(:nolinkwikiwords:)

[08-06 15:51:10] <Dionysus> everyone who is here: either a) decide on what your signing skill is or roll to determine the scale of your natural talent (normal roll, 10 means you naturally have a 14, 1 means you have no skill whatsoever, etc)

[08-06 15:51:22] * arielturnip (~Dani@fbb8a3c.14012855.no.cox.net) has joined #shem

[08-06 15:51:36] <Dionysus> dani, make a roll for me

[08-06 15:51:44] <arielturnip> what kind?

[08-06 15:51:52] <Viollca> signing?

[08-06 15:51:53] <Dionysus> just any old roll

[08-06 15:51:57] <Viollca> ah, singing

[08-06 15:52:04] <Dionysus> yeah, singing

[08-06 15:52:15] <the_Lurker_in_the_Chatroom> signing skill?

[08-06 15:52:19] <arielturnip> r

[08-06 15:52:19] <Eklem> arielturnip [0] 2 6 10

[08-06 15:52:33] <Viollca> dice d10

[08-06 15:52:33] <Eklem> 10 | [d10=10]

[08-06 15:52:34] * arielturnip is now known as albert_

[08-06 15:52:41] <Dionysus> singing, not signing

[08-06 15:52:42] <Viollca> well there you go

[08-06 15:52:42] <the_Lurker_in_the_Chatroom> r

[08-06 15:52:43] <Eklem> the_Lurker_in_the_Chatroom [0] 2 4 7

[08-06 15:53:09] <Dionysus> viollca has a 14

[08-06 15:53:15] <the_Lurker_in_the_Chatroom> 5?

[08-06 15:53:24] <Dionysus> you have a 7, nathan

[08-06 15:53:48] <Dionysus> albert has a 10

[08-06 15:53:49] * AldoMurgen (~lis@18251e65.3a1d2920.va.comcast.net) has joined #shem

[08-06 15:54:01] <Viollca> I felt Viollca has a good singing score, I'm glad she does

[08-06 15:54:05] <albert_> coulda been worse

[08-06 15:54:24] <One-Eye> ( )

[08-06 15:55:03] <Dionysus> Okay, Ben is said to be playing with wires, which makes me think he'll be here soon, so we're gonna go ahead & start.

[08-06 15:55:22] <Dionysus> Wait, there Ben is.

[08-06 15:55:30] <Dionysus> Anyway, assuming everyone is here...

[08-06 15:55:42] <Viollca> (here!)

[08-06 15:55:42] * One-Eye is now known as Matrim_Argent

[08-06 15:56:41] * the_Lurker_in_the_Chatroom is now known as Paul_

[08-06 15:56:55] <Dionysus> You guys are in the town of Aldunruth, near to Aldergast Prison, where you were recouping. Matrim was expressing a plan to go to the capital, & Albert & Caradonna had expressed interest in finding Magnus. Both of these take you south, so you would be traveling together for a while, anyway.

[08-06 15:57:32] * Paul_ wakes up

[08-06 15:58:22] <Dionysus> You feel refreshed, Paul. The deacon comes in & checks on you shortly after you awaken & declares you fit to get up & about, though he tells you not to do anything too strenuous (ie, fighting, running marathons, lifting buildings) for a week or two.

[08-06 15:58:39] <Dionysus> He's mildly rude about it.

[08-06 15:58:55] <Paul_> I thank him, and get up and go.

[08-06 15:59:26] <Dionysus> Where is everyone at the moment, then?

[08-06 15:59:44] <Dionysus> It is morning of the third day in Aldunruth.

[08-06 15:59:49] * albert_ was talking excitedly with Dionysus about songwriting

[08-06 16:01:08] <Paul_> Who do I run into first?

[08-06 16:01:18] * Matrim_Argent is probably getting prepared to leave.

[08-06 16:01:36] <Dionysus> Albert, you & Dionysus stayed up writing songs, if Albert would have been willing. Most normal songs can be established in one roll, but some important ones need a few boxes to be filled, if you follow me. This first song is a 3 box song. Roll writing skill with +3 for Dionysus's help.

[08-06 16:01:43] <Paul_> I approach.

[08-06 16:02:19] <albert_> r writing 14+3

[08-06 16:02:19] <Eklem> albert_ [writing: 14+3=17] 18 19 22

[08-06 16:02:23] <Dionysus> r diff 16

[08-06 16:02:23] <albert_>

[08-06 16:02:23] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 16] 20 20 24

[08-06 16:02:30] <Matrim_Argent> Approach who?

[08-06 16:02:48] <Paul_> Matrim.

[08-06 16:02:49] <Dionysus> Your night's work was scrapped & Dionysus wants to work on it later.

[08-06 16:02:56] <Matrim_Argent> Aight.

[08-06 16:03:27] * Matrim_Argent finishes packing a saddlebag and stands to greet.

[08-06 16:04:11] * albert_ would agree that it just doesn't sound right, and will wander off with his lines, muttering to himself and playing with his hat as he tries to think

[08-06 16:04:15] <Paul_> smile. "Good morning sir."

[08-06 16:04:31] <Dionysus> DIonysus would find you in the morning, Albert.

[08-06 16:04:31] <Matrim_Argent> "Good morning. Feeling better?"

[08-06 16:04:38] <albert_> ok

[08-06 16:04:43] <Dionysus> [note: let's do both convos at once, if no one minds]

[08-06 16:04:51] <albert_> he'd be ready with some fresh ideas

[08-06 16:04:59] <albert_> (fine by me)

[08-06 16:05:07] <Dionysus> Dionysus, to Albert, "Albert, my friend, I think you should take up the guitar."

[08-06 16:05:25] <Paul_> "Much. So...I'm not clear on who made it and who didn't."

[08-06 16:05:30] <Paul_> "Is Gas alright?"

[08-06 16:05:39] * albert_ looks up from the new sheet of paper, distracted. "Guitar?"

[08-06 16:05:53] <Matrim_Argent> "I... believe he's fine."

[08-06 16:05:58] <Viollca> (log from last session is up)

[08-06 16:06:30] <albert_> he seems to finally realize what's been suggested, "me? I don't know how to play."

[08-06 16:06:46] <Dionysus> "Yes, I think it suits you. Your singing voice is not bad, but if you took up an instrument, it would help you get the idea more easily when it comes to song-writing. And the guitar is a good instrument to play while you sing. It's hard to sing & play violin."

[08-06 16:06:58] <Dionysus> "I can teach you."

[08-06 16:07:14] * Paul_ nods. "Thanks."

[08-06 16:07:18] <albert_> "oh. I see what you're getting at. Where could I get one?"

[08-06 16:07:30] <albert_> "I...um don't make much money."

[08-06 16:07:40] <Matrim_Argent> "Many prisoners were lost, I fear."

[08-06 16:07:56] * Paul_ nods. "I feared as much."

[08-06 16:08:09] <Dionysus> "We can manage to find one, I'm sure. DOn't you worry about that. For now, I'll teach you simple music theory."

[08-06 16:08:31] <albert_> "Is it difficult to learn? I've always wanted to play something you know. I think you're really on to something with this guitar." He gets more excited as the idea settles in.

[08-06 16:08:42] * Matrim_Argent sighs and shakes his head unhappily.

[08-06 16:08:57] <albert_> "Theory? Well, let's get started."

[08-06 16:09:05] <Dionysus> "I think you'll learn it quickly."

[08-06 16:09:22] <Paul_> "So our cover is pretty much blown."

[08-06 16:09:34] <Dionysus> Dionysus begins telling you stuff about music theory as he packs.

[08-06 16:09:35] <albert_> "oh, good. Glad to hear it."

[08-06 16:09:36] <Matrim_Argent> "Cover?"

[08-06 16:10:22] <Paul_> "Inside the greencloaks. I don't think we can go back."

[08-06 16:10:39] * albert_ listens closely. Asking questions as he begins to catch on.

[08-06 16:10:50] <Dionysus> WHat's Viollca doing?

[08-06 16:11:14] * Matrim_Argent stares at Paul for a moment, then says, "Nor have I any wish to. I am going to the capital."

[08-06 16:11:48] <Viollca> I rolled. Viollca is waking up a bit late. We can say she's getting up about now. Shw would have asked for a change of clothes from the life church

[08-06 16:11:52] <Paul_> nods.

[08-06 16:12:07] <Dionysus> They would have provided one, but it doesn't fit well

[08-06 16:12:09] <Paul_> "Are you going alone, or is this a group thing?"

[08-06 16:12:17] <Viollca> too big to too small?

[08-06 16:12:31] <Dionysus> Too big

[08-06 16:13:02] <Matrim_Argent> "Some of the others will be travelling with me for a time. I believe they have business in the same direction."

[08-06 16:13:39] <Paul_> "Okay."

[08-06 16:14:59] <Dionysus> [Ben?]

[08-06 16:15:24] * Matrim_Argent begins folding a blanket to join other items in his bags.

[08-06 16:16:25] <Paul_> "I'll see if I can find any of the others. I feel like I need to catch up."

[08-06 16:16:36] <Dionysus> At some point during the day, the former prisoners Mysoner& Tag & the Red Cloaks Naivar & Askasi approach Albert.

[08-06 16:16:45] <Dionysus> "Sr?" Mysoner says.

[08-06 16:16:53] <Dionysus> [sir]

[08-06 16:16:59] <Paul_> and I go find Viollca next.

[08-06 16:17:05] * Viollca comes out from the extra rooms, wearing a shirt that is too big for her. She asks to prepare herself a breakfast

[08-06 16:17:06] * Matrim_Argent blinks, then nods. "As you wish. I am pleased to see you well again."

[08-06 16:17:22] <albert_> "hmmmm?" looking up again from his song notes. "What?" he seems confused.

[08-06 16:17:44] <Paul_> I approach Viollca.

[08-06 16:17:55] <Dionysus> "Sir, me & the boys understand you all are heading south. We were talking, & some of us know some fellas up north here that we want to contact," Mysoner explains to you.

[08-06 16:18:19] <albert_> "Oh? Who?" he addresses Mysoner.

[08-06 16:18:20] * Viollca is looking off in the distance as you enter. She stops what she is doing when she sees you approach, "PauL!"

[08-06 16:18:33] <Paul_> big smile.

[08-06 16:18:38] <Paul_> "How are you?"

[08-06 16:18:49] <Viollca> (one sec)

[08-06 16:18:51] <Viollca> r

[08-06 16:18:51] <Eklem> Viollca [0] 2 7 8

[08-06 16:18:59] <Dionysus> "Well, some members of the resistance, that sorta thing. Gonna catch up on old times."

[08-06 16:19:07] <Viollca> she runs over to give you a big hug.

[08-06 16:19:32] <Viollca> "Are you ok? Should you be up?"

[08-06 16:19:45] * Viollca backs away out of your personal space

[08-06 16:19:53] * Paul_ hugs back. "I'm fine."

[08-06 16:19:57] <albert_> "Oh? I don't suppose it's on our way, is it?" hopefully.

[08-06 16:20:00] <Paul_> "They said I'm good to travel."

[08-06 16:20:19] * Viollca smiles uncomfortably

[08-06 16:20:32] <Dionysus> "Well, no, that's just it. It's off the beaten path a bit, so... Well, me & the boys were wondering you'd mind if we took our leave."

[08-06 16:20:36] <Paul_> (okay. It's been a few weeks. Have we been calling her Violet, or Viollca?)

[08-06 16:20:57] * lis (~lis@18251e65.3a1d2920.va.comcast.net) has joined #shem

[08-06 16:21:05] <Dionysus> [ben!]

[08-06 16:21:06] * lis is now known as Aldo__Murgen

[08-06 16:21:14] <Viollca> (You've probably been calling her Violet, her alias, for awhile)

[08-06 16:21:17] <Aldo__Murgen> [last saw: [17:27] albert_ "Oh? I don't suppose it's on our way, is it?" hopefully.]

[08-06 16:21:48] <Paul_> "Violet...You saved my life back there."

[08-06 16:21:58] <Dionysus> WHat is Aldo doing at the moment?

[08-06 16:22:28] <Viollca> "I saw, those things, I," she stops and folds her arms as if cold

[08-06 16:22:39] <albert_> "Oh, no. Wish I could meet your friends. Safe journey." He shakes their hands grinning and presses some pamphlets on them, asking they spread them about.

[08-06 16:22:43] * Aldo__Murgen is sitting in the back of the chapel, looking at his whiskey flask and thinking about the lady he just buried.

[08-06 16:22:59] <Paul_> "You stepped between it and me."

[08-06 16:22:59] <Aldo__Murgen> He's mostly looking at the bottom of the flask on the inside.

[08-06 16:23:01] * Viollca smiles. "You would have done the same." She is looking to the ground at your left.

[08-06 16:23:09] <Dionysus> They agree to, & wish you well on your way, then make ready to leave rather quickly, & move out without saying much more to anyone.

[08-06 16:23:12] * Viollca bites her lip

[08-06 16:23:37] <Viollca> and swallows.

[08-06 16:23:58] <Viollca> she starts to move back towards the table where she was eating.

[08-06 16:24:32] * Paul_ smiles sheepishly. "You may be overestimating me a bit."

[08-06 16:25:26] * albert_ will return to his song, putting his pencil absentmindedly behind an ear as he reads through his lines yet again.

[08-06 16:25:50] <Dionysus> The priest of this temple finds you, Aldo, & asks you if you'd like to talk about it.

[08-06 16:26:10] <albert_> after a second he reaches into his pouch for another pencil and makes a correction.

[08-06 16:26:34] * Viollca sits back down. She looks you in the eyes once, looks kind of sad. "I'm glad you're well Paul."

[08-06 16:26:54] <Paul_> "I'm glad you made it out."

[08-06 16:27:53] * Viollca smiles weakily, goes back to eating, looking away. She might look worried.

[08-06 16:28:01] <Paul_> I'll bow out.

[08-06 16:28:13] <Viollca> her eyes follow you out

[08-06 16:28:39] <Dionysus> Viollca is now blind, since her eyes have apparently detached from her head.

[08-06 16:29:08] <Matrim_Argent> Paul, however, now has the best. pet. evar.

[08-06 16:29:33] <Dionysus> Aldo?

[08-06 16:29:52] <Dionysus> That is, Aldo, do you respond to the priest?

[08-06 16:29:56] * Aldo__Murgen rattles the gun pellet at the bottom of the flask and then closes it. "Thank ye, reverend. Me and her was a long time ago. I just wish I could have saved her."

[08-06 16:30:01] * Paul_ sings "I always feel like...somebody's watchin' me..."

[08-06 16:31:09] <Dionysus> He gives a generic, "We can't save everyone" response, & adds, "Those who are important to us are the hardest to lose. If there's anything I can do for you, let me know."

[08-06 16:32:02] * Aldo__Murgen nods and thanks him again.

[08-06 16:33:13] * AldoMurgen has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[08-06 16:33:13] <Dionysus> SO does everyone agree to move south & get ready to do so?

[08-06 16:33:25] * Aldo__Murgen does.

[08-06 16:33:49] <Paul_> Over the course of the journey I get caught up on the general plans. (now someone fill me in OOC)

[08-06 16:34:11] * albert_ is ready

[08-06 16:34:16] * Viollca gathers what is left of her stuff. She leaves as many of her old clothes as she can manage.

[08-06 16:34:17] <Matrim_Argent> I don't think you actually missed anything.

[08-06 16:34:34] <Dionysus> [you really didn't miss much, i don't think. matrim wants to go tell the emperor about what happened & albert wants to go find magnus]

[08-06 16:34:46] <Paul_> (I DON'T KNOW WHAT EVERYONE IS DOING.)

[08-06 16:34:59] <albert_> (and convince Mat not to commit suicide by visiting the emperor)

[08-06 16:35:00] <Paul_> ah.

[08-06 16:35:00] <Paul_> yes.

[08-06 16:35:19] <Paul_> Is anyone else going with Matrim?

[08-06 16:35:29] * Aldo__Murgen wouldn't mind having a word with Gaspar Tove.

[08-06 16:35:43] <Viollca> (paul, no one sane.)

[08-06 16:35:45] <Dionysus> Gaspar Tove happens to be in the capital, so you'd be with Matrim when the party eventually splits up.

[08-06 16:36:13] <Paul_> I'll ask Matrim if he wants some company on his errand.

[08-06 16:36:27] <albert_> (we're all heading out together)

[08-06 16:36:55] <Paul_> yes, and on the journey I ask him that.

[08-06 16:37:00] <Dionysus> You're all basically at one of the northern most points of the Empire, so there's no need to split up for several hundreds of miles.

[08-06 16:37:06] <Matrim_Argent> "There is a high chance that carrying this message will mean my life. I will not ask anyone to accompany me."

[08-06 16:37:32] <Paul_> "You don't have to ask. I'm offering."

[08-06 16:38:19] <Aldo__Murgen> "I'll accompany ye tae the capital, but I have my own authority tae answer tae."

[08-06 16:39:09] <Viollca> (how many horses do we have? Is Paul/Gas on a horse?)

[08-06 16:39:26] <Dionysus> [i never got around to mentioning that, people're moving faster than i am]

[08-06 16:39:43] <Matrim_Argent> "The gesture is appreciated, but I do not believe it would serve any purpose for you to offer up your life as well."

[08-06 16:40:08] <albert_> (I'm assuming this is a private conversation?)

[08-06 16:40:13] <Paul_> yes.

[08-06 16:40:20] <Dionysus> So, before you leave, the life priest orders the deacon to fetch you extra horses, spending out of the collection plate to purchase three extra mounts. Someone will have to double up, but Gas can't ride well anyway.

[08-06 16:40:22] <albert_> (thanks)

[08-06 16:40:36] <Paul_> gas can ride with me.

[08-06 16:41:07] * Viollca thanks the Life priest exhaustively

[08-06 16:41:11] <Paul_> nods. "Okay. I don't know...I just hate to let a good man go to something like this alone."

[08-06 16:41:23] <Dionysus> He's glad of that. He occassionally glances nervously at Viollca.

[08-06 16:42:01] <Dionysus> And he blushes when he does.

[08-06 16:42:11] * albert_ will also thank the priest for his kindness and press a pamphlet in his hand as we leave.

[08-06 16:42:42] * Paul_ will also thank the priest.

[08-06 16:42:42] <albert_> (the minotaur blushes?)

[08-06 16:42:47] <Dionysus> The priest says "You're welcome. Least we could do for friends."

[08-06 16:42:52] <Dionysus> [what minotaur?]

[08-06 16:43:01] <albert_> (the life priest was aminotaur)

[08-06 16:43:02] * Matrim_Argent smiles a little at that. "I thank you for such an estimate. If you wish to be of aid, will you carry a message to my family should I prove unable to depart the capital?"

[08-06 16:43:08] <Dionysus> [oh, the life priest, no. gas blushes]

[08-06 16:43:21] <Dionysus> [gas is glad to ride with paul & looks nervously at viollca, then blushes]

[08-06 16:43:23] <albert_> (aaaah)

[08-06 16:43:25] <Dionysus> sorry

[08-06 16:44:47] * Viollca smiles weakly at Gas. She seems lost in thought remembering something.

[08-06 16:44:54] <Dionysus> So, you guys travel south. It's winter up here, very cold, snow is on the ground. Evergreen forests, hills. The roads are cleared, generally, but sometimes it's rough going.

[08-06 16:45:26] <Viollca> before we go too far, Viollca would like to talk to Aldo

[08-06 16:45:38] <Viollca> one night, when she can get him alone

[08-06 16:45:40] <Paul_> "I'd love to."

[08-06 16:46:21] * Matrim_Argent thanks Paul again.

[08-06 16:46:40] * Aldo__Murgen is available.

[08-06 16:47:07] * albert_ will pass time by singing the portions of his and Dionysus' song that are the most stable, and on smoother areas, juggling while on his horse (I think this would be hard)

[08-06 16:48:03] <Dionysus> [it's not the easiest place to juggle. roll writing +3]

[08-06 16:48:06] <Dionysus> r song 16

[08-06 16:48:07] <Eklem> Dionysus [song: 16] 22 23 24

[08-06 16:48:19] <albert_> r writing 14+3

[08-06 16:48:19] <Eklem> albert_ [writing: 14+3=17] 19 25 27

[08-06 16:48:38] <Dionysus> [check a box off. it's going pretty well. a third of the song is how you like it]

[08-06 16:48:40] <Paul_> Billy, did you by some chance mean singing when you said signing?

[08-06 16:48:48] <Dionysus> yes, i meant singing.

[08-06 16:49:21] <albert_> (yes, its not easy, but he needs practice)

[08-06 16:49:46] <Dionysus> Are Aldo & Viollca talking?

[08-06 16:49:48] <Aldo__Murgen> yes

[08-06 16:49:57] <Dionysus> [pm me the convo when it's done]

[08-06 16:50:14] <Viollca> (yes)

[08-06 16:50:21] <Viollca> (ok)

[08-06 16:51:03] <Dionysus> As you all travel south, you often hear howling in the distance that is not the howling of wolves, but of people or some sort of formerly living thing, but it's very far off.

[08-06 16:51:48] <Dionysus> You have food for to travel with, which is lucky. There's not many towns or villages around here.

[08-06 16:52:07] * TheGM (nwebb@10acf436.26866aa7.lbcktx.swbell.net) has joined #shem

[08-06 16:52:22] <Dionysus> The northern parts of the Empire were not part of the core nation that became the Empire, but were long provinces ruled by locals, until the Imperial Family took over direct rulership.

[08-06 16:52:29] * TheGM is now known as Paul_Driver

[08-06 16:52:34] <Dionysus> What was the last ye saw, Nathan?

[08-06 16:52:46] <Paul_Driver> (pm me the convo when it's done)

[08-06 16:53:44] <Dionysus> Up here, people have thick accents, are wary of others, & tend to live in lone farmsteads of small villages of at most thirty or so people.

[08-06 16:54:20] <Dionysus> They are very self-sufficient, able to last the long winters alone & not ones to give out much charity... or so their reputation says.

[08-06 16:54:42] <albert_> I'm sure that's not true.

[08-06 16:54:49] <albert_> or Albert is.

[08-06 16:54:51] <Dionysus> The nobles up here live in big castle-fortresses & keep out of the business of the people as much as they can.

[08-06 16:55:22] <Dionysus> And some nasty things are said about what lurks around these parts in the night.

[08-06 16:55:41] <Dionysus> Viollca & Aldo almost done talking?>

[08-06 16:55:46] <Paul_Driver> and we're here on Walpurgisnacht, right?

[08-06 16:56:03] <Viollca> (not sure, not for a bit)

[08-06 16:56:08] <Viollca> (sorry)

[08-06 16:56:28] <Dionysus> Gas tells Paul about a conversation he overheard while lying in bed in the Life Church.

[08-06 16:56:38] <Dionysus> "You know them fellas that made it out of the prison with us?"

[08-06 16:56:58] <Paul_Driver> "Most of them."

[08-06 16:57:31] <Dionysus> "I heard them talking before they left. They were discussing what to tell Captain Albert about where they were going."

[08-06 16:58:03] <Paul_Driver> "Which men were these? the redcloaks?"

[08-06 16:58:51] <Dionysus> "The Red Cloaks, the former nobleman, & the other one. The one who was a bankrobber. They were telling Albert that they were gonna be going to find old friends or something like that, but that's not what they were up to."

[08-06 16:59:24] <Paul_Driver> "What are they up to?"

[08-06 16:59:37] <Aldo__Murgen> Does soul sight reveal undeath magic use?

[08-06 17:00:03] <Dionysus> In use? No. It can reveal the after effects of using undeath magic.

[08-06 17:00:25] <Aldo__Murgen> Cool, that's what I meant.

[08-06 17:01:36] <Dionysus> "Well, the noble called Mysoner, he was a thief, that's why he went to prison, & the bank robber, Tag, well, they each had about 10 stashes of treasure hidden around the Empire, & they decided to let the Red Cloaks in on it if they helped them get out & about to find it. So they made up a story to keep us out of it & now they're off digging up two fortunes of buried treasure."

[08-06 17:02:18] <Paul_Driver> "That makes me sad."

[08-06 17:02:24] <Paul_Driver> "I'll tell the captain."

[08-06 17:02:38] <Paul_Driver> and at next available opportunity, I do so.

[08-06 17:02:58] <Dionysus> Gas shrugs. The Captain ain't far, you can tell him now if you'd like.

[08-06 17:03:41] <Paul_Driver> I do.

[08-06 17:03:42] <albert_> "Damn it! I bet they're not going to circulate those pamphlets!"

[08-06 17:04:00] <Paul_Driver> "And they're squandering their second chance."

[08-06 17:04:31] * Paul_ has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[08-06 17:04:43] <albert_> "Yes. It's a shame. I'll tell Carradonna about those that have deserted Magnus."

[08-06 17:04:54] <Dionysus> Caradonna says, "If they take that money & get out of the Empire, they're making better use of their second chance than going to the capital & trying to talk to the Emperor."

[08-06 17:05:00] <Aldo__Murgen> r life faith to see soul on violet 13+1

[08-06 17:05:01] <Eklem> Aldo__Murgen [life faith to see soul on violet: 13+1=14] 16 16 16

[08-06 17:05:16] <albert_> "That is true enough."

[08-06 17:05:29] <Dionysus> r diff 18

[08-06 17:05:30] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 18] 20 21 26

[08-06 17:05:39] <Paul_Driver> "Well, I won't blame a man for doing what he feels he has to do."

[08-06 17:05:44] <Dionysus> Oh, you can't soul see on Viollca.

[08-06 17:06:07] <Dionysus> Caradonna says, "I won't blame a man for taking a fortune & running."

[08-06 17:06:24] <Aldo__Murgen> Is that unusual?

[08-06 17:06:43] <Dionysus> No, it's not an easy thing to do, but I did put the difficulty too high. Shoulda been 16.

[08-06 17:06:54] <Dionysus> Still, ya wouldn't've been able to get it.

[08-06 17:06:59] <Paul_Driver> "I guess you got a point there."

[08-06 17:07:29] <Paul_Driver> "I keep forgetting I'm not in Anlir anymore."

[08-06 17:07:33] <albert_> "Well I suppose not. I can hope that they'll do something useful with it."

[08-06 17:09:09] <Dionysus> Caradonna says, "I remember Naivar from before he got caught. He was a good man. I don't Imagine he'll abandon the cause, no matter where he ends up. Unless prison changed him."

[08-06 17:09:55] <albert_> "Well good. I'm sure he'll still be behind us." he grins again, not even considering the second possibility.

[08-06 17:10:01] <Paul_Driver> "I'll go with that."

[08-06 17:10:46] <Dionysus> (Aldo & Viollca about done?)

[08-06 17:12:55] <albert_> (I don't think they are done yet)

[08-06 17:14:04] <Dionysus> Dionysus wants the first song yer working on to be about the bad conditions of Aldergast prison, but he's suggesting the angle of a person in prison wrongly, lamenting not being with his wife & child, & making referrences to the undeath, the horrors, the torture, the maze, etc.

[08-06 17:14:18] <Viollca> (done)

[08-06 17:14:54] <albert_> what do you mean wrongly?

[08-06 17:15:19] <albert_> as in that point of view doesn't fit?

[08-06 17:15:38] <albert_> ohhhhH!

[08-06 17:15:40] <albert_> I got it

[08-06 17:15:55] <albert_> someone wrongly accused

[08-06 17:15:59] <albert_> got it

[08-06 17:16:03] <Dionysus> right, he was put in prison on charges that were untrue.

[08-06 17:16:04] <Dionysus> right

[08-06 17:16:07] <albert_> Albert can get into that

[08-06 17:16:26] <albert_> injustice is his specialty

[08-06 17:18:30] <Dionysus> So, about four days on the road, you see a man sitting in the middle of the road.

[08-06 17:18:38] <Dionysus> His head is bare, he's only wearing a loincloth.

[08-06 17:18:40] <albert_> his accounts of missing family might be a little cliche, cause he's never been in love, but hopefully Dionysus will help him make it more realistic

[08-06 17:18:50] <albert_> in the snow?

[08-06 17:18:50] <Dionysus> Dionysus will help.

[08-06 17:18:55] <Dionysus> Yes, in the snow.

[08-06 17:19:09] <Matrim_Argent> Sexy.

[08-06 17:19:10] <Dionysus> He seems to be sleeping, but as you approach, he looks up & stands & bows.

[08-06 17:19:17] * albert_ will dismount and approach him

[08-06 17:19:19] <Dionysus> "Greetings, travelers."

[08-06 17:19:36] * albert_ nods "Hello."

[08-06 17:19:39] * Matrim_Argent studies the man.

[08-06 17:19:54] <Paul_Driver> r readpeople 13

[08-06 17:19:54] <Eklem> Paul_Driver [readpeople: 13] 14 15 17

[08-06 17:19:59] <Dionysus> He has a small bag tied to a string around his neck.

[08-06 17:20:04] <Dionysus> r rog 10

[08-06 17:20:04] <Eklem> Dionysus [rog: 10] 14 17 20

[08-06 17:20:15] <albert_> "Aren't you cold?"

[08-06 17:20:51] <Dionysus> Paul, Aldo, Matrim, you all recognize the thing around his neck as a dream holy symbol.

[08-06 17:20:59] <albert_> r read 14

[08-06 17:20:59] <Eklem> albert_ [read: 14] 18 18 24

[08-06 17:21:10] <Dionysus> "I do not feel the cold, for I walk the paths of dreams."

[08-06 17:21:14] * Viollca stops and looks surprised when everyone notices the man.

[08-06 17:21:16] <albert_> scratch that, he's not trying to read him

[08-06 17:21:55] <Dionysus> "I seek to test worthiness. Will one of you accept a challenge?"

[08-06 17:21:56] <albert_> "Oh." a bit surprised. "Albert. Albert Renkarr." he holds out a hand.

[08-06 17:22:03] <Dionysus> He ignores the hand.

[08-06 17:22:07] <Aldo__Murgen> "What manner o' challenge?"

[08-06 17:22:20] * albert_ looks up at Aldo

[08-06 17:22:31] <albert_> and then back to the man

[08-06 17:22:43] <Dionysus> "Storytelling."

[08-06 17:23:10] * Aldo__Murgen laughs and slaps Albert on the back. "Then here's yer man!"

[08-06 17:23:31] <Viollca> "What are the stakes of your challenge?"

[08-06 17:23:33] <albert_> "heh. What did you have in mind." as he stumbles a bit.

[08-06 17:24:04] <Dionysus> He looks at Albert. "Albert Renkarr, I am Brother Homer."

[08-06 17:24:34] <albert_> "Nice to meet you." he pulls out a pamphlet and offers it and his hand.

[08-06 17:24:50] <Dionysus> He bows slightly & takes it.

[08-06 17:25:14] * albert_ bows as well, with a bit of a flourish

[08-06 17:25:22] <Dionysus> "My challenge is thus: You begin a story. After an hour, you stop & I pick up where you left off. We continue alternating until one of us falters."

[08-06 17:25:43] <albert_> "And when we do?"

[08-06 17:26:31] <albert_> he's getting excited and its starting to come out in his questions

[08-06 17:26:36] * Aldo__Murgen scratches his beard. "Hmm." Thoughtfully, "That could take a long time."

[08-06 17:26:39] <Dionysus> "If I falter first, I will reward you. If I fail, you will reward me."

[08-06 17:26:51] <Dionysus> "You are in a hurry?"

[08-06 17:27:17] <Dionysus> s/If I fail/If you fail/

[08-06 17:27:25] <albert_> "I don't have much to offer you. Well, we are on a journey. Could we do this while traveling?"

[08-06 17:27:46] <Dionysus> "I will walk with you, then, until the challenge is over."

[08-06 17:28:05] <albert_> "But if I lose, what could I reward you with?"

[08-06 17:28:19] <Dionysus> "What you have to offer is unimportant, as the story is the true reward. I ask only for a token to prove the challenge took place."

[08-06 17:29:01] <Dionysus> "Do you accept?"

[08-06 17:29:01] <Paul_Driver> (drafted...)

[08-06 17:29:08] <Dionysus> [hurry back, nathan]

[08-06 17:29:08] <albert_> "I'd be glad to. Sounds even better than the last challenge I had. Poetry, you know."

[08-06 17:29:14] <Viollca> "Be careful!" Viollca hisses

[08-06 17:29:24] <albert_> "Yes." he doesn't wait for others to jump in.

[08-06 17:29:46] <albert_> he waves a hand at her

[08-06 17:29:52] <Dionysus> "Then I will need the help of one of your companions. Would one of you keep time for us?"

[08-06 17:30:43] <Matrim_Argent> "I have a watch."

[08-06 17:31:13] <Dionysus> "Thank you, Sir. If I may be so bold, I believe I recognize your face. Sir Argent?"

[08-06 17:31:27] <Matrim_Argent> "I am."

[08-06 17:31:28] * Viollca looks to Matrim from Albert with surprise

[08-06 17:31:44] <Dionysus> "I had the pleasure of meeting your sister. It was one of the greater honors of my life."

[08-06 17:32:27] <albert_> (Will his sister be canonized when she dies?)

[08-06 17:32:40] <Dionysus> [i'll let you know when she dies]

[08-06 17:32:49] <albert_> (oh ok)

[08-06 17:33:38] * Matrim_Argent smiles. "Thank you. She is an honor to the house of Argent."

[08-06 17:33:51] <Dionysus> He bows slightly to you, then turns to Albert. "Shall we begin?"

[08-06 17:34:13] <albert_> "Please. Who shall start?"

[08-06 17:35:02] <Dionysus> "I gave the challenge, so you begin."

[08-06 17:35:14] * albert_ begins telling a story

[08-06 17:35:31] <albert_> about a young girl in a small village

[08-06 17:35:37] <Dionysus> go on

[08-06 17:35:58] <albert_> her father was a famous clockmaker

[08-06 17:36:21] <albert_> people came from far and wide to have his clocks

[08-06 17:36:57] <albert_> her mother had died when she was very young, and her father had little time away from his work

[08-06 17:37:06] <Dionysus> [ha! time! a pun!]

[08-06 17:37:28] <Dionysus> [go on]

[08-06 17:37:33] <albert_> she wasn't unhappy though. She loved her village and her father.

[08-06 17:37:41] * lis (~lis@18251e65.3a1d2920.va.comcast.net) has joined #shem

[08-06 17:37:49] <Dionysus> [what'd ya miss, aldo?]

[08-06 17:37:51] <albert_> One day a stranger came to visit her father.

[08-06 17:37:52] * lis is now known as AldoMurgen

[08-06 17:38:06] <AldoMurgen> [[18:43] Dionysus "I gave the challenge, so you begin."]

[08-06 17:38:50] <albert_> the girl runs into their cottage after returning from the small market. The cotage feels different.

[08-06 17:38:53] <Paul_Driver> back, and caught up.

[08-06 17:38:58] <Dionysus> [cool]

[08-06 17:39:53] <albert_> She puts her basket down on the table, and heads quietly toward the workshop in the back. There are muffled voices and one sounds near panic. "Papa?"

[08-06 17:41:10] <albert_> the voices stop and the authoritative voice gives one sharp command. A cloaked man barrels out of the door, nearly knocking the girl off her feet. He is out the door before she can pick herself off the ground.

[08-06 17:41:55] <albert_> She tries to get her father to tell her what happened, but he refuses. He is very distracted the rest of the evening.

[08-06 17:42:03] <albert_> She goes to sleep troubled.

[08-06 17:43:03] <albert_> In the morning she makes breakfast and goes to wake her father and finds him gone. In his near empty workshop she finds a note telling her he has gone to build a clock.

[08-06 17:43:07] <Dionysus> [if ye wish to stop telling it at any point, we can abstract.]

[08-06 17:43:13] <albert_> ok great

[08-06 17:43:35] <Dionysus> [were ye thinking i wanted ye to actually tell the whole story?]

[08-06 17:43:44] <Dionysus> [& do ye actually wanna stop now?]

[08-06 17:43:56] <albert_> basically it's a setup for a quest story, to find her father.

[08-06 17:44:11] <albert_> (yes, it would be just like you)

[08-06 17:44:35] <Dionysus> Roll showmanship -1 for storytelling.

[08-06 17:44:48] <albert_> r showmanship 14-1

[08-06 17:44:48] <Eklem> albert_ [showmanship: 14-1=13] 16 16 17

[08-06 17:44:52] <albert_> damn

[08-06 17:45:21] <Dionysus> By the time the monk takes over, the girl is on her quest. He takes her through several trials & tribulations before you get the sotry back.

[08-06 17:45:30] <Dionysus> r monk st 14

[08-06 17:45:30] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk st: 14] 19 22 24

[08-06 17:45:40] <Dionysus> Roll again.

[08-06 17:45:48] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:45:49] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 20 21 22

[08-06 17:46:50] <Dionysus> Basically, let's just do rolls until I say stop.

[08-06 17:46:53] <albert_> ok

[08-06 17:46:55] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:46:55] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 15 19 21

[08-06 17:46:59] <Dionysus> You roll.

[08-06 17:47:02] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:47:03] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 15 18 22

[08-06 17:47:05] * Viollca tries to remember the story as best as she can. She looks to the other to get their reactions on this turn of events

[08-06 17:47:20] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:47:21] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 15 16 22

[08-06 17:47:27] <Dionysus> Roll.

[08-06 17:47:28] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:47:28] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 15 17 18

[08-06 17:47:33] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:47:33] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 15 16 21

[08-06 17:47:40] <Dionysus> Roll.

[08-06 17:47:40] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:47:41] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 17 18 19

[08-06 17:47:45] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:47:46] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 16 21 22

[08-06 17:47:52] <Dionysus> Roll.

[08-06 17:47:59] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:48:00] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 15 17 23

[08-06 17:48:05] <Dionysus> (one of you has to beat the other by seven before this ends)

[08-06 17:48:11] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:48:11] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 19 23 24

[08-06 17:48:13] <albert_> what's the score?

[08-06 17:48:14] * Aldo__Murgen has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[08-06 17:48:25] <Dionysus> There is no score. Roll.

[08-06 17:48:37] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:48:38] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 17 20 23

[08-06 17:48:41] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:48:42] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 17 20 21

[08-06 17:48:47] <Dionysus> Roll.

[08-06 17:48:49] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:48:49] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 14 14 17

[08-06 17:48:52] <albert_> ahhhhH!

[08-06 17:48:54] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:48:55] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 15 18 22

[08-06 17:49:03] <Dionysus> Roll.

[08-06 17:49:04] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:49:04] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 14 15 17

[08-06 17:49:25] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:49:25] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 15 18 20

[08-06 17:49:49] <Dionysus> Roll.

[08-06 17:49:50] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:49:50] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 18 21 21

[08-06 17:49:54] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:49:54] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 22 23 23

[08-06 17:50:00] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:50:00] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 17 22 23

[08-06 17:50:04] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:50:04] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 15 19 23

[08-06 17:50:09] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:50:09] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 14 17 20

[08-06 17:50:11] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:50:11] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 15 17 24

[08-06 17:50:17] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:50:18] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 15 19 23

[08-06 17:50:19] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:50:20] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 15 23 24

[08-06 17:50:27] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:50:28] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 16 19 21

[08-06 17:50:33] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:50:33] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 16 17 22

[08-06 17:50:39] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:50:39] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 16 18 19

[08-06 17:50:42] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:50:43] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 17 18 23

[08-06 17:50:47] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:50:48] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 14 15 20

[08-06 17:50:51] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:50:51] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 17 21 23

[08-06 17:50:56] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:50:57] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 19 19 20

[08-06 17:51:01] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:51:01] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 16 21 24

[08-06 17:51:09] <albert_> r show 14-1

[08-06 17:51:10] <Eklem> albert_ [show: 14-1=13] 19 23 23

[08-06 17:51:10] <Dionysus> Jesus. This is taking longer than I expected.

[08-06 17:51:16] <Dionysus> Jesus. This is taking longer than I expected.

[08-06 17:51:18] <Dionysus> r monk 14

[08-06 17:51:19] <Eklem> Dionysus [monk: 14] 15 15 17

[08-06 17:51:24] <Viollca> do multiple rolls

[08-06 17:51:25] <Dionysus> So the monk falters.

[08-06 17:51:35] <Viollca> ! r 14-1 14-1 14-1 14-1

[08-06 17:51:36] <Eklem> Viollca [14-1=13] 17 20 21

[08-06 17:51:36] <Eklem> Viollca [14-1=13] 14 18 18

[08-06 17:51:36] <Eklem> Viollca [14-1=13] 14 15 17

[08-06 17:51:36] <Eklem> Viollca [14-1=13] 14 18 18

[08-06 17:51:36] <albert_> he does?

[08-06 17:51:41] <Viollca> (oops)

[08-06 17:51:43] <Dionysus> You rolled 23, he rolled 15

[08-06 17:51:46] <Dionysus> Diff of 8.

[08-06 17:51:50] <albert_> ohhhhh

[08-06 17:52:05] <albert_> I thought I had to beat him seven times

[08-06 17:52:09] <albert_> ok

[08-06 17:52:22] <albert_> so what happens?

[08-06 17:52:32] <Dionysus> One sec

[08-06 17:53:04] <Dionysus> So, each day, you guys take turns. A total of 35 hours is spent in story telling, but of course, you eat & sleep between things, at official breaks.

[08-06 17:53:22] <Dionysus> He finally falters when he can no longer come up with more story & no official break is at hand.

[08-06 17:53:33] * Viollca cooks, gives her water rations to Albert

[08-06 17:53:41] <Dionysus> The story will be made up later.

[08-06 17:53:56] <albert_> he thanks her when he can

[08-06 17:54:09] <Dionysus> When he falters, he shakes his head & lowers it in a bow. "You are indeed, a fine storyteller, Albert Renkarr. Would you please kneel before me?"

[08-06 17:54:33] <Paul_Driver> (and so the fillibuster was invented.)

[08-06 17:54:34] * albert_ looks flabbergasted, "Uh. Ok." he does

[08-06 17:54:36] <albert_> hehe

[08-06 17:56:33] <Dionysus> He places his hands on your head & prays. You feel something stir within you, then he pulls his hands away. "Albert Renkarr, thrice shall the servants of dream aide you. When you have need to travel roads that never existed or that do not appear in the waking world, simply speak the Dreamer's Word, [insert word in faerie tongue here], & you shall gain access to the Paths of Dreaming. But only thrice shall you be able to do so."

[08-06 17:57:18] <Dionysus> He bows deeply. "A storied path lies before you. I wish you well upon it." Then he begins walking back north.

[08-06 17:57:21] <albert_> "Thank you." he's totally agast

[08-06 17:57:37] <Dionysus> You now have the ability to enter dreams three times.

[08-06 17:57:40] <Dionysus> Write it down

[08-06 17:58:01] * albert_ rises and looks about the group as if they hold some answers. "What the hell was that?"

[08-06 17:58:28] <Dionysus> Gas looks as confused as you are. Dionysus looks thoughful. Caradonna looks mildly concerned.

[08-06 17:59:15] <Paul_Driver> nods. "Well done, though."

[08-06 17:59:15] <albert_> Upon seeing her concern he'll get a little more concerned himself.

[08-06 17:59:35] <Dionysus> Caradonna shrugs, finally. "I think he gave you something, but I don't undertsand what."

[08-06 17:59:37] * Viollca looks after the man as he walks.

[08-06 17:59:37] <Paul_Driver> "I liked what you were trying to do with the pack of wolves. sort of a...noble savage type thing."

[08-06 17:59:43] <albert_> "Oh, thank you." to Paul

[08-06 18:00:00] <Paul_Driver> "I'm a sap for that in stories."

[08-06 18:00:04] <Dionysus> Dionysus says, "I think he just gave you the ability to enter the Dream Realm."

[08-06 18:00:05] <albert_> "Yes, sort of."

[08-06 18:00:21] <albert_> "Why?"

[08-06 18:00:22] * Viollca turns around and looks at Dionysus

[08-06 18:00:35] <Dionysus> "Because you won, I guess."

[08-06 18:01:29] <albert_> "But, it just seemed so sudden. I mean, I thought he'd give me a...a well he doesn't have much does he?"

[08-06 18:01:43] <Viollca> "You did well, Albert, you are our champion." She smiles at you.

[08-06 18:01:52] <Dionysus> You all hear some singing coming from the way south.

[08-06 18:01:55] * albert_ breaks out into a grin

[08-06 18:02:09] <Dionysus> It's coming closer, & as it approaches, you realize it is a song about boiling children alive.

[08-06 18:02:26] <Paul_Driver> "Hey. I know that one..."

[08-06 18:02:28] * Matrim_Argent begins to say something, then looks South.

[08-06 18:02:35] * Viollca turns

[08-06 18:02:37] <albert_> "Doesn't sound like our kind of song, eh Dionysus?"

[08-06 18:02:42] <Dionysus> The singer appears around a bend, walking jauntily, wearing red & orange & black motley.

[08-06 18:02:49] <Dionysus> He has a white mask on.

[08-06 18:02:57] <albert_> "Him!" (is it him?)

[08-06 18:03:05] <Dionysus> You recognize him as the jester who destroyued the death church in Anlir.

[08-06 18:03:14] <Dionysus> As he walks, the snow at his feet melts away.

[08-06 18:03:18] * Matrim_Argent puts a hand on his sword.

[08-06 18:03:24] <Paul_Driver> I load my gun.

[08-06 18:03:33] * albert_ grabs his sword, even though he still has no clue how to use it

[08-06 18:03:38] <Viollca> "Who?"

[08-06 18:03:42] <Dionysus> As he's about to start the next verse, he stops, just noticing you. "Well, I'll be..."

[08-06 18:03:59] <Paul_Driver> actually it's already loaded. I just draw it.

[08-06 18:04:00] <Dionysus> "I should have known!" He exclaims as he palms his forehead.

[08-06 18:04:01] * Viollca gathers up the reigns of her horse

[08-06 18:04:18] <Matrim_Argent> "What are you doing here, fool?"

[08-06 18:04:36] <Dionysus> "You children have been very naughty. If I had a cauldron of boiling oil..." He waggles his finger at you, like you're bad children.

[08-06 18:04:52] * albert_ 's eyes widen

[08-06 18:04:54] <Dionysus> "What am I doing here? Cleaning up a mess you left behind, that's what."

[08-06 18:05:22] <albert_> "Mess?" it's almost spat out.

[08-06 18:05:36] <Dionysus> "Why, one of my best... no, no, this is all wrong. Let's start over." He does a backflip & is suddenly in the shape of a mask on a stick. It says, "Today's you're lucky day. Ask me something."

[08-06 18:06:07] <Paul_Driver> "How do I kill you?"

[08-06 18:06:15] * albert_ looks to the others, utterly confused

[08-06 18:06:26] <Dionysus> "In my veins flows the Liquor of Entropy. No mortal weapon can hurt me."

[08-06 18:06:33] * Viollca leans back in a startle, and looks confused to the others

[08-06 18:07:30] * albert_ watches the mask to see if its done

[08-06 18:07:36] <Matrim_Argent> "Do not play games with us, fool. Tell me what you intend in this region of the Empire."

[08-06 18:08:02] <Dionysus> "To go find the Keeper of the Void of Aldergast Prison, to get him out of his own maze."

[08-06 18:09:01] * Matrim_Argent seems a bit relieved.

[08-06 18:09:06] * albert_ begins to look thoughtful

[08-06 18:11:00] <Dionysus> "Come now, I haven't got all day. Sheriff? Reverend? Sir Argent? Captain Renkarr? Miss Lovell? Dear lady? Master Dionysus? Young man? Surely you must have questions. Ask."

[08-06 18:11:25] <albert_> "What can I do while I enter the Dream World?"

[08-06 18:11:45] <Viollca> "What killed Garu and the Duchess?"

[08-06 18:11:50] <Dionysus> "Oh, lots of things. If you go 'east', you can meet my ultimate master on a good day."

[08-06 18:11:53] <Dionysus> "A sword."

[08-06 18:12:06] * albert_ frowns

[08-06 18:12:29] <albert_> "Did Manuel die in Aldergast?"

[08-06 18:12:39] <Dionysus> "Manuel has never set foot in Aldergast."

[08-06 18:12:47] * albert_ looks taken aback

[08-06 18:13:06] <albert_> "He got away then?"

[08-06 18:13:15] <Dionysus> "Got away? Yes, you could say that."

[08-06 18:13:20] <albert_> not really looking for an answer to that

[08-06 18:13:25] <albert_> but he got one

[08-06 18:14:24] <Paul_Driver> whispers to Gas. "Didn't you see Manuel talking to some people before the fiasco at the camp?"

[08-06 18:14:49] <Dionysus> Gas whispers back, "Yeah, he was talking to people in the woods."

[08-06 18:14:55] * albert_ is confused

[08-06 18:15:19] <Viollca> "What killed the people of Anlir?"

[08-06 18:15:44] <Viollca> (once she makes sure that no one else is talking...)

[08-06 18:15:57] <Dionysus> "Roaches."

[08-06 18:16:12] * Matrim_Argent frowns, watching the exchange.

[08-06 18:16:15] <AldoMurgen> "Who brought them there?"

[08-06 18:16:51] <Dionysus> "A comrade of mine, whose name is unpronounceable. We call him Urugal's Son, but I don't suggest you do."

[08-06 18:17:11] Usage: ME <action>, sends the action to the current channel (actions are written in the 3rd person, like /me jumps)

[08-06 18:17:12] <AldoMurgen> Urugal?

[08-06 18:17:19] * Viollca 's eyes widen

[08-06 18:17:19] <Dionysus> The name is unfamiliar to you

[08-06 18:17:42] <Viollca> do I recognize it?

[08-06 18:17:59] <Dionysus> No.

[08-06 18:19:08] <Viollca> "Do you know who murdered the Duchess?"

[08-06 18:19:24] <AldoMurgen> "Why was Anlir destroyed?"

[08-06 18:19:27] <Dionysus> [i'll assue you said archduchess]

[08-06 18:19:33] <Dionysus> "Yes, I do."

[08-06 18:19:54] <Dionysus> "It was destroyed because we needed what it was protecting."

[08-06 18:20:09] <AldoMurgen> "What was it protecting?"

[08-06 18:20:17] <albert_> "Who murdered the Duchess??"

[08-06 18:20:30] <Dionysus> "The Stone of Seven Truths."

[08-06 18:20:45] <albert_> (gift lore?)

[08-06 18:20:53] <Dionysus> None of you have ever heard of it

[08-06 18:21:05] <AldoMurgen> "What is it?"

[08-06 18:21:08] <Dionysus> "The Archduchess was killed by another comrade of mine."

[08-06 18:21:36] <Dionysus> "I am afraid time has run out. I am sure we will meet again, as you appear to be sticking your noses in my business."

[08-06 18:21:41] <Dionysus> He fades out of existence.

[08-06 18:22:11] * Viollca looks around and behind her nervously

[08-06 18:22:22] * AldoMurgen snorts and marches forward, grumbling about snotty know-it-all demons.

[08-06 18:22:47] * albert_ lowers his sword, letting the tip thud to the ground

[08-06 18:22:53] * Paul_Driver shakes his head. "What kind of demented freak thinks that is funny?"

[08-06 18:22:59] <albert_> "What the hell was that?"

[08-06 18:23:00] <Paul_Driver> (v)

[08-06 18:23:00] * Matrim_Argent stares at the spot where the post was for a moment, then starts forward as well.

[08-06 18:23:12] <Dionysus> [i'm chuckling mightily, personally]

[08-06 18:23:19] <Paul_Driver> (yeah me too.)

[08-06 18:23:34] <Dionysus> [i hope everyone approves of that cameo.]

[08-06 18:23:37] * albert_ will glance once more at the spot, sheath his sword and jump back onto his horse

[08-06 18:23:40] <Viollca> (I do)

[08-06 18:24:11] <albert_> (I sheath it in the scabbard)

[08-06 18:24:56] <Dionysus> So you continue south? Or is more said?

[08-06 18:25:10] <Viollca> "I should have said before..."

[08-06 18:25:35] <Viollca> "I think I saw what murdered the Arch-Duchess."

[08-06 18:25:59] <Matrim_Argent> "What?"

[08-06 18:26:15] <albert_> "There wasn't anyone there, was there?"

[08-06 18:26:26] * Viollca looks to Paul, then Matrim. "I'm sorry, I tried to tell you in... there, but..."

[08-06 18:26:47] <Paul_Driver> "It's okay."

[08-06 18:26:54] <Paul_Driver> "What did you see?"

[08-06 18:27:01] <Viollca> "I saw her shadow stab her, then me."

[08-06 18:27:24] <Matrim_Argent> "Then you?"

[08-06 18:27:33] <albert_> "You were stabbed!?" concerned for her

[08-06 18:27:47] <Viollca> "Then I blacked out. There was no wound though."

[08-06 18:28:00] <Paul_Driver> "When was this?"

[08-06 18:28:25] <Viollca> "At the banquet. Everyting went strange, though..."

[08-06 18:28:30] <Dionysus> Dionysus looks at you with concern, "Did you say her shadow did it?"

[08-06 18:28:42] <albert_> "I'm glad you're all right." he pats you on the arm if he is riding close to you.

[08-06 18:29:04] * Viollca flinches at the touch instinctively

[08-06 18:29:35] <Matrim_Argent> "Indeed. And... you /are/ alright?"

[08-06 18:29:56] * albert_ will draw his hand back embarassed, but he passes it off with a slight smile

[08-06 18:30:04] <Viollca> Dionysus: "That is what it looked like. However, my head was light... I appear fine."

[08-06 18:30:17] <Dionysus> "So you are not absolutely certain it was her shadow?"

[08-06 18:30:28] <Matrim_Argent> "Good."

[08-06 18:31:22] <Viollca> "It is the same wasy that Garu ... said he died. His shadow slashed him across the middle. He, drew it out for me,"

[08-06 18:32:01] <Dionysus> "I see. I feel you must tell you all something."

[08-06 18:32:43] <albert_> "What is it?" he turns in his saddle to face Dionysus.

[08-06 18:32:46] * Viollca looks a tad nervous

[08-06 18:33:21] <Dionysus> "First, I must stress that there could be any number of individuals who can do something like this, any number of beings with such powers, but once in my life have I seen someone take over a shadow. When I was taken under arrest, I was ambushed. I was on the run, for I knew something I shouldn't. My shadow grabbed me & stopped me. It turned out that my shadow had been possessed by... Crow Prince Raynor."

[08-06 18:33:26] <Dionysus> Crown

[08-06 18:34:09] * Matrim_Argent gapes.

[08-06 18:34:11] <albert_> (do I know who that is?)

[08-06 18:34:18] <Dionysus> [the crown prince of maraddon]

[08-06 18:34:22] <Paul_Driver> (who is speaking?)

[08-06 18:34:25] <albert_> (well, other than that?)

[08-06 18:34:27] <Dionysus> [dionysus[

[08-06 18:34:47] <Dionysus> [that's all you know about him]

[08-06 18:35:37] <albert_> "This! This is why you shouldn't go to see him. How can he turn a blind eye to not one but two of his children, like that!" he's angry, near ranting.

[08-06 18:35:58] <albert_> "No, control. no regard for the people!"

[08-06 18:36:19] * albert_ is disgusted

[08-06 18:36:35] <Dionysus> Caradonna puts her hand on your shoulder. "Calm down, Captain."

[08-06 18:36:38] <Matrim_Argent> "... Could it possibly have been another?"

[08-06 18:37:00] * albert_ looks to Matrim, utterly amazed

[08-06 18:37:23] <Dionysus> Dionysus says, "That possessed my shadow? No, he told me himself, & I would recognize him anywhere. But who killed the Archduchess, well, that could have been anyone, I suppose. But I felt you all should know..."

[08-06 18:38:16] <albert_> "Does it matter whether he killed her? He shouldn't be using his talent to control his people!"

[08-06 18:38:31] <albert_> "Or to hurt them."

[08-06 18:38:34] * Matrim_Argent blinks, then shakes his head, reviewing the information. "No. As you said, any number could have the power, and in the one situation, for one of the Royal family to aid in an arrest would not be unheard of..."

[08-06 18:38:39] <Dionysus> Dionysus looks to Albert, "He didn't control me. He just... became my shadow. To capture me."

[08-06 18:38:47] <Paul_Driver> "and if we assume it was him, and if this fool is to be believed,"

[08-06 18:38:56] <Paul_Driver> "The crown prince is a friend of his."

[08-06 18:39:16] <albert_> to Dionysus "It's opression."

[08-06 18:39:19] <Matrim_Argent> "The fool is a creature of Chaos by his own mouth! Of course it would serve him to have us believe that!"

[08-06 18:39:21] <Dionysus> Dionysus looks to Paul, "I am not fond of the crown prince, but I don't believe he would befriend such as that jester."

[08-06 18:39:56] <Paul_Driver> "The implications have been raised."

[08-06 18:40:12] <Dionysus> "But then, you know what they say of fools..."

[08-06 18:40:23] <albert_> "Besides, he seems to be friends with some of the jailers of Aldergast."

[08-06 18:40:25] <Paul_Driver> "It's one possibility."

[08-06 18:40:39] <Paul_Driver> "Not the only one by a long stretch, but one possibility."

[08-06 18:40:41] <albert_> "And we know that has connections with the family."

[08-06 18:40:41] * Viollca shakes her head. "Perhaps my imagination just ran away with me."

[08-06 18:41:07] * albert_ looks sharply at her, "Trust your gifts."

[08-06 18:41:21] <Dionysus> Caradonna says, "We had all been drugged. With Garu's description in your head, perhaps you just... saw it, because of the drugs."

[08-06 18:41:35] <Dionysus> She glances at Albert, then shrugs.

[08-06 18:42:04] <Matrim_Argent> "Any number of skilled mages could have achieved a similar effect. Or, yes, it could have been entirely the drugs. I will pay the fool's words heed when I see evidence of their truth for myself."

[08-06 18:42:06] * Viollca smiles to Albert. "I didn't mean that. Perhaps I was just thinking of Garu's death while drugged. I have no doubt over what Garu told me..."

[08-06 18:42:19] * Matrim_Argent spurs his horse forward.

[08-06 18:42:32] * albert_ seemd to deflate a bit and smiles at caradonna "Perhaps." he says to Viollca

[08-06 18:42:50] * albert_ follows

[08-06 18:43:03] <Viollca> "Garu was a green cloak as well," she says to Paul as they move forward

[08-06 18:44:47] <Dionysus> So is there more convo or do we move on?

[08-06 18:44:56] <Paul_Driver> "A slave trader?"

[08-06 18:45:07] <Dionysus> Ahh, do go on

[08-06 18:45:58] <Viollca> "That is what he said, Marg didn't know though. You shouldn't be mad at him."

[08-06 18:46:17] <Paul_Driver> "For being a slave trader?"

[08-06 18:46:30] <Paul_Driver> Why exactly should I not be mad at Garu?"

[08-06 18:46:50] <Viollca> "Be as mad as you want at Garu, but not Marg."

[08-06 18:47:20] <Paul_Driver> "oh. No, I'm not mad at Marg."

[08-06 18:47:40] <Paul_Driver> "And I won't ever discuss with him what I think of his father now."

[08-06 18:47:53] * Viollca smiles

[08-06 18:47:59] <Viollca> "Thank you."

[08-06 18:48:09] <Viollca> (done if Paul is)

[08-06 18:48:27] <Paul_Driver> (done)

[08-06 18:49:00] <Dionysus> Okay, so you guys travel south.

[08-06 18:49:37] <Dionysus> It's still winter, very cold up here. Time passes

[08-06 18:49:42] <Dionysus> You come to small villages on the way

[08-06 18:50:23] <Dionysus> The villages you pass are poor, dirty, small.

[08-06 18:50:37] <Dionysus> Very few of them even have inns.

[08-06 18:50:55] <Dionysus> Or anything but the most crude of buildings.

[08-06 18:51:03] <albert_> (do Dionysus and I have any time to work on our song?)

[08-06 18:51:11] <Dionysus> (yes)

[08-06 18:51:14] <Matrim_Argent> We could prolly rent houses for the night.

[08-06 18:51:30] <Viollca> Viollca seems to cheer up and joke more in the coming days.

[08-06 18:51:49] <Dionysus> The houses are typically one room affairs, so you'd be bunched up with the families in them. If you do stay in one of their houses, you can see how dirty filthy poor they are.

[08-06 18:51:51] * albert_ likes a good joke

[08-06 18:53:21] <Dionysus> AT one of them, one of the older children complains about the taxes, saying how he hates the local baron for taking everything, but his father shuts him up & gives you all a worried look.

[08-06 18:54:38] <albert_> "I'd like to hear what you have to say." to the boy.

[08-06 18:54:56] <Viollca> If it were appropriate, Viollca would smile at the kid and gives him any food that she had when there was a lull in ocnversation[08-06 18:54:58] <Dionysus> The boy gives his father a look, then mutters, "Better not."

[08-06 18:55:19] * albert_ nods

[08-06 18:55:28] * Matrim_Argent notes to himself for to talk to the Baron if he's still alive in a few months.

[08-06 18:55:49] <albert_> is there an opportunity to talk to him later, away from the father?

[08-06 18:55:50] <Dionysus> The boy gives an embarrassed look, almost looks like he'll refuse, then glances at his mother, & takes the food, clearly ashamed. He takes the food to his mother.

[08-06 18:56:11] <Dionysus> Prolly not. It's only a one room house.

[08-06 18:56:15] <Viollca> as he turns to go, "We help\ each other out."

[08-06 18:56:16] <albert_> ok

[08-06 18:56:26] <Dionysus> He just nods.

[08-06 18:56:35] <Dionysus> The mother weeps at your kindness.

[08-06 18:56:48] <Dionysus> The father seems a little embarrassed, then says he'll go for a walk

[08-06 18:56:54] <Dionysus> (now you can talk to the son)

[08-06 18:57:23] <albert_> "I'd like to hear what you have to say." He'll repeat as he sits near the boy.

[08-06 18:58:07] <albert_> "You see, I'm a writer. And I'm trying to spread the word of the people."

[08-06 18:58:26] <Dionysus> He looks at his weeping mum, then shrugs. "Baron Dorian takes everything. When my father worked on the Baron's fields, he took all the food, left us only rotten grains. Now thatit's winter, there's no work in the fields. My father does work where he can, but the Baron takes everytthing my father earns."

[08-06 18:58:50] * Viollca nods

[08-06 18:59:11] <Dionysus> "And the laws say I can't work until I'm fifteen, because I'm not the right race. The Baron favors the non-humans, because he claims they work harder, so they get all the good

jobss first."

[08-06 18:59:25] <Dionysus> "But everyone knows he does that because his mistress is an elf."

[08-06 18:59:32] * albert_ frowns

[08-06 18:59:43] <Dionysus> "Anyone who says so, though, ends up 'going hunting.'"

[08-06 18:59:53] <albert_> "Hunting?"

[08-06 19:00:15] <Dionysus> The mother looks at her son, "Hush, son."

[08-06 19:00:20] <Dionysus> He says, "But mum..."

[08-06 19:00:36] <Dionysus> She slaps him on the arm, "No. Hush."

[08-06 19:00:46] <albert_> "I'm sorry ma'am. I don't want to get you all in trouble. You're very kind."

[08-06 19:01:01] <Dionysus> He loosk embarrassed, looks ot Albert helplessly, then just nods & walks to another corner & lies down, grumblling.

[08-06 19:01:37] * albert_ is quiet, in thought the rest of the night

[08-06 19:01:39] <Dionysus> The woman looks at Albert & says, "Best we all get some rest now. Busy day for us tomorrow."

[08-06 19:01:46] <Dionysus> She puts out the lamp.

[08-06 19:01:50] * albert_ nods "Thank you."

[08-06 19:02:42] * albert_ will leave a pamphlet with a note, hidden in the boys pallet

[08-06 19:02:47] * Matrim_Argent goes outside to play his flute for a few minutes before sleeping.

[08-06 19:02:50] <albert_> before leaving the next day

[08-06 19:02:57] <Dionysus> Where do you play the flute?

[08-06 19:03:41] <Matrim_Argent> A minute or two's walk from the house. Nice rock or something to sit on for preference.

[08-06 19:04:08] <Dionysus> A guardsman looks at you for a moment, but takes not of the noble cut of your clothes, then ignores you.

[08-06 19:04:22] <Matrim_Argent> I ignore him.

[08-06 19:04:40] <Dionysus> You continue south?

[08-06 19:04:57] * Matrim_Argent overpays drastically for the room the next morning.

[08-06 19:05:11] * Viollca sees that and smiles

[08-06 19:05:20] <Dionysus> The parents are awed into speechlessness, then the mother weeps, kissing the hem of your cloak.

[08-06 19:05:35] <Dionysus> The father just nods, tears in his eyes.

[08-06 19:06:35] * Viollca turns away from the scene and goes to her horse

[08-06 19:06:50] * Matrim_Argent gently puts a hand on the mother's shoulder to move her away. "There is no need. After travelling so long, fresh food and a roof were worth such a price."

[08-06 19:06:56] <albert_> r songwrting 14+3

[08-06 19:06:56] <Eklem> albert_ [songwrting: 14+3=17] 21 25 27

[08-06 19:06:58] <Dionysus> r song 16

[08-06 19:06:58] <Eklem> Dionysus [song: 16] 18 22 23

[08-06 19:07:11] <Dionysus> You get another box. 2/3s of the song is done. It's looking pretty good.

[08-06 19:07:20] <Dionysus> The woman just nods, unable to respond.

[08-06 19:07:52] <Dionysus> So, south?

[08-06 19:07:57] <Matrim_Argent> North.

[08-06 19:08:16] <Matrim_Argent> Wait. Which one's down?

[08-06 19:09:09] <Dionysus> Right, so a week later you come to the large town of Avandale, within which is the fortress where the Archduchess Vannah normally lives. The whole place looks like a rat-hole.

[08-06 19:09:34] <Viollca> on the road that day, "That was most gracious, M'lord,"

[08-06 19:10:48] * Matrim_Argent shrugs uncertainly. "It was a token only. Perhaps one day I will be able to do more."

[08-06 19:11:40] <Viollca> "It was a token to you, but it's life to them. Hope."

[08-06 19:13:52] * Matrim_Argent shakes his head, a touch unhappy. "A token because it provides only an uncertain amount of comfort to a single family. The Baron must be spoken to for more to be done for the people here."

[08-06 19:14:51] * Viollca nods

[08-06 19:14:55] <Viollca> (end convo)

[08-06 19:14:57] <Dionysus> Do you stop in Avandale?

[08-06 19:15:05] * albert_ nods approvingly and smiles almost apologetically at Matrim

[08-06 19:15:33] <Matrim_Argent> Depends on when we arrive there.

[08-06 19:15:37] <albert_> if its a good stop for the night

[08-06 19:15:52] <Dionysus> You arrive there early in the day.

[08-06 19:16:02] <Matrim_Argent> Then prolly just ride through.

[08-06 19:16:14] <Dionysus> It's a small town, about 500 people. From here you have a choice:

[08-06 19:16:23] <Dionysus> You can go on one of the main highways, or take the back roads south.

[08-06 19:16:40] <Dionysus> (The Railroads going too far out of your way from here & being too expensive anyway)

[08-06 19:16:51] <Viollca> (do I know the back roads?)

[08-06 19:17:36] <Dionysus> [yeah, you're fairly familiar with them]

[08-06 19:17:55] <Matrim_Argent> Main highway, I'd say.

[08-06 19:18:13] <Viollca> "I know the back roads well enough,"

[08-06 19:18:14] * albert_ will follow Matrim's lead, as he's still actively trying to get him to not go to the capital

[08-06 19:18:30] <Matrim_Argent> Back roads would add about a month timewise.

[08-06 19:18:37] <Dionysus> [they would]

[08-06 19:18:49] <Viollca> are the highways patrolled?

[08-06 19:19:01] <Dionysus> yes

[08-06 19:19:21] <albert_> "Will you be ok, going past patrols?" he asks matrim

[08-06 19:19:53] <Matrim_Argent> "I do not think that patrols we pass will look closely."

[08-06 19:20:00] * Matrim_Argent doesn't seem at all certain of that.

[08-06 19:20:25] * albert_ looks concerned "Well, if you're sure."

[08-06 19:20:51] <Viollca> "They know who escaped, my lord,"

[08-06 19:21:00] <Dionysus> Caradonna says, "You think so? After Aldergats prison just had a major breakout?"

[08-06 19:21:09] <albert_> "That is a good point."

[08-06 19:21:20] <Dionysus> "The first breakout in the history of the prison. You think they won't look closely?"

[08-06 19:21:48] <Matrim_Argent> "Still... My message cannot wait an additional month..."

[08-06 19:22:00] <Dionysus> "Can it wait forever, Sir?"

[08-06 19:22:04] * albert_ frowns while watching Matrim.

[08-06 19:22:37] <albert_> "Why not? It'll fall on deaf ears."

[08-06 19:22:41] <Dionysus> "Because if you get arrested or killed on the way south, that's how long it will have to wait, Sir."

[08-06 19:23:25] * albert_ unhappily bites back further remarks after Caradonna (I assume) speaks

[08-06 19:23:55] * Matrim_Argent hesitates.

[08-06 19:24:02] * Viollca frowns at Albert, "Then you must send your message ahead of yourself."

[08-06 19:24:06] <Dionysus> [it was caradonna]

[08-06 19:24:08] <albert_> "She has a point. If you want it to get it there at all, you should watch after your self as best as you can."

[08-06 19:26:39] <Matrim_Argent> "Perhaps it would be best for all, then, if I separate at this point. I could fly south..."

[08-06 19:26:58] <Dionysus> Caradonna looks alarmed. "That would probably be a very bad idea, Sir."

[08-06 19:27:20] <Dionysus> "You're safer with a group. We all are."

[08-06 19:27:59] <albert_> "If they see you flying. They won't ask before they shoot."

[08-06 19:27:59] * Viollca bows, "Forgive me for my rudeness, my lord, I wouldn't mean to impose my will."

[08-06 19:28:12] <Matrim_Argent> "Safer from whom?"

[08-06 19:28:37] <Dionysus> "Those trying to capture us, Sir, & maybe whoever tried to kill you before."

[08-06 19:29:32] * Matrim_Argent hesitates again, uncertain.

[08-06 19:29:52] <Dionysus> "They know about your situation, Sir. They'll be watching the skies."

[08-06 19:30:24] <albert_> "Please, stay with us. Don't risk yourself like that."

[08-06 19:30:34] <Matrim_Argent> "They cannot watch the skies everywhere..."

[08-06 19:30:49] <Dionysus> "Would you bet your life & this message on that, ir?"

[08-06 19:31:25] <albert_> "But your important! You can make a difference here, you can't chance your life like that." he nods to caradonna's statement.

[08-06 19:31:39] <Viollca> "Sir Argent, if you come with us on the back roads I can promise you more stories worthy of a just ear."

[08-06 19:32:01] * Matrim_Argent slumps. "I will take an additional month. But if it proves to stretch longer than that, I must take the risk in favor of speed."

[08-06 19:32:26] * Viollca nods gravely

[08-06 19:33:08] * albert_ nods, not satisfied, but still relieved

[08-06 19:33:34] <albert_> to Viollca "Please, lead."

[08-06 19:33:43] <Dionysus> Caradonna nods. "That should put us in Lannah, or near there at least in the the northern parts of the Kayvus Archduchy. Maybe we'll have met or heard from Magnus by then. "

[08-06 19:33:56] * Viollca heads off the beaten path

[08-06 19:34:07] <Matrim_Argent> ( brb )

[08-06 19:34:52] <albert_> "I hope so." he mutters to her. "I don't think we have swayed him far from his suicide mission."

[08-06 19:35:11] <Dionysus> Caradonna just nods.

[08-06 19:35:12] <Dionysus> As you travel the backroads, the weather gets a bit more mild, actually. It's still winter, but you're gettingg further south. Less snow falls, so the roads are slightly clearer.

[08-06 19:35:14] * albert_ frowns worriedly at Matrim's back

[08-06 19:35:29] <Dionysus> [is everyone still here, by the way? Aldo & Paul have been very quiet]

[08-06 19:36:13] <Paul_Driver> here.

[08-06 19:37:19] <Dionysus> However, one night, a blizzard blows through & you're forced to stop for the night, but the only thing nearby is a shepherd's camp.

[08-06 19:37:41] <AldoMurgen> here

[08-06 19:37:51] <Dionysus> r song 16

[08-06 19:37:51] <Eklem> Dionysus [song: 16] 23 23 24

[08-06 19:37:56] <albert_> r song 14+3 manifesto 14

[08-06 19:37:56] <Eklem> albert_ [song: 14+3=17] 18 20 26

[08-06 19:37:57] <Eklem> albert_ [manifesto: 14] 19 19 22

[08-06 19:37:58] <Dionysus> r manifesto 16

[08-06 19:37:58] <Eklem> Dionysus [manifesto: 16] 18 24 26

[08-06 19:38:07] <albert_> well that sucked

[08-06 19:38:08] <Dionysus> You've finished your first song.

[08-06 19:38:18] <Dionysus> But yoiu can;t figure out how to get the manifesto started.

[08-06 19:38:37] <Dionysus> Too much stuff you could potentially use, can't decide on what.

[08-06 19:38:40] <albert_> too many ideas

[08-06 19:39:02] <albert_> it's very frustrating for him

[08-06 19:39:16] <Dionysus> So, you've been blizzarded in out in the middle of nowhere, with only a nearby shepherd's camp as the closest thing to shelter.

[08-06 19:39:39] <Matrim_Argent> What's a shepherd's camp look like?

[08-06 19:39:40] <Dionysus> Dionysus tries to settle you, telling you that it will work out soon.

[08-06 19:39:54] <Dionysus> It's just a tent.

[08-06 19:40:09] <albert_> "Oh I know. I just...I want to get ti out. But things take time."

[08-06 19:40:19] <Matrim_Argent> Ah.

[08-06 19:40:21] <albert_> "Do they have room for all of us?

[08-06 19:40:38] <Dionysus> It's a big tent, you could all squeeze in if you had to.

[08-06 19:40:48] <Dionysus> Though you rpolly got tents before now.

[08-06 19:40:51] <Dionysus> of yer own.

[08-06 19:41:07] <Dionysus> But the shepherd's looks better suited to a blizzard.

[08-06 19:41:32] <albert_> "Shall we see if we can at least get warm?"

[08-06 19:41:42] * Matrim_Argent buys the shepherd's tent and leaves everyone else to fend for themselves.

[08-06 19:41:46] <Matrim_Argent> Not really.

[08-06 19:42:37] * Matrim_Argent nods.

[08-06 19:42:41] * Viollca shivers

[08-06 19:43:10] * Matrim_Argent tries to appear unaffected by the cold and rather fails.

[08-06 19:43:34] <Dionysus> You see, barely, by some miracle, smoke curling up from near the shepherd's tent.

[08-06 19:43:40] <albert_> we head up to the tent and knock (?)

[08-06 19:44:03] <albert_> (my pouch is warm inside)

[08-06 19:44:09] <Dionysus> As you approach, you see a man in heavy wool, sitting near a roaring fire. He looks up at you as you approach.

[08-06 19:44:11] <Matrim_Argent> ( Mmmm. )

[08-06 19:44:15] <Dionysus> He waves to you.

[08-06 19:44:22] * albert_ waves in return

[08-06 19:44:24] * Viollca waves back

[08-06 19:44:42] <Matrim_Argent> "Good afternoon!"

[08-06 19:44:45] <Viollca> then quickly retracts her cold arm into herself

[08-06 19:45:19] <Dionysus> "What strange fools be you to walk out in such weather? Come hither & join me by my fire, strangers, & tell me who ye might be." He says in a strange accent.

[08-06 19:45:55] * Viollca moves towards the fire

[08-06 19:45:58] <Dionysus> He's middle aged, has a thick mustache, & bright brown eyes. His hair is brown going gray & long, down to his middle back.

[08-06 19:46:03] <albert_> "Thank you very much. Albert Renkarr." he extends a hand but refrains from taking off his cap and offering a pamphlet cause its just too cold

[08-06 19:46:52] * Matrim_Argent steps forward as well. "Indeed. Our thanks. I am Sir Matrim Argent."

[08-06 19:47:01] <Dionysus> "I be Hielan Durrow, & until proven otherwise, I say it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Albert Renkarr."

[08-06 19:47:15] * albert_ will make room for Matrim as he moves toward the fire.

[08-06 19:47:17] <Dionysus> "Oh, I be remiss in my manners, then, noble Sir." He bows & gesutres for you to sit.

[08-06 19:47:24] <albert_> "Well, thank you."

[08-06 19:47:47] <Paul_Driver> "I'm Paul Driver. It's nice to meet you."

[08-06 19:48:00] * Matrim_Argent nods and sits in the indicated spot.

[08-06 19:48:22] <Viollca> "V-V-Violet"

[08-06 19:48:34] <Dionysus> "And it is good to meet you as well, Paul Driver. Seat yourselves close. It will be good to have others near, as my sheep are not much for talking."

[08-06 19:48:48] * albert_ grins at that

[08-06 19:48:50] <Paul_Driver> looks at the tent. "Beautiful tent you have here."

[08-06 19:48:56] <Dionysus> "Violet, come close, come close. Warm yourself."

[08-06 19:49:06] * Viollca scoots closer

[08-06 19:49:15] <Dionysus> "Thank you, Paul Driver. It be warm & comfortable, all things considered, & it serves me well."

[08-06 19:49:17] <AldoMurgen> "Call me Aldo."

[08-06 19:49:27] <Paul_Driver> (for it is written that when we enter another's home, we should find something to compliment about it, for they may one day visit ours.)

[08-06 19:49:37] <Paul_Driver> (or something.)

[08-06 19:50:10] <Dionysus> "I detect something about you not quite normal for these part, good Aldo. Your stature suggests a dwarfishness, I suspect. Always a pleasure to share a tent with one from distant parts."

[08-06 19:50:26] <Dionysus> Caradonna, Gas, & Dionysus give their names, & the Shepherd gives similar replies.

[08-06 19:51:59] <Dionysus> "What brings a dwarf such as yourself out in such nasty weather? Besides a lacking of the ability to predict nature's whims, which puts me here, I must say."

[08-06 19:52:43] * Ping reply from Aldo_Murgen: 0.05 second(s)

[08-06 19:52:47] <Paul_Driver> "Oh, we're on our way to (names reasonable town or city south of here)."

[08-06 19:52:52] <Dionysus> While talking, the Shepherd makes tea & passes mugs around, starting with Matrim, then the women, then the rest.

[08-06 19:53:08] * Matrim_Argent drinks without hesitation.

[08-06 19:53:18] <Dionysus> It's hot, but good.

[08-06 19:53:18] * albert_ thanks him for the tea

[08-06 19:53:19] <Viollca> dice d10

[08-06 19:53:20] <Eklem> 10 | [d10=10]

[08-06 19:53:29] * Viollca passes

[08-06 19:53:41] <Paul_Driver> drinks

[08-06 19:53:45] * Matrim_Argent looks at Paul in confusion for a moment.

[08-06 19:53:55] * AldoMurgen considers, then says "My home and ... my flock, I suppose, were destroyed. I mean tae redeem my failure tae protect them."

[08-06 19:54:08] <Paul_Driver> "Yeah. I second that."

[08-06 19:54:56] <Dionysus> "Lost your flock, eh? A sad tale, I am sure. Still, sad tales have their place in things. I would hear it if you would tell it."

[08-06 19:55:00] <Paul_Driver> (by the way, by Reasonable I meant of a reasonable size, not a probable destination. I was not being evasive.)

[08-06 19:55:14] <AldoMurgen> "But, aye, we are on our way tae Xville at the moment."

[08-06 19:56:23] <Dionysus> "I fear Xville will have to await the pleasure of the Old Frigid B--the Mother of Ice, for she's sent her own fury upon this quiet vale."

[08-06 19:56:49] <Dionysus> He stops that word in the middle as he glances at Viollca, Caradonna, & Matrim, & seems to think better of it.

[08-06 19:57:45] * Viollca just smiles, tries to get her extremeties close to the fire

[08-06 19:57:46] * AldoMurgen chuckles. "Every dog has her day."

[08-06 19:57:50] <Viollca> dice 10

[08-06 19:57:51] <Eklem> incorrect usage: dice <string> (where <string> is something like: d6 or 2d6 or 2d6+4 or 2d6+1d20 or 2d6+1d5+4d7-3d4-6) => Rolls that set of virtual dice

[08-06 19:57:54] <Viollca> dice d10

[08-06 19:57:54] <Eklem> 8 | [d10=8]

[08-06 19:58:24] <Viollca> (*love*, Ben)

[08-06 19:58:32] <Dionysus> "True, so true. And this weather has sent my dogs packing. Lousy lot they were. Accursed blizzard it is, leaving me more alone than usual."

[08-06 19:58:37] <Dionysus> "But then"

[08-06 19:58:47] <Dionysus> "It has sent you to me, so perhaps it has done me more favors than ill."

[08-06 19:59:24] <Paul_Driver> "Well, is there anything we can do while we're here?"

[08-06 19:59:32] <Paul_Driver> "I can only speak for myself, but"

[08-06 19:59:46] <albert_> "We're glad to help and keep you company" he agrees with Paul

[08-06 19:59:47] <Paul_Driver> "if providence did send us, I can probably do something."

[08-06 20:00:10] <Dionysus> He smiles. "I would hear what you would tell me, enjoy the compaany of others. I am a solitary man, usually, but the long cold nights betimes fill me with yearning for company."

[08-06 20:00:15] <Viollca> "Yes, we have an excellent storyteller in our midst," she smiles and looks to Albert

[08-06 20:00:33] <Paul_Driver> "Yeah. he just won a local contest, too."

[08-06 20:00:47] * albert_ smiles back

[08-06 20:00:59] * Matrim_Argent just nods agreement.

[08-06 20:01:00] <Dionysus> "Oh, truly! What luck I must have! If you would concede to share with one so lowly as I?"

[08-06 20:01:45] <albert_> "Gladly. Dionysus and I also have a great song we've been wanting to try out."

[08-06 20:03:04] <Dionysus> "Music, too? Well, this be the best fortune I've had in my forty years of life, for to have a fire in a blizzard & company to spend it with, & that company be captivating."

[08-06 20:03:30] * albert_ breaks into a wide grin adn begins to feed off their hosts enthusiasm.

[08-06 20:03:39] <Dionysus> Roll showmanship.

[08-06 20:03:59] <Dionysus> If ye begin entertaining, that is.

[08-06 20:04:09] <albert_> r showmanship 14

[08-06 20:04:09] <Eklem> albert_ [showmanship: 14] 15 19 23

[08-06 20:04:50] <albert_> eh

[08-06 20:05:27] <Dionysus> Pretty good. The Shepherd is vastly impressed/

[08-06 20:05:34] <Dionysus> You sing the song?

[08-06 20:06:25] <albert_> yes

[08-06 20:07:03] <Dionysus> Roll singing.

[08-06 20:07:15] <albert_> r sing 10

[08-06 20:07:16] <Eklem> albert_ [sing: 10] 12 14 17

[08-06 20:07:28] <Matrim_Argent> r flute 13

[08-06 20:07:28] <Eklem> Matrim_Argent [flute: 13] 16 21 21

[08-06 20:07:40] <Dionysus> Not a bad job, but not the best in the world, but the flute accompaniment helps a lot.

[08-06 20:07:46] * Matrim_Argent joins in a short distance into the song.

[08-06 20:07:53] <Dionysus> And Dionysus sings harmonies at some parts, & takes a verse.

[08-06 20:08:11] * Viollca might jump in at the chorus

[08-06 20:08:24] <Paul_Driver> probably joins in for the last chorus

[08-06 20:08:27] * albert_ is delighted when people join

[08-06 20:08:28] <Dionysus> It's a sad, slow song, about the trials & tribulationss of a man in Aldergast prison.

[08-06 20:08:47] <Dionysus> The Shepherd stays quiet, & you notice by the end of it, there're tears in his eyes.

[08-06 20:09:22] <Dionysus> He stands silently, then goes into the back of his tent, coming back a moment later with a guitar. "Please, could you play it again? I would be honored to try my hand."

[08-06 20:09:55] <albert_> "Of course."

[08-06 20:10:03] * Paul_Driver leans over "How's that middle part go again?"

[08-06 20:10:29] * albert_ will explain it shortly, 'Do you think you can catch on?"

[08-06 20:10:47] <Paul_Driver> "Yeah. Okay. got it."

[08-06 20:10:53] <Paul_Driver> "thanks."

[08-06 20:10:54] <Dionysus> He plays skillfully, but not perfectly. When the song is done, he sighs with great pleasure, still a little teary eyed.

[08-06 20:10:56] <Viollca> "Hush you, just fake it, its something like Ah de da de, in that dark hole"

[08-06 20:11:19] <Paul_Driver> "Dark hole? I thought he said dark coal."

[08-06 20:11:22] <albert_> "you play well sir."

[08-06 20:11:24] <Paul_Driver> "nevermind. I got it."

[08-06 20:11:36] <Paul_Driver> (all that was in the background.)

[08-06 20:11:46] <Paul_Driver> (not during the song, but leading up to it.)

[08-06 20:12:12] <Viollca> "Darkole?"

[08-06 20:12:27] <Dionysus> "I am barely adequate for such a fine song. Besides, the lute is my normal instrument, but mine is too fragile for this weather. This old box, though, it's too battered for it

to matter the weather."

[08-06 20:12:30] <Paul_Driver> "Like black as coal soot, or something."

[08-06 20:13:15] <Viollca> "No, that's suit, as in a man's armor..." she smiles

[08-06 20:13:30] <Dionysus> "I keep meaning to get rid of it, honestly. It's far too large to lug around."

[08-06 20:13:34] <albert_> "Dionysus has been promising to teach me how to play. We've had to start on the theory though. He thinks it'll help me when we cowrite."

[08-06 20:13:49] * albert_ he indicates hes talking about the guitar

[08-06 20:14:03] <Viollca> "Well, whatever it is, it suits me just fine." She grins.

[08-06 20:14:19] <Dionysus> "Oh, aye? Well, well, well. I see now why providence has thrown our lot together."

[08-06 20:14:37] * albert_ raises an eyebrow, curious

[08-06 20:14:37] <Dionysus> He hands you the guitar.

[08-06 20:14:51] <albert_> "I couldn't.." he stammers

[08-06 20:15:06] <Dionysus> "You must! You have given me a present beyond my repayment. It's the most I could do."

[08-06 20:15:12] <Dionysus> s/most/least/

[08-06 20:15:21] <Viollca> (he holds it up high while the "Item acquired" music plays)

[08-06 20:15:23] <Paul_Driver> "Yeah. that thing really hits the...uh...hey, you know some of the notes sound happy and light, and the others sound dark and sad? that one really hits the other kind."

[08-06 20:15:30] <albert_> "Thank you very much. It's most kind. Thank you for listenin."

[08-06 20:15:56] <Paul_Driver> "Well, okay. I don't know music, but it sounded good."

[08-06 20:15:57] <albert_> "Yeah, it tugs at the heart a bit." he says to Paul.

[08-06 20:17:25] <Dionysus> The Shepherd says, "Before I get myself more deeply in debt with ye, I shall retire. Feel free to share the comfort & shelter of me tent through the rest of this bitter cold night, but if I could impose upon you to do it quietly, so that I might be fresh in the morning when I seek my scattered flock, I would be most appreciative."

[08-06 20:17:53] <Matrim_Argent> "Thank you."

[08-06 20:17:56] <albert_> "Thank you."

[08-06 20:18:01] <Paul_Driver> "Yeah. thanks."

[08-06 20:18:17] * albert_ carefully puts his guitar away

[08-06 20:18:26] <albert_> (will it fit in my pouch?)

[08-06 20:18:41] <albert_> (just out of curiousity)

[08-06 20:18:51] <Dionysus> He bows, "It has been longg since I had company other than my bleating charges. You have reminded me that this Empire is not all sourness, & for that I owe you more than I can

say. Goodnight to ye all."

[08-06 20:18:59] <Dionysus> It fits in your pouch.

[08-06 20:19:12] <albert_> (awesome!)

[08-06 20:19:13] <Dionysus> If you put it in yer pouch in front of others, they prolly stare.

[08-06 20:19:45] <albert_> (I didn't put in there. that will have to wait till a private time)

[08-06 20:19:52] <Dionysus> [okay, good]

[08-06 20:19:56] <Dionysus> So you all sleep?

[08-06 20:19:58] <albert_> "Goodnight."

[08-06 20:20:01] <Matrim_Argent> Yup.

[08-06 20:20:03] * albert_ sleeps

[08-06 20:20:06] <Viollca> yes

[08-06 20:20:13] * Paul_Driver sleeps

[08-06 20:20:29] <Dionysus> Aldo?

[08-06 20:21:09] * Matrim_Argent would actually probably dreameat.

[08-06 20:21:31] <Dionysus> Who, out of curiosity?

[08-06 20:22:23] <Matrim_Argent> Aldo, says the die.

[08-06 20:22:46] <Dionysus> Then Aldo has no dreams that night, unless he refuses your offer.

[08-06 20:22:57] <AldoMurgen> It's all good.

[08-06 20:23:56] <Dionysus> The next morning, you are awakened early, as the Shepherd gets up at dawn to go find his flcok, & must break down his tent. The blizzard has stopped, & the snow is already starting to melt.

[08-06 20:24:23] * Viollca helps however she can

[08-06 20:24:35] <Dionysus> He wishes you luck in finding your own flock, or whatever you might be after.

[08-06 20:25:07] <Dionysus> He loads up his horse & blows a whistle, which makes no sound. Four sheep dogs come running for him.

[08-06 20:25:08] <Paul_Driver> I give him a home-salutation appropriate for the farewell.

[08-06 20:25:11] * albert_ thanks him again profusely for the guitar

[08-06 20:25:32] <Dionysus> "Ahh, lassie, I be in no need of help gathering my flock. I do this often, & have gained a knack for it, but I thank you for your kindness."

[08-06 20:25:53] <Dionysus> "My pleasure, songwright & storyteller. Use it well."

[08-06 20:26:35] <albert_> "I will."

[08-06 20:26:40] <Dionysus> "A word of advice, before you continue: the Sheriff of Xville is a hard man to please. Walk softly through his town."

[08-06 20:26:41] <Viollca> "Thank you for the fire and the warmth of your company. I will remember you kindly."

[08-06 20:26:53] <albert_> "We will."

[08-06 20:26:59] <Dionysus> "To be remembered kindly is more than I expect & all that I ask."

[08-06 20:27:11] * Viollca smiles broadly

[08-06 20:27:18] <Paul_Driver> Do I know anything about the sherrif of xville?

[08-06 20:27:30] <Paul_Driver> probably not, but it's worth an ask.

[08-06 20:27:33] <Dionysus> Until you got up into this region, you had prolly never hear of Xville.

[08-06 20:27:39] <Paul_Driver> noted.

[08-06 20:27:51] <Dionysus> Xville is now officially "Xanar."

[08-06 20:27:54] <Paul_Driver> Can I nominate a name before we get

[08-06 20:27:56] <Paul_Driver> nevermind.

[08-06 20:28:23] <Dionysus> So you continue south toward Xanar & beyond?

[08-06 20:28:28] <Matrim_Argent> Yup.

[08-06 20:28:29] <albert_> yup

[08-06 20:28:32] <Paul_Driver> yup

[08-06 20:28:33] <Viollca> yes

[08-06 20:28:39] <Paul_Driver> nonconformist.

[08-06 20:29:00] <Viollca> I lead as best as I am able, telling what I know about the region as we pass

[08-06 20:29:07] * Matrim_Argent writes up two documents while travelling. One a report for the Emporer and the other a letter to his family.

[08-06 20:29:40] <Viollca> where one can find work, where you can find food if you look sick enough

[08-06 20:29:59] <Dionysus> The ground is muddy & sludgy, but the roads are passable. Xanar is about a half day's ride south. As you near the town, guards ride up to you.

[08-06 20:30:06] <Viollca> (This is for Matrim's benefit)

[08-06 20:30:45] * albert_ will stop for them

[08-06 20:30:49] * Matrim_Argent doesn't seem to catch on to that.

[08-06 20:31:18] * Viollca looks for Albert as the guards approach

[08-06 20:31:24] <Dionysus> "What business have you in Xanar?"

[08-06 20:31:54] <albert_> "We're heading South. Just passing through."

[08-06 20:32:28] <Dionysus> "Passing through? Where are you headed?"

[08-06 20:33:02] * albert_ will give a destination further South

[08-06 20:33:43] <Dionysus> They nod, looking you all over carefully. Any of you react to the scrutiny?

[08-06 20:33:56] * albert_ ignores it

[08-06 20:33:57] <Matrim_Argent> Nope.

[08-06 20:34:05] <Paul_Driver> r readpeople 13

[08-06 20:34:05] <Eklem> Paul_Driver [readpeople: 13] 16 18 21

[08-06 20:34:09] <Viollca> dice d10

[08-06 20:34:10] <Eklem> 6 | [d10=6]

[08-06 20:34:17] * Matrim_Argent was already looking a bit uncertain and that doesn't change, anyway.

[08-06 20:34:18] <Viollca> me looks kind of sullen

[08-06 20:34:27] <Dionysus> r rog 10

[08-06 20:34:28] <Eklem> Dionysus [rog: 10] 14 20 20

[08-06 20:34:36] <Dionysus> Christ. They're inscrutible.

[08-06 20:34:45] <Paul_Driver> negakarma

[08-06 20:35:17] <Dionysus> Okay. They're a pair of mean spirited bullies looking to start trouble, but also looking a little disappointed, as they can tell they're prolly not gonna find any with you.

[08-06 20:35:57] <Paul_Driver> that there tells me how the town is run, and what the Sherrif is like.

[08-06 20:36:24] <Dionysus> I would hope so.

[08-06 20:36:42] <Dionysus> They look to Matrim. "What are you so worried about? Hiding something?"

[08-06 20:38:48] * Matrim_Argent blinks at them. "I er..."

[08-06 20:38:58] <albert_> "Of course he's not." he snaps at them.

[08-06 20:39:07] <albert_> "Aren't you finished?"

[08-06 20:39:17] <Dionysus> "Excuse me?" one snaps back at Albert.

[08-06 20:39:33] <albert_> "We answered your questions."

[08-06 20:39:36] <Dionysus> "All of you, off your horses. We should continue this discussion at the Sheriff's Headquarters."

[08-06 20:39:39] <albert_> (I'm sorry)

[08-06 20:39:44] * Viollca eyes go wide and scared

[08-06 20:39:49] <Paul_Driver> sigh.

[08-06 20:40:16] <Dionysus> They grip their swords & look sternly at you.

[08-06 20:40:29] * albert_ glares at them as he gets off the horse

[08-06 20:40:43] * Viollca looks at the others and starts to get off her horse

[08-06 20:40:52] <Paul_Driver> I get off my horse and lock eyes on the dominant one, with a friendly smile. "Well, if you're going to arrest us, care to stay and talk for a bit?"

[08-06 20:40:57] * Matrim_Argent looks back uncertainly for a moment, then dismounts and nods. "I am certain that this can be cleared up there."

[08-06 20:41:29] <Dionysus> "Shut up & drop your weapons. All of you."

[08-06 20:41:50] <Paul_Driver> "You're having a real bad day. Are you sure you don't want to talk first? You lose nothing."

[08-06 20:41:55] * albert_ takes off his sword

[08-06 20:42:41] <Dionysus> "One more word out of you & you'll be bound & gagged."

[08-06 20:42:50] * Matrim_Argent reaches for his belt, then hesitates. "This blade has been in my family for generations. Allow me to keep it and I give my word that I will cause no violence here."

[08-06 20:42:54] <Paul_Driver> what's Matrim doing?

[08-06 20:43:01] <Paul_Driver> ah.

[08-06 20:43:02] <Paul_Driver> nevermind.

[08-06 20:43:09] <Paul_Driver> I smile as if to say, "See?"

[08-06 20:43:25] <Dionysus> "Your word, eh? Drop the sword & shut up."

[08-06 20:43:43] <Paul_Driver> how many of them are there?"

[08-06 20:43:52] <Paul_Driver> (and ignore the endquotes there)

[08-06 20:44:18] <Dionysus> Two.

[08-06 20:44:30] <Paul_Driver> uh-huh.

[08-06 20:44:38] <Paul_Driver> is anyone watching us from a distance?

[08-06 20:44:51] <Dionysus> Yes, a small crowd is peeking at you from the edge of town.

[08-06 20:45:00] <Paul_Driver> any other guards or officials?

[08-06 20:45:10] * AldoMurgen slides down off of his horse but leaves his hammer strapped to his back. He doesn't protest vocally.

[08-06 20:45:15] <Dionysus> Hard to tell who might be an official, but you see no other guards.

[08-06 20:45:16] * Matrim_Argent removes the belt and holds it for a moment, then drops it.

[08-06 20:45:42] <Dionysus> Caradonna drops her weapon. Dionysus & Gas have none.

[08-06 20:45:48] <Paul_Driver> I'll step over close to where he dropped his sword. I drop everything but my staff.

[08-06 20:46:06] <Dionysus> "You there, dwarf. Drop the weapon. And you," he indicates Paul," Put that staff down."

[08-06 20:46:07] <Paul_Driver> I look up to Matrim for confirmation as I start to drop my staff.

[08-06 20:46:17] * Matrim_Argent nods to Paul.

[08-06 20:46:20] <Paul_Driver> I do so.

[08-06 20:46:34] <Paul_Driver> how is Viollca doing?

[08-06 20:46:54] <Viollca> remember when you brought her in for questioning?

[08-06 20:46:59] <Viollca> she's that scared

[08-06 20:47:02] <Paul_Driver> ah yes.

[08-06 20:47:11] <AldoMurgen> "Hmm?" He glances over his shoulder. "Oh, this? This is a holy symbol. I am a priest of the Silver Mother."

[08-06 20:47:12] <Paul_Driver> I'll casually step within lungeing distance of her.

[08-06 20:47:29] <Dionysus> "Dwarf, I'm giving you to the count of ten to drop that hammer or we'll have your hands bound & your beard shorn."

[08-06 20:47:50] * albert_ is pissed

[08-06 20:48:00] * Viollca is terrified

[08-06 20:48:01] <Paul_Driver> if possible, I meet Violcca's eyes.

[08-06 20:48:08] <Paul_Driver> I don't look at all scared.

[08-06 20:48:38] * AldoMurgen smiles. "Ye're going tae attack a priest? How do ye think that will look?"

[08-06 20:48:50] <Viollca> a questioning look, looking back at the guards, and an unconcious rock backwards

[08-06 20:49:01] <AldoMurgen> "And I have a name, lad. Reverend Aldo Murgen."

[08-06 20:49:03] <Dionysus> "I could care less. Drop the hammer, 'priest.'"

[08-06 20:49:31] <Paul_Driver> where are they both? Obviously that one is in front of Aldo, where's the other?

[08-06 20:49:57] <Dionysus> Both are on horses. One in the midst of you, in front of Aldo, the other in front of all of you, nearest the town.

[08-06 20:51:21] * Viollca takes a step backwards

[08-06 20:51:34] <Viollca> eyes wide.

[08-06 20:51:43] <Paul_Driver> I give Viollca a "oh boy, small-town bureaucracy, don't you just love it) smile.

[08-06 20:51:54] <Dionysus> That's a weird smile.

[08-06 20:52:02] <Paul_Driver> but you can see it, can't you.

[08-06 20:52:05] <Paul_Driver> ?

[08-06 20:52:06] * Viollca shoots you a panic look, shakes her head

[08-06 20:52:18] <Paul_Driver> I whisper, "Relax."

[08-06 20:52:35] <Dionysus> The guard not confronting Aldo says, "Quiet, you."

[08-06 20:52:41] <Paul_Driver> "sorry."

[08-06 20:52:43] <Dionysus> The one confronting Aldo says, "One."

[08-06 20:52:50] <Dionysus> "Two."

[08-06 20:52:53] * AldoMurgen is serene. He raises one hand in a benediction. "The Silver Mother will forgive your impudence."

[08-06 20:53:01] <Dionysus> "Three."

[08-06 20:53:17] <Dionysus> "Four."

[08-06 20:53:18] <AldoMurgen> What's he armed with?

[08-06 20:53:31] <Viollca> "They've killed before."

[08-06 20:53:37] <Dionysus> Sword at the moment, but he has a crossbow on his horse.

[08-06 20:53:38] <Viollca> (as a whisper)

[08-06 20:53:48] * albert_ has stopped glaring at the guards and is now looking at Viollca with concern

[08-06 20:53:52] <Paul_Driver> I nod once and ease over to where I dropped my staff.

[08-06 20:53:54] <Dionysus> "Five."

[08-06 20:54:16] <AldoMurgen> r life faith to increase strength 13+1

[08-06 20:54:17] <Eklem> AldoMurgen [life faith to increase strength: 13+1=14] 18 21 23

[08-06 20:54:19] <Paul_Driver> I put the toe of my boot under it ready to kick it up.

[08-06 20:54:19] <Dionysus> "Six."

[08-06 20:54:22] <Dionysus> r diff 10

[08-06 20:54:23] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 10] 13 14 16

[08-06 20:54:28] <Dionysus> You have str +5

[08-06 20:54:44] <Dionysus> "Seven."

[08-06 20:54:57] * AldoMurgen prays reverently in dwarven.

[08-06 20:55:05] <Dionysus> His voice quavers as he says, "Eight."

[08-06 20:55:21] * Matrim_Argent looks at Aldo in confusion.

[08-06 20:55:27] <Dionysus> He looks nervous now, "Nine."

[08-06 20:55:31] <Paul_Driver> who's counting?

[08-06 20:55:44] * AldoMurgen opens his eyes and gives the guard a very hard look indeed.

[08-06 20:55:47] <Dionysus> He glances back at his partner, who starts moving toward Aldo as well.

[08-06 20:55:53] * albert_ moves his gaze to Aldo

[08-06 20:55:56] <Dionysus> "One last chance, dwarf."

[08-06 20:55:58] <Paul_Driver> "It's not too late to be peaceful abou tthis."

[08-06 20:56:33] <Viollca> (LOVE!)

[08-06 20:56:43] <Viollca> (that was wonderful Ben)

[08-06 20:57:14] * AldoMurgen holds his hands out to the sides, but his gaze doesn't waver.

[08-06 20:57:39] <Dionysus> "Fine."

[08-06 20:57:42] <Dionysus> r init new

[08-06 20:57:48] <albert_> r init 10

[08-06 20:57:49] <Eklem> INIT: albert_ [10] 13 14 19

[08-06 20:57:56] <Paul_Driver> r init 14

[08-06 20:57:56] <Eklem> INIT: Paul_Driver [14] 17 20 23

[08-06 20:57:57] <AldoMurgen> r init 11

[08-06 20:57:57] <Eklem> INIT: AldoMurgen [11] 16 19 19

[08-06 20:57:59] <Paul_Driver> with a sigh

[08-06 20:58:05] <Dionysus> r init guarda 13 guardb 13 dionysus 14 caradonna 16

[08-06 20:58:05] <Eklem> INIT: guarda [13] 16 18 19

[08-06 20:58:05] <Eklem> INIT: guardb [13] 14 19 23

[08-06 20:58:05] <Eklem> INIT: dionysus [14] 15 18 20

[08-06 20:58:05] <Eklem> INIT: caradonna [16] 20 21 25

[08-06 20:58:10] <albert_> (I just want you to know, I'm so sorry. That's not where I thought that comment would go)

[08-06 20:58:15] * Matrim_Argent gapes. (And isn't acting.)

[08-06 20:58:15] <Viollca> r init 11

[08-06 20:58:16] <Eklem> INIT: Viollca [11] 14 15 21

[08-06 20:58:41] <Dionysus> r init show

[08-06 20:58:41] <Eklem> (caradonna 21/16) (Paul_Driver 20/14) (guardb 19/13) (AldoMurgen 19/11) (dionysus 18/14) (guarda 18/13) (Viollca 15/11) (albert_ 14/10)

[08-06 20:58:47] <Dionysus> Caradonna holds.

[08-06 20:58:50] <Dionysus> Paul?

[08-06 20:58:59] <Paul_Driver> can I kick up my staff and use it on the same action?

[08-06 20:59:22] <Dionysus> One of the guards appears to be dismounting quickly, & the other is moving on his horse. At -3, Paul.

[08-06 20:59:37] <Paul_Driver> then I'll just kick up and go next round.

[08-06 21:00:01] <Dionysus> Okay, GuardB attacks Aldo from the horse, swinging for him with the flat of the blade.

[08-06 21:00:07] <Dionysus> r pro 13-3

[08-06 21:00:07] <Eklem> Dionysus [pro: 13-3=10] 14 17 17

[08-06 21:00:23] <AldoMurgen> r dodge 9

[08-06 21:00:24] <Eklem> AldoMurgen [dodge: 9] 10 11 19

[08-06 21:00:57] <Dionysus> r stun 13+5+3 wound 13+5+3-6

[08-06 21:00:58] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 13+5+3=21] 28 29 31

[08-06 21:00:58] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 13+5+3-6=15] 21 22 23

[08-06 21:01:01] <AldoMurgen> r s 15+5 w 15+5

[08-06 21:01:01] <Eklem> AldoMurgen [s: 15+5=20] 21 23 27

[08-06 21:01:01] <Eklem> AldoMurgen [w: 15+5=20] 21 23 28

[08-06 21:01:18] <AldoMurgen> [did i ever get armor?]

[08-06 21:01:24] <Paul_Driver> Oooh I'm knock that one's nose out the back of his head.

[08-06 21:01:25] <Dionysus> Stunned, but not wounded at all. The flat of the blade smacks your head, knocking your senses about.

[08-06 21:01:42] <Dionysus> (prolly not, & def. not for your head where he was aiming)

[08-06 21:02:16] * AldoMurgen stumbles back but stays on his feet.

[08-06 21:02:29] <Dionysus> Caradonna takes her action to grab her sword.

[08-06 21:02:51] <Dionysus> Dionysus holds, & GuardA dismounts. Viollca?

[08-06 21:03:56] <Viollca> (one sec)

[08-06 21:03:58] <Dionysus> ok

[08-06 21:04:50] <AldoMurgen> [actually, can i use a + karma to make it LNA?]

[08-06 21:05:04] <Dionysus> (yes)

[08-06 21:05:09] <Viollca> "Billy Weston, you locked up Morrie Hay and took advantage of her over and over again. Said you'd kill her pa is she told."

[08-06 21:05:15] <Viollca> if*

[08-06 21:05:20] <AldoMurgen> [right]

[08-06 21:05:33] <AldoMurgen> [same reaction]

[08-06 21:05:37] <Dionysus> GuardB looks at you, mouth agape.

[08-06 21:05:46] <Viollca> intimidate

[08-06 21:05:50] <Viollca> r will 15

[08-06 21:05:50] <Eklem> Viollca [will: 15] 17 19 24

[08-06 21:05:51] <Dionysus> No need.

[08-06 21:05:54] <Dionysus> Albert?

[08-06 21:06:35] * albert_ picks up his sword and holds, clutching it in his club manner

[08-06 21:06:49] <Dionysus> r init new

[08-06 21:06:55] <Paul_Driver> r init 14

[08-06 21:06:55] <Eklem> INIT: Paul_Driver [14] 20 22 23

[08-06 21:06:56] <Matrim_Argent> r init 13

[08-06 21:06:57] <Eklem> INIT: Matrim_Argent [13] 20 21 22

[08-06 21:06:57] <Viollca> r init 11

[08-06 21:06:57] <Eklem> INIT: Viollca [11] 16 18 21

[08-06 21:07:01] <Dionysus> r init caradonna 16 guarda 13 guardb 13

[08-06 21:07:01] <Eklem> INIT: caradonna [16] 17 21 23

[08-06 21:07:01] <Eklem> INIT: guarda [13] 16 18 22

[08-06 21:07:01] <Eklem> INIT: guardb [13] 19 19 21

[08-06 21:07:56] <Dionysus> r init show

[08-06 21:07:57] <Eklem> (Paul_Driver 22/14) (caradonna 21/16) (Matrim_Argent 21/13) (guardb 19/13) (guarda 18/13) (Viollca 18/11)

[08-06 21:08:03] <Dionysus> Paul, go.

[08-06 21:08:05] <Paul_Driver> called shot to stun and not wound, however we handle that numerically.

[08-06 21:08:25] <Dionysus> Roll at -3 to hit, & we'll deal with otherwise if you succeed

[08-06 21:08:25] <Paul_Driver> on the one that struck Aldo.

[08-06 21:08:32] <Paul_Driver> r 15-3

[08-06 21:08:32] <Eklem> Paul_Driver [15-3=12] 14 19 20

[08-06 21:08:35] <Dionysus> r guardb 13

[08-06 21:08:35] <Eklem> Dionysus [guardb: 13] 16 18 19

[08-06 21:08:48] <Dionysus> He tries to get his sword up in time & fails.

[08-06 21:08:57] <Dionysus> Roll wound -6, stun normal.

[08-06 21:09:00] <Dionysus> r stun 13 wound 13

[08-06 21:09:00] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 13] 18 19 22

[08-06 21:09:00] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 13] 15 15 19

[08-06 21:09:04] <Paul_Driver> and I thrust this thing right against his nose.

[08-06 21:09:24] <Paul_Driver> r stun 13+4 wound 13-6

[08-06 21:09:24] <Eklem> Paul_Driver [stun: 13+4=17] 20 22 24

[08-06 21:09:24] <Eklem> Paul_Driver [wound: 13-6=7] 8 15 17

[08-06 21:09:51] <Dionysus> He is stunned, staggering back, nearly slipping off his horse.

[08-06 21:10:08] <Dionysus> Caradonna swings for the other one.

[08-06 21:10:14] <Dionysus> r cara 16 guarda 13

[08-06 21:10:14] <Eklem> Dionysus [cara: 16] 19 21 22

[08-06 21:10:14] <Eklem> Dionysus [guarda: 13] 15 19 21

[08-06 21:10:37] <Dionysus> r stun 16+5 wound 16+5 stun 13 wound 13

[08-06 21:10:37] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 16+5=21] 23 30 31

[08-06 21:10:37] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 16+5=21] 25 26 27

[08-06 21:10:37] <Eklem> Dionysus [stun: 13] 18 20 23

[08-06 21:10:37] <Eklem> Dionysus [wound: 13] 17 20 21

[08-06 21:11:02] <Dionysus> He's bleeding heavily from the chest, but not dead, lying unconscious on the ground.

[08-06 21:11:26] <Dionysus> r init show

[08-06 21:11:27] <Eklem> (Paul_Driver 22/14) (caradonna 21/16) (Matrim_Argent 21/13) (guardb 19/13) (guarda 18/13) (Viollca 18/11)

[08-06 21:11:34] <Dionysus> Viollca?

[08-06 21:11:53] <Viollca> "STOP!"

[08-06 21:12:22] <Dionysus> The stunned guard can't really do anything, the other is unconscious, so they do, indeed stop. Do the rest of you?

[08-06 21:12:36] * albert_ looks to her, utterly surprised

[08-06 21:12:39] * Matrim_Argent fights like a caged muppet.

[08-06 21:12:40] <Paul_Driver> I'll hold action.

[08-06 21:12:53] * Matrim_Argent continues gawking, rather.

[08-06 21:12:54] <Paul_Driver> "Get off your Banner-sucking horse! now!"

[08-06 21:13:09] * AldoMurgen recovers his senses and does what he can for the wounded guard.

[08-06 21:13:17] <Dionysus> Caradonna wipes off her sword.

[08-06 21:13:26] * Viollca shoots Paul and Caradonna a look

[08-06 21:13:30] <Dionysus> Roll either first aide or faith. He's deeply wounded.

[08-06 21:13:43] * Viollca walks up to the stunned guard.

[08-06 21:13:44] * albert_ also lloks at paul, surprised

[08-06 21:13:45] <AldoMurgen> r life faith 13+1

[08-06 21:13:46] <Eklem> AldoMurgen [life faith: 13+1=14] 16 18 18

[08-06 21:14:06] <Dionysus> r diff 15

[08-06 21:14:07] <Eklem> Dionysus [diff: 15] 16 20 20

[08-06 21:14:08] * Matrim_Argent stares at Aldo, Paul, and Caradonna.

[08-06 21:14:13] <Dionysus> The bleeding doesn't stop.

[08-06 21:14:20] <AldoMurgen> What would a - karma get me?

[08-06 21:14:33] <Dionysus> The bleeding wound stop.

[08-06 21:14:37] <Dionysus> He'd live, in other word.s

[08-06 21:14:43] <AldoMurgen> Do it.

[08-06 21:15:04] <Dionysus> A'ight.

[08-06 21:15:28] <Dionysus> The stunned guard slides down off his horse when he recovers, dropping his sword to the ground & raising his hands.

[08-06 21:15:38] <Dionysus> "The Sheriff will be here any minute with reinforcements."

[08-06 21:15:42] <Viollca> "Now, Arnetto, you're going to explain to everyone over there watching that this is was a simple misunderstanding. Otherwise, they'll find out that Dyen didn't really fall from his horse. You'll then ride out of this town. Do you understand?"

[08-06 21:15:46] * Matrim_Argent picks up his sword and remounts as soon as he sees the bleeding stop.

[08-06 21:15:54] <Paul_Driver> "I certainly hope so! I plan to have words with him!"

[08-06 21:16:23] <Viollca> intimidate?

[08-06 21:16:27] <Dionysus> Arnetto looks at Viollca confusedly, then stands up, cluthcing his chets wound.

[08-06 21:16:36] <Dionysus> chest

[08-06 21:16:39] <Paul_Driver> stops, counts to ten, looks up at Matrim. "Permission to...no. Permission to try and reason with the Sherrif?"

[08-06 21:16:40] <Dionysus> clutching

[08-06 21:17:00] <Matrim_Argent> "No. We're leaving."

[08-06 21:17:04] <Dionysus> Arnetto stumbles toward town, yelling for people to go home.

[08-06 21:17:15] <Paul_Driver> "probably good. I'm not holdng my temper too well today."

[08-06 21:17:17] <Dionysus> Billy stares in fear at Viollca, then looks to Paul, as if to ask if he can go.

[08-06 21:17:19] <Paul_Driver> "Sorry about that."

[08-06 21:17:20] * albert_ gets up on his horse, a bit shaken

[08-06 21:17:43] <Paul_Driver> I remount. then to Billy, "You remember this. We tried to give you a peaceful out."

[08-06 21:17:56] <Dionysus> He just gulps in return.

[08-06 21:18:10] <Paul_Driver> "What's your Sherrif's name?"

[08-06 21:18:21] <Dionysus> "Sh.. Sheriff Tom Carnell."

[08-06 21:18:25] * albert_ regains himself and begins riding

[08-06 21:18:30] * Matrim_Argent begins to ride away.

[08-06 21:18:31] <Paul_Driver> "You tell him I will remember that."

[08-06 21:18:36] <Paul_Driver> I follow.

[08-06 21:18:37] <Dionysus> "Y.. Yes, sir."

[08-06 21:18:47] <AldoMurgen> [i have to go to work. bbl]

[08-06 21:18:47] <Viollca> To Billy. "You'll head out of town after this as well. God help your soul."

[08-06 21:19:02] <Dionysus> [hurry back, benjesus!]

[08-06 21:19:14] <Viollca> may the mother of love forgive you, rather.

[08-06 21:19:23] * Paul_Driver seethes, and tries to control it.

[08-06 21:19:33] <Paul_Driver> "okay...deep breaths..."

[08-06 21:19:42] <Dionysus> Aldo is silent & a distracted as he rides out, not respondingg to anyone if they ask. He seems to be praying, too.

[08-06 21:20:22] * Matrim_Argent rides in silence for a few minutes, then asks, "Why?"

[08-06 21:20:26] <albert_> "I-I apologize. I reacted without thinking."

[08-06 21:20:43] * Viollca looks about nervously, and looks back to her horse.

[08-06 21:20:45] * albert_ he says it very quietly

[08-06 21:20:56] <Paul_Driver> "I'm sorry."

[08-06 21:21:01] <Dionysus> Caradonna says, "I swore to Magnus I would keep you all safe. When I saw him attack the Reverend, I reacted."

[08-06 21:21:19] <Paul_Driver> "Yeah. Except I knew it was coming so..."

[08-06 21:21:27] <Paul_Driver> shrug.

[08-06 21:22:13] * Viollca shudders as she gets with the group. She shudders

[08-06 21:22:39] <Viollca> "That wasn't all they had done."

[08-06 21:22:50] * albert_ looks at her, concerned

[08-06 21:23:35] * Matrim_Argent stares at Paul, then shakes his head.

[08-06 21:23:58] <albert_> "Are you ok?" he asks her.

[08-06 21:24:11] <Paul_Driver> Paul looks ashamed, and coming down off of anger.

[08-06 21:24:18] * Matrim_Argent turns his attention to Viollca for the moment.

[08-06 21:24:27] <Dionysus> Dionysus sighs & says, "My fault, I am afraid. I could have stopped all that trouble with a few notes, if I had thought about it. I know a song that can calm the nerves, but honestly, things moved too quickly."

[08-06 21:24:49] <Paul_Driver> "I should probably make ammends at a Celebration Temple...for the horse thing..."

[08-06 21:25:06] <Viollca> "Yes, fine, we should move. What I did will buy us time, but they might ... not be satisfied."

[08-06 21:25:06] * albert_ grins in spite of himself

[08-06 21:25:11] <Dionysus> Gas says, "You're a bold curser, Sheriff."

[08-06 21:25:37] <Paul_Driver> "It wasn't a helpful thing to do. It just...well he hit the Reverend!"

[08-06 21:25:48] <Dionysus> The Reverend is still praying.

[08-06 21:25:54] <albert_> "No. We'll continue." he agrees with her

[08-06 21:26:20] <Viollca> Paul. "Sometimes you just take the blows."

[08-06 21:26:32] <Paul_Driver> "Yeah..."

[08-06 21:26:58] <Viollca> (peeved and conviction when she said that)

[08-06 21:27:15] <Dionysus> SO you continue south, skirting Xanar?

[08-06 21:27:33] <Paul_Driver> and we all dance the Charlie Foxtrot.

[08-06 21:27:42] <Viollca> Matrim. "This, my lord, is what my people think of when they see police."

[08-06 21:28:06] * Matrim_Argent rides in silence a few minutes longer, then, "I... if such a situation occurs again in the future, I will separate to journey on my own."

[08-06 21:28:29] <Dionysus> Gas says, "Those guys are a lot like the mayor of Anlir, I'd say."

[08-06 21:28:37] <Dionysus> He pauses, looking startled.

[08-06 21:28:43] <Dionysus> "Hey!" he shouts.

[08-06 21:28:46] <Dionysus> "I can talk about it!"

[08-06 21:29:03] <Paul_Driver> "You--the tatoo's cleared up?"

[08-06 21:29:07] <albert_> Quitly to matrim "I'm sorry. It won't happen by my fault again."

[08-06 21:29:08] <Dionysus> He turns to Paul, being on the same horse as him, & grabs his shirt, bouncing in his seat. "I can talk about it!"

[08-06 21:29:23] <Dionysus> "Yes!" he sounds so happy.

[08-06 21:29:25] <Paul_Driver> "Okay! So what do you know?"

[08-06 21:29:37] <Dionysus> "I... well, it's a bit muddy now, but..." (lemme type)

[08-06 21:29:51] * Matrim_Argent stares at Viollca, uncertain what to say, then shakes his head at Albert. "If the Reverend had relinquished his weapon..."

[08-06 21:29:55] * Viollca pauses. "We wouldn't ask you to turn on your Empire. If your concience takes you away from here, then you have all my blessings.:

[08-06 21:30:11] <Viollca> "I agree."

[08-06 21:30:45] <Paul_Driver> "For what it's worth, those men were undermining everything you value in the empire."

[08-06 21:30:50] <Viollca> "And had they heard the word Sir, they might have balked as well."

[08-06 21:30:55] <Paul_Driver> "And everything I value."

[08-06 21:31:23] * Viollca nods. "Still, that is no reason to take on their qualities."

[08-06 21:31:31] <Paul_Driver> "I'm not saying we should mete out punishment or anything,"

[08-06 21:31:52] <Paul_Driver> "But we should remember Xanar when we get a chance to speak and have it mean something."

[08-06 21:31:56] * Matrim_Argent looks at Paul, then says, "Yet, that is what it seemed we were about to do."

[08-06 21:32:26] <Paul_Driver> Sigh. "Yeah. You may be right."

[08-06 21:32:54] <Dionysus> "The mayor & the carpenter wanted to keep the thing under wraps because it would have ruined the carpenter's reputation, since his son was involved. If the apprentice did it, well, that was the apprentice's good name, but the caprenter's son raping the caprenter's daughter? That would have been downright twisted. SO he went to the mayor for help, 'cause the mayor owed him a favor.

Something about a box to hold something. I forget exactly. I t

[08-06 21:33:10] <Paul_Driver> "As much as I wanted to reason with the sherrif...I'd have probably ended up striking him in anger."

[08-06 21:33:43] * Paul_Driver listens to Gas

[08-06 21:34:25] * Viollca scrunches up her face, tries to look understandingly at Paul

[08-06 21:34:26] <Dionysus> " I think he was replacing a coffin. Anyway, they covered it up & framed the apprentice, & the priest of truth got in on it to keep things looking right. When they found out I

knew, the only reason they let me live was because the priest owed me big time for telling him about one of his servants stealing his prized jewelry.""

[08-06 21:34:59] <Paul_Driver> "Wow. That's not nearly as bad as I was immagining."

[08-06 21:35:05] <Paul_Driver> "Still bad, though."

[08-06 21:35:15] <Dionysus> "You have a dark imagination, Sheriff."

[08-06 21:35:15] <Paul_Driver> "The idea that they'd have killed you for this."

[08-06 21:35:55] <Paul_Driver> "but then, they did let an innocent man die, didn't they?"

[08-06 21:35:57] <Dionysus> "If a brother raping his sister isn't as bad as what you thought, Sheriff, you got a mind worthy of the Lord of Venoms."

[08-06 21:36:22] <Paul_Driver> "It would have been a double murder but--but the Truth priest bought and sold your life on _favors?_"

[08-06 21:36:35] <Dionysus> "Lucky me, eh?"

[08-06 21:36:47] <Dionysus> "Wasn't pleasant, being tattooed."

[08-06 21:37:00] <Paul_Driver> to whoever commented about the Lord of Venoms, "Well I was immagining an ongoing conspiracy, among other things."

[08-06 21:37:05] <Dionysus> [that was gas]

[08-06 21:37:13] <Paul_Driver> "Like a fleshpeddling ring, or slave-trade..."

[08-06 21:37:26] <Paul_Driver> shudders at the irony of that last.

[08-06 21:37:38] <Paul_Driver> "Good gods."

[08-06 21:38:09] <Viollca> what is Matrim doing?

[08-06 21:38:11] <Paul_Driver> "Sometimes it's painful trying to believe the best about people."

[08-06 21:38:25] * Matrim_Argent is riding in unhappy silence.

[08-06 21:38:30] <Viollca> how does he look, Viollca is still paying attention to him, not Gas

[08-06 21:38:52] <Paul_Driver> "and a truth priest used his powers to lie! that's...that's corruption right there."

[08-06 21:39:39] <Viollca> "I, please Sir, "

[08-06 21:39:40] <Dionysus> Dionysus says, "Well, for every Mayor Nochem is a Shepherd Durrow."

[08-06 21:39:42] <Viollca> she stops

[08-06 21:40:01] <Paul_Driver> Do I know those names?

[08-06 21:40:04] * Matrim_Argent looks up.

[08-06 21:40:23] <Dionysus> [the mayor is the mayor of anlir in question, the shepherd is the one from earlier who let you stay in his tent)

[08-06 21:40:50] <Paul_Driver> Paul nods. "I'll go with that."

[08-06 21:41:16] <Paul_Driver> "see, there are good people everywhere, and I look to meet them. Just sometimes they turn out like the guards at Xanar."

[08-06 21:41:36] <Dionysus> "And for every Sheriff Carnell is a Sheriff Driver. Remember that."

[08-06 21:41:54] <Paul_Driver> blushes, nods. "Thank you."

[08-06 21:41:57] <Viollca> "I wont defend anyone's actions back at that encounter. And I must admit, I began to share some of the black feelings of Billy and Arnetto's former foes..."

[08-06 21:42:11] <Paul_Driver> "Yeah. me too."

[08-06 21:42:46] <Paul_Driver> "For the record, though, I did pull back on my own attack. I could have injured him with that blow. I just jarred him loose of his plans."

[08-06 21:42:46] <Dionysus> You hear a rider approaching as you travel.

[08-06 21:42:59] <Paul_Driver> from which direction?

[08-06 21:43:05] <Dionysus> Ahead of you.

[08-06 21:43:42] <Matrim_Argent> "If we had been able to speak with the sheriff, perhaps we could have had some effect on them. But... what would the world be if the right of trial and execution were

given to any traveller who claimed cause?"

[08-06 21:44:23] <Viollca> (well shit)

[08-06 21:44:31] * albert_ looks worriedly ahead

[08-06 21:45:26] <Dionysus> The rider appears amidst the trees. It's a man in full armor, with the insignia of a knight. He pulls up short when he sees you. "WHo goes there, travelers?"

[08-06 21:45:46] <Viollca> "Perhaps you could have an effect Sir, I doubt my words would carry much weight in a trial. I would not have fought them, but I doubt I would be a free woman..."

[08-06 21:45:59] <albert_> "Yes, we are travleres."

[08-06 21:46:11] * Aldo_Murgen stops praying and looks up. He opens his mouth as if to speak, but then stops when the knight appears.

[08-06 21:46:12] * Viollca trails off as the Knight approaches. She bows her head, looks at Alber sharply

[08-06 21:46:52] <Dionysus> He actually laughs at that. "yes, I can see that. May I be so bold as to demand your names, whislt you travel the roads of my Liege's forests?"

[08-06 21:46:54] * albert_ is caught a bit off guard by Viollca's look

[08-06 21:46:57] * Matrim_Argent hesitates, then says quietly, "We shall speak later."

[08-06 21:47:10] * Matrim_Argent looks at the other Knight.

[08-06 21:47:28] * albert_ looks to Matrim

[08-06 21:47:40] <Dionysus> [by Liege, he could mean the local baron, earl, duke, or archduke, so it could be any number of things]

[08-06 21:48:00] * Matrim_Argent hesitates.

[08-06 21:48:39] <Dionysus> "Come now, speak, or I shall become wroth," he still sounds good humore.

[08-06 21:49:04] <Aldo_Murgen> "I'm the Reverend Aldo Murgen, servant of the Silver Mother."

[08-06 21:49:09] * Matrim_Argent spurs his horse forward a few steps. "I am Matrim Argent. I bear a message for His Imperial Majesty."

[08-06 21:49:17] <Paul_Driver> "Paul Driver, Sherrif of Anlir."

[08-06 21:49:35] <albert_> "Albert Renkarr."

[08-06 21:50:48] <Dionysus> "Sir Matrim Argent? Truly! Ha! What a day, what a day! Well, I wish it were my quest to bring you in or bear you aide, either one, but I have pressing business elsewhere. I am

honor bound to report your whereabouts when I return to Rodown, & regret not being able to carry any messages you might have, but His Grace, the Archduke Hyun requires my services in apprehending some foul culprits."

[08-06 21:51:19] * Matrim_Argent bows his head. "I thank you, Sir."

[08-06 21:51:44] <Dionysus> He bows in return, as best he can in armor. "I beg a favor of thee, citizens, could one of you tell me the path to the town of Xanar?"

[08-06 21:51:48] <albert_> (we're totally the foul culprits, right?)

[08-06 21:51:55] <Aldo_Murgen> [haha]

[08-06 21:52:40] <Paul_Driver> "Yeah. it's (gives directions). Can't miss it."

[08-06 21:54:12] <Dionysus> "Thank you, Sheriff. I must warn you, it may well be dangerous there abouts soo, as I have the duty of apprehending the guardsmen of said town for gross corruption, only recently brought to the attention of my Liege." He pauses. "Forgive my rudeness, Sir Argent, my mind is on my quest." He removes his helmet. "I am Sir Darivander, Knight of Hurvun."

[08-06 21:55:02] <Paul_Driver> I look dumbstruck with awe.

[08-06 21:55:30] <Paul_Driver> with my 8 in resist-read.

[08-06 21:55:31] * Aldo_Murgen grins. "May the Silver Mother ride with ye, Sir Knight."

[08-06 21:55:36] * Matrim_Argent smiles and salutes or bows as appropriate. "I have heard your name, and it is a pleasure to make your aquaintance at last. There is no fault in being focused on one's mission."

[08-06 21:55:40] <Dionysus> "Thank you, Reverend."

[08-06 21:56:13] <Dionysus> "I must be pressing on. I hope when we next meet, Sir Argent, that I am not questing for you. Fare thee well."

[08-06 21:56:15] <Dionysus> He rides on.

[08-06 21:56:15] <Matrim_Argent> Wording was slightly off. Would have been more like a claim to take no offence at his focus.

[08-06 21:56:30] <Aldo_Murgen> s/fault/insult/

[08-06 21:56:42] <Matrim_Argent> "I would that as well. I have hope yet that my name will be cleared. I wish you luck in your mission."

[08-06 21:56:55] <Dionysus> He thanks you & bows as best he can again.

[08-06 21:57:34] * Aldo_Murgen gives a sort of sign of the cross slash wave goodbye.

[08-06 21:57:40] <Viollca> "...Can I tell him something, Sir?" whispered near Matrim

[08-06 21:57:57] * Matrim_Argent blinks, then nods. "I do not believe he would be adverse."

[08-06 21:58:10] <Viollca> louder, "Sir Kinght,"

[08-06 21:58:24] <Dionysus> He reigns in his horse & turns. "Dear?"

[08-06 21:58:36] <Dionysus> Dear lady, rather

[08-06 21:59:10] <Viollca> (one sec)

[08-06 21:59:41] <Viollca> "I bring you news of your quest, seven names with secrets that wish to be told."

[08-06 22:00:10] <Viollca> <lists seven names as best as she is able to remember>

[08-06 22:00:34] <Dionysus> He rides toward you. "I thank you, young lady, these are indeed more damning than what we have previously been aware of."

[08-06 22:00:39] <Dionysus> "Might i ask how you know this?"

[08-06 22:00:53] <Viollca> (she only would have given the names)

[08-06 22:00:58] <Dionysus> Oh

[08-06 22:01:05] <Dionysus> Sorry, I misread that

[08-06 22:01:22] <Dionysus> "Are these names of criminals or victims, young lady?"

[08-06 22:02:44] <Viollca> "Victims, each I feel somehow related to your quarry. I wish you the best, and may these men find justice in this life if not the next."

[08-06 22:03:48] <Dionysus> "Thank you, young lady. I shall investigate as I can & bring justice where I am able." He turns his horse & rides on

[08-06 22:04:26] <Dionysus> So, you continue on?

[08-06 22:04:32] <albert_> yes

[08-06 22:04:34] <Paul_Driver> as we ride, "I am so beyond ashamed."

[08-06 22:05:04] * Matrim_Argent rides on, and contents himself with saying nothing, but his posture says, "That! That is why there's hope for the system!"

[08-06 22:05:26] <Paul_Driver> and my posture concedes.

[08-06 22:06:00] * Viollca still looks cowed

[08-06 22:06:26] <Aldo_Murgen> "Perhaps, but if the emperor is corrupt, what higher authority will send a brave knight tae arrest him?"

[08-06 22:06:59] <Dionysus> Caradonna says, quietly, "Maybe the authority of the people."

[08-06 22:07:15] <albert_> (matrim didn't actually say anything)

[08-06 22:07:20] <Aldo_Murgen> [yeah, i just noticed that]

[08-06 22:07:38] <Dionysus> [then strike the first two words of that statement that aldo said, & it makes sense]

[08-06 22:07:54] <Dionysus> [unless he'd not have said anything]

[08-06 22:08:08] * albert_ looks at caradonna and smiles slightly

[08-06 22:08:12] * Aldo_Murgen glances between the two men and frowns. "Aye, wonderful, but if the emperor is corrupt, what higher authority will send a brave knight tae arrest him?"

[08-06 22:08:19] <Dionysus> Caradonna says, quietly, "Maybe the authority of the people."

[08-06 22:09:07] <Paul_Driver> "There are good people at every level."

[08-06 22:09:29] <Paul_Driver> "The world is full of good people..."

[08-06 22:09:44] * albert_ nods in agreement

[08-06 22:10:02] * Matrim_Argent nods agreement with Paul. "And there remains no proof that the Emporer is anything but good."

[08-06 22:10:27] * albert_ frowns slightly but doesn't argue

[08-06 22:10:32] <Paul_Driver> "And even if he's not, I have faith in your voice."

[08-06 22:11:28] * Matrim_Argent bows his head, clearly heartened by that. "I thank you for your faith."

[08-06 22:11:47] <Viollca> "You've had mine for months."

[08-06 22:11:57] <Dionysus> Dionysus says, "Maybe I can offer another idea."

[08-06 22:12:10] <Paul_Driver> "It's been crazy, you know? prison, slave pens, duels of poetry,"

[08-06 22:12:28] <Paul_Driver> "I was happy keeping the peace in a small town...It was a job I could do..."

[08-06 22:12:48] * Matrim_Argent smiles at Viollca.

[08-06 22:13:09] <Dionysus> Dionysus says, "We have no proof that the Emperor is evil, necessarily, but none that prove he is truly good, either. For every instance of goodness, there's one of evil within the bounds of his land. But his land is huge, he can't police it all, but we can't be sure what he approves of & doesn't approve of."

[08-06 22:13:13] <Dionysus> "But," He says

[08-06 22:13:32] <Dionysus> "We now have evidence that Archduke Hyun does have some sense of honor & righteousness."

[08-06 22:13:43] * Aldo_Murgen is quiet for a moment, then, looking away, says, "Legalized genocide is proof enough for me."

[08-06 22:13:48] <Aldo_Murgen> [working now]

[08-06 22:14:22] * Paul_Driver smiles. "You know, we do don't we?"

[08-06 22:14:23] <Dionysus> "Instead of going to the Emperor himself with this news, why not try the Archduke first? After all, he would know the Emperor better than us all & would be able to help us."

[08-06 22:14:28] * albert_ nods emphatically at Aldo's comment "And me."

[08-06 22:14:47] <Aldo_Murgen> [never mind, not working now]

[08-06 22:14:50] * Viollca starts to talk again, but looks at Dionysus with interest

[08-06 22:14:51] <Dionysus> [yay!]

[08-06 22:15:29] <Matrim_Argent> "I had planned to speak first with a friend in the capital... Do you believe that the Archduke would grant audience?"

[08-06 22:15:48] <Dionysus> Dionysus smiles.

[08-06 22:16:16] <Dionysus> "Did he give me one of his prized crafted boxes two winters ago on my birthday, for being the finest violinist in the land?"

[08-06 22:16:26] <Dionysus> "Yes, I think I could at least get us in to talk to him."

[08-06 22:17:12] <Matrim_Argent> "I trust your judgement. Yes, I think that this could be a good course of action."

[08-06 22:17:15] <albert_> "I think it's a good place to start."

[08-06 22:17:54] * Aldo_Murgen stops glaring at the foliage and nods. "Aye."

[08-06 22:17:59] <Dionysus> Caradonna nods. Gas says, "I'm sticking with the Sheriff."

[08-06 22:18:45] <Dionysus> Do Viollca or Paul respond?

[08-06 22:19:07] <Paul_Driver> "Well, I've been told not to come with him to the capital, but other than that, I'm sticking with Sir Matrim.

[08-06 22:19:09] <Viollca> "I promised to lead everyone on these back roads."

[08-06 22:19:27] * Viollca looks at you funny when you say that Paul

[08-06 22:19:45] <Paul_Driver> I look at her as if I don't understand.

[08-06 22:20:14] <Viollca> "I'll continue to do so as best I am able. I, "

[08-06 22:21:09] <Viollca> she stops, and shakes her head. "Thank you."

[08-06 22:21:16] <Paul_Driver> (and see Neal's cringing, because Nathan's characters have a history of screwing his characters up by their loyalty. (v) )

[08-06 22:21:34] <Viollca> (last part was barely a whisper)

[08-06 22:21:50] <Paul_Driver> (Harry Badger, Julio, etc.)

[08-06 22:22:04] <Paul_Driver> (I still don't think he's recovered from Harry Badger.)

[08-06 22:22:08] <Matrim_Argent> ( Ye'll never match Sylum, I'm afraid )

[08-06 22:22:15] <Dionysus> [none of us have, even those who never met him]

[08-06 22:22:21] <Paul_Driver> there was that.

[08-06 22:22:27] <Dionysus> [ha! tocuhe]

[08-06 22:22:30] <Dionysus> touche, even

[08-06 22:22:33] <Viollca> (???)

[08-06 22:22:37] <Dionysus> So you change course?

[08-06 22:22:58] <albert_> yes

[08-06 22:23:00] <Matrim_Argent> "I thank you for your support."

[08-06 22:23:02] <Matrim_Argent> Yar!

[08-06 22:23:23] <albert_> are we still going to come near where magnus is supposed to be

[08-06 22:23:23] <Dionysus> Basically, from here, it's a straight line southwest to Rodown, where Hyun dwells.

[08-06 22:23:31] * Aldo_Murgen frowns. "I intend tae see him tae the palace. I'll be visiting the high temple anyhow. But his self-sacrifice will test the emperor's heart. I'd see the answer tae that test."

[08-06 22:23:41] <Dionysus> You're still well north of it

[08-06 22:23:45] <albert_> ok

[08-06 22:24:16] <Dionysus> [aldo, you know they just agreed to go somewhere other than the imperial capital, yes?]

[08-06 22:24:30] * Aldo_Murgen adds, "When the time comes."

[08-06 22:24:36] <Dionysus> ahh

[08-06 22:24:39] <Dionysus> anyway

[08-06 22:24:52] <Aldo_Murgen> [i already agreed to the change of course anyway]

[08-06 22:25:40] <Dionysus> It's still pretty cold still, as it's midwinter, & yer pretty far north, but the climate here is milder.

[08-06 22:26:01] <Dionysus> I'ts heavily forested around here, & there's mountains to deal with, but the roads are relatively easy.

[08-06 22:26:21] <Dionysus> Three weeks of travel will bring you to the outskirts of the sprawling port city Rodown.

[08-06 22:26:23] <Matrim_Argent> (Hussies.)

[08-06 22:26:50] <Aldo_Murgen> [Hussies?]

[08-06 22:26:56] <Dionysus> [the easy roads. it was a pun]

[08-06 22:27:14] <Aldo_Murgen> [Relative hussies.]

[08-06 22:27:21] <Dionysus> [indeed]

[08-06 22:27:34] <Viollca> (ouch, i didn't get it at first, but way to drive it on in)

[08-06 22:27:52] <Matrim_Argent> ( Incest? )

[08-06 22:28:06] <Aldo_Murgen> [You know, I was just thinking that.]

[08-06 22:28:08] <Dionysus> The city of Rodown is one of the largest in the Empire by size & population. It's full of steep slopes & hills as well as the huge docks.

[08-06 22:28:38] <Dionysus> Essentially, think a medieval version of San Francisco, but without any of the annoying references you will all likely make to homosexuality.

[08-06 22:28:54] <Dionysus> It is also known as a center for craftsmen & artists.

[08-06 22:29:06] <Aldo_Murgen> [By artists, he means homosexuals.]

[08-06 22:29:17] <Paul_Driver> (I Height Ashbury.)

[08-06 22:29:22] <Dionysus> [i knew it was coming. apparently to gay porn]

[08-06 22:29:47] <Matrim_Argent> (No, that's Artisans.)

[08-06 22:29:58] <Dionysus> [game on!]

[08-06 22:30:28] <Paul_Driver> I think we should stay at the YMCA.

[08-06 22:30:47] <Dionysus> die

[08-06 22:30:54] <Dionysus> br b

[08-06 22:31:13] <Paul_Driver> (Well. Look who got up on the wrong side of the futon this morning...)

[08-06 22:32:33] * albert_ wants to start spreading his song and doing some performing. He hasn't had a crowd since Anlear

[08-06 22:32:40] <albert_> Anlir

[08-06 22:32:47] <Dionysus> Ahh, yes.

[08-06 22:33:00] <Dionysus> So, when ye get to the city, what do ya do?

[08-06 22:33:01] <albert_> oh do I get anymore song or writing rolls Billy?

[08-06 22:33:12] <Dionysus> Oh, yes. I kept getting sidetracked.

[08-06 22:33:15] <Aldo_Murgen> Ye've got a song tae sing for the Archduke, lad.

[08-06 22:33:16] * Matrim_Argent goes over his report.

[08-06 22:33:27] <Viollca> (er, the dancing fugative?)

[08-06 22:33:27] <Dionysus> Five manifesto rolls, no song rolls.

[08-06 22:33:50] * Aldo_Murgen smokes or degenerates his health in some other higly enjoyable manner.

[08-06 22:33:53] <albert_> r writing 14 14 14 14 14

[08-06 22:33:53] <Eklem> albert_ [writing: 14] 16 17 23

[08-06 22:33:53] <Eklem> albert_ [14] 15 15 23

[08-06 22:33:53] <Eklem> albert_ [14] 15 18 21

[08-06 22:33:53] <Eklem> albert_ [14] 21 23 24

[08-06 22:33:55] <Eklem> albert_ [14] 17 22 23

[08-06 22:34:00] <albert_>

[08-06 22:34:27] <Dionysus> (one sec)

[08-06 22:34:50] <Aldo_Murgen> s/higly/highly/

[08-06 22:34:54] <Dionysus> r 16 16 16 16 16

[08-06 22:34:54] <Eklem> Dionysus [16] 21 23 25

[08-06 22:34:54] <Eklem> Dionysus [16] 20 23 24

[08-06 22:34:54] <Eklem> Dionysus [16] 18 19 22

[08-06 22:34:54] <Eklem> Dionysus [16] 22 25 25

[08-06 22:34:56] <Eklem> Dionysus [16] 20 21 25

[08-06 22:35:13] <Dionysus> You /finally/ got a good start

[08-06 22:35:18] <Dionysus> After the meeting with the knight.

[08-06 22:35:23] <Dionysus> Check one box on manifesto

[08-06 22:35:27] <albert_> done

[08-06 22:36:06] <Dionysus> As for songs, you don't have a big song project right now, but give yourself a 6 guitar skill & an 11 singing, & write down that you have "The Ballad of Aldergast" & four more

songs in yer repertoire.

[08-06 22:36:26] <albert_> thanks

[08-06 22:37:05] <Dionysus> Dionysus asks Mat privately to borrow some money so he can buy a cheap violin.

[08-06 22:38:19] * Matrim_Argent will definately do that.

[08-06 22:38:36] * Dionysus thanks you greatly & promises to pay you back & then some.

[08-06 22:39:15] * Matrim_Argent shakes his head and says there's no need.

[08-06 22:39:25] <Dionysus> So, basically, DIonysus says he will send a message to the Archduke through various channels, & asks who wants to go meet him.

[08-06 22:39:45] <Dionysus> Dionysus thanks you again, then accepts the present.

[08-06 22:40:42] <Paul_Driver> "I don't know. I'll go if someone wants me there."

[08-06 22:40:55] <albert_> "I'd like to, but I'd understand if you'd prefer it otherwise." the last is directed at Matrim.

[08-06 22:41:28] <Dionysus> Dionysus does a little throat clear, & says, "Actually, since part of the audience with the Archduke requires a song, I'd like Albert to be present."

[08-06 22:42:16] <Matrim_Argent> "We are wanted by the Empire. Any who go should understand that they are risking life and freedom, and should consider what they wish to achieve there that will be worth that risk."

[08-06 22:42:37] <albert_> "It's worth it."

[08-06 22:42:49] <Paul_Driver> "You put it that way, I can hardly stay away, can I?"

[08-06 22:42:56] <Dionysus> Caradonna says, "I have my orders from Magnus. If any of you go, I will, too."

[08-06 22:43:10] <Dionysus> Gas says, "I'm staying with Paul."

[08-06 22:43:24] <Paul_Driver> "I'll keep my mouth shut though. Well...I'll talk about Anlir."

[08-06 22:44:00] <Paul_Driver> (I got about half an hour.)

[08-06 22:44:18] <Dionysus> [we'll try to hurry this along]

[08-06 22:44:21] <Dionysus> Ben & ROb?

[08-06 22:44:25] <Viollca> "If that was and invitation, I thank you for it M'Lord."

[08-06 22:44:35] <Aldo_Murgen> "Aye, I understand the risk."

[08-06 22:44:46] * Matrim_Argent hesitates, then nods. "But if judgement is against us, there will be... no further action taken against guards of the Empire."

[08-06 22:45:08] <Dionysus> Dionysus looks to Mat, then says, "So we're all going to go? If so, maybe you, VIollca, would do me a favor?"

[08-06 22:45:13] <Paul_Driver> nods sollemny. "Agreed."

[08-06 22:46:02] * albert_ grins "Don't worry. wouldn't think of starting anything. You've seen the way I hold a sword, right?"

[08-06 22:46:04] <Viollca> "I made a promise to Magnus, and I fear the chance of breaking that promise if I were to attend."

[08-06 22:46:27] <Dionysus> "So you do not intend to go, my dear?""

[08-06 22:46:29] * Matrim_Argent grins a bit.

[08-06 22:47:01] <Dionysus> "Only, I was hoping you would sing the part that I normally sing."

[08-06 22:47:36] * Viollca smiles. "You are the finest singer Dionysus, you have no need of my help."

[08-06 22:47:52] <Dionysus> "Ahh, but I cannot sing & play violin at the same time."

[08-06 22:48:02] * AldoMurgen has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[08-06 22:48:47] * Viollca does her best to smile and shrug

[08-06 22:49:06] <Viollca> "I will wait for you near here, awaiting your return."

[08-06 22:49:58] <Dionysus> He looks disappointed.

[08-06 22:50:07] <Viollca> (sorry, she is scared, I don't see her taking the chance without good reason)

[08-06 22:50:30] <Dionysus> Caradonna also looks a bit concerned.

[08-06 22:50:51] <albert_> "Will you be all right, by yourself?"

[08-06 22:51:23] * Matrim_Argent frowns, then looks at Paul.

[08-06 22:51:31] <Matrim_Argent> "May I ask you a favor?"

[08-06 22:52:11] * Viollca deflates a bit, then "I can manage."

[08-06 22:52:33] * albert_ smiles at her and nods

[08-06 22:52:49] * TheGM (nwebb@10acf436.26866aa7.lbcktx.swbell.net) has joined #shem

[08-06 22:52:56] <Dionysus> what did ye last see, nathan?

[08-06 22:52:58] * TheGM is now known as Paul_

[08-06 22:53:13] <Paul_> Matrim_Argent frowns, then looks at Paul

[08-06 22:53:24] <Viollca> "But what of this! You all will return with nothing but good news. The point is moot."

[08-06 22:53:36] <Dionysus> [hold game til nathan catches up]

[08-06 22:53:45] <Paul_> "Sure."

[08-06 22:53:51] <Dionysus> [game on]

[08-06 22:53:53] * albert_ begins to grin

[08-06 22:54:46] <Matrim_Argent> "Will you stay with the Lady, and carry this to my family should talk fail?"

[08-06 22:54:59] * Matrim_Argent holds out the letter he's been writing.

[08-06 22:55:01] <Dionysus> [lady=viollca]

[08-06 22:55:37] <Paul_> Glance at Viollca with a smile, and then a bow to Matrim. "I'd be honored sir. Remember Anlir for me when you talk to His Grace?"

[08-06 22:56:01] * Matrim_Argent nods. "I will."

[08-06 22:56:32] <Dionysus> Perfect. Paul & Viollca, talk amongst yourselves. The rest, to the Archduke?

[08-06 22:57:00] <albert_> onward!

[08-06 22:57:12] <Viollca> brb,

[08-06 22:58:29] <Dionysus> Okay. Dionysus leads you out to the palace of the Archduke Hyun

[08-06 22:58:53] <Dionysus> The guards at the gates nod at you & let you in, & a servant asks you to follow.

[08-06 22:59:08] * albert_ will brush off his cap, in an attempt to look presentable

[08-06 23:00:05] * Aldo_Murgen straightens his beard.

[08-06 23:00:07] <Dionysus> You're lead to a hall of the palace with several lavish rooms, where they tell you to each take one. They tell you hot water will be provided for baths, refreshment will be awaiting you, & fresh clothing will be given to you.

[08-06 23:00:36] * albert_ whispers to Dionysus "I thought we were here for a talk."

[08-06 23:01:08] <Dionysus> "The Archduke wants us to be presentable. Accept the generosity & relax a bit. It might be our last meal, after all."

[08-06 23:01:10] * Matrim_Argent thanks the servants and is happy to take advantage of the chance.

[08-06 23:01:37] <Dionysus> Do you all bathe, eat, & change?

[08-06 23:01:49] <Dionysus> By the way, Gas stayed with Paul.

[08-06 23:01:50] * albert_ has a bath and eats plenty

[08-06 23:01:51] * Aldo_Murgen accepts all the hospitality graciously.

[08-06 23:02:01] <albert_> what kind of clothes are we given?

[08-06 23:02:06] <Dionysus> Aldo, the extra clothes they give you are proper robes for a priest of your station.

[08-06 23:02:14] <Aldo_Murgen> He's very pleased.

[08-06 23:02:34] <Dionysus> Albert, you're given fine clothes in the colors of the Archduke, simple clothing, but very nice. Green & brown & gold are his colors. Basically, just basic clothes, though

[08-06 23:02:50] <albert_> I'll change then

[08-06 23:03:00] <Dionysus> Matrim, yours are also in the colors of the Archduke, but a note apologizing for the misrepresentation they will cause. They are very fine clothes, befittting your station.

[08-06 23:03:11] <Matrim_Argent> Sweeeeeet.

[08-06 23:03:18] <Matrim_Argent> Er. Do they have allowances for the wings?

[08-06 23:03:21] <Dionysus> They also take your wings into account.

[08-06 23:03:23] <Dionysus> Yes

[08-06 23:03:32] * albert_ everything else is stowed away in my pouch though, except my sword (unless its not allowed) and my guitar

[08-06 23:03:40] <Matrim_Argent> Alright.

[08-06 23:03:43] <Dionysus> Your wings will be visible in them, but there's holes in the back of the shirt for them.

[08-06 23:03:58] <Matrim_Argent> Well, there's no point in hiding them if he knows anyway.

[08-06 23:05:04] <Dionysus> Dionysus comes out in extremely fine clothing, befitting someone above his station, but not above Mat's. Caradonna has plain clothes in the Archduke's colors, but they're obviously male's clothes. However, she always wore such, so it's not surprise.

[08-06 23:05:08] * Paul_Driver has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[08-06 23:05:57] <Dionysus> Ater you've all done that, a servant tells you to follow once more.

[08-06 23:06:14] * Matrim_Argent follows.

[08-06 23:06:21] <albert_> "Clean up rather nice, don't we?" he jokes with caradonna

[08-06 23:06:28] <Dionysus> She smiles.

[08-06 23:06:28] * albert_ follows

[08-06 23:06:46] * Matrim_Argent is nervous, but happy, too.

[08-06 23:07:38] <Dionysus> You're lead to a library. It's rathe rlarge, & there're works of art & finely crafted boxes all over it, in various positions.

[08-06 23:08:17] * albert_ nearly drools, seeing all those books

[08-06 23:08:41] <Dionysus> A rail thin man in brown, rgeen, & gold robes is floating uo near the highest shelves, over two storeys up, flipping through a book. He looks down as you enter.

[08-06 23:08:59] * albert_ looks up at him

[08-06 23:09:10] <Dionysus> He looks to be about 30, with light brown hair, intense blue eyes, &a very narrow face. He smiles & floats down.

[08-06 23:09:15] * Matrim_Argent bows deeply.

[08-06 23:09:35] * albert_ follows Dionysus's lead

[08-06 23:09:40] <Dionysus> Dionysus does as well.

[08-06 23:09:45] <albert_> as fas as bowing goes

[08-06 23:09:47] <Dionysus> Caradonna follows Albert's lead.

[08-06 23:10:35] <Dionysus> Aldo?

[08-06 23:10:57] * Aldo_Murgen follows also.

[08-06 23:11:17] <Dionysus> Hyun lands & nods assent to you.

[08-06 23:11:42] <Dionysus> "Welcome. I understand you all have qyuite a tale for me." He smiles, "But first, I hear you have quite a song for me."

[08-06 23:11:50] <Dionysus> "Please, make yourselves comfortable."

[08-06 23:11:58] <Dionysus> He gestures to large cushioned chairs.

[08-06 23:12:24] * Aldo_Murgen does sit.

[08-06 23:12:38] * albert_ remains standing so he can sing

[08-06 23:12:45] <Dionysus> "And my dear friend, Dionysus, if you would be so kind as to play?"

[08-06 23:13:01] <Dionysus> Dionysus explains he's got accompaniment, & then counts off so Albert can join in.

[08-06 23:13:04] <Dionysus> Roll singging, Albert

[08-06 23:13:09] <Dionysus> r violin 19

[08-06 23:13:09] <Eklem> Dionysus [violin: 19] 24 26 29

[08-06 23:13:11] <albert_> r singing 11

[08-06 23:13:12] <Eklem> albert_ [singing: 11] 14 18 20

[08-06 23:13:36] <Dionysus> Nice

[08-06 23:13:40] <Dionysus> It's good.

[08-06 23:13:44] <Dionysus> It's very good.

[08-06 23:13:44] <albert_> and sad

[08-06 23:14:04] <Dionysus> Hyun listens intently, & seems greatly affected, but he does not cry.

[08-06 23:14:12] <Dionysus> Caradonna also seems moved, but does not cry.

[08-06 23:14:30] * albert_ finishes and looks to the archduke for his reactions

[08-06 23:15:05] <albert_> r read 14

[08-06 23:15:05] <Eklem> albert_ [read: 14] 19 23 24

[08-06 23:15:14] <Dionysus> r rog 13

[08-06 23:15:14] <Eklem> Dionysus [rog: 13] 15 15 23

[08-06 23:15:23] <Dionysus> His reaction is genuine

[08-06 23:15:42] <Dionysus> "That was wonderful," he says.

[08-06 23:15:52] <Dionysus> "Adn well suited to why I understand you are here."

[08-06 23:16:33] <Dionysus> "Sir Argent, there has been much ado about you lately. Perhaps you should start."

[08-06 23:16:50] <Dionysus> He steeples hsi fingers, & floats, cross-legged, above a cushione chair.

[08-06 23:17:07] * Matrim_Argent bows again. "Thank you, Your Grace."

[08-06 23:17:29] * Matrim_Argent brings out his writing to make sure he doesn't forget anything, and describes his recent experiences.

[08-06 23:20:45] <Dionysus> He listens intently

[08-06 23:21:55] <Dionysus> [err, go into some detail, so I know what he'll respond to?]

[08-06 23:22:04] * Matrim_Argent basically describes the events in Anlir, the slaver camp, the prison, and his desire to bring them all to the Emporer's attention.

[08-06 23:23:04] <Dionysus> "That's all very... well, some of it is disturbing, other parts are merely sadly familiar to me."

[08-06 23:23:23] <Dionysus> "The events in Anlir are news to me, however. It cconcerns me greatly."

[08-06 23:24:00] <Dionysus> "As for telling my father..."

[08-06 23:24:25] * Matrim_Argent watches Hyun, now worried.

[08-06 23:24:42] * albert_ is watching the archduke closely

[08-06 23:24:57] <Dionysus> "He knows about my sister. And my brother Perical, really. We all do, but can't do anything about it. Well, perhaps now, but..." He pauses. "This will be hard to explain."

[08-06 23:25:46] <Dionysus> "When the Empire was made, my father wove some spell or blessing, I know not the particulars, that said that none of his children would die as long as the Empire stood & the Empire would stand as long as none of his children died."

[08-06 23:25:54] <Dionysus> "Or so I have always been told."

[08-06 23:26:23] <Dionysus> "But Corella died, & the Empire stands."

[08-06 23:26:29] <Dionysus> "Something has gone wrong."

[08-06 23:26:46] * Matrim_Argent opens his mouth, then closes it and nods dumbly.

[08-06 23:27:39] <Dionysus> "I believe I know what, however."

[08-06 23:28:01] <Dionysus> "You see, in my books here, I have found clues about the enchantment."

[08-06 23:28:20] <Dionysus> "There was a catch in the enchantment, I think, some little quirk that left loopholes."

[08-06 23:28:50] <Dionysus> "But the details are not recorded."

[08-06 23:29:56] <Dionysus> He looks at you all. "What do you intend to do now?"

[08-06 23:30:36] * albert_ glances at Matrim, waiting for his answer

[08-06 23:30:55] * Matrim_Argent hesitates, then says, "If I may be so bold as to ask, what do you believe will happen now if we bear this news to the capital?"

[08-06 23:31:29] <Paul_> goodnight, all

[08-06 23:31:35] <Matrim_Argent> G'night.

[08-06 23:31:44] <Matrim_Argent> Before ye go, actually.

[08-06 23:31:53] <Dionysus> "My father will have you arrested & hanged. He blames you for the recent problems, though I know not why. I fear that the loopholes I spoke of relates to your 'refusal of service.'"

[08-06 23:31:53] <Paul_> still here.

[08-06 23:31:57] <Dionysus> [night]

[08-06 23:32:14] <Aldo_Murgen> [night]

[08-06 23:32:15] <Matrim_Argent> PM'd.

[08-06 23:32:34] <Paul_> cool. okay. now going. goodnight.

[08-06 23:32:40] <Matrim_Argent> G'night.

[08-06 23:33:01] * Paul_ has quit (Quit: Leaving)

[08-06 23:33:50] * Matrim_Argent blinks. "Refusal of Service?" He remembers himself. "Your Grace?"

[08-06 23:34:06] <Dionysus> "When you failed to identify my newly born brother."

[08-06 23:34:34] <Dionysus> "It was an aberration, you know. He was killed ten days after he was born.

[08-06 23:34:41] <Matrim_Argent> "I... I did everything in my power, and was dismissed..."

[08-06 23:34:47] * Matrim_Argent bows his head. "I did not know."

[08-06 23:35:21] <Dionysus> "My father... Has reacted to this recent string of problems as if it were the end of the Empire."

[08-06 23:35:27] <Dionysus> "He is not rational right now."

[08-06 23:35:40] * albert_ 's eyes flare and he clenches his fists

[08-06 23:35:54] <Dionysus> "In time, he will calm down, but for now, I suggest you not go to Maraddon City."

[08-06 23:36:12] <Dionysus> "No, if you would, I would have you & your friends do a service for me."

[08-06 23:36:47] * Matrim_Argent keeps his head bowed, thinking hard, then looks up at the last. "Your Grace?"

[08-06 23:37:00] <Dionysus> "Several things, actually."

[08-06 23:37:24] <Dionysus> "Firstly, you mentioned my sister's sword was in the hands of one of your companions. I would appreciate it if I could have it."

[08-06 23:38:01] <Dionysus> "Secondly, I would like you to help me track down the details of the enchantment. I will give you details ot that later."

[08-06 23:38:05] <Viollca> (infiltrate the red cloaks!)

[08-06 23:38:15] <Dionysus> "Thirdly, I would like you to set me up a meeting with Magnus Jericho."

[08-06 23:39:06] <Dionysus> He stops hrn

[08-06 23:39:07] * albert_ mouth drops open for half a second and he tries to steal a covert glance at Caradonna

[08-06 23:39:10] <Dionysus> thrn

[08-06 23:39:35] <Dionysus> Caradonna has a stoenfaced look.

[08-06 23:39:49] * albert_ mimics it

[08-06 23:40:32] <Matrim_Argent> "I will gladly accept these tasks, Your Grace."

[08-06 23:40:40] <Dionysus> "And your companions?"

[08-06 23:40:52] <Dionysus> Caradonna looks to Albert.

[08-06 23:40:56] <Dionysus> Dionysus bows & accepts.

[08-06 23:41:05] <albert_> "What are the terms of this meeting?"

[08-06 23:41:50] <Dionysus> "He may choose the terms of the meeting, but I may refuse if I feel it is unsafe, of course. Essentially, tell him I am interested in a peaceful discussion."

[08-06 23:42:29] * albert_ bows slightly and looks to caradonna, motioning at her sword (she has it, right?)

[08-06 23:42:38] <albert_> (or was it paul?)

[08-06 23:42:39] <Matrim_Argent> ( Paul has it. )

[08-06 23:42:52] <albert_> forget the motioning then

[08-06 23:43:32] <Dionysus> Caradonna shrugs when you look at her.

[08-06 23:44:21] * albert_ he gives her a small smile as if to say "I'm usre it'll work out"

[08-06 23:44:24] <albert_> sure

[08-06 23:45:02] <albert_> "at least I hope it'll work out."

[08-06 23:45:31] <Dionysus> Do you others accept?

[08-06 23:45:46] <albert_> Ben is the only other

[08-06 23:45:57] <Dionysus> Oh, I didn't realize you had accepted.

[08-06 23:46:25] <Dionysus> Anyway, if Ben ain't around, we'll pretend he accepts & retcon as necessary

[08-06 23:46:27] * Aldo_Murgen nods.

[08-06 23:46:27] <albert_> he bowed his acceptance

[08-06 23:46:33] <Dionysus> "DO you have the sword with you?"

[08-06 23:46:45] <Dionysus> Ahh, good, hi, Ben

[08-06 23:47:17] <Matrim_Argent> "No, Your Grace. But it can be quickly retrieved. I believe the man who has it will gladly return it to its family."

[08-06 23:47:50] <Dionysus> He smiles & nods. "We shall address that later, then. Next, do you know where Magnus Jericho is at the moment?"

[08-06 23:48:00] <Dionysus> "In vague terms."

[08-06 23:48:04] <Viollca> (dani got disconnected, she is reconnecting)

[08-06 23:48:20] <Dionysus> Caradonna answers that he's in the central empire.

[08-06 23:48:25] * arielturnip (~Dani@de6498d.1e6a17d0.msy.bellsouth.net) has joined #shem

[08-06 23:48:36] <Dionysus> Hyun nods. "Then I shall ask you to contact him first."

[08-06 23:48:37] * arielturnip is now known as albert

[08-06 23:48:47] <Dionysus> What was the last thing ye saw?

[08-06 23:48:55] <albert> (Rob told me)

[08-06 23:49:31] <Dionysus> "Once I have a meeting secured, unless you intend to attend it, I would ask you to work on my last request."

[08-06 23:49:57] <Dionysus> "One man lives now that remembers the exact details of the enchantment, I believe, that would likely be willing to help."

[08-06 23:50:22] * Matrim_Argent listens.

[08-06 23:51:06] <Dionysus> "I want you to travel to him & enlist his aide. I cannot leave myself, for I have duties to attend to, & none of my servants are suitably trustworthy for this mission. You see, the man in question is a cousin of mine."

[08-06 23:51:12] <Dionysus> "He is a son of Kavian Stormbringer."

[08-06 23:51:30] * Matrim_Argent blinks.

[08-06 23:51:38] <albert> (does that name mean anything to me?)

[08-06 23:51:43] * Matrim_Argent gapes.

[08-06 23:51:49] <albert> (aaah)

[08-06 23:52:00] <Dionysus> [rob told you?]

[08-06 23:52:04] * Aldo_Murgen 's eyebrows raise.

[08-06 23:52:06] * albert 's mouth also drops open

[08-06 23:52:12] <albert> (yup)

[08-06 23:53:05] <Dionysus> "His name is Orehek. He is... My father allowed him to live because he aided my father at a crucial time in the war. My sister Corella believed him to be a spy for Kavian, but it was never proven. However, he was a close adviser to my father at the end of the war."

[08-06 23:53:29] <Dionysus> "As reward, my father banished him to a cave on the northenr island of Jotunshelm in the northern most parts of the Empire."

[08-06 23:54:00] * albert regains himself, closes mouth and sets it into a firm look of dissaproval

[08-06 23:54:57] <Dionysus> "My cousin is known amongst the peasants in that region as a sage, an oracle of sorts. You see, Orehek has never forgotten anything in his entire life."

[08-06 23:55:41] * Matrim_Argent manages to not hide his nervousness at all, despite valiant effort.

[08-06 23:55:57] <Dionysus> "I want you to go north & meet with him, & bring him here, if possible."

[08-06 23:56:13] <Dionysus> "In secret of course. I will provide a good ship."

[08-06 23:56:35] * Dani_ (~Dani@fbb8a3c.14012855.no.cox.net) has joined #shem

[08-06 23:56:46] * Dani_ is now known as albert_renkarr

[08-06 23:57:02] <Dionysus> "If you wish to back out, Sir Argent, I will not think poorly of you."

[08-06 23:57:54] * Matrim_Argent makes another brave attempt to act as though nothing is wrong with this. "I have given my word, Your Grace. I will hold to it."

[08-06 23:58:13] <Dionysus> He smiles. "Thank you. You are more like your father than many give you credit for."

[08-06 23:58:48] * Matrim_Argent also fails to hide his pleasure at that.

[08-07 00:00:03] <Dionysus> "Speaking of your father, he sent your manservant here for you."

[08-07 00:00:31] <Dionysus> "And Reverend Murgen, a package arrived for you via the Life Church."

[08-07 00:00:31] * albert_ has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[08-07 00:00:56] * Matrim_Argent blinks, then smiles. "Thank you, Your Grace."

[08-07 00:00:58] * albert_renkarr is now known as albert_

[08-07 00:01:11] <Dionysus> "Also, a package for a young lady that is supposed to be with you all, but is not present."

[08-07 00:02:24] <Dionysus> "For now, I must retire. Rooms have been provided for you, & if you would bring any of your other companions, they are welcome here as well."

[08-06 23:54:57] <Dionysus> "My cousin is known amongst the peasants in that region as a sage, an oracle of sorts. You see, Orehek has never forgotten anything in his entire life."

[08-06 23:55:41] * Matrim_Argent manages to not hide his nervousness at all, despite valiant effort.

[08-06 23:55:57] <Dionysus> "I want you to go north & meet with him, & bring him here, if possible."

[08-06 23:56:13] <Dionysus> "In secret of course. I will provide a good ship."

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[08-06 23:56:46] * Dani_ is now known as albert_renkarr

[08-06 23:57:02] <Dionysus> "If you wish to back out, Sir Argent, I will not think poorly of you."

[08-06 23:57:54] * Matrim_Argent makes another brave attempt to act as though nothing is wrong with this. "I have given my word, Your Grace. I will hold to it."

[08-06 23:58:13] <Dionysus> He smiles. "Thank you. You are more like your father than many give you credit for."

[08-06 23:58:48] * Matrim_Argent also fails to hide his pleasure at that.

[08-07 00:00:03] <Dionysus> "Speaking of your father, he sent your manservant here for you."

[08-07 00:00:31] <Dionysus> "And Reverend Murgen, a package arrived for you via the Life Church."

[08-07 00:00:31] * albert_ has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[08-07 00:00:56] * Matrim_Argent blinks, then smiles. "Thank you, Your Grace."

[08-07 00:00:58] * albert_renkarr is now known as albert_

[08-07 00:01:11] <Dionysus> "Also, a package for a young lady that is supposed to be with you all, but is not present."

[08-07 00:02:24] <Dionysus> "For now, I must retire. Rooms have been provided for you, & if you would bring any of your other companions, they are welcome here as well."

[08-07 00:03:12] * Matrim_Argent bows. "Thank you again, Your Grace."

[08-07 00:03:33] <Dionysus> A servant appears to take you to your rooms.

[08-07 00:03:49] <Dionysus> His Grace floats toward a door on the second storey.

[08-07 00:04:17] <Dionysus> The door has no floor in front of it, by the way. It's just in the wall up there.

[08-07 00:05:09] <Dionysus> So what now?

[08-07 00:05:18] * albert_ will wants to talk with caradonna, after they've been left alone by the servants.

[08-07 00:05:30] * Matrim_Argent will go immediately to talk to Paul and Viollca.

[08-07 00:05:41] <Dionysus> Noted. Does anyone dissuade Dionysus from getting Viollca, Paul, & Gas?

[08-07 00:05:46] <Dionysus> Ahh

[08-07 00:05:51] <albert_> yeah, they should be found and brought back

[08-07 00:05:53] <Dionysus> In that case, Dionysus remains.

[08-07 00:05:53] <Viollca> (how did packages get here for us? Didn't we decide to go here on a whim?)

[08-07 00:06:03] <Dionysus> [nice little mystery, that]

[08-07 00:06:52] <Dionysus> First, Aldo?

[08-07 00:08:49] * albert has quit (Ping timeout: 805 seconds)

[08-07 00:09:48] <Dionysus> Okay, Aldo, speak up when yer back, we'll party

[08-07 00:09:55] <Dionysus> Albert & Caradonna, then?

[08-07 00:10:29] <albert_> he just wants to make sure she's all right with this whole arrangement

[08-07 00:10:47] <Dionysus> she's fine, as magnus can always say no.

[08-07 00:10:58] <albert_> "Very true."

[08-07 00:11:04] <Dionysus> Besides, as she says, Magnus is a better fighter than she is, & he has magic.

[08-07 00:11:32] <albert_> he smiles, "I'm sure he can handle himself."

[08-07 00:11:51] <Dionysus> So Matrim, as you leave, your manservant meets you. "Matser Matrim."

[08-07 00:12:14] <albert_> "I think this duke is pretty decent, as far as the nobles here go. So I hope it won't come to that."

[08-07 00:12:19] <Matrim_Argent> "Warwick!"

[08-07 00:12:42] <Dionysus> Caradonna nods.

[08-07 00:12:49] <Dionysus> He bows.

[08-07 00:13:04] <Dionysus> "It is good to see you again. I have been long seeking to find you."

[08-07 00:13:19] <Dionysus> "It was your father's resources that lead me to you, in the end."

[08-07 00:13:44] * Matrim_Argent smiles. "I apologize for being so difficult to find. It has been necessary that I travelled often."

[08-07 00:14:49] <Dionysus> He smiles. "Of course." Then he says, more soberly, "I must say, I am here to make sure you are well."

[08-07 00:15:04] <Matrim_Argent> "You must leave again, then?"

[08-07 00:15:45] <Dionysus> "Your brother-in-law & your father have been working on a momentous plan in the last few weeks that requires my swift feet."

[08-07 00:16:11] * Matrim_Argent blinks, then nods. "Ah."

[08-07 00:16:30] <Dionysus> "But I will be with you for a short time. I have a message for someone I am given to understand you are acquainted with."

[08-07 00:16:44] <Dionysus> "One Magnus Jericho." He smiles, as he is acting like he hasn't met Magnus befor.e

[08-07 00:17:22] * Matrim_Argent is a touch confused, but nods again and smiles. "It will be good to travel with you for that time, then."

[08-07 00:18:06] <Dionysus> Anyway, he excuses himself for now while you run your errand

[08-07 00:18:10] <Dionysus> Aldo back yet?

[08-07 00:18:21] <Matrim_Argent> Aight.

[08-07 00:18:25] <Viollca> *crickets*

[08-07 00:19:14] <Dionysus> Yeah, I got nothing else tonight, until I can talk to Ben again, so unless you guys got something...

[08-07 00:19:28] <albert_> nope

[08-07 00:19:55] <Viollca> Not unless Viollca gets brought to the capital. Or if you want to do the packages now

[08-07 00:20:06] <Dionysus> Can't do Viollca without Pauil

[08-07 00:20:56] <Viollca> Even though it would go smoothly I imagine, yeah, I don't think we can

[08-07 00:21:35] * Dionysus has changed the topic to: friday - nathan's game | saturday - billy's game | no new karma this session; ben, PM me when yer back

[08-07 00:21:53] <Viollca> good session billy

[08-07 00:21:58] <Matrim_Argent> Quite.

[08-07 00:22:00] <Dionysus> thanks

[08-07 00:23:10] <Matrim_Argent> And now, for your viewing pleasure:

[08-07 00:23:29] <Matrim_Argent>

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