumption is that Devoe has no powers, or less powers than Fleur, or he would not need her help"

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "maybe that's the knife?"

[ussura] GM says, "#eidetic-memory One of the reasons you thought Devoe was going to the monastery was that you found out he had bought climbing equipment."

[Crows-Nest] Maxwell says, "I think that's because a few people are still stuck on unfounded conclusions :)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "good point"

[ussura] Charles says (to Pyotr), "Mmm. Maybe, yeah."

Pyotr says, "Well, we didn't have anything with us that he had marked."

Pyotr says, "She must have slipped something in our packs when we first met her."

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

Pyotr says, "So Devoe wouldn't have been able to come"

Sebastien says, "yes, but she must have been doing that for some reason"

Sebastien says, "possibly because she was working for Devoe, unless she had some other purpose at the time"

Charles says, "If the army is going to march west on the city, and Devoe and Fleur aren't going with it, then the cliff is a likely alternative."

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "hey, that does strike me - how did Fleur blood my knife?"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "i never met her"

Sebastien says, "agreed"

Charles asks (of Sebastien), "I forget; did she have a chance to do anything like that after talking to Marceau?"

Era says (to Charles), "Getting the army over the cliff with one set of climbing equipment would certainly be a monumental challenge. Even with a Porting knife."

[backstage] GM says, "Aha ;-)"

Alixandre says, "An entire army may not be necessary"

Charles says, "I wonder if her powers and the knife could help her pass the flames."

Era asks (of Charles), "You meant port through the flames?"

Pyotr says, "Good riddance."

Charles says, "Yes."

[ussura] GM says, "The flames wander some, but aren't always right flush up against the cliffs"

Pyotr exclaims, "Marceau! He must have takedn her to Devoe!"

Pyotr says, "I was trying to figure how they met."

Pyotr says, "I knew we shouldn't have left him free."

[Crows-Nest] (from Charles) Pyotr says, "This is the last time I trust a man who bathes!"

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "is it my dagger i am carrying?"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "damn straight"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "of course, i am assuming that Aha was "now you are thinking!""

[backstage] Raelynn says, "and not a "oops, i messed up""

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

[backstage] GM says, "There is one time your dagger was out of your posession since Session Zero of this adventure."

[backstage] GM says, "Yeah ;-)"

[backstage] Maxwell says (to GM), "(I was afraid of that)"

Charles says, "I wonder if it's too dark to scout the cliffs before morning."

Raelynn says, "aaagh"

Louis says, "Perhaps some sorceror will kindly illuminate the cliffs with a giant wall of fire, or the like."

Charles says (to Louis), "Good point."

[ussura] Era says, "Depends on whether you have dark-elf blood. Oh wait, wrong game"

Raelynn yanks out her dagger and looks at it very very carefully

Charles asks (of Rae), "Are you alright?"

Raelynn says (to Charles), "I just realized when my dagger got blooded"

[backstage] GM says, "It's yours--it was still blooded since, oh, a year and a half ago when you blooded it last."

Sebastien asks, "oh?"

[backstage] GM asks, "Are you looking for anything else?"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "i reblooded it in the monastery after removing the fake blood. I was checking that a) if it's mine, and b) if i still had traces"

Era asks, "When?"

Raelynn says, "It got blooded all the way in Montaigne, when I was kidnapped"

[backstage] GM says, "Yeah, it had your original link when you washed it off at the monastery."

Raelynn says, "somehow, I assumed it was blooded in ussura"

Alixandre says, "That would imply an impressive amount of foresight"

Era asks, "Ahhh, so a while ago, then. Does the enchantment work deeper the longer it has been set, or does the power stay the same?"

Raelynn says, "so this is a lot bigger than i thought"

Pyotr asks, "Hmm, can you sense her blooding?"

Raelynn says (to Era), "the same."

Alixandre says, "or a willingness to spend blooding wantonly"

Sebastien says, "that seems quite peculiar"

Charles furrows his eyebrows. "I believe I concur with Alixandre, as it is."

Raelynn says (to Pyotr), "I washed it off in the monastery, unfortunately"

Era asks, "Can it be, um, un-blooded? Or anti-blooded?"

Sebastien says, "as I thought you had said you were kidnapped due to a confusion of identities"

Pyotr says, "Drat."

Raelynn paces.

Era asks (of Pyotr), """Drat"?"

Charles asks, "Would this not mean that the elder Fleur must have known all along you were not his daughter, if she were there to blood the knife?"

[backstage] Maxwell says, "this might explain why-- :-x"

Raelynn asks, "Can anyone tell me what Devoe looks like?"

Pyotr says (to Era), "I swear, these people are rubbing off on me."

[backstage] GM says, "Hee"

Pyotr says, "Well, let's do this the easy way."

Raelynn says, "I am now wondering if Devoe is Fleur's father"

Era says (to Pyotr), "That did seem a trifle tame for you. You are getting civilized, like it or not, it seems."

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "damn, no Sephrenia"

Era winks at Pyotr.

Pyotr says, "I'll sneak back into that camp, hang around Devoe's tent, and follow him when he leaves."

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "I should never have given you those books"

Charles says (to Raelynn), "Louis thought he could."

Charles says, "But I would not trust his description."

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "did I see devoe in the camp?"

[backstage] GM asks, "It's always a bit harrowing when people are working things out I've set up. Did I, in fact, set things up properly?"

Raelynn goes home.

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I think we assumed that was him talking in the tent"

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah, you didn't actually see him."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "okay"

[backstage] GM asks, "Especially since I've made up half of it as we've gone along?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "raelynn fighting wireless again"

Raelynn arrives, looking for booty.

Raelynn asks (of pyotr), "if i sketch the man who kidnapped me, will you be able to say whether it is devoe?"

[backstage] Maxwell says, "Looks consistent and logical to me. Except that the knife deal all the way back in the intro is confusing...."

Pyotr says (to Raelynn), "I heard him, but didn't get to see him."

Raelynn asks, "but louis would, right?"

Pyotr says, "Try it."

[backstage] Raelynn says (to maxwell), "your knowing what's going on is driving me batty"

[backstage] Maxwell asks, "what, you don't?"

Raelynn quickly sketches a very rough outline of the nobleman that kidnapped her. It's rough, because it's been a long time since that time

[ussura] Charles says, "Yes, because we know Louis has an excellent track record of recognizing Devoe."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "hee hee"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "ha"

[backstage] Raelynn says (to maxwell), "i have absolutely no idea. I am floundering, as katre can attest to"

Raelynn shows the sketch to the group

[backstage] GM says, "No, you've basically got it."

Louis peers at it.

Pyotr takes a look.

Louis looks at Charles.

Sebastien says, "quite a pleasant-looking fellow"

Louis says, "uh, ah, er."

Charles looks at Louis. Sternly.

Era looks confused.

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says (to jota), "don't forget to cross your arms and tug your braid"

Louis says (to Charles), "I may not have seen Devoe much, but I did see Fleur's father back when I tutored her."

Louis says, "And this is him."

Raelynn says, "great. that proves a lot"

[ussura] GM asks, "What's Fleur's last name?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "when did we learn the Louis/Fleur connection? Cause I have absolutely no recollection of this before today"

[Crows-Nest] Charles says, "I'll have to borrow a braid."

[ussura] GM says, "Hmm, I think you missed that Egg session."

[ussura] GM says, "It was the second half bit."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "ah"

[ussura] Charles says (to Pyotr), "L'Empeuror Homicidal Maniac."

[ussura] Pyotr says (to GM), "Clavette du Arrent"

[ussura] Pyotr says (to charles), "that I recall"

Louis says, "I never heard that Devoe and Arrent were the same man. You would think that rumor would make it around the circles."

Pyotr asks, "Maybe Devoe worked for Arrent?"

Charles says, "It still seems remarkably unlikely."

Pyotr asks, "Although, how long has he been in Ussura?"

Charles asks (of Raelynn), "How did you come to decide to come to Ussura?"

Raelynn points at Era

Pyotr asks, "If he's been here longer than Raelynn, how could he have kidnapped her?"

Alixandre says, "All of this is most unexpected."

Era says, "It was thought, wrongly it seemed, that she would be safer in Ussura."

[backstage] GM says, "Whew, I was considering running with it. I'm glad I stuck with the original plan ;-)"

Era says, "Most frustrating, it is."

Sebastien says (to Alixandre), "that is precisely the word for it"

[backstage] Maxwell says, "that one would have been difficult"

Charles says, "So, not a thing that Devoe or Arrent or Fleur could have predicted."

[ussura] Sebastien asks (of GM), "I don't recognize this guy under any of his aliases, do I?"

[backstage] GM says, "I would have had to give Devoe Porte or something."

[backstage] Raelynn glowers at the two

Pyotr asks, "If Fleur blooded the knife, could she have followed Raelynn?"

[backstage] GM says (to Raelynn), "I had not planned to make Devoe and Arrent the same person, but once you all brought it up, it sounded like kind of a good idea, so I considered making it be true after all."

[backstage] Raelynn says, "heh"

Charles says, "I suppose she might have... with *her* knife, it might have been trivially easy for her to pursue Raelynn nearly anyplace."

[ussura] GM asks (of Sebastien), "Devoe? The sketch?"

Raelynn paces again

Pyotr says, "And then we introduced her to Marceau, who introduced her to Devoe"

Era asks, "But if Devoe is her father, wouldn't they know each other? Or am I more lost than I realize?"

[backstage] Maxwell says, "Hey, even Lydia could do a decent job of following somebody from town to town with a planted object."

Charles says, "Although this would suppose that she would have access to Raelynn's knife. If her father gave it to her, it would imply he knew Raelynn wasn't Fleur... and so why kidnap her/"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "Devoe, by name or alias or by sketch"

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "who is Lydia?"

[backstage] Maxwell says, "A former character of mine."

[backstage] Raelynn says, "ah"

Charles says (to Era), "I believe the likelihood of Devoe being her actual father has been dismissed at this point."

Raelynn says, "unless it was blooded before her father got to my knife"

[ussura] GM says (to Sebastien), "Try rolling a diplomacy roll or some such so I know how much you knew about these folks before coming here."

Raelynn asks a tavern wench for hard cider

Pyotr says (to Raelynn), "If you want apple juice, I know the thing."

Raelynn says, "even my philosophy lessons were easier than this conundrum"

Charles says, "Most of this could probably be easily extracted if we had Devoe and Fleur in our possession, with the proper encouragement."

Pyotr exclaims (at Barkeep), "Bring us some scrapple!"

[7thsea] Sebastien rolls 5k4: 5 6 4 1 5 | 20

Raelynn says (to Pyotr), "how about grape? I am in the mood to drown myself in some wine"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I'll throw in a drama die if it'll help"

Pyotr says, "Ussura really isn't grape country."

Sebastien says (to Charles), "surely you would not be suggesting anything unchivalrous"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says, "Now I want Anarae"

Era shudders at the thought of scrapple.

[ussura] GM says, "OK, so we'll say you had heard of both Arrent and Devoe before being sent here."

[ussura] GM says, "I don't think you've seen Arrent, but presumably he's the guy on the sketch."

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "That is a nasty, below-the-quality-of-hot-dog meat amalgamation. eeewwwwee."

Pyotr exclaims (at Era), "It's good for you! Puts hair on your chest!"

Charles says (to Sebastien), "I will review the codes of chivalry on my return home. I'm sure there's some clause which addresses the matter."

Era exclaims (at Pyotr), "The last thing I need is a hairy chest!"

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says (to Era), "I am sure it will help in your wolf form, actually"

Pyotr says (to Era), "Actually, I guess you grow chest hair at will, so."

[ussura] GM says, "The possibility of the two of them being the same seems remote. Possible, with a lot of secret Porte, but unlikely."

[Crows-Nest] Era says, "have you had the stuff? it is pretty bad."

[Crows-Nest] Raelynn says (to Era), "I thought it was a made-up drink that he just named as a form of snapple. I have just been informed that it's a real drink"

[ussura] GM asks, "Was there something different you hoped to learn as well?"

[Crows-Nest] Pyotr says, "I've had similarly nasty forms of ethanol. I can easily see Pyotr swilling it down."

Raelynn says (to Charles), "I am tempted to do a kidnapping of my own. This puzzling is giving me a headache"

Charles says (to Raelynn), "I would be happy to assist."

Pyotr exclaims (at Raelynn), "That's a great idea!"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "mm, if Arrent's involved with any particular groups or factions, but the information is probably somewhat out of date by now anyway"

Pyotr says, "We go in, grab Fleur and Devoe, and you use that knife to get us back here before the army overruns us."

Raelynn says (to pyotr), "i can't walk or grab"

Raelynn says, "i am not powerful enough"

Pyotr asks, "Sure, but the knife does the work, right?"

Pyotr says, "I mean, Fleur isn't powerful enough, either."

Sebastien says, "it might take some time for Raelynn to figure out how to use the knife"

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "is he right?"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "because if so, i have been misunderstanding porte all along"

[ussura] GM says, "It doesn't seem to your recollection that the sort of groups the two were involved with overlapped much, if at all."

[backstage] Maxwell says, "well, nobody here has ever heard of a magic knife like this before."

Pyotr says, "Okay, then we'll go kidnap Devoe and Dreng and just hold them hostage for a while."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "man"

Raelynn says (to pyotr), "it's the person. the knife is just the medium"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I really think that Fleur->Marceau->Devoe is the only connection"

Charles says, "I believe there are concoctions that can render a man senseless if inhaled. They're popular among press gangs, when a crew is desperate for sailors."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "and we're responsible for the first link, so it's our fault"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee hee"

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "with attunement, can i follow other people's objects?"

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "why was Fleur hanging out in the first place, and why did she blood Raelynn's knife?"

Charles says, "We could try to use something like that on Devoe, then create a distraction while we carry him off."

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I mean, ok, it could be unrelated to the current deal, but it is still weird"

[ussura] Pyotr says (to sebastien), "well, we'd need to ask her that. preferably while she hangs over a fire"

[backstage] GM says, "Anything you can drip blood on, you can follow."

Pyotr says (to Charles), "If we want him to sleep, I can manage that."

[backstage] GM asks, "Was that your question?"

Pyotr punches one fist into the other.

[backstage] Raelynn asks, "right, but i can't follow an object that has none of my blood, but has fleur's right?"

[backstage] GM says, "Right."

[backstage] GM says, "And indeed, you found an extra spot of blood on your own dagger back at the monastery."

Sebastien says, "I believe press gangs also used that technique"

Charles says (to Pyotr), "If you can do it quietly, from behind, and quickly enough that he doesn't cry out, that seems reasonable."

[backstage] Raelynn says, "right."

Pyotr says, "Hmm, I wonder if I can get any lead shot in this city."

Charles says, "If he has a chance to call an alarm first, it may be elss useful."

Pyotr says, "A small bag full of lead and he'll sleep very very soundly."

[ussura] Pyotr checks his Dirty Fighting skill

Alixandre says, "This is distressingly underhanded."

[backstage] Raelynn says, "this is why I use walkthroughs on IF to get through puzzles"

Raelynn says, "and complicated"

[backstage] GM says, "So, if Fleur is half-blooded, but the knife lets her act like she's full-blooded, she could use her attunement to your knife to Walk to where you were."

Sebastien says, "well, the alternative is to follow Charles's advice from earlier: head to the cliffs, and see if they come"

Charles says, "The trouble with that being if they don't."

Sebastien says, "from the cliffs we may be able to observe which way they head, even if they don't come to us"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "so we are right back to this very magical knife"

Charles says, "True."

Raelynn asks, "can we try to get this magical knife away from Devoe/Fleur before tomorrow?"

Pyotr asks, "If they're using Fleur's skills, why would they exit the tent at all?"

[backstage] GM asks, "Did you have another question?"

[backstage] Raelynn says, "not yet :)"

Pyotr says, "If the army sees them heading the wrong way there might be trouble."

Pyotr says, "Soldiers, especially soldiers like that, aren't happy when the leaders start heading backwards and they are supposed to head forwards."

Era says, "We've seen Raelynn mistaken for Fleur before . . . . perhaps we could use that to our adventage."

Raelynn looks at Era

Sebastien says (to Pyotr), "true, though I suspect Dreng is the main leader of this army"

Charles says, "I wonder if we could buy a spyglass in town. Probably not at this time of night."

Raelynn says (to Charles), "ask Daniil. I am sure the guards have a spyglass as part of the equipment"

Charles says (to Era), "You make an interesting point."

Pyotr asks (of Charles), "where would we get your sleeping potion?"

Era asks, "Could Raelynn walk in and just take it?"

Pyotr says, "Maybe Raelynn can administer it."

Charles says (to Pyotr), "The ingredients are not hard to come by, but I admit I do not have a strong grasp of the recipes... although perhaps someone else might."

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "what time of night is it?"

[ussura] Charles says, "(By which I mean, who has Natural Philosophy? :) )"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to charles), "i do"

[ussura] Alixandre asks, "speaking of time of night, how long do we plan on going?"

[ussura] GM says, "Another 15 minutes, though presumably 'to when you come up with a plan' would be a reasonable stopping point."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "ha ha ha aie"

Charles asks, "Is anyone here familiar with that sort of mixing and brewing and other alchmical sorts of things?"

[ussura] GM says, "Well, assuming you do so *within* 15 minutes ;-)"

Sebastien says, "I have confined my mixing attentions to alcoholic beverages"

[ussura] Charles says (to Rae), "Psst. Say yes."

Raelynn says, "i guess, i can"

Alixandre says (to Sebastien), "a skill that has often come in handy"

Raelynn says, "my grandmother made lots of potions as part of healing the servents and farmers on our estate"

Raelynn says, "i figure this is just an extension of that"

Alixandre says, "interesting"

Sebastien says (to Alixandre), "true, and combined with the right anecdotes, it is still capable of putting people to sleep"

Charles says, "Then that may be a plan..."

Charles asks, "Enter, under the guise of Fleur -- with an armed consort, of course, for safety -- then apply a prepared handkerchief to Devoe's guards and himself, take the knife, and return here?"

Pyotr says, "Sounds good"

Charles says, "I say 'handkerchief' because it seems we have such an excess of them."

Pyotr says (to Charles), "Sure, but you have to convince the owners to part with them."

Sebastien says, "no doubt Alixandre would be happy to spare one"

Raelynn says (to charles), "we will need more than one"

Alixandre says, "I -- that is --"

Alixandre sighs and rifles through his pockets, producing a handkerchief.

Alixandre says, "I believe this one might do."

[ussura] GM says, "'Poison' is an advanced Spy knack--Raelynn, Alix, and Sebastien all have Spy, though none have the actual knack itself."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "'spy' is such a perjorative term."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "we prefer 'sneaky' or 'sly'"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "even 'clever' would do in a pinch"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee hee"

[ussura] Raelynn asks (of alixandre), "unless you were looking for 'discreet'?"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "also a good term"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "'diplomatic'"

[ussura] Charles says, "Poison being one of the utmost forms of diplomacy."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "Poison is nothing more than diplomacy by other means."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "poison is merely diplomacy in easy-to-carry liquid form"

[ussura] GM says, "OK, you'll have to find a place to get the ingredients, but Breslau is a big place."

[ussura] Pyotr asks, "but is Breslau full of 24-hour no-questions pharmacies?"

[ussura] GM says, "Hmm, perhaps not."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "I mean, I can always use my Fighter's Discount, but that tends to attract attention"

[backstage] Maxwell asks, "what renaissance town isn't?"

[ussura] Era says, "If we hit enough pharmecies, we should be able to get ingredients separately, and rouse less suspicions. Perhaps."

[ussura] GM says, "Hee hee"

[ussura] GM asks, "Do you want to end right now, or go look for ingredients?"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I would imagine if we're mixing it ourselves, the ingredients on their own are basically safe to get"

[ussura] Era says, ""hit" meaning "purchase from" not "hit" as in the Fighter's Discount."

[backstage] Maxwell says, "certainly the shadier sorts of shops would be open at odd hours. The shadiest would even have a selection of quality sleep potions premade."

[ussura] Era says, "Let's go look for ingredients later. Sorry about being gone - Ellric was crying over spilt milk in the kitchen, so required be stripped and the floor mopped."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "I'd prefer to end it here. I'm about dead"

[ussura] Era says, "Poor kid, soaked all his clothes, and the floor. He's talented."

[ussura] GM says, "Alrighty then."

[ussura] GM says, "That'll give me enough time to come up with stuff for you ;-)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "ok, I assume we will work out the next session at some later date"

[ussura] Pyotr asks (of alix), "hey, aren't you CST?"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "yeah"

[backstage] GM says, "Though let it be noted that I already know a) the apothecary proprietor, and b)what Fleur and Devoe are doing at this point."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "bah, I say"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "but I've had a weekend of very little sleep and very much partying"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "being a parent has made him soft and weak"

[ussura] Alixandre says, "followed by our early morning ambulatory alarm clock"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "aw"

[backstage] GM asks, "Are weekends still full for everyone? Do we need to schedule another weekday session?"

[backstage] GM says, "Er, channel."

Era yeah, I'm with you on the buzzer with legs. Luckily for him, he's much cuter.

[ussura] GM asks, "Are weekends still full for everyone? Do we need to schedule another weekday session?"

[ussura] Charles says, "(Modem died again. Back again.)"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "our next weekend is the 26-27th, I think"

[ussura] GM says, "At which point inky is gone."

[ussura] Alixandre says, "and I am gone"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "i think we can do the 19th"

[ussura] Charles says, "I could probably manage the same time as tonight next Monday."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "if owmie is not done by the 19th evening, i am not graduating anyway"

[ussura] Pyotr says (to raelynn), "Even if you have finished your thesis, xyzzies"

[ussura] GM says, "Hee/aww"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "oh right. forgot"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "also 20. for somereason i keep being off by a day"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "xyzzys are the 20th"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "right"

[ussura] GM says, "Yeah."

[ussura] Sebastien asks, "I dunno, is the 19th out?"

[ussura] Pyotr says (to seb), "yes"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "the 19th is really out, the 20th would be doable if not for xyzzies"

[ussura] GM asks, "So, how's the 11th (this Friday) or the 14th (next monday)?"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "bad, maybe"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "in that order"

[ussura] GM says, "Actually it turns out the 11th is bad for Sara and I ;-)"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "I don't think I have any weekday conflicts until I leave (the 24th)"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "14th is actually good. i don't have class"

[ussura] GM says, "So, the 14th or 18th"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "since that's spring break"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "18th is out"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "so theoretically, we can even start earlier"

[ussura] GM says, "Sadly, 7 is about as early as we can manage. Monday we have dinner with my folks, after they watch Ellric during the day."

[ussura] Pyotr says, "early dinner"

[ussura] GM says, "And I get home from work at 6."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "okay"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "so the 14th?"

[ussura] Raelynn asks, "is the 13th bad?"

[ussura] Raelynn says, "since theoretically we should be back by then"

[ussura] Charles says, "Sounds good."

[ussura] Era says, "I think the 14th works for us."

[ussura] Charles says, "Do people want to do longer that time? That Monday would be better for that for me than today was."

[ussura] Charles says, "(And if Duchess is on break...)"

[ussura] Raelynn says (to charles), "i will be on time. we may send pyotr to bed, though"

[ussura] Sebastien says, "Sargent will have to nap in advance"

[ussura] GM says, "I had thought the 13th was bad for someone, but it is free for us."

[ussura] Charles says, "In any case, I'm closing the log and heading out now myself."

[ussura] Raelynn says (to gm), "it was bad for us. not anymore"

[ussura] GM says, "Aha."

[ussura] Raelynn says, "(we will be a bit late, tho)"

[ussura] Pyotr says, "our flight lands at 4:32pm"