GM says, "right, just a few minutes as I get stuff together"

Efram says, "We'll mingle amongst ourselves."

[Crows-Nest] Jack asks, "Got URLs for people's sheets?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "What is the name of the town we're in?"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "I'm at http://diden.net/random/jack_handy.html"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "Mine will be ready *any moment*..."

[Crows-Nest] JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "Mine will be ready *any moment*..."

[rpg] Gunther says, "Tiny Towne"

[Crows-Nest] Minnie says, "mrm, I should do that"

Jack unscrews his hook.

[rpg] GM says, "the town is Catterick; it's on the east coast of avalon"

Jack takes a little box out of his stump, takes out some tobacco.

Jack says, "Mrmf scrmpf this has gone orf"

[rpg] * Jack has joined the channel.

Jack spits tobacco back into the box, puts it back in his stump.

[Crows-Nest] Efram | http://diden.net/random/jack_handy.html

[Crows-Nest] Efram says, "Err, whoops"

[Crows-Nest] Efram | http://roger.carbol.com/rpg/efram.pdf

[rpg] Minnie says, "hm, we only get four stunts? I was sure it was five"

[Crows-Nest] Efram says, "(Also, see http://roger.carbol.com/1Mhp/images/avalon.png )"

[rpg] Efram says, "It's an evil house rule"

[rpg] Minnie drops International

[rpg] Minnie asks, "and, what, seven Aspects?"

[rpg] Efram says, "keeps House of Pancakes"

[rpg] Efram says, "7 + the free one everyone gets: Former Crew of the Golden Monkey"

[rpg] Minnie says, "man, I was totally reading the wrong part of inky's blog"

Jack says, "Where's my buggering crewmates got to, then? We've got to be seeing about that old jewel one of these days."

Minnie says, "mindin' my own business, you old coot"

[rpg] Jack asks, "Golden Parrot or Golden Monkey?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Errr, Golden Parrot, I guess"

Efram says, "Great Abalone of Sierra Leone, you're right."

Jack mutters, "argh, it's that bloody old witch again"

Jack mutters, "and the other one too"

[rpg] Jack says, "It weren't exactly golden either so I don't see that the partic'lar animal matters so much"

[rpg] GM says, "here's maga's: http://inky.org/rpg/oneshots/parrot/minnie.html"

[rpg] GM says, "er, though I guess he's reworking"

[rpg] Minnie says (to GM), "except, as noted - right"

[rpg] GM asks, "is Jota there, or is he idling?"

[rpg] Minnie | http://diden.net/~maga/minniedriscoll.html

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "http://grunk.org/rpgs/charsheets/johnny-falcone.txt"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "Ready!"

[rpg] GM says, "ah, excellent"

GM says, "so, I believe it is time to rock, and possibly also roll"

Jack says, "about bleedin' time too"

Minnie says, "nobody ever got nowhere by being in a hurry, and you'd do well to remember that"

GM says, "our story begins in Catterick, a medium-sized town of no particular importance on the east coast of Avalon"

[Crows-Nest] Efram asks, "Log started?"

GM says, "no particular importance in a dramatic sense, that is; if you're a wool-merchant you are no doubt familiar with the sheep grazed there, and if you intend to ship something to Vesten it's a good port to start from"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "yeah"

[Crows-Nest] Efram says, "Also, we'll be needing the Fudge dice, I reckon"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "oh, yeah, I wonder where those have gotten to"

GM goes west.

[Crows-Nest] Efram says, "NO SHEEP FOR DRACHENEISEN"

GM arrives from the west.

GM goes south.

GM arrives from the south.

[7thsea] GM rolls great dice:

GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Mediocre (0)

[Crows-Nest] Minnie says, "clearly we are playing with Seafarers"

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

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Should we have a game-specific channel?"

[rpg] GM says, "nah, I'm just gonna use this"

Jack says, "who's that walkin' around, then? never seen that feller before as I recall"

Jack says, "playin' with those little stones and all"

JohnnyFalcone says, "There's of the Fae about him, I'd wager."

Minnie says, "Don't pretend you don't know gamblin' when you see it."

GM says, "anyway, our story begins with the four of you gathered around a table in a tavern down by the waterfront"

GM says, "Johnny Falcone's summoned you to town on a matter of greatest importance, and he is just about to reveal what that is"

Jack says, "Well met, me fellow bastards"

Jack says, "Parrots, I mean. Monkeys. Whatever it was."

JohnnyFalcone says, "I am pleased to see that the post is more effective than its reputation, and you've all received my letter."

Minnie cracks her knuckles, causing winces from three tables away

[rpg] GM says, "also, you can admire my map: http://inky.org/rpg/oneshots/parrot/images/map.png"

Jack pulls out a crumpled tobacco-stained letter from don't ask where, spreads it out on the table.

[rpg] GM says, "grazing lands with spotted forests, scattered estates of rich nobles, beach, ocean, the town itself"

[rpg] Jack says, "Hee hee."

JohnnyFalcone says, "As you may or may not be aware, there is a ball scheduled to take place at <location in town> on <date>. Many local aristocrats will be attending."

[rpg] GM says, "which has sort of a northerly up-on-the-cliffs portion where the rich people tend to live, and then tumbles down the cliff to the ground below where the merchants and shipping tend to take place"

Jack asks, "So what's that got to do with us, Johnny boy?"

[Crows-Nest] Minnie says, "Now Johnny you know I don't hold with such fancy nonsense."

GM says, "(it's about a week away, at the estate on the coastline north of the town)"

[Crows-Nest] Minnie says, "oops"

Minnie says, "Now Johnny you know I don't hold with such fancy nonsense."

Jack says, "I don't think I've broke out my dancin' hand for many a year. Not sure what I done with the bugger to be honest."

JohnnyFalcone says, "What you probably don't know is that one of the guests has a very special piece of jewelery that he wishes to show off there, and my sources say he plans to auction it off at the end of the evening."

[Crows-Nest] radix asks, "is the RPing gonna be happening in #rpg?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "That jewel is the Sea's Blood, and the man fits the exact description of our Captain Danvers."

[Crows-Nest] JohnnyFalcone says, "No, the OOC chatter will be."

Jack says, "The Sea's Blood!"

Minnie says, "Why, the shameless little bleeder."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "for the actual talk, 'walk the plank'"

[Crows-Nest] JohnnyFalcone says, "The RP'ing will be in a special room -- you can get there by typing 'walk the plank'."

[Crows-Nest] radix says, "oh right I forgot about that"

Jack says, "Crom's bollocks!"

radix arrives, looking for booty.

Efram scowls.

[rpg] GM says (to Jack), "hee hee"

Jack asks, "So when's this again? This week?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Right. The end of the week."

Minnie asks, "And you want us in on one of your no-good rackets, is that it?"

Jack says, "I don't suppose you've got a brace of invitations in your fancy waistcoat there"

JohnnyFalcone says (to Minnie), "I want the jewel. But I can't get it alone."

JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "Not yet. But we might be able to arrange it..."

Jack asks, "And this is everyone left of the old Parrot, is it?"

JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "Everyone that the post could locate."

Jack says, "Apart from bleedin' Danvers, curse his soul"

[rpg] GM says, "Pete the Peg is still hopping his way to town"

[rpg] GM says, "he should be here in a couple months"

JohnnyFalcone says, "The letters for Rose and Mattavers came back 'presumed deceased', and the other four never came back at all."

Efram says, "The jewel is not important. Only vengeance is important."

Jack says, "So by rights we each owns a fourth of that sparkler"

Jack says, "30 per cent each"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

Jack says (to Efram), "I can swap you, no trouble"

Minnie says, "Well, Ifor Williams got et by a kraken, so I'm told, 'Stubs' Mackenzie fought back against a press-gang..."

Jack asks, "They got Stubbsy?"

Jack says, "That Ifor had it coming to him, kraken too for that matter, but it's a shame about old Stubs"

Minnie says, "Mashed his head up, yeah. Press-gangs used to be polite in my day, now they're just a bunch of wild yahoos"

Jack says, "Bugger owed me for that leg of his"

Efram asks, "The road ahead is long, Ross. What is your plan?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Well, the way I see it, we've got three options."

JohnnyFalcone says, "We can steal it before the ball, we can steal it after the ball, or we can just steal the money after the ball."

Minnie says, "If it's money that's just robbery, by my thinking."

JohnnyFalcone says, "I don't trust the third option -- after his disappearing trick before, I don't doubt that Danvers is going to be slipping town at his first chance after he gets his hands on the cash."

Jack says, "I'd prefer to claw the thing itself out of his scurvy hand"

Jack says, "But it'd make it easier to divvy up afterwards if we just takes his money"

Minnie says, "I won't swing for you or no other, Johnny, Theus help me I won't."

Jack says, "That ain't what I heard, har har"

[rpg] GM says, "this seems like it's all good setup -- lemme know when you guys want me to start driving things a little more"

Minnie clouts Jack on the side of the head.

Jack asks, "Ow! So where's the jewel now?"

Jack asks, "And Danvers, come to that?"

JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "That's a good question. I haven't set my own eyes on it or Danvers yet, so all that I have is second-hand. Reliable, but incomplete."

Jack idly scratches pictures of skulls into the table.

Jack says, "So maybe we need to do a bit of snoopin' around first"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "any ships due to leave port on or shortly after <date>?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "What I hear is that he's probably staying at the Royal Arms -- that's the big fancy hotel at the south end of town."

Jack says, "But we don't want that bastard recognisin' us"

JohnnyFalcone says, "But that doesn't mean he's necessarily keeping the rock in his pocket."

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, it's a trading port, so if you want to go to Vesten, you can scramble up a ship"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "How free are we to make stuff up?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "(I don't know how much you've got planned.)"

Jack says, "Could be he has the jewel in the strong box there. Prob'ly one of the safest places around."

Jack says, "But if I knows Danvers he wouldn't trust it"

[rpg] GM says, "hmm, so far I haven't seen anything problematic, but -- ok, actually, pause a sec"

[rpg] GM says, "the meta-game deal is, you're not going to run into Danvers or be able to get into his place this session"

[rpg] GM says, "since this is intended to be a multi-session thing"

[rpg] GM says, "and that seems like the climax or at least next session"

[rpg] GM says, "you can totally do investigation and prepwork and sneaking around this session, though"

Minnie says, "The sloop Vesten Courage's due to leave port late at night, morning of <date>, and they're looking for crew. No-good outfit, and the captain's a drunk, but I suggest we sign up."

[rpg] (from Jack) Jack says, "Okay, let's all just hit the whorehouse until the next session"

JohnnyFalcone says, "True. Ordinarily, I'd expect something like that to be couriered in special by a band of armed men and a steel-plated carriage, but I don't expect Danvers would trust any professional guards with it unless he had the only key to the carriage door, and maybe not even then."

Jack asks, "Vesten Courage, eh?"

Efram says, "Only a fool sets his course before he knows which way the wind blows."

JohnnyFalcone says (to Efram), "No harm in putting a few fake names down to reserve our seats in the galley, in case we need 'em."

JohnnyFalcone says, "No one says we have to show up if things go south, and it might be handy to give the local constables an extra trail to follow."

Efram says, "Indeed, it is so."

Jack says, "If we can get the captain to take us on now, I might have time to sneak in a little bit o' customisation, as it were"

Jack says, "Hiding place or two"

GM says, "right"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Sounds good."

Jack says, "in fact the cap'n probably has one already, I just need to get him drunker"

JohnnyFalcone says, "So, since we don't know for sure where the jewel is now, and we do know where it'll be <day of ball> night, I say we do right then and there under Danvers' nose."

Efram says, "There is a way to find the answers to our questions. But I shall need a few things. Things from the scurvy rat, Danvers."

Efram says, "A bit of clothing. A lock of hair. Blood would be good."

Jack says, "Well, if I could carve his heart out for you, that'd make things a lot easier all round even without any mumbo jumbo"

GM says, "ok, I'm calling the scene"

Minnie says, "Hmm. I did do a little job on an ingrowing toenail... let's see if I still have the pliers."

JohnnyFalcone says (to Efram), "It shouldn't be hand to get a dirty sock from the washer woman at the Arms."

[Crows-Nest] Efram says, "Hey, Mumbo Jumbo was a good friends of mine."

GM asks, "in the meantime you can arrange stuff about the berth, but where do you want to cut to next? the hotel?"

Efram says, "I'd like to angle to the hotel, sure."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Where is the ball actually taking place? Someone's house?"

Efram says, "Unless we want some intermediate 'let's get into disguise' scene."

[rpg] GM says (to JohnnyFalcone), "let's say you aren't sure yet, because you are about to find out in the next scene"

Jack says, "I ain't good at disguises"

GM says, "ok, the Royal Arms"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Alrighty."

JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "I might be able to fix you up with something, if no one looks too hard at you."

GM says, "the oldest hotel in town, built here originally for visiting merchants and getting fancier as they got richer, even as most of the town expanded northwards"

GM says, "a desk clerk looks up as you enter"

Jack whispers (to Johnny), "You first! Mister talky talk!"

Minnie sniffs disapprovingly.

GM says, "he isn't quite sure sure how to take you all, but he's seen worse merchants before"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Before we enter..."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I'm thinking it might not be a bad idea to do some slight disguise -- not to make us look like anything specific, but just to make it so we'll be less recognizable if someone sees us later."

[rpg] GM says, "that seems sensible"

[rpg] GM says, "we will roll for it if it becomes an issue"

[rpg] Minnie says, "Oh, nobody looks at an old woman nohow."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "OK."

[rpg] Jack says, "Normal-lookin' hand on, for a start."

Jack whispers (to Johnny), "I need to get a look at that strongbox!"

JohnnyFalcone says (to Clerk), "Greetings! I was wondering what you have available for rooms."

JohnnyFalcone says, "We are interested in a set of four rooms, all adjacent."

GM asks, "just how luxurious a room would you like, ... sir?"

Jack says, "Mine don't have to be all that adjacent, I ain't fussy"

JohnnyFalcone says, "We would also require access to a strongbox for storing valuables as well as a competent laundry service."

JohnnyFalcone says, "Well, we have been travelling for some time... something moderately luxurious would be nice."

JohnnyFalcone says, "Say, a separate bed in every room... sheets cleaned within the last week..."

GM says, "The clerk consults his records. "Well, the admiral's suite has just become vacant, but I warn you, it's quite expensive. You may find the second lieutenant room more in your price range.""

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Oh, and do you have anything with en-suite bathing, with those little soaps?"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee hee"

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Hmm. Would it be possible for us to take a look at it?"

Jack whispers (to Johnny), "Good thing he doesn't know you ain't payin'!"

[rpg] GM says (to Johnny), "the answer is going to be yes, but just to set the tone for the scene, let's see a Rapport roll, difficulty fair"

[rpg] GM says, "(which you can roll with 'fudge great' since your skill is great)"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "OK."

[7thsea] JohnnyFalcone rolls great dice:

[7thsea] JohnnyFalcone rolls fudge great dice:

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Er?"

[rpg] GM says, "no 'roll' first"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Perhaps you should drop the dice in the room."

GM drops fudge dice.

[rpg] GM exclaims, "oops, that too!"

JohnnyFalcone rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "SUccess!"

[rpg] GM says, "hooray"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, you could spend a fudge point (of which you guys each start with 5, incidentally) to reroll or get a +2"

[rpg] Limax says, "Always remember to provide dice"

[rpg] GM says, "but this roll isn't that big a deal, so"

GM says, ""Absolutely, sir," says the clerk. "The previous gentleman found it quite comfortable and I'm sure you will as well. He was quite sorry to be leaving, he said.""

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Do we need to use an Aspect for the +2?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Excellent. What sort of business was he in?"

[Crows-Nest] Limax asks, "Which game is being played?"

[Crows-Nest] JohnnyFalcone says, "Seventh Sea, using Spirit of the Century rules."

[Crows-Nest] Limax says, "Ah. COol"

GM says, ""Oh, he was a gentleman [like, in the sense of not having to work], I'm sure -- but I believe he said he was a seaman 'in a previous life' -- ha ha, quite the kidder.""

GM says, ""But he must have done well for himself, if he was able to lease Lord Roderick's estate for the season""

GM says, ""Ah, here we are -- you can see it has all the luxuries -- a fine view, maid service, your own personal bedpan""

Jack has a bit of a poke around.

JohnnyFalcone says, "Ah, the life of the retired merchant seaman -- a dream many of us share."

Efram takes in the view.

GM says (to Jack), "it's not quite straightened up all the way -- probably the maid did a hasty clean-up after he left and is intended to do more later"

Jack says, "Cor! Fancy plumbing in here."

JohnnyFalcone says, "I should try to meet with him while I'm in town; I'm sure he has a few good tips he could offer us."

GM says (to Jack), "if you would like to investigate more specifically you could roll investigation"

[rpg] Jack says, "I think I will!"

Jack rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Good (3)

[rpg] Jack says, "Also using my 'quick eye' stunt."

[rpg] GM says, "oh, nice"

JohnnyFalcone says (to Clerk), "What was his name? I might pay him a call some time."

[rpg] Jack says, "I guess I'm looking for anything that might have been left behind."

GM says, "Jack's quick eye spots a few things as Johnny distracts the clerk"

GM says, ""He was a Mister Donner, I believe," says the clerk. "Anyone in town can give you directions to Lord Roderick's estate if you wish to visit.""

JohnnyFalcone says, "Excellent! Thank you, my good man."

GM says, "Meanwhile, Jack espies the corner of a piece of paper peeking out from under the bed, a few hairs on the pillow, and a handkerchief in a drawer"

JohnnyFalcone says, "I think this should suit our needs quite nicely -- as for payment, our other ship is due in at the end of this week."

Jack mutters, "just tuck this away in the ol' stump, dum de dum", slightly spoiling his surreptitiousness

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] Efram says, "Good thing you brought the CSI forensics hand."

GM says, ""Wonderful!" says the clerk. "I cannot guarantee that the room will be available, but we look forward to accomodating you.""

Jack stuffs everything away quickly.

[rpg] Limax says, "Hee hee"

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Is it not available now?"

GM says, ""Oh, certainly, but we are expecting some visitors for the ball""

[Crows-Nest] Gunther says, "It seem that the shit... *puts on monocle* ...has hit the canal."

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

Jack says, "You want to keep an eye on that maid of yours! Look at the state of this bed."

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

Jack tugs quite hard to untuck the sheets

JohnnyFalcone says, "Oh, we're ready to move in immediately, if possible."

GM says, ""Shocking!" says the clerk. "I could have sworn the -- my eyes must be going, dear me""

[Crows-Nest] Efram says, "Jack, please please stay away from the bedpan. I know what you're thinking."

Jack says, "Nice and comfy though, I has to admit"

GM says (to JohnnyFalcone), ""Oh, well, in that case ...""

GM says, ""I'll just have the maid make up the room properly. If you could come back in an hour, I am sure you will find it to your liking.""

JohnnyFalcone says, "Excellent! Thank you very much."

JohnnyFalcone exclaims (at Group), "In the meantime, let's take in the town!"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "It occurred to me that Jack, Minnie and Efram probably did not have rooms yet elsewhere."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "And if we're leaving at the end of the week, why shouldn't they have a nice place to stay?"

[rpg] GM says, "good point"

[rpg] GM says, "especially if you don't intend to pay"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "And the officers on our other ship can pay the bill when it comes into port."

[rpg] Minnie says, "I don't hold with this fancy 'bed' nonsense"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] GM says, "you can rig a hammock out of the sheets and three bedpans"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Ha ha."

GM says, "ok! so, you guys exit the hotel and (I imagine) look at what Jack looted"

[rpg] Jack says, "I wouldn't object to a fancy hotel but I ourght to get a berth on that ship"

Jack says, "Tum de dum, just bear with me... oops, that's me baccy... that's *my* hanky... aha, here we go"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Do we still want to inspect the strongbox when we come back?"

Jack says, "Some hairs and a hanky for Efram, and a letter or a map or somefink"

GM says, "which, as mentioned, are some hairs from the pillow, a handkerchief (rather nice, with a monogram U on it), and a sheet of paper covered in Vodacce writing in a rather unskilled hand"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "What was Danvers' first name?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Captain"

[rpg] Jack says, "Heh."

[rpg] GM says, "Albert"

[rpg] GM says, "(this is probably why he insisted on 'Captain')"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Curses. If only I could read my ancestral tongue..."

[rpg] Jack asks, "Er, can I read Vodacce?"

[rpg] GM says, "I dunno, but I'm going to translate it, so presumably somebody can"

[rpg] Jack tries to remember if he can *read*

GM says, "which somebody manages to translate as being notes the writer took from some other book he was reading"

GM says, "they appear to be calculations trying to work out which place referred to in that book is a place in this town"

GM says, "and at the bottom is written Lord Roderick, with a circle around it"

Jack says, "Interestin', by which I mean I can't make head nor tail of this."

JohnnyFalcone says, "Hmm. It seems as though Danvers has more in mind than just a jewelry auction."

GM says, "with some earlier references to "propitious location" and "correct night" and "the right food""

Minnie asks, "The treasure is buried in... Lord Roderick?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Or his estate, more likely."

Jack says, "I ain't never opened up one of them before."

[rpg] GM says, "noblemen produce pearls when irritated"

Jack says, "Though I suppose you has."

[rpg] Efram says, "I'd like to apply my knowledge of Sorcery to figure out if this is related to Sorcery-ish sorts of things"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "Just like Oscar Wilde!"

[rpg] GM says (to Efram), "roll it"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Minnie clouts Jack around the ear again

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 -1 | Average (1)

[rpg] Efram exclaims, "mrf. But my close relationship with the loa Madame Dlo has granted me deeper insights than that!"

[rpg] GM says, "oho"

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Gunther says, "Ronita Jamesette Dio"

[rpg] Efram says, "Slightly deeper insights. Guess I haven't sacrificed a chicken in a while."

[rpg] GM says, "that's good enough for the basics"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Fortunately, we are burning the bad rolls out of these dice early."

GM says, "the good news is, yes, it is"

GM says, "the bad news is, the *writer* knows less about sorcery than you do, which means his transcription is a little confusing and leaves out some details"

GM says, "but it's definitely some kind of mystic conjunction scheduled to take place on what can only be the same night as the ball"

GM says, "and the writer evidently thinks the place for it is Lord Roderick's estate"

Jack asks, "You think Danvers is tinkerin' with stuff wot he ain't should ought to wot of?"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

Minnie says, "Oh, I don't want to be gettin' mixed up in no heathen malarky."

Efram says, "The ways of your magicks are a mystery to me, but, like the water in the ocean, it tastes the same in Avalon as it does on Isle Bete."

Jack says, "Right, bloody 'orrible and salty."

Minnie glares at Efram.

[Crows-Nest] Minnie asks, "'Stupid Island'?"

Efram says, "This Estate has been chosen for its mystic energies."

[Crows-Nest] Efram says, "B^ete, Beast"

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Can we use that to our advantage?"

Efram says, "And the night of the 'auction' as well."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "What do we know about the Sea's Blood, anyway?"

Efram says, "Perhaps. All is not as it seems."

Jack says, "That ain't no normal auction, that's for sure."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Aside from it being a large and valuable chunk of geology?"

Jack asks, "What's he want to be getting all those nobs and that jewel all into that 'aunted house for, if not to flog it?"

[rpg] GM says, "good question! you know very little, though you did admittedly retrieve it from some trap-laced indiana-jones-style ruins on a jungle island"

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Immeasurable arcane powers?"

[rpg] GM says, "but Danvers certainly didn't mention any mystic properties, just the money you'd get from selling it"

Minnie shudders.

Jack says, "Right, or girls. Something like that."

Minnie says, "That thing's bad luck, it is. I don't like the thought of crossing water with it."

Jack says, "My share's gettin' bigger and bigger."

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

JohnnyFalcone says (to Minnie), "If we take it, we've got to get it out of here one way or another."

Minnie says, "Danvers weren't a bad cove afore that thing got its fingers in him."

JohnnyFalcone says, "So if we take the gem, we'll be rescuing him from it."

JohnnyFalcone says, "That makes us right do-gooders."

Jack says, "We could have it cut right here in town, maybe."

Efram says, "We should learn more of this Estate."

Minnie says, "I'm only doin' this because you don't swindle your shipmates, and Danvers needs to be reminded of that."

[rpg] GM asks, "ok, so what do you guys want to do next? do you want to ask in town about Danvers-alias-Donner, or check out Lord Roderick's estate, or try to get invitations, or ..?"

Minnie says, "I'd as like throw the dirty thing off a cliff, but if you want your soul in peril I won't be stoppin' you."

[rpg] Minnie says, "let's case the estate"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "We could also try to research the history of the estate."

[rpg] GM says, "oh, yes"

[rpg] Efram says, "Yeah, maybe there's legal records and such."

Jack says, "The devil comes for my soul, he'll have to watch he don't end up with his knackers in me vice-hand."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "See if Rod's great great great great was actually half-bred unseelie or somesuch."

[rpg] GM says, "the estate is probably twenty minutes' carriage-ride outside of town, so when/if you do that, you'll probably need to arrange transportation, or be willing to slog"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I say, let's gather info in town."

GM says, "let's see"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Finding out what we can about both Donner and Roderick."

[rpg] Jack says, "Right, I'm not sloggin' all the way out there."

[rpg] Minnie says, "ugh, walkin'"

[rpg] GM asks, "ok, what sort of gathering do you want to do? talking to people? or research somewhere? or split up?"

[rpg] Jack says, "Reckon I could take a look at that ship."

[rpg] GM says, "(I'm not sure what sort of place would have records here, but I am open to suggestions)"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "If it's daytime, research is probably easier. If it's evening, talking to people is probably easier."

[rpg] Minnie says, "I'm going to see if there's any ex-patients of mine hanging around in nasty dockside taverns"

[rpg] Jack asks, "Town hall? Local church, if there is such a thing?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks (of GM), "City Hall?"

[rpg] GM says, "there are"

[rpg] GM asks (of Efram), "ok, what about you?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "(I am not sure what the proper 17th century term for 'city hall' is.)"

[rpg] GM asks, "are you going to do voodoo?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Mmm, yes, what about me..."

[rpg] Efram says, "I was thinking about busting out the seance later on, midnightish, with all y'all"

[rpg] Efram says, "In the meantime, hmm."

[rpg] GM says, "you can also come along and help somebody"

[rpg] Efram asks, "Anyone need a scary black guy?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "That would probably not directly help convince the clerk at city hall to let me access the archives."

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] Jack says, "No-one's going to turn away a scary black guy, come and get a job with me."

GM exclaims, "ok!"

[rpg] Efram says, "Sure, ship-looking-at with Jack sounds good."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Also, it's a good thing this is a port town, or else no one in the city would have likely ever seen a black guy before."

GM says, "so, the difficulty is fair for everyone; Minnie should roll Empathy with a +1 for her medicine skill, Johnny should roll rapport, Jack can roll Sail or Investigation"

GM says, "and I'm not sure what Efram wants to roll"

[7thsea] JohnnyFalcone rolls great dice:

JohnnyFalcone rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] GM says, "man, what the hell is with these dice"

Efram says, "Mmm Alertness, maybe, just as a sort of general 'notice things' sort of roll."

GM says, "sure"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "how do you factor in the +1? just take the next level?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, or 'fudge good + 1'"

[rpg] Jack says, "I'm actually trying to get taken on as a shiphand, so I guess I'll try Sail."

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 0 | Great (4)

Minnie rolls Good (3) +1 + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[rpg] Jack says, "I can pull an Aspect and try to get the captain drunk if need be."

[7thsea] Jack rolls average dice:

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "Minnie wins!"

[rpg] Jack asks, "Where'd my roll go?"

[rpg] Efram says, "The docks are littered with cripples"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "Try 'fudge average'."

Jack rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 0 | Average (1)

[rpg] Jack says, "Aha."

Jack hauls rope like a good 'un, etc.

[rpg] GM says, "ok, so Efram's assistance pulls Jack up to a Good"

[rpg] GM says, "so let's go from smallest to largest"

GM asks (of Johnny), "what were you looking for?"

[rpg] GM says, "(tap, tap)"

GM says (to Jack), "ok, right, so you find a ship going the way you'd like"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Whoops, sorry."

JohnnyFalcone asks (of Clerk), "Do you have the property records for Lord Roderick's estate?"

GM says, ""Absolutely," says the clerk. "Here you are.""

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Thank you -- how far back do these go?"

GM says, "back to the founding of the town; in fact, the estate was one of the first constructed"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Perfect."

GM says, "though it's since been superseded by more prosperous estates built more inland with more grazing land"

JohnnyFalcone reads through for information on the past owners, with a particular eye out for any Notable Incidents that may have taken place there.

GM says, "the estate itself (you read) is several hundred years old and has been in Lord Roderick's family the whole time, though (you cross-reference) as he's only got a daughter, presumably it'll pass to some other family soon"

GM says, "it's actually surprisingly calm, although there are reports of something cryptically called 'storm damage' about a hundred years ago which seem quite extensive"

GM says, "and there're occasional notes about 'smugglers? investi.' over the last fifty years or so"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Anything to suggest that any of his ancestors were any weirder than your typical inbred noble family?"

[rpg] GM says, "nothing you can get from here; if you find out more about specific people later you could maybe do investigation on them specifically"

GM says (to Jack), "meanwhile, the captain is about to turn you down, saying he has a carpenter already, but as Efram makes some mystic comments he blanches and says "...but, really, we could always use another carpenter""

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I'd like to look up whoever owned the place during the 'storm damage'."

GM asks (of Minnie), "and you -- well, what are you asking about?"

Jack says, "Of course you can! After all, look at the state of this bum-splice giblet over 'ere..."

[rpg] GM says, "presumably the bum-splice giblet is what passes for a toilet at sea"

Jack tugs on the disappointly sturdy splice until it cracks slightly.

Jack says, "Shocking, shocking. Going to have to take a look around the stores to see if there's a good bit of oak to fix that."

Jack says, "Don't you worry, cap'n! You can leave it with me!"

Jack heads down to nosey around the hold.

GM says, "the captain mumbles and wanders off, giving Efram another nervous eye"

GM asks (of Jack), "ok, what are you going to do?"

Jack says, "I bet the captain already has a hidey-hole, let's try and find that first..."

GM says (to JohnnyFalcone), "you dig up that his name was Baron Stone, but there's surprisingly little about him -- evidently he ran a tight ship, and this was back when the town's government wasn't as buoyed by merchants and hence more dependent on the nobility"

[rpg] Jack asks, "Investigation?"

[rpg] GM says, "sure, with a +1 for your current roll"

[rpg] GM says, "(I mean, because you ended up with a good)"

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

Jack says, "Bugger."

[rpg] Minnie says, "what did I tell you, that hoodoo nonsense is bad luck"

GM says, "well, you do find a cache, but judging by the quality of the rotgut inside, it's not the captain's"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Huh."

GM asks (of Minnie), "meanwhile, what are you looking for?"

Minnie says, "I'm looking for anyone who has gossip about Danvers, the estate or anything else I can rustle up"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Does it say who did the repairs after the storm damage?"

[rpg] GM says, "you can deduce from the records that he had someone brought in special (and sent away afterwards)"

GM says (to Minnie), "hrm, ok"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Oho."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I'd like to cross-reference to see if there are any other records of this supposed storm, then."

GM says (to Minnie), "well, given you roll you get what everyone in town knows -- that Danvers (alias Donner) is a rich guy who blew into town a few weeks ago, staying at the hotel while he socialized with the nobility, and eventually announcing his intention to let Lord Roderick's place and throw a fancy ball"

GM says, "(to which most people in town would like to go but are of course not posh enough to be invited)"

Minnie says, "So who all's goin' to this big do, then? Bunch of right nobs, I'll bet."

GM says, "you further hear that Lord Roderick is obviously in need of money or he wouldn't be letting his estate and forced to stay at his city manor, and that his daughter is urging him to buy the jewel, and that various merchants in town would love to get their hands on the jewel"

GM says, "you *further* hear that there is occasional smuggling going on in town of some undefined type but probably to avoid avalon and vesten taxes, and that seems to be related to his estate somehow"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "Aha. So smugglers need a secret entrance in, right?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "A secret entrance into the estate, plus some secret basement to hide things away in... which would be a substantial construction project."

[rpg] GM says (to Johnny), "yes, it was a legit storm as far as you can tell, but it always also pretty localized, like it was centered right off-shore from the manor"

[rpg] Minnie says, "Somewhere on the coast, but concealed from open waters..."

[rpg] Minnie says, "I think we have our invitation, lads."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to GM), "Huh. So not just an excuse for building a smuggling hideaway under the estate."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I am thinking that at some point, I will have to make friends with the Baron's daughter."

[rpg] GM says, "and I think that is what everyone finds"

[rpg] GM asks, "so! where to next?"

[rpg] Jack says, "I'd like to build a couple of things into this ship, over the next few days."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Has the mayor been invited to the party? And did his invitation contain spare tickets for his retinue?"

[rpg] Minnie says, "I'd like to see if we can rent a small skiff and poke our noses in around the coast of the estate"

[rpg] Jack says, "That sounds good too."

[rpg] GM says (to Jack), "ok, I am content saying you do that in down-time, and we will roll for them when they become necessary"

[rpg] Jack says, "Cool."

[rpg] Efram says, "I'm happy to bust out the seance scene whenever people like.,"

[rpg] GM says (to JohnnyFalcone), "the mayor and his wife are invited, but his aides are not important enough to get tickets"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Fair enough."

GM says, "yeah, this investigation stuff probably took all day, so I imagine you are going to head back to the hotel"

JohnnyFalcone says (to Desk Clerk), "And could you send dinner up? For four, of course."

GM says, ""Absolutely, sir. I'll add it to your account.""

GM says, "one of the advantages of being on a trading port is that the food is good"

GM says, "though naturally the local specialty is lamb"

JohnnyFalcone explains to the others what he found, once they're back in the room.

Jack asks, "So what's this about smuggling?"

Minnie says, "Well, as everyone and his mother knows, the revenuers are bastards."

JohnnyFalcone says, "...which I thought might just be a cover for a few smuggler-friendly modifications to the manor, but it turns out there really *was* a mysterious storm right off the coast that only affected the estate and nothing else."

Jack says, "Ain't no smuggling going on on the Vesten Courage, that's fer sure. Can't for the life of my find any hidey-hole in that ship bigger than a rabbit's arse."

JohnnyFalcone asks (of Jack), "Can you change that?"

Jack taps the side of his nose significantly.

Jack says, "Ain't sure if we want to hide out there for our escape, or scuttle it as a distraction, so I'll be ready for both."

[rpg] GM asks (of Efram), "ok, you want to seance it up here?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I am assuming it is not his good hand with which he does his tapping."

[rpg] Efram says, "Sure."

[rpg] Jack says, "This *is* me good hand. Solid balsa!"

Efram asks (of Johnny), "This Baron Stone. Where is he buried?"

GM says, "(I guess he's probably in a tomb on the estate)"

GM says, "(though if you want him in the church in town, that'd be fine)"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Most folks are buried at either the south church or the north church, but the nobs tend to have their own cemetaries."

Efram says, "It would be easier to reach him from his resting place."

[rpg] GM says, "hmm"

[rpg] GM asks, "well, do you want to do something on Danvers now? or go try to find Stone?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Mmmm, I think Stone is a good place to start. At least I know he's dead."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "If he's in a crypt on the estate, that seems like a good time to do both."

[rpg] Efram says, "And he might have something to say about whoever is hanging out in his family house at the moment."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Since we can scout out the estate after we're finished with old Stone."

[rpg] GM asks, "ok, how do you want to do this time-wise, since it's evening now? go out now? or go tomorrow?"

[rpg] Efram says, "But, it's a seance, right. You don't always end up talking to the spirit you intend."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Seances and sneaking tend to work best at night, I think."

[rpg] Minnie says, "I'm inclined to do this by boat, thus covering all our bases"

[rpg] Efram says, "Yeah, what JF says. And we can row there too; that sounds good."

[rpg] Minnie says, "although finding a smuggler's cove at night might not be the easiest thing to do"

[rpg] Efram says, "I've got excellent night vision."

[rpg] Jack asks, "Bah, ain't we all ex-sailors?"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, sounds good"

[rpg] Jack says, "That's why we all got such excellent Sail skill."

[rpg] Minnie says (to Jack), "hey now, I've got Good"

GM says, "you guys sneak out of the hotel and down to the waterfront, where Minnie is able to dig up a skiff you can use, which you take up the coast a ways"

Efram says, "Along the way I need to pick up a chicken or a lamb or something."

Jack says, "Lamb is easy round these parts."

GM says, "alrighty"

GM says, "(especially if you want it pre-cooked)"

Jack says, "Although you got to watch, some of it's dressed as mutton."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "Ha ha."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Efram says, "I meant alive"

Jack says, "...oh"

Jack says, "Pigs any use? They got some on the ship."

GM says, "it doesn't take long for you to get to where you can see Roderick's manor on the cliffs above you, so you beach the skiff"

[Crows-Nest] Efram asks, "What am I supposed to do? Oh great Papa Legba, I offer you this sacrifice of a donair?"

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

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "c'mon, it's more delicious than a live one"

Minnie says (to Efram), "I'll have none of that talk at sea, you, even if it is just a little 'un"

[rpg] GM says, "so, uh, I agree it's going to be hard to locate this tunnel at night, though Efram is going to be a little better at it"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I can roll Alertness if it comes up."

Jack struggles with an oar.

[rpg] GM says, "hrm, ok"

Minnie manages the tiller and bosses everyone about

GM says, "let's have everyone roll Investigation or Alertness, whichever they prefer, with a difficulty of Superb, except for Efram, who has a difficulty of Good"

Minnie rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Average (1)

JohnnyFalcone rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Great (4)

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Hmm. Should one of us burn a point?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Do we get points per session or story, you said?"

[rpg] Efram says, "I've got it, I think"

[rpg] GM says, "per session, but yeah, Efram got high enough"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to Efram), "Oh yeah, that's right."

GM says (to Efram), "even through the gathering dusk you spot some bushes against the cliff in an unnatural position and, getting closer, you see the deeper darkness of a tunnel behind them"

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

[rpg] Efram asks, "And while I'm out there looking, can I use Psychic to get a Sorcery roll to see if I notice anything weird in the aura of this place?"

Jack says (to oar), "Come back!"

Efram points. "It is there, beyond those bushes."

Jack says, "No it ain't, it's floatin' off that way!"

[rpg] GM says (to Efram), "definitely"

Jack says, "Oh, you mean the tunnel"

Minnie beaches the skiff.

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 0 -1 | Good (3)

[rpg] Efram afk a moment.

GM says (to Efram), "you sense three separate, uh, presences here"

Jack asks, "There ain't ghosties in here, is there?"

GM says, "the faintest is leaking from the tunnel you're staring at, like a wispy breeze"

JohnnyFalcone says, "I'm more concerned about guards."

GM says, "up on the estate you can sense something pulsing like a lighthouse beam"

GM says, "and out in the ocean itself a ways you can feel -- well, what it feels like is what water looks like when you pull out the drain, moments before it begins to spiral down"

GM says, "it's also faint, but it's big"

[rpg] GM asks, "so, hrm, I assume you guys want to investigate the tunnels?"

Jack asks, "Anyone got a light?"

Minnie says (to Jack), "That would take the point out of sneakin' about. Thought an old crook like you..."

Jack says, "Okay, then, you first."

Jack says, "And don't blame me when you trip over and break your fat arse."

[rpg] Efram says, "okay back"

GM says, "(there is a stash of lanterns inside the entrance to the tunnel, if you'd like)"

JohnnyFalcone says, "I think I would like."

Efram says, "The spirits are thick around this place."

Jack asks, "I don't care how smart they are, are they friendly?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "If we run into anyone here, I'd like to be able to see what we're running into."

Minnie says, "I don't like gettin' mixed up in this, I don't."

JohnnyFalcone lights up a lamp.

Jack asks, "So what's the plan?"

Jack asks, "We just seein' how far this tunnel goes?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Well, it'd be nice if we found out that it led into the manor, 'though I don't suspect we're ready to go poking around in there just yet."

Minnie says, "Better than pokin' around graveyards, to my mind."

JohnnyFalcone says, "If it comes out topside on the estate someplace, then we can get a look at the lay of the land, maybe find that crypt."

Jack says, "Okay, then, let's go!"

Jack says, "Better not let them find out I'm scare of the ghosties too."

JohnnyFalcone has the lamp, so apparently he's leading the way inward.

JohnnyFalcone says, "That boat better be there when we get back."

Jack follows, with another lamp.

GM says, "the tunnel widens quickly -- you can tell by the walls that it's partly natural and partly man-made, hacked out to be wider"

GM says, "there are various footprints and dragging-type marks in the sand on the floor"

GM says, "and then the tunnel forks -- one fork rises and the other sounds like it leads to a bigger cavern"

JohnnyFalcone says, "I vote for up."

Jack says, "Mmm, yep."

Minnie says, "I'm not splittin' up. Up it is."

JohnnyFalcone follows that tunnel.

Efram follows along.

GM says, "(this is also where the faint emanation is coming from, by the way, and it's getting a little stronger as you continue)"

Efram decides not to mention that at this time.

GM says, "hrm, the passages start to fork confusingly here, and the man-made efforts seem to end -- apparently this is a natural mazey part"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Great."

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Anyone bring a piece of string?"

GM says, "I'd like a skill roll here -- I guess Investigation would be an obvious one"

GM says, "or Survival"

[rpg] Efram asks, "Could I just follow the glowing ghostly trail?"

[rpg] GM says, "oh, yes, sure enough -- you can roll Sorcery for that"

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Bag of breadcrumbs?"

Efram says, "I think I see the path. Follow me. Hold hands. And, whatever happens, do not look back."

Jack says, "I can scrunch up these pork scratchings, maybe."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Jack says, "But I don't think we want anyone to know we've been here, yet."

JohnnyFalcone says (to Efram), "You are not giving me a great deal of faith in this path..."

JohnnyFalcone holds hands nonetheless.

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Does Efram take the lamp, since he's leading?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Yes, but it's probably easier for me if I extinguish it"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Oh. How convenient."

GM says, "Efram unerringly leads you through the maze of tunnels -- he barely hesitates at the forks, and once even insists you push a boulder aside to reveal a tunnel behind"

Jack asks, "You can remember the way *back out*, right?"

GM says, "and eventually you find yourself in a man-made chamber with (relatively) smooth stone walls"

GM says, "against one wall is an altar of some kind with a small skeleton atop it, and in the center of the room is a stone coffin"

GM says, "there are two exits -- the one that leads where you came from, and an archway with some stairs"

Minnie mutters prayers under her breath

Minnie says, "Oh, mercy."

JohnnyFalcone says, "The crypt, I presume."

Efram asks (of Minnie), "The skeleton -- what was it?"

GM says, "(And Efram can feel a faint pool of restless spirit in the whole room, and particularly around the coffin)"

JohnnyFalcone looks for a nameplate.

[rpg] Efram says (to Minnie), "Being you've butchered such a wide variety of creatures, I mean"

GM says (to JohnnyFalcone), "there's an inscription on one wall which reads "Here lies Baron Stone / his mortal flesh has failed / but he will yet conquer""

JohnnyFalcone says (to Efram), "Well done. That was right on target."

GM says, "Minnie is able to identify the skeleton as .. a parrot"

Jack says, "Ha!"

GM says, "surgically butchered and splayed"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Let's shift this lid. With any luck, the Baron'll still be inside."

Efram says, "Quite so."

Minnie says, "Good eatin' on one of those, but it's a bugger to get the bones out. Nice job, too."

Jack asks, "Hold on, can't we just leave the lid on, just in case?"

[rpg] Efram says (to JF), "Even I'm Mightier than you"

Jack says, "Efram can do his hoodoo and we can chat to the corpse through the sides."

Efram says, "There is nothing to fear, Handy."

Jack says, "Hmf, that's what you say"

Efram says, "That is what I say."

Efram finds a good point to shove against.

[rpg] Efram asks, "Straight-up Might for this?"

[rpg] GM says, "sure, difficulty average"

Efram rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 0 0 -1 | Average (1)

Efram has beads of sweat roll down his brow.

Minnie asks, "How is this gettin' us that rock?"

GM says, "The lid grates off, revealing the old bones of Baron Stone, buried with an amulet around his neck"

Minnie says, "You're just devilrous, is what you are."

Efram says, "It cannot be denied."

JohnnyFalcone says (to Minnie), "Efram's voodoo might be able to tell us something about what kinda magic's Danvers has planned for the big night."

[rpg] Efram says, "Amulet, eh."

JohnnyFalcone says, "Huh, nice piece."

Minnie asks, "Well, then to my thinkin' he's brewing his own punishment, isn't he?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "May as well add this to the take. Don't think the Baron needs it anymore."

Efram looks concerned a moment.

Minnie says, "Don't you go robbin' from the dead, young man. You'll get a curse on you see if you don't."

[rpg] Efram says, "Looks like a good time for Thirst for Gold to be compelled."

JohnnyFalcone slips the amulet off his neck and holds it up for an appraisal.

Minnie asks, "Shame on you! Didn't your mother teach you a thing?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I was just busy Acquiring Shiny Things."

[rpg] GM says, "ha has"

[rpg] Efram says, "Fine, fine work."

JohnnyFalcone says (to Minnie), "I'm going to ignore that remark."

Jack says, "Go on then, give it a bite, see what it's made of"

GM says, "the skeleton trembles for a minute as the amulet comes off, then slumps"

Minnie shrieks.

Efram says, "Calm yourself, woman. The dead rest uneasy here, but we are strong."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "What's it look like?"

GM says, "it's some kind of tarnished gold metal with an indentation in the front and some kind of weird creature, kind of like a giant squid, inlaid on the back"

GM says, "(er, a drawing of a weird creature)"

JohnnyFalcone says, "You as well as anyone should know that sometimes dead bodies'll do that -- escaping gasses and such..."

Jack asks, "From a skellyton?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Looks like something is missing."

Efram tears his eyes reluctantly away from the amulet, and retrieves the skull.

Minnie says, "Now put. that. back., young man."

Efram gives Minnie the chicken. "Cut its head off, please."

Efram puts the skull down on top of the coffin lid.

Minnie asks, "Oh no. You don't get me that way. How'd I ever get mixed up in such a black-hearted crew?"

Efram says, "It is just a chicken, my dear."

Jack says, "Same as the rest of us, witch! That Danvers hooked us in with his line about the biggest emerald in all the seas of the world."

Minnie says, "I know you've got bad magic on your head, Stepping Razor, I'm not takin' any of it on me."

[rpg] Efram says (to Minnie), "Want to go to social conflict over this? If not that's fine too."

Jack says, "Oh, give it 'ere."

[rpg] Minnie says, "works for me"

Jack's hand goes *snip*!

Efram locks his eyes on to Minnie, and their wills clash.

Jack asks, "Now, which bit do you want?"

[rpg] GM asks, "do you guys want to roll over "does Efram talk Minnie into participating?" or "does Minnie talk everyone out of the ceremony?"?"

Jack asks, "Now why is they looking so funny at each other?"

[rpg] Minnie says, "I think the former"

[rpg] Efram says, "Mmmm I reckon people should decide for themselves what they want to do, so yeah"

[rpg] GM says, "okey doke"

[rpg] Efram asks (of Minnie), "What do you want from me if you win?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Is player-verus-player conflict a typical SotC thing?"

[rpg] Minnie says, "hmm, well, meta-game I obviously want the ceremony to happen"

[rpg] Efram says, "It could be something like a consequence, I Know My Soul Is Damned, or something"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks (of Minnie), "So if you win, Minnie escapes any negative repercussions of the ceremony?"

[rpg] Minnie says, "so maybe a promise that you won't involve me in any of your witchcraft"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "(E.g., if a ghost curses us all, you don't get cursed?)"

[rpg] Efram says, "Sure, that works for me too"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "so Resolve or Intimidation or what?"

[rpg] Efram says, "(SotC isn't especially player-conflicty, I don't think, but just that it has social combat rules opens up some more options rather than just beating on each other)"

[rpg] GM says, "I think he is trying to intimidate you and you are trying to resolve back"

[rpg] Efram says, "I'll be using Intimidation I think, so yeah, you get mad bonuses against that."

[rpg] Minnie says, "okay, I have mediocre resolve but a stunt that gives me +2 vs. intimidation"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, sounds good"

Jack says, "Just tell me whether we're cuttin' up this chicken or not. It's startin' to get lairy."

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

Efram rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 -1 | Average (1)

[rpg] Efram exclaims, "!"

[rpg] Efram says, "I'm happy to give you narration for your victory, too."

[rpg] Efram says, "(unless inky wants it)"

[rpg] GM says, "nah, let's hear it"

Minnie says, "Young man, if it weren't for me you'd have died of your first whipping, so don't you go telling me what I should be doing."

Efram opens his mouth, closes it; looks down at his feet.

Minnie says, "You promise me: do what you want, but keep me out of your deviltry."

Efram says, "Your soul is your own. I should not have asked this thing of you. Jack, if you would, the chicken."

Jack says, "About time!"

Jack says, "Now then, birdy, this is going to hurt you more than me, I'm afraid."

Jack asks, "...head, body. Anything else you want?"

Efram says, "That is sufficient."

Minnie goes off into a corner and folds her arms.

[Crows-Nest] (from Gunther) Efram throws head at Minnie

JohnnyFalcone says, "Save me a drumstick for later."

Efram holds the chicken corpse by its feet, empties its blood into a circle around the skull.

[Crows-Nest] Efram says, "Haha"

[Crows-Nest] radix exclaims, "man, chickens!"

Jack says, "Now where's me hanky for this blood... wait, that's the other hanky..."

[rpg] Efram says, "I am sorely tempted to bring the parrot skull into this too, but I can't bring myself to it."

Efram says (to Jack), "I'll need that, too."

Jack says, "Oh, OK."

Jack says, "Got some bit of hair in it, you probably want to shake those out"

JohnnyFalcone asks, "That's not Danvers', is it?"

Jack asks, "Says 'U'. Who's that?"

Efram says, "Perhaps we'll find out."

Efram folds it up like a tongue, and places it in the mouth of the skull.

Minnie says, "You're going to work witchcraft and you don't even know who on? Hah."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "So, meanwhile, did we get a good look at the Sea's Blood back when we were on the ship?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I'm curious about how big it was."

[rpg] Efram says, "Big as a plover's egg, it was"

[rpg] GM says, "well, it's a big gem, but a big gem is like an inch across"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "And about how big is the depression in this amulet?"

[rpg] GM says, "...yeah, it could probably fit"

[rpg] Efram says, "Aww man, we stole the Eye of Vecna"

[rpg] Jack says, "Heh."

Efram says, "Jack, John: your assistance, please."

JohnnyFalcone asks, "What do you need?"

Jack asks, "What now?"

Efram says, "Hold my arms. Do not release me until I am no longer ridden."

Jack says, "Er, okay. Got me little pistol here too just in case."

JohnnyFalcone says, "Right. So we'll hold *you* down."

JohnnyFalcone grabs and arm, without much hope.

Efram starts chanting to himself, quietly at first but growing louder and stronger.

[rpg] GM says, "ok, so let's see a mysticism roll here, with a free tag for +2 since you got to the tomb and stuff"

Efram rolls Good (3) +2 + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary+1 (9)

[rpg] Efram says, "Good lord"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Buh."

[rpg] Minnie says, "maybe a little *too* much juju"

[rpg] GM says, "I guess that's where all the +1s were hiding"

[rpg] GM says, "hmm"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, I think I'm going to do it like this"

GM says, "Efram suddenly stiffens completely, and his eyes roll back and his mouth opens"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "afk"

[rpg] Efram says, "I may have sold my soul, but I got an excellent price."

GM says, "and then it keeps opening up wider and wider until all you can all see is blackness, which closes with a snap"

GM says, "(even Minnie, though I haven't forgotten she won that roll)"

GM asks, "and the next thing you hear is -- gulls?"

GM says, "looking around, you find yourselves back on the Golden Parrot"

JohnnyFalcone has not let go of Efram's arm.

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "slowly turns his head to look around, not making any sudden movements."

JohnnyFalcone slowly turns his head to look around, not making any sudden movements.

GM says, "at least, sort of -- you see the crew around working the ship like usual, but on the main deck of the ship, that isn't Captain Danvers, it's someone you're suddenly sure is Baron Stone"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Is 'the crew' people we know?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "And does it include us?"

GM says, ""Look lively!" he says, in Danvers' voice. "You, Falcone, get on more sail!""

[rpg] Efram says, "Fanmail for inky"

GM says, ""Efram, up to the nest! We're heading into dangerous waters!""

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Captain?"

[rpg] GM says, "yes, it's the folks you recognize, even the dead ones"

[rpg] GM says, "woo"

GM asks, "...eh?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "You... look different, today."

GM says, "he looks down at himself. "I don't *feel* different," he says. "I feel great! Better than I have for years!""

JohnnyFalcone says, "Yeah. Well, good to hear it."

JohnnyFalcone looks at Efram. Does it look safe to let go of him?

GM says, "Just then, there's a shout from Rose, on the stern rail. "Captain! I see boats!""

[rpg] Efram says (to JF), "Hey, shiny boy. Take a look at his neck."

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, Efram seems back to normal"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to Efram), "Good idea."

JohnnyFalcone whispers (to Efram), "Are you... 'ridden'?"

[rpg] GM says, "oh, yes, he's wearing the empty amulet"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Oho."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Do I still have it as well?"

Efram says, "I am myself. No harm shall come to us here."

JohnnyFalcone says, "Right."

JohnnyFalcone lets go.

[rpg] Efram freaks right the hell out on your ass.

[rpg] GM says, "hrm, good question. I guess so"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee hee"

Efram points at the Baron.

Efram says, "You. YOU! False Heart. I call upon you and bind you by your True Name."

Efram says, "You are Baron Stone of the Family Stone, who lies dead and buried beneath the living rock of Catterick."

[rpg] GM says, "hmmm interesting"

[rpg] Efram says, "I've been reading a lot of Hellblazer recently"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Is this an actual point in time that we might remember/recognize?"

[rpg] GM says, "good question"

[rpg] GM says, "it appears to be a time when you were passing by some islands that Danvers said were infested by pirates and to be wary"

[rpg] GM says, "but you didn't actually run into any"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Was this before or after we got the jewel?"

[rpg] GM says, "before"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Darn."

[rpg] GM says, "(but, I mean, there is no real telling here)"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Right."

[rpg] Efram says, "It'd be freaky if Jack had his hand back."

GM says, "Stone/Danvers takes a step back, like there's a wind blowing against him that only he can feel"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I was just thinking that if it were after, then we might be able to check out this spooky-verse version of it."

GM says, ""No!" he says. "Damn the boats and damn you too!""

GM says, "He takes (or is forced to take) another step back"

[rpg] GM says, "hrm, ok"

[rpg] GM asks, "I was sketching this out as an action scene -- are folks up for that? or would you rather make it shorter and get back to exploring the estate?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Yeah yeah, let's swash some buckles"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I would like to play in the spookyverse."

[rpg] GM says, "okey doke"

[rpg] GM says, "in that case"

[rpg] Efram says, "Improvised Weapon: dead chicken"

GM says, "The wind intensifies and Stone bounces a little, then actually flips off the deck like a kite, shouting and cursing"

JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "Get back here!"

JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "Someone batten down the Captain!"

GM says, "as the wind tumbles him away across the ocean (ahead of the ship), he seems to glow brighter and brighter"

[rpg] Efram says, "Never bring a sword to a cannon fight"

GM says, "even as he gets smaller and smaller"

GM says, "and then, finally, you think you seem to dip to the ground, just at the horizon, and a moment later you see the light of a lighthouse beckoning"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Back -- sorry"

GM says, "while meanwhile, pirate ships are swarming out of the islands"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, so"

Efram says, "When I said no harm would come to us here, I may have been a bit hasty."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Out of the islands?"

Jack says, "You don't say!"

[rpg] GM says, "well, out from between and behind the islands"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Pirate ships are launching?"

[rpg] GM says, "there we go"

[rpg] GM says, "I'm talking small oar-rowed skiffs here"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Oh, OK."

[rpg] Efram says, "Arrr, pirate ships decloaking"

[rpg] GM says, "like, smaller than your ship but maybe faster for short distances depending on the wind"

Minnie unfreezes, and makes for the wheel.

JohnnyFalcone says, "Y'know what, I forgot something belowdecks. I'll be right back."

Jack says, "Argh!"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

Jack asks, "Be there cannons on this ghosty ship?"

JohnnyFalcone ducks down below to find his bunk (and more importantly, his chest).

[rpg] GM says (to Minnie), "ok, so you want to take the wheel? awesome"

Minnie exclaims, "All hands on deck! Run up the yardarm! Put on every sail we've got!"

[rpg] GM says (to Johnny), "oh, heh, good point"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "That is good, because Minnie is the only one here with a decent Sail skill."

GM says (to Jack), "absolutely cannons"

Jack says, "All hand you're going to get is on deck already, I think."

Efram heads to the bow to keep a lookout.

GM says, "so Minnie is going to sail, Jack is (I assume) going to take cannons, Johnny is going to retrieve something, Efram is -- aha"

Jack ships out a stern gun, so we can at least shoot while we're running away.

GM says, "right now there are three pirate ships making their way towards you, each with a dozen men or so"

Minnie tacks right towards them, aiming to crush them beneath the prow

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha, awesome"

Efram says, "Arrr, you're headed right at them, helm."

Jack asks, "We're not running away??"

Jack dashes up to the other end of the ship.

[rpg] GM says, "ok, that'll make it harder to get away from them, but you can use sail to attack"

Minnie rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Minnie says, "ach"

[rpg] GM says, "I guess you can use your crew member aspect if you want here"

[rpg] Minnie says, "sure"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "does that give me a reroll, or what?"

[rpg] GM says, "these guys meanwhile have a fair sail, good because they're in a group"

[rpg] GM says, "a reroll or a +2, your choice (+2 is probably better here)"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] Minnie says, "yeah, I'll take the +2"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, so you succeed by 2, since they rolled a +2"

GM says, "the prow crunches into one of the boats, which frantically tries to row away but can't make it"

GM says, "the pirates thrash and start swimming for the islands"

GM asks (of Jack), "you're up -- want to shoot them?"

Jack says, "Oh yes."

Jack asks, "We're right among them?"

GM says, "yeah"

GM says, "here is them defending:"

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 -1 | Terrible (-2)

Jack says, "Well damn and blast."

[rpg] GM says, "uh, not very well"

[rpg] Minnie says, "since we're in a mystic spookyverse, it seems the best use of Efram would be to manipulate said spookyverse"

[rpg] GM says, "I guess I should spend a fate point for them, since that was so sad"

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

[rpg] GM says, "that's more like it"

Jack says, "I guess I will somehow cunningly fire a wide spread of grapeshot to take out as many sails and suchlike as I can."

GM says, "they're more like viking longships (ie, oars)"

GM says, "but grapeshot will totally take out rowers, so"

Jack says, "That works too!"

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

[rpg] Jack asks, "Okay, how does this fate point thing work?"

[rpg] Jack asks, "I spend one and re-roll?"

[rpg] GM says, "you have five, you can spend one with a related aspect to re-roll or just get a +2"

Jack says, "Okay, let's try that again with EXTRA POWDER"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Gunther says, "and, like, grapeshot instead of grapes"

Jack says, "The rest of you may want to stand back a little, this didn't work so well last time I tried it"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "That would be 'Loves the smell of...'?"

Jack rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

Jack says, "RARR"

Jack says, "bollocks my eyebrows"

[rpg] GM says, "nice"

GM says, "ok, that would be an enormous explosion and one of the ships is reduced to splinters"

GM says, "the other loses half its men in a scattering of shot"

Jack says, "double bollocks, I think I fired my hand at them too"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] GM says, "giving them the finger, eh"

Jack screws in a spare.

GM asks (of Johnny), "ok, what's up?"

Jack has a wild "let's board them!" look in his eye.

JohnnyFalcone throws open his chest, looking for an antique device and a lump of metal.

GM says, "it's all there just as you remember it"

JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "A-*ha*!"

JohnnyFalcone throws them in a sack which he ties to his belt (ignoring the pile of cash presumably in there as well), then he goes back up to the deck.

[rpg] GM says, "okey doke"

GM asks (of Efram), "and you?"

Efram says, "Up in the bow, I'm start yelling at the remaining pirates."

Efram exclaims, "You are all dead men! And you are stuck here in MY hell!"

Efram says, "So, trying to Intimidate them into turning around and buggering off"

JohnnyFalcone says (to Stubbsy), "Ignore him. He's just trying to scare them."

[rpg] GM says, "ok, that's going to be tricky under the circumstances, but let's see a roll"

Efram rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 0 | Superb (5)

Gunther has disconnected.

Gunther remains an influential language in "key algorithmic techniques such as recursion and condescension."

[rpg] GM exclaims, "nice!"

[rpg] Jack says, "Go team [whatever alignment we are]!"

[rpg] Efram asks, "It's all about the crazy eyes. Don't you know I'm loco?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Ha ha."

GM says, "the third ship, already half-shot, loses morale at the sight of Efram scaring them"

GM says, "the pirates jump off and into the ocean"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I think we would be Team Chaotic Neutral."

GM says, "which is good, since otherwise Minnie would have put you guys into a bad spot by steering right at them"

[rpg] Efram says, "Well half of us are motivated by Greed; the other half, Revenge"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "Some of us are motivated by both!"

GM says, "but she corrects course and you're back in line"

Jack says, "What now? I only have enough powder for one more shot!"

Jack says, "Or six normal shots!"

Jack says, "And picking them out between the waves is tricksy work."

GM says, "and things are calm for the moment -- until the ship has to pass through a narrow canal between two islands"

Gunther arrives, looking for booty.

GM says, "surprising hardly anyone by this point, two groups of pirates leap onto the ship from either side"

Efram looks for the best path through

Efram is distracted by pirates!

Jack fires the cannon right along the decks!

GM says, "and I actually have a map for this one: http://inky.org/rpg/oneshots/parrot/map.html"

Jack says, "People I'm not aiming at, look out!"

[rpg] Efram says, "Thanks, Jack. Thanks."

[rpg] GM says, "(which hopefully will look right, let's see)"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Ah, right on time."

[rpg] Jack says, "s/fires/aims"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Is a prop an Aspect?"

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

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, or just stuff you can use if you want"

[rpg] Jack says, "Meh, JF has good Alertness, he can probably duck in time."

[rpg] GM says, "the zones have implicit aspects too"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, so, quick tutorial here"

[rpg] GM says, "you can only attack people in your own zone if it's with a sword or something"

[rpg] GM says, "you can move one zone and do something else, but you take a -1 to the something else"

[rpg] GM says, "to get up to the rigging or the crow's nest requires an athletics roll and takes up your whole action"

[rpg] GM says, "I think that's it"

[rpg] GM says, "so, ok, let's roll alertness here and see some initiative"

[rpg] Jack asks, "Who gets initiative?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "What's the '+2' refer to?"

[rpg] Jack says, "Aha"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Also, what's the 'C'? Pirate captain?"

[rpg] Alex says (to JohnnyFalcone), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that C IS C. Furthermore, ascii 67 is C."

[rpg] Jack says, "Difficulty of the athletics roll, I assume."

Minnie rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Mediocre (0)

[rpg] GM says, "oh, right -- the +2 is the minimum you have to get on the athletics roll"

[rpg] GM says (to Johnny), "'commander', I was thinking"

Jack rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says, "and R is some pirate named Robert who is big and scary"

[rpg] Jack says, "Robert Redbeard."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "And the P's are the B's in a BS?"

[rpg] GM asks, "...battle ship?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "Brute Squad!"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "oh yes!"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, the pirates are currently assisting Robert and the Commander"

[rpg] GM says, "but they are brutes for all intents and purposes"

[rpg] GM says, "here are their initiatives"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Great (4)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "What's Initiative?"

[rpg] Jack says, "Just roll Alertness, it looks like"

JohnnyFalcone rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 -1 | Average (1)

[rpg] GM says, "alertness"

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 0 | Good (3)

Jack says, "Great, the only people awake enough to dodge my cannon blast are the blasted pirates"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, so Jack, Robert, Commander, Efram, Johnny, Minnie"

[Crows-Nest] JohnnyFalcone asks (of Brute), "Psst. Wanna trade dice?"

[rpg] GM says (to Jack), "if you want to wait until later, that would be fine"

[rpg] GM says, "or you could spend the round maneuvering to avoid hitting your friends and fire next round"

Jack says, "I think I would like to try something tricky."

[rpg] GM says, "awesome"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "How does defense work?"

Jack says, "Fire up into the rigging, and bring a sail down."

[rpg] GM says, "usually you'll just roll fencing or athletics"

[rpg] GM says, "awesome"

Jack says, "On the main deck, I guess."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "And this is not influenced by init, nor does it affect one's actions for the round (barring injury)?"

[rpg] GM says (to Johnny), "right"

GM asks (of Jack), "let's say that you can roll Craft for this attack -- do you just want to damage them, or do you want to prevent them from doing something, or do you want to set up a later attack?"

Jack says, "I mainly want to stop them piling on Johnny."

Jack says, "I figure he's swashy enough to escape easily."

GM says, "ok, let's say your roll here will give him a defense of whatever you get for a roll"

GM says, "so just roll straight Craft"

Jack rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 0 | Great (4)

Jack says, "Look out below!"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Does that mean I add 4 to my defense roll, or that I roll defense and take the higher of the two, or something else?"

Jack says (to Minnie), "Don't worry, we got plenty more sails! Well, a couple more."

[rpg] GM says, "the latter"

GM says, "there's a ker-wumpf and the sail snaps and falls down, entangling a bunch of pirates"

Jack cackles.

JohnnyFalcone salutes Jack with his sword.

GM says, "they will try and struggle out but I wouldn't bet on it"

[7thsea] GM rolls good dice:

JohnnyFalcone says, "Much appreciated."

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Jack says, "Oops"

GM says, "oh, I guess the commander wasn't quite entangled, just his men"

GM says, "he curses on them and slashes at Johnny with his cutlass"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Did he use up his action doing that?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "(Oh, that was his defense.)"

Jack says, "Give him hell, Johnny boy! Even more hell than he's already in, I mean!"

[rpg] GM says, "no, that was his attack -- basically, right now he's got a superb attack against the sail's great defense, so you're up for one point of damage -- but you can still defender for yourself"

[rpg] GM says, "(with, right, a fencing roll or an athletics roll)"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Ah, OK, right."

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

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, good thing you had the sail there, I guess"

[rpg] GM says, "unless you'd like to spend aspects on this, but it's only one point of damage"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "So I use an Aspect, I take no damage; otherwise I cross off one box?"

[rpg] Jack says, "We'll win this battle if I have to destroy the whole ship in the process!"

[rpg] GM says, "well, they have a 5, so you'd have to spend two aspects to get a 2 to a 5"

[rpg] Efram says, "Or one for a reroll"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Ah, so it only applies to my current actual roll, not to the effective outcome of Jack's earlier one."

[rpg] GM says, "oh, yeah, I guess you could just reroll"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "One box it is."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "(I have two total, right?)"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

GM says, "ok! meanwhile, Robert roars and swings a mightly belaying pin"

GM says, "I think he is trying to smash the wheel, actually, not attack the folks there"

Jack says, "Hey, that's my job!"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 0 | Fantastic (6)

GM says, "...crunch"

GM says, "ok, he puts a beefy Wheel Is Broken aspect on the ship"

GM says, "(which will make future Sail things harder)"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "These guys roll pretty well."

GM says, "Efram's up"

[rpg] GM says, "they are stealing all your +1s"

[rpg] Minnie says (to Efram), "you take Robert, I'll take the brutes - I have Brawler"

Efram pulls a wicked knife and goes to work on the Dread Pirate.

Efram rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 +1 | Good (3)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Minnie says, "okay, clearly we're going to have to team up on this guy with manouvres and stuff"

GM says, "He slams the knife aside with a belaying pin, sending it flying to the deck"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, couldn't hurt"

GM says, "meanwhile, Johnny's turn"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "The pirates are somehow boosting the commander's rolls, right?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "How does attacking brutes work in this system?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Do I need to say how many I'm attacking?"

[rpg] GM says, "oh, I see -- no"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "OK, then I shall merely wade in!"

[rpg] GM says, "just however many ranks of success you get is how much damage you do, which can be to multiple guys"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 0 | Fair (2)

JohnnyFalcone draws his sword and dagger and starts mincing up minions.

[rpg] GM says, "(that is their defense, and they can take two points of damage each)"

JohnnyFalcone rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Superb (5)

Jack says, "Stop mincing! Fight like a man!"

[rpg] GM asks, "so that will take out one and a half guys -- do you want to use an aspect?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "How much damage does each one take?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Yeah, sure. Left Handed."

[rpg] GM says, "ok, that is two and a half guys"

[rpg] (from JohnnyFalcone) GM says, "do you want to use half an aspect?"

[rpg] GM says, "(which feel free to narrate)"

JohnnyFalcone distracts a minion by deflecting his sword with his dagger, only to follow up by stabbing him with his sword. Another, he pierces right through the sailcloth. He tries to slice a third, but he has time to duck out of the way, and is only scratched in the leg.

GM says, "excellent"

GM asks, "Minnie?"

Minnie says, "okay, I'm going to use Why I'm Just a Harmless Old Woman, then sucker-punch some minions"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Yay."

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

Minnie says, "(and Brawler gives me one additional stress on a successful hit, whatever that means)"

[rpg] GM says, "one more point of damage"

[rpg] GM says, "here is their defense:"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] GM says, "man, these guys are nuts"

[rpg] GM says, "they are like elite pirates or something"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "so the Aspect gives me a reroll or a +2?"

Minnie rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Good (3)

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "is equal a hit or not?"

[rpg] GM says, "hmm, that'll tie, which isn't quite good enough"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Even with Brawler?"

[rpg] Minnie says (to JF), "that only gives a point bonus for defence"

[rpg] Jack says, "And extra damage, but only on a successful hit."

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I think you'll want a second aspect here"

[rpg] Jack says, "If only you had some kind of nasty weapon, possibly involving bones."

[rpg] Minnie says, "I'm not sure I can work out any that apply"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM asks, "hmm, sailor? or "you watch your mouth"?"

[rpg] Minnie says, "I suppose I could just wave the bone saw and look terrifying"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM says, "sure"

[rpg] Minnie says, "transforming from meek old woman to leg-sawing psychopath"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Hee."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "That is an amusing combination of aspects."

[rpg] Minnie says, "and then kicking them in the nards"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, so by my count that takes out one and a half guys"

Minnie cowers away from the rough nasty men, then suddenly explodes upwards, thrashing about with fists and bone saw

GM says, "excellent"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "that's counting the Brawler bonus?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I think so -- two points of damage because you got 2 more than them, +1 for brawler"

[rpg] Minnie says, "...yeah, that would make sense if they have two health each"

GM says, "ok, top of the next round"

[rpg] Jack asks, "Init?"

GM says (to Minnie), "hrm, how about if you make a sail roll at -2 (since the wheel is busted) and we'll see how the sailing goes this round"

Minnie rolls Good (3) -2 + 4dF: 0 0 0 -1 | Mediocre (0)

Jack says, "Oh boy"

Minnie says, "it goes into a rock"

Jack says, "Give that man his leg back and keep an eye on the rudder, there!"

GM says, "I think what happens is that the ship has slowed enough (given that you've had to take your eye off) that more pirates swarm in belowdecks"

[rpg] Jack asks, "Where are these pirates coming from?"

[rpg] Minnie says, "our collective unconscious"

[rpg] GM says, "you're basically in a channel between two islands"

[rpg] GM says, "and the islands (at least this dimension) are swarming with pirates"

[rpg] GM says, "so they're shouting "arr!" and leaping from trees onto the ship"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Yeah, that sounds like standard pirate behavior."

GM sticks another pirate onto the rigging for good measure and refreshes the map

[rpg] Jack says, "I'm wondering if we want to continue luring them onto the ship, as we're successfully doing so far, and then scuttle it out from under them."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I am not sure how exactly they get belowdecks, though."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "Interesting."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "You really do want to destroy the ship."

[rpg] GM says, "the belowdecks one came alongside in a boat"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "And we only just got it back, too!"

[rpg] GM says, "at least nominally you're trying to chase after Danvers, but maybe that won't even help"

[rpg] GM says, "or you could steal a pirate skiff"

Jack spies a jolly-boat to larboard. "Hmm..."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "The skiffs are faster and more maneuverable, aren't they?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "On the other hand, what about the rest of the crew?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "We don't want to leave Stubbsy to die again."

[rpg] Minnie says, "they're already dead, by my reckoning"

[rpg] Jack says, "Blowing them up might give them a peaceful rest!"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims (at Minnie), "By that logic, the stuff in my sack is sitting at the bottom of the sea!"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Which may be entirely true, but I won't know it until we get back."

[rpg] Minnie asks, "initiative?"

[rpg] GM says, "right, yeah"

Minnie rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 -1 | Poor (-1)

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

[rpg] GM says, "here are some pirate initiatives:"

JohnnyFalcone rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] Minnie says, "aw what"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Mediocre (0)

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 0 | Good (3)

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

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

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 0 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Oh, hey, the image has updated."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "That wily inky."

[rpg] Efram says, "Steering the boat in the middle of the fight is sort of distracting"

GM says, "ok, so Johnny, pirate commander, Efram, Jack, Jack's pirates, rigging pirate, Robert, Minnie"

GM says (to Johnny), "go for it"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I believe I have a date with this pirate commander."

JohnnyFalcone rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 0 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] GM says, "smooooch"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 +1 | Good (3)

JohnnyFalcone kisses the commander on the cheek. With his rapier.

[rpg] GM says, "excellent"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Does he have the same kind of boxes we do?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Or is he an Sotc equivalent of a henchman?"

[rpg] GM says, "he has two boxes plus one consequence, so he's going to use the consequence to avoid being taken out"

GM says, "now he has a Slash on Face aspect"

GM says, ""argh!" he says"

GM says, "(this being a correct time for a pirate to say "argh" rather than "arr")"

[rpg] Jack says, "hee hee"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Worry not; that will become an attractive scar if you survive."

GM says, ""hold him off!" he shouts to his wounded lacky, and dives down below decks"

GM says, "the lackey, who is still kind of entangled in the sails, attacks Johnny"

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Great (4)

GM says, "..and manages to struggle out of the sail but not actually make contact"

JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "A valiant effort!"

[rpg] Jack says, "But still with the luck of the grave."

GM exclaims, "Efram!"

Jack asks, "What are they doing down there belowdecks, I wonder?"

Efram liberates a cutlass from a pirate's severed hand, and attacks the goons.

[rpg] Efram asks, "So a secondary action is a -1, yeah?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

GM says (to Jack), "they're looking for all the loot you have hidden"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Good thing I got mine already."

Efram times his attack with the lurching of the ship.

GM says, "where by "loot" I mean "whiskey""

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

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 -1 | Fair (2)

GM says, "(another aspect?)"

Efram is used to fighting on ships, as The Sea is in his Blood.

GM says, "now we're talkin'"

GM says, "I believe that takes out another pirate, leaving Robert and one wounded pirate"

Efram says, "I concur."

Jack says, "My turn, I think."

[rpg] GM says, "also, you and Minnie might potentially have better luck if one of you does a maneuver instead of an attack"

GM says, "let's see it"

[rpg] GM says, "and the other uses the aspect created by that maneuver to benefit their attack"

[rpg] Efram says, "Yep, could be"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Clever."

[rpg] Minnie says, "I was thinking of using Medicine to spot an old injury or something in Robert"

[rpg] GM says, "oho"

[rpg] Efram says, "Well, Robert, being an experienced pirate, probably has a peg leg or a stumpy arm or something."

Jack says, "I see a brace of piratey bastards down there in the hold, and two ways out of it."

[rpg] Minnie says, "so, y'know, Efram could kick out his bum knee or whatever"

[rpg] (from GM) Jack says "Solution: blow up the ship"

Jack says, "Got a cannon but no time to reload it."

Jack kicks away the brake-block and pushes the cannon down into the hold!

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] GM says, "awesome"

Jack says, "Take that, you scurvy bastards!"

[rpg] GM says, "I guess you can do a craft attack for that too"

GM says, "here is their defense:"

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

[rpg] Jack says, "This should block the entrance, and maybe hurt one too if he's on his way up."

Jack rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 -1 | Good (3)

GM says, "one pirate is indeed on his way up, and then the cannon slams into him and he is on his way down again"

Jack says, "That'll do for now, only one way out of the hold now."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Block the entrance? But then how do we go down after them?"

[rpg] Jack says, "You're standing on the other hatch!"

GM says, ""you idiot!" says the commander, and smacks him with his cutlass hilt"

[rpg] Jack says, "(according to the map)"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Oh yeah."

GM says, ""aighehegehgagah!" says the pirate in the rigging"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Those maps are useful things, aren't they."

[rpg] Efram says, "Alright, he's strangled himself up there."

GM says, "he slashes a rope, and swings down tarzan-style to try to land on Efram"

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says, "man, wtf"

Efram asks, "Athletics to dodge?"

GM says, "yeah"

Efram rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 +1 | Great (4)

GM says, "just enough to dodge"

GM says, "but I guess he's here to reinforce Robert"

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

GM says, "who is, hmm, going to throw a punch at Minnie. "You crazy old lady!" he shouts"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Average (1)

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

[rpg] Efram says, "Aww yeah, spin up his giblets"

[rpg] GM says, "so you could defend with fists or athletics"

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

[rpg] GM exclaims, "nice!"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, you got 3 more than him, so you get a +1 on your next move"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "...which is now!"

[rpg] Minnie says, "okay, I'm going to invoke You Watch Your Mouth, Young Man"

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

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 0 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says, "(but you have a further +1, I think)"

[rpg] Minnie says, "(um, actually that is a +3)"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "yeah, ok, so you connect at last!"

[rpg] GM says, "and I guess get a +1 from being 1 more than him, and +1 from brawler"

GM says, "Robert also has one consequence, so he will take Clocked Upside the Head"

Minnie catches Robert's fist, twists it painfully, and counterattacks with a sizzling right hook. "You treat your elders with respect!"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

GM says (to Minnie), "ok, let's see one more sail roll (at -2 again, unless you want to use an aspect)"

GM says, "and then initiative for everyone"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "hmm. maybe being a Superstitious Sailor would work because we are in a spookyverse and sailing by the omens is actually useful?"

[rpg] GM says, "sure, I can buy that"

[rpg] Efram says, "Oh no, a ladder! Don't sail under that."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

Minnie rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

[rpg] GM says, "hey hey"

Minnie grabs the rudder-chain and yanks it from the broken helm, and dances about on deck to position it

GM says, "wind fills the sails and the ship leaps free of the islands -- it's open ocean between here and the glowing green light on the horizon"

GM says, "with the small matter that your ship is still infested by pirates"

GM says, "so, yeah, initiative"

Minnie rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 0 | Good (3)

JohnnyFalcone rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 +1 | Fair (2)

Jack says, "Luckily they all meekly went down to the brig of their own accord."

Jack rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Terrible (-2)

Jack says, "Bollocks."

[rpg] Minnie exclaims, "hooray! I get to go before someone!"

[rpg] GM says, "you can spend an aspect to reroll that if you are -- never mind, why spoil Minnie's fun"

[rpg] GM says, "here are some pirates:"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 0 +1 | Good (3)

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

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Those are speedy pirates."

[rpg] Efram says, "Instead of rum, they spend all their time drinking coffee"

GM says, "ok, so commander, Efram, Robert, Johnny, Johnny, main deck pirate, Minnie, Jack"

[rpg] Jack says, "Hee hee."

GM says, ""back on deck!" the commander shouts. "we'll take this ship yet!""

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Ha ha."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "He never got a chance to do any looting!"

[rpg] GM says, "he's mercurial"

[rpg] Efram says, "Chinese pirate drill"

GM says, "he charges up on deck, wearing Jack's spare hat"

Jack says, "Hey!"

[rpg] Minnie says, "this give Jack the aspect That's My Hat, You Bastard"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

GM says, "and I guess attacks Johnny, albeit at a penalty for moving"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Fair (2)

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "afk briefly"

JohnnyFalcone rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 0 | Good (3)

JohnnyFalcone parries easily with his dagger.

GM asks, "Efram?"

GM says, "(want to maneuver or attack?)"

Efram adopts a two-handed grip on his cutlass and swings mightily at the dazed Robert.

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

Efram says, "The Stepping Razor is not so feeble as that."

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

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

[rpg] GM says, "now we're talkin'"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Efram says, "friggin pirates, man"

[rpg] GM says, "seriously, dudes, you should be maneuvering, that's where it's at"

[rpg] GM says, "though Robert apparently rolls awesome"

GM says, "Robert roars and staggers backwards, and your blow goes wild"

[rpg] Efram says, "woo, Blows Gone Wild"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

Minnie's studied dalliance with his venal muses is little to our taste.

GM says, "then he swings his belaying pin"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Fair (2)

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "When you maneuvre, is the new Aspect free?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, the first time"

[rpg] GM says, "that's the major advantage of doing it"

GM says, "uh, swings it at Efram"

Minnie arrives, looking for booty.

GM says, "(not very well, but I guess he was just hit upside the head)"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, we're at the five-hour mark, but we're real close to finishing up here"

GM asks (of Efram), "dodge a fair?"

GM says (to Johnny), "ok, meanwhile, you're up"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "If I had anyone else here, I'd maneuver."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "But it looks like it's pirates all the way down."

[rpg] GM says, "I guess you could try something with Jack"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to GM), "He'd need to take a -1 to get here, which would half cancel out the free tag."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "So when you've got pirates, you make pirate-aid!"

[rpg] GM says, "true enough"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, let's see it"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Er, pirate-ade."

[rpg] Efram says, "Whoops, sorry"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Or maybe just a smoothie of some sort."

Efram rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

GM says (to Efram), "hey, you get spin too"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "(I'll let E finish.)"

[rpg] Jack asks, "What's spin?"

[rpg] Efram says, "All done for now"

[rpg] GM says, "+1 on his next move"

[rpg] GM says, "or I guess he could hand it off to Minnie"

[rpg] GM says, "(for getting a really good defense)"

[rpg] Efram says, "Sure, Robert is Off-Balance or whatnot"

JohnnyFalcone does the spinning-blade thing to make smoothies in the old pirate-processor.

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "This is versus the brutes."

JohnnyFalcone rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 -1 | Fair (2)

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Man. I'll use a point to reroll."

JohnnyFalcone rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Efram says, "We're The Pirates Who Couldn't Hit Anything"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 +1 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] GM says, "I believe there is a half-wounded pirate this will take out"

JohnnyFalcone starts swinging his swords, and the brutes all get ready to duck and dodge -- but then Johnny switches completely to a straight stab-stab-stab-skewer style when they're least expecting it!

[rpg] Minnie says (to Efram), "well, I'm going to maneuvre, so hang onto the bonus and take him out next turn"

[rpg] GM says, "excellent"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "(That is using the Ambrogia sneakiness.)"

[rpg] GM says, "oh, nice"

[rpg] GM says (to Minnie), "ok, you're up"

[rpg] Jack says, "Shish kebrute"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "If you use an Aspect on a roll, is it used up for the rest of the fight?"

[rpg] GM says, "no, just for that round"

[rpg] Minnie says, "okay, I'm holding back and using Medicine to try and spot a weakness on Robert"

Minnie rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Epic (7)

[rpg] GM says, "wow, awesome"

[rpg] Efram says, "Alright, he dies of Congestive Heart Failure"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "That is an epic weakness."

[rpg] GM says, "I'm not sure what he resists with but it isn't good enough"

[rpg] GM says, "so, ok, that gives a permanent aspect on him for the rest of the fight, and two free tags"

[rpg] Efram says, "Ooooh, Me Liver"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

GM exclaims, "and now Jack!"

[rpg] Minnie says, "let's say he has fused vertebrae and can't twist and turn much"

Jack asks, "So what's the pirate situation now?"

GM says, "http://inky.org/rpg/oneshots/parrot/map.html is up to date"

GM says, "basically, a couple on deck above you, a couple at the wheel"

Jack asks, "And the commander has my hat?"

GM says, "the two commander guys are still around, but they're hurting"

GM says, "yes"

Minnie hisses (to Efram) "Duck and weave! His spine's all locked up."

[rpg] Efram says, "Gonna float like a black butterfly, sting like a black bee."

Jack says, "Okay, no cannon, so it'll have to be the pistol hand."

Jack says, "EAT LEAD, YOU HAT-STEALING GREAT HULKING PIRATE BASTARD"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"

[rpg] Jack says, "I dunno if my avaricious aspect comes into play here"

[rpg] GM says, "sure, what the hell"

[rpg] Efram exclaims, "I paid 12 guineas for that hat!"

[rpg] GM says, "also, I guess you don't take the -1 for moving, since you can shoot him from the comfort of the hold"

[rpg] GM says, "so guns, straight up"

[rpg] GM says, "here is his defense:"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 -1 | Great (4)

Jack rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Great (4)

[rpg] GM says, "you can, hmm, use your universal gadget to get a +1 to guns, I guess"

[rpg] Jack asks, "Or spend a point for +2?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Well he's got at least one +2 there from the hat"

[rpg] GM says, "oh, you're right, I wasn't counting that"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "well, 2 boxes is enough to take him out, so there you go!"

Jack says, "Hrm, headshots are tricky when there are valuable obstacles."

[rpg] Minnie asks, "Initiative?"

Jack says, "Rarr, take that! But don't fall overboard!"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

GM says, "the commander collapses to the ground, and the hat goes flying through the air -- finally coming to rest on the figurehead of the ship"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Is there still steering to be done?"

[rpg] GM says, "and yeah, here we go, last round, roll initiative"

JohnnyFalcone rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Fair (2)

Minnie rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Terrible (-2)

[rpg] GM says, "nah, Minnie's last roll got you into open water, no more sail checks"

Efram rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 0 | Great (4)

[rpg] Minnie sobs

Jack rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 +1 | Good (3)

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

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

[rpg] Jack says, "har har har"

GM says, "so, Efram, Jack, Johnny, pirates, pirates, Minnie"

Efram says, "I dance around Robert, weaving and dodging until he's turned his back to Minnie."

[rpg] Minnie asks, "so how much of a bonus does Efram get from the Fused Vertebrae aspect?"

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

[rpg] Efram says, "GRR"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "oh, you're going for a maneuvre too?"

[rpg] Efram says, "yeah I was going to TRY, apparently"

[rpg] GM says, "oh, right, he can tap it for a free +2 (and then someone else can use it for a free +2 also)"

[rpg] Minnie says, "you get a +1 for your defence last turn, also"

Efram says, "I'm far too familiar with this ship, as a former crew member, to be so clumsy."

[rpg] GM says, "you can use that aspect for a reroll instead of a bonus"

[rpg] GM says, "so roll fair with no bonus if you like"

[rpg] Efram says, "Ah, good."

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

[rpg] GM says, "(and yeah, you get a +1 anyway)"

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha wtf"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Erf."

[rpg] Efram says, "Sigh"

[rpg] Minnie says, "urgh"

[rpg] Efram says, "I'm all hey hey look over here hey and he's all, yeah, whatever, chump"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, I draw a curtain over this distressing scene"

GM asks, "Jack?"

Jack says, "Hmm, I think I'm out of stuff to blow up."

[rpg] Efram says (to Jack), "You could declare one of those barrels on the deck is not rum at all, but gunpowder"

[rpg] Jack says, "Oh, hey, props"

[rpg] Jack says (to Efram), "But that would blow *everything* up...!"

Jack asks, "Is there still a pirate skiff, or did we get away?"

[rpg] Efram says, "(I guess to be fair, Robert gets a chance to win Spin over me with his defence)"

[rpg] GM says (to Jack), "you guys are away, so the only pirates left are the half-dozen on the deck"

[rpg] GM says (to Efram), "ok, yeah"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 0 -1 | Good (3)

Jack says, "Okay, screw strategy."

[rpg] GM says, "(man, and he does)"

Jack pulls off his gun-hand, revealing a knife underneath, and dashes over to help Johnny.

[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Hey, Jack. Welcome to the party."

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Did you bring any drinks?"

Jack says, "KILL"

Jack puts on his hat, on top of his existing hat.

[rpg] GM says, "haha ha"

[rpg] Jack asks, "-1 for running into the zone, right?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

[rpg] Jack says, "I guess this will mainly be a distraction, but let's see..."

[rpg] Efram says, "Aye, I sailed with Two-Hat Jack. Best pirate I ever knew. Stood nine feet tall."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "If you distract them, I could use it to attack them."

Jack rolls Average (1) -1 + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)

[rpg] Efram says, "I'm starting to understand why Danvers ran out on us"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Does SotC have a concept of held actions?"

Jack says, "KILL argh what idiot put this sail on deck"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks (of Efram), "Aside from 'the ship sank'?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to Jack), "Ha."

[rpg] GM says (to JohnnyFalcone), "yeah, you can wait til later in the round if you are so inclined"

[rpg] Jack holds his 'no surrender!' aspect in reserve until we really start losing.

GM asks, "ok, Johnny?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I'm not right now, but it's good to know in general."

[rpg] Efram exclaims, "Will no keep fighting? No, surrender!"

[rpg] Jack says, "Heh."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Hmm. Can I use Rapport to talk the pirates into giving up?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Err, will YOU keep fighting... anyway. Lay waste."

[rpg] GM says, "sure"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Seeing as how they have no commander, after all."

JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "So! You made a pretty good effort, there. You almost bested us!"

JohnnyFalcone says, "We could use a few men like you on the crew. Young, strong, good with a sword."

Jack says (to Johnny), "Hey, I'm trying!"

GM says, "the priates nod thoughtfully"

GM says, "er, pirates"

GM says, "how's the 401k? one asks"

[rpg] Jack says, "Hee hee"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Oh, the retirement plan is excellent. We could probably get you each at least a half a share in the booty."

[rpg] Jack says, "Hee hee hee"

Jack says, "Hey!"

[rpg] Efram says, "Join now and get a free hat"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

Jack says, "40-40-40, no more!"

JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "Or 40-40-40, but you each get your *own* hammocks. No sharing!"

JohnnyFalcone rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 +1 | Great (4)

[7thsea] GM rolls mediocre dice:

[rpg] Jack says, "That's me, the rest of you, the pirates, in case you were wondering."

GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 -1 | Terrible-1 (-3)

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] Jack says, "Since I already have Minnie and Efram's shares."

GM says, "done and done! they say"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "Seven points of mental stress!"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone exclaims, "That's enough for two boxes on all three pirates!"

[rpg] GM says, "awesome"

GM says, "meanwhile, up by the wheel"

Jack says, "I'll join too!"

GM says, "Robert takes a swing at Efram again"

[rpg] Efram says, "We LOVE you, Leader"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

JohnnyFalcone says, "Welcome aboard! For your first job, let's take care of that large Robertine fellow over there."

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

[rpg] Jack says, "Now this is turning into Firefly"

GM says, "ouch, serious business"

[rpg] Jack says, "Except that I am picturing Robert as Jayne."

GM says, "but that at least sets him up for a blow from Minnie .."

[rpg] Efram says, "Moderate consequence, looks like"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "That's OK, Jayne always deserved to be beaten up by the good guys."

[rpg] Efram says, "So... hmmm. Cracked Skull."

[rpg] GM says, "nice"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "That's my favourite Indy film."

[rpg] Efram says, "It's okay; blood always comes out of my ears when I'm happy"

[rpg] GM asks, "oops, did we lose Minnie at the dramatic moment?"

[rpg] Minnie says, "okay, I'm invoking Surrogate Parent to stop him beating on Efram"

[rpg] GM says, "aha"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "plus the injury aspect is +4?"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah"

[rpg] Jack asks, "Are we fighting these pirates, or psychoanalysing them?"

Minnie rolls Fair (2) +4 + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[rpg] Efram says, "Stop beating on that poor man! Or at least bend from the knees when you're doing so."

[rpg] Jack says, "Hee hee"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 0 0 | Great (4)

[rpg] Minnie says, "2 damage, with Brawler"

[rpg] GM says, "and with brawler, that is just enough"

[rpg] GM says, "nice"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, that's it for the pirates -- take it away"

Minnie ducks around Robert's side, and with a roar of 'LEAVE HIM ALONE', haymakers him to the deck

GM says, ""...did you say you were hiring?" says one of the remaining pirates"

Minnie says, "yes, and your first job is to clean up the mess you've made of my ship"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Ha ha."

Jack says, "Yes! First job, somebody get that damned cannon out of the aft hatch."

GM says, ""...shoulda asked for seniority," the pirate mumbles, as he gets out a mop"

Jack says, "And fix these bleedin' sails, they're a disgrace."

[rpg] Efram says, "That guy wouldn't stop kicking me in the nu^whead"

GM says, "and just about now the ship comes up alongside a small rocky island, on which is a lighthouse, from the top of which shines a strange green radiance"

Jack asks (of Efram), "Is this going to happen *every* time you do a seance?"

Efram says, "The spirits always exact their price."

[rpg] Efram asks, "Wait, am I using 'exact' right?"

Jack says, "Right, but I haven't had a drink all day, honest."

Minnie shakes out her wrist.

Efram says, "True, but you did fire a cannon."

Jack asks, "Drink! That's what's missing! What's in this here barrel, then?"

Minnie says (to Efram), "I don't know what you mean by 'not getting me involved in your hoodoo nonsense', but this ain't it"

JohnnyFalcone says, "I think gunpowder."

Efram shrugs.

Jack asks, "...water??!?"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Or that."

Efram says, "While I was lying on the deck listening to my brains ooze out my ears, I had an idea. I think I know who we're facing."

JohnnyFalcone asks, "Baron Stone?"

Efram points to the squidy thing on Johnny's amulet.

JohnnyFalcone asks, "A squid?"

Jack asks, "Not... squidleg?"

[Crows-Nest] Minnie says, "Cthulhu, duh"

[Crows-Nest] JohnnyFalcone says, "Wait a minute... wasn't squidleg from..."

Efram says, "He is but a servant. This one... he is called by many names. Over here, sometimes Kraken. Sometimes Leviathan. I know him as the Husband of Madame Dlo. Lord Dagon."

JohnnyFalcone shrugs. "Doesn't ring a bell."

Minnie crosses herself.

[rpg] Efram says, "Of course, that might just be the brain damage speaking."

[rpg] GM says, "hey, I'm open"

[rpg] GM asks, "so the ship pulled up at a lighthouse -- are you guys going inside?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Reckon so"

Jack asks, "Rich, is he?"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I am up for it."

[rpg] Jack says, "What the hell, seems as we're prob'ly dead already."

Efram says, "Every ship that's ever sunk below the waves, and its cargo, is his."

[rpg] Jack says, "Or it's all a dream anyway."

[rpg] Efram says, "Your mind makes it real, Neo."

JohnnyFalcone says, "Huh. That'd be a pretty good heist."

Jack says, "Including the Parrot!"

JohnnyFalcone says, "In the meantime, we probably ought to find our old Friend Baron Danvers."

JohnnyFalcone says, "Or whoever he thinks he is in this world."

JohnnyFalcone points at the light. "And I suspect he'll be up there."

GM says, "right, then. you guys disembark and head into the lighthouse, which is empty except for the stairs going up"

JohnnyFalcone says, "It's either that, or we take this ship and go through the whole quest for the Sea's Blood all over again, since that seems like the only other way we'll find it."

Jack says, "Bugger that for a lark."

Jack heads upstairs.

Minnie follows.

GM says, "at the top of the stairs is the usual room with the metal reflector and so on, but instead of a lantern, the light is providing by a glowing green gem floating in front of the reflector -- the sea's blood, in fact"

Jack says, "Bugger me, that's a big staircase."

GM says, "though here it seems a little more literally like a drop of blood -- it's bulging and liquid, somehow"

JohnnyFalcone says, "Huh, that's convenient."

JohnnyFalcone says, "Here I thought this was going to take us all week."

JohnnyFalcone walks in and picks up the gem.

GM says, "it's a little warm in your hand but nothing else happens much -- except that the amulet you're wearing twitches"

Jack says, "Careful! There be eldritch buggery and all sorts goin' on here!"

GM says, "the wind outside the lighthouse picks up a little, too"

JohnnyFalcone says, "May as well put it where it belongs. The piece will probably sell for more intact than in pieces."

JohnnyFalcone pushes the gem into its setting.

GM says, "time seems to slow and the wind rises to a shriek"

GM says, "and then you realize it's not a wind, it's a voice"

GM says, "and the voice is shouting "you bloody fools I told you soooooo""

GM says, "and everything goes black"

[rpg] Minnie says, "'you kids get out of my house'"

GM says, "THE END"

Efram says, "Woo"

Jack says, "DUN DUN DUN"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Oh well. Should we come up with new characters for the next game?"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

[rpg] GM exclaims, "thanks for playing, everyone!"

[rpg] Jack says, "No, I think we're just going to have *two* one handed characters next week."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "That was fun."

[rpg] GM asks, "are folks up for this again next week?"

[rpg] Jack says, "Yup!"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "So after the fight, do checked boxes get unchecked?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Yeah, it was good fun. Thanks inky, everyone."

[rpg] Minnie says, "mmhmm"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says (to GM), "Yeah, definitely."

[rpg] GM says, "awesome"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Is Memorial Day weekend going to interfere for anyone?"

[rpg] Minnie says, "I can sort of see why the system's normally higher-powered, though"

[rpg] Efram says, "Next week I think I'm in the MM2 release D&D game day, so, dang."

[rpg] Efram says, "So feel free to drop me in a seance-induced coma or whatnot."

[rpg] GM says, "in this particular case boxes and consequences go away since this is a dream sequence"

[rpg] Efram says, "Or have me possessed by the Baron or whomever."

[rpg] Jack says, "Noooo my hat"

[rpg] GM says (to Efram), "hum, that is too bad, but it is true the seance provides a good setup for this"

[rpg] GM says (to Minnie), "yeah, I'm regretting the power-down now, but I think it'd be too much hassle to shift at this point"

[rpg] Efram says, "Yeah it's a drag, but too many RPGs, too little time."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Regretting because combat took longer than it would have?"

[rpg] GM says, "no, it just felt like you guys were not succeeding an un-fun amount of time -- but admittedly part of that was just terrible dice luck"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Aha."

[rpg] GM says, "like, I thought -3s were hardly ever supposed to come up"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Yeah, I think the dice were pretty crappy for us."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "I didn't have many rolls > 0."

[rpg] Efram says, "That was a bit crazy, yeah, but it was mostly fun failure."

[rpg] Jack says, "I had some decent ones."

[rpg] GM says, "it appears that there is supposed to be a 6% chance of getting a -3 or -4"

[rpg] GM says, "and like a quarter of your rolls are supposed to be 0s"

[rpg] GM says, "I guess since I have the transcript I can actually run the numbers"

[rpg] Efram says, "In retrospect I think my aspects weren't as useful as they could have been, which is my own fault."

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I noticed that too (for people in general); I think the upshot is picking aspects is harder than I thought"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "My aspects worked out well, but that's probably because three of them were about fighting, which is what we spent most of the session doing."

[rpg] Jack says, "Gunpowder was a lucky choice for me."

[rpg] Efram says, "I think I needed more motivational aspects, like "Blood-thirsty" or "Driven By Revenge""

[rpg] Efram says, "Maybe the group chargen phases way of doing things is more sensible than it might first appear."

[rpg] GM says, "well, if folks want to tweak their characters for next time, that is certainly ok by me"

[rpg] Jack says, "Minnie's aspects worked out pretty nicely."

[rpg] Jack says, "Shame about the dice."

[rpg] Minnie says, "yeah"

[rpg] Minnie says, "I actually rolled fairly well on everything except Alertness"

[rpg] Efram says, "That was awesome"

[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"

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

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Did any PC take more damage than a single box?"

[rpg] Efram says, "Yeah I got my skull cracked pretty good, as a moderate consequence"

[rpg] GM says, "hrm"

[rpg] GM says (to JohnnyFalcone), "I'm not sure why that was -- maybe I was pulling my punches too much"

[rpg] Minnie asks, "do bad guys get aspects? or do you just keep those quiet?"

[rpg] Efram says, "I'm not sure it's that; I think part of it is the roll vs roll mechanic. Most of the time, not much is going to happen."

[rpg] GM says (to Efram), "yeah, although some of the pirate guys had goods or greats for skills, so you'd think they should have outclassed you and minnie more (since you two both had Fairs, I think)"

[rpg] GM says (to Minnie), "it's more that they usually don't have fate points to power them"

[rpg] Efram says, "And also SotC combat burns through your Fate Points more than anything else, in my experience"

[rpg] GM says, "it's true I could have used a few more -- I gave myself a budget of like five and spent one for a reroll once, and charged myself another couple to have the pirates get on the ship"

[rpg] GM says, "yeah, true"

[rpg] Minnie says, "also it would have been good if we'd done the PC-books thing somehow"

[rpg] Jack says, "Okay, time to head off. Evening all!"

Jack has disconnected.

Jack goes home.

[rpg] GM says (to Minnie), "yeah, you're probably right"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "How do PC books work?"

[rpg] Minnie says, "you are each the star of your own series of pulp adventure novels, and you write some titles and plot sketches (or back-cover blurbs) for a few of them"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Huh."

[rpg] GM says, "normal SotC rules involve group character creation"

[rpg] Minnie says, "and then you share them around with other PCs and work out guest-star spots"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Presumably in this case, they'd be action movies instead."

[rpg] GM says, "so you pick your aspects (and sometimes skills) based on these interactions"

[rpg] Roger says, "It's sorta hand-wavey lifepathing, so it's neat."

[rpg] Roger says, "I'm still not sure how I feel about the "investigationy" parts of these sorts of games."

[rpg] GM asks, "like, mechanically, or?"

[rpg] Roger says, "Well, the mechanics are probably part of it, yeah."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone asks, "Do you mean like where we split up to do research earlier?"

[rpg] GM says, "because (I think) what's-going-on kind of research is something people in the mud group tend to like"

[rpg] Roger says, "Pretty much yeah, but also a bit farther back when we were screwing around in the hotel room."

[rpg] GM says, "or they like arguing over what it means and interacting with random npcs"

[rpg] Roger says, "So I'm not saying, yuck, that sucked, or anything; I'm just saying I feel ambivalent about it and need to think it over more."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "The hotel room stuff seemed to go pretty well, I thought."

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "At least, I had fun, and we got some valuable information at the same time."

[Crows-Nest] Limax asks, "They're still in the hotel?"

[rpg] GM says, "it's certainly possible I could handle it better/differently -- one of the things I'd prepped for was having you guys jumped as you go around following up rumors and turn an investigation scene into a fight scene with information as a reward at the end of the fight"

[rpg] Roger says, "Yeah, I guess I'm not advocating all fights, all the time, either. Hmmm."

[rpg] Roger says, "I should take another look at what Trail of Cthulu does"

[rpg] GM says, "I mean, there's also the general rpg-theory issue about whether you should be making people roll for stuff that they need to have the plot go"

[rpg] maga says, "I suppose this goes a little bit more easily when you're doing a full-length campaign and there are more leads to chase down"

[rpg] GM says, "but in fact I was trying not to do that this time, although you guys rolled well enough that it wasn't really an issue"

[rpg] GM says, "but, like, you would have gotten pointed at lord roderick's estate regardless of what happened in the room, but I threw in some voodoo stuff (which I guess you didn't use) because Jack rolled well"

[rpg] JohnnyFalcone says, "Most of the stuff we've looked at so far, we could theoretically have found out in other ways if we'd rolled poorly."

[rpg] GM says, "and if maga had rolled badly poking around the docks I probably would have gone with the "as you talk to the wrong people some thugs jump you" thing"

[rpg] Roger says, "Yeah, it's a sensible way of doing it"

[rpg] GM says, "but I wonder if it would be better to make it more obvious what you get from a good roll"

[rpg] GM says, "since combat of course makes it really clear"

[rpg] GM says, "ok, anyway, thanks all"

GM has disconnected.