GM says, "Loggin"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I assume everyone here knows this, but for the record, maga's been writing some stuff about the game in his LJ"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "I think I've seen two things. Have there been more?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "I didn't know."

GM says, "SO! Riding to Mont St-Gabriyon"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "mostly it is about how you suck"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Also, are we mainly just brining this up so that any random Googlers who stumble across the logs will wonder, 'but who is maga and where is his LJ?!?'?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I hope so"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "(Are we logging?)"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee"

[Helvetica] GM says, "we are"

Hans yawns.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "here's the one from yesterday: http://maga-dogg.livejournal.com/299245.html"

GM asks, "It was just the four of you riding to Mont St Gabriyon, right?"

Arvid says, "yeah, we left all the NPCs behind to make room for more montaignese to come back with us"

Cat says, "yeah, we figured that we'd doubtless accumulate more NPCs as we went"

Cat says, "and there are only so many slots free"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "The four of us and Captain Cat of the Montaigne Special Division Of Whatever We Need At The Time."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "here's the earlier one: http://maga-dogg.livejournal.com/296859.html (so I guess just two)"

GM says, "heh."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I suppose we'll need a plan for sneaking back into the city"

Hans yawns.

Hans says, "Wake me when we get ambushed."

GM says, "You're in a carriage, as I recall."

Arvid says, "the Baron's carriage, with the names filed off"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "How did we get in last time?"

Cat says, "I am not sure who is driving because we're all asleep"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "did we really do something crazy like climb the walls?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I thought that was the first time."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oh, I'm thinking of Bois-Franc."

GM says, "So, when you're about two hours from MSG and you see a troop of soldiers marching up towards Helvetica, you....."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "Mont St. Gabriyon? I don't think getting in was a problem"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess we could crash the carriage into the recently-repaired gate"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "and the mansion is outside the walls anyway"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yeah, we'll have to swing around Bois Franc instead of going through."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Too many npcs there that might glom on."

Hans wakes up.

Hans asks, "Do I smell soldiers?"

Cat snore

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(Oh, and I think we're still dressed like revolutionary soldiers)"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Was this city intentionally named after a seasoning?"

Cat says, "gumpfle murf gyum"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Also, who's driving?"

Arvid receives an elbow in the ribs and accidentally elbows Cat in the process of waking up

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "Gert, since the rest of us were sleeping"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I guess that'd be Gert."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I can be driving first."

Cat says, "argle"

[Helvetica] GM says, "I guess this means Gert is. Since everyone else has claimed Sleep slots."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "What uniforms are they wearing?"

Cat says, "coffee now"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Montaigne uniforms."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to GM), "Gert probably has the best Ride score, so she's probably gotten the most sleep on the way back from the wedding^Wduel."

Hans asks (of Gert), "Is it anyone we need to fight, dear?"

Gert keeps driving, but counts the soldiers as she goes by.

[Helvetica] GM says, "There's actually not much distinction between revolutionary and pre-revolutionary military uniforms ... just the application of the revolutionary cockade."

Gert says (to Hans), "I don't think so."

Cat says, "Theus on a stick, I am not sure I can pull off the revolutionary-captain act again"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "and scruffier"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "That is the worst pornographic beverage powder name ever."

GM says, "The sergeant of the platoon hails you all and asks for news."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "snrk"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "you may laugh, but cock ale was probably very popular at this point in history"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "chicken soup + beer"

Gert says, "Everything's pretty quiet; if you've been waiting for a boring detail, you've got it."

(From GM) Sergeant says, "Ah, the healthy mountain air. Better than the woods, I imagine.

Arvid shouts up to Gert. "Are they from Mont St. Gabriyon? Tell the sergeant to write us a pass, so we won't have any trouble at the gate, we're in a hurry"

Gert shrugs and relays the message to the sarge.

(From GM) Sergeant says, "You don't have a pass?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(afk phone a sec...)"

(From GM) Sergeant is surprised.

Cat stomps on Arvid's toe

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Hans keeps his strongly-accented mouth shut.

(From GM) Sergeant says, "why not?"

Cat leans out. "My corporal has a rather feeble sense of humour, I'm afraid."

(From GM) Sergeant says, "ah. hahah."

Cat says, "He has bet my aide-de-camp a cask of port that he can get brought up on a disciplinary offense before we get twenty leagues."

(From GM) Sergeant chuckles.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha more"

(From GM) Sergeant says, "twenty? In my day I could manage it within ten. 'course, things were more strictly regimented then."

Cat says, "An aristo officer would have frowned upon such harmless tomfoolery, but the New Army knows that such high spirits build morale and so forth."

Cat says, "Carry on, Sergeant."

(From GM) Sergeant says, "hahah, indeed. They would have insisted I salute you, for example. Good day."

Cat slaps on the side of the carriage.

GM says, "The troops barely make enough room for you to pass along the road."

GM says, "And continue on their way."

Cat says (to Arvid), "next time you might try 'we're a renowned gang of aristocratic jailbreakers'"

Hans says, "Mmm. Yes, it might have made for a more interesting encounter."

Arvid says, "...fine, if you want to handle getting into the city yourself, be my guest"

Hans says, "We might have even enlarged our supply of uniforms."

GM says, "You're soon within sight of the city. It's on a bit of a hill, as you may remember, rising above the level of the forest."

Cat says, "regardless, I feel that somebody owes me a pot of coffee for that"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "So where is the mansion relative to the city?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "outskirts, before we get there"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "In the middle of it, on the outskirts, outside of it entirely?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Ah, good."

[Helvetica] GM says, "I thought it was inside, but my memory may be defective."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "This is where the Mirror Ghost came from, right?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "well, there is *a* mirror ghost still here"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "the one we stole was from the prison"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "this is the one that got out and attacked Gert and I"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Ah, OK."

[Helvetica] Gert returns, and laughs.

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "But you re-caught it, then left it behind?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "yes"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we left it behind? man, how careless"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, we can steal it this time"

GM says, "At the moment, the only person you can see is someone with an easel, painting a picture of the city."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "anyone we recognise?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "nope"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Arvid), "*We* didn't. We were at the prison at the time. And as you'll note, *that* ghost got stolen properly."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "There were really multiple mirror ghosts? I only remembered the one from the prison."

Cat approaches the painter. "Morning, citizen. I don't suppose you could recommend a good cafe nearby?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to Hans), "good point"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I guess someone is going to have to find the transcript."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I guess the one in the library was the one Cat chatted with."

[Helvetica] Hans | GM says (to Cat&Gert), "you two also find one of these mirror-ghost setups ... that room seems strangely untouched."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "SO yeah, there was a second one."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I guess at the time, we were more interested in releasing mirror ghosts, so that portey aristocrats could escape from prison."

(From GM) Painter says, "hm? There's the Nouvelle Rome. That's the one I prefer."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "it should be the new, uh, Numa"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "This place is also where we overheard Nicky practicing her not-at-all sorcerous little talent, right?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "(numa numa?)"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "and saw Cat's parents"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Arvid), "You're assuming that 'Rome' is an ancient city/empire."

Cat glances over the painting

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Perhaps it's the name of the cafe owner's horse."

(From GM) Painter says, "In the gate, turn left (direct direct direct)"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess restaurants that serve horse aren't that uncommon in montaigne"

GM says (to Cat), "It's painted in a rather sketchy style that leaves the trail of the brushes showing."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I dunno, sounds more like Ussuran cuisine to me."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hopefully they don't serve them in the main eating area, at least."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, that's not enough to identify it"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "is it dudes having a picnic on the riverbank? or a bunch of corn?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to Gert), "hee hee"

Cat says, "I am much obliged, m'sieu."

Cat exclaims, "Breakfast, lads!"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Find out his name!"

(From GM) Painter nods and turns back to his painting.

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Otherwise we'll never know whom he's a reference to."

Cat says, "Oh, my apologies - I do not believe I have had the honour"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

(From GM) Painter says, "Hm? Pardon. My name is Renard. Auguste Renard."

Cat says, "Captain Madeleine Rousseau at your service, and every good citizen's."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "a Renard, hunh"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Uh-oh."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "how old is he?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Late twenties. Possibly early thirties."

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "He's not even born yet until 1878!"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "He's like Merlin."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "Renoir?"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks (of Hans), "when do you think the Pervenches were born?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "That is my guess."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "(Pierre-Auguste Renoir)"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims (at Arvid), "Good question!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "We'll have to ask Lucy next time we talk to her."

Arvid says, "come on, come on, I'm hungry"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "this of course does not mean that he is *not* a Renard relation"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "(Which, if Morgana and Andre have their way, will probably be in about a week.)"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Cat), "Gabrielle Renard was apparently a nanny and later model for Pierre-Auguste Renoir."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "but it is kind of hard to take a line of argument that goes 'so, hey, we just sent your son/brother to rot in a dungeon'"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Funny, Raoul didn't really seem like the child-rearing type."

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "wait, Gabrielle Renard?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Arvid), "Yeah, that's what triggered the 'uh-oh'."

Gert slaps the reigns and drives the horses into the city.

(From GM) Painter returns to his painting, and you head up to the gates.

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "why are we going into the city?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "oh, right, breakfast"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Isn't that where the mansion is?"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "And food?"

(From GM) gateperson says, "Hello hello, who goes there."

Hans says (to Arvid), "I wonder if we can get sausages and gravy here."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "the mansion's outside the gates"

Arvid says (to Hans), "well, I wouldn't suggest the meat pies"

Cat peers through the window, hoping that this isn't the same guards as last time

Gert says (to gateperson), "justreturningfromumbletotheplaceseeyouaround"

GM says (to Cat), "different guard. This one doesn't look much like a military type at all."

Cat says, "Secure courier from Bois-Franc."

Gert waves half-heartedly and continues slowly into the city.

(From GM) gateperson says, "sure, whatever."

[Helvetica] GM asks, "I assume you're heading to the Nouvelle Rome?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Sure."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "ayup"

Gert drives to Nouvelle Roma.

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "why are we doing this?"

GM says, "The Nouvelle Rome is a seedy sort of place with seating on two floors. Seems to cater to a more artistic/intellectual crowd"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "are we actually doing it for the purpose of eating breakfast?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Because you haven't eaten since ... day before yesterday."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I think so."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "because telling the truth to NPCs is weirding me out"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Cat and Gert got hungry."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "We could tell them that we really want to get into town to engineer another jailbreak."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "if any interesting characters happen to turn up we will deal with them after we are done with croissants"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Then when we order toast, it'll completely throw them off track, and we can safely loot the manor in peace."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

GM says, "There's a pawnshop across the street and a paint supply store next door. It's also, conveniently, very close to the Sices Mansion."

Arvid orders some cheese and croissants

Hans exclaims, "And sausages!"

[Crows-Nest] Hans says, "See http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H9UfJUExiCw/R00m5hfIlPI/AAAAAAAAAiY/aeJ4awFTGSs/Munich2007_breakfastCallouts.jpg"

(From GM) Waitress says, "....and sausages. Eisener, yes?"

Arvid says, "...and some sausages. and some wine, it's been a long night"

Hans grunts.

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha timing '...and sausages'"

Cat orders pain au chocolat and coffee

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

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I am going to have to explain about undercover operations again, aren't I"

GM says, "Waitress weaves back to the kitchen through the intellectual discussions."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Numpf munch chomp huh?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "enh, they won't care here"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we'll tell them he's here to lecture on neo-surrealism"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "can I use Gossip to pick up useful rumours or anything?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "There is no fighting force which cannot benefit from the addition of a few Eisen mercenaries."

GM says, "They do in fact have perfectly good imported Eisen sausages. According to the waitress, one of the more important patrons insisted on importing them.""

[Helvetica] GM says (to Cat), "sure"

Cat asks, "Ah oui? And who might that be?"

Hans says, "Someone with good taste, obviously."

[7thsea] Cat rolls 5k3: 5 9 4 1 2 | 18

(From GM) Waitress says, "Faustus von Goethe. I thought your friend here was with him? Never mind. He never sets foot into the kitchen to count the sausages anyway."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "oh dear"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Ha ha."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess he's either a writer or a powerful sorcerer"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Cat), "Faustus von Goethe is having an affair with Marguerite, who actually loves the painter Marcel Tabar. But she actually loves money more than either of the two men and as soon as she leaches enough money off of von Goethe (minus whatever she spends on Marcel) she's packing her bags and sailing off to Avalon to be with her sister."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "What, you must pick one or the other?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, they both take up most of your private time"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "and you have to wash your hands afterwards"

Cat asks, "I feel most refreshed. Shall we?"

Hans says, "Mmf."

Cat says (to Hans), "sausages are marching food. come along"

Arvid says, "perhaps you could wrap the sausage in a bun to make it more portable"

Hans soaks up the last bit of grease on his plate with half a croissant and finishes it.

Hans says, "I am ready."

Gert asks, "Are we walking in the front door at the du Sices, or are we sneaking?"

Hans asks, "Will the front door be open?"

Cat says (to Gert), "well, I believe that my dearest ancestors may have taken up residence by now"

Gert says, "Well, let's see."

Cat says, "so I think sneaking of the highest order"

Arvid says, "I'm not sure they'll still be interested in settling given the marriage proposal didn't exactly work out"

Gert drives the carriage slowly by the front door first, to see what they can see, then parks on a street a couple blocks away.

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Dearest or simply nearest?"

Hans asks (of Cat), "Which of us have they met so far?"

Cat says (to Hans), "all but Arvid"

Cat says, "though they may not recognise Gert without the beard"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Just think, if Cat had accepted Chevalier as a husband, she'd be mistress of the mansion and we'd have no story."

Gert says, "They didn't... right."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "wow, that would have been awesome"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "wait, it's Chevalier's mansion?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I thought he already had one"

[Helvetica] GM says, "He was going to buy it."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "ah, okay, he's moving up in the world"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "oh, *he* was going to buy it?"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Arvid), "Yeah, especially after she assassinated him on their wedding night and we had to spring *her* from the prison too."

[Helvetica] GM says, "He had 5 rue Plumet."

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to Hans), "any plan involving a prison break is -- uh, probably one of ours"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Yeah, property prices have really Plumeted around here, too."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "arr"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "nonetheless, the Earl may well be in residence"

Arvid strolls up to the outskirts of the manor if the initial inspection finds nothing

GM says, "The mansion looks pretty dilapidated. But there are signs of occupation. Movement in a few windows, an attempt to mend a hole in the roof, that sort of thing."

[Helvetica] Gert says (to Hans), "He may rue the day he bought the place."

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "er, movement in a few windows?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Yay."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "so I guess that would be, like, immediate occupation"

[Helvetica] Hans asks (of Arvid), "Servants?"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

Hans asks, "Perhaps Arvid should create a distraction while the rest of us break down the rear entrance?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I am not sure we are in the appropriate disguise at the moment"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we could just knock on the door and bluff our way in"

GM says, "There's the sound of a dog barking non-stop from one of the downstairs rooms, and someone playing the scales non-stop in one of the upstairs rooms."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I guess the servants probably wouldn't know us, even if Cat's folks did."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Hmm. What room was the library in?"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "er, floor?"

Arvid says, "hmm, I suppose the piano means it's not all servants"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "second floor."

Arvid says, "no master would be so cruel as to force that upon an employee"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "of course, we could always say we were sent by Chevalier to pick up some personal effects or something"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "or, um, something less likely to fail if he hasn't started moving his stuff in yet"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we don't know he bought it"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Is there any reason to assume that Azelma's not here right now?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we could claim to be prospective buyers"

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to Hans), "because that would be sad"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "or happy, since then we could punch her"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "where's that mirror ghost again?"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Arvid), "Really? -- yeah, exactly."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "The punching is more along the lines of what I was thinking."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "that's nothing new"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "official military business has worked for us thus far"

Arvid goes up and raps on the door.

[Helvetica] Hans says, "You know the old cliche: the hero rushes back to the manor to search for the MacGUffin, but just as she discovers it the villains appear and demand that she hand it over."

Gert stands behind him and looks official.

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "shall we try the truth and say we're investigating du Sices?"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Cat), "Sure, why not."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "as the anti-witch brigade once again?"

Gert turns on her Intimidation glare.

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Sure."

GM says (to Arvid), "pause. Then the door is opened by a rather slovenly-looking man."

Hans slouches and looks bored.

(From GM) Man says, "yeah?"

Arvid asks, "are you the owner of this residence?"

(From GM) Man says, "I am. What is it now?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "The republicans aren't really keeping up the same level of class as the actual upper class, are they..."

Arvid says, "please state your name for the record"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "nice start"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "that's how it was in the scarlet pimpernel too"

(From GM) Man says, "Benoit Corbeille."

(From GM) Benoit says, "What's this about? Mortgage's not due for another month."

Arvid asks, "M. Corbeille, are you aware this was formerly the residence of the enemy of the people known as du Siece?"

Cat asks, "Are you aware of the identity of the property's former owner?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "whoops, sorry"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "also, whoops, du Sices"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I knew I had some etxra letters in there"

(From GM) Benoit says, "'course I know. Who doesn't?"

Arvid asks, "have you in the course of your residence removed any paperwork, memorabilia, or information which may be considered evidence of the crimes committed by the aforementioned du Sices?"

(From GM) Benoit says, "Eh? Look, I thought the council had all the evidence they needed. You were going to behead her until she disappeared, what do you need more evidence for?"

Cat asks, "Have you received official certification from the Revolutionary Bureau of Counter-Occult Works that this residence, formerly used for unclean purposes, is now free of dangerous magical parephanalia?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Ooh, are we going to ask if he's let anyone else in who might've done so?"

(From GM) Benoit says, "The what?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hee hee"

Cat says, "No? Tsk, tsk."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we have stifled his attempts to be rude by confusing him"

Gert glares at Benoit.

Arvid says, "please stand aside, citizen -- it is clearly necessary for us to search the premises"

Cat says, "Translation, citizen: if there's any magic stuff left in this house, it's your neck."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks (of Hans), "hmm, is there reason to? like Azelma, you mean?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Right."

(From GM) Benoit steps aside. "Do as you wish. If you can take away that louse Schanne (gestures towards the source of piano-playing) be my guest."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Or anyone else working with them."

Cat says, "So we're going to poke through and make sure there's nothing that might get you in trouble, because we'd hate to see a fellow-citizen get in trouble that he didn't deserve."

Arvid asks, "..so Schanne is here without your permission? have any other citizens attempted to reside or enter these premises?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I'm not exactly sure how you can attempt to reside, but whatever"

(From GM) Benoit says "Schanne paid his rent for the month. Now he's trying to drive me out of my mind."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Sneak in through the window with a sleeping bag?"

Cat wanders into the front hall, poking curiously at stuff like a policeman who'd just *love* to find something incriminating lying about

(From GM) Benoit says "He says my dog keeps him awake."

Arvid nods. "Well, we will speak to him, along with any others here."

Arvid gestures for Hans and Gert to march in after Cat, then follows himself.

Arvid says, "your cooperation is appreciated, citizen"

Cat affects not to be in a hurry, but still manages to make her way directly to the library rather more quickly than random wandering might have accomplished

Hans wanders through, sniffing the air.

GM says, "The place has been cleaned out since the last time you were here. Anything of any obvious value has been stripped away. And doors have been built over where the entrances to the salon and dining rooms used to be."

Hans says (to Gert), "Huh. Wonder how they got rid of those bloodstains the old lady du Sices left."

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "is the piano-playing dude on the same level as the library?"

Arvid says, "plenty of scrubbing, I suppose"

(From GM) Benoit says "As you wish. Schanne is in 2a. Then there's Tabar in 2b, Colline in 2c, Feuilly in 2d. Then there's Grantaire in 1b, Renard in 1c, The Parizeaus in 1d...."

[Helvetica] GM says (to Arvid), "yes."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Aha, Tabar. Presumably Marcel."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "And (of course) Renard."

Arvid knocks on Schanne's door.

[Helvetica] Cat says, "clearly our NPC list was lagging behind"

GM says, "The piano scales stop."

Arvid says, "Citizen! I am here to investigate a canine-related noise complaint"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I suspect we have just been given a rundown of either the dramatis personae of a play or a list of famous artists, musicians, and writers."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "which room's the library? 2a?"

GM says, "Door opens. Tall young man in mismatched clothing."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh, yeah, I don't know who's in the library"

(From GM) Schanne says, "....yes?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "maybe that would have been smarter"

Arvid says, "Citizen! I am here to investigate a canine-related noise complaint"

(From GM) Schanne says, "Oh? Tabar finally sent you, did he?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess I shouldn't ask him if he knows what Marguerite is up to"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Ah, and as I suspected."

Arvid asks, "precisely -- did you wish to give testimony?"

(From GM) Schanne says, "M. Corbeille's dog is a menace, let me tell you. It's about time someone showed up to deal with it."

[Helvetica] GM says, "The library would be 2c - Colline."

Arvid says, "my understanding is that noise in the vicinity of this structure has been reported as being over the approved level on three out of the last seven days"

Arvid eyes the piano.

Cat goes and knocks on the door of 2c

GM says (to Cat), "there's no answer."

Arvid asks, "I see you have an instrument of some kind here -- I trust you are observing all precautions to avoid violating the noise ordinances yourself?"

GM says (to Arvid), "Schanne launches into a very long list of the evils of That Bitch Evite."

Arvid asks, "...Evite?"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "she's the one always sending me party invitations, right?"

(From GM) Schanne says, "That's the dog's name."

Cat tries the door

Arvid says, "ah"

(From GM) Schanne says, "Corbeille knew I was a musician when I rented me these rooms. If he has a problem with it, well, maybe he shouldn't let That Bitch Evite yap yap yap all through the night."

GM says (to Cat), "the door is locked."

Cat says (to Arvid), "Comrade? The man is clearly a good citizen. Give him a little peace so that he may enrich our magnificent culture with his art."

Cat says, "And render a little assistance."

Arvid says, "very well, we will continue this investigation on the other rooms in this residence"

Arvid says, "thank you for your assistance in our sonic enquiries, citizen"

(From GM) Schanne says, "My pleasure."

Arvid comes over to the lock and, screened by Cat, starts to pick it

[7thsea] Arvid rolls 5k3: 9 7 3 1 7 | 23

Cat says (to Arvid), "now show me how you do that half-hasp thing again"

GM says, "The door clicks open."

Arvid says, "just jiggle it gently, like -- there we are"

Arvid says, "your problem is you're too impatient"

Arvid (and the others, I assume) head inside

Cat sneaks in sneakily

Arvid closes the door behind us.

GM says, "Inside ... well! Most of the books are gone."

GM says, "There are a few philosophy texts which do not look like they were here before."

Arvid says, "a philosopher, eh? this could be bad news"

Cat investigates the shelves closely for the obligatory Hidden Compartments

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Yeah, never ever trust someone who studies philosophy."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "This is the library?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Was."

GM says, "The only piece of furniture still here from before is a chaise-longue. A crate, covered with candle-wax, is pulled up beside it."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess we could plausibly ask about the mirror ghost"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "if we are here with the anti-occult league"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Colline's probably been out trying to sell them all."

GM says (to Cat), "you never found any the last time you were here. And there still aren't any."

Hans follows Cat and Arvid into the library.

GM says, "The ghost is gone, too."

Hans asks, "Where have you put all the books?"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "no books remaining at all?"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Which apartment is this now?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "2c"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Colline's, the philosopher."

[Helvetica] GM says (to Cat), "there are a few."

Hans asks, "Was this box here before, or is it new?"

Cat carefully examines the remaining books, including the bindings, etc.

Arvid assists Cat in searching things

Arvid gets distracted by one of the saucier volumes

GM says (to Cat), "Tucked in between the covers of a trashy Vodacce romance, you find a few ardent love letters from Prince Falisci."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha trashy vodacce romance"

[Helvetica] GM says, "or wait, if Arvid is checking out the saucier volumes, let him find that."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, ""she could not read or write .. but his fate -- and his heart -- were in her hands""

Arvid says, "hmm, interesting"

Cat cranes over Arvid's shoulder

Cat says, "I know for a fact that *that* is illegal in Vodacce"

Arvid says, "well, this would explain her choice of residence"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Cat says, "and *that* is arguably legal but possibly fatal"

Arvid says, "I wonder if this would be considered incriminating"

Gert asks, "Who are the love letters *to*? DuSices?"

GM says (to Gert), "yes."

Hans checks if there's anything in the crate.

GM says (to Hans), "the crate contains a few bottles of very cheap wine."

Hans says, "Hrm."

Cat asks (of Arvid), "I believe that such letters could be used to convey ciphers. Are there any strange markings on the page?"

Hans says, "Probably not du Sices', then."

Cat absent-mindedly hands a bottle to Arvid

Arvid reflexively uncorks and takes a swig, then makes a face

Gert says (to Cat), "Well, regardless, they cannot be the letter we are after."

GM says, "Between the covers of something entitled 'Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell', you find a copy of du Sices' will."

Arvid says, "goodness, this takes me back to my days of being an unemployed scholar"

Hans asks, "Isn't this how we got into our last inconvenient circumstance?"

Cat says, "Ah-ha."

Arvid says (to Gert), "they might give us some leverage with Falisci now, though"

Arvid tucks them away.

Gert asks (of Arvid), "That's where duSices is now, right?"

Arvid says, "exactly"

Arvid says, "and the employer of Edgardo and Lucia"

Cat says, "Given that she is still alive I am not sure how much this helps us."

Arvid asks, "does it mention Helvetica?"

Gert says, "Well, it means she kept important letters hidden in her books."

GM says, "There's a history of the War Of The Cross in Eisen. Tucked into the back cover is a copy of the Treaty Of Weissberg."

Hans says (to Cat), "It would be a shame to have to kill her."

Gert says, "So if we can't find the letter we're after here, we have to track down where the rest of the books are."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Weissberg is the treaty that left Helvetica's status uncertain in the first place, right?"

GM says (to Arvid), "there is no mention of Helvetica in the will. On the other hand, with regard to land, she pretty much just says it's all supposed to go to a certain cousin."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "if this was an MMORPG, it'd be like "you must fight the residents and collect eight books to complete this portion of the quest!""

[Helvetica] Cat says, "a certain cousin? oh dear"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Hans), "it's the one that specifically gave Helvetica to Montaigne."

Hans asks (of Arvid), "WHich cousin?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I'm sure we're going to *love* who this turns out to be"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oops."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Wait, we found it?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Wait, no."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Gert), "I don't think so."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Carry on."

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "But we're getting closer!"

Arvid reads the will to work out the cousin

GM says (to Arvid), "A cousin named Semper du Sices. Who was beheaded three weeks ago."

Arvid says, "...hrm"

Arvid says, "I guess we'll have another will to track down if we go this route"

Cat says, "It may be that we're going to have to go around every bookseller's in town."

Arvid says, "I wonder if the du Sices will applies if she was forced into exile"

Hans says, "Ah. I wonder if he had tried out Lady du Sices' wardrobe."

[Helvetica] * Lionheart has joined the channel.

Hans says, "Perhaps the landlord knows what happened to the books."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "and is that it as far as the books go?"

Cat checks over the treaty just to make sure that it's the same version, and doesn't have any marginalia or anything

[D&D] Limax | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IgVPnhmVNE

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Does the treaty explicitly give the land to duSices?"

Hans goes downstairs to talk to the Benoit.

Lionheart arrives, looking for booty.

Hans asks (of Benoit), "Do you know when du Sices' possessions were removed from the building?"

GM says (to Cat), "there's nothing written on the treaty (that shouldn't be) but the book it was in, has a little bit written into the back cover. 'Mercator's Atlas'"

GM says (to Hans), "You find Benoit."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, ""it must be in that atlas!" "enh, you're just projecting""

[Helvetica] Cat says, "ah ha ha"

[Helvetica] Gert asks (of GM), "So, I assume we've exhaustively searched the remaining books?"

Hans asks (of Benoit), "Do you know when the books were removed from the library upstairs, and by whom?"

Hans asks, "I believe you refer to it as... '2c'?"

(From GM) Benoit says, "What? I sold off a lot of furniture to help pay for the downpayment, a week ago. There were a lot of other things that got sold off every day since."

Cat does her standard-paranoia check under the bed and sheets, and leaves the room

Hans asks, "And where would those books be now?"

(From GM) Benoit says, "I'd sold some of the books right off, but the tenant, Colline, offered extra if I'd leave the remaining texts."

Hans asks, "Hmm. Do you know where she is now?"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "do we need to be suspicious of Colline?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Well, she is a philosopher."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I mean, a) she's a scholar and would probably want books, but b) if she's been reading the books she might already have found the treaty"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "and snaffled it"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess you can ask where the books were sold to"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "The Atlas wasn't there, though."

[Helvetica] Gert shrugs.

[Helvetica] Cat says, "well then, I suppose we ask around the local no-good artists where second-hand bookstores may be found"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "since none of this bohemian riff-raff ever paid cover price for anything, I'll be bound"

Hans asks, "Or if not, when she usually returns?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I bet she's at the cafe"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "artists have to leave the bar occasionally to paint, but philosophers can do all their work right there"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "exactly"

(From GM) Benoit says, "I sold some of the books to M. Tanguay, the art supply seller. Others I pawned at the pawnshop, but most I sold to Gallimard, at the corner of Capucines and Nouvelle Rome.

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I think we have a destination"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yep"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Sounds good to me."

(From GM) Benoit says, "Colline might be found at the Nouvelle Rome, I think. I never know when she's coming or going."

Cat says, "Thank you for your cooperation, citizen. You may expect your certificate of clearance in two to four weeks plus postage time."

Hans asks (of Cat), "Have they cleared up the trouble they were having with the post, recently?"

Cat says, "Not our department."

Arvid says, "...I should hope so"

(From GM) Benoit mutters something about the bureaucracy, and goes upstairs to pound on Schanne's door.

Cat says, "Excellent! We can get some more coffee on the way."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "man, why didn't we start impersonating police officers right from the start of the campaign"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "it makes everything so much easier"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Because we hadn't robbed a band of soldiers yet?"

Arvid and the others head to Gallimard's

GM says, "You're halfway down the driveway when you see two women coming up."

GM says, "One of whom is clearly Very Sick. As in, barely able to walk without the other woman's help."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "presumably we recognise neither"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "maybe one's Azelma"

Hans says (to Woman), "Let me help you..."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hopefully the drunk one"

Hans offers her support.

(From GM) Not-sick woman says, "Thank you. We're headed up to number 2b ... I'll run up ahead and tell him you're coming."

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "oh, Marguerite?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Is that her surname?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "Tabar"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Do we know Marguerite's surname?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "right, but | Marguerite, who actually loves the painter Marcel Tabar"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Ah, hmm."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "that'd make sense"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "surely that's a first name"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "also, maybe she's sick because von Goethe sucked her soul out"

(From GM) Not-sick woman deposits sick woman in Hans's arms and runs up to the former-mansion, screaming for 'Marcel' and 'Henri'.

[Helvetica] Cat says, "professional mistresses often do without surnames"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "You think she's in the old 'threading-the-needle' business?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "nothing quite so crass"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, it said she was leaving to join her sister once she had enough money"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "so presumably it's a temporary gig"

Hans says (to Sick Woman), "Careful, now. These steps are steep."

(From GM) sick woman mumbles, "I'm fine ... I am, really ... poor Henri, I shouldn't...."

Gert tries to assess what's wrong with the woman.

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(diagnosis/wits)"

[7thsea] Gert rolls 3k2: 6 6 10+9 | 25

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Man, what is up with my Wits rolls."

Hans asks, "Who is Henri?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hanging around all us smart dudes"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I'm on an intuitive binge."

GM says, "A couple of men come running down the stairs. There's a rather buff fellow in a paint-stained military officer's uniform and scrawnier fellow with an immensely long scarf."

[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "Looks like consumption."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "of course it does"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "What's consumption? I've forgotten."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I get the impression that there is a great deal going on here but I'm not sure how it concerns us"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "TB, I think."

[Helvetica] GM says, "Tubercolosis."

[Helvetica] Cat says (to Gert), "tuberculosis"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "it's where you hang out on couches looking faint"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "and romantic"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Aha."

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to Cat), "yeah, this is all side quests for bonus xp"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Do people die of it?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I think it featured in moulin rouge"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Well, unless it leads to the letter."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "almost invariably"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah, you cough up blood and your lungs"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Oh, well, if that's all..."

GM says, "'Henri' is evidently the guy with the scarf. The other guy, Marcel, gathers up the sick woman (Francine) and carries her upstairs."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "Cat was misdiagnosed with it, which is why she was packed off to Geneva in the first place"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I am wondering, though, how she will turn out to be related to the Comte du Cap-Royale..."

[Helvetica] Gert asks (of GM), "Have Arvid or I heard of any reasonable treatment for it that actually might work through our contacts with the IC?"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "hunh, this isn't Marguerite?"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "There are medicines on the market. There's a lot of discussion as to whether any of them are effective."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "the standard RL treatment at this point was 'go somewhere with good air and stay there', which didn't cure you but might keep you alive a bit longer"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Arvid), "Marguerite is the not-sick woman."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah, I was figuring Marguerite would be the sick one"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "Switzerland made a ton of money out of high-altitude sanitoria"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "all her plans about money and love are torn to pieces as she discovers she has only months to live"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "wait, sorry, that's from the vodacce novel I was reading"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Cat), "yeah. Interesting, that."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "so if we want to kidnap this woman later we have an excellent excuse"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hey, see, it did interact with our mission after all"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we can get these dudes to help us out"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "though I guess if it's conquered by montaigne they can go there anyway"

GM says, "Marcel comes out after settling Francine in the bed in the apartment that he evidently shares with Henri."

Cat asks (of Marcel), "how advanced is her condition?"

(From GM) Marcel says, "it looks terrible. I tell Henri she'll pull through, she always does, but I don't think -- wait, who are you?"

(From GM) Marcel says, "I thought I knew everyone at the garrison."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "So Marcel Tabar, Henri (surname unknown) and Francine (surname unknown) all live in 2b?"

Cat says, "We're special forces."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I hope not, that's immoral"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I assume francine has a little hovel somewhere"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Marcel and Henri only. Francine has been on the streets."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "but now she's getting the good place since she's dying"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "see"

(From GM) Marcel looks suspicious. "Oh? How do you mean, special?"

Cat says, "Just returned from Helvetica."

Cat says, "Good clean air up there. Treat for the lungs."

(From GM) Marcel says, "Then presumably you've been through here on your way there. Yet I'm sure I've never seen you before."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "man, this guy is a jerk"

Hans says, "I do not think I have seen you either."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "let's just beat him up and take his smock"

Hans asks, "How long have you lived in the city?"

GM says, "Marcel takes a step towards the door to 1b."

(From GM) Marcel says, "over a year now."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Just when I was starting to get these NPC's in my notes, now they're going to go and shake everything up."

Hans says, "Hmm. We were certainly here more recently than that."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "how many toes do I need to stamp on today?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Hans asks, "Do you remember, about <however long ago it was>, that jailbreak?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "just step on the NPC's toes, they're the ones causing problems"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha more"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "when playing the local boy, the Eisen accent is Not Helpful"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "I am not!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I am playing the mercenary."

Cat stomps on Hans' toes, to little effect

[Helvetica] Hans says, "The hired mercentary."

(From GM) Marcel says, "Yesss...?"

(From GM) Marcel knocks heavily on the door to 1b. Voice yells out, go away, I'm drinking!"

Hans says, "We were called in after that to investigate for evidence of sorcery."

(From GM) Marcel says, "You're with the Inquisition, are you?"

Hans mutters an anti-Vaticine epithet under his breath.

(From GM) Marcel shouts, "Grantaire, get your sorry ass out here before I drag you out myself! Sir!"

Cat says, "A secular equivalent, mon ami."

(From GM) Marcel says, "Hmph. Well, Grantaire should know all about that."

Hans says, "You don't have to join the Vaticine church to want to hunt down aristocrats and their bloody magics."

(From GM) 1b opens and a very scruffy fellow stumbles out. "What? whatwhatwhat?

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Where *I* come from, magic is all about turning people into monsters using evil trees..."

(From GM) Marcel says, "These fellows claim to be part of special forces rooting out sorcery."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I have this feeling that Jeff is waiting for us to do something."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I dunno, we tried bluffing"

(From GM) Grantaire says, "Hmph. Don't know them. Must be impostors. I'm off-duty; go take it up with ... whoever's on-duty now."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "next step is punching"

Cat asks (of Grantaire), "what is your rank, soldier?"

Cat lets a dangerous edge creep into her voice

(From GM) Grantaire half-turns to go back into his room and mumbles something incoherent. Marcel rolls his eyes, says, "Grantaire's supposedly a Major. As you *should* know if you'd spent any time with the garrison at all."

Arvid says, "I think he is under the impression that we are in the same command structure as the local garrison"

[Crows-Nest] Hans wonders if Francine is going to fall in love with the Premier of Quebec...

[Crows-Nest] Arvid asks, "?!?"

[Helvetica] Cat says (to Arvid), "next time, please sew on a three-star general's patches"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "it would make things so much simpler"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] Hans says (to Arvid), "Um. Just doing a little Googling in between dialogue."

Cat says, "All right, lads. Let's let the brass get his rest."

Cat says, "And if they want to take it up with the command structure... *nasty little chuckle*"

Gert says, "Can we please get going? We still have the Moreau and the duBois mansions to search before tonight."

Cat says, "best of luck with that"

Cat swaggers off

(From GM) Marcel rolls sleeves. "All right, explain what you mean, 'different command structure'."

Hans says (to Gert), "I thought duBois was tomorrow."

Gert says, "Nah, they moved the schedule up so we have to get through them all earlier."

Gert sighs.

Hans asks, "Then what are we still doing here?"

Gert says (to Marcel), "It was nice to meet you, sir."

Gert follows Cat.

Hans half-heartedly salutes on his way out.

Arvid shrugs and follows

(From GM) Marcel looks like he's about to start rolling for initiative when Henri and Marguerite show up at the top of the stairs and atart talking both at once to him.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "he's got the dice in his hand"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"

Cat waits until they're out of sight of the mansion. "I think this disguise has officially outlasted its usefulness."

Gert says, "Let's stop by the carriage and change."

Cat says, "Capital idea."

Hans says, "If we go back to the cafe without them, we will get some odd looks."

Hans asks, "And that is where Colline is most likely to be, no?"

Gert says, "We're not going back to the cafe, as far as I know."

Cat says, "No, you see, this is what a disguise it."

Arvid says, "let's talk to the book shop first"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "er, is"

Arvid says, "then go after Colline if we need to"

Gert says, "We just need the Atlas."

Cat says, "people see the uniform and they don't generally think too far beyond that"

Hans asks, "And give Colline a chance to return to the manor and be briefed on us by Marcel?"

Gert asks, "What do we care about Colline?"

Hans asks, "Isn't she the one who inherited many of the books?"

Arvid replaces his ratty uniform with a ratty civilian uniform

Cat says, "she may have already snaffled the treaty"

Hans shrugs.

Arvid says, "not the ones that were sold"

Gert says (to Hans), "The ones we already looked through."

Gert asks, "Unless she moved them, I guess, but why?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess the only good news here is Azelma probably didn't end up with the book"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "unless she was willing to do a bunch of work"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "er, s/book/letter"

Cat goes for her full-on Adventuress outfit, riding-boots and flouncy cravat and cavalry skirt

Gert adopts her nondescript functional outfit you go work-riding in.

Hans dresses as Hans.

Cat lets her hair down and shakes it out

Gert. o O (Man, I'll be glad to get him new outfits to wear once we're married...)

Arvid heads on to Gallimard once we're all changed

Hans . o O ( Man, it sure is nice to be back in my normal clothes again. )

[Helvetica] (from GM) Gert. o O (Aisle, altar, hymn....)

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Ha."

Cat says (to Gert), "I suggest you start out with hats"

Hans asks, "What?"

GM says, "Gallimard's is a dingy little fire-trap with barely any space between the bookshelves to wander around in."

Arvid says, "I think that comment went over his head, eh"

Gert pats Hans on the back. "Nothing, dear."

Hans scowls at Arvid. This is clearly all his fault, somehow.

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "hmm. how do we do this without our Official Business cover"

Arvid asks (of Gallimard), "pardon me, I am a book collector, specializing in geographical and historical works -- do you have anything that might be of interest?"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "dumb but well-heeled tourist, perhaps?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "or that"

Hans picks up a book or two and flips through them. Disturbingly, they're all written in Montaigne.

(From GM) Gallimard says, "Oh yes! There's (this and this and this and....)"

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to Hans), "ha ha"

GM says, "(Oh look, there's an Invisible College cypher etched into the shelf behind him.)"

Arvid makes some knowledgeable-sounding comments about some of the historical books.

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Ooh, you could pretend to be an IC member!"

Cat looks for a Recent Acquisitions shelf

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "But would he buy it?"

GM says (to Cat), "they're not that organised."

Arvid says, "ah -- but what I'm really interested in is whether your hands are open to the brotherhood of knowledge"

(From GM) Gallimard says, "But of course, knowledge and discovery are the hallmarks of civilisation, are they not?"

(From GM) Gallimard says, "For you, I might have a special discount...."

Arvid says, "then perhaps I can be frank -- we are in search of a particular volume from the du Sices collection -- Mercator's atlas"

(From GM) Gallimard says, "I have several books from the du Sices collection, but that is not one of them. M. Corbeille never got around to the geography section before his new tenant insisted he stop selling off the library."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "dammit"

Arvid frowns. "And yet the book in question was not at the manor. I wonder where it could have gotten to."

(From GM) Gallimard says, "The tenant, Colline, is a frequent visitor here, though. You'd recognise her easily ... she wears a long green coat with half a library in her pockets."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Heh heh heh..."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "hmm. I wonder if Colline might be interested in trading for a leg-up into the IC"

(From GM) Gallimard says, "Colline is probably carrying it around on her person right now."

Arvid says, "well then, clearly we should attempt an interview"

Arvid says, "thank you for your assistance -- knowledge will flow the freer for it"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "We better snatch her before she gets imprisoned in a castle where the staff and the furniture are one."

(From GM) Gallimard says, "Yes. Incidentally...."

(From GM) Gallimard says, "You're not the first to ask after that book. There was an Eisen gentleman here asking about it not very long ago."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "her name is Colline, not Belle"

Hans asks, "Faustus?"

(From GM) Gallimard says, "That's the one."

Arvid says, "interesting"

[Helvetica] GM says, "You know. I originally intended Colline to be a man -- 'Colline, but decided s/he might as well be a woman since y'all assumed so."

[Helvetica] GM says, "You know. I originally intended Colline to be a man -- 'Colline' being a last name -- but decided s/he might as well be a woman since y'all assumed so."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh, heh"

[Helvetica] GM says, "So why not. Her first name is Belle."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Hee."

Arvid says, "we appreciate your assistance"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "so where to now?"

(From GM) Gallimard says, "My pleasure."

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "back to the cafe to look for the two of them?"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "as Hans says "ha HA"?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "That's my vote."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "er, "HA ha""

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Unless we want to ask Gallimard anything else about Faustus."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "yeah, I think so"

[Helvetica] GM asks, "Back to the cafe, then?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "sure"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "let's not all four of us go in, though"

[Helvetica] GM asks, "So ... how disguised are you?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "that way we're less likely to be recognised as 'those four guys who were in uniform earlier'"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "in fact, let's just the people who can *do* Disguise go in"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "which is... Arvid and I?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm, apparently not me"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "Fashion, sure"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I have Stealth but no Disguise."

[Helvetica] GM says, "I think a Fashion roll would require at least two raises to succeed. I mean, it's rather unrelated."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "shall we chance it without Disguise, or shall I go it alone?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I also have Stealth but no Disguise."

[Helvetica] GM says, "TN 25 to begin with ... people DO notice faces beyond uniforms."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, ok, we're not going to make the roll"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "We could just go in in uniform again."

[Helvetica] GM says, "(since people habitually meet other people in and out of uniform.)"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "so we should either just go in and bluff it out, or we should wait for the dude to come out"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Are the consequences of that any worse than the consequences of a failed disguise?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I don't think so"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "not really"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "costume change it is, then"

Hans sighs and pulls the ill-fitting Montaign tabard over his clothes again.

Arvid . o O ( geez, I only had a little bit to trim it for him, he's lucky it fits at all )

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Arvid), "Well, it might've worked better if I'd held still while you were taking the measurements."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] GM asks, "going in?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yep"

[Helvetica] GM says, "okay."

Arvid checks for back entrances and stuff this time

[Helvetica] Hans says, "We just can't stay away from those sausages."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "we may have to shoot our way out, but that's What We Do"

GM says, "First thing that happens when you step into the cafe is, Auguste Renard spotting you and waving to you."

Hans waves back!

Cat says, "Good day, sir."

(From GM) Auguste says, "good day! I see you made it here after all." He introduces you to the various people around the table.

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "is Bella there?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "probably none of whom are going to be important. There's an older fellow with a long white beard, another fellow even shorter than Hans, an *extremely* scruffy fellow who seems to have a thing for apples...."

[Helvetica] GM says (to Arvid), "not on this floor, apparently."

Cat says (to Arvid), "(whispered) you check upstairs; I'll keep a lookout here"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "anyone shorter than hans needs to stack two chairs on top of each other to have their head above the table"

(From GM) Auguste says, "Sooo ... another friend of ours was just by here claiming that you were impostors and possible threats to the current regime...?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I assume we can trust him."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Cat puts on her most affected voice

Arvid rolls eyes. "You straighten him out."

Arvid heads upstairs, possibly with Hans and/or Gert

Cat says, "Arrant lies, doubtless. False rumours put about to impugn the dignity of valuable citizens."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "though maybe this guy would be ok with us being threats to the current regime"

Cat says, "Why, I'm as much a Montaignais patriot as anyone at this table."

(From GM) Auguste seems very amused by the whole affair.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "they're all bohemian anarchist artists"

Hans says, "I think Marcel thought I was trying to get a little too close to his friend Francine, if you know what I mean."

Hans says, "But I do not blame he; he was probably just trying to protect her, after all."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I am apparently too busy meeting short people and eating an apple to follow Arvid."

(From GM) Auguste says, "Ah, Francine. Poor girl ...."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I SEE SHORT PEOPLE"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "but they are pretty aware that they're short"

GM says (to Arvid), "upstairs, you do in fact see a woman in a very long, green coat, packed to bulging with books. She's talking to Marguerite and Schanne and another fellow whom you don't recognise."

Arvid asks, "does he look like an army guy?"

GM says (to Arvid), "He looks built for it, but he's definitely not dressed for it."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Perhaps Feuilly? Or Parizeau."

Arvid walks over to the group casually, eavesdropping as he approaches

[Helvetica] GM says, "Oh, you remembered the Parizeaus. Isaac Parizeau is the older fellow with the long white beard, sitting with Auguste Renard."

Hans asks (of Renard), "Oh, so I hear there is someone in town with excellent taste in sausages. Name of 'Goethe'. Do you know him?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oh! Heh."

Cat breaks into a ribald anecdote about Chevalier, a serving-maid and a butter-churn

[Helvetica] Hans says, "So not Jacques Parizeau."

GM says (to Arvid), "Judging by the accent (and the hand on Marguerite's waist) this other fellow must be Faustus von Goethe."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ah hmm"

(From GM) Auguste says, "Him? He's upstairs right now with la belle Marguerite."

(From GM) Faustus says, "....well, I AM a businessman. Tell you what, I'll give you 150% what the pawnshop would give you for your coat, books and all...."

Hans asks, "Or really? What sort of business is he in, that he can afford to have sausages imported all this way?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I was going to interrupt this, but maybe we should just mug Faustus instead"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Heh."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh ok fine"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "the wisdom of mugging a guy named Faustus seems, um, questionable"

Arvid says, "don't be ridiculous"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Until he turns out to have made a deal with Brother Etienne."

[Helvetica] Hans says, ";Or with Guy, I guess."

Arvid says, "as Colline's business manager, we couldn't possibly accept less than, oh, say, ten times that"

Arvid says, "and she gets to keep the coat"

(From GM) Auguste says, "He says he's buying topsoil for Sieger. You know how that madman salted his land to prevent Castille from taking it, after the Weissberg treaty?"

(From GM) Colline says, "huh?"

Arvid says, "well, come on, look at this lining -- you won't find another garment like this any time soon"

Arvid says, "well, outside the second-hand store, anyway"

(From GM) Faustus says, "True, it IS her coat. So tell you what, twice what the pawnshop would pay, just for the books."

Arvid grabs the coat and inspects the lining, looking for the atlas in the process

Arvid says, "twice? I believe I said ten times -- but I see you're a reasonable man and we could make a deal"

Arvid says, "let us say five times"

Cat says, "...and when he woke up in the morning, there was nothing but feathers."

Hans says, "Ach, I do."

Arvid says, "see, look at this hemline -- this stitching -- how serviceable the pockets are"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hey, I have pickpocket"

(From GM) Faustus says, "Three times, for all the books. Or, you know, you can forget about your friend's medicines."

(From GM) Marguerite says, "FAUSTUS!!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Now I am trying to remember if Sieger is my prince or not. I *think* I tried to avoid him, but..."

[Helvetica] GM says, "Sieger's the guy who owned Helvetica before the Weissberg Treaty took it away from him and gave it to Montaigne."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "no, you're Fischler"

Arvid says, "as if she needs your quackery"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oh, good."

Arvid starts taking books out and stacking them on the table

GM says (to Arvid), "Colline slaps your hand away."

Arvid says, "you've got no head for business, woman"

(From GM) Colline says, "I just know that a friend of mine is depending on me to cover the cost of medication and hopefully the hospital."

Hans asks, "But what sort of madman would carry dirt across hundreds of miles?"

Hans asks, "What cart could be large enough to make it worth the effort?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "So, out of curiosity:"

Arvid asks, "Francine, you mean?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "A man in a revolutionary soldier's uniform is now claiming to be Colline's agent, right?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yep"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "it is awesome that Faustus hasn't commented on this"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Also, by the way, feel free to spend some of Hans' money if need be."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "hey, the army doesn't pay enough that you can't take jobs on the side"

(From GM) Auguste says, "Well, you know, the earth is really the only thing worth living for, worth dying for. Everything else -- religion, philosophy, ideals -- in the grand scheme of things, they're not worth spit."

Cat says, "Mm. Earth is a thing of great importance, but I would not go that far myself."

Hans says, "Hmm."

Hans says, "Family."

[Helvetica] GM says, "Schanne and Marguerite aren't saying anything if Arvid's haggling can get them more money for Francine's medical bills."

Cat says (to Hans), "I certainly wouldn't go *that* far."

Hans says (to Cat), "You say that, but I am sure Gert thinks of you as a sister."

Arvid says, "in fact I have a regimental fund that could possibly be .. arranged to pay for her care"

(From GM) Auguste shrugs. "I'm a painter, not a philosopher. That's just something that Colline, upstairs, told me once."

Cat says, "Ah, well, if you mean in the sense of - um - well -"

Cat is momentarily a bit lost for words

Hans nods.

Arvid says, "but assuming you wish to sell the books to this gentleman regardless, clearly we should present the volumes so he can see what he's purchasing"

Hans says, "But that's not to say that dirt isn't useful too."

(From GM) Faustus says, "Well, you drive a hard bargain. So, four times the pawnshop price, for, ah, everything you have on geography. Which I don't doubt is going to be very little, since you're a *philosopher*, not an explorer."

Arvid says, "see, he's getting more specific all the time"

Arvid says, "eventually you'll get him to pay ten times the price for nothing at all"

(From GM) Faustus says, "I do want to help your friend, but I believe in doing this for form's sake, you see."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "hey, why don't we just arrest Faustus as a suspicious foreigner?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Ha ha ha ha ha."

(From GM) Faustus says, "so, is it a deal?"

Hans says, "Hmm. They do seem to be taking longer than I expected upstairs."

Cat asks (of Hans), "Shall we?"

(From GM) Colline begins pulling out everything geography-related. She clearly organises her "library" based on book size.

Hans says, "We'd best."

Cat stands up

Hans heads upstairs.

Cat says, "It's been a pleasure, gentlemen."

Cat follows.

Hans shouts, as he enters the room, "C'mon, we've got to get to Charousse tomorrow and we haven't even started planning our trip."

Hans asks, "Who has the map?"

Hans asks, "Or an atlas? Anything?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Colline puts the copy of Mercator's Atlas on the table. Faustus' hand goes on it at once."

(From GM) Colline puts the copy of Mercator's Atlas on the table. Faustus' hand goes on it at once.

Hans exclaims, "Ah, perfect!"

Hans pulls out a handful of gold and silver coins. He hasn't gotten the hang of the exchange rate, so it's probably far too much.

Gert stumbles and falls on Faustus from behind.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess we haven't had a chance to try to solve problems with money yet"

(From GM) Faustus says, "ahem. I think if you follow the paved road, you should arrive there directly. This --hey!"

Gert exclaims, "Sorry! Sorry!"

Hans grabs the book as soon as Faustus goes down, and pours the coins into Colline's pocket. "Thank you!"

Hans exclaims (at Arvid), "Come, let's be on our way!"

(From GM) Faustus says, "Hold it! That book's mine!"

Arvid says (to Colline), "I'll make arrangements for Francine -- you've been most kind"

Hans exclaims (at Faustus), "Sorry, but I believe I just purchased it. I'm sure you can find another one someplace!"

Cat asks (of Faustus), "Are you proposing to interfere with the Revolutionary Army in their duties?"

Gert attempts to get between Faustus and Arvid so he can snake the letter out of the book.

Hans exclaims, "Try the used bookstore downtown!"

Hans hustles downstairs and waves to Renard et al. on the way out.

(From GM) Faustus draws his sword. "Not at all. You look rather a lot like a pack of impostors I've recently heard tell about."

Cat says, "And I wouldn't put much trust in medicines, dear. Good clean air's the only thing that'll help."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Hmm. This seems like a good time for Arvid and Cat to run."

Cat asks, "Oh, the pack of dangerous, armed impostors?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "(Gert may still be a bit tangled up at the moment.)"

Cat asks, "Who outnumber you four to one?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Am I the only one trying to get out of here with the book?"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Can Arvid get the letter out of the book?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess o"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "s"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, I'm assuming the letter is slightly hidden in the book or else she would have found it herself"

[Helvetica] Gert says (to Hans), "Yeah, we want the letter."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Because, since I have not been told that I don't have the book, I am not stopping until I have a good reason."

(From GM) Faustus ignores Cat and swings out the window to meet Hans downstairs.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "sure what the hell"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "ok, so Hans is downstairs with the book, the rest of us are upstairs?"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "and Faustus jumped out the window?"

Cat leaps onto the windowsill

[Helvetica] GM says, "Right."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "sure, why not"

Hans exclaims (at Renard), "I hope we meet again some time!"

Hans runs out the door.

GM says, "This shall conveniently be the moment when Marcel emerges from the pawnshop, having sold off a few of his personal belongings."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "good, good"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "initiative?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Aye"

[7thsea] Hans rolls 3 dice: 7 3 2

[7thsea] Cat rolls 3 dice: 3 1 6

[7thsea] Arvid rolls 2 dice: 7 7

Gert jumps lightly out the window as well, pausing on the window ledge to say "Helvetica, dear. It has the most lovely mountain air. But do give it a week or two before coming to let the political situation there settle down."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I think this is the first time we've rolled all session."

Gert exclaims (at Hans), "Coming!"

Arvid says (to Bella), "let me just point out what a good deal I got you as your business manager"

[7thsea] Gert rolls 3 dice: 9 6 8

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Nah, We rolled a couple other times."

[7thsea] GM rolls 3 dice: 8 6 5

[7thsea] GM rolls 5 dice: 6 7 5 3 3

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "today? I rolled to pick the lock, maybe that was it"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "5 dice? wtf"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I rolled wits/diagnose."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Those Montaigne and their silly panache."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh yeah"

[Helvetica] Arvid exclaims, "Faustus isn't Montaigne!"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "er, I assume"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Marcel is!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I also assume."

[Helvetica] GM says, "ONE"

Gert mutters, "Not much good to her if Faustus doesn't want the books any more..."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "that'd be me"

Arvid exclaims (at Gert), "Hans paid!"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Have I seen Faustus and/or Cat yet?"

Arvid says, "(or, uh, whatever aliases we're using this week)"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "(And/or Marcel?)"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Hans), "if you just ran out the door, you've seen Faustus drop down right in front of you, and Marcel emerging from the pawnshop across the street."

Cat leans out of the window, shoulders her musket and lines up the sights on Marcel's head

[7thsea] Cat rolls 6k3: 9 4 1 9 6 9 | 27

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "geez"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I was thinking Marcel was kind of a misguided good guy"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh well"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yeah."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "The asshole guard?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "So aim for his butt instead."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Cat), "Uh, that's not what I meant."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, he's an artist"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha ha"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "He wasn't a guard."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm, he might have been"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "He just knew the garrison dudes."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "wait wait I am getting people confused here"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(I think?)"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "no, it is the guy you're thinking of"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "like, who was going to beat us up and accused us of being impostors and so on"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "The guy spreading rumors about us."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Marcel is an artist who is a friend of revolutionary soldiers."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "but, I mean, we are"

[Helvetica] GM says, "He's an artist originally, recently joined up with the garrison."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "And he thinks that we're a bunch of spies posing as revolutionary soldiers."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "So he wants to defend his home against us."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I have no idea how he got an idea like that into his head."

[Helvetica] GM says, "Anyway, I'm going to throw away the two 3s he's got and try to dodge. Maybe using the drama dice that I've never ever touched all this time."

[7thsea] GM rolls 6k3: 3 2 1 3 3 1 | 9

[7thsea] GM rolls 1k1: 3 | 3

[7thsea] GM rolls 1k1: 5 | 5

[7thsea] GM rolls 1k1: 7 | 7

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "man"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "24..."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Woo."

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Our drama dice are still serving us, even in the GM's hands!"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "this is why NPCs don't get drama dice, because they just waste them"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I suppose I should point out that there aren't really any non-lethal places to shoot someone with a musket"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "the head just means you don't die of gangrene later"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Cat), "You are forgetting what kind fo story this is."

[Helvetica] Gert exclaims (at Cat), "Yes there are! In... fiction!"

[Helvetica] GM says, "ah, clearly the powers that be *want* him shot. Roll damage. 5k3, I think."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "you can shoot a sign above them, making it fall down on their head and knock them unconscious"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "then it doesn't matter whether I shoot him in the head or the butt! this way he just gets an attractive scar"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "But still doing 5k3 damage. From the falling sign."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Cat), "Ha."

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "But he's already got 5 panache! What's he need a scar for!"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "possibly Faustus has 5 panache from his demonic powers"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "actually, it's probably better to have the attractive scar on your butt"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I dunno, by that point, who needs it"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "so that you can invite ladies to see your war wound"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "want to come up and see my etching?"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "anyway, so did he dodge?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "no, so roll damage"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Yes, but he dodged the wrong way."

[7thsea] Cat rolls 5k3: 6 3 5 3 4 | 15

[7thsea] GM rolls 3k3: 1 8 1 | 10

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "come on, man"

[Helvetica] GM says, "still got the Dramatic wound."

[Helvetica] GM asks, "Anyone else on One?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Not I."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Cat), "Question for you:"

[Helvetica] GM says, "TWO"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Would you prefer to remain here shooting people, or would you prefer me to throw you the book so you can run with it?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "(and what happened to Gert?)"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "she is going on 9 6 8"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I'm on 6, jumping out the window."

[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "ah!"

[Helvetica] Cat asks (of Hans), "where to?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I have not thought that far ahead yet."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "But it seemed the dramatic thing to do."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I mean, the front door is right behind where you are."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I think we should beat up these guys until the guards come, then run with it"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "cafes always have back doors"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "We're all outside, though."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "so when the debt-collectors come in the front door, you can sneak out"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "So you could try to disappear into the streets."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "you're the only one who's outside"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "(well, you and Marcel and Faustus)"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "unless the GM let Gert also jump out "before initiative""

[Helvetica] Hans asks (of Arvid), "Didn't Cat jump out the window right behind Faustus?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "I think she went to the window and shouldered her musket."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "no, I jumped onto the windowsill"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "she just -- yeah"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oh, never mind."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "In that case:"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I can either have jumped out already or be about to."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "no point in throwing myself into a melee when I can sit pretty up here"

[Helvetica] Cat exclaims (at Gert), "land on Faustus!"

Hans draws his own sword. "I have neglected to inform you, sir! You have excellent taste in sausages!"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "this is a manouvre you and Hans are experienced at"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I'm going to try to disarm him."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Does he have a fencing school that I can use exploit weakness against?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "TN 20. -4 for Exploit Weakness 2."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "It's not a contested roll? OK, then I suppose I don't even need drama dice."

[7thsea] Hans rolls 7k4: 5 4 10+2 1 3 10+7 3 | 38

[Helvetica] Cat says, "not with a roll like that you don't"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess you didn't need drama dice anyway"

Hans clashes blades with Faustus, then -- with a flick of his wrist -- sends the soil merchant's sword clattering to the ground.

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Can I do an interrupt to land on and break the sword?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Hee."

[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "you can try."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Yay! What shall I roll?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Leaping?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "finesse, leaping, TN 25"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "OK, so I have Athlete but not Leaping, so that's straight Finesse?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Yes."

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "isn't leaping a basic knack?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Sounds good; I'll probably add dd if needed..."

[7thsea] Gert rolls 3k3: 3 8 6 | 17

[Helvetica] GM says, "Oh, and here's a drama die for thinking to try it."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Apparently not."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I have it, and it doesn't seem like I would have spent points on it"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hunh, weird"

[7thsea] Gert rolls 1k1: 4 | 4

[Helvetica] Hans says (to GM), "Woo."

[7thsea] Gert rolls 1k1: 10+2 | 12

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

GM exclaims, "Crack!"

[Helvetica] GM says, "THREE"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "probably mr 6 7 5 3 3 first"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "then Hans and I"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "He spent his 3's."

[Helvetica] GM asks, "Yeah, but he spent the two 3s trying to dodge the musket, remember?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh, that was him? great"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Jumping face-first into Cat's musket."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess he has high panache because he's an artist"

Gert leaps from the window just as Hans disarms Faustus, landing on the sword and snapping it in half!

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Hmm. So Faustus is disarmed. Is there really any need to beat him up now?"

Arvid says (to Cat), "I suppose we should be exiting the room as well -- no sense going downstairs"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, you can tell him to run and see if it works"

Cat says (to Arvid), "be my guest. I intend to walk out politely."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "or if he says muhahaha and summons some hideous dark creature"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "....mutter mutter because he's based on someone who was based on someone else who, according to one account, wiped out a 12-man mob pretty much all by himself using only his fists....."

Cat does.

Cat tips her hat to the ladies as she leaves.

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Yeah, that makes sense."

[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "yeah, sure, but they were brutes"

Hans says (to Faustus), "Go on home. And stop trying to coerce young women into doing things they don't want to do."

Hans holds his action.

[Helvetica] GM says, "no fours ... FIVE"

[Helvetica] GM says, "That's Faustus/"

[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "and Marcel"

[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "er"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Who jumps on Hans."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Ah, I see he is not going to go home."

[7thsea] GM rolls 5k3: 6 1 2 9 5 | 20

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, it didn't seem very likely, you have to admit"

(From GM) Faustus attempts to grapple Hans to the ground.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "That exactly his my passive defense."

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "you know, Hans still has the book, right?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Are there any other grappling rules we need to handle?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Like a contest brawn check or something?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "To break it's brawn+grapple vs brawn+grapple."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Ties go to the attacker or defender?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Ties go to whoever's turn it is."

[Helvetica] Gert asks (of Hans), "Active defense?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I'm better off letting him grab me, then shaking him off, I think."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "But I am surprised you can ground someone without more than a to-hit roll."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "if he's going to grab you, maybe you should use your held action to toss the book to Gert"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Good call!"

(From GM) Faustus says, "give. me. that. book."

Hans asks, "What, this book?"

Hans tosses it to Gert.

[Helvetica] GM says (to Arvid), "no, not while grappled."

[Helvetica] GM says, "He could *drop* it, but not toss it."

[Helvetica] Hans asks (of GM), "Not while he's grabbing me, either?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "He's already grabbed you."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "OK."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "smack him with it instead"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I'm almost completely out of actions, so don't drop it yet."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Nah, I won't drop it."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we could drop it and let Marcel pick it up"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "But he can't grab the book without letting go of me either, right?"

GM says, "Meanwhile, Marcel is shouting for the guard and going after Gert."

[Helvetica] GM says (to Hans), "right."

Arvid points out the window at Faustus

Arvid says (to Bella), "see, this is the sort of man you almost sold that book to"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "So this seems like a pretty safe position for me."

Arvid shakes his head sadly

[Helvetica] GM says, "Also trying to grapple her down."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "If Marcel tries to grab it, I'll interrupt with my held action."

[7thsea] GM rolls 4k4: 7 10+10+10+2 9 6 | 54

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Do the bad guys know we outnumber them?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha wow"

Gert exclaims, "oooof!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "If they each grapple one of us, that leaves two of us free and none of them."

[Helvetica] GM says, "That was not supposed to explode ... he's unskilled ... so it's really, um, 32."

[Helvetica] GM says, "SIX"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(I assume I am indeed grappled, however.)"

[Helvetica] GM asks, "Did Hans in fact drop the book?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "This is when Cat jumps on Marcel's face?"

Cat appears by the front door, pistols in hand, and is presented by two grappled targets

[Helvetica] Hans says (to GM), "No."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "But if Cat tries to grab it from me, I won't stop her."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "sounds good to me"

Cat grabs the book as Hans hands it off

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "finesse?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "no, automatic."

[Helvetica] GM says, "I mean, you're picking something up, basically."

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "can I roll Prestidigitation to make it so nobody notices?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Sure, go ahead."

[7thsea] Cat rolls 4k3: 4 5 9 1 | 18

[Helvetica] GM says, "Enough to take it, not enough so that *Faustus* doesn't notice."

[7thsea] Hans rolls 1k1: 9 | 9

[Helvetica] Hans says, "(That was my perception check.)"

[Helvetica] GM says, "heh"

[7thsea] GM rolls 3k3: 10+3 7 7 | 27

[Helvetica] GM says (to Cat), "you want 27."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I doubt that's worth two drama dice, so I'll let it slide"

[Helvetica] GM says, "In that case..."

(From GM) Faustus sees the book exchange and quickly lets go of Hans, lunging for Cat instead.

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Does that mean we're still standing up?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Or are we prone?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "man, we should have just stabbed the dude"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Hm, I guess you *were* prone. So he's getting up and ready to lunge."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yeah, you still have your held action, you could try to keep him from breaking his hold of you..."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Yeah, y'know, try to be nice."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "though it would be funny to have us toss the book around from PC to PC and he lunges at each one"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Wait, prone?"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Really?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I think Faustus tackled him to the ground, yeah"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "He did tackle me, apparently."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "(At least, he beat my passive defense, and I didn't actively defend.)"

(From GM) Marcel spends his move improving his hold on Gert.

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Is that a contested roll?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "SEVEN"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(for marcel)"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "who could that be taking an action? could it be Arvid at last?"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Gert), "No."

[Helvetica] GM says (to Gert), "no, it just means that he has a free raise if you try to break the hold later."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Arvid), "Ha."

[Helvetica] Cat says (to Hans), "so you're ungrappled; please do something about this eejit"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "#helv ..Cat Yeah, I was just letting Arvid go first."

Arvid sighs and commends his soul to Theus as he leaps out the window, crashing through the awning, and lands on the ground.

[Helvetica] Hans says, "He's been very patient."

GM says, "People are coming out onto the street to gawk."

Arvid exclaims, "coming through!"

Arvid dashes off

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Um."

Arvid says, "(towards the carriage)"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "OK, make that three to one."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "c'mon, I'm not going to be any help punching these dudes"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "and you're a two-man army"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Yeah, but without you, we don't have enough of us to play keep-away!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Hmm."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "WOuld it be really silly of me to take the book back again?"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "why don't you just grab Faustus and let Cat run?"

GM says (to Arvid), "there's another guy running off ... to fetch the guard."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Because I have no grappling skillz."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "But, sure, I'll try it. I guess I'll use a drama die to make it remotely likely."

Arvid says (to GM), "I assume I could overtake him but I also assume another guy will be running for the guard in a sec"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, I guess you could just stab him then, although it seems a little unsporting"

[Helvetica] Hans asks (of GM), "Do I need to get up to grapple, or can I do it from knee-height, tripping him?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "(though it seems a little unsporting for us to be penalized for not being unsporting)"

[Helvetica] Arvid exclaims, "you're always knee-height!"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Exactly!"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Hans), "sure, you could try tripping him. That's dirty fighting."

[Helvetica] Hans asks (of GM), "Hmm. I guess that's no harder than grappling, if I don't have either. Straight finesse, right?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Right. TN 15+5, no explosions."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "One DD."

[7thsea] Hans rolls 4k4: 5 3 1 2 | 11

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "But I have two actions!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "One DD on the second try."

[7thsea] Hans rolls 4k4: 4 7 2 5 | 18

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Argh. One more DD."

[7thsea] Hans rolls 1k1: 2 | 2

[Helvetica] GM says, "Just enough."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess this is so dramatic because there are so many drama dice involved"

Hans rolls between Fausty's feet and hugs his knees, taking advantage of the larger man's momentum and the same physics he used to flip his sword earlier.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Hans knows physics. Who knew."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "playing footsie with fausty"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "If you could only express everything in the form of a combat maneuvre, he'd have discovered special relativity by now."

(From GM) Marcel has no idea what is going on with Faustus and Hans, but never mind. He holds his action.

[Helvetica] GM says, "EIGHT"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "the movement of planets are very much like a ball-and-chain"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "Faustus again, I think"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "and I think Gert spent her 8"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yeah."

(From GM) Faustus gets to his feet again.

[Helvetica] GM says, "NINE"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "But she's got a 9."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oho"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "is she grabbed by Marcel?"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Marcel's got her, right?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "man, we might have a fight where we don't win in one round"

[Helvetica] GM asks, "Wait, didn't Arvid have two actions on 7?"

Gert attempts to break Marcel's grab!

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Arvid skipped town."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Cat), "Sorry, it was my fault for trying to disarm him rather than cutting his head off."

[7thsea] Gert rolls 5k4: 1 9 6 2 5 | 22

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I jumped out the window and ran for the carriage"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Without the book!"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "however far that gets me with two actions"

[Helvetica] Arvid exclaims, "I've got to come back for you guys!"

[7thsea] GM rolls 3k3: 10+2 2 1 | 15

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Are we going to need to break down another gate?"

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "what are the odds?"

GM says, "Gert manages to break free of Marcel...."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Who then attempts to grab me again, I bet ;-)"

Hans asks (of Marcel), "Why are you helping the man who was trying to intimidate Colline, anyway?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "say "cheat", it's pithier"

[Helvetica] GM says, "He's going for fisticuffs now."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "and almost as true"

[Helvetica] Cat asks (of Hans), "in what way did Arvid not intimidate Colline?"

[7thsea] GM rolls 7k4: 4 7 3 8 2 9 1 | 28

[Helvetica] Arvid exclaims, "I was intimidating her for a better deal! I won't be oversold!"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Cat), "By being a dear old trustworthy professor."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "That'd be a hit..."

[7thsea] GM rolls 3k1: 6 6 8 | 8

[7thsea] Gert rolls 5k4: 3 3 4 10+9 3 | 29

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Anyway, I never said I *wasn't* helping a man who tried to intimidate her. I just asked why he was."

Gert gets slugged in the arm, and shakes it off.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I forgot how long fistfights take in 7th sea"

[Helvetica] GM says, "New round"

[7thsea] Gert rolls 3 dice: 3 9 1

[7thsea] GM rolls 3 dice: 1 1 5

[7thsea] Cat rolls 3 dice: 2 5 9

[7thsea] GM rolls 5 dice: 1 10 1 7 5

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Also, I hope Francine does come to Helvetica. I bet Kramer or Pedro or Etienne could cure tuberculosis."

[7thsea] Hans rolls 3 dice: 4 7 10

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Although they might turn her into an asparagus in the process."

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to GM), "should I roll to see when I get back with the carriage? I dunno how long it'll take"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "but an asparagus with great lungs"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "But at least it'd give her a chance to have an affair with the Comte du Cap-Royale."

[Helvetica] GM asks (of Arvid), "I think that's Drive Carriage?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "+wits"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Also, who let the GM get all those 1's?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Usually we like him to have 'em."

[Helvetica] Arvid asks (of GM), "it's an advanced knack I don't have, so that's straight wits?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "(but I have it at 0)"

[Helvetica] GM says, "If you have it at 0, dice explode."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "okey doke"

[7thsea] Arvid rolls 4k4: 7 3 10+4 1 | 25

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "then here is an initiative roll if I get back this round:"

[7thsea] Arvid rolls 2 dice: 6 5

[Helvetica] GM says, "Carriage will show up at 5."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "sounds good"

(From GM) Faustus tries to grab Cat

Cat tries to dodge

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Does Cat still have the book?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yeah."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "yeah"

[7thsea] GM rolls 5k3: 5 10+5 8 10+3 8 | 36

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "and Faustus wasn't tripped?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "He used his next action to stand up."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "throws in a DD"

[7thsea] Cat rolls 7k4: 8 4 8 2 4 8 3 | 28

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess you can drop the book and Hans can pick it up"

[7thsea] Cat says, "okay, and another"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I am on the ground and won't be able to run until phase 7."

[7thsea] Cat rolls 1k1: 8 | 8

[7thsea] Cat says, "that's a draw"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Or longer, if getting up and grabbing the book are two separate actions."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "So still goes to the initiator, i.e. not you."

[Helvetica] GM asks (of Cat), "wait, attempting to dodge will eat up your 2 and 5. Do you really want to do that?"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "a dodge is *two* actions?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "man, here's the one time in all our 7th sea experience having the "rolling" advanced athletics knack would be useful"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "well, I mean, I am going to be worthless in a grapple situation"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "No, but you don't have a '1'."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Cat), "An interrupt takes two actions."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "you can dirty fight him in the nuts"

Gert exclaims (at Cat), "Hang on! I'll pull him off you!"

[Helvetica] GM says, "A dodge is two actions if it's not actually your current action -- an interrupt. It makes it 'your turn now'."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "ah, okay"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "then I suppose I'll let myself be grappled and see what happens"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Alternately, if they didn't have all those 1's, you could have interrupted to run away on the first phase."

(From GM) Marcel is still doing the fisticuff thing with Gert.

[7thsea] GM rolls 7k4: 4 10+7 3 9 8 3 4 | 38

[7thsea] GM rolls 3k1: 8 9 10+9 | 19

[7thsea] Gert rolls 5k4: 6 2 10+3 3 4 | 26

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Huh, that's a pretty good fisti he's got there."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah"

[Helvetica] GM asks, "if he wins, does he marry Gert? And will Marguerite care?"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Is that a dramatic, with the 8?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee"

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to GM), "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess it would be, yeah"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Man. He's dramatically wounding my woman?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "This is not right."

Gert dodges right into the way of a fist, and stumbles back, ears ringing.

[Helvetica] Hans says, "On the other hand..."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Gert could grab the book and flee now, right?"

GM says, "Faustus (who is no gentleman) attempts to make Cat drop the book."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Well, the main thing is that we all jump on the cart at 5."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "with the book"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I am imagining several non-gentlemanly ways to get Cat to drop the book, none of which are pretty."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Gert), "I'm thinking that it'd be nice if whoever has the book was not grappled at the time."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "all of which he's going to pay for"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Essentially a Break, but with the effect of making her drop the book rather than causing a dramatic wound."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "So if you grabbed the book on phase 1, then interrupted to run for the cart..."

[7thsea] GM rolls 4k3: 1 7 3 8 | 18

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "do I need to roll anything?"

GM says, "And merely succeeds in making her wave it about."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "apparently not"

Cat squeaks in outrage but doesn't release her grip

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "please don't shout, and wave it about, or the others will be wanting one too"

Hans exclaims, "You're worse than Arvid was when he had a beard!"

[Helvetica] Arvid exclaims, "that was Gert in the beard!"

(From GM) Marcel is hitting Gert again.

[7thsea] GM rolls 7k4: 4 9 6 9 5 10+6 2 | 40

[7thsea] GM rolls 3k1: 2 2 7 | 7

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "geez, this guy"

Gert says (to Marcel), "Little man, you are becoming tiresome."

[7thsea] Gert rolls 5k4: 2 2 9 8 3 | 22

Hans exclaims, "Stop that!"

[Helvetica] GM says, "TWO"

[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Wait!"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "What did Gert do on 1?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I still get a 1 ;-)"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Oh right. GERT"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I would like to try to get Faustus off of Cat."

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Should I try a Grapple on him or something?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I would like to knee the rat in the vulnerables"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Grapple, I guess."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "but if you'll hold him still for me that would be appreciated too"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Finesse to twist him away, or Brawn to wrest him away?"

[Helvetica] GM says, "Finesse either way"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "OK, adding a drama:"

[7thsea] Gert rolls 5k4: 8 3 9 5 10+4 | 36

[Helvetica] GM says, "yep, you pull him off of Cat."

Gert grabs Faustus from behind and wrests him away from Cat!

[Helvetica] GM says, "TWO"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "then Marcel grabs you, forming a conga line"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"

Cat takes advantage of the pull-away to deliver a full-bodied slap to Faust's face. With the book hand.

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Is Faustus going to get on the carriage too, trying to grapple all the way back to Helvetica?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "that would be fine by me"

[Helvetica] Cat asks, "finesse/dirty fighting?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I would be happy to have more pull with Eisen"

[Helvetica] Gert says (to Cat), "Or you could save your action to get on the carriage..."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I have an action on 5"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "OK, cool."

[Helvetica] Cat throws in a DD

[7thsea] Cat rolls 6k4: 5 8 4 7 8 2 | 28

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Y'know, I really wasn't expecting to meet a dozen new NPC's this session. I'm not sure why."

[Helvetica] GM says, "Damage is brawn keep 1."

[7thsea] Cat rolls 1k1: 4 | 4

[Helvetica] Gert says (to Hans), "How slowly you lean."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "er, learn."

[Helvetica] GM asks, "They all needed names, didn't they?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "useless, but satisfying"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Of course."

[7thsea] GM rolls 4k4: 1 9 7 1 | 18

[Helvetica] GM asks, "Anyone else on 2?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "On 3 I hold action."

[Helvetica] GM asks, "THREE?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(and Faustus)"

[Helvetica] GM asks, "FOUR?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh, heh, I see the two npcs also have moves on five, awesome"

Hans gets up, looking liek he's ready to bite the goolies off of anyone who tries to tackle him again.

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yay goolies"

[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "FIVE!"

GM exclaims, "Arvid appears with the carriage!"

Arvid exclaims, "yee-haw!"

Arvid scatters bystanders left and right

Hans exclaims, "*That's* where you went!"

Hans interrupts to leap on.

Cat leaps onto the running-board

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "So what's the order of who goes when?"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "We go, then the villains go."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I will go after Cat gets on."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Cat just got on."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I think I will hold until after the bad guys go,"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Just to make sure."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Just to make sure... Faustus gets a chance to grapple you!"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh, c'mon, they're just going to tackle us and/or climb on themselves"

[Helvetica] GM says, "And very smart."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "so then you can fight it out as the carriage careens through the city streets"

(From GM) Faustus sees Cat leaping onto the carriage with The Book and desperately attempts to break Gert's hold on him.

[7thsea] GM rolls 6k4: 3 4 4 9 10+7 4 | 34

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Y'know, Marcel's going to feel really guilty when he finds out later how much money we gave Colline for Francine's treatment."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh, I forgot you were holding Faustus"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "that seems more sensible"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "I'll add a drama for the contested brawn+grapple."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oh, heh."

[7thsea] Gert rolls 6k5: 10+4 1 10+8 9 2 6 | 49

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "geez"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Of course, Marcel's going to get another chance to pummel her too."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I can see why Gert was able to marry you"

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Arvid), "Indeed."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "That, and she kept grappling me."

(From GM) Marcel's thinking, screw that, I gotta jump onto that moving vehicle and try to stop the escape!

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "woo woo"

GM says, "So he does that."

Hans asks (of Marcel), "You're coming with us?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "awesome"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "yay fight atop a moving carriage"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Of course, he's still got as many actions left as Cat, Gert and me combined."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "awesome"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "And gets to go first."

[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "ok, so Gert can let go and jump now, right?"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Yes!"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "If she doesn't get up here soon, the Arvid Express will leave without her!"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Oh, Marcel leapt on?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Yup."

Gert discards Faustus and leaps on the carriage!

[Helvetica] GM says, "SIX"

[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Can I try to trip him/make him prone in the same action?"

Arvid exclaims, "Hiyah!"

[Helvetica] GM says, "I think you're busy enough throwing Faustus away."

Arvid whips up the horses and speeds the carriage up again, crashing through the crowds on the other side.

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Sounds good."

GM says, "The horses rear up and set off at a mad pace."

Arvid exclaims (at crowds), "sorry! there's a perfectly good explanation for all this that I don't have time to give!"

GM says, "Leaving Faustus screaming incoherently behind you."

Arvid exclaims (at crowds), "but don't trust that guy!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I wonder if he's working for Chevalier and Azelma."

[Helvetica] GM Throws drama dice all around

[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Yay!"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims, "Yay!"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hooray"

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to Hans), "oho hrm"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "but wait, you'd think they'd send an official dude"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "huzzah"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "unless this was a stealth operation"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "(if so, ha ha ha)"

[Helvetica] GM says (to Hans), "according to Auguste, he's working for Sieger. Who might technically own Helvetica if it's proven that du Sices gave up her rights to the region."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to Arvid), "If that's the case, it raises the two important questions of A) why they didn't send anyone, and B) who sent him."

[Helvetica] Hans says (to GM), "OK, that answers B."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I guess he was trying to buy soil."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "nice"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Digging up the dirt on the region, as it were."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "But it still leaves open the question of why Azelma ported back as soon as she heard about the letter, but now no one's done anything about it."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Unless Azelma works for Sieger."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess with the will, the treaty, and the letter (assuming the atlas has it!) we're in a good position to continue to make the status of Helvetica confusing"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "possibly Azelma tried to find it and decided it was lost (which would ok for her)"

GM says, "Anyway, we're still in the round."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "if the atlas doesn't contain the letter... ooh, boy"

[Helvetica] Hans exclaims (at Cat), "Then at least we got a good fight out of it!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "(Still in progress.)"

[Helvetica] GM says, "SEVEN"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we now return you to the fight atop the carriage, already in progress"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Also, it is amusing that out of all of us attempting to protect the independence of Helvetica, no one here is actually *from* Helvetica."

(From GM) Marcel grabs Arvid and yells at him to Stop the horses.

[Helvetica] Cat exclaims (at Hans), "Helveticans don't get stat bonuses!"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oh yeah."

[Helvetica] GM asks, "EIGHT?"

Arvid exclaims, "I-I-I can-ana-an explplplpllain-ain if yoooooou stop shakikikiking meeeee!"

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "When they officially get their independence, do we need to make up a new stat for them?"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "when they are a proper nation they can get +1 to, um, probably Resolve"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(I am on none)"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "er, nine."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "me also"

[Helvetica] GM says, "NINE, then."

Gert grabs Marcel off of Arvid!

[Helvetica] Gert says, "(or tries)"

[7thsea] Gert rolls 4k3: 1 2 6 6 | 14

[Helvetica] Gert says, "pfft."

[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Drama die!"

[7thsea] Gert rolls 1k1: 10+2 | 12

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha."

[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "Okay, you pull him off!"

Gert asks (of Marcel), "Who are you working for?!?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I think now would be a good time for Cat to come in with a convincing explanation that will reassure him we're all on the same side her"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "admittedly, she also shot him in the head"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] Hans says, "I am thinking they get Finesse, Brawn, or Panache."

(From GM) Marcel says, "whaddayamean, who am I working for? I'm working for the guard!"

[Helvetica] Cat says (to Arvid), "or we could just throw him into a passing dungheap"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, ok, that's true"

Gert exclaims (at Marcel), "We have no quarrel with you--that man you were fighting with was a spy for Sieger!"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I just feel bad for the guy"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Unfortunately, we are not actually on the same side."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Because he is technically on Chevalier's side."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "On the other hand, perhaps we are both on the side of Independence."

GM says, "Given that Faustus was ALSO sleeping with Marcel's girlfriend Marguerite, he's all too ready to believe that."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha yay."

[Helvetica] Cat says, "hooray"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "and now that he has a fetching scar he will be able to win her back"

(From GM) Marcel says, "well. I never liked the guy."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "here is Faustus: http://scarygoround.com/index.php?date=20070202"

[Helvetica] Cat says, "I mean, as soon as it scabs up"

[Helvetica] Hans asks (of Cat), "But can he win her love without money?"

Arvid exclaims (at Marcel), "sure as a patriot you can support our fight for independence!"

Arvid says, "^ly"

Arvid says, "independence and a refreshing alcoholic beverage of your choice"

(From GM) Marcel says, "who the hell ARE you people? And don't tell me you're with the military, because I know it isn't true."

Gert says, "At any rate, we'll soon be gone, and justice will be done. If you want to truly help Montaigne, you'll round up the guard and arrest that guy."

Arvid says, "though I can't say I thought much of your friend Bella's choices"

Arvid exclaims, "we are true Helvetican patriots!"

Arvid exclaims, "we wish only for the right to live in our country in peace, free of oppressors from other nations!"

Arvid exclaims, "viva la revolution!"

Gert exclaims (at Marcel), "And I'm engaged, and so help me, your countrymen are *not* going to mess up my wedding!"

(From GM) Marcel says, "oh, you're the people they pulled all the soldiers out of here to go conquer."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Hans says, "Right. What he said. And what she said."

Arvid exclaims, "unjustly!"

Hans exclaims (at Macel), "That's us!"

[Helvetica] (from Lionheart) Arvid exclaims, "Also, free of serifs."

[Helvetica] Arvid says (to Lionheart), "well, he's french, so I have to say sans-serif"

Gert exclaims, "So, take a message back to the guard. If you don't want a fight with Sieger, you'll recognize the true independence of Helvetica!"

Gert says, "Sadly, we can't stop the carriage to let you off, so..."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

Gert tosses Marcel into a convenient dung-heap.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, so much for turning him to our side"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Well, you know."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "It can be straw if that's more convenient."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "maybe onto a -- yeah"

(From GM) Marcel, who still has an upcoming action on TEN, uses it to miss the dung-heap and land on his feet next to it instead.

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Oh, heh."

Arvid snaps off a salute as the carriage whirls on

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Hee."

Gert salutes Marcel. "Nice landing!"

Cat kisses Gert on the cheek and clambers through the carriage door.

Arvid says, "now there's just the small matter of the gated"

Hans asks (of Gert), "Are you alright, my love?"

Cat says, "Now, let's see what's *in* this damn book."

Arvid says, "but I guess we can address that when we crash through it"

Gert says (to Hans), "My head's spinning a bit, but otherwise, I'm not bad."

Gert asks (of Arvid), "Want me to take the reigns?"

Arvid says, "do you know how? please do"

Hans says (to Gert), "We must get some cold water to put on that bruise before it swells."

Hans says, "Perhaps Lucille and her friends will lend us some ice."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Whoops, reins."

GM says, "Gates are guarded by the same half-hearted fellow who let you in."

Cat leafs through the atlas with bated breath

GM exclaims (at Cat), "nothing ... nothing ... nothing ... noth -- oh wait, here's a folded-up piece of paper between the pages of the Eisen principalities!"

Cat says, "Hel-LO"

Gert waves cheerily at the man.

Hans looks over Gert's shoulder (not at the letter, but at the Eisen principalities).

[Helvetica] GM says, "and then the wind blows it away! okay, not really."

Cat exclaims (at Hans), "there's your house!"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Gert says (to Hans), "ITYM 'Cat's shoulder'"

GM says (to Cat), "yes. It's a letter addressed to the Baron, in which the Duchess formally tells him she doesn't want his useless fealty, just give her all the forested land from here to here and he can keep the mountains."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Er, right, that too."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "We still never found out why she wanted a haunted wardrobe."

GM exclaims (at Hans), "they're all misspelled!"

Cat says, "I think we have a nation."

Hans asks, "Does anyone have a pen?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm, good point"

Cat tucks the document into her jacket, and shakes hands with everyone else.

Hans says, "I have some corrections to make."

Arvid says, "not to the letter, I hope"

Gert takes a detour by a nearby farmhouse in a half-hour or so to get fresh horses, then continues on her way home.

GM asks, "What on earth is 'Porte-Libre' doing where Freiburg is supposed to be, anyway?"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"

GM says, "So, while Hans makes corrections and and Gert changes horses and the others look smug ... we break."

Hans exclaims (at GM), "I don't even know what a bois is, much less a noir one!"

[Helvetica] Cat exclaims, "hooray!"

[Helvetica] Gert says, "Yay"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I think we're winning."

[Helvetica] Hans asks, "Same time next week?"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yay session"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Also, man. I do not have time to add all these people to the NPC and refs pages tonight."

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"

[Helvetica] Arvid says, "don't worry about it"

[Helvetica] Hans says, "La boheme, Les Mis, Renoir, Cezanne..."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Not to mention Goethe."

[Helvetica] Gert says, "La boheme? Ha."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Yeah, Schanne/Schaunard, Marcel Tabar/Marcello, Marguerite/Musetta..."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Also, Francine/Mimi/Francine."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "Oh, and Colline/Colline."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "I *think* Parizeau might be Pissarro, but I'm not sure."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "And I still have no idea who the short guy is."

[Helvetica] Hans says, "But he's welcome to return any time he likes."

[Helvetica] GM says, "heheh"